at one time represented the Territory in Congress. The mother of our subject died on the homestead in Cooper County, Mo. She had eight children, namely: Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary A., James, William T., Virginia J., Pamelia M. and Archibald R.
   He of whom we write was the fifth child and second son of his parents. When he was young there were no free schools in Missouri, but in the winter season a school was kept on the subscription plan, and he obtained his education in such a school, assisting on the farm in other seasons of the year as soon as he was large enough to be of use. He lived with his parents until he was nineteen, when he went to Western Missouri, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1855. On the 22d of June, that year, he started for Kansas City with a freight train bound for Santa Fe, N. M. The train consisted of ten large wagons, each drawn by six pairs of oxen. Mr. Sloan went as an extra hand, and received $25 a month and board during the three months that it took to make the round trip. From that time until 1868 he frequently made the same trip, after the first year going as wagonmaster. He freighted between Kansas City, Leavenworth and Nebraska City to the various military posts in the West. He first visited Nebraska City in 1858, and was much pleased with its fine location, and in 1863 he came here to settle, having resolved to wake his permanent home here. He engaged in mercantile business for two years, and then began the sale of farm implements, in which be has been engaged since that time.
   Mr. Sloan was married, in 1862, to Miss Martha Berkley, who has faithfully shared his fortunes ever since. She is a daughter of Joseph Berkley, and was born and reared in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have two children--Maud and James R. Our subject and his wife occupy a high position in the social and religious circles of this city, and they are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder. Mr. Sloan is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party, which has no more stanch supporter than he in all Nebraska. He is a man of good understanding, is exceedingly just and honorable in all his transactions, and exerts a good influence in his community. He takes a marked interest in the welfare of the city and county, and as County Commissioner for two terms and a member of the city Council he has contributed to the material prosperity of both.

OHN R. McKEE. The subject of this biography is regarded by a large majority of his fellow-citizens as one of the most popular men on the western line of Otoe County. He is at present engaged in operating a livery stable at Palmyra, but at the same time is active in all those enterprises in which the public are generally interested. A pioneer of this county, and one of its most capable and intelligent men, he has watched with keen interest its growth find development, and has been no unimportant factor in assisting it to its present prosperity. He possesses all the elements of a useful citizen, has been prominent in politics as well as in business circles, is public-spirited and liberal, and has given no small amount of time and money to the various enterprises set on foot having for their object the general welfare of the people. His home is on his farm a short distance south of the village, and forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of that region. The residence is built in modern style of architecture, and all the surroundings are indicative of cultivated tastes and ample means. His family includes his accomplished wife and a number of interesting children, who, in the social circles of their community, enjoy the acquaintance of hosts of friends.
   The farm of Mr. McKee embraces 500 broad acres, which have been brought to a high state of cultivation, and which occupy the larger portion of section 2, Palmyra Precinct. Our subject has been familiar with agricultural pursuits since his boyhood, having been born and reared amid the quiet scenes of country life. The place of his birth was in Bennington Township, Morrow Co., Ohio, and the date thereof June 5, 1839. His father died when he was a lad of fifteen years, and he continued with his mother, assisting in the management of the farm until the summer of 1856. The mother then believ-

