community. Their household circle included twelve children, ten of whom are living and residents of Canada.
   The subject of this biography was the second son of the parental family, and like his brothers and sisters was reared it the farm and attended the common school. When a youth of seventeen he started out for himself as an apprentice at the butcher's trade, and eighteen months later established in business for himself. Believing that the States would furnish a better field for the aspirations of an enterprising youth, he left the Dominion, and in 1884 came to Nebraska, and at once established his present business in the city of Lincoln. He has been very successful, and besides his market and its appurtenances, and his home on G street, has twenty or thirty dwelling-houses and stores, besides a good farm of 160 acres in Lancaster County. His accumulation of property has not been confined exactly to this county, as he has also property in Denver, Hastings and Kearney. He came West with the sum of $7, and now schedules property worth $50,000. His market receives more patronage than any two shops of the kind in the city. In 1888 he was elected Alderman from his ward on the Republican ticket in a section where the Democracy prevailed, coming out with a handsome majority of 126 votes. He is Chairman of the committee on elections and occupies the same post on the paving committee of the city, besides being Vice President of the German Banking Company, and a Director in the German National Bank, one of the strongest institutions of its kind in the city of Lincoln. He is also Director in the Clay Manufacturing Company, of Lincoln, and a stockholder in the Nebraska Stockyards Company, and stockholder in the Lincoln Canning and Provision Company, besides being Secretary of the Workingmen's Building Association.
   Our subject occupies a handsome and comfortable home on G street, his domestic affairs being presided over by a capable and intelligent wife, to whom he was married on the 26th of August, 1881, and whose maiden name was Mary J. Shepard. Mrs. Halter was born in Paris, Canada, in 1859, and is of Irish ancestry. She is a lady of culture and refinement and possesses rare musical talent, being the organist and leader of the Catholic Church choir. Both Mr. and Mrs. Halter were reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which they religiously adhere, and our subject, politically, is a stanch Republican. He is a man of decided views, keeps himself well posted upon current events, and ranks equally among the intelligent men of his community.

HARLES HERPOLSHEIMER. This ALBUM would be incomplete without at least a succinct recital of the chief points of interest in the life of Charles Herpolsheimer, whose admirably kept farm is situated on section 29, Denton Precinct. He is a native of Prussia, born on the 18th of October, 1835, and is a son of Christian and Anne Herpolsheimer, the latter of whom is deceased. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, taking passage at Bremen. The voyage, which was undertaken in a sailing-vessel, was long and tedious. They landed in New York, and shortly after proceeded by way of the lakes to Milwaukee, Wis., where they made their first home and continued to reside for the space of two and one-half years, when they removed to St. Joseph County, Ind., in which place our subject was reared to manhood and received his early education and training, although some time had been given to his education before leaving his native country. He completed the same in the Lutheran Seminary, at Ft. Wayne, Ind.; from this institution he was graduated as a competent instructor, and followed the profession of teaching for about thirteen years.
   Our subject, although very successful in teaching, both in English and German, was compelled to change his calling owing to a difficulty which interfered with his speech. In the year 1873 he removed with his family to Grand Rapids, Mich., and took a course in the business college at that city. Upon completing the same he took a position as cashier and book-keeper with Messrs. Voight, Herpolsheimer & Co., dry-goods merchant in Grand Rapids, and continued in the same for six years. The year 1880 saw another change of location, and removal was made to Lincoln, where for a short time he was cashier and book-keeper in the same

