He crossed the Mississippi as early as 1854, lived for a time in Fremont County, lowa, and thence came to Nebraska City when it was but a hamlet.
   Our subject, during his early manhood, had learned blacksmithing, which trade he pursued in Nebraska City until 1860, when he was burned out. He then concluded to change his occupation, and accordingly settled on a part of the land in Wyoming Precinct which he now owns and occupies. His labors as a farmer have been crowned with success, in now having a competency for his old age, and being surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
   Mr. Mullis was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Switzerland, March 22, 1821. His parents were also of Swiss birth and parentage, and spent their entire lives upon their native soil. The father was it laboring man and the family was in modest circumstances. Conrad was the youngest, and was reared and educated in the place of his birth. When twenty-three years of age he set sail in 1844 for America, taking passage on an English vessel, and after a rough voyage of seven weeks. landed in New Orleans. In addition to the storms which beset them on the passage the provisions gave out, and both passengers and crew suffered greatly for lack of food.
   Mr. Mullis soon left the Crescent City and made his way to Madison County, Ill., where he arrived $14 in debt and without a cent in his pocket. There he learned his trade of blacksmith, his honest face securing him friends and employment. In due time he had cancelled all his obligations, and is now not only out of debt but may be called a wealthy man. After taking up his residence in Fremont County, Iowa, he made the acquaintance of a very estimable young woman, Miss Nancy Hill, to whom he was married. This lady died at the birth of her first child, the latter dying also.
   Our subject after coming to this county contracted a second marriage, with Miss Magdalena Lohse, who was born in Holstein, Germany, Oct. 6, 1834. Her parents, Henry and Catherine (Hanschild) Lohse, were also natives of Germany, and after their marriage settled in Holstein, where they lived until after the birth of two daughters, Mrs. Mullis and her sister Anna, now Mrs. Kausboy, of Cass County, this State. They then, in 1858, set sail with their little family for the United States, and coming directly to Nebraska located near the present site of Nebraska City. The parents joined their married daughter in Cass County, where the father died seven months after his arrival in the United States. The mother after being a resident of Cass County eight years, joined her husband in the better land.
   The wife of our subject received a good education in the German tongue, and was about twenty-two years old when she came to America. She has proved the suitable helpmate of such a man as her husband, encouraging him in his worthy efforts and contributing her full share toward the building up of the homestead. Of their union there have been born four children, the eldest of whom, a son Henry, continues at home with his parents. Conrad, Jr., married Miss Josephine Bathurst, and they are living near Dunbar, this county; John is at home assisting his father in the labors around the homestead; Anna is attending school in the convent at Kearney Heights. Our subject and his estimable wife have wisely retired from active labor, and, surrounded by their children and friends, are spending their declining years amid the comforts which they have gathered around them by lives of industry and economy. Although not connected with any religious organization, they have made it the rule of their lives to do unto their neighbors as they would be done by. No family is held in higher respect and none are more deserving of the esteem and confidence of their community. Mr. Mullis in politics is independent, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified for office.

EORGE OELKE, of Otoe Precinct, is one of the most prominent and prosperous farmers within its limits, being the owner of 340 acres of good land, embracing 160 acres on section 5, and 180 acres on section 8. His home is located on the former section. He is a man who at once commands attention as evidently possessing more than ordinary abilities, and physically is of fine stature and commanding presence. His quali-

