There are now thirty-four communicants in the church, and a flourishing Sunday-school is connected with it, which is under the supervision of the pastor. Its weekly sessions are well attended by interested groups of children, youth, and adults.
   Mr. Murray is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cannonsburg, Washington County, June 25, 1845. He has reason to be proud of his ancestry, which originated in Scotland many years ago, and were intelligent, thrifty, Christian people. One of the progenitors of our subject, John Murray, was sent from his native country to America as a missionary, and that he was not the only ordained divine in the Murray family is shown by the old tombs in Scotch churchyards. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Scotchman of American birth, and T.J. Murray was a physician; the father of our subject was of Scotch-Irish antecedents, born in Cannonsburg, Pa., where he received a substantial foundation for his future education. When a young man he was graduated from the classical department of Jefferson College, and later from the School of Medicine at Philadelphia. He subsequently entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery in his native town, where he established an extensive practice, and in the few short years he lived won an enviable reputation as a skilled physician and surgeon. His early death at the age of thirty-three years was a loss to the community and to the profession. The maiden name of his wife, and mother of our subject, was Elizabeth Callahan, a native of Pennsylvania, who survived her husband but three years, dying when our subject was but nine years of age. She was an intelligent, Christian woman, of good old Presbyterian stock, and instilled into the minds of her young children those religious principles that have been their guides for life. After his mother's death Mr. Murray, with a younger sister, Anna K., now the wife of J.W. Thomas, of Thomas, Washington Co., Pa., remained in their native State and received good educations. When only seventeen years old Mr. Murray nobly responded to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 more men to defend the country in the time of her peril, and Aug. 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, under the command of the regimental officers, Prof. John R. Frasier and Col. R.P. Roberts. The regiment was assigned to the 1st Division of the 2d Corps of the Army of the Potomac under command of Gen. Hancock. Mr. Murray was with his regiment at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, through the campaign of the Wilderness, on the Petersburg, and was present at Lee's surrender. He was on duty all the time, but escaped with only a slight wound, and was never taken prisoner. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at Pittsburgh, Pa., and then returned home. He subsequently decided to study for the ministry, and with that end in view entered the Westminster College at New Wilmington, Lawrence Co., Pa., from which he was graduated in 1871. Two years later Mr. Murray further pursued his studies at the United Presbyterian Seminary of Newburg, N.Y., and later was graduated from the theological department of the college at Princeton, N.J. In the spring of 1874 he was licensed to preach, and for one year thereafter he was an itinerant in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania. In 1876 Rev. Mr. Murray became the pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, which was his first charge. After four years of successful labor in that place, our subject accepted a call to his present church, where he is faithfully carrying on the work of his Master. He is a man of good intellectual ability, whose active mental powers have been developed by a thorough education, and he is well grounded in all doctrinal points, standing high among his ministerial brethren of this State for his record as a pure, whole-souled man. In politics he is a sound Republican, and takes some interest in local general affairs.
   The marriage of Mr. Murray with Miss Mary McClees was solemnized at Taylorstown, Pa., Oct 7, 1875. She was born in Washington County, Pa., and is the daughter of A.E. and Matilda (Hodges) McClees, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irich descent. Mr. McClees was for many years a general merchant of Taylorstown, where his death occurred Oct. 31, 1877, in the sixty-second year of his age. His first wife, mother of Mrs. Murray, died in 1859; both she and her husband were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and lived honest Christian lives. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are yet living, namely: James, a clerk in a book-store, at Spokane Falls, W.T.; Lizzie, wife of Rev. J.A. Donahey, pastor of a Presbyterian

Church in Washington County, Pa., and Mrs. Murray. The latter was reared by her father and stepmother, receiving a good education, and previous to her marriage acted as clerk in her father's store. Of her union with our subject five children have been born, namely: Harry A.; George R. died when eight months old; T.J. Arthur, James M. and Lou B. Mrs. Murray is held in high esteem, and has proved herself a fitting helpmate for her gifted husband. She is a working member of the Presbyterian Church and earnestly interested in its welfare.

