William J., McKenzie G., Louisa, Charity, John M., Nancy, Benjamin F. (our subject), Ephraim D., Jesse Payne, Alvin Thomas and Mary Lizzie.
   Benjamin F. Laughlin was reared to manhood in Washington County. Iowa, acquiring a practical education in the common schools. His boyhood and youth were spent after the manner of the sons of pioneer farmers, he also receiving careful home training, and being taught those habits of industry and principles of honor which have made him a worthy and reliable member of the community. At the death of his father, being among the eldest of the boys, he naturally assumed much of the responsibility of carrying on the homestead, until the outbreak of the Civil War. A year later, when only twenty-one years old, he proffered his services in behalf of the Union by enlisting in Company B, 25th Iowa Infantry, for three years or during the war, in response to the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 troops.
   Company B spent some time drilling at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in which they made good progress, and were also well equipped with the necessary arms when starting for the South on the 1st of November, 1862. Their destination was Helena, Ark., to which they journeyed via Burlington, St. Louis and Memphis, by steamer. They first saw the smoke of battle at Chickasaw Bayou, and soon afterward followed the first attack of Vicksburg, the day before Christmas, 1862. Being repulsed there they took boats up the river to Arkansas Post, surrounding the rebel works and capturing the place Jan. 11, 1863, after a lengthy and hotly contested engagement. Retiring to Young's Point, they sojourned there until the middle of April, and then began the campaign which included the battles of Raymond, Canton, Miss., and Champion Hills. They drove the enemy into their works at Vicksburg, then surrounded the city, and on the 22d of May commenced an assault in which the 25th Iowa lost heavily.
   Soon afterward began the actual siege of Vicksburg, which finally ended in glorious victory for the Union troops, the Confederates surrendering July 4, 1863. On the morning of the 5th they were ordered to Jackson, Miss., to follow up Joe Johnston's army, fighting at Clinton and then returning to Vicksburg. At the latter place they remained in camp until October, when they were ordered to assist the Army of the Cumberland. Later they fought at Cherokee Station, driving the rebels to Tuscumbia on the Tuscumbia River. Afterward returning to Cherokee Station, they encamped there one week, then started for Chattanooga. At that place, under command of Gen. Hooker, they soon moved upon Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Ringgold and after dislodging the enemy from these places went into camp at Woodville, Ala. They remained there the greater portion of the winter.
   The campaign of 1864 found our subject and his comrades opening up the campaign in Georgia, under the command of Gen. Sherman, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. The principal battles which followed in this region were Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain. Marietta, the siege of Atlanta July 22 and 28, and afterward Jonesboro. Then followed the famous march to sea. Their business ended in this section of country, they returned up through the Carolinas, being at Raleigh, N. C., when news was received of the surrender of Lee. A few days later found them in Washington at the grand review, when our subject, with his comrades, was mustered out, and repairing to Davenport, Iowa, received final honorable discharge June 14, 1865.
   After returning home Mr. Laughlin began to realize the fact that whether in time of peace or time of war it was not well for man to live alone. It is probable that his heart had already been captured by the young lady, Miss Susan Reeves, to whom he was married in Washington County, Iowa, Jan. 25, 1866. Mrs. Laughlin was also the daughter of a pioneer of the Hawkeye State, who settled there as early as 1836. There later Miss Susan was born, Sept. 20, 1846. The young people commenced their wedded life together on a farm in Washington County, and resided there until the spring of 1883, when they changed their residence to this county.
   Mr. Laughlin is now conducting a thriving livery stable in the suburbs of Greenwood, in connection with which he also operates a farm. He is recognized as a useful and worthy citizen, having inherited in a marked degree the enterprise and industry of his honored father, which were among the notable characteristics of their substantial Ger-

man ancestry. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin is pleasant in the extreme, and has been brightened by the birth of seven children. These were named respectively: Anna L., Alvah Thomas, William F. and Ephraim (twins), Katie deceased, Charita, and E. D. deceased. The survivors are all at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and our subject, politically, is an uncompromising Democrat. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and officiates as Junior Deacon of Unity Lodge No. 163, at Greenwood. He is also a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Mission Ridge Post No. 149, at Greenwood.
   Mr. Laughlin purchased his livery business in 1888, and is gradually gathering together the equipments which will in due time make it one of the most complete establishments of the kind in this part of the county. He is a man prompt to meet his obligations, is courteous and obliging, and one who naturally gathers around him many friends.

