Church at Helena, and has been affiliated with that communion since her girlhood. Every member of this family is strongly attached to the Republican party, and actively engaged whenever occasion demands in the interests of the same.
   George Dorsey, the youngest son of our subject, was born in Indianapolis, Dec. 19, 1853. He was educated in the common schools, and afterward was engaged upon the farm. He is energetic as a business man, and of strictest integrity. He is at present selling musical instruments, and carries a stock of pianos and organs. This business he runs in connection with his farming, and has been very prosperous.

ITTS H. HOPKINS. The name of this gentleman is widely and favorably known throughout the city of Tecumseh and vicinity. As one of its prominent business men, he is largely interested in real estate, and owns a fine home on the corner of Broadway and Fifth street, besides the Queen City Hotel, which he has recently remodeled and enlarged. This is now probably the largest and best equipped house of its kind in the city. In former years Mr. H. was extensively interested in stock-farming, and still retains possession of a ranch of 1,000 acres, a part of which he purchased in 1867, and added to in 1881 and 1882. Upon this there are ample improvements, most of them effected solely by the industry and enterprise of the present proprietor. In addition to his cattle ranch he owns 180 acres of valuable land adjoining the city of Tecumseh on the north.
   In the summer of 1867 Mr. Hopkins came to this county and Pawnee and purchased for Mr. Hunt, of Illinois, 2,000 acres of land, at the same time entering quite a large body of land for himself and others, and in 1881, in connection with Mr. Hunt, established a ranch, which they operated three or four years. Mr. Hopkins purchased Mr. Hunt's interest in the stock, and in the meantime put up a fine residence and a barn, besides sheds sufficient for the accommodation of 400 head of cattle. Later he added two more dwelling-houses. Besides the care of his own cattle, he took cattle from other parties to pasture, and from these joint interests realized a handsome income. Until a year ago he kept a herd of from 300 to 400 head, then began selling off, and a considerable portion of the land is now devoted to general agriculture, although Mr. Hopkins still keeps quite a number of cattle and other stock. Mr. Hopkins has planted five acres of forest trees and has over 400 apple trees, half of which are now bearing fruit, and are in a flourishing condition. This farm lies about fifteen miles southwest of Tecumseh.
   The earliest recollections of our subject are of the modest home in the township of Sparta, Livingston. Co., N. Y., where his birth took place March 21, 1833. In 1840, when he was a little lad of seven years, his parents removed to Marshall County, Ill., where he attended the district schools. He completed his education in an academy at Elmwood, and developed into a teacher. He was occupied in this capacity two years, then began dealing in real estate in earnest. He had transacted considerable business in this line while quite a youth and before leaving school, at Dixon he gained a good knowledge of surveying.
   In April, 1854, Mr. Hopkins crossed the Father of Waters into Marshall County, Iowa, and opening an office in Marshalltown began dealing in real estate, entering over 90,000 acres of land for Eastern parties during the season of 1855. There also he officiated as a pedagogue, and was master of the first public school taught in Marshalltown, during the winter of 1855 and to 1857. He remained in that locality a period of five years, and realized from his real-estate transactions a good income.
   Our subject at the expiration of this time returned to Elmwood, Ill., where he continued his operations as a real-estate dealer, exchanging in some instances Iowa land for Illinois farms. In 1867 he came to Nebraska, entered his land in Johnson County, and operated in lands in Pawnee and Gage Counties. Eventually he bought fifty-two quarter-sections which he sold to Eastern parties, and was a number of years buying and selling at a lively rate, indeed, up to 1880. That year he turned his attention to live stock. He was in the meantime in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Companies, in

