The subject of this sketch was the only child of the second marriage of his father, and continued a resident of his native State until coming to Nebraska. He had been reared upon the farm, and after crossing the Mississippi was employed at farming near Nebraska City, this county. He left the Buckeye State in 1856, and, accompanied by his half-brother, Morris T. Thompson, proceeded by rail to Iowa City, thence by stage to Council Bluffs and Sidney, and from there on foot to a point opposite Nebraska City. The time being in December, the river was filled with loose ice, and they were ferried across in a skiff, the trip being a perilous one. Upon arriving at his destination young Davis secured a job at cutting cordwood through the winter, and in the spring secured employment on a farm. Soon afterward he pre-empted a tract of land in this county. This. however, he did not improve, but worked with his brother five years.
   During this period occurred the panic of 1857, when a man could scarcely obtain fifteen cents for a day's work -- in fact there was no money to be made at times -- wheat was selling at thirty cents per bushel, and corn at eight cents. Mr. Davis, finally, in 1862, began freighting between Nebraska City and Denver, and in the fall of that year located on a ranch fifteen miles west of Camden on the Blue River. Here he passed two winters, then sold out and resumed freighting, making four trips across the plains, each time being accompanied by his brother. They spent the following winter in Colorado on the Platte River, and in the spring our subject sold his cattle with the intention of returning to Ohio, but on account of the Indians deemed it the better part of prudence to remain where he was.
   In the spring of 1866 Mr. Davis set out with a train to Nebraska City, and thence made the desired trip to his native State, where he arrived on the 1st of July, after an absence of ten years. A six months visit among his old friends satisfied him, and returning to Nebraska he commenced farming. His health, however, had become greatly impaired, so instead of following the plow he began dealing in live stock, which business he has since followed with the most satisfactory results. In 1876 he took up his residence in Syracuse, and since that time has given his principal attention to his stock operations and the trade in farm implements.
   Mr. Davis was married quite late in life, in June, 1880, to Miss Meda, daughter of Henry and Mary Phelps. Her parents were natives of Iowa, and are now living in this county. Mrs. Davis was born in Iowa, May 4, 1857, acquired a common-school education, and remained with her parents until her marriage, residing during that time mostly in her native State. The result of her union with our subject is three bright children -- Mary L., Arthur and Luella. The family residence is located in the northern part of the city. and its furnishings and surroundings are fully in keeping with the means and station of the proprietor.
   A Democrat in principle, Mr. Davis is a reliable supporter of his party, and has served three years as County Commissioner. He is not, however, in the least ambitious for office, preferring to devote his time to his own concerns. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Honor. He is a genuine, capable business man, prompt to meet his obligations, and straightforward in all his transactions.

TARR COZIER GREGORY. Among the worthy and honored citizens of Talmage, one whose life is in many regards an example of good to younger persons, is the gentle man whose life's history is here epitomized. He is one of the well-known and successful men of Talmage, and has been associated with its interests since the first business house was erected. There was at that time a demand for some competent person to make his headquarters at that place for the buying and shipping of stock, there being large numbers in the vicinity. This place our subject was destined to fill. Being the first to occupy the field he has made quite a reputation throughout the county and district, and is one of the most extensively engaged in his line of business. The distinction is his of having shipped the first carloads of cattle and hogs sent out from this place.
   Recently our subject has been buying and shipping for LaFayette Higgins, of Auburn, in this State, but not until after he had been in business