line of business for Henry Herpolsheimer. The following spring he settled upon his present property, then in an unimproved state. He is the owner of 475 acres of first-class, arable farming land, which he has earned for himself by the work and the struggle of previous years. He received little help beyond that of his education, and is therefore enjoying the fruit of his labor.
   While a resident of Cook County, Ill., our subject made the acquaintance of Augusta Soss, and feeling that her presence continually with him would be the most desirable of all, arrangements were made which irrevocably bound them to each other, and they were married on the 9th of March, 1863. They have had nine children, whose names are here given: Emma, Paul, Martin, Otto (deceased), Emil, Adolph, Clara, Rudolph and Aida.
   The noise of the hammer with which Dr. Martin Luther nailed his Theses to the door of the church sounded through the halls of the Vatican and aroused the Pope and Roman Consistory; maddened his enemies and gladdened the friends of liberty; resulted in his imprisonment by his dear friend in order to save him from the martyr's death; gave the Bible in the vernacular to the German people, and founded the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Of this our subject is a member, having continued his allegiance to the same since his baptism, and is still found among its most consistent and devoted members.
   Our subject is a large-hearted, generous and public-spirited man and with his family enjoys the sincerest respect of the community. Politically, his sympathies are with the Democratic party, which finds in him a sincere friend and ardent supporter.

HARLES A. HEIDENREICH, a fair representative of the thrifty German farmer, has been a resident of this county since a lad of thirteen years, his father having come to Nebraska in the fall of 1867, a few months after it was admitted into the Union as a State. He was born in Germany, Aug. 26, 1855, and is the son of Charles Heidenreich, Sr., a native of the same place, where he was reared and married. The family, in 1859, crossed the Atlantic, and after landing in New York City, made their way first to Dane County, Wis., where they settled upon a tract of timber land, a part of which the father cleared and lived there until the fall of 1867. Then starting out, overland, they made their way to this county, traveling after the fashion of the emigrants of those days, carrying with them their provisions, cooking and camping by the wayside.
   There was at that time no railroad west of Omaha, and upon the site of the present city of Lincoln stood only two houses and one store. The nearest market was at Nebraska City. The father of our subject purchased a tract of land on section 22 of what is now Middle Creek Precinct, and upon which stood a small frame house, while, a few acres of land had been broken. The elder Heidenreich resided here until his death, which took place in January, 1883. He had in the meantime erected a good frame house and a granary, and had the greater portion of the land in a state of cultivation. He lived to see great improvement in the face of the country, and was an honest, hard-working man, respected by all his neighbors.
   Mrs. Sophie (Brinkhoof) Heidenreich, the mother of our subject, died in Wisconsin about 1860. The paternal family consisted of five children, four of whom are living. The eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of D. Brant, and a resident of Seward County, this State, of which also Lizzie, Mrs. Chris. Beal, and Minnie, Mrs. Herman Meyer, are also residents. The two eldest, with our Subject, were, born in Germany, and there the eldest daughter, Charlotte, died when about eight years old. The father, in 1865, contracted a second marriage, with Miss Minnie Meyer, who was also a native of Germany, and who is still living. Of this union there were no children.
   Our subject was a little lad four years of age when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents, and, consequently remembers little of his native land. He has, however, a distinct recollection of the overland journey from Wisconsin to Nebraska, and the vicissitudes of pioneer life after the settlement of the family in this county. Deer and prairie wolves were plentiful, besides all kinds of wild game. Mr. Heidenreich has watched with the interest which

every intelligent man must feel the growth and development of his adopted county, and has seen the city of Lincoln emerge from a hamlet to a city of 40,000. Being the only son, the management of the farm devolved upon him after the death of his father, and here he has since resided. He brought a bride to the old rooftree in the early part of 1884, being married on the 11th of February to Miss Augusta Steinhauer, who was born in Dane County, Wis., and is of German parentage. They have three interesting children, all daughters--Clara, Paulina and Melinda. Mr. Heidenreich, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and still clings to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared. The first wife of Charles Heidenreich, the mother of our subject, died in 1860, in Dane County, Wis.

