Brown County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 4 of 9)

On August 3, 1904, Emil F. Buenger was united in marriage to Louisa Vogelpohl, who was born in New Ulm, just one block from the Buenger furniture store, daughter of Henry and Louisa (Schroer) Vogelpohl, the former of whom died in 1901 and the latter of whom is still living. To this union three children have been born, Es- ther, Edmund and Verna. Mr. and Mrs. Buenger are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high regard by their many friends throughout the county. Mr. Buenger is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class. He is public spirited and enterprising and occupies a high place in local business circles.

Athanasius Henle

Athanasius Henle, who, in connection with his younger brother, J ohn, is engaged in the farm-loan and general realestate business at New Ulna, this county, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a pioneer farm in Milford township, seven miles west of New Ulm, May 2, 1861, six years after the erection of the county in 1855, son of Athanasius and Elizabeth (Fink) Henle, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who were among the original settlers of that part of the county and long honored residents of this part of the state, whose last days were spent in New Ulm.

The elder Athanasius Henle was the original promoter of the sturdy German colony which first settled Milford township and was for many years one of the leading citizens of this county. He was reared in Germany, eldest son of his parents, and was trained to the carpenter's trade. In 1852 he and his brother, Anton, and his sister, Mary, came to the United States and for a year were located in Chicago, getting ' 6 the lay of the land. ' ' Two years later, in 1854, Athanasius Henle organized a considerable colony of Germans who had temporarily located in Chicago and the party came to Minnesota home-seeking. The party paused at Shakopee, down the river in Scott county, while Mr. Henle, Louis Meyer, Alois Palmer and Franz Massaf urst, came on up the river looking for a proper location for their colony. They selected a site eight miles west of the present city of New Ulm and entered a considerable tract of government land in what later became Milford township, which land was appor- tioned among the colonists and thus the* settlement of that section of the county was begun. About that time a colony of Germans came to this section from Cincinnati and located about eight miles east of the Henle colony, thus forming the nucleus around which gathered the settlement of New Ulm. The next year, in 1855, Brown county was erected as a civic entity and from the very beginning of local government Athanasius Henle took a prominent part in civic affairs, becoming a man of large influence in the community, and one of the early and most useful county commissioners. He also served as assessor and for years was on the school board. In addition to his labors in connection with the development of his land tract he did considerable carpentering and helped to get lumber and shingles out of the timber. For some time he worked at the carpenter's trade at Ft. Ridgely, daily walking to and fro from his home to that place, a distance of nine miles. As he became settled in his new home he prospered and eventually became the owner of four hundred acres of fine land in Milf ord township.

One of the members of the Henle colony that settled in Milf ord township was a young German girl, Elizabeth Fink, who had come to America with her parents, John M. and Monica Fink, and her brother Max and her sisters, Zettel, Lucretia and Monica, from far-away Wurtemberg. Not long after the establishment of the colony, Athanasius Henle and Elizabeth Fink drove to St. Paul with an ox-team and were there united in marriage by the Catholic priest, returning straightway to their friends in the wilderness and there set up their home. The colonists had hardly become settled in their promising new homes when the Indian uprising occurred in 1862 and both Athanasius Henle and his wife barely escaped with their lives during the consequent massacre, in which fifty-four residents of Milford township were cruelly slain by the savage redskins, this number including twenty-four of the Henle connection. Mrs. Henle 's parents, John M. Fink and wife were locked in their cabin by the savages and the cabin was burned over their heads, both perishing miserably in the flames. The subject of this sketch was then a babe in arms, little more than one year old, and his devoted parents exerted their utmost courage and resourcefulness to save him and themselves and their other small children from the fury of the bloodthirsty redskins. The elder Athanasius Henle and his wife reared their family on the homestead farm and remained there until 1893, in which year they retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where Mr. Henle died the next year, 1894, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived him until 1908 and was seventy-two years of age at the time of her death. Both were earnest and devoted members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eleven of these children, of whom seven grew to maturity, as follow : Mary, wife of John Lauderbach, of Redwood Falls, this state; Martin, now deceased; Grace Crecencia, wife of Frank Schlumpberger, of Wanda, in Redwood county, this state ; Athanasius, the immediate subject of this sketch; John, who is associated with the last named in business at New Ulm; Anton, who remains on the old homestead in Milford township, one of the most substantial farmers in the county; Joseph, now deceased, and four who died in youth.

the many hardships which marked the early days of the pioneers in this section. He attended the district school in the neighborhood of his home and for awhile attended the parochial school at New Ulm, and remained at home until he was well grown, after which he went to New Ulm and learned the wheelwright's trade and was engaged as a wheelwright for thirty-five years, twenty-eight years of which time he was in business for himself, one of the best-known artificers in that line in this part of the state. During that time Mr. Henle was engaged in business at Springfield, this county, for nine years and the rest of the time he had his headquarters and factory in New Ulm. He made hundreds of stanch wagons and regularly kept a considerable force of men employed at his place. In 1910 Mr. Henle gave up his factory and since that time has been quite successfully engaged in the business of making farm loans, together with a general real-estate business, in association with his brother, John, at New Ulm.

On May 5, 1885, Athanasius Henle was united in marriage to Ida Baer, who was born at St. Paul, this state, but who was reared at New Ulm, daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Hitz) Baer, natives of Germany and early settlers at New Ulm, the former of whom is now deceased, but the latter of whom is still living there. Joseph Baer and wife were the parents of seven children, Adolph, Sophia, Ida, Edward W., Helena, Amelia and Paul.

To Athanasius and Ida (Baer) Henle eight children have been born, namely, George, who is operating a harness shop at Morris, this state, in partnership with his younger brother, Raymond; Elizabeth, who is a clerk in a jewelry store at New Ulm; Ida, who is a Sister in the con- vent at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania ; Robert, a chef at Rochester, this state; Raymond, who is associated with his brother, George, in the harness business at Morris ; Athanasius the third, who is a linotype operator in a newspaper office at Redwood Falls, this state ; Eleanor, a stenographer and typewriter at New Ulm, and Arthur, who died when about six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Henle are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Henle is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the German Catholic Benevolent Society of Minnesota, in the affairs of both of which orders he takes a warm interest. He is a Democrat and has ever given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.

John Henle, younger brother of Athanasius Henle, and who is associated with the latter in the real-estate and farm loan business in New Ulm, the firm being one of the most active hereabout, was born on the Henle homestead farm in Milf ord township on March 28, 1864, and remained there until he was fifteen years old, having meanwhile attended both the public and parochial schools, at which time he went to New Ulm and began to learn the harness-making trade, presently becoming a very skilful craftsman in that line. In 1884 he established a harness-making plant of his own at New Ulm and was quite successfully engaged in that enterprise until 1905, in which year he gave it up in order to engage in the insurance business, which he has continued ever since and in which he has been quite successful, being one of the best-known insurance men in this section. Mr. Henle is an ardent Democrat and for years has been active in local politics. He served for some time as a member of the city council of New Ulm and in 1910 was elected as a member of the board of county commissioners, in which capacity his service on behalf of the public was so greatly appreciated that he was re-elected and is now serving his second term in that office. In other ways also Mr. Henle has given unselfishly of his time to the public service and for eighteen years was a valuable member of the city school board. He is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the community and is one of the directors of the Citizens State Bank of New Ulm.

On November 22, 1892, John Henle was united in marriage to Mary Gratz, who was born at Owatonna, this state, daughter of Mathias and Mary (Sullivan) Gratz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. For years Mathias Gratz and wife, both now deceased, were well-known residents of New Ulm. They were the parents of four children who grew to maturity, John, Catherine, Alice and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Henle have an adopted daughter, Gladys. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Henle is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the St. J oseph Society, in the affairs of both of which organizations he takes a warm interest. The Henle brothers and their respective families ever have displayed a proper interest in the social and cultural activities of the community and are held in high esteem throughout the entire county. The family is one of the oldest in the county, as set out in the preceding paragraphs of this biographical sketch, and has done well its part in assisting in the development of this region to its present high standard.

Wilfred Christiansen

Wilfred Christiansen, the popular register of deeds for Brown county and a former well-known merchant of this county, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Linden township, November 26, 1884, son of Rasmus and Johanna ( Jacobson) Christiansen, natives of Denmark, for many years well-known residents of this county, now living retired at Madelia, in the neighboring county of Watonwan.

