sight and frugality that characterized his Scotch ancestry. He had withal a kind disposition, and the needy and suffering never appealed to him in vain for sympathy and material aid. He was a thorough Democrat in his political sentiments, and took an intelligent view of questions of National import. He interested himself in local affairs and had served on the School Board, doing all that he could to advance the cause of education, and the United Presbyterian Church at Mission Creek had in him one of its most respected members. His death was not only the cause of great grief to his family and personal friends, but was felt to be in some measure a public loss.

ETER STEVENS, an energetic, extensive agriculturist of Table Rock Precinct, is one of the pioneers of Nebraska, having become a resident of this State in the fall of 1860, when he located in Spicer Precinct, Richardson County, pre-empting a tract of wild prairie land. During the twelve years that he lived there he added as many improvements as were made on any farm in that locality. He built fences, set out trees, and one fine grove of forest trees, which is still standing, is a living testimony to his labor and industry.
   Our subject was born in Upper Canada, May 12, 1840. Jacob Stevens, his father, was born at Pamelia Four Corners, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1811. When a young man he emigrated with a colony to the Province of Ontario, Canada, where he settled, and Jan. 1, 1835, there married Miss Mary Ann Monk. She was born in New York, Jan. 6, 1817, and is the daughter of Nicholas Monk, also a native of the Empire State. In 1845 Mr. Stevens moved with his family to Dodge County, Wis., and again took up new land, clearing a farm and living there until 1867, when he sold out and moved to Cass County, Iowa. He purchased a more extensive grain and stock farm, on which he and his good wife are still living at advanced ages, they having spent together fifty-four years of uninterrupted peace and contentment. On Jan. 1, 1885, they celebrated their golden wedding, our subject going East to attend it. There were present a goodly number of children and grandchildren to extend congratulations and good wishes to the venerable couple. They reared a family of thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and eight are still living.
   Peter Stevens, of whom we write, was but five years of age when his parents settled in Wisconsin, where he grew to man's estate, receiving a practical common-school education, which he has since made good use of. He assisted his father on the farm until 1860, when, on the 1st of November, he started with a yoke of oxen and also one of cows for the farming country of Nebraska. He traveled the entire distance, 600 miles, in six weeks, averaging fifteen miles a day, and camped out nights. He was then a single man without cares, and made his first settlement in Richardson County, as before mentioned. The county was then sparsely populated, no roads were laid out, and our subject assisted in locating and building them. During his residence in that county he did his full share in advancing its interests, and was twice elected County Assessor, serving efficiently and faithfully in that office. In 1862 Mr. Stevens enlisted in the army, and for thirteen months did valiant service on the field, having been a member of Company G, 2d Nebraska Infantry, which fought in the frontier. For a more extended account of the engagement in which he took part, see sketch of Lieut. C. H. Norris. After being honorably discharged he resumed his agricultural labors in Richardson County, sparing neither time nor expense in the improvement of his farm. In 1881, having an opportunity to dispose of his property in that county to a good advantage, he did so, and coining to this precinct, bought eighty acres of his present homestead, to which as he has been able he has steadily added, until now he owns a rich and productive farm of 440 acres, all under good tillage or in pasture land. On it he has an orchard of 400 apple trees, besides all abundance of plums, cherries, and small fruits, and a plentiful supply of grapes. Our subject makes a specialty of stock-raising, having a large herd of a good grade of cattle, a great number of hogs and horses, feeding out all of his own corn, and frequently being obliged to buy more. He has taken an active

part in local affairs, and assisted in reorganizing District No. 34. He is an able business man, whose energies have been expended with the most satisfactory results, he having risen by his own exertions from a penniless lad to a man of affluence. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, likewise of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. In politics he casts his vote with the Republican party, his first Presidential vote having been thrown for Abraham Lincoln.
   The marriage of Mr. Stevens with Miss Elvira Steele was solemnized in Richardson County, March 11, 1872. She was born in Northern Indiana, June 4, 1846, and is a daughter of John B. and Mary Anne (Foster) Steele, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The grandfather Steele came from Holland, and her grandfather Foster lives in Indiana now at the age of ninety-five. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steele lived for several years on a farm in Indiana, then moved to Missouri, where they lived until 1868. Coming at that time to Nebraska, they bought land in Rulo, and improved a farm, on which they are still living, retired from the active cares of life. Mrs. Steele is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born thirteen children, all but one growing to maturity, and eleven of whom are living. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of eight children, seven of whom arc still living, namely: Annette, Nellie, Nasilva, William Edgar, Elizabeth J., Amy and Eliza. All are yet members of the home circle, and are being well educated.