encouraging excursions to the Farther West, and subsequently operated with the Rock Island road in the same manner.
   Mr. Hopkins cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont, and has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He was at one time Deputy Sheriff of Marshall County, Iowa, and Notary Public. In this county he has been a member of the School Board. He has, however, no great desire for official honors, while at the same time willing to serve the people when he can do so in a manner calculated to advance their interests.
   Thirty-two years ago, on the 13th of November, 1856, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Delia M. Robins, of Rosefield, Peoria Co., Ill. This union resulted in the birth of three children, one of whom, Orlo Anson, died at the age of fifteen years, in Elmwood, Ill.; Lewis R. is in Peoria County, Ill.; the daughter, Lucy Ethel, is at home with her parents. She is well educated. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Bristol, Conn., May 20, 1833, and is the daughter of Henry and Eliza (Hart) Robins who were natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. When quite young she moved with her parents to Illinois, they settling on land in Rosefield, Peoria County, where she lived with them until her marriage. Later they removed to Elmwood. The mother died about 1854. Mr. Robins survived his wife for a period of twenty years, his death taking place in July, 1875. He was born at Rocky Hill, Conn., in March, 1801, where he lived until reaching manhood, then took up his residence in Bristol, where all his children were born. In 1840 he removed with his family to Rosefield. Ill., where he purchased land and carried on farming in connection with his trade, that of a carpenter. His first wife died in 1854, and he was subsequently married again. Of this last union there was one child, a son, Charles S. He and his first wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later he identified himself with the Congregationalists.
   Henry Hopkins, the father of our subject, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 16, 1800. He moved from there when a young man of eighteen or twenty years to Livingston County, N. Y., where he worked as a carpenter, and on the 30th of September, 1830, was married to Miss Esther Collar. They became the parents of eight children, only four of whom lived to mature years. He worked at his trade until 1840, then moved to Marshall County, Ill., where he took up land and carried on farming in connection with carpentering. He sold out in 1848 and returned as far as Lamoille, Bureau Co., Ill., where he purchased town property and contracted to lay a plank road from Lamoille to Peru. With this end in view he built a sawmill, manufactured his own plank for the road, and was employed three years fulfilling his contract. At the expiration of this time, on account of failing health, he sold the mill and retired from active business. In the fall of 1856 he went up into Minnesota, and died at Faribault in Rice County, in the fall of 1858. The wife and mother had entered upon her rest at their home in Lamoille, on the 19th of August, 1848.
   The parents of our subject were most excellent and worthy people, and members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather, Pitts Hopkins, was a native of Massachusetts, where he spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the time of the mother's death, in 1848, occurred the death also of two sisters and a brother, this terrible affliction falling upon the survivors within a period of six weeks. All the others, with the exception of the father, were likewise at the time very ill.

ULIUS L. YOUNG, Clerk of Johnson County, is a resident of Nemaha Precinct, and was formerly largely interested in grain and agricultural implements. He represents a fine property in this part of the county, including 700 acres of land, stocked with a goodly assortment of cattle and horses. Of this he became the possessor in 1883, when it was in its primitive condition. The transformation which he has effected during a period of five years is really marvelous, as now may be seen all the accompaniments of the model country estate, a fine residence with convenient out-buildings, the fields laid off

