new home his energies were spent in the establishment and support of similar institutions. In every school-house for quite a large distance around his home, he went to work to found a Sunday-school, and until he could find some one living near by who could take charge thereof, he would superintendent himself. His plan was to visit each school in regular order, and not infrequently the list of schools he visited in this way was quite lengthy. The Sunday-School Mass Meetings, which have become so deservedly popular in Illinois, were introduced by Mr. Bingham when he was sent as a delegate to the Clear Creek Association. In the Baptist communion our subject was considered their best worker in this department. The Colored Sunday-School Association, of which our subject was President until his removal to Nebraska, exists as a result of the largeness of his liberality and untiring effort. When he determined to remove to this place he received, as was most just, a highly commendatory letter to the church at Lincoln, with which he united upon his arrival. This was in the year 1878. Since that time he has served the church as Treasurer and Deacon, and has been untiring in interest and zealous effort in Sunday-school work. He has established a large number of such schools in the county, and superintends the one held in the school-house opposite his home. For seven years Mr. Bingham held the office of Treasurer to the Ottawa Baptist Association.
   There are two kinds of religion in the world today and the failure to discriminate between them is at the bottom of all the atheism and most of the dissatisfaction that is observed in regard to such matters. It is the difference between the true and false; the genuine and counterfeit; the vital and the superficial; the profession and the possession. That of our subject, which has enabled him to sustain such high positions in the esteem and affection of the very extensive circle in which he has moved in the different States of which he has been a resident, stamps the religion of our subject as that which has its strong hold in the heart, and, reaching out into all the happenings, duties and surroundings of each day and hour, produces a life and not a mere "I believe" profession.
   In political affairs the subject of our sketch has seen many changes. In early life he was a Whig; later he became an Abolitionist, and during the war was a strong Union man. Ever since the organization of the Republican party he has been a cordial supporter thereof, and at all times energetic in its behalf. By the members of the party he has been considered one of its faithful friends and firmest adherents. The friends of this gentleman will be pleased to find the portrait of Mr. Bingham in this volume, and the general reader cannot fail to be interested to look into the face of such a man and citizen.

ETER OSTRAN. Upon the map of Europe, in the northern part, is marked a country which in the days of old played perhaps a more important part in the affairs of that continent than it does to-day, when it is overshadowed largely by massive, consolidated empires. What is known regarding this country, however, is as a whole more to its credit than the history of some of its neighboring States. From this country--Sweden--there have come to America as emigrants many, who, as they have obtained a larger grasp of the condition of things in their adopted country, have taken their places in the first rank of citizens.
   The subject of this writing, is a native of the above country, the son of Sven and Sarah (Peterson) Ostran, both of whom were likewise natives of Sweden. His father was engaged in mercantile pursuits and had a large wholesale and retail establishment. He also filled with honor, for a period of twenty-eight years, the office of County Judge. He was the parent of seven children, three of whom were boys. Our subject, who was the fourth child of the family, was born Jan. 1, 1845. The life of a child in Sweden would seem to be a busy one, for after twelve short years school and playground became things of the past, and it that early age he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. His talents rapidly developed themselves, and after about four years he is found carrying on a business and employing several hands. After con-

