Sandford, of Bloomingdale, N. J., and who married Miss Catherine Debough. He died when comparatively a young man, leaving his widow with several small children. Subsequently Mrs. S. moved to Bloomingdale, and afterward made her home also in Paterson and Newark, remaining a widow until the time of her death, which took place in about 1875. John Sandford was a native of Connecticut, and when a youth of sixteen years entered the Revolutionary Army, in which he served seven years, seven months and fifteen days. After his marriage he followed fanning upon land given him by the father of his wife, and there made his home until his death, which occurred after he had reached the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was the father of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to mature years. The youngest son when twenty-one years old entered into a foot race with his father, in which the latter came out first best. The mother of our subject was a very excellent woman, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

HOMAS H. BROOKS, the courteous and popular station agent at Tecumseh for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, certainly needs no introduction to the reader. His father, Allen D. Brooks, was born in Alleghany County, Md., on the 17th of March, 1807. There also he received part of his education, finishing it at Cumberland, whence he removed to Alexandria, Va., and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently he bought land in Preston County, now in West Virginia, and commenced farming and stock-raising, the latter receiving perhaps the major part of his attention. He afterward removed to Fairmont, Marion County, in the same State, and again entered mercantile life, in connection with which, however, he continued farming upon land situated in the vicinity of his business. He remained in Fairmont only two years, and from there went to Mannington, where from 1852 to 1868 he continued employed in a similar direction.
   In the latter year Mr. Brooks sold out and removed to Nemaha County, in this State, where he owned a section of land upon which he took up his residence. He was also the owner of three-quarters of a section of land in Johnson County. At the time of his purchase it was entirely unimproved, but he brought it to a very high state of cultivation. He erected a very comfortable residence, and continued to make it his home until 1876, when he sold it and removed to Tecumseh, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was a prominent man in the community, and was frequently offered but as often refused political honors. He was a strict and steadfast member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but even in this connection he refused all official honors.
   Previous to her marriage Mrs. Allen D. Brooks bore the name Rachael Michael. She was a native of Preston County, Va. There have been born to them nine children, of whom six grew to maturity. The father of Mrs. Brooks was Thomas Michael, who was born in the year 1819, in the same county. His daughter continued to reside with her parents until her marriage, which was most happy, and extended over a period of forty-five years, and which terminated in her death at Tecumseh, in 1873. Her father was by occupation a farmer, and as such bore his full share of the ups and downs in life incidental thereto. His wife was a Miss Brain, who presented her husband with six children. She lived to see her family growing up and preparing to take their places in the world, and died in the year 1858, having survived her husband three years. Both were ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active workers in the cause.
   The father of Mrs. Thomas Michael was captured when a little fellow by the Indians, who at the same time massacred his brother and sisters before his eyes. His father and mother were both away, and for the time escaped, but later his father also was killed. The lad lived among the Indians for quite a long time, and was brought up by them, and so much were the habits and customs of these earlier years ingrafted into his very being that he retained many Indian ways, manners and customs throughout his life. The scene connected with the murder of his brother and sisters was deeply graven upon his memory, and was entirely ineffaceable.

He afterward settled in Preston County, and became a prominent and much valued citizen. We would refer the reader desirous of further information and a more complete history of the family to the history of Maryland, where such information will be found, although the name may possibly be misspelled and entered as Bran, instead of Brain, which is correct.
   Thomas Brooks, M. D., the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Alleghany County, Md. He was born, brought up and educated in the city of Baltimore, where he became a physician, and practiced the heating art, as he did also in Frederick, Md. Subsequently he removed to a point in the Alleghany Mountains, where he continued to practice for a long period, and in his later days went to Morganton, where he continued the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred in 1855. Upon settling in life he married Miss Cardington, who became the mother of five children. She died in the year 1809, leaving a large family. Among these was Allen D., the father of our subject. Dr. Brooks again married, and was enabled to keep his home together, and thus the better fulfill his desires regarding his little ones. He was appointed a surgeon in the War of 1812, and being a very able man, enjoyed quite a reputation. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as such were faithful and much esteemed. Capt. John Smith of Revolutionary War fame, with his wife, occupied the position of godfather and godmother to Thomas Brooks, when he was in early life baptized into the Church of England. After attaining to man's estate, he, however, left the Episcopal for the Methodist Church.
   Thomas H. Brooks, the subject of our sketch, was born in Preston County, W. V., on the 8th of August, 1844. When but a youth he removed with the family to Marion County, where he received his education, which was thorough and practical, according to the ideas of the time. After leaving school he became a telegraph operator as early as 1859, when the old paper instruments were used. While still young he was given the responsible office at the railroad station at Mannington, after which he went to Cranberry Summit, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He was at Mannington in 1861, when the bridges east of that place were burned, after which he stood for many nights as guard over the railroad bridges west of that town, until he was relieved by the soldiery.
   After this Mr. Brooks volunteered to go into the service as a private, but was rejected on account of his age, and was advised by the inspecting officer to follow his own occupation. He worked at various points in Ohio and Illinois, for different railroad and commercial companies, until 1863, when he engaged in the Government service. He was now employed reporting to the Government Superintendent of Telegraph at Louisville, Ky., and was placed with a cavalry scout for service in the direction of the Columbia River, in that State. Here they remained for a few weeks, when he was sent to Columbia, and was stationed within a few miles of Morgan's camp. A secret spy reported to our subject, who transmitted the information received to the commanding officer at Louisville. Upon discovering how matters stood the rebels became greatly enraged, and seemed determined to capture Mr. Brooks. Several times they sent cavalry to take him, and as often did he succeed in eluding them. On more than one occasion he only managed to do so by jumping from a second story window, from which they sent bullets after him as he fled.
   For six weeks Mr. Brooks was thus employed, every moment of the time in jeopardy, and carrying his life in his hands. At the end of that period he was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. At Morgan's raid he saw the rebels coming through the town at a sweeping gait, and escaped under cover of an adjacent and convenient cornfield to the woods, and thence to a pasture, where he was assisted to a horse by a Union man, and made good his escape, but only by a hair's breadth. At Green River bridge he came to a company of Union men, and staid with them; together they saw Lebanon burn. He was in the employ of the Government until 1865. He was captured by Wheeler in 1864, and afterward paroled, and upon returning to the Union lines was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and was in service at Harper's Ferry and along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. At the close of the war, and at the time of the as

