other men and endeavored to do his best, and so well did he acquit himself that he was promoted to the position of foreman, and had the supervision of from four to twenty-five men. He continued in the employ of the Doctor for about six years, prospering financially and otherwise.
   In 1878 our subject came to Palmyra and started business as it hardwareman, and built the store now occupied by Mr. Wells. His business grew in a most gratifying manner and he was very successful. In 1880 he was joined in matrimony to Miss Hannah Bell, who was born in England in the year 1858. (See sketch of Thomas Bell.) She was twelve years of age when she came to this country, and has since lived in Palmyra. Mr. Wait has built a two-story frame dwelling that is well located, and provides fully for the comfort of his family. His marriage has been blessed by the birth of four children, who bear the following names: Amy Elizabeth, Lydia, Carrie and Francis H.
   The citizens of Palmyra show their appreciation of the business integrity of Mr. Wait and have continued to patronize him, and he has an extensive agricultural implement and harness trade of his own in addition to his engagement with Mr. Bell. in the I. O. O. F. our subject is much respected, and he is the Vice Grand of the Palmyra Lodge. For three years he has filled the office of Village Treasurer with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. His political sentiments lead him to participate with the Republican party in the endeavor to bring to the people of the State a capable governing power, according to the principles they believe to be right. Mrs. Wait is a highly esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church, and in that relation, as also in every other, sustains a happy and enviable reputation.

RS. PHOEBE OSBORN, widow of the late Lyman Osborn, who was a prominent and wealthy farmer of McWilliams Precinct, is now living quietly in a handsome home in the village of Talmage, where she is surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. She is the owner of a large extent of land in McWilliams Precinct, besides land in Nemaha and Saline Counties, Neb., and Scott County, Iowa. She is a lady of more than ordinary business capacity, managing her farms and controlling her property in a skillful and profitable manner. She has been a resident of the State since Dec. 9, 1869, all of the time in Otoe County and most of the time in Nebraska City.
   Mrs. Osborn came to this State from Scott County, Iowa, with her husband, and they settled on the farm in McWilliams Precinct, where Mr. Osborn died six months later, on the 13th of August, 1870. A native of Seneca County, N. Y., Mr. Osborn was born June 19, 1812, and in his native county was reared to manhood on a farm. He was married first in his native county, to Miss Lucretia Sloper, and later they emigrated to Iowa, locating in the vicinity of what was then the unpretentious village of Davenport, during its early settlement. This lady died some years later, leaving a family of six children, all of whom are living, married, and settled comfortably, being prosperous and intelligent citizens. They were named respectively: Sylvester; Erena, who is now a widow; Hulda, Josiah, Eli and Ellen.
   After the death of his first wife Mr. Osborn returned to his native State, and was married the second time, April 3, 1851, to Miss Phoebe Calder, of Meigs County. Mrs. Osborn was born in Washington County, that State, Dec. 29, 1828, and is the eldest child of John and Elsa (Rathburn) Calder, who were natives of New York State. They went with their parents to Ohio in their youth, and were married in the latter State, settling there upon a farm in Meigs County, where they lived many years. In their old age they crossed the Mississippi and settled in Scott County, Iowa. The father died at Davenport on the 8th of May, 1877, at the age of seventy-four years, his birth having taken place in 1803. Both he and his excellent wife were members of the Christian Church for many years. The latter, after the death of her husband, came to this county, and died at her home in McWilliams Precinct, April 27, 1882. She was born in 1807.
   Mrs. Osborn, our subject, was reared and educated in Ohio, and engaged in teaching some time before her marriage. She and her husband soon afterward took up their residence in Scott County, Iowa,

where they became the parents of two sons. The elder, Lyman, Jr., married Miss Anna Puffer, of Scott County, Sept. 16, 1876, and they live on a farm in Nemaha County, this State; John is a resident of Talmage. Mrs. Osborn, like her parents, is connected with the Christian Church, and keeps herself well posted upon matters of general interest. She has abundant time for reading and recreation and social intercourse with the many friends whom she has gathered around her during the years of a well-spent life.

