mands an extensive view of the surrounding country, Nebraska City, seventeen miles distant, being often clearly perceptible. Hardly such another fine natural location can be found in Cass County, and Mr. Pittman has taken advantage of all the facilities for improving and beautifying his homestead. Besides general farming our subject is much interested in stock-raising, and has large herds of fine cattle and many good horses. He is a member of the Factoryville Stock Company, which was formed in 1887, with ten charter members, for the purpose of introducing the English Shire draught horses into the country, making a specialty of that breed. The head of that herd, Young Samson, was sired in England, and imported by O. O. Heffner, of Nebraska City. He is a fine specimen of that stock, being coal black in color, about five years of age, and weighs upward of 1,700 pounds.
   The subject of our sketch was born in Harrison County, Ind., March 9, 1845, and is the youngest child of the second marriage of David Pittman. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary E. Young. She was a native of North Carolina, and her husband of Virginia. After their marriage they lived many years in Indiana, but subsequently moved to Nebraska, and died at the home of our subject in Liberty Precinct, the father dying June 23, 1881, aged seventy-four years, one month and seventeen days, and the mother Dec. 26, 1881, at the age of seventy-four years, He was a Democrat in his political views, and a communicant of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Pittman held to the faith of the United Brethren Church.
   E. J. Pittman, of our sketch, was reared in his native county, and in early life became familiarly acquainted with the duties devolving upon the son of a farmer. When the time came for him to decide upon the way in which he should earn his livelihood, he concluded to become a tiller of the soil, and therefore purchased a farm in his native State. Before settling on it he was united in marriage, in Harrison County, Ind., Oct. 30, 1866, to Miss Anna McBride. She was also a native of Harrison County, born April 12, 1849, and is the second daughter and third child born to George W. and Eliza (McCoy) McBride, who were natives respectively of Tennessee and Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. McBride began their wedded life on his farm in Harrison County, and there she died while yet in the prime of life, leaving three sons and two daughters, Mrs. Pittman being at that time five years old. Her father married for his second wife Adeline Neely, of Indiana, and they continued living in that State until the spring of 1888, when they came to Nebraska and settled on the farm in Liberty Precinct which they still occupy. Mr. McBride is an active man of fifty-six years, while his wife is twelve years younger. Both are consistent members of the United Brethren Church. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Pittman, Edward McBride, was a native of North Carolina, of Scotch descent, as is indicated by the name. He died in Indiana, past fourscore years of age. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Pittman, John McCoy, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but after his marriage located on a farm in Indiana, where he spent his last years. Mrs. Pittman was reared on a farm, receiving a good common-school education, and instructions in domestic duties that have rendered her an invaluable help to her husband in the building up of their beautiful home. She is one of those women of whom we can truly say the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and her children rise up and call her blessed. To our subject and his wife have been born two children -- Benjamin Wallace and John W. The former, who has attained his majority, was well educated in Nebraska City College, and is now at home. John W. also attended school at Nebraska City. Mrs. Pittman is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pittman affiliates with the Democratic party, which finds in him one of its most earnest and intelligent supporters. A view of their elegant residence and fine surroundings is shown on an accompanying page in this volume.

ETER VALLERY, whose farm on section 28, Plattsmouth Township, is considered one of the best managed estates in this vicinity, is a young man who has a good, practical knowledge of agriculture, and an intelli-

gent comprehension of the most approved methods of cultivating the land and making it yield to the uttermost. He is a son of the well-known Jacob Vallery, Sr., a sketch of whose life also appears in this biographical work.
   Our subject was born in Pike County, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1857, and there the first years of his life were spent. He was eight years of age when his parents brought him to Nebraska, and he received his education in this district, the first school that he attended here being of the most primitive style of architecture, consisting of a dug-out surmounted by a frame shanty. He received a sound, practical training from his parents, that well fitted him to battle with life, and he grew to an energetic and self-reliant manhood under the pioneer influences that obtained in his youth. He had a natural aptitude for agricultural pursuits, for which his life on his father's farm had well fitted him, and he chose to become a farmer. His father set apart for him 160 acres of land from his large estate, and it has been his pleasure to improve it. It is now under an admirable state of cultivation, and yields a good income in repayment of his care. It is provided with a neat and well-appointed set of farm buildings, including a substantial and comfortable brick house, a commodious frame barn, corn cribs, etc.
   Mr. Vallery was married to Miss Eva Schlander March 6, 1878. In her he finds a companion and helper who is devoted to the interests of her family. She is an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Vallery is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Horn) Schlander, our subject and his wife have one of the brightest and coziest homes in this community, whose generous hospitality is well known to hosts of friends. Willie and Lottie are the names of the two children who have blessed their wedded life.
   Our subject is a man of prompt and decisive action, and is well endowed with the keenness and foresight essential to complete success in any pursuit. He is exemplary in his conduct, being guided by honest and truthful principles, and he exerts his influence to promote the moral, as well as the material, interests of this precinct. As Road Overseer, which position he has held for two years, he is doing his share toward providing good highways for the convenience of the people. He strongly sympathizes with the Democratic party, and supports its men and measures whenever the occasion offers.
   The comfortable home of Mr. Vallery is well illustrated in a view printed on another page.

