ences, always seeking to deposit his ballot in favor of such candidates as in his judgment will best serve the people. The same liberality marks his approach to religious questions, for he is not confined by lines of denominational demarkation. He is by no means an unbeliever in the Christian faith, but is large-souled and generous in his thoughts of others.

ILLIAM R. GRAHAM, junior member of the firm of Catron & Graham, millers at Walnut Creek, is, with his partner, doing lucrative business, and has the general management of the mill, which is situated in the eastern part of Nebraska City Precinct. It is an old and reliable institution, well equipped with modern machinery, and has a capacity of 3,000 pounds per twelve hours. The mill under its present management does a large custom trade, and yields to its proprietors a handsome income. Mr. Graham has been connected with it for a period of four years, and has had a practical experience in the business for twenty-seven years. He was at one time connected with the Walnut Creek Roller Mills, which are well known and popular in the county. Prior to taking up his residence in Nebraska Mr. Graham was engaged in milling in Mills County, Iowa, for two years, being connected with the Phoenix Mills, of Glenwood, and was for a period of six years connected with the Factoryville Mills, located on the Little Weeping Water, in Cass County. A native of Amherst County, Va., he was born Jan. 26, 1846, and is the son of Joseph and Frances (Thomas) Graham, who were also natives of the Old Dominion, the father a miller by trade, and the mother a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and good education. About 1883 they removed to East Tennessee, where they are now living, well advanced in years. They celebrated their golden wedding May 24, 1888, an occasion which called together a large number of warm friends and acquaintances.
   The parental family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living. William R. learned the Miller's trade under the careful instruction of his father, and remained a member of the parental household until reaching his majority. He then set out on his own account, following his trade in his native State until coming to the West. He understands the business in all its details, and has been largely instrumental in building up the present business.
   Our subject was married in his native State, March 28, 1867, to Miss Betty A. Austin, who was born in Campbell County, Va., Nov. 16, 1846. The parents of Mrs. Graham were Thomas L. and Martha N. (Ward) Austin, who are still living, and now residents of Rock Creek Precinct, this county. A sketch of them will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Graham was well reared and carefully educated in her native State, and lived with her parents until her marriage. Of this union there are no children. Mr. and Mrs. G. occupy a good position in social circles, and our subject is considered one of the leading business men of the place. Politically, he votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has built up for himself the record of an honest man and a good citizen.

ALLACE STEVENSON. The present biographical epitome presents the more salient features in the life of an ex-County Clerk of Otoe County, who, at the same time, was one of the very promising, progressive agriculturists of the county. and operates 480 acre land situated in Russell Precinct, section 14. He is the son of Oliver and Maria (Sherwood) Stevenson. His father was born in Wayne County, Pa., in 1808, and his mother in Sullivan County. N. Y. Their marriage was observed in Pennsylvania.
   The forefathers of this family were among the first Quakers who settled Burlington, West Jersey; there were three brothers, Thomas, John and William, all of whom married the three daughters of Samuel Jennings, Governor of the Province, about the year 1680. The great-grandfather, Joseph Stevenson, a descendant of William Stevenson, moved from New Jersey to Wayne County, Pa., in 1796. The name of his son, the grandfather of our subject, was James Stevenson, and his son Oliver, the father of our subject, who represents the fifth generation of

