Co., Ill., J. D. April 16, 1859, and Joseph March 16, 1861. They are the sons of Robert and Elizabeth (Williamson) Barr. For parental history see sketch of their brother, William Barr, which appears on another page of this book. Their father flied when they were infants, but their mother bravely shouldered the support of her children and kept the family together. They were educated in the public schools of their native county, and when old enough formed a co-partnership with their mother and carried on the old homestead. In 1879 they sold the Illinois farm, desiring to avail themselves of the many advantages of climate and soil in the younger State of Nebraska. They came by rail to Table Rock, this county, and the first year engaged in farming near Pawnee City. In the summer of 1879 they bought their present homestead in Mission Creek Precinct, and ever since then have been residents of this place. Their land was entirely raw, and they immediately set about its improvement, broke the soil to prepare it for cultivation, built a house for their shelter, set out an orchard and forest trees, devoting some five acres to a grove that much enhances the beauty of the landscape, fenced the land in hedge and wire, and otherwise greatly increased the value of their place, They have met with extraordinary success in their venture, and as their finances increased have added to their land by further purchase, and now have one of the best improved and most valuable farms in the locality. They have erected a very commodious and conveniently arranged residence, with large barns and other farm buildings in accordance, and have a well of never-failing water, with windmill, tanks, etc., and have a good supply of farming machinery to facilitate farming operations. Their Gage County land, which they purchased partly improved in 1883, has also a very large house on it and other buildings. Their farm is well watered by Mission Creek, which just cuts off one corner. The size of their farm was not large enough, however, for these ambitious and energetic young agriculturists, as they wished to carry on firming and stock-raising still more extensively, so they rented 320 acres of the Bookwalter land, and are successfully managing 640 acres of land. Their hobby is feeding cattle, buying the most that they handle, which averages 200 a year. They raise graded horses, some fifteen to twenty head, and use five teams to operate the farm. They raise some 150 hogs each year, for which they find good markets. They handle their extensive and varied interests with consummate skill, and if they continue to be as successful as heretofore they will undoubtedly be numbered among the wealthy men of Pawnee County at no distant day.
   Our subjects are fine representatives of the vigorous, wide-awake young Americans who are materially promoting the highest interests of Nebraska. Mission Creek, where they make their home, finds in them two of her most influential and popular citizens, of high standing in social and business circles. They are young men of unexceptional habits, and are valued members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Mission Creek, and also of the Y. M. C. A. J. D. is Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with his church. They are both strong Republicans. J. D. is at present serving his second term as Assessor of the precinct, and he is also School Director.

USSELL H. SAMSON. As a fine representative of the influential, well-educated, and universally esteemed pioneers of Pawnee County, no one is more worthy of a commendatory notice than the gentleman whose name we have placed at the head of this sketch. Coming to Sheridan Precinct, where he has since lived, in 1856, he has been prominently identified with its growth and progress, and has well performed his share in placing it on a substantial basis.
   Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, born Feb. 25, 1832, in Wayne County. John W. Samson, father of our subject, was born in Rhode Island in 1806, and being early bereft of a father's care, went to Pennsylvania when quite young and served his time at the carpenter's trade. He subsequently bought a farm in Wayne County, but continued working at his trade on the railway, contracting for trestle work and for houses, being one of the earliest contractors of that county. After retiring from his trade he lived on his farm, though

