In this section the Trail of the Loup is rounded off and completed. Former chapters have told the story of the first-comers, of those who blazed the trail. Their work is practically at an end. The energy and enterprise of a later generation is even now transforming the pioneer hamlet and village into the modern city. Embryo cities are indeed springing up in the Loup Valley. Their ultimate growth and importance will depend to a marked extent on the ability and enterprise of the men who are building them. We have been fortunate in this respect. The business men of Loup, Garfield, Valley and Greeley counties are upon the whole, self-made men who have kept in touch with the world and its progress, who, indeed, have ever kept in the vanguard of its progress. The following pages tell the life-stories of a majority of the men and firms which are making our history today:

     BAILEY BROTHERS.--In course of years many of our prosperous farmers have turned their attention to breeding high grade cattle, and feeding these for the top market. One of the most successful firms of this kind in the Loup Valley is Bailey Brothers, whose fine stock-farm lies across the river and in sight of Ord. The Bailey brothers--Harry and George--are sons of Daniel Cooley Bailey, one of the fathers of the Valley. The brothers were both born in New York state in the early 50's and moved with their parents to Wisconsin in 1855. In the summer of 1872 the Baileys arrived in Springdale from Wisconsin. The next spring they moved onto the excellent farmsteads which they have done so much to improve down through the years. The brothers are expert farmers and stock raisers. Of late years--indeed beginning in 1890--they have taken to raising pure blooded shorthorn cattle. Their idea is that it is just as cheap to raise high grade cattle as scrubs, and on the market they are shure to bring better prices. Indeed it is a very ordinary matter for this (264) firm to sell their sleek, corn-fed steers on the Omaha or Chicago markets and get the very top prices for them.

BARNES & McGREW--Charlie Barnes is one of the old-timers in Ord. Indeed he has been in the barber business here since 1884, thus laying a just claim to being the oldest established barber in the county. With him is associated the popular young barber, Clayton E. McGrew, who learned his trade from Mr. Barnes years ago when the latter operated his shop in the old Hotel D'America. The firm is located on the north side of the public square, where it owns its own building. Absolute proficiency has built up for the firm a large and evergrowing patronage.

BOTTS, HOMER--was born in Iowa in 1873. He learned his trade of carpentry, in his home state and when he came to Ord in 1897, it did not take him long to make a reputation as a builder and contractor. Fine buildings constructed by him in Ord and Burwell attest to his unusual skill in his chosen profession.

BARTUNEK BROTHERS & NELSON--is the title of one of the newest firms to open business in Ord. Anton and Paul Bartunek had carried on a prosperous business at Walbach where they catered to a satisfied public for seven years. Prior to this Anton had worked in the largest business house in St. Paul and there gained invaluable experience. The Bartuneks are Bohemians by birth. Their early and commercial education was procured in the old homeland, which they left in 1888. Gus H. Nelson, the third member of the firm, is a Scandinavian by birth and was formerly engagged in the general merchandise business at Greeley Center. The firm is located in the fine new Misko block on the north side of the public square. Here they have a store room 24x80 feet large, well stored with general merchandise. Fine drygoods and shoes are one of their specialties. They are now doing a $40,000 business and face a bright future indeed.

BLESSING, ALVIN,--who has lately resigned his position as county clerk of Valley county to accept the position of assistant cashier in the First National Bank at Ord was born December 11, 1871, at LaGrange, Michigan, (webmaster note...Indiana?) from which place he came with his parents to the so-called "Michigan Settlement" in Valley county, in 1880. He has taught school and farmed, making a success of both. Four years ago he entered politics and was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket. Mr. Blessing is quite a landowner and has lately completed one of the most comfortable and commodious homes in Ord.

CAPRON, JOE H.,--the Ord real estate dealer, may justly lay claim to being one of the old timers. His early history told in the chapter on village organization, needs no repetition here. From quartermaster's clerk at Ft. Hartsuff he became editor of the Valley county Journal, which he continued to publish till July, 1887, when he sold the paper to C. C. (265) Wolf. It is as a dealer in real estate, rental and abstract work that Mr. Capron has made a name for himself. During his long residence he has become acquainted with every part of the Loup Valley, its people, products, prices, etc., and as such is now in position to give immigrants and investors the benefit of his intimate knowledge. Mr. Capron, who has become a man of means, is just completing one of the finest residences in Ord.

BOND ANGIE R.--the only exclusive milliner in Ord, was born in Michigan in 1874. She came with her parents to Valley county in 1877 and spent some years in the so-called Michigan colony in what is now Michigan township. She served her apprenticeship as a milliner in the employ of Mrs. Lee, an oldtime business woman of Ord. The next ten years she spent in the employ of G. W. Milford and Frank Mallory. When she started in business for herself she had a millinery experience of twelve years. Her first venture was in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, from whence she came to Ord in 1903. She carries a very excellent stock of goods and is known up and down the Valley for her fair dealing.

CLEMENTS, ARTHUR A.--county attorney of Valley county and one of the most successful young attorneys in the Loup Valley was born March 20, 1870, in Allegan county, Michigan, when he came to Ord in 1893. Here he became associated with his brothers, E. J. and E. P. Clements, of the law firm of Clements Brothers; first as a student apprentice, later as a partner in the business. As county attorney he is now in his second term. On January 28, 1900, he was married to Adelheid Reithardt. They have two children.

CORNELL BROS.--No more energetic and enterprising business men can be found anywhere than Cornell Brothers of Ord, dealers in hardware, tinware, stoves, plumbers materials etc. The genesis of their business is indeed interesting. The firm name was Originally F. Weaver & Co., who used to run a small hardware store in partnership with Hans C. Sorensen, at the southeast corner of the square. In November, 1884, this firm was dissolved and F. W. Weaver moved into the old Cheeseborough brick east of the post office where he operated a successful store for many years. Finally ill health forced him to give up business and he was succeeded by Cornell Bros., who came here from Alliance, well schooled in the details of a successful hardware and tinware business. The firm early found their quarters in the Weaver brick too cramped for their growing business and were obliged to move into the much more commodious Perry building west of the postoffice. But even this place of business has proven too small to accommodate the large stock that the Cornells have found it expedient to carry. Two large warehouses in other parts of the city are now used to store the goods which they usually purchase by the car lot. (266) In the main store is carried a well chosen stock of builder's materials, carpenter's and machinists' tools, cutlery, stoves and ranges, tin, copper and sheet iron goods in great variety. The work shop turns out all manner of tin work, including roofing and cornice work. The construction of pumps and windmills, and general plumbing are also important factors in this complete establishment. It is interesting to know that the volume of business for a single month during the summer of 1904 exceeded $11,000. Last year they purchased the Perry building, and now having added a complete farm machinery line of goods, have put up large warehouses to shelter the goods.

ERET, GEORGE C.--was born in 1874 at East Saginaw, Mich. His early schooling was procured at Red Cloud, Nebr., where he came as a child. From earliest childhood he showed a marked talent for music, receiving his musical education at St. Louis. He is especially fine on the violin and band instruments, having been leader of bands at Shawnee, Okla., Oklahoma City, Curtis, Nebr., and other places. Coming to Ord in 1897, he engaged in the barber business but left this to devote himself entirely to his loved music. He was married in 1899 to Miss Mary Masin, an accomplished musician. He has been director of the orchestra for three years and of the Ord band since 1904. He deals in pianos and also does piano tuning and regulating.

FACKLER & FLETCHER--The firm of Fackler & Fletcher, though comparatively new in Ord, is fast making a name for itself through square dealing and correct business methods. Samuel Fackler, the senior member of the firm, came to Ord in the fall of 1898 and engaged in the grocery business in a small way. He was then located where Mr. Stara's meat market now is. But the venture prospered from the first and Mr. Fackler had to seek a more commodious store building. This was found in the Woodbury building on the south side of the square. Mr. E. L. Collin became a member firm of the in 1902; he retired two years later, having sold his share to L. C. Fletcher. The reconstructed firm continued prosperous and again had to seek larger quarters. Accordingly they moved to the large Milford building where they are now located. At the present they are occupying a salesroom one hundred and ten feet in length and one of the most spacious warehouses in the city. Theirs is today the only exclusive grocery in Ord. The annual sales exceed $20,000.

FlRKINS, ALONZO J.--is one of our most successful stock breeders. He was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, in 1863, where he grew up and spent his early years, getting well acquainted with all the outs and ins of farm life. In 1883 he came to Valley county and possessed himself of the famous Cedar Lawn Farm, half a mile from Ord. Here he has occupied his time at farming, stock raising and breeding. While he has spent some time in raising Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, he now gives his time principally to raising and breeding pureblooded Hereford cattle. His herd at the present numbers some of the finest specimens in America and his stock is sought after by breeders from every part of the United States, (267) Mr. Firkins has thus had orders all the way from South Carolina and Virginia. Mr. Firkins has become a man of more than ordinary means during his twenty-two years on the Loup. He owns among other things a large ranch--the Klondike--in Garfield county. He was for years manager of the Ord Hardware Company and has been a member and president of the Ord school board for many years.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK--The economic history of any section of our country may be read in the history of its financial institutions. That the Loup Valley has made remarkable progress down through the years is nowhere more clearly demonstrated than through a study of its banking houses. Of these the First National Bank of Ord came into existence as a private bank in 1880. It was rechartered as a national bank May 1, 1885, with a capital of $50,000. The organizers were J. H. Bell, D. C. Bell, H. A. Babcock, Wm. C. Wentz, J. C. Post, Geo. A. Percival and P. Mortensen. H. A. Babcock was elected president of the board, but resigned and J. H. Bell was elected in his stead. Mr. Babcock now became vice-president, Geo. A Percival, cashier, and P. Mortensen, assistant cashier. In January, 1887, Mr. Mortensen was elected president, an office which he yet fills. Mr. Percival resigned his post as cashier in December, 1888, and was succeeded by Fred Bartlett who in turn was followed by W. E. Mitchell. The latter held the responsible trust till May, 1891. His brother E. N. Mitchell released him, retiring in January, 1896, to be succeeded by the present cashier, Everett M. Williams. Other officers are G. W. Mickelwait, vice-president, and Alvin Blessing, assistant cashier. The First National Bank was founded by men of exceptional financial ability and has from its inception had the confidence of the public. When financial storms came and swept over the country, the First National found no trouble in weathering them all. Much of this success may no doubt be traced to Mr. Mortensen, than whom there is no greater financier in Nebraska today. His rise in the commercial world has been little less than phenomenal. From a dugout on the prairie to office in the state capitol, all in the space of three decades is a record for any man to be proud of, and this is what the president of the First National has accomplished. The bank has always been conservative in business and yet at all times ready to extend aid and assist in the growth of commerce whenever consistent with safe banking principles. It has indeed been one of the greatest factors in the development of the Loup Valley. The steady growth of this institution can readily be gathered from a comparison of its financial statements published from time to time. Thus in July, 1885, its loans and discounts amounted to $17,558.30, while today the same items foot up to $344,660.88, then the deposits reached $20,000.00, now $802,000.00.

