abounded in the water. Resuming their journey at nightfall they repeated the experience the following day. On a large beech tree they cut their names; our subject says he would give $50 for a small piece of that tree if he could get it now. They pushed their way onward, and soon found themselves at the delta of the Sabine, which they found to coincide exactly with the information they had received from the colored man who was so anxious to accompany them. The next problem that presented itself for solution was to pass the rebel fort without being discoverd (sic). After having suffered so much they were now confronted by one of the gravest difficulties. At the hazard of their lives they rowed past the piling along the side of the fort. It seemed as though their hearts were in their throats, and that they would never got past it, although they pulled at the oars like madmen.
   Having successfully passed the fort a new and hitherto unthought-of difficulty presented itself. They had no water to drink; the body of water on which they were was brackish, made so by the salt waters from the Gulf, so that they were enduring not only the pangs of hunger but of thirst also. They passed the wrecks of the steamers "Sachem" and "Clifton," that were wrecked by the rebels, the crews of which they had seen while imprisoned at Tyler, Tex., the place they were now fleeing from. After suffering everything but death in their perilous journey of sixteen days and nights, they at last beheld the United States man of war, named "Owasco," commanded by Capt. Pennington, lying some four or five miles out to sea. The wind blew a gale and the waves rolled fearfully, yet not to be deterred by these, they started directly toward the ships. As the waves would raise them to the crest they signalled the ships, a lifeboat was lowered from one, uniformed men and officers starting out to meet them.
   By this time our subject and his companion were so seasick and exhausted from their privations that they could not lift an oar. They were clothed in Confederate gray, and when they met the rescuing vessel the Captain greeted them thus: "Hello, Johnnies!" Roberts said: "Damn you, we are not Johnnies." Captain: "Well, who the devil are you then?" Roberts: "We're live Yankees from Tyler, Tex." Captain: "Do you know the officers of the "Sachem" and "Clifton?" They replied that they did. Our subject was so sick and weak he could scarcely climb the ladders lowered to the boats. He was so emaciated he could have easily spanned his waist. Upon stepping on board the vessel the reaction from the long-continued suspense was so great that Mr. Mills trembled violently, the first time in his life he had ever experienced anything of the kind. The ship on which they were received was the man of war "0wasco," commanded by Capt. Pennington.
   Our subject says his conception of heaven is no sweeter than the feelings he experienced when he found himself on board the "Owasco," after passing through the many perils and dangers in his journey from Tyler to freedom. The officers and soldiers on board the vessel vied with each other in showing deeds of kindness. Their clothing, which they had worn so long, was infested with vermin. It was taken away, and after a luxurious bath, and passing through the barber's chair, where they were shaved and had their hair cut, Mr. Mills and Mr. Roberts were provided with nice flannel shirts and officers' clothing. They were daily tendered princely receptions, and were allowed the freedom of the boat. After living this life for sixteen days, the United States mail steamer "Augusta Dinsmore" took them on board, and landed them in New Orleans, where they met the members of their old company who had been with them in Tyler, who had been exchanged and had arrived in New Orleans six days before our subject and his companion. Here our two companions in misery, Mr. Mills and Mr. Roberts, were obliged to separate, and they have never met since that time. Mr. Mills was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill., in June, 1865. Upon his arrival at New Orleans he had written to his home at Peoria advising of his safe return, the receipt of which was like a message from the dead, and many sad hearts were made happy.
   Mr. Mills was married, in 1867, to Miss Frances Morris, a native of Indiana. After their marriage they made their home for one year in Henderson

County, Ill., where they rented a farm. Like many other old soldiers he came to the growing State of Nebraska, in 1868, and settled in Elmwood Precinct. Their experiences were common with all other early settlers in this State; their hardships were no greater and no less. They have an interesting family of five children -- Lizzie, Hattie, James M., Joseph T. and Mabel. In 1869 Mr. Mills sold his homestead to Mr. Towle, and the same year purchased his present farm on section 8, where he has prospered and done well. Both himself and wife have worked hard and long, and in consequence they find themselves surrounded with comforts and a competency that will carry them through to the end.
   The father of our subject, James Mills, as well as his mother, were natives of Washington County, N. Y. Grandfather Mills served in the American Army during the War of 1812. The ancestors of both parents came to New York from Ireland and Scotland.
   Our subject has just purchased another tract of eighty acres of land, making him the owner of 280 acres in all. His farm is very valuable on account of its favorable location, as well as the many improvements thereon. He has planted a fine orchard, large quantities of shrubbery and ornamental trees, has two fish ponds well stocked with carp. His residence is large and roomy, his barns and cattle sheds are first class, and taken altogether, it shows that the gentleman is well informed and abreast of the times in the science of agriculture. He is a member of the G. A. R., and a strong Republican.