ELSON McREYNOLDS, a retired farmer, is an old settler and a representative citizen of Cass County. His large farm of 240 acres, pleasantly located on section 8 of Liberty Precinct, is finely improved and well adapted to the raising of cereals or to stock-raising, to which he has always paid much attention. He is a native of Virginia, born in Abingdon, Washington County, June 6, 1808, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His parents, John and Sarah (Scott) McReynolds, were born and reared in the same county. After establishing themselves in a home of their own in their native county, they remained there until after the birth of two of their children, and then they removed to Warren County, Tenn. Mr. McReynolds there purchased 300 acres of land, on which he farmed and carried on blacksmithing until his death, when about fifty years of age. Mrs. McReynolds survived her husband and married again, finally dying in Tennessee of cholera.
   The subject of our sketch was very young when his parents moved to Tennessee, where he was educated and grew to manhood. Being nearly nineteen years of age when his father died, our subject soon after set out to seek his fortune, going first to Saline County, Mo., where he secured work by the day. He subsequently purchased a piece of land in that county, but later bought 500 acres in Carroll County, the same State, which he afterward disposed of at $5 an acre, it having been flooded by the high water of 1844. Mr. McReynolds then went to Holt County, where he farmed for some years. In 1865 he came to this State, and for a few months lived in Nebraska City, when, desiring to establish himself permanently in a home, he purchased 200 acres of land, to which he later added another 200 acres, and began the improvement of his farm. He labored judiciously and succeeded in eliminating a fine farm from the unbroken prairie, and has now as comfortable a home as one could wish for. He has given 160 acres of land to his sons, thus reducing the number of acres in his original homestead, but it is still large enough to supply all of his wants.
   Mr. McReynolds has been twice married. His first wife, Anna Clegg, to whom he was united in Saline County, Mo., was born in Virginia, and moved to Missouri when quite young with her parents, making her home with them until her marriage. She remained in Carroll County until her death, which occurred while she was in the prime of life. She left four children, of whom only one, William, now living with his father, survives. One daughter, Mollie, and a son Hugh died after marriage the former leaving one child and the latter two. The second marriage of our subject took place in Carroll County, Mo., where he married Martha Henderson; her first husband's name was Grover Brinker. Mrs. McReynolds was the daughter of George Washington and Mary (Miller) Henderson, who spent their lives in Kentucky, both dying at a ripe old age. Their daughter Martha was reared and educated in that State, and there married her first husband, who, after a few years of happy married life, died, leaving her with one child, now deceased. She subsequently went to Missouri and met our subject, whom she afterward married, as before mentioned.
   The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds has been brightened by the birth of four children, of whom one, Robert, is dead. Of the others

the following is recorded: George, a farmer of Liberty, married Miss Nanna Alford; Charles is living in the West; Mollie is the wife of John Berger, a farmer and merchant of Fleming. Butte Co., Neb. Mr. McReynolds has always lived an honorable life, and is respected everywhere for his upright dealings and fair business transactions. In politics he is an uncompromising Democrat, and never fails to vote with that party when opportunity offers.

