In the spring of 1864, being completely restored to health, our subject re-entered the army, joining Company E, 41st Wisconsin Infantry--in fact, he raised the company. He received the commission of Captain at once from the Governor of the State, and then at the head of his company, and, of course, with his regiment, he went to the front. They served in the Army of the Cumberland, and were in the engagement at Memphis, Tenn., under General Commander Washburne, who opposed the Confederate forces under Forrest. After six months' fighting here and there, he was discharged on account of the expiration of his term of enlistment, and returned with his company to Wisconsin in September, 1864. Feb. 20, 1865, he and a Mr. C. W. Farrington started to raise another company. This was effected within twenty days, and our subject was commissioned Captain of the same. It was assigned to the 49th Regiment, under Col. Samuel Fellows, now of Chicago. The regiment became part of the Army of the West, and served chiefly on detached service and Provost Marshal duty at Rolla and St. Louis, Mo. Capt. Childs held the position of Assistant Provost Marshal while on duty at the former place, and was retained in St. Louis until February, 1866. During the latter month he was called to do duty on a court-martial and commission, of which Gen. Beverly, of Illinois, was the President. A commission was appointed to try the boat burners of the Mississippi River, and was appointed by the Secretary of War.
   Shortly after his final severance from military service Capt. Childs came to this State, and has since been a resident almost continuously. He is one of the leading and valued citizens of this district, and an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., and was attached to the Talmage Post. He has frequently been called upon to fill different offices, and is at present one of the Village Board of Talmage. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and is one of the energetic workers in the campaigns where special effort is desirable.
   Capt. Childs was married in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to Miss Luthera Atwood, who was born at Massena, in that county, and was there brought up an educated. Subsequently she became a teacher in the county, and otherwise identified with that place. Her father, Franklin Atwood, is still living there, and has reached an advanced age. Her mother died when Mrs. Childs was a little girl of about two years. Two children have been born to our subject, one of whom, Albert, died when three years of age; the other, Frank L., manages the Douglas department of his father's business, an in doing so evinces an ability most gratifying. He is well educated, having attended the State University, and also the State Normal School at Peru.

ARTIN BROWN. Germany, which has given so many of her sons to the development of the western portion of this hemisphere, holds the birthplace of the subject of this sketch, where he first opened his eyes to the light Sept. 9, 1832. His childhood home was in the little Kingdom of Wurtemberg, of which his parents, Joseph and Barbara (Scubert) Brown, were also natives, and where they spent their entire lives.
   The father of our subject was twice married, having seven children by each union, and Martin was the third child of the first marriage. He was given good educational advantages, and served a regular apprenticeship as a stone cutter and mason. He was thirteen years old at the time of his mother's death, and shortly afterward was taken to the home of his maternal uncle, Michael Scubert, a contractor and builder, with whom he lived until attaining his majority.
   Young Brown became an expert in his calling, and as the employe of his uncle assisted in the erection of many public buildings and important works in his native Empire. Among these was the bridge at Makmiel, and one extraordinarily large culvert in Italy by direction of the Italian Government. Soon after becoming his own man, however, our subject resolved to seek his fortune on the other side of the Atlantic. Accordingly, in March, 1853, he boarded a sailing-vessel at Havre in company with an aunt, and five weeks later landed in New York City. Finding difficulty in procuring work at his trade he wisely accepted whatever else he could find to do, employing himself as a gardener