OHN WOLPERT. In the record following we have that of a man who has seen much of pioneer life, and has performed his part Jill in the development of a section of land in this county. Self-made in the strictest sense of the word, he from the beginning was dependent upon his own resources, acquiring early in life the habit of industry and perseverance, which served him so well in later years. He came to this county in the summer of 1871, and for a time worked around among the farmers, gaining among them a reputation for honesty and industry, which made friends for him wherever he went, in the spring of 1874 he settled upon the land which he now owns, and which, under his good management, soon began to assume the proportions of a comfortable homestead.
   A native of the Province of Baden, Germany, our subject was born Jan. 15, 1831, and is the son of Sebastian and Margaret (Kuhngamberger) Wolpert, who were also of German birth and ancestry. The father was a farmer by occupation, and the parental household was completed by the birth of six children, of whom the following survive, namely: Michael F., a resident of Detroit, Mich.; John, our subject, and Sebastian, Jr., of LaSalle County, Ill. The parents are deceased.
   Mr. Wolpert continued in the Fatherland until reaching man's estate, receiving a good practical education in the public schools of his native Province. March 23. 1852, he took passage at Havre on a sailing-vessel bound for the United States, and after an ocean voyage of thirty-two days landed safely in the city of New York. He was accompanied by neighbors, and after a very brief sojourn in the great metropolis, set out for Southern Ohio, and for two months was employed at gardening in the vicinity of Cincinnati. Later he migrated to Indiana, and spent about one year in the city of Indianapolis and vicinity. During his migrations he was by degrees learning to speak and read in the English language, and made very good headway. Finally returning to Ohio, he went up into the northeastern part of the State, and for a short time worked on a farm near Sandusky City. We next find him in Chicago, Ill. He there employed himself at whatever he could find to do, and later sojourned in various parts of the Prairie State, whence he finally came to Nebraska.
   It will thus be seen that Mr. Wolpert has traveled over a considerable portion of the West, and in his migrations he kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, gaining a good idea of the people of the United States, and the manner in which they carried on business. After becoming a resident of Nebraska, and ready to establish a fireside of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Exmaker, the wedding taking place in Cass County,

Feb. 10, 1874. Mrs. Wolpert, like her husband, was a native of Germany, and a lady possessing all the womanly virtues, being a faithful and devoted wife, a true and careful mother. There were born of this union three children, namely: Joseph, Nov. 21, 1874; Maggie, March 22, 1878; and Katie, April 17, 1880. Mrs. Annie Wolpert departed this life at the homestead in Mt. Pleasant Precinct, Dec. 14, 1884, leaving a most affectionate family to mourn their loss. They have sadly missed her since she passed away, and her name will ever be held in the tenderest remembrance.
   The farm of Mr. Wolpert was a raw prairie when he first took possession, without buildings or other improvements. In his career have been finely illustrated the thrift and prudence inherited from his ancestry. To the German nationality, Nebraska, as well as other Western States, is largely indebted for the development of her resources, and the subject of this sketch has in nowise been behind his countrymen in contributing his quota to the best interests of his adopted country, as a representative of her thrift and intelligence. Mr. W. cast his first Presidential vote for Fillmore, and is an unwavering supporter of Democratic principles. In religious matters he belongs to the German Catholic Church.