with neat and substantial fences, and everything about the premises indicating the exercise of industry and ample means. Without question this is one of the leading stock farms of Johnson County, and in addition is also one of its most attractive homesteads.
   Mr. Young was elected to the office of County Clerk Nov. 2, 1885, and re-elected in the fall of 1887. This fact is sufficient indication of the manner in which he has discharged his responsible duties. His integrity is unquestioned, and both in social and business circles he occupies the position of the trusted citizen and official.
   A native of Mercer County, Pa., Mr. Young was born Dec. 31, 1842, and when a lad ten years of age accompanied his parents to Illinois, they settling of a farm near Galena, in Jo Daviess County. After emerging from the common school, Julius L. attended Rock River Seminary, at Mt. Morris, where he completed his studies. Not long afterward, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted Sept. 23, 1861, with the Fremont Rangers, in an independent battalion formed in St. Louis, Mo. He engaged in active fighting at Wood's Fork, Hartsville, Chalk Bluff, Bayou Metoe and Little Rock, Ark., and did considerable scouting west of the Mississippi under the command of Gen. Davison. In his capacity as a Union soldier he traveled over considerable ground in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, and after a service of three years and four months received an honorable discharge and was mustered out Dec. 31, 1864. He was never wounded in battle but suffered his full share from privation and hardship, together with a broken shoulder, caused by a wounded horse falling upon him at Little Rock, Ark.
   After retiring from the service Mr. Young came directly to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of land in Todd Creek Precinct, this county. Here he effected considerable improvement and lived until 1868, when he changed his residence to Elk Creek, selling his farm and engaging in the grain business. In the meantime he was Secretary of the Grange Shipping Association until his election to the office of County Clerk. He also dealt in agricultural implements, doing an extensive business and commanding a lucrative patronage. He put up a fine store building and established the first and only elevator at Elk Creek, and handles from 400 to 600 carloads of grain annually.
   On the 4th of June, 1883, Mr. Young purchased the south half of section 2, in township 3, range 11, Pawnee County, to which he subsequently added, until his landed possessions assumed the present fine proportions of 700 acres. He usually keeps about 100 head of cattle, besides horses, mules and swine. In addition to his farming interests there are few leading enterprises in which he has not taken an active part, and for a period of three years he officiated as Secretary of the Board of Trade, besides holding other positions of trust and responsibility. Prior to the war, and while a resident of Galena, he made the acquaintance of him who was afterward Gen. Grant, an episode in his life which he looks back upon with great satisfaction. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity about 1870; is at present connected with the Mile Lodge, Furnas Chapter No. 9, and Mt. Horeb Commandery No. 10. He is also a K. of P. and a member of the G. A. R. In all of these he holds office and has been a prominent and efficient worker.
   Miss Caroline S. Matson, of Jo Daviess County, Ill., became the wife of our subject March 26, 1871. Of this union there have been born seven children. Five are now living, namely: Victor T., Clarence L., Ernest E., Edith W. and Paul Q. Mrs. Young was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill., and is the daughter of A. C. and Mary (Jagger) Matson, who were natives of New York and England, and are still living, being residents of Cloud County, Kan. Mr. Matson was a farmer by occupation, and the parental family consisted of six children. Mrs. Young acquired a common-school education and remained with her parents until her marriage. John T. Young, the father of our subject, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1804. He remained a resident of his native State until fifty years of age, then moving to Illinois with his family, purchased a farm in Jo Daviess County, where he spent the remainder of his life, building up a beautiful home and a fine property, including 227 acres of land with first-class improvements.
   He had married in early manhood Miss Nancy J. Allison, a native of his own county in Pennsyl-

vania, and to them were born ten children, nine of whom, seven sons and two daughters, lived to mature years. One son was killed in battle at Chickamauga when fifteen years old. Six of the sons served as Union soldiers during the late Civil War. The parents, while residents of Pennsylvania, were connected with the Presbyterian Church, but after coming to the West identified themselves with the Methodists. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Young are being carefully reared and educated in a manner befitting their station and surroundings.