for himself for a period of about sixteen years. For the past four years he has been a resident of Talmage, and has won for himself many friends among his fellow-townsmen. As a business man his reputation is fully sustained without the tarnish resultant from dealings of a questionable nature.
   Mr. Gregory is the owner of a fine property in Johnson County, and in this place has one of the pleasantest homes. it is a large, roomy house, planned and arranged with a view to comfort. He has also a large brick business house, the upper story of which is occupied by the G. A. R. hall and Roberts Lodge No. 104. After subscriptions for a large part of the expenses toward erecting a hall had been made to the order, Mr. Gregory put up his building, and leased the hall to the order for ninety-nine years.
   The connection of our subject with this State began in the year 1867. His first property was 160 acres of land in Spring Creek Precinct, which was at the time simply raw, uncultivated prairie, but under the skillful management and continued efforts of our subject become one of the best farms in the district. it is now valued at $40 per acre. He was in the beginning in a thorough pioneer country, for no railroads then had laid their steel bands across the prairie, and there were no markets as at present, nothing nearer than Nebraska City, which was twenty-two miles distant. He is much gratified to see the splendid progress that has been made within the last decade principally, and justly proud of the privilege of having a part in helping to that end.
   In coming to Nebraska the subject of our sketch came a comparatively poor man from DeKalb County, Ill. It was also the scene of his early life, he having been born in Genoa, of that county, on the 21st of August, 1842. His family were pioneers in Illinois and enjoyed an enviable reputation for those qualities that make a family respected and admired in the community. Previous to making their home in Illinois the parents of our subject had lived in New York State.
   Mr. E. S. Gregory, father of Starr Cozier, was born about the year 1803, at Johnstown, in the Empire State, as were his parents before him. The family has a history in connection with that State that reaches back almost to the early settlements. He was brought up on a farm and also learned the trade of shoemaker. While yet a young man, he went to Maine, where he met and married his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Brown.
   Mrs. Gregory, the mother of our subject, was born and brought up in the Pine Tree State, in the vicinity of Scarboro. After her marriage with the father of our subject they began life together at the bottom of the ladder, the husband plying his trade for about ten years, and then came West, settling in DeKalb County, as above mentioned. There brighter days began to dawn upon them, and the farm proved a perfect success. and served for their home during the remainder of life. Mr. Gregory died at a very advanced age, in January, 1887, beloved and respected by the community at large. He was one of the old-time Abolitionists, and was active in behalf of the party, feeling and expressing himself strongly in behalf of the cause. From the history of DeKalb County, page 481, we take the following, which may be of interest in this connection: "In 1840, his brother-in-law, Ezra Starr Gregory, cast the first, and that year, the only Abolition vote cast in the county, voting for James G. Birney, for President. Mr. Gregory was the pioneer of that grand political movement in DeKalb County, and his name should be honored as the first to come boldly to the front in an effort to remove the dreadful stain of slavery from our civilization. At the next election Mr. Gregory was joined by others of DeKalb County's worthy citizens, who wanted all men under our flag who should obey the laws of the country, to be as free as they were. These men were Jeremiah L. Brown, Abner Jackman, Jutus Preston, Gideon King, John Judd and Benjamin H. Brown, the brother of the subject of this sketch. At the next election these parties were joined by a host of others." (Biography of Jeremiah Libbey Brown.)
   Mr. Gregory, our subject, is the first son and second child of three born to his parents, who lived to maturity. He had been very carefully brought up by his parents, and from earliest childhood was taught to abhor everything that verged upon the dishonest and dishonorable. He early began to store his mind with useful information, and

