though he keeps himself well posted upon current events and continues a warm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has acquitted himself in an admirable manner, both as an agriculturist and a citizen. No man stands higher in the community, which he has been no unimportant factor in bringing to its present position, representing the intelligence and the enterprise of Southern Nebraska. The Church homestead is regarded with unalloyed admiration by every traveler passing through this section of the country, and a view of this, which we present in connection with this sketch, serves not only to embellish the ALBUM of Otoe County, but illustrates the labors and successes of one of its most prominent and valued citizens.
   Of the eight children born to Reuben and Lydia (Little) Church the record is as follows: The eldest daughter, Sarah E., is the wife of Edgar Clayton, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of Otoe Precinct; Reuben D., a youth of great promise, is a student in the State University at Lincoln, expecting to be graduated in the class of '89; Frances, a young lady of fine attainments and a graduate of the Peru Normal School, is a popular teacher at Exeter, Neb., having charge of the grammar department; Ella, the third child, died Jan. 18, 1888, at the age of twenty-six years; Andrew died when a babe of fifteen months; Anna, also a graduate of the Peru Normal School, is a teacher in the grammar department of the graded school at Stromsburg: John and Katie I., also pupils of the Peru Normal School, give promise of distinguishing themselves in a manner similiar to that of the elder children. Together they form a bright and interesting group, and will in due time take their places in the community as the most worthy representatives of one of the leading families of the "Water Valley."

EORGE W. EISER, of Nebraska City, has been successfully operating a meat market for the past twenty years, during which time he has built up a prosperous trade. A native of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, he was born Jan. 31, 1845, and is the son of George G. Eiser, who with his wife was also of German birth and parentage, and both died in their native land. There were two brothers beside our subject, Casper, who died in Peoria County, Ill., and John M., who still resides there.
   Our subject remained a resident of his native province until sixteen years of age, in the meantime attending school until fourteen. He then commenced learning the trade of tanner, which he followed until 1862, in which year he came to the United States. He set sail from the port of Bremen and landed in New York City. whence he proceeded directly to Peoria, Ill., where he arrived with a capital of $1.50 in his pocket. He secured employment with a butcher at $10 per month and remained one and one-half years. He became familiar with this trade also and finally started for Nebraska, landing in Omaha, where he worked a few months and then migrated to North Platte, where he stayed six months. Thence he returned to Omaha, from there drifted back to Peoria, remaining until 1868. We next find him in Minonk, Woodford Co., Ill., with a capital of $150, opening a meat shop on his own account. He soon commenced buying and shipping cattle, and in it comparatively short time accumulated $12,000. He soon parted with this, however, and in 1870 concluded to seek his fortunes again in the farther West. He started out with it team of horses and wagon and traversed the State of Missouri, thence went to Solomon, Kan., and later turned his steps toward Nebraska. locating not long afterward in Nebraska City.
   A few weeks later Mr. E. purchased a meat market and has been in business continuously since that time. In 1874 he returned to his old home in Germany and was married to Miss Leila Spengler, like himself a native of Hesse-Darmstadt. The newly married pair shortly afterward set out for the United States. They are now the parents of six children, Geo. W., Hattie, John M., Carl, Carrie and Amelia. Mr. Eiser, politically, supports Democratic principles. In 1862 he was elected Alderman of the second ward and re-elected in 1887. Socially, he belongs to Western Star Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., Eureka Lodge No. 3, K. of P., Nuckolls Lodge No. 7. A. O. U. W., and Camp No. 331, Modern Woodmen.

RANCIS E. BROWN, Attorney-at-Law of Syracuse, located here in 1878. He was born in Livingston County, N. Y., July 1, 1847, and is the son of Francis and Harriet Brown. He was reared to manhood in his native State and received his education in the common schools. In 1859 he went to Darlington, Wis., where he remained until 1864. The Civil War being then in progress he enlisted in Co. E., 142d Illinois Infantry, in which he served until the close of the struggle.
   In 1866 young Brown commenced the study of

medicine in the office of Drs. Hoyle And Johnson, in Hudson, N. Y., where he remained one year. Next in Mount Morris he read law with the firm of Wisner & Gamble. and was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1871. He commenced practice at Mount Morris with Judge Norton. but subsequently removed to Newark, in Wayne County. In 1878 he started westward and not long afterward located in Syracuse, this county.
   Mr. Brown was married in 1883 to Hattie W., daughter of Geo. Hartley of Syracuse, and they have two children, Duane and Vida. Politically he is an active Republican, and has frequently held the local offices. He was one time made the candidate of his party for State Senator, but was defeated by sixteen votes. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic Fraternity and is an Adjutant-General in the G. A. R. under Commander-in-Chief Vandervoort.

R. W. C. CLARY, familiarly known as a competent veterinary surgeon of Nebraska City, was born in what was then Sangamon County, Ill., but is now Menard County, at Clary's Grove, Feb. 26, 1823. He was the seventh child and sixth son in a family of fourteen children, the offspring of John and Rhoda (Armstrong) Clary, the former a native of Lincoln County, Ky., and the latter of Tennessee. They were married in the latter State and removed to the Territory of Illinois in the fall of 1817, settling in Sangamon County, and the father thereafter voted on the slavery question and the adoption of the State Constitution.
   John Clary made the first entry of land in the Springfield district, carried on farming, took an active part in politics and served as Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. He and his father in the spring of 1819 settled at what was afterward known as Clary's Grove, when there were no white residents within five miles. Our subject received his education in the primitive schools, the first building in that vicinity devoted to this purpose being a log house on his father's farm. He waded through slough and snow across the prairie in the pursuance of his studies. And from his boyhood up entertained a remarkable liking for animals. He grew up strong and healthy, and when attaining manhood was married Aug. 19, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thrums and Mary (Green) Watkins. who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband.
   Our subject came to Nebraska with his family in 1858, employing ten days in making a trip which can now be accomplished in nineteen hours. They located on a claim in Nemeha (sic) County and endured the common lot of pioneers. Our subject improved a farm, which he left in 1877 for Nebraska City, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, in which during all these years he had been perfecting himself. He has signalized himself as a liberal and public citizen.
   To Dr. and Mrs. Elizabeth Clary there were born nine children. namely: Robert M., George, Andrew J., who died in Illinois; Mary F., John L. also died in Illinois; William M.; Henry L.. an infant, and Anna S. The present wife of our subject was formerly Miss Angeline G.. daughter of James And Elizabeth (Wheeler) Hayes, to whom he was married April 30, 1871. This lady was born in Atchison County, Mo., and lived there until eleven years old. Thence she removed with her mother to Iowa, the father having gone to California, where he died. She lived in Iowa until her marriage. Of this union there are five children. the oldest of whom, Cora E., is a successful teacher; Martha E., Charles C., Lula E. and Ralph F. are at home with their parents.
   The Dr. in 1874 lost $6.000 by going security far a friend, which left him bankrupt. He endeavors however, to make the best of circumstances. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. During the Mexican War he enlisted June 16, 1846, in the 4th Illinois Infantry and served about six months, being discharged for disability.
   During the late Civil War he also participated in the conflict for union and freedom.

OSIAH ROBERTS, a resident of Syracuse Precinct, settled here in February, 1883. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1830, And is the son of James and Mary (Antrim) Roberts, who were natives of Tennessee and of Welsh and English, parentage respectively. The paternal grandfather, John Roberts, settled first in Tennessee, whence he removed to Ohio, where he spent his last day. He married Miss Phebe Myers, who was of German extraction. The maternal grandparents were natives of England.
   The parents of our subject were married in Tennessee whence they removed to Ohio, settling in Clinton County during its pioneer days. Later they were residents of Logan County. James Roberts served under Gen. Andrew Jackson in the War