AMES G. SOUTHWICK. This gentleman established the first banking institution of Bennet, which is familiarly known as the Bank of Bennet, and he is besides a stockholder, and President of the Nebraska Savings Bank, at Lincoln, which has a capital of $100,000 and is doing an extensive business. Among the philanthropic and leading men of Lancaster County there are few who have been more unselfish in their labors or taken a warmer interest in the growth and development of the town which struggled into existence fifteen years ago.
   Essentially a self-made man, the subject of this sketch is a fine illustration of what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance, and the exercise of those qualities best calculated to result not only in good to the man who possesses them, but which naturally shed their influence upon all those with whom he comes in contact. It was a fortunate thing for Bennet and vicinity that the men who took an interest in its incipient growth were possessed of that large and liberal spirit which made them willing to labor and make sacrifices for the sake of its future good. Mr. Southwick was one of those willing to risk his capital and his labor, and did not think wholly of self or selfish interests. He is spoken of by the people among whom he has lived many years as one of their most praiseworthy citizens, and to whom is due great credit for the manner in which he has labored to build up the various interests of his community.
   The subject of this sketch is a scion of one of the best families of the Empire State, his father being Jonathan I. Southwick, who was born in North Collins, Erie County, and who married Miss Sarah Hull, of Ellery, Chautauqua County. After marriage they settled in North Collins, but removed later to Springdale, Cedar Co., Iowa, where the mother passed away in 1878. Jonathan Southwick is still living, and makes his home with his son, our subject, in Bennet. The parental household included six children, namely: Joseph; James G., our subject; Mark W.; Sumner, who died when two years old; Henry L. and Alice B. They are residents mostly of Nebraska.
   James G. Southwick was born in North Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1845. Early in life he became familiar with farm pursuits, receiving but a limited education. At the age of sixteen years his father gave him his time and he migrated westward, crossing the Mississippi into Cedar County, Iowa, where he landed with a cash capital of $2.50, He engaged to work on a farm at $10 per month, and was thus employed until after reaching his majority. In the meantime, with commendable prudence and forethought, he had saved what he could of his earnings, and now became the proud purchaser of a tract of land in Cedar County, upon which he operated until the spring of 1877. At the same time he operated as Station Agent and Postmaster of the village of Center Dale, and, as is usual with country officials of that grade, purchased a stock of goods and engaged in general merchandising. At the time spoken of he disposed of his interests in the Hawkeye State, and coming to this county invested a portion of his capital in a farm on section 5, in Nemaha Precinct, but six months later resumed merchandising, this time in Bennet. In 1880 he sold out his stock of goods and put up the first livery barn in the place, which he conducted two years, and it the expiration of this time was ready to engage in banking.
   In addition to his other interests, Mr. Southwick has operated extensively in real estate, and is the

owner of valuable property in Bennet and vicinity, also in Lincoln. His pleasant home on First street is presided over by a most amiable and estimable lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Esther Austin, and to whom he was married April 6, 1871, in Cedar County, Iowa. Mrs. Southwick was born in Erie County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Timothy and Mary Austin, who were natives of England and New York, and now the father resides in Bennet; the mother is deceased. Of this union there have been born three children--Allison D., Vesta M. and Winnie L. The latter died when an interesting child of seven and one-half years, at the home of her parents in Bennet. Mr. Southwick was first married in Cedar County, Iowa, to Miss Mary Doniphan, who was born in the city of Buffalo. N. Y., and who only survived her marriage two years, her decease taking place in Cedar County, Iowa. Of this union there were no children.
   Mr. Southwick, politically, uniformly supports Republican principles, and with his estimable wife, religiously, adheres to the simple doctrines of the Society of Friends. Considering what he has accomplished as a man and a citizen, it is not strange that his fellow-townsmen should select him as one eminently fitted to look after their common interests, but he has steadily declined assuming the responsibilities of office. In manner he is polite and affable, both to friend and stranger, thus exhibiting inherent manliness which can only come by birth and breeding.