Rasmus Christiansen was born and reared in a village near the city of Copenhagen in his native land, last born of the four sons born to his parents, and there became a miller. While still a young man, about 1866, he came to the United States and for some time lived in Wisconsin. About 1875 he came into Minnesota and for some time was engaged as a miller at Mankato, from there coming to Brown county, where he entered an eighty-acre homestead in Linden township and set himself to the task of clearing and developing the same. Three years later he married Johanna Jacobsen, who also was born in Denmark, daughter of Jacob and Anna Jacobsen, who, upon coming to this country, first settled in Wisconsin and later came to this county, locating in Linden township. Jacob Jacobson in early life was a sailor, but after coming to America followed farming the rest of his life, both he and his wife spending their last days on the Linden township farm, he being eighty-five years of age at the time of his death, she also having been well along in

After his marriage Rasmus Christiansen established his home on his homestead tract in Linden township and his agricultural venture speedily prospered. He gradually added to his land holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres and was accounted one of the most substantial citizens in that neighborhood. He not only was diligent in his own business, but found time to give a good citizen's attention to public affairs and served for some time as a member of the board of county commissioners. In 1911 he sold his farm and he and his wife retired to the village of Madelia, where he died on August 22, 1915. The family are earnest members of the Lutheran church and the children were reared in that faith. There are six of these children, all of whom are still living, namely: Alma, of Madelia ; Robert, of Kariman, South Dakota ; Alvine, who married the Rev. P. W. Erickson, of Argyle, Wisconsin; May, wife of Lars Larsen, of Madelia; Wilfred, more generally known among his friends as "Fred," the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and Annetta, wife of Caleb Ash, of Gwinner, North Dakota.

Wilfred Christiansen was reared on the paternal farm in Linden township, this county, growing up with a full acquaintance with the labors of the farm. He received his elementary education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the commercial school at Mankato. At the age of sixteen he started out "on his own hook," working at farm labor or such other pursuits as presented themselves and presently engaged his services as a commercial traveler and was "on the road" for a year. He then went to G winner, North Dakota, and there started to learn the machinist's trade, but after a couple of years of such employment decided to return to the farm, and for three years thereafter lived on a rented farm, which he operated quite successfully. He then engaged in the sale of agricultural implements in North Dakota and was thus engaged in that state for a year, at the end of which time he returned to this county and worked in the same line at Hanska. He later established a general store at Linden and was in business there until his election in 1914, three years later, to the important and responsible public office of register of deeds for Brown county, after which he moved to New Ulm. Mr. Christiansen entered upon the duties of that office in January, 1915, and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Christiansen has ever given close attention to civic affairs and during his residence at Hanska was president of the village board.

On June 6, 1912, Wilfred Christiansen was united in marriage to Grace Halverson, who was born at New Ulm, daughter of Louis and Mary (Knutsen) Halverson, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Linden township, this county, who now reside at Hanska, in this county. Louis Halverson is a son of Ole Halverson and wife, who emigrated to this country and became early settlers in Wisconsin, later coming to this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, well-known pioneers of this community. They were the parents of five children, Louis, Clement, Halvor, John and Annie. Mary (Knutson) Halverson is a daughter of Amund Knutson and wife, early residents of this county, who later moved to the adjoining county of Renville, where they spent the rest of their lives, both being well advanced in years at the time of their death. They were the parents of thirteen children, Mary, Knut, Ross, John, Halvor, Waldemar, Carrie, Clara, Regina, Marie, Bessie, Rena and Grace. Four children were born to Louis Halverson and wife, Bird, Grace, Orie and Nora.

To Wilfred and Grace (Halverson) Christiansen two children have been born, Raymond and Verne. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are members of the Lutheran church and take a warm interest in all good works hereabout, being held in high esteem by their many friends. Mr. Christiansen has proved a very capable register of deeds and is one of the most popular men about the court house.

George O. Gastler

George O. Gastler, w6ll-known, enterprising and progressive artist photographer at New Ulm, this county, and proprietor of the largest and most thoroughly equipped studio in that city, is a native of Germany. He was born on April 5, 1879, son of Ludwig and Wilhelmina Gastler, both natives of the Fatherland. Ludwig Gastler, a very competent tailor, came to the United States with his family in 1886 and located at Chaska, Minnesota, where he opened a tailor shop and where he ever since has made his home. He and his wife are the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch and his brother Oscar are the only ones living in this county.

George O. Gastler was about seven years old when he came to Minnesota with his parents and he received his education in the Chaska public schools. After leaving school he for some time was engaged as a bridge carpenter for the railroad company, in the meantime devoting considerable study to the art of photography, in which he had been interested from the days of his childhood. In 1904 he entered the Northwestern College of Photography and after a comprehensive course in that institution located at Woodward, Iowa, where he opened a studio and where he remained for four years, or until 1909, in which year he moved to New Ulm, where he ever since has resided. Upon locating at New Ulm Mr. Gastler opened an up-to-date photograph studio and he has prospered in his business from the very start, having an extensive patronage through- out this part of the state. In addition to his general studio work Mr. Gastler does all kinds of photographic work and also makes a specialty of developing films for amateur photographers.

In 1905, George O. Gastler was united in marriage to Martha Holtz, daughter of Ferdinand Holtz and wife, and to this union two children have been born, George and Dorothy. Mr. and Mrs. Gastler are earnest members of the German Lutheran church and take a warm interest in the general good work of the community. Mr. Gastler is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's attention to local politics, but is not included in the office-seeking class.

Peter P. Manderfeld

Peter P. Manderfeld, well-known and progressive farmer and stockman, of Cottonwood township, this county, proprietor of a well-kept and profitably operated farm of two hundred and twenty acres a little more than two miles from New Ulm, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm where he still makes his home, J anuary 1, 1860, son of John and Cecelia (Drach) Manderfeld, the former a native of the Rhine province in Germany and the latter of the kingdom of Bohemia, who were among the early settlers of Brown county and for years prominent and influential residents of Cottonwood township.

John Manderfeld was trained to the trade of a tanner in his native land and remained there until he was twentyseven years of age. He then, in 1853, came to the United States, locating in Chicago, where he f ound employment at his trade and where he presently married. He and his wife then went to Iowa and lived on a farm in the neighborhood of Dubuque. In 1859 John Manderfeld and a company of land seekers of his own nationality left Dubuque and walked to this section of Minnesota, " spying out the land." Mr. Manderfield was favorably impressed with conditions in the New Ulm settlement and entered his claim to a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township. He then returned to Iowa and brought his family and goods with him to Brown county, driving through by ox team. He established his home on the homestead tract in Cottonwood township and early became recognized as one of the foremost pioneers of that neighborhood. During the Indian uprising in 1862 he took an active part in the defense of New Ulm and in all ways proved his worth as a citizen. He retired from the active labors of the farm in 1905. To him and his wife five children were born, Winsel, Clara, Peter P., Minnie and Frank.

Peter P. was reared on the homestead farm in Cottonwood township and has lived there all his life. He completed the course in the common schools, at the same time proving a very real help in the development of the home place, and upon the death of his father, in 1905, bought the interests of the other heirs in the farm and has since owned and operated the same. He has spent about ten thousand dollars in improvements on the place since it has been in his ownership and has one of the best improved farms in his neighborhood. His farm house is of modern construction, equipped with electric lights, a sanitary-sewer system and many conveniences which would have been undreamed of in pioneer days hereabout.

In 1886 Peter P. Manderfeld was united in marriage to Kate Juneman, who was born in the kingdom of Saxony, daughter of Joseph Juneman and wife, who came to the United States in 1882 and settled in Sigel township, this county, and to this union six children have been born, Minnie, Agnes, Lillian, Cecile, Herbert and Florence. Minnie, the eldest daughter, married George Brown and has one child, a daughter, Mabel. They make their home with Mr. and Mrs. Manderfeld. Agnes and Lillian Manderfeld are members of the fine corps of public school teachers in Brown county. Mr. Manderfeld is a member of the Masonic fraternity and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. In his political persuasion he is a Socialist and is an ardent advocate of the principles of that party.

Floyd David Minium

Floyd David Minium, one of the well-known practical civil engineers in the Northwest, who since 1912 has held the dual position of city civil engineer in the city of New Ulm and of official surveyor of Brown county, is a native of the great Keystone state, having been born on a farm near the city of Mifflintown, Juanita county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1886, son of Jacob and Lydia (Barner) Minium, both natives of that same state, who are now living at Clear Lake, Iowa.

