C. F. ALLEN, of the firm of C. F. Allen & Co., lumber, doors, sash and blinds, is a native of Orono, Maine. At the age of two years came with his parents to Whitewater, Wis., his father then being engaged in the lumber business; at first assisted with his father, and in fact has always been since a boy engaged in this business. In 1874 he came to Chicago; was engaged in the commission firm of L. C. Platt & Co., and continued two years. In the fall of 1875 he came to Leon, Iowa. In the fall of 1879 he came to Guide Rock and established this business.

CHARLES G. CODMAN, sheep business, is a native of Boston, Mass., and was there raised and educated. In 1878 he came to Nebraska. The following year he with Mr. Prescott engaged extensively in sheep raising. They own now about 3000 head.

J. W. CRARY, general merchandise, was born in New London County, Conn. At the age of eighteen he came to Grundy County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 1870 he enlisted in the Third United States Infantry, and served five years. In the fall of 1875 he came to Guide Rock, formed a partnership with A. Garber. This continued till 1880, when he withdrew from the firm, and established his present business, which he has since continued.

A. H. CRARY, farmer, section 4; post office, Guide Rock, was born in the town of Preston, New London County, Conn., in 1865. At the age of twenty-three he came to Clayton County, Iowa. In 1867 he came to Grundy County. In 1872 he came to Guide Rock, took a claim of 160 acres, where he now resides. He now owns and controls about a section and a quarter. He also owns 182 head of cattle, 200 sheep, four teams and employs two hands constantly, and is one of the largest and most successful farmers in the county. He has been three years county commissioner. In 1874 he bought a half interest with A. Garber in his store; retained this interest till the fall of 1879, when he withdrew from the business.

A. GARBER, general merchandise, was born in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio. He came to Clayton County, Iowa, in 1851, with his parents. He enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Third Missouri Infantry, and served his enlistment of three years. He then returned to Iowa and engaged in farming. June 10, 1870, he came to Guide Rock, located his claim, and is one of the earliest settlers of the county. In 1874 he opened a store on his homestead, which is located half mile east of town; carried on the business there till 1877, when he built a store in Guide Rock. Mr. G. is one of the oldest merchants in this locality. He has been connected with the school board since it organization. He owns two-fifths of the town site, and other property in town.

JOHN S. MARSH, Esq., of Guide Rock, Neb., dealer in live stock, also of the firms of Proudfit and Marsh, general hardware, and George Proudfit & Co., lumber dealers. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., and was there engaged in farming, and also taught school. In April, 1878, he came to Saline County, Neb. In November, 1878, he removed to Bloomington, Neb., and was there engaged in the lumber business one year. In November, 1879, he removed to Guide Rock, Neb., and there engaged in the lumber business. In the spring of 1879, he engaged in the hardware business, which business he has since continued.

E. O. PARKER, post master, was born in New Bedford, Mass., and there raised. At the age of fifteen he engaged in the whaling service. This he followed about seven years. He then went to California and engaged in mining about five years. In 1854 he came to Jones County, Iowa, and engaged in farming about twenty years. He came to Guide Rock in 1874, and also engaged in farming. In 1880 he was appointed post master. He is also justice of the peace and notary.

A. S. PROUDFIT, of the firm of Proudfit & Marsh, hardware, stoves &c., was born in Milwaukee, Wis. At the age of thirteen the family removed to Grant County, Wis., where he assisted them on their farm. In 1876 he came to Friendville, Neb., and worked at the carpenter trade there about one year. In 1877 he came to Sidney, and in the fall removed to York. In 1878 he came to Red Cloud. In 1879 came to Bloomington, and in the fall of 1880 he came Guide Rock, and has since been engaged in this business. Their sales amount to $20,000 a year.

DR. J. W. ROBINSON, physician and surgeon, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., 1852, and came to Independence, Iowa, in 1869, there took up the study of medicine, and later attended two courses of lectures at the State University of Iowa. In January, 1878, he came to Webster County, Neb. In the spring of 1879 he came to Guide Rock where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, also carrying on the drug business, this being the only drug store in Guide Rock.

J. B. SABIN, proprietor Guide Rock House, was born March 11, 1832, in Madison County, N. Y. At the age of twelve he came with his parents to Kenosha County, Wis., and assisted on their farm. In 1856 he came to Steele County, Minn., and engaged in farming. In 1865 he removed to Mitchell County, Iowa, and there also followed farming. In April, 1870, he came to Gage County, Neb., bought a crop and engaged in farming there till the fall of 1871, when he came to Guide Rock, took a homestead two miles east of town. This he improved. June 1881, he bought this hotel, which he has since managed. There are thirteen rooms for the accommodation of guests, each in perfect order and comfortably furnished. He was married July, 1856, to Miss Louisa Ward, of Sauk County, Wis. They have three children -- Mary E., Addie J., and William P. The land Mr. Sabin settled on and improved, was the first homestead taken in Webster County.

DR. J. E. SMITH, physician -- and engaged in sheep raising -- was born in Jefferson County, N. Y. He came to Ingham County, Mich., in 1842; there took up the study of medicine. After receiving a preparatory course of studies he attended the Cleveland Homeopathic College, and graduated in 1856. He returned to Michigan and practiced in Ionia and Jackson till 1872, when he came to Guide Rock and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He owns a sheep ranch of 280 acres, where he feeds about 1000 sheep, and now intends devoting his entire attention to raising sheep. The Doctor was a member of the Legislature from 1876 to 1880. In the fall of 1881 he was elected county commissioner. He has also been connected with the schools most of the time since coming here.

ANDREW M. TALBOT, agricultural implements and real estate, was born in Portage County, Ohio. At the age of thirteen he came with his parents to La Salle County, Ill., and assisted on their farm. He enlisted October, 1861, in Company I, Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, and served about three years. He returned to Illinois and engaged in merchandising. On June 10, 1870, he came to Guide Rock and took a claim of 160 acres, which he still owns. He also owns six blocks in Talbot's addition. Mr. Talbot was the first Past Master of Guide Rock, and held the office about two years. He has been school director and treasurer of District No. 1 two terms. He is now engaged in the agricultural business.

JOHN L. VANCE, real estate and farming, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, and served four years, four months and 15 days. He was discharged with the rank of captain. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Adair Creek and Ather's. He returned to Ohio and engaged in merchandising. In 1877 he came to Guide Rock and opened a drug store. This business he continued about three years. He owns eighty-five acres of land adjoining town; also half of Vance's addition and second addition. He was married in 1870 to Miss C. E. Alexander, of Alexandria, Indiana. They have two children -- one son and one daughter.