Court. In November, 1881, he entered into a law partnership with Arnott C. Ricketts, an able lawyer who located in Lincoln in 1872. This partnership continued until November, 1882, when Mr. Lamb, the former tutor of Mr. Wilson, became associated with them, since which time the present firm has built up a business and a reputation second to none in the State. The same independence of character, untiring energy and patient endurance which enabled Mr. Wilson to acquire a collegiate education under the most adverse circumstances, have in the few years of his practice at the bar placed him in the front rank among the men of his age in the profession. His success in practical life has been even greater than that as a student.
   In the beginning of this sketch mention was made of the ability of Mr. Wilson as a writer. It is impossible to present within the limits of this writing more than an enumeration of a few of his productions, which have appeared mostly in our magazines. In the "Popular Science Monthly" appeared a very able article, in March, 1881, entitled, "The State as an Educator." In the same magazine for March, 1884, an article which attracted much attention in the legal world appeared under the caption, "The Jury System." In December of the same year there appeared in "The Choice Literature," another paper showing his power as a constitutional lawyer, entitled, "The Unwritten Elements of our Federal Constitution." In December, 1886, the "Literary Magazine" contained another production from his pen, bearing the appellation, "The Relation of History to the Study and Practice of Law," which article was read before the Nebraska State Historical Society, was received with favor., and now forms part of their second report.
   The social status of Mr. Wilson is pronounced, his standing in the profession which he adorns is undeniably high, and as a citizen he occupies a most enviable position. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lincoln Lodge No. 19, in which he has filled the chairs of Junior and Senior Warden with dignity to the order, and honor to himself. Although affiliating, politically, with the Republican party, voting its ticket and supporting most of its principles, he believes firmly and advocates openly and eloquently both Prohibition and Free Trade and urges the advisability of taxing the vices and luxuries of life rather than its necessaries.
   Mr. Wilson was united in marriage, June 22, 1882, with Miss Emma Parks, a lady highly educated, and possessing those admirable and womanly characteristics which have enabled her to sustain a very high position in the community at large, and in the affectionate regard of her more intimate friends. Of this union there have been born three children: Henry Parks, Oct. 20, 1883, and who died December 9 of the same year; Helen, born Oct. 26, 1884, and an infant, born on the 28th of May of the present year (1888). Mrs. Wilson is the eldest daughter of Capt. Benjamin D. and Ann (Farnsworth) Parks. She was educated and graduated with honors from the Nebraska University in the year 1880, with the degree of B. S. She has one sister, Clara, now Mrs. B. F. Johnson, of Lincoln, and one brother, Frank, who, like herself, are graduates of the State University. Frank is proprietor of the Sherman County Democrat, in Kansas. Capt. Parks was an early pioneer of Southeastern Iowa. He enlisted and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company E, 22d Iowa State Volunteers, was mustered in the United States service Sept. 9, 1862, and promoted Captain June 10, 1863, but for some reason failed to receive his commission as such until about November 10 of that year. He was with his regiment in its engagements, and fell in the heat of battle at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864, on the anniversary of his marriage, which occurred in the year 1855. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., a valiant soldier, an honored and much respected citizen, a true husband and father. His surviving comrades in arms never tire of telling of the genial Captain, and never fail to annually decorate his final-resting place at Agency City, in Wapello County, Iowa. His widow, although left with very limited means, which was soon after nearly all lost in the destruction of her house by fire, kept the little family together, and still lives to enjoy the companionship of the children so early left to her care, and to see them all graduates of the State's highest institution of learning, now the centers of happy homes of their own.

