ceived his education in the institutions of his native town, and, having passed through the classes of the same, settled in Bridgewater, N. Y., in the year 1800. His early home was with his parents, which was continued until he arrived at manhood. He then became the owner of a very fine farm, which he operated successfully for several years. While resident here he was elected Supervisor of his township, and Justice of the Peace, continuing in the same for many years. His correct judgment and impartial decisions and courteous bearing received the full approbation of the community. The partner of his life was Miss Saphronia Ellis, a lady of culture and charming manner, of Vernon, N. Y. Their family circle consisted of five sons and two daughters, whose names are recorded as follows: Olive, Albert, Clinton, Lavantia, L. K. (our subject), Asahel 13. and Augustus S., all of whom are still living.
   Mrs. Holmes was the daughter of A. G. Ellis, and was ushered into life about the year 1802, at Vernon, N. Y. She continued her residence at home through the years of childhood, her school days and early womanhood, until her marriage with Mr. Holmes, when about eighteen years of age. She departed this life about 1842; her husband, died at West Winfield, N. Y., about 1879, at the age of seventy-four years.
   Our subject began his life at Babcock Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y. His education was liberal, and after passing through the common school of his native town he entered the class of '56, of Hamilton College, at Clinton. Here he found opportunity to lay broad and deep the foundation of his life work, and received the mental discipline which has been, perhaps, the cause of his success in business life. After leaving school he went to Kansas, formed the acquaintance of Albert D. Richardson, and became his private secretary; this was during the excitement and trouble between the slave States and Kansas and Nebraska, regarding slavery.
   The first vote of our subject was cast in favor of S. A. Douglas, in the year 1860, upon returning to his New York home from Kansas. Early in the following year Mr. Holmes entered the army, and served in the Quartermaster's department during the entire war, was stationed at Washington until 1864, and then with Gen. Butler at Bermuda Hundred until the cessation of hostilities, going to Richmond on the day of its evacuation. In that city he continued in Government service until 1868, when he resigned and returned home.
   A new era in the life of Mr. Holmes is now entered upon. We find him working upon a farm which he purchased upon return, and was enabled to stock efficiently. But only a short time elapsed before he grew discontented with the outlook, sold his property, and turned his face toward the land of the setting sun. It was June, 1869, when he first came to Lincoln. He was, therefore, among the very earliest settlers, and found in the infant city abundant scope for all his efforts and ambitions. He gave himself heartily to the work of the extension and upbuilding of the city, and also of the surrounding district, realizing the importance, more especially at such an early stage, of having a large and prosperous environment of agriculturists around the city, as by this means a large market was created, not simply for their products, but to supply their many requirements for the home and farm, including stock, feed, miscellaneous farm implements and machinery, in addition to household goods of all kinds.
   In the spring of 1870, recognizing the necessity of this infant city being supplied with some substantial building material, he commenced work in a small brick yard, and hired as assistants six men. From this limited and circumscribed beginning the works have grown to be the largest and most improtant (sic) in the city, and now between sixty and seventy men are constantly employed. In 1880 an addition was made to his business interests by the establishment of his dairy farm, beginning with fifteen cows, under the name of the Mohawk Dairy. Through his constant and superior management this business has constantly increased, until to-day his herd numbers 150 head of magnificent cows, and he is the largest dairyman in the city. In addition to the above interests Mr. Holmes has been very active in the improvement of city property, and is the owner of ten houses, some of which are among the nicest in the city.
   The partner of the success which came to our subject in his earlier days was Miss Anna B. Havi-

land, of Chicago, whom, however, it was his sorrow to lose by death in 1879, after a happy union of six years. To them were born two children--Albert G. E. and Ruby L. On April 23, 1882, Mr. Holmes was a second time married, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Baker, a native of Wolf Island, Canada. The wedding was celebrated in Chicago. The fruits of this union have been two children, by name Virginia A. and Anna M., respectively. Mrs. Holmes is a member of the Catholic Church, while Mr. H. is strong in the orthodox belief, and politically, he is a stanch Republican.