ILLIAM B. BUXTON. The farm of this gentleman, which is largely devoted to the culture of fruit, a nursery, and the raising of graded stock, occupies the southeast quarter of section 3, in Syracuse Precinct, which has been his home since the spring of 1882. It forms a very pleasing picture of rural life, with its comfortable buildings, and all the other appurtenances in keeping with the requirements of modern and progressive agriculture.
   Our subject was born sixty-three years ago, in the State of Rhode Island, Dec. 4, 1825, and is the son of William and Phila Buxton, who were of English ancestry, and whose progenitors had been residents of the New England States for several generations. The descendants of the latter are now to be found scattered all over the Western Continent. The mother of our subject died when he was a lad ten years of age, leaving five children, namely: Mary Ann, now the wife of Arnold Gillson, of Woonsocket, R. I.; Francis, also of that State; Martha, the wife of Caleb Wilson, of Rockford, Ill.; William, of our sketch, and Horatio, of Riverhead, L. I.
   After the death of his first wife the father of our subject was a second time married, to Miss Ruth Buffum. William B. soon afterward left home, and was employed on a farm in Connecticut for a period of seven years; then in the town of Stafford he commenced learning the trade of shoemaker, and later engaged in business for himself at Burrillville, in his native State, and a small manufacturing town. About 1856, repairing to the vicinity of Milford, Conn., he engaged in carriage painting, and there, Nov. 28, 1850, was married to Miss Mary L. Godding.
   Mrs. Mary L. Buxton was born in Rutland County, Vt., March 1, 1825, and is the daughter of Russell and Abigail (Sherman) Godding, natives of New England. Mr. G. was a farmer by occupation, and spent his entire life in the Green Mountain State, his death occurring in Rutland County, April 11, 1833. The family at this time consisted of six children, two of whom died at an early age. Mary L., Mrs. Buxton, is the eldest living; Asa is engaged at farming in Syracuse, this county; Susan M. is the wife of George L. Alexander, of Syracuse; Loney married Rev. Walter Ely, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are living in Connecticut.
   After the death of Mr. Godding the mother and children removed to Rhode Island, and the former in 1857 joined her children in Champaign County, Ill. Her death took place in Monticello, that State, Feb. 2, 1882, after she had attained the ripe age of seventy-nine years.
   Mr. and Mrs. Buxton after their marriage continued residents of Massachusetts, and Mr. B. followed painting in the towns of Spencer and Millbury. In the spring of 1857, leaving his native New England, he emigrated to Illinois, and settled on a tract of land in Philo Township, Champaign County. This consisted of eighty acres, which he improved and brought to a good state of cultivation, and which he occupied with his family until the spring of 1882. His next removal was to this county, when he settled upon the farm which he now owns and occupies. He raises large quantities of all kinds of fruit, which find a ready market at Syracuse and Lincoln, and from the proceeds of which he enjoys a handsome income.
   To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born five children, two of whom died in infancy. Mary A. became the wife of William Ennis, and died in Champaign County, Ill., in the spring of 1881; Lyman E. is farming in Cheyenne County, Kan., and Abbie G. lives at home. Mrs. Buxton has been a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years, and our subject a period of twenty-five years. He

cast his first Presidential vote for Pierce, but was not fully in accordance with his political views; for a period of thirty-four years he has continued a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has no desire for the responsibilities of office, and has therefore avoided placing himself prominently before the public.
   The parents of Mrs. Buxton were of Scotch and English ancestry, and she possessed in a marked degree the admirable characteristics of that nationality, being conscientious, kind-hearted, pleasant and hospitable, and presiding over her well-ordered household in a most praiseworthy manner. Many are the friends who gather under this inviting roof-tree, and no people are held in higher respect throughout Syracuse Precinct than William B. Buxton and his estimable wife.