OHN G. HANSEN. The large and well-cultivated landed possessions of the subject of this sketch are finely located on section 11 in Avoca Precinct, to which the proprietor came and selected his claim when there was not a white man within sight. He was in fact the very first settler in this part of the county. and has been a resident of Cass and Otoe Counties since 1854 -- a period of thirty-four years. He pre-empted his present homestead of 160 acres in the fall of 1857, and for thirty years has given his time and attention to its cultivation and improvement. It is one of the finest bodies of land along the southern line of the county, amply watered by a branch of the Weeping Water. The home farm of our subject by no means comprises the extent of his possessions, for he is one of the largest land-owners in Cass County, his property probably embracing an area of nearly 800 acres. The most of this is very fertile, and largely devoted to stock-raising. At the homestead proper is a substantial stone residence, flanked by the other farm buildings indispensable to the modern agriculturist, together with the other surroundings of modern country life.
   A native of the Duchy of Holstein, Germany, our subject was born Sept. 18, 1828, of parents who were of pure German ancestry. His father, Peter Hansen, was a highly educated gentleman, and for years a teacher in the public schools of the Fatherland. Later he turned his attention to farming, and spent his entire life upon his native soil, passing away in 1846, when fifty-two years old. He had married in early manhood Miss Catherine Hussman, who is still living, and has now reached the advanced age of ninety-two years. She continues a resident of her native Holstein, and for some time has been afflicted with blindness. The household circle included nine children, four of whom are living, and residing mostly in Germany and the United States.
   Mr. Hansen began his early education in the schools of his native land, and when reaching man's estate joined the army, and participated in the Revolution of 1848. Later he was a soldier of the regular army of Denmark, and during those years of his military service saw considerable active fighting. He was still unmarried when in April, 1853, resolving to seek his fortunes on another continent, betook passage at Hamburg on the sailing-vessel "John Hermann," Capt. Hickman commanding. He had an unusually smooth voyage of six weeks and three days, and landed upon American soil in the city of New York. Thence he proceeded to Davenport, Iowa, where he employed himself as a farm laborer. He had been thrown upon his own resources early in life, and came to this country a poor man. After reaching Iowa he labored with genuine German thrift, prudence and industry, and in due time found himself in a condition to operate as his own man.
   Mr. Hansen decided to commence farming for himself on the soil of Nebraska, and coming to this county, July 3, 1854, began operating on land which he pre-empted. He kept bachelor's hall

until the summer of 1861, but on the 17th of June of that year secured unto himself a wife and helpmate in the person of Miss Wilhelmina Obernolte. This lady was born in the town of Detmold, Germany, Nov. 8, 1843, and is the daughter of Christ and Henrietta (Kahee) Obernolte, who came to America with their family in May, 1859, locating first in Cook County, Ill. Later they sought the farther West. and settled at Plattsmouth, this State, in 1860, where the father died the year following, aged sixty-eight years and nine months.
   The father of Mrs. Hansen was a bricklayer and stonemason by trade, at which he was employed from early manhood until his decease. The mother survived her husband many years, spending her last days with her daughter, and passing away Sept. 7, 1887, when nearly sixty-nine years old. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Hansen was a maiden of sixteen years when she came to the United States. and she remained under the home roof until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born nine children, one of whom died in infancy; Peter C. married Miss Maggie Burdis, and is farming in Cass County, Neb.; Emma C. is the wife of Henry Obernolte, and they live on a farm in Sibley County, Minn.; Simon, E. George, Helena A., Angustus F., Charles W. and Anna M. H. are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen are Lutherans in religion, and our subject, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket. In the construction of one of the finest farms of Cass County he has thus contributed to its general development and progress, and should by no means be left unrecorded in a work of this kind.