not actively engaged in its management, until his death. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he became a firm supporter of its principles. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Mary Ann Hoadly, who was a native of Wayne County, and a daughter of Silas Hoadly. He was a native of Connecticut, who had moved to Wayne County, Pa., when a young man, and there cleared a farm from the wilderness, spending his remaining years on that homestead. Mrs. Samson survived her husband five or six years. She was a most estimable woman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born eight children, all of whom grew to maturity and were the comfort of their parents in their declining years.
   Our subject received a practical education in his native county that well fitted him for the teacher's profession, which he followed for some years. He subsequently worked for eleven years for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, commencing in a subordinate position as the driver of one horse, and being rapidly promoted until he became an overseer, having charge of two miles of gravitation road, with nine men under him. The position was a dangerous one, and our subject finally gave it up to come West, preferring to try farming in the new lands just being opened for settlement. Accordingly, in August, 1856, he visited Nebraska for the purpose of selecting suitable lands for agricultural purposes. Being much pleased with the location and climate of Sheridan Precinct, our subject pre-empted 160 acres of raw land here, and after making some improvements went east for his family. Returning with them, he came up the river on the boat to Brownville, and from there drove to Sheridan, and since that time he has been a permanent resident of this precinct, living at first like all of the early pioneers, in a log house, which was here when he settled. The county was then very sparsely inhabited, there being but few families in his neighborhood. Mr. Samson at once became an important factor in building up the industrial and educational interests of Sheridan, and after assisting in oganizing School District No. 34 served as one of its officers, the larger part of the time for many years having been Moderator and School Director. The first school in the district was hold in a private house, the parents hiring a Mr. Ball to teach the first two terms. They then built a frame schoolhouse one-half mile east of the crossing of the Nemaha, and just north of the precinct line. The school commenced with ten pupils, but the number has since increased until there are now sixty children of school age in the district, and the school has an enrollment of thirty-eight regular attendants. Soon after arriving he exchanged his preemption claim for a part of the land which he now occupies, and to that, as his finances would allow, has added more, until now he has a farm of 240 acres, with good improvements, ninety acres being on the upland, with fifteen acres of fine timber, and the remainder lying in the valley. He has an excellent bearing orchard, a good hedge along the roadside and his farm well fenced. His forest trees he set out himself, having besides put out many evergreens, which from some unknown cause have died. Our subject is especially interested in stockraising, having a fine herd of cattle, comprising seventy-nine head, with a thoroughbred Short-horn bull at the head, and also keeps 100 hogs.
   In 1860 Mr. Samson built his present residence, a substantial stone house, the first one of that material in the county, which will stand for many years as a testimony to his energetic industry. The lumber for one of the chamber floors he brought from the Rocky Mountains, drawing it on a return trip from carrying freight to Denver. When our subject first came here ready money was a scarce article, and people were willing to work hard for a small amount of it, and he used to haul his corn from 150 to 300 miles to ranches or cities on the plains. He made one trip of 200 miles with two yokes of cattle and one wagon, taking provisions from home for the round trip, and cleared $8 by his journey. One summer he drew his corn to Denver, driving six yokes of oxen ahead of two wagons that were fastened together, being encouraged to undertake the trip from the fact that the year before corn had sold there for $15 a hundred pounds, but he was not repaid, as he received but $4.75 per 100 pounds for his load. Mr. Samson's farm compares favorably with any in the county,