EN. ISAAC COE, perhaps the most prominent citizen of Nebraska City, was born in Middletown, Conn., on the 15th of May, 1816. His ancestors were natives of England, and wrote their names Coo. The parents and grandparents, both paternal and maternal, were residents of the above-mentioned town of Middletown, and followed agricultural pursuits. Our subject had four brothers and one sister; the latter was united in marriage with George H. Bliss, and died in the city of Chicago, Ill., in the year 1852, and had one daughter, who is still living. His brother, Lewis Coe, died in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1887, leaving one son and one daughter, who are still living in that place. The remaining three brothers are living in the State of Connecticut.
   The subject of our sketch received in youth the educational advantages afforded by the common schools. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Sarah L. Bacon, the estimable daughter of Ebenezer Bacon, whose parents and grandparents, like those of our subject, were natives and residents of Middletown, and followed farming pursuits.
   After their marriage Gen. and Mrs. Coe lived upon the farm near Middletown for six or seven years, and one child was born to them, Eloise, now Mrs. F. P. Ireland, who with her husband and one child, Sarah C., now reside in Nebraska City. Mr. Ireland is a practicing lawyer. Not enjoying sufficiently robust health to continue farming, our subject sold his property, and with his family removed to Butler County, Ala., and there engaged in business for a number of years. On selling his interests there he moved to Nebraska City, in 1858. There he invested his funds in Government land sales at the United States Land Office.
   Not long after he had identified himself with Nebraska City our subject was elected by the officers of the several volunteer companies of the division south of Platteville in the Territory of Nebraska to the position of Brigadier General, and was in charge of the division for several years, the territory embraced in that district bordering seventy-five miles on the States of Iowa and Missouri and over 600 miles on Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming, as the present boundaries are defined. The term of service included the whole of the period embraced by the Civil War, and the excitement necessarily incidental thereto. Throughout, the personal liberties and effects of the citizens were guarded without exception, and the happy condition of things was very largely due to the wisdom, judgment, and other qualities of those in command of the forces. For the services thus rendered by the officers and forces at large there was made neither charge nor reward, nor was any compensation whatever given by the Territory, and that in order that no war debt might be incurred, with the result that the now State of Nebraska is upon a financially solid foundation and takes front rank among the States in that regard.
   Subsequently our subject was engaged in freighting across the plains west of the Missouri River, and continued the same until the laying of the railroad and opening of the same for traffic precluded the necessity of any continuance in that line. In this he was associated with Levi Carter, a citizen of New Hampshire. They worked in partnership under the name of Coe & Carter. In addition thereto he invested money in developing the mineral resources of the various Western Territories, and derived therefrom a large interest from the original investment.
   The firm of Coe & Carter assisted largely in the

construction of the Union Pacific, Denver, Pacific & Oregon Short Line Railroads, and a number of other enterprises looking toward the development of the resources of the still wild portions of the district west of the Missouri River. They were also large stock-buyers, and introduced a number of enterprises in the line of stock interests in the various unsettled portions of the western territory, buying largely of land for the feeding of such stock, including also sufficient for the harvesting of hay, etc., for their sustenance.
   The family of Gen. Coe consists of two children: Mrs. Ireland, and a son Frank E., who owns a ranch well stocked with cattle and horses in Idaho Territory. In politics the General is a stanch Democrat.

