ber of the Democratic party, and was at one time somewhat active in political circles.
   The subject of our sketch is one of a large family of children, six only of whom are now living. He was brought up in Lee County, and attended the common schools there, after which he remained upon the farm with his father, whom he assisted until he became of age. He observed the twenty-third anniversary of his birth by celebrating his marriage with Miss Catharine Hopp, who was born in Charleston Township Aug. 31, 1853. She is the daughter of Phillip and Lizzie (Frelk) Hopp, who are now living upon a farm in Osage Precinct of this county, which they obtained in 1877.
   The family of our subject and wife includes eight children, whose names are recorded as follows: Charles, William, Bertha, Lewis, John, Edward, Eda and Herman. Mr. and Mrs. Weller are attendants of the Lutheran Evangelical Church, and are well received in religious circles, as they are also in society at large. Our subject espouses the Democracy, and is deeply interested in political matters.

OSEPH S. GRAY, an old resident of Palmyra Precinct, settled on the western line of this county twenty-seven years ago, and for a time his house was the resort of the weary traveler through this region when public places of rest and refreshment were few and far between. Many were the travelers who sought a grateful shelter under his roof while on their way from Nebraska City to Denver, Col. Of late years he has given his attention strictly to farming, and has the oldest apple orchard in Palmyra Precinct. He has brought his land to a fine state of cultivation, has a fair assortment of live stock, and although not living elegantly by any means is in the enjoyment of the comforts of life.
   Our subject, a native of Durham County, England, was born in Pittington Parish, Nov. 18, 1823, and received his education in the common school. His parents, John and Jane (Sheldon) Gray, were natives of the same county, and of pure English descent. His father was deputy foreman of a coal mine, and the parental family included the following children: Joseph S., our subject; Hannah, John and William, all in England; Robert in Iowa, William in Kentucky. Thomas and Isabella in Raymond, Neb. Three died in infancy.
   Our subject when twenty-five years old resolved to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic. Accordingly, on the 28th of March, 1848, he embarked at Liverpool on the sailing-vessel "Sawatara," and set foot upon American soil in New York City on the 10th of May, 1848. Thence he proceeded directly to Carbon County, Pa., where he engaged in coal mining. He had been accompanied by his wife, to whom he was married in England, April 13, 1846, and who in her girlhood was Miss Isabella Hughes. She was also a native of Durham County, and born May 1, 1826. Her parents were John and Dorothy Hughes, and the father was a coal miner by occupation, They spent their last years in England.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Gray were born two children, both of whom died in infancy in England. Our subject and his wife after a two-years residence to the Keystone State, removed to Ohio, and thence to Lawrence County in the same State, Mr. Gray still prosecuting his calling of coal miller. In due time he was promoted to agent and salesman, where he disposed of large quantities of coal, which were shipped by steamboats down the Ohio River, and in which business he was occupied until 1855.
   In the spring of the above mentioned year Mr. Gray crossed the Mississippi and located in Fremont County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, and continued to reside until after the election of 1860. Then, having become a naturalized citizen, he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was a warm admirer of the great emancipator who so thoroughly carried out his anti-slavery sentiments. Upon coming to the Hawkeye State he had purchased forty acres of land, and this he sold out at a good profit in 1861. With the proceeds he came to this county, and homesteaded 160 acres, for the cultivation of which he was amply fitted, having brought from Iowa three ox-teams. He also brought six head of other cattle and twenty-five head of hogs, the latter being about the first of their kind brought into the precinct. He was looked upon by the neighbors as

quite wealthy. The nearest of these was Peter Sibert, and continued so for many years thereafter. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born seven children, namely: Dorothy J., Joseph S., Jr., James, Thomas, Belle, Hannah and Eliza, all of whom are living and are now residents of Nebraska. Mr. Gray during the earlier years of his residence here was quite prominent in local affairs, served as a member of the School Board, and was generally active in the enterprises set on foot for the good of the community. He is a member of the Old Settlers' Association, has served as Road Supervisor, and been sent as a delegate to the County Convention by the Republican party, of whose principles he still continues a warm supporter.

