litical economy Mr. Finzer is governed by the same principles as those advocated by the Democratic party, of which he has from the first been a member. As a family, that of our subject is greatly esteemed and respected in the community.

OHN R. WHITNEY. Among the men who have reflected honor upon the reputation of Johnson County, none are more worthy of representation than the subject of this sketch. He crossed the Mississippi from Illinois in the fall of 1865, while Nebraska was still a Territory, and took up his abode first in Nemaha County. He battled with the elements of the primitive soil in that region about one year only, then changed his residence to this county, homesteading 160 acres of land on section 7, Spring Creek Precinct, where he still resides.
   Mr. Whitney labored in true pioneer style for the development of his land, placing fences and erecting buildings. gathering gradually together farm machinery and stock, and in due time found himself on the high road to prosperity. At different times he invested a portion of his surplus capital in additional land, and is now the owner of a half-section. His possessions are the result of his own industry and good management, as he received no inheritance, except his strong hands and willing heart. He has taken an active interest in the progress and development of his adopted county, contributing as he has had opportunity to her progress and welfare, serving as School Director for nine successive years, and being the first man to occupy this position in his district. He is essentially one of those comprising the bone and sinew of the great commonwealth of Nebraska. Notwithstanding he has labored long and accomplished wonderful results, he is still in the prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness.
   The 5th of July, 1832, witnessed the birth of our subject in Washington County, Ohio, at the modest home of his parents, John and Sarah (Chapman) Whitney. They were of New England birth and parentage, and came of a patriotic race, who were found in the ranks of the American soldiery during the struggles of the infant Republic in its assertion of independence. Nathaniel Chapman, a maternal uncle of our subject, especially distinguished himself in the War of 1812. To John and Sarah Whitney there were born eleven children, of whom the following survive, namely: William, a resident of Henry County, Ill.; Advent, of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary J., living in Colorado; Amarilla, the wife of Randolph Coburn, of Morgan County, Ohio; John R., our subject; Boilston S., of Page County, Iowa, where Henry and George B. also reside; Eliza S., now Mrs. Johnson, who resides in Bennet. Lancaster Co., Neb. The two deceased are Nathaniel and James G., who died in Dakota and Ohio, when about fifty and thirty-three years, respectively. Nathaniel was a physician, and James was a minister. The father departed this life at his home in Ohio, Jan. 6, 1849, when middle aged. The mother twenty years later contracted a second marriage, with George Brown, of Ohio, was again left a widow, and remained so until her death. She died at the home of her daughter in Ohio, Nov. 7, 1885, when nearly eighty-three years of age.
   Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving his education in the pioneer schools, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits as carried on in the Buckeye State. It is hardly necessary to say that his advantages in nowise corresponded with those afforded the young men of today. He was at an early age taught those habits of industry and principles of honor which have been the secret of his success in life. He has followed farming continuously, being content with the quiet of country life and its peaceful pursuits. Upon leaving home in the spring of 1853, he made his way to DeKalb County, Ill., bound to see something of the world, and for a time was employed there on a farm, at $12.50 per month; the gentleman who employed him was Robert Robb, now a resident of Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Neb. He was first married in April, 1857, in DeKalb County, Ill., to Mrs. Lucinda Hainer, nee Maltby, who was born in New York State. They settled in Boone County, Ill., and became the parents of five children, who are now comfortably settled in life, and located is follows; Delbert in Sterling, this county; Annie, the wife of Noel Crook, in Nemaha County; Alva L.

in Spring Creek Precinct, this county; Harmon and Eddie G., at home with their father. Mrs. Lucinda Whitney departed this life at her home in Spring Creek, Nov. 18, 1885.
   Our subject contracted a second matrimonial alliance, March 31, 1887, with Mrs. Julia Biggs, nee Elrod, who was born Nov. 15, 1834, in Montgomery County, Ind. Mrs. Whitney is the daugther of John and Sarah (Stultz) Elrod. Her parents were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and are now deceased. Our subject continued a resident of Boone County, Ill., until coming to Nebraska.

ILLIAM FULLER, one of the earliest pioneers along the southern line of Johnson County, has become wealthy from the soil of Nebraska, and is owner of one of the finest farms in Todd Creek Precinct, which, in addition to all the modern improvements, includes one of its handsomest residences. Mr. Fuller is an extensive landowner, having besides the homestead farm 160 acres in Pawnee County, Neb., and the same amount in Decatur County, Kan. He is a self-made man, one who has worked his way to his present position in life by industry and perseverance, and at the same time his career has been such as to gain him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
   Mr, Fuller came to the young State of Nebraska in the month of May, 1868, and first purchased a half-section of prairie land in Lincoln Precinct. He labored upon it for a time, although not putting up any buildings, being then a single man, and boarding with a neighbor. In the spring of 1870 he sold this land and purchased that which he now occupies, taking possession in the spring of 1871, and commencing the improvements which have made it one of the most valuable estates in the county. It was then an unbroken prairie, with not a tree or building, and it has taken years of labor and thousands of dollars to bring it to its present condition. The farm is enclosed with beautiful hedge fencing, the fields being divided with the same, and the effect upon the landscape is delightful to behold, Mr. Fuller planted ten acres of forest trees together with an apple orchard, and all kinds of the small fruits. The farm of late years has been chiefly devoted to stock-raising, including graded Short-horn cattle, of which our subject buys and sells largely each year. He is also working his way toward a fine stock of horses, mostly Clydesdales, and also to Poland-China swine.
   Mr. Fuller from the first has been a prominent man in his community, although carefully avoiding the responsibilities of office. Liberal and public-spirited, he is foremost in encouraging the enterprises tending to the welfare of the people around him, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. In religious matters he has been identified with the Free-Will Baptist Church for several years. He is a man in the prime of life, having been born Sept. 13, 1840. His boyhood home was eight miles South of the city of Peoria, Ill., where he lived until a young man of twenty-one years, acquiring a practical education in the common schools.
   Soon after the outbreak of the late Civil War young Fuller hastened to the defense of the Union, enlisting in Company I, 32d Illinois Infantry, and under the command of Gen. Grant fought at Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, and was in other important battles of the war. At Pittsburg Landing he was wounded in the right arm and conveyed to the hospital in St. Louis, whence soon afterward he returned home on a furlough. His wound was slow in healing, and he was obliged to accept an honorable discharge for disability. As soon as sufficiently recovered, however, he again entered the ranks in his old regiment, and marched with Gen. Sherman to the sea. Mr. Fuller hall the happiness this time of serving as a soldier until the close of the war, when for the second time he received his discharge and was mustered out.
   Our subject now took up his residence in Logan County, Ill., where he carried on farming two years, then sold out, and resolved to cast his lot with the pioneers of Nebraska. With them he fought grass-hoppers and drouth, and the many other difficulties which beset the people of this region during the early days. Looking around him now, not only at his own beautiful home, but the homesteads