there is an abundant supply, and she also had to look after the payments on the homestead, and to prove up on it in 1877, after her husband's death. They managed to hold on to their claim through the grasshopper raids, in which many were ruined and had to abandon their land. The farm is now provided with good and comfortable buildings, is neatly fenced with hedge and wire, and is well watered by the waters of Wolf Creek, and is one of the most substantial and attractive places in the neighborhood. Mrs. Smith managed it with marked success some years after her husband's death, and is now living in the enjoyment of an income ample for all her wants, having rented her farm.
   As before mentioned, Mr. Smith had been quite out of health for several years, and Feb. 8, 1876, death came to his release. This precinct then lost one of its most useful and honored citizens, one whose probity of character, sound business principles and clear head, gave him weight and influence with his fellowmen. He took part in public affairs, held the office of Justice the Peace, and was a stanch ally of the Republican party. Of his marriage with our subject ten children were born, three of whom lived to maturity: of these, Sarah J. is now Mrs. William James; her husband is a farmer in Stove Creek Precinct. Francis W. and Henry R. are dead.
   In the many sorrows that have come to our subject in the death of husband and children, she has been sustained in the darkest hour by her strong religious faith, she being a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and is serenely awaiting reunion with her loved ones on the other shore. She is active in the interests of church and society, and her kindness and benevolence are too well known to need any further mention here.

ETER EVELAND is the name of a man well and favorably known through Elmwood Precinct and through Cass County. He was born March 11, 1846, in Moscow Township, Muscatine Co., Iowa, where he was on the farm. The duties required of him in his farm life were so onerous as to require all his time to such an extent that his opportunity for acquiring a scholastic education was very limited in extent, but by diligent application to study at his own fireside, and a close observation of events as they transpired about him, he has been able to overcome the effect of his earlier disadvantages, and is now one of the best informed and leading men of the county.
   The father of the subject of our sketch was married twice. Two children were born to him as the result of the first marriage; Jeanette Hopkinson, living in Muscatine, Iowa, and Louisa Ward, who now lives in Elmwood Precinct. Fourteen children were born to the couple as the result of the second marriage, seven of whom reached the age of maturity. Among them was our subject, his sisters, Martha and Sarah N., and his brother Herman were oIder; and his sister Hester M., Katuraha, and brother, Frank P., were younger. He lived at home with his parents on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he enlisted in Company E, 18th Iowa Infantry, July 20, 1862. He first went into camp at Clinton, Iowa, where the regiment was instructed in various military tactics, and whence they were sent to Sedalia, Mo., in 1862. From there they were ordered to Springfield, where he saw blood shed for the first time in his life. For a season after this the time of the regiment of which he was a member was quite busily employed, occupying among other places the towns of Fayetteville and Van Buren, Ark., Prairie Dean, Poison Springs and Jenkins' Ferry. At Ft. Smith, Ark., he was promoted to the post of Corporal. They went into winter quarters at that fort. In July of 1865 our subject was at Ft. Smith, at which place they were at the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from service at the age of nineteen years -- undoubtedly the youngest soldier serving in the ranks of the Union Army.
   After his discharge from the army in August, 1865, our subject returned to Muscatine, Iowa, after having served for three years in one of the bloodiest wars the world has ever known, and resumed his home occupation. In the fall of 1866 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Metteer, the daughter of, Robert and Chloe Metteer. The lady

