raisers within the confines of Otoe County. He has lived in that precinct since the year 1863, and bought his land when the settlements made in the precinct might have been almost counted upon the fingers. He is one of the busy workers who seem never to tire of toil, always planning or executing, and here lies the secret of his success, if it be but understood and borne in mind that a bright, keen intelligence has directed him in his efforts.
   Capt. Pahde first purchased 320 acres on sections 13 and 24, building his residence on the former section, on the North Branch of Nemaha Creek. He first lived in a log cabin, and continued to live in it for nine years. It is still in good preservation, and stands upon the original site.
   After that time it gave place to a better and more commodious structure, and he now has one of the best residences in the county, a large two-story brick house, with basement and all other buildings in keeping. His farm and ranch include over 700 acres of excellent for his purposes, all being splendidly cultivated or otherwise improved. He has already given away to his children some 300 acres, and at one time owned over 1,000 acres in this county alone.
   Previous to coming to Talmage our subject had lived in Gasconade County, Mo., for many years, in fact for the greater part of the time since he came to the United States, and also for a short time in the States of Illinois and Iowa. Until he came here he had followed agriculture, and owned 280 acres of land in Gasconade County. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 14th of December, 1808.
   His father, Zachariah Pahde, was a farmer, and had been from his youth. He died at the age of sixty-six years. The maiden name of his wife was Charlotta Overwertmann; she also attained the same advanced age.
   The subject of our sketch was the eldest of four children born to his parents. He came to the United States two years before his brother August, who died later in Franklin County, after he had been married but a few years, leaving two children.
   When twenty years of age our subject enlisted in the German Army, and continued in the service for three years, and was retained as a militiaman until he came to the United States in the year 1838. He landed upon American soil on New Year's Day, after a voyage in the sailing-vessel "Joanna," under charge of Capt. Minard Master. The trip lasted eight weeks and two days, and entered the port of New Orleans as above mentioned.
   Upon starting life in this country our subject first proceeded up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Mo.; the first three years he traveled around the country, working in different places as a farm laborer. At the end of that period he was married, and then settled in Gasconade County, and worked at teaming for about five years, when he bought his first land comprising 120 acres, upon which he first lived until he came to this State, but not until after he had, at the outbreak of the war, raised a company of German citizens which was called Company J, and attached to the 54th Missouri infantry . Of this company he was commissioned Captain on the 25th of August, 1862, and remained in command until the latter part of the year 1863, when, owing to a little difficulty with Col. Jail who was in command, he resigned his commission and left the regiment. Shortly after returning home he received a request from a daughter who was living in this State, which led him hither.
   The record of our subject as a military man is that of a careful, but brave and daring soldier. His former experiences in his native country had done much to help him in service here. The principles that have governed his whole life controlled him while in the army. He made many friends, and was held in much respect by his men.
   Capt. Pahde was married in Franklin County, Mo., in the year 1842, the lady of his choice being Miss Henrietta Krute. She also was born in Westphalia, and came to the United states alone in 1839. She was brought up and educated in her native country, and throughout her life manifested the results and fruit of her home training. She died at her home in this precinct, in 1888. She was then seventy-three years, four months and ten days old. Nine children had come to call her mother, three of whom are now deceased, viz: Henry, Frederick and Maria H. The surviving children bear the following names: Louisa Charlotte, now the wife of Henry Damma, of McWilliams Precinct; Fredericka W., wife of Henry M. Demme, of Wayne

County, Neb.; Catherina, wife of William Nemann, of Johnson County; John H., one of the prosperous farmers of McWilliams Precinct; Charlotte H., now Mrs. William Hustmann; John F., Jr., who is the husband of Louisa Batters, of this precinct. Each member of this family is strongly attached to the German Evangelical Church, and they have been members of the same from their youth.
   Our subject is one of the stanch and doughty supporters of the Republican party, still does not feel right excepting when doing his utmost to advance the interests of the party when active work is required, as in the time of campaigns. He is energetic in such undertakings, and always works in a truly loyal and patriotic spirit.

