they being on the road ten weeks. They arrived at their destination in November, and spent the winter following after the manner of most pioneer's in that lonely region, enduring many hardships and difficulties. The journey thence to Nebraska was made in a similar manner. Upon their arrival in this county their nearest neighbors were four miles away, and Indians were still to be seen at intervals roaming over the country.
   Among other distinguishing traits in the character of Rev. Rogers was his strong advocacy of temperance principles, of which he made a practical application in his daily life. He refused to sell his corn to shippers when it was likely that his neighbors might need it for provision. He would often sell to the poor, and allow them to pay for it whenever they could. His life from beginning to end was the exponent of a practical Christianity, which consisted in not letting his right hand know what his left was doing.
   Mr. Edgerton came to Nebraska with a capital of ten cents in his pocket, and has battled with sickness and other misfortunes, but in spite of all has made a good record, accumulated a comfortable property, and has enough to enable him to live at ease in his declining years. He is methodical in his business transactions, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all respects has acquitted himself as an honest man and a good citizen.

AMUEL S. BECKER, one of the early settlers of Table Rock Precinct, as a farmer of more than ordinary intelligence, practical ability and enterprise, holds an assured position in the agricultural community of Pawnee County, and he and his family occupy one of the pleasantest and most attractive residences of the precinct mentioned. His fine farm on section 26, township 3, range 12, which he has developed from the wild prairie, is well stocked, well watered, and in point of cultivation, neat and tasty farm buildings, and other valuable improvements, compares with the best in this vicinity.
   Our subject is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford County, Feb. 8, 1832. His parents, John P. and Teressa (Adams) Becker, were likewise natives of the Keystone State, their birthplace being in Adams County. In 1842 they removed with their family to Canton Township, Stark Co., Ohio, and there cast their lot with the pioneers who had preceded them, and hewed out a farm for themselves from the wilderness. Mr. Becker first erected a log house for the shelter of his family, and later replaced it by a more commodious frame house. He subsequently moved with his family to South Bend, Ind., and there died in 1862, at the ripe old age of seventy-four years, His wife died in 1859, aged about sixty-seven. Besides carrying on farming, he was engaged as a miller for many years. He and his wife were devoted members of the Catholic Church, and their daily lives being guided by high Christian principles, they were well worthy of the esteem and respect in which they were held by all who knew them.
   He of whom we write was one of a family of eleven children, of whom nine lived to maturity. He was ten years old when his parents migrated to Ohio, and there he received a good, practical common-school education. He accompanied his parents to Indiana, and lived in their home until he was twenty years old, Then, filled with the high ambitions of youth, being strong, vigorous and self-reliant, he set out to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California, in 1852. In company with eight others from Michigan, with four teams, containing the usual loads, he crossed the plains, passing through this part of the country when there were no settlements this side of the Missouri River, going through where now stands Seneca, Kan., and Marysville, on the old trail. They were six months on the road, and at Salt Lake City, which had then been in existence but six years, they abandoned their teams, and proceeded on their way with pack horses, arriving at their destination in Placerville, in the Golden State, in September. Our subject went right into the mines, and was very successful in his search for gold. He continued to reside there for eighteen years, and a part of the time was engaged in business quite extensively as a carriage and wagon manufacturer, and a blacksmith. He was very prosperous, and

built up a fine home on a beautiful plat of land, embracing twenty-two acres in the suburbs of Placerville, that even at that time cost $2,200. He erected a good house, planted a vineyard, and made many valuable improvements besides.
   While on the Pacific Coast Mr. Becker's marriage to his amiable and accomplished wife was consummated Sept. 28, 1861, and their union has been blessed to them by the birth of two children, George E. and May N. They have been given every advantage afforded by the State for a fine education, having attended the elementary schools here and High School at Pawnee, and the State University at Lincoln, and they are now numbered among the most intelligent and progressive instructors of the West. They both have fine musical educations, and both teach that branch in connection with their other duties. The son now holds the position as Principal of the Burchard High School. The Professor began his career as an instructor in a school west of Pawnee, and being very successful there he was offered a school South of Table Rock. From there he went to Long Branch, and from there to become Principal in the Elk school, after which he accepted his present position. Miss May N. Becker is teaching very successfully the ninth term in the home district, besides having taught in other districts. For several years during vacation in the summer months she has successfully taught music, in her own neighborhood and also in the eastern part of the county. Mrs. Becker's maiden name was Carrie McConkey, and she was born in Ohio, July 21, 1845.