assassination of Lincoln, he was in the United States Telegraph Office at Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1865, owing to a broken condition of health, he was compelled to leave the service.
   Mr. Brooks next procured a wagon and team, and by the aid thereof journeyed across the plains to New Mexico, driving by day and camping wherever he could find a convenient and secure place at night, for Indian raids at that time were by no means uncommon. From New Mexico he went to Denver, and returned to Missouri in the year 1866, and there enlisted under the State to help suppress guerrilla warfare. He was in camp at Independence, Mo., and served for a time, and afterward went to Virginia and took up his old work. There he met and married Miss Susan Sturm, on the 26th of December, 1866. Of this marriage there were born four children, of whom only two daughters, Ollie and Flora, are still living.
   In the year 1868 Mr. Brooks removed with his family to Nebraska, and became the agent of the Union Pacific Railroad in the mountains while the railroad was in course of construction, a greater part of the time being surrounded by a community which by no means appreciated the action of the company, and on that account were anything but congenial. This continued until the spring of 1869, when he retired to farm in Nemaha County, which he purchased and remained upon it one year. He assisted in the construction of the telegraph line west of Dorchester, to Sutton, etc. His family was the first to live in Fairmont, Fillmore County. Thence he went to Beatrice, and was there stationed until he went to Lincoln as ticket agent for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. Leaving Lincoln, he went to Nebraska City as commercial operator, and afterward was appointed as agent at Tecumseh for the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad. There he remained until the transfer of this road to the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, when he was made station agent for the consolidated railroad. In all he has been agent here for the past fourteen years, and is one of the most respected men of the city. His sterling worth, ability and character are all testified to by the confidence reposed in him by the company throng out this lengthy period.
   Mr. Brooks has been a member of the City Council for five years, and has served with the greatest satisfaction to those by whom he was placed in the Council chamber. He is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, and has made the institution the subject of careful investigation. In connection therewith he has studied closely the sacred volume, and has produced a Masonic Bible chart that has been highly spoken of by those who know it. He is the owner of a fine residence on Third street, south of the depot, and there makes his home. In addition to this he possesses other important and valuable town property, also a farm two and one-half miles southwest of the city, and a half-section of land in the State of Kansas.

ATHANIEL O. BINER is a representative citizen of Johnson County, living on section 5, township 6 north, range 11 east, in Helena Precinct, where he owns 160 acres of good land. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1836, a son of Wesley and Ann Biner, natives of Virginia and New Jersey respectively. To this union seven children were born, and six are yet living: George W., Isaac L. and John M. are residents of Allen County, Ohio; Rebecca is the widow of John Hanz, now living in Butler County, Kan.; Sarah E. is the wife of Tilman Wilkins, and also lives in Allen County, Ohio, and Mary A. is deceased.
   Our subject was the eldest of the family, and was seventeen years old when his mother died. He lived with his father and grew to manhood in his native State, where he received such education as was afforded by the district schools of that day. He was sixteen years old when the family removed to Allen County, Ohio, which was the scene of his mother's death, and where his father had, in 1851, bought a tract of Government land, on which he still lives. In the fall of 1864 our subject determined to start out for himself, and going to Illinois, resided there for a few months; from there he went to Wisconsin, working in various places in that State until the fall of 1867, when he came to Johnson County, Neb., where he purchased and

settled upon his present farm. It was then in a state of nature, but by much hard work, energy and good judgment, he has made it a productive farm and a valuable property.
   In March, 1880, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Arminta Miller, by whom he is the father of four children--Mary B., Orren N., Ada E. and Ernest. Mr. Biner enjoys the esteem and confidence of the people with whom he associates, and who respect him for his upright principles and sterling character. He and his wife are leaders in the social circles of their vicinity, and in polities he is a Republican.