Jacob Minium is the eldest of the four children born to his parents, Harrison Minium and wife, natives of Pennsylvania, both of German descent, the former of whom died at the age of seventy-five and the latter of whom is still living. Jacob Minium grew to manhood on the paternal farm in Pennsylvania and married Lydia Barner, who also was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph L. and Sarah Barner, natives of that same state, who moved to Michigan and thence, about 1888, to South Dakota, locating, in the latter state, at Mitchell, later moving to Clear Lake, Iowa, where they now reside. To Joseph L. Barner and wife eight children were born, Laura, Mazie, Sarah, Sadie, Lydia, Roy, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Fred, deceased, and Boston.

In 1888 Jacob Minium and family moved from Pennsylvania to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the neighborhood of which city Mr. Minium engaged in farming and was thus engaged until 1905, in which year he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, where they now reside. Both are earnest members of the Methodist church and their children were reared in that faith. There are four of these children, as follow: Floyd D., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Nora, widow of Clarence McFarland, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Maud, wife of Charles A. Woods, of Indiana, and Evelyn, who is at home with her parents.

Floyd D. Minium was two years of age when his parents moved from Pennsylvania to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and he grew to manhood in the latter city. Following his graduation from the Sioux Falls high school he entered the South Dakota State College and for three years devoted himself to further study there, with particular reference to the study of civil engineering. Thus admirably equipped for the pursuit of the profession to which he had devoted himself, Mr. Minium engaged his services to the Great Northern Railroad Company and served in the engineering department of that company in the state of Washington and in British Columbia until December, 1906. He then transferred his services to the South Dakota Central Railway Company and from January, 1907, to November, 1908, was connected with the engineering department of that company. He then took service with the engineering department of the city of Sioux Falls and remained there until May, 1909, at which time he went with the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company and was engaged in location survey work through the Cheyenne River Indian reservation, later going to Greeley, Colorado, where for a time he was engaged in irrigation work, after which he went to work for Denver, Larimer and Northwestern Railway on terminal works at Denver, where he was engaged in yard work until August, 1910, at which time he returned to Sioux Falls and was in the city engineer's office there until August 1, 1911, at which time he went to Watertown, South Dakota, as superintendent of construction and remained there until he was called to this city to fill a vacancy in the office of the city civil engineer, May 1, 1912, since which time he has made his home in New Ulm. Upon his arrival in New Ulm Mr. Minium was appointed city civil engineer and two months later, in July, was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of county surveyor and was duly elected to that office in the fall election following and since then has held both offices, proving a very efficient public officer.

On March 14, 1911, Floyd D. Minium was united in marriage, at Canton, South Dakota, to Marjorie C. Fletcher, who was born in Watertown, that state, daughter of Herbert S. and Addie (Grinell) Fletcher, both of whom still reside in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Minium are members of the Congregational church and take a warm interest in the general social and cultural activities of the city, being held in high esteem by the many friends they have made since coming to this county. Mr. Minium is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at New Ulm and of the Elks lodge at Watertown, South Dakota, and in the affairs of both of these popular fraternal organizations takes an active interest.

Edward W. Baer

Edward W. Baer, well-known dealer in hardware at New Ulm, who also for years has conducted a general tinsmithing establishment in connection with his store, is a native son of New Ulm, having been born there on July 28, 1861, son of Joseph and Barbara (Hitz) Baer, early settlers there, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland, for years well-known residents of that city, the former of whom died in 1905, he then being seventyeight years of age, and the latter of whom is still living.

Joseph Baer was born in Baden, where he grew to manhood, served his time in the army and married. He was a stone-mason by trade and an excellent craftsman in that line. In 1856 he and his wife and his parents came to the United States and located at Williamsport, New York, where the elder Baers spent the remainder of their lives. In 1858, attracted by the good word received in the East from the German colonists who had settled in this section of Minnesota, Joseph Baer and his wife came to this state and settled at New Ulm, where he at once found ample opportunities for profitable employment at his trade and he and his wife became active and useful members of the pioneer settlement. Mrs. Baer's parents also left Germany and came to the United States, locating at Chicago, where they lived until the late seventies, when they moved to New Ulm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Grandfather Hitz was a blacksmith and was past ninety years of age when he died. His wife was killed by a cow when she was about seventy-five years old. They were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Baer is the eldest, the others being Paulina, Josephine, Frances, Joseph and Charles. Joseph Baer and wife were devout Catholics and were active in the work of the early parish at New Ulm. They went through the troublous times of the Indian uprising in 1862 safely and did well their part in the work of developing the settlement. Joseph Baer was a vigorous man and remained active at his useful trade for many years. His death occurred in 1905 and his widow is still living at New Ulm. They were the parents of eight children, as follow : Adolph, of Minneapolis ; Sophia, wife of John Gabriel, of St. Paul ; Edward W., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch ; Ida, wife of Athanasius Henle, of New Ulm ; Emily, wife of George Graff, of Ivanhoe, this state ; Lena, wife of Charles Leonhardt, of New Ulm ; Frances, who died at the age of eighteen years, and Paul, deceased.

Edward W. Baer was reared in New Ulm, the city of his birth, and has lived there all his life. He attended both the parochial and the public schools and when thirteen years of age began learning the tinner's trade, presently becoming a most competent and skillful craftsman in that line. In 1888 Mr. Baer married and went into business for himself as a tinsmith and dealer in hardware. Three years later he admitted Otto Seiter into partnership with him in the business and this arrangement continued for a year, at the end of which time Mr. Baer sold his interest in the business and resumed work at his trade as a tinsmith. Four years later he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Louis Ochs, under the firm name of Ochs & Baer, and for eighteen years this firm was engaged in the general hard- ware and tinsmithing business. In 1914 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Baer retaining the business, which he still is quite successfully conducting, long having been regarded as one of the leading business men of the city.

On April 25, 1888, Edward W. Baer was united in marriage to Matilda Ochs, who was born in New Ulm, daughter of Anton and Volberga (Drexler) Ochs, prominent pioneers of this community, a further history of whose interesting family is set out in a biographical sketch relating to Mrs. Baer's brother, J. Anton Ochs, proprietor of the "Bee Hive" dry goods store at New Ulm, presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union four children have been born, namely : Oscar, who is a druggist at Rochester, this state ; Edward, who clerks in the department store of his uncle, Mr. Ochs; Werner, who clerks in his father's store, and Florence, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Baer are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. The family has long been active in the general social life of the community and is held in high regard by all. Mr. Baer is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the St. Joseph Society. He is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been an aspirant for public office.

H. F. Schrader, superintendent of the Union hospital at New Ulm, this county, and one of the best-known and most progressive citizens of that city, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident of this section of Minnesota since the year 1868, he having come to America in that year with his parents, Henry and Dorothy Schrader, who located on a farm near the village of Lafayette, in the neighboring county of Nicollet, where they established their home and became substantial and influential members of that community.

Henry Schrader was a wagon maker in his native land. Upon coming to Minnesota in 1868 he homesteaded eighty acres of land in the neighborhood of Lafayette, Nicollet county, and had just enough money left to buy a yoke of oxen. Thus equipped he entered upon the task of clearing his homestead tract and bringing the same under cultivation. He and his wife were energetic and industrious and their children were helpful and it was not long before prosperity began to smile upon their efforts. Mr. Schrader added to his land holdings as he prospered and at the time of his retirement from the farm in 1893 was the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Following his retirement he made his home in New Ulm, where he died in 1899. His widow is still living in that city. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are still living, two of these, William and the subject of this sketch, being residents of New Ulm.

H. F. Schrader was born on July 9, 1860, and was thus eight years old when his parents came to Minnesota. He received his education in the schools of Lafayette and remained on the home place until he had attained his majority, after which he rented a farm and began operations on his own account. When his father died in 1899 he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home farm and there extended his agricultural operations and engaged largely in stock raising, becoming quite successful on his wellmanaged place of three hundred and ninety acres, being regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of that part of the county. He also took an earnest interest in civic and educational affairs and for years was clerk of his home school district. In 1908 Mr. Schrader retired from the active labors of the farm and he and his family moved to New Ulm, where they now reside. Mr. Schrader was one of the most active promoters of the beneficent movement which led to the erection of the fine new Union hospital at New Ulm and is one of the directors of the same. In February, 1915, he was elected superintendent of the hospital and has since then been serving in that capacity, rendering a valuable service to the community in that connection.

