popularity and the confidence of his fellow-citizens in his integrity and capability.
   Mr. Rolfe is a prominent member of the Board of Trade, of which organization he was the first Secretary, and afterward President, and also of the Building and Loan Association, of which he is President, and he has been identified with every public enterprise for years, was instrumental in securing the water-works, and in the organization of the company was made its President; he has ever been active in aiding industrial enterprises for the building up of the city. Mr. Rolfe is also a prominent Mason, and has from time to time occupied many of the leading stations, from the Blue Lodge to Consistory.

OHN H. DAMMA holds a high place among the prominent and successful merchants of Talmage, and is one of the best and most favorably known German-American citizens in this part of the county. He owns and occupies a fine brick building on Main street, which stands 22x80 feet, and carries a full and varied stock of general merchandise, such as is in constant demand in the town and country surrounding. He came to Talmage in the year 1882, to start a timber-yard for the Chicago Lumber Company, and sold the first lumber that was bought here; he came when there was scarcely a house to mark the place where now the populous and thriving town of Talmage.
   Recognizing the well-nigh inevitable future of State and county, with far-sighted business enterprise Mr. Damma determined to enter into business at this place, and erected a store and put in a stock of goods, which was in charge of a confidential clerk whenever he was compelled to be absent in the interests of the lumber trade.
   In 1885 Mr. Damma left the lumber-yard, and then gave his entire attention to mercantile pursuits. He is now by far the leading merchant in his line in the town, and has a business of not less than $25,000 per annum. He came to this place from Nebraska City, where he had been engaged for the previous five years as clerk in a general store. He has been in the State since 1875, and in the beginning worked for two years in Delaware Precinct on the farm of Reuben Whittaker, an old settler and extensive agriculturist.
   Our subject was born in Franklin County, Mo. on the 21st of September, 1853, he is of German descent, his father, William Damma, having come from that country when eleven years of age. He located in Franklin County, Mo., and there attained his majority. He was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Holtgrewe. This lady was born in Germany, and accompanied her parents to the United States when she was fifteen years of age. They made their home in Franklin County, and there she was educated and brought up from the time she attained the above-mentioned age.
   William Damma, the father of our subject, began life as a farmer, and is now living upon his own property in Franklin County, MO., operating a tract of 320 acres. This farm his father, Henry Damma, had entered when he first came to the United States with his family, in the year 1840. It was then in an entirely native condition, unbroken and undeveloped. There Henry Damma made his home and spent the remainder of his life, dying when about forty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. William Damma are active members of the German Evangelical Church; he is strongly attached to the Republican party, and almost invariably votes its ticket.
   The subject of our sketch is the eldest son of a family that comprises five sons and six daughters, all of whom are living; six of them are married and have homes of their own. He was educated and reared in Franklin County, and there received all needed instruction regarding the operation of a farm. To the year 1874 he crossed the Atlantic and made a visit to the old home in Germany, where he spent several months renewing his acquaintance with kinsfolk and friends of the family, who were for the most part engaged in agricultural pursuits. Upon returning from his trip Mr. Damma went to Franklin County, but shortly afterward removed to this county. In 1884 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Holtgrewe. This lady was born in Lyons Township, Franklin Co., Mo., on the 17th of August, 1864, and is the daughter of John H. and Catherina

(Pohlman) Holtgrewe. Of this union there lots been born one child, who bears the name John H. Our subject and wife are earnest members of the Evangelical Church, and both there and in the community generally they are very highly esteemed. Mr. Damma has for three years been president of the Village Board. He is a man of character, energy, and unquestioned reputation, and is an excellent representative of his constituents in any and every matter that is for their interest.

