be the individual who has been overcome by the misfortunes and adversities of life, or more extensive demands from the community at large. His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, and has borne seven children, of whom John W. is the second. The eldest was Elizabeth, now the wife of E. T. McKee, of Stockton, Cal.; after John W. was Lorain, wife of H. W. Cowell, also of Stockton; Phebe, now Mrs. Warren Johnson, of Grant County, Wis.; William, resident in Arizona, and Everett, of Ripon, Cal.; Ina I., who married A. Grindell, but afterward died in California, and Charles, now a resident of Platteville, Wis.
   Until our subject was eighteen years of age his life was spent between attending school and rendering such services as he was enabled to upon the farm. Then (in 1864) he enlisted and went into service with Company B, 43d Wisconsin Regiment, which was commanded by Col. Allison Cobb, now of the Nebraska Supreme Bench. Mr. Dickinson participated in the battle of Johnsonville, Tenn., and a number of minor engagements, and was discharged by general order, in July, 1865, at the close of the war, when he returned home to Wisconsin. Two years after he turned his face westward, and finally located on section 14, town 11, range 8, Waverly Precinct. Here he entered a homestead claim, took up his residence upon it, and set to work to fulfill the other legal requirements. In due time he proved up, and has since continued to occupy it. He owns 180 acres of land, which is in a good state of cultivation, and upon it is found, besides his pleasant residence, substantially built farm buildings, in which attention has been given in the detail of arrangement, to such provision as shall insure the greatest comfort and convenience. In addition to his farm Mr. Dickinson has engaged extensively for the last three years in the sale of live stock and grain.
   In the year 1871 Mr. Dickinson was married to Carrie A. Hulling, daughter of Samuel and Johana Hulling. This lady was born in Grant County, Wis., where she resided until her marriage. Their home has been brightened by the presence of four children--Ensign, Fanny, Ina and Clyde.
   Our subject follows the admirable example of his father in politics, and has been a careful student, strong adherent, and eloquent advocate of the principles of the Republican party; frequently has he been called upon to fill local offices. He was a candidate for election to the State Legislature in 1886, at which time, remembering his conscientious and careful work in the other offices, respecting his manly character and integrity, judging him a worthy and true man, one fitted in an eminent. degree to represent them, the people elected him.
   In the G. A. R., of Waverly, of which society Mr. Dickinson is a member, he has been found to be a consistent, reliable and active member, courteous gentleman, and brave comrade, especially in the post with which he is immediately connected.

OSEPH ROCKE is one of the prominent farmers residing in Buda Precinct, being the owner of eighty acres of land on section 1, also of 320 acres in Rawlins County, Kan. He was born on the 15th of November, 1854, in McLean County, Ill.. and is a son of Joseph and Mary Rocke, both natives of Germany. His parents, emigrated to America, and after reaching this country went to Illinois, and among other places in which they made their home was the county of Tazewell. They came to Lancaster County about the year 1868, and the father homesteaded eighty acres of land, it now being the home of his son, our subject. The father died in January, 1883, and the mother in June, 1886, they having been the parents of seven children, six now living, namely: Christian is proprietor of the Washington House; Jacob, the present County Treasurer of this county; Mary, the wife of Prof. Richard Stockfeld, who is the principal of the schools at Cortland, Gage County; Melinda, the wife of Henry Weidaman, in Gage County; Elizabeth, the wife of John Fisher, residing in Lincoln, and Joseph, our subject.
   The gentleman in whose honor this sketch is written has been a resident of this county since the year 1868, consequently he has had considerable experience as an early settler, and has watched with pride and interest the improvements that are yearly being made. On the 3d of April, 1887, he was united in marriage with Mary Rocke, a native of

Illinois, by whom he has one daughter, Clara, who was born on the 16th of January, 1888. He is a member of the Republican party, and is interested in all general public improvements.
   The later residents of a country whose resources have been well developed can hardly appreciate the advantages of education and religion which they enjoy as fully as can those early settlers who have kept pace with the improvements, as they were made, and have watched with admiration the rapid progress toward perfection. Parents bravely and uncomplainingly endured the hardships and privations incident to the life of an early settler, stimulated by the thought that their children and their children's children would enjoy the fruits of their industry, and that in the history of a country none receive more honorable mention than do those noble men and women who made the first start toward colonization. The subject of our sketch will be remembered as one who has done his share in the great work of improving this vast Western country, and as he is yet but a young man will have ample opportunity to watch the further growth and development of his section. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people of his neighborhood, and has been fairly successful in life.

