The father served the allotted time in the regular army, but after the birth of six children, not being satisfied with his prospects or his condition in the Fatherland, resolved to emigrate to the United States. They made the voyage across the Atlantic early in the fifties, locating in Madison County, Ill., where our subject and his sister Catrenia were born. A few years later the family all came to Nebraska, there being now nine children in the household circle. The elder Arends pre-empted a quarter of section 30, Rock Creek Precinct, but less than two years later traded it for the same amount on section 32. Their neighbors at this time were few and far between, and the family were first sheltered in a log cabin. The father immediately set himself to work to cultivate the soil and build up a homestead, and was prospered in his labors. His death occurred on the 19th of September, 1874, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was an honest and industrious man, and a lifelong member of the German Lutheran Church. The circumstances of his death were peculiarly sad, it having been occasioned by his falling from a wagon-load of lumber, and he was instantly killed. This was during the erection of the First Lutheran Church in Rock Creek Precinct, the building material of which Mr. Arends was hauling from Nebraska City. He was a man greatly respected by all who knew him, and his death cast a gloom over the community. The mother is yet living, and makes her home with her son, our subject, being now seventy-one years old. She is still active in mind and body, and also a member of the German Lutheran Church.
   Our subject was a child four years of age when he came with his parents to Nebraska, and acquired his education in the pioneer schools of this county. He was at an early period in his life taught those habits of industry and economy which have proved the secret of his success. Upon reaching manhood he was married in Rock Creek Precinct, Nov. 4, 1880, to Miss Lizzie Kastens, who was born in Hanover, Germany, March 15, 1862. Her parents were Chris and Dora (Mesegadus) Kastens, also natives of Hanover, who came to the United States while their daughter Lizzie was an infant. They settled first in Wisconsin, but about 1875 moved from there to Nebraska, settling in Rock Creek Precinct, where they now live upon a good farm, and surrounded by all the comforts of life. Mrs. Arends received a common-school education, and lived with her parents until her marriage. She is now the mother of four children -- Mary T., Dora S. Leta M. and Reka F. They are all at home with their parents.
   Mr. and Mrs. Arends were brought up in the doctrines of the German Lutheran Church, to which they still loyalty adhere, and are numbered among its most cheerful and liberal supporters. Mr. A., politically, is a stanch Republican, and has held the various minor offices of his precinct.

G. BEETEM, the genial and popular landlord of the Hendricks Hotel in the little city of this name, is numbered among its leading men, as one taking a prominent and active part in all worthy public enterprises. He commenced at the foot of the ladder in life, and has worked his way up to a good position socially and financially. He put up the house which he now controls in 1888, and in its management has been ably assisted by one of the most excellent of women, Mrs. Beetem being an entertaining, intelligent hostess, who makes friends of all who have the good fortune to sojourn within her hospitable doors.
   The subject of our sketch is the son of John D. and Mary (Burnam) Beetem, who were natives of Kentucky. In the sketch of his brother. John Beetem, found elsewhere in this volume, will be noted a more extended history of the parents. Our subject was born in Alamakee County. Iowa, near the then humble village of Lansing, on the 11th of June, 1855. He was reared as a farmer's boy, and attended the common school until fourteen years of age. Death then entered the family circle, removing the father and head of the household, and our subject was thrown mostly upon his own resources. In company with his brother John T., in June, 1870, he started overland to Nebraska, and they spent the following six months in Hendricks Precinct this County. On their journey hither they

