few years in Ohio, then returned to St. Louis. where he was married, and shortly afterward homesteaded 160 acres of land in Muscatine County, Iowa. After farming several years in that county he sold out, and changed his residence to Madison County, but a year later moved back to Muscatine County. This time he purchased eighty acres of land, where with his excellent wife, he is still living, and carrying on farming successfully.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Besch there have been born four children--Frank, Walter, Fredericka and Charles. Our subject votes the straight Republican ticket, and in religious matters adheres to the doctrines of the German Lutheran Church, in which he was carefully reared by his parents. He has frequently been called upon to serve in the various local offices, not only nominated but elected, but declined to serve. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Besch. served in the German Army against Napoleon, and was given a medal for brave and gallant services. He spent his last years in America.

AWSON COOK. Among the intelligent farmers of Otoe County, who are important factors in developing and sustaining the extensive and varied agricultural interests of Nebraska, no one is more worthy of consideration than the gentleman of whom we write, and we are glad to be able to present a brief sketch of his life to his fellow-citizens. He is the proprietor of one of the finest farms in the Missouri River Valley, it being pleasantly located in Otoe Precinct, and comprises 180 acres.
   Mr. Cook was born in Cumberland County, England, July 25, 1818. His father, likewise named Lawson, was born in the same county, but his father, John Cook, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, tradition says of Scotch ancestry. He moved to England after he had grown to manhood, and settled in Cumberland County. He afterward enlisted in the navy, and fought on the side of the British Crown in the Revolutionary War. He spent his last years in the village of St. Bess, Cumberland County, dying at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Ann Lawson, and who was a native of England, are both sleeping their last sleep in the ancient churchyard of St. Bess. The father of our subject spent his entire life in his native county, and he married Jane White, likewise a native of Cumberland County. She was a daughter of James White, a native of Dumfries, Scotland, who, after marriage, settled in Cumberland County, England, and there spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Cook was a shoemaker by trade, and pursued his calling until his death, in 1836. To him and his good wife were born nine children, all of whom grew up. James, William, Richard, Alexander and our subject were the only ones who came to America. James now lives in Nemaha County; William, who settled in St. Louis, is dead, as is also Richard, who first settled in Cleveland, and later removed to Wyandotte County, Kan. Alexander lives in Chicago.
   Lawson Cook was reared in his native county, and as his father's family was large, he was early taught to make himself useful, and at the age of ten years, when most boys are in school, he began to be self-supporting by working in a spinning factory, whereby he earned six cents a day. He soon received injuries in one of his hands which nearly caused him the loss of that useful member. He then abandoned factory labor, and went to work on a farm, receiving in payment from eight to twelve or fifteen cents a day, but as his usefulness increased his wages were raised to £16 a year, and that was the highest wages that he ever received in the old country. Mr. Cook married in his native England, in 1842, Miss Jane Fellowfield, who was born in the same county as himself. She died in Liverpool, in 1848, leaving two children: Margaret, who lives in London, and William, who lives in Hebron, Neb. In 1849, the year following the death of his wife, Mr. Cook decided to try his fortunes in America, hoping to get more money for his work, and thus be able to build up a much more comfortable home than he could hope to do in the old country, under the low wages that prevailed there. After an uneventful and tedious ocean voyage, he landed in Boston on the 4th of July, and found the patriotic citizens celebrating our National holiday. He did not, however, tarry

to assist them, proceeding directly to New York City, where he found employment in a machineshop. He had a quick, bright mind, and being a natural mechanic, it took him but a short time to learn the new trade, and as he became an expert he commanded good wages. In 1852 he went to St. Louis, and there put in the tubes into the first tubular boiler ever made west of the Mississippi River. He continued to work in that city throughout that season, and then returned to New York City, where, with another Englishman, he took a job to bore holes in the boilers of the steamer "Adriatic." Mr. Cook worked at his trade in New York City until 1856, and then came to the Territory of Nebraska, coming by rail to Alton, Ill., and thence by boat to St. Louis, and from there on a boat to Nebraska City, it taking fourteen days to perform the trip from St. Louis. He started at once to seek a location, and bought a claim of land on section 14, Otoe Precinct. After making his claim, before settling on it, he returned to New York City to cast his vote for Gen. Fremont, the first Presidential candidate of the Republican party. In the same fall he erected a frame house on his claim, and when the land came into the market he bought it of the Government. The next year his family joined him, and he resided on that place until 1868, when he sold it and bought his present farm. He first purchased 200 acres, and later bought an additional tract of eighty acres, making 280 acres in all. But a part of that the river freshets have taken, leaving him only 180 acres. This is good bottom land, of unsurpassed fertility and productiveness, and all well improved.
   Mr. Cook has been three times married. His second marriage, which took place in New York City, was to Mrs. Agnes Harrison, her maiden name being Jenkinson. She was born in England, and died on the 1st of March, 1866, leaving one child, Jane, who lives in Custer County, Neb. Mr. Cook's third wife was formerly Fanny Smart. She was born near Oxford, England, and died about 1878. There were three children born of this marriage -- Eliza, Archibald and Harry.
   Mr. Cook is gifted with a thoughtful and vigorous mind. He is a great reader, a lover of good literature, and is well posted on all public questions.
   He is a strong Republican and is heartily in favor of protection. He has belonged to the party from its very beginning. He says that he heard Fred Douglas lecture in England in 1847. He has been a delegate to many of the County, Territorial and State Conventions of his party.