was born in Pennsylvania, going to Muscatine with her parents in 1863, where she met our subject after the close of the war. She was one of a family of six children. Her father and her brother reside in Plattsmouth, and one brother resides in Weeping Water Precinct.
   In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Eveland, just one year after their marriage, came to this precinct, settling on a farm on section 20, which he proceeded to improve for their home. In 1888 he built a full two-story residence, complete in all its appointments, an ideal home, by planting groves and setting out an orchard of choice varieties of fruit. He was here during the time when the grasshoppers devastated the crops of the country, which rendered him poor. In the years 1870-71 he worked on the railroad as a builder. During this time he had a leg broken by the caving in of an earth bank, but from which injury he fully recovered. In 1874 he went out on the plains on a buffalo hunt along the Republican River. Mr. Ward, his brother-in-law, was with him. His gun was accidentally discharged, and the charge took effect in his right arm, injuring the muscles so much as to make his right hand almost useless for all time to come.
   In Colonial days four Eveland brothers came to New Jersey from Scotland and took part in the Indian Wars of that time. From one of them our subject descends. His mother was descended from an early English family, a resident of Virginia; the father removed with his family to Ohio, thence to Iowa, and settled in Muscatine County, where he lived and farmed until the time of his death in September, 1884, when he was seventy-four years old. The mother still lives in Iowa, and is now seventy-three years old.
   Mr. and Mrs. Eveland have a family of eight children: Laura F., born in Iowa, died in Nebraska at the age of nineteen months; Melinda N.; an infant boy unnamed, deceased; Leonora M., Davonia D., Chloe Myra, Blanch E. and Gertie. The children living at home with their parents are exceptionally bright and intelligent, and, are a source of great pride and comfort to their parents.
   The home farm of Mr. E. embraces a tract of 240 acres -- the eighty acres on section 20 is the original homestead on which he settled on his arrival in this State -- and 160 acres on section 17; it is finely located, and supplied with an abundance of good water, and possesses many natural advantages. All these broad acres are brought to the highest state of cultivation under the skillful direction of our subject. In addition to the system of general farming which he follows, our subject takes a special interest in the development of thoroughbred Clydesdale horses. The great pride which he takes in this branch of his business is certainly pardonable, and an examination of the stable of these fine animals owned by him reveals to the observer indisputable evidence of the good judgment exercised by their owner in raising them.
   Although our subject takes a special pride in his horses, it is not to the neglect of other animals -- cattle and hogs -- of which he has a large number, the best of their class obtainable. His experience pertaining to agriculture and horticulture has been so varied and broad that his judgment in these matters is deferred to, and accepted by his neighbors as being correct, and those who follow his advice seldom fail to attain the end desired. With his wife and his most estimable daughter, Melinda N., he occupies and fills to perfection a high place in the social circles of the county. There is no social circle that is considered complete without the presence of some member of this family. They are so hospitable in their own home that a stranger visiting them is made to feel that the home is his and the family are the visitors. They have the welfare and interests of the neighborhood so close at heart that there is no religious, social, educational or political matter undertaken but what some one or more of the family takes an active and important part.
   Mr. Eveland is ever ready to engage in the discussion of any question which may interest the people, and it is an hour well spent to listen to him recall the many incidents and anecdotes and thrilling experiences which came to the early pioneers of the State, and he has a large fund of such to draw upon and all are based upon facts. He recalls the time when he played base ball with Gov. Butler, Mr. Gillespie and others, afterward leading citizens of the State, one day in Lincoln, where they were attending a sale of town lots. He is

gifted with a constitution of iron; it is simply wonderful to those who know him, how he has been able to accumulate so large a fortune, and discharge such a vast amount of labor, both physical and mental, as was necessary to attain the position he now holds. He is in truth and in fact a self-made man. Other men of less energy and determination would have given up in despair after having met with such an accident as crippled him for life; but our subject, however, improved the time that others would have lost by adding to his storehouse of knowledge.
   In looking back over his ancestry we find him descended from the best old Scotch and English stock, seeing no stain upon their names, but to the contrary, possessed of that stern sense of right which we see exemplified in the person of our subject. There is no man of any rank who possesses a brighter and more brilliant army record than our subject. Coming home from the bloody fraternal war when only nineteen years of age, having served his country faithfully and well, passing unflinchingly through many terrible engagements, and encountering the many dangers which are incidental to a soldier's life, we find him settling down, enjoying the peace and quietude which he has so richly earned. In viewing the character of the man we do not lose sight of the brave woman who has stood unswervingly by his side and lent him strength by her presence and counsels. Coming to the West, away from home and friends, settling down on a homestead with no near neighbors, and with but very few of the necessaries of life and none of the comforts, seconding her husband's efforts in every possible direction, she deserves the full complement of praise; sharing with him every struggle, bearing more than her share of every burden, and directing and guiding her children in the ways of uprightness and virtue, she has proved to be a helpmate to her husband in every sense of the word, and has richly earned the years of rest and content which she is now able to enjoy.
   Our subject has served the people, in various public capacities, all with honor and credit to himself and benefit to his constituents. He helped organize the school at Bushberry, District No. 44. He is now a member of the South Calahan District No. 89; he has served as school officer in various districts for the last seventeen years, was Assessor for two terms, and has been Justice of the Peace. He has repeatedly been a delegate to the different County, State and Congressional Conventions of the Republican party, and as a delegate voted for the nomination of Govs. Dawes and Thayer. He is a prominent member of Kenesaw Post No. 128, G. A. R., at Elmwood, where he has served as Chaplain since the date of its organization. Both himself and wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Calahan Corners; he is a charter member of the society, has served on the Building Committee, and is Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wabash.