OSEPH HENDRICKS, one of the earliest settlers of Hendricks Precinct, is numbered among its most enterprising farmers. His homestead, comprising 120 acres of land on section 17, is one of the most desirable in this part of the county, the land being in a fine state of cultivation and the buildings amply adapted to the purposes of rural life. Both the farm and the dwelling are conspicuous for neatness and good order, evincing that intelligent supervision which is the greatest charm of any home.
   Our subject is the brother of George Hendricks, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work, together with the parental history. The family is of substantial ancestry, and have proved excellent citizens wherever they have lived. Joseph was born in Jackson County, Iowa, April 24, 1853, and when a child three years of age came with his parents to this county. Young as he was he still remembers crossing the Missouri River on a flatboat before the days of steam in this section. He continued with his parents until a youth of nineteen years, acquiring his education in the district school. At this age also he was married, and his father having died rented the homestead for a period of two years. Then, purchasing a tract of wild land he began in earnest the development of a homestead of his own. In connection with other labors he planted a large number of maple and cottonwood trees, which have added greatly to the value and beauty of his property. He also has 160 rods of hedge fence, which forms a most pleasing feature of the landscape, dividing the fields at once in the most beautiful and substantial manner. He put up a house and barn, planted an orchard, and gradually brought about the other improvements essential to the comfort of himself and family. He has six acres of native grass.
   The wife of our subject, to whom he was married March 10, 1871, at her home in Hendricks Precinct, was formerly Miss Sophia, the daughter of Daniel and Jane (Balch) Livingston. The former was a native of British America, his early home being along the Red River Valley, which stream he often crossed by swimming. The mother was a native of Indiana. The parents were married in Jones County, Ohio, where the father carried on farming a period of twenty-five years, and also worked as a carpenter. They came to Nebraska in 1870, and are still living on a farm in Hendricks Precinct. Their nine children were named respectively: John, Sophia, Calvin, Neal, Lincoln, Daniel, Ann, Alex and Archie.
   Mrs. Hendricks was born in Jones County, Iowa, May 4, 1851. Of her marriage with our subject there are three children: Oscar Nile, born Feb. 17, 1873; Leona, Oct. 15, 1875; and Dora Nellie, Nov. 9, 1884. Mr. Hendricks is a starch supporter of Democratic principles, while the sympathies of his estimable wife are with the Republican party. He was Postmaster at Solon in 1883, and until its removal to Hendricks, and is a member of the School Board of his district.

OHN D. EIS. This gentleman is numbered among the most enterprising young farmers of Russell Precinct, where he owns and operates the southwest quarter of section 31. He comes of an excellent family, being the brother of Walter S. Eis, a sketch of whom, together with that of the parents, will be found on another page of this volume.
   Mr. Eis was born Sept. 4, 1854, in Muscatine, Iowa, where he received a common school education, and worked with his father until reaching his majority. He then began farming on his own account in Iowa, where he remained until the spring of 1884, then determined to go farther West. He came by rail from Muscatine to Unidilla, and in a

short time selected his location, which was then a tract of uncultivated land. He has himself perfected all the improvements which we behold to-day, and which comprise all the appurtenances of a well-regulated homestead, including a good set of farm buildings, an apple orchard, and the smaller fruit trees, and groves of boxwood and maple. His farm is provided with running water, and possesses many natural advantages which have made his labors as a tiller of the soil easy and remunerative. 'The proprietor has accomplished much in a short period.
   The lady who presides with grace and dignity over the home of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Catherine, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Eis) Welsh. The parents of Mrs. Eis were of German birth and parentage, their birthplace having been in one of the Provinces of Prussia, whence they emigrated to America before their marriage.
   They settled first in Ohio, then removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, where they still reside, surrounded by all the comforts of life on a well-proved farm of 155 acres. Their ten children all living. and were named respectively: Catherine, Fredricka, Charles, John. Mary, Laura, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Lilly and Louisa.
   Mrs. Eis, the eldest child of her parents, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1855. She was educated in the common school, and remained under the home roof until her marriage, removing in the meantime with her parents to Iowa. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, one or whom, a son, Charles, died when eight months old. The survivors are Mary, Pearl, Rebecca and Lillie. They are all at home. Mr. Eis cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and is the uniform supporter of Republican principles.

