reaved of his wife after the space of three years, her death occurring on the 7th of January, 1853, at the age of twenty-two years. By that union Mr. King became the father of one child, a daughter Nancy, who is now the wife of Henry King, residing in Lincoln; the latter is a railroad man, and they have two children--John and Florence. Our subject was a second time married, to Miss Elizabeth Wine, a daughter of John and Sarah (Chambers) Wine. The parents of this lady settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, after their marriage. There were seven children in their family, four boys and three girls.
   Mrs. King, the second child of her parents, was born on the 21st of May, 1834, and enjoyed the advantages of the common schools in the place of her birth. After his second marriage our subject remained in the State of Ohio, working at carpentering, threshing, etc. In the spring of the year 1865 he started with his family and worldly effects for the West, by emigrant wagons. They were one mile east of Indianapolis when the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln was announced. Pursuing their course westward, they finally reached Lincoln. Ill., where they stopped for one summer, and in the fall they started for the "Thirty-Mile Strip." But the Southerners would not sell them any corn or food for their cattle, so in order to keep from starving they came to Nebraska, settling in Otoe County on the 1st of October.
   In Otoe County Mr. King bought a farm, but he met with many discouragements during the first few years. They had settled among the "Jay-hawkers" and it was necessary to carry weapons every day for five or six years in order to protect themselves from the incursions of the enemy. From 1870 to 1875 they fared better and prospered. They, however, encountered the grasshoppers in 1875, and becoming somewhat dissatisfied with the location, Mr. King sold his claim in Otoe County, and came to his present place. He now owns 160 acres, on which he has a good house, barns, etc., together with fine groves and orchards set out by his own hands.
   In the family of our subject there were eleven children, four of whom were born in Ohio, and one in Illinois. Mary E. died at the age of six; Jacob and Joseph W. are also deceased; John N. resides in Lancaster County; he married Lyle Charlton for his first wife, and after her death married Annie Axe, having two children, Rosa and Elizabeth A.; for his third wife he married Minnie Coyne, by whom he has four children--Henry, William, Edward and Viola Belle. Martha C. resides in Seward County, and is the wife of Elias Brewer, having one child, Evalina; Andrew W. is a railroad contractor residing in Kansas; George E., married Miss Maria J. Hall, and resides in Otoe County; Charles, Joe H., Cora and Christina are at home.
   In Otoe County our subject was Constable for five or six years, and a very good one; he was also Deputy Sheriff in that county for the space of three years. He has been elected School Director, and is an active member of the Knights of Pythias of Bennet, having served as Master of Exchequer, Treasurer, Keeper of the Inner Door, and in nearly all of the offices of the Masonic Lodge. He is a member of the Democratic party, a well-to-do, enterprising man, and may well be proud to have his family history preserved.
   The homestead of Mr. King will stand long after he has departed hence as the monument of his thrift and industry, and one to which his posterity may point with pride. It is not at all impossible they may, years hence, exhibit to their children its pictured semblance herein contained, while they recall with pride the record of George King as one worthy of imitation.

LFRED R. EXLEY. This is a name familiar to the citizens of Yankee Hill, and is borne by one of its representative citizens, whose farm on section 29 reveals evidences of thrift, industry and prosperity: The ancestry of Mr. Exley is traced to Yorkshire, where he also was born, Aug. 22, 1855. He is the second son of the Rev. Henry and Mary Exley. His father, now a venerable veteran in Christian service, was reared in Yorkshire, and early caught the fire, of those somewhat rugged but whole-souled Englishmen, and soon after his fifteenth birthday began to

