public schools in that State, and as soon as large enough commenced to learn the machinist's trade in his father's shop. When he was eighteen years old he was seized with the desire to be a sailor, and embarking on a whaling-vessel, was absent on a long voyage that lasted three years and three months. On his return he desired to finish his education, and after attending school at Meriden, N. H., he entered a military academy at Norwich. He was a student in that institution at the breaking out of the Mexican War, and eagerly and enthusiastically dropped his studies of the science of war to gain a practical knowledge of its grim realities on the bloody battlefields of Mexico, he with many of his comrades volunteering, and entering the service under Gen. Scott. They fought bravely in the battle of Vera Cruz, and in every other battle from there to the City of Mexico. At the capture of the latter city, our subject was detailed as bodyguard to accompany the remains of the gallant Col. Ransom, who was killed at the battle of Tehuantepec, to his home. Peace having been shortly afterward declared, Mr. Campbell was never called upon to enter service again, but was mustered out at Ft. Phillip, La., in the fall of 1847. He returned home, engaged as a civil engineer, and was employed in the survey of different railways in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey until 1855. In that year he went to the Territory of Kansas, and from there to Nebraska in the fall, coming here to assist in the survey of the land, and immediately commenced upon his work. In 1856 he returned to Leavenworth, Kan., and assisted in the survey of the Sac and Fox reservations. In the fall of that year he returned to Nebraska City, passing by the present site of Lincoln, where a house was not then standing. On the first day of December was the big snowstorm, which will ever be held in remembrance by the early pioneers of Nebraska. It continued so long, and was of such unprecedented violence, that our subject and his party spent nine days in the timber unable to get out and make their way to this city. In the spring Mr. Campbell returned to Lincoln to complete the survey begun the year before, and he was employed in surveying for the Government at times until 1859. He then took up his residence in town and did odd jobs of surveying for individuals, and looked up claims until 1861. He then moved to a farm nine miles west of the city, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1871. He was then elected to the office of County Surveyor for Otoe County, and moved back to Nebraska City, where he has resided continuously ever since.
   In 1850 Mr. Campbell took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Eliza Bond, and she has since been to him a devoted helpmate. To them five children have been born, namely: Fennimore C., Mervy N.. George, Mary E. and Edward L.
   Our subject has always been a true Democrat in his politics, and he has taken an active part in public affairs. He has served seven years as Justice of the Peace since coming to this City, and held that office for five years white a resident of Delaware Precinct. He was Deputy Clerk of the District Court for three years, and was elected to the position of Clerk in fall of 1887 for a term of four years, and is serving with much honor and credit to himself. Socially, he is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 7, K. of P.

ERI P. DAKAN, a prominent farmer and stock-dealer of Hendricks Precinct, has a fine tract of land on section 2, where he located in the spring of 1884. He is the offspring of a good family, being the son of William and Jane (Ross) Dakan, the father a native of Now York State, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The parents were married in the latter State, whence they removed to Ohio, where the father, who had learned the miller's trade, carried on milling and farming, and accumulated a fine property. In 1853 he left Ohio, moving to DeKalb County, Mo., where he retired from active labor a few years later, and departed this life in 1865, at the age of seventy-four years. The mother also died at the homestead in Missouri in 1853, at the age of fifty-two. The paternal grandfather of our subject, also William Dakan by name, did good service as soldier, in the Revolutionary War under Washington, and later in the War of 1812.
   To the parents of our subject there were born

nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Melinda, Suzella, Lucinda, Highram, Neri P. (our subject) and Caroline. The deceased are John, Elizabeth and Catherine. Neri P. was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Dec., 11, 1829, and spent his early life in the Buckeye State near the city of Columbus. He acquired a practical education in the common school, and remained with his parents until after attaining his majority. In 1854 he began farming on his own account in DeKalb County, Mo., operating on 200 acres of land a period of three years. Later he engaged in general merchandising in DeKalb County six years. Thence he went to Somerset, Ill., where he carried on merchandising very successfully, and continued for a period of three years.
   During the summer of 1867 our subject came with his family overland to Nemaha County, this State, and there spent the winter. The spring of 1860 found him looking around for a location in this county, and he first settled on a tract of land about three miles south of the present site of Nebraska City. He there purchased seventy acres of land, upon which he lived and labored until 1883. He built up a good farm from the uncultivated soil, and gave considerable attention to stock-raising, in which he met with success.
   In the spring of 1883 Mr. Dakan changed his residence from the eastern to the western part of this county, having purchased his present farm of 320 acres on section 2. Here he has very fine improvements, comprising a fine dwelling with a good barn and the other necessary out-buildings, an orchard of five acres, and a grove of cottonwood, maple, ash and elm trees. There is also a fine tract of natural timber, and a never-failing stream of water running through the farm. He has fully twenty acres in timber.
   The marriage of our subject took place in DeKalb County, Mo., Jan. 21, 1858, his bride being Miss Lydia, daughter of V. B. and Mary (Farrer) Titcomb. Mr. Titcomb was born in Portland; Me., and his wife, Mary, near the city of Cleveland, Ohio. They were married in the latter State. The father was an educated man, and a professor in the City schools of Cleveland, Ohio. The family moved to Cook County, Ill., where the father abandoned teaching for the pursuits of agriculture, and from there went to Clinton County, Iowa. In 1854 they moved across the Mississippi into DeKalb County, Mo., where Mr. Titcomb departed this life in the spring of 1872, at the age of fifty-five years. The mother is still living, at the age of eighty-two years, on the old homestead in Missouri. Their children were Edward, Elvina, Lydia (Mrs. Dakan), Stephania and Amria. Mrs. Dakan was born in Lake County, Ill., Jan. 26, 1840. Of her union with our subject there are five children -- Thomas J., Alice, Edwin, Lulu and Archie. They are all at home with their parents.
   Mr. D. was the nominee at last election for County Commissioner on the Democratic ticket, which fact sufficiently indicates his politics. He has served as Moderator in his school district, and is the encourager of those enterprises calculated to advance the people in morality and intelligence. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church at Nebraska City. Mrs. Dakan is a lady of great intelligence and refinement, amply fitted to be the companion of such a man as her husband. The stock operations of Mr. Dakan are quite extensive, as he feeds sometimes as many as 500 head of cattle in one year. He became identified with the I. O. O. F. while a resident of Missouri.

ENRY BORD, Postmaster at Talmage, was early on the ground at the time of the organization of this village, being its pioneer druggist, and his wife at the same time establishing a millinery store. To their energy and enterprise is due in a great measure the encouragement which resulted in the building up of the town and the bringing within its borders a thrifty and business-like class of people. Mr. and Mrs. Bord prevailed against the many discouragements which naturally beset the pioneer in whatever enterprise he engages, and may be pardoned if they look upon the result of their labors to-day with pride.
   Mr. Bord was given the office of Postmaster in March, 1885, from which fact his politics may be clarly indicated. He is especially adapted to deal