WIGHT A. PLYMPTON. This gentleman is a worthy representative of a family that has had every occasion to be proud of its lineage, descent and name. He is a very highly esteemed citizen and prosperous farmer on the southwest quarter of section 17, South Branch Precinct. Frederick Plympton, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, and was one of the prominent citizens in the closing decades of the last century and the early part of the present. His son Frederick, the father of our subject, was born in Sturbridge, Mass., in the year 1790. He served in the War of 1812 on the Canadian frontier. The chosen occupation of his life was that of a shoemaker, which he carried on for several years in Utica, N. Y. He became the husband of Mary Jones, who was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1795, after which they removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where they made their home until 1847. The subsequent four or five years found them in Wood County, W. Va. In 1855 he settled on a piece of land in Clear Lake, Steuben Co., Ind., where the mother of our subject died Sept. 15, 1855; the father came to Nebraska in 1862 to live with his son Dwight, and here he made his home until his death, which occured Jan. 14, 1875.
   The family of which our subject was a member included three children, he being the eldest; Marguerette L. and Benjamin J. He was born in Burton, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., on the 28th of May, 1829. He continued at home with his father until he attained his majority. After leaving school, which he was not privileged to attend for long and the opportunities of which were quite limited, he went with his parents to Ohio. In 1852 the removal was made to Clinton County, Iowa, where 160 acres of land were purchased in 1863. He did not do the farming work himself, but was in the employ of the Sioux Indian Agency, and continued thus for two years. Then he moved to Keokuk County and engaged in farming for about four years.
   In 1870 our subject came to this county, filed on forty acres of land near Palmyra, but staid there less than two years. He then went back to Nebraska City, and purchased eighty acres of land in its vicinity. There he continued farming until 1882, and then bought his present property of 160 acres, which he has thoroughly improved by buildings, orchards, shade trees, hedging, fencing, residence, etc. All this work has been done in a very thorough and perfect manner, with a view both to utility, duration, and as far as such was possible the beauty of effect and finish.
   The marriage of Mr. Plympton was celebrated in Keokuk County, Iowa, on the 16th of February, 1865. He then received in marriage the hand of Abigal Badger, who was born in Oakland County, Mich., on the 8th of February 1814, to Lester S. and Saphronia H. (Rockwell) Plympton, both of whom were natives of New York State. The calling of her father was that of farming; his death occurred when he was sixty-nine years of age, in Iowa, in 1864. Her mother, who is still living, and at the age of seventy-four, is now making her home in California with her son Ralph, who is a Methodist minister. She is the mother of thirteen children, whose names are recorded as follows: John, an infant deceased and unnamed, Hulda, David, Juliet, Abigal, Mariett, Rensellaer, Lydia, Armina, Clarrie, Charles and Sherman. David served through the late war in the 18th Iowa Infantry, serving chiefly in Missuri and Arkansas.
   Four children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Plympton, who bear the following names: Ethel, Frederick D., Robert M. and Saphro-

nia M. Ethel is happily married to James R. Colon, a farmer in Thomas County, Kan., and is the mother of one child, Elmer R. Mrs. Plympton is at present Postmistress in Burr Oak, and has held the position since 1885.
   Our subject and wife are members in good standing of the South Russell Baptist Church. They are held in high esteem by the people of the district, and are much liked by all who know them. Politically, Mr. Plympton is and has always been a stanch friend of Democratic principles, find usually indorses (sic) its actions of diplomatic policy, supporting it by his influence and ballot.

