farmer, and though he never learned a trade, he was very proficient in the use of tools and did the most of his own carpenter work. He married in his native county, and continued to reside there until about 1848, when he sold his farm and moved to Iowa in the month of August, with a wagon and three horses, accompanied by his wife and four children. They had their cooking utensils with them, and when the shades of evening fell, or the sun marked the hour of noon, they camped and cooked their meals, and obtained needed rest. At length they reached their destination in Mills County, and there our subject took up a large tract of land. The country was sparsely settled, and but few improvements had been made in any direction. There were no railways, and all travel was done with wagons. We have spoken of the removal of our subject to Platteville not long after, and of his connection with the foundation of Plattsmouth. Besides attending to the ferry, which he established in the former place, and looking after his mercantile business, which he carried on in partnership with Mr. Martin, our subject was also associated with his brother William in raising stock, of which they owned a large herd. In the fall of 1855 Mr. O'Neill returned to his Iowa farm, and lived there for a year. He then came back to Cass County, and was a resident here the remainder of his days. He and his family settled west of the city, and he improved a valuable farm, on which he made his home until 1879. He then came to Plattsmouth, where he lived retired from the active duties of life until his death in 1880.
   Our subject undoubtedly was greatly indebted for his prosperous circumstances to the fact that he was blessed with a good wife, whose judicious counsels strengthened and encouraged him, while her helping hand was never withheld when he needed her assistance. Mrs. O'Neill's maiden name was Rachel Avery, and she was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1824. Her father, Hugh Avery, was, it is thought, born in Virginia, and he was a pioneer of Belmont County, where he died in 1826. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Gillen. She was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, but spent her last years in Hocking County, that State.Mrs. O'Neill's pleasant wedded life with our subject was blessed by the birth of eight children, as follows: Elizabeth (now the wife of William Herold, of whom see sketch), John H., William Albert, Lafayette, George, Lydia (now the wife of Theodore Bodine), Frank and Lewis.
   Mrs. O'Neill is one of the few first settlers of Nebraska now living, and her lively reminiscences of pioneer days are well worth listening to. She his witnessed the development of this great and prosperous State from a few struggling settlements on the wild, uncultivated prairie, sometimes threatened with extinction by hostile Indians, or from other causes. And the entire growth of the city of Plattsmouth, from one rude log cabin to hundreds of dwellings, some of them elegant and costly, and numerous fine business buildings that would do credit to many an older city, has all gone on under her eyes. She is well known, and is deservedly held in respect, not only as a pioneer, but for her own sake, as a woman of great sense and goodness.

AMUEL M. HOLDEN is an energetic farmer and stock-raiser, and operates a splendid farm of 160 acres on section 9 of Elmwood Precinct. He was born in Casco, Maine, March 27, 1840, where he resided with his father, attending the common schools of the town and three terms in the Academy. His earliest experiences in life were in the mercantile business, which his father pursued successfully in Casco. At the age of twenty-one, in answer to the first call for 75,000 troops, made in 1861 by President Lincoln, for the suppression of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the Union service December, 1861, and was assigned to duty in Company B, 1st Maine Cavalry, as farrier. He joined the regiment in camp at Augusta, where they remained three or four months, and in 1862 they started for the South and were attached to the Army of the Potomac. It is a historical fact that the 1st Maine Cavalry took part in more battles then any other cavalry regiment in the Army of the Potomac, participating in thirty-six engagements, being nearly all in which that army my was engaged. His first term of service expiring, he re-enlisted for three years. At the end of two years