strove hard to obtain an education. He is a man of good taste and excellent judgment, the result of a well-balanced and cultivated mind. When about nineteen years of age, responding to the patriotic zeal within him, the subject of our sketch enlisted, becoming a member of Company A, 105th Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Henry Brown, This regiment formed part of the Army of the Cumberland, and for seven months Mr. Gregory served in the ranks and was found at the post of duty; but his health never had been rugged, and the exposure and hardships proved to be too much for him and he was taken sick. This resulted in his being honorably discharged on account of disability and his return home.
   Upon coming of age our subject started out in life upon his own resources. He was always a hard worker, almost nervously restless in his energies, but at the same time he is thorough in whatever he undertakes, and here must be assigned the cause of the success that has crowned his life. At Genoa, DeKalb County, he was married on the 12th of January, 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Maria M. Tibbitts, a young, educated and accomplished lady of excellent parentage. She was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 3d of February, 1846, and is the youngest daughter of William and Delila (Cunningham) Tibbitts, both of whom were natives of the United States.
   The parents of Mrs. Gregory were married in the Province of Ontario, and the father followed agricultural pursuits. There all the children were born with one exception, Ernest, who was born in Illinois. In 1854, recrossing the line they came to the United States, and located at Genoa, DeKalb Co., Ill. There Mr. Tibbitts took land and went to work to improve and cultivate the same. They were reckoned among the better class of citizens, and moved in the best local society of that State. His death occurred in September of 1869, closing a life of sixty-two years. He had been associated very closely with the Republican party for many years, and was active where the interests of the people were concerned. His wife still survives, and has reached the ripe age of seventy-four years, nevertheless she retains the full possession of her faculties and enjoys good health. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Gregory. She is a lady of intelligence and sterling religious character. Almost all her life she has been identified with and deeply interested in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
   Mrs. Gregory was but a little girl when her parents removed to DeKalb County. Both her father and mother were of the now somewhat old-fashioned sturdy Christian and highly moral, upright life and character, and trained their daughter in accordance with these ideas and principles. So far from having made religion repellant to her as is sometimes alleged is the result of such training, it has given tone and beauty to her whole life, and made her what she is to husband, family and friends. She is highly esteemed in the community, and by her faithful, affectionate devotion to her family, holds an unassailable place in the hearts of the various members of the family.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been born three bright and intelligent children: Grace E., who is now the wife of George W. Gillman, one of the promising young men of Otoe County, at present engaged in the drug business at Talmage, and enjoying an excellent reputation as a business man; the younger child, Roy Starr, is an active boy of six years, who is manifesting a disposition that promises under such care as his parents will doubtless give him a very bright and prosperous future. Frank C. died when six months old. Mrs. Gregory and her daughter move in the elite circles of Talmage society, and are perhaps acknowledged leaders therein. Both are members of the W. C. T. U. and very active workers in the temperance cause, as is also our subject, who is a member of the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Roberts Post No. 104, G. A. R., of Talmage.

ENRY DAMMA. One of the most extensive farms of McWilliams Precinct, and which is 700 acres in extent, is owned and operated by the subject of this sketch. It is largely devoted to stock-raising, and pleasantly located on section 16. It was but a raw prairie when taken in hand by its present proprietor, who settled here in the spring of 1869, commenced the

development of a farm, and can now look with satisfaction upon the result of his labors, which have been crowned with success. He keeps good grades of cattle, horses and swine, and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Otoe County.
   Mr. Damma came to Southern Nebraska from Franklin County. Mo., in 1861, and entered 200 acres of land in Osage Precinct, the larger portion of which comprised all the elements of fertility. He made some improvements. but after a visit to the part of McWilliams Precinct where he now lives, concluded the latter to be more desirable, and accordingly to this transferred the scene of his operations. He has made all the improvements which have given to his homestead the reputation of being one of the most desirable in Southern Nebraska.
   A native of Prussia, our subject was born Oct. 4, 1833, and was the eldest but one of a large family of children, the offspring of Henry and Catherine Damma, a further account of whom will be found in the sketch of Louis Damma, found on another page of this volume. He was a little lad of seven years when he emigrated with his parents to the United States, and upon disembarking from their long voyage across the Atlantic, their journey was still further lengthened out by a tedious ride, partly by rail and partly by horse-teams to the southwest, and across the Mississippi into Franklin County, Mo. There the father engaged in farming, and both parents spent the remainder of their lives.
   Our subject developed into manhood in Missouri, and was married in Gasconade County, that State, to Miss Charlotte Pahde, who was of ancestry similar to his own. Mrs. Damma was born in Franklin County, Mo., Aug. 26, 1842, and is the daughter of Frederick and Henrietta Pahde, who were natives of Prussia and are now in Nebraska. Mrs. D. was but a small child when her father emigrated from Prussia to Gasconade County, where she grew to womanhood, receiving careful home training and a common-school education. Of her union with our subject there have been born ten children, one of whom, Minnie, died when eighteen months old. The survivors are F. Louis, L. John, H. Moses, C. Henry, H. Mary, H. William, Anna C., Lelia C. and August W. The parents are members in good standing of the German Evangelical Church, and Mr. Damma, politically, uniformly votes the Republican ticket.

