The following biography is from "LINCOLN The Capitol City and Lancaster County, Nebraska" Published Chicago, Illinois The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1916 WILLIAM H. CHARLTON William H. Charlton, who is operating three hundred acres of the Charlton homestead on section 26, Centerville precinct, is a native of Bonaparte, Van Buren county, Iowa, born on the 15th of February, 1873. His father, William Charlton, was also born in that town on the 10th of August, 1845. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to California, where he engaged in farming for eight years. He returned to Iowa, but at length removed to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and turned his attention to farming on section 26, Centerville precinct, near the town of Roca, where he remained for many years, but in 1906, having acquired a competence, he retired from active life, although he still lives upon the home farm. He purchased tracts of land at various times and acquired title to fourteen hundred acres of land in Centerville precinct. He supervises the operation of all of his farms and at one time specialized in breeding shorthorn and Hereford cattle but during the greater part of his active connection with stock raising interests in this county engaged in feeding large herds of cattle for the market. He managed his extensive business affairs well and is now a man of independent means. He was married at Bonaparte, Iowa, on the 13th of May 1872, to Miss Mary Lidolph, who died on the 3rd of March 1877, on the Charlton homestead on section 26, Centerville precinct. William H. Charlton was but a year old when he was brought to this county by his parents and his education was acquired in the district schools. He early began assisting his father with the farm work and gave the latter the benefit of his labor until he attained his majority, when he took charge of one of his father's farms and began operating it on his own account. He now lives upon the homestead on section 26, Centerville precinct, and is operating three hundred acres of his father's land. He grows the usual grains and also feeds stock extensively for the market, deriving a gratifying financial return from his labors. Mr. Charlton was married at Beatrice, Nebraska, January 25, 1904, to Miss Elizabeth Oltjenbruns, who was born in the grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, on the 28th of May, 1884, a daughter of Christ and Margaret (Libben) Oltjenbruns, both natives of the fatherland. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, settled in this county with his family, in 1888, and followed agricultural pursuits here for some time. At length, however, he removed to Pierce county, Nebraska, where he purchased land, which he operated until he retired from active life in 1914. He has since made his home with Mrs. Charlton. His wife died in Pierce county, Nebraska, on the 28th of September, 1910. Mrs. Charlton was four years of age when she was brought to America by her parents and received her education in the public schools of Lancaster county. Mr. Charlton is a republican in politics and in religious faith is a Methodist, while his wife belongs to the German Lutheran church. They have a wide acquaintance in the county and have gained the warm friendship of many. Thank you, Kathie Harrison Lancaster Co. Coordinator, NEGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~nelancas/index.html