and coachman, and thus wisely spending no idle time.
   After about one year thus occupied, Mr. Brown engaged as fireman on an ocean steamship, and during the voyages of two years thereafter, visited the principal ports of England and France, Africa, Cuba and Panama, and finally San Francisco. This proved a rich experience, which he has never regretted. When again becoming established on terra firma he began farming in Lee County, Ill., which brought him up to about the time of the breaking out of the Civil War. Having become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country, and understanding the importance of an undivided Union, he enlisted in Company G, 8th Illinois Cavalry, for three years, or during the war. He was under the command of Geo. Sherman, and joined in the famous march to the sea. He had the satisfaction of witnessing the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, and bears an honorable scar from a wound received in a sabre charge. He had a horse killed under him by the explosion of a shell, but aside from these hairbreadth escapes came out uninjured. He was present in the grand review at Washington, and mustered out there in July, 1865.
   After returning from the army, Mr. Brown took up his residence in DeKalb County, Ill., and engaged in farming. He was married in November, 1859, to Miss Martha Giffin, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1834. Her parents, Robert and Sarah (Osborn) Giffin, were natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania. The father was a cooper by trade, but met his death by drowning when comparatively a young man. The mother later took up her residence in Perry County, Pa., and spent her last years in Petersburg, Pa. She was a widow at the time of her marriage with Mr. Giffin, having been married first to a Mr. Anderson, by whom she became the Mother of two children. Of her marriage with Mr. Giffin there were also born two children--Martha L. and her brother Henry, older.
   Mrs. Brown when a young girl went to Illinois with her guardian, and lived in DeKalb County until her marriage with our subject. Of this union there were born six children, namely: Mary C., Sarah A. E., Clara B., Susannah M., Harry M. P. and Sherman. In the year 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Brown were visited by a terrible affliction in the loss of their three youngest children of diphtheria within a period of two weeks. The light seemed well-nigh shut out of their household, but they received the sympathies of many kind friends. and their affections have naturally twined closely around those remaining. The elder of these, Mary C., is now the wife of Lloyd Gibbers; Mr. G. is a well-to-do farmer of Nemaha County, Kan., and they have five children--Estella May, Henry Otis, Ethel, Charles and Martha. The other daughter, Sarah A. F., is the wife of William S. McCarthy, and they reside in Sandwich, Ill.; Mr. McC. is a painter by trade, and they are the parents of four children: Clarence B., who died when two years old; Jerdie, Ida and a babe unnamed.
   After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown settled on a farm in DeKalb County, Ill., where our subject operated as a tenant several years. Subsequently he purchased land in Lee County, upon which he lived until 1878, then came to Nebraska. Here he has effected great improvements. having his land now under a fine state of cultivation, a tasteful and comfortable residence, a barn with good cattle sheds, and other structures necessary for his profit and convenience, he is a man prompt to meet his obligations. and held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens.

ICHOLAS A. DUFF, President of the First National Bank, of Syracuse, and holding the same position in relation to the Bank of Unadilla, is also senior member of the firm of N. A. Duff & Co., dealers in grain, and owning eleven elevators in as many different towns, embracing, with one exception, all the elevators in Otoe County. His connection thus with the most important interests of the county is sufficient evidence of the enterprising character of the man, and his course has been that which has secured for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has had dealings. Mr. Duff is the pioneer grain merchant of Syracuse, having been established in business here as early as 1872. He was born near the little town of New Diggings, in LaFayette County, Wis., Sept. 9,