ing that it would be for the best welfare of her boys, sold out her property in the Buckeye State, and moved to Iowa. To this step she had been persuaded by her children. John R. was the eldest boy at home at that time, and still recalls the incidents of preparation, and the overland journey. They wintered in the vicinity of Montezuma, Poweshiek County, and in the spring of 1857, changing their plans, came to Nebraska, landing in the limits of Palmyra Precinct on the 27th of April, unloading their goods two miles west of the present site of Syracuse. The mother had pre-empted 160 acres of land, and at first they were sheltered in a log cabin. The boys as soon as possible began breaking the prairie sod, and in the following fall harvested a good crop of sod corn.
   During the following winter, John R. McKee going into Cass County, attended school at Mt. Pleasant, and the next summer worked out by the month on a farm. He continued a resident of that county eighteen months, and on the 1st of January, 1862, was united in marriage with Miss Sallie, daughter of Jacob and Susan Lowe. Mrs. McKee was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1840, and received a good education in her native State. Her parents had a family of five sons and five daughters, and when one of her elder sisters, Kate by name, married Rochester Hedges, Miss Sallie accompanied the young people to the West. She had expected to return to Ohio after a brief visit, but through the persuasions of young Mr. McKee, changed her intentions, and with him in due time took up her residence in Nebraska.
   Mrs. McKee, a very intelligent and capable lady, had made good use of her time in school when a girl, and employed herself as a teacher. After coming to Nebraska she taught the first district school in Syracuse Precinct. At the time of his marriage Mr. McKee was the owner of 120 acres, upon which the eastern portion of the village of Palmyra now stands. He, however, had lived at home with his mother, and in the meantime added to his first purchase it like amount adjoining, upon which he settled with his young wife. He had for his neighbors that first summer John Roberts, E. M. Brown and a Mr. Merwin, with their families. There were no other families within four or five miles. Nebraska City was the nearest market, from which point they secured their provisions. A post-office was established here in 1865, and John Roberts was the first Postmaster.
   During this period of the early development of the western part of Otoe County the subject of this sketch, although a young man, was among the most prominent of those who were active in its agricultural and business interests. His industry and enterprise had a marked effect in their influence upon those around him, and stimulated others to follow his example. He cast his vote and influence toward the adoption of the State Constitution in 1867, and no man rejoiced more heartily when Nebraska emerged from a Territory into a State the following year. He was at an early date appointed Postmaster at Palmyra, serving four or five years, and until the Midland Pacific Railroad was completed, and the station and post-office transferred to its present site. He then resigned in favor of Miss Dora Harrington.
   To our subject and his estimable lady there were born ten children, six of whom are living, and still continue under the home roof. An infant daughter, Elizabeth, died at the age of eighteen months, and a little son, George, was taken from the household circle when seven years old. The survivors are Florence B., Henry C., Guy B., Stella, Vinnie and Edmund.
   Mr. McKee is now the owner of 1,000 acres in Palmyra Precinct, all of which he purchased between 1867 and 1888. He assisted in the organization of the first school district within its limits, when it included an area of sixty square miles, and hired the first teacher, a Miss Brown. He has been School Director for a period of eighteen years. He has always voted the straight Republican ticket, and during the late campaign (1888) served as Chairman of the County Central Committee. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1869, being at present a member of Western Star Lodge No. 2, of Nebraska City. In his family Mr. McKee is the model husband and father, and gives the larger portion of his time and attention to the interests and happiness of those bound to him by the ties of nature.
   The parents of our subject were Henry and Eliza-

beth (Kellen) McKee, both natives of Delaware, They emigrated with their parents to the Buckeye State, where they were married, and afterward be came intimately identified with its pioneer element.
   Henry McKee was greatly prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil, and accumulated a comfortable property. He was a strong Whig politically, a man of decided views, and one who kept himself well posted upon matters of State and National interest. His death took place in February, 1854, when he was forty-nine years of age. The mother died at the homestead near the town of Syracuse, in September, 1874, when nearly sixty-five years old. The five sons and three daughters comprising the parental household, with one exception, all lived to mature years. Clark died when twenty years of age, and Maria when an interesting child of thirteen. The survivors are James, Sarah, George, John R. (our subject), Belle and William.