RED DEUTSCH. Among the respected German-American citizens of McWilliams Precinct our subject occupies an honorable position. He is very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and operates 160 acres of land on section 34. His land is well improved and provided with the various buildings. etc., necessary for his work. He has lived upon his present farm since the year 1871, and has made the property what it is.
   Mr. Deutsch came to this place from Lee County, Iowa, which had been his home for twenty years, and had been engaged in farming for the greater part of the time. He was born in the Rhine Province of Byronne, Germany, in the year 1822. His father, John Deutsch, was a prosperous German farmer. He died at the age of fifty-five years, in his native land, as did his wife, although she attained the riper age of seventy years before her demise. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lena Bear.
   Our subject was one of a large family; he lived with his parents in the old country home until he was about twenty years of age, when he came to this country and located in Lee County, where, May 8, 1851, he was married to Miss Lena Herstein, whose birthplace was almost identical with that of her husband. She was born on the 1st of May, 1821, to Christ and Mary (Gable) Herstein, both of whom died in Germany, about middle life. Mrs. Deutsch was reared by certain members of the Memonite faith, who also instructed our subject.
   She came to this country when thirty years old, and with other of her acquaintances settled in Lee County. She has been a true and faithful wife and noble woman, receiving the highest regard of her friends and neighbors and warmest affection of her husband and family. She is the mother of nine children, of whom five are now dead, viz; John, who was married to Minnie Brehmn, who is also deceased; they were the parents of two children--William F. and Lydia. The next child was Katie, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Mary, whose demise occurred when she was seventeen months old; Fred, who died when seven months old, and Jacob, when an infant of six weeks. The names of the living members of the family are: Lizzie, now Mrs. Herman Wendel, of Talmage; Mary, wife of Frank Meyer (see sketch of this gentleman); Anna and Fred.
   In the year 1813, when about twenty-one years of age, and before his marriage, Mr. Deutsch, with a few companions, started out with an ox-team to explore the country west of the Missouri River, and traveled a considerable distance west of the Platte River, where they met the western explorer, Gen. John C. Fremont. The memory of our subject supplies many pleasing recollections and recalls numerous experiences connected with this trip, one of the happiest being connected with this meeting.
   They did not stop on their western journey until they reached the Pacific Slope and had gone through Oregon. In the spring of the following year the little band of thirty-six returned to Iowa, taking the journey on horseback. It was then that he determined to secure a home, which he has never regretted doing.

HEODORE R. FRERICHS, Cashier of the Bank of Talmage, which is a State Bank, is, with the President, Peter Berlet, Esq., the successor of James Sweet & Co., who disposed of their interests in this institution in the fall of 1885.
It is now successfully operated under a capital of $20,000, with a surplus of $4,000, and is numbered among the leading institutions of its kind in Southern Nebraska. The present management is ac-

credited with honesty and forethought, and the bank is patronized by the best business men and farmers on the southern line of the county.
   The subject of this sketch came to Talmage from Nebraska City five years ago, and soon afterward was taken into the employ of James Sweet & Co. In consideration of strict attention to his duties, and the unquestioned honesty which has marked his career, he was chosen cashier under the former management, in which position he has been retained. He commenced his business career as a mercantile clerk in Nebraska City, of which he was a resident two years.
   The native place of our subject, however, was in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, where he first opened his eyes to the light Jan. 20, 1859. At the age of twenty-one years he emigrated to America. He was the youngest child of his parents, whose family consisted of five sons and one daughter. The father, Frederick F. Frerichs, followed the trade of a shoemaker successfully, and died in his native province in 1873, at the age of fifty-six years. in accordance with the laws of his country he had given a service of three years to the German Army before his marriage. His wife, the mother of our subject, was in her girlhood Miss Talka Teten, a native of the same province as her husband, and of pure German ancestry. She is now a resident of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and is sixty-four years of age.
   The brothers and sister of our subject are natives mostly of Germany. Theodore R., like them, was given a good education, and at the age of fourteen years commenced learning the confectionery trade, but did not follow it after setting foot upon American soil. He readily acquired American customs and the English language, the latter especially, being now able to read, write and talk with great fluency. After becoming a resident of Talmage he was married, Nov. 28, 1883, to Miss Mary Teten, a native of his own country, also born in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, on the 8th of June, 1865. She was brought to this country by her parents, Herman J. and Talca Mary (Kruse) Teten, when a child two years of age. They located in Rock Creek Precinct, this county, settling upon a tract of prairie land, from which the father built up a good homestead and where the parents lived until the spring of 1879. Thence they removed to Barton County, Kan., and are now living at their ease in the village of Albert.
   Mrs. Frerichs was reared to womanhood in this county and was educated in the common schools. Of her union with our subject there have been born two sons and one daughter--Richard T., Herman A. and Pearl A. Mr. and Mrs. F. began the journey of life together in Talmage, where they have lived since their marriage, and have gathered around them many friends. Our subject, politically, is an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and for three years has been Village Treasurer, also Treasurer of the School Board. He takes kindly to the institutions of his adopted country, having become thoroughly Americanized and identified with its interests. He has kept his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, and is fast attaining to the position of a leading citizen in his community.