1852, and is the son of Christopher and Ann (McNulty) Duff. who were born and reared in County Dublin, Ireland. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and the parents emigrated to America after their marriage, settling in New Jersey about 1835. Thence they removed later to the Territory of Wisconsin, locating at New Diggings, where the father followed his trade until his death, which took place in 1854. The mother is still living, making her home with her son, our subject, in the city of Syracuse.
   Six children comprised the family of the parents of our subject, three of whom grew to mature years, and are now living, the two besides our subject being Michael E., a grain dealer of Nebraska City, and Christopher J., a stock commission merchant of Denver, Col. Nicholas A. was but two years old at the time of his father's death, and was reared by his mother, receiving a good education, and completing his studies in that well-known institution, the College of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Ind. Upon leaving school, being then eighteen years old, he came to Nebraska City, this State, and engaged in the grain trade in company with W. A. Cotton, continuing here for two years. Mr. Duff then began operating in Syracuse, putting up an elevator, and from time to time built elevators in other towns. The firm of Cotton, Duff & Co. continued for a period of fourteen years and until 1886, at which date M. E. Duff succeeded Mr. Cotton, and the firm became Duff & Co., and thus continues. In 1882 Messrs. Cotton, Duff & Co. organized the Farmers' Bank, of Syracuse, and in the fall of 1883 reorganized under the National Banking Laws with a capital of $50,000, Mr. Duff being the principal stockholder. He was also at that time chosen President, a position which he has since occupied.
   Mr. Duff, in February, 1888, organized the Bank of Unadilla, with a capital of $25,000, of which N. A. Duff & Co. are the principal stockholders. Our subject is also a stockholder in the Farmers' and Merchants' Insurance Company in Lincoln, this State. He came empty-handed to Nebraska City, and his accumulations are the result of his own industry, enterprise and good judgment. The firm of Cotton & Duff commenced operations on a Capital of less than $1,000. Mr. Duff has wisely invested a portion of his surplus capital in farming lands and residence property in Syracuse. He has studiously avoided meddling in politics, and aside from casting his vote with the Democratic party, and discharging, unpaid, some of the duties of the local offices, takes little interest therein. He has served as President of the Village Board, and socially, is a member of the Knights of Honor. Genial and courteous, he is a general favorite in social and business circles, and is one of those rare characters, a perfect gentleman, both in the home circle among his business associates.
   Mr. Duff while a resident of Syracuse was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of W. J. Armstrong, the wedding taking place May 21, 1878. A sketch of her father will be found elsewhere in this volume. Of this union there are three children--Nora, Ralph and Gertrude.

ERMAN NEEMANN. In Rock Creek Precinct there are few more thoroughly practical and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers than the subject of this sketch. He owns a very fine and improved farm of 150 acres on section 30. This is the home farm; besides it he has one-sixth interest in 160 acres on section 31, that is not at present so well-improved, but is use for his stock in its present condition.
   The subject of our sketch came to this district with the first settlers in 1859, and since that time has resided almost continuously on his present property, having entered his land at that time, and progressing with his improvements. His residence is among the finest farm dwellings in the county, being constructed of the best brick obtainable, and not without some pretensions in the way of design. Of the farm proper it is only necessary to add that it is well cared for and highly cultivated, while his pastures and cattle sheds show at a glance the foundation of considerable wealth in prospect if all goes as well as is to be hoped.
   Mr. Neemann came to this place from Madison County, Ill., where he had resided about a year; previous to that time his home was in his native

Fatherland. He was born in Hanover, Nov. 16, 1833. His father it was his misfortune to lose when he was but a lad. The name of this gentleman was Albert Neemann, and almost until the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-two years of age, he continued to support himself and family as a farm laborer. He was a devout member of the German Lutheran Church, as was also his wife.
   The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Margret Berns. In the early months of her widowhood she came to the United States with her children, but only lived for about eighteen months after arriving in this county. She was then about sixty-two years of age, and had been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She was in every sense of the word a wife and mother, and allowed no opportunity to pass without improving it that promised good for her family.
   Mr. Neemann is one of the younger of seven children who comprised the home circle. He was about twenty-five years of age when he came to the decision that he would come to this free land. When he attained that age he, with his brother, Dick A. Neemann, came to this country to make a permanent home, which they did in the above precinct. This was in the year 1859. He was married here to Agdie Bruns. She was born in Hanover, Germany, and was twelve years of age when she came with her parents and settled in the above-mentioned district. Mrs. Neemann from that age was brought up in McWilliams Precinct until she came to womanhood, making her home with her parents. She has presented her husband with nine children, of whom her son Ockie died at the age of eleven years, but the remainder of the family are still living. These bear the following names: Mattie, Fannie R., Albert J., Hannah C., John G., George F., Lena W. and Henry C.
   Mr. and Mrs. Neemann and family are active members of the Lutheran Church, into which they were brought in early years. Our subject is one of the church Directors, a position he has held for five years He has several times been callled (sic) upon to hold several of the school offices, and is much interested in educational work. He has made it his business to understand the institutions of his adopted country, and gives no little thought to political matters, usually voting the Republican ticket. He is a man of fine reputation, and one of the capable and worthy citizens of the district.