ARTIN RUBY is a fine representative of the sturdy young farmers of Nebraska, who, native-born citizens of the State sons of the pioneers, are now taking an active part with their fathers in developing its resources and sustaining its many interests. He owns a farm on section 30, Plattsmouth Township, which ranks with the best in the vicinity.
   Our subject was born in Plattsmouth Township, Cass Co., Neb., Dec. 13, 1859, a son of George S. Ruby, an early pioneer of Cass County, with whose agricultural interests he has ever since been identified. His father was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1828, to Isaac and Mary (Smith) Ruby. In 1835 his parents moved to Holmes County, in the same State, and settled among the pioneers. They were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, the father of English ancestry and the mother of German descent, it is supposed. In 1852 they removed to Jackson County, Ind., where the father bought and improved a farm. About 1858 he sold his Indiana home, and with his family removed to Madison County, Iowa, where he still lives. His wife died in that State in April, 1877.
   The father of our subject passed the most of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Holmes County, Ohio, and when his parents removed to Indiana he accompanied them. He subsequently went to Iowa, and from there came to Nebraska in the year 1857, and thus early indentified himself with the pioneers of Cass County. He then located on the farm where he now lives, and commenced the task of improving it from the wild prairie. The country round about was then sparsely settled, with but few improvements, giving but little indication of its present high state of civilization. Indians were plentiful, and there were only a few white people in the neighborhood, and not a white family between here and Plattsmouth. Mr. Ruby and his family lived for a few years in a log house, and then he built a substantial frame house which forms his present residence. He has his farm under good tillage, and it yields fine crops in repayment for the care and labor he has expended on it. He broke the prairie with cattle when he first came, and paid his help in harvest time at the rate of eight bushels of wheat for one day's cradling. His first crop of wheat he sold at fifty cents a bushel, but only after keeping it for two years, the price previously being thirty-five cents a bushel. Before he raised his first crop of wheat he paid $12 a barrel for flour, the nearest mill being, perhaps, at St. Louis, at all events the wheat was shipped down the river to that city, and thence to this place. Mr. Ruby has taken an active part in public affairs since becoming a citizen of this township, and has served with great satisfaction as Township Assessor, being first elected to that office in 1865, and continuing in that capacity for seven years.
   Mr. Ruby has been three times married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was married in Hancock County, Ind., May 2, 1855, was Caroline Black, a daughter of James Black, of that county. Mrs. Ruby departed this life Oct. 4, 1868, leaving six sons, namely: William H., of Fairmount, Neb.; Isaac M., of Kansas; Martin L.; George N., of Aurora, Ill.; Ulysses Grant, of Adams County, Neb.; and George M., of Washington Territory. Mr. Ruby's second marriage was May 30, 1869, to Miss Isabella Jones, daughter of Riley Jones, of this county. She passed from the scenes of earth Dec. 12, 1880, leaving two sons: Elmer V., who is attending school in Beatrice, and Charles W., who lives with his father. Mr. Ruby was mar-

ried to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Catherine (Alhands) Skiles, Feb. 10, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Ruby are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Ruby's other wives also belonged.
   Martin L. Ruby, of whom we write, was reared on the paternal homestead, and received his education in the district schools of his native town. He continued to reside with his parents until his marriage, when he bought his present farm, comprising the northeast quarter of section 30, Plattsmouth Township. The land had been broken, but there were no buildings upon it. By incessant and well-directed energy Mr. Ruby has brought about many valuable improvements; having erected a substantial set of frame buildings, placed his land under excellent tillage, fenced it, and planted a good orchard of choice fruit trees.
   Our subject was married, Feb. 14, 1883, to Miss Ella Fry, a daughter of Andrew and Clara (Davis) Fry, whose biographies appear in this volume. Three children were born of this marriage, namely: Thomas F., Lawrence R. and Nellie May. The latter died Oct. 2, 1888.
   Mr. Ruby early in his career showed the requisite qualifications of practical skill, energy and judgment necessary to the complete success of an agriculturist, and it is predicted of him that he will one day be numbered among the solid and wealthy farmers of Cass County. He is a young man of sound habits and exemplary character. He takes an intelligent view of political questions of the day, and fully sympathizes with the policy of the Republican party.