ACOB ROCKE, County Treasurer of Lancaster County, a respected citizen of Lincoln, is a man whose high personal character and fine business talents well fit him for the responsible office, the onerous duties of which he is discharging with ability and a conscientious regard for the trust imposed upon him by his fellow-citizens. He is a German by birth, being a native of the village of Eisenberg, in the Rhine Province, where he was born Sept. 23, 1843, to Joseph and Philipine (Imhoff) Rocke, being the eldest in a family of six, and the only child of his father's first marriage.
   Joseph Rocke was born March 17, 1811, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, where he was reared, and was engaged as a farmer until he came to America. In 1844 he had the misfortune to lose his faithful wife, the mother of our subject, who was born in the Rhine Province. She was a devoted companion and a tender mother, and a consistent Christian, being a member of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Rocke married a second time, Miss Mary Nafziger becoming his wife. In 1850 he left the Fatherland to make a home in the United States, taking passage at Havre, France, on the sailing-vessel "Venus," and landed in New York in the month of October, with his family, consisting of his wife, our subject, and his son Christian, who was born on the ocean. He went from New York City to Illinois, and located in Tazewell County on a farm. He remained there and in McLean County for several years, engaged actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1869 Mr. Rocke settled up his affairs in Illinois and came to Nebraska, and took up a homestead claim, comprising the north one-half of section 12, town 7, range 6, Buda Precinct, in the southern part of Lancaster County. He built a small house to shelter his family, and immediately entered upon the work of improving his tract of wild land, and at the time of his death, Jan. 28, 1883, he had one of the finest farms in the vicinity. He left a wife and two children on the homestead. He was a worthy member of the Mennonite Church, and his honest, upright, blameless life won for him the highest esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.
   In politics he was a firm Republican. His estimable wife survived him only a few years, dying at Cortland, Gage Co., Neb., in June, 1886. She was a devoted member of the same church to which her husband belonged, and was honored and respected by all who knew her. Of her marriage five children were born, of whom the following is recorded: Christian, Lena, Joseph, Lizzie and Mary. Lena married Henry Wiedeman, of Gage County, Neb.; Joseph married Miss Mary Rocke; Lizzie married John Fiser; Mary married Richard Stockfeldt.
   Jacob Rocke was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country, therefore the most of his life has been passed here. He received a substantial education in the public schools of Illinois, and continued an inmate of the parental household until he was nineteen years old. At that age he went forth to fight the battles of his adopted Country, enlisting Aug. 12,1862, in Company H, 94th Illinois Infantry, under Col. W. W. Orme and Capt. Joseph Orme. He was mustered into service at Bloomington, Ill., August 17, and then went to St. Louis to Benton Barracks, where he remained about two weeks. The next four weeks his regiment was stationed at Springfield, Mo., and from there was sent to Fayetteville, Ark., where he took an active part in the hard-fought battle of Prairie Grove, Dec. 7, 1862. The following is a list of other important battles in which our subject was engaged: Van Buren, Ark., Dec. 27, 1862; Vicksburg, Miss., June, 1863; Yazoo City, Miss., July 14, 1863; Atchafalaya, La., Sept. 7, 1863; Brownsville, Tex., November, 1863; Ft. Morgan,

Ala., August, 1864; New East Pascagoula, Miss., Dec, 22, 1864; Spanish Fort, Ala., April, 1865. Mr. Rocke was honorably discharged, and mustered out of service at Galveston, Tex., July 17, 1865, having won a good record for efficiency and bravery on many a hotly contested battle-field in the times that tried men's souls. After the war he returned to Illinois, and in Livingston County began to fight the battle of life on his own account as a farmer, and remained thus engaged there until 1869. In that year he came to Lancaster County, thinking that on the rich virgin soil of Nebraska the prospects of success in agricultural pursuits were even better than in the Prairie State. Under the provisions of the Homestead Act, he entered the southern half of the northwest quarter of section 12, township 7, range 6, and the five succeeding years was busily engaged in improving his land, which he then sold to his father, and then bought another farm in this county. He was very successfully engaged in farming until 1879, when he became a resident of Lincoln, where he established himself in business, being proprietor of the Washington House, on the corner of Ninth and N streets.
   Mr. Rocke is one of the most substantial and highly respected citizens of Lincoln, and is a fine representative of the German element in our population. Leaving the Fatherland in childhood, he has been reared under the institutions of our country, educated in her schools, and is as truly an American citizen as if he had been born here, and his whole course, from the time when, a mere youth, he enlisted to do battle in her behalf, has proved his loyalty and devotion to the interests of his adopted country. He has been closely identified with the growth and development of Lancaster County, and may with justice he classed among its pioneers. Coming here in the prime of early manhood, by his own exertions he has risen to a position of eminence in public life. In 1885 he was elected County Treasurer of Lancaster County, and with such efficiency and fidelity did he discharge the responsible duties devolving upon him as an incumbent of this important office, that his gratified fellow-citizens re-elected him to this office in 1887. Mr. Rocke belongs to Farragut Post No. 25, G. A. R., at Lincoln, and he is also a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., in which he has held all the offices, and is now N. G. of Germania Lodge No. 67. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and is one of the leaders of the party in Lancaster County.
   Mr. Rocke was married, March 14, 1883, to Miss Kate Wittman. She presides with grace and true hospitality over their charming home, and renders it very pleasant and attractive to their numerous friends.

