Brown County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 7 of 9)

Upon the conclusion of his military service Mr. Pickle returned to his home in Minnesota. At Rochester, in the fall of 1867, he married and later moved to Winona, where he helped to haul the brick with which to erect the first normal school in that city. For a year he was engaged in the transfer business there. He then rented a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres in Olmsted county and made his home there for fifteen years, at the end of which time he was engaged as the overseer of the big Nevis ranch at Tracy, where he remained for two years and six months, at the end of which time he moved on his farm at Golden Gate, Brown county, and located on a quarter of a section of land he had bought in 1872 in Home township, where for four years he engaged in general farming and stock raising. He then retired from the farm and moved in 1906 to Sleepy Eye, where he presently engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in partnership with Isaac Gallagher, which association continued until Mr. Gallagher's death nine years later. Mr. Pickle then associated with him in business Thomas Talbert, who died not long afterward, since which time Mr. Pickle has been conducting his extensive insurance and real-estate business alone. He is the local agent for a number of the leading insurance companies of the country and has a very well-established business.

On October 22, 1867, A. H. Pickle was united in marriage to Rhoda J. Smith, of Burlington, Iowa, to which union six children were born, namely: Frank A., deceased; Burton O., who married Milla Burkhardt and has three children; Roy B., who married Josie Wisby and has four children ; Arthur T., unmarried ; Anna, who married George Dreher and has five children, and Ella, who married Ernest

Tompkins and has one child. Mr. Pickle is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest. He is a Republican and has served as a member of the Sleepy Eye city council, taking an active interest in civic affairs.

Dr. George B. Weiser, one of the leading physicians of Brown county, chairman of the board of education at New Ulm, and one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of that thriving city, is a native of the great Keystone state, having been born at Dalmatia, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1857, son of Dr. Charles S. and Sarah (Brosius) Weiser, both natives of that same county, the former born at Sunbury in 1828, and the latter, at Dalmatia, in 1832.

Dr. Charles S. Weiser and his brother, Dr. George Weiser, were for years regarded as among the most prominent physicians in their part of Pennsylvania, and the subject of this sketch, even from the days of his boyhood, took an interest in medical literature and early decided to become a physician. Dr. Charles S. Weiser, who was the son of Judge George and Catherine (Bucher) Weiser, received his early education in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and attended Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1850. Upon receiving his degree he started practice in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, but after being there about a year, moved his office to Dalmatia, in the same county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1862. Judge George Weiser was for years an associate judge in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was a direct descendant of Conrad Weiser of colonial fame, head of the first German colony that settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, whose influence among the Indians in the early days of the colonies brought his serv- ices into requisition from Virginia to New York. It is claimed that he swayed more influence over Indians than any other man of his day, excepting William Penn. He long was an Indian agent in Pennsylvania and was employed by the colonial government in the work of negotiating treaties with the Indians before the days of the French and Indian War. He had a thorough acquaintance with the Indian tongue and his services as an interpreter were in wide demand. Dr. Charles S. Weiser was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where his father, Judge Weiser, had his residence, and was of substantial Pennsylvania-German stock. He and his wife were the parents of three children, one who died in infancy, Elizabeth C. and the subject of this biographical sketch.

George B. Weiser received his elementary education in the Dalmatia schools, later attending Freeburg Academy, Perrysburg Seminary and Sunbury Academy, the latter presided over and tutored by Prof. N. Foster Brown. He also had been a diligent student of medical literature under a preceptor for two years and when he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, was well equipped by preparatory study for the effective pursuit of his studies. He took a special course in skin diseases under the late Prof. J. V. Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia dispensary for skin diseases; a special course on diseases of children, and also took a special course in the Philadelphia School of Anatomy under Prof. John B. Roberts. Upon receiving his diploma from Jefferson Medical College in 1879, Doctor Weiser located for the practice of his profession at McKees Half Falls, Pennsylvania, where he remained for fourteen years. During his residence there Doctor Weiser took an active part in public affairs and served for some time in the capacity of coroner in and for Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and was also for ten years a member of the town auditing board. He wrote for the 6 6 History of the Juanita and Susquehanna Valleys/ ' a historical sketch covering in comprehensive form the history of Chapman township and of McKees Half Falls.

In March, 1893, Dr. George B. Weiser came to Minnesota and located at New Ulm, where he ever since has been quite successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He keeps fully abreast of all the late discoveries affecting his profession and in 1912 took a course in the Post-Graduate Medical College at Chicago. During his residence in New Ulm, Doctor Weiser has given a good citizen's attention to public affairs and his progressive spirit has done much toward advancing general interests hereabout. Since the year 1900 he has been a member of the city board of education and since 1903 has been chairman of that board, his efforts in that behalf having gone far toward advancing the cause of education in New Ulm and throughout the county generally. During the period of Doctor Weiser 's incumbency on the school board the Washington school, the Lincoln school and the New Ulm high school buildings have been erected and the doctor did much in the way of creating sentiment for and in promoting the erection of the fine new high school building, putting all his energy into that movement. The doctor is a Republican, chairman of that party's central committee for Brown county, and in 1912 was on the national Republican electoral ticket for the second Congressional district. Upon the creation of the state tuberculosis commission, Doctor Weiser was appointed a member of that important body by Governor VanSant and served for six years as a member of the same, assisting in the selec- tion of the site of the sanitarium at Walker and in directing the erection of the fine group of buildings that comprise that useful institution. Doctor Weiser is a member of the Brown-Redwood Medical Society, of which he formerly was president; a member of the Minnesota Valley Medical Society, and member of the Minnesota State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which several organizations he takes a warm interest. He also has given some attention to business enterprises and is a director of the Brown County Bank of New Ulm and of the State Bond, Mortgage and Investment Company of that city.