UGUST LUCKE. As a whole, it is open to discussion whether there is a more desirable class of immigrants in the New World, taking up land or making their homes in the Western country, than those who are from the country of the Rhine. It has been noticed frequently that quite a large number of friends, relatives and acquaintances will leave their native valley together and journey to this country, and take up their claims so as to form quite a colony. Something of that kind took place in the settlement of certain parts of Lancaster County, and our subject is one who stands prominently before the people of Buda Precinct as a representative American citizen, man and farmer. His property is on section 26 of the above precinct, and comprises 480 acres of very excellent farming land.
   Our subject was born in Germany, on the 18th of October, 1839, and is the son of Louis and Charlotte Lucke, the former of whom is deceased. His mother now resides in the same precinct. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native country, and there received a good practical education. He determined to emigrate to America in the spring of 1861, and crossed from Bremen to New York in a sailing-vessel, occupying upon the voyage six weeks and five days. For about four years he continued to work steadily in Chicago, where he was employed driving teams, etc. As soon as he had saved sufficient to warrant the venture, he removed to Benton County, Iowa, and began to farm upon his own account, and continued with increasing prosperity for three and a half years. In the fall of 1872 our subject came to this county and homesteaded eighty acres of land, and it was not long before he had a thoroughly improved farm.
   Subsequently our subject added to his farm, piece by piece, until to-day it comprises 480 acres, mostly of fine bottom land, all in good condition and yielding very fine harvests. In 1861, when men were called for, he enlisted in the defense of the old flag, and on the 1st of October became a member of Company 11, 51st Illinois Infantry, 2d Division, 3d Brigade, Commander. Col. Bridlair, Chicago. Among the battles in which he participated may be mentioned those of Spring Hill and Franklin, and in the fight at Nashville and a second battle at Decatur. He finally became a member of the "Thomas Corps" and was sent to Texas, and afterward returned to Camp Butler, Ill., and was at that place when discharged in December, 1862.
   The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 4th of March, 1870, at Vinton, Benton Co., Iowa, the lady of his choice being Minnie Strankman, and their family includes five children, who have been named as follows: Anne, Willie, Matilda, Rosa and Huldah. His home is very pleasantly situated, and is designed to afford much comfort and convenience; during the warm summer days, the shade and orchard trees receive much praise because of their grateful shade and fruit, while through the long winter evenings, when the family are gathered in their cosy parlor, it is hard to find a brighter or happier home.
   Our subject is as conscientious in the question of

his suffrage as he is successful in his business, voting not for party, but for the man, and he who is the best, in the judgment of our subject, receives his vote. He is affiliated with the Buda Agricultural Society, and with his wife, is a member of the German Congregational Church.

RASTUS E. BROWN, President of the State National Bank of Lincoln, has been prominent in city affairs and the business interests of this growing town since the time of his coming here in 1870. A native of Onondaga County, N. Y., he was born in the town of Jordan, Oct. 27, 1838, and was the third in a family of four children born to Russell and Laura (Sweet) Brown, who were of New England ancestry, and the father a native of Massachusetts.
   Russell Brown emigrated to New York State when a youth of sixteen years, and thence, some years after his marriage, to Steuben County, Ind. The mother died in 1879. Mr. Brown and family still live in Indiana. Erastus E. acquired his early education in the district school, and when a youth of fifteen years made his way to the town of Wolcottviile, Ind., and attended the academy two years. Subsequently he went to Auburn, N. Y. and entered the law office of Wright & Pomeroy, and under the instruction of these first-class attorneys gained a fine insight into legal lore. He also attended the Law School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1861, and began the practice of his profession at Moravia, Cayuga Co., N. Y.
   Mr. Brown continued his law practice at Moravia until 1870, then, turning his face westward, took up his residence in the rising city of Lincoln, where he followed his chosen calling successfully until 1882, when failing health obliged him to withdraw from duties which were consuming too much of his time and strength. He became identified with the State National Bank as its President in 1885, and still holds this position, discharging the various duties and responsibilities therewith in a manner which has placed it upon a substantial footing and gained for its leading official the esteem and confidence of the community.
   The marriage of Erastus E. Brown and Miss Jennie Churchill, of Onondaga County, N. Y., was celebrated at the home of the bride in Borodino, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1866. Mrs. Brown was born in Onondaga County, and is the daughter of Ansen and Izabenda Churchill. The father died when his daughter Jennie was five years old. The mother died in 1875. They occupy a handsome home on L and Thirteenth streets. Mr. Brown was elected Mayor of Lincoln in 1872, and was the united choice of the people of this district for the State Senate in 1877 and 1881. He was largely instrumental in securing the appropriation for the building of the State Capitol at Lincoln, which gave to this city its substantial growth and which has maintained it upon a solid basis. He is a man liberal minded and public-spirited, and came to this section of country at a time when such men were most needed. In politics, he is a stanch Republican.