he again re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment. In July, 1863, he was transferred into the Navy, where he served until the close of the war. His duty in the latter service was in the Revenue Marine, and confined principally to the Delaware River.
   After the assassination of our beloved President, Lincoln, the Commander of the Navy at Philadelphia was advised that Booth, the murderer, would attempt to make his escape by the way of that port, from the country on a British vessel. Our subject was one of the men who were detailed to capture him. They succeeded in capturing the boat, but Booth was not there. At the close of the war our subject was mustered out of the service and honorably discharged, when he returned to his home in Casco, where he remained about six months, when he determined to try his fortunes in the West. He went to Iowa County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. His first venture in Iowa was not a success, for there he lost $700, all he had in the world. Believing that Nebraska offered greater advantages than Iowa he had decided to make one more venture, and in December, 1868, he unloaded his wife, for he had married during the sojourn in Iowa, and worldly effects, which were few enough, on section 4, Elmwood Precinct, where he had homesteaded eighty acres of land in the spring of that year. After they located on their new home they suffered many hardships and endured many privations.
   While living in Iowa our subject met a young lady of eighteen, Miss Harriett E. Swyer, who became his wife in 1867, and removed with him to Nebraska. The union has proven an exceptionally happy one, and five children have been born to them: Abbie Eldora, Willie M., Helen, Ernest Lee and Frank. The daughter Abbie is now teaching school in Buell District; Willie attends the Academy at Weeping Water. The father of our subject, Samuel M., Sr., was born in Otisfield, Cumberland County, Maine. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Casco, Me., until 1888, when he retired from the business and still resides in Casco. The, mother was Abigail Hayden, and was born at Gray, Cumberland Co., Me. She died in 1887, aged seventy-nine years. A family of four children were born to his parents, named: Clara; Harriet, who died at the age of thirty-nine years, Samuel M. our subject, and Helen. Clara is now the wife of Frank Cook, Esq., and resides in Casco, Me.; Helen is a widow of a soldier who was killed in the late Rebellion and resides in Portland, Me. The ancestors of Mr. Holden were from England and originally settled in Massachusetts, from which State they removed to Maine.
   During the first year of his residence in Nebraska our subject, in common with a large number of other pioneers of the State, found many difficulties in his path, and he remembers particularly and refers with a grateful feeling to the favors and assistance extended him at that time by Mr. Horton, a citizen of Weeping Water who had preceded Mr. Holden to that locality. Owing to his losses in Iowa our subject did not have the means to pay cash for all his supplies, and had it not been for the kindness of Mr. Horton, who let him have necessary provisions on credit, he thinks he would have died from starvation. The payment for the supplies received was made afterward.
   Our subject takes a deep interest in the educational, religious and political advancement of the precinct and county. Every proposition that has for its purpose the prosperity and well-being of the people finds in him an earnest and hearty supporter. His farm with all its improvements is the legitimate result of his intelligence and industry. He is an excellent judge of stock, and in addition to his general farming he pays especial attention to raising thoroughbred cattle and hogs, and he is becoming well and widely known throughout the State as a breeder of Hereford cattle, of which he has a fine herd, at the head of which is the celebrated bull Gen. Terry. He usually ships to market one carload of hogs per year. He claims to own the finest herd of hogs in the precinct, and it must be admitted that he bases his claim on good ground.
   The good wife of our subject is a most excellent housekeeper and she ably seconds her husband in all his undertakings. Herself and husband are earnest and consistent members of the Congregational Church at Mainland. The gentleman is an active member of the School Board of district 65 and was active in the organization of that district as well as

No. 46. He has discharged in an acceptable manner the duties pertaining to the office of Justice of the Peace. He is widely known for his devoted support of the interests of the Democratic party. His record as a soldier is above reproach, and is a source of pride which is pardonable in him.