GARD, GEORGE R.--Ord's genial dentist, is most decidedly a Loup Valley product, his entire life having been spent among us. He was born September 6, 1879, at Kent, Nebr., a village between Taylor and Burwell, of which his father was one of the founders. Coming to Ord in 1887, he entered the public schools, continuing the education began at Kent. Being (268) eager to enter upon his professional life, he did not complete his high school course but, after first serving a brief apprenticeship in the offices of the leading dentists of Ord, matriculated in the Dental Department of the University of Omaha. He continued in school here from 1898 until 1901 when he received the degree of D. D. S. Immediately returning to Ord, he opened offices in the Mortensen block and is still in the same location, having there a fine suite of four rooms. He does not confine himself to practice in Ord but makes regular trips to Arcadia and North Loup. In April, 1904, he was married, to Miss Breezie Parks, a young lady accomplished in business and musical attainments. They have built a most beautiful and convenient residence in the western part of the city.

GREGORY, JOHN WILSON--proprietor of the well known Turtle Creek Stock Farm, was born in Marion county, Iowa, in 1860. He spent his youth and early manhood on the farm still owned by his father. Here he gained much of the training which later stood him so well in stead as the expert stock-raiser. He procured his early book learning, too, while on the old home farm. Mr. Gregory came to Valley county May 10, 1884, and ever since has been actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1887 he bought the Chris Keller farm on lower Turtle Creek and converted it into a first class stock farm. He has been intimately connected with the hog-raising interests in this part of the state for many years. His specialty is pure bred swine. Indeed, be is the owner of the oldest herd of recorded Poland China Swine in Valley county. Mr. Gregory has made quite a name for himself in this field and his stock is everywhere in great demand. Although a busy man, he has found some spare time for politics. He belongs to the People's Independent Party, and is now serving his third term as supervisor from the first district. In 1897 he married Miss Mary Tucker. Mrs. Gregory, who was born in Effingham county, Illinois, came to Nebraska in 1887, and to Ord two years later. She attended the Ord High School and the Fremont Normal and taught in the Ord schools from 1896 to 1897. The Gregorys have two children--J. W. Jr., and Joseph.

GUDMUNDSEN, JUDGE HJALMAR--is a native of Denmark, though coming from a good old Iceland ancestry. He was born at Nysted, Denmark, May 27, 1860, where he spent the days of his youth. His early training came from the hand of private tutors who advanced him through the Danish Latin, School course. In common with other young countrymen, he, early became anxious to make a way for himself in the promised land--America. Accordingly he sailed for Quebec, which he reached in 1878. After spending a year in Canada he journeyed on to the United States. Five years were now spent in the regular army, U. S. A. Receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Gudmundsen was so fortunate as to receive the superintendency of the Shoshone Indian Training School. This he hold till Cleveland's first administration, when (269)  he resinged to give place to a Democratic appointee. In 1884 he married Miss Katie B. Jensen, of Shoshone. The family came to Ord in 1888 and has resided here ever since. Mrs. Gudmundsen died in 1902, leaving seven children living. Mr. Gudmundsen has filled various positions of honor during the seventeen years spent in Valley county. He was deputy county clerk under several administrations, and has served both as assessor and treasurer of his township. When the Spanish American War broke out in 1898 he was captain of Co. B, 2nd Reg. N. N. G., and in that capacity marched his company to the front. The company did not however get beyond Chickamauga. In November, 1903, he was elected county judge, an office which he fills with much credit to himself and his party.

HALDEMAN, F. D.--Dr. Frederick D. Haldeman was born October 2, 1859, in Muscatine county, Iowa. He received his early education at West Liberty High School and then matriculated at the Iowa State University. From early boyhood had he decided upon medicine as his chosen profession. To gain his end he entered the office of Dr. W. S. Gibbs, at Downy, Iowa. He took his first course of medical lectures at the Medical Department of the State University at lowa City. The remaining two courses were taken at Omaha, in the new medical school. Dr. Haldeman graduated from this institution March 23, 1882, and had the honor of being the valedictorian of his class. He immediately located at Ord and has through the years built up a very large practice. By his profession he has been honored, being in I896 elected president of the Nebraska State Medical Society. By his fellow townsmen he is considered one of the most substantial of professional men. Dr. Haldeman was married to Miss Olive A. Newbecker of Ottawa, Ill., January 14, 1885. Two children were born to them--Irma and Keene--the death of the former resulting after a long sick spell, Dec. 25, 1905.

KOKES, JOHN--was born in Bohemia March 16, 1864. He attended school in his native country for some twelve years, two of which were spent in the Bohemian Real School. He came to the United States in 1880 and settled with his parents on a homestead in Michigan township, Valley county. He later moved to the White River country and homesteaded a farm there. After spending some years out west he settled on the sand flats. Here his wife died in 1901. He now entered politics and was elected sheriff. In 1903 he was reelected to this office.

JONES, ALTA BELLE--was born February 11, 1877, in Warren county, Illinois. She moved to Missouri in 1879 and received her early  (270) education there. In 1887 she came to Valley county with her parents. She graduated from the Ord High School in the class of 1893 and immediately commenced teaching Her experience in this, her chosen field covers three years in the rural schools, five years in the Ord schools and two years in the schools of Colorado, While a busy teacher she has neglected no opportunity for self improvement. Thus she has attended summer school at the University of Nebraska, at Drake University, and at schools in Grand Island and Fremont. She was elected county superintendent on the Republican ticket in 1908.

HONNOLD, A. R.--One of the youngest of the successful members of the Ord bar is Arthur Rankin Honnold. His father came to Valley county in 1874 and settled in Mira Valley. Here Arthur was born in 1876. He has thus grown up in and with Valley county. His early education was gotten in the rural schools and the Ord High School, from which latter institution he graduated in 1898. After completing a course in the Grand Island Business College he was appointed state accountant of the Insane Hospital at Lincoln. Two years later he entered the law department of the University of Nebraska, graduating with the law class of 1904. The same year he was associated in law practice with Victor O. Johnson at Ord. October 1, 1904, Mr. Johnson retired from the firm, moving to Oklahoma. This left Mr. Honnold in sole possession. He has been very successful. As an evidence of this he has purchased the extensive law library of the late Judge Chas. A. Munn. Aside from his legal practice Mr. Honnold deals in real estate and writes insurance.

KOUPAL & BARSTOW--It is safe to say that of the many firms doing business in our Valley, none have been more successful along legitimate lines than has Koupal & Barstow Lumber Company. Frank Koupal, who manages the local yard, is practically a Valley county product so far as his business career is concerned. Though born in Bohemia--January 29, 1865--his education was practically all procured in the country of his adoption. He appeared before the public first as a trusted employee in the Jaques Grain Company and in politics as county clerk between 1898 and 1900. William T. Barstow, who now resides at Lincoln, is a New Englander and came to Ord in the early '80's. He clerked in the old B. C. White store for a while; but his unusual ability was soon recognized by C. M. Jaques, the grain dealer, who first took him into his employ and later into partnership. The Koupal & Barstow Lumber Company is incorporated with a captal of $50,000 and owns and operates yards at Ord, Greeley Center, Sargent and Ericson. It carries in stock enormous quantities of building a materials of all kinds and is through its accurate and business like methods rapidly attaining an enviable position among the leading lumber firms of the state.

MISKO, FRANK--was born in Bohemia in 1853, He came from very (271) good ancestry there. His -parents sent him to school at an early age and later apprenticed him in the harness business. Thus time passed till he was twenty years old. He now spent three years in the Austrian Army. He came to the United States in his early manhood and first sought a career in the great northwest. Thus he alternately followed his profession and farmed in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. He married Miss Mary Rayman while in Minnesota. Of this union six children were born, of whom four are living. Mr. Misko and family arrived at Ord in 1882. Here he immediately launched in the harness business. In 1882 he built a small brick shop on the north side of the square. But his business rapidly increased obliging him to build the large two-story brick building where he is now located. In 1904 he further built a large double two story building on the north side of the square. Mr. Misko is enterprising and public spirited and has done very much indeed to build up Ord. As a dealer in harness and other leather goods he is known up and down the Valley for many miles, Thus he is known to make regular sales in Custer, Garfield, Sherman and Loup counties. Mr. Misko's success in a business way is attributable to honest methods and exceptional ability.

