bama in 1846, and engaged in teaching near Decatur for one year. He subsequently returned to Ohio to prepare himself for the medical profession. He studied with Doctors Abernatha and Damsell in Lexington, and afterward attended medical lectures at Starling College, Columbus. The college buildings were not then completed, and the course of lectures was given in a large log building built during the campaign of 1840, and known as the Harrison Cabin. Having received a thorough education in his chosen profession, all that he needed was practice to make him a first-class physician, and that he soon had. He opened an office in Lockport, Williams County, in the fall of 1850, and practiced there successfully until 1858. In that year he went to Iowa and established himself as a physician in Marietta, Marshall County. During the time that he resided there he built up a fine practice, and became one of the leading medical men of that locality. In 1865 he abandoned his profession, and coming to Nebraska, then a Territory, settled in Plattsmouth. He purchased city property here, and has since devoted the whole of his time to its improvement, and in looking after his monetary interests. He has built five houses here, and all excepting his residence are rented, and bring him in a good income.
   To the amiable and gracious lady who presides over his pleasant home, our subject was united in marriage in 1854. She was formerly Elizabeth Miller, and Wayne County, Ohio, was her native place. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of a daughter, Olive A., wife of Frank L. Gayle, of Ft. Worth, Tex. Mrs. Wintersteen's father, Samuel K. Miller, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and her grandfather was, so far as known, a native of the same State, and of German parentage. He removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and spent his last years near New Lisbon. The father of Mrs. Wintersteen was reared and married in Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed to Ohio and settled in Wayne County. He was a wheelwright and carpenter by trade, and bought water power in that county and built mills which he operated for awhile. He subsequently became a pioneer of Williams County, buying land three miles from Bryan, the county seat. There was good water power there, and he built a saw-mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, thus clearing his land, which was heavily timbered. He managed the mill until about 1849, when he sold it and removed to Lockport, where he built woolen, saw and grist-mil1s, and operated them all until 1856. In that year he disposed of his property and started for Marshall County, Iowa, where he bought a tract of prairie land six miles from Marshalltown, and improved a large farm. In 1865 he came to Plattsmouth and made his home there for three years; then returning to Iowa, he bought and improved a mill site in Greene County, eontinning in business there three or four years. His next move was to Guthrie County, where he turned his attention to farming. He also improved a water power on his land there, and at the same time improved a farm. His death occurred there in June, 1886. He was a man of great capability and, energy, and his various enterprises always turned out profitably, so that he acquired considerable property. He was conscientious and upright in his dealings, and commanded the respect of those with whom he came in contact. In his wife he had a ready and able assistant, and she was in every way a most estimable woman. Her maiden name was Magdalena Smouse. She was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and died at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, in 1883. There were nine children born to her and her husband, eight of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Rosanna, John P., Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, Catherine A., George C. and Samuel S.
   Dr. Wintersteen is a man of fine mental gifts, that have been carefully cultivated; has strong opinions, is broad and liberal in his views, and his expression of them on any topic under discussion carries conviction to the minds of his bearers. He is prominently identified with the A. F. & A. M., having become a Mason in Williams County, Ohio, in 1852; he is now connected with Plattsmouth Lodge No. 6. We cannot close this biographical notice of the Doctor without some further allusion to his wife, who is a woman of infinite tact and kindness, and wields a good influence on all around her. In her the suffering and needy have a true friend, one who consoles them with her sympathy, and re-

lieves them with her bounty. She and her husband occupy a prominent place in social circles, and whenever they choose to mingle in society their presence is always welcome. In politics the Docfor is a stanch Democrat.