ILHELM JASPER, a worthy citizen of Plattsmouth Precinct, is identified with the agricultural interests of Nebraska. He is a native of Germany, born July 24, 1855, and a son of Frederic and Johanna (Bornemear) Jasper, likewise born in that great Empire across the sea. Our subject came to the United States in 1880, arriving in Plattsmouth March 1. He was married, Jan. 24, 1882, to Miss Anna Evers, a daughter of Henry and Marguerita (Alden) Evers, who came to the United States in May, 1884, from Germany, and located in their present home in Cass County. The parents of our subject came to this county in August, 1874, and settled near Kearney, in Buffalo County, Neb., where they are still living. Mr. Jasper owns 640 acres of valuable land in that vicinity, and is extensively and successfully engaged in farming.
   The entire family are Presbyterian in religion, and solid Democrats in politics, in which they take great interest, eagerly reading all the literature that throws light on the subject, keeping themselves well informed on the issues and thus qualifying themselves to vote intelligently at the ballot box. The subject of this sketch is a man of more than ordinary keenness of intellect and strength of character; he is active and industrious, and through these traits has prospered much since coming to this country, and he is well regarded by his neighbors, and has proved in invaluable citizen of Plattsmouth. He and his wife have had born to them three sons -- Martin, Fred and Otto.

ILLIAM M. TUCKER, one of the most practical and thrifty farmers of Liberty Precinct, owns and operates 153 acres of good land on section 6. A stirring, wide-awake man, he is skillful as an agriculturist, prompt in business matters and popular among his neighbors. Although not long a resident here, his proprietorship of this farm dating from February, 1883, he has made for himself a good record and is a leading light in his community.
   The first recollections of our subject are of a modest homestead in Perry Township, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., twelve miles from the scene of the famous battle wherein the grandfather of President Benjamin Harrison achieved his national fame. Here the birth of Mr. Tucker took place July 20, 1837. Later in life he removed to Warren County, that State, where he sojourned for a period of seven years, and thence came to this county.
   Moses and Louisa (Gerard) Tucker, the parents of our subject, were natives of Ohio, where they spent their early years, but removed before their marriage to Indiana and were married in that

State. They settled on a farm in Tippecanoe County, and the mother died in Perry Township about 1863, at the age of forty-seven years. Her father, Elias Gerard, also a native of Ohio, migrated to Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1829, and was married to Miss Hester Burns. Soon afterward they removed from the Buckeye State to Tippecanoe County, Ind., when the country was wild and new and their neighbors were few and far between. There the father spent the remainder of his days, dying when well advanced in years, aged sixty-nine. The mother later went to Illinois and died at the home of Thomas Virgin in LaSalle County, when about seventy-eight or seventy-nine years old. She came of a long-lived family, her mother having survived to be an extreme old age.
   Moses Tucker, the father of our subject, after the death of his first wife was married to Miss Mary Hutchinson. They lived in Indiana until the year 1883, and then coming to this county located in Liberty Precinct on a farm of 120 acres, where they are still living in the enjoyment of good health. Mr. Tucker is now seventy-two years of age. He is the son of Ephraim Tucker, a native of Pennsylvania, of unusually strong and rugged frame, and who was all his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. The latter left the mining regions while a single man and going to Hamilton County, Ohio, was there married to Miss Sarah Master. About 1830 they moved to Indiana, settling among the pioneers of Tippecanoe County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Grandfather Tucker and his excellent wife were widely and favorably known throughout that section for their hospitality and kindness of heart. The record of their children is as follows: David C. is a resident of Nebraska; Nancy J. is the wife of James E. Ballis, a farmer of Lincoln Precinct, living about four miles south of the city in Lancaster County; Charlotte married Buel Virgin and is living on a farm in Perry Township, Tippecanoe Co., Ind.; William M. was reared to man's estate and married near the place of his birth, in 1859, Miss Sarah E. Staley. This lady was also born in Perry Township, Ind., Feb. 6, 1841, and is the daughter of Meredith and Mary (Sense) Staley, who are now both deceased, having spent their last years in Perry Township. They were natives of Ohio, and removed to Indiana in 1829, experiencing with the people around them the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life.
   Mrs. Tucker was the elder of the two daughters born to her parents and is the only surviving member of the family. Her sister, Melinda J., became the wife of Thomas Collins of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and died in February, 1888, leaving four children. To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born six sons and three daughters, three of whom are deceased. Cephas and William C. died at the age of three years; Jesse died when an interesting girl of seven years; their eldest son, Willis O., married Miss Minerva Schlestemyer and they live on a farm in Mt. Pleasant Precinct. Benjamin O., Alphia A., Mary L., Lilly J. and Arthur B. are at home with their parents.
   Mr. Tucker has always maintained a warm interest in the temperance work and is now identified with the Prohibition party. Both he and his wife are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, with which their families have been connected for some time back. Mr. Tucker in 1883 was nominated for County Commissioner for the Second District by the Prohibitionists and has been four times sent as a delegate to the State Conventions. He works as he votes, and forms no unimportant factor in the temperance cause of this region.

