now one of the most substantial citizens of Otoe County, and one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Syracuse.
   Mr. Andrews has received repeated assurance of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens, and has frequently been called upon to accept some public office, but has always declined to do so. He has, however, filled the chair of Justice of the Peace. and while thus engaged evinced his fitness for the office whenever called upon to hear a ease and render a decision. He is a stanch friend and supporter of the Republican party and has so continued throughout his life. Our subject is one who justly takes the greatest delight and pride in his family, and is especially proud of his sons, his faithful assistants on the farm.

AMES H. DAVIDSON, a very intelligent and prosperous farmer, is numbered among the leading men of Hendricks Precinct, where he has a fine homestead on section 1. The fact that he is a correspondent of six weekly newspapers indicates abilities of more than ordinary capacity, and few men in this section of country possess a greater fund of general information. He was graduated from Central College in Morrow County, Ohio, and takes a warm interest in the maintenance and establishment of educational institutions. His home, presided over by a most amiable and excellent lady, a model wife and mother, is one of the most pleasant and attractive to be met with.
   In reciting the history of any individual it is but natural to revert to those from whom he drew his origin. The parents of our subject were George and Rachel (Brownlee) Davidson, the former a native of Washington County, Pa. George Davidson was born in 1803, and was the son of James Davidson, a native of Ireland, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The latter married Miss Jane Holmes, and emigrated to America during his early manhood, settling in Washington County, Pa. They became the parents of three sons, who were all graduated from the Medical College at Philadelphia. George began the practice of medicine, and was married in his native State. Thence a few years later he removed to Belleville, Ohio, but three years later, the wife becoming homesick they returned to Pennsylvania, settling in Taylorstown, where the father died. In 1833 a contagious fever raged in the city of Philadelphia, and was of such a terrible nature that finally the stricken ones were almost deserted both by friends and physicians. Dr. George Davidson, however. refused to desert his post, was stricken down with the fever and died. His course as a physician had been a remarkably conscientious one, as he was a man of more than ordinary humane instincts.
   After the death of her husband Mrs. Davidson was married in 1838 to Allen McNeal, a farmer by occupation. and Ruling Elder of the United Presbyterian Church at Iberia, Ohio. She had in early life made a profession of religion, and became a member of the South Buffalo Association Church, in the faith of which she passed away after a life warmly devoted to the Master's work. Of the first marriage there were born two children only: James H., our subject, and his sister Georgiana, now Mrs. Francis, and the wife of a well-to-do farmer in Union County, town. Of her second marriage there were born four children: Lizzie B., a teacher at Medicine Lodge, Kan.; Joseph, President of the Citizens' National Bank of the same place; Thomas, a lawyer, a graduate of Hillsdale College, and editor of the Medicine Lodge Crescent, also an ex-member of the Kansas Legislature; Mary died at the age of sixteen years.
   The subject of this sketch was born in Taylorstown, Pa., and was but three years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained with his mother until reaching his majority, and completed his education in Ohio Central College, being graduated from the scientific department at the age of nineteen years. He was for two years afterward engaged in teaching, then established himself on a farm in Page County, Iowa, and in 1865 purchased 160 acres of land in that county, and after making some improvements returned to Ohio, and was married to Miss Margaret Dickson, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in the town of Tully, May 26, 1861.
   Mrs. Davidson was born in Washington County,