HOMAS THOMAS, deceased. Among the pioneers of this county none have been held in greater respect than the subject of this sketch, who rested from his earthly labors Nov. 22, 1884. He was born in Monongahela, Pa., Oct. 20, 1812, and was the son of Samuel Thomas, a native of New Jersey. His paternal grandfather, also Thomas Thomas, was likewise born in New Jersey, and was the son of a native-born Welshman, who crossed the Atlantic about 1750, in company with two brothers, landing in New Jersey. One brother settled in Virginia, and the other in South Carolina. The great-grandfather of our subject remained in New Jersey, and it is supposed spent the remainder of his life there.
   Grandfather Thomas enlisted in the Revolutionary Army under the direct command of Gen. Washington, at the age of fifteen years, and for a time was employed in cutting out sheets of Continental currency. Later, greatly to his delight he was mustered into a light horse company, in which he served valiantly until the close of the war. Afterward he was married to Miss Mary N. Grimes, who was of American birth but Irish descent, and after becoming the parents of two sons, Benjamin and Samuel, and one daughter, they migrated west of the Alleghany Mountains with pack horses, there being then no wagon roads. They carried with them what few goods they could load upon their horses, and the grandmother with her daughter in her arms rode one horse, the two boys rode another, and the grandfather led the way on foot with his gun on his shoulder.
   Arriving in Pennsylvania Grandfather Thomas took up a tract of timber land in the valley of the Monongahela, where he improved a large area, and there spent the remainder of his life, becoming quite wealthy for those days. Of this family Samuel Thomas, the father of our subject, probably remained a resident of Pennsylvania until his marriage. His bride, Miss Elizabeth LaRue, was of American birth, but French ancestry. Her father, Abraham LaRue, was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1817 they started westward to Guernsey County, Ohio, and located upon a tract of timber land near the embryo village of Fairview. This land had been given Mr. Thomas by his father, and he remained upon it until his death in 1830, a period of thirteen years. In the year 1830 our subject purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property. Of this he retained possession until 1837, then selling out he started for Indiana, accompanied by his wife and son Samuel, making the journey overland with a one-horse wagon, and taking such goods as could be transported by this limited means of conveyance.
   Mr. Thomas, selecting his location in Grant County, Ind., purchased 160 acres of timber land five miles from Macon, the county seat, which was then but a village of a few houses. It was several years before a railroad was built to the place. Mr. T. put up a log house 16x14 feet in area, the floor being of puncheon and the roof covered with rived boards. The chimney was constructed of earth and sticks on the outside, and the fireplace occupied nearly one side of the building, Mrs. Thomas had no stove for some years, doing her cooking by the fireplace. She also manufactured the clothing for the family, spinning and weaving wool and flax. She, like her husband, was very industrious and energetic, and one year spun enough yarn for 100 yards of cloth.
   Mr, Thomas improved quite a tract of his land, and this it must be remembered, covered with timber, was no small task. After felling the trees he was assisted by his good wife in rolling the logs together, so they could be burned and thus got out of the way, then before the crops could be put in the stumps must be dug out of the ground and likewise piled and burned. He thus labored on this land a period of ten years, then. selling out removed with his family to Wabash County, purchas-

ing there also 160 acres of timber land, and repeating the labors of clearing and bringing the soil to a state of cultivation.
   On the 6th of April, 1856, Mr. Thomas, leaving Indiana started on another migratory tour, this time landing in Nebraska Territory. The entire journey, as had been his other peregrinations, was made overland with teams, but on his arrival in the vicinity of what is now Glenwood, Iowa, he halted and purchased a house and four acres of land, where he ensconced his family, and then during the summer following took up his line of march for Nebraska. Arriving in this county he purchased a claim four miles northwest of the present city of Plattsmouth, and in September of that year removed to it with his family. Their first shelter was a frame shanty 10x22 feet in area, and their nearest neighbor on the west was ten miles away, on the east settlers joined their farm. The consequence was many travelers called to stop over night, and they were never turned away. Deer were plentiful at that time, but the winter of 1856-57 was very severe, and it is supposed that many of them must have perished, as they were never seen in such numbers afterward.
   Among other visitors to the home of this pioneer family were Indians, who frequently called at the house, but further than creating a natural feeling of distrust did not molest the inmates, except to beg for something to eat, or some article which attracted their fancy. At one time the Thomas family were visited by a delegation of 200 Indians. Life thus passed with the Thomas family until the settlers began to take up land around them, which greatly relieved the solitude of their existence. Our subject proceeded with the improvement of his purchase while his children grew up around him. and in 1874, retiring from active labor he left his two youngest sons in charge of the farm, and moved with his wife to Plattsmouth,
   Prior to this Mr. Thomas had purchased the place where his widow now resides, on Wintersteen Hill. Thereafter he devoted his time to the beautifying of his home and gathering together the little conveniences and comforts which he loved. His death took place here Nov. 22, 1884. He and his estimable wife had lived together for a period of nearly fifty years, having been married Oct. 15, 1835. The bride was Miss Susannah Carrothers, and she was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, Feb. 15, 1815. Her father, James Carruthers, was a native of Scotland and of pure Scotch ancestry. He emigrated to America at an early day, settling first in Guernsey County, Ohio, whence he removed later to Morrow County, where he lived many years, passing away at the advanced age of eighty-seven. He had married in early manhood Miss Ann Blakely, also a native of County Fermanagh, and the daughter of Robert and Ellen Blakely, who, it is supposed, were natives of Scotland.
   The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Thomas, James Carrothers by name, was a farmer by occupation, and spent his last years in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He married Miss Margaret Beatty. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas there were born nine children, viz: Samuel L.; Ann Eliza, who died when five years old; James W., a resident of Plattsmouth Precinct, this county; Margaret Ann, who died at the age of seven years; Mary E., the wife of E. R. Todd, whose biography appears on another page; Eliza Ann, who died when five years old; Cinderella, the wife of O. M. Carter, of Omaha; Thomas J., living in Plattsmouth Precinct, residing on the old homestead, and George W., living in the city.
   Prior to the war Mr. Thomas was a Democrat, after that he became a Republican. At the age of twenty-two he became a member of the Methodist Church, and Mrs. Thomas, at the age of sixteen, became a member of the same church.