being one of the richest and most productive, and he has had opportunities to sell it at a large figure, but has steadily refused all offers. This is his home and here he has passed through many troublous times and many equally pleasant ones. During the grasshopper raid, when many faint-hearted people were discouraged and left the country, Mr. Samson remained and got along all right, his greatest trouble having been to obtain sufficient help, that having been scarce, even though the wages he offered was $2 a day. With wheat at fifty cents a bushel that remuneration was sufficient to keep every family from want in spite of the depredations of the grasshoppers.
   Mr. Samson has a good general knowledge of the early pioneer history of this State, and relates many interesting things concerning it. Although the settlement of Nebraska was conducted quietly, without the sanguinary conflicts that disturbed the colonization of Kansas at the same time, yet there were seasons of great excitement connected with the troublesome question of slavery. An "underground railway" for the use of escaping slaves passed through this precinct, running from Missouri to Canada, with the station at the house of Charles Giddings, Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church. He assisted many slaves from one station to another, and one lot was very nearly captured in this precinct. Mr. Samson is a man of probity, truth and honor, and has to the fullest extent the confidence of his fellow-citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont.
   The marriage of our subject with Miss Emeline M. Woodard (sic) was solemnized April 2, 1856. She was born in Wayne County, Pa., Nov. 26, 1838, and lived there, a member of the parental household, until her marriage. Her grandfather, John Woodward, was a descendant of the Puritans, born in Connecticut, moving from there to Pennsylvania, where he spent his last years. Asher Woodward, her father, was a native of the same county as herself, born in 1801, and carried on the business of a farmer in Pennsylvania until eight years prior to his decease, when he removed to Sandwich, Ill., where he died in 1860. He married Miss Matilda Kennedy, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., and to them were born ten children.
   The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of ten children, nine of whom are still living, the following being their record: Emery R., born Jan. 15, 1857; Jessie, Feb. 24, 1859; Myra A., Jan. 30, 1861; Eva A., Dec. 15, 1863; Willard W., March 6, 1865; Carrie L., June 11, 1868; May A., Oct. 26, 1871; Robert R., Aug. 20, 1874; Nellie G., April 16,1876; Clyde E., May 24, 1881. Robert died when an infant. Emery, who lives in Kingman County, Kan., married Mollie Donahue, and they have three children--Florence, Raymond and Shirley. Jessie married H. Dwight Tinker, of Humboldt, and they have three children--Eliza D., Cleora P. and Ralph. Eva is the wife of George S. Griffin, of Weeping Water, and they have two children--John and May.

RS. MARGARET E. BLACKLAW, a diligent and accomplished business woman, lives in Table Rock Precinct, where she owns a valuable farm, lying mostly on section 34. She is of Irish ancestry, born in New Ross, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, April 15, 1838. Her father, Thomas Quinlan, was born in Ireland, and lived there until he attained manhood, when he emigrated to this country. He subsequently married Miss Elizabeth Broom, who bore him seven children, five of whom are yet living, one son in Washington Territory, one son in Missouri, and Mrs. Mary E. Harbison in Kansas; Thomas Quinlan lives in Paradise, Nova Scotia, and our subject. In 1856 Mr. Quinlan came with his family to Nebraska, and locating on the Big Muddy, in Richardson County, pre-empted 160 acres, on which he settled. He lived but a few months afterward, however, his death occurring in 1857. Mrs. Quinlan carried on the farm with the assistance of her children, and continued its improvement until her death, ten years later, when it was sold.
   The subject of our sketch was eighteen years of age when she came with her parents to Richardson County, and after her father's death she remained

on the homestead, assisting her mother, and receiving a practical education in the duties and management of a farm, which has well fitted her for her present position. On the 1st of January, 1861, our subject became the wife of Mr. John Blacklaw, her marriage having taken place in Richardson County, where they lived the subsequent two years. From 1863 to 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Blacklaw lived in Pawnee County, and then returned to Richardson County, where they lived another year, going from there to Nemaha County. In 1868, desiring to permanently establish themselves, they again came to this county, and bought the present homestead. It was partly improved and had a mill on it, and a commodious house, which was at that time considered the finest in the county. It has a stone basement, with an upright frame of Gothic architecture, and was an imposing edifice for those days, and a very convenient, substantial house now. The Table Rock mill on the farm had then a large trade, and Mr. Blacklaw carried on milling in connection with his farming. He was a man of much energy and versatility, and met with good success in his enterprises. He was one of the first extensive raisers of stock in the county, keeping over 100 head of each, cattle, horses and hogs, all of a good grade. He invested a part of his capital in the mercantile business, and had an interest in the first drug-store opened in Table Rock, he having furnished the money and Mr. Burns operating the store. Mr. Blacklaw was a man of good business ability, an excellent financier, and was widely known as one of the wealthy men of the town. He was one of the first Commissioners appointed in this county, and held the position nine years. He was a native of England, born in 1829, and lived in his native country until a young man, when he came to the United States and settled first in Ohio, and then in Illinois, living for a time in Springfield. Then, desiring to prospect a little in the more Western States, came to Nebraska, and lived here, as before mentioned, until his death, Sept. 8, 1882. He was at one time a member of the Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared.
   After the death of her husband our subject operated the mill for a short time, and still manages her farm with the assistance of her children, of whom five of the seven born to her are still living, namely: Mary J., Anna E., James Q., John B. and Thomas William. All are receiving the advantages of the excellent school system of Pawnee County, and are being well trained in the practical duties of life. Mrs. Blacklaw is a most estimable woman, courteous and genial, and in every way worthy of the high consideration in which she is held by the entire community. She is a sincere Christian and one of the original members of the Catholic Church, which she assisted in building, and helps to support.

