precinct. Mr. Becker is of German birth and parentage, first opening his eyes to the light Nov. 3, 1840. When a youth of seventeen years he emigrated to America, making the long voyage across the Atlantic from Havre, France, to New York City, being on the ocean forty-two days.
   From the great metropolis our subject, a stranger in a strange land, and with very little money in his pocket, made his way directly to Tazewell County, Ill., where he set about earning his own living by the sweat of his brow. Engaging as a farm hand in that county, he sojourned in that region a period of seven years. There also he met his fate in the person of Miss Harriet E. Fuller, to whom he was married May 12, 1864. The young couple began the journey of life together in the modest home in that county, and lived in Illinois until the spring of 1878. Then, deciding to cast his lot with the people of Nebraska, Mr. Becker gathered together his personal effects and his little family, and crossing the Father of Waters came to this county. He had previously purchased 160 acres of land which is included in his present farm. From that time on he labored diligently, early and late, and was more than ordinarily wise in his investments, while his careful cultivation of the soil soon placed him upon an independent footing. Aside from a small amount received from his father's estate, he has had no assistance, being the architect of his own fortune.
   Mr. Becker, who struggled under many difficulties for a number of years after coming to Nebraska, is now numbered among the leading land-owners of this county. In proportion to his property there also increased his position and standing among his fellow-citizens, who would have gladly raised him to the most important offices within their gift. While in Illinois he had held the minor offices of his township, and in 1884 he was the candidate of the Republican party of Cass County for Commissioner, but owing to his position on the county seat fight, he was defeated. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, while his estimable wife belongs to the Baptist.
   Mr. Becker received a good education in his native tongue, and by a course of reading keeps himself well posted upon topics of general interest. His land of late years has been largely devoted to stock-raising, with results eminently satisfactory. The homestead proper lies on section 13, and with its substantial and commodious buildings fulfills the modern idea of rural life with all its comforts. Seven children completed the household circle, who were named respectively: George H., William A., Mary E., Henry E., Philip T., Dora A. and Carrie O.
   Philip and Catherine (Scheneider) Becker, the parents of our subject, were also natives of Germany, and spent their last years there. The family consisted of six children.

BENEZER G. LAUGHLIN, senior member of the firm of Laughlin & Laughlin, is, with his uncle, Benjamin F., conducting a very successful livery business at Greenwood. He is a man who at once attracts universal attention on account of his fine physique, being of commanding presence, upright, and of handsome proportions. In addition to a fine physical frame he has been endowed by nature with more than ordinary good business capacities. In a business requiring much tact and good management, he is extremely popular in his community, being courteous and obliging, and prompt to meet his obligations.
   Our subject is a son of one of the first three pioneers of this county, William J. Laughlin, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, May 12, 1859. He was an infant of five months when his parents moved to Nebraska, settling in Salt Creek Precinct. The country in that vicinity had at that time received but little attention from white settlers, and the first school in Salt Creek Precinct was conducted in the house of William Laughlin by the mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Mary Coleman. Later, a school building was erected on Salt Creek, where our subject attended principally in the winter season.
   Our subject spent his boyhood and youth amid the scenes of frontier life, his mind and muscles developing in a healthy atmosphere. He assisted his parents around the homestead and continued

with them until his marriage, which occurred Oct. 2, 1882, the bride being Miss Alice L., daughter of S. L. Anderson, of Kentucky. Mrs. Laughlin was born in Marion County, Iowa, Nov. 25, 1862, and was a maiden of seventeen years when her parents came to this county. They are now residing in Salt Creek. Their family consists of five children, all of whom are surviving and making their homes in this State except one, who lives in Kansas.
   Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin commenced their wedded life together at a modest home in Salt Creek Precinct, and of their union there have been born four children, namely: Mary L., Pearl, William G. and Earl, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. L. is a member in good standing of the Christian Church, and our subject uniformly votes the straight Democratic ticket. The family residence is pleasantly located in the southwestern part, of the city, and is the resort of hosts of friends.
   The livery business of Laughlins' was established at Greenwood in 1887. They have commodious quarters, located on Third street, and their horses and equipments will compare favorably with anything of the kind along the western line of the county. They enjoy a good patronage from the people of this locality.