 M. KIRKHAM. Among the early pioneers of Nebraska who have been instrumental in developing her great agricultural resources, and are still active members of her farming community, is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was an early settler of Nebraska City Precinct, locating on his present farm in the year 1856, and has ever since been numbered among the most industrious and thrifty citizens of this community. He is a native of Corydon, the county seat of Harrison County, Ind., his birth occurring in that city on the 20th of October, 1818. His father, Michael Kirkham, was born in Kentucky, a son of Henry Kirkham, a native of Ireland, and a pioneer of Kentucky, whither he went from his native land in early manhood, and casting in his lot with the early settlers, passed, it is supposed, the remainder of his life there.
   The father of our subject, it is thought, was reared in his Kentucky birthplace, but after marriage moved to Indiana, and became a pioneer of Harrison County. He was quite a trader, and used to traffic on the rivers. When our subject was an infant the father went down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and died while away from home. He left a widow and two children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and loving parent. Our subject's Mother was thus left in poverty with two small children to care for, but she nobly shouldered her burden, and kept a shelter over their heads and provided them with food and clothing by taking in sewing. She subsequently married again and continued to live in Harrison County until her death.
   The subject of our sketch lived with his mother a part of the time, and with friends some of the time, until he was fourteen years old. Then, being a strong, well-developed lad, ready and willing to work, he chose a guardian, and was bound to learn a trade, that of carpenter and joiner, at which he was employed until he was twenty-one, receiving in return his board and clothes. He then started out in life for himself with two new suits of clothes, $5 worth of tools, $5 in cash, and plenty of pluck and resolution to make his own way in the world very successfully. He began his independent life in Laynesville, Ky., where he found work at his trade, and was busily employed there until 1841. He then returned to Indiana, and was engaged at carpentering in Harrison County until the following year, when he decided to seek work at his trade in some of the new and growing towns beyond the Mississippi River. He proceeded on his journey down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Liberty, Mo., and thence on foot to Union Mills, where he visited a few weeks. He then proceeded by wagon to his destination, the town of Savannah, in Andrew County, which was then a new village, with but few houses. He at once obtained work as a carpenter, and actively pursued his trade there until 1849. In the meantime, in the year 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Tryphena Holland, who has actively aided him in the establishment of the comfortable, pleasant home in which they are passing their declining years. When Mr. Kirkham left Savannah he located in Kansas City, then only an insignificant hamlet, comprising a few small houses, of which more were built of logs than of sawed timber. He followed his trade there until the spring of 1850, when he caught the gold fever, and started with others for California in the month of May. Making the journey overland, he arrived at Diamond Springs in August, and the ensuing two years was busily engaged in mining. In May, 1852, he abandoned the rough, hard life of the mining camp, and with his savings started for home, going by the way of the

Isthmus of Panama and New York, and thence to Platte County, Mo., where he bought a tract of improved land, and devoted himself to farming. In 1856 Mr. Kirkham rented his farm, and came to the then almost uninhabited Territory of Nebraska, to seek on its fertile soil a location more suited to his purposes. He came with a horse and buggy to Nebraska City, and after examining the country roundabout, he selected the claim now comprising his present farm, and as soon as the Government threw the land on the market he entered it at the land office at Nebraska City. After buying his land and securing a title to it, he went back to Missouri for his family, and returned with them to their new home in September, 1856, bringing a part of their household goods in the wagon that served as a conveyance. Ever since that time Mr. Kirkham has been an esteemed resident of Nebraska City Precinct. He is a prudent, hard-working man, and by his energetic perseverance has improved the once wild prairie land that he purchased from the Government more than thirty years ago into a valuable farm, comparing favorably with his neighbors in respect to cultivation, neat and substantial buildings, and all else that goes to make up a first-class farm.
   Mr. Kirkham is a sober, honest, upright man, and the respect felt for him by his fellow-citizens is but the just reward of a good life. In his religious opinions he is a believer in the doctrines of the Seventh Day Adventists; in his political sentiments he is a Democrat.