HARLES SEIP. The southwest quarter of section 25, Mission Creek Precinct, has been developed by our subject into as good a farm as is to be found in this part of Pawnee County. When it first came into his possession ten years ago there were scarcely any improvements on it, but by constant and patient labor he now has it under admirable tillage. It is partly fenced, and is provided with an excellent set of farm buildings, including a comfortable, roomy house, barns, etc. Four acres are in thrifty groves, and there is a large orchard of eight acres on the place. Mr. Seip has his farm well stocked with graded cattle and hogs, and has fourteen head of good horses, using three teams in his farm work.
   The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 28, 1841, in Emaus, Lehigh Co., Pa., to William and Catherine (Knaus) Seip. His parents were both born in the same year, 1807, and the father of German antecedents, but while the father was born in the Fatherland, in Darmstadt, the mother was of American birth, Lehigh County, Pa., being her birthplace. Her father, John Knaus, was likewise a native of that county. He was a well-to-do farmer, and a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. The father of our subject grew to manhood in the land of his birth, and there learned the trade of weaver. At the age of twenty-two he left his old home and associates in Germany, and migrating to America in 1829, located in Lehigh County, Pa. He began weaving there, also worked at mining, was frugal and industrious, and saved money, which he in-

vested in city property. In 1849 he moved to Venango County, the same State, and operated a well drill very profitably for a number of years. In 1873 death closed his useful and honorable career, in Richland Township, Venango Co., Pa. His wife also died in Pennsylvania, surviving her husband until 1882. They were people of great merit, and were justly held in high consideration by all who knew them. They were active members of the German Evangelical Church. Nine children blessed their wedded life, namely: William and Anna, both deceased; Mary, Charles, James, Henry; Amelia Maria, deceased. James enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, from Venango County, Pa., and served through the entire war, and was slightly wounded in the shoulder at Lookout Mountain. Henry was in the same regiment as our subject, enlisting in 1864, and serving until the close of the war.
   The subject of this sketch received the basis of his education in a German school in his native county. He was a young lad when his parents moved to Venango County, and there he attended the public schools. He remained at home until he was past twenty-three years of age, and he then shouldered arms and went forth to aid in fighting his country's battles on Southern battle-fields, enlisting in February, 1864, in Company M, 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the Army of the James, under the command of Gen. Kautz. He was mustered in at Camp Copeland. He took part in different raids, and in the Wilson raid his regiment was cut up pretty badly. Our subject was present at the engagement on Johnson's farm, and also did active service in the battle of Appomattox Court House and at Petersburg. He was at Richmond at the time of Lee's surrender, and in August, 1865, he was mustered out in that city, and at Philadelphia received his discharge and payment, he having served eighteen months with the valor and efficiency of a veteran.
   At the close of his exciting military experience our subject resumed the quiet life of a farmer in his old home in Venango County, Pa. He was there married, in Richland Township, Jan. 1, 1867, Miss Katie King, a native of that place, becoming his wife. Of this happy marriage eight children have been born: Alta M., Lizzie C., Harvey K., Homer A., Elmer C., Blanche I., Ida M. and Iva M. (twins), the latter of whom is dead. The others are at home, and are receiving good educational advantages. Mrs. Seip was born in August, 1845, to Adam and Elizabeth (Aungust) King. This lady departed this life April 4, 1884.
   After marriage Mr. Seip rented land in Venango County, and carried on agriculture there for two years. He then removed to his father-in-law's place, where he farmed for eleven years, until 1880. In that year he removed by rail to Pawnee County, Neb., he having been here the previous year, and being so impressed with the beauty of the country, the fine climate, the lay of the land, the exceeding fertility of the soil, and the various other advantages offered to an enterprising farmer, that he had purchased his present 160-acre tract of land in Mission Creek Precinct, with a view of making his future home here. He is now located on it, and has since made all the improvements mentioned in the opening paragraph of this sketch.
   Mr. Seip is a man of sound practical wisdom, with logical and sensible views on all subjects of general interest, in which he is well informed, and no man, for his moral worth and rectitude of character, stands higher in the estimation of the citizens of this community. He and his good wife were connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Marshall County, Kan., among its most active workers, he serving as Steward, and in the Sunday-school is also prominent. In him the Republican party finds an honest supporter. He is a valued member of the local School Board, this being his third year as School Director.