IMON BOLIVER JUDKINS, of Eagle, is numbered among its substantial citizens, who, after a life of active industry, is now relieved from its sterner labors, and is enjoying his declining years amid the comforts of a pleasant home, located about a quarter of a mile from Eagle. A goodly portion of his life has been spent in Dane County, Wis., where he ranked among the leading farmers of that section. His children having come to Nebraska, he disposed of his interests in the Badger State in the spring of 1884, and joined them in this county. His property here consists of four acres of ground and a fine residence handsomely furnished, and which, with its surroundings forms one of the attractive homes of Eagle and its environs. Within it presides one of the most estimable of ladies, who is intelligent and accomplished, and like her husband, extends a hospitality both to friend and stranger which is agreeable in the extreme, and is indicative of birth and breeding.
   Of New England ancestry and parentage, our subject was born in Palmyra, in Somerset County, Mo., Aug. 6, 1828, and is the son of Benjamin F. and Submit (Taylor) Judkins, who were natives of the same county as their son. The paternal grandfather Hills Judkins, a native of New Hampshire, moved into the Maine forests when a young man, where he cleared a farm, and worked at his trade of carpenter as he had opportunity. He traced his forefathers to England, the records showing that they came over in the "Mayflower," and were thereafter among the prominent members of the Plymouth community. Later some of them fought in the War of 1812, as did also Grandfather Taylor. Both grandfathers spent their last years in the Pine Tree State.
   Benjamin F. Judkins also learned the carpenter

trade, and was a resident for some years of both Oldtown and Bangor, where he was prominent in Public affairs, and held the various offices. He also erected many of the public buildings, including courthouses and academies. In the spring of 1849 he resolved to seek the Far West, and after a long and tedious journey after the manner of that time, established himself in Milwaukee, Wis. He continued his business as a carpenter, putting up in the Cream City many of its first important buildings. In 1852 he purchased land in Dane County, and later became owner of valuable city property. He built the old water course on the Assembly grounds and the first Baptist Church, and continued a resident there until after the close of the Civil War. Later he took up his residence on the farm in Madison Township, where he spent his last days, passing away in 1883 at the advanced age of eighty years. The mother survived her husband about four years, dying Oct. 10, 1887, in Van Buren County, Ark., at the age of eighty-nine years. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Their six children were named respectively: Louisa, who died when young: Christian; S. Boliver, our subject; Elisha and Emily (twins), and Martha, deceased.
   The early education of Mr. Judkins was exceedingly limited, he having to make himself useful around the homestead as soon as his age and strength would permit. When fifteen years old he commenced his apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he followed continuously a period of twelve years. In 1848, at the age of twenty, he, accompanied the family from his native Maine to Milwaukee, Wis., where he soon began operating as a contractor, and resided three years. In the spring of 1851 he changed the scene of his operations to the growing town of Madison, purchasing property there, and living there until the spring of 1854. He now thought best to invest in farm property, and purchased eighty acres of land in Fitchburg Township, Dane County, upon which he moved, and began in earnest its cultivation and improvement. Not long afterward, however, he sold out, and after returning East on a visit, purchased, in the fall of 1863, a farm of 160 acres on the Waterloo Creek, in Medina Township, Dane County. This he devoted mostly to stock-raising, with excellant results. In the meantime he had been married and become the father of a family, and his boys were desirous of locating further West. His first visit to Nebraska was made overland with teams, when the boys selected their location in this county, and Mr. Judkins in due time disposed of his interests in the Badger State, joining them here in the fall of 1884. He lived upon the place which they had purchased four years, then secured his present snug property. He has already effected many improvements, putting up a good residence and barn, with other buildings, and planting an apple orchard with trees, and the smaller fruits and shrubbery.
   Mr. Judkins was married in his native Maine on Thursday. Oct. 15, 1848, to Miss Martha O., daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Norton) Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Butler were both natives of Maine, the former born in Franklin County. and the latter in Kennebec County. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Judkins was also a native of Maine, and the records show that his ancestry, like that of the Judkins, crossed the Atlantic in the "Mayflower," landing with the Puritans at Plymouth Ruck. Later he served in the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Zachariah Norton was also a native of Maine. Sturdy Ben Butler, of Massachusetts. and so closely connected with the history of the late war, is an offspring of one of the branches of this family. The father of Mrs. Judkins was a shoemaker by trade. which he followed all his life in his native State. Both parents spent their last years in Farmington, the father dying in 1861, at the age of sixty years, and the mother in 1865, at the same age as her husband. Both were members of the Regular Baptist Church.
   To the parents of Mrs. Judkins there were born eight children, namely: The eldest, who died in infancy; Martha J., the wife of our subject; Hannah, deceased; Sophronia, a resident of Massachusetts; Abbie and William, deceased; and Irene and Edwin. The latter died after marriage. Mrs. Judkins was born in Strong, Franklin Co., Me., May 25, 1826, and received a good education, being graduated from the Phillips High School, and afterward was employed as a teacher. She left New England in 1849, joining her husband in Milwaukee, Wis., whither he had migrated to prepare their home.