AMES F. GILL, of Pawnee City, is a prominent representative of its livery, feed and transfer interests, and brought with him from his native State of Ohio those qualities which invariably go to make up the thrifty and enterprising citizen. He was born in Vinton County, that State, April 29, 1845, and is the son of John and Eliza (Hall) Gill, both natives of Ross County, Ohio.
   The maternal grandfather of our subject was James Hall, Esq., a man of considerable prominence in his community. On the other side of the house Grandfather Joseph Gill was a native of Ireland. John Gill, the father of James F., was born in the city of McArthur, Vinton Co., Ohio, in 1821. He was a farmer by occupation, and was cut down in his prime, being killed by an accident in 1849, at the age of twenty-eight years. The parental household consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter, of whom James F. was the eldest.
   The sister of Mr. Gill was a little child five months old at the time of their father's death, and the mother only lived six years thereafter. Mr. Gill was thus orphaned early in life, and left dependent upon his own resources. He was taken into the home of his paternal uncle, Samuel D. Gill, with whom he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War, in the meantime having removed to Illinois. He then enlisted in Company K, 40th Illinois Infantry, from the southern part of the State, in July, 1861. During his service of four years as a Union soldier, his regiment operated mostly with the Army of the Tennessee, and engaged in most of the battles of the long campaign which followed, being at Shiloh, the sieges of Corinth, Memphis and Vicksburg, the fight at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and the battle of Atlanta, where the brave Gen. McPherson was killed. Later they marched with the command of Gen. Sherman to the sea, and thence up through the Carolinas to Washington, taking part in the grand review. From there our subject was sent to Louisville, Ky., and next to Springfield, Ill., where he was mustered out July 8, 1865, and received his honorable discharge.
   Upon retiring from the service Mr. Gill sojourned briefly at Clay City, Ill., then returned to Ohio, and was married to Miss Nancy J. Dennison, of McArthur, in 1870. They settled on a farm, and remained in that State until 1872, when Mr. Gill determined to seek his fortunes in the farther West. Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers he took up his abode first in Furnas County, this State, and homesteaded 160 acres of land, which now forms the town site of Henley. He operated upon this land until 1884, then changed his residence to Pawnee City, and put up the livery

barn which he now occupies. This is a neat, strong structure, covering an area of 48x106 feet, with a solid stone basement. Within it he keeps a fine stock of horses and road vehicles, which are patronized by the best people of the city. He also has an omnibus and hack line, and from the two combined realizes a handsome income. Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R., but takes little interest in politics aside from faithfully casting his vote with the Republican party.