EWTON J. CALKINS. Prominent among the citizens of Cass County, who have been instrumental in developing her rich agricultural resources, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He owns a large and beautiful farm on sections 9 and 16, Centre Precinct, with his residence on the northwest corner of the latter section, and there he is extensively engaged in raising grain and large herds of cattle, horses and hogs. He has developed his farm from the raw prairie, and when he first began its improvement there was no other settlement near, the house of Peter Coon, two miles distant, being the only visible habitation.
   Our subject was born in Elizabethtown, N. Y., March 27, 1840, his early home being on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain. His father, Elijah Calkins, was born in the same town, and there lived until our subject came West. He married Miss Mary Bancroft, of Connecticut, and to them were born ten children, five of whom are living. He carried on farming in New York for many years, and at last came to this State to spend his declining years in the home of his son Henry, in Rock Bluff Precinct, and there he passed away in 1880, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow survived him about three years. They were respected members of the Baptist Church in New York. and Mr. Calkins, who was a man of strong character, with the courage of his opinions, was a firm Abolitionist, and always a Republican after the formation of the party.
   Newton Calkins attended the common schools in his native town, and continued to reside there until February, 1887, and has made his home in this county ever since. He first settled two miles from Rock Creek, and a year later went to Weeping Water Precinct. Two years after that we find him in Mt. Pleasant, and in those various places he was carrying on farming on rented land. At the close of 1871 he came here and bought forty acres of the land he now owns, paying $7 an acre for it. It was in a complete state of nature, and he at once set about its development into a farm. He put out a grove of forest trees, also an orchard, and some small fruits. He built a small house first, and as his finances would permit added to it from time to time, until he now has a commodious dwelling. He continued to prosper, and in 1875 was enabled to buy the remainder of the quarter of section 9, which was partly improved, and he has purchased other land, until he owns 320 acres, forming one of the finest and best improved farms in this locality, and it is continually subject to improvements and under an admirable state of cultivation, well fenced, and amply supplied with the necessary buildings. He has built a fine horse barn, 48x60, with 18-feet posts, and all of the appurtenances, such as hay fork, etc., for handling hay. Mr. Calkins pays much attention to raising corn, but feeds a good share of it to his cattle, horses and hogs, of which he has quite large herds.
   Mr. and Mrs. Calkins were united in marriage July 3, 1863, and of their union have come seven children, six of whom are living, and the following is their record: Howard was born in 1865; Viola, in 1871 Friend, in 1874; Lewis, in 1879; Lena, in 1881; Myrtle, in 1888. Mabel, the next to the youngest, died when two years old. Mrs. Calkins was formerly Miss Margaret McDougal, and was born in Lewistown, Essex Co., N. Y., in 1846, and she lived there until the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Kilmer) McDougal, natives of New York, where they were married, and there ten children were born to them. Seven years ago our subject visited New York, and on his return brought his father-in-law and mother-in-law with him to make their home with him, and the father is still a member of the household, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. His wife died here in 1886.
   No citizen of Cass County manifests a more genuine interest in its welfare than our subject, or is more liberal and public-spirited in encouraging schemes for its advancement. He has done much for the educational interests of his adopted precinct

while serving on the School Board. He was School Director for nine years, or until he absolutely refused to hold the office any more. He and his family are influential members of the Baptist Church at Wabash. Mr. Calkins by his ability and energy, combined with forethought and prudent management, has made all he now has. He is a conscientious, self-respecting man, with a keen, resolute nature, and a good reputation for just and square dealing. Politically, he earnestly favors the Republican policy.