   Her father, John McConkey, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and during his residence in that State was married to Margaret Franc, in Guernsey County. She was a native of that county. She was a well-educated lady, and united with the Presbyterian Church. Her husband was at the early age of nine years, also a member of the same church. Mr. McConkey was for over twenty years an Elder in that church, and they both remained consistent members during their lives. They spent their last years in Nebraska City, Neb., and are buried there.
   John McConkey, his daughter, Mrs. Becker, and her two brothers, in company with other relatives, made the overland trip to California during the year 1859, and it was there she met Mr. Becker. Mr. McConkey and wife were both upright people, who were respected by their neighbors and friends for their many sterling qualities of head and heart.
   Mrs. Becker is entitled to an M. D. after her name, as she has been practicing medicine for eighteen years, and according to the testimony of her neighbors his been very successful, and shows marked skill and tact in her treatment of the various diseases that she has had under her care. She has a recognized standing in the medical profession of Pawnee County, is she has been registered since the law requiring registration by those practicing medicine. Site keeps abreast of the times in regard to the best methods of treatment, taking the latest medical journals and having the best books in her library.
   In 1870, Mr. Becker, accompanied by his family, left California to make his residence in this State for the future. They lived in Nebraska City for ten months, and then our subject purchased his present farm, comprising 160 acres, and has dwelt here ever since. In improving his land he has been greatly assisted by his wife, a woman of rare energy and ability. She helped him to plant all the beautiful trees and shrubbery that adorn the grounds around the house, and has otherwise aided him in his schemes of improvement. Mr. Becker has put out ten acres of forest trees and a fine orchard, and has hedged the orchard and garden, and a part of his fields. He has plenty of small fruits, besides raising the cereals planted in this part of the West. At first he sold all of his grain to the home market, but is soon as he could he stocked his farm, and now feeds his grain. He keeps hogs of a fine breed, and has a valuable herd of high-grade cattle, having a thoroughbred Short-horn at the head of his herd. Ever since, they came here Mrs. Becker has paid especial attention to raising fowls, having an extensive hennery, and has raised from 300 to 500 chickens every year, and a large number of other fowls. When our subject first came here he built a small house, which he replaced in 1888 by his present commodious and handsome residence, which, indeed, in point of architecture, neatness, tasty and convenient arrangements of the interior, is a model farmhouse,

besides being one of the most homelike homes in the community. The house is 26x28 feet in dimensions, of an L shape, with a stone cellar, and is well supplied with all the modern appurtenances for making life comfortable. It is well furnished, and is well supplied with books, music and musical instruments, denoting the educated and refined tastes of the family.
   Mr. Becker is a man of marked decision of character, is enlightened in his views, possesses an acute and observing mind, and being a great reader, is well informed on all topics of interest. He has taken part in public life, having until within a few years been an incumbent at different times of the various school offices in his precinct, and thus did much to further the cause of education. He has been solicited to take other civic offices, but has refused to serve in any other capacity. During his residence in California Mr. Becker was active in public life, and he was one of the leaders of the Republican party in that section of the country after its formation, and helped to organize the first Republican Convention at Placerville, El Dorado County, and has been a delegate to various conventions since, remaining to this day a firm supporter of the party. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance, as is also his wife, and during their residence in California were both members of, and workers in the same lodge, even in the early days of his California life, in a whisky time and town, when a free use of intoxicating liquors was the rule rather than the exception; he worked hard to form the Sons of Temperance Club, of which he held the different offices. His wife, son and daughter are likewise strong adherents of the cause of temperance.

