most important landmarks in the history of Cass County. A windmill carries water from a never failing well to whatever place it is required, and Mr. Snyder is supplied with all the modern machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of agriculture. He has a goodly assortment of live stock, including horses, cattle and swine, and is rated as one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of his precinct. The family occupy a line position socially, being widely and favorably known throughout this part of the county.
   Mr. Snyder was accompanied to Nebraska by two brothers and one of his wife's brothers, in addition to his father's family. Andrew and John Snyder for a number of years carried on a successful freighting business from Plattsmouth to Denver and other important points. The brothers also broke prairie for the settlers around. Andrew died of consumption in San Francisco, Cal., July 15, 1872. John died in Omaha in September, 1884. John Beverage, the brother of Mrs. Snyder, is a resident of Omaha.
   Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had born to them three children. viz.; Peter died when nearly two years of age; Amanda is the wife of Charles Jean. They are engaged in farming in this township. George W. is single and at home. In politics Mr. Snyder is a stanch Democrat.

DAM HEIL To the German Fatherland Nebraska is largely indebted for the development of her rich resources. The subject of this sketch, now a man of seventy-four years, and who has since the spring of 1870 been a resident of Eight Mile Grove Precinct, first opened his eyes to the light in the Province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 8, 1814. He was reared to manhood amid the scenes and surroundings of his birthplace, and received a good education in his native tongue. When a youth of fifteen years he began his apprenticeship at the trade of weaver, which he followed until emigrating to America in the summer of 1851.
   Our subject had in the meantime been married in Germany, in 1846, to Miss Magdalena Schafer, and there were born to them in their native Empire two children, Wendel and William.
   Not satisfied with his condition or his prospects upon the soil of Germany Mr. Hell finally decided to seek his fortunes in America. Gathering together his personal effects and his little family, he secured passage at Antwerp on a sailing-vessel, and after an ocean voyage of forty-two days they landed safely at New York City. Thence they journeyed to Tazewell County, Ill., and Mr. Heil entered upon the pursuit of agriculture, which he followed in the Prairie State until coming to this county, in the spring of 1870.
   The fine large farm of our subject, the property which he has accumulated by his own perseverance and industry, embraces 320 acres of improved land, whereon he has erected substantial buildings. There are few who can tell him anything new about pioneer life, for he has experienced its hardships both in Illinois and Nebraska. In addition to this, soon after his arrival in America he met with a dire affliction in the death of his wife, which occurred July 14, 1851, the day after they arrived in Tazewell County, Ill. He was thus obliged to suffer a season of inconvenience and trouble incident to the care of his motherless children, but in October, 1852, was the second time married, to Miss Mary Lautenschlager, then a resident of Illinois.
   This second marriage of our subject resulted in the birth of six children, only three of whom are living, namely: George, Henry and Elizabeth. They make their homes in this county. The eldest son, William H., is one of the most enterprising young farmers of Eight Mile Grove Precinct, and remains with his father, assisting in the management of the homestead. He was born in Tazewell County, Ill., and since coming to the State of Nebraska, in the spring of 1870, has given his attention mainly to the development of the property which his father then secured. He is intelligent and industrious, and has received a practical education. There are few among the younger men along the northern line of the county who occupy a more enviable position, or whose talents have better fitted them for a worthy and

honorable career. As the father is gradually laying off the mantle of care and labor it is being shifted to the worthy shoulders of the son, who, as the elder representative of the family, is naturally looked up to by the other members with that respect and consideration which are his due on account of the fidelity to duty and reliability of character which are especially his own.
   William H. Heil votes the Democratic ticket, and although having large property interests to look after, still keeps in mind the welfare of the people around him, and especially the rising generation. He believes in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and serves as a Director in his district. He has been quite prominent in local politics, serving frequently as Chairman of the Democratic Committee. He continues in the enjoyment of single blessedness, and it is predicted by those who know him best that he is carefully paving the way to a successful future.

ALTER CUTFORTH. The business element of Louisville recognizes in the subject of this sketch one of its most capable and enterprising men. He represents the hardware and farm implement trade, carrying also stoves, tinware, and the other commodities included in this branch of merchandising. He came to this county in the falI of 1873, having in view agricultural pursuits, and settling upon a farm south of Louisville. A year later, however, he sold out, having resolved to invest his capital in town. He first established a livery business, which he conducted successfully a term of six years, then, selling out, he became interested in grain and coal. A year later we find him established am a hardware merchant. He has a choice and well-selected stock of goods in all departments, and is a man occupying a good position both in social and business circles.
   A native of Adams County, Ill., Mr. Cutforth was born July 30, 1847, and comes of excellent ancestry, his parents being of Scotch and English descent. Upon emigrating to this country both families settled in New England, and later George Cutforth, the father of our subject, married Miss Jane Marston. The latter was born in Maine, and was the daughter of James Marston, the father a sea captain, who, upon retiring from ocean life, migrated to Adams County, Ill. He was married in Maine, and later occupied himself at farming. He and his estimable wife spent their last years in Adams county, Ill.
   George Cutforth, the father of our subject, was a native of England, and in 1835 emigrated to America. Two years later we find him in Adams County, Ill., of which he remained a resident until his death, Oct. 11, 1888. His last years laid been spent in the town of Barnard, Adams County. The wife and mother preceded her husband to the silent land, in 1871. Their family consisted of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, six of whom are deceased; the others are living mostly in Illinois.
   The subject of this biography acquired a common school education, and remained on the farm with his parents until reaching his majority. Then, setting out in life for himself, he emigrated westward, coming to this county, and entering upon the career which has proved so successful. With him came his young wife, formerly Miss Sarah J. Merrill, of Adams County, Ill., to whom he had been married Oct. 3, 1871. Mrs. Cutforth was born Nov. 25, 1845, and is the daughter of Abijas and Percilla (Cunningham) Merrill, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now deceased. Of this union there are no children.
   Mr. Cutforth, politically, is a sound Republican, and has been quite prominent in the affairs of Louisville. He officiated as a member of the School Board for a period of twelve years, and as a member of the City Council five years. He has frequently served as Chairman of the same, and in society matters belongs to Cass Lodge No. 146, I.O.O. F., at Plattsmouth. He looks back upon a career in which he may reasonably consider himself uniformly fortunate, the result of the sound common sense with which nature endowed him, and the impulse to honesty and uprightness, which have proved to him better friends than silver or gold. He began in life without means, and the necessity for self-reliance bred within him those traits of character