UZENIUS WILHELM, the owner of a firm of 320 acres on section 25, Belmont Precinct, was born in Saxony, Prussia, on the 3d of May, 1817, to Anton and Ephie Wilhelm. Our subject was brought up and educated in his native place, and come to the United States in 1837. Upon arriving at New York he made his way to Philadelphia, where he remained for about one year, and then went to Indiana, and from that State, later, proceeded to New Orleans, where he continued for four years, working at his trade, which was that of a carpenter. Leaving New Orleans our subject went to Atchison County, Mo., in the year 1841, and from there in 1850 to California, where he was mining gold for four years, after which he returned to Missouri, and in the fall of 1855 came to this county, which presented a very different appearance to what it does at present.
   On the site of Nebraska City at the time Mr. Wilhelm arrived there was nothing excepting the old empty dismantled fort and a few log cabins, but very shortly after building began and settlers arrived. Our subject has been a very hard worker,

and has been largely connected with the lumber and milling interests. He put up the first steam sawmill in Nebraska City, and was the first to saw lumber by the aid of steam in that city, if not, indeed, in the State. He continued to run the mill for about twenty years, and made a large amount of money there. He settled upon his present farm in 1870, but had owned it since 1862, and gradually improved it as he found opportunity.
   The subject of this sketch was married, in January, 1837, to Martha Herget, who, like himself, is a native of Prussia. Six children have been born to them, but only two are now living. viz: Mary and John. Mary married Gust Mitchner, of Rock Creek Precinct, and has five children, whose names are as follows: William, Henry, Ross, Josephine and Mary. John married Eva Warton, and lives in Four Mile Precinct, and they are the parents of three children.
   Mr. Wilhelm and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and attend the services at Nebraska City. He has made whatever has attended his life by simply continuous hard work and excellent thrift, in which he has always been assisted by his excellent wife. Politically, he is a member of the Democratic body, and votes the ticket presented by it. Mr. Wilhelm also has 320 acres of good land in Palmyra Prucinct (sic), this county.

OSEPH DAVIS well known among the business men of Nebraska City, has officiated as night watchman around its leading business houses for the past eight years.
   This fact alone indicates his reliability, and the standing which he occupies in the community. He has a remarkably pleasant home in the northwestern part of the city, a neat dwelling handsomely furnished, and presided over by a very estimable lady, who has for some time carried on a very successful dressmaking establishment, which is patronized by the fashionable ladies of the city.
   The subject of this sketch was born on the farm of his father near Madisonville, Ky., Nov. 11, 1833, and was there reared until a youth of seventeen years. He is the son of Joseph and Lucy (Herrin) Davis, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Scotland. The mother came with her parents to the United States early in life, and after their marriage Joseph and Lucy Davis settled on a farm in Hopkins County, Ky., where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father, a slave-holder, carried on agriculture successfully, and died in 1869, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother preceded her husband to the silent land, her death taking place when she was scarcely middle-aged, being forty years old.
   Joseph Davis occupied his Kentucky homestead for more than fifty years, and in the meantime drew around him a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The parental household included seven children, namely: John, David, William D., Robert H., Verine, Daniel H. and Joseph. They were given a common-school education, and Joseph, upon leaving home, began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade. The father was wealthy, but Joseph realized that riches sometimes take wings, and resolved to secure himself against future want by becoming master of a trade. One spring, however, when work was very pressing, he overheated himself, and at the same time was injured by a horse which he was shoeing, and for a long time afterward suffered a serious illness, which threatened to place him in an early grave.
   About this time the California gold fever was raging at its height, and young Davis, more in quest of health than riches, determined to seek the Pacific Slope. He set out in company with nineteen of his acquaintances, and proceeded first to New York City, whence they boarded a steamer, intending to make the trip via the Isthmus of Panama. The steamer became disabled before reaching her destination, and was only able to proceed very slowly, during which time both passengers and crew were almost starved. They, however, finally safely arrived in San Francisco, and in due time the bracing air of California had its desired effect upon our subject, strengthening him to such an extent that he was soon enabled to work in the mines. He purchased a claim in the Placer diggings, which proved very profitable, and became member of a stock company of four, who labored together until late in the season, and then retired into winter quarters,

