His wife was, in her girlhood, Elizabeth Rodhon. Our subject was reared at the farm in Monroe County, Ohio, and acquired a practical education in the common schools. He was bright and ambitious beyond his years, and when a lad of fourteen started out for himself, entering the employ of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Company; which was then operating between Parkersburg and Cincinnati. A year later he returned to the old roof-tree, and fortified himself for life's future duties by a further attendance at school, finally developing into a teacher, which profession he followed in the Buckeye State for several terms.
   Before his departure for the West Mr. Messner provided himself with a wife and helpmate, being married in 1869, to Miss Lydia Haney, a native of his own county, and the daughter of Evan Haney. He arrived upon the soil of Nebraska with two suits of clothes and $51 in money, and spent the winter following with his wife's brother, Mr. Nicholas Haney, who had settled on Cedar Creek. The following spring he homesteaded forty acres of land, upon which he made some improvements, and sold four years later for the snug sum of $750. This seemed quite a bonanza in those days, and he invested the proceeds in 160 acres in the same precinct, which he occupied two years, at the expiration of which time he received a visitation from the grasshoppers two years in succession. The siege being more than he could cheerfully withstand, he sold out, and purchased eighty acres in Elmwood Precinct, upon which he lived nine years, having good crops almost every year. He invested his surplus capital in additional land from time to time, and his large property is mostly included in South Bend Precinct. A part of this, however, he afterward disposed of, and has now 800 acres, all in one body. In his live-stock operations he makes a specialty of cattle and swine, having usually of the former 270 head, and ships frequently three carloads of the latter a year.
   Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of the following living children: Eliza, Nancy B.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Albert Keller, of this county; Henry, James and Charles, all at home with their parents. Two are deceased. Mr. Messner, politically, is a solid Democrat, but otherwise than serving as a member of the School Board for the last six years, has declined becoming an officeholder. He maintains that to make a success of any business a man must give to it his whole attention, and not be meddling too much with outside matters. The theory adhered to has doubtless been the secret of his success.

OHN TURNER, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser on section 20, Stove Creek Precinct, where he has 120 acres of well-improved. arable land, is of Virginian birth, born in Randolph County, Dec. 26, 1841. William Turner, his paternal grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania, was of German descent. He moved from his native State to Virginia, and there purchased a farm, on which he spent his last years.
   James Turner, father of our subject, was born in Randolph County, Va., in 1816, and married Miss Martha Abernathy, in Hampshire County. the same State, where she was born in 1819. He was a farmer, and after his marriage returned to Randolph County, where he worked at farming during the summers, and at shoemaking in the winter seasons. In 1844 he sold his farm of 190 acres in that State, and moved to Alleghany County, Md., but nine years later returned to Virginia and bought a farm of 200 acres in Barbour County. He improved it well, and in 1865 sold out and moved to Iowa, where he bought 230 acres of land, lying near Granville, Mahaska County, where he remained until his death in October, 1882. Mrs. Turner preceded him to the better land, having died in Iowa some years before. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he had been Class-Leader for several years. Of their union twelve children were born, as follows: E. S., Aaron (deceased), John, James, Mary M., Sarah E. (deceased), Lucy A., Daniel (deceased), an infant (deceased), Theodore, Laura B. and LaFayette S. John Abernathy, maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland. In early life he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Hampshire County, Va., where he bought a large farm. His eyesight