AMES W. BROOKS. As the village of Avoca moves on in the process of development there are inaugurated, one after another, the various interests which are calculated to insure its future. The subject of this sketch established himself as a grain dealer at this point in the fall of 1884, buying mostly for O. T. Hubbard, of Hiawatha, Kan., and handling usually on an average 150,000 bushels per annum. Mr. Brooks is a stirring business man, possessing the qualities required in the building up of a new farm.
   Prior to settling in Avoca our subject had operated as a lumber dealer at Allerton and Clio, Iowa, two years. He became a resident of the Hawkeye state with his father, in 1844, the latter taking up a tract of new land in the wilderness of Mahaska County while Iowa was still a Territory. To this point they had migrated from Orleans County, N.Y., where James W. was born Feb. 5, 1838, and was consequently but a child of six years when his parents emigrated to Iowa Territory. Thomas Brooks, the father, was a native of Virginia, born of parents who were also natives of the Old Dominion, and had been familiar with farming from his youth up. Upon leaving Virginia he settled in Adams County, Ill., and was there married to Miss Mary McMurray, a native of Kentucky. Her parents had left the Blue Grass regions when she was quite young, locating in Adams County, Ill., where later Mr. and Mrs. Brooks began the journey of life together on a farm.
   To the parents of our subject there were born five children, of whom he was the youngest. After the removal to Iowa they lived in Mahaska County until 1853, then changed their residence to Wayne County, where our subject attained his majority. The parents there spent the remainder of their days, both dying at the age of sixty-seven years. They were Methodists in religious belief, and most excellent and worthy people, respected by their neighbors, and conscientious in their lives. There were born to them in Illinois two children, while the other three were natives of the Hawkeye State.
   James W. Brooks received a good practical education in the public schools of his native county, and upon the outbreak of the Rebellion, with his two brothers entered the ranks of the soldiery, himself and his brother John in the Union Army, and the other brother, Joseph, in the service of the lost cause. James W. was a member of Company M, 3d Iowa Cavalry, under Capt. Warner and Gen. Curtis, and fought with his comrades at the battle of Pea Ridge. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was discharged, in November, 1862, from the cavalry, and at once re-enlisted in the 46th Iowa Infantry. After 100 days he received his second honorable discharge by special order, and returned home. Although experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he was neither wounded nor captured. His brother John F. was a member of the 2d Illinois Cavalry, and in one engagement was wounded and suffered amputation of his leg twice thereafter, which proved such a shock to his system that be finally died from the effects of it in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. He was brought home, and now fills a soldier's grave with many of his comrades in Corydon Cemetery, Wayne County, Iowa.
   After leaving the army Mr. Brooks, returning to Wayne County, Iowa taught school during tbe winter season, and farmed in summer until 1880. He then embarked in the lumber trade, and has been associated with lumber and grain since that time. He was married in Wayne County to Miss Eleanor Weagley. Mrs. Brooks was born in 1842, in Pennsylvania, where she was nearly reared to womanhood, and then went with her parents to Iowa. The latter were of German ancestry, and the father a farmer by occupation. Upon their removal to the Hawkeye State they located upon a tract of land in Benton Township, Wayne County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Brooks was a lady of many estimable qualities, and had received careful home training. After being the devoted and faithful companion of her husband

a period of twelve years she departed this life at their home in Benton Township, Iowa, in the winter of 1875. Of this union there had been born six children, two of whom are deceased, an infant who died unnamed and Nellie. Of the survivors the record is as follows: George A., a baker by trade is located in Central City, this State; Jessie is the wife of D. D. Callew, a farmer, of Clio, Iowa; Harry and Otto make their home with their father, the latter officiating as clerk for the firm of Graham & Wilkison, hardware dealers of Avoca.
   Our subject in 1877 contracted a second matrimonial alliance in Washington County, Iowa with Mrs. Sarah (Guinn) Sanders. The present wife of our subject was born in East Tennessee, in 1849. When she was quite young her parents, leaving the South, crossed the Mississippi and took up their abode in Washington, Iowa, where the father carried on farming, but later removed to Louisa County. He is now, with his estimable wife, living at Columbus Junction. Of this union there were born two children, one of whom, Roy D., died in infancy; Hattie makes her home with her father. Mrs. Sarah Brooks died at the residence of her father in Washington County, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1887.
   Mr. Brooks, without making any claim to be a politician, keeps himself informed upon State and National affairs, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., Avoca Lodge No 29, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

