Germany, and the mother died in 1887. They were honest and industrious people, and the father was employed as it mechanic mostly in connection with an iron manufactory. The parental household included six children, five of whom are living, three in this country, and two in Germany.

OHN BLACK, M. D., is among the foremost men of enterprise and ability who have been instrumental in raising Plattsmouth from a small town to its present condition as a wealthy and important metropolis, with great commercial interests, and the center of a rich agricultural region. His influence has indeed extended far beyond the limits of this municipality, as he, with other men of high standing, has given the financial interests of Cass County a great impetus, he having been instrumental in the establishment of no less than three banks within its borders.
   The Doctor was born in Northumberland County, England, Nov. 14, 1821, and is a son of William and Cicely (Lilley) Black, both natives of that county. The father of our subject was reared and married in the home of his birth, and having been reared to the life of a farmer, followed that pursuit there for some years. In 1838 he came to America, accompanied by his wife and seven children. They landed in New York after an exceedingly long voyage of sixty-seven days, and Ohio being their destination, they proceeded on their journey by the modes of travel common in those days. almost before the era of railways, and at length found themselves in the wilds of Knox County, in the Buckeye State. They lived there until 1852, when Mr. Black and his family, once again taking up the westward route, traveling with teams, taking a part of their household goods, cooking and camping by the wayside wherever night overtook them, at length arrived in DeKalb County, Mo. Several families were with them, and the six weeks consumed in traveling passed away very pleasantly. Mr. Black bought a tract of wild land one-half mile from the village of Maysville, and there improved an excellent farm, which he made his home until his death, in January, 1862. His wife survived him some years, dying at the home of her son in Maysville, in 1873. They were the parents of seven children, all born in England, as follows: Isabelle, John, Robert, Elizabeth. Alexander, William and Margaret, and all of whom came to the United States.
   Our subject was reared in his native county until he was sixteen. He attended the parish school and assisted on his father's farm, and at the age mentioned accompanied his parents to this country, and has since known no other home. He was ambitious to improve his education, and commenced attendance at the district schools of Knox County, Ohio. He advanced rapidly in his studies, and subsequently pursued a good course at Fredericktown Academy, in the same county. He entered upon the study of medicine in that town at the age of twenty-two years, and afterward became a student at Cleveland, attending lectures at the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated with honor in the spring of 1847, being finely prepared for his profession. He opened an office in Claridon, Ohio, and in the few years that he remained there secured an excellent practice. During his residence there he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Wiley, June 29, 1848 being the date of their wedding. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, Dec. 13, 1825. Hugh Wiley, her father, was born in Pennsylvania, and his father, John Wiley, who was a farmer, spent his last years in Franklin County, that State. Mrs. Black's father was reared and married in Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Morrow, who was born and reared in Chambersburg, Pa., and was a daughter of Wilson Morrow, became his wife. They moved to Ohio about 1824, the removal across the mountains being made with teams. They located in Knox County, and were pioneers there. He bought a tract of timber land, on which was a log cabin, in which the family found shelter for a few months, and then Mr. Wiley replaced it by a more commodious hewed log house, the same in which Mrs. Black was born. The surrounding country was in a very wild condition. Deer, bears and wolves being plentiful for some years after the family first settled there. The nearest markets for grain were the lake ports, seventy miles distant. Mrs. Black's mother, having no stove, did her cooking by the fireplace for some years. She was an

expert both in spinning and weaving wool and flax, and her skillful hands supplied her husband and children with clothing. Mrs. Black's father cleared a farm, on which he resided until shortly before his death, when he sold it, and purchasing another place near by, made his home on it until his death, in 1855.
   In 1854 Dr. Black moved to Missouri with his family, going via rail to Rock Island, Ill., then the western terminus of the railway, thence down the Mississippi to Burlington, where they took the stage to Mt. Pleasant, the end of the stage route; there the Doctor hired a hack to take them to Centreville, and from there they proceeded to the end of their journey in a two-horse wagon. Our subject established himself in Maysville, Mo., and practiced medicine there until 1863. In that year he came to Nebraska and opened an office in Plattsmouth, where he was actively engaged in his profession for some years. He soon became identified with the financial interests of the city and county, and was active in obtaining the establishment of the Bank of Cass County, of which institution he was President until he sold out his share of stock. He then assisted in founding the Citizens' Bank, and was its President for three years. To his influence, also, does the Commercial Bank at Weeping Water owe its existence. One of the enterprises of our subject was the erection of a fine large block in this city, known as the Union Block. He has abandoned the practice of his profession, having won a good reputation for skill and learning, and is now living in retirement in the enjoyment of an ample income, for he has acquired an extensive property by judicious investment. He and his family occupy a prominent position in the society of this community, and are held in highest estimation by a large circle of friends, who often share with them the hospitalities of a refined and cultured home. Dr. and Mrs. Black have six children, namely: Erasmus W., Junius N.; Josephine A., wife of P. E. Rufner, of Plattsmouth; Cella D., wife of E. A. Kirkpatrick, of Cass County; Robert W. and Martha Celestia, who lives at home with her parents. Mrs. Black, a lady who is admired and esteemed for her many amiable qualities, is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and quietly lends her influence to promote its good works. Politically, Dr. Black has always been identified with the Democratic party.
   We present herewith life portrait of this well known, wide-awake and enterprising citizen of Plattsmouth, one who has done much to raise the city from its former condition as a small village, and to whom she owes in no small degree her present prosperity.

ARRY C. RITCHIE has been identified with the commercial interests of Plattsmouth since 1884, buying a home here and establishing himself in his present business as a member of the firm of J. W. Jennings & Co. He has since formed a partnership with L. E. Skinner, and they make abstract business a specialty, although they do an extensive real-estate, loan and insurance business besides.
   Mr. Ritchie was burn in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind.. Oct. 30, 1849. His father. John Ritchie, was a native of the same county, while his grandfather, Silas Ritchie, is supposed to have been a native of Virginia. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was born in the North of Ireland, and coming to America, larded in Virginia, and there made his home the rest of his days, being actively engaged as a farmer. The grandfather of our subject was reared and married in his Virginian home, and moved from there about 1820 to Indiana, becoming an early settler of that State. He bought a tract of timber land, a part of which is now included in the town of Madison, and was a resident there until his death.
   The father of our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and was there married to Melvina Kyle. Three children were born of their marriage -- Harry C., Genevieve and Lucy M. Mr. Ritchie engaged in the mercantile business with his father for a time, and later engaged in the manufacture of brick, and also superintended a large pork packing house in Indiana. He is still a restdent of his native State, but has retired from business, having accumulated considerable property.
   Harry Ritchie was reared and educated in Madison, and at the age of eighteen entered the mercan-