braska in the spring of 1866, settling with his parents upon a tract of new land in the vicinity of Brownville, They sojourned there about thirteen years, battling with the elements of a new soil, then removed to a point near Humboldt, living there also thirteen years. At this latter place Theodore attained his majority, and completed his education in the Brownville school. Afterward he worked at his father's farm until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 1, 1883. The lady of his choice was Miss Isabella Keiser. They settled upon a farm three miles west of Humboldt, where they lived four years. They are the parents of one child, a son, Roy H., who was born Nov. 9, 1883. Mr. Hall, in addition to general farming, gives considerable attention to the raising of grain, and has effected good improvements on his place, putting up a neat and substantial residence, and adding from time to time the other structures necessary for his convenience.
   Mr. Hall is a native of Atchison County, Mo., and was born Dec. 19, 1861, living there with his parents until coming to Nebraska. He is the son of Charlton Hall, a native of Bureau County, Ill., who removed early in life to Missouri, where he married Miss Zuritha Plasters; they became the parents of eight children, and the father carried on farming the greater part of his life, until about 1885, when he retired from active labor, and now makes his home in Humboldt. He still retains ownership of his farm property, owning land both in Pawnee and Richardson Counties.
   The wife of our subject was born in Morgan County, Ill., Sept. 12, 1860, where her parents lived until she was a child five years of age. They then came to this county, and for a period of twenty-three years have lived within five miles of Table Rock. Mr, and Mrs. Keiser began housekeeping in a log house, which they occupied a year, until they could put up a more modern dwelling. Mrs. Hall in her childhood days walked three miles to school, before the organization of a district near her father's homestead, after which she finished her studies there, obtaining a good education.
   Mr. Hall, politically, was born and reared under the wing of the Democratic party, but has very little to do with politics, and prefers that some other man should assume the responsibilities of office. His close attention to his farming interests has not only been a benefit to himself, but the land which he has developed has thus much enhanced the real-estate value of Table Rock Precinct. He has pursued the even tenor of his way as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, encouraging worthy enterprises, and giving his influence to those which would result in the best good of the community around him. He is comparatively a young man, and has obtained a good start on the highway to prosperity.

OHN FLANAGIN. There are those in every community who will be leaders in spite of circumstances, drawbacks and difficulties. The gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch may be most properly mentioned as one of this class, as through his own unaided efforts he has arisen to a high position, socially and financially. He owns and occupies a valuable farm property in Clay Precinct, and is widely and favorably known throughout this section of country.
   The man of intelligence, whenever possible, preserves the record of his ancestry, as having no little bearing upon his own life and the estimation in which he is held by his fellowmen. There have, in various, instances, been circumstances which prevented this, and in such a case it is always a matter of regret to the thoughtful and observant individual. We gather from the record of the Flanagin family that our subject's father and paternal grandfather were each given the name of James, and both were born in New Jersey. Upon reaching manhood the latter was married to a Miss Mary Harris, and they reared a family of eight children, namely: James, Jr., the father of our subject; Noah, Thomas, John, Gideon, Harris; Sarah, who married Joseph Shepherd, and Mary Ann, who became the wife of Joseph Guest. Grandfather Flanagin was a farmer by occupation, and reared his soils and daughters in love of agricultural pur-

suits, which they followed until called from earth's duties.
   James Flanagin, Jr., was reared on the home farm with his parents, in New Jersey, but when approaching manhood learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked a period of ten years. After this, however, he fell into the habits of his ancestors, and taking up agriculture, was thus occupied until his earthly labors were ended. He was married in Cumberland County, N. J., to Miss Mary Harris. They lived in that county until their decease, the father passing away in 1859, and the mother twelve years later, in 1871. They also were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to mature years, having been named respectively; James, Harris, Jacob, John; Rachel, who became the wife of James Glaspey; Elizabeth, Mrs. William Dare; Mary A., the wife of Alford Mumford, and Hannah.
   John Flanagin, our subject, was reared and educated in New Jersey, of which he, like his father and grandfather, was a native, having been born there Feb. 12, 1835. Ambitious and thoughtful beyond his years, he started for the West in the fall of 1858. his objective point being Nebraska Territory. Upon coming to this county he pre-empted 160 acres of land, which is included in his present farm. His first dwelling was a structure sixteen feet square, built of round logs, with clapboard roof and floor of cottonwood lumber. The cracks were covered by nailing boards over them and between the logs. This served as a shelter during the summer months which followed, but in the fall Mr. Flanagin dug a cellar, walled it up firmly, and built over it a plank roof. He occupied this something over a year, then removing the roof, built a house over it, this latter being now one of the most substantial and attractive dwellings in the precinct. The farm embraces 520 acres, thoroughly improved, the greater part devoted to grain-raising, and the balance to pasture.
   It is nearly twenty-eight years since was celebrated the marriage of John Flanagin and Miss Sarah J. Rogers, May 9, 1861 being the date. This lady comes from an excellent family being the daughter of Hon. and Rev. P. M. Rogers, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also a member of the Nebraska Legislature. A record of his earnest and useful life will be found on another page in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagin commenced the journey of life together in this State, and they now have a family of six children, namely: James, Seward, Marcus, Lewis, Mary and Sadie. In giving a proper supervision to his extensive farming interests, Mr. Flanagin has naturally had little time to devote to politics, but he keeps himself well informed, and independent of political parties, aims to support the men best qualified to serve the interests of the people. He has never been an office-seeker, although serving as Assessor of Clay Precinct two terms. He has watched with warm interest the growth and development of Pawnee County, and in the construction of one of its most valuable homesteads has contributed this much to its importance. He is a man whose opinions are held in respect, and one who exerts no small influence in social and business circles. His accumulations are the result of downright hard work, together with good management, and he has little use for the drones in the world's great hive.
   Portraits of this prominent and leading citizen of Clay Precinct and his estimable wife are printed on an adjoining page.

PHRAIM WHEELER. In the world's great hive of industry some are leaders and some are followers. Some are only fitted for the latter, while others will be found in the front ranks, despite all the drawbacks which may assail them. To this latter element is the world indebted for its progress, for no man can labor and contrive successfully without his operations having a material bearing upon the condition of those about him. These thoughts are involuntarily brought forth in reviewing the career of the subject of this history, who is one of the go-ahead men of Pawnee County, one of those who is not to be kept under as long as there is a top to gain.
   A pioneer of 1866, Ephraim Wheeler came to that part of Table Rock precinct which is now Sheridan, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on