In 1884 H. F. Schrader was united in marriage to Emma B. Getch, daughter of August Getch and wife, and they have two adopted daughters, Bessie and Miriam. Mr. and Mrs. Schrader are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Ulm, Mr. Schrader being secretary of the board of trustees of that church, a position he has held ever since he moved to the city. For fourteen years previously he had been secretary of the Sunday school of the Methodist church at Lafayette and has always taken a warm interest in church work; in all he has been secretary of Sunday schools in the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-three years. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local politics, but has never been included in the office-seeking class. He was secretary and manager of the Lafayette and Bernadotte Creamery Company for four years, from 1899 to 1902, inclusive.

Wesley C. Miller

Wesley C. Miller, former register of deeds of Brown county, president of the New Ulm Land Company and long recognized as one of the most enterprising and energetic citizens of this county, is a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was born on March 15, 1868, son of John A. and Rebecca E. Miller, both natives of that same state, who later became substantial and influential residents of this county, having come here in pioneer days.

John A. Miller was a laborer back in Pennsylvania and in 1872 he became imbued with the idea of making a home for himself in the great Northwest, where there were lands and opportunities for all. In that year he and his family came to Minnesota and located in this county, entering a homestead claim to a quarter of a section of land in Mulligan township. Mr. Miller threw up a sod shanty, ten by fourteen feet in dimensions, on his place and there established his home. From the first he prospered and it was not long before he had a more substantial residence. When he retired from the farm and moved to Comfrey in 1910 he was the owner of a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He died at Comfrey in 1913, and his widow is still making her home in that pleasant village. To John A. Miller and wife three children were born, of whom two are still living, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Elmer, who is living at Comfrey.

neighborhood of his home. For some years he farmed with his father and then bought a nearby quarter section and began farming on his own account, becoming quite successful in his operations. Mr. Miller gave considerable attention to the dairy features of his farm and helped to organize the Woodlake Creamery Company, of which he was the first secretary, and was the first manager of that company's plant. He was otherwise active in promoting the best interests of the community and was long regarded as one of the most energetic members of that community. Mr. Miller is a Republican and from the days of his youth had given close attention to local political affairs. For a number of years he was township clerk and justice of the peace in and for Mulligan township and in 1898 was elected register of deeds for Brown county, after which he moved to New Ulm, which has ever since been his home. Mr. Miller entered upon his official duties on January 1, 1899, and served for six years, being re-elected at two succeeding elections. Upon retiring from office Mr. Miller engaged in the real estate business and for seven years also was engaged as secretary and manager of the New Ulm Stone Company ; at present devoting his entire attention to his extensive real estate transactions, as president of the New Ulm Land Company, occupying a high position in real estate circles in this part of the state.

In 1895 Wesley C. Miller was united in marriage to Anna Langhoff, daughter of August and Wilhelmina Langhoff, and to that union two children have been born, both sons, Walter W. and Arthur J. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Members of the Methodist church and take an earnest part in the general social and cultural activities of their home town.

Benedict I. Vetter

Benedict I. Vetter, well-known grocer and retail liquor dealer at New Ulm, this county, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born on a farm in the neighboring county of Nicollet on May 16, 1885, son of Leonard and Anna Vetter, well-known residents of the neighborhood in which they lived. Leonard Vetter was born in Germany and was but two years old when his parents came to the United States and located in Illinois. Later they came to Minnesota and homesteaded a farm in Nicollet county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Leonard Vetter grew to manhood in Nicollet county, married there and began farming on his own account, presently becoming the owner of a farm of two hundred acres in West Newton township, on which he made his home until his retirement from the farm, after which he moved to New Ulm. To him and his wife eight children were born, of whom five are still living.

Benedict I. Vetter was reared on the paternal farm in West Newton township, Nicollet county, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and remained with his father until the lat.ter's retirement from the farm, in 1907. He then worked on various farms in that neighborhood until his marriage, in 1912, after which he rented a farm in Cottonwood township, this county, and there made his home until in June, 1914, at which time he moved to New Ulm, where he opened a grocery and retail liquor store and has ever since been thus engaged.

Clara Weisner, daughter of Joseph Weisner and wife, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Lorraine. Mr. and Mrs. Vetter are members of the Catholic church and take an active interest in parish affairs. Mr. Vetter is a member of the St. Joseph Society and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. He is a Democrat and gives to the political affairs of the county considerable attention.

Carl W. A. Krook

A venerable and honored citizen of Brown county, whose life has been lived along useful and commendable lines is Carl W. A. Krook, now in his eighty-second year and living in retirement in New Ulm. He was born in Sweden, November 21, 1834, and is a son of Lars and Marie Anderson. He took the name Krook when he came to the United States on account of the name Anderson being so common. His mother's parents died when she was quite small, and she went to the town of Malmo where she received a good education and later studied medicine. Lars Anderson was a mason by trade, which he taught to his son, Carl W. A., who followed the same for fourteen years, and he also did plastering. He had little opportunity to attend school, having begun working some when only nine years old as a sheep and goose herder. He came to the United States in. 1869, landing in New York on May 11. He came on West to Chicago, but after looking for work in vain for a few days he went to Missouri and was employed on railroad construction work one month, then came to Minnesota, locating first in St. Paul. He had married before leaving his native land and while in the Twin Cities he wrote his wife to sell the home in Sweden (she having remained there) and join him in America. She did so and they came to Leavenworth, Brown county, to reside, he buying land there on which he built a house and this was their home for three years. After the first year he worked at his trade as a brick-mason in New Ulm, during the summer. After selling the farm he bought property in New Ulm and started a grocery store, also kept boarders for a period of twentysix years, when he sold his store and also closed his boarding house, then retired from active life and built his present cozy home in Washington street, New Ulm, in 1900, where he has lived ever since.

Carl W. A. Krook was married in Horby, Sweden, in March, 1861, to Hanna Johnson, who was born on September 18, 1831, in Sibarp, Sweden. To this union six children haVe been born, four of whom were born in the old country and three of them died in Sweden. They were named as follow: Lewis, born on March 20, 1864, in the town of Horby, married Alma Vogel and they have one child, Francis Bertha Juthilda. Carl Gustave was born in Brown county, Minnesota, he is unmarried. He received an excellent education and became a successful lawyer, was district judge for some time in Arizona, where he still resides. Franz Hilding, the third child to grow to maturity, was born in Brown county, Minnesota, married Linsie Hirsch, a daughter of Doctor Hirsch, and they have five children, Beata, Aimee, Marjory, Helen and Florence. Thus Mr. Krook has six granddaughters but no grandsons, a fact which he very much regrets as the name will die out with the present generation. Although there were six children in his father's family, he and his sister, Beata, are the only ones living at this writing. She makes her home in Sweden in the town of Wexio. Mrs. Hanna (Johnson) Krook is the only one living of her family.

Mr. Krook has been a member of the New Ulm school board for a period of sixteen years, being a member at the time the new high school in New Ulm was built. He is at present treasurer of the board. For many years he was a Republican, but now votes independently. His eldest son was active in local politics, having been county auditor, also postmaster in New Ulm and held other minor offices. Mr. Krook was one of the trustees of Dr. Martin Luther College at the time it was built. He was also treasurer of that institution for many years. He and his family were formerly members of the Lutheran church, but finally joined the Congregational church. Mr. Krook 's youngest son is cashier in the Citizens State Bank at New Ulm.

Rev. Christian Hohn

The Rev. Christian Hohn, pastor of the German Methodist Episcopal church at New Ulm, this county, is a native of Germany, having been born in the village of Prevorst, WurtembeTg, March 28, 1878, son of Jacob and Rosina Horn, both natives of that same place. Jacob Hohn was a government forester. He also had served in the German army. In 1891 he and his family came to the United States and settled at Enterprise, Kansas. For one year he worked on the railroad section there and then moved to Salina, same state, in the neighborhood of which he was engaged in farming for about two years, at the end of which time he moved to Seward county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm and where he is still living, though now retired from the active duties of the farm. To him and his wife twelve children were born, of whom ten are still living ; the only one of these living in Brown county, however, being the subject of this sketch.

Christian Hohn was about thirteen years old when he came to America with his parents and he lost little time in beginning his studies in English in the common schools at Enterprise, Kansas. He early recognized his call to the gospel ministry and upon completing the course in the common schools entered a preparatory school at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, after which he entered Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, from which he was graduated five years later, being ordained as a deacon by Bishop John W. Hamilton on September 5, 1904. In the meantime, in 1902, he had served as a minister at New Ulm, later going to St. PauTs College, where he served as a teacher for a year. On October 7, 1906, he was ordained to the ministry and was installed as pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal church at Minneapolis, and was there engaged for three years, during which time he also continued his studies by taking a course in the University of Minnesota. He then was called to the Dayton's Bluff German Methodist church at St. Paul, in which charge he served for four years, at the end of which time his services were engaged as an instructor in the Charles City College at Charles City, Iowa, where he remained until accepting the call to the German Methodist church at New Ulm in 1912. During his pastorate at New Ulm, the Rev. Mr. Hohn has performed a fine work in extending both the spiritual and material interests of the church under his charge.

