a manner befitting their station in life. Mr. and Mrs. P. are charter members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, at Berlin, and have always contributed liberally and cheerfully to its support. Mr. P. gave valuable assistance in erecting the church edifice, has been a Trustee for many years, and is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Politically, he is a fervent supporter of Republican principles, and has done his party good service in this county, frequently being sent as a delegate to the State and County Conventions. He has also served on the Grand and Petit Juries. He is a man who keeps himself posted upon current events, one with whom it is interesting and profitable to converse.

LBERT HAUPTMANN, one of the most substantial members of the farming community of Otoe Precinct, owns 240 acres of its most valuable land, pleasantly located on section 35. He is one of the nationality which has done so much in the development of the great State of Nebraska, of German birth and ancestry, his early home being in the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, where he first opened his eyes to the light Jan. 7, 1829.
   Harmon H. and Anna Margaret (Islabince) Hauptmann, the parents of our subject, were also natives of Prussia, the father born in the little Province of Westphalia, and living there until after his marriage and the birth of his children. In the year 1853 all the family came to the United States, settling first in Niagara County, N. Y.; thence, not long afterward, they removed to Jefferson County, Wis., and the year following to Nebraska.
   Albert, our subject, had, however, preceded his parents to America, and it was through his persuasions that they joined him here. The father was a well-educated man, and both parents belonged to the higher classes. Upon coming to the West they crossed the Missouri River on the 1st day of July, 1856 at a point upon which now stands NebraskaCity the site of which was then occupied by only a few wooden houses. The father pre-empted 160 acres of land, embracing the northeast quarter of section 35, building up a homestead which is now occupied by his grandson, George E. Hauptmann, and where the aged grandmother is still living, being now eighty-three years old. The father died Nov. 30, 1886, at the age of eighty-three years and ten months.
   The parental family included seven children, namely: Albert, our subject; Elizabeth, Casper, Henry, Anna C. I., John Frederick and William F. They are all well-to-do and residents of Nebraska. Albert was twenty-two years of age when he came to America; he acquired an excellent education in his native tongue, his father being in good circumstances and able to give his children the best advantages.
   Young Hauptmann, when first setting foot upon American soil, employed himself at farming in the vicinity of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and not long afterward wrote back to his parents, urging them to join him in America, and they did so before he came on to Nebraska. They lived for a time near Lockport, N. Y., and Albert preceded them to Jefferson County, Wis., in 1854, they joining him eighteen months later.
   Our subject, while a resident of Wisconsin, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Margareta Islabince Jacobmeyer, who was, like her husband, a native of Prussia, and born April 2, 1838. She came to America with friends when a young girl of fifteen years. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hauptmann started for Nebraska, arriving in Nebraska City on the 2d of June, 1856, the journey being made by team. Our subject at once pre-empted 160 acres of land, and for many years thereafter was, with his estimable wife, industriously employed in building up the homestead. His industry and perseverance met with their legitimate reward, he being now surrounded with all the comforts of life, with a prospect of a competence for his old age. He purchased additional land in 1878, and has brought the whole to a good state of cultivation, erecting thereon substantial and convenient buildings.
   The household circle of our subject and his estimable wife was completed by the birth of nine children, who, with the exception of a daughter, Louisa, who died when an infant, are all living. They are named respectively: Anna, Harmon A., Jay

H., Charles F., Lydia, Theodore, Hannah M. and Maggie. Anna is the wife of William Jewell, of Nemaha County, and the mother of three children--Lydia, Allie and Nettie. The others are at home with their parents. Mr. Hauptmann is a member in good standing of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically votes with the Republican party. He has never sought official honors, although officiating on the School Board of his precinct. His good wife and the mother of their children died Sept. 14, 1888, and is buried in Lee Cemetery, this precinct.

