the Free-Will Baptist Church, and take much interest in matters connected therewith. In that and every other circle of society they are highly respected by all who know them.

GGERT HAUBERG represents the better class of German subjects who have come to this free land and made it their home. He is a successful farmer of Lincoln Precinct, his home and property being situated on section 17, township 5 north, range 12 east. He is a native of Holstein, and was born on the 21st of June, 1842, and is the son of Mark and Doretha Hauberg. He received a good education in his native land, which he did not leave until he was about twenty years of age.
   Leaving Hamburg in the month of April, 1862, our subject embarked in a sailing-vessel, which, after an ocean voyage of seven weeks, landed him in the city of New York. From there he went to Rock Island County, Ill., and for some nine years worked by the month, being frugal and careful in the meanwhile, so that he was then enabled to purchase a farm in that county, which he continued to operate in his own interests for about four years.
   Mr. Hauberg was joined in wedlock with Margaret Kenzmeir, of Rock Island County, June 25, 1873. Two years later, accompanied by his wife, he left Illinois for this State, and coming to Johnson County, purchased 160 acres in Lincoln Precinct. This he found entirely unimproved, and at once started with all the energy he could summon to bring about a better condition of things. This he has succeeded in doing, to the extent that he has made it one of the best farms in the district. Whatever has been done by way of success in life has been the result of his own earnest effort, which, since his marriage, has always been supplemented by that of his faithful and devoted wife.
   Mr. and Mrs. Hauberg are members of the German Lutheran Church, and in religious circles are much esteemed, as they are also in every other. Our subject has served one term as Road Supervisor, besides holding other offices. In politics he is thoroughly Democratic. He has all the commendable traits of Teutonic character, and has a large circle of appreciative friends and acquaintances. He has always taken a deep interest in social and educational matters, and everything that pertains to the advancement of the interests of the county. His sterling character and uprightness Are manifested in every engagement of life, and by no means least in his business engagements. He is one of the capable, valued citizens of the precinct of which he is a resident.

OHN EPLEY. One of the finest farms in Todd Creek Precinct is the property of the subject of this sketch, and comprises 400 acres of valuable land, all in one body, the homestead proper occupying the southwest quarter of section 8 and the balance lying on section 17, Besides this, Mr. Epley has 160 acres elsewhere in the precinct. The family residence is surrounded by a grove of twenty acres, and in front is a fine lawn, dotted here and there with evergreens and shrubbery, It forms a most attractive home, indicating on all sides thrift, industry and cultivated tastes.
   Mr. Epley took possession of a part of the land which he now owns in the spring of 1874. Only a few acres had been broken, the balance being a wild prairie, destitute of fences or buildings. It has been brought to its present position solely by the exercise of untiring industry and a wise outlay of funds. The entire farm is surrounded by beautiful hedge fencing, and the whole is kept neatly trimmed, presenting a compact line of green extremely delightful to the eye and sufficiently strong for the protection of the fields and whatever lies within them. The residence was completed in the spring of 1879, and is a model farmhouse in every respect, finished in modern style and handsomely furnished.
   Mr. Epley in addition to the cultivation of the soil, planted years ago twenty acres to forest trees, and has five or six acres in a fine apple orchard which yields abundantly for family use and considerable beyond. He has also peach, apricot, plum and cherry