In 1902 the Rev. Christian Hohn was united in marriage to Anna Rockel and to this union two children have been born, Ronald and Winfried. The Rev. Mr. Hohn is widely known throughout the conference of his church and is now serving as assistant secretary of the Northern German conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Mason and in the affairs of that order he takes a warm interest. In his political beliefs he is independent, declining to be tied to any party, preferring to exercise his suffrage in behalf of such candidates for public office as he regards best fitted for the performance of the duties of the offices to which they aspire.

Eugene Koehler

Eugene Koehler was born on June 22, 1865, in New Ulm, Minnesota, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Vernie) Koehler, natives of Alsace, Kumberschuppen and Alsace-Lorraine, respectively. The father was nineteen years old when he came to America, and the mother was a young girl when her parents brought her to this country. Her mother died during the epidemic of cholera in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Catherine Vernie was then adopted by the Reined family, and her sister was adopted by another family whose name is unknown, neither has her whereabouts ever been known sinde. Eugene Koehler 's parents were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Koehler followed his trade of pattern-maker, working for the Hall Safe & Lock Company, which at that time employed only four men. In 1857 he came west, locating in the town of New Ulm, Minnesota, where he followed the carpenter's trade, at which he was working in Ft. Ridgely during the Indian massacre, and he took part in the defense of that place, his name now appearing on the monument there as one of the defenders. He erected a great many of the early buildings in the town of New Ulm. He finally worked in Seller's planing mill for a period of fifteen years, and after that was a member of the police force as night watchman, for five years, after which he lived in retirement in New Ulm until his death in February, 1899. His family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are now living, Eugene and a sister, Mrs. Minnie Vendlant, being the only

Eugene Koehler received a common-school education, leaving school when twelve years old. He then went to work for the Schell Brewing Company as a teamster and stable boy. A year later he started in to learn the cigarmaker's trade at which he remained one year, then began learning the barber's trade under Frank Liebald, working under him two years, then went to St. Paul where he worked as a barber for two years, after which he went to Chicago and worked nearly two years in the shop in the Palmer House, which was at that time the finest shop in that city and one of the best in the world. Returning to New Ulm about 1886, he bought out a shop which he ran a few years, then sold out and bought a shop in Red Wing, Minnesota, which he ran for five years, returning to New Ulm about 1893 and bought out Henry Vetters* shop, which at that time contained two chairs. He has remained here ever since, built up a large trade, now conducting the most up-todate and largest barber shop in Brown county, operating five chairs.

Eugene Koehler was married on July 13, 1886, to Emily Veumler, a native of New Ulm and a daughter of Edward Veumler. Her parents were natives of Germany and were very early settlers in Brown county, coming here from Chicago about 1859. They were here during the Indian outbreak and two of their sons were slain by the savages, and an infant child was wounded. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Koehler, namely: Earna, who married Edward P. Walthier, lives in Minneapolis, where he is employed in the railway mail service, r unn ing between that city and Chicago, and they have one child, Lowell; Stanley, an instructor of physical science in the high school at Harmony, Minnesota, is a graduate of the State University; Armin will graduate from the New Ulm high school with the class of 1917 ; Louis is in the eighth grade in the local schools, and Catherine, the youngest child, is in the seventh grade. Mr. Koehler and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Otto Meyer

Otto Meyer, one of the best-known and most progressive citizens of New Ulm, this county, and for years traveling representative of Die Volkszeitung, the popular German daily newspaper at St. Paul, is a native of Germany and has been a resident of New Ulm since 1897. He was born on August 24, 1849, at Holzminden, a son of Frederick and Matilda Meyer, both natives of the Fatherland, the former of whom was a banker and both of whom died in their native land. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are still living, but of these children the subject of this sketch and Albert, living in St. Paul, are the only ones who ever came to America.

Otto Meyer was well educated in his native land, spending eight years in the gymnasium, after which he engaged in the mercantile business and was thus engaged until he came to the United States in 1885. Upon arriving in this country he located at Osage, Iowa, but a short time later moved to Stillwater, this state, where he remained eight months, at the end of which time he went to St. Paul, where his services were engaged by Die Volkszeitung, with which excellent old newspaper he ever since has been conncted for thirty years, in the capacity of a traveling representative, his territory covering Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Washington, he now being the oldest agent in the newspaper's service.

Baarsch, daughter of William and Louise Baarsch, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Julia. Mr. Meyer is a Democrat and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Rev. C. J. Albrecht

The Rev. C. J. Albrecht, pastor of St. PauTs Evangelical German Lutheran church at New Ulm, this county, is a native of Germany, having been born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg in 1847, son of Henry and Christina (Schilling) Albrecht, well-to-do viticulturists, whose lives were spent in their well-kept vineyard, the former dying in 1892 and the latter in 1914. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living ; and of these five, four are living in Minnesota, as follow : Rev. Christian, a minister of the German Lutheran church at Alcoma ; Rev. C. J., the subject of this biographical sketch; Rev. Gottlieb, a minister of the same denomination at Emmett, and Mrs. Lena Luehl, of Ellington.

C. J. Albrecht was educated to the ministry in his native land and was ordained there. In 1872 he married Mary Fry, daughter of John Christian Fry, and shortly afterward came to the United States. In November of that same year he was installed as pastor of the German Lutheran church at Lewiston, in Winona county, this state. After three months of service there he was called to take charge of the church at Greenwood, in Hennepin county, and was pastor of that church until 1882, in which year he accepted a call to the parish of St. PauFs church at New Ulm, where he ever since has been stationed and where he has done an admirable work, the interests of the parish having been extended both in a spiritual and a material way since he was installed as pastor. When the Rev. C. J. Al- brecht took charge at St. Paul's the parish had a population of but ninety-five families. At the time of the last official report it had a population of more than three hundred and all its departments of labor in a flourishing condition.

To the Rev. C. J. and Mary (Fry) Albrecht ten children were born, five of whom are still living, namely : Lydia, wife of the Rev. F. Kohler, now stationed at Nicollet, in the neighboring county of Nicollet ; Adelaide, at home ; the Rev. Emanuel Albrecht, who married Fredia Toppe and is now pastor of the English Lutheran church at Fairfax, in the neighboring county of Renville; the Rev. Gustave Albrecht, who married Martha Brown and is pastor of the English Lutheran church at St. Peter, and Martha, who is at home. The mother of these children died in 1897.

Fred Hamann

Fred Hamann, well-known driven-well contractor and dealer in windmills and member of the New Ulm common council, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a pioneer farm in Cottonwood township, September 14, 1865, son of Henry and Louisa (Bott) Hamann, natives of Germany and early settlers of this section of Minnesota.

Henry Hamann came to the United States in 1853 and settled at Blue Island, Illinois, in the neighborhood of Chicago, where he bought a forty-acre farm on which he made his home for three years, at the end of which time, in 1856, he joined the considerable German colony which not long before had settled in the New Ulm neighborhood in Brown county. He homesteaded a tract of land in Cottonwood township and spent the rest of his life there, he and his wife being among the earliest settlers of that section. They went through all the terrors of the Indian uprising and became substantial citizens. Henry Hamann died on his homestead farm in 1878. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, four of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Harry, William and Louise.

Fred Hamann was reared on the homestead farm in Cottonwood township and assisted very materially in the development of the same. His school days came to an end when he was thirteen years old and thereafter, until he was twenty two-years old, he gave his time to the work of the farm. In the meantime he had become interested in the work of drilling wells in that community and he then entered into the business as a definite vocation and has followed it ever since, long having been regarded as one of the best well-drillers in this part of the state. For more than twenty-five years Mr. Hamann has been engaged in that line and he and his machines for driving wells are known far and wide hereabout. Mr. Hamann also for years has acted as agent for a popular make of windmill in this section and has done a big business in that line. Mr. Hamann is a Republican and has long given his earnest attention to local political affairs, at present serving as councilman from his ward in the New Ulm city council.

On January 18, 1900, Fred Hamann was united in marriage to Dora Gribel, who also was born in this county, the daughter of Michael and Kunigunda (Dauer) Gribel, natives of Germany and pioneers of Brown county, and to this union four children have been born: Elmer, Edna, Clarence and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Hamann are attendants at the Congregational church and take an earnest interest in the good works of the community.