ILBERT WELLS, engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Unadilla, and a gentleman representing a good amount of property, owns and occupies a small cottage in the town. A native of Sutton, Merrimack Co., N. H., he was born May 5, 1826, and until the age of twenty-one years spent his time upon a farm, acquiring his education in the common schools. After reaching his majority he commenced farming on his own account on his father's land, then purchased a farm for himself, which he afterward exchanged for village property in Waterloo, N. H.
   After his marriage our subject removed to Dane County, Wis., settling in the vicinity of Stoughton, and in the spring of 1856 purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he operated as an agriculturist for a period of nine years. The fall of 1865 found him west of the Mississippi, and located in South Branch Precinct, this county, of which he has since been a resident.
   The journey hither was made overland with a team, the party crossing the Missouri River at Nebraska City. Mr. Wells homesteaded and improved a claim on section 4, where he made good improvements, setting out groves of fruit trees and hedge fences. He was obliged to have his building material hauled from Nebraska City, with which to put up a house and the various other structures required for his convenience. He subsequently added forty acres to his real estate, but this he has since deeded to his soil.
   Mr. Wells, in the fall of 1886, removed from the farm to a home which he had purchased in Unadilla, where he has a house and three lots on I street. Soon afterward he went into partnership with C. R. Stedman, in the grocery trade, but on account of failing health was obliged to abandon this. In the spring of 1888 he began dealing in real estate, and also became an agent for the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn. He is a man prompt to meet his obligations, straightforward in his business transactions, and in all respects a highly esteemed citizen.
   The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Lois (Wheeler) Wells, also natives of the Old Granite State, the father born in London and the mother in Sutton. Benjamin Wells was a farmer by occupation, and enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, although not seeing any actual service. On the mother's side Grandfather Wheeler was an old Revolutionary soldier, and received an honorable wound at the battle of Bunker Hill. He spent his last years in Sutton. Both the Wells and the Wheeler families were of English descent.
   Benjamin Wells owned a farm of 100 acres in Sutton, N. H., and was fairly prosperous in his labors as a tiller of the soil. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died about 1845. The mother, a member of the same church, survived her husband a period of ten years, dying in 1855, at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy; the others lived to mature years, but Benjamin, Lucy W., James and George are since deceased. The survivors are Sarah W. and Gilbert. The sister is a resident of South Newbury, N. H.
   Our subject, in the fall of 1854, was married in Warner, N. H., to Miss Mary W. Kelley, who was the second child of Caleb and Susanna W. (Worth) Kelley, both natives of the Granite State. The father was of Irish ancestry, and it farmer in prosperous circumstances, holding 200 acres of good land. His death took place in 1853, in his native State. The mother subsequently removed to Wisconsin, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Moses Emerson, at Stoughton, in 1878. Of their six children only three are living, namely: Mary W., Lovina M. and Lucy S. Thomas H., the youngest son, and twin brother of Lovina, enlisted in

the 7th Wisconsin Regiment for three years, in the early part of the War of the Rebellion. He participated in several hard-fought battles, and was once wounded. He died of smallpox in the hospital after honorably serving his country for two years and nine months. Samuel W. and Emily J. are also deceased.
     Mrs. Wells was born near Warner, N. H., July 15, 1835. She received a common-school education, and continued with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, namely: Clara M., Jessie F., Llewellyn A., Forest J. (deceased) and Ermina L. Clara is the wife of C. R. Stedman, a merchant of Unadilla (whose biography will be found elsewhere in this work), and the mother of two children -- Nellie L. and Alma R.; Jessie married J. M. Blown, who is farming in Washington Territory; they have five children -- Clarence O., Harry, Frank, Myrtle, and in infant unnamed. Llewellyn married Miss Nellie Balfour, and is farming in South Branch Precinct, this county; they have one child, a son, Hugh G. Ermina L. married H. E. Stedman, who is farming in Russell Precinct, and they have one child, Georgietta.
     Mr. Wells states that he was born a Democrat, reared a Republican, but votes with the Prohibitionists. He served as Justice of the Peace for four years to South Branch Precinct, was Assessor one year, and a member of the School Board several years. At Burr Oak he was Postmaster for a period of ten years, withdrawing from the office in the summer of 1882. He was at one time a member of the P. of H., belonging to the Grange at Rockford, and afterward in his own school district. In the Spring of 1870 he was the Census Taker of South Branch Precinct.

