where he commenced the business of a tailor, in which he was successful, and accumulated a large amount of property. In 1857 he purchased a farm upon which he lived a period of fifteen years. His decease occurred on the 12th of April, 1884, and he left a family of eight children, six of whom were sons, and seven of these are now living.
   In 1865 the subject of this sketch made his way to Atchison, Kan., and in a short time was operating at a trading-post 100 miles west, where he transacted a successful business for a period of five years. Thence he came to this county, and his subsequent career we have already indicated.
   On the 12th of May, 1858. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Warren and Martha Reese, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and the latter of Lancaster County, Pa. The parental family included nine children, four of whom are now living, and these latter all daughters. Mrs. Smith was the second child of her parents, and was born in Lancaster, Ohio, March 4, 1839, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children. Our subject, politically, is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and socially, is a K. T., belonging to Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 4.

OSEPH H. SWISHER, of Middle Creek Precinct, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in the county of that name, April 29, 1841. His father, Joseph Swisher, Sr., was born in 1799, in Strasburg, Va., and his paternal grandfather, Henry Swisher, was a native of Hampshire County, W. Va. His great-grandfather, Valentine Swisher, is believed to have been a native of Switzerland, who crossed the Atlantic early in the eighteenth century and settled in Hampshire County, W. Va.; he there spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming pursuits.
   Henry Swisher, the grandfather of our subject, settled in Strasburg, Va., after his marriage, where he followed his trade of carpenter, and where he continued to reside until his death. He died while on a visit to relatives in Pennsylvania, in 1808. His wife, Margaret Baker, was a daughter of Phillip P. Baker, who, it is believed, came from Germany and settled in Shenandoah County, where both he and his daughter Margaret died. His son Joseph, the father of our subject, learned the trade of a tanner, and when embarking in business for himself erected a tannery in Shenandoah County, which he operated many years, and there spent his entire life, passing away in 1876.
   Joseph Swisher, Sr., married Miss Anna Funkhouser, who was a native of the same county as her husband, and the daughter of Daniel and Alma Funkhouser, who also spent their entire lives upon the soil of the Old Dominion. Anna Funkhouser, the grandmother of our subject, was the daughter of Mr. Supinger. She died in 1806, in Shenandoah County. and her father died there about 1810. Joseph's grandfather Funkhouser was of German birth, but his mother was born in Ireland. Mrs. Anna Swisher departed this life about 1869. The parental household included ten children, of whom seven are now living: William, Maurice, Noah, Mary, Joseph H. (our subject), Martha and Rebecca. Joseph H. was reared in his native county and at an early age was taught to make himself useful on the farm. Soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate Army, being a member of Company E, 11th, Virginia Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, his regiment being under the immediate command of Gens. Stonewall Jackson and Wade Hampton. He participated in the battle of Gettysburg and in the battles around Richmond and Petersburg, and was captured in the Shenandoah Valley in October, 1864, and confined at Point Lookout four months. Then being paroled he returned home, and after the war was over resumed farming upon the soil of his native State, where he resided until 1880.
   In the spring of that year Mr. Swisher came to Nebraska and purchased a tract of land in Otoe County, where he resided three years; he then sold out and secured his present farm in Middle Creek Precinct, Lancaster County. This lies on section 2, and includes eighty acres of land under good improvement, with commodious and substantial buildings. As a soldier he was faithful to the principles in which he had been reared, and fought bravely with the "boys in gray," who suffered heroi-

cally and conscientiously, and to whom due honor is rendered that they laid down their lives for the sake of a principle. As a citizen, Mr. Swisher is a man entirely respected by his community, as being incapable of a mean action, and who is contributing his quota to the moral and financial welfare of his adopted precinct.
   The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah Funkhouser was celebrated at the home of the bride, in April, 1877, in Rockingham County, Va. Mrs. S. was a native of the same county as her husband, and the daughter of Joseph and Christina Funkhouser, who were also natives of the Old Dominion and of German ancestry. She is a most estimable lady, and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while our subject finds religious consolation in the doctrines of the Lutherans. Her grandfather, Abraham Neff, married Barbara Keagey, both of German ancestry, and natives of Shenandoah County, where they died; he was a physician.

AMES KILBURN, a retired farmer and now a resident of the city of Lincoln, has one of the pleasantest homes within its limits, occupying No. 616 Sixteenth street. Not being able, at once to break off from his lifelong habit of industry, he employs a portion of his time as a dealer in real estate. A New Englander by birth, he began life in the town of Princeton, Jan. 8, 1819, and is consequently nearing his three score and ten years. He is a lineal descendent of George Kilburn, a renowned personage of the Bay State, who flourished about 1610.
   Our subject was reared a farmer's boy and received his education in the common schools. He made good use of his opportunity for learning, and began teaching at the early age of seventeen years. Later, wishing to add to his store of knowledge, he became a student of Phillips' Academy, at Andover, front which he was graduated in 1841. Two years later he engaged as a traveling salesman for spectacle lenses and in the pursuance of his duties journeyed over a great part of the United States, establishing agencies. In the meantime he kept himself well posted upon current events, and possessing considerable literary talent, became correspondent of the Boston Emancipator, an Abolition paper, with the sentiments of which he was in sympathy.
   In 1847 young Kilburn left the road and established himself in business as a manufacturer of all kinds of woodenware, including chairs, balls, etc. The plant and machinery was destroyed by fire in 1852, involving the total loss of his capital and necessitating his beginning in life again at the foot of the ladder. He now emigated (sic) first to Western Pennsylvania, and then to New York State in the interests of a lumber company, with which he was connected four years. The next five years were spent in farming. He finally crossed the Mississippi as agent for the "Life of Horace Greely," and canvassed in the interests of this publication four years.
   Mr. Kilburn, in 1867, came to this State as agent for a Wisconsin nursery, and the year following took up a homestead claim in the northern part of Saunders County, besides purchasing land adjoining. In this manner he became the owner of 320 acres, upon which he lived and labored until 1885, then selling it at the snug sum of $9,500. Soon afterward he took up his residence in Lincoln, where he embarked in real estate business, purchasing first an entire block, and in less than three months made the handsome profit of $4,000. He subsequently added to his property, having now 320 acres between the fair ground and O street, in addition to an interast (sic) in the Riverside addition of a like amount. Besides this he has some inside lots and one of the finest residences in the city.
   In 1871 the friends of Mr. Kilburn in the senatorial district, comprising the counties of Dodge, Saunders, Washington and Sarpy, elected him to the Constitutional Convention held at Lincoln. In his public life he has steadily kept in view the rights of the common people, and at every opportunity cast the weight of his influence in favor of having these rights recognized by law.
   One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage, in 1880, with Mrs. Harriet (Burr) Martin, who was born in Norfolk, Conn., in 1838, and was educated in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Mr. K. is a prominent member of the Con-

gregational Church, and popular in the social and business circles of the city. He has accumulated a line property and lives in a manner befitting his means and station. He is a Director of the Nebraska Savings Bank, which was established in 1886, and in his political preferences an earnest supporter of the Prohibition party.