AVID SAMSON. This gentleman played no unimportant part among the men of intelligence, thrift and foresight, who as pioneers of Cass County have been factors in its growth. He was an early settler of Plattsmouth, and has now been a permanent resident here for several years. He was at one time interested in agriculture quite extensively, but the state of his health does not permit him to carry on any active business, and he employs his time solely in looking after his property.
   Mr. Samson was born in Pike County, Ohio, May 11, 1823. His father, James B. Samson, was a native of Virginia, and his father, David Samson, is also supposed to have been born in that State, He removed to Ohio about 1800, the removal being made in wagons, and he became a pioneer of Scioto, County, where he bought quite a tract of timbered land, from which he evolved a farm. Twenty years later he sold that homestead, and entered a large tract of Government land in Pike County, where he resided until death. He had in the meantime labored hard at the pioneer task of clearing and improving a farm, which ranked among the best in that locality, and was provided with good buildings. He married a Miss Brouse, a native of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry.
   The father of our subject was about six years old when his parents removed from the old Virginian home, and the place of his birth, to the wilderness in the Territory of Ohio. He there grew to a vigorous manhood, and soon established a home, having married Margaret Bradford, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Ezra Bradford, an early settler of Scioto County. Mr. Samson had learned the stonemason's trade, and also picked up a knowledge of blacksmithing. At the time of his marriage he settled in Scioto County, but after living there one year he took up his abode in Pike County. He bought a tract of timbered land there, and built a log house, the same in which our subject was born. He worked at his trade of stonemason on the Ohio Canal, receiving $1 a day, and in that way earned enough to pay for his land, and when he did not have work at his trade, he cleared away the timber that covered it. He continued to reside on it until 1835, and then traded it for a farm in Scioto County, to which he immediately moved his family. In 1845 he disposed of that place, having decided to seek a location beyond the Mississippi River. Accompanied by his wife and children, he started for his new home, traveling by the way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Missouri, disembarking at Savannah Landing, Andrew County. He soon bought a tract of land four miles from that place, in the same county; a log cabin on the place and twelve acres of the land broken, the rest being timbered, constituted the improvements. He cleared quite a tract of the land, and resided on it about ten years, when he sold out and moved to the village of Fillmore, where he bought a home. Soon after his removal there he was elected Justice of the Peace, and he also became a local preacher of much repute,

having joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when he first took up his residence in Missouri. He died there about 1873, but his memory is cherished by those who knew him as a man of large heart, kindly impulses, whose life was blameless, and who sought to do good.
   Our subject was the third of the nine children born to his worthy parents, who trained him to a useful manhood. He was reared amid pioneer scenes, and he well remembers when his mother, having no stove, was obliged to cook their meals by the heat of the fire in the rude fireplace, and when the clothing that he wore was spun and woven by her hands. He resided with his parents until he was twenty-two, and then bought a claim to some Government land in Andrew County, in company with his brother-in-law, and commenced to improve it. One year later he sold it and returned home, and lived with his parents two years. We next hear of him in Ohio, where he was variously employed for a year. He then went back to Andrew County and farmed on shares for a year. He traded his share of the crops for lumber, and buying a lot in Fillmore, built a house. He sold that residence in 1853, and moved to Coonville, now Glenwood, Mills Co., Iowa. That place was then only a small hamlet, and a great deal of the land thereabouts was owned by the Government. He bought an interest in a sawmill which he operated for six months, and then disposed of his share, and turned his attention to building up the town, and erected three houses in Glenwood. His health was not good, and he was obliged to give up his business almost entirely. In 1856 he sold his property there, and made ready to move to Oregon. But before the time set for him to start, he made arrangements that entirely changed his plans, agreeing with some gentlemen who had claims in Cass County to come here and hold those claims for them, one of the claims joining the city, and the other on the prairie a short distance west. He found that he could not hold both claims, so he bought the one on the prairie, and entered it from the Government. At that time the whole of Nebraska was a wild, undeveloped prairie, with but one or two permanent settlements, and deer, wild turkeys and other game very plentiful. Mr. Samson spent a few days on his claim, and then settled in Plattsmouth, and buying a lot here, he erected a frame building, and rented the upper stories to the county for public offers. Four years later Mr. Samson moved to his land to cultivate it and improve it into a farm. He staid there four years, and then once again made Plattsmouth his home. He soon after bought the improvements on a tract of school land that belonged to the State, and farmed that three years, when he traded it for land in Mills County, Iowa. Five years subsequently he sold that place and tried life in Southeastern Kansas. He did not like it there, and four months later found him once more a resident of Plattsmouth, and ever since that time he has made his home here.
   Mr. Samson and Miss Margaret F. Clement were united in marriage in 1858, and of their happy union five children have been born, as follows: Wilbur C.; Agnes, the wife of Hon. Samuel M. Chapman; Susan and Margaret N., both teachers; and Edwin Stanton. They have been given good advantages for education, and have been carefully trained in all that makes good and helpful lives. Mrs. Samson was born in the Province of Lorraine, France, May 28, 1825. Her father, John Francis Clement, was a native of the same place, as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Catherine Puloung. Mr. Clement learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and followed that trade in France until 1831. In that year he first located in America, settling in Maryland, and carrying on cabinet-making there. St. Louis subsequently became his home for a time, and he still continued to work at his trade. From that city he went to Illinois and pre-empted Government hold near Pekin, Tazewell County, of which befits became a pioneer. He was the first man in that county to break the land and engage in farming. He resided there until his death, July 15, 1844. His widow died on the home farm four years later. After the death of her parents Mrs. Samson lived with a sister at Tremont until 1857, and then left Illinois for the Territory of Nebraska, coming by water. They found this city only an insignificant hamlet, with scarcely any indications of its present size and importance. In Mrs. Samson we have a fine representative of the pioneer women of Nebraska who

have been such important factors in the settlement of this commonwealth. She possesses a remarkably clear mind, and is well endowed with firmness and judgment, and her many pleasing attributes have gained her many warm friends.
   Mr. Samson is, as his fellow-citizens long since found, an eminently trustworthy man, of high principles and right conduct, and he is regarded with sincere respect and esteem. He has borne an honorable part in developing Cass County, and his share in building up Plattsmouth will not be forgotten.

ON. ANDERSON ROOT, an ex-member of the Nebraska Legislature, and one of the solid citizens of Cass County, is a gentleman of more than ordinary capabilities, kind-hearted, public-spirited and benevolent, possessing hosts of friends, and of that uniform and kindly temperament which carries a happy influence with him wherever he goes. He owns and occupies a fine farm on section 34, in Rock Bluff Precinct, comprising 220 acres, and gives his support to all enterprises having for their object the general welfare of his community. His family comprises an amiable and intelligent wife, and a group of bright and interesting children, the latter named respectively: Charles T., who is a student at the school of telegraphy, Janesville, Wis.; Robert S., Eliza J. and Ralph Roy are at home. Mr. Root is a lifelong Republican politically, and he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church at Murray.
   The subject of this sketch is a great-grandson of Dr. Anson Root, an eminent physician in the State of Connecticut, where his entire life was passed. His son, Anson L. Root, grandfather of Anderson, was also a native of Connecticut, where he was reared, and where he married Miss Sally Brooks, also a native of that State. They remained in New England until after the birth of their son Charles T., father of our subject, then emigrated to Trumbull County, Ohio, during the earliest settlement of the Buckeye State. There Grandfather Root battled successfully with the elements of the soil, and from the wilderness built up a good homestead, where he spent his last days, The grandmother later removed to Michigan, and spent the remainder of her life with her son Nelson, in Berrien County, where her death took place Dec. 16, 1857.
   The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Connecticut, and went with his parents when they removed to Ohio. He staid in that State but three years, however, and then removed to Newaygo County, Mich, where he made his home until 1870, when he resolved to try his fortune in the new State of Nebraska, and came to Cass County. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah A. Laughlin, mother of our subject, who died in 1849. Mr. Root again married, but is again a widower, and is now engaged in farming in Cheyenne County, Neb.
   The mother of our subject was a daughter of James Laughlin and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Matthews. The father of James and maternal great-grandfather of Anderson Root, was Alexander Laughlin, a native of County Down, Ireland, where he was united in marriage with Sarah Gordon, of the same county. Prior to the War of the Revolution he emigrated to America, and settled in Western Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming, and there reared a large family. Tradition has it that he served in the Patriot Army for three years in the latter part of the Revolutionary War. He died June 25, 1822, at the age of fifty-nine years, and is buried in the Kinsman Cemetery, in Trumbull County, Ohio. Of the time of his wife's death we have no record.
   James Laughlin, son of Alexander, and grandfather of Anderson Root, was born in Beaver County, Pa., Aug. 10, 1791. He became a farmer, and while yet a young man removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was married to Rachel Matthews, and reared a large family. A man of unbounded enterprise and energy, he hewed out of the wilderness a good home, and acquired an ample competence for his declining years. On the breaking out of the War of 1812, imbued with the patriotic impulses of his sire, he enlisted as private in the United States Army, and served on the close of the war. Receiving an honorable charge he returned to the pursuits of peace,

