Andrew J. Johnson, the son of our subject, remains at home with his parents, their solace and support, and like his father before him, has developed into a capable and intelligent man, one who, on account of his sterling worth of character, occupies a good position in his community, is carrying on the farm in the able and judicious manner in which it was educted (sic) and has been built up, comprising one of the most valuable estates in the county.

TIS H. BALLOU, a distinguished citizen of Plattsmouth, and one of the most brilliant and successful lawyers of the Nebraska bar, is a man of rare discernment and culture, and since taking up his residence in this city has exerted a beneficial influence in promoting its prosperity and development. He is closely identified with the business interests of Cass County, and is manager of the Plattsmouth street railway, which he was instrumental in organizing.
   Mr. Ballou was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1842. His father, Moses Ballou, was born on the same farm, of sturdy New England parentage. Otis Ballou. grandfather of our subject, was born at Smithfield, R. I., and there grew to manhood and married at the youthful age of nineteen years, After marriage he started with his young wife, with an ox-team for the wilds of New York, and became a pioneer of Greenfield, Saratoga County. He bought a tract of timber land, erected thereon a substantial frame house, and at once set about clearing a farm. Schenectady, twenty-five miles distant, was the nearest market for some years, the way to it lying over a rough road, through the woods in much of the distance, he and his wife spent the remainder of their married lives there, dying on the homestead which they had there erected.
   The father of our subject was reared and married in that pioneer home, and he became a prominent paper manufacturer, owning and managing two mills in the town of Jamesville, N. Y. He subsequently disposed of his property in that town, and moving to Union Village, Washington County, built a papermill, which he operated with signal success until 1865. In that year he sold out his business, and in 1870 left his native State to take up his residence in Omaha. He lived there one year, and then came to Valley Station, and buying a tract of land of the Platte Valley Company, engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death, Feb. 16, 1882. The maiden name of his wife was Fanny Peacock. and she was also a native of Greenfield. Her father, Henry Peacock, was likewise born in that town, of which his parents were early pioneers. There were but two children in the family of the parents of out subject, himself and his brother Everett G., a real-estate dealer in Omaha.
   Otis Ballou received his early education in the district schools, and subsequently took a good course of study in-the academy at Jonesville, N. Y. After leaving school he taught one term in Saratoga County. When he was twenty-one years of age he began his career as a man of business by opening a wholesale paper store in Philadelphia. In that venture he was entirely successful during the three years that he carried it on. On account of impaired health he was obliged to dispose of his business. and received a $2,000 bonus for it. He then turned his attention to the more healthful employment of raising fruit. going to Burlington, N. J., where he bought a fruit farm, which he operated until 1871, when he came to Omaha. During his residence in New Jersey he had studied law with the firm of Earl & White, and after removing to Omaha he continued to prosecute his studies. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and the following year opened an office in Omaha, and in the years that followed built up a good practice. In 1881 he became interested in the lumber business, but was not successful in that undertaking, losing the capital that he had invested during the year that he carried it on. After that he and his brother formed a partnership to conduct the real-estate business. The time and place for their embarkation in that business proved very propitious, as it was in season to take advantage of the great "boom" that soon struck that city and caused a rapid rise in the value of property, and stimulated business to an unprecedented extent. The brothers made money very

fast by their shrewd investments, and were soon counted among the wealthy citizens of Omaha. In 1884 Mr. Ballou resumed the practice of law in connection with his other business, and continued practicing and selling real estate until 1887, when he came to Plattsmouth. Here he bought 1,200 acres of land, a part of which was included in the corporation of the city, and the remainder joining it. Subsequently he laid out two additions to the City from a part of the investment, which already have been considerably improved. He at once commenced the erection of his present home, which was completed in the summer of 1888. This is the finest residence in Cass County and probably the finest country seat in the State. It is of a strikingly beautiful style of architecture, and the rare taste displayed in its ornamentation and furnishings, together with its surroundings, makes it a lovely dwelling-place.
   Mr. Ballou was married, March 25, 1868, to Miss Isabel Glasgow, a native of Philadelphia. Her parents, William and Mary Glasgow, both natives of Pennsylvania, were of Scotch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Ballou have two children living, Robert and Isabel. William, their first-born, died at the age of two and one-half years. Fanny and Arthur were twins; the former died at the age of four years, and the latter died in infancy.
   Mr. Ballou has always been a stanch Republican, and a leader and counselor in the party. He has been a delegate to State and County Conventions many times, and in 1887 was one of the candidates of his party for the position of District Judge for the Third Judicial District of Nebraska. There was, however, a non-partisan ticket put into the field by the Democratic party, and an exciting contest followed, which resulted in the defeat of the entire Republican ticket. The contest brought forth the following tribute to our subject from Judge Cobb of the Supreme Bench, which we copy verbatim, as it expresses so well his character and ability, and is an echo of the estimate in which he is held by those familiar with him; Omaha Republican, Nov. 5, 1887--Query: "Judge Cobb, what is your opinion of the qualifications of Mr. Ballou for the position of District Judge?" Judge Cobb: "My personal opinion is this: Mr. Ballou stands very nearly at the top of the profession in this State, and I think if he were elected to the position of District Judge in Omaha, he would by his conduct and knowledge of the law meet the approbation of the bar as well as the citizens at large. I have heard him in many cases before the Supreme Court, and he invariably handled them with a very high degree of judgment, and evinced in the plainest manner close research and careful study in their preparation. His work was never faulty nor neglected, and always compared favorably with the best efforts of the attorneys of the State. Mr. Ballou is an active Republican; he has been actively identified with the party's interest, and is as enthusiastic in the success of those principles he so earnestly espouses. I think that the material for Judges can be selected from no more trustworthy source than from the Republican party, I have been a party man all my life, and sincerely believe in it. The fact that a man has been an active Republican during his life is no good or valid reason why he cannot do justice upon the bench to his most implacable enemy. To characterize Mr. Ballou as unqualified is unjust and unfair; he is perfectly capable and would make a good and fair Judge."
   It gives us pleasure to print on another page the portrait of Mr. Ballou, than whom no other citizen of Cass County more deserves the honor.

BRAM M. ROCKWELL, one of the prominent farmers of Centre Precinct, owning a fine farm of 160 acres on section 26, township 11, range 11 north, of the city of Weeping Water, is also one of Nebraska's pioneers. He was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1849, coming of good stock and a family that had long been residents of the State. Jonah Rockwell, his grandfather, was a native and lifelong resident of New York.
   Seth B. Rockwell, the father of our subject, was also born in Saratoga County, Feb. 14, 1808, being the date of his birth in that beautiful locality. He married Miss Elizabeth Tabor, and to them came five children, all of whom grew to maturity, and four of them are living in this precint (sic). Mr. Rock-