speak and teach in religious meetings. He received a fairly liberal education, and at the age of thirty years gave himself to the work of the Christian ministry, in which he has continued ever since. His ministrations, which have been most acceptable and successful, have extended through his native shire, different parts of the United States, and for some years past in New Zealand, where he is still laboring under the Foreign Missionary Society of the Christian Church, of which denomination he is a most worthy member. The Rev. Dr. Exley, who is now sixty-four years of age, contemplates retiring from active service and returning to this country during the course of the present year, realizing the need of rest after the arduous labors which have been demanded by the necessities of and his unflagging zeal in his life work.
   When the subject of this writing was about eleven years of age, he accompanied his parents to this country. Their first home was in Grant County, Wis., where they continued to reside some two years, when a removal was made to Scott County, Iowa. For eight years they continued their residence in that State, years perhaps the most important in the whole of the life of any young man; years wherein he has arrived at sufficient discretion and mental strength to grasp to some extent, at least, the problem of life. It was the good fortune of Mr. Exley to be brought up in a home which was so decidedly dominated by the principles of justice, truth and right, and ruled in the spirit of Christian liberality and affection. The position and profession of his father were such as to put within his grasp the means of education and mental growth, and we may justly believe that the success which has hitherto crowned his life is attributable to the influences and teachings of this period. The home circle of Rev. Henry Exley included George H., the eldest son; Alfred R., our subject, and Emma, wife of William Battson.
   Ohio has produced many noble women whose names are written in the histories of the country, or who are known most favorably within somewhat narrower limits, and yet we are safe in saying that there are many whose names will never be known outside the circle of home and its immediate connections, who are no less worthy of similar honors.
   Feb. 27, 1878, Ella J., daughter of Albert and Mary Small, originally from Ohio, was united to our subject in matrimony., and has since been the guiding star of his home. They own a very fine farm of 160 acres, with substantial residence and farm buildings, presenting a picture more eloquently expressive than any mere words could be, of the success which has attended their efforts, and of the peace and harmony of their lives. They are both members of the Christian Church, and find delight in all that pertains to the welfare of that communion. They are at all times anxious to engage in well balanced undertakings, which promise, either directly or indirectly, to promote the best and highest interests of the community and their church. Although strictly conscientious in their desire for the right, as they can apprehend it, they are found with liberality sufficient to embrace the friendships, the thoughts and projects of those who differ from them in opinion; only when such projects and plans are positively wrong, are they unyielding and unflinchingly opposed to them.
   An instance which will illustrate the above is given in the political position occupied by our subject. Being convinced that the position is demanded by the condition of society, he is an unflinching opponent of the whisky traffic, and a stanch Prohibitionist.

HARLES ELFELDT, whose farm and residence are on section 9 of Buda Precinct. is one of the pioneers of the county. He was born in Germany on the 1st of October, 1832, and is the son of Frederick and Sophia Elfeldt. He was educated and reared to man's estate in his native place, remaining with his parents until 1857, in which year he took passage in a sailing-vessel at Hamburg and came to this country, landing in New York City after an ocean voyage of four weeks. Almost immediately upon arrival he started West, and made his home in Clayton County, Iowa, where he remained for six years; the subsequent four years were spent in Steele County, Minn.
   Our subject came to Lancaster County in 1868, and settled upon his present property, which was then entirely devoid of any improvements. He has

been very careful, hard working and thrifty, and has, thereby, been enabled to add to his original farm, until to-day he is the owner of 560 acres, all well improved. Prior to leaving his native Country, our subject became the husband of Sophia Schultz, who has presented him with eight children, seven of whom are living, and whose names are as follows: William, Herman, Louisa (wife of Edward Lauterboch), Otto, August, Matilda and Emile.
   The religious connection of our subject and family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are prominent and consistent members. Our subject has been an adherent of the Republican party ever since he came to the country, and is a great admirer of its principles. He has served with much satisfaction to all in the office of School Director for several years, in business he has been successful, and it is his pleasure to enjoy a reputation for strength of character and honor that is irreproachable.