UTHER BATTEN. Every new country must be provided with men of force, push and enterprise, coupled with intelligence, in order to its development. No one can realize this more than those who have resided in some Territory which is passing through the period of evolution. The subject of this sketch, whose farm is situated on section 8, Oak Precinct, owns some 262 acres of land, which is exceedingly well located, and fertile.
   The grandfather of our subject, John Batten, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, and was descended from New England stock, to which this country owes much of its present greatness, and largely its original independence. He was a resident of his native State until late in life, when he removed to Vermont, in which State he closed the record of his days, at an age which numbered three years above the allotted threescore years and ten. His education was obtained in the school of his native district, and after completing its discipline and studies he was apprenticed to a carpenter, and learned the trade, and afterward went upon the farm, following the latter occupation for the greater part of his life. The partner of his life was Hannah Banfield, a most estimable lady from Vermont. Their family numbered in all eight children, their second son, John, being the father of our subject. The family record gives the names of the above children as follows: George, John, James, Mary, Clarissa, Abigail, Anna and William. Mrs. Batten died at their Vermont home at the advanced age of sixty years, leaving her husband and family to mourn their loss, realizing

.that in her there had gone from them one who had ever been their truest, noblest and best friend and companion.
   The father of our subject, John Batten, was born Sept. 8, 1809, in Orange County, Vt. Having passed through the days of childhood with its round of ups and downs, he entered school, and was afterward apprenticed to Ebenezer Crane of Springfield, to learn the trade of carriage-maker and wheel-wright, continuing after the close of apprenticeship for three years in the same establishment, for several years after this following the same trade in various parts, extending down to Maryland and Virginia. The first railroad to go through Maryland was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Our subject entered into contract with the company for work in his line, remaining with them for a considerable time, and afterward worked for the canal company along the Potomac River, until the canal was finished up to Hagerstown. Thence he returned to Pennsylvania, and engaged in carrying coal from Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia, by canal boat. From there he went to New York and Buffalo, and on into Canada, picking up any work or odd jobs that happened to be around, until he arrived at London, where he went into the lumber business near Port Kent, and continued in the same for two years. At the expiration of that period he went still further west, to Michigan, still engaged in the lumber trade, locating not far from the Monroe of to-day.
   In the year 1836, the time of settlement at Monroe, the condition of things was entirely different from that of to-day. We mention the name Toledo, and immediately there passes before the mind the bright panorama of a beautiful and extensive city, with its busy, bustling streets, its haunts of fashion, and its mansions of elegance. At that time there was not a house worthy of the name standing in Michigan; outside a limited circle of lumbermen, pioneers, State officials and relatives of such as were engaged in the State, Michigan was practically an unknown quantity, so that he is truly worthy of the name of pioneer of that State. Monroe was his home for about three years, and it was there that he found the lady whose heart and life beat in unison with his. He was united to Sophia Allen in 1836, and they have been the joyful recipients of a family of seven children, six of whom it was their privilege to bring to maturity. Their names are as follows: Mary, William, Clarissa, Luther, John and Adeline. Mary, the eldest child, was born in Monroe, whence the family removed to Galena, Ill., in 1839. During the two years of residence in this place, their daughter Harriet, since deceased, was born. From Galena Mr. Batten went to the pioneer regions of Wisconsin, and engaged extensively in lumbering upon the Wisconsin River, making his home near Stevens Point until the year 1870. It was in this place that the remainder of the family were born.
   With our subject, his son Luther, Mr. Batten now left the lumber district and trade, and came to this State, living on Gar Creek, about eight miles east of his present home, and concluded to take a homestead of eighty acres each. The family now joined them, and this was their residence until 1879. In that time the wild prairie had been tamed and brought under control, and was ready to yield a rich harvest to those who would ask for it in the language of diligence and labor. A favorable opportunity presenting, this property was sold, and the beautiful farm whereon they now reside was purchased, although at that time it was still in its virgin state. All the improvements that have been made, the tilling and cultivation that have been engaged in, which have yielded such magnificent results, have been the work of our subject and his father. The home is a large and elegant two-story frame house, admirably adapted to all uses of the family; in addition there is a very fine, commodious barn, also other farm buildings upon the same scale. The entire farm is either under the plow or in tame grass, and every acre is well cultivated and improved. We shall have occasion presently to notice some special features of the enterprise of our subject in connection with this farm, but before doing so would notice some points of his history.
   Luther Batten, as noted above, was born at Stevens Point, Aug. 28, 1848, and lived with his parents until the time of removal to this State. From that time his father has lived with him. He received his education in the Wisconsin common schools, and in it were embraced such studies as were of more practical value. After he came to this place he became