MORTENSEN, PETER--treasurer of the state of Nebraska, belongs to the hardy race which comes out of the peninsula of Jutland, Denmark, where he was born Oct. 8, 1844. He came to America in 1870 and worked in Coal Mines and iron works at and near Warrensburg, Missouri, for a year or more. In the spring of 1872 he came as one of the first Danish colony to Valley county and entered the northeast quarter of section 8, Town 19, Range 14 where he erected the famous first combination dugout-loghouse in the county. From the very first has he been before the public eye in one capacity and another. His career is worthy of careful study and emulation. In 1872 he walked barefoot the long distance form Ord to Dannebrog with a sackful of plowshares on his back, which needed sharpening. Today he is the treasurer of our great commonwealth; all this he has accomplished through common honesty, sound business sense and pure grit. He was county treasurer of Valley county from 1875 to 1884; then he was elected assistant cashier of the new First National Bank of Ord. He soon rose through the position of cashier to the presidency of the institution which he yet fills. He has ever been interested in the development of the Loup region and is extensively interested in its real estate and gives much attention to agriculture and stock raising. He was married February 16, 1878, to Jennie H. Williams of West Paw Paw, Illinois, and has one son, Crawford.

NEWBECKER, MINERVA M.--was,born in Harrisburg, Pa. Her early education was obtained here, she being a graduate of Harrisburg Female Seminary. She taught in her native town till 1870 when she moved with her parents to Illinois where she continued as teacher in Ottawa. In 1889 she entered the Chicago Medical College or the Northwestern University. On receiving her degree in 1893, she became interne in Chicago Hospital for Women and Children, and later practiced her profession in (272) Chicago. She was in Omaha one year and was most successful for over six years as woman physician in the State Asylum for insane at Lincoln, Nebr. She entered into partnership with Dr. Haldeman at Ord in July, 1901. At the expiration of three years she entered into practice alone, first building herself an office on Main street and a most comfortable residence. She has built up a large practice and is very successful.

ORD NORMAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE--while one of the newest institutions established in the city, promises fair to take rank with the best s chools of its kind. Prof. L. R. Bright, its principal and organizer, is a gentleman of culture, well fitted to make the venture a success. The high quality of work done in all departments of the school the past school year insures a greatly increased attendance for the coming scholastic year, which opens in September. From the new catalogue we glean the following interesting facts: "The Ord Normal and Business College is just a year old, and starts on its second year with the satisfaction of knowing that the first year was a successful one. Not in any manner connected with the school that was established by C. W. Roush and which had so unfortunate an experience, the Ord Normal and Business College is a fixture in Ord, and is the home of Prof. Bright, the principal. Ord is a good place for such a school. The business enterprise of the city has placed it ahead of any town in the county, and there is a certain vim and push about the town that becomes an incentive to a student coming here from other places. The public schools of Ord are among the best in the state, and a splendid educational tone permeates the city. Excellent lecture courses are maintained every season. The churches of the city are well attended and the pulpits ably filled. The young people of the various church societies will welcome you to their services.

ORD QUIZ, THE--On the 6th day of April, 1882, the first issue of the Ord Quiz was printed and issued from a small shack, now gone on the east side of the public square. It was established by the present owner, then a young man, with no newspaper experience. He came here because he was financially interested in the original townsite and that was all he had on earth but a young wife and a few debts incident to several years of college going. Whether the town needed another paper he did not know, and whether he was at all likely to succeed did not enter his head. From his early youth he was determined to be a printer, and as it was practically impossible for him to start anywhere else, he started here. For some reason, the Lord only knows what, the paper has succeeded. It stands pretty well in the estimation of the public and among the newspaper men of the state. Most everybody in the county permits it to come to his home, and most of these pay for it. It has one of the best printing plants in the state, equalled only by the best offices in three or four cities, and is housed (273) in a new building erected specially for it last fall by the publisher. The Quiz is one of the very few papers which have run for about a quarter of a century without a change in ownership. Its files, which have been preserved from the beginning, have been largely utilized in the preparation of the foregoing history, and are in many instances, the only authority extant.

ROBBINS, A. M. --attorney-at-law, was born in McHenry county, Ill., in 1849. Shortly after this his folks moved to Boone county, Ill., where he lived on a farm until the spring of 1866, when he struck out for himself. Going to DeKalb county, in the same state, he continued to work by the month as a farm hand until the spring of 1868, when he entered the Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary of East Paw Paw, Ill., and commenced a course of studies. He continued his attendance at the institute (with the exception of winters when he was teaching) until July 4, 1873, when he graduated and had conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science. A few weeks after he graduated, he commenced the study of law in the office of A. K. Truesdell, of Dixon, Ill., and was admitted to practice in the fall of 1875 before the Supreme Court of that state, and in December of the same year was admitted to practice at Omaha. On January 1, 1876, he opened an office at Papillion, Neb., and soon accumulated a successful lucrative practice. He continued in practice there until April, 1881, when he moved to Ord. Mr. Robbins has now been a practicing attorney in Ord for almost a quarter of a century and has built up a large practice in this part of the state. He has represented his district in the state senate and held other positions of public trust in his community. As one of the original founders of Ord he has been extensively interested in real estate in and around Ord. He was married in 1872 to Miss Cynthia C. Haskell, a resident of DeKalb county, Illinois, who is also a graduate of the Classical Institute of Paw Paw, Illinois. They have seven children who have all graduated from the Ord High School and later, after pursuing courses of study in higher institutions of learning, entered upon honorable careers for themselves. The youngest daughter, Alice, is the wife of the author of "The Trail of the Loup."

STAPLE, R. L.--was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and moved to Grundy county, Iowa, when five years old. in 1879 he came with his parents to Wheeler county, Nebr., where he spent some years on his father's ranch. Clerical work was, however, more to Mr. Staple's liking. Accordingly he went into the Albion postoffice as deputy. Two years later he was appointed to a position in the office of the clerk of Boone county. In 1884 he went into the real estate business with his brother, W. L. Staple, at Cumminsville, Nebr., and that fall was appointed county clerk of Wheeler county. Two years later he retired to the practice of the law and further engaged in the real estate business at Bartlett, Nebr. He was married to Miss Margaret Erickson of Ericson, Nebr., in September, 1886, and is now the father of four bright children, two boys and two girls. He came to Ord with his family in 1892 and immediately hung out his shingle there. In January, 1893, he was elected secretary of the Valley County Abstract (274) Company, of which organization he became the sole owner ten years later. In 1895 he re-entered politics and was elected county judge, and was reelected in 1897, and again in 1899 and in 1901. When the last term expired he retired to private life and to the many duties of a growing legal and abstract business. Mr. Staple's specialty is the examination of titles, in which he has had twenty years' experience. He is also extensively engaged in insurance and real estate business.

TAYLOR, DR. GEORGE W.--was, born at LaPorte, Indiana, in 1877. His early education was gained at the La Porte High School. Later he studied at the University of Tennessee, which he left to enter the Dental Department of the University of Illinois. Here be received his degree in 1901. After being associated with a firm of dentists in Chicago for some time, Dr. Taylor came to Ord and entered the partnership of Holson & Taylor. This was in the fall of 1901. In 1903 Dr. Holson retired, leaving the latter in possession of the business at Ord, Dr. Taylor has built up here a good practice and is well known for his expert workmanship.

WATSON & HALLOCK--The firm of Watson & Hallock, barbers, was established in 1903. J. E. Watson, the expert tonsorial artist, was associated with Charlie Barnes from '99 to '02. Ernest N. Hallock learned his trade in Omaha where he spent a number of years. This popular firm recently moved into the new Quiz block. Their new quarters are equipped with baths and all the latest appurtenances which go to make up a firstclass barber shop.

BARTOO, DR. ALBON E.--was born in Eden, Erie county, N. Y., in 1862. After completing his studies in the district school he entered Springville (N. Y.) Academy where he attended two fall terms. During the winter months he taught school and later attended for one term each the academies at Forestville and Hamburg. In the fall of 1885 he matriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated as president of his class in 1889. For six months he practiced in Angola, N. Y., then removed to Wescott, Nebr., and nine months later, in 1890, to Arcadia, where he has since lived and where for a time he was one of the proprietors of the Crystal Drug Store. The doctor is a member of the Custer county Medical Society and the ex-secretary of the Loup Valley District Medical Society. In the fall of 1896 he married Miss Rosetta F. Potter and the following year built a cozy residence in the southern part of town. Dr. and Mrs. Bartoo are the parents of two children, daughters. While always interested in politics the doctor never sought any office till in response to unanimous nomination in the Republican county convention for representative in the fall of 1902, he accepted and was elected the first Republican to fill that office for twelve years. He was chairman of the Insane Hospital Committee, and a member of Committees on Irrigation, Medical Societies, Corporation, and Public Lands and (275) Buildings. It was largely due to his work that an appropriation for rebuilding the Norfolk Asylum was secured. He was re-elected representative in 1904.

FRIES, HON. M. L.--one of the best known business men and politicians of our state, was born on a farm at Winchester, Virginia, October 15, 1856. His parents were poor, the father indeed dying before the boy was born. The mother too died before he reached manhood. Thus he early learned to hustle for himself, a habit which his record shows he has been true to ever since. When Mr. Fries was but twelve years old the family moved to Jasper county, Missouri. Here he spent his winters in the country schools and managed by dint of hard work to get a year's instruction in the Carthage High School. Determined as he was to got an education the young man succeeded in getting through and graduating from the Scientific Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School. Then some years were occupied at teaching school in Indiana and Illinois. But failing health forced a change in climate, and for the next three years Mr. Fries held the responsible position as president of the Sierra Normal College at Auburn, California. This was between 1881-1884. Then for a year he was associated with Heald's Business College, San Francisco. In the spring of 1886 he located at Arcadia, Valley county, and engaged in the lumber business, which he has pursued successfully for almost twenty years. Indeed he has now one of the best equipped lumber yards in the state, and to judge by his books, does probably as big a business as any individual dealer in Nebraska. Mr. Fries is nothing if not public spirited. From the day he first came to the state he has been active in politics. Thus he has served as county supervisor for a number of terms. He was on the state ticket as a McKinley presidential elector in 1896, and has been twice elected state senator from his district. He was one of the important special committee that drafted the now revenue law. Mr. Fries has during these years of public activity won many friends over the state who speak of him as a logical Republican candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1906. He would indeed make a strong candidate and an excellent chief executive. He was married to Cora Anderson in Streator, Illinois, in 1883, and has one daughter, aged nineteen. The Fries family has a pleasant home in Arcadia and is exceptionally prosperous.