RSEMUS M. ANDRUS, Postmaster of the new town of Andrusville, is a man of note in the southwestern part of this county, and one who has entered largely into its growth and development. He owns and operates 320 acres of valuable land, and also conducts a country store, carrying a stock of probably $1,000 worth of miscellaneous goods suited to the wants of both town and country people. He has figured largely in local affairs, discharging the duties of the various offices, and has gained a reputation for energy and enterprise possessed by few. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and in the earlier years, during the progress of the Civil War, enunciated his principles in a substantial manner by enlisting in the ranks and assisting in fighting the battles of the Union. He has, in short, made for himself a record which his descendants may look upon in after years with pride.
   Of New England ancestry, our subject is the son of Darwin and Elizabeth (Andrus) Andrus, who were both natives of Rutland County, Vt., the father born in 1811. The family traces its ancestry to three brothers who crossed over from England during the colonial days, and from which sprang all the people of this name in America.
   The father of our subject when quite young left the Green Mountain State and settled with his father in the vicinity of Horseheads, Chemung County, N. Y. There he was reared to manhood, on a farm, and after reaching his majority started out for Bradford County, Pa., where he decided to settle. He took up a tract of Government land, upon which he labored successfully, opening up a good farm, which he sold in the spring of 1869, anxious now to see something of the farther west.
   Darwin Andrus upon leaving Pennsylvania migrated to Iowa County, Iowa, but only sojourned there three years, engaging in the meantime in agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he joined his children in Nebraska, where he spent the remainder of his days, passing away in March, 1883. The wife and mother had died in 1852 in Bradford County, Pa. The six children of the parental family were named respectively: Jerome H., who died when forty five years old; Hulda L., now living in this county; Mary L., deceased; Orsemus M., our subject; John E., of this precinct, and Sarah M., also deceased.
   Bradford County, Pa. was the early tramping ground of our subject, where his birth took place March 3, 1844. He was but a lad of eight years at the time of his mother's death, and two years later he was taken into the home of his sister, in the same county. With her he remained until twenty years of age. In the meantime the Civil War had been in progress three years with little prospect of a cessation of hostilities, and in the fall of 1864, before he was twenty-one years old, young Andrus enlisted as a Union soldier in Company H,

45th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, under command of Gen. Grant.
   Our subject first saw the smoke of battle at Petersburg, and later, while assisting to hold the fort at that place was wounded in the shoulder by a minie ball, April 2, 1865, and laid up in the hospital until the 23d of June. The conflict being now ended he received an honorable discharge and returned to the old home in Pennsylvania. Not long afterward he purchased fifty-four acres of forest in his native county cleared off some of the timber and carried on farming in a small way, while at the same time he also occupied himself at carpenter work. He retained possession of this land for some years. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Andrus was seized with a desire to cross the Mississippi and consequently migrated to Iowa. His sojourn, however, was but short, six months or so, and returning to Pennsylvania he occupied himself at farm work in his native county until February, 1869. Then returning to Iowa he operated on a farm a couple of years, in the meantime returning once more to Pennsylvania and selling his property there.
   Mr. Andrus first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in the fall of 1871, journeying hither from Iowa with an ox team. He crossed the Missouri at Plattsmouth, and proceeding directly southward to Tipton Precinct, this county, commenced farming on rented land. In the fall of 1872 he purchased the land included in his present homestead, 160 acres, of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company. Upon this a furrow had not been turned and there was no sign of a habitation, and he came here alone.
   The first business of our subject was to break his land. As time passed on he began planting forest and fruit trees, and the result is a flourishing grove of five acres, with an orchard of three acres. The present residence was completed in 1877. Two years later a postoffice was located on section 35, and Mr. Andrus was appointed the officiating agent. His labors as a tiller of the soil were abundantly prosperous, and in 1880 he added to his real estate by the purchase of eighty acres adjoining his first land. In 1886 he became owner of an additional eighth section, and now owns the whole north half of section 35. This land is very fertile and amply watered by a branch of the Nemaha. The fields are neatly enclosed with hedge and wire fencing. The buildings adjacent to the residence comprise a good barn and the other structures necessary for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. The whole is indicative of the industry and energy which must have been exercised in the construction of so valuable an estate.
   In 1883 Mr. Andrus established a store of general merchandise in connection with the postoffice, putting in at first a very modest stock of goods. The increased demand for these by the people around has compelled him to enlarge his facilities for trade, and he is now in the enjoyment of a good patronage. In his farming operations he makes a specialty of live-stock, usually buying and feeding annually two cars of swine and breeding high-grade Durham cattle. He utilizes three teams of horses for his own travel and farm purposes.
   Miss Mary A. Fuller, at that time a resident of Iowa County, Iowa, became the wife of our subject Nov. 15, 1877, the wedding taking place at her home in Genoa Bluff. Mrs. Andrus was born Oct. 24, 1852, in Tuckerton, N. J., and is the daughter of James and Hannah (Mathis) Fuller, who were natives of Vermont and New Jersey, respectively, and are now living in Iowa. Of this union there are four children living, namely: James D., George E., Flora L. and Harrison W. One son, Horace, died when one year old. Both our subject and his estimable wife are interested in religious matters, Mr. A. being a member of the Christian Church and Mrs. A. identified with the Congregational at Eagle. The Sunday-School has found in Mr. Andrus an industrious worker, he officiating as Superintendent and Secretary and otherwise laboring for the pious training of the rising generation. He is also one of the Sons of Temperance and belongs to Mansfield Post No. 54, G.A.R., at Palmyra. He has served as Assessor of Tipton Precinct two years, and represented it in the County Board of Supervisors three years. He has been a member of the School Board of his dist-