trees, besides grape vines and plants which yield the other luscious fruits in their season. In addition to general farming our subject is fond of fine stock and is one of the leaders in this industry in Johnson County. He keeps usually a herd of 100 to 140 cattle, together with a number of valuable draft horses and a large number of swine. For the keeping of these he raises annually quantities of corn and grain, devoting to these purposes nearly 200 acres of ground. Years ago his corn and grain crop comprised about 400 acres annually. Later he gave more space to grass and less to corn.
   A man of more than ordinary ability, Mr. Epley has naturally occupied a prominent position among his townsmen, as one whose judgement it is safe to follow and to whose opinions experience has given value. He has never been ambitious for office but willing to serve his precinct in whatever capacity he can be useful. He cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, and since that day has trained with the good old Democratic party. In his district he has been a member of the School Board almost since its organization, and there are few enterprises in his neighborhood in which he has not been a leading spirit.
   John Epley was born in Adams County, Pa., Feb. 23, 1836, and lived there until a man of thirty years. He received a practical education in his youth and was at an early age trained to habits of industry and economy, which have proved the secret of his later success. He has all his life been engaged in farm pursuits. Upon reaching manhood he was married to a maiden of his own county, Feb. 16, 1859. Of this union there were born seven children, all of whom are living and at home with their parents. They are named respectively: Harriet Elizabeth, Charles Meade, George Franklin, Emma J., William Edward, Harvey D. and Amanda C. They are being trained and educated in a manner befitting their station and circumstances in life.
   Mr. and Mrs. Epley continued residents of their native State after their marriage until 1866, making their home in Adams County, Pa. There their three eldest children were born. In the fall of the year mentioned they moved to Knox County, Ill., where our subject operated his own farm until 1874.
   Then selling out again he followed the example of many of the people of that county and cast his lot with the pioneers of Nebraska. He first rented land in this county, and in 1875 purchased 160 acres now occupied by the homestead buildings. Subsequently he purchased 240 acres more, thus becoming one of the largest land-holders in the precinct. He commenced with a very small amount of capital, but by industry and good management soon found himself on the high road to prosperity.
   Mrs. Sophia J. (Culp) Epley was born in Adams County, Pa., May 26, 1839, near the historical battleground of Gettysburg and in the vicinity of Culp Hill, which was then owned by her cousin, Henry Culp, who, if living, probably holds it to this day. Mrs. E. lived there with her parents until her marriage. The latter were George and Elizabeth (Ritter) Culp, and the father was also born in Gettysburg in 1800, there also spending his entire life. He was a wheelwright by trade and also carried on farming. His death occurred at the old homestead about September, 1874. The wife and mother is still living, having attained in August, 1888, the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church.
   George Epley, the father of our subject, was born in York County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1810. He moved to Adams County with his parents when a child. In the latter he received his education, and upon reaching manhood was married, Sept. 8, 1833, to Miss Harriet Wentz. Their union resulted in the birth of ten children, who with one exception lived to mature years, and that one, a girl, died when twelve years old. The father carried on farming successfully in Adams County, where he was a prominent member of the community, and with his estimable wife a member in good standing in the Lutheran Church. About 1866 he removed from Pennsylvania to Knox County, Ill., where he spent his last days, his death taking place March 11, 1886. His wife, the mother of Mr. Epley, is still living, and makes her home with our subject.
   Mrs. Harriet (Wentz) Epley was born in Adams County, Pa. Jan. 17, 1813, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sheely) Wentz, the former a weaver by trade, who followed this and farming combined. He spent his last years in Adams

County, Pa., dying about 1870 at the age of eighty-four years. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Sheely) Wentz, passed from earth when her daughter Harriet was but ten years old.
   Henry Epley, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of York County, Pa., where he lived until middle-aged, then removed to Adams County, where his death took place about 1849, when he was probably sixty-three years old.