came through a stretch of country where wild game was plentiful, and saw numbers of elk and deer, who had hardly learned to be afraid of the rifle of the white man.
   At the expiration of the time spoken of our subject returned to his old home in Lansing, where he remained three weeks, when he took up his residence in Hancock County, where he was employed on a farm about five years. Then returning to Lansing, he began operating an elevator, but not having recovered from the Western fever, one day took the train for Syracuse, this county, and soon afterward we find him again in Hendricks Precinct. Here he began farming, at which he continued for a period of ten years, at the end of which time he put up the Hendricks Hotel, which he has since conducted.
   Our subject was married in Hendricks Precinct, April 2, 1883, to Miss Mary Flinn, a native of Sangamon County, Ill. Mrs. Beetem was born March 24, 1864, and was the sixth in a family of sixteen children, the offspring of Charles and Ann (Keegan) Flinn, who were natives of Ireland, and came to America in 1866, locating shortly after their arrival in this county, Mr. K. has been very prosperous in his adopted country and is now the owner of 280 acres of fine land, comprising a good farm with the necessary improvements, and located in Hendricks Precinct.
   Mr. and Mrs. Beetem became the parents of two children, Mary A. and John C. The latter died when one week old. Our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Catholic Church at Palmyra, and Mr. B., politically, is one of the most reliable adherents of the Democratic party.

OHN R. STEELE, one of the old citizens of Otoe County, and in fact, also of the State, is widely known and greatly respected, and carries on a successful business at Talmage where he is connected with fire and life insurance, working for the Commercial Union, North British, Mercantile, the German of Freeport, and the German of Peoria Companies, and with the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association of New York City. His connection with insurance dates from 1882, when Talmage Village was chartered. He has identified himself with almost every enterprise that is calculated to be a permanent benefit to the place, has earned a reputation accordingly.
   Mr. Steel was the first Postmaster of the town, and held the position for three years. He is now the Treasurer of the Building and Loan Association of Talmage, which has done good work since its organization in February, 1883. Its influence has been felt even beyond the city, and is one of the institutions that has helped to make the town what it is. Three years also he was Director of Public Schools, an office that he filled most creditably.
   Before coming to this county Mr. Steele was successful as a farmer in Four Mile Precinct, and he now owns a fine property of forty acres near the town limits of Talmage, and also an addition, embracing eighteen lots, part of which has been sold and improved. He helped in the election of the first building in Talmage, and has with much pride and pleasure watched the rapid progress recently made in the extension and welfare generally of the place.
   With the exception of the years 1868, 1869 and 1870, Mr. Steele has been a resident of Nebraska since 1855. Prior to coming to Talmage his home was in Nebraska City and in the vicinity of that place for twenty-five years. There also he was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and being a thoroughly practical man, saw much prosperity thereto. During the three years of his absence above mentioned he was farming in Nodaway County, Mo., but was not sufficiently enamoured of that district to remain longer.
   The subject of our sketch was a resident of Fremont County, Iowa, from the year 1849 until he came to this State. and was one of the first settlers and pioneers of that district. He passed through the then not unusual experiences inseparably connected with such a new order of things, and helped in the development of that recently opened district.
   Virginia is the native State of our subject, and was his home until he went to Fremont County, Iowa. He was born in Tazewell County, Va., on the 13th of June, 1841. The great-grandfather of