the family in this country, bore worthily a name that had been honored in other years. By occupation he was a miller, and his work was in Honesdale. This mill burned in 1858, and the following year he removed to Brownsville, Neb., where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1860 he went to Nebraska City, and there built a mill at the foot of Main street, and carried on business. As the years passed he grew more prosperous. He owns considerable property, chiefly situated in Nebraska City. For three years he filled with ability the office of Sheriff of Wayne County, Pa., and was State Senator of Nebraska for one term, and three times was elected to fill the office of County Commissioner. His politics are identical with those of the Democratic party, which ticket he accordingly votes.
   The subject of our sketch is one of four children born to his parents, viz: Henry (deceased), Granville, Marietta and Wallace. He was born on the 3d of April. 1853, in Wayne County. Pa., and was six years of age when his parents removed to Nebraska. He staid in Nebraska City until he was about eighteen years of age. He was well and carefully educated, being graduated from the common school, then taking a thorough course in the Presbyterian High School at Nebraska City. In 1871 He went to the State University at Lincoln, and took the scientific course, being graduated with the degree of B. S. in the class of '74.
   Mr. Stevenson taught school for one year after leaving college, and then began farming in Russell Precinct on his present farm. The 480 acres which constitute his property, in connection with his father, is well kept and cultivated. Valuable improvements are found on every hand, and the value of the property is further enhanced by the flowing of Wolf Creek through it.
   On the 18th of January, 1888; near Burlington, Iowa, our subject was united in wedlock to Lucy Hurlbut, the daughter of T. K. Hurlbut, who was born in Hartford, Conn. Her mother's maiden name was Jane Tweedy, and she was born in Massachusetts. Mrs. Stevenson is the third of nine children born to her parents. She was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, Jan. 15, 1857. She is a lady well educated, and has taken a thorough course of music at the Oberlin College, Ohio, and from the time of her graduation until her marriage she was busily engaged in imparting instruction to others.
   The political relation of our subject is with the Democratic party, but his ability and character are recognized, and resulted in the election of 1883 creating him County Clerk for the term of two years, and for six years he served as Director the School Board of his school district. He is also one of the order of the Knights of Pythias, and as such, is well received and much esteemed.

OHN A. MILLIKEN is one of the practical, progressive and prosperous farmers of Russell Precinct, where he operates 160 acres of excellent land on section 16. His parents, Alexander J. and Fanny J. (Clark) Milliken, were natives of New York. Upon the paternal side of the family bur subject is of Irish descent, while the ancestry of his mother is Scottish. The father of our subject had a woolen manufacturing establishment in successful operation in Orange County, N. Y., but in the year 1840 he sold his business and plant and began farming. After reaching sixty-five years of age the father died in the year 1865. He had been an active member of the Republican party and took much interest in questions of public interest. The mother died in Orange County in 1876, aged sixty-three years. Both were ardent Episcopalians. They were the parents of five children, viz: Anna and Margaret, both deceased; Elizabeth, who resides in New York; James C., deceased, and our subject, John A. Alexander Milliken, the grandfather of our subject, was of Irish descent. He was born in 1760, and died in 1803. in Walden, N. Y. He served as a Captain in the War of 1812.
   The birthplace of Mr. Milliken was in the vicinity of Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., the event occurring on the 18th of July, 1842. The common schools supplied him with a foundation of education and mental training, but he continued his residence at home until he attained his majority. In the year 1861, when the call was made for defenders of the Union, he enlisted in the 124th New York infantry, serving in Company H, under Capt.