LIJAH JENKINS, a prosperous merchant of Greenwood. He was born in LaPorte County, Ind., in 1837, where he lived with his parents on a farm until 1852, when he came west to Missouri, where he remained for one winter. From Missouri he went to Glenwood, Iowa, where he conducted one of the first musical conventions ever held in that State. This was in the spring of 1853. While conducting a singing-school at Waughboncy Grove, Iowa, five miles south of Glenwood, he met Miss Amanda Cornes, to whom he was married by the Rev. Dr. Carter. The couple made their home at the above named grove for several years. In 1858 Mr. Jenkins purchased ninety acres of land. His business ventures at this time had proven very successful. He was very comfortably situated on his farm and enjoying the comforts of a good home when the War of the Rebellion broke out. Being actuated by patriotic motives, and feeling that every good man should aid in the defence of the Union, he in response to the call for 300,000 men in the fall of 1861, enlisted in Company A, 4th Iowa Infantry. During the winter of 1861 and 1862 they were in camp at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
   While engaged in moving Government stores at that place our subject fell from a wagon and was severely injured by the load passing over him, in consequence of which he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. Upon his recovery from the injuries received at this time he again tendered his services to his country, enlisting Aug. 11, 1862, in Company B, 29th Iowa Infantry. He was shortly transferred from Company B to Company K in the same regiment. They went into camp at Camp Dodge at Council Bluffs, Iowa, from whence they went south. Their first engagement with the enemy was at Duvall's Bluff, on the White River, in Arkansas, where they defeated the rebels. Their next engagement of importance was Yazoo Pass, Miss., where they were again the victors. Being transferred from here to Helena, Ark., where they again met the Confederates in bloody conflict, as well as at Little Rock; in this latter engagement they met the enemy five miles below the city, where the skirmishing began. It was continued without cessalion until they reached the city, where they captured a large number of prisoners, with military stores and arms. In the spring of 1864 they engaged in the now noted Red River Expedition, the regiment being attached to the Seventh Army Corps, under the command of Gen. Steele. On the Little Missouri they engaged with the Confederate forces, who were 6,000 strong, and again at Cross Road they met them 4,000 strong. At Camden the Union soldiers took possession of the rifle pits and forts and heroically held the same against the assault of superior numbers, and in the face of great natural disadvantages.
   On the banks of the Saline he with his regiment took an active and important part in the hardest fought engagement of the expedition, meeting the Confederates, who were under the command of Generals Kirby Smith and Price. Here the loss to the Union forces numbered 2,000 in dead and wounded. The loss to the rebels, owing to the bravery and heroism of the Union troops, was double that number. They thought themselves beaten and gave the Union soldiers an opportunity of falling back across the river and begin their retreat to Little Rock, a distance of eighty miles, it is impossible for one who was not present with the Union soldiers to realize the suffering and hardships they endured. Having no food other than what they could collect from a country which had been traversed by both armies, there sufferings from this cause alone were intense, often having no food except the grain that was supplied for the horses. When six or eight miles distant from Little Rock they secured their first regular rations

since leaving the Saline. After passing the winter of 1864-65 in this city, they started south on 9th of February, 1865, their destination being New Orleans, from where they went to take part in the siege of Mobile.
   The 29th Iowa Regiment, of which our subject was a member, took part in the assault and capture of Spanish Fort on March 16, and in the various other engagements on that line, until the fall of Fort Blakeslee gave the Union forces complete possession of the field. Their work being done here they marched to Montgomery, Ala., the capital of the Confederacy, which they captured. From this city Mr. Jenkins was detailed to assist in the transferring of 260 sick and wounded soldiers to the hospital at New Orleans, going to Mobile for that purpose. It was while he was at the latter city the news of the assassination of President Lincoln reached him. His regiment at this time was in Texas and our subject asked to be relieved from detailed duty and assigned to his regiment for active duty, which application was refused. He then applied for a furlough of sixty days, which was granted, which gave him an opportunity of visiting his home and friends in the North.
   At the expiration of his furlough our subject reported for duty at headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., when he again applied for a transfer to his regiment, which request was again refused, and he continued on detailed duty until he was honorably discharged at St. Louis, having served his country faithfully and well for three years, having met with many narrow escapes, having marched thousands of miles and suffering all the privations and hardships of a soldier's life in time of war. Upon his return home he found that his wife had not been the careful, prudent, devoted woman that he had expected she would be, she having squandered and scattered his property during his absence, and he found himself a financially ruined man, which circumstance led to the divorce of the couple. Almost disheartened he went to Missouri and engaged in various occupations, where he met his present wife, a Mrs. Berry. She was born in Ohio.
   After his marriage with this lady, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins came to Nebraska for the purpose of procuring and making a home. In this venture they were indeed successful, and they look upon their coming to Nebraska as the turning point in his life. He has by close attention and a large amount of hard labor become the owner of a very valuable farm in Greenwood Precinct, an elegant and valuable residence and two lots at Louisville, in Cass County, as well as a handsome residence in Greenwood. His business career in Greenwood began in 1885, in which year he engaged in his present business, which he has pursued with untiring zeal and with most excellent results. Previous to locating in this village he was a resident of Louisville Precinct, where he was a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are the parents of seven children: Louis A, Ida M., wife of Mr. Foreman, agent of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, at Nora, Neb.; Emma, M., wife of Samuel Lynch, of this county; Juniata and Elijah, both of whom are dead; and Thomas and Otoe.
   The parents of our subject are of English descent, their ancestors coming to Virginia at a time when out country was in its infancy, and took an important part in the history of the colonial days of our present prosperous nation. The father of our subject is Benjamin Jenkins; his mother was Catherine Skelton. Grandmother McCarthy was a native of Scotland, an heiress to the old McCarthy estate in Scotland. Benjamin Jenkins, the father, now resides in Eight Mile Grove Precinct, Cass County, and is almost eighty years of age. The mother died in 1844, when but thirty-six years old. A family of seven children were born to the parents of our subject, named respectively: Sarah Elizabeth, Jessie, deceased, Emily, Elijah, our subject, Columbus and Cerina, now deceased. The parents removed at an early day from Virginia to Kentucky, thence to Indiana; from Indiana to Illinoios; and when our subject was a lad of seven years of age the family returned to Indiana, where he lived until he reached the age of manhood.
   Mr. Jenkins is a man of fine appearance and of excellent business capacities. The exercise of his judgment has enabled him to reach the position he now occupies. He possesses unequalled musical abilities, which in his early life proved to be a great source of profit to him when he devoted the time of his earlier years to teaching the art. His