LAM K. PARMELE, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable at Elmwood, is one of the oldest settlers of Nebraska, coming here in 1857, and he has spent all but four years in this State since that time. He may be denominated a pioneer of this town, to whose upbuilding he is contributing much by his enterprise. He has quite an extensive livery establishment here, and is doing a thriving business.
   Our subject is a native of New York, born near Buffalo, March 1, 1833, and his early years were passed in the place of his birth, gleaning an education in the public schools. His parents, Quortus and Martha (Kincaid) Parmele, were natives of Pennsylvania, of English and Scotch descent respectively. The paternal grandfather was a farmer in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject studied medicine, and was graduated from some school, from which he received a diploma. He was a finished scholar, and subsequently adopted the profession of teacher. He was also a talented musician, one of the finest singers in New York State, and at one time taught singing school. He afterward entered the mercantile business, having a dry-goods store in Rochester, N. Y. His establishment was burned at the time of the Rochester fire, and he did not resume business in that city. In 1847 he moved to Chicago with his family, going from Buffalo on a sailing-vessel, the "Sandusky," by the lakes. In that city he was employed two years keeping books. At the end of that time he took up his residence in Mackinaw Township, Tazewell Co., Ill. His death occurred in that town in 1853. He was a man of good parts, of a vigorous mentality, and was in his day a man of prominence in his community. He was gifted with oratorical powers, and was a noted stump speaker in his native State, being a leader in the Whig party. To him and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Lydia, who died in Illinois; Calvin H., a banker in Plattsmouth; Ellen, now Mrs. Hutchinson, of Lincoln; Elam K.; Sarah, who died in Plattsmouth; Coraline and Martha; Allie lives in Weeping Water.
   Elam K. was fourteen years old when his parents moved to Chicago, and he attended the public schools in that city until the removal of the family to Tazewell County, two years later. When nineteen years of age he began life for himself, securing work in a foundry, and was in the employment of Mr. D. W. Wizner, driving a four-horse team for three years. He then went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, in the interests of a lightning rod agency, and was thus engaged for the ensuing five years.
   While in the employ of Mr. Wizner, who operated a sawmill, our subject drew the first load of timber to Bloomington that went into the Illinois Central Railway depot at Bloomington, Ill.

In 1857 he came to Plattsmouth, finding it but an insignificant place, amid wild surroundings, with a few rough houses, and the one store kept in a log house. He went into partnership with his brother in the livery business. They remained together one year, and then his brother disposed of his share to him, and our subject continued business alone, doing a prosperous business. In 1861 he went back to Marion County. Iowa, and established himself in the same business in the town of Knoxville, putting up a livery barn. He had it well fitted up with a good supply of horses, and was doing well, when a fire occurred in 1864, and everything was destroyed, barn, teams and all. This was a severe loss, and nearly ruined him financially, but with characteristic pluck, he was soon up and at it, setting up another stable, and gradually picked up his old trade. In the spring of 1865 he returned to Nebraska, driving across the country, and again opened a livery stable in Plattsmouth. He continued there until 1879, when he sold out, and moving to Saunders County, purchased 120 acres of wild land, a part of it improved, near Ashland. He there engaged in farming and stock-raising. But that venture did not prove successful, so at the end of two years he disposed of his property, and once more took up his residence in Cass County. He bought a farm of eighty acres in Elmwood, which was well improved, and had a large orchard. He managed it for two years, and did well financially. In 1874 he traded it for a livery stable in Greenwood. He went into partnership with another gentleman, but their connection proved disastrous, and in 1876 Mr. Parmele sold out. and in the month of April came to Elmwood to reside and do business. He soon erected his present commodious barn, 36x80 feet, with a windmill attachment to the well, sixty-three feet in height, and all the other appointments of a first-class livery stable, and he is doing an extensive business. He has erected one of the finest houses in the town, the one in which he resides, pleasantly located; it is well built and well furnished, and is provided with the modern conveniences.
   To the lady who presides over this beautiful home our subject was married in Iowa in 1858. She was at that time Miss Emily Marks, a native of McConnellsville, Ohio. She is a woman of fine tact and education, and pleasing disposition. To them two children have been born: Matt, who died in Plattsmouth at the age of two months; and Paortus, who was born in Cass County, March 19, 1870, and is at home with his parents.
   Mr. Parmele is well endowed mentally and physically, and his frank, obliging manners have drawn to him many warm friends, and he and his estimable wife move in the best society in this community. She is a sincere member of the Christian Church, and he contributes very liberally toward its support. He has a good capacity for business, and conducts it by strictly honorable methods. He is a straight-out Republican, and is influential with his party. acting as delegate occasionally at County or State Conventions. He has served on the Grand and Petit Juries in the court at Omaha, under Judge Dundey. Mr. Parmele is identified with the I. O. O. F., having joined the order at Knoxville, Iowa, during the war.