OHN C. WOOD. This gentleman is one of the farmers of Table Rock Precinct, owning and occupying 330 acres on sections 19 and 20, his residence being on the former. He first came to Nebraska in 1857, landing in Brownville on the 29th of May, and coming to Table Rock August 10 of the same year. His first land he secured by pre-emption, and when he got it it was nothing but raw prairie, on which he set out the first tree and turned the first furrow. He has been a great advocate of tree culture, and at different times has set out large numbers, having now about 800, living, on his place. He has upon his farm the finest orchard in the county, and also raises an abundance of grapes and the smaller fruits in general.
   When Mr. Wood first came here he began to build a sawmill on the Nemaha, but about the time he got it completed the stream cut a new channel for itself, and left the mill high and dry. Since that he has given his whole attention to farming. He has made many improvements, having all the necessary farm buildings and a good, comfortable home. All the general improvements made upon the farm have been done by him, and it is now in a thrifty condition. He has always dealt largely in stock, and has bought more grain than he has sold. He usually has a herd of about fifty cattle, and a large number of hogs. For several years he kept as many as 500 or 600 sheep, but he found that cattle paid better, and he abandoned dealing in sheep.
   In 1856 Mr. Wood went across the plains to Montana, being on the road from May 1 to July 28. He at once began mining, and remained there two years, bringing home a fair amount of dust. His birthplace was in Albany County, N. Y., the date of that to him important event being March 25, 1835. When he was two years old his parents moved to Cayuga County, N. Y., and there our subject lived for many years. He attended the common schools, and finished his education at the State Normal School, after which he taught for many years. Since coming to Nebraska he has made this his home, with the exception of two years which he spent in Brown County, Kan., but liking Nebraska better he returned, believing this to be the best place on earth.
   April 28, 1870, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Heywood, in Table Rock. Of this union there have been six children, four now living: Edgar W., Myron, Katie E. and Edith A., all of whom are living with their parents. Mrs. Wood was born in Ohio, and further particulars of her family history are given under the name of A. E. Heywood. Our subject has been prominent in school affairs in his district, and takes a warm interest in the cause of prohibition.

EV. ZENAS B. TURMAN. By a happy dispensation of Providence, men are appointed to various walks in life, some as tillers of the soil, and others evidently created for the purpose of upholding a no less important element of human life--man's moral and religious nature. Among the men who came to Nebraska Territory before some of its counties had been organized was the subject of this sketch, who first set foot upon its soil as early as 1856. He spent his first winter at Rock Bluff, Cass County, where he assisted in the organization of a church, and the winter following proceeded as far west as Salt Creek, two years before there was any indication of the present city of Lincoln. He made a tour of seven counties, preaching at intervals in sixteen places. Among his hearers was the chief Spotted Horse, and his hand of warriors, to whom he discoursed by the aid of a Government interpreter. In the interest of the Master he also preached at

Four Mile Creek, west of Plattsmouth, Eight Mile Grove, and Louisville, having at the latter place a great revival.
   Mr. Turner was the pioneer preacher of this region, being the first man to raise the standard of the cross in this section. In his journeyings he visited Wahoo and Pawnee, thirty miles north, journeyed up Salt Creek, and visited Beatrice when it was a hamlet of six or eight wooden houses. He also went to Tecumseh and Nebraska City, sojourning, in the latter place with a Mr. Gould, a relative of the railroad king, Jay Gould. It took about 500 miles travel to encompass his circuit, he in the meantime frequently encountering storms, being out sometimes all night, and often swimming his horse across the streams. A man of iron constitution and strong will, he surmounted difficulties which at the present day would be considered almost beyond the strength of man to overcome. Upon one occasion he started from the house of a Mr. Shaw, of Beatrice, during a severe snowstorm, finally lost his way, and giving his horse the rein, let the animal proceed at its will, and at night found himself at the same door from which he had started.
   In 1859 Mr. Turman was located at Fontanelle, and the next year at Tekamah. He founded new church societies wherever possible, and assisted the feeble ones already struggling for existence. He was the first man holding a religious meeting in all of Southern Dakota and that vicinity. At this time Indians abounded in this region, and white people were often massacred. At Fontanelle upon one occasion, he with others helped to subdue the Indians who had already murdered a number of whites, until a company of cavalry could be sent to their relief. They then started after the Indians (Pawnees), and Mr. Turman officiated as temporary chaplain for the soldiers.
   Mr. Turman, upon one occasion, in Dakota, Dakota Co., Neb., was stricken down with smallpox, but fortunately recovered after the weeks of suffering incident with this terrible disease. He had identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Conference, and was superannuated in 1863. Since that time he has been engaged considerably in farming. He was a resident of Nemaha five years, but came to Pawnee County in the fall of 1871, taking up a tract of land four miles east of Table Rock. For the last six years he has been a resident of his present farm. He assisted in the organization of the first school district, and later was elected Mayor of Nemaha. During a long and useful career he has been honored and respected by all with whom he came in contact.
   Mr. Turman was born near Carlisle, Clinton Co., Ill, April 23, 1819, but when a child removed with his parents to a point near Miriam, Sullivan Co., Ind. Later they changed their residence to Fountain County, where the death of his father took place, and where young Turman was engaged in teaching a period of twelve years. In the meantime he officiated as a supply in the pulpit of the Northern Indiana Conference, the Monticello District. Upon one occasion he was sent to the Miami Indians, but the chief would not allow him to preach. Upon leaving Indiana he sojourned for a brief time in Illinois, and for four years was a colporteur for the Methodist Episcopal Conference.
   Our subject was first married to Miss Sarah B. Swinzler, who became the mother of one child, and died at an early age. In 1860 he was a second time married, at Omaha, to Miss Catherine A. Gustin. They became the parents of seven children, of whom the following are living: the eldest, Anna E., is the wife of George Smith, of Nemaha City, and the mother of two children; James M. married Miss Clara Turner, and is living in this county; Mary L. is the wife of Lone Fisher.
   Jacob Turman, the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio, and spent the most of his life occupied as a preacher. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Turman, was born and reared in the Buckeye State, whence he removed to Sullivan County, Ind., at an early day, being the first white man to settle within its limits. He secured land twenty-five miles south of the present city of Terre Haute, on what was subsequently named Turman Prairie. The grandmother was in her girlhood Miss Spurlock, a relative of the forefathers of Burwell Spurlock, at present a resident of Plattsmouth. Jacob Turman departed this life in 1834, at the age of forty-eight years. Benjamin Gustin, the father if Mrs. Turman, was a native of Indiana, where he was reared to manhood, married, and became the