ACOB W. NELSON, perhaps the youngest business man of note in Nebraska City, is junior partner of the firm of Nelson Bros., who carry on a thriving trade in boots and shoes. They established in business in 1885, and have advanced with a success which has been phenomenal, and which could only-be attained by the closest application to business and a straightforward manner of dealing with their fellow citizens. J. W. is especially noticeable as being a young man of excellent judgment and sound sense, with more than ordinary business capacities. Energetic and prompt to meet his obligations, he has already attained an enviable position in business circles, while he is also a favorite in society, and being of a fine personal appearance, is exceedingly popular among the young people of his circle.
   Our subject was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in the city of Stockholm, Sweden, May 27. 1864, and when scarcely more than an infant was brought by his parents to the United States. He is the son of Nicholas P. and Mary (Kalson) Nelson, who were also natives of Scandinavia, and of excellent families. The household circle consisted of four children, the eldest being Olie N., senior member of the firm; Jacob, our subject, and Emma and Eddie, who are now at home. The father is a shoemaker by occupation, and the parents are still living in this city. Mr. Nelson was reared to manhood in Nebraska City, where his parents settled at once upon coming to America. He was given a practical education, and trained in those habits of industry and honesty which form the basis of a true and upright character. He makes his home with his parents. and besides his interest in the store is a member of the Building and Loan Association, which has now established a good foothold, and promises to be of great benefit to those associated with it.
   Nelson Bros. carry a large and finely assorted

stock of goods, and number their patrons among the best people along the eastern line of the county. Mr. Nelson is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Genial and companionable, he is a gentleman of excellent principles, and one with whom it is both pleasurable and profitable to converse. He keeps himself well informed, not only in regard to the details of his especial trade, but to all matters of general interest to the intelligent citizen.

HARLES W. PIERCE. The life record of this gentleman is indissolubly linked with the early history of Nebraska City, the first settlement in Otoe County, as it was he who surveyed and platted the city, and his name often occurs in its annals in after years. In this connection a few items regarding its origin may not be out of place. Prior to 1854 Otoe County belonged exclusively to the Pawnee, Otoe and Omaha tribes of Indians, although occasional itinerant traders found their way to this point from St. Louis, then the great trading-post of the Northwest. As early as 1841, or some say not until 1844, Col. Stephen W. Kearney (afterward Major General) selected the present site of Nebraska City for a military station on account of its admirable strategical and commercial advantages, and in 1846, on the 22d of April, Company G, 22d United States Dragoons, under command of Capt. Allen, arrived here and proceeded to establish a post, to which they gave the name Ft. Kearney. A block house was at once erected between Main and Otoe streets, on Fifth street, and quarters for the officers, hospitals, etc., were built. In 1848 the fort was abandoned by the Government, and the property left in charge of Mr. Harden, and subsequently of Col. John Boulward, and in 1850, of Hiram P. Downs, who retained it until the Government withdrew all claims to the site upon which the fort was built in the spring of 1854. The American Fur Company made this one of its stations soon after the establishment of the military post, and continued to occupy it until the United States extinguished the Indian title to the land. The original settlers and claimants as squatters were Col. John Boulware, John B. Boulware and Col. Hiram P. Downs. the Boulwares staking off a squatter's claim in the spring of 1853 to what afterward became the Kearney division of Nebraska City, and Col. Downs claiming two quarter-sections of land, 160 acres of which is now included within the corporate limits of Nebraska City, as soon as the land was abandoned by the United States.
   When Mr. Pierce came here on the 3d of May, 1854, he found these gentlemen and their families the only inhabitants of the future city. Mr. Downs was then living in a log building erected by the soldiers in the rear of the block house, where the Morton House now stands. Mr. Pierce surveyed the claims referred to, and, furthermore, we are told in a recent history of the county, that "in April, 1854, Stephen F. Nuckolls, and in May of the same year Allen A. Bradford, crossed the river and made arrangements with Hiram Downs whereby they became with trial joint owners in the claim which he had taken, and they immediately employed Charles W. Pierce to survey and stake off a city, the work being commenced in 1854." The first permanent habitation in the city, however, and indeed in the County, antedated the platting of the city two years, John B. Boulware having built a ferry house in 1852, on the river bank at the foot of Commercial street. Charles H. Cowles erected the first frame house on the town site near the corner of Fifth and Main streets, and the second one was built by our subject on Main street between Fourth and Fifth streets. The first hotel was built in the fall of 1854 by Mr. Downs. The first postoffice, called Table Creek post-office, was established at Nebraska City as early as 1854, and Mr. Pierce was appointed Postmaster of Nebraska City.
   Mr. Pierce is still an honored resident of the city in whose foundation he played so important a part thirty-four years ago. He is widely known and is highly respected, not only as a pioneer but as a man and a citizen. He is a native of New York City, born in that great metropolis Feb. 21, 1828, coming of good old New England stock. His father, Wilder Pierce, was, it is thought, a native of Massachusetts, as his father, Amasa Pierce, was born, reared and married in that State. He, the grandfather of our subject, moved from his native State

