day until it is quite extensive and withal very remunerative.
   Dr. Stewart was married off the 22d of June, 1884, the lady of his choice being Mary E. McGee, the daugther of Thomas C. McGee, a former highly respected resident of Vesta. The above marriage has been blessed by the birth of a son, Charles E., who has brought with him to the home a brightness and happiness even greater and deeper than that which characterized it prior to his advent. Both Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are accounted among the most devout and earnest supporters of the cause.
   The Doctor is quite a politician, a starch Republican, taking the greatest interest in advocating the plan of American protection for American labor. He is a man of much public spirit, and a typical American citizen, progressive, enterprising and prosperous.

[NOTE: Compare the above to biography of Dr. Malcolm Stewart on p416, where birthyear is given as 1858!]

ARL HENRY BEETHE is one of the representative citizens and pioneers of Johnson County, and owns an excellently cultivated, fertile farm of 154 acres on section 34 of Todd Creek Precinct. It is a model farm in every regard, without being so dubbed. Other things being equal, its harvests are of a model order, and the success, financial and otherwise, of our subject is beyond question. He has resided upon his present farm since the year 1869, when he first came to the State. It was then in such condition as allowed him the largest possible scope for effecting any purpose he might have in mind, being in every way like unto the surrounding prairie. By constant application, energy and labor he has brought it to its present excellent condition of beauty and productiveness. His residence he built in 1876, and it is now one of the best in the district. He also erected a large and commodious barn, and put in new out-buildings, which was somewhat of a departure from and improvement upon the previous condition of things, not only upon his own farm but in the district generally.
   The subject of our sketch was born on the 15th of May, 1850, at Hessen, Germany. He was eight years of age when he was taken to DuPage County, Ill., by his parents, who took up a claim there. The schools of that county provided him with such education and mental training as gave him a good foundation for his after life. That it has not been lost upon him is seen from his ability in the management of his farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Sodmann on the 30th of July, 1876, and of their union six children were born. Their names are as follows: Sophia, Minnie, Christopher, Carl, Christine and Dedrich. Mrs. Beethe was born on the 4th of September, 1859, near Dubuque, Iowa, to John and Frederike Sodmann.
   Carl Beethe, the father of our subject, was born in Germany on the 7th of March, 1815. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Minnie Bueltemier. Their union resulted in the birth of twelve children, all but one of whom grew to maturity. The father came to Illinois in 1858 with his family, and in 1869 settled upon the farm he now owns, which he has made all that it is. He now lives a quiet, retired life, leaving to a son the care of the farm. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in political affairs stands with the Republican party.
   The subject of our sketch makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and high-grade stock, and has made a very careful provision with this purpose in mind, having every practical arrangement for rendering his work as effective, convenient and profitable as possible. He is the owner of a very fine Clydesdale stallion, weighing about 1,500, which has quite a reputation in the district. His herd of Short-horns numbers about sixty, all of them valuable high-grade stock.
   Mr. Beethe has made his way in the world almost unaided, and has been largely prospered in all his efforts. He is a man whose character has always been above suspicion, honorable, strictly honest in all business transactions, one whose word could at all times be taken. He has frequently held various offices, and has been both Supervisor and Assessor. In 1883 he was elected County Commissioner, serving the county with ability. He is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and in politics supports Republican principles. Frequently has he been called upon to represent the county as a dele-

gate to conventions and meetings, and he is enjoying the confidence of the people of the county, being everywhere held in high regard. For a view of his home see another page.

ONATHAN SOUDERS. Most of the best citizens of Nebraska are found among the members of the agricultural community, because being a comparatively new country they are in a large majority. Among those who first represent American citizenship is the subject of our sketch, the owner of a good farm of 160 acres on section 16, township 6 north, range 11 east, of Helena Precinct.
   The subject of our sketch is the son of William and Hannah Souders, and was born on the 8th of June, 1828, in Fulton County, Pa., in which State both his parents were also born. He is the oldest child born to his parents, and was reared to manhood, received his education and made his first start in life in his native State. From early boyhood he has been engaged in agicultural pursuits, and having had a natural liking for that kind of life has been quite successful in his labor.
   Mr. Souders has been twice married. His first was celebrated in Pennsylvania in 1852, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Hull, who was born in Maryland, and was the daughter of Abraham and Mary Hull. By this marriage he became the parent of four children, viz.: William A., Edward, John, and an infant who died unnamed. The first mentioned is the only one still living. The maiden name of his second wife was Jane Mullinix, the daughter of John and Susan Mullinix, of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Of the children of this union five are now deceased. We mention those who survive as follows: Annie, wife of Edward Chastain, of this county; Addie, Clyde, Lizzie, Albert B., Cora and Lewis. Those deceased were named Clarence, Daniel, Pearl L., Avery and Alvey.
   In the year 1869 our subject left Pennsylvania for the West, and located finally in Knox County, Ill., where he made his home and saw considerable success, remaining there until 1872; then he determined to make another removal, and came to this county in 1873, and settled upon his present property. The entire 160 acres he has brought to a very fine condition and has greatly improved it. His house and farm buildings are quite good, and his farm is well cultivated. He usually raises corn and oats, and sees good results accruing. A view of the place is shown on another page.
   Mr, Souders looks with pride upon the improved condition of things since the time he came to this State, and is glad to be able to remember that he has at all times been of such spirit as to do all he could to advance those interests. He is a member of the German Baptist (Dunkard) Church, as is also his wife. For the last ten years he has officiated as Deacon in that communion. He has for a number of years served as Moderator of the school district, taking an interest in his work. In politics he is in full accord with the Democratic party, and is a recognized supporter of the same. He is one of the representative pioneers of the county and a selfmade man, and is regarded by those who know him as a truly worthy and loyal citizen, and with his family is respected throughout the community.

[The SOUDERS article above was typed for NEGenWeb Project by John Rogers <jfrogr@alaska.net>. Thank you, John.]

ROSS HITCHCOCK, a young man of more than ordinary ability, is not only one of the educators of Johnson County, being a teacher in the public schools of Sterling, but he is also identifled with its agricultural interests. He is a son of Col. Nicholas F. Hitchcock, a banker of Sterling, and one of its leading business men, a sketch of whose life will be found on another page of this volume.
   Our subject was born in Perry County, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1863, and his boyhood was passed amid the pleasant scenes of his birthplace. He received an excellent, practical education in the public schools of his native State. In the early part of 1881 he came to Nebraska with his parents, who settled in Sterling, and in that year he began to utilize his "book learning" by entering the ranks as teacher at the age of nineteen years. Both by education and temperament he is peculiarly adapted to this profession, and he has met with gratifying success in its pursuit. He taught for some time in the schools