died July 10, 1868, aged seventy-six years, eleven months and eighteen days. In politics Mr. Laughlin was originally a Whig, but on its formation joined the ranks of the Republican party, with which he ever after affiliated. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church.
   Rachel Matthews, wife of James Laughlin, and grandmother of Anderson Root, was also a native of Beaver County, Pa., and was a daughter of Deacon William Matthews, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and emigrated to America while a young man. With the innate love of liberty characteristic of the sturdy race from which he sprang, he entered the Continental Army, and for three years battled for the freedom of his adopted country. He fought until the close of the war, and with the return of peace and the assumed liberty of the Colonies, left the army, receiving an honorable discharge, and in the latter years of his life drew a pension. He had settled at Georgetown, near the mouth of the Little Beaver River, in Beaver County, Pa., to which he returned, and there he was married and reared a numerous family. In 1804 the patriot soldier decided to go farther West, and removed to a farm on what was then known as the "Center Road," in Trumbull County, Ohio, where he lived until he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-three dying in 1834, full of years and honor. For many years in Ohio he had been Justice of the Peace, an important office in that day and country. In regard to this venerable old pioneer we extract the following from "Historical Collections of the Mahoning Valley, Ohio," published in 1876:
   "The name of Deacon Matthews should be remembered and cherished, not only by his descendants, but by all the inhabitants of the township of Kinsman, Trumbull Co., Ohio, especially all those who are interested in its moral and religious improvement. In this regard his influence was greater and entered more deeply into the structure of society than that of any other of the first settlers of the town. He early established religious meetings and assemblies of worship on the Sabbath, where there were no clergymen present, as there was not except occasionally until 1813, and he always conducted the meetings. His attendance was a fixed habit, no matter what the state of the weather or roads. Whether hot or cold, wet or dry, mud or snow, he was in his place promptly at the hour of service. His venerable appearance always commanded respect, and his meek and unostentatious manner and fervency of spirit gave all who knew him confidence in the sincerity of the religion he professed."
   From such stock on both sides our subject drew those inspirations which have been his guide through life; of sterling worth, these hardy pioneers were well fitted to become the progenitors of a race embracing all those attributes which go to make up the best type of American manhood and womanhood. Prominent among their characteristics were deep religious convictions. and an unflinching loyalty and patriotism shown by them and their descendants in three wars -- the Revolution, 1812, and the great Rebellion.
   Anderson Root was born Aug. 14, 1842, in Trumbull County, Ohio, where he pursued his first studies in the district school, and became familiar with farming as carried on in the pioneer days. His education was completed by an attendance of one term at Jamestown (Pa.) Seminary. On the 7th of December, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret L., daughter of Robert and Eliza J. (Thompson) Snodgrass. William Snodgrass, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Root, was a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated to America when a small boy. He married Miss Margaret McMaster, and about 1800 located in Crawford County, Pa., when that portion of the Keystone State bore little evidence of civilization. He built the first farmhouse in his neighborhood, at a time when his nearest market was at Meadville, a distance of twenty miles away.
   Upon the Crawford County farm there was reared a family of five children, and there the grandparents looked their last upon the scenes of earth. Their son Robert was the eldest born, and spent all his life at the old homestead, dying there in November, 1887. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Root, still lives there, and has now arrived at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of four daughters, Margaret L. being the second born. William and Mary (Latta) Thompson, the