OHN FITZGERALD, who is regarded as one of the best financiers of the State of Nebraska, and in fact of the West, became a resident of the city of Lincoln in 1878, and there is no question that to him is this part of the State greatly indebted for its rapid growth and prosperity. A self-made man in the closest sense of the word, he early in life became practically acquainted with railroad and canal building, having been at an early period in his career engaged in the construction of the Erie Canal in New York State. In this important field of labor which is always connected with the growth of any State or Nation, he appears to have been especially adapted. He was naturally Civil Engineer enough to know when a bridge or a culvert was properly constructed, and while yet a young man migrated to the West and put into practical application his valuable knowledge, which was so easily and thoroughly acquired as to have been almost phenomenal.
   Mr. Fitzgerald from the first brought his admirable qualities as a financier into requisition, and this formed one of the secrets of his success. Upon crossing the Mississippi the project of the Far Western railroad found in him a most vigorous and useful exponent. He commenced laying his plans upon an extended and progressive scale, and almost invariably conducted them to successful fulfillment. He at once, as rapidly as he was able, formed contracts and began his operations. The Lincoln & Northwestern, Brownville & Ft. Kearney, Atchison Nebraska and parts of the Burlington & Missouri were projected and carried out by Mr. Fitzgerald, and later he projected and built the line from Nemeha (sic) City to Tecumseh, and another in Iowa from Humeston to Shenandoah, in the southwestern part of the State, jointly for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Wabash Companies. He built the Burlington & Missouri into Plattsmouth, and also carried on the western extension of that road. It is impossible within the brief details of a biography to mention half the labor involved and half the details connected with the successful completion of these lines, which now afford a thoroughfare for vast quantities of the produce of Southern Nebraska, and transportation for hundreds of thousands of the traveling public.
   As a public benefactor the name of John Fitzgerald had attained a fame that is little short of National. His temperate judgment and his wise foresight have guided him successfully where other men would have declared the scheme impossible of execution. It is scarcely necessary to say that upon crossing the Mississippi he was welcomed by the people of the Great West, as a most valued accession to this portion of the continent. In Lincoln he succeeded Amasa Cobb as President of the First National Bank, and was also given this honored and responsible position in connection with the same institution at Plattsmouth. A man of his genius and large ideas could not otherwise than become interested in agriculture, and he is identified in both Lancaster and Cass Counties largely with farming operation, is an extensive dealer in cattle, and interested in stock-raising generally. Considering the labors which he has undergone and the results which he has effected, one would naturally suppose them the fruits of a long lifetime, but John Fitzgerald is still an individual in his prime. it is hoped that he may long continue a resident of the great State of Nebraska, both to witness her continued prosperity and add still further to her importance.

EORGE E. BIGELOW. The real-estate interests of Lancaster County find a lively representative in the subject of this sketch, who was quick to discern the opportunities opening up for the man of energy and means. If the air which one first breathes has any influence in determining his course in life, Mr. Bigelow was fortunate from the beginning, as he was born in the

northeastern part of Ohio, in Portage County, June 20, 1851. The offspring of an excellent family, his parents were James H. and Sarah A. (Webb) Bigelow, the former a native of Connecticut, and born Feb. 28, 1820.
   The father of our subject came to Nebraska in March, 1873, and located first in Geneva, Fillmore County, when there was not a house upon the present site of that now flourishing town. He invested his capital in railroad lands, carried on farming and general merchandising, and also officiated as Postmaster. He is still living, hale and hearty, and takes a deep interest in all things of public interest. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1834, and was a fitting companion for her husband in all his labors and undertakings, and to-day her hair shows scarcely a silver thread, and her energy is as unabated as when more than forty years ago she took up her share of the burdens and responsibilities of a then new country. Her mother, the grandmother of our subject, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is still living, having now arrived at the advanced age of nearly ninety-two years. She is still a smart and intelligent old lady, with hearing and memory very good. Her people were what was called Pennsylvania Dutch, and she was reared in the Quaker faith, to which she still loyally adheres. Mr. Bigelow's parental family consisted of two children only, our subject and his sister Arlie, who died at the age of two and one-half years.
   Mr. Bigelow, after leaving the primary school, entered the higher schools at Alliance and Mt. Union, Ohio, attending the college at the latter place. When little past eighteen years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Belle G. Greene, the wedding taking place in Gilead, Mich., Sept. 22, 1869. Mrs. Bigelow was born in Branch County, Mich., Feb. 16, 1851, and is the daughter of E. C. S. and Maria (Kees) Greene, who were natives of New York State; the father was born near the city of Dunkirk, Sept. 16, 1825, and is still living, making his home on a farm in Gilead Township, Branch County, where he carries on agriculture extensively and takes a lively interest in political affairs, being a stanch Republican. The mother, who was born Feb. 15, 1831, died when a young woman, at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving two children--Belle and her sister Anna; the latter died in Gilead at the age of twelve years. Mr. Greene contracted a second marriage, with Miss Lydia Thurston, some three years after the decease of his first wife.
   Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow began the journey of life together in Ohio. They became the parents of six children, two of whom, Garfield and Blanche, died in infancy. Three years ago they were called to mourn the less of their eldest child, Maude, a beautiful girl just entering her fourteenth year, she having died of typhoid fever. She possessed artistic talent to a wonderful degree in one so young and was an advanced student and thinker. Venice, a bright miss of thirteen years, seems to have been rarely gifted as an elocutionist, her power of oration being really wonderful in one so young. The others living are Errett and George C. Mr. Bigelow has been quite prominent in politics, and in 1884 was made the candidate of the Prohibition party for Secretary of State. In 1886 he was again placed upon the ticket of this party as candidate for Congress from the First District, and although defeated as he expected, made a lively canvass and secured many additional adherents to his party. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, with which they have been identified for many years.
   The property of Mr. Bigelow includes, 480 acres of land, three and one-half miles southwest of the city, and a half-section on what is called Lincoln Heights besides his residence and property within the corporate limits. It is hardly necessary to say that in politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mrs. B. is in sympathy with her husband on the question of temperance, and in October, 1887, was elected Superintendent of the State Department of Foreign Missions for the W. C. T. U., of which she is also Corresponding Secretary. She has canvassed the State in the interest of Woman Suffrage and Prohibition combined. She attended the National Prohibition Convention at Indianapolis, Ind., in May, 1888, and for some time has been State Superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Christian Church. Mr. Bigelow proposes to build a fine residence on Lincoln Heights in the near future, and being a man with ample means at command, it is