of 1812. Both he and Ills wife died in Logan County, Ohio, leaving a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to mature years and of whom our subject was the ninth in order of birth. He was but two years old when the family took up their residence in Logan County, where he lived until eighteen years of age, and in the meantime commenced work at the blacksmith trade.
   From Ohio, in 1851, Josiah Roberts removed to Knox County, III., and from there later to Fremont County, Iowa. Still later we find him at Fort Kearney, Nebraska, where he operated a blacksmith-shop in the employ of the Government eighteen months. He next migrated to Atchison County, Mo., where, in 1854, he was married to Elizabeth H. Wilson. Mrs. Roberts was born in Indiana. After marriage they came to Nebraska and our subject pre-empted land in Nemeha (sic) County upon which he made some improvements, then returned to Fremont County, Iowa, where he followed farming and blacksmithing until 1862.
   The next removal of Mr. Roberts was to Mills County, town, and at Glenwood he conducted a blacksmithshop until after the war. He them settled on a farm in that county where tie prosecuted agriculture until 1883, the year of his removal to this State, when he settled where he now lives. He owns 320 acres of good land here, besides two tracts, 320 and 160 acres respectively, in Russell Precinct. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping about 150 head of cattle. His success has been largely due to the increasing value of his land. In Iowa he owned a whole section. He paid for his present farm $8,000, for the 320 acres in Russell precinct $5,000, and for the 160 acres $2,500.
   Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have ten children living, namely: Lucinda, James N., Isaac M., Jasper M., Emmett, Bartley, Fanny, Edward, Luke and Alvira. Mr. Roberts, politically, is Independent, supporting such men as he believes are qualified for office. His estimable wife is a member of the Christian Church.

ON. SAMUEL HOWARD CALHOUN, a prominent resident of this county, was born in Boston, Mass., May 27, 1836. His father, Charles Calhoun, was also a native of Boston, and his paternal grandfather, Andrew Calhoun. was born in Ireland. The latter came to America when a young man, locating first in Boston, and from there removed to New Hampshire, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He spent his last days in the city of Concord. He was a Presbyterian in his belief, and in this faith reared his children. Of these there were nine who grew to mature years. Their mother in her girlhood was Martha Chamberlain. Charles Calhoun, the father of our subject, was reared in his native city, and took to mercantile pursuits, which he carried on in Boston. About 1830 he was elected Secretary of the Massachusetts State Senate, and, with the exception of two years, when the Know Nothing party was in power, served continuously nearly thirty years. He accumulated property and became owner of a country seat at Woburn, where he spent a part of each year. In 1866 he came to Nebraska. and died at the home of his son, our subject, in September, 1869.
   The father of our subject, politically, was an old line Whig. He married Miss Almira Stevens, who was born in Burlington, Mass., and who survived her husband. until February, 1874, having also spent her last days with her son, Samuel H. There were in the family, besides the latter two daughters, Martha, who died at the age of twenty years, and Mary, who died when twelve years old. Samuel H. attended the city schools during his boyhood, and later was graduated from the Latin School of Boston, under Prof. Francis Gardner. He next entered Williams College, and was graduated in the class of '57.
   In the fall of the year above mentioned Mr. Calhoun came to Kansas to accept a position in the office of an uncle, who was Surveyor-General, with headquarters at Lecompton. The year following the office was removed to Nebraska City, and in the month of August, that year. our subject made his advent in this place. There was no railroad nearer than Jefferson City, and transportation was effected by water and stage. The town comprised an outfitting point for freighters going with Government stores to Utah. When the gold excitement broke out the Pike's Peak emigrants came this way, business was lively and money plenty. Nebraska was a Territory, much of the land belonging to the Government, and unsurveyed. Indians of various tribes frequented this locality.
   Mr. Calhoun remained in the office of the Surveyor-General until the beginning of the year 1860. In the meantime he had been reading law, and in December of that year was admitted to the bar. He commenced practice in Nebraska City, continuing until 1886, when he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the district of Nebraska, comprising this Territory and Dakota, with headquarters at Omaha. Politically, he has always been a Democrat, and prominent in the party here. He served several terms as Mayor of Nebraska City, and Prosecuting Attorney for Otoe County.