On October 2, 1890, Dr. George B. Weiser was united in marriage, at Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, the home of the bride, to Sarah C. Schoch, daughter of George J. Schoch and wife, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Catherine Georgia, born on January 2, 1900. Doctor Weiser is a thirty-second degree Mason, past master of Charity Lodge of that order at New Ulm; past high priest of the New Ulm Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; past commander of New Ulm Commandery, Knights Templar ; member of the consistory of the Scottish Rite Masons at Winona and a noble of Zurah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Minneapolis. He and his wife are members of the New Ulm Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the doctor also is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Sons of Hermann, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor and of the Royal Neighbors. He is medical examiner for the Woodmen and for the Sons of Hermann and is warmly interested in the affairs of all the above organizations.

Anton Sprenger

Anton Sprenger, a well-known and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Cottonwood township, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and ten acres in the Searles neighborhood, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a homestead farm in that same township, December 9, 1863, son of Peter and Mary (Eigenberger) Sprenger, natives of Germany and pioneers of Brown county.

Peter Sprenger was a soldier in his native land, remaining in the army until he was thirty-three years old. He then married and came to the United States, he and his wife landing at the port of New York in the summer of 1855. They proceeded directly to Iowa and lived in the neighborhood of Dubuque until the spring of 1856, when they came to Minnesota, settling in Brown county. Peter Sprenger homesteaded a farm in Cottonwood township, thus becoming one of the earliest settlers of that part of the county. As he prospered in his farming operations he gradually enlarged his farm and became one of the most substantial farmers of that section. In 1887 he retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where he died in 1902. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, Christ, Kate, Mary, Anton, Henry and John,

Anton Sprenger was reared on the homestead farm in Cottonwood township and received his education in the New Ulm schools. Quitting school at the age of sixteen he gave his attention to the work of helping in the development of (28a) the home farm and remained at home until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty-two, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of his father's farm and established a home of his own. There he remained for twenty-six years, at the end of which time he sold his place and bought his present farm of two hundred and ten acres in the same township, where he ever since has made his home and where he and his family are very pleasantly situated. When Mr. Sprenger bought his present place there were few improvements on the same and he has spent about three thousand dollars bringing it to its present state of improvement. He has a comfortable half brick and frame house, a barn thirtyfour by one hundred, and a fine grove, and is looked upon as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the community. He is an "independent" voter and takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs.

In 1885 Anton Sprenger was united in marriage to Mary Schlumpberger, who also was born in this county, daughter of John and Rohner Schlumpberger, pioneers of Brown county, who settled in Cottonwood township in 1856, rearing there a family of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Sprenger eight children have been born, Martha (deceased), Emily, Hugo, Otto Bruno, Anton, Agatha and one who died in infancy. Emily Sprenger married Valentine Zeller, a South Dakota farmer, and has one child ; Hugo Sprenger married Emilia Grossmann and is farming in Cottonwood township. The remaining children are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sprenger are mexnbers of the Catholic church at Searles and their children have been reared in the same faith. Mr. Sprenger is secretary of the St. John Society and takes an earnest interest in the affairs of that organization.

Michael Mullen

There have been few men who have exerted a stronger or more potent influence upon the financial and commercial life of this community than did the late Michael Mullen, for many years prominently identified with the banking interests of New Ulm and who was the founder of the Citizens State Bank of that city and president of New Ulm since 1875 and had therefore witnessed the greater part of that city's growth and development, ever doing his full share toward the advancement of the same.

Michael Mullen was born at St. Albans, Vermont, March 12, 1839, son of Peter and Carolina Mullen, both natives of Ireland, but who were married in Vermont. Peter Mullen was a farmer and followed that vocation all the active days of his life. In 1843 he moved with his family to Stevenson county, Illinois, where he bought a farm and there established his permanent home. His wife died there in 1851 and many years later, when he retired from active labor, he came to this county, rejoining his son, the subject of this sketch, at New Ulm, and there he spent his last days, his death occurring in 1882. Peter Mullen and wife were devout Catholics and their children were reared in that faith. There were five of these children, of whom none now survive.

Michael Mullen was about four years of age when his parents emigrated from Vermont to Illinois in 1843 and he grew up on the pioneer farm in that state, receiving his education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home.

