Dierks. He is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Buda Precinct, having his residence on section 7. As above mentioned, he is a native of Germany, where he was born July 14, 1831. His parents, Dierk and Catherine Dierks, were likewise natives of Germany, and Anton is their second son.
   Mr. Dierks has received a very fair education, both in his native and the English tongue; the latter he speaks fluently, and transacts all his business in the language of his adopted country. When fourteen years of age he began to learn the trade of weaver, which occupation had been followed by his father from boyhood, and in fact continued his occupation through life. Anton labored faithfully at the loom until he emigrated to America, which event occurred in 1863. He had begun to feel that the opportunities for securing anything like a competence in his native country were too limited, and, like many others, looked to the Western Continent as the goal which had for him a fair measure of success, and a higher development than could be hoped for at home. He came over in a sailing-vessel, boarding it at Bremen, and the voyage lasted seven weeks, he then landed at New York City and came directly to Kane County, Ill., where he remained about one year, being engaged as a farm hand. At the end of that time he came farther West, stopping in Clayton County, Iowa. He, however, only tarried here for a brief time, for in the summer of 1865 we find him in Lancaster County, turning the virgin soil and planting a crop to be garnered in the coming autumn. He had taken advantage of the offer of a generous Government to give to actual and willing settlers a quarter-section of land. He had selected his on section 7 of what is now Buda Precinct. Here he has since resided, becoming a well-to-do farmer, and wielding an influence for good in the community which has grown up around him.
   As might be well imagined, the life during the first few years of a settler in a new country is by no means tempered with the conveniences and comfort making surroundings that one finds now in a well-developed district. Consequently the life of Mr. Dierks for the first four or five years was one of privation and hardships. He then made his home in a dug-out, being unable to provide better, and in fact the material for doing so was both difficult to get and very expensive. By his diligence and economy, however, he garnered from his fertile field a few crops which enabled him to erect a more comfortable dwelling, and now the farm upon which he turned the first furrow is well improved, and in fact may justly be termed a splendid farm. As might be inferred Mr. Dierks is a hard-working, economical man, and all that he has to-day is the result of his own labor. Besides the 160 acres first secured from the Government, he has an additional quarter-section in Buda.
   Mr. Dierks has taken great interest in whatever has in view the improvement of the county, and in the elevation of its people socially, intellectually and morally. He has devoted considerable time to the educational interests of his district. and has served as Moderator of District No. 61 for nine years, and it may be said to his credit that he rendered efficient and valuable service. In his political views he may be classed as an Independent, voting generally in local elections for the best man. In the National campaign, however, he way usually be found voting with the Republican party.

ACOB PLANK. It is often remarked that the agriculturist and husbandman are at the foundation of all national prosperity, and that a country's wealth must come primarily from the soil through the farmer. Be this as it may, and we do not challenge it, it is equally certain and most undeniable that an indispensable necessity of modern times is the man who will bring to us the various articles of every-day requirement usually found upon the shelves and in the bills and canisters of the drug and grocery store, and he who can intelligently and successfully keep such a store in good working order is as certainly a public benefactor as the farmer. The subject of this sketch is a representative of this class of benefactors, to which he has added that of druggist, and whose store is situated in Raymond.
   John Plank, father of our subject, was a native of the Quaker State, Pennsylvania, where he was born about 1802, and after a few years, while still