ENRY V. HOAGLAND. This gentleman is an example of Western enterprise and well directed energy. He was born in Somerset County, N. J., Nov. 2, 1842, and is a son of William V. F. and Sarah (Beekman) Hoagland, also natives of New Jersey. The ancestors of this gentleman were residents of New Jersey for several generations, and as a family have always been among her most respected citizens. His paternal great-grandfather; Henry V. Hoagland, who lived to the advanced age of ninety years, took part in the noble struggle of the Revolution. His grandfather Hoagland served as the Sheriff of Somerset County. His father, William V. F. Hoagland, was by trade a carpenter and builder, which business, however, he afterward left to engage in agricultural pursuits. He removed to Macoupin County, Ill., about 1856, residing there until 1886, when he came to Nebraska and took up his residence in the city of Lincoln. He is now seventy-three years of age, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and janitor of the First Presbyterian Church, of Lincoln. His wife, the mother of Henry V., is also living, and has attained the advanced age of sixty-nine years, and is a member of the Congregational Church. Of the family of eleven children nine are living, the subject of this history being the eldest. The others are Joseph S., Sarah (wife of Calvin Tunnell), Richard, Jeanette (wife of George Bagley), Susan, Lizzie, William and James. With the exception of Sarah, who resides in Macoupin County, Ill., all are residents of Nebraska.
   When the father of our subject determined to leave the old home State Henry V. was about fourteen years of age, and all his education had been received in the common schools. At the call for men to serve in defense of the old flag, in 1861, he enlisted, and was mustered into service with Company F, 7th Illinois Volunteers, which was the first regiment to go from Illinois. Six regiments from that State had taken part in the Mexican War; in the Civil War, therefore. the first regiment became the seventh. He received his baptism of fire at Ft. Donelson, taking part later in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Kennesaw Mountain, Altoona, Bentonville, besides numerous skirmishes and lesser fights. He was one of the heroes who marched with Sherman to the sea, and on to Washington, where he took part in the grand review. He passed through the war unscathed, knowing nothing personally of wounds, or that awful experience-prison. In July, 1865, he was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
   Returning to Illinois, our, subject worked with his father as a carpenter for about one year, when he again left home to attend the Eastman Commercial College, at Chicago. In the beginning of 1867 we find him at Bunker Hill, where, in February, he was united in marriage with Mary Etta Randolph, daughter of John and Susan Randolph. After his marriage he returned to the West, locating at Springfield, Ill., engaged in the business of undertaker, serving also for two years and a half as clerk in the State Treasurer's office, under Gen. E. N. Bates. In 1872 he removed to Kearney County, Neb., and took a homestead, living upon it for three years, at which time, a favorable opportunity presenting itself, he sold this and opened a hotel at Kearney.
   In 1878 our subject came to Lincoln, where his brother, Joseph S., was Sheriff, and became Deputy Sheriff under his brother, remaining in this office until 1880. Entering into partnership with his brother, he purchased a lumber-yard, which was located where the present Masonic Temple stands, at Lincoln. Here they carried on a successful and growing business for three years, when he opened a real-estate, law and insurance office. While there he was busily engaged in the organization of the Soldiers' Colony in Logan County, and became President of the colony. He made Lincoln his residence until April, 1886, when he took up his residence at Waverly. He also owns land in Logan County.
   Mr. and Mrs. Hoagland are members of the Congregational Church, as are also their three children--Frank, Albert and Evaline. In politics Mr. Hoagland is a recognized leader of the Republican party, and for two years has served with general satisfaction as Justice of the Peace. With the memory of his service in the great struggle, we are not surprised to find him an active member of the G. A. R. and Past Commander of the post at Lincoln. His enterprise, energy and strength of character, together with the respect which those qualities always command, are clearly shown by his connection with the

I. O. O. F., of which society he is also a member. With great credit to himself and pleasure and profit to the order, he has filled all the chairs of the lodge, receiving as a mark of the esteem and confidence in which he is held by his brethren, the position of Representative to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows.