AVID M. HARP, farmer and carpenter combined, has a fine tract of land located on the southwest quarter of section 6, Hendricks Precinct, and watered by a branch of the Nemaha. He pursues his trade during the summer season, at the same time superintending the operations of his farm. He is a genial and intelligent man and a useful citizen, taking an active interest in church matters, and casting his influence on the side of morality and good order.
   The parents of our subject, Daniel and Betsy (Young) Harp, were natives of New York State, where they were married, and where the father pursued his trade of carpenter during his early manhood. In 1840 he emigrated to Henry County, Ill., where he turned his attention to farming, and acquired a good property. In 1860 he changed his residence to Monroe County, Wis., where with his estimable wife he is still living, retired from active labor.
   The parental household of our subject included nine children, four of whom are living, and residing mostly in Wisconsin. David M. was the third in order of birth, and was a little lad six years of age when his parents removed to Illinois. He was born in New York, Dec. 16, 1834. He remained under the home roof until attaining his majority, and learned the trade of a carpenter under the instruction of his excellent father. In 1857 he took up his residence in Clayton County, Iowa, where he followed his trade until 1863. From the Hawkeye State he came to the western part of this county, making the trip overland with an ox-team, and homesteaded the land upon which he now resides.
   It is hardly necessary to say that our subject has labored most industriously to effect the improvements which the passing traveler now looks upon with admiration. He has two houses on his farm, his residence and a tenement. He planted ten acres of forest trees, making a fine grove, and has two acres of choice apple trees. His farm machinery and live stock are fully in keeping with the demands of the progressive agriculturist. He purposes in due time to retire from active labor, having purchased ground in the city of Hendricks, where he intends building.
   Mr, Harp was married in Clayton County, Iowa, Oct. 22, 1859, to Miss Bessie Gould, who was born in Monroe County, Wis., Aug. 15, 1844. Mrs. Harp is the daughter of Solomon and Lucinda (Stanford) Gould, both natives of New York State, and the father engaged in the lumber trade, at the same time carrying on a sawmill. The family came to Nebraska about 1862, and the father died in Johnson County in 1874; the mother died some time before. Mrs. Harp was the youngest of their seven children.
   To our subject and his wife there have been born

four children the eldest of whom, a daughter, Julia died at the age of eight. The survivors are Edward, Josephine and Adah. The eldest is twenty-five years of age, and the youngest sixteen. Edward married Miss Lulu Nunn, and is a carpenter by trade, the father of one child, and a resident of Hendricks. Josephine is the wife of William Ratliff, of Hendricks, and the mother of three children--Bessie, Freddie and David.
   Both Mr. and Mrs. Harp are members of the United Brethren Church, and usually attend services at Mt. Zion. Mr. Harp has officiated as Class-Leader a number of years, is a Trustee, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is one of the warmest advocates of Prohibition, and a zealous member of this political party. He has served as Constable in Hendricks Precinct for the last three years, and been a member of the School Board for a period of twenty years.