EORGE W. HAWKE has been a resident of Nebraska City since 1862, and was for several years prominently identified with its mercantile interests. He is a native of the county of Carroll, Ohio, born one mile from the town of Malvern. He is of Irish ancestry, his grandfather, William Hawke, being a native of Ireland, as was also his father. The former was reared and married in the old country, and about 1811 came to America, with his family. He cast in his lot with the early pioneers of Stark County. Ohio, and there bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and cleared a good farm from the wilderness, where he dwelt the remainder of his days. He was a man of remarkable vigor of both mind and body, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and two years, and up to within two weeks of his death was able to walk to town, two and one-half miles distant. His wife was likewise a native of Ireland, and five of the children of their marriage grew to maturity, namely: William, Jane, Eliza, Robert and James.
   William, the father of our subject, was their eldest child, and he was born in Ireland, May 12, 1799. He was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country, and he was reared on his father's homestead in Stark County, Ohio, and remained with his parents until his marriage with Eliza Jane Farra, who was born of Southern parentage Sept. 25, 1805. After his marriage he settled near the home farm across the line in Carroll County, where he bought a tract of timber land, on which he erected a log house, in which humble abode the subject of our sketch was born. Mr. Hawke cleared a farm, felling the tall old trees of the primeval forest which covered his land, and rolling the large logs together, that would now be very valuable, and burning them. The nearest market for grain and produce was at Wellsville, thirty-six miles distant, and Philadel-

phia, Pa., was the market for live stock. There being no railway at that early day, horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep that the Ohio farmers raised were driven all the long way to that city. Mr. Hawke sold that farm in 1842, and moved to Holt County, Mo., going by team to Wellsville, and thence with his team and all on a boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Rubedeux Point, now St. Joseph, and there disembarked with his team, and he and his family proceeded to Holt County, of which he became a pioneer. He selected a suitable location, and entered the tract from the Government; his land was partly prairie, and the rest timber, bordering on the Missouri River. The nearest store or mill was at Rubedeux Point, which was a mere trading-post kept by a French Canadian for the purpose of bartering with the Indians, there being no white settlers there. In 1844 Mr. Rubedeux laid out the present city of St. Joseph on the site of his post. There being no markets in that part of the country Mr. Hawke found it to be of little use to do much farming, so he left the farm work to his sons, and he turned his attention to his trade of brickmason. He built the first brick house ever erected in Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was busily employed at his trade in different places. A few days after the arrival of the family in Missouri, and before they had scarcely had time to settle in their new home, the shadow of death fell over them, and Sept. 9, 1842, the devoted wife and tender mother, who had sickened on the journey, passed away from the scenes of earth. In 1846 Mr. Hawke established himself in the mercantile business in Kanesville, becoming one of the early merchants there. He continued as a merchant there, and at Hemmie's Landing until 1850, when he sold out, and started westward with a party bound for California. He engaged in the mercantile business at Jacksonville, that State, and continued there until his death, March 1, 1855. The following is the record of the eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, who were born to him and his wife: Robert was born Jan. 25, 1826, and died in Nebraska City, May 2, 1887; Jacob F. was born Feb. 16, 1829, and died in Nebraska City, Feb. 14, 1876; John was born Aug, 20, 1830, and died in California, Sept. 27, 1867; Hamilton was born Feb. 15, 1832, went to California with his father, returned a few years after, went to California again in 1859, and was last heard from in 1862; Whiting was born Nov. 24, 1834, and died in Holt County, Md., Feb. 14, 1856; Nancy was born July 25, 1835, married John Brusha, and now resides in Clay County, Neb.; George W., our subject, was born April 19, 1837; Mary was born Jan. 11, 1839, married Huston Nuckolls, and now lives in Crete, Neb.; Hannah was born Dec. 22, 1841, married William E. Dillon, and lives in Nebraska City.
   George W. Hawke was five years old when his parents moved to Missouri, and his mother dying a few days later, the care of himself and his young brothers and sisters fell on the older members of the family. In 1848 he and his three sisters were taken to Carroll County, Ohio, and there George and one of his sisters made their home with their uncle, Robert Hawke, and the other sisters with an aunt. He made the best of his opportunities to gain an education, attending the district school, two miles distant. While not in school he assisted on the farm until 1856, when he returned to Missouri, and engaged as a clerk in a general store at Hemmie's Landing. At the end of a year he left the store and came to Nebraska, which was then under Territorial Government, and took charge of his brother's store at St. Stephen's, Richardson County. He managed the store successfully for a year, and in the spring of 1858 entered into partnership with his brother Jacob, and opened a store at Rockport, Atchison Co., Mo., under the firm name of J. F. & G. W. Hawke. In the fall of 1859 they moved their business to Glenwood, Mills Co., Iowa, where he resided until March, 1862. He established himself in the mercantile business here, and conducted it with great financial success until the 4th of March, 1872, when he sold out to his brother Robert. He then bought a tract of land in Wyoming Precinct, and turned his attention to the improvement of a farm. He still continued to reside in the city, however, and for the past few years has not been actively engaged in business aside from looking after his private interests, until his brother Robert's death, when he was selected to settle the estate.