EHEMIAH LIVINGSTON. At this day and age the pioneer settlers are looked upon with more than ordinary respect and veneration, for they are passing away. Their works, however, in the language of Scripture, "do follow them," and their descendants for generations will "rise up to call them blessed." Under the present system of preserving the records of the lives of those men, it is becoming a matter held in great consideration as years advance, for the history of

men's lives is a history of the country. The American people are learning to hold in greater estimation the resources of their native land, which resources could only have been developed by those who pushed their way into the wilderness in the face of what seemed almost insurmountable obstacles, but whose perseverance enabled them to come off victors in the struggle.
   The subject of this sketch, a pioneer of Cass County, came to Nebraska Territory in 1857, and filed a tract of Government land on section 6, Mt. Pleasant Precinct. This land did not come into the market until the fall following, and then, not having the means to purchase, it reverted again to Uncle Sam. Mr. Livingston, however, a short time later was enabled to buy a small tract of forty acres from George W. Mayfield, which he was successful in improving, and in adding to later by a like amount. Upon he this (sic) labored until the spring of 1874, when he wisely determined to retire, and is now taking life easy in the comfortable home of his own building.
   Our subject was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., April 22, 1809, and is the son of Nehemiah, Sr., and Elizabeth (McMillen) Livingston, the father a native of New York, and the mother of Bennington, Vt. The latter left her native State when a little girl of nine years, settling with her parents in Washington County, N. Y. Here, upon reaching womanhood, she made the acquaintance of her future husband, who was stricken down in his prime, dying before the birth of our subject. He was a skilled mechanic and millwright, an honest, hard-working man, who enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
   After the death of her husband the mother of our subject took up her residence in Washington County, N. Y., where Nehemiah, Jr., attended the common school, and assisted his mother until her second marriage. He then left home, and began in earnest the struggle of life on his own account. He worked at farming and carpentering, and continued a resident of his native State until 1856, when he migrated to Ohio, and sojourned a brief season in Sandusky County. Next we find him in Henry County, Ill., and later in Fremont County, Iowa. In the spring of 1857 he first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska, and his subsequent operations we have already indicated.
   In the year 1857 Mr. Livingston met with an accident which destroyed the sight of one eye. He was prying a glass from a window sash, which, breaking, threw a piece of glass into his eye, and from which he suffered greatly for some time. Later he also met with additional misfortune by the loss of a good ox, which was killed by the Indians, which left him without a team. His neighbors were few and far between, there being for some time after his settlement in this county only two houses between his property and Plattsmouth. His first dwelling was formed by sticking poles in the ground. and then weather-boarding these, and he succeeded in making quite a comfortable habitation.
   There had accompanied our subject to the Far West his faithful wife and companion, who in her girlhood was Miss Indiana Foster, and to whom he had been married, in 1832, in New York. This lady was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and was the third daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Patterson) Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Livingston are the parents of five sons and six daughters; three of these are deceased. James A., the second son, during the late Civil War, enlisted in Company A, 4th lowa Cavalry, was wounded and taken prisoner, and after great suffering died in the hospital at Jackson, Miss. The others were named respectively: Samuel V., Charles E., Levi H., Lewis H. L.; Eliza, deceased; Frances, the wife of Jackson Barker; Mary M., Mrs. Isaac M. Goodspeed; and Sarah E., the wife of Benon Teodorski.
   Mr. Livingston has served his township in various capacities, officiating as School Director many years; he operated as Road Supervisor four years, and as judge of Elections four years. He uniformly votes the Democratic ticket, and is a member of the Knights of Labor. Upon reaching his majority he cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. He is now in the eightieth year of his age, hale and hearty, the result of temperance and correct habits. In religious matters he is liberal, but has sought throughout a long career to do good as he has had opportunity, never turning a hungry man from his door, and giving his influence to the