RUSSELL LOWNES, one of the, enterprising and public-spirited men of Grant Precinct, owns a fine farm 320 acres in extent, which is located on section 10, and upon which he has erected a neat and substantial dwelling, a commodious barn, and the other buildings required for the successful prosecution of agriculture after modern methods. The estate is also supplied with the other appurtenances required by the progressive agriculturist, namely, first-class farm machinery, excellent grades of livestock, including horses, cattle and swine, a fine orchard of apple trees and the smaller fruits, which go to make up the comforts and enjoyments of the rural home.
   Sharing in the prosperity of the subject of this sketch are an excellent and sensible wife and two bright children. The latter have been carefully reared, and given those advantages in keeping with their position as the representatives of a family which is widely and favorably known throughout this part of the county, and with whose history they are closely identified, and who have contributed their full quota in bringing it to its present position.

The communities of the West have grown rapidly, and, during the six years' residence of our subject in this portion of Lancaster County, his example and his labors have had due weight with the people around him and have proved an impetus to their own efforts, illustrating the oft repeated maxim, that much of life is due to its surroundings and associations.
   The Lownes family is supposed to have originated in Wales, and the father of our subject, Joseph by name, was born in Belmont County, Ohio. Upon reaching manhood he was married, in Fulton County, Ill., to Miss Susannah J. Russell, who was born in Alexandria, Vt., and who emigrated with her parents to Torre Haute, Ind., where they remained two years, then moved to Fulton County, Ill., where they lived about four years, then changed their residence to McDonough County, of which they remained residents until December, 1882. Then, coming to Nebraska, they settled in Grant Precinct, where the mother died on the 4th of May, 1883, and the father two years later, Sept. 15, 1885. Their family included four children, the eldest of whom, Evelyn, is, the wife of Charles A. Cook, of Oak Precinct, this county; J. Russell, our subject, was the second child and only son; Susannah, Mrs. Charles M. Martin, resides on a farm in Grant Precinct; Ida married Fielding Martin, and died in Grant Precinct, March 23, 1885.
   The subject of this sketch was born in McDonough County, Ill., April 8, 1847, was reared to farm pursuits, and completed his education in the Normal School in Macomb, in his native county. He came to this county in the latter part of 1882. He had been married in Prairie City, Ill., Nov. 9, 1870, to Miss Frances V. Cadwallader, who was born in Ellisville, Fulton County, that State, Jan. 27, 1850, and is the daughter of Ezra and Mary M. (Lancaster) Cadwallader, the former of whom died in Prairie City, April 14, 1872. The mother is still living, and makes her home in Lewisburg, Kan.
   To our subject and his wife there were born three children, the youngest of whom, a son, Marcus, died when about one year old, in 1879. Mrs. Lownes is a very capable and intelligent lady, of good family, and occupies a fine social position is the wife of one of the leading men of this county, and representing the best phase of its agricultural and business interests. She is a member in good standing of the Free-Will Baptist Church, while Mr. Lownes was reared in the religious faith of the Society of Friends, and is still in sympathy with the principles taught him by his honored parents.
   The maternal grandmother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Susan Janey, whose ancestors crossed the Atlantic from England on the same vessel with William Penn, and were in full sympathy with the great peacemaker in his labors to implant the principles of truth and justice upon the soil of the new continent. Politically, Mr. Lownes is a pronounced Republican, and a man who keeps him self well posted upon matters of general interest to the intelligent and responsible citizen.