He represented the county in the State Senate, and has been a delegate to the various conventions. In 1875 he participated in the revision of the State Constitution, being Chairman of the committe appointed therefor. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Matilda McMechan, and they have four childeren (sic) --John C., Annie, S. Howard and Alexander. Mrs. Howard was born at Glasgow, Mo., and is the daughter of John and Matilda McMechan, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.

ON. J. STERLING MORTON. This is one of the names inseparably associated with the early history of Otoe County. Coming to Nebraska when it was a wilderness, he located on a tract of unbroken prairie, adjacent to which Nebraska City afterward grew, and his career has been marked more by the desire to establish a home, in the truest significance of the word, than the acquisition of wealth or political fame. Arbor Lodge forms one of the rarest spots in the landscape of this county -- the ideal country home blessed by happiness and content, a home of culture and refinement, but from which one of the lights went out on the 29th of June, 1881, when the wife and mother, to whose efforts had been largely due the building up of this home, departed hence. There were left four children -- Joy, Paul, Mark and Carl.
   A native of the town of Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Mr. Morton was born April 22, 1832. The first representative of the family of whom there has been preserved any authentic record was Richard Morton, a Scotchman by birth, a Puritan in religion, and a blacksmith by trade. He removed at an early day from Hartford, Conn., to Hadley, Mass., and thence to Hatfield, about 1668. One of his immediate descendants was Abner Morton, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1799. After his marriage he settled in St. Albans, Vt., and became the father of a son, Julius Dewen, the father of our subject.
   Julius Dewen Morton was a man of marked ability, and made for himself an honorable record, both as a business man and a citizen, and at the time of his death was President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, of Detroit. He married Emeline Sterling, Sept. 30, 1830, and they removed from New York State to Michigan when their son J. Sterling was but a lad. He subsequently attended school at Albion, was then admitted to the State University at Ann Arbor, and finally entered Union College, N. Y. then under charge of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, from whom he received his diploma in 1854. Prior to this he had shown strong predilections toward journalism, being a frequent contributor to the Detroit Press, and other papers of reputation.
   On the 30th of October, 1854, occurred the marriage of J. Sterling Morton with Miss Caroline Ion French, of Detroit, with whom he had attended school from childhood, and to whom he had been betrothed at the age of sixteen. On the wedding day, accompanied by his wife, he started for Nebraska, and a few weeks later became owner of five town shares and seventy lots included in the present site of Nebraska City. He also became editor of the Nebraska City News, and was engaged in editorial work at intervals until 1877. In the meantime, the year after his arrival, he was elected to the Territorial Legislature, and was made a candidate the second term, but defeated by eighteen votes, in consequence of his opposition to the chartering of "wildcat" banks. He was reinstated as a member in 1857, and took an active part in the adjournment of the Legislature to Florence, a struggle as bitter perhaps as any in which Nebraska has been interested.
   Mr. Sterling succeeded Thomas B. Cuming as Secretary of the Territory, in the spring of 1858, and a few months later, following the resignation of Gov. Richardson, became acting Governor. In the fall of 1860 he was nominated by the Democracy as a delegate to Congress, and was elected by a majority of fourteen votes. Secession coming on, and his party being in the minority, his seat was contested, and the question finally decided in favor of his opponent. He was at this time but twenty-nine years old, and on account of his more than ordinary capabilities there were enlisted in his behalf the strongest intellects on the Democratic side of the House. An able argument was made by Pendleton, sustained by speeches from Richardson, of Illinois; Vallandigham, Voorhees and John J. Crittenden, the last mentioned having moved and successfully insisted upon the passage of a resolution granting the defeated contestant mileage and pay for the time he was in Washington.
   Upon returning home Mr. Morton took no active part in politics until the spring of 1866, when he received the gubernatorial nomination, contesting with David Butler the honor of being the first Governor of Nebraska as a State. In consequence of alleged irregularities in Rock Bluff Precinct, Cass County, by which about 160 ballots were thrown out, Butler was declared elected. Later, without a caucus being held, Mr. Morton received the entire strength of his party for United States Senator, but since that time he has withdrawn from political life, declining all nominations. He was

appointed to represent Nebraska at the Paris Exposition, and was one of the Commissioners at the National Centennial in 1876. He has served as President of the State Board of Agriculture and Horticulture. And is the originator of "Arbor Day," a festival adopted by many of the Western States.