ROBINSON HOTEL--There is perhaps nothing more essential to the life of a town than a good, first-class hotel. For seven years prior to the establishment of the Robinson Hotel in June, 1905, Arcadia had been without this essential. Joshua M. Robinson, the proprietor of the now hostelry, was born in Mercer county, Ill., October 17, 1872. When seven years old his parents moved to Nebraska and homesteaded seven miles southwest of Loup City. Five years later they removed to a quarter which they had pre-empted four miles northeast of Arcadia. Here Mr. Robinson grow to manhood. At the age of seventeen years he went to Alliance, near which place he taught three, very successful years of school. He then attended the Scotia Normal and Business University till he graduated, August 3, (276) 1893. For two years he now taught in the country and was afterwards principal of the High School at Scotia for the same length of time. For the next three years he kept books for W. B. Weekes & Co. of Scotia. March 1, 1905, he bought his present hotel property and after extensive improvements, opened his house June 11, 1905. The Robinson Hotel is a fine three-story structure. It is fitted with all the modern conveniences, The rooms are large and airy and heated with hot water. In fact it is as good a $2.00 a day house as there is in this part of the state. In February, 1902, Mr. Robinson married Miss Gertrude B. Sturgeon of Alliance. They are the parents of two fine boys.

SORENSEN, WALTER--Walter Sorensen, one of the leading citizens of Arcadia, and who owns a beautiful residence in Arcadia, was born in Ribe, Denmark, in 1874. He came to this country in 1891. He went to work on a farm near Loup City, Sherman county, which he followed for two years, when he entered the barber shop at Loup City as an apprentice. He followed the barber business for two years at various points in the Loup country, and in 1895 he came to Arcadia, with but 75 cents in his pocket, but with a carload of grit. He bought the barber shop, and started business for himself. The fact that today he owns this beautiful home, and is in comfortable circumstances tells its own story. This is but another example of what can be done in the Loup country by one who sticks to it. He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Nina Landers, and one daughter has been born to them.

BABCOCK, E. J--The most prominent member or the North Loup bar for many years has been E. J. Babcock. He was born at Dakota, Wisconsin and came to Valley county in 1872. He received his first college education at Doane College, Crete, and later spent some years in Alfred University, New York, from which institution he received his Ph. B. in 1884. Later his alma mater granted him the degree of Ph. M. for postgraduate work. His law studies, which were commenced in New York, were continued under the veteran Tom Redlon at North Loup, He was ultimately admitted to the bar in 1886. Ever since that time Mr. Babcock has practiced law before the courts of Nebraska. He is considered one of the most successful barristers in this part of the state.

BABCOCK & GOWEN--The firm of Babcock & Gowen, general merchandise, is one of the most enterprising of North Loup business interests. While, the partnership is only one year old at the present writing, it does a surprisingly large annual volume of business. The stock which was $3,000.00 at the commencement of business in November, 1904, has gradually been increased till it now amounts to $10,000. Mr. Eddie Babcock, one of the partners, is a son of Elder Oscar Babcock and has been identified with North Loup from its very inception. He is well educated, having graduated from Michigan University Law School. For eleven years he practiced his profession. This was before he entered upon his new (277) business in 1904. Mr. W. E. Gowen, the other member of the firm, was a Minnesota boy who came to North Loup in the early '70's. He too has been identified with many business ventures these last twenty or more years.

DAVIS, H. E.--North Loup's successful furniture dealer, is comparatively speaking an old-timer. He was born in Lewis county, New York, in 1855 and ten years later moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1878 he again turned westward and settled on a farm one and three-quarter miles northwest of North Loup. Here he farmed for some years and then moved to North Loup and opened a first-class furniture store. He carries a very complete stock, invoicing about $7,000.

FARMERS' STATE BANK--In August, 1882, Messrs. Lee Love and George W. Post established the Loup Valley Bank, the first banking institution in North Loup. The same year the firm name became Sears Bros. & Love, to be changed again in May, 1883, to Seares Bros. During the last twenty years the town has had a rather varied banking history, coming to a climax with a failure and close-down during the dry years. But in May, 1900, tried and practical bankers took hold of affairs and opened the Farmers' State Bank. The organizers of the institution were Guy Dann, A. U. Dann, Sam McClellan, O. S. Potter, W. E. Gowen and George Johnson. Of these A. U. Dann was elected president and Guy Dann cashier. The first financial statement of the bank was issued when the institution was two months old and is interesting particularly for the substantial growth shown when compared with the statement of May 19, 1906. After a management of the bank covering almost five years the Danns retired, giving way to a completely new management, composed as follows: Samuel McClellan, president; George E. Johnson, cashier; and Robert Johnson, third director. In February 1906, L. E. Pugh was elected cashier and George E. Johnson elected president and the capital stock of the bank increased to $10,000. A statement made at the close of business May 19, 1906, discloses the following status.

 HUTCHINS BROTHERS-is a firm of prosperous implement dealers, comprising G. L. Hutchins and E. A. Hutchins, both of whom were born in Minnesota. In 1866 they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent the most of their youth. In 1884 G. L. Hutchins came, to North Loup where, with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived ever since. His brother, although he came to Valley county in 1885, did not make this his permanent home till years afterwards. In 1892, G. L. Hutchins commenced business as an implement dealer. However, his stock was very small, scarcely invoicing $300. In 1898, E. A. Hutchins bought an (278)  interest in his brother's prospering business and since then they have worked together. The firm has now a large, growing business and carries a stock of implements which will invoice at least $4,000.

JOHNSON, GEORGE E.--is one of the most enterprising and successful of Valley county business men. From a farmer he has risen to be one of our most prominent bankers and dealers in lumber and grain. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa in 1862 and spent his early manhood there. When seventeen years old he came with his parents to Hall county, spending three years there on a farm. In 1882 the family removed to Davis Creek where both the father and son George homesteaded. The younger Johnson moved from the farm to North Loup in 1886, and there commenced his business career. He bought the old Allen coal business and a year later commenced buying grain for an Omaha firm. This he continued for four years and then began operating his own elevator. In 1902 he opened a lumber yard in connection with his other business and prospered from the first. The grain elevator was burned to the ground in 1905 but was immediately rebuilt larger and better than before. An inspection of the Geo. Johnson interests at North Loup impresses one with what general thrift and shrewd business ability can accomplish. Mr. Johnson has for a number of years been a director of the Farmers' State Bank of North Loup and was elected cashier of the institution March 15, 1905. He married Eva Redlon in 1885. They are the parents of five children.

JOHNSON, FRANK--One of the best appointed general merchandise stores in North Loup is that operated by Frank Johnson. He occupies the most pretentious brick structure in town and covers a very large floor space. In 1901 he bought the George Stover stock which invoiced about $5,000.00. Since then the business has made rapid strides upward, so that now he carries a stock of at least $12,000. Mr. Johnson, who is a son of Robert Johnson of Davis Creek, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1873. When he was but three or' four years old his father moved to Hall county, Nebraska, but in 1881 moved up the Loup to Davis Creek. Young Frank determined to enter the commercial lists and to that end came to North Loup and entered the field. For a man so young as he is Mr. Johnson has done remarkably well.

MANCHESTER, I. A.--The lands of the Valley adjacent to North Loup have proven to be remarkably well adapted for raising seeds of various sorts. Some years ago W. P. Everingim opened a small seed house, contracting popcorn with eastern firms. After some twelve years he sold his holdings to Ira A. Manchester who is now rapidly enlarging the business by putting in approved machinery in his cleaning and sorting rooms. Not alone is he contracting for popcorn, but for barley, oats, macaroni wheat and several other cereal seeds. His shipments go to every part of the United States. Thus, last year be shipped 300 carloads of seed, a most remarkable feat.

MOORE, GEORGE W.--dealer in hardware and stoves, was born in Cedar county, Illinois, February 7, 1832. Here he grew up, attending the (279) so-called subscription schools of those early days. He married Mary C. Frazier of Indiana and is the father of eight children, four of whom are living The Moores have seen quite a bit of shifting about. Thus they came to Iowa in 1863--Mr. Moore farming for years where Missouri Valley now stands--later they moved to near Hastings, Nebraska, and finally to northern Sherman county. In 1893 Mr. Moore, traded his farm for Charles Thrasher's hardware store at North Loup. He is well stocked with general hardware and stoves, and is doing a good business.

ROOD, WALTER I.--The subject of this sketch was born at Dakota, Wisconsin June 5, 1864. He came to Valley county in the spring of 1875 and lived on the old homestead in Mira Valley till the winter of 1888, when he moved to the village of North Loup, where his home has since been. Young Walter attended the country schools but little, as he lost his father when but thirteen years of age. This forced the boy to get out and hustle for himself. By reading and studying at home evenings he prepared himself for college., In 1893 he matriculated at Milton College and studied there for two years. Then followed six years of teaching--two years in Illinois and four in Nebraska; the last two as assistant principal at North Loup. In 1897 he bought the Loyalist, since which time he has been its editor and publisher. He is unmarried and lives with his mother. He has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees for seven years and has been three years township clerk.

BANK, WILLIAM--comes out of old Scotland, and is of good Scotch ancestry. He possesses many of the sturdy qualities and traits which have made Scotchmen leaders the world over. His birthplace was the city of Perth, beautifully situated on the banks of the Tay. He spent twenty-one years in the homeland, attending grammar school at Hasting, Eassa and Retrey. Full four years were then spent in apprenticeship. He became a journeyman blacksmith in 1885 and worked in this capacity for a year at Blairgowrie. Here he married Miss Susan Saunder and with his young wife came to the United States in 1886., The first stop was made in Osborn county, Kansas. The family came to Burwell in 1889, where Mr. Bank has since followed his trade. Mrs. Bank died in 1896 leaving four children living. William Bank is highly respected in his profession and outside it. He has a first class smithy, furnished with electric motor-power and other modern appurtenances. He holds high office in the local Masonic lodge, and is the chief of the fire department. He has a valuable farm a short distance from town.