ERMAN H. FASS, proprietor of the leading clothing house of Nebraska City, is a wideawake and intelligent business man, who is meeting with deserved success in his mercantile pursuits. He is a native of Hanover, Germany, born Sept. 11, 1847. His father, Conrad H. Fass, and his grandfather, Johan B. Fass, were born in the same locality, and there the latter, who was a merchant, spent his entire life. The great-grandfather of our subject, who was an officer in the French Army, is supposed to have been a native of France.
   The father of our subject was reared in the town where he was born, and received his education in the schools of the place. As soon as large enough he commenced to clerk in his father's store, and later engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Hessel on his own account, and also established a brewery. He died there in 1883, and his death was regarded as a severe blow to the business interests of the village. The maiden name of wife was Margaret Falkerts, and she was likewise a native and lifelong resident of Hanover. To her and her husband were born seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: John Burns, Mary, Herman, Falkert, Annie and Christina. Herman and Falkert are the only ones in America; the others live in their native land.
   The subject of this sketch passed his early years in his native land, acquiring an excellent education in the public schools, which he attended steadily until he was seventeen years old. He served one year in his father's brewery, and learned all the details of the trade. After leaving school his great desire was to come to America, the goal of so many of his countrymen, to see something of the country of which he had heard so much, and to establish a home of his own at some future time, if he should be prospered in life. With these ends in view he set sail from Bremen Sept. 11, 1865, and landed in New York the following November. From there he went directly to Bedford, Ind., where he had no difficulty in securing a clerkship in a general store. At the end of three months he gave up that position and went to Illinois, where he engaged in dealing in live stock in Macoupin County. After spending a year there he went to Missouri, and located in Carrolton County, where he was engaged in his early occupation of brewer until 1868, when he revisited the Fatherland, and spent four months very pleasantly among his old friends. On his return to America he went back to Carrolton County, Mo., and lived there until 1872, when he come to Nebraska City. Here he was employed as a clerk for a time, and then established himself in business. In 1892 he turned his attention to grain and general merchandise business, and was thus engaged until 1884. On the 2d of January of that year he was burned out, entailing a loss over the insurance of $3,000. He was not, however, disheartened by this severe blow to his financial interests, but with characteristic push and enterprise he opened a grocery store in a rented building a few days after the disaster. He carried on the grocery trade very prosperously until April, 1886, when he was obliged to vacate the store. On the 4th of June in the same year he opened his present clothing establishment. This is a first-class store in every respect, and he carries a the assortment of goods. and gives general satisfaction to his numerous customers.
   In 1876 Mr. Fass was married to Miss Annie

Bertha Damme, a native of Missouri, of German parentage, and four children complete their happy home circle--Annie, Herman, Katie and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Fass are members in high standing of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is classed with the ardent Republicans of Nebraska City. Mr. Fass is a loyal citizen of this country, having great respect and veneration for its institutions and laws, but his heart still clings fondly to the Fatherland; he often thinks of the pleasant years of his youth, and likes to revive the memory of old associations by revisiting the scenes amid which his early years were passed, and in 1883 he a second time had that pleasure, staying among his old friends until April.

ACOB BEUTLER is the able managing editor of the Nebraska Staats Zeitung, one of the leading German papers of this State. It is devoted to the best interests of the city and county, and is a fine exponent of the policy of the Republican party. Our subject was born in the town of Sembach, in Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 18, 1859. His father, Peter Beutler, was a lifelong resident of the same village, and there learned the trade of wagon and carriage maker, which he pursued until his death in 1875. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Mary Kinsinger, and Sembach was also her birthplace. She came to America in 1874, and settled in Nebraska City, where she still makes her home. She has seven children, namely: Annie, Jacob, Daniel, Lizzie, Christian, Mary and Arthur. All are in America except Daniel. Annie married Adam Schaefer, and lives in Nebraska City; Lizzie married George Hopp, and lives in Osage Precinct.
   Jacob Beutler attended school quite steadily while he remained in the old country, and obtained an excellent practical education. He came to America with his mother when he was fifteen years old, and further supplemented his education by a year's attendance in the schools of this city. After leaving school he entered the office of the Nebraska City Press to work on a German paper published in that office. Six months later the paper was removed to Plattsmouth, and he went to work on it in that city for one year. At the end of that time he returned to Nebraska City, and was employed for awhile in the office of the Chronicle, and later in that of the Press. In 1880 Mr. Beutler thought he would like to try the mercantile business, so he went to Malcolm, Lancaster County, and engaged as a clerk in a general store. But to a young man of his thoughtful, intelligent mind journalism held strong attractions, and at the end of a year he came back to Nebraska City, and once again resumed his work in the printing-office of the Press. In 1881, in company with Charles Young, he bought the office of the Nebraska Staats Zeitung, and they conducted the paper together for a year, when Mr. Young sold his interests to Adam Schaeffer and Paul Schminke. Mr. Beutler has now for some time had full charge of the office and the management of the paper, and we may note in this connection that he has been very successful in this; he has brought the paper to a high standard, and it has a good circulation.
   Mr. Beutler was married, in 1885, to Miss Paulina Kuwitzky, a native of Bohemia. She came to America with her parents when she was quite young. Her husband finds in her a ready sympathizer and counselor. and she is truly devoted to his interests. They are esteemed members of the Evangelical Church, and contribute liberally of their means to the support of the Gospel. Mr. Beutler is one of the most earnest and enthusiastic of the young Republicans of Otoe County.