quite young, accompanied the family upon their removal to Logan County, Ohio. Here he received his early education in the common schools, afterward continuing for sometime as teacher. He now turned his attention to another employment, and we find him working during the summer at the carpenter's bench, and during the winter engaged in shoemaking. At this place he became acquainted and was most favorably impressed with the many virtues of Miss Sarah Shoup. Their marriage was celebrated in 1825. The fruit of this union comprised eleven children, six of whom they were allowed the privilege of rearing to maturity. Their names are recorded in the order of their birth as Barbara, Elizabeth, Lydia, Jacob (our subject), Sarah and John.
   Another change was made in 1851, at which time Mr. Plank left the bench and lapstone and purchased a farm, which he set to work to improve, and continued to make his residence until the warning came by which he recognized that he was no longer a young man. He accordingly sold his farm and bought a small place. From that time until his death, which occurred in the year 1870, at the age of sixty-eight years, he lived a very quiet life. It was not very long that his widow was left to mourn in loneliness, for she was soon called upon to rejoin him in the world that knows no parting. Her husband died in the spring, and in the early fall they were reunited.
   Mrs. Sarah Plank was the daughter of Jacob Shoup, and was born in Pennsylvania about 1807. Early in her life the family removed to Ohio, and her education was obtained in that State, and until her marriage she continued to reside at home.
   Our subject was born on the 9th of June, 1833, in Holmes County, Ohio, near Bellefontaine. His education was received in the usual institution, where he obtained, if not an elegant and extensive education, a practical one. After school days were over he continued to live with the family, and assisted his father until he came to manhood. In the year 1861 he sought an alliance with Miss Sarah Strickland, a native of Pennsylvania, but from youth a resident of the Buckeye State. The consummation of this most unregretable selection and happy choice took place upon Dec. 15, 1861, when they celebrated their marriage at her home, in Logan County, Ohio. After his marriage he bought a farm, which he continued successfully to operate until the spring of 1873, with the exception of the time spent at the front in defense of the old flag.
   Our subject enlisted in Company E, 132d Ohio Infantry, as a private, in which capacity he continued. He saw considerable service and was attached at different times to the 13th, 17th and 18th Army Corps, and was honorably discharged on the 10th of September, 1864. In 1873 he was enabled to sell to advantage his farm, came West, and purchased property located some two miles south of Raymond, and there he was among the early pioneers. The farm now purchased he began immediately to improve; he put up a very comfortable residence and convenient barn, proceeding with other matters from time to time, and continued to live on this property thirteen years, i. e. until the year 1886, when he sold his farm and came into the city to engage in his present business, in which he is very prosperous. His is the only drug-store in Raymond. To our subject has been born one daughter, now Mrs. J. W. Montgomery, who has become the mother of two children, a son and a daughter.
   Sarah (Strickland) Plank, the beloved wife of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 12, 1831. When she was two years of age her parents removed to Logan County, Ohio. Her education was received in the school of that district, and upon completing her education she continued to reside at home until her marriage. She is still living and in the enjoyment of all her faculties, and in good health. Her father, George Strickland, was a native of Maryland, and was there educated and reared. At the close of his school term he was apprenticed and learned tailoring, after which he removed to Pennsylvania and worked at his trade he was married to Mary Anti Strayer. From Pennsylvania they removed to Ohio. He discontinued his original business and bought a farm. This he continued most successfully to operate until the weight of years imperiously forbade further toil in that direction; he therefore retired from active labor, but remained in farm life until his death, after completing a cycle of 100 years.

Our subject, Mr. Plank, is and always has been a stanch Republican, and always votes the ticket of his party. With his family, he is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are held, as in the community generally, in the highest possible esteem.