AMES CUMMINS. The name of this gentleman is familiar among the extensive operators in live stock in this county, he having his headquarters in the village of Talmage.
   He came to this section of the country during the period of its early settlement, and has proved himself of its most useful and enterprising pioneers. He was on the spot at the laying out of the village of Talmage, which become the nucleus of his future operations, and with whose interests he has since been continuously identified. Here and at Burr Station he feeds and fattens large numbers of animals each year, having his market mostly at Talmage. In 1881 he laid off twenty acres which is now known as Cummins' Addition, and which comprises sixty-four lots, now all sold and improved. In addition to his town property Mr. Cummins owns a fine farm of 120 acres adjoining the village limits. The land has been brought to a good state of cultivation, and thereon have been erected neat and substantial buildings, in keeping with the spirit of enterprise which has always characterized the proprietor. He has been a resident of McWilliams Precinct since 1866, and the first ten years of his residence here gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He settled upon an unbroken prairie from which he built up his farm, effecting all the improvements which the passer-by observes to-day with admiring interest. Mr. Cummins first came to Nebraska in the fall of 1866, making his way hither from Pennsylvania. A year later, desiring to see something more of the Great West, he migrated to Montana, and subsequently, in 1869, proceeded to Dakota Territory, where he engaged in farming, and continued a resident until the spring of 1871.
   While in Dakota Mr. Cummins had been engaged in freighting from Nebraska City to Ft. C. F. Smith, Mont., and also operated a stock ranch in Montana, besides speculating in lands. Upon his return to this county the spirit of adventure departed from him and he concluded to settle down, and construct for himself a homestead. He is a descendant of excellent Pennsylvania stock, and was born in Bradford County, that State, Nov. 8, 1844. His father, Caleb Cummins, also a native of the Keystone State, was the son of John Cummins, who was born in the Scottish Highlands, and emigrated to America during his young manhood. Settling in Pennsylvania he married Miss Mary Covell, a native of that State, and they became the parents of nine children. They spent the remainder of their lives upon a farm in Bradford County, where Grandfather Cummins departed this life at

the ripe old age of eighty-two years, and his wife when about two years younger.
   Caleb Cummins, the father of our subject, was reared a farmer's boy among his native hills, and upon reaching manhood married a maiden of his own county, Miss Lucy, daughter of Mansor Chamberlain. The latter was a native of Vermont and a member of a well-known old New England family ,which had been represented for several generations in the Green Mountain State. Mansor Chamberlain died in Bradford County, Pa., of apoplexy, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a farmer by occupation, and possessed all the stern and sturdy traits of a substantial ancestry.
   Caleb Cummins and his wife began the journey of life together on a farm in Ridgebury Township, Bradford County, where they lived until the death of the mother in the spring of 1848. The father subsequently married Miss Mary Fuller, and in 1855, leaving Pennsylvania, migrated to Dakota Territory, settling among the earliest pioneers of Union County. After residing there it number of years they moved to Lyonsville, in Buffalo County, where they now live, the father being seventy-four years old and the stepmother fifty-one.
   The subject of this sketch was the youngest of two sons and one daughter born to his parents, the latter of whom, Margaret by name, died in DeKalb County, Ill., when an interesting young lady of nineteen summers. Warren, the brother, is married, and a resident of Phillips County, Kan., where he is successfully engaged in farming.
   After the death of his mother our subject was taken to the home of his grandfather, where he lived ten years and until the death of the latter. The boy was then thrown upon his own resources, and employed himself at whatever he could find to do. He continued a resident of Bradford County, and lived with one man, George W. Cooper, for a period of four years, beginning at the munificent salary of $4 per month. As his services became more valuable his wages were raised, and in the meantime he acquired a thorough knowledge of farming pursuits. He first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in 1866, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married, at McWilliams Precinct, this county, to Miss Jennie Nelson. This lady was born in Henry County, Ill., May 12, 1855, and is the daughter of Augustus Nelson, who, with his wife, is a native of Sweden, and now living upon a farm in Johnson County, this State, in the enjoyment of a competence. Mr. Nelson is one of the most successful and skillful agriculturist of his time, and has always been an excellent manager financially. He came to Nebraska in 1868, when his daughter Jennie was a young girl of thirteen years.
   Mrs, Cummins received her education in the district schools of Henry County, Ill., and remained under the home roof until her marriage. She is now the mother of two interesting children, daughters, Minnie and Clara. Mr. Cummins, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and has been a member of the Village Board for a period of four years. He is a man who makes friends wherever he goes, being courteous and companionable, well informed, and a man interesting to converse with.