EWIS G. HALL. This honored pioneer of Johnson County looked upon Nebraska thirteen years before it had been admitted into the Union as a State, first crossing the Father of Waters in August, 1854. He was then a youth of nineteen years, and made the journey from Bureau County, Ill., with his parents, crossing the Missouri River on a flatboat, it what is now the flourishing town of Peru, but what was then a collection of wooden structures designated is houses. The place was then called Mt. Vernon.
   The father of our subject in making his way to Nebraska Territory, came with the determination to stay, and persevered through every difficulty. These he realized were many and great, but he possessed the disposition which admitted no such word as "fail." He settled with his family on a tract of land lying along Honey Creek, two miles south of the present town of Peru, and there Lewis G. remained with his parents until his marriage. To go back to the early life of our subject, we find that he was born Nov. 14, 1835, in Bureau County, Ill., and received the education common to the youth of that time and place. After marriage he settled with his young wife in sight of a little town called London, in this county, where he had pre-empted 160 acres of raw prairie land. Here the young people began their wedded life, and lived in true pioneer style for a period of twelve years. They labored industriously early and late, and Mr. Hall succeeded in making good improvements, setting a fine grove of forest trees with an orchard and the smaller fruits, laying fences and bringing the land to a fine state of cultivation. Indians were quite plentiful, but gave the pioneers little trouble or apprehension. Their lives passed quietly and uneventfully until the outbreak of the Civil War, when Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of three children. Notwithstanding his home ties, our subject considered it his duty to enlist in defense of his country, and on the 1st of November, 1862, became a member of Company F, 2d Nebraska Cavalry. This regiment was assigned mostly to duty on the frontier, and engaged principally in Indian warfare. Mr. H. enlisting only for a year, received his honorable discharge at the expiration of this time, and returned home.
   In the fall of 1866 our subject concluded to change his location, and accordingly selling out, moved to Arago, Richardson County, where he engaged in milling and lumbering, and put up one of the first flouring-mills in that region. He resided there three years, then located in the western part of Nemaha County, engaging in milling and farming combined. This experiment proved very successful, and he remained there until becoming a resident of Johnson County in the fall of 1876, and settling at Butler's Mills, where he still prosecuted the business above mentioned, and lived until purchasing, in the fall of 1881, the land constituting his present farm. It bore little resemblance then to its present condition, being a tract of uncultivated prairie without a shrub or a building.
   Mr. Hall, when purchasing this land, had become accustomed to pioneer scenes and experiences, and entered with courage upon the task of its subjugation. He now has a model homestead with tasteful and buildings, a fine large frame residence set in the midst of shrubbery and groves, a thriving apple orchard, and the smaller fruits in abundance. Each year finds some new embellishment adding to the attractiveness and value of the property. Mr. Hall of late years has given his attention largely to the breeding of fine stock, including half-grade cattle, Hambletonian horses and Poland-China swine. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Hall, deciding that he had contributed his quota toward the development of the agricultural interests of Johnson County, retired from active labor, and moving into Elk Creek, invested a portion of

his capital in agricultural implements. His two sons, William H. and John, are now operating the farm. The former married Miss Fidelia Puryear, of Johnson County, Neb.
   Mr. Hall is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and, with his excellent wife, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he has officiated as Class-Leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. The high character of the man is known and recognized throughout the count with whose business and agricultural interests he has been closely identified for a long period. Liberal-minded and public spirited, he has ever been foremost in those projects lending to elevate the people.
   Mrs. Johanna (Horn) Hall, was born in Cass County, Ill., Aug. 21, 1839, and is the daughter of Joel and Emily Horn, who lived there until about 1851. Thence they removed first to Missouri, and later to Nebraska. Mr. Horn was one of the pioneer farmers of this State, and died in Missouri when about seventy years of age. The wife and mother passed away about 1862.
   John W. Hall, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1808, and when quite young emigrated first to Indiana and then to Illinois, settling in the latter State near Galena with his parents. He occupied himself as a teamster in the lead mines, and the family lived there until the Indian outbreak, when they started eastward, intent upon seeking a place of greater safety. They had reached LaSalle County, the home of a friend, Mr. Davis, when the Indians overtook them and massacred all in the house with the exception of Mr. Hall and two of his sisters. They were made prisoners, and two weeks later the sisters were sold to another tribe. John W. made his escape with two brothers, and finally reached Bureau County, Ill., where he settled and lived until 1851. The sisters were sold to another tribe of Indians, who returned them to their friends. Mr. Hall was married to Miss Mary L. Swan, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom lived to maturity. As soon as Nebraska Territory was opened up to settlement, they came in and located near the present site of Peru, where Grandfather Hall continued to reside until about two years before his death. He then removed to Nebraska City, where he spent his last days in retirement. He was a man of deep piety, and a local preacher of considerable repute, working early and late in the Master's vineyard, and being a devout member of the Methodist Church. He carried on farming extensively, and acquired a good property. Grandmother Hall was a most efficient helpmate to her husband, sympathizing with him in the Christian work. She was a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of William Swan, who emigrated to Illinois during its pioneer days.
   Franklin L. Hall, the eldest son of our subject, married Miss Caroline L. Waidley, and is carrying on farming in Todd Creek Precinct; he is the father of three children. Emma F. is the wife of Granville C. Brittain, farmer of Todd Creek Precinct, and the mother of four children; W. H. Hall was married to Miss Fidelia Puryear, and they have one child, Edgar. The other children of Mr. Hall continue under the home roof, and have been given the training and education suitable to their circumstances and position in life.