HOMAS BELL. This gentleman is one of the most widely known and at the same time truly respected citizens of Palmyra, and a worthy representative of the mercantile interests of this place. He is the son of William and Helena (Heron) Bell, who were natives respectively of Yorkshire and the county of Durham, England.
   His father was by occupation a farmer, and was a small land-owner in his native country. He died in the year 1858, aged sixty-eight years, at his home in England. His wife died in England after her son Thomas had left for America. She was ninety years of age, and almost until the last was a hale and healthful old lady. Grandfather Bell was a man of large knowledge, and was Principal of the grammar schools at Kirby, England, for many years.
   Our subject was one of a family of six children, who received the following names: Mary, Stephen, Jane, Frances, William and Thomas. Thomas was born on the 21st of May, 1824, in Yorkshire. He was from earliest childhood very delicate in health. His education was received in the parish school, and he was allowed to continue longer than was usual. After leaving the institution he was apprenticed to a tailor for seven years. At the time he was twenty-one years of age he was possessed of just one sovereign sterling, representing in American currency about $4.85. Until coming of age he had devoted his spare time and evenings very diligently to his studies, and thus largely increased, solidified and established his education.
   Upon coming to man's estate Mr. Bell began business for himself as a merchant tailor; considering the almost insurmountable difficulties he had to contend with in beginning with practically nothing, he did remarkably well, and was very successful. When twenty-five years of age he was married to Miss Elizabeth Reed, the daughter of John and Hannah Reed, both of whom were natives of Yorkshire. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom were boys. Mrs. Bell was the fifth child, and was born in March, 1827. She was educated in the schools of her native place, and received a fairly good English schooling. Her father was engaged extensively in business as a dairyman, and she was known as the "buxom dairy lass of Yorkshire" by her friends and companions. Her parents died in their native country. After their marriage in August, 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Bell continued to live at Marton, Yorkshire, for about eight years. He had studied theology, and become one of the prominent members of the church since he was about seventeen years of age, and was fre-

quently urged to take up the work of the ministry. He became pastor of the church at Broughton, and served as its regularly ordained pastor for six years. He filled charges at Broughton and Stocksley, continuing until the summer of 1851. In the fall of that year he accepted a call from the Park Head Church of Cumberland, which was one of the first churches built by the ejected ministers of the seventeenth century, for one Rev. George Nicholson.
   While in pastoral charge in Cumberland Mr. Bell taxed his constitution, which had never been the most robust, to such a degree that he was compelled to resign his charge, much to the regret of the three congregations he had served, for under his able ministry the work had grown to an unexpected extent, and the membership was nearly quadrupled. Upon the advice of his physician he determined to try what the United States climate might do for him, and therefore sold out his property, and, accompanied by his wife and family, he set sail from Liverpool on the 3d of April, 1867, on board the steamship "Louisiana." He landed in the city of New York, after an ocean passage of twenty-one days, unmarked by any especial noteworthy incident; but his destination was Nebraska, and he proceeded at once to the West.
   Before leaving England Mr. Bell had organized a colony consisting of over 100 Englishmen, and they came to Otoe County on or about the 1st of May, 1867. Almost without exception they took claims in the vicinity of Palmyra, and it acquired the name of the English settlement. Mr. Bell bought one-half of section 22, and immediately went to farming, which was an entirely new vocation for him. His health, however, began to improve from the first, and as he became more acquainted with the Government and institutions of the country he grew to like it more and more, and before long declared his intention of becoming an American citizen. He took out his first papers at Nebraska City, in the year 1867, shortly after his arrival here.
   Richard Oakley, one of the colonists, built and started the first store in Palmyra. From this beginning the town has grown to its present position of importance to the surrounding country. Upon the urgent request of the Superintendent of the Home Mission Society of America, he accepted the position of pastor of the Congregational Meeting at Palmyra. He took hold of affairs vigorously, organized the congregation, and set them to work as a church, and at his instigation they erected the church building. For four years and a half he continued to serve them faithfully and paid well, but the strain was more than he could bear, and at the end of that time through failing health he was compelled to resign his charge and return to farming.
   In 1877 our subject went West to Gosper, County, this State, and took up a pre-emption, and also a timber claim, intending to have settled there, but owing to the death of his eldest son, John R., he was unable to carry out his plans, and so continued farming in Palmyra Precinct. He now owns but a small farm of but twenty acres, not far from the town. Twelve acres are taken up with apple trees.
   He also owns several good store buildings in Palmyra, and sixteen lots of village property, also two good residences. He has also his hardware store, where he does a large business under the name of Thomas Bell. He and his son run a clothing store, and have an established business. He also handles upon an average 500 tons of coal annually.
   There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bell eleven children, viz.: John R., William, Thomas, Hannah, Jane H., Elizabeth, Thomas H. and Mary, who were all born in England, and in this country the family circle was extended to admit Robert, and two who died in infancy. John R. died as above mentioned when about twenty-five years of age; William and Thomas also died in England; Hannah is happily married to Dwight Wait, and is the mother of four children; Jane H. is the wife of Richard Ockley, and is the mother of five children; Elizabeth lives in St. Joseph with her husband, J. H. Parker, who is manager of the Mutual Telegraph Company at that place; Thomas W. is in business in Palmyra; Mary is at home, and Robert died in this State in 1878.
   In 1885 Mr. Bell was appointed Notary Public under Gov. Dawes, and for three terms has held the office of Justice of the Peace. For fourteen years he was School Moderator for District No 8. is a prominent member of the religious organization of Palmyra, and is a strong temperance advo-