tinuing to work at his trade for some three years, be sold out his business and came to this country.
   Our subject was about twenty-four years of age when he landed in New York, which event transpired July 2, 1869. In a few days he proceeded to Princeton, Ill., and obtained work almost at once as foreman. He continued thus engaged and with the same firm for a period of four years. He afterward remained, still working at his trade, for another six years, making ten years of life in Illinois. He came to Nebraska Oct. 5, 1879. and settled in Bennet. At this time his family included besides himself his wife and two children. A farm on section 32, Nemaha Precinct, was then for sale and held out inducements which led, him finally to its purchase. Here he continued to reside and was very successful in husbandry for three years, when he removed to a farm on section 4, which his prosperity enabled him to purchase. This comprised 160 acres of land, a portion of which was improved.
   Miss Martha B. Coddington, an Illinois lady of education, culture and womanly grace, had captivated his affections, and this culminated on July 28, 1872, in their marriage. This lady is the daughter of James and Catherine (Fearer) Coddington, both natives of Virginia. The family first settled in Bureau County, Ill. It was the great sorrow and misfortune of this family that death removed by violent accident the father, which event occurred as the result of a severe fall from the back of a wagon while it was in motion. When this sad incident occurred, our subject was in the midst of a somewhat extended visit in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mrs. Coddington, his wife, continues to make her residence in Bureau County, Ill. The family circle included ten children, four of whom were sons. The youngest of the family is the lady who afterward became Mrs. Ostran. She was born Jan. 31, 1854. The family of our subject numbers three children--Lottie M., James R. and Lee R.
   The Baptist Church for several years was their religious home, but for a long time Mr. and Mrs. Ostran have been worthy members of the United Brethren denomination, and enjoy the confidence and high regard of their fellow-members. Our subject affiliates with the Republican party, the principles of which he most firmly believes and most strongly advocates; nevertheless he takes a decided stand upon the much agitated question of the liquor traffic, and upon that he is a Prohibitionist. We may perhaps trace this feeling to the fact that our subject has the bringing up of these bright, intelligent children, especially his two sons, for no one can look upon the temptations which surround children as a result of this traffic, without feeling more or less the need of a strong safeguard against the same. We have only to add in the brief space permitted by this sketch that Mrs. Ostran is as worthy of high regard, confidence and esteem for the position she sustains in church, social and domestic spheres, as her husband in his more varied relations, and that both husband and wife deservedly enjoy the utmost esteem and respect of the community.

W. MUSSETTER, proprietor of the Mussetter quarry, and a farmer, is one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of Roca Village. As that of a man who has risen superior to adversity, and has nobly conquered all the difficulties that lay in his pathway, the life of our subject has been a grand one, well worthy of emulation by the youth of the rising generation. It has been one long struggle for the success that he has finally achieved. Twice during his career has he been down to almost desperation in his financial standing, but his indomitable will and persevering toil have each time brought him up triumphantly, and his present prosperity is established on a sure foundation.
   The parents of our subject, Michael and Maria (Smith) Mussetter, were natives of Virginia, the father of Berkeley County, and the mother of Hampshire County. His paternal grandfather, Christian Mussetter, was a German by birth, and his maternal grandfather, Reuben Smith, who fought in the War of 1812, was of Welsh and English blood. The parents of our subject settled in Hampshire County, Va., where for seventeen years Mr. Mussetter car-