MITH W. WHILOCK. The name of this gentleman has been familiar in the northwestern part of this county for the last seventeen years or thereabouts, he having in 1871 crossed over to this country from his native England, and after a two-years sojourn in Nebraska City, made his way to this county and purchased the land which he now occupies. It was then a tract of wild prairie, without improvements, and he saw at once that there lay before him an arduous task. He, however, had sprung from a race of hardy people who never allowed themselves to be dismayed over small difficulties, and he at once set to work to cultivate the soil and build up a homestead. His first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and the next to put in the crops which would yield the quickest and surest returns. Mr. Whilock labored after the manner of the pioneer farmer a number of years, and in due time began to reap the reward of his toils. He now has one of the best regulated farms on the western line of Lancaster County, the land of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has made those improvements in the way of buildings and fences, and the planting of fruit trees, which are indispensable to the comfort of a rural home. As a citizen, he has lived honestly and uprightly, and is well spoken of by his neighbors.
   A native of the City of Birmingham in Warwickshire, England, our subject was born Feb. 11, 1845, and is the son of Smith Whilock, a native of Staffordshire. His paternal grandfather and his great-grandfather were also natives of Staffordshire, the latter spending most of his life in the town of Cheadle, where his death took place. He owned a good property there, which was inherited by his eldest son, Thomas, and where the latter spent his entire life. His son Smith, the father of our subject, was reared and educated in Cheadle, but upon reaching manhood. took up his abode in the city of Birmingham, where he engaged in general merchandising, and there spent the remainder of his life.
   Mr. Whilock was educated at the famous public schools at Rugby, and is a man of fine culture. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah Walters. She was born in Leek, at Staffordshire, and died at the parental home in Birmingham, about 1846. The family included originally five children, three of whom grew to mature years. Thomas S. emigrated to America and died in the city of Lincoln, this county, about 1878; Lucy Mary still resides there; Smith W., our subject, acquired a very good practical education, attending school quite steadily until a youth of eighteen years. He then went to sea as a midshipman in the Government transport service, spending, in the meantime two years or thereabouts in the Argentine Republic and other portions, of South America.
   Our subject, returning to England in 1871, occupied himself for a few months, and in December following started for the New World. One of his brothers had preceded him to Nebraska City, and our subject joined him, remaining an inmate of his home about one year. He then came to this county and purchased the land where he now resides.
   Mr. Whilock, on the 3d of August, 1874, was united in marriage with Miss Emily Maria Hoff, at the home of the bride in Nebraska City.. Mrs. Whilock is the daughter of Benjamin and Charlotte (Mabb) Hoff, and was born July 14, 1847, in Lon-

don, England. Her parents were natives of England, and are now deceased. Of this union there are two children, a son and daughter, Thomas J. and Edith Emily. Mr. and Mrs. W. were reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, to which they still loyally adhere, belonging to the society at Lincoln. Politically, Mr. Whilock has voted the straight Republican ticket hitherto, but proposes to vote the Democratic ticket.

HOMAS MARTIN. Freedom is a precious jewel, which, having been once possessed, is appreciated so that if it be lost or wrested, there is no rest or contentment until it has been recovered. It is the lawful and pround (sic) boast of the descendants of brave Wallace, and Robert Bruce, that they have never been conquered, and although their neighbors of Erin cannot say the same thing, they can point back to a National history when they were recognized as a free people, generous, brave and noble. The jewel of liberty has been lost to them, and their country has become a part of the British Empire, but the old fire still burns, the race characteristics are still prominent before the world, and more especially so when the environment is such as to assist the development of the people. The restlessness which characterizes the people must continue until freedom, the lost jewel, is again possessed. In the meantime many of her sons have left their native land, and in the New World enjoy those institutions and that liberty which are so ardently desired for the whole race. Among this number is George Martin, who was born in Ireland in 1828.
   The surroundings of Mr. Martin in early life were not among the most favorable. He made his acquaintance with the proverbial three "R's" at the parish school, and having completed the round of learning afforded by this institution, began the life of a farmer, which he continued in his native country until he was about forty years of age. In the year 1858 he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Sarah Hill, and their union has been consummated by the birth of nine children, all of whom are living. Their names are recorded in the family genealogy as follows: William J., Thomas (our subject), Maria, Elizabeth, Jennie, Samuel, Anna, Joseph and Herbert. The eldest son is on a farm near our subject; Maria is now Mrs. J. Culbertson, and resides in Wisconsin; her sister Elizabeth makes her home in Illinois, and is the wife of Jesse Bailey; Jennie is united to Mr. Theodore Beal, of Colby, Kan.; Anna is now Mrs. Frank Gosling, and is residing in Illinois; Samuel is unmarried, and the two youngest are still at home.
   In 1868 George Martin left his native country and settled in Livingston County, Ill., near Fairbury. There he entered land and still followed his life occupation, farming, continuing to make that his home until 1884, when he came to Jefferson County, Neb., bought 160 acres of land, and set about the task of making such a home as would be most congenial to him at the time when the weight of years weigh upon him, and the snows of winter have left their hoary mark upon his head. In this he has been more than successful, and has made for himself an excellent name in the community, and also a sufficient competency for his latter days. Both he and Mrs. Martin still live, and enjoy the recompense of previous years of labor and toil.
   The grandfather of our subject, Hugh Martin, was likewise a native of Ireland, where he was born in County Antrim. His life was spent in the pursuit of husbandry, and at his death, in 1861, he had numbered ten years beyond the allotted time of man. His family included three children--William J., Samuel and George.
   Thomas Martin, subject of this sketch, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1853, and received a practical education, although possibly somewhat limited, in the extent of its subjects, in the parish school, and when his parents came to America accompanied them to the Illinois home, and completed his education in the common school. After that he began to learn the mysteries of farming and agriculture, assisting his father upon the home farm. How far he was successful in this is plainly told by the fact that upon the removal to Lincoln, in 1877, he was almost immediately appointed foreman of the Agricultural College Farm. At the time of his appointment he was twenty-five years of age, and he continued to hold it until he