rict for fifteen years. In the spring of 1886 he was appointed a Notary Public for a term of six years. It would thus seem that he has few idle hours in looking after the various interests, both public and private, which have been assigned him. His career has certainly been that of a most useful and praiseworthy citizen, one who will leave his ineffacable mark upon a community who have learned to esteem him at his true value. His home is shown in a view on another page.

SHFORD H. MAGEE, President of the Village Board of Greenwood, is a man prominent in the affairs of his community, and one who has signalized himself as a public-spirited citizen, interested in the various enterprises calculated for the highest good of the people. He has been instrumental in the establishment and maintenance of schools, officiating as a member of the Board of Education, and there are few projects of this nature to which he has not given his cordial support. In the business world he operates as manager of the South Platte Lumber Company.
   We glance back at the family history of our subject and find that his parents, George and Delilah (Hardy) Magee, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and upon leaving the Buckeye State settled in Peoria County, Ill. There the mother died in 1862, at the early age of thirty-six years, leaving a family of five children, namely: William H.; Ashford H., our subject; James E., Noah T. and Harriet J. J. E. is a resident of Ashland, this State; Noah is farming in Elmwood Precinct, this county; Harriet J. is the wife of S. W. Foster, of Weeping Water.
   The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 6, 1844, at Smithville, Peoria Co., Ill., during the pioneer days of that section. His educational advantages were such as the common schools of that day afforded, and to the rude temple of learning he journeyed quite a distance from his home in the woods. His education was completed when he was a youth of sixteen years, and a year later the outbreak of the Civil War turned his thoughts in an entirely new direction. He had been imbued with patriotic principles from his birth, and it was not long until he made up his mind to assist in the impending struggle for the preservation of the Union. On the 9th of August, 1862, in response to the call of President Lincoln for 600,000 men, young Magee enlisted in Company E, 77th Illinois Infantry, under command of Capt. Edmund Stevens. They drilled at the camp in Peoria for a short time, and then went to Covington, Ky., departing Oct. 2, and reaching there four days later. Thence they marched to Louisville, where they embarked on a boat from Memphis and from there proceeded on down the river on boats to Vicksburg. Mr. Magee participated in the siege and capture of that city, and served under the command of Gen. Sherman, but being repulsed by the rebels were obliged to abandon the attack at that time. They then journeyed up the White River to Arkansas Post, until this division of the army could be reinforced by the troops of Gen. Grant, when they reopened the siege which resulted in the capture of the city.
   From Vicksburg our subject and his comrades moved upon Jackson, Miss., and after its capture returned to Vicksburg, proceeding thence in August to New Orleans. At this point the army was reorganized for the Red River expedition, and a part of it, our subject among the number, journeyed up the Red River to Brazos City and thence marched 400 miles, engaging along the way in numerous skirmishes with the enemy. At Vicksburg Mr. Magee distinguished himself for his bravery and was promoted to be a Corporal. In the battle at Mansfield he had a strange and dangerous experience. It had always been surmised that the regimental color bearer was a coward, and Mr. M. believed this to be true. Being himself one of the color guards, he foresaw that there would be hard fighting, in which his services might be needed. He was the only color guard of his regiment who served in this capacity during the battle of Mansfield and, strange to relate, he was the only appointed color guard that escaped capture or death.
   This battle was waxing hot when a retreat was ordered. Our subject, waiting until the last mo-