father of three children. The mother died when Mrs. Turman was an infant. She was reared in the family of Benjamin B. Barclow, now a resident of Omaha, and removed with him from Ohio to Omaha, where she lived until her marriage. She was born Sept. 19, 1838, and received her education in the common schools of the Buckeye State. The journey to the West was made in 1856, the same year that Mr. Turman came to Nebraska.

OSEPH L. EDWARDS. Pawnee City his been an objective point for a large number of intelligent and capable men, the professions being amply represented, as well as the more practical pursuits of life. Mr. Edwards, as one of the leading attorneys of this county, is contributing his quota to its standing and reputation, and at the same time making for himself a good record, also acquiring a competence. He was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., near the present town site of Bristol, June 10, 1830.
   This branch of the Edwards family is essentially Southern, the grandparents on both sides of the house having been natives of Virginia. His parents, Owen and Amanda (Longacre) Edwards, were born in Tennessee, where they became the parents of five sons and three daughters, only four of whom are living. The father was a farmer by occupation and Joseph L. assisted in the labors of the homestead until a youth of fifteen years. The family then removed to Davis County, Iowa, with the exception of our subject, who completed his education in Tennessee. Then he joined his parents in Iowa and engaged in teaching, which profession he followed about five years.
   In June, 1860, Mr. Edwards migrated to this county, at a time when Pawnee City was a hamlet of five or six houses. For several winters following he taught school and pursued the study of law during his leisure hours, which he had begun while in Tennessee. He was finally employed in the office of the County Clerk, but in 1869 purchased the Pawnee Tribune, which had been established by F. R. Fisher, and was the first paper started at that place. Later its name was changed to that of the Pawnee Republican. Mr. Edwards conducted this successfully as editor and proprietor for some time, but later sold out, and was appointed Judge of the Probate Court to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of W. F. Wright, At the expiration of the term he was regularly elected to the office, which he held five years. At the same time he carried on the business of a druggist and officiated as Postmaster, also as Deputy County Treasurer. Upon retiring from the Judge's beach he turned his attention more exclusively to the practice of law, which he has pursued to the present time in connection with the duties of his official position. He gives due attention to collections and loans, and enjoys a good income from the several sources.
   Miss Sarah A. Ball, of Pawnee City, became the wife of our subject in October, 1863. Mrs. Edwards was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Reason Ball. Of this union there have been born four children, all daughters. The eldest, Elma L., is the wife of Charles P. Wortham; Florence Mabel and Alberta are deceased; and May is at home.
   Mr. Edwards, during his early manhood, affiliated with the Republican party, but is liberal in his political views, and aims to support the men best qualified for office. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Interior Lodge No. 9, and Pawnee Lodge No. 23. In religious matters he inclines to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church:

