complishments of a thorough housewife. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford have been born six children, four of whom are living, namely: Jane, wife of Jerome Schamp; John A. married Selia Miller; Mary, wife of G. B. P. Reynolds; and James R., who married a Miss Mattie Williams.
   Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford spent the first years of their wedded life in their native State. In 1856 they started for Iowa, going with teams, the journey consuming about three weeks, there being no railways in Iowa at that time, They settled in Decatur County, where Mr. Wallingford bought land from the Government. Keokuk, Iowa, was the nearest market, and all the grain that was sold had to be drawn to that town, but the greater part of the wheat was needed for home consumption by the emigrants who were settling up the country. In 1859 our subject sold out in Iowa and once more took up the journey westward, the Territory of Nebraska being his objective point. After his arrival here he entered a tract of Government land in what is now Yankee Hill Precinct. Then commenced for him the task that befell all the early settlers of this country, of reclaiming his land from its wild state, and his experience in pioneering was like that of many others, fraught with much that would be interesting to our readers did the limits of this brief sketch allow its to transcribe it on these pages. There was a log house on his claim that the man who had previously settled on the land had built, and in that our subject and his family lived for some years, until he erected a more substantial frame dwelling. At different times the Indians caused much trouble among the settlers, who would occasionally take refuge in Nebraska City, Plattsmouth and other convenient points. Once in the winter season a house in the neighborhood was robbed by the Indians and some shooting was indulged in; the whites thought it best to leave their settlements and go to Weeping Water for shelter, taking most of their stock along with them. While there three families lived for two weeks in a small log cabin. They then returned to their homes, and after that never left them again on account of the Indians, although they continued troublesome for some years, stealing their stock, and in fact everything they could lay their hands on. Mr. Wallingford improved a fine farm, which under his able management greatly increased in value, and has proved the source of an ample income. He continued to reside in Yankee Hill Precinct until 1886, when he rented his farm and came to Lincoln to make his home, and soon after erected his present commodious residence. Our subject and his wife are now enjoying the fruits of their early labors. and the respect and consideration due to them for the rectitude and integrity of their conduct are not withheld, and in the many years that they have resided in Nebraska they have made many warm friends. In politics Mr. Wallingford is a Republican. His first vote for President was cast for Gen. William Henry Harrison.
   We may be permitted to draw the attention of those of our readers who know our subject and those who, though not so favored, are interested to become better acquainted with him than the above sketch can make them, to the portrait which is, herewith presented, where the well-known features, are skillfully delineated by the artist.

OHN C. THOMPSON. Among the younger men of West Oak Precinct, the subject of this biography occupies a good position, and is successfully operating on 160 acres of good land on section 28. In addition to the raising of cereals and the products of home consumption, both for man and beast, he gives considerable attention to stock-breeding, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. He acquired his present property in 1885, and has effected many improvements upon land which had previously been indifferently cultivated, and the buildings now present the air of thrift and comfort.
   A native of the Dominion of Canada, our subject was born Aug. 19, 1865, where he lived until a lad of seven years. His father then coming over into the States, traced his steps across the Mississippi to this county, locating with his family in West Oak Precinct, where our subject acquired it common-school education, and developed into manhood. After studying for a year in the school at Lincoln, he began farming on his own account, and

after becoming assured that he could support a family comfortably, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Sterns, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, in Seward County, Nov. 23, 1887.
   John Thompson, the father of our subject, and a native of Yorkshire, England, was born about 1830, and continued upon his native soil until thirty years of age. In early manhood he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, and in 1863 was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hammond, a maiden of his own county, and who became the mother of three children, all of whom are living, and all in America. With his little family, John Thompson crossed the Atlantic, locating in Canada, where he carried on blacksmithing until coming to Nebraska. He is now Postmaster of Crounse; a further sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Jane (Hammond) Thompson, the mother of our subject, was born about 1840, and was the daughter of Thomas Hammond, who was of pure English ancestry, and who died when his daughter Jane was a young girl of twelve years. She afterward, until her marriage, made her home with her maternal grandfather. She died at the home of the family in West Oak Precinct, July 20, 1881.
   Mrs. Lucinda (Sterns) Thompson, the wife of our subject., was born Sept. 12, 1865, in Ogle County, Ill,, and is the daughter of William Sterns, who emigrated across the Mississippi into Black Hawk County, Iowa, a few years later. She acquired her education in the common schools of Iowa, living there with her parents until 1884, when they changed their residence to this county. A year later, however, they removed to Butler County, where they now reside. Mr. Sterns was born in Canada, in 1840, where he spent his younger years, and where he was married. To him and his estimable wife Elizabeth (Youker) Sterns, there were born six children, one of whom died when an infant. Lucinda, the wife of our subject, was next to the youngest. The Sterns family made the journey from Illinois to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in a wagon, and in common with the pioneers around them, endured many hardships and privations. The father became owner of a tract of land which he brought to a good state of cultivation. The parents are both living, and with their daughter Lucinda. and most of their family, are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sterns, is an intelligent and public-spirited man, and while a resident of this county was considerably interested in school matters, and acted as Moderator in his district.
   Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Crounse, in which our subject has been Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday school, and is warmly interested in the welfare of the society. He also represents the history of "Protective Tariff" by R. W. Thompson, in West Oak Precinct, and politically, is identified with the Republican party.