projects calculated for the moral welfare of society. In his native State, during his early manhood, he belonged to the militia, holding the rank of Second Lieutenant.
   The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to England early in life, serving is a soldier, and being under the command of Gen. Wool in the battle of Quebec, in which he received an honorable wound.

AMES JOHNSON. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of five children born in Seilkeborg, Denmark, Feb. 10, 1853. He remained at home twenty years, attending the common schools until fourteen, then attended the High School at the city of Hummel one year, thoroughly mastering his mother tongue. He remained with his father until 1873, in which year he took an extended tour through Germany, England, Scotland and Ireland, after which he concluded to come to America, leaving Londonderry on the steamer "Atlantic," and landing in Portland, Me., after, a twelve days' voyage. There he remained but a short time, leaving there for Union City, Branch Co., Mich., where he began working on a farm, and continued to remain there five years, when he came to Nebraska to buy land, going by rail to Plattsmouth, thence to Weeping Water, where he rented his present place for a period of two years, when in 1880 he bought it. There were no improvements, and only 100 acres were broken. He at once proceeded to build up a home and the necessary outbuildings, continued breaking the soil until the whole tract was under plow, and set out a grove of eight acres, an orchard of 400 trees, and a vineyard of 200 vines. The farm is well fenced with wire fence, and is watered by the Cascade Creek, which gives the farm its name as the Cascade Stock Farm, It is admirably adapted to the raising and feeding of stock, and is situated within less than one mile from the stockyards of Weeping Water. He devotes his attention to the raising of thoroughbred Herefords of which he has now a herd of fourteen choice head, also a fine herd of thoroughbred Poland-China and Chester-White hogs, and twenty-four head of horses, including three thoroughbred Hambletonians. One is "Lamont," a famous trotter, and he has likewise a number of Normans. This branch of the business is the especial pride of the gentleman, and he is certainly justified in exercising it in the way he has. All his animals show the great care expended on them. There are herds having a larger number, but few, if any, present a finer appearance. In addition to stock-raising he buys and feeds from 100 to 125 head of cattle each year, and buys and ships stock of all kinds to Omaha, and also raises 150 to 200 head of hogs per year for the general market, which he ships to the best market available.
   Our subject's father was Jens J., born in Seilkeborg, Denmark. His mother, Mattie M. Juergensen, was born in the same Province, where they were married. Grandfather Nils J. Johnson served in the army during the war against Germany in 1848, was a farmer, and died at the ripe old age of ninety-six years. The father of our subject was a farmer in his native Province, and also served in the war of 1864 against Germany. He owned 200 acres of land, and was considered quite wealthy; he died in 1880, fifty-nine years old. The mother is still living in Denmark, and is seventy-four years old. Of their children, of whom James is the fourth, Carl and Nils are in Denmark, and Elsie is in America.
   Mr. Johnson superintends all the labor and management of the farm himself, and is an example of what thrift and intelligently directed labor can accomplish. He was married, March 17, 1880, to Miss Eliza Murfin, daughter of Henry and Jane (Windt) Murfin, both born in Carroll County, Ohio. Grandfather Murfin came from England and settled and farmed in Ohio, and was in easy circumstances. Grandfather Windt was a German, who came to America and settled in Ohio, where he was a shoemaker and farmer. The father and mother of Mrs. Johnson were married in Carroll County, Ohio. Her father was a farmer, and enlisted in the Ohio Infantry with his two brothers. The father went South and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Ohio and formed there for several years, removing thence to Branch County, Mich.,