ties of mind are in proportion to his physical development, as is indicated in his surroundings, his home being one to which the admiring eye of the passing traveler is at once attracted, and which forms one of the most pleasing features of the landscape of Otoe Precinct. He has a tasteful and commodious dwelling, which is one of the handsomest in the Precinct, with good barns and outhouses, corn-cribs, sheds. etc., and everything appertaining to the modern rural estate.
   The main points in a most interesting history are substantially as follows: Our subject was born in the town of Sumte, near the city of Nauhaus, Germany, Nov. 12, 1842, and is the son of John and Maggie (Myer) Oelke, who were also of German birth and parentage. The father was a farmer and wagon-maker combined, and a man in prosperous circumstances. He came to America with his whole family in the summer of 1857, settling in Clayton County, Iowa, but only lived four years afterward, his decease taking place in 1861, when he was sixty-five years old. The mother is still living, making her home with her son George, and has now arrived at the advanced age of eighty years.
   The parental household included twelve children, of whom John, Henry, William, Minnie, Emma, Bertha, Emma (2d) and Louisa are deceased, the four latter dying when quite young. The survivors are Mary, who is the wife of Henry Heye; they live in Delaware Precinct. Fred; George, our subject, and Christ. They are living in Otoe County, Neb. George was carefully educated in his native tongue, and soon after coming to Nebraska, June 15, 1863, purchased his first land in company with his brother Frederick. Prior to this he had operated as a renter. He was married, Dec. 22, 1864, to Miss Lena Sharp, a native of the Province of Holstein, Germany, and who came to America when a young girl of twelve years, with her parents, they settling at once in this county. Her father is dead, but her mother is still living. She is the daughter of Timothy and Mattie (Hauchildt) Sharp.
   Our subject purchased first eighty acres on section 5, Otoe Precinct, and labored early and late in the development of the soil and the building up of his homestead, and continued to add thereto until he now owns 340 acres. His farm is six miles south of the court-house in Nebraska City. The household circle has been completed by the birth of nine children, namely: John, George, Mattie, Timm, William, Jesse, Emma, Eddie and Josie, all living at home and single. The eldest is twenty-three year's of age, and the youngest two years. Mr. and Mrs. Oelke, together with their children, are all connected with the German Lutheran Church at Nebraska City. Mr. Oelke votes the straight Republican ticket. and is serving his second term as School Treasurer of his district. He is also engaged in buying and shipping hogs. His shipments are mostly made from Paul Station on the Missouri Pacific, to Nebraska City and Omaha.

OHN DUNBAR. an extensive land-owner and retired farmer in good circumstances, and at present a resident of Dunbar village, is a gentleman widely find most favorably known throughout this section for his honesty, integrity and straightforward manner of transacting business, and his thoroughness and skill as an agriculturist. From him the precinct and village of Dunbar are named, though the former has since been changed.
   A native of County Londonderry, Ireland, our subject was born Oct. 28, 1820, and is the son of Thomas Dunbar, who was born in County Antrim, and came to the United States with his family in the spring of 1829. They settled first near Ogdensburg, N. Y., where our subject lived until the spring of 1832. He then went over into Canada West, and from there, in 1856, came to the Territory of Nebraska, settling on a tract of land in Delaware Precinct, and has since then been a resident of this county.
   It is hardly necessary to say that the country was wild and new at that period, there being but very few settlers this side of the Mississippi. The father and paternal grandfather, Thomas H. Dunbar, had preceded our subject to this section in June of the same year, being joined by John on the 14th of November following. There were then but a few houses between this point and Nebraska City. Deer, wolves and Indians were numerous, and the latter,

Pawnees, stole a team of horses from our subject, which he never recovered.
   Mr. Dunbar was married, Sept. 11, 1851, to Miss Ann E., daughter of James Watson, now deceased. This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, namely: Emily, Mary, Thomas H., John A., Leona; Sarah J., deceased; William F., Edwin W., Merritt W., Ann E., Ella Dora and Alfred. Mary is the wife of Merle D. Smith, of Blount, this State, and the mother of two children--Clarence and Ralph; Leona married Elias C. Reed, of Syracuse Precinct, and has two children--Anna L. and Herbert; William married Miss Charlotte Latter, and lives on the old homestead.
   Mr. Dunbar has always been prominent in the affairs of this county, and about 1869 platted the town named in his honor. His property embraces 610 acres of land, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and erected thereon substantial buildings. The first wheat shipped from the precinct was of his raising. He officiated as Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty years. He then rested for a time, but in 1887 was prevailed upon to resume his official duties, and now holds the office. He has always taken a warm interest in the temperance movement, and in religious matters is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, taking the Bible for his rule of faith and practice. He lifts been an extensive reader of the Scriptures, and possessing a remarkable memory, is able to quote largely therefrom. He usually upholds the principles of the Republican party, but is somewhat independent, aiming to support the men best qualified for office, irrespective of party.