AMES TILLOTSON is a member of the firm of Sutton & Tillotson, proprietors of a hardware store in Table Rock, a brick building on the comer of Luzerne avenue and Public Square, which carries the largest and best assorted stock in that line, and is, in fact, the most extensive establishment of the kind in Pawnee County. Mr. Tillotson has full charge of the trade, and manages it in a thoroughly business

like and methodical manner, so as to secure good profits.
   Our subject was born in Walworth County, Wis., Sept. 10, 1858, and is a son of Joseph Tillotson, a native of London, England. His father was married in his native land to Hannah Hinds, and to them were born five children, three of whom are now living--our subject, John and George. The parents of our subject came to America in early life and settled in Walworth County, Wis., where Mr. Tillotson was actively engaged in farming for some years. He subsequently moved to Waukesha County, in the same State, and lived there until after the death of his estimable wife, and then broke up his home, and has since resided in various places, spending much of his time in traveling, and is now residing at Mansville, Wis.
   James Tillotson was six years old when his parents moved to Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co., Wis., and he there obtained a substantial foundation for a solid education in the High School. In 1874 he moved to York, Neb., and received a good course of instruction in the academy there, and also learned his trade of tinner in that city with J. H. Woolman, being with him three and a half years, and he now carries on his trade in connection with the hardware business. From York he went to Atchison, Kan., and worked at his trade there and in other places for several years. He finally came here in 1882, and worked as a tinner in this store for about three years, and then was taken into partnership in this the first hardware store ever established in this part of the county. Mr. Tillotson, although a young man, has already built up a good home for himself and family, and has gained a comfortable competence, every dollar of which is the result of his own labor, combined with shrewd management of his finances.
   Mr. Tillotson was married, Aug. 6,1882, to Miss Nettie Briggs, and to them have been born two sons, Herman Ralph and J. Edwin, both of whom will be given every advantage afforded by good education. Mrs. Tillotson was born in Walworth County, Wis., and is a daughter of Adam Briggs, a native of Pennsylvania. They moved to Wisconsin, and there Mr. Briggs was engaged in farming, and there they were married. They reared a family of ten children in that State, and there died. Mrs. Tillotson came to Pawnee County with her brother Edwin in 1880. He now lives at Valley City, Dak.
   Mr. Tillotson is well and favorably known as a man of strict business integrity, and his credit stands high in financial circles. He is genial and helpful toward those about him, and he and his amiable wife are favorites in the society of the place. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and do all that lies in their power to promote the moral and material advancement of the community. Mr. Tillotson favors the Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in politics, although not an active partisan.