Joseph A. Herzog

Joseph A. Herzog, cashier of the State Bank of Sleepy- Eye and widely known throughout the county, being generally recognized as one of the most energetic and enterprising young business men in Brown county, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born at Melrose, in Stearns county, this state, June 3, 1886, son of Prank H. and Elizabeth (Blommel) Herzog, both natives of Germany.

Frank H. Herzog, who is still living at Melrose, this state, was born in the province of Oldenburg, Germany, son of Henry and Agnes Herzog, who were the parents of seven children, Bernard, Frank H., Joseph, Agnes, Elizabeth and Frederick. Shortly after locating at Melrose, in Stearns county, this state, Frank H. Herzog married Elizabeth Blommel, eldest of the five children of Joseph Blommel and wife, who had also come from Germany, they having been natives of Hanover, and settled in the Melrose neighborhood, where they engaged in farming. Mrs. Blommel died there, after which Joseph Blommel went to St. Joseph, Florida, where he spent his last days in the home of one of his sons. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Elizabeth, Bernard, Henry, Bernardina and Joseph. To Frank H. Herzog and wife eleven children have been born, as follow: Joseph A., the subject of this sketch; Bernard, of St. Joseph, Stearns county, this sketch; John, of Freeport, in the same county ; Frank, of Rockville, in the same county ; Rose, who married Frank Meyer, of Freeport, and Agnes, William, Leo, Christina, Hilda and Bertha, at home

Joseph A. Herzog was reared on the paternal farm near Melrose and received his elementary education in the district school in that neighborhood, assisting his father in the work of the farm until at the age of nineteen he entered St. John's University at Collegeville, this state. On April 15, 1907, he went to work in the First National Bank at Brainard, this state, and was thus engaged until June 8, 1910, at which time he entered the service of the International Harvester Company at St. Cloud and was thus engaged until the following December, on the fifteenth day of which month he transferred his services to the State Bank of Sleepy Eye at Sleepy Eye, this county, and has ever since been connected with that old financial institution. Upon entering the State Bank of Sleepy Eye, Mr. Herzog was made assistant cashier of the bank and on February 17, 1912, was advanced to the position of cashier of the bank, which responsible position he since has held and in the performance of the duties connected with which he has earned not only the full confidence and regard of the stockholders and other officers of the bank, but the esteem of the community generally.

Mr. Herzog is a member of the Catholic church and takes a good citizen's part in all worthy movements designed to advance the general welfare of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Order of Foresters, in the affairs of which popular fraternal organizations he takes a warm interest. Mr. Herzog is inclined to be somewhat independent in his political views, holding that in local governmental affairs the general fitness of the candidates for office should be the consideration actuating the suffrage, in preference to a submission to a mere party emblem.

George Jones

Although it has been a few years since the late George Jones, the subject of this memorial sketch, passed from this life, yet he is well remembered by many citizens of Brown county, Minnesota, as a man well worthy of the respect accorded him by friends and neighbors. George Jones, who fanned for many years on four hundred acres in Milford township, was an Englishman by birth, born in Manchester on November 16, 1827, and died at his home here on July 16, 1905. He was a son of George and Mary Jones, both natives of England. His father died when the subject of this sketch was but a small child and he was brought to this country by his mother and her parents. The family located near Erie, Pennsylvania, where young George grew to manhood and received his education, working on the home farm. As a young man, he took up his residence in the city of Erie and learned the carpenter trade. With this means of livelihood at his command, he came westward, living in St. Louis for a number of years and working at his trade. Prom St. Louis he moved to Hastings, this state, where he remained a short time and was married and then with his wife he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, near which town he owned a tract of land. After disposing of that land, they moved to Millville, Clayton county, Iowa, where George Jones operated a saw-mill for some two years, and in 1856 they came to Milford township, this county. George Jones pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, his claim being dated July 16, 1856, land being located on the Cottonwood river. This county at that time was in the earliest stages of development and the small eighteen by twenty log cabin George Jones built was typical of all other homes in this section. He set about improving his land and getting his farm into good condition, farmed there until the time of his death. The Jones family were located here before the Indian outrages of the early sixties and, as did others of this locality, they sought refuge at New Ulm, assisting in the protection of that town from the infuriated Indians. George Jones took a keen interest in the development of this section and was a school director for a number of years. He also served as justice of the peace and in many ways gave his labor and influence toward the advancement of the various phases of community life.

On October 23, 1853, George Jones was united in marriage with Mary Thomas, a daughter of Henry and Esther (Spicer) Thomas. Mary Thomas was a native of New York state, born January 20, 1835, her father having first seen the light of day in 1808 and her mother in 1815. Henry Thomas was reared a farmer and followed that vocation in his native state. He and his family came into the great Northwest at an early date and settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they entered land and remained a short time. They then moved to Margaretta county and entered another tract, remaining there also but a short time. In 1853 Henry Thomas joined the stream of gold hunters who were flocking to California and remained there about two years. Returning to this section of the country, he rejoined his family in Wisconsin and the following spring came to Brown county and entered land in Milford township. That was in the spring of 1856 and in this township he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1875. His widow survived him until 1907. There were originally eight children in the Thomas family, but five surviving at the present time. These are Mary, widow of the immediate subject of this sketch, and the only one remaining in this county ; Margaret, Minerva, Jane and Caroline.

George Jones and wife had a family of five children, namely: Annie Mary Esther, Henry Thomas, Edna Virginia, Sarah and Herbert. Annie married Anton Richartz ; Henry married Hannah Johnson and has four children, Ruth, Anna, George and Virginia ; Ruth is the wife of Earl Murray. Edna became the wife of Charles Robertson; Sarah remained unmarried and Herbert chose Bertha Ganska as his helpmeet.

Religiously, George Jones was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and ordered his life by its teachings, while he gave his political support to the Republican party, being especially interested in that party's affairs as related to local matters. Altogether, he was one of the stanch and sturdy pioneers of this section at a time when the influence of a wise and good man did much toward forming the status of its future existence. His widow is the oldest living resident in the county.

Charles Louis Palmer

Charles Louis Palmer, member of the board of county commissioners of Brown county and one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of Prairieville township, proprietor of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated six miles from the thriving city of Sleepy Eye, where he has lived since he was ten years old, is a native of Illinois, having been born in the town of Bowen, that state, March 24, 1872, son of Jesse and Letitia (McNeall) Palmer, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois.

Jesse Palmer was a merchant at Bowen, Illinois, and was in business there until 1882, in which year he disposed of his interests at that place and with his family came to Minnesota, settling in Brown county. He bought a half section of land in Prairieville township and there established his home. He farmed the place for ten years, at the end of which time he moved to Sleepy Eye, where he bought a grocery store, which he conducted quite successfully until his retirement from business in 1911, since which time he made his home in Long Beach, California, until his death, March 20, 1916. To him and his wife eight children were born, Mary, Frank, William, one who died in infancy, Charles L., Harry, Leroy and James.

Charles L. Palmer was about ten years old when his parents came to Brown county and his schooling was continued in the district school in the neighborhood of his home in Prairieville township, in the meantime aiding his father in the development of the home place. In 1899 he took charge of the home farm and has since managed it, and is looked upon as one of the most substantial residents of that community. Mr. Palmer has long taken an active interest in local civic affairs and for five years served on the township board. In 1915 he was elected county commissioner from his district and is now serving in that capacity.

In 1903 Charles L. Palmer was united in marriage to Isabelle Garrioch, daughter of Harry and Helena German (Bauman) Garrioch, pioneer settlers of Nicollet county, who came here from Scotland in 1858, and to this union two children have been born, Letitia and LaDonna. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Congregational church of Sleepy Eye. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Masonic lodge at Sleepy Eye and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that order.

Robert C. Dittbenner

Robert C. Dittbenner, a well-known and progressive young farmer of Eden township, this county, manager of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in that township, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm where he still makes his home, J anuary 30, 1885, second and younger son of August and Catherine Dittbenner, both natives of Germany.

August Dittbenner was a boy when he came to this country with his parents and he grew to manhood on a homestead farm in Cottonwood township. He learned the blacksmith trade and for a time worked at that trade in New TJlm, also being an active defender of that place, in the Indian massacre of 1862, later homesteading a farm in Eden township, where he spent the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of five children, the subject of this sketch having three sisters, Emma, Adelia, and Lillian, and one brother, Ferdinand.