cate, which he has been in fact since he was about teen years of age. In politics he is a Republican and takes much interest in such matters. He is eminently respected as a man, a citizen and a Christian, as are also the various members of his family. His influence for good in the community is quite large. He is now a strong Prohibitionist.

ETER A. FLODIN. Among the extensive grain buyers and dealers of Otoe County, is the gentleman whose history is herein sketched. He is the owner of the Talmage Elevator, of which he has been proprietor since July, 1888. He has been connected with the business for a considerable period, working for Jameson Brothers, and then purchasing the elevator and outfit, succeeding that firm in the business.
   Since he has had the business he has made strenuous efforts to enlarge the trade, and has prospered beyond measure in his endeavor. He is prepared to handle all kinds and quantities of grain, having an elevator possessed of a capacity of 10,000 bushels. He commands and manages a trade averaging 4,000 bushels per diem. Mr. Flodin came to Talmage from Leona, Kan., having been engaged there in the hardware and tinning trade for several years. He began business at that place in the year 1874, establishing first a blacksmith-shop which was successfully operated for about seven years, after which he turned his attention to hardware, implements, etc., until coming to this place. In both he was a success, and had an extensive and profitable trade.
   Sweden was the land of the nativity of the subject of our sketch, and where his birth took place on the 27th of December, 1847. He was there brought up and educated, and learned the black-smith trade, which he continued to follow in his native country for about six years. In 1870, and while yet a single man, he came to the United States and stopped for a short time in Toledo, Ohio. Later he went on to Atchison, Kan., and subsequently to St. Joseph Mo.; in the latter place he followed his trade for two years, but at the end of that period removed to Severance, Kan.. and later went on to Leona, where he figured prominently in business circles until he came to this State.
   While a resident of Leona there occurred an interesting incident in the life of Mr. Flodin, being that of his union in marriage to Miss Ida R. Schock. This lady was born in the State of Ohio, where also her parents were born, but of German descent. She came west to Leona in the year 1870, and remained there until after she became of age. She is the daughter of Jacob and Maria H. (Sherry) Schock, who are still living at the above-named town, where Mr. Schock is a prosperous and well-established wagonmaker, carpenter and builder. Mrs. Flodin has presented her husband with three children, whose names are as follow;: Carl I., Bertha H. and Nellie B.
   The subject of our sketch is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and holds the position of Junior Warden of Trestle Board Lodge No. 162, of Talmage, of which he is an affiliate, and is also Trustee of the lodge and property. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and takes a deep interest in all political affairs.