ROWN BROS. Charles A., Frederick L., George E. and Frank F. have operated together in the cultivation of one of the finest tracts of land in North Branch Precinct, and lived together since they were born until the marriage of George E., since which time the latter and his wife have been in a home of their own, while the three brothers continue with their mother.
   Amos Brown, the father of these brothers, was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1828, and when quite a lad removed with his parents to Illinois, they settling on a farm in the vicinity of Peoria, but which was in Tazewell County. They were among the earliest pioneers of that region, and there Amos Brown grew to manhood, assisting his father in the development of his homestead. He married Miss Sarah I. Lackland, who was born in Tazewell County, Ill., Feb. 27, 1835, and is the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hale) Lackland. The latter were natives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married, and whence they emigrated in 1830 to Illinois. They settled at first in Sangamon County, but shortly afterward changed their residence to Fremont Township, Tazewell County, and were, like the Brown family, among the earliest settlers. Mr. Lackland entered land from the Government, improved the farm, and continued at the homestead which he had thus built up until the time of his death, which occurred about 1856. The wife and mother had died in 1844. They. were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: Nancy, now deceased; Louise, Mrs. Davidson, of Livingston County, Ill.; Martha, Mrs. Owen, of Fremont, Tazewell County; William R., deceased; Margaret, who was the first white child born in Tazewell County, and is now the wife of Stephen Stout of Marshall County, Kan.; and Sarah, the mother of the Brown brothers.
   Amos Brown and Miss Sarah Lackland were married in 1851, and for seven years afterward lived in the then little village of Pekin, Ill., where Mr. Brown followed his trade of carpenter. Later they settled upon a farm in the same county, where the death of the father took place in 1870, he leaving five children, four of whom, Brown Bros., are still living. The mother with her sons continued her residence in Tazewell County until 1877, then at the instance of the latter came to Nebraska, and invested a portion of her capital in 160 acres of land in North Branch Precinct, where she and her three sons still live. They were prospered in their efforts to build up a homestead, and added to their first purchase until their estate now embraces 400 acres of land, with all the buildings and machinery required for the successful prosecution of agriculture. A large portion is devoted to stock-raising, and

they keep the best grades, including Morgan horses, Polled-Angus cattle, graded stock and pure-bred Poland-China swine.
   George E. Brown was married to Miss Nellie E. Cornish, May 18, 1886, at the home of the bride in Minnesota. They took up their residence in a snug dwelling in North Branch Precinct. This son and his mother are members in good standing of the Congregational Church. Charles, politically, is a Democrat, while the other brothers are earliest supporters of Republican principles. The family are widely quit favorably known throughout this part of the county, and are closely allied to its agricultural interests, which, in the building up of one of its finest farms, they have thus greatly facilitated, adding to their wealth and importance.
   Grandfather Nathaniel Brown was born in New Hampshire, Jan. 3, 1783, and died Oct. 5, 1842. He was married, in May, 1826, to Miss Sally Dealsmore, who was born in Alstead, N. H., Sept. 19, 1789, and who died Nov. 7, 1875. The parents of Grandmother Brown removed to Pittsfield, Vt., when she was a child. The Browns emigrated from Rochester, Vt., to Illinois in the summer of 1838, reaching Enoch Emerson's on the 1st day of August, after having been five weeks on the road, They had journeyed overland with teams to Buffalo, N. Y., and at that point the horses and wagons, and the family, numbering five persons, were loaded upon a steamboat and taken to Detroit. Thence they resumed their journey by wagon to Illinois.
   These travelers first went up Lake Erie to avoid the Miami swamp in Ohio. It was not safe to travel through Canada on account of the rebellion. The name of the great-grandfather was also Nathaniel, and he married a Miss Groves. They became the parents of seven children, namely; Thomas, Reuben, Nathaniel, Amos, Daniel, Amanda and Polly. On the other side of the house the great-grandfather, Zebadiah Densmore, married Miss Elizabeth Todd, and they became the parents of ten children namely: Thomas, Zebadiah, Jr., John, Amos, Joel: Elizabeth, Jemima, Sally, Lucy and Polly. Both the great-grandfathers served all through the Revolutionary War. Uncle Joel Densmore was in the army four years during the War of 1812, entering the ranks as a drummer boy when fourteen years of age. During that war a company of volunteers, under command of Grandfather Brown as Captain, marched to Plattsburg at the time of the concentration of forces there, but did not succeed in arriving until after the battle. Capt. Brown, as he was afterward familiarly called, was the offspring of a family noted for their industry and integrity of character, and these traits have descended in a marked manner to the Browns who have come after.