ERRIN D. BABCOCK, Freight Agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and a resident of Nebraska City, is one of the self-made young men, and has before him a brilliant future; to-day, in spite of his age, he holds one of the most responsible positions connected with the above-mentioned company. He is a man of fine presence, large ability, courtly manner and genial disposition, and by all who can appreciate such qualities he is held in highest regard. He was the first regularly appointed agent for this place, and has held the position since October, 1887, and to his credit largely must be placed the fact that in

the corresponding month of the present year the freight receipts have more than quadrupled. Previous to his residence in this city his home was in Lincoln. The birth of our subject occurred on the 25th of January, 1860, at Alburg Centre, Vt. He is the son of Thomas and Saphronia (Dorrow) Babclick. The family is of English extraction on both sides. His father served in the Union Army for four years. He was promoted to be First Sergeant, and was accounted a gallant soldier. Fear was with him an unknown quantity. His devotion to the old flag was unquestionable, and he found many opportunities of manifesting the same. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Welden Railroad, and after suffering the horers (sic) of Andersonville he died in that prison.
   The death of the father left his widow with three sons and one daughter, and of these our subject was the third child born. The mother, with the determination that only those possess who are similarly circumstanced, made it her life work to bring up her sons so that they should be an honor to the cause for which their father had died, and should be prepared to fill honorable positions as citizens of the Republic. That the task then undertaken has been grandly completed it is unnecessary to remark, and is fully substantiated by the subsequent history of the family.
   After completing the ordinary course of study the subject of our sketch entered the Vermont State Normal School at Johnson. Subsequently being graduated from that institution, he entered the profession of the teacher, making his first effort at Cresco, Iowa, continuing in that place for four terms. Besides his professional work he found it congenial and profitable for him to work upon a farm, which he accordingly did. Entertaining a desire about that time to enter the railroad service, he became a student of telegraphy, taking instructions under the operator at Cresco. He learned with comparative ease, and was appointed to a position at Ramsey Junction, Minn. This he continued to hold with much satisfaction to the company for six months, but having a more advantageous offer from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, he entered into an engagement with that Company, and was stationed at Omaha, whence he went to Fairchild, Wis. After five months he was appointed operator at Augusta, Wis., for the same road, and continued there for two years. Then he became agent at Neillsville, in the same State, but after six months was sent to Ashland, where he was retained for sixteen months as joint agent for the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western and the C., St. P., M. & O. R. R. The wages being insufficient, he determined to try the West, and choosing the Nebraska & Missouri Pacific Railroad, he engaged with that company on the 25th of August, 1886, serving as cashier and Ticket Agent at Lincoln. He was appointed by President Clark of the company to his present position on the 2d of October, 1887.
   Mr. Babcock entertains very liberal views in regard to the religious position of others, and accords them every right to their opinions, if they be but honest in their investigations. The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 15th of October, 1884, at Neillsville, Wis., the lady of his choice being Miss Ella Barnes, of Augusta, in that State. She is the daughter of H. S. and Catharine Barnes. To Mr. and Mrs. Babcock there has been born one child, to whom has been given the name Bernice. The social circles of Nebraska City have cordially welcomed Mrs. Babcock as a lady of truest worth.
   For several years the subject of our sketch has been an enthusiastic and devoted member of the I. O. O. F., and is at present the Noble Grand or Presiding Officer of Frontier Lodge No. 3, of Nebraska City, in which high office his high personal character and manly qualities make themselves felt among his fellow-members, who entertain for him the warmest sentiments of regard, which is equally true of those outside the lodge room and in the larger circle of life.