ried on blacksmithing very prosperously. He then removed with his family to Wood County, W. Va., where he bought a farm, continuing to reside there until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. He was an intelligent, well-informed man, tender and true hearted in his relations with his family and friends, and as a citizen, intensely loyal to his country, his only regret on his dying bed being, that he could not live to see the Union cause triumphant. His worthy wife died in 1876, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, six sons and three daughters.
   Our subject, the second son and child, was born Aug. 22, 1833, in Hampshire County, Va., near Ridgeville. His educational advantages were limited, as there were then no free schools in the part of the country where he was reared, and his father having a large family of children, could not afford to keep them in the rate schools much of the time. I W. was sixteen years old when his father went to farming in Wood County. W. Va., and he assisted his father some on his farm. But the latter succeeded so poorly in his farming venture that it became necessary for our subject to seek work elsewhere, that he might help support the family. Accordingly he worked as a farm laborer and on public works, and with noble self-sacrifice gave all his earnings toward defraying the household expenses, quietly suppressing his own desires and ambitions, and never saving up a dollar for himself until he was twenty-eight years old. In that year, 1861, he married Miss Mary Martha, daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Spaun) Leach, natives respectively of Maryland and Marshall County. Va. Her father followed his vocation of farmer in Marshall County, Va., until 1850, when he removed to Wood County, Ohio, where his wife died in 1854, at the age of forty-eight. Mr. Leach continued to live in Wood County for some time, but finally came to Nebraska, and spent his last days with our subject and his daughter, dying in 1887, at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years. He was the father of eight children, two boys and six girls, and Mrs. Mussetter was his third child in order of birth. She was born June 9, 1829, in Marshall County, Va.. and was eight years old when her parents moved to Wood County. Her educational advantages were similar to those of her husband.
   After marriage Mr. Mussetter bought a small farm, and operated it a year or two, and then engaged in the mercantile business in the town of Deerwalk, Wood County. He was not very successful, as he was too liberal in trusting his customers, and in the financial crisis of 1870 and 1871 he came down with a crash, which was aggravated by a fall in the price of oil. Mr. Mussetter then started in the blacksmith business in Volcano, Va., and was very successful there for two years, when the tide turned against him again, and he was again stranded, financially speaking. But he paid his indebtedness dollar for dollar, and with barely $300 in his pocket, made his way with his family to Nebraska, arriving at Lincoln in December, 1874. He succeeded in obtaining winter quarters, and in the next spring rented a farm and team. He was greatly encouraged by the good harvests of 1875 and 1876, and continued renting land for six years. In 1881 he bought 120 acres of school land, and now has a first-class farm, with a commodious frame dwelling and various other improvements. Mr. Mussetter began to develop a stone quarry on his own farm on a small scale, and in 1884 he branched out in the business by leasing the Myers quarry, which he operated for three years, and in the spring of 1888 he leased the McKinnon quarry. He has put in a side track, and employs about eight men and four or five teams, taking out about two or three carloads a day. He ships stone to various Nebraska cities within a radius of 100 miles. His stone is found to possess every requisite of the best building material, and he has quite an extensive business, is gradually getting into good working order, and will be able to fill large contracts. Taking everything into consideration, our subject has been very successful since coming to Nebraska.
   Mr. Mussetter's life has been guided by principles of the highest honor and integrity, as a perusal of this biographical sketch will show, and he is a man of unspotted character, well dowered with firmness and stability. He has the interest of this community deeply at heart, and has done much for its social, moral and religious elevation. He is a member of the Board of Education, and is School

Treasurer for his district. He is a Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both he and his wife are leading members, and he is also Class-Leader. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, and both he and Mrs. Mussetter have been actively engaged in the temperance cause for some time.

ON. HERMAN J. LIESVELD. Andrew Jackson Davis' idea of life, as represented in the vision at Poughkeepsie, recited in his biography, frequently referred to in his "Harmony," and other works, is, after all, not without a semblance of truth. It may be remembered that his vision takes the form of seven mountains, each rising higher than the other, and that, beginning at the foot of the lowest in childhood, one, through life, progresses in direct ratio to the pertinacity and continued effort put forth in mounting the steep ascents, which are marked all the way by rocks, boulders, ravines, precipices, and other dangers and difficulties. Looking back from the highest summit of all, where, by the way, he finds himself almost alone, he sees the whole path occupied by struggling humanity, some advancing, others retrogressing, stopping or falling. In the biography here presented it is our pleasure to offer that of one who has almost attained the summit of the seventh mountain, which includes not simply the success of finance and position, but manhood, in all that may be included in the term.
   The parents of our subject, Derk and Martina (Van Der Teems) Liesveld, were born in Arnhem, an ancient and fortified town situated upon the Rhine, about fifty miles from Amsterdam, with a, population of about 35,000 persons. By trade Mr. Leisveld, Sr., was a shoemaker, and worked at the same until he came to this country, where he conceived that a better home could be made and his family better started in life than in the more crowded cities and provinces of the old countries. He accordingly sailed for the United States, landing in New York with his wife and child in the month of May, 1847, and began work almost immediately in a lumber-yard and sawmill upon the Hudson, near the city. He worked very little at his own trade, until he removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he combined his old calling with the new. His next removal was to Zealand, Mich., where he opened a shop, and for nine months continued with success as a boot and shoe maker. Thence he removed to Fulton, Ill., where he engaged in the dairy business for about nine months. The family then resided in Rockville, Wis., and again there is a revision to the original business, coupled, however, with that of farming, which was sufficiently remunerative and prosperous to continue its attractions and hold the family for a period of ten years. Thence a removal was made to Chenoa, Ill., and he engaged as a nursery man and purchased an interest in the business of M. T. Scott, which he held for four years, and then made his final removal to about seven miles south of Hastings, Iowa, where he carried on a large stock farm for Mr. Scott.
   The father of our subject became the owner of 200 acres of land in this county, but he was never permitted to enter the "Canaan of the West," for, just as arrangements were being made to that end, he was called to relinquish the properties of earth and enter the land of silent spirits. He was fifty-five years of age at his death, Aug. 21, 1875. The mother of our subject resides upon the farm at South Pass Precinct, this county, and, despite her seventy-eight years, enjoys fair health and strength. To this happy union, in the course of years, there came seven little ones, who alternated in sex after the original order of male and female, as will be noticed by the subjoined record of their names in order of their birth. The first-born, as above stated, was our subject, Herman J., who was born in Arnhem; then Johanna, Frank, Mary, Thomas, Sarah and Samuel, all of whom were born in this country.
   Our subject has no recollection of the passage from Amsterdam or the early life in New York. At the age of seven he attended the public school at Grand Rapids, and completed his education in Fulton, Ill., and Rockville, Wis., where, in addition to the studies of the school hours, he was thoroughly instructed in the German language, and here his school education terminated. He continued from this on until he attained his majority, working in the nursery, superintending the men