AVID S. WARNER. The farm of this gentleman is situated on section 22 of Nemaha Precinct, and comprises 160 acres. His reputation as a stock-raiser is quite extensive and exceedingly favorable, if not flattering, seeing that he is among the most enterprising, practical, and therefore successful, of those similarly engaged in the district, Mr. Warner was born in Madison County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1846. When six years of age his parents moved to Jasper County. Iowa, and in that county he was reared to manhood. In its schools he obtained a good education, which, if not collegiate in scope, was practical and thorough.
   Mr. Warner was united in marriage, on the 7th of March, 1867, with Miss Mary E. Timmons. This lady, like himself, is a native of the Buckeye State, and the estimable daughter of Thomas W. Timmons, one of Ohio's prominent citizens and prosperous farmers. About the time of his marriage our subject purchased a farm in Iowa, continuing to operate the same until August, 1870, when he turned his face toward Nebraska, and started to come to this place, he, of course, traveled by the aid of his team, and arrived without any particular adventurous incidents of special note, on the 8th of September, 1870. Since that time he has always resided here.
   Almost the first thing to be done after seeing his family comfortably provided for was for our subject to select a location. The result of this investigation was the purchase, at the rate of $7.50 per acre, of his present farm. It was all unimproved prairie land, but was ready for the plow, and the experience for five years in a more Eastern State, where the giants of the forest had first to be evicted, was here spared him. All the improvements that may be seen to-day are the result of his earnest endeavor. His house is substantially built, and is to him and his family a true home. It was erected in 1876. The octagon burn, built in 1883, he finds exceedingly convenient for his purpose, and has built it to stay. The grove not far from the house covers ail extent of ten acres, and contains only thrifty growing and well-developed trees. His orchard is worthy of favorable remark, although, perhaps, not so extensive as some others in the county; the trees are well selected, of good variety and excellent bearers. Small fruits are to he had in abundance in season, and of almost endless variety. The farm, as a whole, is highly cultivated, well fenced and in excellent condition.
   Reference was made above to the stock-raising interests of Mr. Warner. He keeps about fifty head of pure thoroughbred Short-horns, and this he makes a specialty. He is the owner of some very fine cattle, and usually receives the first premium at any fair to which he may take his stock. Among the beautiful creatures, worthy, perhaps, of special mention, is the well-known bull Oxford Wiley, whose registered number is 76,720. Among the different varieties of stock are the Rosamonds, Princesses, Pansys and Victorias.
   Mathew Warner, the father of our subject, was born in the Empire State, in July, 1822, removing with his father when fourteen years of age to Ohio, where he made his home until 1852. At that time he emigrated to Iowa, where he still lives. He is a large dairy farmer, and in that line very prosperous. He is a man much respected in the community, and has frequently been called upon to fill various local offices. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret McMilen. This lady was a native of Ohio. They became the parents of six children of whom four attained to mature years. Of these the subject of our sketch was the eldest. The wife and mother died when our subject was twelve years of age. Later Mr. Warner, Sr., contracted a second alliance. He is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and much esteemed in that communion.
   The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Warner,

was born in Chenango County. N. Y.; as noted above he removed to the State of Ohio about the year 1836, and was numbered among the pioneers of the State. He went to work and hewed out for himself it farm from the primeval forest, erecting his cabin from the logs that fell beneath the powerful strokes of his ax. The whole of his life at that period was upon the same line, and was filled with the various pleasures, adventures, difficulties and hardships of pioneerdom. Here he resided until his death, which occurred about 1877, when he was about eighty-six years of age.
   The subject of this writing has secured the respect and esteem of the community, to which they gave expression by electing him to act as School Treasurer, and later as County Commissioner, the duties of these responsible offices being performed in a most satisfactory manner. He is a true and loyal citizen, both worthy and capable.

NCIL B. BALL, editor and proprietor of the Tecumseh Republican, came to this town in the spring of 1884, and established the journal whose politics are already indicated, and which has become one of the indispensable institutions of Johnson County. He has ably advocated the principles of his party, and has continuously urged it to take an advanced position upon all new questions which spring up for the voters of the State and county to decide. Many months before the Republican National Convention of 1888 met at Chicago to nominate a candidate for President, Mr. Ball hoisted a Ben Harrison flag at the top of the editorial column of his paper, believing from his personal knowledge of the man, that, of all the candidates under discussion, Mr. Harrison was the best and most available. His able articles, published in support of his favorite candidate, were largely copied in many of the influential journals of other States, and there is no doubt had much to do in calling the attention of the Republican press to Mr. Harrison, as Mr. Ball's was the first paper outside of Indiana to come out positively for the grandson of Old Tippecanoe.
   The subject of this sketch was born in Randolph County, Ind., Sept. 9, 1835, and about two years later his father, Judge John Ball, and family removed to Kosciusko County, that State, settling in a log cabin, in the midst of a timber tract. For several years thereafter the Pottawatomie and Miami Indians made that portion of the State their hunting-grounds, and their chiefs, Bennack and Peashaway, became fast friends of John Ball and his family. Upon one occasion at least they saved their lives from the violence of a hostile tribe.
   The early education of Mr. Ball began in that humble dwelling in the woods, with his mother for his teacher, and at evening the blazing hearthstone fire his candle light. Later on the log school-house was erected, where he attended in the winter season, working on the farm during the summer and fall. In the fall of 1856 he became a student of Ft. Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, from which he was graduated with honors, then, returning home, his father having died, resumed his labors on the old farm during the seasons of sowing and reaping, and employed his winters as a teacher.
   In the spring of 1864 Mr. Bull repaired to Warsaw, Ind., where he was engaged in the dry-goods trade until the fall of 1870. In the meantime, as a man well posted in politics and possessed of a large and of general information, he was esteemed competent to look after the interests of the people in an official capacity, and was accordingly nominated and elected by the Republicans Auditor of Kosciusko County. So satisfactorily did he acquit himself in discharging the duties of his position that at the expiration of his first term he was renominated by acclamation, and re-elected to a second term by a majority almost double that of the former.
   In the spring of 1883 Mr. Ball, having suffered greatly from ill-health, decided upon a change of climate, and spent a year thereafter in the city of Denver. Thence, in the spring of 1884, he came to Nebraska, and soon afterward established the Republican, which has now not only obtained a foothold financially, but in all other respects among the people of this part of the State. Mr. Ball has been a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since a young man of twenty years, and has taken an active interest in Sunday-school