RANK H. TAYLOR. The Table Rock Argus came under the editorial and proprietary control of Mr. Taylor on the 14th of May, 1887, since which time it has been recognized as among the leading newspapers of Pawnee County. Mr. Taylor is a Western man by birth and breeding his native place having been Sturgis Prairie, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where he first opened his, eyes to the light Nov. 5, 1858. Five months later his parents returned eastward as far as Williams County, Ohio, where Frank H. sojourned until a young man of twenty-four years.
   Mr. Taylor acquired his early education in the common schools of the Buckeye State, and while still a youth began learning the art preservative in the office of the Bryan Press. He remained with his first employer two years, then migrated to Morris, Ill., entering the office of Gen. P. C. Hayes, with whom he also remained two years. He then returned to Ohio, and at Delta engaged in the newspaper business as editor and proprietor of the Delta Avalanche, which he conducted a year or so, then returned to Bryan, and was with the Democrat of that place four years.
   During this period of his residence in Ohio our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Thomas, Dec. 31, 1882. Mrs. Taylor was born Aug. 31, 1852, in Delaware County, Ohio. Soon after their marriage they set out for the West, and settled at Clarinda, Iowa, where he sojourned fifteen months. We next find Mr. Taylor as an employe of the Omaha Republican in this State, and from there he came to Table Rock in the spring of 1887 and purchased the Argus, which under his successful management has become almost indispensable to the people of this region. Mr. Taylor is a man of much natural ability, and being genial and companionable has made hosts of friends. He is straightforward in business transactions, and while doing his duty at the polls, and with his paper in behalf of Republican principles, uniformly avoids the cares and responsibilities of the office-holder. In religious matters he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a faithful laborer in the Sunday-school.
   William Taylor, the father of our subject, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1833, and remained a resident of his native State the greater part of his life, although sojourning for a time both in Michigan and Indiana. The parental family included three children, all of whom are living: William S. is a compositor on the Argus; Novilla A., the wife of Samuel Diehl, and living in Bryan, Ohio. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, on the outbreak of the Civil War indicated his patriotism

by enlisting as a Union soldier in Company K, in an Ohio regiment. He proceeded with his comrades to the front, where he was taken ill and sent home to die six weeks later. The bereaved mother was thus left with two young children, the third one having been born ten weeks after its father's death.
   The mother of our subject kept her little family together as best she could, and is still living, remaining a widow and making her home at Bryan, Ohio. She was in her girlhood Miss Margaret Lewis, and was born in Northampton County, Pa., Nov. 27, 1835. She removed to Ohio with her parents when quite young. Her father, Nathaniel Lewis, was a contractor and builder, and spent his last days at Bryan, Ohio, dying about 1859.

BRAHAM SOVEREIGN, who is well known throughout Plum Creek Precinct and vicinity, although only a resident here of about three years' standing, has by his natural abilities and excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, established himself in a prominent position among the leading men of his community. He is the owner of a valuable tract of land, finely located on section 1, upon which he is effecting all the modern improvements calculated to make it one of the most desirable country homes in the county. In these worthy efforts he is assisted by his estimable wife, a lady of more than ordinary worth and intelligence, and who is his uniform helper and encourager in all his worthy ambitions and enterprises. Few homes are more pleasant or desirable, it being a place where both friend and stranger are welcomed with that cordial hospitality ever indicafive of birth and breeding.
   Our subject received his first impressions of life in the picturesque regions of the Province of Ontario, Canada, having been born near the city of Hamilton, April 20, 1820. His father, John Sovereign, was a native of Essex County, N. J., and married Miss Julia Lefler, who, like her son, was a native of the Dominion and also born in Ontario.
   The paternal grandfather, David Sovereign, was born and reared in New Jersey, whence he removed to Canada about 1798, being one of the first settlers of the Province of Ontario, where he occupied himself in farming and spent his last days there. The great-grand father of our subject was of German birth and ancestry, and upon coming to the United States located in New Jersey. The Leflers were also of German origin, and the maternal grandfather of our subject prosecuted farming in the Dominion the greater part of his life.