with the public, being sociable and genial in disposition, a fluent conversationalist, and a man with whom anyone can pass an hour both pleasurably and profitably. He migrated to this point from Crawford County, Kan., where he had been engaged in farming successfully for a number of years.
   To the State of Kansas Mr. Bord had migrated from Illinois in the fall of 1866, at a time when Crawford County where he settled was an unbroken tract of prairie land. He located with his little family upon a portion of this when there was not a neighbor within seven miles. Later, however, the tracks of the Indian gave place to those of the white man, and in due time the settlers began to gather around him. About 1868 Mr. Bord was called upon to assist in the organization of the first school district in his part of the county. This, as may be imagined, was a great event for the pioneers, one to which they look back even at the present time with a high degree of satisfaction.
   Mr. and Mrs. Bord have a full knowledge of the difficulties and dangers of life on the frontier, although their experience was not unmixed with pleasure. Wild game was plentiful, and whatever else the household larder may have lacked, it was generously supplied with choice wild meats. Mr. Bord secured a farm from Uncle Sam, where he constructed a good homestead, and which he sold in 1882 at a sum sufficient to repay him for his toil and sacrifices.
   The childhood home of our subject was on the other side of the Atlantic, in Somersetshire, England, where his birth took place near the city of Bruton, Nov. 17, 1822. His parents were of pure English ancestry, his father, William Bord, having been born in Bruton, and his mother in the well-known city of Bath. The latter in her girlhood was Miss Mary Penols. The parents were married in Somersetshire, where the father operated a brewery until emigrating to the United States in 1830. They tarried for a time in New York City, and later sojourned in Troy, where the death of the father took place at the advanced age of eighty years.
   The mother survived her husband several years and died at the home of her daughter, in 1886, at the age of eighty-five. Both were members of the Church of England, honest and conscientious people, strict and careful in their methods of family government, aiming to make of their offspring good and worthy citizens, who should hand down their name in honor to posterity.
   The subject of this sketch was the second son and child in a family of twelve, six sons and six daughters. He attained his majority in the city of Troy, N. Y., where he learned the. business of druggist and its various branches, and was thus occupied for a number of years. In Troy, also, occurred the important event of his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Ives, which took place at her home Sept. 30, 1859.
   Mrs. Bord was born in the romantic region of country along the Mohawk River, and at the point known as Rockwell Falls, on the 1st of December, 1831. There she remained and began her early education, completing her studies, however, in the city of Troy, to which her parents removed during her childhood. These latter were Abraham and Lucinda (Smith) Ives, who were natives of New York, and came to the West several years ago, They are now sojourning for their health in Kansas.
   Mrs. Bord is a very intelligent and capable lady, and has been a most worthy and efficient helpmate to her husband during his struggle with the elements of pioneer life, standing by his side and encouraging him not only by her councils, but being of substantial assistance in business matters. They are the parents of one child, a, son, Lawrence A., now a promising boy fourteen years of age, who is serving an apprenticeship as printer in the office of the Talmage Tribune. Mr. Bord left his native State and migrated to DeKalb County, Ill., in the fall of 1849. Thence he removed to Bureau County, of which he was a resident until 1865, and from there across the Mississippi, soon after which began his pioneer experience on the Kansas frontier. He cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and is a pronounced Jacksonian Democrat, defending his principles with all the fearlessness and strength of his character. He has served as Justice of the Peace at Talmage a number of years, and is also a Notary Public. His name is a household word among the people of his own town, where both he

and his excellent wife are favorites in the social circles, and welcome under their hospitable roof scores of friends who have learned to esteem them for their sterling worth, and as valuable members of the community.