RYSTAL S. WADE is one of the old settlers of the State, and has made for himself quite a record as a miner, and in later years, also as an agriculturist. His excellent wife and life companion is a lady of noble character. most devoted in every domestic relation. Their home is situated on section 17, Otoe Precinct, where they own 160 acres, which is utilized for general farm purposes.
   The parents of our subject, James G. and Eleanor B. Wade, were born in Ohio and Kentucky respectively, but were married and settled in Fountain County, Ind. They did not remain there for any considerable period, but removed to Fremont County, Iowa, in 1847, at which time there were but six families in the entire county. There the father died in 1850, when but thirty-nine years of age, and was followed to the silent land in 1856 by his wife, who had attained the age of fifty-five years. Both were twice married. By his first union the father had three children. By her first marriage

the mother had six. Their union was blessed by the birth of five children, to whom were given the subjoined names--Barbara, Crystal S., Robert, Fleming and Antoinette.
   On the 29th of December, 1839, in Fountain County, Ind., was born the subject of our sketch. His earliest recollection is that of crossing the Mississippi at St. Louis in the course of the migratory journey. His boyhood days were spent in Iowa, and he grew up among the Pottawatomie Indians. owing to the newness of the country his education was but scanty. Such as he received was obtained at Sidney, which was laid out in 1851. Being the only son left at home, the mother upon him rested large responsibility in regard to home affairs.
   It was in the spring of 1860 that our subject went to Colorado, for the purpose of seeking his fortune in the mines. Taking three yoke of oxen, a cow and his dog, he and his brother-in-law, John G. Graves, started west. Crossing the plains they reached Denver after a journey of about six weeks. and at once pushed on for the mines. He did fairly well in Colorado, but was hardly satisfied, and in 1862 went to Montana, joining the company of gold miners in the vicinity of Virginia City, where he remained until the fall of 1864, when he returned to this county and purchased his farm of 160 acres, and settled down to improve it.
   The wedding of our subject and Miss Augusta Guy, a lady descended from the Guys of Scotland, which family at one time held the earldom of Warwick, and is a branch of the Scottish royal family, was celebrated on the 7th of December, 1865. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Phillips) Guy, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Thomas Guy, was the first representative of the family to settle in this country, coming from Scotland many years ago, and settling in Pennsylvania.
   Leaving Pennsylvania the parents of Mrs. Wade removed to Davenport, Iowa, in the year 1844, coming to Nebraska in 1858. They settled in this county, where the father died in June of 1873, at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother departed this life in 1880, aged seventy-one years. Their union was fruitful in the birth of two children, viz: Hiram and Margaret A. The latter was born on the 10th of February, 1849, at Davenport. She was nine years of age when they came to this State, where her education was continued in the schools of Nebraska City. She has presented her husband with three children, viz: Della, Edwin Guy and Ida Bell. Della is the wife of W. H. Cockrain, of Nuckolls County, Neb., and they have two little ones, named Winnifred and Pearl; Edwin and Ida attend the Normal School at Peru, Neb. The subject of our sketch has held the office Justice of the Peace for several years and for two terms has been Assessor. Nine years he held different school offices, in each serving with conscientious thoroughness. Politically, he is a Republican; with his wife, he is associated with the Methodist Episcopal communion, of which they have bee members for many years.

ILSON McCONNELL. In Otoe Precinct, on section 33, a fine farm attracts the attention of the passing stranger, not more on account of its neat appearance and seeming fertility and productiveness, than for its sightly location one-fourth of a mile from the Missouri River. commanding a broad and extensive view not only of a part of Nebraska, but of the adjoining States of Iowa and Missouri. The eye rests on one of the richest and most fertile farming regions in the world, and the low bluffs of the river, the gently undulating prairies stretching for miles on either hand, dotted with lovely groves of forest trees, planted by the early settlers, form a scene of unsurpassing beauty, one that a lover of nature never ceases to admire. The fortunate owner of the farm referred to is Mr. Wilson McConnell, the subject of this sketch, who is here quietly passing the declining years of a useful life, surrounded by the loving care of his children, free from the burden of ill-health so often laid upon the aged, and able to enjoy the good things of life that he has gathered together through long years of industry and shrewd management.
   Mr. McConnell was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 13, 1811. His father, Robert McCon-