was a faithful soldier until its close. After retiring from the army he settled in New Orleans, where he engaged in the butcher business until his death of yellow fever in 1868.
   The subject of whom we write was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1848, and when quite small came with his parents to this country. He grew up in Iowa, attending the common schools and assisting his father in his work. He staid at home until nearly sixteen years of age, and in the spring of 1864, ambitious to become a soldier and assist in the defense of the stars and stripes, he enlisted, but was not accepted by the military authorities, on account of his youthful appearance, presumably. He then started for the West, determining to try life on the plains. He went down the Mississippi to Hannibal, thence by rail to St. Joseph, where he took the steamer for Council Bluffs. After a stay of two weeks in that town, where he worked in a warehouse, in the month of June he crossed the plains on a freighting expedition to Denver, thence to Empire City. He thus made several trips back and forth for the next two years. After that he began working on a farm on Wilson Creek, and was employed there four years. In 1867 he filed a pre-emption claim on eighty acres of his present farm. He followed threshing and other farm work, and a year later paid for his land. By persistent and energetic toil he has since wrought a wondrous change, in which the wild prairie land has been converted into an exceedingly productive and valuable farm, equal to any in the neighborhood. He broke all the land himself, set out a grove of cottonwood trees, orchards, etc., and has his land under fine tillage; has his farm amply provided with good barns and other necessary out-buildings, with windmilis, tanks, and all the conveniences for conducting agriculture successfully. Notwithstanding the serious drawbacks in the shape of grasshoppers, drought, etc., that the early settlers had to contend with, he has been more than ordinarily successful, and has added much to his original homestead, so that his estate now comprises 320 acres of well-watered, well-fenced, and well-improved land. In 1878 he bought his second 80-acre tract of land, adjacent to his first purchase, and in 1880 bought another eighty joining that, and in 1886 he bought his fourth 80-acre tract. The lumber for his house and other buildings was brought from Nebraska City. Mr. Schlanker devotes his attention largely to raising horses, graded Clydes and Normans, of which he now has seventeen head, and Poland-China hogs, of which he has quite a herd.
   Mr. Schlanker and Miss Sarah Radcliff were united in marriage in Nebraska City, March 16, 1870. She was a native of New York, and to her skill and management he is greatly indebted for his comfortable home, and for the material prosperity that he enjoys. Ten children have blessed their union, namely: James, Venora, Viola; William (deceased); Hattie, William, Clarence; Hugh (deceased); Roy and Mary Ettie.
   Mr. Schlenker is eminently public-spirited, and liberally contributes to various improvements in the precinct, and does all that in him lies to benefit the community. His wisdom and advice have been sought in the guidance of public affairs, and he has served three years as Supervisor, and eight years as School Treasurer, and in 1868 was a member of the Petit Jury. In him the I. O. O. F. of Elmwood has a valued member, and the Republican party one of its strongest allies in this vicinity.

AVID WOODARD, one of the earliest pioneers of Cass County, is to-day a prominent and representative citizen of Weeping Water. He conducts one of the most popular livery stables along the southern line of Cass County, and within its precincts numbers hosts of friends. He has held the office of Constable for a period of nine years, being still its incumbent, and for the last year (1888) has officiated as Deputy Sheriff. He bears the honor of being the first man to establish a livery stable in Weeping Water.
   Mr. Woodard was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1840, and lived there until a youth of fourteen years. The next five years were spent in Connecticut. Subsequently he emigrated to Stark County, Ill., where he sojourned a period of seven years, and from the Prairie State came to Nebraska in the spring of 1869. Selecting eighty acres of new land on section 13 in Centre Precinct,