OHN L. McCONNELL is one of the oldest business men of Lincoln, having been with the city through all its evolution, from settlement to hamlet, hamlet to village, village to town, town to city. and Western metropolitan center of commerce, finance, art and society. Our subject was born in Trivoli, Peoria Co., Ill., on the 27th of March, 1837. His father, Robert McConnell, was a native of Pennsylvania, but was reared from childhood in Scioto County, Ohio. There he was educated, and afterward engaged in business in Wheelersburg, Ohio. He removed to Illinois in 1835, and was among the first to settle in Peoria County. The journey was taken via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. He found Ft. Clark, which then occupied the site of the present city of Peoria, a very small collection of houses surrounded by a wild waste of prairie.
   The father of our subject was not Iong there before he had made arrangements by which an extensive tract of land became his property, upon which is now situated part of Trivoli. He quickly put up a log cabin, and the family went to housekeeping. It was in this dwelling that our subject was afterward born. His father went extensively into farming, erected the usual farm buildings, and subsequently a frame dwelling, which were among the best in the entire district. He was removed by death in the year 1865, having lived to see the country develop, become well settled, and the home of a wealthy community.
   The wife of Robert McConnell, and the mother of John L., was Abiah Page Emery, who was born at Orford, Grafton Co., N. H., and was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Emery, who was a native of the same State, and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He removed from New Hampshire to Scioto County, Ohio, about the year 1830, having an interest in real estate there, and continued to make it his home until 1835, when he removed to Peoria County, Ill., and purchased large tracts of land in different parts there. He made his home at Trivoli, and superintended the improvement of his farm and the business of his real estate from that point. This continued to be his residence until his death, at the age of seventy-three years, about 1859. He was a man of enterprise, business capacity, a financier and diligent worker. and several years before his death had acquired a large property. He was always an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and did much toward the organization and establishment of the church in Trivoli. He was firmly and determinedly opposed to slavery, and was one of the first citizens of that district to leave the Democratic party and espouse the cause of the Republicans.
   The mother of our subject died in the year 1872 having seen her six children grow to years of maturity. Her family is recorded as follows: John L., our subject; Eliza, Thomas, Marcus, Frank and Mary. John L. received his early education in the little pioneer school-house not far from his father's property, and afterward attended three years at the Rock River Seminary, at Mt. Morris, Ill., from which institution he was graduated in due course. At the age of eighteen he commenced to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Canton Register, and continued in that office for about one year, then removed to Farmington and engaged as clerk in a general store, and there remained until 1858. Then he engaged as clerk in Peoria for a period of two years, supplemented by a like term at Princeton, after which he became attached to the United States Internal Revenue Department, and was stationed at Kewanee, Henry County, until the fall of 1863.
   Upon leaving the revenue service. our subject returned, in 1866, to Princeton, and engaged in the dry-goods business in that place, but after about eighteen months he sold out his business and went to Europe, and traveled quite extensively upon the continent, returning after an absence of a little over a year and taking up his residence at Henry, Ill., until the spring of 1868. In May of that year he came to Lincoln by way of the railroad to Kansas City, thence by river to Nebraska City, and by

stage on to Lincoln, which was then an insignificant town of small population, without railroad facility or much communication with the outside world. The larger proportion of the surrounding country was still waiting for settlers. There were two or three stone houses, but not one brick building in the city.
   Mr. McConnell engaged in banking upon his arrival at Lincoln with James Sweet and Nelson C. Brock, who owned the first and for a long time only bank in Lincoln. In this business he continued for two years, and became gradually interested in real estate. In the winter of 1871-72 he opened a dry-goods store, continuing the same until 1884. He has been a resident of the city for a period of more than twenty years, and has been identified with all its material growth and development. In that time it has evolved from a very inferior town to a magnificent city of 45,000 inhabitants, with all the modern marks of improvement and signs of progress..
   On the 29th of October, 1866, our subject became the husband of Matilda R. (Merriman) Reisinger, who is the daughter of George Reisinger, of Farmington, Ill. Mrs. McConnell is a most earnest member of the Congregational Church, and is active in all right and proper enterprises of benevolent or social nature. She has been a member of the Lincoln Library Association from its organization until the present, also both active member and President of several literary societies in the city. Our subject was a member of the first City Council of Lincoln, and Treasurer of the State University until that office was abolished. Politically, he is in heartiest sympathy with and one of the active partisans of the Republican party, which always receives his vote.