UGUSTUS C. RUDOLF is one of the pioneers and early settlers of Lincoln. His father, Michael Rudolf, was born in Lunenburg, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Austria, and was at one time Secretary to Queen Katherine of Russia, and later was a Commander in the Austrian army. He came to Nova Scotia, where he founded a colony under the Austrian auspices, and named it Lunenburg, in which place he spent his last years. The father of our subject was engaged in mercantile business in Lunenburg, and then removed from there to New York City, where he spent a few years, afterward going to Illinois, and residing in Jacksonville and Chicago until the year 1867. At that time he came to Lincoln, where he spent his last days, his death occurring in March, 1886. His wife, with whom he had spent over fifty years of happy married life, died on the same hour of the same day, and both were buried in the same grave.
   It seemed a fitting close that they who had spent half a century or more in congenial associations, should together depart from the world, the husband at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and the wife aged seventy-eight. Her maiden name was Isabella Jacobs, and she was a native of Halifax. There were five children given to this family: Emma Pope (now deceased); Louisa Morrison, Helen Geiger and James, who died at fifteen years

of age. Our subject, Augustus, was the third child born at Lunenburg, where he attended the public and select schools until the age of thirteen years and six months, at which time he left home and went to the West Indies on one of his father's vessels.
   On his return trip from the West Indies our subject stopped at New York City, and there a friend secured him a position as clerk in a retail store, where he remained for one year. Then he engaged with a ship-chandler, and clerked for six months with him, afterward going to Augusta, Ga., where his brother-in-law, Thomas Pope, was Professor of Languages in the University of Georgia. For a short time he secured employment in a grocery store, and then engaged as an accountant in the office of the Georgia & South Carolina Railroad Company, and was in their employ for nine years. He went to Jacksonville, Ill., and engaged in the grocery business until the year 1865, when he returned South to spend the winter, after which, going to Louisville, Ky., he bought a woolen-mill.
   Our subject remained in Louisville for one year, and then sold his mill at an advanced price, and then came to Omaha via the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, arriving at that place in August, 1867. He stopped there for a short time, then went to Nebraska City, and from there to Lincoln, making the last journey in a wagon, and following the Pike's Peak trail. The first sale of lots in the newly located city had just taken place, and he bought a lot on the corner of Tenth and O streets, and made a contract to build the Union Block. The block is still standing, being built of stone gathered on the prairies.
   After spending the winter in Chicago, in the following April, 1868, our subject returned to Lincoln with a stock of groceries, and engaged in that business, which he has continued to the present time. He has seen the city grow from a small village to a flourishing city of nearly 50,000 people, and has been prominently identified with its many enterprises. When he first came here the greater part of the surrounding country consisted of wild prairie land, which the Government offered for sale at $1.25 per acre. In 1868 Mr. Rudolph built a residence on the corner of J and Twelfth streets, it being the third house built south of O street, He paid $200 for the lot, and then sold the place at two prices a little later, and bought lots on the corner of G and Twelfth streets, for which he paid $100, erecting a house there. He has dealt quite extensively in real estate, and has been successful in his business transactions.
   Our subject attended the first religious services held by the Episcopalians in Lincoln, in the summer of 1868, the services being held in a small frame school-house on the corner of P and Thirteenth streets. He was the only one in attendance who possessed a prayer-book and responded to the services. In the same year he attended the first court ever held in Lincoln, Judge Cadmen president and the defendant in the case a man who was accused of horse-stealing. Our subject has always been a Republican. having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
   On the 1st of January, 1869, our subject, in company with J. L. McConnell, H. J. Walsh and Mr. Putnam, inaugurated in Lincoln the custom of making New Year's calls. They had cards for the occasion with their photographs engraved on them, and they found the people ready to receive them, extending a hearty welcome. They had no carriages, and had to walk from 11 o'clock in the morning until 8 o'clock in the evening, in order to call on all the prominent families in the village. Our subject has raised himself to a position of influence, and he receives, as he justly merits, the entire confidence and the highest respect of his fellow-citizens.