work. He has been called upon to fill some of the most responsible positions in connection with this work, both in the States of Indiana and Nebraska. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity thirty years ago, is a Good Templar of twenty-nine years' standing, and an Odd Fellow of twenty-four years. A man of decided views, and fearless in the expression of his sentiments, he is fortunately possessed of the good judgement (sic) to know when to speak and when to keep silent.

AMES A. CARMAN, one of the younger members of the farming community of Spring Creek Precinct, is successfully operating on 100 acres of good land, comprising a portion of section 30. He is the son of Hon. A. A. Carman, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and was born in Cass County, Ill., Jan. 1, 1863.
   When a little lad two and a half years of age our subject was brought to this county by his parents, and was reared to manhood in Spring Creek Precinct, acquiring his education in the common school, and becoming familiar with farm life as it was carried on in the pioneer days. He grew up industrious and energetic, choosing agriculture for his occupation in life, and when ready to establish a home of his own, was married, Feb. 23, 1885, to Miss Annie McKenzie, the wedding being celebrated at Tecumseh, Johnson County.
   Mrs. Carman was born in Hancock County. Ill., and is the daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Pike) McKenzie, who were natives of Scotland and Kentucky. The mother is deceased, and the father is still living in Hancock County, Ill. The McKenzie family is of Scotch ancestry, and were early settlers of Kentucky, where the parents of Joseph McKenzie settled, probably after their emigration from Scotland. Mr. McK. has been twice married, his first wife being the mother of Mrs. Carman. Of his two marriages there were born eight children, namely: Thomas, now a resident of California; Annie, the wife of our subject; Amanda, Mrs. L. Martin, of McDonough County, Ill.; William, a resident of Adams County, Ill.; Ellen, the wife of Charles Underhill, of McDonough County; John, of California; Henrietta and Frederick, the two latter being the. children of the second wife, with whom Mr. McK. is still living in Hancock County. He is now nearly sixty years of age, a man of sterling worth and greatly respected by his community. He has for many years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as Class-Leader, and laboring as he has had opportunity in the Master's vineyard.
   To. Mr. and Mrs. Carman there has been born one child, a daughter, Carrie, Jan. 23, 1886. Mr. C. is a stanch Republican, politically, and with his estimable wife occupies a good social position, being, like his honored father, a useful and intelligent member of his community, encouraging those projects tending to elevate society and serve the best interests of the people.

[The CARMAN article above was typed for NEGenWeb Project by Ray W. Justus <rwjustus@cox.net>, 1331 West Folley Street, Chandler, AZ 85224-7511. Thank you, Ray.]