She is one of the heirs of the Spoliation claim lost by Ichabod Norton during the time of the French and Indian War, and although a bill to restore the property was passed by Congress, the restoration never occurred.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Judkins there have been born five children, the eldest of whom. a daughter, Julia A., is the wife of Henry Clark; they are residents of Grant County, Neb., and the parents of seven children. Earl B. is occupied at farming in Eagle Precinct, this county; Benjamin F. lives on a farm in Tipton Precinct; Abbie L. is the wife of H. J. Edson, of Eagle, and they are the parents of two children -- Howard J. and Mollie E.; Loantha, a dressmaker by trade, is at home with her parents. The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. J., politically, is a sound Republican, and has been quite prominent in local politics, having been sent frequently as a delegate to the various conventions. He has held the various township offices, and while a resident of Marshall, Wis., identified himself with the I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M.

ON. ORLANDO TEFFT. The ALBUM of Cass County would in nowise be complete without a sketch of the life of this gentleman, who has been one of its most prominent and useful citizens. He was one of the earliest settlers of Avoca Precinct, and many years ago became intimately identified with its agricultural and business interests. He performed his part in the development of a portion of its land, and has uniformly lent his aid to the enterprises calculated for the best good of its people. He is now a resident of Avoca Village, which was platted by himself and his father, Amos Tefft, in February, 1882, and who are the possessors of a large amount of real estate in the precinct.
   Mr. Tefft is now engaged in the loaning of money, and the various real-estate interests connected with the development and building up of the village. He owns property also in the city of Omaha, and has invested considerably in land further west, mostly in Cheyenne County, where he originally purchased twenty sections of land. About 1885 he made a large addition to the town of Potter, now one of the most thriving villages in that county, and lying on the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The town of Avoca comprises now about 250 population, and the plant includes about 100 acres of land. The school building is one of the finest of the kind in the county, and evinces the interest of the projectors of the town in that most important item, education.
   Up to sixteen years ago our subject, from 1866, operated a large farm on section 33, in Avoca Precinct, and during those years developed more than ordinary capacities as a business man and citizen, and was chosen, after having occupied minor positions of trust and responsibility, to represent the people of this county in the State Legislature, being elected on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1879. So well did he acquit himself that he was re-elected to a second term, being a member of the Senate, and interested himself largely in the Slocum Bill, a measure having for its object the regulation and sale of liquor, and which was passed in 1881. Mr. Tefft was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, and in fact there were few questions of local interest to his county in which he did not have a leading voice. Mr. Tefft, in the Senate as elsewhere, was an incessant worker, and exhibited the same qualities of resolution and energy which have characterized him all through life.
   The subject of this sketch crossed the Missouri as early as 1857, eleven years before Nebraska became a State. Since that time he has been a resident of Avoca Precinct. He is essentially a Western man, having been born in Elgin, Ill, Dec. 26, 1843. He comes of a highly respected family, of English descent, and which was probably first represented in America during the Colonial days. His father Amos Tefft, a native of New York State, was born and reared to manhood in Madison County, and came of Rhode Island parentage, his parents having settled in that State in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Later they removed to the Empire State. The Teffts are quite numerous throughout New England, and people generally well-to-do. Jonathan Tefft, the paternal grand-