OHN H. BRATTON. Dotted here and there throughout Pawnee Precinct are scores of homesteads which stand as silent monuments to the industry and patience of the pioneer settlers of Nebraska, some of whom have passed to their long home, and their property is now occupied by others. To those who are maintaining the reputation of their estate by the same plodding industry and good judgment are we no less indebted than to those who first established themselves on the virgin soil.
   Mr. Bratton is numbered among the most enterprising men of Pawnee Precinct, to whose agricult-

ural interests he is contributing in no small degree. He gives his attention largely to graded stock, and is able to exhibit some of the finest animals to be found in this part of the county. He was well fitted by his early life and surroundings for an active and successful career, being a son of the Buckeye State, born March 7, 1837, near Winchester, in Guernsey County, where he lived until a youth of nineteen years. His parents were William and Martha (Henderson) Bratton, the father a native of Juniata County, Pa., the mother of Guernsey County, Ohio. The former settled there with his parents, remaining in his adopted State after his marriage until 1856.
   In the year above mentioned William Bratton determined to seek his fortunes in the farther West, and accordingly migrated across the Mississippi and settled with his family near the Wapsipinicon River, in Jones County, Iowa. Later they changed their residence to Adams County, that State, where the parents looked their last upon the scenes of earth, the mother surviving her husband three years. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, and of whom John was the eldest born. All of these are still living, and make their homes in Iowa and Nebraska.
   The common schools furnished to young Bratton the rudiments of a practical education, while his own native shrewdness and habits of observation contributed to make of him a man more than ordinarily well informed. His first ambition was to secure a home and a farm of his own, and he judged that with a companion and helpmate this task world not be impossible. He was accordingly married, Oct. 7, 1862, to Miss Lucy A. Gilbert, who was born in Chardon, Ohio, and moved with her father, Russell Gilbert, to Iowa before her marriage.
   Our subject and his wife after uniting their destines located in the vicinity of Lowden, Iowa, along the Northwestern Railroad in Cellar County, and he engaged jointly in mercantile business and stock-raising, dealing largely in cattle and swine. Three years later he changed his residence to Wyoming, where he sojourned ten years similarly occupied. We next find him in Lenox, Taylor County, where he conducted a store eight years. In the fall of 1883 he determined to try the experiment of life upon Nebraska soil. and for two years thereafter was a clerk in the employ of E. M. Lyons.
   Mr. Bratton notwithstanding his migrations had accumulated quite a little capital, and in March, 1888, took possession of his present farm of 240 acres on section 20, Pawnee Precinct. He still prosecutes the stock-raising industry, and deals largely in Jersey cattle, of which he has several very handsome animals on his farm. He has been very successful in this line, and has already gained an enviable reputation in connection therewith. He has very little to do with public affairs, but uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and in religious matters is identified with the United Presbyterian Church.

AMES PEPPERL. Among tile, younger business men of Burchard, Mr. Pepperl is worthy of special mention. He is a practical harness-maker, master of his trade, and is carrying on a good business in connection with this article of merchandise. He has a true conception of the manner in which his patrons should be treated, and for this reason they are steadily increasing in numbers, he in a like proportion receiving benefit therefrom.
   The childhood home of our subject was a long way from his present abiding-place, he having been born on the other side of the Atlantic in the little town of Gossawoda, Austria, March 22, 1862. He was reared upon a farm and received a very good education in his native tongue, attending school from the age of six to twelve years. He then emigrated to America with his parents, embarking at the port of Bremen early in May that year on the steamer "Rhine," which, twelve days later, landed them in New York City. Thence they made their way via Chicago, Ill., to this county, locating in Plum Creek Precinct, where our subject started out for himself, working summers, and attending school as he had opportunity in the winter.
   At the age of sixteen Mr. Pepperl began an apprenticeship at the harness trade, which he pursued