FREDERICK SCHOMAKER. One of the finest farms of Avoca Precinct is located on sections 1 and 12, and is well known as the property of Mr. H. H. Timm, uncle of on" subject. The latter is one of the most successful stock-raisers in the county, and owns 160 acres of good land in Berlin Precinct, Otoe County, which he purchased in the spring of 1881. He came to the young State of Nebraska in May, 1867, and has since made his home with his uncle, Mr. H. H. Timm, a prominent citizen of Avoca, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
   Mr. Schomaker came to this country a poor boy, "worse off than nothing" as he expresses it, having had to borrow money to pay his passage across the Atlantic. This debt was liquidated long ago, and his steady perseverance and industry have constituted him one of the prominent property-holders in this part of the country. He was born in Holstein, Germany, Jan. 31, 1849, and is the eldest son and second child of Peter and Anna (Lau) Schomaker, who are both now deceased. The father died in his native Holstein, in 1869, at the age of

fifty-two years. The mother after the death of her husband came to the United States with her four younger children, and they located on section 1 in Avoca Precinct, where the mother died July 25, 1880, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were good, honest people, although it was their lot in life not to be able to accumulate much of this world's goods. The father during his early manhood served as a soldier in the standing army of Denmark, and received the education common to the youth of Germany, being placed in school at an early age and pursuing his studies until master of them. He is remembered by his children as a kind and indulgent parent, and a man generally respected by his neighbors.
   Mr. Schomaker, our subject, received a very good education in his native Germany, and was a youth of eighteen years when coming to the United States. He took up his residence with Mr. and Mrs. Timm, with whom he resided and married their adopted daughter, Miss Christina Baumgartner. This lady was born at the homestead where she still lives, Jan. 22, 1860, and was the only child of her mother, who died when little Christina was but two years old. That excellent lady, Mrs. Timm, proved to her a true mother, and she was reared to become a good and intelligent woman. Of her union with our subject there have been born two children -- Katy M. and Edwin H. Mr. and Mrs. Schomaker are Lutherans in religion, and politically, Mr. S. uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party.

ACOB SCHLANKER is a fine representative of the farming community of Cass County, who has been instrumental in advancing her agricultural interests, owning and managing a large farm on sections 34 and 35, Stove Creek Precinct, with a substantial home on the former section, and neat barns, other outbuildings, stock-yards, etc., on the other section, across the street from his house. He was a pioneer of this precinct, and one of the first settlers on the prairie where he still lives, and in him this community has found one of its most trustworthy public officials.
   Our subject is derived from good German and French stock. His father Jerard Schlanker, was born in the vicinity of the beautiful, famous Rhine River, in one of the German Provinces. His mother was a native of Holland, but was married in Germany. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Mathias Schlanker, was born in France, and when he became of suitable age he entered the French Army and fought under the illustrious Napoleon during the memorable Russian campaign. He was a blacksmith, and after leaving the army he followed that trade, and became well-to-do. The father of our subject was also a blacksmith, as well as a farmer, and did very well at both callings. He likewise did military service, but with the Prussians, serving in the army seven years. On account of religious beliefs, he determined to emigrate to America, where he could have more freedom, and exercise his reason as he chose. Accordingly, in 1848, with that end in view, he embarked with his family at Amsterdam for Liverpool, where they boarded an American-bound sailing vessel, and a few weeks later landed in New York, He and his family proceeded to Iowa, going by way of Chicago to Freeport, thence on to Clayton County, Iowa, where he located near Clayton Centre, above Dubuque. Mr. Schlanker bought wild land, he being a pioneer there, cleared it and improved a very good farm with the necessary buildings, etc. He also set up a smithy, and was actively engaged at his trade for a number of years. In 1864 he sold out all his property in that place, and moved to Dubuque, where he lived in retirement until his death, at the advanced age of eighty years, he having accumulated sufficient money to enable him to spend his declining years in ease. His wife died in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1853. He was a man of liberal and progressive views, and was tolerant of others' opinions while holding tenaciously to his own convictions. He and his estimable wife lived respected and died regretted, as they were people of great worth. They were the parents of the following children: Peter and Catherine (deceased), Annie, Agnes, Paul, Verona and August B. (deceased), Jacob. August was a veteran of the Mexican War, in which he served until its close, and during the late Rebellion he offered his services again to his adopted country, enlisting in Dubuque