EORGE GOERING. Among the farmers and stock-raisers of Lincoln Precinct few are more practical or prosperous than the subject of this sketch, whose farm is situated on section 12, township 5 north, range 12 east. He was born in Germany on the 1st of April, 1854, and is the son of George and Barbara Goering. His father is deceased; his mother resides in Illinois. He is the third son of four boys, and one girl born to his parents. His education, which was obtained in the schools of his native country, is fairly complete, and so far as it went was thorough.
   Our subject was about eleven years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. The ocean passage extended over fourteen days and they landed in New York City, from whence the family proceeded immediately to Bureau County, Ill., where the father died in 1882. Besides our subject there are four children of Mr. and Mrs. Goering living, viz: Jacob, still residing in Bureau County, Ill.; Henry, of Platte County, Neb.;

Sibella, the wife of Louis Kumpf, of Bureau County, Ill., and Phillip, who resides in the same county.
   From early childhood our subject was brought up on a farm, and as early as was possible was given such tasks to perform as were within his power, and as the months and years passed by these were insensibly increased, until he was abundantly capable of taking any part of such work and performing it properly, or indeed, to undertake the entire management of a farm.
   On the 25th of January, 1877, Mr. Goering was joined in matrimony with Katie Wunder, by whom he has become the parent of six children, whose names are given as follows: Henry, George, Frederick, Emma, John and Louie. Mrs. Goering was born in Illinois, May 20, 1859, and is the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Wunder, of Bureau County, Ill., and natives of Germany.
   Our subject is the owner of 160 acres of good land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He takes rank among the best farmers in the precinct, and may be justly proud of the success that has attended him, for he has effected what has been done almost entirely minus the usual aids given by parents and others, and is truly a self-made man. In politics he is a Democrat, clearly understanding and fully appreciating the liberties, privileges and government of his adopted country. He is identified with the Evangelical Church, as were also his parents, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. They are much esteemed members of society, and are recognized as capable and valuable members of the community.

OSHUA J. VETTER. Among the names of the early pioneers of Nebraska will be found that of the gentleman whose life is herein briefly sketched. He is the owner of an excellent farm, comprising eighty acres of well-tilled, arable land upon section 10 of Nemaha Precinct; this he works along the line of general farming and stockraising. In 1876, when he settled thereon, it was raw prairie, and he has brought it to its present state of cultivation by his continued assiduous, intelligent effort. Near his dwelling he has set out a fine orchard, containing over 150 apple trees, besides various other fruits, and also has some five acres of thrifty, well-developed forets trees. The grade of cattle chiefly engaging the attention of our subject as most valuable is the Polled-Angus.
   When Mr. Vetter first came to the district he settled south of the town, living there for two years. In 1873 he went to Fillmore County and took up a homestead claim, which he kept until he came to this precinct, where he has made his residence continuously from that time. He has long held the position of school officer, and being deeply interested in educational matters has so attended to the various duties of the office as to win the admiration and esteem of the community. He is an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R.
   Berrien County, Mich., is the place of the nativity of the subject of this writing. He was ushered into life on the 5th of April, 1840, and continued to live in his native county until 1871. In the common schools of his native place he received a good practical English education, the course of study covering all the branches usually studied at the time. In 1861 he enlisted in defense of the old flag, on the 15th of September of that year becoming a member of Company K, of the 12th Michigan Infantry. He went through the following engagements, viz: Shiloh, Iuka, Middleburg, Tenn., Natchez, Vicksburg, Little Rock, Ark., besides an endless number of lesser engagements and skirmishes. He was mustered out at Little Rock on the 4th of May, 1865, and returned to Michigan.
   Mr. Vetter celebrated the 4th of July of the year 1867 in right royal style, being united with Miss Sarah A. Hazen, of Buchanan, Berrien Co., Mich., in the bands of wedlock. Of this union four children have been born. Their names are recorded as follows: Dora B., Arthur W., Effa Blanche and Myrtle O. Dora is now Mrs. George Thomas, of Firth, and is the mother of one child, to whom has been given the name Floyd. Mrs. Vetter is the daughter of Ezra Hazen, and was born on the 7th of August, 1850, at Buchanan, making her home with her parents until the auspicious Fourth of

