chased eighty acres more on another section of the same precinct, and which he has also brought to a good state of cultivation.
   The farm of our subject is well stocked with cattle and horses, and from this and the raising of the crops which flourish best in Southern Nebraska he enjoys a good income. Prior to his arrival in this State he had been a resident of Scott County, Iowa, to which he removed with his parents when a child. The latter were James and Mary (Dougherty) Carlin, who were natives of Counties Donegal and Tyrone, Ireland; they were married after coming to America, and settled in Philadelphia; Pa. There James, Jr., was born Nov. 15, 1840. The father was a weaver by occupation, and after coming to this country followed that trade. The parents were married in Philadelphia, where were born their seven sons and three daughters, of whom our subject was the second son and third child. From the Keystone State they moved to Illinois, where the father conducted a small store of general merchandise, and where the family lived about three years. They next changed their residence to Scott County, Iowa, settling upon a tract of land three miles from the city of Davenport, where the mother died when about fifty years of age. The father survived his partner a number of years, his death taking place in September of 1877, at the age of seventy. Both were members of the Catholic Church.
   Our subject was reared to manhood in Scott County, Iowa, and was there married, Oct. 7, 1862, to Miss Bridget Moran. This lady was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, in November, 1843, and came to the States with her parents, Michael and Mary (Egan) Moran. They located in the vicinity of Oswego, N. Y., where they lived a number of years. About 1855 they changed their residence to Rock Island, Ill., and later crossed the Mississippi into Davenport, lowa. There the mother died in 1879 when little past middle life. The father is yet living there, being now about seventy-five years old. They also were members of the Catholic Church.
   Mrs. Carlin was one of the elder children of her parents, and lived with them until her marriage, acquiring a common-school education. The household circle of our subject and his wife has been completed by the birth of eleven children. They are named respectively: Mary, Anna, Elizabeth, Agnes; Maggie, James Jr., John, Michael, Hugh and Leona. William died when an infant. Mrs. Carlin is a very capable and intelligent lady, one who has many friends in her neighborhood and community. Kind and hospitable, she makes her home pleasant for her own family and an attractive resort for all who may take shelter beneath their roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Catholic Church, and our subject, politically, is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Carlin owned a farm in Rock Island County, Ill., where he farmed three years before coming to Nebraska, at which time he sold it.
   A view of his farm property is shown in this connection.

ETER SIBERT and big estimable wife, Mrs. Sarah (Neal) Sibert, have for many years been favorably known among the people of Palmyra Precinct, where they are spending the evening of life, sheltered in a comfortable home and enjoying the esteem and confidence of hosts of friends. Although quite well advanced in years, they are remarkably well preserved, very intelligent, kind and hospitable, and possess all the elements of character which endear them alike to young and old. Their property includes a good farm of 160 acres, lying on sections 28 and 29. Although making little pretension to elegance or style, they have everything around them comfortable, and their home possesses the added charm of contentment, which is the mainspring of happiness in all the relations of life.
   Both Mr. and Mrs. Sibert were the children of humble homes in their youth, and both were endowed by a kind Providence with those elements of character which enabled them to rise above their early surroundings and educate themselves by a course of reading and communication with intelligent minds. The early home of Mr. S. was in Washington County, Pa., where he was born Sept. 17, 1817, and where he grew to manhood on a farm. He was twenty-two years of age when the free-school system was agitated among the voters