operated there successfully as a farmer, and effected vast improvements in the condition of the property, putting out orchards and trees of the smaller fruits, planting hedge, erecting the necessary buildings, and bringing the land to a good state of cultivation.
   In the fall of 1874 Mr. Woodard sold his farm property, and thereafter was a resident of Plattsmouth a short time. Near the close of the year, however, he came to Weeping Water, and until 1876 was connected with the mercantile house of Reed Bros. We next find him operating as "mine host" of a hotel, the Weeping Water House, the first institution of its kind in the place, and not long afterward he established the livery stable which to-day is the leading institution of its kind in this section. He withdrew from the hotel business in 1878, and turned his entire attention to that in which he is now engaged. He keeps first-class road horses, with a tasteful assortment of vehicles, and receives the patronage of the best people of Weeping Water and vicinity. In the spring of 1885 he completed a fine residence south of the creek, which, with its surroundings, forms a most beautiful home.
   Mr. Woodard was the Constable of Louisville two years. He cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also the K. of P. He has been prominent as an office-holder in his lodges, and takes a warm interest in the principles of the orders. He is a man genial and companionable, prompt in his business obligations, and in fact one of the representative men of the flourishing little city of Weeping Water.
   Mr. Woodard was married in early life to Miss Oretta Rhodes, of Toulon, Ill., who died while still a young woman, leaving two little daughters, Eva and Ella. The younger makes her home with her father, and the elder is the wife of Daniel Rockwell, of Centre Precinct. Mr. Woodard, about 1876, contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Mary E. Dunn, who was born in New York, Dec. 14, 1839. She came to Nebraska with her children about 1870. Her parents are deceased. Of this marriage there are no children. Mr. Woodard has given to his two daughters a good education.
   Martin Woodard, the father of our subject, is supposed to have been a native of New York State. He married Miss Lydia Shaw, and they became the parents of three children, who lived to mature years. The father died when his son David was a little lad of seven years, and as he remembers him he carried on farming and shoemaking combined in Saratoga County, N. Y. He spent his last years at the farm, where the mother remained until her second marriage, to Joseph Flansburgh. They are now living in Plattsmouth, Neb. Silvenous A., a brother of our subject, accompanied him West, and located on a farm on section 22 in Elmwood Precinct. He died about 1878. His sister Hannah, Mrs. Rockwell, is a resident of Louisville, this county, where her husband is engaged as an attorney-at-law.

LFRED HAWKINS, of Tipton Precinct, and a gentleman numbered among its most useful and prominent men, owns and operates a snug farm on section 32. He believes thoroughly in the theory of Horace Greeley that a small farm well cultivated is more desirable than a larger extent of land partially neglected. He has neat and substantial buildings, and all the adjuncts of a good home. A soldier of the Union Army during the progress of the Civil War, he came out of the struggle with his health greatly impaired, and from the effects of which he never expects to recover. As a pioneer settler of his precinct, he is accorded that tacit respect naturally given to those who looked upon Nebraska in its pioneer days, and who, in the building up of a good homestead, have contributed so much to its general prosperity.
   Our subject is the son of William and Elnora (Hill) Hawkins, who were both natives of Washington County, Pa., the father being born in 1813, and the mother in 1816. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Hawkins, also a native of Washington County, was of Holland-Dutch descent, and a farmer in good circumstances. He left his native