employed, and having charge of the work department. In 1868 our subject was wedded to Miss Mary Pramm, of Rockville, but a native of Hanover, Germany, where she was born Dec. 6, 1846. She is the youngest child of four born to her parents, and was eight years of age when she came to this country. She is the daughter of Henry and Christina Pramm. It was her misfortune to be left fatherless within twenty-four hours after landing at Potosi, on the Mississippi River, her father leaving his wife a widow with four children, to fight the battles of a new life in a new country, her troubles being increased in a few days by the loss of her only son. She was, however, a lady of courage and resources; she, therefore, faced nobly the severe and well-nigh overpowering trial, and went to work for herself and children with a womanly spirit beyond all laudation, and shortly succeeded in placing them and herself in a position of comparative. comfort and ease. She removed to Riley Center, Kan., in 1870 where she died ten years subsequently, at the age of seventy-seven years.
   The education of Mrs. Liesveld was commenced in Germany, and was as thorough as her age would permit. This has since been supplemented and extended until she is fitted for any position in life, and would grace any sphere, even the highest in the land. In 1869 our subject became the superintendent of Mr. Scott's stock farm, retaining the same for a period of nine years, making in all eleven years he had been with Mr. Scott. In 1872 a visit was made to Nebraska, for the purpose of prospecting, in which several counties were visited, and eighty acres were purchased in South Pass Precinct. This, with his father's property, made a total of 320 acres, of which forty acres were shortly afterward sold. Arrangements were made by Mr. Liesveld for his land to be broken, and improvements commenced by way of farm buildings, his residence being erected later.
   Our subject and family took up their residence upon the above farm in the spring of 1879, and continued to operate it for three years, meeting with an experience as checkered as the floor of Solomon's Temple. In the year 1881 he was employed by T. W. Lowry to take charge of the grain elevator at Firth, continuing in the same for three years. During this time the partnership of Lowry & Liesveld was formed, in the same line of business. With increasing prosperity came the opportunity for further investment, and in the fall of 1884 a partnership was arranged with J. J. Trompen in the grain business. The business of the new firm speedily demanded larger, quarters, and the present substantial building was erected. It is a steam elevator, with a capacity of 13,000 bushels, and is fitted and supplied with every modern convenience and implement, and has since been the recipient of many thousand bushels of the golden grain of Nebraska, that has ultimately found its way eastward, and supplied the staff of life to innumerable families. The business exceeds 125,000 bushels per annum, which is supplemented by a large trade in all kinds of farm machinery, implements, and general supplies.
   The home circle of our subject includes seven children, and it is a source of gratification to the parents to recognize in them those qualities and estimable attributes which wilt result, with proper care, in noble lives and characters. Appended are their names in order of seniority: Marena C., M. T. Scott, Julia G., Derika A., Bertha L., Matilda W. and Maude H. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Henry Meyer, a successful farmer in Saltillo Precinct; the remaining children are still at home, and attending school, except the youngest, who is but four years of age.
   Among the citizens of Lancaster County, there are few, if any, who surpass the subject of this biography in ability, generosity, manliness, moral courage, fidelity and popularity; whether we view his life from the standpoint of home, business, finance, political or representative position. In 1884 he was nominated by the Republican Convention of Lancaster County as a candidate for the Legislature, and the same fall was elected by a large majority, and served a term of two years, was re-elected in 1886, and still occupies the seat. In the halls of legislation he has distinguished himself in various ways, in a manner which has greatly enhanced the prevailing feeling in his favor among the citizens of the county; only two or three of the more noteworthy may be culled for mention in this epitome. An action, which has brought him