R. G. M. BRINKER. For twenty years this gentleman has been recognized as a leader of medical science in Nebraska City, and also as a citizen. He was born in Frederick County, Va., on the 27th of June, 1813. His early years were spent in the Shenandoah ValIcy. His middle name, Madison, is derived from the President of that name, who was in office at the time of his birth.
   The parents of our subject, George and Elizabeth (Kendrick) Brinker, were Virginians by birth. His father followed agricultural pursuits chiefly throughout a life that extended over eighty-two years, while his mother lived to be almost ninety-six. The latter years of her life were spent in the home of her only daughter, Mrs. Ann R. Rhodes, at Denver, Col. Besides this daughter there were four sons in the family. Our subject was the oldest boy and second child.
   Dr. Brinker was fortunate in having good educational advantages presented to him in his youth. As he progressed in his studies, and approached the years when the question was presented as to what should be the chosen occupation of his life, he

elected to read medicine, and began to do so under the care of a preceptor, Dr. Anderton Brown, of Middletown, Va., when nineteen years of age. This gentleman was one of the bright lights of the profession, and was an acknowledged able physlcian and instructor.
   When twenty-two years of age the subject of our sketch entered the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing his studies with much care until he was graduated in the year 1837, receiving the usual diploma. His first experience as a practitioner was at Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., Va. There he continued very successfully engaged for seventeen years, and won for himself quite a reputation as a diagnostician and prescriber.
   During the above-mentioned period the Doctor was married. This important and deeply interesting event was celebrated at Strasburg, Va., March 7, 1839, the lady of his regard being Mary A. H. Bowman, the excellent daughter of Capt. Isaac Bowman, of Revolutionary War fame. She was born in the vicinity of Strasburg, Va. From childhood up they had been friends and companions, and almost naturally they came to decide that that which had been begun in early years, and which continued so long, should go on till death should separate, and they be bound by strongest ties. There have been born to them eight children, whose names are recorded as follows; George I. is an extensive mine owner in Breckenridge, Col.; Mary E. is the wife of E. Humphrey, the well-known grocer of Denver, Col.; Ella R. remains at home with her parents; Arthur as a partner of E. Humphrey in the grocery business, in Denver, Col.; Lucie is still at home, as is also Annie, who is a widow; James M. died when fourteen years of age, and Joseph is Superintendent of the Utah Western Division of the Rio Grande Railroad, and lives at Ogden, Utah.
   In 1854 Dr. Brinker migrated to Missouri with his family, locating at Brunswick, Chariton County, where he continued in the practice of medicine for fully ten years. Then, leaving in 1865 he came to Nebraska City, which from that time has continued to be his place of residence. He bought himself a comfortable and cozy little home on Eleventh and First avenue. The Doctor owns a farm of 160 acres about six and one-half miles southeast of this city, which is managed by renters, and is utilized for general purposes.
   Being a true and patriotic American citizen the Doctor has always taken the greatest possible interest in the political economy of the district he might be it resident of as well as that of the Nation at large; usually he has voted with the Democratic party, but has always considered it his first duty to consider the person and principles, rather than the policy or party. In spite of the weight of years upon him, and although attending to a very extensive practice, our subject carries himself and effectually attends to all the demands upon him with a brightness and vigor that shame many younger men. It were very hard to find a more esteemed and in every way respected man or citizen, a truer friend, or more uniformly genial and courtly gentleman.

ILLIAM E. INGALLS. If a continued extension of business and solidifying of financial interests mean anything, the case of the gentleman whose life story is herein presented, would show that in his bakery store and restaurant he is an able caterer of gastronomic necessaries and luxuries, and moreover that his efforts are fully appreciated, which is undoubtedly the case. Mr. Ingalls was born in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill. His father, Hart Ingalls, is a native of Niagara County, N. Y., where his father, Darius Ingalls, was for many years a resident and prosperous farmer. He moved from that State to Illinois in 1832, and became a pioneer of the latter State. He took a tract of Government land and improved it, but to-day it is absorbed in the city of Jacksonville. The village of Jacksonville had just been laid out. There was but one store and a blacksmith-shop in the place. The nearest market for many years was at Meredosia on the Illinois River, some twenty-five miles distant, and not infrequently the journey to St. Louis, which was 110 miles away, had to be made for special market purposes. The entire journey was performed always with ox-teams.
   The father of our subject was fifteen years old