State for Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1835, and there spent the remainder of his days. On the mother's side Grandfather James Hill was born in Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic at an early day, settling in Washington County, Pa., in time to take a hand in the Colonial and Indian Wars and in the War of 1812. He died when ripe in years in Washington County.
   The father of our subject settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, at an early day, and, purchasing, a tract of timber land, felled the trees and improved a good farm. In 1848 he changed his residence to Shelby County, settling in the vicinity of the present flourishing town of Sidney, where he prosecuted agriculture until his death, March 14, 1854. The mother continued at the old homestead until the fall of 1865, then, coming to Nebraska, settled with her family near Peru, in Nemaha County, where she at present resides, surrounded with all the comforts of life. She is a member in good standing of the Protestant Methodist Church.
   The parental household of our subject included six children, Alfred being the eldest. The second son, Freeman by name, died when about twenty-two years old; Lyman, Madison and Mary A. are all residents of this State. Freeman, during the late war enlisted in the 20th Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and died at Shiloh, and was buried there. Lyman was a member of the Home Guards in Shelby County.
   Alfred Hawkins, our subject, was born in the vicinity of Georgetown, Columbiana Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1837, and was a lad of eleven years when his parents removed to Shelby County. He completed his education in the schools of that county and was a youth of seventeen years at the time of his father's death. Being the eldest of the family, he necessarily was obliged to take upon himself many responsibilities. He assisted his mother in keeping the family together, and remained with her until the spring of 1860. Then, desiring to see something of the farther West, he journeyed to Gentry County, Mo., where he worked for a time on a farm, but there being more laborers than work to perform, he proceeded on his way westward, and landed in Nemaha County, this State, in June of that year. Here he found employment in the vicinity of Peru, cradling in the harvest field at $1 per day. He sojourned there until December, 1861. Next we find him experimenting as a soldier in the New Mexico Brigade, which was consolidated at Ft. Leavenworth with the 8th Kansas infantry and sent to Ft. Riley. A month later they were ordered back to Ft. Leavenworth, and then south to Corinth, Miss. They afterward saw the smoke of the battles of Holly Springs, Iuka and Florence, Ala., and then entered upon a forced march to Louisville in order to head off the rebel General, Bragg, in which expedition they succeeded. Later they participated in the engagements at Perryville and Nashville. Mr. Hawkins was finally detailed to one of the pioneer corps, becoming a member of Company K, in the 2d Battalion, which followed Gen. Bragg to Stone River. Near the close of the war he joined his old regiment at Atlanta, participating in the siege of the city, then followed Hood to Nashville, and took part later in the battles at Franklin and Spring Hill.
   Up to this time Mr. Hawkins had not been in an ambulance or hospital, but now succumbed to the hardships and privations which he had endured. He was sent to the hospital at Nashville, afterward transferred to Louisville, and finally to Jeffersonville, Ind. Upon recovering he rejoined his regiment at Huntsville, Ala., and not long afterward, in January, 1865, received his honorable discharge at Louisville, Ky.
   Upon retiring from the army our subject returned to his old haunts in Shelby County, Ohio, and thence, in the spring of 1865, returned to the West. He first worked on a farm in Nemaha County, this State, but in the fall of 1866 purchased land in that county, which he operated until the spring of 1869. Then, selling out, he took up his abode at his present home in Tipton Precinct. It was then a tract of uncultivated land, and his first shelter was a dugout, which he occupied for five years. After getting in the crops of the first season here, he commenced making fences and planting trees. The lapse of a few years has effected a remarkable change in the condition of his property. The present residence was erected in the spring of 1874. Adjacent to it is a spring of

living writer, an excellent orchard of 150 bearing apple trees, and a grove of three acres of forest trees. The fields are mostly enclosed with wire fencing. Mr. Hawkins makes a specialty of cattle and swine, and has a number of fine horses.
   Upon coming to Nebraska, like many of the men around him, Mr. Hawkins had many difficulties to contend with, the most serious being the state of his health, as he was scarcely able to walk. His career is a fine illustration of the result of determination and perseverance. To the lady who has been his faithful partner and companion for a period of fourteen years, and who in her girlhood was Miss Ruth Marrs, our subject was married, in Whitley County, Ind., March 11, 1874. Mrs. Hawkins was born March 11, 1829, in Champaign County, Ohio, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Marrs, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. They emigrated to Indiana at an early day, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Of this union there are no children. Mr. Hawkins, politically, is a sound Republican, and has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as a Road Supervisor and Constable, and holding other positions of trust. He is also a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Masfield Post, at Palmyra. He is a charter member of the United Brethren Church, to which his excellent wife also belongs, and has officiated as Superintendent of the Sunday-school a number of years. His choice, however, would be with the Methodists, but there being no society of this denomination convenient he has been willing to cast his lot with the United Brethren.