acquainted with Miss Helen Hermance, the. daughter of J. L. and Esther (Hawkins) Hermance, a lady of education and refinement, capable of occupying a high social position, and fitted to take her place as the head of the domestic relations of her family. Their union was celebrated April 19, 1874. Their family comprises four children, besides two who died in early years. The names of the children living are: Ernest L., Carrie A., Winnie E. and Elmer E.
   Helen Hermance Batten, the wife of our subject, was born at Scio, Allegany Co., N. Y., and was the third child born to her parents. Her natal day was June 27, 1857, and her early life was spent in the same town, and at its schools she received her education. She continued her residence with her parents until their removal to Nebraska in 1872, and remained in the now home until her marriage with our subject. We would refer the reader desirous for more complete information of this family to the biography of J. L. Hermance.
   Our subject since the year 1871 has introduced and run a large and powerful threshing-machine, the first in this entire vicinity. His first machine was bought at Plattsmouth, and was brought in from that place by horses. At different times four important improvements were made in the machine, and his enterprise led him to introduce another innovation to the farm methods of the district. This time he purchased a larger and stronger machine, to be run by steam. The first was run by what is called ground power, and was considered a splendid thresher, but since his introduction in the year 1884 of the new machine, which so far surpasses its predecessor, it is not so much spoken of. Our subject has carried on quite an extensive business with his steam thresher in addition to his farm work and in which he is exceedingly prosperous. He is the owner of about 100 head of cattle, a large number of blooded horses, and has given considerable attention to stock farming, with even more success than has attended his labor in the department of agriculture. He is the owner of Henry Clay, a magnificent Short-horn Durham bull, registered; also Nellie, who is registered likewise.
   Mr. John Batten and his son are both lifelong Republicans, and are earnest supporters of that party. They are recognized as representative citizens and farmers by the community at large. Their efforts for the development of the country, and the advancement of the best interests of the county, their manly, outspoken, honorable character, and eminent respectability, have won for them the confidence and esteem of all who know them.