ON. CHARLES H. COWLES. In the death of this gentleman, which occurred at his home in Wyoming Precinct, April 14, 1888 Otoe County lost one of its most honored pioneers, and one who had distinguished himself as a citizen of more than ordinary worth. A native of Genesee County, N. Y., he was born May 20, 1818, and was the son of Harry Cowles, a patriot and a soldier, who did valiant service in the War of 1812. The latter, a man of high character and fine capabilities, was also chief of navigation on the brig "Niagara." under command of Capt. Elliott in Perry's fleet of nine vessels which achieved the victory on Lake Erie, which forms no unimportant event in American history.
   The Cowles family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, being among those persecuted people who fled from Scotland into the North of Ireland on account of their religious belief. The family was first represented in America during the Colonial times, and their history has been one of which their descendants may be proud, for among them have been the most eminent men of our times.
   Capt. Harry Cowles, the father of our subject, after leaving the army was made a Captain of the home guards in the State of Ohio, where he had emigrated, and met his death while discharging the duties of this position, being run down by a frightened horse and instantly killed. Nine children, eight sons and one daughter, were thus rendered fatherless. Of these three are living. The daughter is the widow of Judge A. A. Bradford, of Pueblo, Col., and the two sons are residents of Colorado. The. mother passed away a year after the decease of her husband, and the children were taken into the homes of relatives and friends. Charles H., with the others, was trained to habits of industry, and being of a buoyant and persevering disposition, he

made friends, and was seldom at a loss for employment. He was for a time engaged in a clock factory in the Western Reserve, Ohio, and was a resident of Trumbull County, Ohio, until a youth of eighteen years. He then changed his residence to Jefferson County. Ind., living there from 1841 to 1848, and in the latter year, crossing the Mississippi, took up his residence on Platts' Purchase in Missouri, but soon afterward removed to Atchison County, and put up the first house at Linden, then the county seat. In the meantime he had been married in Indiana, Dec. 9, 1841, to Miss Mary Martin, who accompanied him on his journey westward.
   Mrs. Mary (Martin) Cowles was born in Venango County, Pa., March 15, 1818, and is the daughter of Solomon and Jane (Thompson) Martin, the former of whom was also a native of Venango County, and likewise a hero in the War of 1812. After the close of that struggle he carried on farming for a time in the Keystone State, and when quite well advanced in years crossed the Father of Waters, and spent his last days in this county, dying at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was a remarkably intelligent and well-informed man, possessing decided views, and one who commanded respect wherever known. His wife had died in Jefferson County, Ind., when fifty-three years of age. Both were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Martin was a Ruling Elder for a period of fifteen years. Politically, he was in early manhood an old-line Whig, but upon the abandonment of that party identified himself with the Republicans. The parental household included seven children, three of whom are living.
   Mr. and Mrs. Cowles began their wedded life at Decatur, Ind., where they lived until the spring of 1842, then went to Platte County, Mo. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Cowles made his first trip to Nebraska Territory, during the summer of that year it was learned that the Kickapoo, Otoe and Omaha Indians were not only willing but anxious to sell their lands to the Government in order to facilitate trade. Mr. Cowles, with others, determined to call a convention to meet at St. Joseph the following winter for the purpose of memorializing the President and Congress in regard to the necessity of taking early steps to treat with the Indians, organize a Territory, and open it up for settlement. Mr. Cowles was chosen as one of the delegates to this convention, upon which occasion it was "Resolved, That the emigrants to the Territory ought to receive the same protection to property that they enjoyed in the States whence they came." Considerable discussion followed, and upon motion of Mr. Cowles, it was agreed to report nothing on the subject. One gentleman, Judge Bradford, was deputized to effect a treaty with the Indians, and another. H. P. Downs, appointed to escort the chiefs to Washington, where, however, the excitement in Congress over the slavery question prevented a treaty being ratified.
   Notwithstanding this state of affairs, however, Mr. Cowles crossed the river and got out timber for his house, a little later bringing over a stock of goods, and commenced trading early in 1854, before the Indian title was extinct. He next purchased what is now termed Greggsport, from a Frenchman, selling afterward to Mr. John Gregg, and in 1856 removed to Wyoming Precinct, where he resided for a period of thirty-two years, and until his death.
   Mr. Cowles was not only one of the first settlers of this county, but one of its most prominent men both in church and State. He was at once recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability, was elected to represent Otoe County in the first assembly of the Legislature, and subsequently made a Senator. The cares of office, however, had no charm for him, And as soon as possible he quietly withdrew, declining the further honors which his fellow-citizens were anxious to bestow upon him. He was an earnest advocate of Republican principles, having been a member of the party since its organization. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840, a short time before reaching his majority, and while a resident of Indiana. Young as he was, he at that time developed admirable qualities as a stump speaker, and labored in this manner for the General throughout Decatur County.
   While a member of the Nebraska Legislature Mr. Cowles introduced the bill changing the name of this county from Pierce to Otoe, and instituted many other projects both pleasing and beneficial to

