1872, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a good Christian woman and a devoted member of the Catholic Church. To her and her husband eleven children were born, as follows: Hannah, who lives in Norwich, Conn.; John; Frank, a resident of Providence, R. I.; Annie, Mary, Nora and Ellen, all of whom are deceased; Bridget, who lives in Rhode Island; Eliza, who resides in Burchard, Neb.; Michael, deceased. and Thomas, who lives in Massachusetts. Michael and Thomas served in the late war as members of the 1st Connecticut, the former enlisting in 1861, and the latter in 1862, their regiment being attached to the Army of the Potomac. Michael was shot dead near Stafford's Court House, Jan. 3, 1863. Thomas was in the service until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Snicker Gap, Va., sent to Belle Isle for four months, and then had a four months' experience of the horrors of Andersonville. After that he was exchanged, and he then fought under Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley.
   John Carver was reared on his father's farm in Limerick, and obtained a good common-school education. He remained at home until his father's death, when he made arrangements to migrate with his mother and the other members of the family to the United States. They went from Cork to Liverpool, where they embarked on the American-bound vessel "Constantine" in the spring of 1851, and after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed in New York City. Our subject proceeded to Shaftsbury, Vt., where he was employed for a year in the public works. He then went to Connecticut, and was engaged in the Baltic public works for the space of three years, and subsequently did mason work for a year. In 1856 he moved to Greenville, Conn., taking the family with him. He engaged in the iron works, spring and axle making, in that place until the spring of 1869. He then came to this State by rail, and located in Dawson, in Richardson County. He bought eighty acres of land in that place, improved it well, and continued farming there until 1874. In that year he took up his residence in Pawnee County, buying 160 acres of land on section 2, in Miles Precinct. He made many valuable improvements, and conducted agriculture there until 1880. He then bought his present place, comprising 160 acres on section 11 of Miles Precinct. The land was at the time wild prairie, and our subject has labored hard to bring about the many improvements that make it one of the most valuable farms in the neighborhood. It has an ample supply of springs and wells, and is well fenced in hedge and wire. There is a fine orchard on the place of 160 choice fruit trees, and sixty acres of natural timber along the banks of Ball's Branch. The land is naturally adapted to stock-raising, and our subject besides breeding cattle, buys and feeds them. His herd comprises 130 head of fine grades, and he has twelve head of blooded Clydes and Normans, using three teams in working his farm, and he has a number of fine graded Poland-China hogs. Mr. Carver is also much interested in raising corn. He has an ample supply of substantial farm buildings, and everything about the place is in good order.
   The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Casey took place June 6, 1866. She was born in Limerick, Ireland. Their marriage has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Patrick, Annie, Teressa, Hannah and Michael. Patrick is farming 160 acres of land in Plum Creek Precinct. Annie married Michael Murphey, a farmer of Dawson, this State. The remaining children are at home. The whole family are esteemed members of the Catholic Church and were active in building the church. Our subject gave more than anyone else toward its erection, and when the structure fell down he was very active in soliciting subscriptions to repair it, and as Trustee of the church he is always laboring for its best interests.
   Mr. Carver is as patriotic and loyal a citizen of these United States as if he were native-born, and he takes great delight in watching the progress of the country. In him the Republican party has one of its most intelligent and independent supporters, as he votes only for those men whom he thinks thoroughly fitted for office, and on such grounds he voted for Gen. Harrison for President. He is influential in party councils and has been a delegate to County Conventions. Mr. Carver's sensible advice and clear common sense have often been used to advantage in the administration of public

affairs, and he has often been called to fill responsible offices. While a resident of Richardson County he served two terms as Justice of the Peace, find since coming to Miles Precinct he has been Assessor of the precinct for two terms, a member of the School Board, and has been Supervisor four terms.