probable that the proposed structure will be fully in keeping with the reputation of that part of the city which is destined to form one of its finest resident portions. In the fall of 1888 (the present year) he has received the nomination for Governor on the Prohibition ticket, and is making an active canvass of the State in the interests of his party.

ANIEL DERIEG, a well-known farmer of Mills Precinct, is comfortably located on section 17. He came to this county in 1877, purchased 160 acres of land at $8 per acre, and moved upon it the following year. There was great room for improvement, and Mr. D. has taken full advantage of the situation to build up a comfortable homestead, having now a substantial rooftree over his head, and adjacent the structures required for the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. Of the latter he makes a specialty, raising each year numbers of cattle and swine, which mostly consume the grain raised upon the farm.
   In noting the successful career of the well-to-do citizen the mind naturally reverts to his antecedants. Our subject was boen (sic) May 1, 1836, and is the son of James Derieg, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, who was born in 1808. The latter emigrated first to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and thence in 1865, to Kane County, Ill.; he followed farming all his life. In early manhood he married Miss Hannah McDow, the wedding taking place in New Brunswick. The mother was born in 1824, and died June 20, 1884, at the age of sixty years. James Derieg survived his wife four years, his death taking place May 18, 1888. The parental household included fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, thirteen of whom are living, and all in the United States. Michael is farming in the vicinity of Kearney, this State: Daniel, our subject, is next to the eldest living; James is in the lumber business in Wisconsin, as are also John and Dennis; Bernard and Timothy are in the lumber business in Washington Territory; William is farming in Holt County, this State; Owen is in Wisconsin; Eunice, Mrs. Bent, a widow, is a resident of Kane County, Ill.; Hannah lives in California; Catherine is the wife of John Dillon. who is farming near Kearney; Mary Jane is in Kane County, Ill.
   Our subject lived at home until a lad of fourteen years, and was then employed as a farm laborer for six years thereafter. Subsequently he was engaged in the lumber business until 1870. When twenty-four years old he was married to Miss Bridget Monahan, who was the daughter of Willam and Rose (Carriden) Monahan, natives of Ireland. This lady was born in 1840. They moved to Illinois in 1870, and our subject continued in the lumber business four years, thence he came to Nebraska.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Derieg there have been born ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Margaret became the wife of Fred Schunaman, a farmer by occupation; James is farming in Dakota; Eunice, Daniel, William, John, Michael, George, Carrie and Frank are at home with their parents. The eldest of the family is about thirty years old and the youngest eleven. The mother died at her home in Mills Precinct on the 29th of March, 1880. Mr. Derieg and the remaining members of his family belong to the Catholic Church at Rock Creek.