HARLES B. BICKEL has for more than twenty years been prominently identified with the building interests of Nebraska City as contractor and builder, and thus it has been his privilege not only to witness its growth, but to be an energetic factor in promoting it. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio. May 16, 1826. His father, Anthony Bickel, a native of Botetourt County, Va., was the son of a German who came to America settle time during the last century, and settled in Botetourt County, which remained his home until his death.
   The father of our subject was reared in his native county, and when a young man went to North Carolina, and there married Diana Chappell, a native of that State. After marriage the parents of our subject removed to Ohio, traversing the long and weary distance over the Alleghany Mountains in a wagon containing their household goods drawn by Indian ponies, for this was before the introduction of railways into that part of the country. They located in Gallia County, and were thus identified with its early settlers. Mr. Bickel rented land for a time, and later bought a tract, but, being unfortunate, was unable to pay for it. He continued to be a resident of that county until his death in 1868, respected and esteemed by his neighbors for his many sterling qualities. He was quite young when the War of 1812 broke out, but during the latter part of it he enlisted and started to join the army on the Virginia coast, but the war, however, closed before he reached his destination, and he was discharged with his comrades and walked home. Mrs. Bickel survived her husband only a few years, dying in Gallia County. There were eleven chil-

dren born of that marriage, nine of whom grew to maturity.
   Charles Bickel, of this biographical notice, was reared amid the pioneer scenes of his native county, where the advantages of an education were very much inferior to those enjoyed by the youth of the present day. The nearest school was two and one-half miles distant from his home, and was conducted in a rude log building, with seats or beaches made of slabs without backs or desks; a board that rested on wooden pegs that were driven into the logs served for the scholars to write on. As soon as he as large enough to do so our subject commenced to help his father on the farm. When he was fourteen years old the care of the farm devolved upon him entirely, as his father was stricken with rheumatism. But he was a bright, active lad, and was fully equal to the occasion, and a manliness and self-reliance beyond his years were thus early developed in him. He lived at home until he was twenty years old, and then hired a man to work in his place, and went to Virginia, where he commenced to learn the trade of bricklayer, serving an apprenticeship of three years. His first job as a builder was in Virginia, when he superintended the construction of his brother's house. He formed a partnership with another brother, and they took contracts to erect buildings, always burning their own brick. As an excellent specimen of their work the court-house at Barboursville, the county seat, may be mentioned. Mr. Bickel continued in business as bricklayer and contractor in Virginia and Kentucky until 1857, when he went to Quincy, Ill., to work at his trade. When he first went there business was good and he earned $4 a day, but in about three months all building ceased, and he was thrown out of work. He then started for Maryville, Mo., where a brother lived, going by way of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. His family was with him, and when they arrived at Maryville the boxes containing all their best clothes and most valuable household effects were missing, and they had to start anew. Maryville was then a village of 300 or 400 inhabitants, and the surrounding country was wild and sparsely settled.
   Mr. Bickel found employment at his trade for a few months, and then business was suspended, but he was a man of resources, and not easily discouraged, and determined upon renting a farm. While attending to that he took up plastering, and finding that he could do well at that, he worked at it as opportunity offered. During the war times were hard, and the state of affairs was so unsettled in Missouri that he could not get work there, so he concluded to go West. He divided his last $30 with his wife, and with the small sum of money remaining to him started across the plains for Colorado. Arriving in Denver, then a town of 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants, he found employment by the day, and was thus engaged for a time, until he formed a partnership with J. B. Lull, and engaged in contracting. They built the Governor's residence, a Methodist Church, and other noted buildings of that day. Mr. Bickel remained in the Queen City until the fall of 1864, and then wishing to return home, he engaged passage by a mule team, the most convenient mode of carriage before the railways stretched across the plains, and paid $17 fare to Nebraska City. From here he proceeded to Graham Village, Mo., where his family lived. In January, 1865, he sold his property there and removed with his family to this city, where he at once took a contract to erect an extensive warehouse. Since that time he has been a respected resident of this place, and is still conducting business here, the greater part of the brick buildings in the city being monuments of his handiwork. His four sons are interested in the business with him, and their work is not by any means confined to Otoe County, but extends as far as Omaha.
   Mr. Bickel was married, in 1852, to Miss Isabella Kelly, a native of the Isle of Man, Great Britain, and the following are the six children who have been born to them: Mary, who married Jacob Schulenberger, and died in Nevada; John K., Anthony A., Charles C., Rosa B. and George R. Mrs. Bickel came to America with her mother when she was five years of age, her father, Thomas Kelly, having come here two years before. Her father was born on the Isle of Man, coming of an old family of that isle that can trace its ancestry back several generations. When he first came to America he lived for awhile near Columbus, Ohio, and from there he removed to Lawrence County, in that

State, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Kirk. was also a native of the Isle of Man, and came of an old and respected family. She likewise died in Lawrence County, Ohio, Mr. Bickel has always shown a spirit of enterprise, and is ever really to assist in anything to benefit Nebraska City or Otoe County. In 1883 he was one of the company that attempted to start a barbed wire manufactory in this city. In 1872 he bought a half-interest in a tannery at Lincoln, located on the northwest corner of O and Twenty-fourth streets, and retained it until 1887, when he sold it at a good advance. Mr. Bickel is a time-honored resident of Otoe County, and in his useful career has gained the respect of the many who have had dealings with him, as he is always strictly just and honest in all his transactions, and no blot has ever been cast on his name. He is influential in public affairs, and has served two years as a member of the City Council. He affiliates with the Democratic party, although he was in early life a Whig. He is member of Nebraska City Lodge No. 12, A. F. A. M., and also of Frontier Lodge No. 3, 1.0.0. F. He and his wife are members in high standing of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church.

OHN FRERICHS. The finely cultivated farm of 210 acres which occupies a portion of section 24, McWilliams Precinct, has for the last eighteen years been under the management of the subject of this sketch, and indicates in a most forcible manner his characteristic enterprise and energy. He has built up a fine farm from an uncultivated tract of land, placing thereon neat and substantial buildings, and gradually adding the comforts and conveniences which have become indispensable to the well-being and satisfaction of the citizen of to-day, with his modernized ideas. A self-made man in the truest sense of the word, Mr. Frerichs has been the architect of his own fortune, building up his property slowly but surely by the labor of his hands.
   Our subject was born in Madison County, Ill., Nov. 31, 1857, and when a lad of thirteen years accompanied his parents to this State, which had but just emerged from a Territory. They located on a farm in McWilliams Precinct, this county, which is now the property of our subject. The father, Abraham Frerichs, was born and reared in Hanover, Germany, and was there married to Miss Gretje Ubben, a native of the same. They remained upon their native soil until after the birth of five children, and upon coming to the United States sojourned in Madison County, Ill., for a period of thirteen years. John, of our sketch, was the youngest of the family, and the only one born on this side of the Atlantic. The father upon coming to Nebraska remained upon the homestead now occupied by our subject until his death, which took place Feb. 15, 1875, when he was sixty-five years old. He was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, honest and industrious, a man prompt to meet his obligations, and a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church, After becoming a naturalized citizen he identified himself with the Republican party, of whose principles he was a warm supporter until the day of his death. The mother is still living, and resides with our subject. Their family consisted of five sons and one daughter; the latter is deceased; the sons are residing in this State.
   John Frerichs completed his education in this county, and after the death of his father continued on the homestead with his mother, assisting her in its management. He was married, Oct. 22, 1885, to Miss Mary L. Ritter, who was born in Bureau County, Ill., Sept. 20, 1865. The wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride in McWilliams Precinct. The parents of Mrs. Frerichs were Rev. Josiah and Charlotta Ritter, who are still living on the farm where they settled when first coming to this county. The father has been a minister of the Lutheran Church for many years. The parental household included three children, who are all living in Nebraska.
   Mrs. Frerichs was quite young when her parents came to Nebraska, and completed her education in the public. schools of McWilliams Precinct. She remained with her parents until her marriage, and is now the mother of one child, Lydia S., who was