was in his thirty-first year. Comment upon this is hardly necessary, and yet we would remind the reader that this position meant not simply the physical effort required in farming, but that much mental effort was required also, with the addition of an aptitude to communicate instruction.
   Upon leaving the Agricultural College in 1882, our subject purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and began to lay the foundation for his future. The property was but slightly improved when he took possession. His first work was the erection of his present home, a substantially built two-story frame house, making a very comfortable and pleasant farm dwelling. At the same time he was at work upon his orchard, of which two full acres are devoted to carefully selected apple trees of various assortment, besides quite in extensive cherry orchard, and in addition to plum and other fruit trees there is also found a very richly productive vinery and abundance of small fruits. In the vicinity of the house our subject has well-placed shade trees, forming a splendid grove, while close by is a collection of forest trees, covering between two and three acres. Not solely for his own benefit is this attention given to tree culture, but also for that of the State, it being a recognized fact that our subject and those like him in this regard are making the climate of Nebraska more desirable as an agricultural belt.
   Mr. Martin has devoted much study to the improvement of stock, and is well posted on the subject of Durhams, Herefords and other varieties; Percheron, Normandy or Flemish, in the line of horseflesh, their adaptability or otherwise to the uses of the Nebraska farmer, with the multitudious technical intricacies, which sound to the uninitiated as intelligible as ancient Sanscrit. He is the owner of a super-excellent herd of Short-horns, and also a splendid registered animal of full blood, besides other stock, large and small, too numerous to particularize.
   In the year 1883, our subject having come to the conclusion that "It is not well for man to be alone," undertook to remedy that matter, and having made the acquaintance of a most womanly woman, in every way fitted to make his life the complete and bright existence his most happy thoughts had pictured, they proceeded after the necessary preliminaries had been arranged, to plight their faith and seal their vows in the usual form, on January 1 of that year, 1883. The lady of his choice was Miss Emma Dishong, of Lincoln, Neb., daughter of Jacob Dishong, and was born on the 6th of April, 1862, in Cass County, Pa., where she was reared and received her education in rudimentary branches, completing the same in Cass County, Neb., upon the removal of her father to that place in 1869, when he took a homestead and continued to reside thereon until 1879, when he removed to Lincoln. He is now the owner of a farm at Valparaiso, but resides about five miles northeast of Lincoln, and is operating the farm at Christian University. His wife was Miss Nancy Crawford, a native of Pennsylvania, whom he married in 1860. The marriage of our subject has been blessed, and its bonds more firmly united, by the birth of a son, whom they have named Edgar.
   Thomas Martin has been for several terms School Director of his district, and is also Supervisor. His political sentiments accord with those of the Republican party, and the weight of his influence, with his more active efforts, is at all times at the command of his political friends. Although a young man he occupies a prominent place in the community, and, all things being equal, has doubtless a future before him brighter than anything here recorded, excepting only that of the establishment of his home in the early dawn of 1883. His character and manliness command and receive the regard of his fellow-citizens, his intelligence and success enjoin their sincerest respect.