ON. WILLIAM W. CARDER. A well known officer of the United States Army, a recently written magazine article, has forcibly stated the fact of the wonderful development of the great Western plains in the following words: "The rapid and thorough reclamation of our Western possessions from the control and domination of savages, and the magical transformation of this vast expanse of wilderness from a theater of barbarous warfare into thriving cities, villages and farms, the occupants of which are provided with peaceful and happy homes, are doubtless without a parallel in the annals of civilization." As one who has been a witness of this magical transformation from wilderness to civilization, it gives us great pleasure to present in the pages of this work a biographical sketch of William W. Carder. He is a fine representative of the hardy, courageous pioneers who laid the foundations of Nebraska's present prosperity, and he has also assisted in building the noble superstructure that has since arisen, making it a great and powerful State. When he came to Nebraska in 1857 it was under Territorial Government, and there were but few settlements away from the Missouri River. It was then that he saw for the first time the broad and almost illimitable plains, stretching for hundreds of miles away to the base of the Rocky

Mountains, which form a portion of what was then called the "Great American Desert," with which in the years that followed he became so familiar. It was a wild, desolate country, where deer, antelope and buffalo roamed at will, and the Indians were still numerous and often hostile.
   In 1867 Mr. Carder settled in Lincoln, and to him belongs the distinction of having edited and published the first newspaper ever issued in this city or, indeed, in the interior of Nebraska, and through its columns he was instrumental in attracting people hither and thus building up the city, which had been previously organized, although the sale of lots had not taken place. Assisted by his wife in setting the type, he sent forth to the public the first number of his paper, called the Nebraska Commonwealth, on the 22d of October, 1867. The name was afterward changed to Nebraska State Journal, and in 1868 it changed hands.
   The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, W. Va., Aug. 2, 1838, being a son of Abbott Carder, a native of the same State, and a grandson of Henry Carder, who was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. The latter emigrated to America with his family and settled in Virginia, where he and his brother had previously bought a large tract of land. He became extensively engaged in farming, and resided there until his death. The father of our subject was reared and married in Virginia, Susanna Staulnaker, likewise a Virginian by birth, becoming his wife, and he resided in his native State until 1839. In that year he moved to Ohio with his family, and in the town of Lebanon, Warren County, started a carriage and wagon factory, which he conducted very successfully for many years. He is still living, full of years, and honored for the upright life that he has led, making his home with his children, and a part of the time dwelling with our subject. His faithful wife departed this life in Dayton, Ohio.
   William W. Carder was reared in Lebanon, and in the city schools received a liberal education. At sixteen years of age he engaged in the office of the Lebanon Citizen to learn the "art preservative," and in the three years that he spent there he gained a thorough mastery of his calling. After he left that office he went to Cincinnati, and for a short time set type on the Enquirer and on the Times. He then went to Peoria, Ill., and was employed in the same manner in the office of the Peoria Transcript, until 1857, when he came to the Territory of Nebraska, and the following seven years was engaged in freighting across the plains as far west as Salt Lake City. These long and tedious journeys were not devoid of excitement, and were sometimes fraught with danger, as after the breaking out of the late Civil War the Indians were quite hostile, and the only safe way to travel was in large companies. Even then the trains were occasionally attacked and cattle were killed or stolen. It was while on one of these journeys that our subject met the Hon. John Cadman, one of the first settlers of Lancaster County. He was at that time (1863) in the employ of Coe & Carter, and while preparing to make a trip across the plains he was detained in Nebraska City three days after the rest of the train had started. He was provided with two pairs of oxen and a two-wheeled vehicle, and was entrusted with $4,000 in cash and two dozen pistols, which were concealed in a dry-goods box. His employers then instructed him to make Ft. Kearney as quickly as possible by the shortest and most expeditious route, that he might overtake the train there. On the second day out he arrived at the cabin of Mr. Cadman, and asked to be allowed to stay over night. Cattle thieves then infested the country and every stranger was looked upon with suspicion, and it is thought that Mr. Cadman took Mr. Carder for a member of that fraternity, for in answer to his query, Mr. Cadman replied that he might if he would consent to be watched by a man with a revolver. Mr. Carder readily consented, and on the floor of the cabin he slept the sleep of the just until the morning hours. He then pursued his journey, and arrived at Ft. Kearney six days ahead of the train. In 1864 he resumed his old employment is a printer, and was engaged in the office of the Nebraska City Press, the leading paper of Nebraska, serving as foreman three years, and the latter part of the time as local editor. In 1867 he came to Lincoln to engage in the newspaper business on his own account, and in 1868 he disposed of his paper to J. Q. Brownlee, and engaged as foreman in the mechanical department for two