RITZ MUNDT, general farmer and stockraiser, residing on section 5 in Olive Branch Precinct, owns a fine body of land 160 acres in extent. It has been brought to a good state of cultivation and is generously supplied with all the appliances of the modern country estate, including first-class buildings, machinery and live stock. Mr. Mundt has been a resident of this precinct since 1868, and secured the land which he still owns from the railroad company at a time when there had been no efforts at improvement upon it.
   Our subject was born in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, Germany, Jan. 11, 1858, and is the son of Frederick Mundt, Sr., a native of the same, and born June 29, 1823. The family is of pure German ancestry. The paternal grandfather was a tailor by trade and also farmed in a small way. He spent his entire life upon his native soil, as did also the grandmother, Mrs. Mary Mundt.
   Frederick Mundt lived at home with his parents

until attaining manhood, and was married in his native Province to Miss Mary Basdan, who was born and reared in the same locality. After the birth of five children, four sons and one daughter, of whom Fritz, our subject, was the second child, the parents left Germany and emigrated to the United States. Coming directly west to this county, the father homesteaded eighty acres of land in Olive Branch Precinct, where with the assistance of his family he built up a good home. The mother only lived to be middle-aged, her death occurring when she was forty-seven years old. The father is still living at the old homestead, and is now sixty-five years of age. He is a Lutheran in religion, and in politics a stanch supporter of the Republican party.
   Our subject remained a member of his father's household until his marriage, which was celebrated Feb. 27, 1879, at the home of the bride, Miss Dora Roock, in Olive Branch Precinct. Mrs. Mundt was also born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Oct. 12, 1860, and came to the United States with her father after the death of her mother. They also after landing upon American soil made their way directly westward to this county, locating in Olive Branch Precinct in 1870. The father occupied himself as a farmer until his death, which took place in October, 1887, when he was sixty-six years old. After the death of his first wife he was married a second time, and his daughter Dora lived with her father and stepmother until her marriage.
   To our subject and his wife there have been born five children, namely: Ferdinand H. C. F., Wilhelmina D. T. M., Henry C., Carl F. and Alvena L. Mr. Mundt, politically, is a Republican, and in religious matters he and his wife attend the Lutheran Church.

HOMAS F. GRIGSBY, a prominent general farmer and stock-raiser of West Oak Precinct, owns a fine tract of land on section 18, which he has brought to a very productive condition. A native of Fulton County, Ill.. He was born near Lewistown, Oct. 24, 1848, and is the son of John Grigsby, who was born in Kentucky in 1828. The latter lived in the Blue Grass regions until 1846, and emigrated from there to Sangamon County, Ill., and thence later to Fulton County. In the latter he took up a tract of Government land, from which he eliminated one of the finest farms in that region, putting up a handsome brick residence with large and commodious barns, graneries and other outbuildings. He became one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Central Illinois, and lived there until 1882, when he sold out and moved to Seward County, this State. Here he purchased a farm of 240 acres where he is still prosperously occupied in agricultural pursuits.
   Mrs. Margaret (Clark) Grigsby, the mother of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1832, and was the daughter of John Clark, a farmer and miller. She received a good education and lived with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with John Grigsby there were born twelve children, eight of whom lived to mature years. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father of our subject, politically, is a stanch Republican.
   Thomas F. Grigsby acquired a practical education in his native town, and after leaving school worked with his father on the farm until reaching his majority. He then began farming for himself in Piatt County, Ill. On the 21st of October, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Didamie Shaw, and of this union there have been born eight children, six of whom are living: Ettie, Charles, Margaret, Orvil, Pearl and Arthur. Our subject continued a resident of Illinois for ten years thereafter, then selling out, he came to this county, and on the 2d of March, 1882, purchased the land he now owns and occupies.
   There had been but a slight attempt at improvement on the land which Mr. Grigsby had purchased, but he set himself industriously to work upon it and now has a fine residence with a good barn and other outbuildings, shade and fruit trees, a flourishing apple orchard, cherries, grapes and all of these luscious productions in their season. Mr. G. and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subject has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Road Commissioner and occupying various positions of trust and responsibility. He has always had great faith in the future of Nebraska. He has