EWIS KREUGER. Among the German settlers of Nebraska, there are few if any more deserving mention under conditions similar to the present, than Lewis Kreuger, one of Centerville's prosperous farmers, whose home and property is situated on section 15. He was born Feb. 2, 1823, in Prussia, to Frederick and Elizabeth Kreuger. He received his education in his native town, which was complete so far as an educa-

tion in his own language would be considered for a boy, but the difficulty of applying his knowledge in another language was for a time almost impassable.
   In the year 1849 our subject emigrated to this country and took his passage upon a sailing-vessel. The voyage occupied almost fully three months, and was marked by all the pleasure, discomfort, amusement, sickness and buoyant health usually incident to such a trip, in spite of their seeming paradox. Our subject landed in New Orleans, and proceeded to St. Louis, and there made his home for two years, during that time being fairly prosperous. At the end of that period he removed to Clayton County, Iowa, took a tract of land and engaged in farming.
   During his residence in Iowa Mr. Krueger became attached to a lady of most excellent and appreciable character, and was united in marriage with her. The name of the lady of his choice was Elizabeth Winch. Their marriage was fruitful in the birth of several children, of whom seven are living, whose names are here appended: William, August, Margaret, Paul, Elizabeth, Hannah and Lena. The eldest son is now a resident upon section 24, and was born Feb. 3, 1858, at the Clayton County homestead, and has made husbandry his chosen profession; he accompanied his parents when they came to this State in 1869, and continued with them until he took up his farm. On the 1st of February, 1883, he was married to Helena Meyer, and they have become the parents of three children--Lewis (deceased), John and William. As a farmer he is very successful, and in political matters affiliates with the Republican party.
   The second son, August, is one of the most successful young farmers of the precinct, and owns property situated on section 13. He was born upon the Clayton County homestead, and was about six years of age when his parents came to this county. He went to school in the local institution, and has been reared to manhood in this precinct. He has given considerable attention to farm work, under the direction of his father, and later became the owner of 100 acres of land. He is one of the stanch members of the Lutheran Church, and exhibits qualities and characteristics most praiseworthy. In political matters he has associated himself with the Democratic party, and it is not too much to say that Nebraska will yet hear from him.
   In 1869 our subject came to Lancaster County and took up his present property, comprising 240 acres of land, which is all well improved, as he is an indefatigable worker and very energetic and enthusicastic in all that pertains to his farm and stock. In political matters he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and is a strong partisan of that cause. In things religious, with his family, he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is held in the highest respect as a true and faithful member of the same.

AMES B. ABBOTT is a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Denton Precinct, residing on section 1. He is a native of Norfolk County, England, the date of his birth being Feb. 13, 1829. To his parents, Edward and Jane Abbott, both natives of England, were born the following children: Gertrude M., wife of Rev. Charles Turner, of near Norwich, England; James B., our subject; Charles E. and Robert J., both being lawyers in London; Alice J., in England; and Elizabeth C., deceased, who had been the wife of Edward Alston, formerly Register General of Victoria, Vancouver's Island; he now also is deceased.
   Our subject attained his majority in his native country, where he received a good classical education. Engaging in the pursuit of agriculture for twenty years he rented some 2,200 acres of land, and being successful, at different times he gave instruction to seventy-three pupils in the elements of English farming.
   On the 20th, of September, 1853, Mr. Abbott married Ann Gates, also a native of Norfolk County, the date of her birth being May 6, 1835. Mrs. Abbott is a daughter of Francis and Charlotte Gates, the father being deceased, and the mother now in her eighty-sixth year, and still residing in Norwich, England. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott has been blessed with thirteen children, nine of whom are living, as follows: Frank E., of the adjoining precinct of Yankee Hill; Harry, of Den-