R. MALCOLM STEWART, physician and surgeon, and one who has built up for himself a good record as a conscientious and able practitioner, is a Scotchman (sic) by birth and ancestry, a native of the city of Glasgow, where he first opened his eyes to the light Oct. 30, 1858. His father, John Stewart, crossed the Atlantic with his family in 1870, and making his way west of the Mississippi, settled upon a tract of land in Black Hawk County, Iowa. There Malcolm was reared to manhood, and remained on the farm of his father until 1878.
   Our subject had in the meantime begun a practical education, which was completed in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated in June, 1881. In September following he was given charge of the Cascade (Iowa) schools, where he acquitted himself creditably one year, and in 1882 came to Tecumseh and conducted the first Teachers' Institute ever held here. He desired, however, something different from the duties of a teacher, and in the meantime had already availed himself of some of the best medical works within his reach, which he studied attentively, and prepared himself to enter the medical department of the State University of Iowa City. He applied himself faithfully, and was graduated with honors on the 5th of March, 1884.
   In May of the year above mentioned Dr. Stewart established himself in Vesta, where he began the regular practice of his profession, and where he has built up a good business. He has spent very few idle moments, and from the time of his coming here has been recognized as a valued addition to the community. He is prominent in local affairs and one of the most reliable members of the Republican party in this part of the State. He believes in protection to American industries, and has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, in which he has sought to uphold the principles of his party in that conscientious manner which is one of the characteristics of the man. He has been elected Coroner, filling that position creditably. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their home is a favorite resort for the cultivated people of their community. The Doctor is young in years, but has kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, and if he is spared will round up his days in usefulness.
   Dr. Stewart was married, June 22, 1884, to Miss Mary E. McGee, daughter of Thomas C. McGee, M. D., who died in Vesta, this county. Of this union there is one child, a son, Charles E. The Doctor and his little family occupy a neat residence, where they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. They occupy a good position socially, and the Doctor, both as a member of society and of one of the leading professions, bids fair to make his mark in the world. He has thus far been remarkably successful, being in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, which is steadily increasing.

[Note: Compare this to biography of Malcolm Stewart, M.D. on page 306 where birthyear is given as 1838!]

ILLIAM W. PERRY came to Spring Creek Precinct with his family in the spring of 1880, and settled on his present farm of 160 acres, comprising the southeast quarter of section 9. With the exception of eighty acres broken there had been but little attempt at improvement. He moved a frame house from M. D. Raymond's, moved into it, and soon afterward began the struggle with the soil in which he has come off victor, having now a good farm with suitable buildings, and being surrounded with all the comforts of life. His family comprises a most estimable wife and four children, two of whom continue at home with

their parents, these being sons, Edward M. and Austin A.; the other son is Thomas B. The only daughter, Martha, is the wife of H. L. Shaw, and resides in Elbert County, Colo.
   Mr. Perry gives special attention to the raising of good stock, including cattle, horses and swine. He has made farming a lifelong occupation, beginning his career as an agriculturist on the soil of Cass County, Ind., where he assisted his father in the building up of a homestead among the pioneers of that region. He was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 26, 1830, and when a lad six years of age was taken by his parents to Cass County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood. He is the son of Reuben and Cynthia (Coleman) Perry, who were natives of Washington and Greene Counties, Pa., and the mother of English ancestry. Reuben Perry, during the War of 1812, enlisted as a soldier, but owing to his ill-health did not engage in active service, and was obliged to return to the pursuits of a more quiet life. The parental household included six children, of whom four are still living, namely: Thomas F., of Brownville, Neb.; Ezra, of Barber County, Kan; Harriet, Mrs. Henry Merrill, of Nemaha County, this State, and William W., of our sketch.
   The Perry family took up their abode in Cass County, Ind., in the spring of 1837, and there the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1873, and the father two years later, in 1875, at a ripe old age. William W., like his brothers and sisters, was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, which, with all its difficulties, was not unmixed with pleasure, and participated, with other diversions, in many a log rolling in the Hoosier State. His education was conducted in the district school, and he took kindly to his books, developing into a teacher, at which profession he was engaged four terms. Aside from this interruption in his career he has followed farming mostly since the time he was old enough to be of service in handling a hoe or guiding a plow. He, however, learned bricklaying under the instruction of his father, who was master of this trade, and operated considerably as a contractor in Cass County.
   When nearly twenty-seven years old Mr. Perry, having in view the establishment of a home of his own, was married, Jan. 15, 1857, in Cass County, Ind., to Miss Mary M. Johnston, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 24, 1833. Her parents, James and Mary R. (Burges) Johnston, were natives of Ireland and Virginia, and spent their last years in Ohio. Their family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are now living.
   Mr. and Mrs. Perry continued residents of Indiana until coming to Nebraska, Mr. P. having built up a good farm in Liberty Township, Fulton County. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, and, politically, is a stanch Republican, The people of Spring Creek Precinct readily recognized his good qualities, both as a farmer and a citizen, and in the fall of 1885 he was elected Justice of the Pence. He has never desired office, however, and declined to qualify for this position, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests, he is a man of advanced ideas, fully posted upon the general topics of the day.