BECKER, WILBER M.--may justly lay claim to be the "Pioneer Merchant" of Burwell. For his was the first store to be erected on the townsite, and with the exception of A. A. Graber, he is the only merchant who has stuck to his post continuously up to the present. Mr. Becker was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1842, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the common schools of his home county and at (280) Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. The Becker family moved to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1875. Here young Wilber clerked in a store for a while and later was taken into partnership with his father, under the firm name of Wm. N. Becker & Co. The firm erected a store building at Burwell in 1883 and placed their stock of general merchandise in charge of George Hoyt. Mr. Becker did not take personal charge of the business till 1887, however, but since that time he has never for a moment let go the reins of management. It is interesting to know that the present "Pioneer Store" block has resulted from the reconstruction of two old, historical structures --the first store building erected on Burwell, townsite and the C. H. Jones store building, first built at old Willow Springs and later moved to Burwell. Mr. Becker can tell of hardship and discouragement as known only to the earliest settlers. He well remembers the time that eastern wholesalers were reluctant to extend him credit on bills exceeding $50.00, and how he was forced to live on the old homestead for years after taking charge of the store, and having to drive the four miles daily, all because he was too poor to prove up on it. But those days are gone and prosperity has smiled on the Beckers. Besides doing a good business in the "Pioneer Store" he owns a thousand acres of good farm lands occupied by tenants. Mr. Becker was married to Miss Mary E. Chauncey at Amsterdam, New York, in 1866. Five children have come to bless the family. Of these the three sons assist their father in one capacity or another. Of the daughters one--Mrs. J. J. Hess--lives on a farm near Burwell.

BEYNON, DAVID S.--the present postmaster of Burwell, was born at Albia, Iowa, December 5, 1856. He was born on the farm and reared to manhood there. His early education was such as could be procured in the rural schools of those days. When twenty-one years of age he began to shift for himself and tried his hand at farming in different parts of the state. It was perhaps his marriage to Miss Christina J. Cornelia that decided him to leave Albia definitely and to seek a career in the greater, untramelled west. At any rate as soon as this event took place, in December, 1883, he moved with his wife to western Iowa and there engaged in farming for two years. But Mr. Beynon was not satisfied to stop here. Accordingly the family set out for Nebraska and reached Willow Springs July 3, 1886. Ever since his arrival in Garfield county has Mr. Beynon been intimately connected with the progress of the county.  Willow Springs was quite a town then and promised to continue the metropolis of the upper Valley. Mr. Beynon accordingly bought an interest in a drug store there, entering partnership with Dr. A. W. Hoyt. Everything went smoothly till the B. & M. commenced building to Burwell. Willow Springs was doomed and no one realized this more fully than David Beynon. In February, 1888, he moved his residence across the ice of the North Loup to (281) Burwell; the store building was torn down and rebuilt on Webster street. Within the last few years it has been moved to its present location on Grand Avenue and further remodelled. Mr. Beynon has been a careful, upright business man and has succeeded well. He operates an up-to-date drug business, being a registered pharmacist. An index to his general prosperity may be seen in the late erection of a beautiful home, costing at least $3,500. In public affairs, too, has he taken a prominent part. Thus he has been a member of the school board at Burwell for ten years, chairman of the village board a number of years, and deputy sheriff two terms. While acting in the latter capacity he made an enviable record by capturing Nicholas Foley, the Antelope county murderer and desperado. He was appointed postmaster of Burwell August 7, 1897. During his term of office, Burwell postoffice has been raised from fourth to third class office, causing a raise in salary from $600 to $1100 per annum. Three rural routes and four star routes now branch out from this office. The Beynons have an interesting family. Of the four children now living Rebecca has graduated from the Burwell High School and lately from the Fremont Normal. She teaches this year at York. John, the only son, is also a graduate of the local High School.

BRAGG, CHARLES I.--county attorney of Garfield county, was born at Sanford, New York, in 1863. He was a very precocious boy as may be seen from the fact that he had already completed his course at Unadilla Academy and received a life certificate to teach school when twelve years old. After teaching for a couple of terms in his native state he came west and pursued the same occupation at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. He spent three years in the regular army, but soon realized that in time of peace the ambitious youth may find greater avenues for advancement in civil life. He accordingly retired to private life. From 1882 onward he engaged in the insurance business. This took him to Kent, Loup county in 1885. Next year he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1889. Mr., Bragg has been a life long Republican. He has been very active in public life and has taken a leading part in the councils of his party. In Loup county he held the office of county attorney one term and was county clerk for three years. He moved to Burwell in the fall of 1897 as this town seemed to offer greater possibilities for a broader usefulness. While here he became one of the founders of the American Order of Protection, though he later devoted all his time to law. He was elected county attorney of Garfield count y in 1904 and fills the important position with much credit to himself and the party that elected him. Mr. Bragg married Miss Jennie M. Ginder in 1885. The happy family, including parents and six children, is now nicely located in a beautiful home lately erected in the south part of the city.

CASH MERCANTILE CO.--The Cash Mercantile Co. is one of the (282) thriving institutions of Burwell. Being the successor of Scott Brothers' old, well established general store, it carries with its new name all the trade of the old. The store is under the management of Peter Scott who is recognized as one of the most genial and able business men of our Valley. He together with his brother George F. Scott of Taylor constitute the company. The business, which is of the nature of general merchandise, is well stocked with all that pertains to a first-class store of this kind. Dry goods, shoes, and all kinds of fresh groceries are always kept in stock. By dint of hard work and unquestionable honesty the management of the Cash Mercantile Co. has built up a trade hard to excel.

CRAM, ALBERT I.--One of the younger business men in Burwell who is succeeding exceptionally well is Albert l. Cram. He was born at Monmouth, Illinois, November 16, 1883, and moved with his parents to Loup county, Nebraska, in 1888. He remained on his father's farm till twenty-one years old, when he decided to prepare for a business career. The Monmouth, Illinois, graded schools had given him a foundation upon which to build. Some time spent at the David City High School and the Omaha Business College then prepared him for his chosen work. He entered the First Bank of Burwell as book keeper but was soon chosen to the responsible position of cashier. Four and one-half years later he became a member of Cram Brother, lumber dealers. When the firm was reorganized in 1900 under the name of Cram & Co., he was made manager. He married Effie V. Wilson and is the father of three children, two boys and one girl.

CRAM, WILBER I.--is proud that he comes of Irish ancestry, and one of his day--dreams for many years has been to visit the home of his fathers "across the big sea." He was born at historic Crown Point, New York, August 8, 1846, and remained there till eight years old, when he moved with his parents to Jackson county, Iowa. Here he remained for more than 27 years engaged in farming and stockraising. As a cattle judge and specialist he soon won more than local fame. He became a breeder of thoroughbred swine and one of the originators of the American Poland China Record Association. While here he married Miss Honour Filby. They have four sturdy sons who are all making their way in the world. Thus O. E. Cram manages the old home ranch in Loup county, A. I. Cram is a noted Burwell lumber dealer, Fred C. Cram manages the stockyards at Sargent, and John E. Cram is associated with his father in the Burwell stockyards. The Crams became pioneers in the unorganized territory which later became Loup county. They arrived in 1881, and. homesteaded the southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 21, Range 19. By degrees they have added quarter to quarter till now the ranch, as W. J. calls it, contains 1,680 acres of good land. When they first took their claim the nearest neighbors were four miles away, and water had to be hauled in barrels a distance of seven miles. This led to the sinking of a well 800' feet deep, every foot of it dug by spade. In those days, too, the nearest freight depot was a hundred miles down the river, Mr., Grain feeds in the (283) neighborhood of 500 steers on the ranch annually, and otherwise deals in in all kinds of livestock. He has lately completed a $4,000 residence property, including a waterworks plant.

COFFIN, HARRY J.--is a Yankee bred and born. He boasts descent from the historic Tristram Coffin who settled on Nantucket Island in the middle of the seventeenth century, and whose family is scattered far and wide over the American continent today. Harry J. was born at Boston, January 16, 1860 and remained in his native town till almost 18 years old. He was educated in the excellent public schools of the old "Hub" city, and later worked in an organ factory there for several years. He left the New England states and came to Nebraska in the spring of 1878. The first pause was made at Schuyler where he farmed for four years. In 1883 he took a pre-emption near O'Neill, but after six months removed to The Forks, Wheeler county, and took a homestead. He moved to Burwell in 1902 and purchased the Garfield county branch of the Howe Lumber Co., operating the same under the title of H. J. Coffin for some time. The firm name has, however, lately been changed to Burwell Lumber and Coal Co., with Mr. Coffin as proprietor. He also operates a lumber yard and general store at Elyria under the name of Elyria Mercantile Co., with J. E. Stingley as manager. Mr. Coffin is interested in a number of other enterprises and is an extensive land owner. He has been on the board of commissioners in his home county and has served several terms on the village board. In May, 1893, he married Miss Mary Halloran of Inman, Nebr. They have three daughters and are nicely located in their elegantly appointed home within a block of the lumber yard.