our subject was the first member of this family to settle in America, coming from his German home and settling in Wythe County, Va. There was born to him a son, David Steele. whose son William R. is the father of our subject.
   David Steele was a prosperous and extensive Virginia farmer, and married a lady a native of that State, who presented him with nine children. After their children had almost all grown up he removed to Kentucky, and there died in the year 1863, at an advanced age. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Peery, survived him, and afterward went to Missouri, where she died at the home of one of her children, having passed the allotted threescore years and ten.
   There were born to Mr. and Mrs. David Steele nine children, the father of our subject being one of the older children. He grew to years of manhood in Tazewell County, Va., and was married to Nancy Peery, who was born of Virginia parentage, in Tazewell County, and was there educated and brought up. The family of which she was a member was one of the oldest and most respected in Virginia, and was of Scottish extraction. W. Peery became prominent in both religious and political circles. He was for many years a minister of the Methodist Church, and in addition held many offices of political connection, receiving on several different occasions marked expressions of confidence and esteem from his fellow-citizens. He departed this life at the age of ninety-four years. Mr. Peery is still remembered as the writer of many religious and other songs, and various literary efforts on a number of subjects. His son John was the father of Mrs. Nancy (Peery) Steele.
   After his marriage the father of our subject began farming, but never accumulated a very large competency. In 1849, he, with eight other heads of families, accompanied by their wives and children, left their homes in Tazewell County and started for the Golden State, taking passage at Kenna, on the Ohio River, and went west to the Mississippi, thence up the latter river, intending to leave the boat and go by land from St. Joseph, Mo., but after the boat got on its way to St. Joseph, the dread disease cholera attacked those aboard, and before they got to St. Joseph six of the original nine promoters of the enterprise had sickened and died, the father of our subject being one of the number.
   The above-mentioned disaster frustrated the intentions of the little party, and left the families in almost destitute circumstances. Mrs. Steele with her children, and in company with another family, then went to Fremont County, Iowa, settling in the wilds of that comparatively unknown district. The family was poor, the children small, and the circumstances and surroundings the very reverse of favorable. Nevertheless, mother love was sufficient to supply spirit, nerve and strength enough to provide for and take care of the five little ones for several years. In the year 1854 Mrs. Steele married her second husband, John W. Bounds. They settled in Four Mile Precinct, where they continued to live for several years, and there she died at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Bounds had died about two years previously while on a visit to Missouri.
   The subject of our sketch was the first son and second child of five children born to his parents. He was eight years of age when the disastrous river voyage was undertaken. One year after landing in Iowa it was his misfortune to meet with an accident that left him a cripple for life. From the age of nine years until he was sixteen he was unable to do without his crutches and do anything to earn his living. When sixteen years of age, in spite of having had but few educational ad advantages, he had through the long years of his sickness become quite a bookworm, and by that means had become quite a student and a well-educated man. He is a splendid business man, and has a large circle of friends, more especially among the business men of the county.
   The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Four Mile Precinct, this county, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane Biggs, who was born in Weston, Tenn., on the 29th of April, 1844. She is the daughter of Allen and Polly (Flatford) Biggs. Her mother died in Tennessee in the year 1836, and her father, who is a native of Tennessee and a farmer by occupation, is still living, and makes his home in Delta, this county, at the age of sixty-eight years.
   There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steele eleven children, five of whom are yet living, and

whose names are as follows: William A.. Frank P.. Lucy B., Stully and Gladys. The deceased children bore the subjoined names: Douglas, Nancy A., Mary, John R., Roscoe and Dora. The surviving members of this family are still at home with their parents.
   Mr. Steele is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and well received among his fellow-members of Eureka Lodge No. 8, of Talmage. He is recognized as one of the leaders of the Prohibition party, and has the distinguished honor of being the father of the party in this city. He is a liberal contributor to many Prohibition newspapers in a literary way, and the articles from his pen, terse, logical, trenchant and finished, are proof of his abilities in that direction. His fellow-townsmen manifested their confidence and esteem by nominating Mr. Steele for the State Legislature from this county on the Prohibition ticket.