EV. DR. MARION MORRISON. The United Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek has been presided over in a most worthy manner by the subject of this sketch since 1878, and he is considered one of the ablest men of this denomination in the West. He was connected with the well-known Monmouth College in Warren County, Ill., during its infancy, and was largely instrumental in its subsequent success. He is an eloquent speaker, forcible in argument, and as a pastor faithful and conscientious, making among his people his warmest and most faithful friends. Dr. Morrison was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2, 1821, and was reared a farmer's boy, attending the district school, and remaining under the parental roof until twenty years of age, In the spring of 1841 he became a student in the college at Ripley, Ohio, where he studied one and one-half years, then entered Miami University, taking the full classical course, and being graduated with honors in 1846. Soon afterward he entered upon the study of theology at Oxford, remaining there four years. He was licensed to preach the Gospel in 1849, and assumed charge of his first pastorate, the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility, Adams County, over which he presided six years. In 1856 he was elected Professor of Mathematics

and Natural Philosophy, and held these chairs in Monmouth College seven and one-half years, and until resigning his position. Afterward for six months he operated as a financial agent to secure endowments, and has since that time been connected more or less with the religious papers published in the interest of the church.
   During the progress of the late war Dr. Morrison enlisted as Chaplain in the 9th Illinois Infantry, receiving his commission from Gov. Yates, and journeyed with the regiment to the South, remaining with it until the 28th of July, 1864. He was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., and received his honorable discharge. He returned to Monmouth greatly broken down in health, remained there one year, and in June, 1866, took charge of the United Presbyterian congregation at Lacon, Marshall Co., Ill., where he remained until December, 1870. Thence he removed to College Springs, Page Co., Iowa, and remained at that place until the year 1878, and was engaged in general missionary work. In the spring of that year he was called to his present charge in Mission Creek. He found a feeble society of six members, and such has been the success with which he has labored that three congregations have since been organized from it. He is General Superintendent of Missions in this State, and his time is constantly employed in the Master's work.
   Dr. Morrison was married in Preble County, Ohio, April 30, 1850, to Miss E. S. Brown, daughter of Dr. George R. and Elizabeth (Presley) Brown, the former of whom was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were coming from Ireland to America. The mother was a native of South Carolina, born in the Abbeville District. Grandfather Brown, a native of Ireland, upon his emigration to America settled in North Carolina, where he followed farming the remainder of his life. Dr. Brown was educated at Abbeville, and after completing his studies took up his abode in Preble County, Ohio, where he established a lucrative practice, and followed his profession until failing health compelled him to retire. He spent his last days at a farm in Preble County, Ohio, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and died on the 21st of June, 1845, when seventy-one years old.
   The mother survived her husband a period of eleven years, dying in 1856, aged sixty-five. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their family consisted of nine children, namely: George, Jane, Grisella, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, David and Nathan. But three of these are living. Nancy is a resident of Jamestown, Kan., and Nathan lives at Pawnee City.
   Mrs. Morrison was born Aug. 25, 1823, near Oxford, in Preble County, Ohio, and was educated in the Female College at Granville. Of her union with our subject there are three children--William P., George W. and Mary E. William taught school for a time, but is now farming in Page County, Iowa; he has a wife and family of three children. George was graduated from Monmouth College, and subsequently pursued his theological studies in Xenia, Ohio. Later he was appointed a missionary to India, of which country he is now a resident. Mary E. is at home with her parents. Mr. Morrison, politically, is an earnest Republican.
   The father of our subject was Hon. Robert Morrison, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and born in November, 1782. He came to America in his youth, and was married in Ohio, to Miss Phebe McGowan, a native of Butler County, Pa. The paternal grandfather, George Morrison, was also born in Ireland, learned the trade of weaver, and spent his entire life upon his native soil. He married Miss Nancy Scroggs, who later came to America, and died in Adams County, Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years.
   The father of our subject upon first coming to America located in Kentucky, but only sojourned there a short time, removing thence to Adams County, Ohio, where he purchased 150 acres of land. He participated in the War of 1812, and was given a Captain's commission under Gen. Harrison. He did brave service as a soldier until the close of the conflict, and returning to Adams County, Ohio, became a man of means and prominence. He was identified with political affairs, and for a period of thirty-three years served as Associate Judge. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature, of which he was a member two terms, and introduced many sensible measures adopted by that body. He was a member of the Ohio militia as a Brigadier