DORAN, THOMAS H. --Representative from the 49th District, is an Irishman bred and born. He came out of the picturesque county Carlow and when only six months old arrived at New York with his parents. His history in this land of his adoption has been a very honorable one. Four years saw the family and young Thomas on the trail with faces set toward the great west. The first pause in the journey came in LaSalle county, Illinois. Here the Dorans remained ten years, indeed till 1865. The next move was to Livingston county where the elder Doran died. The care of the family now devolved on the fifteen year old Thomas. The worth of the man is shown in the ability and conscientiousness with which the stripling boy took his father's onerous duties upon himself. Comparative prosperity came with hard work and in 1874 the westward march was continued to Beaver, Boone county, Iowa, where Mr. Doran engaged extensively in the grain, lumber and livestock business. His popularity and natural inclination for politics were soon rewarded by his being made postmaster of Beaver. But it is his career in Nebraska that is our particular theme here. He arrived at Burwell in 1889, and in conjunction with his brother John (284) bought the First Bank of Burwell, then operated by the First National Bank of Ord. As an important step in strengthening their banking institution the brothers bought the Garfield County Bank and merged it with the First Bank. Mr. Doran was married at Boone, Iowa, to Miss Ettie Satterlee. Of the four children born to them only one, a son, reached maturity. The latter is now associated in business with his father. It is especially for his activity in affairs pertaining to the welfare of his own village and district that Mr. Doran has earned the thanks of his neighbors and constituents. When the count y seat question came up for the last time none was more active than Thomas Doran. He has also been a prominent member of the school board for fourteen years, and one of the town board almost continually since its organization. In 1900 his brother's health failed. This led to the sale of the bank to Dann Bros. Mr. Doran and family now spent a year in restful travel in California and old Mexico. Upon returning home in 1901 he engaged in stock raising. His ranch is one of the largest in this part of the state, and is the home of many hundred head of cattle and horses. Several other enterprises in which he is interested should not be overlooked. Thus he became a member of the prominent lumber business of Cram & Co. in 1897. A few months ago he purchased A. A. Graber's hardware store and placed the same in charge of his son, and nephew. As stated above, Mr. Doran represents the 49th District in the State Legislature. He is a republican in politics, and his popularity is shown by the fact that he carried his district, which is strongly populistic, by no less than 252 votes.

DOUGLAS, L. P.--proprietor of the Burwell House, the leading hotel in Burwell, was born in New York state in 1843. He did not come west before 1876, when he first spent six years in Iowa, after which he moved to Omaha and engaged in the mercantile business. He and his wife are practical hotel people, having managed first-class hostelries in several cities. The Douglas family came to Burwell from Bellwood where they had pursued successfully in the same business. The Burwell house caters to both transient and local trade.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK--had its genesis in the First Bank of Burwell, which was for some time operated by the First National Bank of Ord. In 1889 Thomas H. and John Doran purchased this institution and merged it with the Garfield County Bank, under the name, however, of the former. In 1900 the bank was sold by the Dorans to Dann Brothers. Since that time it has been re-organized as a National Bank with a capital of $25,000, under a new management of shrewd financiers and moneyed men. The present officers and stockholders are: W. L. McMullen, president; E. Bailey, vice-president; J. M. Conrad, cashier; W. I. Cram, J. A. Brownell, M. B. Goodenow, Geo. F. Scott and W. T. Barstow. This bank is doing much to promote the material progress of Garfield and Loup counties, and carries on a general banking business, receiving deposits, loaning money on approved security, discounting acceptable commercial paper, buying and selling domestic and foreign exchange, making collections, and generally (285) exercises all the functions of a first-class banking institution. The First National is a synonym for stability and integrity. A statement of the condition of the bank at the close of business May 29, 1905, is as follows:

   
GRABER, ALFRED A.--can rightfully boast of being one of the very first merchants in Burwell, for when he opened for business the only store on the townsite besides his own was the Becker store. He comes of good, sturdy Swiss ancestry, though born at Mount Eton, Ohio. Until he was 24 years old the young man worked out, helping his parents who were poor. But when he finally left home he drifted about considerably before settling in Garfield county. Thus we hear of him in Michigan, at Waverly, and Wahoo, Nebraska; in 1877, in western Kansas; then in 1879, toiling overland to the Black Hills with their dangers and gold. In 1880 he is back in his native state, though not to remain, for in 1883, we find him boring wells at Wahoo, Nebraska. He next formed a partnership with a Swede and engaged in the hardware business at Meade. But Loup Valley history is of more interest to us. As we have said he built the second store in Burwell. This was a small structure 16 x 22 feet large, built at the corner of Milwaukee street and Grand Avenue. The store opened the 1st of June 1884, with a $1200 stock of hardware most of which was gotten on credit. But Mr. Graber did well in business. He took an active part in the county seat election in 1884-'85 and was instrumental in securing the writ of mandamus demanding a recount of votes. Associated with him in this were Cornwell, Ferguson, Smith, Mathews and other old-timers. Down through the years the business grew substantially till Mr. Graber found himself the proprietor of quite a department store. Thus in addition to hardware he handled farm implements and furniture, and became the town undertaker. On June 27, 1903, the store was struck by lightning and partially burned, causing a net loss of $3000. Instead of rebuilding Mr. Graber bought the stock and plant of B. J. Bunnell, which he again lately disposed of to Thomas Doran. Mr. Graber is nothing if not public spirited. He has thus been a member of the village board for ten years, and a chief promoter in procuring for Burwell a system or waterworks. His wife was formerly Miss Louise Keller of Youngston, Ohio. With her bright little family of five children, three boys and two girls, she presides over the cozy Graber home situated in the northwest part of town.

HOLSON, DR. JOHN CLAUDE--is one of the most successful dentists in this part of the state. He is an Iowan by birth having spent his early days in Iowa City. Here he received his early and higher education. A (286) graduate of the city high school, he matriculated at the medical college of the state university of Iowa, pursuing the regular practitioner's course. From this he graduated in 1890. He then took a course in the Iowa State University Dental College, graduating in 1892. He opened his dental parlors in Ord in the summer of 1896 making a specialty of crown and bridge work. In September, 1895, he was married to Rose I. Robbins and together they continued to make Ord their home till in 1903 they removed to Burwell where they are nicely situated in their cosy home in the south part of town. Dr. Holson not alone takes care of the Burwell patients but has branch offices at Comstock, Taylor and Greeley Center.

HEGNER & DOWNEY.---The firm of Hegner & Downey, dealers in farm and agricultural implements, though of comparatively recent origin, is doing a remarkably good business. In fact it may be said that Hegner & Downey are today the only exclusive dealers in their line in Garfield county, having recently purchased the stock carried by other concerns of the same kind. Absolute honesty and strict business principles have won for the firm public confidence and given it a very enviable name. Theodore F. W. Hegner, the senior member of the firm, is a German by birth, coming from Alstadt, Germany, where he was born March 22, 1865. He arrived at Grand Island, Nebr., with his parents when just six years old. Here his boyhood was spent. The public schools in those days were rather in their infancy, so that young Theodore's schooling was not of the best. A few years in carpentry and blacksmithing closed his career in Grand Island. Now follow some years of ranching and homesteading in Rock county. His marriage to Miss Edna Akins was solemnized June 28, 1893, of which union two children are now living. Mr. Hegner seems to have preferred his early profession to farming for in 1893 be opened a blacksmith shop at Long Pine, coming to Burwell in 1895, continuing the same line here. He still owns his Burwell shop though not working it himself. The firm of Hegner & Downey was organized in March, 1905, though Mr. Hegner had already been in the business a year when the change was made. Fred A. Downey was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, June 26, 1870. He lived there till he was seven years old and then came to Knox county, Nebraska. Here some nine years were spent in school and on the farm. After spending four years near Norfolk farming, he moved to Inman, where he married Miss Delia Halloran. The (287) family arrived at Burwell in 1895 and spent ten years in farming near town. As stated above he entered the Implement business of Hegner & Downey a few months ago. Aside from carrying a full line of farm and agricultural implements, the firm handles buggies and harness of all kinds.

JANES & SONS--One of the old timers of the Loup doing a good business at Burwell is B. F. Janes of the successful firm of Janes & Co. He is an old Waushara county, Wisconsin, man, from the earliest date associated with the North Loup colony from that county. His father gave his life for his country during the Civil War, and thus the care of a widowed mother fell to B. F. and his brothers. He moved to North Loup in the early severities and was for many years identified with North Loup in various business enterprises. Thus he engaged in livery and dray business and pursued carpentry for some time Later he operated a skating rink at Ord. Then in turn he took a homestead near Kent, where he lived for some years. Becoming tired of the farm he moved to Burwell where he tried his hand at the harness trade and sale of implements. Not until the fall of 1900 did he launch upon, the business which he is now pursuing--the general merchandise business. He started in with a small stock worth about $500.00, but soon built up a nice trade. Clayton McGrew now became associated with him in the business. In the spring of 1901 they bought out McMullen & Conrad; later in the year Mr. McGrew retired from the firm, whereupon William, son of B. F. Janes, came in as a junior member. During the last four years this firm has had a steadily increasing business and today carry one of the best and most complete stock of general merchandise in the city.

STACY, EARL--now one of the most successful watchmakers and jewellers in our Valley, is an Ord product, having been born there on the 16th of September, 1881. Here he grew up and was schooled. For a professional course he attended a practical school in watchmaking in the east and soon found lucrative employment in the Bell Watch Factory at Cleveland, Ohio. As a reward of thrift and ability he was soon promoted to be foreman in one of the shops, which position he held for nearly two years. Hearing the call of the west he returned to his boyhood home and was for some time engaged with E. L. Gard at Ord. December 1, 1904, he moved to Burwell and opened a first class jewelry shop and watchmaking establishment there. He carries a very fine and complete stock and has the confidence of the community in which he now moves and works.