ACOB T. BROWN. Among the solid representatives of the agricultural interests of Clay Precinct, no man stands higher than the subject of this sketch. His has been a career more than ordinarily successful, during which he has learned many valuable lessons, keeping his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world. He claims Ohio as his native State, having been born there, in Perry County, Jan. 20, 1844.
   The parents of our subject were Joseph and Ann (Kelley) Brown. The paternal grandfather, William Brown, was a native of Delaware, where he was reared to man's estate, and married a lady a native of the same State. Later, after the decease of his wife, which occurred in her native State, he removed to Ohio. Grandfather Brown spent his last years in Muskingum County, Ohio, dying when about eighty-four years old.
   The parents of our subject after their removal from Delaware were residents of Perry County, Ohio, the remainder of their lives, Joseph Brown, during the War of 1812, served as a drummer boy. The parental family included fourteen children, namely: William, James, Washington, Joseph; Jane, Mrs. William Dilts; Mary, who married Caleb Hitchcock. and is now deceased; Isaac; Noah; Sarah, Mrs. William Blizzard, who with her husband died in middle life, leaving a family of eleven children; Andrew; Thomas, who died in youth: Elizabeth died in infancy; Jacob, our subject, who was the youngest, and an unnamed infant.
   Mr. Brown left Ohio in the spring of 1885, coming to this county with his family. He had been married in Muskingum County, the Buckeye State, April 9, 1867, to Miss Mattie J., daughter of William and Amanda (Vickroy) Brown, who were natives of Maryland. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, namely: Thomas O.; Charles A., Eddie L., Herbert Earl, Foster, Beverly C. and George W., the latter of whom died when one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. They formerly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Brown became a member at of eleven years. In this our subject was at one time a pillar, officiating as Steward, and filling positions of trust and responsibility. He is now a Steward and Class-Leader of the church to which he at present belongs. In political matters he is a lifelong Republican, and a man who keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest.
   The Brown homestead embraces 330 acres of improved land. lying on sections 10 and 15. With the exception of ten acres of timber on Turkey Creek, it is all enclosed with good fencing, and embellished with a substantial set of frame buildings. It is largely devoted to stock-raising, and Mr. Brown also has attained quite a reputation as a buyer and shipper, sending away usually a carload of cattle each year, and sometimes two. He contemplates enlarging his capacities for this industry in the near future.
   For a period of seventeen years prior to his settlement in Nebraska Mr. Brown dealt largely in stoneware, purchasing of manufacturers and selling to retail dealers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. The knowledge which he thus obtained of general business has been invaluable to him in his later transactions. He was regarded as one of the best salesmen in the regions over which he traveled, and being always courteous and prompt to meet his obligations found abundance of friends wherever he went. He finds, however, more pleasure in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture than in the bustling channels of trade.
   After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Brown enlisted in Company H, 90th Ohio Infantry, under command of Col. N. F. Hitchcock, now of Sterling, Johnson County, this State. During his service under the old hero he entertained for him a warm admiration, being with him the entire term of his army experience. Col. Hitchcock was a valiant offi-

cer, and one who possessed in a marked degree the esteem and admiration of his subordinates. Of our subject he made a friend and companion, and Mr. Brown looks upon that epoch in his life, notwithstanding its privations and hardships, as one of his pleasantest recollections. He was one of the comparatively small number whose consciousness of the faithful performance of duty was a satisfactory reward, and he may be classed among heroes whose history will never be fully recorded.
   The 90th Ohio was equipped and ready for service in the spring of 1862. It took part in many of the most important engagements of the war, and Mr. Brown was a participant in many a scene of deadly conflict, having been in every battle in which his regiment participated. They were at Richmond, Ky., and from Louisville took part in the march undertaken to drive the rebel Gen. Bragg from the State. They participated in the bloody battle at Perrysville, and shortly after in the fight at Stone River. After this they followed Bragg all the way to Chattanooga. They also took part in the great Atlanta campaign until the fall of that city, and then they were ordered back to Nashville, where they had an engagement with Hood, whom they defeated, and pursued into Georgia. Then Hood decamped for the Carolinas. Col. Hitchcock gathered together what was left of his gallant command, and marched to the French Broad River, where they were in camp until after Lee's surrender. The command was finally mustered out in June, 1865. In all of the arduous marches and bloody battles in which this gallant regiment was engaged Mr. Brown did his duty as a patriotic soldier should, and retired from the service with a record of which he and his descendants may justly be proud.