EV. JOHN HUIZENGA, pastor of the Reformed Church of America, Holland Village, Neb., is, one of the leading divines of that denomination in the West. He is a talented man, of singular strength of character, and his fine education, which, supplemented by extensive traveling, has broadened his mind, makes him not only a great power in the church, but also an influence in social and public life. He is a native of Holland, Europe, born March 12, 1842, in the town of Kollum, in the Province of Friesland. His parents, Franz and Anna Gertrude Huizenga, were likewise natives of that town, where his father, who was a carpenter by trade, was engaged as a contractor. In 1848 he emigrated to America with his family, and settled in Ottawa County, Mich., among the pioneers. He continued to work there at his trade, and was an important factor in building up the country. His wife, a woman of good mental endowments and rare sweetness of character, died in Michigan when forty-two years old, her premature death being a sad blow to her family and to the community. She was the mother of three children--John, Lena and Bernardus.
   The father of our subject came to Nebraska to spend his declining years in the home of our subject, and died here at the age of seventy-four years. In his day he was a very capable man, gifted with shrewdness and forethought, and the course of his life was that of an honorable and incorruptible man.
   Rev. John Huizenga was but six years of age when his parents brought him to America, and he has since grown to be one of her most loyal and patriotic citizens, as is shown by the record of his distinguished military career during the late Civil War, and the course that he has since pursued. When he left his native land he had just made a start at school, and in his new home in Ottawa Comity, Mich., near Indian Village, Black Lake, there being no schools for four or five years, the country being newly settled, he was taught at home. At the acre of sixteen he entered Holland Academy, now Hope College, Holland, Mich., and he there took a preparatory course and then the collegiate course. He was in the Sophomore class when the war broke out. He finally threw aside his studies and enlisted in Company I, 25th Michigan Infantry, entering as a private for a term of three months. He then enlisted for three years or during the war, Aug. 23, 1862. His regiment drilled at Kalamazoo, and was then dispatched to Louisville, Ky., and first encountered the enemy at that place. The principal business of our subject and his comrades was to check Morgan and guard the bridge at Tibb's

Bend on the Green River. Our subject was made Third Sergeant of his company at Kalamazoo, and was afterward appointed Orderly Sergeant, which position he held until the fall of 1864, when he was sent back to Michigan as Recruiting Sergeant. He was first put on duty at Camp Rendezvous, Grand Rapids, and thence he went to Jackson to take charge of Barracks No. 10. He was there presented with an elegant sword in recognition of his efficient services and of the high regard in which he was held. He was afterward transferred to the large barracks, where he had command of 500 men. He discharged his duties with such fidelity and zeal as to gain the confidence and commendation of his superior officers, and at the same time his kindness toward his subordinates won their affection and respect, he was honorably discharged from the service at Jackson, in June, 1865.
   After the war Mr. Huizenga visited his friends in Michigan for two weeks, and then went to Europe for an extended tour, to revisit his old home and see many of the famous places in the Old World. He traveled through Ireland, Scotland, England, spending a week in London, and journeyed through Germany and Holland. He greatly enjoyed his travels. which were in themselves a liberal education to one of his intelligence and thoughtfulness. After returning to the United States, he taught in the Union School at Holland City, Mich., and was made Justice of the Peace at the same time, being the first Justice in Holland after it was incorporated as a city. During that time he made up his mind to enter the medical profession, and had made all the necessary arrangements in company with two college friends to become a student at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill. But his plans were thwarted by certain circumstances that arose, and he was prevented from carrying out his desire of becoming a physician. He then turned his attention to the ministry, and entering the Hope Theological Seminary, completed his course, and was graduated with the class of '69, with a fine record as a scholar. He was ordained as a pastor, and went to Virginia to take his first charge, and for six years he held a successful pastorate there. During that time he and his wife paid a very delightful visit to the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. In that year the Rev. Huizenga was sent to Nebraska to his present church. Since his residence here he has been instrumental in propagating his faith, and he is considered one of the bright lights of the Reformed Church. By his pleasant and genial manners he has gained many warm friends, not alone among his parishioners, but in the community at large.
   To the amiable wife, who has cheered and sustained him in his sacred work during nearly the whole of his ministry, the Rev. John Huizenga was united in marriage Oct. 22, 1871. She was formerly Miss Anna Boonstra, and was like himself a native of Holland, born in the Province of Friesland, in 1851. She was five years old when she came to America, where she grew to womanhood. Of the seven children that have blessed the union of her and her husband, the first three were born in Virginia, and the names of the children are as follows: Frank, Maggie, Dick, Anna Gertrude, Jennie, Elizabeth and Anna. Frank is a student at the Northwestern Academy in Sioux County, Iowa.
   Our subject is a man of wealth and owns considerable valuable property. He possesses a farm of 130 acres on section 11, South Pass, and he also owns a fine farm in Virginia of ninety acres, and a beautiful country seat. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and as School Director has done much to advance the educational interests of Holland. In his politics, he was a Republican until 1886, but considering the cause of temperance the most important question before the people, he joined the Prohibition ranks, a most welcome addition to that party.

