children, who bear the names Earl, Wayne and Lynn. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are highly esteemed in the community and enjoy the confidence of all. Politically, our subject is affiliated with the Democratic Party. He is a true citizen, loyal and patriotic, bearing whatever responsibilities may come to him as a citizen in a manly and most commendable spirit.

RS. MARGARET JESSEN, widow of the late well-known Andreas Jessen, of Nebraska City precinct, who was a pioneer of Otoe County, and was for several years one of its successful agriculturists, is a fine representative of the noble women of refinement and culture who came to Nebraska in the early days of its settlement with their fathers, husbands or brothers, and by their presence, encouragement and assistance did much not only to elevate the social and moral status of the then wild, sparsely settled Territory, but have been important factors in bringing about its present proud position as a rich and prosperous State. Mrs. Jessen may well be considered the pioneer educator of Nebraska, as in March, 1855, she commenced to teach for a term of six months in a small frame building, the first school ever taught in this part of the country south of the Platte River, and probably the first in the whole Territory.
   Mrs. Jessen is a native of Indiana, her birthplace being five miles from Madison, the county seat of Jefferson County. Her parents, Solomon and Jennie (Thompson) Martin, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather was a native and livelong resident of Pennsylvania. Her father was reared in that State, and when a young man went to Virginia and there married, and in 1826 removed to Indiana. The removal was made on the waters of the Ohio on a raft, constructed for the purpose of the lumber destined to build their new home. He bought a tract of heavily timbered land in Jefferson County, five miles from Madison, the nearest market, and he at once commenced to clear a farm from the dense, primeval forest. He succeeded in his undertaking, and lived in that place until 1852, when he sold out and started West by the way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Misouri (sic) Rivers, and after a voyage of two weeks landed at El Paso, Mo. He resided in Rockport until 1854, and in December of that year, on the 27th day of the month, sought "greener fields and pastures new" in the Territory of Nebraska. He located in Nebraska City, and from that time until his death was a resident of Otoe County, dying Jan. 23, 1873, at a ripe old age. His memory is held in deserved respect as an early pioneer of Nebraska, and also for those traits of character which won him the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and had an honorable discharge from the Government. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jessen, at the age of eighty-six years, and his remains were buried in the cemetery at Nebraska City. His estimable wife had preceded him to the better land many years before, dying June 25, 1849, on the old homestead in Indiana. There were nine children born to them, three of whom are living; Catherine, widow of Henry Cole; Mary, widow of Charles Cole; and our subject.
   Mrs. Jessen was reared in her native county, receiving a careful training in all that was then deemed necessary to make a thrifty housewife, and she thus early became an adept in spinning, weaving and knitting. Nor was her higher education neglected, as she was a fine scholar and was given all the advantages afforded by the schools in her native county, so that she became well qualified for the profession of teacher, which she adopted at the age of twenty-two. In 1854 she taught six months in Fremont County, Iowa. It was on the 3d of July of that year that she for the first time set foot in Nebraska City, coming with others to celebrate our National holiday, the first celebration of the kind ever held by the white citizens of Nebraska. The small hamlet that she then saw by the waters of the Missouri bore no resemblance to the busy and populous city that has since sprung up on the same site. There were but four white families living here then, and but two houses besides the Government buildings, and Indians were camped all over the village. She visited her brother-in-law

Charles Cole, and on the 6th of July returned to Iowa to complete the term of school. In December of that year she returned with Judge Bradford and family, crossing the river a part of the way on ice, a part of the way on the driftwood, and the rest of the way in a skiff. In March, 1855, she commenced to teach here the first school ever taught in the Territory south of the Platte River, as we have before stated.
   November 20, 1855, our subject left the educational profession to take upon herself the solemn duties of a wife. as on that date she was united in marriage to Andreas Jessen. He was born in Sleswick-Holstein, Germany, Nov. 7, 1827. He was reared in his native land, and there learned the trade of shoemaker. He was a man of liberal education, speaking fluently five languages--French, Swiss, German, English and Danish. In the year 1851 he came to America and took up his residence in Davenport, Iowa. On the 3d of July, 1854, he crossed the Missouri River to locate in the Territory of Nebraska, and in the fall of that year made a claim to a tract of land on the banks of Walnut Creek. He soon sold that, however, and bought the claim on which his family now lives, and when the land came into the market entered it at the land-office, paying $1.25 an acre for it. He was from that time until his death, March 20, 1867, actively engaged in farming, and by his industry, sound judgment and able management, improved one of the finest estates in the county, comprising 320 acres of land, mostly under cultivation, with substantial frame buildings, and many other valuable improvements. In his death the community suffered a severe loss, as he was a good citizen, and in all the relations in which he was placed he was faithful and trustworthy. He was a sincere, manly Christian, always true to the tenets of the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared. His union with our subject was blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Solomon, Otto, Anna, Jennie, Paul, and Maggie, who died at the age of ten years. The three youngest are teachers in the public schools.
   Mrs. Jessen is dowered with all the attributes that go to make a womanly woman. As a wife, she did all that she could to lighten her husband's burdens, and he was often guided by her counsel to successful issues. As a mother, she is wise and tender, devoting herself to the interests of children. She is a cheerful worker in the cause of religion. She joined the Presbyterian Church in Indiana in 1848, and she assisted in the organization of the Presbyterian Church in Nebraska City, of which she is still a communicant. She seeks the good of others, and her strong religious faith carried her serenely through the bitter trials of life.
   Portraits of Mrs. Jesse, and her deceased husband are shown in connection with this sketch, that of the latter will be especially valued by his numerous friends in this county.

ANIEL T. HILL, D. D. S. This gentleman enjoys the reputation of being one of the most scientific, practical and able dentists in the State of Nebraska, and, as a natural result, his clientage is very large, and his practice quite lucrative. He located in Syracuse in 1883, and before many months had passed was well and favorably known, and his business firmly established. He is a native of Carmel, N. Y., the day of his nativity was the 19th of July, 1857, whereon the home of Daniel T. and Sarah J. (Meritt) Hill was gladdened by his advent.
   The parents of our subject were likewise natives of the Empire State; his father was a clergyman of the Baptist denomination, who had held charges in New York and New Jersey. He was pastor of the church at Plainfield in the latter State for twenty-two years, and was accounted one of the most successful pastors and able preachers of the State. He occupied the pulpit for many years, being ordained at the age of nineteen, and continuing until he had passed his eightieth birthday, wielding an influence for good, right and the truth that will go on affecting countless homes and lives, and has been the instrument of turning thousands in the pathway leading to life. The mother of our subject died in New York in 1884, and was buried in Somers. Her husband subsequently came to Syracuse, where he died in March, 1887. They were the parents of five children, viz: Isaac N., Greek and Latin Professor in Bucknell University,