ESLEY SPURLOCK, a citizen widely and favorably known throughout this county, came hither in its pioneer days, and has contributed his full quota toward its growth and development. He traces his ancestry back to England, the first representatives in this Country being

five brothers who crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days and settled in Virginia. There they and their descendants distinguished themselves as active and enterprising citizens and good business men, building up comfortable homes and accumulating each a good property.
   The subject of this sketch was born in the part of West Virginia which was then Cabell, but is now Wayne County, Jan. 15, 1813, and is the son of Stephen Spurlock, a native of the same locality, and who was born March 19, 1786. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Spurlock, was a well-to-do farmer of that region, a very prosperous man, and prominent in public affairs. His estate at the time of his death included a number of slaves. Stephen and another son were strongly opposed to making merchandise of human flesh, and in the division of the property they took the slaves, setting a part of them free, while the other children were given the real estate. This, of course, was long before the outbreak of the Civil War. Stephen Spurlock also became prominent in his community, and was at one time Chaplain in the House of Representatives. He was fond of agricultural pursuits and spent most of his life in farming. He, however, never lost the spirit of piety which was evinced from his earliest youth, and joining the Methodist Episcopal Church, commenced preaching when a young man, and thus labored in the Master's vineyard for a number of years. He spent his entire life upon the soil of his native State, dying there Dec. 31, 1870.
   Stephen Spurlock had married in early manhood Miss Nancy Amos, who was born Feb. 8, 1784, and died on the 1st of May, 1872. The parental household included seven children, namely: Cassy, Jesse, Wesley (our subject), Abigail, Milton J., Francis A. and Esther A.
   The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in his native county, received a common-school education, and subsequently taught school on the subscription plan. He resided with his parents until the twentieth year of his age, when he was married, and settled on land given him by his father-in-law, and which was a part of the homestead of the latter. He lived there with his young wife until 1837, then sold out and set his face toward the West. He made the journey via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers on a steamer to Peoria, Ill., then with his four-horse team drove to Knox County, and settled on land near which subsequently grew up the present flourishing town of Abingdon. A brother-in-law had preceded him to that point, and with him he remained until the spring following. Then going into Whiteside County he purchased a "squatter's" claim, near which the town of Albany grew up. He did not enter this land, although he improved about 100 acres of it. He sold his claim in 1840 and returned to Knox County, purchasing wild land south of Abingdon, upon which he made some improvements, but which he finally sold, and crossing the Mississippi with teams, and accompanied by his brother-in-law and family, they both took up land in Wapello County, Iowa, being the very first settlers in that region.
   Wild game of all kinds abounded in that section at the time and Indians still lingered there. The latter received their last payment at the Agency that year, Mr. Spurlock witnessing the procedure. The pioneer cabins were located in the timber on Rich Creek, but in the spring Mr. Spurlock and his brother-in-law started out and made a claim twelve miles from the present city of Ottumwa, also erecting a log cabin there. Here they decided to settle and proceeded in true pioneer style to battle with the difficulties around them. The nearest mill was thirty miles distant;, and not raising any wheat the first year, corn constituted their principal breadstuff. Mr. Spurlock had a number of sheep, and the wife and mother from the wool of these manufactured the clothing for the family.
   Five years later Mr. Spurlock sold this property and returned to Knox County, Ill., lived there two years, and then returned to Iowa, purchasing land this time in Warren County. This property was also wild and uncultivated, but civilization had begun to set Westward and our subject made better progress. He put up a set of frame buildings, but two years later changed his residence to Madison County, buynig (sic) again wild land near Winterset, where he improved a good farm and lived a number of years, carrying on agriculture very successfully. Then leaving the farm he purchased town