THURSTON, EUGENE D., M. D. --was born at Richford, Wisconsin, September 3, 1859. Here he spent his boyhood and received his early education. When he was fifteen years old his parents came to Nebraska and arrived at Valley county in June, 1875. The elder Thurston bought the homestead and timber claim entered by Grandpa J. C. Collins in 1873, and located just east of Ord on the Springdale road. The dwelling house (288) on the homestead was constructed from sawed cedar logs and was covered with red cedar shingles. The two quarters were bought for $500 then. It is interesting to know that now these farms could not be bought for $20,000. Young Eugene came to the valley early enough to see antelope shot on the townsite of Ord. Thus he states that on a certain day in 1876 "Art" Stacy shot three of these delusive animals just about where the public square now is. But those days are past. In 1880 Mr. Thurston entered the Methodist Episcopal Seminary at York and remained there for some time. He later matriculated at the College of physicians and surgeons at Keokuk, only later to shift to the Medical Department of the University of Nebraska, where from he graduated in 1884. He hung out his shingle at Taylor in 1886 where he remained--barring a short stay at Eugene, Oregon--till he moved to Burwell in 1900 to take the practice of the late Dr. Cameron. He married Minnie Davis in 1893. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Dr. Thurston is known far up and down the river as a careful, painstaking physician and jolly good fellow. He is a brother of "Herb" Thurston, an early-day sheriff of Valley county, who is now located at Longmont, Colorado.

TODD, WILLIAM Z.--editor of the Burwell Tribune, was born in Jones county, Iowa, September 28, 1866. When he was but four years old the Todd family moved to Cedar county where William remained till he was twenty years old, attending school and working in his father's law office. Mr. Todd came to Neligh, Nebraska, in 1883, and took a homestead in Wheeler county the next year. In 1888 he was induced by business men of Willow Springs to start the Willow Springs Enterprise in that town, to counteract the influence of growing Burwell. But when two years later the exodus to the latter town began Mr. Todd moved his printing establishment thither and founded the Garfield Enterprise. His public activity is from this time on chronicled in the chapter on "the Newspaper in the Valley." In August, 1892, he married Mollie McKenzie. They have two children, a boy and a girl.

WICKS, ROBERT G.--the genial proprietor of the Racket Store, located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Webster Street, has had a most romantic life story. Born at Farnham, England in 1867, he took to the sea at the early age of 13. In his voyaging he soon became familiar with the ports of the Mediterranean and the Levant. He has sailed through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and all the Indies reached by the latter. Indeed, he can boast of having seen all the continents of our earth. Barring the distance from Adelaide to San Francisco, he has circumnavigated the globe. But Mr. Wicks is inclined to be a little modest when taking about these, his early wanderings. Mere chance decided his coming to America and the United States. It was "heads," America and "tails" Austrailia. "Heads" won and the Loup added a good citizen to its population. He arrived at the small English colony on the Middle Loup, near Arcadia in 1886. But he soon tired of life there and went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Armours. But he longed for the open (289) plains of Nebraska and again be returned to the Loup, this time to Burwell, and immediately engaged in the general merchandise business. This was June 1, 1890. His first store-building, the so-called Jerry Schuyler building, measured only 18x20, but readily accommodated his small first stock. In course of a few years the business grew to such an extent that a new building became necessary. Accordingly he moved into the capacious quarters now in use. He has also enjoyed a large trade from the Sargent country. So the extension of the B. & M. from Arcadia naturally worked him considerable harm. However, he has an excellent business as things are and is very prosperous. He owns some five hundred acres of farm land under rent and has just completed an elegant home which has cost him at least $4,000. Mrs. Wicks was formerly Miss Addie L. Myers. They were married in 1892 and have four children, one boy and three girls.

JOHNS & MITCHELL--Burwell is well supplied with up-to-date general merchandise stores. One of the most prominent of these is operated by the well known firm of Johns & Mitchell. The senior member of the firm has been written up elsewhere in this work and may be passed by here. The junior member, Robert J. Mitchell, was born in New York state, in 1864, getting his early schooling in the old log school house there. At 18 years of age he moved to Holyoke, Mass., and remained there till 1889. In that year he came to Burwell and began farming., He took a homestead in Loup county and spent five years there. Two years were again spent in Massachusetts, after which he entered the mercantile business. This he did by purchasing the stock of J. R. Alderman & Son, which he moved to the old "Michel Store." Later he formed a partnership with Ed. M. Tunnicliffe, then county clerk. Mr. Mitchell married Miss Nannie E. Alderman, November 24, 1892, and has an interesting family of one son and three daughters. The firm remained as Mitchell & Tunnicliffe till July 5, 1904, when Mr. Mitchell sold out to Will Johns. But in February, 1905, Mr. Tunnicliffe retired and Mr. Mitchell again entered the firm, now as the junior member. When Robert Mitchell launched the business six years ago he had a stock worth $600. By careful and correct business methods this stock has increased till it is now ten or twelve times as large. A full line of general merchandise, always fresh and up-to-date is kept on hand. Johns & Mitchell have succeeded because worthy of success.

KEY, FARAN M.--was born in Adair county, Iowa, on November 19, 1868. When eleven years old he left his home state and with his parents moved around considerably. Thus we find him in Cowley county, Kansas, later in Benton county, Arkansas, and then back again in Iowa. When 24 years old he married Miss Annie Wright who became the mother of two children. She died in 1893. From his second marriage Mr. Key has five children making in all seven, He came to Garfield county in 1888 and immediately pre-empted a quarter section of land, and in 1901 filed upon his homestead, Mr. Key is a popular and public spirited man. He was (290) elected sheriff by the populist party in 1901 and re-elected two years later. He has engaged in the implement business, but at the present gives all his time to the plumbing business, and sinking of wells and erection of windmills. The deepest well in the county--325 feet--has been sunk by him. A sketch of Mr. Key would not be complete without mentioning his business with the U. S. government. The star mail routes of the upper valley have been for years in his hands. Thus be contracted to carry the mail from Burwell to Taylor and Almeria in 1894 and still controls that route. He has likewise the Blake route, and he had the prime route--from Burwell to the mouth of Gracie Creek--till it was discontinued.

LAVERTY, GUY--is practically speaking a Nebraska product. Though born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, when only two years old he came with his parents to Nebraska and Cass county. Here he spent his boyhood and attended the rural schools. The Lavertys moved to Valley county in 1884 and settled on a farm in Geranium township. Guy had no inclination to become a farmer, so came to Ord where he attended the high school. Later he taught school for some four years and in 1890 found time to attend the Fremont Normal school. In the fall of 1892 his legal career began. Then he entered the law office of Hon. Chas. A. Munn. A year later he was admitted to the bar. He immediately thereupon moved to Burwell and was elected county attorney in 1894 and re-elected twice. He has today a very remunerative law practice, writes insurance and makes a specialty of abstracts. Mr. Laverty is a populist in politics. He was married to Miss Emma M. Glover at Ord August 31, 1892. They have two children, Cecil and Carmen. Mrs. Laverty is an expert accountant and stenographer and has been of invaluable assistance to her husband in his upward career. Mr. Laverty is very public spirited. In the M. E. church he has been for years a mainstay; on the school board he has been elected and re-elected time and again.

McGREW, I. W.--dealer in general merchandise, is one of the most prosperous merchants in the upper valley. He was born at Abbington, Illinois, February 9, 1863. At eight years of age he came with his parents to Missouri. He was educated at Laclede Seminary, Lebanon, Missouri, and at the state normal located at Kirksville. The commercial world held a charm for Mr. McGrew from earliest boyhood. As soon as he felt prepared for the work he took to clerking. This was at Lineville, Iowa. Two years later he moved to North Loup and opened a small grocery store. Soon after this, however, he determined to try farm life, and accordingly spent two years on a farm in Valley county, but unfortunately lost his crops by hail. He then came to Ord and worked for some time in the Harris (291) Clothing Store, and later for B. C. White. He finally bought the B. C. White stock of general merchandise and did a very good business. But he took the western fever about this time and selling out to Duby Brothers moved to Colorado. The western venture was not a success and Mr. McGrew was glad to get back to the Loup again. He now opened a small grocery at Burwell, investing a capital of $300. A year and a half later the stock was moved to a more commodious structure on the north side of the square, and a line of dry goods added. In 1900 boots and shoes were also put in. Through careful dealing and marked business ability the business grew steadily and warranted Mr. McGrew's removal to the brick block where he now is. The store building is one of the best in Burwell, well adapted for the display of such fancy goods as are found on the shelves here. Aside from carrying a line of general merchandise, Mr. McGrew carries an excellent stock of fine dress goods, the best of its kind in Garfield county. The business which a decade and a half ago started with $300 has now grown to an annual volume of $30,000. Mr. McGrew married Miss Ella M. Simmons at Ord in 1886. They have four children, one girl and three boys, and are nicely situated in their comfortably home in the eastern part of town.

SLY, W. J.--was born in Page county, Iowa, in September, 1862, where he resided till sixteen years old. He got his education solely in the rural schools and was from boyhood inclined toward the farm. After spending three years in Ida county, Iowa, he set out for Nebraska and reached Willow Springs in 1881. His wife was formerly Miss Ida Beckwith. Mr. Sly is the proud father of eleven children who are growing up to become useful members of their home community. The Slys moved in time to the Calamus and for years farmed there. When the county seat difficulties harrowed the county Mr. Sly voted consistently with Burwell. He was elected sheriff as a democrat with populistic tendencies in 1887 and held the office for two terms. He has also been extensively engaged in cattle raising and the purchase and sale of all kinds of stock. He has lately moved to town to give his children better school advantages than could be gotten on the farm. Mr. Sly is at present city marshal.

SMITH, ELDON J., M. D.--is a comparatively new man in Burwell, but he is already making a name for himself through his undoubted ability in his profession. He was born at Mechanicsville, Iowa, in 1879. He received a good early education there and later at South Omaha, graduating from the high school of the latter place in 1895. Like many other young men, when determined to make their own way in the world, he was for some time variously engaged. Thus he worked for some time in the large Hammond Packing Co. He next attended commercial college for a year and then became bookkeeper for an Omaha firm. A year was then spent in college work in the Nebraska Wesleyan University. But his natural bent was the medical profession. (292) Accordingly he matriculated at the College of Medicine of the University of Nebraska. He attended the full four years and graduated in May, 1904. A month later he passed the strict examination before the state board and immediately thereafter located in Burwell. Dr. Smith makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, nose, ear and throat. His office adjoins the building of the new Burwell Drug Company, of which he is also a member.