ILLIAM D. HAYES. When the outlying Territories of the West began to fill up, and the wild prairie was caught within the network of the farm fence and made subject to the plow, when the seeder and cultivator had traversed the broad acres, and in the harvest time the headers and self-binders had gathered in the golden store, the farmer found himself face to face with a difficulty which was none the less pressing or reduced in its dimensions because it had been present in his mind while the grain had been maturing. It was the question of a profitable market for the treasures now gathered and lying upon the threshing floor in a mountain of beautiful, ripe grain.
   In the present sketch it is our pleasure to present an outline of the history of one who has helped to solve this problem. The corporations and heavy grain buyers for the world's markets have been busy connecting the East and the Far West with a chain of outposts, until nearly every town, even the smaller ones, became possessed of grain elevators, which, although very infants when placed beside the mammoth concerns of the great shipping points, were, nevertheless, the key of hope to the door of release from the difficulty above stated. In these elevators were stationed men who were well acquainted with the various kinds and qualities of grain, and who were kept posted by their employers regarding the market price of their commodity, and it was their business to buy from the farmer the reward of his toil, and see it shipped in due form to the East. Thus he stood, the connecting link between the farmer on the prairie and the market.
   Alonzo Hayes, the father of our subject, was born in the year 1810, in Barrington, N. H. He received a liberal education, passing by regular gradation from the common to the High schools, and thence to Andover, from which institution he graduated with honors, and then was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church. He first located at Barnstable, Mass., where he continued for several years, and after holding some other charges retired from the ministry and bought a farm in Virginia, which he worked so that he became quite a prosperous man. He continued in this occupation until his death, in 1858.
   Alonzo Hayes was united in marriage with Malvina E. Gilman, at Washington, D. C. She was born Sept. 18, 1810, in Alexandria, Va. Their children were named Annie M., Mary H., Alonzo G., and William D., our subject. Mrs. Hayes is still living, and enjoys, considering her age, good health; she is residing in Alexandria County, Va. Mrs. Hayes is the daughter of Ephraim Gilman; was horn in Alexandria, in 1810, and received her education in its school, although some time was subsequently spent in an educational institution near Washington, D. C. With the exception of our subject, all the family continue to reside in the same place.
   W. D. Hayes entered this life May 4, 1853, at the home of his parents just outside the limits, of Washington, D. C. After the usual course of study in the common school had been pursued he was apprenticed to a machinist, and learned the trade. After about four years he came West, and started to work as an engineer at the State's Prison at Lincoln, in which appointment he continued for eighteen months. In the year 1878 he purchased a farm in Clay County, and began to work as an agriculturist. After a period of two years he sold out and went to Johnson County, where he remained one year, and then purchased his present property, a fertile farm well situated on section 5. Oak Precinct, a mile southeast of the village of Raymond, comprising eighty acres. He has effected several improvements of value, among which may be mentioned that he has put out in extensive orchard of choice trees, which are in a thriving condition, also, a considerable number of forest and shade trees, has also erected a substantial residence, suitable barn and stable, and brought the whole farm under cultivation.
   The associations of Alexandria, Va., were such that our subject did not sever himself utterly from

them, and upon the 1st of October, 1878, he led to the altar Miss Etta M. Cameron, a resident of that place. This lady was born in Chariton, Lucas Co., Iowa, on the 14th of November, 1857, and is the daughter of Anderson and Emily Cameron. While she was quite a child the family removed to Henry County, Iowa, where she had to face irreparable misfortune and loss in the death of her parents. After this mournful experience she removed to Washington and made her home with her grandparents, where she continued until her marriage. She has presented her husband with three daughters and one son; the eldest has been named Emily M.; the son Douglas C., and the two youngest Margaret and Janet.
   Mr. Hayes is at present the principal agent for the firm of Himebaugh & Merriam, of Omaha. who are extensive grain buyers, and has been with them three years. He has had extensive experience in grain buying, and is, perhaps, the largest buyer in the whole valley. Our subject is Director of the Raymond school, which office he has held since July past, and has filled the duties of the same in a manner most complimentary to himself and reflecting favorably upon the judgment of those by whose suffrage he was elected. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and is an ardent adherent and outspoken advocate of the cause. In the Presbyterian Church Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are among the most consistent and active members, and are held in very high regard. The same is true, also, of their general social relations to an eminent degree.