ON. GEORGE W. McKEE. This gentleman is established in business in Syracuse as a dealer in grain and live stock. He is one of the very early pioneers of the county, having settled with his mother, in the year 1857, about two miles west of the site of the city, at that time of course unfounded. He is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and was born on the 10th of June, 1837. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Kellen) McKee. The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Scotland, and in 1804 emigrated to this country, crossing the Atlantic in the month of October, in a sailing-vessel, thus obtaining an experience in the realm of Father Neptune not entirely delectable, seeing that the equinoctial gales were in full force, but these moving experiences were banished from their minds by an event more absorbing in interest, for while on the voyage a son was born to them, to whom was given the name Henry.
   Henry McKee grew to manhood, receiving his education and first instruction in trade in the State of Delaware. He was apprenticed to that of civil engineer, to which he seemed more attracted than any other. He was a careful and intelligent apprentice, and it was not long before he made his mark in his business. He became the husband of Miss Kellen, who was born in the State of Delaware. Of her family she knew but little, having been left an orphan in early childhood. Her husband removed to New York not long after their marriage, and was one of the surveyors of the first railroad in the United States. This work accomplished, he settled in Ithaca in the State of New York, and later removed to Ohio. In the latter State he died in 1853, having reached the age of forty-eight years. Mrs. McKee came to Nebraska, and died upon the farm near Syracuse.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Henry McKee were born nine children, eight of whom it was their privilege to bring to mature years. These are as follows: James H., who was murdered in Texas during the war on account of his pro-slavery ideas; Sarah A., now the wife of John Roberts, of Long Beach, Cal.; George W., our subject; John R., of Palmyra, Neb.; Clark Thomas, who died in 1861, in Leadville, Col.; Maria J., who died in Ohio; Belle, happily married to W. W. Lowe, and residing in Long Beach, Cal., and William I., of Syracuse.
   The subject of our sketch passed his early life upon a farm, and at the age of twenty came to Nebraska, and helped to bring the farm to a high state of cultivation. In 1860, like many others, he went to Pike's Peak, but returned disappointed. In 1863 he engaged in freighting on the plains, which calling he pursued until the year 1868, when he returned to Syracuse and settled to the pursuit of agriculture. Shortly afterward, in addition to his farm, he purchased an interest in a gristmill, which he operated for about eleven years, also carrying on a grain business, which he still continues. He is, perhaps, at once one of the most extensive and successful dealers in the county. He is the owner of about 500 acres of well-improved farming land in Otoe County, also an elevator in Syracuse, and his farm of 180 acres a little west of town, where he resides. He has spared neither time, trouble nor expense in making this a most desirable residence, and has upon it everything apparently that is necessary for pleasure, comfort and convenience. His property has been acquired by his thrift and assiduous labor, for he received nothing from his

parents, saving perhaps, 100 acres of land near Palmyra, upon the death of his mother.
   Mr. McKee was married in the year 1868, and has become the parent of three children--Cora, Elmer and Blanche B. In all matters, enterprises and projects that have looked toward the advancement of the interest of the community and county his policy has been most liberal. He has always been deeply interested in educational matters, and the welfare generally of the rising generation. He was one of the organizers of the Otoe County Fair and Driving Association, of which he was the President the first two terms. He was also instrumental in organizing the Syracuse Lodge of the Knights of Honor, and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. In this he has served as Worshipful Master of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M., of Syracuse, and in that office was always an able worker. He has initiated many into the mysteries of the order and brought them into the light of its triluminous altar.
   Upon his farm our subject has given special attention to the raising and feeding of beef cattle and hogs for Eastern markets, and usually ships quite a large number annually. So successful has he been in this and his grain business that he is counted among the wealthy citizens of the district. His political aspirations and principles are symphonious with those of the Republican party, and he has frequently been called upon to act as delegate to County, District and State Conventions, his reputation among his fellows being that of a true, honorable, loyal and faithful Republican and citizen. In 1876 and 1877 Mr. McKee was honored by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to represent them in the State Legislature. This he did in a manner that has shown the wisdom of the choice and given all parties concerned every satisfaction.