AMES A. BAILEY, wholesale dealer in paints and wallpaper, and also a contractor in painting, whose place of business is at the corner of Twelfth and N Sts., has for several years been prominently identified with the industrial interests of Lincoln, and is the most extensive contractor in his line in the city. He was born in Huron County, Ohio, Feb. 12, 1839, being a son of Hiram and Olive (Isham) Bailey, who were born in Ohio in 1801 and 1806, respectively, The grandparents of our subject, Ephroditus and Zulpha (Wells) Bailey, were of English stock, and his grandfather was the first white settler on the Western Reserve in Ohio, where he carried on the occupation of a farmer, becoming very wealthy. He lived there the remainder of his life, and in their pioneer home he and his wife reared a family of six children.
   The father of our subject was a painter by occupation, and carried on a large business in Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio, being also engaged in ornamental painting. His death in 1849, when scarcely past the prime of life, was a severe blow to the business interests of the community where he had made his home and where he and his wife were held in high esteem. The mother of our subject is living at an advanced age in Shiocton, Outagamie Co., Wis. Six children were born to her and her husband, of whom the following is recorded: Hiram was scalded to death when a child; Charles is a farmer; of Ohio; Henry died in 1876, aged thirty-seven years; William lives in Michigan; James A. is our subject, Susan is now Mrs. Hial Porter; her husband is a druggist and lives in Ohio.
   James A. Bailey was reared in his native town, and educated at the common schools. His father dying when he was but a child, he was early thrown on his own resources, and became a manly, self-reliant lad. At the age of twelve years he left home to apprentice himself to a painter for three years, becoming thorough master of his trade under the skillful teaching of Mr. Smith, who was a fine workman. At the expiration of his term of apprenticeship, he worked at journeyman's wages, and in 1859 moved to Brunswick, Mo., where he was employed as a contractor until the breaking out of the war. He then went to Chicago, and for some years worked as a journeyman for Heath & Milligan. In 1866 he struck out for the great Western plains beyond the Mississippi, and coming here, purchased eighty acres of land under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and pre-empted eighty acres of land besides, all lying in this county, and began the culture of fruit, without, however, abandoning his trade, which he pursued successfully in this city. He established himself in his present business in 1883, and by his enterprise and ability has greatly increased his business. and now occupies a leading position, both as a dealer in the line of stock that he carries, and as a painter. His work is highly prized, and

he has been employed on some of the finest buildings in the county.
   To his estimable wife and helpmate, formerly Miss Esther McGregor, our subject was united in marriage Dec. 19, 1867, the Rev. H. T. Davis, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they then resided, performing the ceremony that made them one. She was born in Maryland in 1847, and is a daughter of William and Alice (Hughes) McGregor. She came to Nebraska the year that she was married. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, namely: William A., Olive A., James, Charles (who died when seven weeks old), Maud and Hester. They are interesting, bright children, and their parents are giving them the advantages of a fine education.
   Mr. Bailey occupies a prominent social position, having been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years, and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and to the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is very liberal and public-spirited, always seeking to promote the best interests of the city and county, and has especially interested himself in securing good educational privileges to the youth of this city, and as School Treasurer for twelve years has done efficient service. Our subject has accumulated much valuable city property since his residence here, and also owns some fine farming land, and is classed among the wealthy men of this city. Mrs. Bailey is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is an active worker in the Sunday-school, and cordially lends her sympathy and aid in the good work that is carried on in Lincoln by her fellow-members.