HARLES M. HUBNER, editor of the Daily and Weekly News, Nebraska City, is one of the leading journalists of Otoe County. He has traveled much in the United States, is a man of varied information, is fluent in conversation, and wields a ready pen. He was born in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 24, 1855, and is a son of Dr. George Alfred Hubner, a learned physician, a native of Mulhausen, Alsace, which at the time of his birth was a Province of France. His father, grandfather of our subject, belonged to one of the old Alsacian families of that place, and was a lifelong resident there.
   Dr. Hubner, was reared in his native town, and attended school quite regularly until he had attained manhood. He then commenced the study of medicine, going to Germany to take a course in one of the noted medical schools of that Empire. He afterward pursued his studies in one of the famous hospitals of Paris, and was graduated from there at the conclusion of seven years' study and practice, having attained high rank, and was thus well fitted for a career in which he gained considerable eminence as a physician of more than ordinary skill and learning. He traveled in different parts of Europe, and in about 1840 set his face toward America. After his arrival here he located in New Orleans, and practiced there for a time. He then bought a plantation in the Ouachita parish, and also became quite an extensive slave-owner, and for a number of years he spent only his winters in New Orleans, and the rest of the year on his plantation. He died in New Orleans in 1858, and a valued citizen was lost to that State, as he was a man enterprising and liberal, with shrewd business talents, and of well-balanced mind. His amiable wife, who was a fitting companion for such a man, now makes her home in Columbus, Ohio. Her maiden name was Ann Morton, and she was a native of Wales. Her father, William Morton, was also a native of that country, and he was a manufacturer of cloth. He came to America in 1839, located in Franklin County, Ohio, being quite an early settler there, and took a Government contract to build a bridge in that county, of which he a resident until his death.
   Charles Hubner, of whom we write, may be said to have grown up with Nebraska City, as he was brought here when an infant, on account of ill health, and in this fine climate grew to a vigorous manhood, receiving his education in the city schools. When he was fourteen years of age he commenced life for himself as a printer's devil in the Nebraska City News office, and in the course of time thoroughly mastered every detail of the art preservative. He then started out to see something of the world, and worked at his trade in several different cities in the United States. In 1879 Mr. Hubner took charge of the city department of the Lincoln Globe, and in 1881, in company with J. R. Dietrich, started a paper at Red Oak, Iowa, the paper being called the Weekly Democrat. The name may have been significant of the fact that the paper did not have a very strong hold on life, as after a few months its publication ceased, the venture not proving a success. Our subject, however, rose superior to this failure, and returning to Nebraska City in 1882, took charge of the News, with which he has been connected ever since, and by his energy and ability he has made it one of the best, newsiest, and most reliable papers in this section of the country, with a large circulation. On the 27th of February, 1887, the paper became the property of a stock company which was then formed, of which he is a member, his associates being E. D. Marnell and Thomas Morton. This company publishes the Nebraska City Daily and Weekly News, besides doing a large business in job printing.
   Politically, Mr. Hubner is a Democrat; socially, he is a member of the Western Star Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., And a thirty-second degree member of Alpha Consistory, A. & A. S. R.