OHN MALLAR is one of the prominent and worthy representatives of the genus German. American citizen, and is alike a credit to his native country and also that of his adoption. He is a capable and prosperous stock-raiser in Russell Precinct, and in that connection utilizes 160 acres of some of the best land in the county. His property is situated upon section 34 of that precinct.
   The father of our subject, Henry Mallar, was a native of Holstein, Germany, where he was a well-to-do merchant, continuing in his business until death claimed him in the year 1872, when he was but forty-nine years of age. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, who was also born in Holstein, was Anna Runpf. She was but twenty-eight years of age when she departed this life, in the year 1858, leaving to the care of her husband four children, viz.: Geashen; Annie, now of Chicago; Henry, who followed the nautical profession, and was drowned at sea after being ship-wrecked; and John.
   The subject of our sketch was born on the 12th of April, 1844, in the same district as his parents. Until he was twenty-one years of age he made his home with his father. His time until that period was occupied by the accumulation of knowledge and development of his intellectual facilities, and afterward he assisted his father in business and upon the farm. In beginning life for himself, upon attaining man's estate, he followed agriculture until the fall of 1870, then concluded to try his fortunes upon trans-Atlantic soil. He therefore sailed from Hamburg on the good ship "Simbrog," which landed him safely in New York after about fourteen days.
   Leaving New York our subject went to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked upon a farm for nine months. then went to DuPage County, Iowa, and there worked on a farm for two years, and for the next six years rented land; 1880 witnessed his removal and his settlement in McWilliams Precinct, where for three years he continued to rent land. At the end of that period he purchased 160 acres of prairie land still in all the wild picturesqueness of its virgin state, which he has transformed by the subtle alchemy of persevering, intelligent labor until it has become one of the finest farms in the district. Many points would present themselves for detailed mention, the difficulty would be in the selection. His property is made beautiful by shady groves of well-developed and valuable forest trees, covering perhaps three acres, and no less so by the well-kept hedges and other fencing. The orchard, which con-

tains over 150 trees, would invite more careful and close attention, while his barn and other farm buildings would be found fully to meet the varied requirements for the storage of grain and feed, and shelter for stock.
   The special efforts of our subject are in the direction of raising high-grade cattle and horses, although large numbers of the best breeds of hogs are always on hand. Of horses he is perhaps more inclined to favor the Clydesdales, and is the owner of several magnificent creatures of that breed.
   The beautiful home of Mr. Mallar, splendidly located upon a fine, grassy slope, has its chief attraction in the most excellent wife and happy children of our subject. The maiden name of his companion in life was Emma Hostick, one of Nebraska City's fair daughters. She has presented her husband with three children. whose names are as follows: Annie, Andalia and Bertie.
   Mr. and Mrs. Mallar are members of the German Lutheran Church in Syracuse, and our subject holds the position of Trustee of the property. Ever since his naturalization in the year 1880 he has elected to vote the Democratic ticket, and is now accounted one of the stanch friends of that party in this county.

OHN L. HARRIS, one of the intelligent thinkers and capable citizens of Palmyra Precinct, is a descendant of one of the good old families of Virginia, in which State he figured somewhat conspicuously in other years. He bow resides on section 22, where he operates eighty acres of good farming land. He is the son of James N. and Elizabeth W. (Allen) Harris, who ,were born in Orange and Fluvanna Counties, Va.
   The great-grandfather of our subject, Samuel Harris, was a Government appointee in the colonial days, and was of English family. He came from England in the eighteenth century, in order to fill the position assigned to him, and has left a record of faithful service. His son Samuel D., the grandfather of John L. Harris, was of Virginian birth, He followed the occupation of civil engineer, and was on his way to the territory of Kentucky for the purpose of engaging in land surveying, and died; this occurred in 1816. The father of our subject was an agriculturist, and resided upon the old Harris homestead, cultivating the broad acres of the old home farm. He died there in the year 1872, being then sixty-nine years of age. His wife departed this life in the year 1880, at the advanced age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of six children, who bore the following names: John L.; Mary E., who died in infancy; Sarah J., Emily M., Brown and Letiza D.
   The subject of our sketch was born on the 7th of September, 1829, near Lexington, Rockbridge Co., Va. He grew up on a farm and assisted his father at blacksmithing, learning the business. The common school provided him with an education. Until he was twenty-two years of age he resided at home, and about that time was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Camden) Eskew, who were also Virginians.
   The wife of our subject was born in February, 1831, and was therefore twenty years of age when she was married. The young couple settled in their new home, which was at Lexington, where Mr. Harris continued his blacksmithing business, which was quite extensive and kept him fully employed. After two years he was induced to go to Southwestern Virginia in company with two partners, with the intention of manufacturing agricultural implements, including not simply plows and harrows, but those more complicated, such as feed-cutters, feed-mills, etc., under the firm name of W. J. Keller & Co. They erected factories at Wytheville in 1854, said made excellent progress until the crash of 1857, caused by Buchanan's free trade policy; then, being unable to collect from the farmers, the firm became financially embarrassed.
   Not long afterward the wave of successional feeling and agitation ran high, and in due course was followed by the war. Therefore Mr. Harris emigrated to Missouri and settled in Pike County. although a Virginian, and therefore presumably a Southern sympathizer, he never for one moment wavered in his loyalty to the Union. His business interests being established in Missouri, he was in haste to return to his wife and children, whom he had left at the old home with the promise of returning within three or four weeks. Being a first-class me-