to New York, and was one of the early pioneers of Cortland County, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness and made his residence until a few months before his death. He then went to Niagara County, and died at the home of his son. The father of our subject learned the trade of ship carpenter, and in the War of 1812 served in the United States Navy, and was with Commodore Lawrence when the latter was killed, and the vessel and crew were captured. In 1831 Mr. Pierce went on a cruise in the United States man-of-war "Hornet" in quest of piratical crafts, and was lost with the crew and vessel. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Catherine Ryder. She was born in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y., and spent her last years in New York City, dying in 1845.
   The subject of this sketch was for the most part reared and educated by his paternal grandparents. He attended the public schools, and at the age of fifteen commenced the study of civil engineering. In 1849 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and there engaged with a party of surveyors who were surveying Government land in that State. In December of that year he gave up his profession there and went to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, which was then a hamlet of a few log buildings, and the two succeeding years he was engaged in superintending a ferry across the Missouri River at Belleville. In the spring of 1852 he went to Sidney, Iowa, but his health being poor he did but little while there. He remained there until May, 1854, and on the 3d of that month he came to the present site of Nebraska City. Charles W. Coles came with him to engage in mercantile business, and was the first merchant of the city. As before stated, Mr. Pierce had come here for the purpose of surveying and laying out the city, and before cold weather set in he had a part of the city platted, and ten or twelve families were settled here by that time, and these early settlers and about 600 Indians spent the winter here. In July, 1854, the Nebraska City post-office was established, and Mr. Pierce was made the first Postmaster. But there was no regular mail carrier for nearly a year, and the citizens used to employ some person to go to Sidney, Iowa, fifteen miles distant, for the mail once a week. In 1855 a mail carrier was appointed, who brought the mail twice a week, and soon three times a week, until the railway was built on the opposite side of the river, and then daily. In 1855 Mr. Pierce resigned his office and was appointed inspector of survey by the Government. which position he held until August, 1857. He then resumed surveying for the Government, and was a United States surveyor in Nebraska for seven years. When Otoe County was organized he was made County Surveyor, and was re-elected to that office several times, until at the end of twelve years he utterly refused to serve any longer. In 1854 Mr. Pierce took the census in the northern half of the Territory, and during the second session of the Territorial Legislature he was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Territorial Council. In April, 1855, he was deputized by the Indian agent to remove the Otoe Indians to their reservation. He made the survey in April, and during the summer removed his charges to their new home.

ARNARD BRADY. Within the confines or Belmont Precinct, and in the southwestern part of section 24, is located the farm of this gentleman, which embraces 160 acres of land, and has been brought to a good state of cultivation. One of its most attractive features is the handsome and substantial residence, while a good barn and all the other necessary out-buildings, with fruit and shade trees, form a most attractive background. Mr. Brady has been thorough and successful as an agriculturist, and is a man of good business capacities. As a citizen he is esteemed as one of the most valued members of his community. Our subject was born at Port George in British America, Aug. 17, 1830, and is the son of Antwin and Mary (Riley) Brady, who were natives of Ireland, and the former a British soldier in the War of 1812. Later he went to Ireland, and there the subject of this sketch spent a portion of his boyhood. His parents died in Ireland, and Barnard then returned to British America with relatives, and came to this county in August of 1854, while Nebraska was a Territory. He took up a claim that same year opposite St. Joseph in Kansas, but the border war coming on he was forced to flee, and found