with the agreement that each should appear promptly on their respective claims April 2d of the following spring.
   This compact was, however, very difficult to carry out, as the snowdrifts impeded the passage, so that our subject was delayed a day, not being able to put in an appearance no found his claim taken by other parties, and thus lost it. He then turned his attention to mining in other districts of California, where he continued for a period of six years with results quite satisfactory.
   Our subject, while a resident of California, made the acquaintance of a charming young lady, Miss Nellie McCallum, who became his wife Jan. 22, 1866, their marriage taking place on Vancouver's Island. Afterward they took an extensive tour on the Pacific Slope, traveling through California, Oregon and Washington Territory, visiting the city of Portland and other important points and finally started for the old home of our subject in Kentucky. Arriving there, Mr. Davis found his father seriously ill, and he remained with him until his death, which took place in October, 1867.
   After this sad event Mr. and Mrs. Davis started on the return trip to California, taking in St. Louis and Nebraska City on the way. At this latter point Mr. Davis was taken desperately ill with smallpox, which for days threatened his life, but he finally recovered, about one month from the time of being taken down, and then decided to tarry awhile in this region. He accordingly purchased three lots and a small house in the vicinity of his present residence, and occupied himself as a painter, which trade he had learned in California. He continued at this a number of years with excellent results. By writing he learned that his property had passed out of his hands by default. He, however, resolved to make the best of circumstances, and, by the assistance of his excellent and sensible wife, has an attractive and comfortable home and is surrounded by the good things of life. The family residence, which was put up by our subject in the summer of 1887, is a tasteful and substantial structure in the midst of pleasant surroundings, and is in a choice locality on Second avenue.
   Mr. Davis, like all genuine Kentuckians, is a great lover of good horses and cattle, and, although living in the heart of the City, points with pardonable pride to the inmates of his barn, which include some fine Jersey cows and a span of beautiful and valuable horses. Our subject and his excellent wife have no children of their own, but she performing the part of kind parents to an adopted daughter. Dora, who is now thirteen years of age. Mr. Davis has an interest in some of the silver mines of Colorado, from the proceeds of which he realizes sufficiently to pay him for his time and trouble in looking after them. He is a man of decided views, and a stanch supporter of Democratic principles.

OHN SCHMITZ, who is prominently known throughout Rock Creek Precinct, is one of its most successful and progressive farmers, and the owner of 240 acres of valuable land, which he has brought to a thorough state of cultivation. He has a set of substantial frame buildings, including a dwelling, with barn and outhouses, an orchard of apple trees and the smaller fruits, and everything calculated for his own comfort and those dependent upon him.
   Mr. Schmitz came to Nebraska from Lorain County, Ohio, of which he had been a resident for a period of ten years. His native State was Wisconsin, and he was born in Jefferson County, Oct. 14, 1842. While a young child, his parents removed to Fond du Lac County, where he was reared and educated, and whence he emigrated to Ohio after reaching his majority. He came to this county in the spring of 1874, locating on the land which he now owns and occupies, and which he has transformed from a tract of wild prairie land to one of the best farms in the precinct.
   Our subject is of substantial German ancestry, being the son of Peter and Margret (Schneider) Schmitz, who were natives of Germany, and are now living in Rock Creek Precinct. The parental household consisted of eight children, five of whom are living, and making their homes in Otoe County. John, after laying the foundation for a future home of his own, was united in marriage with Miss Jo-