failed during the last part of his life, and before his death he became entirely blind. He was a man of great stature and vigorous intellect.
   The subject of our sketch was only three years old when his parents moved to Maryland, and there he received the greater part of his education, attending a pay school during the time he was there. After the removal of his parents to Barbour County, Va., he had only one term's schooling, being obliged to assist his father on the farm from that time until twenty years of age. In 1861 our subject went into the war as teamster, continuing thus engaged for some months. He then returned home and worked on the farm six months, and in 1863 started a lumber business in Maryland. The following year Mr. Turner went to Ohio, and that summer pushed on further West, and in Mahaska County, Iowa, rented a farm on which he lived six years. Then, deciding that it was time that he was establishing a home of his own, our subject went to Lancaster County, Neb., where he took up a homestead claim in Rock Creek. Three years later he sold out his improvements and claim, and in 1874 moved to Stove Creek Precinct, and bought his present farm of eighty acres. There were no trees on the place, and only thirty-six acres had been broken. He has toiled unceasingly for its improvement, and has now over forty acres in grain, the farm fenced and cross-fenced, and a good bearing orchard. He has also purchased forty acres in addition, which he has under cultivation, and he carries on general farming and stock-raising, having fine cattle, good graded horses, and twelve or fifteen head of ponies.
   The marriage of Mr. Turner with Miss Ann M. Squires was solemnized in Granville, Mahaska Co., Iowa, Nov. 22, 1866. She is a daughter of Nehemiah and Olive (Fortney) Squires, natives of Preston County, Va., born in 1815 and 1820 respectively. Thomas Squires, Nehemiah's father, was a native of Virginia, of German descent. My trade he was a blacksmith. Henry Fortney, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Turner, was a native of Virginia, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father of Mrs. Turner was a blacksmith in his native State, and carried on a good business. In 1856 he removed to Davis County, Iowa, where he put up a blacksmith-shop, and also rented the adjoining farm, continuing there until 1863, when he removed to Lineville, the same State, and engaged in black-smithing. In 1864 he removed to Schuyler County, Mo., where he purchased a farm of 120 acres, and there he still lives, engaged in farming and black-smithing. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a devout Christian. His worthy wife departed this life in 1861. To them had been born eight children, namely: Cornelius, Ann Matilda, Ellen, Hattie, Henry, Jerome, George, Olive. Jerome is deceased; Cornelius served in defense of his country during the late Civil War, enlisting in Company E, 3d Iowa Cavalry, and joined the army in 1861. He was mustered out at Arkansas, and honorably discharged in 1864. Mrs. Turner was born during the residence of her parents in Barbour County, Va., Jan. 17, 1843. She attended a pay school there until twelve years of age, and then a free school. She afterward moved with her parents to Iowa, remaining in her home until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been four children, namely: Oscar S., Melvin T., James L., and an infant deceased.
   Mr. Turner is an industrious man, highly respected throughout the community for his many admirable traits of character. In all local affairs takes an intelligent interest, and has served with ability as Supervisor and School Trustee. Socially, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in politics is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Turner is a pleasant, hospitable woman, and a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LBERT U. MAYFIELD, of Elmwood, editor of the Elmwood Echo, is a native of this State, being born near Louisville, Neb., March 14, 1865. He prepared himself for future usefulness by attending the common schools where he lived, and a course in the High School at Plattsmouth, which latter he completed in 1881, shortly after which he went into the newspaper business as assistant in the office of the Louisville Observer. In 1885, in company with his brother, he edited the Hawkeye in Greenwood. This part-

nership was dissolved in 1886, when our subject settled in Elmwood and began the publication of the Echo, which was a six-column folio. In the fall of 1887 the paper was enlarged to a six-column quarto. The success of the paper was assured from the start, having an ever-increasing subscription list, and a handsome advertising patronage. This success is due exclusively to the energy and knowledge of the business possessed by its able editor. The prospects are very bright that in a short time the Echo will be one of, if not the, leading paper of the county.
   The subject of our sketch is one of a family of eight children, Clarence G., Eugene O. and Winnefred being older, and Leroy J., Rosa M., George A. and Olin M., being younger. He was married, in Burlington, Iowa, to Miss Milly Volkmer, Feb. 13, 1887. His wife was born in Berlin, Germany; she is highly educated and refined, and is at heart a thorough American. They have one child, Moyne.
   Mr. Mayfield is identified with the order of the Knights of Pythias, Master of Exchequer; at present Warden of the I. O. O. F.; Inside Guard of the A. O. U. W.; and a member of the Christian Church.
   The father of our subject, George W. Mayfield, was born in Indiana, and is a minister in the Christian Church. In 1857 he removed from Indiana to Plattsmouth, Neb. During the war he freighted between Plattsmouth and Denver with an ox-team. He entered a homestead claim near Louisville, which he improved. He sold it and removed to Salt Creek, being one of the first settlers in that section, acquiring 160 acres of wild land, which he fully improved. During this time he served in the Christian ministry, having a charge to which he preached every Sunday, at Loader schoolhouse. In 1875 he sold his land and went into the mercantile business, opening the second store in Greenwood, where he did a successful business. He continued this four years, then removed to Plattsmouth, and formed a connection with the Herald in that city.
   In 1882 the father of our subject removed to Louisville, where he established the Weekly Observer in company with his son Eugene O. At the end of two years the son went to Greenwood, and is now in Omaha, Neb., in the job printing business. The father continues editing the Observer, and preaching in the Christian Church at Louisville.
   The mother of our subject, Emeline E. Todd, was born in Jamestown, N. Y. Grandfather Thomas J. Todd was a contractor and builder in New York, and removed to Plattsmouth in 1857, and entered a homestead on Four Mile Creek, near that town. In 1880 he retired to Plattsmouth, where he had built one of the handsomest residences on Chicago avenue. He died there in 1881.
   Grandfather George W. Mayfield served in the War of 1812 against England. He, was of English descent, and could trace his ancestry back to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.