   To the good wife who presides over his home, our subject was united in marriage May 24, 1859. She was formerly Miss Susan, daughter of John L. Dozier, a native of Kentucky, and a pioneer of Holt County, Mo., where she was born. Six children survive the union of our subject--Leone, Edna, Georgia, Farra Nellie and Robert. Birdeau became the wife of A. H. Browne, and died Feb. 24, 1888, leaving one daughter, Lillian. Mrs. Hawke and three of her daughters are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are zealous workers in the cause of religion. Mr. Hawke takes a warm interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his city or county. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is now Deputy Revenue Collector. He is well liked in this community, and his neighbors find in him a true friend.

ON. GEORGE W. SROAT is distinguished as a pioneer of Nebraska, he being one of the early settlers of Nebraska City, of which he is still an honored resident, and we are pleased to be enabled to represent him in this ALBUM. He was born in Jefferson County. Ky., Aug. 3, 1829, his father, Peter Sroat, having been a native of the same county. His grandfather, also named Peter, was born in Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and removed from there to Kentucky previous to 1800, the removal being made by way of the Ohio River on a flatboat. He landed at Louisville, which then comprised only three buildings, one of bowed logs and the other two of found logs. He did not tarry there, however, but pushed on into the depths of the primeval forests fourteen miles distant, and settled on Floyd's Fork of the Salt River, where he took up a tract of timberland, adjoining the present site of Fishersville. He built up a log cabin in the woods and lived there with his family, clearing a good farm, and dying there, having rounded out a useful life of seventy-seven years. Bears, deer, and all other kinds of wild animals common to the country abounded in the forests near his home. and the savage Indians were numerous and ofttimes troublesome. There were no markets in those days, and they were practically dependent on home supplies, raising all their provisions, generally using rye for coffee. Mr. Sroat raised flax and cotton and kept sheep, and his wife spun, wove, and made all the clothes for the family. She was a woman of uncommon energy and force of character, and was endowed with good nerves and a courageous spirit. She was an expert in the use of the rifle, and when over eighty years of age shot a wild turkey. She died on the old homestead in Kentucky at the remarkable old age of one hundred and one years. Her maiden name was Catherine Lethermann, and she was a native of Germany. Her father, the great-grandfather of our subject, came to America from Germany and settled in Maryland, and his was the first barber-shop opened in Hagerstown, the place where he resided.
   The father of our subject was reared in his native county, learned the trade of millwright, and resided there until 1846. He then went to East Tennessee and located in Henry County, where he bought land and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He died in his new home about a year and a half after his removal to it. He was a man of great worth, industrious in his habits, and was highly thought of by all who knew him. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Conn, and she was born in Jefferson County, Ky., where her death afterward occurred about 1833. Her father, the grandfather of our subject, Edward Conn by name, was a native of Maryland, and an early settler of Jefferson County, Ky., where he improved a farm.
   George W. Sroat was reared in his native county until he was seventeen years old, when he accompanied his father to Tennessee. He lived there three years, and then returned to his native State to learn the trades of plasterer and brick and stone mason. He resided in Kentucky until 1855, when the same bold, enterprising spirit that had made of his father and grandfather pioneers, determined him to seek the broad prairies of the then but little known Territory of Nebraska. Accordingly, he traveled this way on the waters of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, there being no railroad west of the Mississippi River, and all transportation was done by water or with teams overland. He