ELSON STEELE is a son of A. J. Steele, of whom a sketch appears in this volume, and he resides on section 35, Buda Precinct. He was born on the 18th of September, 1857, in Monroe County, Ohio, and when he was quite young, came with his parents, Andrew J. and Mary Steele, to Tazewell County, Ill., and thence to Lancaster County, in 1869. From a child he was accustomed to the labors of a farmer's life, having begun at an early age to assist his father in the work of cultivating his land, and doing the errands that a young boy can do. Here he has grown up to manhood gathering wisdom and strength of character from his experience, and finally launching out to do battle for himself, and prepare a home for his own family.
   On the 14th of November, 1886, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Moore, by whom he has one child, Irvin, who was born on the 7th of October, 1887. There were nine children in his father's family, he being the eldest son, and consequently he has been obliged to depend upon his own labors for the accumulation of his property. Putting into daily use the manly qualities and strength. of character developed in his earlier life on his father's farm, he set about diligently to see what could be accomplished for himself, and he is now the owner of eighty acres of land, as a reward for his diligence.
   It is an undisputed fact that an individual or a faction allowed unlimited sway for a length of time becomes tyrannical, and it is well for the administration of justice that there should be opposing individuals and factions, whose very opposition will prevent the outgrowth of tyranny. In the government of such a country as ours, every man has a voice, and it is well that he should join himself to one or the other of the parties whose policy meets his approval, but he is not using the privilege of a free man if he becomes so thoroughly partisan that he cares only for the upholding of his party, regardless of its principles. Our subject has tried to avoid such partisanship, and while he affiliates with the Republican party he is sufficiently independent to support the men whom he respects and honors, though they should not belong to his party, believing that the best administration can be secured by placing only honest and honorable men in the public offices.
   The younger men of a community should prepare themselves by the advice and example of their elders to assume the public burdens when the latter are no longer able to take an active share in them, thus perpetuating from generation to generation all the advantages gained by the untiring labor of the earliest settlers, and augmenting them whenever

opportunity affords. In this way only can a new country he developed to the heights of prosperity that distinguish some of the older settled States, and in this way only have the older settled States attained their eminent success and development, for their beginning was similar to that of this State. Let all the younger men join with our enterprising subject in the good work of developing the country's resources, and the result will be beyond even their most sanguine expectation.

ENRY MEYER is one of the pioneer farmers of Buda Precinct, residing on section 34. He is a son of G. L. W. and Anne C. Meyer, the former of whom is deceased, and was born on the 27th of October, 1848, in Germany, the native country of his parents. He is the eldest son of his father's family, and enjoyed the advantages by which he was able to secure a fair education in his native tongue. In the fall of the year 1868, accompanied by his brother John, he started to America, making the voyage from Bremen to New York City on a steamer in seventeen days. He at once went out to the Great West, and remained for a time in Clayton County, Iowa. In order to gain a knowledge of the tongue of his adopted country he attended school for one winter in Clayton County, and with the knowledge thus acquired and that subsequently obtained in business life among the people, he has secured a fair knowledge of the English language also.
   Our subject came to this county in the year 1868 and has since resided here, having taken note of the vast improvements as they were made since the first year of his arrival. In 1875 the father of our subject died, and there remain six of the family of children which he reared: Henry, our subject; John, in California; Maggie, wife of G. Rippen; Kate, wife of Detrick Rippen; Peter and Mary, all residents of Buda Precinct.
   On the 17th of November, 1882, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lena Warneke, by whom he has three children, viz: Anne D. was born on the 30th of July, 1883; William, on the 21st of March, 1885; and John on the 20th of March, 1887. Mr. Meyer is the owner of 160 acres of land, which he purchased with the price of his own industry and self-reliance. he has worked hard to improve it, and is now comfortably situated. While he is interested in the political government of the country and is a Republican in politics, he is not sufficiently partisan to always adhere to that party, generally making use of his privilege to vote for the men whom he thinks the best qualified to conduct public affairs, no matter to which party they belong.
   For twenty years has our subject lived in this county, and no doubt if he were to tell of all the changes that have taken place in that time, and describe the surroundings as they were when his eyes first looked upon them, the younger members of the community who have not passed through an experience like his, could scarcely be made to believe that the scenes so familiar to their eyes have been created within a few decades. But rapidly as the country has been developed, and wonderful as are the achievements of her inhabitants, the end is not yet, and she will go on continuing to improve, the land becoming fairer and more fruitful, until perhaps there will have been made as great changes in the coming decades as have been made in those of the past. Many of these important changes have been brought about by the active industry of just such men as our subject, and to them is due the honor arising from so great accomplishments. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Lutheran Church, and merits the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellowmen.