OHN MULLER. Highland Precinct has been the home of the subject of this sketch for the last nineteen years, where he has operated with more than ordinary success as an agriculturist, tilling the soil of 160 acres of good land on section 12. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, a man upright in his business transactions, and one who holds a good position among his fellow citizens.
   Mr. Muller came to Southern Nebraska in the spring of 1869, and secured eighty acres of land from the Government, settling upon it and being determined to remain until he accomplished the task of securing a good homestead for himself and his family. Providence smiled upon his efforts, that he now has one of the best developed farms in this part of the county, with suitable and convenient buildings, fruit and shade trees, and all those little embellishments which go to make up a complete rural home. He had formerly resided in Muscatine, Iowa, where for a period of four years he was occupied as a mechanic and machinist, being a skillful workman and master of his business. He left that place amid the regrets of many friends, and the business men who had often availed themselves of his labors.
   Our subject, a native of the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, was born in the city of Nelimersbach, April 25, 1838, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Beiswanger) Muller, who spent their entire lives upon their native soil in Germany, and died before our subject emigrated to the United States. The father was a successful farmer, owning his own land, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and business capabilities. He was prominent in public affairs, often holding positions of trust and responsibility, especially in connection with the settlement of estates. He also held the post of Superintendent of the Orphans' Home, and was Treasurer of the above-mentioned city. In religious matters he belonged to the Lutheran Church.
   The parental family of our subject included six children, of whom John G. was the youngest. He came to the United States at the age of seventeen, with his brother George. Two of his brothers, Jacob and George, during the late Rebellion served as soldiers in the Union Army: George, being captured by the rebels, met death by starvation in one of the Southern prisons. Jacob lost part of a hand; he is now a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., living upon a competence, retired from active labor. His sister Mary became the wife of Frederick Pound, a wealthy citizen of Philadelphia, who followed the business of a butcher and is now deceased; Christian Muller is a successful farmer of Johnson County, Iowa, residing near Iowa City; a sister Katie died in Germany two years after her marriage.
   Our subject was reared and educated in his na-

tive town, and upon coming to America located with his brother George in Philadelphia, Pa. Not long afterward he began working as a farm hand in Bucks County, where he was employed for a period of five years. Then he turned his steps westward, and for eighteen months lived in the vicinity of Iowa City, employing himself at whatever he could find to do. With genuine German thrift and prudence, he managed not only to keep his head above water but always to have a little something in his pocket-book, and, being desirous of establishing a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Herzer, the wedding taking place in Iowa City, on the 16th of November, 1861.
   Mrs. Muller is a native of the town of Bretten, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, which place had been honored by the birth of Melancthon the German reformer and the close friend of Martin Luther. She was born May 16, 1839, and is the daughter of Frank and Sophie (Kesler) Herzer, the former of whom was of French parentage and closely allied to royalty. The Herzer family prior to the seventh century owned large estates, but during the troubles incident to the Reformation were driven from their possessions and fled to Germany, where they might enjoy freedom of religious thought. The Keslers also were people of high standing in Germany, and likewise sympathized with the reformed faith, on account of which they sacrificed much property and met practically with the same misfortunes which the Herzers encountered.
   The father of Mrs. Muller was prominent in public affairs and acquired a good property. At one time he was closely connected with the Government, and a representative of one of the Dukes of his native Province. Both parents spent their entire lives in the Grand Duchy of Baden, the father passing away in the prime of life, when forty-seven years of age, and the mother dying at the age of fifty-seven. Religiously, they were connected with the Evangelical Church, in the success of which they took an active interest. Their family consisted of eleven children, who were carefully trained and educated, and of whom Mrs. Muller was one of the younger members. Only four survive.
   The wife of our subject came to the United States with her sister, Sophie, when a young lady twenty years of age, and they lived for the first nine months in Macoupin County, Ill., then changed their residence to Iowa City, where Mrs. Muller met her future husband. She is a very intelligent lady, and recalls many of the incidents of her early life in her native Empire, and the matters connected with the history of her parents. She has been the efficient helpmate of her husband, and his chief assistant in the building up of the homestead. Of their union there have been born eleven children, and they reared another child besides.