July when she united her life with that of our subject. Her father was a native of the Buckeye State, who in the early days of Michigan's settlement migrated thither. He was the father of thirteen children, of whom his daughter Sarah was the youngest.
   Jacob Vetter, the father of our subject, was born in Steucot, Wurtemberg, Germany, in the year 1799; there he lived until after his marriage with Miss Rachael Waggoner. Upon coming to America he staid for a short period in Philadelphia, and then removed to Michigan and later to Chicago, Ill., when it was a small town. In that vicinity he took up forty acres of land. Upon this land is now erected the well-known Union Depot, which is not only the finest in the city, but will compare most favorably with any depot in metropolitan centers in the country. Owing to sickness he determined to return to Michigan, where he owned a farm of some 160 acres, all well improved, situated about fifteen miles from St. Joseph, and also land where Ann Arbor now stands. He died in 1854, being fifty-five years of age. His wife departed this life at St. Joseph in the year 1845.
   The subject of our sketch is a prominent citizen and a very ardent supporter of the Republican party, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the community, and is one of the most successful and practical farmers in the county.

AVID C. CONKLIN, of Helena Precinct, is meeting with fair success as a farmer and stock-raiser, and is operating 160 acres of good land occupying the southwest quarter of section 32. He is a self-made man in the strictest sense of the term, having been entirely dependent upon his own resources since starting out for himself in life, and in the hand-to-hand struggle with the elements of the world has made a fair record, meeting with a goodly measure of success. A native of the Keystone State, he was born in Susquehanna County, July 1, 1827, and is a son of Leonard and Margaret (Weymer) Conklin, who were born in Orange County, N. Y. The parental household of our subject included a family of six children, of whom the following survive, namely: David C., our subject, was the eldest; Esther, the wife of Lemuel Vangelder, of Wayne County, Pa.; Thomas, a resident of Pawnee County, this State; and Rebecca, the wife of John Ressequie, living in Wayne County, Pa. The parents spent their last years in Pennsylvania, and the father followed farming all his life.
   Mr. Conklin was reared to manhood in his native State, and received such education as was afforded the youth of his day under a school system vastly inferior to that of the present time. He was trained to habits of industry from his youth up, and shortly before reaching the twenty-fifth year of his age began making arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own. The most important event leading to this end was his marriage, which occurred Jan. 10, 1852, the maiden of his choice being Miss Almeda Dickey, who was born Feb. 27, 1833, in Susquehanna County, and reared not far from the home of her husband. Her parents, Walter and Sally (Ressequie) Dickey, were natives of Connecticut, and the father a farmer by occupation. They spent their last years in Pennsylvania.
   Mr. and Mrs. Conklin commenced the journey of life together in a modest home in Pennsylvania, where our subject commenced farming. His plans, however, were broken in upon by the outbreak of the Rebellion, and in September, 1862, laying aside his personal plans and interests, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 137th Pennsylvania Infantry, becoming a part of what was designated as the Fatigue Corps. He was for a time under the command of Gen. Hancock, and fought at Fredericksburg and Antietam, besides meeting the enemy in other minor engagements and skirmishes.
   His regiment operated mostly in Maryland and Virginia. Mr. C. served six months, and received his honorable discharge in February, 1863.
   After retiring from the army Mr. Conklin resumed farming in Wayne County, Pa., where he resided for a time, then changed his residence to Luzerne County. In the latter he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with which he was connected for a period of seven years, attending mostly in the, shipping department. He was thus occupied until the fall of 1879, then, with a desire to see something of the Great West, crossed