located in Nebraska City, which at that time had a population of less than fifty people, and the country all around was in a rude, unsettled condition. The old blockhouse built by the Government was still standing and occupied by the settlers, as was the Government Hospital, and there were but a few houses besides, and but one brick building. There were no villages in the interior of Nebraska at that time, although some venturesome settlers had taken up claims a mile and a half west of the city, and all the land was owned by the Government. Indians were much more plentiful than white people; deer, elks and antelopes abounded, and also a few bears, wild turkeys and wolves were to be seen.
   Our subject relates that the first morning after his arrival here he was awakened about daybreak by the howling of wolves, and looking out of the window he counted twenty-eight wolves in front of where the court-house now stands. Mr. Sroat immediately took up a claim of land a mile and a half south of the city, built a log house thereon, and kept a bachelor's establishment throughout the following winter. In the spring he commenced to work at his trade as contractor and builder, and the growth of the city being quite rapid during the next few years, he did an extensive and profitable business; he being a master of his trade, his work was always in demand. In 1860 he abandoned the building business to deal in real estate, which he has conducted ever since, and he has thus in another manner contributed to the development of the city and its interests, and is numbered among its prominent citizens.
   Mr. Sroat has built up a commodious and comfortable home, in which he has been greatly assisted by his estimable wife, to whom he was united in marriage Oct. 21, 1861. Mrs. Sroat was formerly Miss Georgenia North, daughter of George and Maria E. North, natives of Ireland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sroat has been blessed to them by the birth of nine children, namely: George N., Frederick (who died in infancy), Arthur (who died in infancy), Grace E., Paul H., Bertha, Irving, Edith and Alice C.
   Our subject has always been a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and he is influential in political and public affairs, and has held some of the highest and most responsible offices in the county and city, discharging their onerous duties in such a manner as to reflect credit on himself and his constituency. In 1860 he was appointed Sheriff to fill a vacancy, and in 1861 he was elected to that office, to which he was re-elected in 1863. After that he served as Deputy Sheriff for two years. In 1866 he was elected Representative to the Territorial Legislature, and served with great ability in that capacity for two sessions. His wide experience, trustworthiness and practical sagacity have rendered him an invaluable civic officer of this municipality, and he has been a member of the City Council, Justice of the Peace and City Marshall. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sroat are influential members of the Baptist Church, in whose organization he zealously assisted, and he has served as Trustee and Deacon. Socially, Mr. Sroat is identified with the Western Star Lodge No. 2, A, F. & A. M.

UCEPHALUS WOLPH, a very intelligent and well-educated gentleman, and a graduate from the classical department of Doane College, at Crete, finds his chief pleasure and pride in skillful agriculture, and is proprietor of one of the best stock farms along the banks of the Weeping Water. He is the son of one of the wealthiest men of Cass County, and has been given all the advantages incident to refined and cultivated life. His home is presided over by a very estimable and amiable lady, who in the adornings of her dwelling and the management of her domestic affairs, has the true perception of those things which conduce to the comfort and happiness of the household circle.
   The parental history of our subject is in the main as follows: His father, Hon. Henry C. Wolph, was born in Richland County, Ohio, and married Miss Esther Bevier, a native of the same. The paternal grandfather emigrated to Ohio during its pioneer days, locating near Rome, where he carried on farming successfully, and spent his last years in Nebraska. The maternal great-grandparents traced their ancestry back to the French Huguenots, and