HARLES A. PIERCE, Cashier of the Citizens' Bank at Bennet, a young man capable, business-like and energetic, is the son of one of the leading citizens of Waverly Precinct, Hon. Charles W. Pierce, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was born at Havana, Ill., Dec. 8, 1860, pursued his early studies in the common schools, and was graduated from the University of Nebraska in the class of '83.
   Mr. Pierce commenced his business career as an Assistant Division Engineer on construction in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company in Kansas, but a year later was obliged to return home on account of failing health. When recovered he was made an attache of the County Clerk's office at Lincoln. In April, 1886, he was appointed Cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Bennet, in which institution he is also a Director. In 1883 he was appointed Notary Public. and is also a member of the Village Board of Bennet. Coolheaded and conscientious, the friends who are watching him with kindly interest predict that he has before him a creditable and prosperous career.
   Our subject was married in Shepardsville, Clinton Co., Mich., Ana. 25, 1886, to Miss Ida Shepard, who was born in Waterford, Pa. Mrs. Pierce is the daughter of B. M. Shepard, now living in Shepardsville, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are now the proud parents of twins, a boy, and girl, Charles S. and Olive, who were born Sept. 17, 1, 1887. Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. P., politically, affiliates with the Republican

party. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1882, being now a member of Blue Lodge No. 94, at Bennet, and also of Delta Lodge, A. A. S. R., at Lincoln. He also belongs to the Loyal Legion of the United States.

HILLIP ROHMAN. Among the Provinces which have gone to make up the consolidated German Empire there were probably none that could surpass that over which ruled that passionate lover of music, Ludwig, of Bavaria; just, honorable and well-balanced as a man and ruler, the peasantry of his domain were bright, happy and prosperous. The subject of this sketch is a native of Bavaria, as was also his father and immediate ancestry. To-day he is the owner of a magnificent farm on section 15, West Oak Precinct, his property comprising 320 acres, chiefly devoted to the raising of stock.
   Peter Rohman, the father of our subject, was born in the above section of the German Empire, in the year 1813. He was by occupation a farmer, and owned his own farm in his native land. He was the husband of Miss Anna Arnold. The home circle comprised nine children, all of whom accompanied him to this country. This event transpired in the year 1846, shortly after the death of his wife. With his children he proceeded to Peoria, Ill., where he followed his usual avocation and continued in the same until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years.
   Our subject was born Oct. 24, 1825. His education was received in a private academy in his native country, and upon its completion he was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he continued until the journey to America. Then he gave his time and attention to farm work, assisting his father at Peoria, but shortly after he took up a farm of 160 acres for himself and began the improvement of the same. It was situated in Woodford County and was covered with a timber growth of many years. He had, therefore, literally to hew out a farm, which he gradually did, and was very prosperous for a period of eighteen years, when he purchased a farm near Peoria, which he set to work upon immediately, erecting a good, substantial and comfortable farm dwelling, besides other necessary buildings, set out fruit and shade trees in abundance, and continued to make it his residence until he came here in the year 1881, where he immediately took up his present property. which has been transformed from wild prairie land to one of the best preserved and cultivated farms in this district, which is saying a great deal, for as a whole the community is much above the average.
   For a period of three years past our subject has lived in Lincoln, and this in order that his children might have the benefit of the excellent city school. During that time his new residence has been built on the farm and he has just moved into it. The new dwelling shows most clearly that the owners possess much of the refinement of life, taste and culture, whether we gaze at the exterior, its architecture and decoration, or examine the interior with its modern adornments and artistic tinting; its furnishing also is entirely in keeping, the whole forming a home dwelling worthy of such a successful life.
   Upon the 29th of June, 1847, our subject took to his heart and home Miss Barbara Egstine, of Woodford County, Ill. This lady was born Nov. 13, 1832, in Germany, and in 1837 came to America with her father, Michael Egstine, who took up land in Woodford County in that year, and continued to work the same until his death in November, 1869. The marriage of our subject has been consolidated and rendered more felicitous by the additions which have been made from time to time to the home circle. Ten children have been born, of whom eight are living, whose names are here appended in the order of birth: Mary, Peter, Frank, Charles, Ellie, Maggie, Emma and Fred. Charles the fourth child of our subject, is now the husband of Edie Steiner, and resides in Lincoln; his sister Effie was united in marriage to John Costello, and resides in Illinois; the three younger children are still at home with their parents. Mary, the oldest child, now Mrs. William Stark, and lives at Colorado Springs; she has become the mother of three children. Peter is married to Josephine McGoogan; Frank is the husband of Elizabeth Lyon, and resides on section 15, and has become the parent of three children; his next