AGNUS TAYLOR JOHNSON. In the fall of 1857 the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography established himself in a modest way in his present business. In time this expanded to important proportions, and Mr. Johnson has now for many years been general agent for the lines of steamers from America to all points of the world. His natural intelligence and faculty of observation have proved qualities amply adapted to his branch of the business, of which he has made a success. By prompt attention to the details thereof, and his courteous manner of dealing with the general public, he has become widely and favorably known, especially among the circles where he has been the most largely called to operate. He is a man now of wealth and prominence, and one amply worthy of representation in a work of this kind, which comprises a record of those who by their enterprise have been important factors in the building up of Nebraska City.
   The parents of our subject, Anderson and Ellen Johnson, were natives of Scandinavia, and are now deceased. Their family consisted of four children of whom our subject came to America. Magnus T. was born in the district of Christianstadt, Aug. 31. 1829, and attended school quite regularly near the home of his childhood until a lad fourteen years of age. He was then sent by his parents to the city of Berlin, Germany, where he prosecuted his studies in the High School until 1851, being then a young man twenty-two years of age, the master of fine acquirements, and having been familiar with several languages.
   Before the close of his last term in the High School young Johnson, who had signalized himself as a youth of more than ordinary intelligence, was solicited by a Scandinavian colony to accompany them to America as interpreter, to which he consented, expecting to return to his own country when his mission had ended. After landing in the city of Quebec, however, he determined to explore a portion of the West, and coming over into the States, proceeded first to Chicago, and from there to Knox County, Ill., with teams. He stopped for a short time in the then little hamlet of Knoxville, and later went to Oquawka on the east bank of the Mississippi River, and in Henderson County. At this point Mr. Johnson engaged as clerk in a store, where he staid one year. He then went to Monmouth, in Warren County, and opened a clothing store, being engaged in this business there until 1856. Having in the meantime sold a considerable proportion of his goods on credit, he was in consequence a heavy loser, and was obliged on this account to close up his business, disposing of the remains of it for almost nothing.
   Notwithstanding this experience, however, Mr. Johnson still believed there were opportunities in America not to be found in his own country, and he determined here to abide. The winter of 1856-57 we find him in Nebraska City, to which he had come via the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, landing with a capital of $70 in his pocket. He at once procured employment, carrying chain for a surveyor, at which he was employed during that summer. In the spring of 1858 he established the business at which he is still engaged, and which has been, especially during late years, the source of a handsome income.
   The marriage of Magnus Taylor Johnson and Miss Charlotte Waterfall was celebrated at the

home of the bride in Nebraska City, Oct. 12, 1858. Mrs. Johnson was born in Hampshire, England, Aug. 11, 1837, and came to America with her parents, Her father was a watchmaker by occupation, and the parents settled first in Cleveland. Ohio. The mother spent the last years of her life in St. Joseph; the father died in Illinois. Their family consisted of five children.
   Mr. and Mrs. Johnson commenced the journey of life together in a modest home in accordance with their means, and have now for a period of over thirty years been residents of Nebraska City. They have watched with lively interest the growth and development of one of the most flourishing commonwealths of the West, and Mr. Johnson, in the building up of one of its most important industries, has thus contributed his quota to the advancement of his adopted city. They have now a handsome and comfortable home, and enjoy the friendship of a large number of the best people around them. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely; Frederick, Henry, Crena, Charles, Nellie and Monas. The eldest of these is twenty-nine years of age and the youngest is eight. Mr. Johnson, politically, votes the Republican ticket, and in religious matters he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Episcopal Church.
   In the spring of 1869 Mr. Johnson opened a hotel on Central avenue, where he officiated as "mine host" for a period of eight years. The house under his management became extremely popular, and was the favorite resort for travelers throughout this region.

OL. S. N. STEWART, the well-known inventor and builder of the Pontoon bridge, which has proved such a boom to Nebraska City, is worthy of more than a passing mention in this work. At the organization of the Pontoon Bridge Company, he was unanimously selected as its President, and still holds the position. He is a native of Ohio, having been born at Marietta, April 27, 1845, and there spent the early years of his life. His father was a wholesale boot and shoe merchant, and the family moved across the Mississippi to Iowa in 1859, when our subject was a lad of fourteen years.
   Young Stewart continued a resident of the Hawkeye State until the outbreak of the Rebellion, and at the early age of sixteen years enlisted as a private in Company E. 18th Iowa Infantry. which was assigned to duty on the frontier. He went in as a private, and by the faithful discharge of his duties was in due time promoted to the rank of Captain. Later his strong Abolition sentiments induced him to resign his captaincy in the 18th Iowa for a First Lieutenancy in a colored regiment -- this being the 62d Regiment United States Infantry, serving on the Rio Grande. In the conflict at Palmetto Ranch, in Texas, on account of his gallant services, he was breveted Lieutenant Colonel. This was the last battle of the war, and Lieut. Stewart was the last man wounded, May 13, 1866, on the Union side in the late Rebellion.
   After the war was ended our subject devoted himself to invention, and in 1876 crossed the Atlantic and remained in Europe for a period of five years, during which time he secured letters patent for his River Motor, disposing of the Austrian and Russian patents to a company in Vienna. In the meantime he traveled extensively in most of the countries of Europe, making the acquaintance of various notable personages, princes and potentates. Upon returning to the United States in 1881, he settled in Philadelphia, and has devoted himself entirely to his inventions for the past six or seven years. About half of this time, however, he has spent abroad. The Deep Sea Sounder, described in the Engineering News of 1883, is his invention, and is now largely in use in the English navy. The Current Motor, described in the same periodical, is also his invention.
   The Pontoon bridge, however, is perhaps one of the most popular and useful inventions of Col. Stewart. He came to Nebraska in the spring of 1888, and at once arranged to put in one of these across the Missouri River. It has given universal satisfaction, and is considered a great advantage to the city. Although Col. Stewart has become widely and favorably known among the business men of this place, he still calls Philadelphia his home. His