given his children the best opportunities for education consistent with his means and standing, is public-spirited and liberal, and the uniform encourager of the enterprises calculated to benefit his community.
   Mrs. Grigsby was born in Fulton County, Ill., June 6, 1847, and lived there with her parents until her marriage, forming the acquaintance of her husband during her youthful days and being one of his playmates at school. Her father, Charles Shaw, was born in Ohio in 1803, and it still living, making his home in Missouri. The maiden name of the mother was Miss Maria Wheeler. Miss Ettie, the daughter of our subject, is the wife of James Wilson, a well-to-do farmer; they have one boy and are living in Colorado. Charles Grigsby makes his home with them, but the other children of our subject continue under the parental roof.

HOMAS H. HYDE, one of the earliest settlers of the city of Lincoln, was born in Bradford County, Vt., and is the son of Zebediah Hyde, a native of Connecticut. It is believed that his paternal grandfather, James Hyde, was a native of England, and emigrating to America at an early day, settled in Connecticut, where he accumulated a large property and spent the remainder of his life. Zebediah Hyde became a resident of the Green Mountain State when a boy, and learned the trade of paper maker in Bradford. Later in life he became interested in the mills there. In 1861, leaving New England, he emigrated to Illinois, and, settling in Sterling, engaged in general merchandising in company with his youngest son. There he spent the last years of his life.
   The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Amanda Heath, a native of Vermont and the daughter of Thomas and Eunice Heath, natives of Scotland. The mother accompanied her family to Illinois and died in Sterling. Thomas H., our subject, was reared in his native State, and when a youth of eighteen years went to Boston and entered the office of the Olive Branch, a weekly paper with which he was connected three years. Subsequently he was with the Boston Transcript and Traveler until 1854, then returned to Vermont and entered the employ of the Vermont Central Railroad Company, having charge of the English freight in transit from Boston to Montreal.
   In 1856 Mr. Hyde resigned his position, and, coming West, established himself in Chicago as a groceryman at the corner of Madison and Halsted streets. He formed a partnership with his brother and they continued in business together until 1861, then sold out. In the meantime Mr. Hyde was connected editorially with the Chicago Democrat, then the leading paper of the city and owned at the time by the late Hon. John Wentworth.
   The Civil War then being in progress, Mr. Hyde organized a company of militia, which was designated as Company I, 13th Illinois Infantry, and which was given a benefit at McVicker's Theatre. The proceeds furnished the men with uniforms and they were mustered into service at Dixon, Ill. On account of a maimed right hand which Mr. Hyde has carried from his youth, he did not offer his services as a soldier, although accompanying the army South and remaining with it until the close of the war, in the meantime occupying various positions of trust and responsibility. He was also sent on important expeditions in the interest of the Government, going frequently from one military post, to another conveying dispatches, the import of which he was ignorant, and which could only be transported by the most trusty messenger.
   At the close of the war Mr. Hyde located on a farm which he had purchased in the vicinity of Sterling, Ill., and where he remained until 1867. He then came to the State of Nebraska in the interests of Chicago capitalists to locate lands with college script issued by the Government. He thus secured large tracts in Butler County and other sections of the State, and then, his errand completed, returned to the Prairie State, where he remained until in February of the following year.
   The only railroad in Nebraska at that time was the Union Pacific. Mr. Hyde, crossing the Mississippi again, first visited Nebraska City, but in the month of March following came to Lincoln, making journey overland with a wagon. The embryo town had at that time only a tri-weekly mail, although the Capital had already been located there.