ICHAEL D. CAMPBELL, owner of one of the most valuable farms in Syracuse precinct and which lies just without the limits of the thriving and pleasantly located village, has of late years devoted his attention mainly to stock-raising, an industry which has netted him a generous income. Although settling here as late as 1883, he has during the brief period of his residence among the people of this region surrounded himself with many warm friends. He was at once recognized as a valued addition to the community, is a gentleman of taste and culture, prompt in his business transactions, and in fill respects a model citizen.
   A native of Indiana, our subject was horn in Jefferson Township, Boone County, March 25, 1835. He claims descent from a liberty loving ancestry, who were always ready to shoulder arms in defense of home and country. Allen Campbell, his paternal grandfather, was born in Virginia, and when a lad of fifteen years migrated to the unsettled territory now comprised in the State of Kentucky. There he became the friend and compeer of Daniel Boone, and participated with that illustrious old hero in many of his conflicts with the savage foe. Enlisting in the regular service he was given the commission of First Lieutenant under Gen. Wayne, and was present at the battle of Maumee, where he commanded his company, and is recorded in history as Capt. Campbell. He did not see his father from the time he left home until he was a man of thirty years, being absent a period of fifteen years.
   Grandfather Campbell married a Kentucky lady, and from the Blue Grass regions they emigrated to Jennings County, Ind., locating among its early settlers. There they reared a family of sons and daughters, and passed the remainder of their days. Michael D., Sr., was born in Kentucky, and like his father before him, left his native State when a lad of fifteen years, going with the family to Jennings County, Ind., where he grew to manhood and chose his life companion.
   The parents of our subject soon after their marriage settled in Jefferson Township, Boone Co., Ind., where the father erected the second log cabin built in the township, and there passed the remaining fifty-three years of his life. He departed hence in a year 1883, at the advance age of seventy-nine years. His aged and excellent partner survived him only four weeks, her death taking place in August following, and her years being seventy-six. The household circle of this excellent pair included eleven children, of whom the following are living: Joseph A., John F., Michael D. (our subject). Nottly S., David W., and R. Angeline, the wife of Alex A. Young, of Montgomery County, Ind.
   Michael D. Campbell pursued his early studies in the primitive log school-house of Jefferson Township, Ind., and later added to his knowledge by an extended course of reading. This, however, sufficed to make him a well-informed man, and one of more than ordinary intelligence. He, in common with his brothers, during his boyhood and youth, assisted in the development of the new farm in Indiana, and they together cleared up a tract of land 600 acres in extent. On the 21st of March, 1860, occurred one of the most interesting and important events in the life of our subject, his marriage, after which he settled near his parents, and followed agricultural pursuits in the Hoosier State until the winter of 1882.
   Mr. Campbell now began to cast longing eyes toward the farther West, and coming to this State, was for a year a resident of Nebraska City. At the expiration of this time he settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies, and which is such a credit to his good management. Like his father before and like his brothers, he is an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. While in Indiana he was for a period of twelve years Director of the Agricultural Society of Boone, Clinton and Montgomery Counties. He has carefully refrained from political office, preferring to leave such spoils to those whose time could not be better employed.
   The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Martha A. Harris, and was born in Boone County,

Ind., Jan. 12, 1841. Her parents, Matthew F. and, Martha (Ferguson) Harris, were natives of Tennessee and Indiana respectively. The father has long since passed to his rest; the mother is still living in Boone County, Ind. Her paternal grandfather, William Harris, served as a soldier under Gen. Andrew Jackson, in the war with the Crete Indians. Her parents, like those of our subject, were pioneer settlers of Indiana. Of her union with our subject there have been born seven children, namely: Rossie, the wife of Dr. Charles Sutton, of Syracuse; Allen T., who married Miss Myrtle Young, and lives in Hildreth, Neb.; Alonzo D., Olney L., Charles F., Mintie R. and Orval Ray.
   The mother of Mr. Campbell was a daughter of Joseph Betts, an early settler of Scott County, Ky., and a participant in the Indian wars of 1803, 1805 and 1812, being under the command of Gen. Wayne at Maumee, with the title of Sergeant. He was in the same company with Allen Campbell. and later carried a musket in the War of 1812 under the command of Geo. Harrison, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe when Tecumseh was killed.

 POLK HILL. In the present sketch are presented to the reader the more salient features of the life of the popular Postmaster of Palmyra. His parents, William H. and Sarah A. (Tutt) Hill, were born respectively in Madison and Culpeper Counties, Va., and his family has its representatives among the very early colonists of Virginia. Col. Robert Hill, the grandfather of our subject, was in command of militia in the War of 1812, and is reputed to have been one of the most intrepid and gallant of his compeers. The parents of our subject settled in Virginia, and his father followed the usual rural occupations. In 1836 he removed with his family to Missouri, where they lived for about ten years, but, owing to the prevalence of ague and his continued susceptibility to its influence, and his consequently debilitated health, he was compelled to return to his native State, but in 1868 he came to the State of Nebraska, and for three years lived south of Nebraska City. In the spring of 1871 they removed to Palmyra. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom were boys. The mother was the first of the parents to depart this life; her death occurred in 1879, when she was seventy-one years of age.. The father died in 1880, aged seventy-seven years.
   Of the above mentioned family the subject of our sketch was the ninth born. This interesting event occurred upon the 19th of January, 1845, in Callaway County, Mo., and when his parents removed to Virginia he was eighteen months old. There he grew up upon the farm, and made early acquaintance with farm life, responsibility and work. He received a fair education, his parents giving him every possible advantage. At the time of the secession he was of course too young to vote or have any personal influence, but at an early age gave promise of the powers that have since been developed. As soon as he became old enough to bear arms he enlisted in Company C. 4th Virginia Cavalry. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, Williamsport, Shepherdstown, and through the campaign of the Wilderness, in 1864, but he received his "baptism of fire" at Boonesville, where he also was slightly wounded in the side and was only saved by his pocket Bible, which received the force of the otherwise fatal blow. He was wounded a second time at Nance's Shop, Va.; here a rifle ball struck his left arm, shattering the bone and rendering amputation imperative; this was performed on the 24th of June, 1864. The bullet that did this destructive work is in the possession of our subject until this day. After this event he went back home, being incapacitated for further service, and having fully proved the intense loyalty and patriotism that were within his breast. Coming to Nebraska in 1868, he was for one year a teacher in this county.
   His parents were directly dependent upon our subject for support, at that time having lost their property, and being old and infirm. Their infirmities were the result of age, their poverty, war. It was the ambition of Mr. Hill to become a man of letters, but, recognizing the position of his parents he without further debate gave up the project and went to work in other directions, making the first duty of his life his devotion to his parents.
   The subject of our sketch first began by renting a farm, and continued prosperously engaged thereon