wife was formerly Miss Nannie Wilson. the only daughter of Hon. John S. Wilson, the well-known philanthropist of Adams County, Ohio. and whose latest benefaction was $50,000 donated for the purpose of founding an orphan asylum in Adams County. To Mr and Mrs. Stewart there have been born three children -- Lulu, Noble and Donald. Col. Stewart makes his Western headquarters at Nebraska City, in whose future he has great faith. He is a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, and his generosity in assisting to build the street car line will long be remembered by its people.

EWIS B. RICHARD. Among the agriculturists of Palmyra Precinct few are more thoroughly practical, enterprising and truly successful than Mr. Richard, who operates 160 acres on section 31. He is the son of Phillip and Sarah (Buchanan) Richard, who were natives respectively of Lycoming and Union Counties, Pa., where their parents settled and continued to reside after their marriage. There the father died in the year 1849, when our subject was about seven years of age, he himself being in the prime of life, and but thirty-five years old. This left his wife with the care of six children, viz: Elizabeth, Mary, Edward, Louis B., Albert and John Jacob. Edward served in the army, and fell at the post of duty. Albert served for two end John for five years with the army.
   The subject of our sketch was born on the 30th of June, 1842, at Williamsport, Pa. He enjoyed the advantages of a common-school education. In spite of the fact that he began to work out at the early age of eight years. In 1868, in company with his mother he went to Stephenson County, Ill., and there remained for about two years. There subsequently he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Snyder. This lady is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Snyder (the reader is referred to the sketch of Mr. Snyder, which appears in this volume.) Her mother died while she was quite small, and her father died in 1886, aged eighty years. This is a step they have never had occasion to regret, and their home is one of the bright and cheery places that are at the foundation of the prosperity of the nation. Their union has been happily consummated by the birth of three children, William, Luella and Jessie, of whom they are justly proud.
   The first few years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Richard lived in Stephenson County, where he operated a farm. The same year that Lincoln was located he paid his first visit to Nebraska, and took a great fancy to the country. The second time that he came to this State was in 1879, and then he was accompanied by his wife and two children, and located on the northwest quarter of section 31, which he purchased almost immediately on arrival.
   Mr. Richard has not been prominent in civic affairs, but has served one term as Director of Schools. In politics he is strictly independent, being swayed only by principles, and voting only for men of principle. He is a pronounced temperance man, and a worker in that cause. With his wife, he is numbered among the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in good standing, and there, as elsewhere in the community, they are held in high regard. The property of our subject is thoroughly improved, his residence is a pretentious, pleasant and comfortable dwelling and his farm buildings are as good as any that can be found in the county. He has recently erected a very fine frame barn, standing 46x50 feet, and designed to meet every requirement incidental to the farm.

OHN J. CASPERS. The subject of this narrative represents a large amount of property in Rock Creek Precinct, his landed estate embracing 480 acres on section 32, and a like amount in LaFayette. Precinct, Nemaha County. The most of this is in a productive condition, and yields to the proprietor a handsome income. The homestead is located on section 32, occupying one of the finest situations in the county, and affording an extended view of the surrounding country. Everything that taste and means could suggest has been done to render it attractive, and