OHN GILMORE. This representative pioneer of Cass County is the owner of 640 acres of land, and his homestead on section 26 in Mount Pleasant Precinct. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1824, and is the son of Andrew and Jane (Work) Gilmore, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were natives of the North of Ireland, whence they emigrated to America in the latter part of 1700.
   To the parents of our subject there were born seven children, of whom the following survive, namely: James, a resident of Mt. Pleasant Precinct, this county; Martha, Mrs. Wright, a widow

and a resident of Jefferson County, this State; George, who continues in Highland County, Ohio; Alexander, of Jefferson County, Neb., and John, our subject. The parents settled in Highland County, Ohio, during its pioner days, and there our subject was reared to manhood, receiving his education in the subscription schools. These were carried on in a log house with greased paper for window panes and the other furnishings popular at that time and locality. Mr. G., however, has gained the greater part of his education by reading.
   Upon reaching man's estate Mr. Gilmore was married, in Ohio, in March, 1841, to Miss Rachel Anderson, a native of Highland County, and the daughter of James and Rachel Anderson, who were also early settlers of that region. Mr. A. served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and by his first wife was the father of three children -- Rinehard, now a resident of Mt. Pleasant Precinct; Lafayette, in Highland County, Ohio, and Columbus, also in this county. The mother of these died in 1855. His second marriage in 1859 was with Miss Nancy Massey, daughter of Joseph Massey. The issue of this union is recorded as follows: Emma is the wife of Asa Davis, of this county; George, John E.; Ida and Thomas are attending the State Normal School at Peru.
   About 1853 Mr. Gilmore came to this county and pre-empted 160 acres of land on section 32, Mt. Pleasant Precinct, and himself turned the first furrow. It had not then been surveyed. He lived there a number of years, effecting considerable improvement, but about 1868 changed his residence to his present location. All his property has been the accumulation of his own industry, as he started out in life without means. He votes the straight Democratic ticket.

. A. FLOWER. In compiling the biographies of the prominent men of Cass County the volume would by no means be complete without mention of Elam L. Flower, who was the first settler at Weeping Water, and who is now deceased. In March, 1856, he located upon the present site of that now flourishing town, when there was not the remotest indication of its future importance, not even a building to designate the spot, and the nearest neighbor eight miles away, at or near Mt. Pleasant. This scion of a hardy race realized the fact that he had taken upon himself an almost Herculean task, but he viewed undismayed the country around him and resolved to stay. The results of his life and labors are depicted, in connection with the career of one of his near descendants, in fact his son, the subject of this sketch.
   Elam L. Flower was born in Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 11, 1819, and came from a family which traced its ancestry back 800 years, to the year 1105, and to England. The first representative in America was Lamrock Flower, son of Capt. William Flower, third son of Sir William Flower, and who came to America in 1685, and settled in Hartford, Conn. From him descended in a direct line the subject of this record.
   We find the Flower family for 600 years prior to their arrival in America prominent in war and the incumbents of public offices, from the borough to the English Parliament. Two of them received direct from their Sovereign titles of nobility for valiant services rendered the Government. One member of the family of that time married a daughter of the Fordhams, who were also people of note, both in peace and war. In "Fox's History of Martyrs" they are spoken of, especially one William Flower, as having been burned at the stake on account of his religious belief. After one hand had been cut off and the fire kindled he would not recant, and thus suffered an agonizing death for the sake of his principles. A descendant of the eldest son of Sir William Flower holds the title of Viscount and Baron; his name is Jeffry Flower, and he lives grandly in Castle Darrow, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
   We find various branches of the descendants of Lamrock Flower prominent in the Revolutionary War, and in State, county and local offices. Three of them have been members of the United States Senate at different times. One, Roswell P. Flower, of New York State, aspired to the nomination for the Presidency in 1884.
   Lamrock Flower settled in Hartford, Conn., in

