utation of being strictly honest in its representations, prompt and faithful in its engagements. It is one of the best houses in the State, and is known favorably to quite a large section of country.
   The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelmy comprises five children, viz.: Willie, who died in Ohio when a babe; Eddie, who was born in McGregor County, Iowa; Minnie, born in Nebraska City; and Leon and Lillie, twins. Eddie is engaged in business with his uncle at Omaha; the other surviving members of the family are at home. The residence of our subject is one of the finest in the city, and is situated in the western part thereof. It is thoroughly in keeping with his position in the business world, of which he is certainly one of the representative men.
   Religiously, the subject of our sketch and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Wilhelmy is a Democrat, but has at no time sought to take a prominent part in such matters. He is one of the prominent members of the order of the Royal Arcanum, and holds the position of Grand Regent in the same. There, as in every other circle, he is accorded the unfeigned esteem and regard of those who know him, and these sentiments extend also to his wife and family.

SA GODDING. In March of 1882 the gentleman a sketch of whose life is here briefly presented purchased 160 acres of land on section 29 of Syracuse Precinct, find settled upon it. This commenced his history as connected with this county. The above property, which he still occupies, is situated on the southwest quarter of the section, and was homesteaded by Jacob Sollenberger, who sold to Charles Adams, and from the latter it was obtained by our subject. The old homestead claim shanty still stands, and was occupied for one year by Mr. Godding during the building of his present residence, which is one of the most commodious and pleasant in the county. September 29, 1826, witnessed the birth of our subject to Russell and Abigal (Sherman) Godding, in Rutland County, Vt. When he was but six years of age his father died, and thus he has been deprived of all the help and care that otherwise would have been received, and which is of inestimable value to a young man in starting in life, and on through the first few years at least of his experience.
   Not long after the death of the head of the family, a removal was made to Rhode Island, where the mother did everything possible to keep her family together, and, as she was able, to give them the opportunity of making their way successfully in the world. At the tender age of nine years her son Asa was put to work in a woolen factory. There he continued for a number of years, learning the trade first of spinner, and afterward of wool finisher. His connection with this trade continued until 1856, at which time he emigrated to Illinois and purchased land in what is now Philo Township, Champaign County, where he was one of the pioneers.
   At the time our subject located in the Prairie State there were hardly any settlers in his neighborhood, and he was prominently identified with the organization of Philo Township, and the first school district. At that time he was operating a half-section of land, but subsequently sold 160 acres. In 1874 he rented his farming property, and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Philo, becoming partner in the firm of Van Vleck & Godding. They were largely interested in grain, owning and operating an extensive flouring-mill in connection with the elevator which they built, and continued financially successful to an unexpected degree for about five years.
   In 1879 Mr. Godding withdrew from the firm and removed to St. Louis. He there embarked in the manufacture of vinegar, pickles, and articles of a kindred nature. There also he built up an extensive business, continuing for nearly three years, returning at the end of that period to Monticello. Ill., and coming to this State in 1882.
   While resident at Urbana, Ill., in the year 1866, our subject was united in marriage with Sarah A. Driver, of Urbana, who was born to 1840, in North Carolina. After a happy married life of ten years Mrs. Godding died at Philo, in 1876, leaving no children.
   Upon the 1st of January, 1882, our subject re-entered the married state, becoming the husband

of Delia J. Heislar, daughter of George and Rebecca Heislar, of Champaign County, Ill. This lady was born in Fredericktown, Ohio, on the 6th of November, 1846. Her mother. Mrs. Heislar, died in August, 1849, leaving four children, viz.: Daniel; Mary R., now Mrs. Perry Silver; Delia J. and Theodore. Of the second marriage there is one child living, Delmont, now a resident of Hutchinson, Kan.
   Mr. and Mrs. Godding have become the parents of one child living. A son. George H., born June 2, 1885, died nine days after his birth; they have a daughter, Grace A., born Sept. 23, 1882; and an adopted son, who bears the name Joseph V., who has made his home with them since he. was three years of age.
   Among the stanch Republicans of the county must certainly be named our subject, who has sustained since his ability to take part in political matters a reputation in that regard. While in Philo Township he served as Collector for two years, at a time when wolf scalps were accepted as payment for taxes. Mrs. Godding is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is greatly esteemed therein. Their home, a view of which appears on another page, bears fair comparison with those of the other intelligent people of Syracuse Precinct and vicinity.

ATHEW H. SHOEMAKER. The farming and stock-raising interests of Wyoming Precinct recognize in the subject of this sketch one of their most energetic and successful representatives. Since the spring of 1882 he has operated successfully 160 acres of fertile land on section 2, bringing about a great improvement in its original condition, and erecting thereon some of the finest buildings in this part of the county. A view of his homestead is presented in this volume. Mr. Shoemaker has been especially fortunate in his live-stock operations, and has also given much attention to the planting of trees on his farm, having a fine apple orchard and the smaller fruits in abundance. Besides the home farm he has a fine tract of land 240 acres in extent in Liberty Precinct, Cass County, which fortunately lies adjacent to the homestead. He has been kept busy in the improvement of his 400 acres, which when coming into his possession was raw prairie upon which there had been no attempt at improvement. He was a resident of Cass County for a period of fifteen years before taking possession in the spring of 1882 of the homestead which he now occupies.
   Mr. Shoemaker first set foot in Nebraska in the year 1857, and is consequently one of its pioneers. He has seen it transformed from a Territory into a State, and commenced at the foot of the ladder to build up the homestead and secure a competency. That he has been in a large measure successful is indicated in his present surroundings. He comes of substantial stock, being the son of Samuel G. and Mary (Pott) Shoemaker, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and the father, like our subject, was born in Lycoming County. After marriage the parents settled in Muncie Creek Township, under the roof where the father was born, and later his son, Mathew H., our subject, the birth of the latter taking place March 31, 1833. In 1857, twenty-four years after the birth of their son Mathew, retiring from active labor, the parents moved to the village of Muncie, where the father passed from the scenes of earth in the year 1871, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was born in the year 1789. The mother survived her husband a few years, her death occurring in the year 1880, and her age being eighty-three. They were married on the 22d of May, 1817, their married life therefore had reached a period of nearly fifty-six years. They had a family of six sons and two daughters, of whom four sons and both daughters are still living. Our subject is the only one residing in the State of Nebraska. Jasper and Robert F. live in Pennsylvania, where also Mary Melissa, who is still single, resides; William P. lives in Bourbon County, Kan., near Ft. Scott; and Catherine, wife of Noah Mackey, lives in Missouri, not far from St. Louis.
   This branch of the Shoemaker family were of Dutch ancestry, and people usually of wealth and standing, who exercised a decided influence in the affairs of the community where they lived. They were principally agriculturists by occupation, men prompt to meet their obligations, and whose word