LEX. S. MCCARTNEY, of Belmont Township, has a farm of 400 acres on section 18, with a fine brick residence, a good barn and all the other outbuildings required for the successful prosecution of agriculture. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping Poland-China swine, and good grades of Short-horn cattle. The land is in a good state of cultivation and the whole premises indicate comfort and plenty.
   Our subject was born in County Antrim, Ireland, April 21, 1835, and is the son of James McCartney, a native of the some locality, and who is now deceased. The family emigrated to the United States in 1838, and sojourned for a time in New York City. Afterward they lived in Orange and Oneida Counties, N. Y., until 1845, when they changed their residence to Guernsey County, Ohio,

where Alex. S. completed his education in Madison College. For five years thereafter he taught school in Guernsey County.
   Mr. McCartney came to Kansas in 1856, settling in Johnson County, and as a soldier under Gen. Jim Lane and John Brown participated in the border troubles. He returned to Ohio in 1858, and thence in 1863 came to Nebraska with five car loads of sheep. He visited the State in 1864, bringing four car loads of sheep, Spanish Merinos, and very valuable, and the year following superintended the transportation of a car load of horses to Iowa and Nebraska.
   Our subject located on his present farm in June, 1866, at the time when it had undergone very little improvement. He worked diligently early and late for a number of years, and is now enjoying the reward of perseverance and industry. He was married to Miss Mary P., daughter of Thomas Milligan, and of this union there have been born eight children, six of whom are living, namely; Thomas B., Maggie, Martha A., Andrew, William and Robert. The two daughters are attending college in Tarkio, Mo. Mr. McCartney, politically, is identified with the prohibition party and was one of four men and three women who attended the first Prohibition convention in the county. During the late war he proffered his services as a soldier of the Union army but was rejected by the examining surgeon. In religious matters he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

UFUS A. LITTLEFIELD, engaged in the practice of dentistry at Syracuse, was born in East Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., Mass., Dec. 17, 1850. His parents were Rufus A. and Abigail R. (Whitman) Littlefield. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools, and made his home under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age.
   At this period of his life Mr. Littlefield went into the State of New Hampshire at Enfield, Grafton County, engaging in the manufacture of shoes. This place was located on the west shore of Mascoma Lake, and on the east side was a settlement of Shakers. Our subject sojourned here until the fall of 1880, when he returned home, and the year following came to Nebraska, joining his brother George H., who had previously settled here and become a prominent physician of Syracuse. In May, 1881, our subject commenced the study of dentistry in Tecumseh with Charles H. Philpot, D. D. S., as preceptor, with whom he remained nearly three years. Ho practiced his profession in that place until December, 1884, when his office and dwelling were destroyed by fire. After this calamity he removed to Syracuse, of which he has since been a resident.
   Dr. Littlefield was married, Oct. 24, 1884, to Miss Anna E. B. Emmons, daughter of James A. and Nancy Emmons, who was born in Brownville, this State. Her parents were among the first settlers of that region. The Doctor and his wife have two bright children, both sons -- Rufus A. and James A. Politically, he is a Republican, religiously, a Congregationalist. and socially, a K. of P.

UGUST CLAIR, the successful manager of the Planters' Stock Company of Delta, established in April, 1888, and now in a prosperous condition, and also the owner of a well-improved farm of eighty acres near Delta Station, and in these connections widely and favorably known throughout Otoe County, is the youngest of three children born to his parents. This interesting event occurred on the 18th of December, 1848, in Burgoyne, France. There he spent the first nine years of his life, coming with his parents to the United States in 1857. Their home was made in Nemaha County, this State, upon a preemption claim in Glenn Rock Precinct, where the father spent the remainder of his days, and also his mother, who survived him about twenty-three years; both had reached a very advanced age.
   Miss Emily Carlin and the subject of our sketch celebrated their union in marriage in the above county, in September, 1879. His wife was born in France, which she left with her parents when she was about eleven years of age, and subsequently spent two years in Ohio, and then came to this State, growing to womanhood in Nemaha County; her parents are yet living upon a very productive and well-cultivated farm in Otoe County. Of this marriage there have been born four children. two of whom are deceased, viz: Julie and Nora. The two surviving children bear the same names, and are still with their parents.
   Mr. Clair came to this place from Nemaha County in 1882, Prior to that date, until the year 1858, he had successfully operated a farm in Glenn Rock Precinct, comprising 160 acres, which had been originally entered by the father. He is energetic in business, and by no means short-sighted. He is one of the promoters, it not indeed the chief, of the

organization of the Planters' Stock Company, which he now represents as grain buyer, and was instrumental in the erection of the splendid elevator at Delta, which is their property, and has a capacity of 6,000 bushels, with an annual shipment of about 200,000.
   Our subject was reared and has continued his allegiance as a Catholic, while his wife, for similar reasons, is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Clair is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and is also an affiliate of the Knights of Pythias.