REDERICK HAASE, as his name would indicate, is a native of Germany, and was born upon the 2d of January, 1828, to Frederick and Louisa Haase, of whom the latter is deceased. He received his early education in his native place and language, and continued to make his home in his native place until the year 1854, when he emigrated to this country, taking passage at Hamburg. After seven weeks upon the Atlantic he landed in New York, and went at once to Carbon

County, Pa., and there resided until the fall of 1877, when he came to this county, taking up land upon section 7 of Yankee Hill Precinct, where he has continued to reside since that time.
   Our subject was married while in Pennsylvania, the lady of his choice being Dora Leist; nine children have come to brighten their home, who bear the following names, viz: John, Henry, Frederick, Aaron, Frank, William, Louisa, Minnie and Dora, all of whom it is their pleasure to see growing up, and one by one taking their places in honorable positions in life.
   Mr. Haase is owner of 160 acres of fine farming land, well improved and very fertile. He has always continued his membership in the church of his youth, the Lutheran. From his first settlement in the country he has been a warm friend and supporter of the "grand old party."

OSEPH J. IMHOFF, Vice President of the State National Bank at Lincoln, first looked upon Nebraska Territory in 1856, but at that time was not ready to locate here. Two years later he took up his residence in Nebraska City, where he engaged in general merchandising, which he carried on successfully until 1872. Selling out in May of that year he came to Lincoln and established himself as "mine host" of the Commercial Hotel, which he conducted thirteen years successfully. In 1873 he purchased the Douglas House, changed the name to Commercial, and in due time added to its proportions until it assumed a frontage of 108x150 feet, and was three stories in height. It is now called the Capitol. As the city grew in size this house attained a corresponding popularity, and was acknowledged as the principal hotel. With this property Mr. Imhoff parted after a period of thirteen years for the snug sum of $80,000, and since then has been variously engaged among the enterprises in which the leading men of Southern Nebraska have been interested.
   The Keystone State owns the subject of this sketch as one of her sons, he having been born in Somerset County, May 8, 1835. In this section of country also his parents, Joseph and Catherine (Heffley) Imhoff, were born and spent their entire lives. The former was also a hotel-keeper, with which he combined agriculture, and was a solid, upright and reliable citizen, who stood well in his community. The family is of German ancestry, possessing all the enterprising and industrious characteristics of that nationality.
   The subject of this sketch was the sixth in a family of eight children born to his parents, and passed his boyhood and youth among the hills of his native county, becoming familiar with agriculture and acquiring a common-school education. When a youth of seventeen he began his mercantile experience as clerk in a store of general merchandise, but two years later took up the carpenter trade, which he followed five years. At the expiration of this time, desirous of seeing something of the world, he set out from his native county, and a few days later found himself in Urbana, Ill., where he sojourned two years and engaged as a carpenter and builder. Thence he migrated to Nebraska, and entered upon the career which we have already indicated.
   Mr. Imhoff was one of the originators and movers in the organization of the Union Savings Bank of Lincoln, and a principal stockholder and Director. The Nebraska Stockyards also owe largely their existence to his enterprise and encouragement. Of this company he was at once made Vice President, which position he still holds. Later, in the organization of the Lincoln Driving Park Association, he was a moving spirit, acting as President until disposing of his interests in it. He then purchased the park, and fitting it up at a cost of $7,500, sold it less than three years later for the sum of $75,000. He was one of the incorporators of the Lincoln Street Railway Company, being also made President of this, and remained its executive officer until the time of its sale to the city corporation. In the organization of the Lincoln Rapid Transit Street Railway Company, he also held a like prominent post. He was one of the organizers of the Electric Light Company, with a capital of $100,000, and has always been its President. He has been called to innumerable positions of trust and responsibility among the various interests inseparable from the growth and development of one of the most rapidly