ILLIAM A. GRIFFING, contractor and builder in stone and brick work, and also the owner of a good farm of 120 acres in Sheridan Precinct, takes a leading position among the intelligent, enterprising and prosperous business men of Pawnee County. He is pleasantly located in the village of Table Rock, in a neat and convenient brick house of his own construction. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wayne County, Aug. 6, 1852. His father, the Hon. George L. Griffing, was born Nov. 27, 1824, in Luzerne County, Pa., and there spent his early years. He received a substantial education in the common schools, and was subsequently fitted for the ministry. He was a licentiate of the Wyoming Conference, and preached for a number of years in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. His health becoming impaired, he was obliged to relinquish his professional duties, and seek a milder climate. Accordingly in 1857 he came with his family to Nebraska, arriving June 10, and spent the night with Mr. Ferguson, the first man who came into Pawnee County. Mr. Griffing bought a pre-emption right, half a mile south of the old village of Table Rock, on which stood a log cabin, into which he moved with his family. There were timber, stone and water on the land, the three things first looked for by new settlers, and only a few furrows had been turned. The nearest market was Brownville, the nearest mill on the opposite side of the Missouri River, and the nearest post-office Table Rock, that having been the first established in the county.
   On arriving here Mr. Griffing laid in a large stock of provisions, and, as game was abundant, was not obliged to go to the river the first year. The following spring he sowed a crop of wheat, the first ever sown in the county, doing the work with oxen. No schools had been established at that time, and he assisted in building the first schoolhouse, which was of stone, and stood on the spot now occupied by the livery stable of Taylor & Beck, on Luzerne avenue. It was built under the supervision of Peter Foale, a mason, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Mr. Griffing soon after added a log house to the one already on his land.
   When the Homestead Law was passed Mr. Griffing was one of the first men in the county to take advantage of it. He and his mother-in-law took up a half-section of land in Clear Creek Precinct, on sections 16 and 23, moving there soon after. Mr. Griffing at once commenced the improvement of his homestead, putting out an orchard and

groves of timber, which grew rapidly, and now yield an abundance of timber and plenty of walnuts, black walnuts and acorns. He made all of the improvements usually made by an energetic and enterprising farmer, having erected a commodious house, good out-buildings and a fine barn, as good as any now standing in the county. He carried on general farming on an extensive scale, having at the time of his death one of the finest herds of Durhams in the county, breeding and raising them himself, with special reference to the needs of a good dairy. He was one of the most influential and prominent of the early pioneers of Pawnee County, and a man whom his fellow-citizens delighted to honor. He was elected to all the local offices of the precinct, and, serving with acceptance to all, was afterward sent to represent his district in the State Legislature, where he displayed excellent judgment and much wisdom in council. In 1875 he was appointed delegate to the Constitutional Convention at Lincoln. His untiring energy, intellectual ability and shrewd sense were of inestimable value to himself in developing and managing his property, as well as of material assistance in aiding the growth of the town, as is shown by the fact that the $800 which was his sole capital on coming here was added to and increased, so that at the time of his death, Aug. 17, 1886, he left a comfortable competence to his family. It is needless to say that he was held in the highest respect and esteem by all, and his name will be reverenced and honored for generations to come.
   Mr. George L. Griffing was twice married. His first wife, mother of our subject, was Miss Axie Andrews, daughter of Adnal Andrews. She was also a native of Luzerne County, Pa. She was a woman of true Christian character, and died in October, 1857, soon after coming here. To her and her husband were born five children, namely: Maria E., now Mrs. Linn, of Table Rock; Mary H., now Mrs. Mitchell, of Clear Creek Precinct; William A., and Olin W., of whom see sketch on another page of this volume; one died young. The maiden name of Mr. Griffings second wife was Harriet Smith, and she was a native of London, and of that union there were also five children. Mrs. Griffing did not live many years after her marriage, dying in 1878.
   The subject of our sketch when five years of age came with his parents to Nebraska, and has since been a resident of Pawnee County. He received his education in Table Rock, attending the first school, which was a private one taught by his aunt, Lydia Griffing, in a log house three-fourths of a mile southwest of Table Rock. At the age of seventeen, desiring to put himself on an independent footing with the world, our subject went to work on his own account, and four years later learned the plasterer's trade. He engaged in that work in this vicinity, and has since added the business of contractor in brick and stone. He has labored successfully, accumulating quite a sum of money, a part of which he has invested in real estate, his first purchase having been eighty acres of land in Clear Creek Precinct. His first improvement was the erection of a stone house, and soon after its completion he married, and settled there with his bride, carrying on the farm and also working at his trade. Mr. Griffing has supervised the construction of many of the large stone and brick buildings of Nebraska, having taken the contract for much of the building done the first year of the boom in Hastings, and in the ensuing year having put up many buildings in Kearney Junction, on the Union Pacific Railway. He afterward did a good deal of contract work in Saline County, having DeWitt as headquarters, and subsequently erected several brick buildings in Pawnee County, among others, building in the season of 1886-87, a commodious brick residence for himself in Table Rock Village, which he and his family are now occupying Our subject is much interested in the breeding of horses, and is an excellent judge and admirer of a fine horse. He owns a magnificent, imported Clydesdale stallion, one of the best in the county, registered No. 5,803, and besides that has other registered Clydesdales. He has also some beautiful Hambletonian Stock, and has a one-half interest in the best pony in the State, which is forty-three inches high and weighs 635 pounds. Mr. Griffing intends to make horse breeding a specialty, and will devote himself to that business exclusively.
   Our subject was married, Dec. 10, 1875, to Miss