   John Sovereign, the father of our subject, was a lad ten years of age when his parents removed from New Jersey to Canada, and he assisted in driving a herd of cattle from the old to the new home. A 200 acre farm was cleared from the wilderness and the Sovereigns became well-to-do, operating a sawmill in connection with agriculture, and surrounding themselves with all the comforts of life. When about twenty years of age John Sovereign served as a soldier in the War of 1812 in the British Army. Adjacent to the old home there grew up the town of Waterford, and there he looked his last upon the scenes of earth, passing away in 1876, when over eighty years of age. The mother of our subject died when only forty years old, in 1840. The parental family included ten children, namely: Isaac, who died when about seventeen years old; Phebe, Mary; Abraham, our subject; Louis; William, who died at the age of thirty-rive; Rufus, Frederick, Marion and Israel. Eight of these are now living, making their homes in the United States and Canada.
   Reared upon a farm, our subject grew up strong of muscle, healthy and active, and imbued with the principles which have formed the basis of a character of more than ordinary worth. His assistance was required in the building up of the homestead, and he was thus deprived of extended school advantages. When a youth of seventeen he left home and made his way to the vicinity of LaPorte, Ind., where he commenced farming for himself on rented land. Later he drifted into stock-raising, was successful, and became the owner of 130 acres, which he improved and continued to live upon until 1860. Then selling out he removed to the vicinity of Independence in Buchanan County, Iowa, where he purchased an improved farm of 200 acres. This he sold in the fall of 1864, and invested a portion of

the proceeds in a flouring-mill in Clinton Township, LaPorte County. The year following he was married there, but in the spring of the year 1865 sold this property also and made his arrangements to take up his abode in Grant Township, Caldwell Co., Mo. Here he purchased land to the amount of 500 acres, the greater part of which he cleared, brought the soil to a good state of cultivation, and engaged largely in stock-raising. At the same time he effected modern improvements, putting up buildings and setting out fruit trees. He was not, however, yet satisfied with his surroundings, and accordingly in the spring of 1886 left Missouri and came to this county, having purchased his present farm of 320 acres the year before. Upon this also he has effected mainly all the improvements which have made it valuable. He has fenced and cross-fenced, turned every rod of the soil with the plowshare, and that which is not devoted to pasturage yields in abundance the other rich products of Nebraska. He has an orchard of 100 trees and the various other accessories of the well-regulated country homestead. Stock-raising forms a prominent feature of his operations, blooded Short-horn cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland-China swine being his favorite breeds. In this industry he excels, and often carries off the blue ribbons at the county fairs.
   The 29th of March, 1865, witnessed the marriage of our subject with Mrs. Eunice (Taber) Pitcher, widow of Alonzo Pitcher, by whom she had become the mother of one child, a son, Elry C., who is now in Breckenridge, Mo. Mrs. Sovereign was born at West Creek, Lake Co., Ind., Nov. 9, 1842, and removed afterward with her sister to Westville, where her marriage with our subject took place. Of this union there have been born seven children, namely: Schuyler C., Grant, Nettie, Leonard, Nellie, Myrtle and Fred. They are all at home with their parents.
   The parents of Mrs. Sovereign were William D. and Eunice (Main) Taber, natives of New York State, and of English and Scotch descent. After marriage they settled in Pennsylvania, but not long afterward emigrated to Lake County, Ind., during the period of its early settlement. The mother died there in 1849, but the father remained with his children until the outbreak of the Civil War. During the first year of the conflict he enlisted in an Indiana regiment as the attache of a wagon train, and died at Bardstown, Ky., in 1862. Both parents were members of the Christian Church. Their family included eight children, namely: Harriet, Dolly, William, Harvey, Hiram and Charlotte, the latter four deceased; Eunice and Sarah. The survivors are residents of Indiana and Kansas.
   Mr. Sovereign, politically, is a Republican "dyed in the wool," and maintains his principles with all the natural strength of his character. He has served on the Grand and Petit Juries, officiated as Road Supervisor, is a member of the School Board of his district, and socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Kingston Lodge No. 118, in Missouri. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM GRAVES LYMAN. The man who pushed his way across the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers into Nebraska twenty years ago or more, courageous enough to experiment upon an uncultivated soil, risking his means, if he had any, and the best years of his life, cannot be given too much honor. To such spirits as these is Nebraska of to-day indebted for her standing as one of the most important commonwealths west of the Father of Waters. She first welcomed to her soil the subject of this sketch on the 8th of March, 1867, he settling upon the land which he still owns and occupies, and where he has since lived.