the people. He had from his boyhood been a lover of books and study, and to these devoted his leisure hours, so that he became one of the best informed men of his time. Genial and companionable by nature, he was a favorite both in social and business circles, and made friends wherever he went. An active member of the Presbyterian Church, he officiated as Eider, and was one of its chief pillars. His estimable wife is still living at the old homestead. She was admirably fitted both by nature and training to occupy a position by the side of such a man as her husband, looking well to the ways of her household, and stimulating both husband and children to worthy efforts and generous deeds. Amiable and kind in disposition, she was ever a most faithful and devoted wife and mother, and although now seventy years old, is bright, cheerful and active, retaining in a remarkable degree her powers of mind and body. She has been identified with the Presbyterian Church for a period of fifty-two years. The three living children of the household are: Lauriston M., who resides on a farm in Jefferson County, and married Miss Mary Campbell; Charles Clayton, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work, and who lives on a part of the home farm, and Emma, the wife of W. H. Moore, who is also represented in this ALBUM lives in Nebraska City.

LBERT G. ATKINSON. We are often reminded at "what everybody says must be so," and if popularity be any key to character that of our subject is of a very high order. He is at the same time one of the substantial citizens of Belmont Precinct, and is the owner of a splendid, fertile farm of 240 acres, which he operates chiefly as a stock farm.
   Our subject was born on the 1st of April, 1836, in Fayette County, Pa., to James and Elizabeth (Miller) Atkinson, both of whom were natives of Westmoreland County, Pa. The mother of our subject departed this life at her home in Iowa, Oct. 1, 1872. His father was also born on the 1st of April, but in the year 1811, and is the son of Thomas Atkinson, a native of Scotland. Since the death of his wife Mr. Atkinson, Sr., has been a resident of Rock Creek Precinct, where he still resides.
   Our subject came to Belmont Precinct in 1846, but after two years removed to Atchison County, Mo., and from there in the year 1851 to Fremont County, Iowa, which is almost opposite to Nebraska City, but then Nebraska City had no existence and nothing marked the spot except old Ft. Carney and the Government barracks. Our subject has frequently followed the plow and oxen over the place where now stand handsome business blocks, and where the busy, bustling crowds are hurrying to and fro in pursuit of their usual avocations or pleasure.
   Prior to the war our subject made several trips to the mountains with ox-teams loaded with grain for the United States Government, and also for private parties. In 1861 he enlisted in the 2d Iowa Battery, that afterward gained a distinctive name for especially effective service in action. In this battery he served over three years. He was present in the following battles: Shiloh, Vicksburg, New Madrid, Island No. 10, Jackson (Miss.), Champion Hills, Raymond, and all the engagements around Corinth. He was once slightly wounded, receiving an injury of superficial character from a gunshot, but still such as in nowise disabled him. Very few members of his battery were so fortunate as he, for the reason of the dangerous duty they were called upon to perform, and largely because of their reputation as accurate and rapid marksmen, most of his companions were either killed or severely wounded.
   In the year 1865 Mr. Atkinson settled in this county, and upon the 23d of February of the same year celebrated his marriage with Mary Thompson, the daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Bennett) Thompson, natives of Ohio. Her mother is now deceased, and her father a resident of Oregon. This union has been fruitful in the birth of four children, two of whom are living, and bear the names of William and Katie. John and Edgar died at the ages of fourteen and nine respectively. William was united in marriage with Minnie Shellhorn, of Pawnee County, and lives in DuBois, Pawnee Co., Neb.
   Our subject and wife are members of the Meth-