ENRY ASHMUN, senior member of the firm of Henry Ashmun & Co., is, with his partners, conducting one of the most flourishing hardware establishments in the city of Weeping Water. They built and now occupy the fine brick structure on the corner of I and Elm streets known as the Ashmun Block, and which is one of the most attractive features of the business portion of the city. it is constructed of fine pressed brick, the building being 22x100 feet in dimensions, with plate-glass front, and its height two stories, with basement. In the near future the whole of it will be occupied by the firm, and when completed it will be the finest hardware store along the southern line of Cass County. Mr. Ashmun occupies with his family a beautiful residence in the northeastern part of town.
   Our subject first crossed the Mississippi in May of 1869, coming direct to Weeping Water Precinct, and purchasing a quarter of section 36, school land, in Centre Precinct. There had then been no attempt at improvement, the land having just come into the market that year, and was then valued at $8.50 per acre. Mr. Ashmun enclosed it with a substantial fence, set out a grove of forest trees, together with an apple orchard and the smaller fruits, besides putting up a good house and barn. In the meantime he proceeded with the cultivation

of the land, devoting it at first almost entirely to the raising of grain; later he discovered that stock growing would prove remunerative, and accordingly turned his attention to this industry, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. He constructed thus out of a wild tract of uncultivated land a fine farm, which he sold at a good price in April of 1888.
   Mr. Ashmun has been interested in the hardware business for the past eight years, being first associated with the firm of Schermerhorn & Ashmun, at Weeping Water, which partnership continued one year. He then became junior member of the film of Fitchie & Ashmun, which conducted the business at Weeping Water three years. Mr. Fitchie then withdrew, and G. A. Ashmun assumed proprietorship of his interest in the business. The firm then became Ashmun Bros., and later, upon the admission of other partners, Henry Ashmun & Co, Mr. Ashmun, although a thorough young business man, and popular in his community, has avoided politics, excepting attending to his duty as a voter upon occasions of election, when he gives his support to the Republican party. Socially, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious matters is, with his family, prominently connected with the Congregational Church. He takes a warm interest in Sunday-school work, and has held different official positions in the church.
   Mr. Ashmun was born in Tallmadge, Summit Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 1843, and lived there until a young man twenty-six years of age. He completed his education in Tallmadge Academy, and employed himself on his father's farm, and as a civil engineer, until 1869, with the exception of the time spent in the army. At Tallmadge, in 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 164th Ohio Infantry, serving out his time and receiving his honorable discharge. After leaving the army he returned to the home of his boyhood, remaining there engaged in engineering until coming to Nebraska, as we have already stated.
   Our subject was married at LaGrange, Sept. 13, 1870, to Miss Ida Burton. This lady was born in Collamer, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1847. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and are now deceased. Mrs. Ashmun received a liberal education, completing her studies in Lake Erie Seminary, in Painesville, Ohio. Her father died when she was quite young, and her mother was married the second time, and removed to Lagrange County, Ind, Miss Ida accompanying them and engaging as a teacher until her marriage. Mrs. Burton died in Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashmun there have been born four children, namely: Louis, Ernest, Flora and Beth. They are all at home with their parents, and are being given first-class educational advantages.
   William B. Ashmun, the father of our subject was born in Russell Township, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 5, 1815, and lived there until the eighteenth year of his age. He received a good practical education, and in 1833 removed with his parents to Ohio, settling in what was then Portage, but what afterward became Summit County, seven miles from Akron. The family had been preceded to this place by one of the elder sons. William B. removed, in 1837, from the Buckeye State to Whiteside County, Ill., where he lived one year, then returned to Ohio. In 1842, April 27, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Fenn, and they became the parents of six children, all of whom are living, and of whom Henry; the subject of this sketch, is the eldest. The others were: Julia, now Mrs. A. O. Ashley, of Weeping Water; George, who also lives here; Russell A., located on a farm south of town; Edward, a minister of the Congregational Church, of Denver, Col.; and Helen, of Weeping Water.
   The father is still living, and is now retired from active business. He in makes his home in Weeping Water. He has held the various township offices, serving as School director and Justice of the Peace, and with his wife and family, belongs to the Congregational Church.
   Mrs. Sarah E. (Fenn) Ashmun was born in Milford, New Haven Co., Conn., Jan. 3, 1815, and when three years old emigrated with her parents to Ohio. She is the daughter of Richard and Mabel (Platt) Fenn, and lived at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ashmun afterward lived with the parents of the latter, and took care of them for twenty-five years. Richard Fenn and his wife were natives of Connecticut, the former born in 1818. He emigrated to Ohio in the pioneer days, taking