COOPER BROS., BLACKSMITHS AND WAGON MAKERS.--W. T. Cooper was born in Saline county, Nebr., in June, 1871. In 1888 his parents moved to Ord where he learned the trade under J. C. Work. In 1892 he came to Scotia and opened his shop. E. A. Cooper has been a partner with his brother from the first but left the shop in 1900. W. J. Cooper is still running the shop and enjoys a big business.

DELMONT HOTEL--Jay L. Clark is a native of Illinois but his early life was mostly spent on a farm in Iowa. In the spring of 1884 he came to Nebraska and the next year he came to Scotia. For two years he engaged in the hotel business, retiring to the real estate business in 1887. The next year he engaged in the livery business on the side. This business he still retains and makes a specialty of handling fine horses. In 1900 he built the Delmont Hotel, a twenty-room house, which he is now running.

HICKS, M. M., DRUG STORE.--M. M. Hicks was born in Peoria, Ill., in 1860. Fourteen years later he came to Adams, Iowa. In 1889 he came to Merna, Nebr., and entered the drug business. In 1896 he came to Scotia, Nebr., and opened his present place of business. Mr. Hicks carries a $2,500 stock and enjoys a good drug business.

McMILLAN, J. S., REAL ESTATE--Mr. McMillan was born in Portage county, Wis.., May 12, 1866. However, since 1878 he has lived in Scotia. In 1893 he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He now has an extensive business in this as well as in other localities.

FITZSIMMONS, G. W., LUMBER, IMPLEMENTS AND FURNITURE.--Mr. Fitzsimmons was born in Polk county, Iowa, in 1864. From 1885 to 1891 he engaged in the lumber business in various towns, in Iowa when he moved to Scotia. At first he had only a lumber business but in 1894 added furniture and implements. From 1891 to 1901 the firm name was Fitzsimmons & Graham and was established in Ord as well as in Scotia. Since 1901 Mr. Fitzsimmons has run the business at Scotia alone, and though at first he did but a small business it has rapidly increased to its present large proportions.

PICKETT, DR. J. J.--was born in eastern Indiana, February 15, 1850, and there he received his education. While yet a young man he taught school and farmed for eight years, when he began to study medicine. Receiving his degree in 1885, he came to Nebraska the following year and settled in Broken Bow. In 1900 he moved to Central City, and in 1903 again, to Scotia. Though Dr. Pickett has been here but a short time he is rapidly gaining a good practice. (293)

SCOTIA MEAT MARKET--Fred Stanner, the proprietor, was born in Germany in 1861. When 17 years old he came to America and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where he learned the butcher business. In 1884 he came to Scotia and has ever since been in the meat business. He has a regular meat trade and keeps fresh oysters and fish in season. Mr. Stanner also owns the ice business of the town. He is the oldest butcher in Greeley county.

SCOTIA ROLLER MILLS--Dee Vinecore, the proprietor, is purely a Loup country product, being born in Valley county and raised in Valley and Garfield counties. He married Ethel Moorman of Garfield county in December, 1901. He bought the Scotia Roller Mills on August 1, 1904. At that time the mills were in bad shape but after expending several thousand dollars in repairs Mr. Vinecore has things in shape to do high grade milling. The Scotia flour and cereal products are rapidly gaining popularity.

VAN SKIKE, J. M., HARNESS SHOP--Mr. Vanskike was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, in August, 1856. Here he lived till 1877 when he came to Scotia. Here he learned the harness trade under his father, whom he succeeded in 1894. Mr. Vanskike carries a good line of harness and leather goods and enjoys a deservedly good patronage.

WEEKES, DR. CHARLES M.--was born at O'Connor, Greeley county, March 31, 1882. In 1885 his Parents came to Scotia. Here he grew to manhood and graduated from the Scotia High School. In 1900 he matriculated in the Creighton Medical College at Omaha, graduating in 1904. He has since been practicing in Scotia and though a young man has had remarkable success.

WRIGHT, MRS. M. J., GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND HARDWARE--Mary Bean Wright was born in Wisconsin. Her parents came to Scotia in 1876. In 1883 she married Mr. Ed. Wright. Three years later they established their present business. In 1896 Mr. Wright died leaving Mrs. Wright and her two sons to carry on the business. Theirs is one of the largest stores in town.

SCOTT, GEORGE F.--one of the most consistent an successful business men in the upper valley is George F. Scott of Taylor. He was born on a farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, February 12, 1857. As he grew up his inclination for a commercial career manifested itself. He clerked in a store for a while and then attended the Mankato Normal School, rounding off his business education at the Keokuk Business College. He moved to Furnas county, Nebraska, in 1878. There at the small town of Precept, he operated a general store till the fall of 1884. September 21st of that year he opened for business at Taylor, Loup county, the firm name of Wheeler & Scott. He soon became sole proprietor (294) of the business, however, and owns and operates today an as completely furnished general merchandise store as one may care to see. That Mr. Scott is enterprising, thrifty and liked by all is well demonstrated in the fact that for twenty years has he been Postmaster in Taylor, change in national administration having no effect upon his incumbency of office. Mr. Scott is now a man of means. He owns 1,080 acres of good farm lands and is financially interested in the Cash Mercantile Co. of Burwell and other enterprises. He was married to Della Farrand December 22, 1885. They have one daughter Aurelia and are comfortably situated in their cozy home in Taylor, set in a veritable park of shrubbery and climbing Vines.

EMIG, GEORGE P.--druggist and dealer in notions, was born at Columbus, Ohio, December, 25, 1849. Here he was educated and entered into business. Thus he in turn was druggist, dealer in boots and shoes, and tanner. His health failed him in 1879 and upon his physician's advice he moved west. That year he arrived at Ord with his family, consisting of wife--formerly Miss Mary Whiteside--and two children, Emma (King) and Charlie. He spent some three years farming near Ord. A year later he established himself at Taylor, only to again return to Ord to work in the H. A. Walker drug store. In 1886 when there was talk of the Union Pacific tapping Taylor he once more located at Taylor. But dissappointed in this we soon find him back at Ord in his chosen profession. Once more he returned to Taylor, carrying with him stock, building and all. Today he is the only druggist in Taylor and carries an unusually complete stock of drugs and whatever else belongs to a well appointed establishment of this kind.

KRIEGEL, JOSEPH-Taylor's successful manufacturer of harness and other leather goods, was born in 1862, at Raschen, Austria, He was sent to the excellent schools of his native country, leaving them when fourteen years old to become an apprentice in the manufacture of harness, saddles, etc. After mastering the step of journeyman he became master of trade. He now determined to immigrate to the United States. Arrived here he stopped first at Osceola, Neb., for some months working at his trade. He then operated a harness shop at Rising City for a short time and came to Ord March 15, 1885. Here he worked for Frank Misko for a few months and then moved to Taylor. Mr. Kriegel entered upon business in a small way, investing his total capital of $350 in leather and machinery. He commenced operations in a rented building. Now he owns his store building and has besides a comfortable home in the residence portion of Taylor. He has built up an excellent business, (295) manufacturing almost all his goods at home. Mr. Kriegel was married in 1885 to Miss Mary Wolf and has two children living.

RUSHO, JOSEPH--the founder of Taylor, came to Loup county in 1877, and counts himself the eleventh settler in the county. He was born in Wisconsin, May 28, 1850, and remained in his native state till thirteen years old. After living for some years in Fairbault county, Minnesota, he struck out overland for Nebraska with his family and belongings. From Sioux City the course was set for Scotia, thence to Fort Hartsuff and later on up the river to the old homestead on the edge of Taylor where he now dwells. Mr. Rusbo is a successful farmer and land owner. But more than this. He is a successful business man, and has for years been a leader in political and civil affairs in Loup county. He received his education in the common schools of Wisconsin and at the Milton Acacdemy, same state. Mr. Rusho was married October 8, 1872, to Miss Josephine Murry of Delevan, Minnesota, and they are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living. Two sons, Rusho Brothers, are engaged in the general merchandise business in Taylor and are very successful in their enterprise.

MOON, ALANSON S.--county attorney of Loup county, was born in Schuyler county, New York, December 13, 1857. He spent some twenty years of his life in his native state going to school, teaching and farming. He graduated from the well-known Starkey Academy. From New York he removed to Michigan, and in 1877 he again took up the trail and moved on to Loup county. He homesteaded near Kent where he remained till 1889. He studied law at Taylor, doing in absentia work, and was admitted to the bar in 1887. He is a very progressive citizen and has been engaged in several enterprises; both public and private. Thus he has been in the general merchandise and lumber business, been county superintendent and for several terms county attorney. He married Miss Eva Harvey in 1886, and has three children living.

MOULTON, JUDGE L. M.--was born in Woodford county, Illinois, November 19, 1839. He graduated from Eureka College in 1860 and was admitted to the bar in Nebraska June 4, 1874. He came to Franklin county, this state, in 1871, and. became one of the founders of Bloomington. Later, in 1883, he moved to Loup county, where he has ever since taken an active part in public life. Mr. Moulton has seen considerable service as a soldier. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B of the Eleventh Illinois infantry, but was discharged. In 1864 he again enlisted and served to the end of the war, taking part in the Mobile campaign. Back in Illinois he served for some time as police judge and prosecuting attorney and was judge of Franklin (296) county, Nebr., for two terms. He has also served as judge and attorney of Loup county, for two terms in each office. He is at present county judge by appointment. Mr. Moulton was married to Permeila Clingman of Woodford county, Illinois, in May, 1861. The family is now pleasantly located in the north part of Taylor where the judge takes pride to show his friends one of the finest fruit orchards on the upper Loup.

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