Ohio, March 26, 1839, and was the second daughter of Isaac and Mary (Hannah) Dickson, the latter a full cousin of T. S. Arthur, the late well-known author, and founder of "Arthur's Magazine." Mr. Dickson was born in Washington County, Pa., and was a farmer and miller by occupation. He secured a competency, and is still living, being, with his excellent wife, eighty-eight years of age. They are at present residents of Marion County, Ohio, where Mr. Dickson owns a large extent of land. The mother was born in County Down, Ireland, and came with her parents to America in her youth.
   During the progress of the Rebellion Mr. Davidson enlisted as a Union soldier in the 23d Ohio Infantry, State Militia, serving as Lieutenant, but the regiment was one year later disbanded by a proclamation of the Governor, their services not being further required. Our subject then returning to Iowa labored on his farm a period of five years, but met with great reverses, his buildings being once destroyed by prairie fires. In the spring of 1871 he changed his residence to Hendricks Precinct, this county, making the journey overland with two teams, and settled upon the place which he now owns. Here he has 160 acres. and by the exercise of perseverance and energy soon found himself upon his feet and on the road to prosperity. At the time of his leaving Iowa the following appeared in the Page County Herald in February, 1871: SOLD OUT -- Mr. J. H. Davidson, our excellent friend of Lincoln Township, has sold his farm and will emigrate to Nebraska this month. He does not move from Page County because he thinks Nebraska is a better State, on the contrary he regards the glorious kingdom of Page County as standing head and shoulders above all competitors, but he goes thither on account of the inducements of his uncle, hoping to better his condition. May good fortune attend him."
   Upon coming to this county Mr. Davidson immediately began the improvement of his land, setting out trees and erecting buildings and fences. The following appeared in the Nebraska City News a short time later: "Mr. J. H. Davidson, of Page County, Iowa, moved to his new place eleven miles south of Syracuse in this county on the 3d of last month, bringing his family and stock. By the 25th he had sowed twenty-five acres of wheat, and in the meantime hauled the lumber for his house thirty miles from Nebraska City, and Messrs. J. Lewis & Bailey, his carpenters, erected and enclosed a foul room cottage for him in nine days, with cellar under it. On his second trip he came in and subscribed for the News, the crowning glory of his emigration. Thus in twenty-five days he moved seventy miles, did nearly all the work with one hand, and has before him the prospect of ease, comfort and a competence. Why will men grub among the rocks and stumps of old States when there is a garden State so near?" Mr. Davidson has groves of maple, cottonwood and elm, an orchard of 200 apple tree,, and a spring of living water which could scarcely be purchased at any price. He has added to his real estate to the extent of 160 acres in Palmyra Precinct.
   Mrs. Davidson is a well-educated lady and taught school before her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom, George A., was born in Ohio, Aug. 2, 1862; he completed his education in Peru, Neb., where he attended the Normal School three years, and is at present engaged in teaching. Mary E. was born Feb. 19, 1869, also attended the Normal School at Peru, and is following the same profession as her brother; Isaac, who was born in Boone County, in Iowa, is now pursuing his studies in the Normal School at the same place; Lizzie M. was born in Amity, Iowa, April 26, 1868, has taught school, but is now a pupil at Peru; Robert F. was born July 23, 1870, and died Aug. 12, 1871; Jennie was born Feb. 1, 1873, and is attending school at Peru; Jay was born Feb. 15, 1880.
   Mr. Davidson, politically, is a stanch Republican. He served as Justice of the Peace for a period of six years. In January, 1882, he was appointed Notary Public by Gov. Nance for six years, then reappointed by Gov. Thayer, May 14, 1888, for a like term. Socially, he belongs to Palmyra Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all the offices. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, attending services at Hopewell. In this Mr. Davidson has been Trustee and Elder six years. He takes a lively interest in church work, and formerly offici-

ated as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His career has been that of a useful and hollered citizen. and one who will be long remembered after he has passed away.
   A view of the Davidson homestead is presented in this connection.

HRISTIAN H. SHARP, of Palmyra Precinct, came to this county in the spring of 1882, and purchased a school lease, intending to perfect his title to the property as soon as it was possible for him to do so. His land is finely located, and well adapted by nature to the purposes of agriculture. The improvements upon it have been brought about by Mr. Sharp, who has erected good buildings, planted shade trees, an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides the smaller fruits, plums, cherries, peaches, apricots and grapes. As a member of the community he has made fully as good a record as in his farming operations, being public-spirited and interested in those projects tending to the general welfare of the people. A view of Mr. Sharp's residence is presented in this ALBUM, among those given of representative places in Otoe County. Our subject is of Swiss ancestry. The first representatives of his family in the United States crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days. His parents, Schein and Martha (Hostetter) Sharp, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Mifflin County and the mother in Lancaster County. The paternal grandfather, Peter Sharp, was born in Switzerland, whence he emigrated directly to Pennsylvania, and from him descended the families of that name in the United States. The Hostetters have also an ancestry equally old and honorable. The great-grandfather of our subject, Michael Hostetter, was a little boy at the time of the Revolutionary War, and when seven years of age was captured by the Indians and held by them a period of seven years. Among the other terrible atrocities which the savages committed, he was obliged to witness the death by burning of his parents, one brother and two sisters in a pit. It is therefore not to be wondered at that to this day the Hostetters regard the Indian tribes with both fear and hatred. From Michael Hostetter sprang the family of his name in America. They, as well as the Sharps, were residents of Eastern Pennsylvania for more than a century.
   The parents of our subject in the spring of 1832 removed from Pennsylvania to Logan County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1863, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother two weeks later, aged sixty-one. Their six children were named respectively: Susanna, Lydia; Christian H., our subject, and Annie, who were twins; Joseph and Jacob.
   Our subject was born in Mifflin County, Pa., March 15, 1826, and when we consider the time and locality, it is not to be wondered at that his educational advantages were somewhat limited. By his own love of learning, and his natural abilities, however, young Sharp acquired more practical information than is often possessed by those who have spent a term of years in college halls. By a most fortunate marriage his love of learning was encouraged, and he has become possessed of a good fund of general information. He still keeps up the course of reading which he began years ago, and is a man with whom it is both pleasurable and profitable to converse.
   Mr. Sharp accompanied his parents to Logan County, Ohio, where he worked out by the month until the summer of 1853, when he went into Wayne County, and changed his occupation from that of farmer to carpenter. Here he met his future wife, Miss Elizabeth A. Plank, to whom he was married Aug. 22, 1853. This lady was born in that county, Jan. 4, 1831, and is the seventh in a family of nine children, the offspring of John and Elizabeth (Schrock) Plank, the father a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and the mother of France. Mrs. Plank came to America with her parents when a small girl, they settling in Pennsylvania, and she was married in Mifflin County. Soon afterward Mr. and Mrs. P. removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where they lived until 1859. Mrs. Sharp's father is still living in Davis County, Iowa, at the age of ninety-six. The mother died there in September, 1866.
   Mr. and Mrs. Sharp after their marriage contin-