Robert C. Dittbenner was reared on the paternal farm in Eden township and has lived there all his life. He completed the course in the county schools at the age of nineteen, in the meantime assisting his father in the development of the home farm, and upon the death of his father assumed charge of the farm and still lives there, being recognized as one of the most energetic young farmers in the neighborhood.

Rohde and wife, of Eden township, and to this union one child has been born, Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Dittbenner are members of the Lutheran church and take an active part in the various good works of their home community. Mr. Dittbenner is an "independent" voter.

Emil Rasmussen

One of the busy men of the town of Evan, Minnesota, is Emil Rasmussen, postmaster and merchant, who was born on October 2, 1868, in Denmark. He is a son of Hans and Kirstine (Larson) Rasmussen, both natives of Denmark also, where they grew up, attended school and were married. The father owned a small farm in that country, which he operated until 1896 when he brought his second wife and daughter to Brown county, Minnesota, and bought the townsite of Evan, sold it out in lots and returned to Denmark in 1898, where his death occurred in 1912. His wife died when their son Emil was seven years of age. They had two other children - Rasmus, Sr., and Rasmus, Jr.

Emil Rasmussen spent his boyhood in Denmark where he received his education in the common schools, leaving school at the age of fourteen and went to work in a general store, in which he remained for six years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. He then immigrated to the United States, in 1889, coming directly to Evan, Minnesota, but soon thereafter went to Sleepy Eye where he worked in a store for two years, then returned to Evan and worked a short time for a merchant there, then formed a partnership with Andrew Clausen and bought the store in which he had been employed, and continued to operate the same under the firm name of Clausen & Rasmussen for two years, when his partner sold out to Chris Mogensen, with whom Mr. Rasmussen has since been in partnership, and are doing a good business. Mr. Rasmus- sen was appointed postmaster in 1891 and has retained the office for twenty-four years successively, his long retention being evidence of his satisfactory services to the department and the people.

Emil Rasmussen was married in 1893 to Matilda Rasmussen, a daughter of Martin and Christiana (Madsen) Rasmussen, both natives of Denmark, from which country they came to America in 1869 and finally established their home in Prairieville township, Brown county, Minnesota, where Matilda Rasmussen was born, reared and educated. She was one of six children. She has borne her husband two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other, Victor Martin Rasmussen, attended a veterinary college in Kansas City, Missouri, from which he graduated in April, 1916.

Politically, Mr. Rasmussen is a Republican. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran church of which he is treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic order, both blue lodge and chapter, at Sleepy Eye.

In financial circles of Brown county the name of William G. McPhee, cashier of the State Bank of Evan, Minnesota, is well and favorably known. He was born at the town of Home, Brown county, February 18, 1875, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Simpson) McPhee, both parents born in the province of Ontario, Canada. There they spent their earlier years, the father working on a farm and in the lumber camps until he was thirty years of age, when he left Canada, in 1873, coming to Brown county, Minnesota, where he bought eighty acres of land in Home township, which he farmed for a period of thirty years, then purchased a farm in Eden township of four hundred acres, and after living there for ten years, engaging extensively in general farming, he retired from active life, moving to Franklin, Minnesota, where he now resides. His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely : William, Jessie, Archibald, Edward, Mary, Roy and Sarah.

William G. McPhee is the only member of his family now residing in Brown county. He grew up on the home farm where he worked during the summer months, and received his education in the public schools of Home township, leaving school at the age of nineteen years and began teaching, which he followed five years, then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Eden township, which he farmed, teaching school during the winter months, continuing thus for three years, then engaged in farming exclusively for five years, when he sold out and removed to

Sleepy Eye, engaging in business in that town for one year, after which he removed to Evan where he was a grain buyer for seven years, then became associated with the State Bank of Evan as cashier, in 1914, which position he still holds to the satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons. This bank has a capital and surplus of seventeen thousand dollars, and did a total business last year of one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. It is rapidly growing, due in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. McPhee, who is not only able but honest and faithful in the discharge of his duties.

William G. McPhee was married in 1901 to Katherine Grimes, a daughter of Edward and Mary Grimes, both natives of Ireland, from which country they came to the United States in early life, and finally established their future home in Brown county, Minnesota, where Mrs. Mc- Phee was born, reared and educated. Her parents were among the pioneers of Brown county, having settled there about the year 1868. They had a family of seven children - three boys and four girls. Mr. McPhee and wife have one child, Harold McPhee, twelve years old, who has finished school at Evan and is now a student at Sleepy Eye.

Politically, Mr. McPhee is a Democrat. He has been a justice of the peace, also recorder of the town of Evan, was trustee of Eden township for two years, giving entire satisfaction to the people in all these offices. He is a member of the Catholic church at Sleepy Eye.

Gus Lambrecht

Gust Lambrecht, farmer, one of the substantial citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born in New Ulm, this state, on May 16, 1863, being the eldest child of August and Augusta Lambrecht. There were originally five children in the family, but now only Robert, Ida and Gust are living.

August Lambrecht was born on August 13, 1824, and his wife, Augusta, November 22, 1844, both being natives of Germany. August was a shepherd in his native land and emigrated to America when a young man. He located in Wisconsin where he worked as a farm hand, was married and in 1862 came to this county and located in New Ulm, just a few days before the Indian outbreak. He labored for the defense of that place and was twice wounded. After affairs had quieted down, he rented a farm in Sigel township, where he remained for one year, and in 1863 homesteaded eighty acres in Milford township. He broke sod and put it under cultivation and gradually increased his holdings until at the time of his death in 1899 he was possessed of four hundred and forty acres of excellent land.

Gust Lambrecht received his education in the early pioneer schools of Milford township, making the most of the meager opportunities offered and farmed with his father until 1895, when he purchased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres on which he now resides and started out in life for himself. He has all his land under cultivation and puts about one hundred and thirty acres to grains each year and feeds for the market an average of eighty hogs annually. Through careful attention to seed, etc., his yield on corn is something above the average for this section. Within the last few years, Mr. Lambrecht has put some six thousand dollars on his homestead in the way of improvements in buildings and has an attractive home. A beautiful grove adds greatly to the appearance of the place.

In 1891, Gust Lambrecht was united in marriage with Emma Schroer, daughter of Henry Schroer, and to their union have been born seven children, namely: Alma, Arthur, Edwin, Alfred, Fredie, Martha and Elsie. Mr. Lambrecht and family are members of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a commendable interest. Politically, he votes independently, and evinces more than the usual interest in local political affairs. He is now a member of the school board and has served as road supervisor, his duties being discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned. As a man and citizen, he is eminently entitled to the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him.

William Dehn

William Dehn, a farmer of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born on the same farm where he now lives on June 2, 1856, being a son of John and Johannah (Hochschild) Dehn, both natives of Germany.

John Dehn was a blacksmith and devoted his time to that trade until his emigration to America. After coming to this country, he located in Chicago, where he remained three or four years, still blacksmithing. It was while living in Chicago he met and married Johannah Hochschild and in 1855 they came to this county with the Chicago Land Association, which brought many of the earlier settlers to this section. J ohn Dehn was among the very earliest settlers of this county and for many years was one of its sturdy pioneer citizens. Upon coming here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, all virgin land, upon which the foot of white man had scarcely rested. He broke the sod himself and erected a small cabin, living under the most primitive conditions. He came overland from St. Paul and had no team, his sole possessions in the way of live stock being a cow and her calf. John Dehn was beginning to make some headway toward the redemption of his land when the Indian outbreaks occurred in the early sixties and with others of this section he fled to New Ulm for safety, losing most of his possessions. After affairs had quieted down, he decided to remain in New Ulm, and did so, operating a blacksmith shop there for seven years. He then returned to his farm and remained there actively engaged in work, until a few years before his death. After giving up active work, he made his home on the old place with his son, the immediate subject of this sketch. John Dehn passed away in 1897, his widow surviving him ten years. They were the parents of two children, William and Mary.

William Dehn received such education as the limited school facilities of Milf ord township and New Ulm afforded at the time of his youth, taking up work with his father on the home place later on. At the time of his marriage in 1883, William rented the home place from his father, and at the time of the latter 's death, bought out his sister's interest. His farm at present consists of two hundred acres, well improved and showing good management. Since securing possession of the entire place, he has spent about four thousand dollars in the way of improvements and is eminently deserving of the success which is his.

On June 7, 1883, William Dehn was united in marriage with Martha Backer, daughter of John Backer, and to their union have been born five children, namely: Fred W., Louis, August, Herbert and Eltor. Fred married Ida Rolloff, while Louis chose Viola Knees as his wife. He is the father of two children, Elenora and Melvin.