maternal grandparents of Mrs. Root, were natives of Ireland, and of Scotch ancestry. They came to the United States with their respected parents when mere children, and spent the remainder of their lives in Crawford County, Pa. They trace their progenitors to the Erskines, one of the best families of Scotland.
   Mr. and Mrs. Root were married at the old Snodgrass homestead in Crawford County, Pa., and lived there until September, 1865. Then deciding to cast their lot with the pioneers of Nebraska Territory they came to this county, and were residents of Rock Bluff Precinct seven years. Next they removed to the farm of the State Agricultural Society of Lincoln, over which Mr. Root had been appointed Superintendent, and there they lived three years. Mr. Root had in the meantime purchased 320 acres of land in Rock Bluff Precinct, to which he returned. Later he sold 100 acres of this, having now 220 acres, and is largely interested in the raising of cattle and horses.
   The Root farm and its appurtenances indicates on all sides the thoroughness and skill with which the land has been cultivated, and the good management of the proprietor. A large portion of the land is necessarily devoted to pasture, and the barns and outhouses are furnished with all modern conveniences for the shelter and care of stock. The residence is in keeping with the taste and means of the proprietor.
   During the late Civil War Mr. Root, in August, 1861, enlisted in the 2d Ohio Cavalry, and journeyed with his comrades through Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory, under command of Gen. Blunt. In 1862 he was in the Indian expedition under Gen. Weir. He met the rebels in several hand-to-hand conflicts, but escaped wounds and capture. He was, however, injured by the accidental falling of his horse upon him while at Columbus, Ohio, recruiting his regiment both with men and horses, and was obliged to accept an honorable discharge March 11, 1863.
   Mr. Root upon coming to this section of country was at once recognized as a valued addition to the community, and after filling many positions of trust, an otherwise indicating his ability for business and his integrity of character, was selected by the Republican party as their candidate for the State Legislature, and being elected, discharged his duties in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He has never indicated a desire for office, preferring the quiet of his farm and family. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has ever been a uniform supporter of Republican principles.

ICHOLAS THEIS for the last seven years has been industriously engaged in the cultivation of a good farm on section 16, in Plattsmouth Precinct, where he settled in the year of 1883. His career has been one of persevering industry, and he has ranked among the most thorough and skillful farmers along the northern line of Cass County. In addition to general agriculture he makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. He first settled in the county in 1878.
   Our subject traces his ancestry to Germany, which was the birthplace of his paternal grandfather, Adam Theis, who, upon reaching manhood, married Miss Susan Newell, and became the father of one child, a son Matthew. The latter, also born in Germany, married Miss Lucy Reicharth, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Adam, John, Joseph, Nicholas, Susan (Mrs. James Miller, of Sheboygan County, Wis.); Theodore, and Anna (Mrs. Theodore Baker, of Ozaukee County, Wis.)
   Matthew Theis, after his marriage and the birth of two children, set sail with his little family and his parents for the United States, arriving upon American soil in the year 1851, and making their way to Washington County, Wis. There they took up land and followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. The grandparents passed away a few years later. The parents of Mr. Theis are still living and continue residents of the Badger State. Their family consisted of seven children, six of whom are living, and residents of Wisconsin, Illinois and Nebraska.
   The subject of this sketch was born in Washington County, Wis., at the modest home of his par-