ued residents of the Buckeye State for a period of six years, our subject first working as a carpenter, and then renting a farm. The failing health of Mrs. Sharp induced them to try a change of climate, and they removed to Davis County, Iowa, where they lived for a period of thirteen years, and during which time the health of Mrs. Sharp perceptibly improved. Thence in 1872 they changed their residence to Fremont County, where Mr. Sharp purchased eighty acres of land, and thereafter employed his time considerably in fighting grasshoppers, drouth, floods, hail and other storms. The delicate health of his wife still continued and he thus had many difficulties to contend with. In the spring of 1882 he came to this county, and is now beginning to realize the reward of his labors and his patience.
   To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born nine children, three in Wayne County, Ohio, four in Davis County, Iowa, one in Fremont County. They were named respectively: John K., Jeptha J., Susanna, Lincoln L., Charles William, Jacob C., Mary E., Matilda and Fanny S.
   Mr. Sharp laid the foundation of his present property in Fremont County, Iowa, where, notwithstanding the various misfortunes we have mentioned, he made money. During his younger years he was a member of the Mennonite Church, and for six years officiated as a minister, pursuing his studies at night, after the arduous labors of the day were over. He labored zealously in the Master's cause, and in Davis County, Iowa, was Superintendent of the Sunday-school. About 1861 he identified himself with the German Baptist Church, and is now Deacon, and politically, he votes with the Republican party. He cares very little about politics, however, and aside from officiating as Moderator in his school district, has carefully avoided the responsibilities of office.

ARVIN J. COVELL is an able and enterprising citizen of Nebraska City, where he is prosperously engaged in the livery business. He was born Sept. 14, 1839, in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., a son of Richard and Sylvia C. (Eldred) Covell, likewise natives of that State, born in Rensselaer County. Richard Covell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Rensselaer County, of Scotch ancestry, and was a pioneer of Genesee County, where he located in 1830. He bought of the Holland Purchase Company a tract of land five miles west of Batavia, and engaged in agricultural pursuits thereon until his death. The father of our subject was reared in his native county, and there married the daughter of James Eldred, who was, it is thought, a native of Vermont, and was a farmer and merchant, spending his last years in Hoosic, Rensselaer County. Mr. Covell moved from his old home to Genesee County, and bought a farm three miles from Batavia, and was successfully engaged in agriculture in New York until 1855. In that year he disposed of his farm and other property, and moved to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he purchased a good farm near Galesburg. In 1872 he sold his property in that State, and went to Iowa to live in Cedar Falls. At the expiration of two years he went from there to Minneapolis, Minn., and staid two years. He then settled in Las Vegas, N. M., with his children, but his death finally occurred in the home of our subject in this city in August, 1879, while here on a visit. He was a man of probity, and was much respected by all who knew him, as was also his worthy wife, who departed this life in 1867, in Kalamazoo County, Mich. Nine children were born of their marriage, six of whom grew to maturity.
   Marvin Covell, of this sketch, passed his boyhood in his native town, receiving the education and training usually accorded to farmers' lads, and he thus grew to a strong and vigorous manhood. He was sixteen years of age when his parents moved to Michigan, and he continued to make his home with them for several years, managing the farm for his father during the last years of his stay under the parental roof in Michigan. In 1869 he left home, and the three succeeding years was established as a grain dealer in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
   From there he went to Minneapolis, Minn. and engaged in the same business in that city in 1873, when he moved to Indiana, and there dealt in grain extensively, with headquarters at Valparaiso, until 1877, when he disposed of his business interests in