much popularity, is his introduction of bill No. 220 an act to provide for the organization of the students of the State University of Nebraska into a military battalion; also, to provide for the commissioning of officers for the same. Another bill introduced by Mr. Liesveld was No. 257, an act to provide for the employment of a County Prosecutor and the payment thereof in cases where change of venue has been taken in criminal cases from one county to another. This list might be lengthened wellnigh indefinitely. Suffice it to remark that our subject has always been true to the principles of his party and to the interests of the people, and if, at any time, these should appear to be antagonistic or opposite, the people receive his first consideration.
   Mr. and Mrs. Liesveld are among the most consistent and faithful members of the German Presbyterian Church at Hickman, in which the religious instruction of their family is also received. In our subject the Republican party has one of its staunchest adherents and warmest supporters. He is a Republican through and through, and in campaigns and other special work his large popularity, influence, vigorous thought. powerful argument and telling eloquence, are at the command of his political coadjutors.

OHN F. HAY. Another of the representative citizens of Lancaster County, whether we speak of him relative to his social, religious, political or business relations, is John F. Hay, whose residence is situated on section 28, Yankee Hill Precinct, where he owns 240 acres of land. He is a native of Calhoun County, Mich., where he was born, June 20, 1853, to Alexander and Sarah A. Hay. His mother, who is still a resident of Calhoun County, is of an Eastern family, and a native of Saratoga County, N. Y. His father was a native of Washington County, and is now deceased. His paternal ancestry are Scotch.
   Our subject is the only son of the family, and spent his early years, youth and manhood, amid the scenes in which he was ushered into life. His parents were among those few brave, self-reliant, undaunted men and women for whom the boundaries of Eastern civilization were all too narrow and confining. Like other bold spirits of the time, they gathered together their possessions and pushed out into the great unknown; to new scenes, new surroundings, difficulties and dangers. This pioneer life was that into which our subject was ushered, in which he was reared. From boyhood up he was active about the farm, and became intimately conversant with the many and intricate details of the farm work, the divers kinds and qualities of seeds and sons, the most compatible, those which promised most success. The variety and differences of stock and cattle all became familiar to him.
   In Washington County, N. Y., resided James H. and Catherine Van Ness. This family, as is clearly expressed by the cognomen, was of Dutch extraction. The immediate forerunners of James H. Van Ness were among the very early Dutch colonists who settled in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y. On the 8th of March, 1845, the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Van Ness was made glad with the brightness of a new life. The little girl was named Cornelia. As she approached the years of womanhood she developed such traits of character and displayed such admirable qualities, that the acquaintanceship which our subject about this time began more to appreciate, speedily ripened into stronger sentiments, and on Feb. 11, 1879, they united their fortunes and lives in wedlock. The principal event in her life, up to this time had been the death of her father, which occurred when she was seventeen years of age.
   In 1879 our subject removed from Michigan to Lancaster County, and took land and settled in this precinct. Mr. Hay is practically a self-made man, as were so many of those hearty pioneers from the very necessity of their circumstances. We must remember how far they were from educational institutions of any large caliber; how few and how far between the school-houses were; the miles the child must traverse in going to and fro; and their difficulties of travel in this untamed country; the dangers to which we are now happily strangers, but which were liable to become very real to them at any step of their journey, and last, but far from least, the crudeness and inconvenience of their educational apparatus. The workman who turns out good work with poor tools we honor and admire,