HARLES JAMES. There came from Mercer County, Pa., in the spring of 1867, one who has since been numbered among the most successful and enterprising men of this county, the subject of this sketch. Nebraska had then but recently been transformed from a Territory into a State, and Mr. James, taking up 160 acres of the first school land that was put up on the market, applied himself at once to its improvement and cultivation, and in his labors met with most gratifying success. He is now notable as a land-owner and stock-raiser. and has his homestead on section 16, in Wyoming Precinct, embracing a tract of 160 acres, on section 8 he has 160 acres, which, like the other, has been brought to a good state of cultivation, and is considered one of the finest tracts of land in the precinct. The home farm is supplied with first-class buildings, including a comfortable residence and it fine large barn, the latter occupying an area of 32x64 feet, and underneath is a warm stone basement for the shelter of stock.
   Our subject was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1846, and is consequently in the prime of life. He was one of a large family of children, the offspring of William and Margaret (Buchanan) James, the former of whom, a farmer by occupation, was of Irish birth and ancestry, and died when his son Charles was a little lad five years of age. The widow with her seven children emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in Mercer County, Pa., where she took up a tract of land. and where our subject developed into manhood. He was employed for a number of years in the oil regions of the Keystone State, which he left in 1867 to seek his fortune across the Mississippi. Upon first coming to Nebraska he employed himself at farming six years in Otoe County, then returned to Pennsylvania. and was married, in Venengo County. to Miss Maria S. Strawbridge, Aug. 23, 1863. This lady was born in the latter county in 1845, where she was reared to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. Her parents, Benjamin and Alvira (Sheffield) Strawbridge, were natives of Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, and the father was a farmer by occupation. They spent their last years in Venango County, Pa., dying at an advanced age. Their family included three sons and six daughters, all of whom are living.
   Mr. and Mrs. James soon after their marriage returned to Nebraska, and took up their abode in an humble dwelling on the land which our subject had secured from the State, and here they have since made their home. The household circle was completed by the birth of four children, one of whom, a son, George W., died when seven weeks old. The survivors are Mary E., Charles S. and Hattie F. The eldest is thirteen years of age and the youngest eight, and all are at home with their parents. Mr. James, politically, is a sound Republican, and both he and his estimable wife hold a good position in the social circles of their community, enjoying the friendship of its best people.

ILLIAM SCHACHT. The name which stands at the head of this sketch is a familiar one to a large majority of the people of Osage Precinct, of which he was one of the very first settlers, and is now one of its most extensive land-owners. His broad fields, embracing all area of 1,200 acres, includes some of the finest farming land along the southern line of the county. Situated in a beautiful and level valley, its soil, under careful cultivation, yields abundantly the richest products of Nebraska. The farm buildings of Mr. Schacht invariably attract the attention of the traveler through this region. as comprising all that is convenient for use and handsome in architecture. The dwelling, a fine and imposing structure, is commodious and well arranged, and, within, presided over by a lady of great amiability and good taste, illustrates the modern idea of the complete home. The family moves in the highest social circles of Osage Precinct, and have everything about them to make life pleasant and desirable.
   The subject of this sketch was born in the Prussian Province of Westphalia, March 25, 1832, and is the son of Christof and Wilhelmina (Brine) Schacht, who were also natives of Prussia, and of pure German ancestry. The father was born in 1797, and was an extensive farmer and landowner in his native Province. When a youth of eighteen years he entered the German Army, and fought under Frederick William III. against the