ENNIS H. GRAY. In a period of seven years the subject of this sketch has built up a homestead in Little Salt Precinct which will do credit to any farmer in this section of country. His land when he took possession of it consisted of wild prairie, and there stood upon it no buildings. He has now a neat and comfortable dwelling with a good barn and all the other necessary outhouses, has put out about 2,000 forest trees, besides an orchard of 100 apple trees, and is well supplied with the smaller fruits, including cherries, plums, etc., besides 100 rods of hedge fence, which forms a beautiful dividing line for his cultivated fields. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, keeping usually a herd of fifty head of graded Short-horn and Durham cattle, besides good horses and swine. He usually puts in about 100 acres of corn, besides wheat and the other products which flourish upon the soil of Southern Nebraska.
   Our subject comes of an Eastern family, his father, Henry Gray, having been born in New Jersey, in 1810. After reaching manhood he moved to Pennsylvania and from there to Lee County, Ill., about 1855. There he secured a tract of land upon which he lived and labored until his death, in 1859. The mother, Mrs. Catherine (Johnson) Gray, was born in Pennsylvania in 1828, and the parental household included nine children, five of whom are living, and all residents of this State.
   Caleb Johnson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, and a native of Ireland, was a blacksmith by trade, but died when a young man. Grandmother Gray is still living, being now well advanced in years, and makes her home with her son-in-law, Mr. Van Campen, in Little Salt Precinct. Both she

and her husband identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church early in life.
   Dennis H. Gray was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Dec. 28, 1844, and was a lad of eleven years when his parents emigrated to Lee County, Ill. He remained there until September, 1881, then crossing the Mississippi established himself upon the land which he now occupies, and which he had purchased some time before. He had been married, April 6, 1876, to Miss Celia Van Campen, who was born Feb. 17,1858, in Viola Township, Lee Co., Ill., and is the daughter of Moses B. and Eliza A. (Winters) Van Campen, the former of whom was a native of Susquehanna County, Pa., born Oct. 24, 1816. He developed into manhood in his native county and removed to Illinois before his marriage. His family included seven children, four of whom are still living. Eliza, the mother of Mrs. Gray, was born Sept. 21,1821, in New Jersey, where she was reared and remained with her parents until her marriage. She removed with her husband to Lee County, Ill., in 1854, and to Nebraska in 1887. They are now residents of Little Salt Precinct, and members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.
   Our subject and his wife commenced life together in a manner suitable to their means, laboring industriously and living economically until they could obtain a foothold. Mrs. Gray has been the efficient helpmate of her husband in all his worthy undertakings and they are now the parents of two children: Ira M., born Jan. 6, 1878, and Rosa E., Sept. 25, 1880.

LVIN O. WAIT, of Stevens Creek Township, settled on the eastern line of this count in 1875, and owns 160 acres of good land on section 9. He has one of the most costly dwellings in this part of the county and all the outbuildings required for the shelter of stock, the storing of grain, the machinery requisite for carrying on agriculture after modern methods, and all the other appliances of the modern country estate. Not the least among these is a fine assortment of fruit trees, including the most valuable cherry orchard in the State of Nebraska, which embraces 125 trees of the finest variety of this luscious fruit. The homestead is noticeable as one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of this region, and needs but a glance to indicate the character of its proprietor. The better to bring this before the reader, we present on another page a faithful though necessarily limited view of this splendid property. Essex County, N. Y., cradled our subject fifty three years ago, he having been born Oct. 12, 1835. His parents, Jared C. and Laura (Martin) Wait, were natives respectively of New York and Vermont. They were married in the former State, after which they returned to the Green Mountain State, where they spent the greater part of their lives. Finally coming westward the lived for a time in Troy, N. Y., and the father subsequently took up his abode in Stephenson County, Ill., where his death took place in 1866. The mother is still living, and resides among her children in Chicago. The parental household included six children, three sons and three daughters, but the daughters all died young. The eldest boy, Edgar Fisk, is a dealer in military clothing at Chicago, Ill.; Miner F. is a locomotive engineer running on the Nebraska railroads.
   The subject of this biography was a child when his parents removed from New York State to Vermont where he lived until a youth of eighteen years, acquiring a practical education in the common schools and learning telegraphy, which he followed two years. He then set out for the Pacific Slope, taking the ocean route via the Isthmus, and occupied himself as a telegraph operator in the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento for a period of six years, then returning to the Empire State, he located in the city of Troy, establishing himself in the grocery trade, which he carried on until the out-break of the Civil War. He then joined the military telegraph corps under Gen. Fremont, at St. Louis, and was busy sending dispatches until after the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862.
   Mr. Wait now returned to St. Louis, but on account of ill-health changed his location and occupation, settling at Freeport, Ill., and occupied himself as an operator there until 1867. Later he became Train Dispatcher, and Superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company, holding this