ETER VOLK. Among the well-regulated farms of Eight Mile Grove Precinct that of the subject of this biography is particularly noticeable, as having been subjected to that careful cultivation which has made the land valuable and productive. It is embellished with neat and substantial buildings, the fields are enclosed with good fences, the live stock and machinery are creditable to the proprietor, and the whole premises, with its appurtenances, forms a lasting monument to the industry and perseverance of Mr. Volk, aided by his estimable wife. This lady has in her sphere probably performed her part as effectually as has her husband. The farm lies on section 28, and has about it the air of comfort and plenty which is pleasing to contemplate.
   A native of Tazewell County, Ill., Mr. Volk was born Feb. 26, 1847, and lived there until reaching manhood. His parents, Nicholas and Maggie (Urich) Volk, were born in Germany, where the father lived until a man of twenty-five years. He then emigrated to America, and was afterward married. The mother was a child of two years when she was brought by her parents to the United States, they settling in Tazewell County, Ill., where she formed the acquaintance of and married Nicholas Volk.
   To the parents of our subject there were born

thirteen children, of whom the following survive, namely: Peter; Mary, the wife of Charles Hennings; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Tritsch; Jacob, all residents of this county; Eve, Mrs. Martin L. Freldrich, of this precinct; Bals, in this precinct; Nicholas, of this county; Lizzie, John, George and Philip in Tazewell County, Ill. Caroline died when about twenty-three years old. The parents still continue residents of the Prairie State. and are well advanced in years. They settled in Tazewell County during its pioneer days, where the father battled with the elements of a new soil and built up a good homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Volk in their declining years are surrounded by all the comforts of life. Mr. Volk is the owner of a valuable farm, and has been quite prominent in the affairs of his township. He is numbered among the solid men of Tazewell County.
   The subject of this sketch received a limited education, not having the advantages of many of the young men of to-day. He, however, has been one who has kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, and, by his natural sagacity and industry, has accomplished what perhaps a college education would not have enabled him to do. He left his boyhood home in the spring of 1872, coming to this county, where he sojourned two years, and employed himself as a farm laborer. In the meantime he purchased 160 acres of land, for the consideration of $16 per acre, and which now forms his homestead. In 1874 he returned to Illinois, remaining there about a year, then came back to Nebraska, and here has since been content to remain.
   Mr. Volk settled upon his present land when it could by no means be called a farm, as there were no fences or buildings, in fact there had been no attempt whatever at its improvement or cultivation. He thus began at first principles in the construction of his homestead, and has been amply rewarded for his labors. He battled with the usual difficulties of pioneer life in Nebraska, and occupies a position in the front ranks of the successful men around him. After deciding to become a resident of this county he was married, Jan. 1, 1873, in Cass County, to Miss Elizabeth Nolting. They commenced the journey of life together on the new farm in a manner corresponding with their means and station, and labored hand in hand to rear their children, and provide for them the necessities of life, and as much beyond as they could. The household circle in due time included three daughters and four sons, six of whom are living. The eldest, Maggie, was born Nov. 25, 1873; Bals, May 9, 1875; George, Feb. 12, 1876; Henry, Nov. 12, 1877; Lizzie, born Aug. 9, 1882, and died Sept. 9, 1883; Edwin was born Oct. 29, 1884, and Mary July 4, 1887.
   The wife of our subject was born in Jefferson County. Wis., Feb. 16, 1852, and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Nolting, who were natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1852, and settled at once in Jefferson County, Wis. The father carried on farming, and died about 1882, in Cass County. The mother passed away in 1855, in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Volk were reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, and have been members of this body a number of years. Mr. V., politically, affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a man in whom his neighbors have confidence, and is serving his second year as Road Supervisor of District No. 12.
   Mrs. Volk was one of the two children of her father's first marriage. Her sister Rachel is the wife of Leonard Bourne, of Cass County. Mr. Nolting by his second marriage became the father of several children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Adam Kaffenber of this precinct; Henry Yasper is farming in this county; Bertha, August and Frederick live at home with their mother. Mr. Nolting came to this county about 1866, while Nebraska was a Territory, and settled among the pioneers of Plattsmouth Precinct, where he died in 1882.

EWIS H. YOUNG, an energetic and thriving farmer, and one of the pioneers of Cass County, residing on section 24 of Mt. Pleasant Precinct, was born Dec. 24, 1852, in Smith County, Va.; in the spring of 1867, in company with his parents, he came to Cass County, Neb. From his early boyhood our subject has been a