ON. PAUL SCHMINKEE, Nebraska City. Sketches of the lives of the representative citizens of Otoe County, men who were its founders and have since taken a conspicuous part in the administration of its public affairs, are found within this volume, and the subject of this biographical notice occupies a prominent place among them. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Aug. 16, 1835, and is a son of Peter and Dora (Doell) Schminke, natives of the same locality. His father learned the trade of painter in his younger days, and followed it in his native land until 1852, when he emigrated to this country with his wife and five children, setting sail from Bremen in March, and landing in New York in the following May. He proceeded with his family to Pennsylvania, and locating in Luzerne County, followed his trade as a painter there for one year. He then moved to Ohio, and was engaged as a painter in Washington County until 1874, when he came to Nebraska City, whither two of his sons had preceded him, and is now living here in retirement at the age of eighty-two years, honored and respected as one should be who has led a useful, upright life. His faithful wife, who crossed the seas with him to begin life anew in a strange country that they might better their condition and that of their children, died in this city. The record of the children born to this worthy couple is as follows: Justus gave up his life for his adopted country in the late Civil War, he being a member of the 7th Ohio Cavalry, having been killed in battle in East Tennessee; the Hon. Paul, our subject; Kate is the wife of E. River; John, who lives in Nebraska City, served in the same regiment with his brother Justus, and honorably bears the scars of many battles; and J. Conrad.
   The subject of our sketch received a liberal education in the excellent schools of his native land, which he attended quite steadily until he was sixteen years old, when he came to America with his parents. He commenced life in this country by working in the coal mines of Pennsylvania at sixty-five cents a day. He was thus employed for one year, when he went with his parents to Ohio, where his father had a farm, and our subject and his brothers carried it on. During the time of his residence there he learned the trade of plasterer, and was actively and profitably engaged in it for some years in that State. In December, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Kuhlmann, to whose encouragement and assistance he owes much for his high social position in this community. Mrs. Schminke was born near Bremen, Germany, and is a daughter of Deidrich and Margaret Kuhlmann, natives and lifelong residents of Germany.
   In 1865 Mr. Schminke sought the Territory of Nebraska, having determined to cast in his lot with its pioneers, and in the young and growing town of Nebraska City build up for himself and wife a substantial home. Otoe County was at that time but sparsely settled, and there was no railway nearer than St. Joseph, Mo.; all transportation and travel was either by water or with teams overland. Being a good workman at his trade he had no difficulty in finding employment, and was engaged as a plasterer here for the ensuing ten years. He then formed a partnership with his brother, and built a steam flouring-mill, known as the "Star Mills," and since then has wholly abandoned his trade, devoting what time he had to spare from his official business to the mills.
   Time and again has the wise counsel of our subject been sought in making the laws of his adopted State, and Otoe County may well be proud of his career in public life. None of her citizens, we vent-

ure to assert, can show a more useful or a cleaner record as a civic officer. A leading member of the Republican party (casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln), he has always guarded and defended the dearest interests of the commonwealth of Nebraska with a single eye to her advancement. He has been a member of the council, and has been repeatedly a delegate to the county and State conventions of the Republican Party. He was elected as State Representative in 1872, and was appointed one of the commissioners by the Legislature to locate and build the asylum for the blind. In 1876 he was reelected to represent his district in the Legislature, and in 1886 he was elected to the State Senate. As Senator he served on various important committees; was Chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvements, was a member of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, of Municipal Affairs, of Labor, was on the Committee of the Hospital of the Insane, and of the Asylum for Deaf and Blind Mutes. Mr. Schminke is a prominent social factor in this community, being a member of Schiller Lodge No. 23, K. of P.; of Frontier Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F., and of Nichols Lodge No. 7, A. O. U. W. Our subject in 1877 was appointed Postmaster by President Hayes in Nebraska City, and held the office for nine years.

