member of the Republican party, and looks forward to the continuation of the National prosperity. As a Mason he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and has a large circle of warm friends and acquaintances. As in enterprising and honest man, he merits the highest esteem of his fellowmen, and deserves to continue for many years the gratified observer of the advancement of the precinct for which he has done so much.

REDERICK LUCKE. It is ever a pleasure to note in history the successive steps by which some men have risen from a lowly condition to one of comfort and wealth, and perhaps there is no more excellent illustration of the achievements of industry than that afforded by a glimpse into the lives of the German residents and land-owners in this county. Many of them, either with or without their parents, took leave of their friends and relatives in the Fatherland, endured a long voyage across the water, and arrived in this country perhaps the only representatives of their respective families, with perhaps sufficient means to enable them to reach the part of this country which they had previously chosen to inhabit, but compelled sooner or later to engage in some occupation by which they might be enabled to meet the coming wants, and provide for themselves and their families a home.
   Among those who are entitled to respect because of their strength of character and sterling qualities of manhood, is the gentleman who furnishes the subject of this sketch. He is a successful and enterprising farmer of Buda Precinct, residing on section 26. He was born in Prussia, in the year 1851, and is a son of Louis and Charlotte Lucke, who were also of German birth, and the former of whom is deceased. Frederick remained in his native country until he was sixteen years old, then with his parents crossed the water to America and settled with his family in Cook County, Ill., where they lived for one year; thence they moved to Benton County, Iowa, where they resided for a number of years, and in about the year 1879 they came to this county.
   After spending a few years with his family in their new home, the father of our subject was taken from them, his death occurring on the 5th of June 1883. The mother is living, and still resides in Buda Precinct, her years numbering more than seventy. There were born to them nine children, two of whom are deceased. Those living, are: August, Henry; Harmon, who is engaged in a merchant tailoring and clothing house, at Harlan, Iowa; Frederick; Charles, who is farming in Oregon; Christopher, who is farming in the Far West; and Louis. Both of the parents were members of the Lutheran Church, and exemplary Christian people. The mother is enjoying in her latter days the homage due to a life well spent.
   Our subject went to Iowa with his parents, and remained there about three years. Then leaving them he started out alone to seek his fortune in another region. He came to this county in 1871 and homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he it once set about improving, and at which he has been so successful that he now has a splendid farm, with all needful buildings and machinery. He has been a careful manager, and added to his first possessions until he has now a tract consisting of 480 acres of land, the result of his own perseverance and industry.
   When Mr. Lucke came to this county he was but a young man, and the world was before him. He made good use of his knowledge of farming, no doubt meeting with the hardships and discouragements incident to that time, and obliged to forego modern comforts and luxuries, and in the time that he has lived on his own land he has made here and there an improvement as he was able, and has the satisfaction of seeing it in almost as perfect a condition as the labor of man could secure. He has followed agriculture all his life, with the exception of a short time spent in carpentering.
   On the 13th of March, 1873, our subject was joined in matrimony with Miss Mary Severin, a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth Severin, of whom further mention is made in another sketch. Mrs. Lucke has been a faithful helpmate to her husband, sharing his labors and encouraging him by her womanly smile and presence, and to them have been given four children, all with but one exception permitted to remain with them: Amanda, the eldest, was born Feb. 28, 1875; Clara, Dec. 23,

1877; and Emil, March 10, 1880. Richard, the little one who was taken from them, was born Nov. 29, 1876, and died December 15 of the same year.
   Mr. Lucke has taken a lively interest in the affairs of his community, having served as Treasurer of the School Board for several years, and as Road Supervisor for two terms. He is an active member of the German Family Club, at Cortland, and prominent among the members of the Agricultural Society of Buda Precinct. In political matters he is Democratic in his views, although generally voting for the men whom he considers qualified to fill their respective offices without regard to the party to which they may belong. He is an esteemed member of the Lutheran Church, and honorably mentioned in society and among business men.
   Probably no more correct idea can be gained of the character of Mr. Lucke than a glance at the view of his home and surroundings which is given on another page, and which indicates in a forcible manner to what good advantage he has labored. It forms a monument to his industry which his children in future years may look upon with pride and satisfaction, and a landmark to his credit in the county of his adoption.

LPHONSUS J. COLE is one of the prominent general farmers and raisers of improved stock in West Oak Precinct, where, upon section 6, he is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres. He is the son of Samuel C. and Maria (Hass) Cole. His father was born in Bucks County, Pa., Feb. 2, 1829; having procured from the usual institution a practical education, he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, after which he worked at his trade in Doylestown and Philadelphia, making his headquarters at Bucksville, continuing there until the year 1884,
   Mr. Cole, Sr., was united in marriage with Miss Hass, of Philadelphia. Their family numbered six children, four boys and two girls. His wife was born on Christmas Day, 1828, upon board ship in mid-Atlantic, while en route from Germany. She is the daughter of Jacob Hass, and until her marriage lived at home in Philadelphia. Her father continued to live in that city from his first entrance to the country until his death in 1860. In 1884 Mr. Cole sold his property in Bucksville and came to Lincoln, where he lived with his family for three months, when they took up residence upon their present farm, but as age began to tell upon them they left their son, our subject, in charge of the farm, and again made their home in Lincoln. Both they and their family are devout members of the Catholic Church. The political sympathies of Mr. Cole are, and always have been, with the Democratic party. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Cole, was born in 1789, and continued to live in Pennsylvania until 1873, when he died at the age of eighty-four years.
   Alphonsus J. Cole, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucksville, Pa., April 15, 1859. He received a good common-school education, which was followed by a full course at Notre Dame, Ind. From the school he graduated to the farm, the intricacies and details of which it was his purpose to master. He continued at this occupation until the removal West in 1884, when the family came direct to this place and took the property at present occupied, and also the eighty acres situated directly across the line in Saunders County. Immediately he began to improve the property and redeem the wildness of the rolling prairie. His work began with the erection of a residence, which was made to consist of a two and a half story frame building with no pretention to architectural fashions, and yet substantial and comfortable, and presenting when finished, painted and decorated, a very pretty and pleasant home. There followed afterward the building of the barn, granaries and other out-buildings a select and extensive orchard was set out, and numerous forest and shade trees were planted. The whole farm is surrounded by beautiful trees of this description, and every acre brought to the highest state of cultivation.
   November 25, 1887, our subject and Miss Josephine Hoffman celebrated Thanksgiving Day with a new interest, and were united in the golden bands of wedlock. This lady is the daughter of John Hoffman, of Bauer, Iowa. She was born Aug. 10, 1859, at Bucksville, Pa. Her mother died when