tives of England, whence, it is supposed, they crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days. They settled in one of the New England States, and the grandfather upon reaching manhood carried a musket in the War of 1812. On the mother's side Grandfather Hollingsworth was of English descent, and also served in the above-mentioned war.
   Jesse Embree carried on farming in Vermilion County, Ill., until 1840, and then moved across the Mississippi River into Washington County, Iowa. There in due time he became the owner of 500 broad acres, purchasing first a half-section and adding gradually to his landed estate. He was greatly prospered, and died in possession of a competency in 1858, at the age of fifty-one years. The mother had passed away seven years before, in 1851, aged thirty-five. Their six children were named respectively: Noah; Martha A.; who died when twenty-two years old; John H., Anna M., Sarah J. and Elmina. The survivors are residents mostly of Nebraska.
   Our subject remained under the home roof until the death of his father, having acquired a common-school education, and became intimately acquainted with the details of country life. He then rented the homestead for a number of years, and finally became owner of part of it, continuing there until the spring of 1870. Then, with a longing to see something more of the West, and believing that he could do better elsewhere, he sold his interests in Iowa, and gathering together his personal effects, started overland with a team for Nemaha County, Kan. Upon his arrival there, however, not being pleased will the outlook, he went north into Nebraska, and soon afterward settled on the land in Russell Precinct which he now owns and occupies. It was then a quarter-section of raw prairie, upon which there was not even a shelter for his head. He began operations in true pioneer style, and labored for a number of years under the disadvantages of a distant market, and the various other difficulties which beset the pioneer farmer. The perseverance, however, which he had inherited from his substantial English ancestry, served him well in this emergency, and in due time prosperity began to smile upon his labors. He brought his land to a good state of cultivation, set out five acres in a grove of cottonwood, maple and walnut trees, divided his fields with four miles of hedge fencing, planted an apple and peach orchard, and in the midst of these erected a substantial and convenient set of farm buildings. His land is amply supplied with running water, and possesses many natural advantages, which, combined with those which he has added, make it one of the most desirable estates of this part of Otoe County.
   Mr. Embree was married in Keokuk, Iowa, on the 17th of June, 1858, to Miss Margaretta, daughter of Rev. F. F. and Rachael (Harris) Lyon, the father a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and the mother of Macoupin County, Ky. The paternal great-grandfather was of French birth and ancestry, and his son, Grandfather Lyon, a native of New York, spent his last years in that State. The maternal great-grandfather was a native of England, and married Miss McVey. He settled in Tennessee, and there was born his son, who became the grandfather of Mrs. Embree.
   F. F. Lyon was born in Scotland, whence he removed first to Ireland, and then crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Tennessee, where he became the owner of 600 acres of land, upon which stands the present city of Nashville, From this property he never received any benefit, however, as he had entrusted his papers to a lawyer who died, and the important documents were lost. Mr. Lyon then emigrated to Iowa, locating in Keokuk County, where for a number of years he officiated as minister of the United Brethren Church. In 1878 he retired from the ministry, and now lives upon a farm in Jefferson County, Iowa, which is mostly devoted to stock-raising. He is also the owner of 200 acres of land in Rawlins County, Kan. Mr. Lyon is quite healthy and active, although seventy-two years of age; the mother is sixty-three. They are the parents of thirteen children, one of whom, Rachel J., died when three years old. The survivors are Nancy A., Margaretta, Samuel T., William A., Clarissa, Frederick L., Mary E., John S., Demarcus N., Susan I., Nathaniel B. and Ulysses W.
   Mrs. Embree was the second child of her parents, and was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, July 25, 1841. She received a common-school education,

and was carefully trained by an excellent mother in all the housewifely duties. Of her union with our subject there have been born eight children, two of whom, Ezra and Rachel N., died in infancy. The survivors are Allen L., Oliver H., Frederick Q., John W., Noah M. and Mary E. Allen, Frederick and John are located in Custer County, this State. John was graduated from the Union School, at Gibbon, in Buffalo County, and is a young man of more than average ability, having a license to preach; he is also a successful teacher. Oliver is in Oregon; Noah is attending school at Gibbon., Both Mr. and Mrs. Embree are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, at Unadilla, which Mr. E. assisted in organizing, therefore being a charter member, and is also a Trustee. He has officiated as Sunday-school Superintendent four years, and contributed liberally to its support and maintenance. His warm interest in the temperance cause led him in 1888 to identify himself with the Prohibition party. He has been connected with the School Board of his district for the last three years, and always gives a hearty support to the enterprises having for their object the general welfare of the community.

LLEN BIGGS is one of the early settlers of McWilliams Precinct, and indeed of Otoe County. He has lived on his present farm since the year 1864. The property, which includes 240 acres of improved and carefully cultivated, arable land, is situated on section 1. He has a very fine residence, which is of recent construction, and admirably situated amid surroundings that indicate an appreciation of the picturesque as well as the more substantial profit.
   For four years previous to making his home as above Mr. Biggs resided in the vicinity of Nebraska City, although he owned and was improving his farm on McWilliams Precinct during that time. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs started life hand in hand, having at the first practically nothing. By mutual help and incitement they began to make their way in the world. Our subject had lived in Gentry County, Mo. for two years before coming to this State, but did not feel anxious to make it his adopted State and permanent home for the reason that throughout the entire period of his residence there he had suffered from chills and ague. He was brought up in Jefferson and Campbell Counties. Tenn.. where his parents had removed from their home in Indiana, where he was born in December, 1822, making the change when he was about three years of age.
   The father of our subject, James Biggs, was a native of Tennessee, and married his wife, Mary Gwinn, in the same State. They had lived but a few years in the Hoosier State when they returned, as above noted, to Tennessee, where, after attaining a good old age, they died. They were the parents of ten sons and three daughters; of these our subject was the fourth child. He continued to make his home with his parents until he came of age, when he was married and began life for himself.
   The subject of our sketch celebrated his first marriage in Jefferson County, Tenn., the lady of his choice being Mary A. Flatford, who was there born and brought up. With her husband she removed to Campbell County, and there died in the prime of life, leaving four daughters and one son. The names of the daughters are as follows: Margaret J., Mary A., Sarah E. and Eliza A. All of them are married and living in Nebraska. The son, William, is now deceased.
   The second marriage of our subject took place in Campbell County, Tenn. He then became the husband of Ruth Miller, a native of that county. After four years of happy wedded life this lady died. She had become the mother of two children, both of whom died in infancy.
   Mr. Biggs was once again married while still a resident of Campbell County, being joined in wedlock with Catharine Thomas, who was born in that county on the 3d of April, 1836. This lady is the daughter of Joseph T. and Mary (Bloodsaw) Thomas, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Biggs was educated in the schools of her native county, and lived with her parents until her marriage. She has presented her husband with eleven children, of whom four are deceased, viz: Matilda, George W., Lydia A. and an infant unnamed. The