RVILLE K. BROWN. Although one of the youngest farmers and stock-raisers of South Branch Precinct, this gentleman is by no means the least worthy of full representation in a volume of this description. Upon section 5 of that precinct he has 160 acres of fine land, devoted somewhat to agricultural pursuits, but chiefly for the purposes of stock-raising and horse-breeding. His father was John H. Brown, who was born in Marblehead, Mass., on the 28tb of August, 1830. He was the son of Thomas Peter Brown, a Virginian of old and well-reputed family, who served through the War of 1812, and was otherwise prominent in the expression of his loyal patriotism. The mother of our subject prior to her marriage bore the name of Sarah A. Thomas, and was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, on the 7th of November, 1830.
   Their marriage was celebrated in Adams County, Ill., on the 16th of October, 1853.
   After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Sr., continued to live in Illinois, where they owned a farm of 360 acres, and until March of 1878 he was also engaged as a shipper of stock, but at that time he removed to DuPage County, Iowa, and after four years that were not altogether successful they removed to this State, settling in South Branch, Otoe County, in 1884, where they still reside. They are the parents of ten children, whose names are recorded as follows: Adeline, John F., Milvin, Wilbur and Franklin, all of whom are deceased; Thomas I., now in Arkansas; Orville K., Olive, Nettie and May.
   The subject of our sketch was born in Hancock County, Ill., near the town of Augusta, on the 2d of January, 1861. His parents, although needing his help upon the farm, were careful that he should obtain the best education afforded by the common schools. He remained upon the home farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age and then began farming for himself in Iowa. This he continued until 1885. He then came to this county, and purchased his present place, which comprises 160 acres. His journey hither was performed by the aid of six teams, and was filled with the incidents usual to such an experience.
   Although comparatively young Mr. Brown has had large experience in pioneer life, and has brought his farm from its native wildness and unfitness for agricultural pursuits to a very fine condition of cultivation. He has set out groves where will be found the trees most favorable to Nebraska climate, and also a very fine orchard. where may be found the choicest varieties of fruits that may be grown in the State, and every tree a good bearer, seeing that he had the opportunity from time to time to weed out the less desirable and replace them by better. One valuable acquisition is the stream of running water that passes through his farm. His chief attention is given to the raising of cattle and hogs, but he is also deeply interested in that of high-grade, thoroughbred draft horses of the Norman breed.
   Life in all its opportunity and possibility is yet before our subject, and it were futile to attempt

any prophetic utterance, and yet it is safe to say that while the principles that have been his in the past are continued in exercise, the years to come will not he without a record worthy of one whose character and reputation are such as his, and whose family history is of such high order. He is a firm Prohibitionist, and was selected to act as delegate to the State Convention when it was held at Omaha.

ILLIAM TASKER NICHOLSON stands in the front rank of citizens of Otoe County, and is one of the popular and, influential men of his district. His admirably cultivated farm of 320 acres is situated on section 27 of Belmont Precinct, and there he is very successful in raising cattle of the Short-horn variety and high-grade Poland-China hogs, though he also raises large crops of grain. He was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 4th of February, 1831, to William and Jane (Tasker) Nicholson, natives of the same shire. The family came to the United States, and settled in this county in 1857, and took up the farm immediately adjoining that of our subject.
   The father of our subject died about twenty-six years ago as the result of a paralytic stroke caused by a fall on the ice by which he injured the spine. His wife survived until the year 1886, and then died while visiting in Chicago. She was brought back, and buried in Nebraska City Cemetery by the side of her husband.
   When Mr. Nicholson first came to the county the land billowed away in beautifully rolling prairie mile after mile, without a sign of settlement or civilization, but his property is in nowise behind the phenomenal development of the State at large. His orchards cover six acres and his groves ten. All his improvements are substantial, good and valuable, and his property cannot possibly be of less value than $50 per acre.
   On the 16th of September, 1854, the subject of our sketch was united in wedlock with Miss Ann Houndsley, daughter of John and Maria Houndsley, who were natives of England, where the mother died, and the father is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson there have been born nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Emma, Mary I., Elizabeth A., Hettie, Sallie, William J. and Katie. Emma is the wife of George Hill, of Polk County, Neb., now residing in Oregon, and is the mother of six children, whose names are mentioned as follows: Alfred, William, Jessie. Herman, James and George; Mary J. is married to Marion J. Newman, of Greenwood, Neb.. and they have two children, named Minnie and lvia; Elizabeth is married to Mr. John Baker, of Republic County, Kan.; they have three children, who bear the names of Bertha, Roy and Harry Lee. Hettie is the wife of Isaac Crumley, of Colby, Kan.
    In the office of Justice of the Peace Mr. Nicholson served most creditably to himself and with satisfaction to the people for several years, and was also Assessor for several terms. He has always been deeply interested in educational institutions and matters connected therewith, and was one to organize the school district, and raise the means necessary to have an efficient school established here. He has also been identified with the various projects, plans and enterprises that have been for the advancement, growth and development of the county.
   Religiously, Mr. Nicholson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and also his wife and those of their children who are still at home. They are there held in high regard, and are liberal supporters of the organization. Politically, our subject is a Republican.