life has had all the changes which come to the early settlers of a new country, has been diversified with the sunshine and shadows which come to all, and to-day we find him in his bright and cheery home, in the midst of a family of worthy and dutiful children. His record as a soldier is unexceptionable and his career as a farmer and a business man is above reproach. His mother was a lady possessing great musical ability, and she was endowed with an inexhaustible store of motherly affection. She never lost an opportunity to give her children every advantage possible for acquiring knowledge that would prove of value to them in after life. The old home was often turned into a school, while its walls echoed with the happy songs and glees that in joyful chorus express harmony and happiness of hearts beating in unison, and made that home a veritable Heaven upon earth. Amid such surroundings as these, and with such a teacher, our subject naturally chose the musical profession, in which he became widely and favorably known at a very early period of his life.
   Mr. Jenkins and his wife take a conspicuous part in the social life about them; they are both conscientious members of the Christian Church, endeavoring to live every day in accordance with the teachings of the Divine Master. Mr. Jenkins is a charter member of the Louisville Post, G. A. R., which he has served as Adjutant.

 

AMES S. MATHEW, an able member of the legal profession of Plattsmouth, and a gentleman in the prime of life, was born in Allegany County, Md., Feb. 3, 1841, and is the son of Samuel Mathew, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. His paternal grandfather, William Mathew, was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic when a boy, settling in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married.
   William Mathew purchased a tract of land in Westmoreland County, where he erected a sawmill and gristmill on Tubwell Creek, and there spent the remainder of his life. He married a lady of his own country, and of their children ten grew to mature years, namely: William, Samuel, James, Archibald, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, Margaret and Sarah. Of these Samuel, the father of our subject, was reared to man's estate in his native county, which he left about the time of reaching his majority, and going into Virginia was there married. Later he settled in Maryland, but after a time returned to his native county and engaged in farming.
   In 1849 Samuel Mathew, disposing of his property interests in Pennsylvania, gathered together his family and personal effects and started for Iowa, via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Fairfield, and thence by team to Keokuk, sixty-five miles distant. He entered a tract of land four and one-half miles north of what was then but a village, and commenced to improve a farm from the wilderness. The only market for grain was at Keokuk, and as may be supposed, considering the small number of inhabitants, there was no very great demand for the products of the pioneer farmer. The live-stock was driven to the river, and thence shipped to various points north and south. Pork sold at one and one-half cents per pound. In those days the plows were home-made by the blacksmiths, and the grain was harvested by a cradle. Samuel Mathew resided in Keokuk County a period of twenty years, then selling out, came to Nebraska and located a homestead claim near Greenwood, this county, and repeated the experiment of building up a new farm. He acquired a comfortable property, and is still living, having now retired from active labor, and makes his home in Plattsmouth.
   Mrs. Elizabeth (Spencer) Mathew, the mother of our subject, was born in Hampshire County, Va., and was the daughter of James Spencer. There were eight children in the parental family, namely: William L., James S., our subject, Susan J., Archibald, Margaret E., John S., Alexander and Samuel H., the latter of whom died Feb. 12, 1885. The other children are all living.
   Our subject was the second child of his parents, and was a lad eight years of age when they made the journey from his native county in Maryland to the wilds of Keokuk, Iowa. There the rudiments of a district school education were completed, and

