where his neighbors are concerned. He is one of the members of the Congregational Church of Weeping Water, and is also connected with the Sunday-school held in the Cascade school-house on the opposite corner, and in his capacity as Superintendent of said Sunday-school he has been instrumental in building it up and making it a success. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum and Farmers' Alliance. He has served as School Director and as Constable, but does not care for office, preferring the quiets and comforts of home. He is in sympathy with the Republican party in his political views, but exercises his judgment in voting for men and measures.

DDISON P. WESTON is one of the most prosperous and progressive citizens of Liberty, and for many years was closely identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Cass County, owning an extensive farm on section 21, this precinct. By hard labor and thrift he has amassed a handsome fortune, and soon intends to leave the farm and retire from the active duties of a busy life to spend his declining years with his good wife in one of the most comfortable and well-appointed homes in the village of Nehawka.
   Mr. Weston is a native of Vermont, his birthplace being the town of Plymouth, among the beautiful hills of Windsor County, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day Aug. 13, 1825. Both on his mother's and his father's side he is descended from respectable old New England families. His father, Stephen Weston, was born either in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, and went to Windsor County, Vt., most likely a single man, in 1802. He was married to Lydia Boynton, who came of hardy, long-lived stock. After marriage Mr. Weston began farming in a small way among the hills of Plymouth, Windsor County, and there his wife died when our subject was little less than six years old. The father afterward married Mrs. Burnap, who subsequently died without issue by her second marriage. The father spent his last days with his children, our subject, with the others, contributing liberally to his support and comfort after he became enfeebled by age. His life was prolonged to the unusual length of ninety-two years.
   He of whom we write, after the death of his mother lived with an aunt and uncle for three years, after which he lived with an elder brother until seventeen years old. In the vigorous air of his native hills he grew to be a sturdy youth, and at seventeen years of age was allowed to go forth to earn his own living. For four years he worked for the sum of $100 and his board and clothes, and thus got his first start in life, which he later added to by working out by the day. He was ambitious to obtain ail education, and attended school whenever opportunity offered. In 1852 he struck out into the world with characteristic enterprise and pluck, and with a flock of sheep, which he drove and shipped from point to point, he made his way to Racine County, Wis., finally stopping at Waterford. Those were among the first fine wool Spanish and French Merinos ever introduced into that part of Wisconsin, and his venture proved very successful. In 1864 he came to Nebraska, bringing with him 225 fine wool sheep, and embarked in the business of sheep-raising here. He carried it on until the spring of 1866, when he abandoned it to pay attention more exclusively to general stock-growing and feeding, in which he was extensively engaged until his recent retirement. His farm, beautifully located on section 21, on either side of Weeping Water Creek, embraces one of the best and most valuable strips of land in Liberty Precinct. Mr. Weston bought his first land in Cass County in 1863, it being located in Avoca Precinct, and he resided on it two years, owning 210 acres, and making considerable improvements. In 1866 he purchased his homestead on section 21, Liberty Precinct, with a view of getting stone, wood and water, with which it is well supplied, and it has proved a very valuable farm for making money. It embraces 320 acres of land, most of which is under cultivation, and has been improved to a very high point by a judicious expenditure of labor and money. It has a fine bearing orchard of 1,200 fruit trees. He has erected on it a fine set of the most modern farm buildings; one barn is 66x60 feet in

dimensions, with a lean-to and an L attached, making it very commodious; and another large stock and grain barn, 24x64 feet, is also a fine structure. These buildings are well constructed, and after the most approved and conveniently arranged plans. The house that Mr. Weston formerly occupied is a pleasant frame dwelling, but the home to which he will soon retire, in Nehawka, is a fine brick edifice two stories in height, with basement, all the modern appliances for comfort and convenience, and in its exterior is an ornament to the village.
   During his residence in Racine County, Wis., Mr. Weston was married, Aug. 24, 1856, to Miss Amelie Bent, who was born in the town of Wendell, Franklin Co., Mass., March 24, 1839. She is a daughter of William L. and Lucinda (Armstrong) Bent, both of whom are deceased, the mother dying in Wendell when her daughter of whom we write was only three years old. She was a native of Massachusetts, and was a daughter of Timothy Armstrong, likewise a native of the old Bay State, and a farmer of Franklin County. William Bent survived his first wife twelve years, and was a second time wedded, Maria Woodbury becoming his wife, and she survived him. Mr. Bent was a farmer, and prosecuted his calling in Franklin County. He subsequently removed to Wisconsin, and died in Racine County. He was a son of Joel Bent, a native of Barry, Mass. Mrs. Weston was reared by her father until his death, and then her step-mother had charge of her until she attained womanhood, and she continued to live with her until her marriage, having accompanied her parents to Racine County, Wis., when a child of ten years. She is broad and liberal minded, a woman whose large heart is full of womanly love and neighborly kindness.
   Mr. Weston has acquired his entire fortune since leaving his native hills, and by the exercise of habits of indefatigable industry, prudence and economy. He inherited a full share of those fine traits of character that mark the New England stock and make them valuable citizens wherever they may settle. He has not only been a hardworking man all his life until recently, but his labors have been directed by a mind of more than ordinary acuteness, and he has always displayed an intelligent enterprise, and has been quick to seize every opportunity or advantage that would conduce to his material prosperity. He is a Republican in his politics, and gives his party earnest support, He has borne an honorable part in public affairs is Assessor of the precinct, which office he has twice held.
   The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Weston adjoining, are a valuable acquisition to this ALBUM, and will be regarded with much pleasure by their many friends.

ENJAMIN F. LAUGHLIN. Both the personal and ancestral history of the subject of this sketch, an enterprising business man of Greenwood, is worthy of more than a passing mention. A son of one of the earliest pioneers of Washington County, Iowa, he was born there Aug. 25, 1841, and grew up amid its primitive scenes, at the time when the Indians had not long been removed from the western limits of the State.
   John Laughlin, the father of our subject, was born in Randolph County, N. C., and married Miss Mary Tucker, a native of the same State. Both were the offspring of prominent old families, who had emigrated to America during the Colonial days. John Laughlin after his marriage migrated across the Mississippi about 1835, and was one of the earliest settlers of Henry County, Iowa. A man of great energy and more than ordinary abilities, he by his own labors furnished air incentive to the men around him, and that part of Henry County in which he settled sensibly outgrew its neighbors. He was held by his fellow-citizens in high esteem, occupied the various local offices, and accumulated a good property. He personally assisted in removing the Indians from Henry County to their reservation in Iowa, aird was foremost in inaugurating the various enterprises which gradually grow up within the precincts of a new settlement. His death took place June 10, 1865, at the old homestead, and that of the mother, December 7 of the same year. The latter was six years younger than her husband, and he was about fifty-two years old at the time of his decease. To John and Mary Laughlin there were born eleven children, namely: