Brown County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 5 of 9)

Essig, where he and his brother Fred bought the general store of Backer & Sears and engaged in the mercantile business there. For a year this partnership continued and then Mr. Heimann bought the interest held by his brother, Fred, and has since conducted the store alone. He carries a general stock valued at above seven thousand dollars and has an extensive trade throughout the section of the county covered from that point. In addition to his store room, which is twenty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, Mr. Heimann also has a warehouse fourteen by forty. Mr. Heimann is a Democrat and on July 23, 1903, received a commission as postmaster at Essig and has since then been serving the patrons of that office in that capacity, the postoffice being conducted in his store.

In 1897 W. C. Heimann was united in marriage to Ida Wagner, daughter of Englebrecht Wagner and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Hazel and Leo.

Mattice Raymond

Mattice Raymond, a well-known building contractor at Sleepy Eye, this county, is a native of Canada, but has been a patriotic citizen of the United States since 1879. He was born at Montreal on March 8, 1862, son of Louis and Elizabeth (Embark) Raymond, both natives of Canada, who spent their lives in the Dominion. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the only one, however, who is living in the United States.

Mattice Raymond received his education in the schools of Montreal and was trained to the carpenter's trade. In 1879 he crossed the border into Michigan and for three years was engaged in carpenter work in and about the Calumet mines. He then, in the latter part of 1881, came to Minnesota and settled at Sleepy Eye, where for*several years he was employed as a carpenter by the firm of Miller & Offerman. In 1885 Mr. Raymond married and started as a building contractor on his own account and for several years was successfully engaged in that business at Sleepy Eye. He then moved to Courtland, over the line in Nicollet county, where he operated a carpenter shop and wagon shop for four years, at the end of which time he moved to Sanborn, in Redwood county, where he followed the same line of business for three years, after which he returned to Sleepy Eye and for several years was engaged in general carpentering and wagon-blacksmithing, later selling his wagon shop and thereafter devoting his whole time to build- ing. In 1907 he went to California, seeking betterment of his health in a change of climate, and for two years worked at San Francisco. Much improved in health he then returned to Sleepy Eye and resinned his contracting business and has since then been quite successfully engaged in that line in that city.

In 1885 Mattice Raymond was united in marriage to Mary McRae, daughter of J. D. McRae and wife, and to this union eight children have been born, six of whom are living, Harry, who married Elsie Essig and has two children, and Ethel, Arthur, Alice, Everett and Elizabeth. Mr. Raymond is an "independent" voter. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a past noble grand of that order, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

August J. Backer

August J. Backer, manager of the extensive plant of the Essig Co-operative Creamery Company at Essig, this county, and one of the best-known and most expert creamery men in the state, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Milford township, August 26, 1874, son of John and Martha Backer, well-known and influential residents of that part of the county, further details of the history of which family are set out in a sketch relating to F. J. Backer, presented elsewhere in this volume.

August J. Backer was reared on the home farm in Milford township and received his elementary education in district school No. 15, supplementing the same by a comprehensive course in the Agricultural College at St. Anthony Park, following the regular agricultural course by the full dairy course, he having determined to give his attention to the dairy business. Upon leaving college he was engaged as assistant in the creamery at Lafayette, in the neighboring county of Nicollet, and after four months of service there was engaged as manager of the creamery in Sigel township, this county, where he remained for three years and six months, at the end of which time he went to Lamberton, where for a year he was employed in the agricultural implement store of F. H. Retzlaff. His services then were engaged by a creamery company at Florita, in Renville county, where he remained one year and six months, or until he took charge of the creamery at Essig. When the co-operative plan was adopted by the promoters of the

Essig creamery in 1902, Mr. Backer was asked to draw the plans for the creamery. He was elected first manager of the plant, installed the machinery for the same and has been manager ever since the creamery was established, having created an enormous demand for the products of the Essig creamery. The first year the creamery was in operation it turned out sixty thousand pounds of butter. The annual output now exceeds one hundred and seventy-five thousand pounds, the whole of which product is shipped to the exclusive market of New York City, where it commands the highest prices.

In 1901 August J. Backer was united in marriage to Ella Hellman, daughter of Henry Hellman and wife, and to this union three children have been born, Albert, Edgar and Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Backer are earnest members of the German Lutheran church and take an active interest in the general good works of their home community. Mr. Backer is an "independent" voter.

Fred Aufderheide

Fred Aufderheide, well-known manufacturer of brick and tile, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of New Ulm and one of the most energetic and enterprising business men in this section of the state, is a native of Germany, having been born near the town of Langerich, in Westphalia, December 8, 1853, son of Jacob and Sophia (Beineke) Aufderheide, both natives of that same district, the former of whom died in his native land in 1864, at the age of fifty-four years, his widow, twenty years later, in 1884, following her children to America and locating at New Ulm, whence she later went to Minneapolis, where her death occurred at the age of eighty-seven. She was the youngest of the four children born to her parents, the others having been Rudolph, Ernest and William. She had borne to her husband six children, namely: Adolph, deceased; Mrs. Marie Roosevelt, deceased ; Bernardina, deceased, who was the wife of William Wiethoff ; Sophia, wife of Frank Peterson, of Minneapolis ; Ernest, of Wanda, this state, and Fred, the subject of this sketch.

In 1870, he then being seventeen years of age, Fred Aufderheide came to the United States and located in Cincinnati, where he perfected himself in a practical knowledge of brick-making. In 1875 he came to Minnesota and located at New Ulm, where he started a brick yard, which he ever since has operated and in which business he has been very successful. From a small plant, with which he began business in this section, Mr. Aufderheide has devel- oped his brick and tile factory to its present extensive proportions, long having been recognized as one of the most important manufacturers in this line in this part of the state. There are fifty-eight persons on the pay-roll and the plant annually turns out about three million brick, besides a large quantity of tile amounting to about twenty-five million feet yearly. In addition to looking after his extensive manufacturing interests, Mr. Aufderheide has for years taken a warm interest in the general business affairs of the New Ulm neighborhood and has been more or less interested in several enterprises of consequence. He also has extensive land holdings and is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens hereabout, owning a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in this county and a farm of four hundred and ninety acres in Murray county. In 1914 he aided in the organization of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of New Ulm, capital stock, fifty thousand dollars and surplus, ten thousand dollars, and was elected president of the new financial concern, a position which he now holds, in the administration of the affairs of which office he has gained a high position in financial and banking circles throughout this part of the state.

On May 25, 1881, Fred Aufderheide was united in marriage to Eliza Schapekalm, who was born in the town of Gertha, Hanover, October 9, 1857, daughter of Gerhardt and Maria Adelheit (Kaiser) Schapekalm, both natives of that same section of Germany and the parents of four children, Mrs. Aufderheide having a sister, Mary, and two brothers, Herman and Gerhardt. Mrs. Schapekalm died in her native land in 1862 and Mr. Schapekalm and his children then came to the United States, settling at New Ulm, where Mr. Schapekalm spent the remainder of his life, being seventy-one years of age at the time of his death. Eliza Schapekalm was thirteen years old when she came to this country and she grew to womanhood at New Ulm, where she married Mr. Aufderheide. To this union five children have been born, as follow : William, who died at the age of seventeen years; Emma, who married Arthur Book, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of New Ulm, and has three children, Norbert, Gertrude and Esther; Carl, a partner in his father's extensive business affairs, who married Clara Weddendorf and has one child, a son, Carl ; Herman, also a partner in his father's business, and Hertha, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Aufderheide are members of the Lutheran church and their children have been reared in that faith. The family takes an active part in the general social and cultural activities of New Ulm and vicinity and is held in high regard throughout this whole region.

Philip Liesch

Philip Liesch, the Well-known proprietor of the Liesch Printing Company at New Ulm, this county, and publisher of the Brown County Journal and the New Ulm V oiks- Matt, two of the best-known and most widely circulated newspapers in this part of the state, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Wyalusing, Grant county, that state, August 23, 1868, son of Anton. F. and Magdalena (Nutt) Liesch, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of the Austrian Tyrol, who came to this county from Iowa in 1876 and settled at New Ulm, where their last days were spent.

Anton F. Liesch was born in the canton of Grisons, in the republic of Switzerland, eldest of the two sons born to his parents, natives of that same canton, who spent all their lives there, he having had a brother, Andrew. About the time of the Civil War, Anton F. Liesch came to the United States and located in Wyalusing, Wisconsin, in which town he engaged in farming. There he married Magdalena Nutt, who had come with her parents, Casper and Rosalie Nutt, natives of Lichtenstein, in the Austrian Tyrol, in 1848, she then having been a babe in arms, the family settling in Guttenberg, Iowa, where she spent her girlhood days and where her parents spent the remainder of their lives, both living to good old ages. Casper Nutt and his wife were the parents of seven children, Mary, Magdalena, Joseph, Barbara, Theresa, Catherine and Louisa. In 1874

Anton F. Liesch and his family moved from Wisconsin to Iowa, locating at Sibley, where they remained foT two years, at the end of which time they came to this county, settling in New Ulm, where Mr. Liesch and his wife spent the rest of their lives, becoming well-known residents of that then rapidly growing little city. Anton F. Liesch died in 1899, he then being sixty-six years of age, and his widow survived until 1912, she being sixty-three years of age at the time of her death. They were earnest members of 'the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven children, as follow: Philip, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Ida, wife of August O. Berndt, of New Ulm, and George A., of New Ulm, the other four dying while young, Anna, when eleven years old and the second eldest being killed in the cyclone which swept over New Ulm in 1881.

Philip Liesch was six years old when his parents left the farm in Wisconsin and moved to Iowa and was eight years old when they came to this state, in 1876, and settled at New Ulm. He, therefore, has lived in New Ulm practically all of his active life, and has been a witness of the extraordinary changes which those years have produced in this section of the state of Minnesota. Philip Liesch attended the parochial schools of New Ulm and in 1883 entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the New Ulm Review, with which newspaper he was thus connected until 1887, in which year he went to St. Paul, where for nearly eleven years he was connected with the Pioneer Press Company. In September, 1897, the month in which he (20a) was married, he returned to New Ulm and bought the newspaper and the printing plant of the Volksblatt Publishing Company and immediately took over the publication of that paper, which he has continued ever since. On October 15, 1898, Mr. Liesch issued from the Volksblatt office the first copy of the Brown County Journal, a Republican newspaper, and has ever since continued the publication of that paper, the latter being printed in English and the former in German. In addition to getting out his two excellent newspapers, Mr. Liesch is also extensivelyengaged in the job-printing business and has a wide patronage in that department of his printing plant.

The Brown County Journal is stanchly Republican, faithfully reflecting its editor's views on the political questions of the day, and both it and his German paper, the Volksblatt, wield a large influence for good hereabout. For a short time Mr. Liesch served as deputy oil inspector for Brown county, and on March 2, 1911, was appointed postmaster of New Ulm, in which position he served with much satisfaction to the people of that city for a period of four years.

Mr. Liesch has been a member of the Republican county committee and for a number of years acted as treasurer and chairman. He was also a member of the Republican state central committee for a number of years and gratuitously has given liberally of his time to further the interests of the party.

On September 28, 1897, Philip Liesch was united in marriage to Clara Pollman, who was born at Mankato, this state, April 28, 1875, daughter of John Nicholas and Bernardina (Schaefer) Follman, the father being a native of Luxemburg and the mother was born in Iowa and came to Brown county with her parents in June, 1856, and lived on a farm in Cottonwood until 1874, when she moved to Mankato, where she was married to Mr. Follman, who was engaged in the drug business and where he died in 1875. Mrs. Liesch is the only child born to that union. To Philip and Clara (Follman) Liesch seven children have been born, Adelyn E., Robert P., Estella L., Aura H., Victor E., Marie C. and Phyllis C. Mr. Liesch is a member of the Knights of Columbus; the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the German Catholic Aid Society, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest. He and his family are active in local good works and are held in high esteem by their many friends in New Ulm and throughout the county generally.

William Pfaender

William Pf aender, head of the Pioneer Nursery Company and proprietor of the extensive horticultural nurseries operating under that name at New Ulm, this county, and one of the most enterprising and energetic citizens of Brown county, is a native of Ohio, having been born in the city of Cincinnati, September 26, 1852, son of the Hon. William and Catherine (Pfau) Pf aender, later pioneer settlers in this community and for many years leaders in the common activities of this region.

The Hon. William Pf aender was one of the promoters of the German Land Association, organized at Cincinnati in 1856, which came here and took over the town site of New Ulm, shortly before that time laid out by the Chicago Land Verein, and began the active work of developing this section of Minnesota. Throughout his long and honorable career here he ever was a leader, a man of strong and correct influence, whose name ever will be held in respect hereabout. Commandant at Ft. Ridgely following the troublous days after the quelling of the Indian insurrection in 1862, he occupied a dominant position among those who were so wisely directing affairs here then and after that served in various public capacities, having been mayor of New Ulm, for years active in the councils of that thriving little city, member of the house of representatives of the Minnesota Legislature, member of the state Senate, state treasurer, and all the time helpful in pushing along the development of the industrial life of this region.

The elder William Pfaender was born and reared in Heilbronn, an important town of Wurtemberg, forty-six miles southeast of Stuttgart, on the left bank of the Danube, and was trained in mercantile pursuits. He was well educated and when he came to the United States, as a young man, was well fitted to take his place as a natural leader among his associates. For some time after coming to this side he was located at Cincinnati, where he married, and while there became connected with the newspaper, Republioana. While thus engaged he, in association with a number of other persons of German birth or affiliation, organized the German Land Association, with a view to the development of home sites for German immigrants to this country. In 1856 Mr. Pfaender and the other leaders of this association came to Minnesota and after a brief negotiation took over from the Chicago Land Verein the town site of New Ulm and the lands adjacent thereto, which the Chicago association had shortly before opened up, and straightway began to promote the same in a systematic manner, it being but a short time before settlers began pouring into this section from all parts of the country, the German element naturally remaining dominant. William Pfaender selected as the site for his home a tract in Milford township, which he presently enlarged to the extent of two hundred acres, and there he reared his family. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in behalf of the Union cause as a member of the First Minnesota Battery, Light Artillery, and was mustered into the service with the rank of second lieutenant, presently being promoted to captain, and was appointed to the recruiting service. While thus serving, the sad task of directing the burial of the vie- tims of the Indian massacre in 1862 fell to his lot. Captain Pfaender then was transferred to the Mounted Rangers and was appointed quarter-master at Ft. Ridgely, with rank of lieutenant-colonel, in command of the fort. Upon retiring from the service in 1864, Colonel Pfaender returned to New Ulm and resumed charge of his interests there, developing his extensive farm and taking part in other enterprises. Prom the beginning of his connection with affairs hereabout he had been active in the public service ; was one of the first registers of deeds in the county and was one of the members of Minnesota's delegation in the electoral college which elected President Lincoln. He later was elected as representative from this district to the state Legislature and served two terms in that capacity, later being elected state senator, serving in the upper house of the General Assembly for two terms, during which time he created so distinct an impression upon the politics of the state that he later was elected state treasurer, serving in that important office from 1874 to 1878. In local political affairs he was equally active and for years served as city councilman in New Ulm, also having served very effectively as mayor of the city. He opened up the first set of books in the great flour-mill following the organization of the Eagle Roller Mills Company and in all ways did what he could in the way of developing the industrial and commercial life of the county. He was one of the leading lumbermen and real estate and insurance dealers in the city and in the latter business remained active to the close of his life, the wellknown William Pfaender Agency still being continued at New Ulm by the family. This energetic pioneer lived to a good old age, his death occurring in 1905. His wife had preceded him to the grave twelve years, her death having occurred in 1892. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being as follow: Katie, who married Charles Albrecht, of St. Paul, this state ; J ohanna, deceased, who was the wife of Carl Brauns ; Louisa, widow of Dr. G. Staumm, of St. Paul; Josephine, unmarried, of St. Paul, who owns the old Pf aender homestead in New Ulm, this county ; Caroline, who died at the age of seventeen years; Fred, post master at New Ulm; Amelia, wife of Doctor Fritsche, of New Ulm; Albert, a well-known lawyer, of New Ulm, major of the Second Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume; Wilhelmina, wife of Hein E. Loenholdt, of Homburg-vor-der-Hoehe, Germany ; Herman, of New Ulm, who is managing the old home farm; Emma, wife of Charles Hauser, of St. Paul, and three who died in infancy. The father of these children was one of the three children born to his parents. His father, who was a cooper by trade, was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars. His mother's maiden name was Johanna Kuenzel. He had a brother, Carl, who was a portrait painter of distinction at London, England, and a sister, who died at the age of nineteen years. The mother, Catherine (Pfau) Pf aender, came to America with her parents when a girl, the family settling in Cincinnati, where Grandfather Pfau and his wife for years conducted a boarding house. He died there in 1856, past middle age and his widow lived to be more than ninety years of age. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, Philip, Charles, John, who became a prominent figure in the life of the national capital, Washington, D. C, and Josephine, Catherine, Wilhelmina and Adelheid. William Pf aender, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in Milf ord township, this county, receiving his education in the district school in that neighborhood and in the schools of New Ulm. When nineteen years of age he began helping his father in the latter 's lumber yard in New Ulm and two years later went to St. Paul, where for eight years he was employed in the wholesale dry-goods and notions house of Auerbach, Finch & Scheffer. He then returned to New Ulm, where he married, and in 1881 took an interest in the New Ulm sugar works, with which he was actively connected for a couple of years, after which, in 1883, he returned to St. Paul, where he became bookkeeper for a cigar firm, later establishing a book and stationery store in that city and was thus engaged for seven years, at the end of which time he returned to New Ulm and became associated with his father in the insurance business, continuing that connection from 1890 to 1910. He was made deputy secretary of the New Ulm Building and Loan Association and presently reorganized that institution under a new plan, changing the name of the same to the New Ulm Savings and Loan Association, of which he is still the secretary ; the concern long having been recognized as one of the leading institutions of the kind in this part of the state. During all this time Mr. Pf aender had been giving close attention to the study of horticulture along scientific lines and in 1900 started a forty-acre nursery, which he presently increased to eighty acres and has long been one of the leading nursery men in Minnesota. On April 5, 1915, Mr. Pf aender incorporated his enterprise under the name of the Pioneer Nursery Company, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and is the active head of the concern.

marriage to Emelia Kiesling, who was born in this county, daughter of Rudolph and Helena (Held) Kiesling, the former a native of Saxony and the latter of Wurtemberg, who came to this county with the colony promoted by the Chicago Land Verein in 1853, and both of whom are still living, now making their home at Kiesling, Washington. Their other children were Fred, Thekla, Sophia, Helen, Rudolph, Hugo, Erna and Lydia. Rudolph Kiesling is the son of August Kiesling and wife, who were among the original pioneers of this county, who had five children, Herman, Mina, William, Rudolph and a son who was killed during the massacre in 1862. Mrs. Kiesling was one of four children born to her parents, Grandfather Held and wife, the others being Fritz, Albert and Rosa.

To William and Emelia (Kiesling) Pfaender five children were born, namely: Rudolph, who married Meta Hanschen and is now engaged in the insurance business established by his grandfather at New Ulm, known as the William Pfaender Agency; Max, a horticulturist and forester, now assistant superintendent of the government experiment station at Mandan, North Dakota, married Hilda Peuser and has two children, Robert and Elizabeth ; Thekla, who died of diphtheria when nine years old ; Emil, who is associated with his father in the nursery business, and Carl, who died at St. Paul when six months of age. The mother of these children died on January 31, 1891, at the age of thirty years, and on October 10, 1893, Mr. Pfaender married, secondly, Sophia Berndt, who was born at New Ulm, daughter of Julius and Mina (Kiesling) Berndt, the former of whom was born in Silicia and the latter in New Ulm. Julius Berndt and his wife, both of whom are still living at New Ulm, are the parents of seven children, Ida, Sophia, August, Hugo, Rudolph, Rosa and Julia. He is one of three children born to his parents, he having had two brothers, William and Herman, and his wife is one of the five children of August Kiesling and wife, pioneers of this county, mentioned above. To William and Sophia (Berndt) Pfaender six children have been born, Wallie (a daughter), Thomas, Carl, Catherine, Lottchen and Rosa. Mr. and Mrs. Pfaender are members of the New Ulm Turnverein, of which he has been an active member for fortyfive years. They long have taken an earnest part in the various social and cultural activities of their home town and are held in the highest esteem by all hereabout.

Erwin E. Spelbrink

Erwin E. Spelbrink, cashier of the State Bank of Essig at Essig, this county, and one of the most active young business men of that section of the county, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Milford township, April 19, 1890, son of Louis and Dora (Goede) Spelbrink, the former of whom is also a native of Brown county and the latter a native of Germany. They lived on their fine farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres in Milford township, long having been regarded as among the most substantial residents of that community. Louis Spelbrink was born in Milford township, son of one of Brown county's earliest pioneers, and has been a farmer all his life. He is a member of the township board of supervisors and is also clerk of his home school district. He and his wife are the parents of five children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Erna, Lydia, Jessie and Esther.

Erwin E. Spelbrink received his elementary education in the school of district No. 9, Milford township, supplementing the same by a three-years course in the high school at New Ulm, and remained on the home farm until 1913, in which year he entered the business college at Mankato, from which in due time he was graduated. He then returned to the farm, where he remained until he took his present position as cashier of the State Bank of Essig in April, 1915. Mr. Spelbrink is an energetic and enterprising young man, who is doing all in his power to advance the best interests of his community. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and in his political views is an "independent."

Aug. G. Erickson

One of Brown county's busy and well-known citizens is Aug. G. Erickson, attorney and editor of the Springfield Free Press. He was born in Burnstown township, three miles east of Springfield, Minnesota, in 1880, and is a son of Oscar and Tilde (Olson) Erickson, natives of Sweden and Wisconsin, respectively. The father came to the United States when thirteen years old, locating in Burnstown township, Brown county, with his parents, and here he worked out as a farm hand for awhile. His father died when he was young and heavy responsibilities devolved upon him. He finally took up a homestead of eighty acres which he proved up. In 1884 he removed to Springfield and engaged in the implement business until 1901, when he sold out and the following year moved to Comfrey, where he took charge of the First State Bank of that place, an institution which he organized in 1899, from which time he was president until 1913, when he sold out and retired, moving to Springfield. He was very successful as a business man and accumulated a comfortable competency for his old age. He has been president of the council for two terms at Springfield and for three terms at Comfrey. He was one of the pioneer merchants of Springfield. He did much for the general good of the communities in which he resided. His family consisted of three children, namely: Charles, Aug. G. and Mrs. J. A. Schellenberger.

Owatonna, Minnesota, graduating from that institution in 1898, then attended the University of Minnesota, taking up the academic course at first and graduating in 1902. Later he studied law and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1904. Returning to Springfield soon thereafter, he began practicing his profession, in which he was successful from the start. He was county attorney from 1907 to 1913. He was recorder of Springfield from 1905 to 1907 and is now a member of the school board and city attorney. As a public servant he has discharged his duties most ably and acceptably. In 1914 he bought the Springfield Free Press and has met with pronounced success in its management, greatly increasing its circulation and rendering it a very valuable advertising medium.

Mr. Erickson was married in 1906 to Meta Schweiger, a daughter of F. H. and Anna Schweiger. To this union three children have been born, namely: George, Norman and Walter.

Politically, Mr. Erickson is a Democrat and he has been active and influential in party affairs for a number of years, in fact, is one of the leaders of the same in southern Minnesota. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge in which he is now junior warden; also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he was formerly keeper of records and seal.

Reginald H. Bingham

The late Reginald H. Bingham, founder of the wellestablished, progressive and enterprising firm of R. H. Bingham & Sons at Sleepy Eye, this county, was a native of Canada, having been born on a farm just across the line from Vermont, son of Amherst Bingham and wife, both of whom were natives of Vermont, who moved back to the Lake Champlain district of Vermont during the youth of the subject of this sketch and remained there a number of years, at the end of which time they emigrated with their family to Minnesota and became pioneers of the Winona neighborhood. Amherst Bingham was a substantial farmer and he and his wife were largely influential in the early days of the community in which they settled in this state. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine grew to maturity, as follow : Amherst W., Marow A., Horatio S., who was killed by the Indians in Montana ; William E., Frances, Alice, Sapho, Emily and Reginald H.

Reginald H. Bingham was a young man when he came with his parents and the other members of the family to this state and for several years after coming here he was engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of R. D. Cone at Winona. He then went to Rochester, this state, where he took service with a big lumber company and was thus engaged for several years, at the end of which time, in 1870, he came to Brown county and located at Sleepy Eye, where he established a hardware and lumber business in a modest way and with characteristic energy and enterprise proceeded to develop the same until he came to be one of the best-known dealers in that line in this part of the state, and continued active in business until his death in 1912, a period of forty-one years, twenty years of which time he also was engaged in a large way in the grain business, building up a very large trade, with connections throughout this section of the state.

Not long after locating in Sleepy Eye, Reginald H. Bingham was united in marriage to Jennie N. Baker, who was born in Sauk City, Wisconsin, daughter of William H. and Mary (Farmer) Baker, both natives of England, who came from Wisconsin with their family to this county and located at Sleepy Eye, where their last days were spent, both living to advanced ages. William H. Baker was a well-known and prosperous grain buyer in Sleepy Eye and was for years one of the leading citizens of that city. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Mrs. Bingham and William H. Baker. Reginald H. Bingham and his wife were earnest members of the Episcopal church and were regarded as among the leaders in all good works in and about Sleepy Eye, the family being held in high regard thereabout. Mr. Bingham ever took an active part in local civic affairs and was a substantial and useful citizen. In the early days of his residence at Sleepy Eye he served for some years as city recorder and was for years an influential member of the school board. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in the affairs of his local lodge ever took a warm interest. Reginald H. Bingham died on May 5, 1912, at the age of sixty-three years and one month. His widow, who still survives him, continues to make her home

To Reginald H. and Jennie N. (Baker) Bingham six children were born, as follow: Amherst W., who married Grace Stiles and has three children, Millicent, Alice and Lulu; William E., who married Martha Hagen, who was born in New Ulm, this county, but whose parents now live in Los Angeles, California, to which union one son has been born, William E. ; Alice J., deceased, who was the wife of J. W. S. Gallegher ; Reginald H., who married Helen Manning, and Charles B. and Neil D., who are unmarried.

About 1903 the three eldest sons of Reginald H. Bingham were admitted to partnership in their father's business and became his successors in the operation of the business at his death. They afterward associated with them in equal partnership the younger sons, Charles and Neil, and their mother is also a member of the firm, which continues to do business under the old firm name of R. H. Bingham & Sons, one of the best-known commercial names in this part of the state. The eldest son, Amherst W. Bingham, some time ago withdrew from the firm and moved to West Edmonton, Canada, where he is now engaged in the general merchandise business, and since that time William E. Bingham has occupied the position of senior member of the firm. The Bingham brothers are active, energetic and enterprising in the management of their extensive business interests and are held in high regard in commercial circles generally hereabout. They are public-spirited citizens, ever taking an active interest in the common welfare, and are very properly regarded as among the leaders in the social and business life of Sleepy Eye.

Dr. L. G. Bell, the oldest resident dentist in New Ulm, this county, and who for years has been prominently identified with the social and cultural activities of that city, is a native of Germany, having been born in the grand duchy of Baden, September 3, 1864.

L. G. Bell received a sound education in his native land and upon completing the course corresponding to the highschool course in this country he worked for a dentist in Germany for over a year and attracted by the superior quality of American dentistry he came to the United States to qualify himself for the practice of the profession to which he had devoted his life. It was on July 1, 1883, that he landed in the United States and two years afterward entered the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1887. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession. Doctor Bell returned to his native land, and followed his occupation in Germany and Switzerland, but he was not content after four years of life in those countries and he returned to the United States. The Doctor for a time after his return was engaged in practice in New York City and then moved to Milwaukee, where he remained about a year, at the end of which time, in 1889, he came to Minnesota and located at New Ulm, where he ever since has been quite successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, being now the oldest resident dentist in the city. (21a)

In 1893 Dr. L. G. Bell was united in marriage to Louisa Fischer, daughter of Richard Fischer and wife, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Kurt, a graduate of the Indiana Dental College, of the class of 1916. Doctor Bell is a member of the Sons of Herman and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization. He is an " independent' ' in his political views and for years has taken an earnest interest in local governmental affairs, ever an advocate of purity in politics.

Adolph Frederickson

Adolph Frederickson, county attorney of Brown county, a practicing attorney of Springfield and a wellknown resident of that city since 1896, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, born on May 25, 1869, son of Lars and Olena Frederickson, both natives of that same country, who came to the United States in 1881 and settled in Prairieville township, this county, shortly afterward moving over into Redwood county where they established their home and where Lars Frederickson died in 1890. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters.

Adolph Frederickson was about twelve years old when he came to this country with his parents. He had received five years of schooling in his native land and upon coming here entered the district school, completing the course there, after which he took the course in the high school at Sleepy Eye and was thereafter engaged as a school teacher in the schools of Brown and Redwood counties for five years, at the end of which time he entered the law department of the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1896. Upon receiving his diploma he opened an office at Springfield, this county, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession in that city, long having been one of the best-known lawyers at the bar of the Brown county court. In 1912 he was elected to the position of county attorney and is still occupying that important position.

In 1896, the year of his graduation from the university, Adolph Frederickson was united in marriage to Jennie Jensen, who was born in Redwood county, this state, and who for five years before her marriage had been engaged in teaching school in that county, and to this union four children have been born, Muriel, Myrtle, Hubert and Cyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Frederickson are members of the Lutheran church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Frederickson is a Republican and for years has taken an active interest in the county's political affairs, long having been regarded as one of the leaders of that party hereabout. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a past master of his local lodge; one of the charter members of the chapter at Springfield, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He and Mrs. Frederickson are members of the Order of the Eastern Star and he is patron of the Springfield chapter of that order.

William Mueller

William Mueller, postmaster of the thriving little city of Springfield, this county, and for many years a wellknown cigar manufacturer and retailer of that city, is a native son of Brown county, having been born in the city of New Ulm, March 31, 1866, son of Matthew and Mary (Brunner) Mueller, both natives of Germany and for years well-known residents of New Ulm.

Matthew Mueller was born in the Rhine province of Germany and came to this country when about eighteen years of age, proceeding directly from the port of entry to Minnesota and settling at New Ulm, where he speedily found employment at his trade as a plasterer and where he made his permanent residence, spending the rest of his life in that city, his death occurring in July, 1913. He was there during the days of the Indian uprising and assisted valiantly in the defense of the city. He married a German girl, whose parents were among the early settlers of Brown county, and established a home in New Ulm, his children being reared in that city. There were five of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being Clara, John, Albert and Ferdinand.

William Mueller was reared at New Ulm and received his education in the schools of that city. At the age of sixteen he took employment with the Berg Cigar Company at New Ulm and for thirteen years was connected with that firm, acquiring a thorough acquaintance with the business of manufacturing and distributing cigars. He then entered the manufacturing business on his own account, establishing a cigar factory at Springfield, this county, which he successfully operated for twenty-four years, conducting a quite extensive retail and wholesale business in connection with the same, and was thus engaged at the time he received the appointment to the office of postmaster of Springfield in 1914, since which time he has given his practically undivided attention to the important duties of his official position.

On November 25, 1890, William Mueller was united in marriage to Emma Hauenstein, one of the ten children of Weigand and Regina Hauenstein, pioneers of Brown county, and to this union two children have been born, Richard J. and Norman, the former of whom is connected with an automobile establishment in Springfield. For some years before her marriage Mrs. Mueller served as assistant clerk of Brown county, in the court house at New Ulm and she, as well as Mr. Mueller, takes an earnest interest in the public affairs of the county. Mr. Mueller is a Democrat and for years has been looked upon as one of the leaders of the party in his part of the county. He was state oil inspector under Governor Johnson for two years.

Rev. James Klein

The Rev. James Klein, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church at Sleepy Eye, this county, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born in Morrison county, this state, November 22, 1873, son of Nicholas and Mary (Schmitt) Klein, both natives of Germany, who came to this country after their marriage and settled in Morrison county, this state, in 1865, spending the remainder of their lives on a farm there, the former dying in 1888 and the latter in 1893. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are still living, but of these the subject of this sketch and his sister are the only ones living in Brown county.

James Klein received his elementary education in the public schools at North Prairie and Richmond and when fourteen years of age began working on the farm, continuing thus engaged until he was nineteen years of age, at which time his strong leading in the direction of holy orders led him to enter St. John's University with a view to preparing for the priesthood. After a year at that institution he entered St. Lawrence College at Mt. Calvary, Wisconson, where he pursued a four-years course, in preparation for the seminary. Thus equipped he entered the theological seminary at St. Paul, where he studied for five years and six months and was ordained to the priesthood on September 24, 1902. Father Klein celebrated his first mass in the church at Rice, in Benton county, his home county at that time, and was then appointed assistant pastor of the church of St. Francis at St. Paul, where he remained about a year, at the end of which time he was transferred to St. Michael's parish at Madison, Minnesota, which he served as pastor for seven years. He then was transferred to St. Elizabeth's parish at Minneapolis and after a very successful pastorate of four years there was transferred, on July 15, 1914, by Archbishop Ireland, to the irremovable pastorate of St. Mary's at Sleepy Eye and has ever since been in charge of that parish, during which time he has rendered a fine service in extending the spiritual and material interests of the parish. Father Klein also has charge of the mission church at Leavenworth, this county, and is doing a good work throughout the parish.

Father Klein is a member of the Knights of Columbus at New Ulm and of the local branch of the Catholic Order of Foresters, of which he is chaplain, and in the affairs of both of these organizations takes a warm interest.

Carl Schreyer

Carl Schreyer, a well-known and prosperous farmer of Cottonwood township, this county, who is living retired from the active labors of the farm in New Ulm, is a native son of Brown county, having been born in Cottonwood township, on a homestead farm, a part of his present farm, February 24, 1867, son of Carl and Amelia Schreyer, both natives of Germany and pioneer settlers of this county, who were for years regarded as among the leading residents of Cottonwood township.

Carl Schreyer came to this country when a young man and made his way to Wisconsin, but presently came to Minnesota and homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township, this county, married a daughter of one of the early settlers of that neighborhood and established his home there. He was a good farmer and prospered in his undertakings, being at the time of his death on July 4, 1899, the owner of a fine farm of five hundred and sixty acres. In 1887, more than ten years before his death, Mr. Schreyer had retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where his last days were spent in comfortable retirement. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, Amelia, Lena, Bertha, Martha, Eda, Carl, Willie, Herman, Otto, John, Louisa and one son, the fifth in order of birth, who died in infancy.

Carl Schreyer received his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, completing the course there when he was fifteen years old. He then de- voted himself to the work of assisting in the development of the home farm. At the end of his father's retirement from the farm in 1887, he bought two hundred and forty acres of the home place and has ever since made his home there. Mr. Schreyer is an energetic and progressive farmer and stockman and has done well in his operations. He has made about ten thousand dollars worth of improvements on his place, all practically new and in excellent condition, and is very comfortably situated, being in a position to "take life easy."

In 1895 Carl Schreyer was united in marriage to Emma Simmerman, who was bom in Sigel township, this county, daughter of John Simmerman and wife, pioneers of that township, who were the parents of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Schreyer are members of the Lutheran church at New Ulm and take a warm interest in the general good works of the community. Mr. Schreyer is an "independent" voter.

Martin Casperson

Martin Casperson, well-known and successful building contractor at Sleepy Eye, this county, who has been a resident of that city since 1889, during which time he has been connected with the erection of some of the most notable buildings hereabout, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born on a farm in Waukesha county, that state, April 18, 1858, son of Lars and Martha Casperson, natives of Norway and early settlers in Wisconsin.

Lars Casperson was reared to farm work in his native land and in 1850 came to the United States, landing at the port of New York. Immediately thereafter he proceeded to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm for four years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Dodge county, that state, where he was actively and profitably engaged in farming until his retirement from the active labors of the farm in 1890. His death occurred in 1911. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, Lena, Caroline, Emma, Sunda, John, Martin and Thomas.

Martin Casperson was reared on the paternal farm in Wisconsin and received his elementary education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home. When about twenty-one years of age he entered Evanston College, Chicago, where he spent three years, giving special attention to the study of architecture in all its phases. For eight years thereafter Mr. Casperson was engaged as foreman of carpenters, in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.

Paul Railroad Company, and in 1889 made his headquarters in Sleepy Eye, this county, where he ever since has been actively engaged as a general building contractor. During his residence in Sleepy Eye Mr. Casperson has been the contractor on some of the most important " jobs" in this part of the state. Mr. Casperson was the general contractor in charge of the erection of the big Sleepy Eye flourmill, constructed at a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and has also directed many other important contracts hereabout, being recognized as one of the most successful contractors in southern Minnesota.

In 1891 Martin Casperson was united in marriage to Ella Harnimann, who was born in Brown county, daughter of John and Jane (Cann) Harnimann, prominent residents of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Casperson are members of the Congregational church and take an active interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home town. In his political views Mr. Casperson gives allegiance to the Socialist party and is an earnest advocate of the principles of that party.

Fred Landskkon

Fred Landskron, well-known proprietor of the Leona hotel at Sleepy Eye, this county, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in the town of Menasha, on the shores of Winnebago lake, in Winnebago county, that state, February 20, 1877, son of Fred and Mary (Vetter) Landskron, natives of Austria, who came to this country in 1873 and located in the Menasha neighborhood of Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Landskron dying there in 1883, at the age of thirty-three years, Mr. Landskron surviving until 1907, he being sixty-two years of age at the time of his death. The elder Fred Landskron was a stationary engineer and he and his wife were the parents of four children, namely : William, of Minneapolis, this state; Frank, of Neenah, Wisconsin; Fred, the subject of this sketch, and Nettie, wife of Paul Fahrenkrug, of Leeman, Wisconsin.

Fred Landskron was reared at Menasha, Wisconsin, receiving his education in the public schools of that place, and at the age of twelve years began working for himself, taking employment in a pail factory at Menasha, where he worked for several years. At the age of sixteen he Game to Minnesota and began clerking in a grocery store at Morton, in the neigboring county of Renville, later working on the farm of Silas Baldsley, later in a livery stable at Fairfax and later engaged in various pursuits, during which time he traveled extensively through the Western states and in Iowa, until he came to Brown county and settled in Sleepy

Eye, which has been his home ever since, his present connection with the popular Leona hotel giving him a wide acquaintance throughout southern Minnesota, his hotel having a fine reputation with the traveling public on account of the admirable management maintained by the proprietor and the excellence of its rooms and cuisine.

On January 12, 1915, Fred Landskron was united in marriage at Sleepy Eye, to Mrs. Mary Fuller, a widow, who was born at Iberia, five miles south of Sleepy Eye, January 14, 1872, daughter of John and Margaret (Wollena) Raschka, natives of Bohemia, who came to America about the year 1869 and located at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where they remained until 1871, in which year they came to Brown county and settled at Iberia, where John Raschka operated a shoe store and repair shop for twelve years, at the end of which time he took up farming in that neighborhood and was thus engaged for five of six years. Upon retiring from the farm he and his wife made their home in Sleepy Eye, where they are now living retired. John Raschka is the eldest of the seven children born to his parents, John and Barbara Raschka, who spent all their lives in Bohemia, the others being Mary, Margaret, Wenzel, Peter, Catherine and Frank. Mrs. Raschka is one of the five children born to her parents, Adam Wollena and wife, who also died in the old country, the others being George, John, Barbara and Eva. To John Raschka and wive eleven children have been born, Margaret, Wenzel, Barbara, John, Mary, Joseph, Henry, Emma, Theresa, Bertha and Fred.

Mary Raschka received her elementary education in the public schools of Iberia, this county, and was thirteen years old when her parents moved to Sleepy Eye, where she grew to womanhood. On February 1, 1891, she was united in marriage to Joseph Bier, who died on July 7, 1901, leaving three children, Edward Peter, Leona and Viola, the former of whom died at the age of ten months and eleven days. Some time after the death of Mr. Bier his widow married Lyman Fuller and upon the death of the latter married Mr. Landskron. Mr. and Mrs. Landskron are operating the Leona hotel in a manner that is winning them praise from all their patrons, and they are doing a splendid and constantly increasing business, the service they render in behalf of the traveling public making their house one of the most popular hotels in this section of the state.

Frederick Fritsche, Sr

Frederick Fritsche, Sr., one of the few remaining territorial pioneers and defenders of New Ulm, who is now in his seventy-ninth year and is still physically and mentally well preserved, loves to relate the more important incidents of pioneer days.

When he was eighteen years of age, his father, John Karl Fritsche, emigrated to this country from Saxony in the year 1854. He lived in Chicago a little over a year, driving a canal boat during the summer and going to school in winter.

In the fall of 1855 his father joined the German Land Association of Chicago and settled in New Ulm. He preempted a homestead joining the city site, which was later acquired by the Cincinnati Association in exchange for lots and four-acre pieces and added to the city site.

In the year 1856 he helped erect a log-cabin on his father's homestead and also was employed in the erection of eight other log houses on the city site, some of which were used for primitive stores, blacksmith shop and postoffice. In those days it was necessary for a village to prove that eight buildings were on the site before it could incorporate. At the same time his elder brother, Ernest Fritsche, and Peter Mack carried the chains for Surveyor Volk when the city was platted.

failure. In April, the same year, he secured employment at the Lower Agency as carpenter for the government and helped in the erection of buildings which the government was putting up for the Indians. Two of these houses were intended for the chiefs, Wacouta and Wabasha, and quite a friendship was formed between him and the chiefs. It was quite a god-send for early pioneers to have such an opportunity to earn some cash money, as most of the business was carried on by the exchange of commodities, and there was real labor exchange between settlers. The virgin soil had not been turned and there was no income to be derived from that source yet. By fall he had earned enough money to buy a yoke of oxen.

In the year of 1858 he was mostly engaged in hauling freight with his ox-team from St. Peter to New Ulm and Ft. Ridgely, and also made one long trip with a train of ox-teams to Ft. Abercrombie. Ft. Abercrombie was erected that year and the material for the same was partly carried by steamboat up the Minnesota river to Ft. Ridgely and then by ox-team to the fort site. It took three weeks to make this interesting trip over the unbroken prairie, through sloughs and rivers, often getting mired and made uncomfortable by the mosquitoes over night.

In the year 1859 he took part in the memorable Yankton expedition to Devil's lake, North Dakota. The government was about to enter into a treaty of peace with the Yankton Sioux, and whenever an Indian treaty was made it was the custom for the government to bring a large quantity of presents. These presents were shipped by the government on the 6 6 Frank Steele' ' up the Minnesota

Some seventy ox-teams had been chartered from Henderson, Traverse and New Ulm to carry these presents, which consisted of provisions, clothing, blankets and many other things, to the Yanktons.

This expedition was headed by Superintendent of Indian Affairs Cullen; Joseph Brown, Indian agent; Dr. A. W. Daniels and Dr. J. W. Daniels; James Magner, foreman ; interpreter Prescott and trainmaster Thomas Brown. It took three months to make this expedition and it turned out to be a fiasco for the government.

In the year 1860 Frederick Pritsche bought a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which later became the nucleus of a large stock farm, on the north side of the Minnesota river, in Nicollet county, and two miles from New Ulm. On April 20, 1861, he was married to Louise Lillie, youngest daughter of Christian Lillie. Eight children were born to this union, namely : Louis Albert, Bertha, Emil H., Frederick W., Otto A., Rudolph E., Carl J. and Henry W.

Louis Albert is a physician and surgeon and practices his profession in New Ulm. Bertha is married to William Mueller, of St. Peter, who is a member of the manufacturing firm of Johnson & Company. Emil H. and Otto A. are living on the divided homestead and are prosperous farmers. Frederick W. practiced dental surgery in New Ulm until his death, three years ago. Rudolph E. was a member of the firm of Arnold & Fritsche and died five years ago. Carl J. and Henry W. died during childhood.

Mr. Fritsche was a defender of New Ulm during the Sioux outbreak of 1862, and was a member of the Lafayette company. The part which he took in the massacre of New Ulm is best described in his own words in the narrative which he has written, and appears elsewhere in this history.

Mr. Fritsche was elected clerk of the township of Lafayette in 1862 and re-elected until 1872. In the fall of 1871 he was elected treasurer of Nicollet county and reelected four times until 1882. During the first six years his family lived at the county seat in St. Peter and there his children enjoyed the advantage of attending the excellent graded schools and high school of that city. In 1882 he voluntarily retired from office to assume the management of his growing stock farm. After that time he had higher offices tendered him repeatedly, but always steadfastly refused to enter politics again. He served as member of the school board for many years before moving to the county seat and again for many years after returning from the same.

In his declining years he made his residence in New Ulm until the death of Mrs. Fritsche, November 22, 1914, and he now makes his home with his son, Otto, in Lafayette.

Mr. Fritsche was public spirited and always had the welfare of his community at heart. In the early days he was very helpful to the settlers in acquiring good homesteads and never accepted any more thanks for his services. On account of his generous spirit he has always been held in high esteem by the citizens of Nicollet county and the city of New Ulm.

L. E. Humphrey

L. E. Humphrey, former chairman of the board of supervisors of Brown county and a well-known building contractor, of Sleepy Eye, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born on a pioneer farm in Houston county on August 5, 1861, son of Dr. T. R. and M. J. Humphrey, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire, who later became pioneers of Brown county, where they spent the rest of their lives, they having been the first white persons who settled in this county west of New Ulm after the Indian massacre, Doctor Humphrey having been the first physician to settle in the county west of the county seat.

Dr. T. R. Humphrey for many years was one of the best-known and most influential residents of the western part of Brown county and the part he and his wife took in the development of proper social and economic conditions in that part of the county in pioneer days long will cause their names to be held in respectful memory hereabout. Doctor Humphrey received his medical education in Boston and for some time thereafter practiced his profession in New Hampshire, in which state he married. In 1858 he and his wife came to Minnesota and homesteaded a farm in Houston county. In 1864 they disposed of their interests there and came to Brown county. That was just after the turmoil attendant on the Indian uprising had begun to subside and they had no fear when they settled in what then was regarded as the western frontier of the county, three miles southeast of where Sleepy Eye in now located. There Doctor Humphrey entered a claim to two hundred and forty acres of land and established his home, he and his wife remaining there about forty years before their retirement from the farm and their removal to Sleepy Eye, where their last days were spent, both dying in 1911. For about twenty-five years of the time he lived on the farm, Doctor Humphrey also engaged in the general practice of his profession and no man in that part of the county was better known than he. He and his wife were the parents of four children of whom the subject of this sketch is now the only survivor.

L. E. Humphrey was about three years old when his parents came to Brown county and all his life since then has been spent in this county. One of his early teachers was the first woman school teacher ever employed in Brown county. He remained on the home farm until his father's retirement from the same, after which he moved to Sleepy Eye, where he became engaged as a carpenter, having become an excellent practical builder during his stay on the farm. In 1903 he entered business for himself as a building contractor and has been very successfully engaged in that business since then. Mr. Humphrey is a Democrat and for years has given his thoughful and intelligent attention to the political affairs of the county. For some years he served as a member of the county board of supervisors and for some time during that term of service was chairman of the board. He also served for some time as a member of the city council at Sleepy Eye.

Hemnimann, and to this union three children have been born, Lloyd, Glynn and Lorraine. Mr. Humphrey is past noble grand of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has also held all the offices in the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Julius R. Krause

One of the wideawake business men of Cobden, Brown county, is Julius R. Krause, who was born in Germany, January 2, 1859. He is a son of Henrich and Predricka (Schlotz) Krause, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, were married and established their home. The father was a tailor by trade, which he followed in his native land until coming to America in 1873. His wife died on the voyage across the Atlantic. The father settled on a farm in Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, where he remained until he removed to New Ulm in 1881, having rented land the meanwhile, then resumed his old trade, maintaining a tailor shop in New Ulm for seven years, when he retired and made his home with his son. His family consisted of eight children, five of whom were by the first wife. He remarried two years after locating in the New World and had three children by his last wife. Julius R. is the only survivor of the first marriage. The children of the second union are, Alma, J ohanna and Francis.

Julius R. Krause was fourteen years of age when he came to the United States. He had attended the common schools in his native land. He went to school one year after coming to Brown county, after which he continued to work for his father on the farm until he was nineteen years old, then took up the trades of wagon-maker and painter in New Ulm, at which he worked until the tornado devastated New Ulm, after which he devoted his attention exclusively to the painting business, operating a paint and paper store until 1900; then was manager of the Turner hall of New Ulm for ten years, then went to Essig and conducted a saloon for two and one-half years, after which he returned to New Ulm, living in retirement until 1913, in which year he came to Cobden and bought out a saloon which he is still conducting. He also has the agency for the Ford automobile in one township.

Mr. Krause was married in 1886 to Elizabeth Dhein, a daughter of Jacob and Katherine Johanna Dhein, both parents being natives of Germany, from which country they came to Minnesota in 1869, settling at New Ulm. The father was a moulder in a foundry. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Germany, being four years old when her parents brought him to America. She received her education in the public schools of New Ulm. She was one of four children, three sons and one daughter.

Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Krause, namely: Erma, who married Nick Gulden, lives with her father, and has one child, Mildred; Laura married Rudolph Kemske and they live in New Ulm; Loda is at home with her parents.

Politically, Mr. Krause is a Democrat. He is at present a member of the town council of Cobden. He belongs to the Sons of Hermann and the Turnverein of New Ulm.

Christ Moe

As a contractor, Christ Moe of Hanska, Brown county, has built many of the dwellings and business houses in this locality. He was born on April 18, 1875, in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, and is a son of John and Ronaug (Holbo) Moe. The father was a farmer, owning a farm during the latter years of his life. He came to America in the spring of 1876, locating first in Olmstead county, Minnesota, removing to Brown county in the autumn of that year, where he lived until his death. He first bought railroad land in Lake Hanska township, for which he paid about nine dollars per acre. He improved his land and put it under a good state of cultivation, and here established a comfortable home. His family consisted of nine children, five of whom are still living, four in Brown county, namely : Christ, Mrs. Ole P. Olsen, Mrs. George Bjorneberg, and Andrew; Thor lives in Tracy, Minnesota.

Christ Moe, at eighteen years old, started out for himself, learning the carpenter's trade, doing rough work by the day. In time he became an expert at his trade and in 1898 started out as a contractor, in which line of endeavor he has since been engaged, among his first buildings being a dwelling in the western part of Martin county, this state. In 1902 he began general contracting and has met with large success all along the line. Among some of his more important jobs in this locality may be mentioned the new Hanska high school building, the creamery, library or Liberal Union Hall, all in Hanska; also the creameries at

Fairfax, Tyler, and the school building at Truman. These are all brick buildings, the plans for some of which he drew himself. He has erected scores of excellent frame buildings, such as country school houses, residences, stores, barns, etc.

Christ Moe was married on December 22, 1898, in Brown county, to Rena Thompson, who was born on June 27, 1877, in the same locality in which Mr. Moe was born in Norway. She is a daughter of Thor and Ronaug (Hovde) Fagerli. The name was later changed to Thompson. Her parents came to the United States in May, 1880, and first located in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, but finally established their home in Brown county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moe, namely: Reuben Truman, born on November 18, 1899; Russell James, April 21, 1902; Clinton Maurice, September 5, 1906 ; Philip Severin, April 25, 1908; and Verna Clarissa Regina, June 15, 1910.

Mr. Moe is an independent voter. He has been town councilman and treasurer of the Hanska school district. He and his family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Independent Scandanavian Working Men's Association.

William Brust

William Brust, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Sleepy Eye, this county, former postmaster of New Ulm and for years one of the best-known business men of Brown county, is a native son of this county, having been born on a pioneer farm in Cottonwood township on May 14, 1858, son of Jacob and Susanna (Schnitzius) Brust, early settlers of this region and prominent figures in the early life of the New Ulm settlement, both of whom spent their last days there.

Jacob Brust was born in Prussia, second in order of birth of the nine children born to his parents, Peter and Anna (Weber) Brust, small farmers, who spent all their days in their native land. He was reared on the home farm, the chief feature of which was a fine vineyard, and he became a skilled vine dresser. In 1852, he then being twenty-one years of age, Jacob Brust came to the United States and for two years was located in Chicago, where he married Susanna Schnitzius. He then, in 1854, came to Minnesota and after a bit of prospecting bought from the Indians a plot of land fifty by one hundred feet on the site of what afterward became the thriving city of New Ulm, with a view to setting up as a trader. The redskins, however, shortly afterward went back on their bargain and drove him away from the place. Mr. Brust then walked to the land office at Winona and entered a claim to a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township, this county,

From the very beginning of his residence in this section, Jacob Brust took an active part in the civic affairs of the undeveloped country and was the first sheriff appointed for the jurisdiction of Brown county under the territorial government. During the Indian uprising in 1862 he took a prominent part in the defense of New Ulm and in the drastic measures which were required to put down the savage insurrection and in other ways proved himself a most resourceful and useful pioneer of the county. In 1866 he left the farm and moved into New Ulm, where for ten years he was successfully engaged in grain buying, later engaging in the hotel business and was thus employed until he retired from active business in 1882, during which time he became one of the best-known men in this section of the state. Jacob Brust lived to be eighty-four years of age, his death occuring on February 22, 1915. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1888, she then being sixty years of age. He had been reared a Lutheran and she a Catholic. He was liberal in his views, however, and for years had been a member of the New Ulm Turnverein. They were the parents of four children, namely : Peter, who died in his eighteenth year ; William, the subject of this sketch; Matilda, who died when one year old, and Charles H., who lives at Laporte City, Iowa. Mrs. Brust 's parents lived all their lives in Germany! She was one of their three children who came to this country, she having had a sister, Christina, who married Joseph Halm, of St. Paul, and a brother, Peter Schnitzius, who were residents of Minnesota.

William Brust was eight years old when his parents moved from the Cottonwood township homestead into New Ulm and he grew to manhood in the town, being a witness to its rapid development in the early days. Upon completing the course in the New Ulm public schools he took a course in the Milwaukee Business College and was employed as a bookkeeper in the Citizens National Bank at New Ulm. He quickly acquired a notable proficiency in the banking business and was shortly advanced to the position of assistant cashier, a position he held until 1885, in which year he formed a partnership with Charles Stuebe, Henry Engel and John Atkinson and engaged in the milling business, but after nine months of that form of business a call was made on him to resume the banking business and he was made cashier of the bank at Redwood Falls, a position which he held for a year, at the end of which time he engaged in the dry-goods and general merchandise business in New Ulm and was thus engaged until his appointment to the position of postmaster of that city in 1894, in which capacity he served the public very acceptably for four years. On June 1, 1900, Mr. Brust was made assistant cashier of the State Bank of Sleepy Eye and served in that position until he transferred his services to the Farmers and Merchants Bank, of the same city, in November, 1904, and has ever since been thus engaged, his position as cashier of that sound financial concern having been assumed upon the organization of the bank on November 17, 1904. The Farmers and Merchants Bank was organized with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars and its last statement showed a surplus of five thousand dollars. Mr. Brust is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, taking an active part in all movements designed to advance the general welfare of his home town, and has been secretary of the Sleepy Eye Telephone Company since its organization.

In September, 1882, William Brust was united in marriage to Amelia Graff, who was born in New Ulm, daughter of John and Catherine (Schmitz) Graff, pioneer German residents of this county, the former of whom was born in Prussia and the latter in Luxemburg, both now deceased. John Graff and his wife were the parents of four children, George and John Graff, of New Ulm, the latter of whom is one of the present commissioners of Brown county; Mrs. Helen Jensen and Mrs. Brust.

To William and Amelia (Graff) Brust, twelve children have been born, Eaymond, George, Felix, Olivia, Martha, Cecelia, Flora, Adela, Richard William and three who died in early youth. Of these children, Raymond is married and is a bookkeeper in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Sleepy Eye, and George, also married, is a railroad man. The others of the children are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Brust are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. The family is actively concerned in the various social activities of Sleepy Eye and is held in high esteem thereabout. Mr. Brust is a member of the St. John Society, in the affairs of which he is warmly interested, and gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, ever taking a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the county.

Henry J. Berg

Henry J. Berg, treasurer of Brown county and one of the best-known men in the county, has been a resident of Brown county all his life, having been born on a pioneer farm in Sigel township, February 28, 1867. He is a son of John and Frederika (Bomm) Berg, natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in the Rhine province and the latter in Mecklenburg, early settlers of Brown county, where their last days were spent.

John Berg was the eldest of the four children born to his parents, German farming people, the others having been Henry, Joseph and a daughter who died in Germany. John Berg came to America in 1856, immediately after his marriage, and for several years lived in Illinois. In 1863 he came to Minnesota, locating in Brown county, where he bought a small farm of forty acres in Sigel township and there established his home and reared his family. He was a sturdy and energetic farmer and, as he prospered, added to his land holdings until he became the owner of about three hundred and twenty acres. In their latter years he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where their last days were spent, their deaths occurring within two weeks of each other, John Berg being seventyseven years of age at the time of his death and his wife seventy-four. They were earnest members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight children, namely: Mary, wife of Fred Kretsch, of New Ulm ; J ohn, of Sigel township ; Hubert, of New TJlm ;

Henry J., the subject of this sketch; Bertha, deceased, who was tiie wife of Henry Liesenfeld; Helena, wife of John Kretsch, of New Ulm, and Anna and Louise, who died in their youth.

Henry J. Berg was reared on the paternal farm in Sigel township, this county, and received his education in the district school in that neighborhood. He lived at home until his marriage in 1888, after which his father gave him an interest in a quarter of a section of land in that same township and he lived there two years, at the end of which time he sold the place back to his father and moved to New Ulm, where he engaged in the livery business in a partnership, under the firm name of Kretsch & Berg, and was thus engaged for six years, after which he sold his interest in that business and moved to Sleepy Eye and engaged there in the retail liquor business. For ten years Mr. Berg was a resident of Sleepy Eye and during that time his acquaintance was being extended to all parts of the county. He took an active interest in local politics and in 1906 was nominated by the Democratic party as the candidate of that party for the important office of county treasurer. He was elected in the ensuing election and in 1907 entered upon the duties of his office, which duties he is still performing to the general satisfaction of the public, having been reelected to office at each succeeding election.

On August 7, 1888, Henry J. Berg was united in marriage to Mary Hoffman, who was born at Bayren, Germany, on June 19, 1869, daughter of Clement and Mary (Hacker) Hoffman, natives of that same place, who came to the United States in 1883 and settled in Albin township, this county, where the father spent the rest of his life. After

To Henry J. and Mary (Hoffman) Berg eight children have been born, as follow : Mary, who married Dr. A. W. Eckstein, of Comfrey, this state, and has one child; Edward, who is serving under his father as deputy treasurer of Brown county; Henry, a druggist, of Paynesville, this state, and Dora, Leo, Helena, Clement and Walter, at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Berg are devoted members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. The Bergs take an active interest in the general social affairs of New Ulm, are interested in all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare hereabout and are held in high regard by their many friends. Mr. Berg is a member of the Knights of Columbus, being grand knight of the New Ulm council of that order ; a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters ; of the St. Joseph's Society of New Ulm, the St. John's Society of Sleepy Eye and of the Arbiter Verein Society of New Ulm, a labor organization, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest:

Lars Gulbrandson

Among the Norwegians who have come to Brown county and made good, not only establishing comfortable homes but becoming desirable citizens in every respect, is Lars Gulbrandson, manager of the elevator at Hanska. He was born in the parish of Romdal, Norway, August 17, 1863, and is a son of Gulbrand and Martina (Anderson) Larson. The father was a laborer in the old country where he still lives at the age of eighty years. His family consisted of ten children, Lars of this sketch being the eldest, and as a boy he received a very limited education, for his father being very poor he had to rustle for himself at an early age and help make the living for the family. When only eight years of age he began doing teaming of a light sort, outside of school hours. He worked as a laborer in Norway until he was twenty-two years of age when he came to America, landing in New York in 1885, but came on at once to Iona, Murray county, Minnesota, where he had relatives. In the spring of 1886 he went to Heron Lake, where he worked as a section hand for the Omaha division, from Minneapolis and St. Paul of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, with which road he remained for five years, then secured work as a " jack-of -all-trades" in an elevator in St. James, where he remained from 1895 until 1900. At that time elevators were being built on the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad, and Mr. Gulbrandson secured a position as manager of the Eagle Roller Mills at New Ulm, in their

Hanska elevator. At first the firm bought grain only, later adding flour and feed, and finally added coal. He has remained here to the present time, giving eminent satisfaction to the firm.

Mr. Gulbrandson was married on November 13, 1888, in Heron Lake, Jackson county, Minnesota, to Ida Lundberg, who was born in Skane, Sweden. She is a daughter of Hans and Truan (Olsen) Lundberg, also natives of Sweden in which country they spent their lives, their daughter, Ida, coming to the United States in 1886, with some friends, the party locating at Heron Lake, where she secured work in a shoe store in which Mr. Gulbrandson was working at the time. To Mr. and Mrs. Gulbrandson five children have been born, namely : Gilbert, born October 19, 1889, married Maud Daniels and they live in Mankato, where he is employed on the Mankato Free Press; Tilda, September 29, 1892, teaches in the schools of Wantonwan county, near Butterfield, having previously taught for three years in Brown county; Mattie, February 8, 1895, who has also taught school in Brown county is now teaching near Butterfield, Minnesota; Harry, February 18, 1898, is a graduate of the Mankato high school and is now employed on the Hanska Herald; Lewis, November 2, 1900, was a member of the graduating class of the Mankato high school in 1916.

Politically, Mr. Gulbrandson is a Republican and is a director on the Hanska school board, being president of that body. He has never sought or held political office. He has done much to encourage better schools in this locality, and was a member of the school board when the new school house was built in Hanska. The family were members of the Methodist church in Norway and he has since held to

Lars Gunderson, subject's grandfather, was born in Norway about 1812 and he spent his life in his native land. Lars Gulbrandson had been assigned to a cavalry regiment in the Norwegian army, but never got to serve. It was planned that he should enter a military school, which would have fitted him for an under officer. After deciding to come to the United States he secured a permit from the government, and was thus excused from military service. He took out his first naturalization papers in Murray county, Minnesota, and secured his last papers in St. James, this state.

Henry Durbahn

Henry Durbahn, a painter of New Ulm, Brown county, was born in Nicollet county, Minnesota, just across the river from New Ulm. He is a son of J uergen and Wiebke (Langmach) Durbahn, both natives of Holstein, Germany, from which country they came to the United States when young, but not together, and they were married in Nicollet county, Minnesota, where they established their home on a farm where they continued to reside until the father retired from active life and removed to New Ulm where he spent the rest of his life. He was in the fight with the Sioux Indians here in 1862. His family consisted of six children, of whom Henry was the third in order of birth.

Henry Durbahn received a common-school education and worked on the farm during the vacation periods, until he was twenty-three years old, when he bought the homestead and continued to operate it until 1898 when he quit farming, selling his land and moving to New Ulm where he turned his attention to painting, not long thereafter. In 1900 he built a large brick residence.

On February 16, 1886, Henry Durbahn was married in Nicollet county to Mary Gebhart, who was born on February 16, 1861, in the town of Kreuznach, Rhineland, Germany. She was a daughter of John and Mary Gebhart. When about sixteen years of age she left home, after her mother's death, and went to England where she worked for two years, then came to the United States, her father, stepmother, two sisters and a half-sister coming about two years later. Mrs. Durbahn died September 30, 1904. She was the mother of three children, namely: Edwin, born on May 1, 1887, attended school at St. Paul Park for a year, married Bertha Lieb and they now live in Nicollet county ; Adeline, June 5, 1889, keeps house for her father. Walter, June 22, 1894, was graduated from the New Ulm then spent one term at Stout's Institute, Peoria, Wisconsin; graduated at Menomonie, Wisconsin, and is now a teacher of manual training at Stewartsville, Minnesota.

Mr. Durbahn and family are members of the German Methodist Episcopal churh, in which he is a trustee, a steward and superintendent of the Sunday school. His wife was also an active church worker. He is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party. He was school clerk while living in Nicollet county for a number of years. He is a man of progressive ideas, hospitable and highly respected.

Frank C. Schnobrich

Industry and fair dealing have been watchwords with Frank C. Schnobrich, butcher, of New Ulm, and he has therefore built up a very satisfactory business. He was born on April 16, 1876, in New Ulm, Minnesota, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Betz) Schnobrich, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to Minnesota about 1861 and were among the pioneers in Brown county, where the father engaged in farming for some time, later established a butcher business. During the Indian troubles in 1862 he took part in the defense of New Ulm. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom lived to maturity.

The subject of this sketch received only a limited education, for he preferred work to going to school. He assisted with the general work on the home farm, later taking care of the live stock, finally working in his father's butcher shop, where he learned the business. In 1897 he purchased his father's shop and has been conducting the same alone ever since, enjoying an excellent trade. He has remodeled the building, installing a modern refrigerating plant and now has one of the largest and most up-to-date plants of its kind in this part of the state. He handles the best material obtainable and caters to the best trade.

On April 21, 1896, Mr. Schnobrich was united in marriage to J ohannah Griebel, who was born April 25, 1876, in Brown county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Mike and Cornelia (Demer) Griebel, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to Minnesota and were early settlers in Browne county, locating here in the early sixties. They took part in the Indian troubles and had some very narrow escapes and thrilling experiences. Six children, five of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnobrich, namely : Arthur, born on February 3, 1897 ; Bennie, October 11, 1899, died in January, 1900; Frank, March 30, 1900; Elsie, August 26, 1902; Jennie, July 8, 1905; Lucile, January 27, 1907.

Mr. Schnobrich and family are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic church. He also belongs to St. Joseph's Society and St. J ohn's Society. His wife is a member of St. Elizabeth's Society and St. Anna's Society. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been a member of the town council for two terms, or four years.

John M. Schropfer

John M. Schropfer, well-known dealer in agricultural implements and automobiles at Sleepy Eye this county, is a native son of Brown county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Cottonwood township, May 28, 1868, son of Frank and Mary Schropfer, both natives of Germany and early settlers of this county.

Frank Schropfer was reared on a farm in Germany and served for twelve years in the army. In 1867, he then being thirty-six years old, he came to the United States and upon landing at the port of New York came directly to Minnesota, settling in the New Ulm neighborhood. While 6 6 getting his bearings" he worked on various farms in the vicinity of New Ulm and presently bought an eighty-acre farm in Stark township, where he established his home. He was a good farmer and prospered in his operations, gradually adding to his holdings until he became the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres. To him and his wife nine children were born, Joseph, Barbara, Michael, John M., Mary, Anton, Frank, Andrew and George.

John M. Schropfer was reared on the home farm and he remained there until he was sixteen years old. His school days came to an end when he was ten years old and when he was sixteen he began to work "on his own hook." Five years later he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he farmed for three years, at the end of which time he rented it and went to Sleepy Eye, where for seven years he was engaged as a clerk in an agricultural implement store. He then formed a partnership with his employer and three years later bought his partner's interest in the store, since which time he has been conducting the store alone at the same old stand and has done very well, his trade showing a very material increase in volume each year. He carries a stock valued at above eight thousand dollars and long has been regarded as one of the leading merchants of the city. Some years ago Mr. Schropfer became the local agent for the Buick Automobile Company and he has done a fine business in that line. Mr. Schropfer is a Democrat and has served the public in the capacity of a member of the school board and as a member of the city council.

On May 22, 1894, John M. Schropfer was united in marriage to Mary Bruckbrauer, who was born in Germany, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Helget) Bruckbrauer, who came to this county in the early days of the settlement hereabout with their five children, John, Joseph, William, Mary and Margaret, and became substantial residents of the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Schropfer one child has been born, a daughter, Rose. They are devout members of the Catholic church and take an earnest interest in parish affairs, as well as in all the good works of the community.