the Mississippi, and coming to this county, located first in Nemaha Precinct. Thence he removed in the spring of 1883 to his present farm. This comprises 160 acres of good land in a highly productive condition, and which, under the careful management of its present proprietor, yields bountifully the rich products of Southern Nebraska. With the assistance of his faithful and industrious wife he has accumulated a comfortable property, with something for a rainy day and his declining years, He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. A man quiet and unostentatious in his demeanor, he is remarkable chiefly as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, who gives his support to the cause of religion and education, and in all respects deserves the appellation of an honest man and a good citizen.
   To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born ten children, three of whom--Mary, Orin and George--died at a tender age. Of the survivors the record is as follows: Lovisa is the wife of John Daugherty, a resident of Scranton, Pa.; Nina, Mrs. C. H. Pickering, lives in Tecumseh, this county; Melissa married Edwin Mills, and together with her brother William, resides in Denver, Col.; Friend, Floyd and Ella are at home with their parents.

UDGE JOSEPH W. BUFFUM. The subject of this biography is widely and favorably known throughout this county as one of its most prominent and useful citizens. He is a lifelong agriculturist, but of late years has been giving his attention to live stock, carrying on his operations at a beautiful farm and homestead of 160 acres, on section 17 in Todd Creek Precinct.
   A native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, our subject was born May 9, 1834, and when three years of age went with his parents to Knox County, Ill. They settled upon a tract of land, where the father engaged in farming, and where were spent the boyhood and youth of Joseph W., during which time he acquired a good practical education, and became familiar with the various employments of rural life.
   The years of young Buffum were thus spent in a comparatively uneventful manner until the notes of civil war startled the country, and its young men began by hundreds to offer their services in defense of the Union. On the 11th of August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company G, 83d Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He first saw the smoke of battle at Ft. Donelson, and was thereafter engaged in many of the important battles of the war, experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, and at Clarksville, Tenn., was wounded in the left leg, and made a cripple for life. He has never been able to walk since that time as other men, but succeeded in getting around slowly by the aid of crutches, and for the past eight or nine years has been able to abandon their use. This occurred in the spring of 1865. Mr. Buffum was confined at Ft. Bruce, and after the close of the conflict received his honorable discharge at Chicago, Ill., in July, 1865, and was mustered out of the service. His army experience was similar to that of thousands, and has been recorded in a history that will never grow old to the American people.
   After being relegated to the ranks of civil life Mr. Buffum returned to his old home in Knox County, Ill., for a brief period, and entered his father's store in Yates City, where, however, he remained only a short time, until starting for the West. He left the Prairie State on the 1st of April 11, 1868, and reached Nebraska twenty days later, settling in Tecumseh, where he resided for about twelve years. While residing there he improved the land of which he had become owner before leaving Illinois. Upon this there had been no attempt at improvement, and Mr. Buffum pursued thereafter the course common to the Nebraska pioneer, battling with the difficulties of a distant market, imperfect farm implements, and the various other drawbacks which beset the new settler. He was possessed, however, of the sturdy courage and perseverance incident to the men of those times, and allowed nothing to deter him from his purpose of building up a homestead on the soil of Nebraska. After putting in his first crops he began planting shade and fruit trees, erecting the buildings most urgently needed, put out several acres of forest trees and a large peach or