Alva A. Baker, who was born in Woodford County, Ill., Dec. 10, 1858. She is a daughter of George W. Baker, who is a native of Ohio, and during his boyhood a near neighbor and playmate of U. S. Grant. Quite a thrilling episode in the lives of the two boys occurred one day while they were playing near the mill pond of old Mr. Grant. They used to attempt to walk on the water by the use of distended bladders attached to their feet, and at one time Ulysses S., getting beyond his depth, lost his balance, and, his feet going up and his head down, he floated toward the mill race. Fortunately Mr. Baker was near, and, going to his assistance, rescued him from drowning, thus preserving for the time of his country's need one who became one of the most famed and honored of all the nation's citizens. Mr. Baker was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and after remaining in his native State some years moved to Illinois, thence to Nebraska, and is now living fifty miles north of Beatrice. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of three interesting children: Lillian A., born May 25, 1878; Mary, Jan. 30. 1880; and Frank Raymond, born in 1883.
   Mr. Griffing occupies an important position among the intelligent, enterprising business men of Pawnee County, and both he and his estimable wife are people of high consideration in this community, and are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject belongs to the I. O. O. F., and in politics affiliates with the Republican party.

OSIAH NESBITT. In the subject of this record we have one of the rising men of Mission Creek Precinct, who is comparatively young in years, and is bound to make his mark in the community. He owns a finely cultivated farm of 160 acres on section 19, with good improvements, and is each year adding something to the value and beauty of his property. As a man and a citizen he is one whom it is good to meet, being a gentleman to the manner born, courteous and agreeable, and one who impresses the stranger at once with his innate goodness of heart, and his unimpeachable moral worth. It is such men as he to whom the community is indebted for its thrift, intelligence and education, and a few years hence his friends predict he will be, if he is not already, one of the leading men of his precinct, respected not only for his public spirit and liberality, but as one who, by his enterprise and industry, has contributed in all respects to the growth and prosperity of this part of the county.
   Mr. Nesbitt is essentially a Western man, having been born in Hanover, Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Aug. 17, 1855. He was reared at the country home of his parents, becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, and acquiring his first book knowledge in the district school. Later he entered the German-English College, at Galena, Ill., of which he was a student one year, and from there repaired to Warren County, entering Monmouth College and taking the select course. In the spring of 1878 he came to this county, rented a farm one year, and in the meantime purchased 160 acres of land which constitutes his present homestead. Its present condition indicates the industry and persistence with which he has labored. He commenced at first principles, there being upon it no improvements whatever. He put up a residence, into which he removed in the spring of 1879, has planted a large amount of hedge, together with fruit and forest trees, and is now giving his attention largely to the raising of cattle and swine. Of these he keeps only good grades, and his farm is admirably adapted to this industry, being supplied with running water, and furnishing fine pasturage.
   After laying the foundation for his future home, Mr. Nesbitt returned to Hanover, Ill., and was married, Jan. 28, 1879, to Miss Orpha R., daughter of George and Margaret (Funston) Robinson. The parents of Mrs. Nesbitt were both natives of County Donegal, Ireland. Her paternal grandfather, David Robinson, also a native of Ireland, spent his entire life upon his native soil. On the mother's side Grandfather James Funston emigrated from Ireland to America when a young man, and located in Galena, Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where he engaged in general merchandising a number of years. He finally sought the Pacific Slope, and died in California.