   Mr. Hyde opened a real estate office, and in June, when the sale of lots took place, he had charge of it. The land was owned by the State and the settlers who had taken homesteads or made claims donated a part of their possessions and exchanged for other lands close by, as in inducement to the Commissioners to locate there. The sale was a great success, the lots going at what seemed a very high price. Some of those residence lots have since sold at $3,000. This sale was attended by representative men from different States in the East.
   Building at once commenced, and emigrants pouring in settled on the Government land in the surrounding country. In 1873, however, appeared the Rocky Mountain Locust, or grasshopper, and during that year and the next almost totally destroyed every evidence of vegetation. Even wormy wood, tansy and onions were devoured by them, and cornstalks were stripped as clean as a contribution box. Their stay, however, was short, although the devastation was complete, and the city of Lincoln suffered in common with the country around, the farmers having nothing to sell. Emigration stopped for a time and real-estate business was suspended.
   Mr. Hyde, in the meantime, had spent the greater part of his time at Sterling, Ill., but in 1878 he again took up his residence in Lincoln. He first started the Daily Evening News, and soon after 1887 the Lancaster News, a weekly paper. A stock company was formed and given the name of the News Printing Company, of which Mr. Hyde was chosen President. He also, in 1878, established the Real Estate Journal, which was devoted to the interests of State and railroad lands, as well its land owned by private individuals.
   The marriage of Thomas H. Hyde and Miss Rachel L. Bullard was celebrated Oct. 24, 1850. Mrs. Hyde was born in Bethel, Vt., and is the daughter of Rev. A. T. and Lydia Bullard. Of her union with our subject there are three children living--Edward, Jennie and Nellie. Mr. Hyde in early life belonged to the old Whig party, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Winfield Scott. Upon the abandonment of the old party he allied himself with the Republicans, with whom he has since tailored and voted.

ELSON WESTOVER, well known to many of the residents of the city of Lincoln, established himself within its limits when it was but a village, in 1870. He was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada. July 22, 1853, and is the son of Amasa H. and Ann Westover, who came to the States and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, when their son Nelson was but three years old. From Dubuque two months later they removed to Delaware, where the education of our subject began in the district school. At the same time he assisted his mother in her housework, learning to do all kinds of this, including spinning and weaving. He later attended the High School at Monticello.
   Young Westover later in life learned the trade of brickmaking in Monticello, and soon after his arrival in Lincoln was employed in the first brickyard established within its limits. He had always been desirous of knowledge, and later attended school again while spending his vacations at farm work. In the spring of 1874 he went to Rawlins County, Kan., where he was the second man to establish a claim to land there. He put up a dwelling, one-half dugout and one-half logs, and staid there until the fall of the year, when, on account of Indian depredations, he abandoned that part of the country and never returned to it. The town of Atwood occupies a part of this land.
   In the fall of 1874 Mr. Westover resumed his residence in Nebraska, and during the winter following attended and taught school in Lancaster County, and for a year thereafter had the management of his father's farm. He then purchased a lot on N street, between Ninth and Tenth streets, upon which stood a small frame building with a forge in it. Mr. W. formed a partnership with a Mr. Fisher, a practical blacksmith, and under his instruction commenced to learn the trade. The business of the firm increased rapidly, and in order to accommodate their steadily growing patronage, they erected a commodious brick building, wherein they have since operated to excellent advantage.
   Mr. Westover, in April, 1884, purchased a beautiful home three and one-half miles West of the city, where he now resides. He was married, Jan. 29, 1878, to Miss Jennie Vanderpool, who was born in Delivan, Walworth Co., Wis., and is the daughter of Henry Vanderpool. Of this union there were born the following children: John, May, Ollie, Frank, Fanny, Fred and baby, the latter three triplets. Frank and Fanny died of whooping-cough when four months old. Mr. Westover, socially, belongs to Germania Lodge No. 67, I. O. O. F., Lincoln Lodge No. 16, K. of P., Uniformed Division No. 1, Galesburg Lodge Covenant and the Mutual Benefit Association.