of the Keystone State, and he was one of those who most urgently labored and voted for its adoption.
   Our subject began life on his own account as an apprentice to the blacksmith trade, which he followed a number of years. In 1848 he was married in his native county to Miss Hannah Fleck, and they became the parents of four children, namely; Mary, George, Jacob, and one who died in infancy. In the fall of 1840 Mr. Sibert, leaving his native State, emigrated to Wyandot County, Ohio, and for a period of eight years thereafter followed his trade at Little Sandusky. He was prospered in his labors; and accumulated a good property, including 160 acres of farm land and real estate in the village.
   Our subject, however, was anxious to remove still further westward, and in 1848 left Ohio for Knox County, Ill, he invested a part of the proceeds of his Ohio property in 160 acres of land, but now began casting his eyes beyond the Mississippi. Selling out again he moved to Marion County, Iowa, where he became the owner of a farm of forty acres, and leaving there in the spring of 1860, he came to this county and secured the homestead which he now owns and occupies.
   Mrs. Hannah Sibert departed this life at her home in Palmyra Precinct, on the 10th of August, 1859. Our subject in the year 1860 married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah (Neal) Horseman, the widow of Isah Horseman, and daughter of William and Mary (Agerhardt) Neal. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father was a cooper by trade. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and spent his last years in Pennsylvania. The mother died in Ohio. The family consisted of thirteen children, namely: Susannah, Sarah, Elias, Joseph, Henry, William, Ellen, Mary A., Margaret, Jane Eliza; James A:, who died young, and two infants who died unnamed.
   The wife of our subject was trained to habits of industry and economy, and at an early age became familiar with household duties. She remained with her parents until twenty-two years of age, and was then married to Isah Horseman, a native of Ohio, They became the parents of eight children, the eldest of whom, William, died in the army during the late Civil War; David and Joseph served each respectively three and one years in the army, and are now in Omaha and California; Plena, John, Samuel and Martha are all living. Melissa B. died when four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Horseman began their wedded life together in Ohio, and Mr. H. died on the journey from Kansas to Iowa in 1859.
   Of the union of our subject and his present wife there has been born one child only, a daughter, Emma Jane, who married John Stewart, a farmer of Palmyra Precinct, and has become the mother of three children -- Nancy B., Sarah E. and Benjamin.
   Mr. and Mrs. Sibert upon coming to this State in the spring of 1860 looked upon Nebraska City when it was simply a trading-post. They were the only family in what is now Palmyra Precinct, and took up their residence in a little log cabin. In June of the following year Mr. Sibert built a larger dwelling, also of logs, and this was frequently the rendezvous for traders and other travelers to and from Denver and Nebraska City. Our subject and his wife have had a ripe experience in pioneer life, and have watched with warm interest the development of Nebraska Territory into one of the most important States of the Union. They labored together with one mutual purpose, the building up of a home for themselves and their family, and are now enjoying the rich reward of well-spent lives. The log house where they spent so many happy years is still standing, and although their circumstances have greatly improved since the time they first occupied that humble dwelling, they look upon it as one of the old landmarks which they would regret to see destroyed.
   Mrs. Sibert is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and has not suffered care or trouble to dampen the natural cheerfulness of her disposition. Her plump figure and pleasant face are suggestive of what she might have been when a maiden of sweet sixteen. The loss of her first husband left her alone with a large family of children, who were entirely dependent upon her for support. To this duty. she bent her energies with all the natural strength of her character, doing for them as well as she could, and it is safe to say that they rise up and call her blessed.

   Mr. Sibert has been a pioneer, as we have seen, in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. He has lived to see the public school system of his native State become one of the most admirable of any in the Union. He voted for Harrison in the time of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." It is hardly necessary to say that he is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Notwithstanding the long and varied experiences of his life, he is a hale, hearty and well preserved old gentleman, bright and quick mentally, and one with whom it is pleasurable and profitable to converse. In speaking of the time when he officiated as "mine host" in the old log house, he says that the guests were often so numerous he was obliged to pack them on the floor like sardines in a box. They accommodated themselves to the situation philosophically, however, and it is hardly necessary to say, often engaged in great hilarity, in which they were joined by their wholehearted host and hostess. The parents of our subject, Isaac and Fanny (Robison) Sibert, were natives respectively of Maryland and England, and the father served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The mother emigrated to America with her parents when a young girl, they settling in Maryland, where she was afterward married. Isaac Sibert learned the trade of shoemaker, and after marriage the parents removed to Washington County, Pa., where the father died when a comparatively young man, in 1828 at the age of thirty-nine years. The mother survived her husband only a few months, and passed away, in 1829, in Washington County, Pa. The parental household included five children, namely: Nancy, Isaac, Hannah, Joseph, and Peter, our subject. Grandfather Sibert was born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States early in life, settling in Maryland, where it is supposed he remained until his death.  