until 1873, when, in the month of December, he returned to Virginia in order that he might claim his bride, Mary Ella Jeffries. who now becomes the companion of his maturer days. Their home has been brightened by the birth of the children, to whom they gave the names appended: William H., Thomas Temple, Edgar T., who died when about one year old; Mary E. and Dudley J.
   Mrs. Hill was born in Culpeper County, Va., on the 7th of March, 1850. The birthdays of her mother, herself and daughter May, are all on the same day of the month. Her parents were quite well-to-do, her father being a planter and at the same time a slave-holder. He operated a steam sawmill, and was largely interested in the lumber trade. She was one of eleven children born to her parents, and with the exception of herself and two sisters they were all boys. She is a lady of education and culture, and was graduated from the Culpeper Female Institute in the year 1870.
   Mr. Hill intended to return to Nebraska immediately after his marriage, but was detained in Virginia, and finally went into business with his brother-in-law, Mr. J. E. Jeffries. Business prospered exceedingly until 1876, when the high water broke the mill dam, greatly damaged the property, and a heavy loss was sustained. They repaired the injury, however, and all went well for a time. In 1879 he returned to Nebraska, bringing with him his bride and three children; he then settled in Palmyra Precinct, purchasing fifteen and a half acres, upon which he erected a thoroughly substantial and commodious dwelling, which represents in its arrangement, furnishing, etc., the very harmony of homelike restfulness and domestic comfort. Such is the spirit that seems to pervade and render the more material things capable of leaving the impression that it is indeed a home, which is undoubtedly due to his most excellent wife.
   For one year Mr. Hill served in the office of Constable, resigning the position in 1882. Upon the occasion of T. W. Foster severing his official connection with the Postal Department, Mr. Hill was appointed and accepted the position, and has given every satisfaction to the people ever since that time, rendering the most efficient service in each and every department. Politically, he is a member of the Democratic party, and is actively engaged in its interests. Both he and Mrs. Hill are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and are respected very highly in that direction, and in the community at large there are few families that are more thoroughly esteemed.

EORGE W. WELLS, a native of England, and a farmer in good circumstances, proprietor of 160 acres of land on section 18, in Russell Precinct, fulfills the idea of the well-bred English gentleman. Over his domestic affairs presides a lady in every way his equal, refined and well educated, and their hospitable doors are ever open both to friends and strangers, who, if of ordinary intelligence, are not slow in discerning that they are under the roof of those who have made politeness a study, and who were born and reared in an atmosphere of culture and refinement. Their home, pleasant within and without, forms an attractive picture of rural life, where pence and contentment abide.
   Thomas Wells, the father of our subject, was a native of Buckinghamshire, England, and a shoemaker by trade. In early manhood he married Miss Anna Green, and those of her family who survive are residents of England. The father departed this life in 1856, at the age of sixty-four years. The mother passed away after the decease of her husband, about 1865.
   The subject of this sketch was born March 27, 1837, in Buckinghamshire, and learned the shoemaking trade under the instruction of his excellent father. He received the education common to the boys of his time and neighborhood, and was trained in those principles of honesty and sentiments of honor which have left their indelible impress upon his subsequent life. In July, 1866, having become dissatisfied with his condition and his prospects, he determined to seek his fortune on the other side of the Atlantic. Accordingly, bidding adieu to the friends of his childhood and youth, he set sail on the steamer "Hibernian," and ten days afterward landed in the city of Quebec, Canada. Later he