Mrs. Dehn holds religious membership with the church at New Ulm. Mr. Dehn is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he votes independently, chosing the man individually rather than endorsing any one party's whole ticket.

Philip Knees

Among the successful farmers and substantial citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, is Philip Knees, to a short sketch of whose career the attention of the reader is now directed. Mr. Knees was born in Illinois on December 22, 1854, his parents, William and Mary Knees, having settled for a time in that state after reaching this country from Germany. For further particulars of the Knees family, please refer to the sketch of Albert Knees, brother of Philip, presented elsewhere in this volume.

Philip Knees was a small boy when his parents settled in Milford township and it was in the schools of this place he received his education, making the best of the limited opportunities offered in an educational way at that time. He remained on the home farm assisting the father until twenty-seven years of age, when he started out in life for himself. His first venture was the farming of a rented tract of land, where he remained a few years, and then made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, same being the nucleus of his present farm of two hundred acres. For his first purchase he paid a price of twenty dollars per acre and has in all put about five thousand dollars' worth of improvements on his farm, which is one of the modern and up-to-date homesteads of the county. In addition to the residence and other buildings erected, Mr. Knees set out a grove, which is now a thing of beauty and adds much value to his land. Philip Knees conducts his farming along modern lines, putting on an average of forty-five acres to corn

Philip Knees has been twice married, his first wife being Rosa Layman, with whom he was united in marriage in 1881. She was a daughter of Fred Layman and after her death he married Josephine Friedmann, daughter of Frank Friedmann, and to that union three children have been born. Viola, the eldest, became the wife of Louis Dehn and is the mother of two children, Laura and Melvin. Alma married Ernst Ralloff and the mother of one child, Evelyn. Harvey, the youngest of the family, is still at home with the parents.

Philip Knees and family stand high in the estimation of all of their community. In politics, he is an independent voter and always interested in the proper administration of affairs, particularly relating to local matters.

John Gareis

John Gareis, numbered among the progressive citizens of Milf ord township, Brown county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria on December 6, 1864, a son of John and Ricka Gareis, both natives of the same place. John Gareis, the eldest, was a farmer in his native land and followed that vocation throughout his life. He, with his family, emigrated to America in 1872, came to this state and located in Milford township on the land where the immediate subject of this sketch now resides. The farm at that time consisted of one hundred and twenty acres in farming lands and twenty acres in timber, and on that tract John Gareis, the elder, passed the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 1910, his wife having died in 1894. He took a keen interest in the development of this section and served as road overseer for a good many years.

John Gareis was one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. John was young when brought to this country by his parents and received his education in the schools of this township. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he became a farmer on his own account, having purchased one hundred and forty acres from his father. At the present time he owns two hundred and ten acres, all of which is under cultivation except ten acres, which is in timber. Mr. Gareis divides his attention between general farming and the rais-

On June 29, 1893, he was united in marriage with Alma Krause, born on August 29, 1874, in Milford, a daughter of Henry Krause, and to their union has been born a family of six children, namely: Walter, Ellen, Alma, Harry, Arnin and Roy, all unmarried and at home with the parents. Mr. Gareis and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a commendable interest. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party and like his father before him, he is interested in the question of good roads. He has been road boss for a good many years and is now also serving as township supervisor of Milford township. Mr. Gareis is one of Milford township's progressive citizens, always interested in the development of any phase of community life.

Andrew J. Lebert

Andrew J. Lebert, farmer and stockman, living on his fine place of two hundred and eighty-eight acres in Home township, Brown county, Minnesota, is of French parentage, having been born in the township where he now resides on January 21, 1867, a son of Joseph and Anna (Vanderest) Lebert, both natives of France.

Joseph Lebert came to this country in 1850 and located in the state of Wisconsin. There he remained but a short time when he moved to St. Paul, relying the while upon his trade of carpenter for his livelihood. From St. Paul he came to Redstone, arriving here in 1867 and soon thereafter took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Home township, same having no improvements whatever upon it. However, Joseph Lebert took up his residence there, making a comfortable home for his family, and continued to farm there until the time of his death in 1885. There were nine children in the Lebert family, as follow: Frank, Louis, Mary, Joseph, Louisa, Andrew, John, Anna and Julia.

Andrew Lebert received but a limited education in his youth, having access only to the early schools of his native township and assisted his father with the work of the home place until eighteen years of age. He then took over the management of the home place, farmed that himself for a number of years and then bought other land, bringing the acreage up to his present holdings. He has put all the improvements on the place, which run up into the thousands of dollars and has set out about an acre of grove. Mr. Lebert divides his attention between the raising of grains and live stock, feeding on an average of forty hogs for the market per year. His trading point is at Sleepy Eye, a distance of eight miles.

On October 19, 1898, Andrew J. Lebert was united in marriage with Amanda Moll, a daughter of Henry Moll, of New Ulm, and a resident of Brown county. To their union five children have been born, Edmund, Lottie, lone, Lloyd and Opal.

Mr. Lebert attends the Congregational church and gives liberally of his means toward the support of the work of his organization. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, through the local lodges of those orders at Sleepy Eye. Mr. Lebert is an independent voter, having no particular interest in things political, but anxious always to see the right man in the right place. He is one of the good citizens of Brown county, a man who has a host of friends, by all of whom he is held in great respect.

Adolph Schilling

Close attention to detail has been the principal secret of the success of Adolph Schilling as a farmer of Brown county. He was born on July 5, 1860, in Lafayette county, Minnesota, and is a son of Adolph and Henrietta (Freeze) Schilling, natives of Germany, from which country the father came to the United States in 1855, first locating at Freeport, Illinois, but he did not remain there long, coming on to Minnesota and homesteaded eighty acres of land. He subsequently bought more land, developed an excellent farm on which he resided until his death, July 22, 1888. He fought agaiiist the Sioux in 1862, his family going to St. Peter with other settlers and there he eventually went, all remaining until the danger of another invasion was passed. The subject of this sketch was then only two years old and he remembers but one incident of those times and that was the family leaving their log cabin home and going to St. Peter. Four children were born to Adolph Schilling, Sr., and wife, namely: Adolph, of this review; August, who lives in Winthrop ; Henry died in 1914, and William died on May 31, 1888, shortly before his father died.

The subject of this sketch lived on the old home place until December 2, 1913, carrying on general farming successfully, then retired and moved to town, he had bought the farm of his father two years previous to his death. As a boy, Adolph Schilling attended the rural schools near his home until he was thirteen years of age, and assisted his father with the farm work in the summer time. On July 2,

1886, in Lafayette county, he was united in marriage with Minnie Wellner, who was born on December 10, 1862, in that county, and is a daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Hellmann) Wellner, natives of Germany, from which country they came to the United States in February, 1857, coming direct to Minnesota. Here the father took an active part in the Indian war as a teamster and hauler of supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Schilling have one child, Adolph, who was born on May 14, 1887. He received a good education, passing through the public schools, then attending the college at St. Peter, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1908. On September 17, 1913, he married Eva Brinkman, who was born on June 12, 1893, in Brown county, and is a daughter of Henry and Emily (Dietz) Brinkman. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Brown county, Minnesota. Adolph Schilling, Jr., and wife have no children; they live on his father's farm which he is successfully operating. Mr. Schilling and family are members of the Evangelical church.. He was treasurer of the school district in which he lived in Lafayette township for several years.

W. C. Heimann, postmaster at Essig and a well-known and enterprising merchant of that thriving little village, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Milf ord township, June 12, 1874, son of August atad Caroline Heimann, natives of Germany and well-known residents of that community.

August Heimann came to the United States when little more than a boy and for some time after coming here worked as a farm hand in the neighborhood of New Ulm. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted for service in the Union army and upon the completion of his term of enlistment returned home and married. He had a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Milf ord township and there he established his home, remaining there until his retirement from the active duties of the farm in 1901, in which year he and his wife moved to New Ulm, where they are still living. They were the parents of nine children, of whom eight are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch, who is the eldest, being Mrs. Emilia Rolf, Mrs. Bertha Dohmer, Fred, Albert, Louis, George and Charles.

W. C. Heimann was reared on the paternal farm in Milf ord township, receiving his education in the school in the neighborhood of his home, and remained on the farm until he was twenty years old, after which he began working on his own account. After his marriage in 1897 he rented a farm in Home township and lived there for five years, at the end of which time he moved to the village of