   George Robinson came to America when a lad of eleven years, and for a time was employed as a clerk in the city of Philadelphia. He was married in Galena, and later engaged in farming and stock-raising, becoming very successful and the owner of a good property. He died in 1883, at the age of sixty-two years, leaving a fine farm of 240 acres, with other property. The mother is still living, making her home in Hanover, Ill., and is now sixty-seven years old. Mr. Robinson was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as Steward, and in political matters affiliated with the Republican party; of whose principles he was a very warm advocate. They were the parents of seven children, namely: James, Orpha R., William F., Lincoln, Ella, Joseph A and Bertha.
   Mrs. Nesbitt was, like her husband, born in Hanover, Ill., and of their union there are two interesting boys, George L. and Archie L. Mr. N. is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, attending services at Mission Creek. Mrs. Nesbitt belongs to the Methodist Church at Liberty. Our subject maintains a warm interest in the temperance question, and some time since allied himself with the Prohibitionists, by whom he is often sent as a delegate to the County and State Conventions. He is very popular with his party, and in 1888 was made their candidate for the State Legislature. Although expecting defeat, he ran ahead of his ticket, making a very flattering showing.
   The parents of our subject were John and Jane (Moffett) Nesbitt, natives of County Monaghan, Ireland, and who came to the United States after their marriage, which took place in 1845. The paternal grandfather spent his entire life in his native Ireland, engaged in farming pursuits. On the mother's side, Grandfather James Moffett was also an Irish former, the owner of a large estate, and he too closed his eyes on his native soil. John Nesbitt, upon coming to America, located near Galena, in Jo Daviess County, taking up 160 acres of Government land, which was mostly, covered with forest. He cleared the greater part of it, and engaged considerably in stock-raising during the latter years of his residence in Illinois. He invested his spare capital in additional land, and finally became the owner of 340 acres, all of which he brought to a good state of cultivation. He was recognized as one of the most valued citizens of his community, and was elected to the various local offices.
   In 1884 the elder Nesbitt disposed of his interests in Northern Illinois, and coming to this county, purchased land adjoining the limits of Pawnee City. He has three farms in Mission Creek Precinct, together with other valuable real estate, but some time since retired from the active labors of farm life, and is engaged in money loaning, having his residence in Pawnee City. He is now seventy-two years old, and the mother sixty-six. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has officiated as Elder a period of thirty years. The parental family included eleven children, nine of whom are living. These are named respectively; Agnes, Maggie, R. J., John D., Helen, Josiah, Lizzie, Adeline and Mary E.

OSEPH HAZELS. The sturdy Scotch element is amply apparent in the character of this highly esteemed farmer of Pawnee Precinct, who owns and occupies a fine body of its land. He makes a specialty of Galloway cattle and Poland-China swine, and from a modest beginning has arisen to an enviable position, socially and financially.
   A native of Forfarshire, Scotland, our subject was born June 16, 1848, and was the youngest of four sons, the offspring of David H. and Elizabeth (Thorn) Hazels, who were natives of the same shire as their son, and who emigrated to America in 1871, coming directly to this county. Joseph, on leaving his native land, at the age of eighteen, went first to South America, and sojourned two years in the Argentine Republic. Thence he sailed from Buenos Ayres to New York City, and a few weeks later we find him in this county. He was for two and one-half years employed as clerk by Alexander Campbell, of Marysville, Marshall Co., Kan. At the expiration of this time he returned to Pawnee City,