ULIUS H. WETTSTRUCK. As the tiny coral builders begin working far down under the water, and bit by bit contribute a mite to the structure which they have begun, until at last their goal is reached, and they appear above the surface, so must there be a commencement of the building which every man does, adding here and there a mite to the structure until at last it comes forth finished from the hands of the workman. But let not the tiny coral worker that has reached the surface scorn the way by which he has

risen, for if his foundation were withdrawn, he would be cast as low as any; and let not that man who prides himself on his achievements and success, scorn the way by which he has risen, for he had to mount the ladder step by step, there was no taking the rounds out of it and making one great leap to the top, and to each step he owes a certain amount of the strength and solidity of the foundation which upholds him. By successive steps has the subject of our sketch climbed from a condition in which he was virtually without means, to his present condition of luxury and wealth.
   The gentleman of whom we speak is the only son of John and Frederica Wittstruck, and was born on the 6th of January, 1842, in Prussia. He received a very good education in his native tongue, and also has a fair English education. When about six or seven years old the first great sorrow of his life fell upon him, in the death of his mother, and a few years after that sad event, in the year 1857, he emigrated to America in company with an uncle, Frank Wettstruck. They took passage at Hamburg, on a sailing-vessel, and after an ocean voyage of five weeks and three days, they landed in New York City, our subject at once went to Wisconsin, where he worked as a farm hand for two years, and then going to Woodford County, Ill, for a time he worked there by the month as a farm hand, and for a short time rented a farm.
   In the year 1865 our subject was married to Mary A. Debolt, and to them four children were given: Charlotte, wife of J. H. Ames; Arthur, deceased; Caroline and Carl. He was a second time married, on the 24th of May, 1876, to Halldora Halldorson, a native of Iceland. In the year 1865 he came to Lancaster County, Neb., and here homesteaded 160 acres of land, which is his present farm. Since then he has purchased eighty acres in South Pass Precinct, making in all 240 acres. He settled on his farm when there was not a furrow turned, and to him it must have seemed like an enormous undertaking to bring that large tract of virgin soil into a fertile state of cultivation. However, he knew there was no way of accomplishing the task but by beginning and then keeping at it. This he did, and in the course of time, and by dint of energy and good management, he has made of it one of the best farms in his precinct. When he came to Nebraska he had but $75, with which beginning he has accumulated his present splendid property.
   Thus we may say that among self-made men our subject is entitled to take a high rank, owing all he has to his own business-like qualifications and enterprise. He is a firm believer that the political organization which Thomas Jefferson inaugurated is the one whose able management will secure the best results to the country, therefore he gives his vote and his influence to the Democratic party. For five or six years he has served as Road Supervisor. His experience has been worth much to him, and yet he would not again willingly undergo all the trials and difficulties incident to the life of in early settler, and we are glad to know that he is happily enjoying the fruits of his industry.

ARUS BARNASON. The remarkable advantages for not only making a comfortable living in this country, but for securing a competency, and also the political advantages afforded every American citizen, and the opportunity given for educating young, have attracted from every country the world around, many of their most valued and enterprising citizens. We find on the streets of our great cities people from all nations, but perhaps the most seldom met are those born in the far-off northern island of Iceland. We have in this brief sketch to give it record of the life of a native of Iceland, a gentleman who is to-day an influential and enterprising farmer of Buda Precinct, residing on section 36, and although a voting man--for he was born on the 26th of December, 1855--he was a pioneer of the precinct in which he now owns a good farm, and is a well-to-do and respected citizen.
   Mr. Barnason is the son of Barney and Emma Barnason, both of whom were also natives of Iceland. When Larus was a youth of fourteen years of age he had the great misfortune to lose by death both father and mother. Thus left to shift for himself we find him three years later in company with his brother Thomas on his way to America. He came on a steamer via England, the voyage requir-