specialty of graded cattle, keeping good breeds of Durhams. Mr. Bell was married at the home of the bride in Lincoln, Neb., June 14, 1831, to Miss Maude E., daughter of Alexander and Augusta Conlee, of Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Bell began their wedded life together in Vesta Precinct, and are now the parents of three interesting children--Ethel A., Ralph E. and Gladys M. The family residence is a substantial and tasteful frame structure, handsomely furnished, and indicating both within and without cultivated tastes and ample means. The family is very prominent, socially, and Mr. Bell, politically, votes and labors in support of the principles of the Republican party. He possesses considerable musical talent and is a leading member of the Vesta Cornet Band. His land is under a thorough state of cultivation, is well watered and highly productive. He has all the modern farm machinery, including an expensive windmill and all the other appliances required by the modern and progressive agriculturist. In building up one of the most valuable farms of Johnson County, he has contributed this much toward its prosperity and development. He is held in high regard both as a citizen and as a business man, a thoroughly representative member of an intelligent and progressive community.

OSEPH M. CATHCART. Among the successful agriculturalist of Johnson County, who have grown up with it since its earlier history, is the subject of this writing, who is well and favorably known throughout the county, and is a resident on section 21, township 6 north, range 12 cast, of Spring Creek Precinct, where he owns 116 acres of good land. He was born in Jefferson County, Pa., on the 5th of July, 1842, and is the son of Clark and Margaret (McSparran) Cathcart, both of whom were born in that State. His father, who is now residing in Decatur County, Kan., was born in the year 1812.
   The subject of our sketch is the eldest living son of the family, and lived in his native county until he had reached his fifteenth year, when he went with his parents to Rock Island County, Ill., where they settled. There also in 1865 the mother died, and subsequently the father came to Otoe County, but after a short sojourn removed to Kansas, where he has been from that time. In the district schools, and mostly in the winter months, our subject received what education he has obtained, which, however, was only sufficient as a groundwork, to which he has by care and reading added as he was able, until he has become a well-informed and fairly read man.
   On the 1st of September, 1861, Mr. Cathcart enlisted in Company H, of the 37th Illinois Infantry, which was attached to the Western Army, first under Gen. Fremont, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and numerous other engagements of greater or lesser note. During the period of his military experience, which was of three years' duration, he was under fire eight times. He received an honorable discharge on the 1st of October, 1864, after which he returned home to Illinois, and after a short rest and vacation re-enlisted, in the 2d Regiment of Veteran United States Volunteers, under the command of Gen. Hancock, but owing to the war closing as it did they were not engaged with the enemy. They were, however, continued in garrison duty until February, 1866, when they were discharged, twelve months from the date of enlistment.
   The subject of our sketch came to this county in the spring of 1866, taking up as a homestead claim the land he still owns. He settled upon it in May and turned the first furrow, beginning to improve and cultivate the land, which he has brought to a very high state of productiveness and cultivation by his energy and intelligent labor. He his supplied it with the usual necessary buildings, all well planned and substantially constructed, besides which he has provided the many implements and machinery without which it is impossible to operate properly such a farm.
   January 25, 1869, was the occasion of the celebration of the nuptials of Mr. Cathcart and Amy Ficken, to whom there have come nine children, whose names are recorded as follows: Addison C., Franklin F.. Henry F., Margaret M., Ernest E., Archibald A., Walter J., Martha M., and Mary, who

is deceased. Mrs. Cathcart is the daughter of Nicholas and Frances Ficken, and was born in Missouri, Dec. 7, 1850, and until her marriage made her home with her parents.
   When our subject emigrated to Nebraska from Illinois there were two parties besides himself, viz, his brother, William Cathcart, and a cousin, George Cathcart. They came together with two wagons and teams, bearing their worldly possessions, farm implements, cabin utensils, etc. The journey from Rock Island County, Ill., to this county occupied two weeks, but was filled with pleasing incidents en route. They erected a small frame dwelling, standing 14x16 feet, alld constructed out of cottonwood lumber. This with some slight additions served for himself and family until about four years ago, when he built his present residence.
   Mr. Cathcart is an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., at Talmage, and is at present filling the position of Sergeant Major of the post, and his wife is just as enthusiastic is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. Politically, our subject is a Republican, and as such is deeply interested in the questions from time to time before the people. He is serving his district as Moderator, and for a number of years was School Treasurer. His pleasant home with its neat and tasteful surroundings is shown on another page.

ENRY W. JONES. This gentleman has extensive stock interests, and is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Nemaha Precinct. He particularly favors horses of the well-known and extensively used Hambletonian stock, and breeds among the best in the county. In previous years he has been quite active as a general farmer, but has been gradually retiring from that department. His farm, which adjoins the limits of Tecumseh, is one of the finest of the district, and until he sold part of his property on section 21 was also among the largest. A view of the place is shown on an accompanying page.
   The history of Mr. Jones in this State dates from 1866. In that year he took a claim under the Homestead Law in Helena Precinct, where he lived for about eighteen years, making all needed improvements, bringing the soil to a high state of cultivation, erecting an excellent house and the usual farm buildings. He has put out a fine grove of forest trees, and has planted an orchard that will compare favorably in point of quality and quantity of bearing with many much older properties. Part of the farm is carefully wired, and the remainder is supplied with it well-kept hedge by way of fencing.
   Selling his first acquired property in 1884 for $6,000, Mr. Jones bought the farm upon which he now makes his home, which overlooks Tecumseh, is within easy distance of the city, and offers a fine view of the surrounding country. All the buildings upon the farm, except the dwelling, have been built by our subject. He takes great pride in his farm, and is careful to have it equal to if not superior to those in the vicinity.
   Henry W. Jones, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ross County, Ohio, on the 15th of December, 1838. Until he was sixteen years of age his home was made with his parents, who gave him the opportunity of obtaining a fair English education. At the end of that period he migrated to Illinois, and there alone in the world he started to make his fortune. He began by working on a farm in Logan County, Ill., and there continued for fourteen years. While thus employed he was married to Clarrissa Shasteen. The union was celebrated on the 25th of March, 1858; there have been born to them four children, who are still living, and whose names are given as follows: Mary, Annie, Edward and James.
   Until he came to this State our subject continued to live in Illinois. Since his settlement in Nebraska, however, he has made much progress in the work to which he set himself, and may fairly boast considerable progress. Usually he votes the Republican ticket, feeling more at home with the principles of that party than any other, and at all times ready to engage actively in its interests.
   Of the children of our subject Mary is now Mrs. John Stollard, of this county, and is the mother of six children, whose names are as follows: Birdie, Henry, Milo, Wilber, Edward, and one who died in