years. He then entered the United States mail service as route agent on the Nebraska Railway, and was thus employed for three years and eleven months. He then devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits on his land in Middle Creek Precinct, which he had taken up under the Homestead Act some years previously. He lived there until 1880, when he sold out and bought a farm in Grant Precinct, and resided there two years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Lincoln, and engaged in hotel-keeping until January, 1888. In 1885 he bought a tract of land on Holdridge avenue, and in 1887 erected his present substantial residence. On the 1st of September, 1888, he opened Carder's European Hotel, north of the post-office, at No. 934 P street. The hotel is first-class in every particular.
   Mr. Carder married, April 18, 1861, Miss Nancy Swarts, who was born near London, Ontario, Canada, and is a daughter of Simon and Sarah (Banghart) Swarts, both natives of Canada, and of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Carder have two children living: Emma, wife of J. B. Herrick, of Lincoln; and C. H. Gere Carder. Willie, their second child, died at the age of sixteen years; May, the third child, died at the age of eleven years.
   Mr. Carder is one of the leading Republicans of Lancaster County, and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the policy of this party ever since he was old enough to vote. He has taken a conspicuous part in political affairs and has been a delegate to numerous conventions, and in 1879 was elected to represent his party in the State Legislature. He is a member of Lincoln Camp No. 190, Modern Woodmen, and he and his wife occupy a high social position generally, being liberal-minded, intelligent and cultured people.

OUIE MEYER has been for several years a prominent figure in business circles in Lancaster County, and is considered one of the ablest and most enterprising merchants of Lincoln, where he is engaged in the wholesale and retail general merchandising business, under the firm name of L. Meyer & Co., at Nos. 108-110 North Tenth street, opposite Government Square. He has been an important factor in building up the mercantile interests of the city, and is one of the leading public men.
   Mr. Meyer is a native of Austria, born Aug. 12, 1853, near Carlsbad, the world-renowned watering place. He is the fifth in order of birth of eight children born to Dr. David and Mary (Becker) Meyer. His father is a physician of no little note in his native land, and is the oldest practicing member of his profession now living in the nation of Austria, and in an extensive practice of fifty-five years has justly gained the confidence and friendship of a large number of patients by his careful and skillful treatment.
   Our subject received a substantial education in the schools of his native country, which he attended from the age of five until he was fourteen. On leaving school he commenced his business career as a clerk in a store in Carlsbad, where he spent one year. He was a lad of more than ordinary capacity and intelligence, possessed of an indomitable will and ambition, and desiring to see more of life and make a name and a place for himself in the world, he determined to come to the United States as the country where he could best accomplish what he desired to do. Accordingly in the summer of 1870 he crossed the Atlantic, and landed on these shores at New York City. From there he made his way to Des Moines, Iowa, where he had friends, with whom he spent several months. In January, 1871, he came to Lincoln, and entered the store of Rich & Openhiemer as a clerk, and his four years' experience in that capacity in that establishment proved of invaluable service to him in his after career. In 1874 our enterprising subject, who had scarcely attained manhood, established himself in the grocery business on his own account. He was doing very well, and had built up quite a good trade, when he was burned out in March, 1877. Serious as was his loss he was not for a moment disheartened, but with a courageous spirit began again, though on a smaller scale, and has gradually worked his business up to its present magnitude, where it stands on a sure and substantial foundation. In 1880 he added dry-goods to his stock, and has extensive dealings with the country merchants and