1685, over 200 years ago, and was there married the following year. He became the father of eight children, the eighth of whom was a son, Joseph Flower. The latter was born at Hartford, July 24, 1706, and was married, Oct. 25, 1727, to Sarah, daughter of Brigadier Samuel Wright, of the same place. To them were born eleven children. Timothy, the ninth child and fourth son of Joseph Flower and Sarah Wright, was born at Hartford, Oct. 12, 1743, and married Anna Smith, of Lyons, Conn., Sept. 13, 1766. He died at Feeding Hills, Mass., in October, 1834, at the age of ninety-one years. He had been a farmer all his life. They became the parents of seven children, and the mother died. The second wife was Hannah Spencer, and they had three children. Joseph Warren Flower, the seventh child of the first marriage, was born May 10, 1778, at Feeding Hills, Mass., and married Lois Belden, of Weathersfield, Conn.; he was a Methodist minister and a farmer. He died at Clayton, N. Y., in 1834. His first wife, Lois, had died Nov. 28, 1826.
   The children of Joseph Warren and Lois Flower were: Henrietta, born at Weathersfield, Conn., Jan. 25, 1799, and who died in infancy; Lorenzo Warren was born at Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 25, 1800, and died at Lockport, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1822; Mahala D. was born at Litchfield, N. Y., in March, 1802, and died at Clayton, N. Y., in 1826; Henry and Henrietta Louise (twins), were born at Lockport, N. Y., in 1805; Henry died in infancy; Henrietta Louise married Rev. Elisha (Pratt) Cook, and died at Oswego, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1876: Timothy Smith was born in Lockport, N. Y., May 22, 1808, and died at Fredericksburg, Iowa, Oct. 13, 1863; Joseph Manley was born in Lorain, N. Y., Feb. 29, 1812, and died in Canada in 1853; Sarah Ann, also born in Lorain in 1814, died in Wisconsin; Elam Lagrand was born in Clayton, N. Y., April 11, 1819, and died at Weeping Water, this county, June 28, 1872.
   Joseph Warren Flower married for his second wife Anna Stevens, and they had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The survivor, Stephen Warren, was born in Clayton, N. Y., Aug. 21, 1832, being the youngest half-brother of Elam Flower. He has been twice married, and there were born no children. He is living in Toledo, Ohio, and is the only one surviving of the children of Joseph Warren Flower. He represents the fifth generation of the family in America.
   Elam Legrand Flower, the father of our subject, was married, to Sarah (Friend) Fisher, April 27, 1841, at Watertown, N. Y. This lady was the eldest child of Abijah Fisher and Sarah Friend, and was born June 28, 1818. Their first child, Gilbert Manley, was born at Orleans, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Aug. 30, 1842; the second, Louisa Berintha, July 28, 1844, at Orleans, N. Y.; the third, Warren Abijah, was born at Brighton, Iowa, Dec. 10, 1850; Clarence Pratt was also born at Brighton, Feb. 13, 1853; Perl Fisher was born May 6, 1855, in the same place; Florence May was born Nov. 11, 1859, at Millville, Fremont Co., Iowa; Charles Ernest was born May 6, 1862, in Weeping Water, this county. They are all married and residents of Nebraska, and six of the seven are living in Weeping Water Precinct.
   The father of Elam L. Flower dying when he was a boy, Elam was left to the tender keeping of a guardian, who put him in a field filled with thistles and wheat, bare-footed, to rake bundles as fast as the guardian could bind them, and to add to his comfort would tramp on his heels if he did not keep out of his way. The youngster naturally rebelled against this treatment, and soon afterward, when a lad of thirteen years, ran away from his cruel taskmaster. At the age of sixteen he had acquired sufficient education to pass an examination for school teacher, at which he employed himself one term. He then enlisted in the army, during a small eruption between Canada and the United States, but peace was soon declared and he was honorably discharged. He received in compensation for his services a warrant for 160 acres of land, which he could not make available until 1859. Three years after he came to Nebraska.
   After his discharge from the army Elam Flower attended the academy In Watertown, N. Y., then resumed teaching, which he followed afterward for a number of years. In the meantime he was married, and about 1848 removed to Illinois, where they lived until the spring of 1850. Their next residence was at Brighton, Iowa, where Mr. Flower followed