ILLIAM J. MONROE. The livery, feed and sale stable interests of Weeping Water are creditably represented by the subject of this sketch, who operates the largest business of the kind in the central portion of Cass County. His arrival in Nebraska dates from March, 1869, when he came from Omaha to Centre Precinct, this county, and purchased 160 acres of new land, comprising the southwest quarter of section 25. Upon this not a furrow had been turned; neither were there any other signs of improvement. His first business was to put up a dwelling, and then he began breaking the sod, setting out trees, and adding from time to time the other buildings necessary for his comfort and convenience. Upon this farm he lived and labored a period of eleven years, during which time he brought the land to a high state of cultivation, and constructed a homestead which bore the reputation of being one of the most valuable for its age in that section of country.
   In March, 1880, Mr. Monroe sold this farm and purchased another nearer town, in Weeping Water Precinct, upon which he lived four years. In the meantime he proceeded as he had done before, making improvements, and brought this property up to the status of the first. This he traded in 1884 for his present business -- a change which he has had no reason to regret. His livery stock consists of a goodly number of driving horses and several "boarders." He has one very fine English full-bred coach horse, a registered animal, "Buckshales," No. 1438 (Hackney Stud Book), imported from England in July last. He is a magnificent animal, of perfect symmetry, and possessing some of the finest points of his race. Mr. Monroe is a good judge of horseflesh, understands fully the care and keeping of equines, and takes pride in having the best establishment of its kind in this part of the county. It is hardly necessary to state that he enjoys the patronage of its best people.
   Mr. Monroe was born fifty-one years ago, Oct. 1, 1837, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and when six years old went with his parents to Lagrange County, Ind., where he lived until coming to Nebraska. He was given a practical education, completing his studies in Lagrange Collegiate Institute, after which he occupied himself in farming until embarking in his present enterprise. He is a prominent man in his community, and has held the various local offices, although making no pretenses to be a politician. He keeps himself well posted, however, upon current events, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. Socially, he belongs to the K. of P.
   While a resident of Indiana Mr. Monroe was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Fuller, Oct. 6, 1860, the wedding taking place in Lagrange. Mrs. Monroe was born June 10, 1840, in Gilead,

Mich., and is the daughter of E. W. and Katurah (Sanders) Fuller, the father a native of Genesee County, N. Y., and the mother of Virginia. They settled first in Branch County, Mich., then removed to Lagrange County, Ind., where Mr. Fuller is still living. The wife and mother died many years ago, about 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Monroe there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Helen M., is the wife of E. A. Sackett, who is engaged in the hardware trade in Weeping Water; they have one child. The younger daughters, Hattie R. and Jessie W., are at home with their parents. They all have been carefully trained and educated, and hold a good position in the social circles of their community.
   James Monroe, the father of our subject, was born in Paulet, Rutland Co., Vt., Jan. 28, 1808, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. Upon leaving New England he emigrated to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he married Miss Harriet Joyce. The young people settled in the wilderness on a tract of timber land, from which the father felled the trees, prepared the soil for cultivation and built up a good homestead. There their two children were born: William J., our subject, and his sister Hattie, who died when a young child.
   James Monroe, about 1844, changed his residence from the Empire State to Lagrange County, Ind., and only lived five years thereafter, his death taking place at the farm, July 14. 1849. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, an old-line Whig in politics, and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Possessed of great perseverance and industry, he improved two farms, and wherever he lived was regarded as one of those solid and reliable men whose word is as good as their bond.

ILLIAM P BAILEY, a substantial English-born citizen, now of Plattsmouth Precinct, occupies a good position among the agriculturists of this county, to which he came in September of 1879, and purchased 280 acres of land on sections 3 and 4, Plattsmouth Precinct. Upon it there was a small house, and an embryo orchard planted by some discouraged settler, who had abandoned his enterprise and moved to another locality. Mr. Bailey thus from this small beginning commenced to build up a homestead, and his present surroundings would indicate that his labors have been amply rewarded. He has now a substantial residence, with stables, corn-cribs and the other necessary out-buildings -- in fact, is surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of farm life.
   The infant years of the life of our subject were spent in Yorkshire, England, where his birth took place June 25, 1815, under the modest roof of his parents, Abraham and Sarah (Powell) Bailey. They were of excellent English stock, and the father was a cabinet-maker by occupation. The latter, not being satisfied with his condition and prospects, decided to emigrate to the United States, and accordingly set sail for the land of promise in the year 1818. Landing in New York City, the father began work at his trade, and conducted the business of cabinet-making about two years, when his death took place at Schenectady, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1826, leaving his wife and one child, William P. The mother was subsequently married to Ahasuerus Van Slyck, and spent the remainder of her life in Schenectady. dying Feb. 12, 1865.
   Our subject was reared in Schenectady, N. Y., receiving his education in its common schools, and upon approaching manhood learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was engaged until 1879. There also he was married to Miss Angelica Van Slyck, Sept. 25, 1839. They became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom survive, namely: Sarah, now Mrs. A. Howland; Jane, Mrs. D. Holtz; William P., Jr.; Nicholas; Angelica, Mrs. Irwin Howland; John D.; Harriet N., Mrs. Horace G. Garrison, and Charles H. The deceased are Jane, Abraham and Henry.
   Nicholas and Jane (Smith) Van Slyck, the parents of Mrs. Bailey, were natives of New York and England respectively, and were married in the Empire State, where their eight children were born and reared. Of these Mrs. B. was the eldest daughter, and but three are now living. Mr. Van Slyck died in his native State of New York, Nov. 12, 1864. The mother had emigrated to the United States with her parents when a little girl ten years of age,