   As the owner now of 320 broad acres, it is hardly necessary to state that the subject of this sketch, who began life for himself with but limited capital, spent during the earlier years of his residence here few idle hours. That his perseverance and industry have resulted in the accumulation of a fine property is no more than he deserves. He purchased at first 160 acres, for which he paid the sum of $120. Upon this he turned the first furrow, and for the few years succeeding labored early and late in the opening up of a farm and bringing his land to a state of cultivation. He planted fruit and

shade trees, and in due time added the other structures and embellishments which increased the value of his property, while his land in due time yielded bounteously, so that from the proceeds he was enabled to make further purchases.
   Mr. Lyman sheltered himself in a dug-out the first few months of his residence here, and then put up a log house, which served as a dwelling until 1881. That year he completed his present residence, a large and commodious frame structure of imposing appearance and architectural beauty, which would grace a village or a town. He has availed himself of modern methods of agriculture, by the purchase of improved machinery, including a windmill, which conveys water to every point required, and which is not only a matter of convenience, but the object of general admiration. Adjacent to the farm buildings is a fine apple orchard, and there is an abundance of smaller fruit trees. The land is largely enclosed with hedge fencing, and the residence grounds are embellished with evergreens and shrubbery. Mr. Lyman of late years has devoted his attention largely to stock-raising, and feeds to cattle and swine most of the grain raised on the farm. He began operations in this county when a youth of nineteen years, and with a capital of $800. He has been fortunate in his investments, and able, like the man in the Scriptures, to increase his talent fourfold.
   The native place of our subject was Stephenson County, Ill., where his birth took place Dec. 12, 1847. He did not live there long enough, however, to retain any recollections of the place, his parents a few months later going to Joe Daviess County. There young Lyman lived until approaching man's estate, receiving a good practical education in the common school, and becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. He migrated alone to Nebraska, settling in Table Rock Precinct before the formation of the school districts. A man of more than ordinary intelligence, he was soon selected as the proper incumbent of the local offices, and was selected as a member of the School Board, Road Supervisor, and to other positions of trust and responsibility. Aside from these simple ditties, he has avoided official preferment and political affairs, although interested in the success of the Republican party, and giving his vote uniformly in favor of its principles.
   On the 5th of July, 1869, occurred one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Lyman, namely, his marriage with Miss Sophie L. Allen. This lady was born in Green County, Ky., March 29, 1849, and when a child of four years was taken by her parents to Sangamon County, Ill., where they sojourned until 1865. The family then came to Nebraska Territory, and the father secured a tract of land in Table Rock Precinct, which is now the property of Mr. O. D. Howe. She lived with her parents until her marriage. Her father, Alexander Allen, a native of Kentucky, in early manhood married Miss Mary E. Barrett, by whom he became the father of eight children. Of these seven are now living. Mr. Allen was a lifelong farmer. After sojourning a few years in Nebraska he changed his residence to Russell County, Kan., where his accidental death took place, his lifeless body having been found by the roadside, where it was evident he had been thrown from his buggy. The wife and mother had passed away some years prior to the death of her husband. Mr. Allen was a well-educated man, and had taught school considerably during his younger years.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman there have been born three children--Edwin, Rufus A. and Addie S. They are all living at home with their parents, the oldest being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the youngest son belonging to the Presbyterian Church. Of this latter Mrs. Lyman is also a member, while our subject belongs to the Methodist. The Lyman family is an emanation of New England, William G. Lyman, Sr., the father of our subject, having been born in Southampton, Mass., June 8, 1812. He lived there until a young man twenty-two years old, then removed to Ohio, and thereafter spent considerable time traveling over different States, finally visiting Oregon. His last days were spent in Grant County, Ore., where his death took place Nov. 17, 1887.
   Mrs. Amity (Shaw) Lyman, the mother of our subject, was the sister of the well-known J. W. Shaw, of Table Rock Precinct, a history of whose family will be found in a sketch of the latter on another page of this work. To William G., Sr.,