first Napoleon. He continued in the army until the close of the war, then returned to the occupations of rural life, to which he had been familiar from his boyhood. He spent his entire life upon his native soil, dying at the advanced age of eighty-five years. in the winter of 1882. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land fourteen years, her death having taken place in 1868, when she was fifty-five years old.
   The ten children of the parental family all lived to mature years. They were named respectively: Francis, August, William, our subject, Charlotte, Katherine, Herman, Wilhelmina, Henry. Louis and Frederick. Of these six are now living, making their homes mostly in Nebraska.
   William staid with his father until a youth of sixteen years, and then determined to seek his fortune on another continent. Embarking on the "Edmund," at the port of Bremen, he was tossed about on the waves of the Atlantic for a period ten weeks and three days, finally landing in the city of New Orleans. Thence he went up the river by steamer to St.. Louis, and from there to Franklin County, Mo., where he was engaged one and one-half years at his uncle's in farming.
   We next find our subject in Macoupin County, Ill., where he was engaged in farming four years. Thence he returned to Missouri, and was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company two years. The spring of 1857 finds him first in Nebraska City, where he was occupied in draying three years. Next he rented a tract of land near the city, upon which he farmed two years. In the fall of 1859, when the first land sale was opened in Nebraska, he purchased 160 acres of land in Osage Precinct and settled in a log house in April, 1862, being one of the earliest pioneers of that place.
   The neighbors of Mr. Schacht were at this time few and far between. As soon as possble (sic) he provided a shelter for his family, and set about the improvement of his property. It is hardly necessary to recapitulate the story of the early settler and the difficulties which beset him on either hand, the faraway market, the lack of railroad facilities, the indifferent machinery for farm purposes, and the numberless other difficulties with which he had to contend. Our subject, however, had inherited too largely of the traits of his substantial German ancestry to permit him to give way to discouragements. He fought his way successfully, and in due time found himself surrounded by the results of his labor, in the shape of a good area of cultivated soil, convenient and comfortable farm buildings, and all other accessories of the progressive agriculturist. In due time he added to his real estate, purchasing at different periods 160 acres in Johnson County, 520 acres in McWilliams Precinct, Otoe County, and enough in Osage Precinct to make up the sum of 1240 acres, The most of this is now under a state of cultivation, and represents a value approaching $100,000. In 1884 he helped start the Bank of Talmage, of which he is now a stockholder. When we consider that the proprietor began at first principles, having no capital save his courageous heart and willing hands, it must be admitted that he has done well.
   To Miss Caroline Bock, of Missouri, our subject was married, at Nebraska City, on the 14th of April, 1859. Mrs. Schacht, like her husband, is also a native of Prussia, and was born Oct. 18, 1836. Her parents were Christof and Caroline (Krappig) Bock, also of German birth and parentage, and the father a farmer in good circumstances. He died in his native Germany in 1843. when but forty-three years old. The mother subsequently came to America, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. Hofman, in Leavenworth, Kan., Feb. 22, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The parental family included four children -- Minnie, Dora, Caroline and Hannah.
   The mother of Mrs. Schacht, when the latter was a young girl eighteen years of age, came with her family to America, settling in Gasconade County, Mo., where Miss Caroline made the acquaintance of her future husband. Of their union there have been born ten children, two of whom, Johanna and Henry, died when fifteen years and several hours old respectively. The others are Charlotte, Minnie, Emma, Herman, Caroline, William, Matilda and Christof. Charlotte is the wife of Charles Brandt, a traveling salesman for an agricultural implement firm of Omaha; they reside at Nebraska City. They have two children -- Martha and Otto. Minnie married Henry Armknecht, and they are living on a farm in Arapahoe County, Col.; they have three children -- Bertha, Martha and Ellen. The younger children of our subject continue under the home roof. Herman is an especially bright boy, and was for a time a student in the Business College at Burlington, Iowa.
   Both Mr. and Mrs. Schacht are members in good standing of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Osage. Mr. S. was one of the charter members, assisting in its organization, and has been uniformly it most liberal and cheerful contributor to its support. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, has been a member of the School Board in his district for a period of eighteen years, and Road Supervisor for several years. He is a man whose influence has been most sensibly felt in this region, and one the very force of whose example has worked good to the entire precinct.