ONATHAN MYERS. This liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, who is foremost in all enterprises calculated to further the interests of Cheney, is prominent among its merchants and stock-buyers, where his face and form have been familiar for a period of six years. He is the offspring of an excellent family, John D. and Mary J. (Kritzer) Myers, who were Pennsylvanians by birth, and the father a native of Lancaster County. Their family consisted of three children only, two daughters besides our subject.

They left Pennsylvania for Ohio about 1808, locating first in Stark County. The mother died in Stark County about 1828, and the father in Summit County, in 1868.
   The subject of this sketch was born in Uniontown, Stark Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1833, and spent the most of his time upon a farm until reaching his majority. He followed farming for a time afterward, and their for a period of nearly twenty years engaged in the manufacture of stoneware in Summit County. In connection with this he also operated a meat-market at Akron, the county seat, and there first engaged as a stock-dealer, buying and shipping in a limited manner.
   Mr. Myers came to Nebraska in April, 1882, locating at once in Grant Precinct and purchasing a farm on section 8, which he operated about six years. In the spring of 1888, coming to Cheney, he established himself in his present business as a general merchant and stock-dealer. He still retains possession of his farm, which affords him ample facilities for carrying on his other interests after the most approved methods. He is systematic in his manner of doing business, prompt to meet his obligations, and thus has a substantial foothold among the prosperous and honored men of his community.
   While a resident of Summit County, Ohio, Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Breckenridge. the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Springfield, Feb. 10, 1855. Mrs. Myers is the daughter of Lemuel Breckenridge, a near relative of the well-known Gen. Breckenridge, of the Buckeye State. The parents both died in Stark County, Ohio, the father when about seventy-two years old and the mother when seventy-six. In that county Mrs. Myers was born May 5, 1842. Her father was a shoemaker by occupation, and she continued under the parental roof until her marriage, acquiring a fair education in the common school and being taught by an excellent mother those household employments a knowledge of which has so much influence in the happiness of a home.
   To our subject and his wife there have been born five children, two of whom, Alice and John, died in Summit County, in infancy. William, Estella and Joan are at home with their parents, the eldest being seventeen years of age and the youngest three. Mr. Myers is independent in politics, availing himself of the right of the free-born American citizen to support the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the interests of the people. Both he and his excellent wife attend the United Brethren Church.

ILLIAM WALVOORD, a well-to-do and popular merchant of Holland, and senior partner of the firm, Walvoord & Co., dealers in general merchandise, has won his way to a position of eminence in the mercantile world of Lancaster County by his clear-sighted business policy, patient industry, and strictly honorable dealings. He is a native of Holland, over the sea, and is a son of G. J. and Berendina (Prinsen) Walvoord, likewise natives of Holland, the father born in Lichtenvoorde and the mother in the town of Aalten. His father was a farmer in his native country until the latter part of 1870, when he and his wife and children came to this country to join our subject, who had preceded them a short time before, and they all settled in South Pass, took up land under the Homestead Act, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father and mother are now living in their pleasant home in Holland Village, passing their declining years in the midst of well-earned comfort, presenting the spectacle of lives rounded by various experiences into a serene and active old age, he being now seventy-two years old and she seventy-one. Nine children have blessed the marriage of these worthy people, namely: William, Jane, Grace, Tunia, Henry, Tony, Girard J., Bereadina and Hannah. All are living, and make their homes in Holland Township, with the exception of Tunia, who lives in Kansas.
   William Walvoord, who forms the subject of this sketch, was born April 17, 1843, in the town of Aalten, Holland. He was six years old when his father returned with his family to his birthplace, the town of Lichtenvoorde, to again take up his abode there. Our subject attended school there, receiving instruction in the common branches and obtaining thorough, practical education, At the