himself in business at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, opening there a hat and cap store. Two years later he was doing so well that he was encouraged to add clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods to his stock. In 1859 he settled up his affairs in his native State and removed to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and engaged in the same business. He soon after opened another store for the sale of ladies' goods, and later opened a branch store in Afton, placing in charge a young man to whom he had taught the business. In 1869 Mr. Snell sold out in Iowa, and came to Lincoln, and established himself in the mercantile business as proprietor of a general store of gentlemen's furnishing goods and dry-goods. At the end of two years he was obliged to dispose of his business on account of ill health, and he then bought prairie land in Lancaster Precinct, on section 16. He erected suitable buildings on the place, planted fruit and shade trees, improved all the land, and lived thereon nearly ten years. He then sold, and bought a tract comprising twenty acres of ]and of unsurpassed fertility, joining the State farm. He then devoted some of his time to raising stock, always taking pride in having stock of good grades. He had Jersey red hogs and high-grade Short-horns, buying thoroughbreds of ex-Gov. Furnas. He also started a nursery, and propagated both fruit and shade trees, many of the trees now beautifying the streets and lawns of Lincoln having been furnished by him. He resided on his 20-acre farm until 1886, when he came to Lincoln, and has made his home ever since at No. 2800 R street.
   Mr. Snell was married, May 1, 1851, to Miss Martha E. Forrey, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Forrey. Mrs. Snell was a woman of rare character, and her death in 1859, after a tranquil and happy wedded life, was a sad blow to the husband and little children whose home she had made so pleasant. Three children were born of this union, namely: William H., Samuel F. and Marlett I. Mr. Snell was subsequently married to Miss Laura J. Housel, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She was the sister of Hon. C. C. Housel, a prominent citizen of Omaha. She died of consumption about two years after their marriage.
   Wherever our subject has resided he has borne an influential part in public affairs, and has interested himself much in educational matters, having been a member of the School Board in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he served and Secretary, and as President and Vice-President was re-elected from time to time, and as a member. of the City Council of Mt. Pleasant. He also served on the School Board while a resident of Lancaster Precinct, and he was elected to fill a vacancy in the State Senate. He has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, having joined it when young, and he has held all the offices in the church, has been Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader, and has been a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodists. In his early years he was a Democrat in politics, but as soon as the Republican party was formed he fell into the ranks, and has ever since been a stanch supporter of its policy, although he now votes with the Prohibition party. He has always been a total abstainer, and first differed with the Democratic party on the temperance question and in his views concerning slavery; he was in fact a Republican before the party was formed. It will be seen from the perusal of this sketch that the most prominent trait of the character of our subject is his unswerving adherence to principle, and he is always strictly honest and upright in all his dealings. His nature is adjusted on a large and generous scale, and no one appeals to him in vain for aid or sympathy.

OHN W. PREY. In the present sketch it is our pleasure to present a biographical epitome of the oldest living pioneer of Centerville Precinct, and residing on section 24.
   Mr. Prey is a native of New York City. The day of his nativity is the 11th of May, 1828. He is the third son of John D. and Margaret Prey. His father was one of the hardy race from Scotland, whose people had more just cause for national pride than any other, our own excepted. His mother was born on the island of eternal green, the land of the shamrock, and suppressed liberty. Our subject then is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and is by no means the

first, who, under similar conditions have made their way to the front rank of prominent and prosperous men, for the national characteristics thus blended seem to form a most happy combination. His parents were married in Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1820, landing at St. Andrews, N. B., but shortly afterward came to the United States, believing that its larger opportunities and freer Government afforded larger scope for their efforts, and was more likely to result favorably to their success. Accordingly they came into the States, and took up their residence at Boston.
   In the city of Boston the father of our subject speedily obtained employment. He had been a slater, and found a demand for such service, but before many months had passed, larger inducements being presented from New York, he removed thither. While residents in the latter city, their home received a new inmate, our subject being born shortly after the removal. Four years subsequently the family removed to Onondaga County, and resided there for several years, being occupied with farming. About the year 1839 they removed to Allegany County, which continued to be their residence until our subject was about fourteen years of age. This was followed by a removal to Illinois, and after it few months another change, this time to Milwaukee. The father of our subject while in the city followed his trade, leaving his sons to execute the work required upon the farm which he had purchased, and was situated not far from the city. By their combined efforts they were enabled to live comfortably, although not luxuriously. The family of which our subject was a member included twelve children, of whom eleven survive.
   The first-born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Prey, Sr., was Gilbert G., at present a resident of Eagle Village, N. Y.; then Jane, now Mrs. Buckland, whose home is in Michigan, upon "the beautiful peninsula;" Thomas R., who makes his home in Lincoln; John W., our subject; William L., who resides in Idaho; Margaret, deceased; Mary E., happily married to Lester Nash, of Hudson, Wis.; James J., of Otoe County, Neb.; Julia A., wife of James Goodwin, of St. Croix County, Wis.; David E., of this precinct; Rebecca E., now Mrs. Henry Stoops, whose home is in Colorado, and George W., of Centerville The parents of this interesting family have passed to their last rest, the father in September, 1873, the mother in January, 1880, and are buried at Centerville.
   The subject of this writing was reared to manhood upon the farm in Wisconsin. His education was such as is usually obtained in the common school, although it was unfortunate that he was able to attend only a part of the time. He continued so to do until the family removed to Lancaster County, in 1856, and settled in this precinct. This is said to be the earliest date of settlement in the county; i. e., speaking of those who settled and established a home.
   The great step in life for our subject was taken on the 10th of October, 1870, when he was united in wedlock with Frances C. Lehmer. This lady is a native of Indiana, and is the daughter of Derrick and Isabelle Lehmer, now of Yankee Hill Precinct. Our subject has become the parent of seven children, of whom six are living. They are recorded as follows: Grace I., Annie E., Margaret F., Edna E., Esther O., and an infant unnamed.
   Necessarily our subject has seen the country develop from the primitive condition of things; the rolling prairie in all its native wildness to broad acres of golden grain, interspersed by farmhouses and barns, towns and cities. He is the owner of 220 acres of ground, which has been brought to as near perfection in agriculture as possible, and is a standing monument of the energy, economy, thrift and labor that have gone hand in hand to establish his success, and this commands the venerable esteem which is so freely offered to our subject on account of his age in the community, and also his social status. Our subject has for years been an active supporter and an affiliate of the Republican party, and his high character, manhood and unquestionable integrity have secured for him the confidence and esteem of his compatriots, who have shown the same in electing him to serve for two consecutive terms as Commissioner of Lancaster County, and he has filled the duties of his office with the greatest credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. Another office which he filled in like manner, was that of Treasurer of Clay County, which at that time included also a part of Gage and Lancas-