up a tract of land in Summit County, and building up a homestead from the wilderness. There he spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1867. The mother had died several years before.
   Reuben Ashmun, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, May 23, 1780. He lived there until after his marriage with Miss Hulda Upson, then emigrating to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Settled on a farm there, where he lived until pushing farther westward, in 1833, to Summit County, Ohio. In the latter his death took place in 1848. He was one of the earliest settlers in that region, a prominent man in his community, a successful farmer, and for many years a Justice of the Peace. His wife died about 1841. Both were members of the Episcopal Church, in Connecticut. During his early manhood Mr. Ashmun had learned the trade of hatter.

HRIST STOEHR. Among the reliable German citizens of Eight Mile Grove Precinct none are held in kindlier regard than the subject of this sketch. He was born in the Province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Aug. 6, 1828, and is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Stoehr, who were also of German birth and ancestry. The mother passed from earth when her son Christ was a boy of twelve or thirteen years. He lived with his father until reaching his majority, and then the two, believing there were better opportunities for them in America, decided to emigrate hither. Making their way to the city of Bremen they engaged passage on a sailing vessel bound for New York City, and after an ocean voyage of forty-seven days arrived at their destination.
   Our travelers sojourned only a very brief time in the metropolis but proceeded at once to Tazewell County, Ill., where Christ employed himself as a farm laborer, and the father also farmed. The latter spent his last years in Tazewell County. Our subject the year following his arrival in the Prairie State, having formed the acquaintance of one of the most estimable of his young country-women, Miss Elizabeth Ehrhart, was married to that lady in Tazewell County, Ill., in April, 1850. Mrs. Stoehr was born in Germany, May 6, 1831, and was the daughter of Leonard and Margaret Ehrhart, who all came to America in the same ship with young Stoehr.
   Mr. and Mrs. Stoehr begin their wedded life together in Tazewell County, Ill., coming to Nebraska in the spring of 1882. In due time there were born to them a family of eight children, namely: George, Oct. 28, 1854; Philip, Sept. 30, 1866; Conrad, Oct. 25, 1862; Maggie, Feb. 5, 1866 (this daughter is the wife of George P. Heil); Alice, March 19, 1870; Catherine, Feb. 3, 1872; Louisa. July 28, 1874, and Adam, June 11, 1877. Mr. Stoehr operated for a time on rented land in Illinois, then became the owner of a farm. His property in this county consisted of 160 acres, which has been finely developed and is supplied with good buildings. In his labors and successes he acknowledges that he has had in his wife a most efficient helpmate, one who has stood bravely by his side and borne with him the heat and burden of the day. To her efforts as much as his own belongs the credit of accumulating a property and establishing the reputation of the family in a good social as well as financial position. Mr. S., politically, votes the Democratic ticket, and both he and his wife belong to the German Lutheran Church. Our subject served as Commissioner in Tazewell County, Ill., for a period of nine years, being three years of this time Treasurer of the board. He was also for a number of years a member of the School Board of his district.