proceeded to Toronto, and worked at his trade until the spring of 1869. Coming over into the "States" in the month of April, he made his way westward across the Mississippi, and upon reaching this county homesteaded eighty acres of land, which tract is included in his present farm.
   Our subject had not only come to a new section of country with limited means, but was beset by the difficulties attendant upon imperfect transportation and distant markets. He was obliged to haul lumber from Nebraska City before he could put up his house, and the labor required in the transformation of the raw prairie to a cultivated farm may be better imagined than described. He set out groves, hedges and an orchard, and in the course of years began to realize the result of his labors. Of late he has given considerable attention to stock-raising, feeding numbers of cattle and hogs each year, from the proceeds of which he realizes a handsome income. He votes the straight republican ticket, and has been a member of the School Board in his district for a period of nine years. He has been a useful man in his community.
   Mr. Wells was married in his native shire June 1, 1864, to Miss Mary G., daughter of James and Anna (Gregory) Bird, whose birthplace was not far from that of her husband. Her father was a baker by occupation, and died in the spring of 1883, at the age of seventy-four years, The mother is still living in England, being in the year 1888 of the same age as her husband when he died. Of the eleven children born to them seven are living and mostly residents of England. Mrs. Wells was born Nov. 27, 1839, and of her union with our subject there are two children only, both daughters, Edith A. and Clara J. B. The former is twenty years of age and the latter thirteen, and both are at home with their parents.

R. ALEXANDER M. COWDEN, physician and surgeon at Dunbar, although only a resident of this place since May of the past year (1888) is already building up a large practice. His prompt attention to the calls of duty, an his conscientious methods of practice, are meeting with their legitimate reward, and he has about all the business he can conveniently attend to. As a citizen, he is enterprising and public-spirited, willing to contribute his full share toward the best interests of his community.
   Dr. Cowden was born in Crawfordsville, Iowa, March 31, 1855, and is the son of Alexander Cowden, who was born in Mercer County, Pa., and removed from the Keystone State to Mahoning County, Ohio, and from there to Mercer County, Ill., in the year 1840, or about that date. He departed this life at his home in Washington County, Iowa, April 30, 1855. The mother, Mrs. Margaret M. Cowden, is a native of Pennsylvania, and is now in Crawfordsville, Iowa. The parental family consisted of five children, who are now mostly in Iowa.
   The subject of this sketch pursued his early studies in the common school, and during his younger years lived upon a farm. Upon leaving the home roof he engaged as clerk in a drug-store two years, then took up the study of medicine, and later, in 1880, was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa. He began the practice of his profession in the village of Ellison, Warren Co., Ill., in the winter of 1881, whence he removed, in 1883, to Elvira, Iowa, and followed his profession there until May, 1888, when he changed his residence to this county. He is now but thirty-four years of age, and has already entered upon a career which gives promise of great prosperity in the future.
   Miss Mary A. Crawford, of Crawfordsville, Iowa, became the wife of our subject Sept. 21, 1881. Mrs. Cowden was born Dec. 2, 1862, in Crawfordsville, and is the daughter of John W. and A. J. (Crawford) Crawford, who were natives of Ohio, and are now in Iowa. Their family included seven children, who are now mostly in Iowa.
   To the Doctor and his estimable wife there have been born three children, one daughter and two sons, namely: Maggie L., Bruce C. and Russell G. Dr. Cowden supports the principles of the Republican party, and, with his estimable wife, is a member in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church. They occupy a snug home in the northwestern part of town, and are making hosts of friends amid a community of intelligent people.