Crist, the regiment being under command of Col. Ellis. He was mustered in at Goshen, N. Y., went to Washington and then into Virginia. At the battle of Abington Heights he was injured by a bayonet thrust in the right knee, and was laid up in the hospital at Washington for three weeks and was then discharged, owing to disability. Upon fully recovering he went into the woolen-mills, and continued for nine years, and then made a change, going into the manufacturing of knives, which he continued for about four years.
   In 1873 the subject of our sketch came to Nebraska, journeying by rail to Nebraska City, he arrived on the 1st of March. He then went on to Russell and rented a farm, where he remained for one year. He then bought eighty acres of land and ran it upon his own account for a time. Afterward, renting his land, tie went to Lincoln and sold lee for about a year. Owing to the loss caused by the grasshopper plague he was compelled to let his land revert back. He then rented land for about four years. At the end of that time he had recovered his financial power and purchased his present property. He came to it when it was yet in an unimproved condition, and in beginning turned the first furrow upon the place. In the fields, farm buildings or dwelling may be seen at every turn improvements, arrangements and conveniences that indicate the enterprise and intelligence of the owner of the place. He is chiefly engaged in raising stock of various kinds, including cattle and hogs. He has also some nine head of horses of high-grade Norman stock.
   In Orange County, N. Y., on the 3d of May, 1870, Mr. Milliken celebrated his marriage with Miss Angeline Houston, who is the daughter of Robert and Elena (Vandelyn) Houston. The father a native of Ireland, and the mother of Dutch and Scotch descent. The former came to America an about fifteen years old, and later became prosperous farmer in New York, afterward entering into mercantile pursuits, where he was likewise very successful financially. In 1874 he came to Russell Precinct in this county, and in 1880 bought eighty acres of land. In 1882 he went to Unadilla, where he purchased a house, and there lived a retired life until his death, which occurred on the 16th of June, 1888, he at the time being sixty-eight years of age. His widow is still living at Red Oak, N. Y., and is seventy-one years of age. This lady has been twice married. By her first marriage she is the mother of one child, Louisa Wilkins; by the second union, of six children, viz: Mary A., Sarah, Angeline, John, James (deceased) and Jane E.
   The wife of our subject was born in Bradford County, Pa., on the 20th of September, 1846. She obtained her education in the usual institutions and led an active life until her marriage. She presented her husband with four children, only two of whom survive, viz: Eleanor Frances and John Gerald. The deceased children were named James C. and Charles C. Mrs. Milliken is an earnest member of the United Brethren Church at Pleasant Hill, and has been connected with the society for thirteen years. She is a lady of good family, possessed of those graces and refinements that mark a noble woman. Her home speaks eloquently of her domestic powers, and it is safe to say that she has given zest and tone to the life of our subject since the acquaintance began which has so happily resulted.
   If the subject of our sketch has anything outside his home that receives more thought, care and attention than another it is horses; using the word in its best sense we could almost say it is his hobby. He is the owner of some very fine creatures, and takes the greatest delight in caring for them. He is a man who has made his way in the world largely by his own exertions, energy and thrift, although since his marriage the mutual help of his faithful wife has done very much to this end. Both are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside.

 G. CASSEL. a native of this county, and one of the oldest living white residents born within its limits, has his home with his mother on the farm which was taken up by his father from the Government. He was born Oct. 22, 1856, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (West) Cassel, who were natives of Ohio, the former born in Warren County and the latter in Champaign County.
   Thomas Cassel accompanied his parents to In-

diana when a boy, where he was reared to manhood, becoming familiar with farm pursuits. There also he was married to Miss West, and settled upon a tract of land in Warren County. Five years later, in May, 1856, the father believing he could do better west of the Mississippi, disposed of his Indiana homestead, and gathering together his family and personal effects set out for the Territory of Nebraska. They located upon a quarter-section of land on the eastern line of this county, four miles northeast of which later grew up Nebraska City.
   The parents of our subject endured in common with the people around them the hardships and privations of pioneer life. They brought with them their two children, Emma and Louisa, the latter of whom died when a child two years of age. H. G., our subject, was born the same year of their arrival here. The father, however, was not permitted to carry out the plans which he had cherished in regard to the building up of a homestead, as his death occurred two years later, April 19, 1858, when he was but thirty years of age.
   The mother of our subject after the death of her husband moved back to Indiana, where she lived until our subject was a lad of fifteen years. In the meantime she had been married to John Steely, who died in Indiana Feb. 11, 1883, leaving three children. Our subject at the age mentioned set out in life for himself practically, and coming back to Nebraska completed his education in the schools of Nebraska City. Since first coming to this State he made ten trips back and forth. In 1884 he engaged in the hardware and implement business at Palmyra, in partnership with W. M. Thaler, and was thus occupied until January, 1888. He then disposed of his interest in the business to his partner, and invested his capital in his present homestead. His widowed mother makes her home with him. His two sisters are married and live in Indiana. The farm of our subject embraces 160 acres of land, occupying the southeast quarter of section 2, Palmyra Precinct. Although his residence here has been brief, it is apparent that he will in the near future be numbered among the skillful agriculturists of Southern Nebraska. He is a young man of more than ordinary capacities, wide-awake, intelligent, and possessed of excellent judgment. A man prompt to meet his obligations, and of the strictest integrity, he has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of his community. He cast his best Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, and is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, He still remains a bachelor, and in him his widowed mother finds her chief support and comfort. He gives his attention principally to general agriculture, although having a fair assortment of live stock, and big farm buildings are fully adapted to all the purposes of rural life.
    By her second marriage the mother of our subject has three children, namely: Richard H., William W. and Ella. The boys make their home with their mother, and the daughter is now the wife of W. J. Pierce, of Warren County, Ind.