chanic he was exempt from service in the Confederate Army, but he was kept in Virginia by first one thing and then another, and was finally prevented from returning to Missouri.
   In 1869 Mr. Harris engaged quite extensively and successfully in the lumber business in Rockbridge County, Va., where he continued until 1874. The following five years he occupied himself in agricultural pursuits, linking, however, with that such work as might come to him in the line of his trade, which grew to be very extensive, and in time included the manufacture of carriages and wagons. When he went into the lumber business he involved himself in debt to the amount of several thousand dollars, but entering with heart and soul into every circumstance connected therewith, he came out very successfully. In the fall of 1880 he left Virginia for Nebraska, coming to this county and to his present farm.
   The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Harris includes seven children, three of whom, however, died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are as follows: Sandy, Adison V., Louis E. and Jessie. Sandy was united in marriage with Miss Moxley, of Virginia, who has presented him with one son, John M.; Adison V. resides in Dawes County, this State, and is married to Miss Mary Meecham; they are the parents of two children, viz: Lelia and Albert V.; he is engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business at Whitney in this State. Louis E. is the owner of 320 acres of land, and proprietor of the White Clay Ranch in Dawes County; the maiden name of his wife was Miss Nannia Oliver. Jessie is still at home.
   The subject of our sketch has always been a strict Republican and a doughty defender of the principles of his party. At the same time he has never sought political preferment. He was appointed Judge of Elections of the Buffalo district of his native county for ten consecutive years, from 1870 to 1880, accepting the position out of loyalty and earnest desire to promote fair play. For several years he has given the labor problem careful study, and is the recipient of communications from the Bureau of Industrial Statistics for the State of Nebraska, indicating that his labor has not been in vain, and that his views, sound and practical, are calculated to nearly meet the demands of the case.
   Religiously, Mr. Harris is allied to the Presbyterian Church, although he was reared in the doctrines of the Methodist Church, and has always respected its teachings. He has had to contend with the common difficulties of life, financial and otherwise, but in spite of all he may be pronounced a success.

ACOB PENN, who has farmed successfully in Delaware Precinct for it number of years, is the regular type of the honest Pennsylvanian, and was born in Washington County, that State, on the 3d of August, 1825. His father, William Penn, was a native of Maryland, and is still living in Washington County, Pa., being now ninety years of age. The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Phebe Bane, was also a native of Washington County, that State, and is still living, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Jacob was educated in the common school, and spent much of his early life assisting in a flouring mill, and operating a carding-machine. Soon after reaching his majority he was married, Nov. 19, 1846, to Miss Emeline, daughter of William and Maria (Clawson) McClory. Of this union there have been born five children, all of whom, with one exception, died when young. The survivor is a son, William H. The others were named respectively: Ann E., Mary E., Abner B. and John N.
   Mr. Penn came to this county in the fall of 1859, while Nebraska was a Territory, purchased a tract of land, and was joined by his family in the following spring. The country was wild and new, and, like most of the people around them, Mr, and Mrs. Penn had little save their courageous hearts with which to begin the struggle of life in a new country. Their goods unfortunately were destroyed by fire in a warehouse in Nebraska City, and this at that time was indeed a calamity. They endured many hardships and privations during the first few years, at a time when their neighbors were few and far between, and Indians and wild animals were numerous. Deer and wolves roamed unrestrained