later he attended one term at the State University in Fairfield. For a time before the outbreak of the Civil War he was engaged in teaching. In July, 1862, he proffered his services as a Union soldier, enlisting in Company D, 5th Iowa Infantry, serving until the 8th of August, 1864. He then veteranized, re-enlisting in Company A, 2d United States Infantry, known as Hancock's Corps, and continued in the service until March, 1866. A history of the 5th Iowa Regiment says that "during the service it marched and traveled in boats and cars a distance of 6,847 miles, an average of more than six miles each day. It assisted in opening up the Missouri River from Cairo to Bruinsburg, and took part in seven campaigns, driving the rebels from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Northern Alabama and Northern Georgia. In the meantime it participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hill, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge, and was held as a reserve at the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond and Black River; and under fire in New Madrid and the siege of Corinth."
   Mr. Mathew did not join the regiment until after the battle of Jackson, but participated in all the battles and marches in which his regiment was subsequently engaged. He had the good fortune to be with the troops which were uniformly victorious, and consequently never experienced the sensations incident to a retreat. It was while a veteran that his regiment was chosen to guard the quarters of Gen. Hancock.
   After his return from the army Mr. Mathew entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, at Burlington, lowa, from which he was graduated, and then resumed teaching in Richland. In the spring of 1867 he came tothe young State of Nebraska and homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of section 4. where he improved a farm, put up the necessary buildings and resided a period of ten years. In 1876, selling out, he took up his abode in Plattsmouth, and here has since remained, engaged in the practice of law. He commenced his legal studies under the instruction of Hon. S. M. Chapman, in September, 1876, and was admitted to the bar May 1, 1879. He continued in the office with Judge Chapman until 1881 and since then has been alone. He is a conscientious student, a close reader, and an attorney looking faithfully after the interests of his clients.
   One of the most interesting events in the life of our subject, during a rather varied career, was his marriage with Miss Martha Rouse, which occurred Jan. 1, 1868. Mrs. Mathew was born in Ohio, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Rouse. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew there have been born the following children: Olive, Luella, Susan, Tillie F. and Ernest. Nettie, the second child, died when about two years old, and Robert, the youngest, died in the third year of his age.
   Our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mathew cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been since that time an ardent Republican. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Police Judge.

 

OBERT W. BLACK is identified with the agricultural interests of Cass County as a prominent farmer of Plattsmouth Township, where he owns a good, well improved farm, pleasantly located on sections 4 and 9. He is a son of the well-known physician and financier, Doctor John Black, of Plattsmouth, and he was born in De Kalb County, Mo., Sept. 21, 1855. His father was a native of England, and came from that country to this when it very young man. He located in Ohio, and being of a studious, scholarly turn of mind, determined to enter the professions, and selecting that of physician, he became a pupil in the medical college at Cleveland. After pursuing the prescribed course with honor he received his diploma, and immediately established himself as a practitioner in Ohio. He was married in Knox County, that state, to Miss Martha Wiley, a native of that county. He continued to practice medicine in Ohio with great success, acquiring considerable local fame, until 1854, when he moved with his family to Missouri. He remained a resident of that state until 1863, building up an extensive practice. In that year the many advantages possessed by the