MIL REIBER, dealer in dry-goods, gentlemen's furnishing goods and groceries, is transacting a thriving business on Central avenue in the business portion of Nebraska City, and is regarded as one of its leading men. He is not only of excellent business capacities and sound judgment, but a man possessing a good education, and of great natural refinment (sic). A native of the Kingdom of Saxony, he was born near the city of Frankenhausen, Sept. 19, 1842, and in common with the children of his native Empire, began a thorough education, which, however, was interrupted while he was a little lad by the emigration of his parents to America.
   John F. C. and Mary Elizabeth Reiber, the parents of our subject, were of pure German ancestry, and the father a farmer by occupation, which he carried on in a skillful and intelligent manner, and while cultivating the soil allowed neither his own mind nor that of his children to run to waste. The household circle consisted of seven sons and one daughter, who were all born in the Fatherland, and in 1850 they all started for the United States. Soon after landing upon American soil they made their way to Washington County, Ohio, where the father became owner of forty acres of land, and where our subject was reared until a young man of twenty years. The death of the mother took place

at the homestead in Ohio in October, 1870. The father is also dead, having died in 1885 at our subjects home; the other children are all dead.
   When twenty years old our subject started out on his own account, purchasing a farm in Ohio, and the year following was married, Feb. 1, 1862, to Miss Catherine, a sister of Hon. Paul Schminke, of Nebraska City, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Reiber, like her husband, is a native of Germany, and was born in 1843. She was a little girl eight years of age when her parents came to America, they settling first in the coal regions of Pennsylvania. Later they removed to Washington County, Ohio.
   Mr. and Mrs. Reiber began life together at their farm, but a year later, our subject not being satisfied with the outlook, accepted a clerkship in a store at Marietta, Ohio, and was thus occupied two years. He then started in business for himself on a small scale at Marietta, having been left almost without means by the failure of the firm by which he had been employed. Fortunately, however, his farm lay within the on regions spoken of, and in the midst of the great excitement of that time he disposed of it to good advantage before starting in business, and was thus placed upon a substantial footing. He devoted himself assiduously to his business, but as a natural result his health suffered greatly, and he felt compelled to make a change of occupation and location.
   Mr. Reiber accordingly, in the spring of 1874, accompanied by his wife and family, started on a pleasure trip for the West. with the intention of settling somewhere in the region of the Mississippi in case he could find a desirable location. He was cordially welcomed to Nebraska City by his brother-in-law. and found after remaining here for a time that his health was perceptibly improving. In the meantime his agents had disposed of his business interests in Ohio, and everything seemed favorable for his settlement in Nebraska City. He was taken into partnership with Mr. Schminke in the milling business, and from that time has been making fine progress, being now numbered among the popular business men Of the place, and forming no unimportant factor in the development of its most important interests. He has a beautiful home with an amiable wife and two intelligent children, J. W. and Clara M., both of whom remain at home with their parents. One daughter, Dorothea, died when four years and eight months old.
   In the latter part of 1887 Mr. Reiber abandoned milling and invested a portion of his capital in a stock of general merchandise. He has always made it a rule to pay cash for his goods, and can thus afford to dispose of them at a price which has resulted in an extended and constantly increasing patronage. He enters upon his second year of business in Nebraska City with an increased capital, and with the vigor and energy which can only be experienced by a successful and happily situated man. He was for a period of twelve years the partner of his esteemed brother-in-law, during which time he had charge of the business, while Mr. Schminke filled an important position under the Government.
   Mr. Reiber, politically, is an earnest Republican, has been Acting Mayor of the city and a Councilman for a number of years. He filled the office of Mayor after the death of Dr. N. B. Larsh, and was nominated for the regular election, but declined on account of his own pressing private, interests. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., having been through all the Chairs of his lodge, and is at present Past Commander of Frontier Lodge No. 3. He is also a K. of P., and officiates as Treasurer.