HARLES Z. SIDLES, who is well and favorably known as one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Palmyra Precinct, operates 320 acres of good land on section 22. He was born in Somerset County, Pa., in October. 1838, and was the fourth of nine children born to Daniel and Catherine (Zorn) Sidles, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. By occupation his father was a blacksmith, but became an extensive land-owner in Pennsylvania. In 1850 he removed to Stephenson County, Ill., and continued to work at his trade, and later lived a retired life in Dakota, Stephenson County, where he died in 1879, at the

age of seventy years. His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, and is seventy-four years of age, and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Springman, of Palmyra Precinct. The family record gives the names of the children of this family as follows: Emeline M., Henry, Charles Z., Frank A., Sarah, Julia, Rebecca, Mary and Daniel.
   The education of our subject was limited to two terms, when he attended the usual institution in Stephenson County. He early began to help his father and to work upon the farm, which he continued until he came of age. He then took and operated a farm on shares in Stephenson County. He received the hand of Miss Sarah Lowery in marriage in that county on Oct. 25, 1860. This lady is the daughter of Godfred and Mary Ann Lowery, both born in Pennsylvania; they were the parents of five children, their daughter Sarah being the eldest. She received a good English education and a careful home training, that has borne fruit since she has had a home of her own. They are the parents of the following children: Emily Alice, Ellen Jennie, Clara A., Laura A., Lillie and Willie.
   The three eldest children of our subject were born before the war, which broke out while Mr. and Mrs. Sidles were residing upon their farm near Freeport. In 1864 Mr. Sidles enlisted for a term of three years, or during the war, as required. He became a member of Company E, 46th Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into service at Baton Rouge, was present at Vicksburg, from which place they went to Shreveport, La. During his term of service he was with his regiment in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Alabama. He was at Mobile at the time of Lee's surrender, and was present at the blowing up of Ft. Fisher, and was mustered out of service at Baton Rouge, in July, 1866. Returning home Mr. Sidles sold out his interest in eighty acres of land in Stephenson County, the purchaser being his brother Frank. In 1878 he went to Livingston County, Ill., and became the owner of a farm of 120 acres, which he sold in 1884, and in the spring of that year came to this State.
   Of the family of our subject Alice has become the wife of Samuel Tanner, and is the mother of one child, whose name is Charles; Ellen has become Mrs. Arthur Thompson, and she also has a son, bearing the name Charles; Clara is the wife of Clarence Frye, a florist at Lincoln, and Laura is married to Mr. Berry, of Lincoln. Mrs. Sidles is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcocal Church, and is held in high regard. The political sympathies of out subject lead him to affiliate with the Republican party, of which he is an ardent supporter.

EROME B. PRATT. Among the pioneer settlers of this county the name of Jerome B. Pratt is among the best known and most honored. He is the son of Thomas and Alma (Woodard) Pratt; the father was a native of England, the mother of Vermont. His father was in the British Army and fought as a private in the War of 1812. After the war he settled in Genesee County, N. Y., where he met and married Miss Alma Woodard. He followed agriculture in the same county, and was very successful. In the fall of 1836 he removed with his wife and six children to Branch County, Mich., where he became owner of eighty acres of land, and continued to operate the same until 1872, when he died, being seventy-six years of age, and having survived his wife, who died aged sixty-nine years, in 1869. The names of their children were as follows: Jerome B., Nancy, an infant died unnamed, Ferrendee P., Ferdinand C. and Urseba A.
   Our subject was born on the 30th of May 1838, in Genesee County, N. Y., and was eight years old when he went with his parents to Michigan. His father took the second farm ever worked in the township of Algansee. He was very early initiated into farm labor of all kinds, and was but ten years of age when he began to use the ax, and became quite an expert before most lads think of leaving school.
   In 1852 our subject prepared to enter the University of Michigan by attending an academy in Ann Arbor, but his health failing, he became unable to enter college. Coming West in 1856, Mr. Pratt crossed the Missouri River at Minersville, and on the 23d of April of the year 1862 engaged with the State Militia of Missouri for two years and seven months. He afterward served three