ERNARD M. PAYNE. The subject of this sketch has been a prominent factor in the building interests of Tecumseh for a long period, although for the last seven or eight years he has lived mostly retired from active business. A native of Morris County, N. J., he was born Sept. 24, 1818, and when a young child was taken by his parents to Long Island. His father lived but a few years afterward, his decease taking place when his son Bernard was a lad of seven or eight years.
   After the death of her husband, the mother of our subject removed to Bloomingdale, N. J., to the home of her father, where Bernard spent his boyhood days, and acquired his education in the common schools. He then began an apprenticeship in the mason's trade in Newark, N. J., where he worked for a period of fourteen years. The family then migrated to Ogle County, Ill., where Bernard M. followed his trade and became owner of a tract of land, upon which he lived and the operations of which he superintended, although not working upon it himself. At the same time he was largely interested in stock-raising. From Illinois he made his way across the Mississippi and locating in this County, still following farming and working at his

trade as before. Gradually he developed into a contractor, and his superior workmanship was always the source of a good income.
   The year 1871 saw our subject established in the vicinity of Tecumseh, he having purchased land in Maple Grove Precinct. From this he built up a fine farm, and later invested in city property. He removed from the farm to his town residence in 1877. Besides the work he has done for others he has put up eight dwelling-houses in Tecumseh for himself, one of which he occupies and the others he rents. Many of the best brick blocks in the city bear witness to his taste and skill, and will stand for years to come as monuments to his enterprise and industry. He is now in the enjoyment of a competency, and sitting under his own vine and fig tree, can look back upon a well-spent life.
   Mr. Payne has traveled considerably over this continent, from New Jersey to Florida and Texas, also taking in California. From the Pacific Slope he returned by the Union Pacific route to Denver, Colo., taking ample time to view the grand scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Socially, he is a genial and companionable man, one with whom it is both pleasurable and profitable to converse. He has made good use of his time and opportunities, and in his extended travels gained a fund of information which he is able to impart in an amusing quit instructive manner.
   Our subject has always been an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. His fine natural abilities would may a time have secured an office could he have been prevailed upon to accept. In religious matters his beliefs incline to Methodist doctrines, although he is liberal-minded, and gives his support to other denominations, believing that in all there is good, and that which will advance the moral welfare of the community. He is spoken of as a man whose honesty and integrity are unimpeachable. His influence upon the community around him has been of that character which is a blessing to any city.
   The marriage of Bernard M. Payne and Miss Albia A. Mayberry, of Blairstown, N. J., was celebrated at the home of the bride, and of their congenial union there have been born four children, three of whom are living--Josephine, Mary and Carrie. Mrs. Payne was born at Huntsville, N. J. Her mother lived but a short time afterward, and she was taken into the home of an uncle, in whose family she remained for some years. Her father having married a second time, she was taken to his home, and there she lived until her removal to Newark, N. J. At that place she boarded with the mother of Mr. Payne, and thus began the acquaintance which ripened into a mutual affection and finally marriage. In the meantime she had resided in the city of Brooklyn a number of years. The peaceful and happy home of our subject, however, was invaded by the fell destroyer, Mrs. Payne passing away in Tecumseh, in November, 1880. She was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted member of the. Presbyterian Church, a good wife and a kind mother. In early life she had developed a taste for literature and was a writer of considerable merit, of poetry mostly. At the time of the completion of the fine residence now occupied by our subject, Mrs. Payne was very ill and known to be beyond recovery, but she desired to move into the dwelling in which she had anticipated spending many happy years. Her death took place one week later.
   Miss Josephine, the eldest daughter of our subject, is the wife of Wilson Peterson, of Maple Grove Precinct, this county. Mary is the wife of A. M. Appelget, a prominent attorney of Tecumseh, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this ALBUM; they have three children. Carrie, Mrs. A. Callfield, is the wife of one of the leading dealers in agricultural implements in Tecumseh, and the mother of one child, named Bernard, after its paternal grandfather.
   James Payne, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, whence he removed first to New Jersey and then to Long Island. He was a hatter by trade, but dying when his son Bernard M. was a lad, the latter has scarcely any recollection of him. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Catherine Sandford, of Bloomingdale, N. J. The household circle included four children, one of whom died when young. The three surviving are Bernard M., our subject; Alford James, of Newark, N. J., and John S., also of that city.
   The maternal grandfather of our subject was John