ILLIAM KUHN. The subject of this record occupies a leading position in the farming community of McWilliams Precinct, where he owns a fine estate on section 10. Although carrying on general agriculture to a considerable extent, he is mostly interested in stock-raising. His homestead is 200 acres in extent, the larger part of which has been brought to a good state of cultivation. The buildings are in keeping with the spirit of enterprise which is characteristic of the proprietor, being first-class in every respect.
   Mr. Kuhn came to this county in the spring of 1874. and located upon a tract of wild land from which he has eliminated the farm which to-day is the admired of all observers. He moved here from

Page County, in the southwestern part of Iowa, where he had lived two years, and to which place he had migrated from Martin County, Wis. In the Badger State he had farmed and worked in the lumber regions, settling there upon his emigration from the Fatherland, about 1853. He was born in Posen, Prussia, Jan. 2, 1828, and is the son of Christian and Mary (Ledenan) Kuhn, and his mother died when he was seventeen years of age. He accompanied his father to the United States in 1853, bringing with him also his wife, Mrs. Rose (Krintza) Kuhn, and their two children, One of the latter died a few weeks later at Michigan City, Ind. They were obliged to leave the remains of the little one in the cemetery at that place, and with sore hearts pursued their onward journey. They settled in Martin County, Wis., and there the father died in 1869, at the age of seventy-six years.
   To our subject and his wife there were born six more children after they became citizens of the United States. and they now have seven living. The eldest daughter, Augusta, is the wife of Claus Peterson, a well-to-do farmer of Hendricks Precinct. this county; Charlotte is the widow of Jacob Haberne, and lives in the city of Lincoln: John is married and living on a farm in McWilliams Precinct; Frederick, also farming in this precinct, married Miss Katie Schudler; Bertha, Daniel and Julia are at home with their parents, and all are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Kuhn cast his first Presidential vote for Horatio Seymour, but exercises the right of a free American citizen, being independent and supporting the men whom he considers best qualified for office.

OBERT C. FERGUSON has for the last fourteen years occupied a snug homestead of eighty acres on section 20, Wyoming Precinct, and is the owner of 160 acres in its vicinity. He tins been a resident of Nebraska for a period of twenty years. having crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1869. In addition to general farming he has been very successful as a stock-raiser, and, as a prominent man in his community. represents a goodly proportion of it real estate, and has made for himself a good record as a citizen.
   Erie County, N. Y., was the early tramping ground of our subject, where his birth took place Jan. 4, 1851, under the modest roof of his parents, William and Agnes (Crystal) Ferguson, who are natives of Scotland, and born near the city of Glasgow. They were of pure Scotch ancestry, which they traced back several generations, and which they look upon with pardonable pride. The parents each came to the United States early in life. They were then the parents of four children, and settled at once in Erie County, N. Y., where the father established himself upon a tract of land and make a comfortable living for his family until the spring of 1869. They then all came to Nebraska, locating in Wyoming Precinct, where the death of the father took place in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years. William Ferguson was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, being kind, charitable and hospitable, and assisting those around him whenever opportunity afforded. He became the center of a large circle of warm friends, and is always spoken of as one of the best citizens ever coming into Otoe County.
   From New York State the family went to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there the death of the mother took place when she was fifty-two years old. She was a woman remarkable in some respects, being more than ordinarily attached to her family, and rearing her children in the most careful and conscientious manner. She, with her husband, was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in the doctrines of which they had been reared in their native Scotland.
   Robert C. Ferguson, our subject, was the first child of his parents born in this country. Of the parental family five children are yet living, four sons and one daughter. Robert continued a member of the parental household, and soon after reaching his majority began farming on his own account, and was quite successful from the start. He has performed creditably all the duties of life with one exception, namely, that he still clings to single blessedness, making his home with his sister Lizzie,