AVID S. HALVERSTADT. Few members of the farming community of Cass County have been more successful in their vocations, or secured better results by the expenditure of energetic and persistent labor, than has the subject of this notice, who is one of the leading agriculturists of Weeping Water Precinct. His farm on section 14, with its carefully tilled acres, neatly hedged and fenced, its beautiful grove and orchard, its tasty and comfortable buildings, and the fine and well-kept specimens of cattle and horses roaming over the fields, is considered one of the most desirable and best managed farms in the whole precinct, and with all its various improve-

ments, indicates the presence of an intelligent mind and a skillful hand.
   Mr. Halverstadt inherited from a good old German stock the traits of sobriety, honesty and industry that have made him successful in life. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1848, to Henry and Mary (Supers) Halverstadt. His father was born in Maryland, Jan. 26, 1808, a son of David Halverstadt. The latter was a native of Germany, who, coming to this country when six years of age, was bound out until he was twenty-five years of age to pay for his passage over, and in the same manner his parents were sold for a number of years to pay for their passage, and from this humble beginning have the Halverstadts in America risen to their present prominence. The grandfather settled in Maryland, and there married. He afterward moved to Ohio with his wife and children, and in the primeval forests of Columbiana County took up a homestead, and with the aid of his boys cleared a farm. He became prosperous, and accumulated quite a large property, and when his four sons were ready to start in life for themselves, he gave them each over a hundred acres of land.
   The father of our subject was a boy when his parents moved to Ohio, and he there assisted his father in the pioneer task of hewing trees and uprooting stumps, to prepare the land for cultivation. He remained on the homestead until his marriage, at twenty-eight years of age, and then took his share of his father's land. He was more than ordinarily successful in his vocation, and from time to time added more land to his homestead, and became quite wealthy. Of his happy wedded life with the mother of our subject eleven children were born, two dying in infancy. When his children were ready to go out into the world, he sold off his land and gave them each a good start, it having been his intention to give them each a home near him, but they chose to go West, so he unselfishly gave up his own wishes, and furthered theirs, by giving them money instead of the land. He continued to live on the old homestead until he passed away from the cares of earth, in May, 1888, at the ripe old age of eighty years. He was held in reverence and honor by his townspeople for his noble and manly qualities. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, whose word was equal to his bond. He was a stanch member of the Lutheran Church, and was liberal in his contributions toward its support. His widow survives him, and is still vigorous in mind and body, and has just returned to the old home from a visit to her son.
   David S. Halverstadt lived in the home of his birth until he was of age, obtaining in the meantime a substantial education, and a practical training in all kinds of farm work under his father's tuition. He came to Nebraska in 1869 and located on Elk Creek, in Johnson County, where he lived until 1870. In the spring of that year he purchased his present place, which was then but slightly improved, a few acres having been broken, and a small house erected, From that wild state our subject has brought it up to its present high condition. He has fenced the land and set out five acres of forest, and a large orchard, three acres of which are in bearing. The land is very productive, and nearly every pasture has been sowed to tame grass. Mr, Halverstadt has also built himself a house, which is a good, comfortable, convenient home. He feeds the most of his grain, as he pays especial attention to raising draft horses, high-graded Short-horn cattle, and full-blooded Poland-China hogs.
   After coming to this place our subject was married Nov. 15, 1875, to Miss Lucy Failor, and to them have come seven children, of whom the following six are living: Florence, Birdena, Clinton, Lilly, Clara and Hattie. Their daughter Clementine died Oct. 2, 1888, aged ten years. Mrs. Halverstadt was born at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1852. Her parents, Christian and Sarah (Misseldine) Failor, moved to Centreville, Ind., about 1869, and there she lived with them until her marriage. She has proved an efficient helpmate and a wise mother, Her father was a native of Ohio, and was there engaged in the milling business, but when he removed to Indiana he entered into business as a grocer, and was carrying on that trade at the time of his death in 1886, aged eighty years.
   In our subject are found all the characteristics of a good citizen, such as loyalty to his country, straightforward and manly conduct in the everyday affairs of life, and kindness and helpfulness