OUIS B. SMOYER, a leading farmer of Otoe, County, homesteaded his first land in 1865, and this being located on the southwest quarter of section 2, in Syracuse Precinct. A native of Lehigh County, Pa., he was born Feb. 23, 1842, and is the son of Jacob and Anna (Biery) Smoyer, who were also natives of the Keystone State. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Abraham Smoyer by name, was a native of Baden, Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States early in life, and settled in Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by his brother, and from these two are supposed to have descended the Smoyer families of the United States.
   Great-grandfather Smoyer reared a large family, and his son Abraham retained possession of the old homestead, where he passed his entire life. Jacob, son of the latter, was born there and reared to manhood, where he married, and continued to reside on the old homestead until 1852. Thence he removed to Ohio, and from the Buckeye State in 1861 to Jackson County, Mich., where he carried on farming, and where his death occurred July 4, 1875. The mother died while a resident of Trumbull County, Ohio, April 10, 1854. Their family consisted of eight children, all living, namely: Emeline, the wife of A. C. Geiger; Martha, Mrs. Schuester; Louis B., our subject; Kate, Mrs. Alfred Troxel; Amanda, Mrs. Pells; Mary A., Sylvanus and James.
   Our subject was eleven years old when the family removed to Ohio, where he pursued his studies in the district school. He accompanied the family to Michigan in 1861, and soon after the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in a regiment of cavalry, but on account of his age was not permitted to serve. He then began farming, which he pursued in the Wolverine State until the summer of 1865. Then coming to Nebraska he homesteaded 160 acres of land in Syracuse Precinct, and in due time had brought the soil to a good state of cultivation, erected the buildings necessary for his comfort and convenience, and laid the basis of a future competency. Mr. Smoyer, after taking up his residence in this county was married, Oct. 17, 1866, to Miss Adelaide V. Sawtelle, who was born in Branch County, Mich., July 12, 1842. Her parents were Zera T. and Eliza A. (Cornell) Sawtelle, who were natives of New York State, whence they emigrated to Michigan during its pioneer days. The father followed farming, and, with his excellent wife, is still living, their residence being in the vicinity of Battle Creek. Their family consisted of three

daughters, there being besides Mrs. Smoyer, Abigail V., a twin sister, who married Caleb Manchester, and died in October, 1881, and Etta, the wife of Zera Musters, of Otoe County.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Smoyer there have been born seven children, namely: George E., Jesse S., Etta V., Cora M., Gertie P. and Gracie P. (twins) and Nellie A. Mr. Smoyer, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and has steadily declined becoming an office-holder. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Honor.  

OSEPH BEETEM is one of the prominent and representative citizens of Palmyra. Precinct, where he is farming eighty acres of fine land on section 36. For the family history of this gentleman the reader is referred to the sketch of J. T. Beetem, which will be found upon another page of this volume.
   The subject of our sketch was born in Shullsburg, Wis., on the 14th of August, 1844. When he was about six months old his parents took up their residence in Dubuque County, Iowa; when nine years of age they once more made a change, and he became a resident of Allamakee County. He continued with his parents until he was about nineteen, and then entered the arena and began life for himself. The first year he rented a farm, and was so successful that he was enabled to buy eighty acres, upon which he continued for five years, in that time making many improvements and bringing it to a high state of cultivation.
   In 1872 our subject sold the above-mentioned farm and moved to Hancock County, Iowa, where he became the owner of 160 acres of wild, unimproved prairie. This he brought into good condition and put upon it various valuable improvements, when he again sold out, and went to the northern part of the county, purchasing 120 acres of prairie land, and repeated the process so far as it was possible of improvement. He continued there for seven years, but met with failure after failure in his crops, which resulted disastrously.
   In 1877 Mr Beetem came to this county and for three years rented property. He then moved to South Russell, where he made his home for about a year, then in 1881 bought his present place of eighty acres. His Iowa experience again took shape, and he had all the work of improving his land, from the turning of the first furrow to the erection and finishing of his buildings. To-day his farm is one of the best cultivated and most valuable, other things being equal, within a large district.
   In Alamakee County, Iowa, on the 24th of January, 1864, the subject of our sketch became the husband of Miss Hester Greenup, the estimable daughter of the Rev. S. H. and Elizabeth (Hoyt) Greenup. Her father was born in Kentucky, her mother in New York. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served in that capacity in the State of Iowa for twenty-five years. He is still engaged in the work of his profession, and holds a charge in Morrison County, Minn. Both parents are now sixty-seven years of age. They are the parents of. eleven children, to whom have been given the following names: Hester A., Julia E., Edwin (deceased), Jason S., Wilbur F., Allen, Albert, Lucy (deceased), Frank, Edward, and also Elizabeth who is deceased. Edwin, who was in the war fighting in the 12th Iowa Infantry, died at Memphis, Tenn., in 1863.
   It will be noticed that Mrs. Beetem is the eldest child of her parents. She was born in Peoria, Ill., on the 23d of September, 1843. She attended the classes of both the common and High schools, and after passing a very successful examination and being graduated from the latter institution, was engaged in teaching for about five years, revealing the possession of talents of more than ordinary value. She is the mother of ten children, of whom three are dead. The names given to her children are as, follows: Mary Elizabeth, Sarah E., George S. (deceased), Louisa M., Caroline A., Joseph, Jr. (deceased), Charles, Jennie (deceased), Johnnie and Benjamin. Mary is happily married to John Jose, who is successfully engaged in farming in Colorado; they are the parents of two children, named William and Joseph. The other members of the family are all at home.
   The subject of our sketch has been prominent as a politician; he is an active member of the Democratic party and has served as delegate to the County