and her father died soon afterward. She is now deceased, having died in 1863.
   Mr. Bailey is a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, pursuing the even tenor of his way, confining his attention mostly to his farming pursuits. In politics he is a lifelong Democrat of pronounced ideas.

MMI B. TODD, a retired farmer, is a prominent citizen of Cass County, and has borne an honorable part in its public life. He is a son of one of Cass County's pioneers, and, coming here when a boy of fifteen, the remaining years of his youth were passed here, and he has thus witnessed almost the entire growth of the township and county, and it has been his privilege to aid in their development. He was born in the town of Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., April 9, 1842, to Thomas Jefferson and Mary (Smith) Todd, natives of Herkimer County, N. Y. His paternal grandfather, the Rev. Caleb Todd, a native of Vermont, was a pioneer of Herkimer County. He moved from there to Chautauqua County in 1818, with a colony, the removal being made with teams through the wilderness, where they had to cut down trees in some places to make a road. He bought a tract of land of the Holland Patent, which was heavily timbered. He cleared a fine farm of 300 acres, beautifully located on the banks of Chautauqua Lake, opposite Fair Point, and he resided there until his death.
   The father of our subject was fifteen years old when his parents moved to Chautauqua County, and he there grew to manhood. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and continued to reside in Chautauqua County until 1845. During that time he had studied medicine, and in that year he moved to Ohio, and practiced his profession in Geauga and Monroe Counties for awhile. He then moved to Owen County, Ind., and turned his attention to farming, buying a farm six miles from Spencer. He was thus prosperously engaged there until 1857, when he came to the Territory of Nebraska, starting in April with two wagons, two pair of oxen, and one pair of horses and a carriage. He was accompanied by his wife and four children. They traversed the State of Illinois, crossed the Mississippi River at Ft. Madison, and thence across the State of Iowa, crossing the Missouri River at Plattsmouth, and thus arrived at their destination. Mr. Todd bought a claim to some Government land in the precinct, four miles from the city, paying $1.25 an acre for it. He built a dugout, which the family occupied until the fall, and he then erected a small frame house. The surrounding country was in a wild state, settlements being few and far between, and but little attempt had been made to cultivate the land. The Indians had been removed from here, but were frequent callers as they passed through the Country. Deer, prairie chickens and other wild game, were plentiful a little farther west. He improved a valuable farm, and continued to manage it until 1879, when he moved into the town, and lived in retirement until his death, Aug. 11, 1880.
   The subject of this sketch was six years of age when his parents moved to Indiana, and he attended school there as opportunity offered, and assisted his father on the farm. After coming to Nebraska he attended school two terms here, and then completed his education by attending the Waubansey School, in Mills County, Iowa, one term. After he had grown to manhood he took charge of his father's farm until his marriage. He subsequently engaged in farming until 1882. He then rented his farm and came to Plattsmouth, and has resided here since.
   Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Thomas (nee White), in 1872. She was born in Ohio, and, her parents dying when she was very young, she was adopted by the Rev. Mr. White. She was married to W. L. Thomas, and came to Nebraska in 1861. They resided in Plattsmouth for a time, and then removed to a farm in the precinct, where he died in 1869. Two children were born of that marriage, Lelia and Harry. The happy married life of our subject and his wife was terminated in February, 1888, by her death. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was faithful to all that belongs to true Christian womanhood, leaving behind her a sweet and pleasant memory.
   Mr. Todd is held in high estimation by his fel-