When a young man he came up into the Northwest and settled at St. Peter in the neighboring county of Nicollet, where he began clerking in the hardware store of Boardman, Miller & Company. He presently bought an interest in that concern and in 1875 was sent to New Ulm as manager of the firm's branch store in that city, and there he spent the rest of his life. Not long after locating at New Ulm he bought full control of the store and for twenty-three years was one of the leading merchants of the city. He then sold his store and thereafter devoted his time to the banking business. For several years he served as president of the Brown County Bank at New Ulm and then, resigning that position, organized the Citizens State Bank of New Ulm, of which concern he was elected the first president, a position he held to the time of his death on June 29, 1910. Mr. Mullen was a man of fine judgment in business matters and his bank grew to be the largest in the county. Mr. Mullen 's extensive interests were not confined wholly to his bank and he was connected with various enterprises in and about New Ulm, long having been regarded as one of the most active and influential business men in this part of the state. He was leading stockholder and president of the Minnesota and Dakota Cattle Company. Mr. Mullen also for years was one of the most prominent figures in the political life of this district, having been a member of the Minnesota State Democratic central committee during the first Cleveland campaign and was a delegate to the national convention of that party which nominated Mr. Cleveland for the presidency the first time.

(Kenney) O'Brien, who survives him and who continues to make her home in New Ulm, where she is very comfortably situated. To that union one child was born, a daughter, Eleanor, who married Louis A. Blatterman, of St. Louis; Missouri, and has four children, Headlee, Eleanor, John M. and Louisa A. Mrs. Mullen is a member of the Catholic church, as was her husband, and for many years has been active and influential in parish affairs and in all neighborhood good works.

John C. Zieske

John C. Zieske, well-known retired harness maker of Sleepy Eye, this county, an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the most influential of the early residents of Sleepy Eye, is a native of Germany, having been born in Prussia, December 25, 1842, son of Michael and Anna (Schultz) Zieske, both natives af that same kingdom. Michael Zieske was a small landowner in Prussia. In 1854 he sold his holdings there and with his family came to the United States, landing at the port of New York and proceeding directly to Wisconsin, where, in Marquette county, he pre-empted a quarter of a section of land and established his home in the new country. In 1863 he sold that homestead farm and came to Minnesota, settling in Nicollet county, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he lived for several years, at the end of which time he came over into Brown county and bought one hundred and eighty-two acres in Stark township, where he lived until the time of his retirement from the active labor of the farm, his last days being spent in Sleepy Eye, where he died in 1880. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom six, two sons and four daughters, are still living, Julia, Minnie, Augusta, Mary, John C. and Fred.

John C. Zieske was twelve years old when he came with his parents to America. He had received careful schooling in his native land and after coming here entered the school at Princeton, Wisconsin, where he quickly acquired an excellent knowledge of English. At the age of nineteen years, on January 13, 1862, at Berlin, Wisconsin, he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil War, in Company H, Eighteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge on July 18, 1865, as sergeant. During his term of service Mr. Zieske participated in thirteen main engagements of the war and in numerous minor engagements. For the most part the Eighteenth Wisconsin was engaged in the momentous campaigns in Mississippi and Tennessee, including the battle of Altona, where the regiment lost six hundred and seven men out of eighteen hundred. Mr. Zieske also took part in the siege of Vicksburg and the battles at Corinth and Altona Pass. At Pittsburg Landing he was seized with a severe attack of fever and was confined in the hospital at that place for six weeks.

Upon the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Zieske returned to Wisconsin, but remained there only a short time. In 1866 he came to Minnesota and took eighty acres of homestead land in Courtland township, Nicollet county. The next year he married there and made his home on that farm until 1872, in which year he moved to Sleepy Eye and engaged in the harness business, in which he was engaged for six years. He then for a time was engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for some time and afterward retired from business and has so continued, having a very pleasant home in Sleepy Eye. Mr. Zieske is a Republican and ever since coming to this country has taken an active interest in local political affairs. During his residence in Nicollet county he served as constable of his home township and upon locating at Sleepy Eye took an active part in the

In 1867, in Nicollet county, this state, John C. Zieske was united in marriage to Mary Strassburg, who was born in Germany, daughter of Frederick Strassburg and wife, pioneers of Nicollet county, and to this union six children were born, Henry, Emma, Chloe, Anna, Reuben and Rhoda, the last three of whom died within a period of one week of diphtheria. Henry Zieske, a train dispatcher, now living at Fresno, California, married Leona Lovette, and has one child, a daughter, Dorris. Emma Zieske married W. H. Cutler a train dispatcher, of Winona, this state, and has one child, a son, George. Chloe Zieske married Ira H. King, a steamship agent living in Alaska, and to that union four children were born, of whom only one is now living, a daughter, Corrine.

Mrs. Mary Zieske died on June 30, 1911, and on September 3, 1912, Mr. Zieske married Lillian Mallette, who was born in this county, daughter of H. C. and Elizabeth (Alaback) Mallette, pioneers settlers of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Zieske are members of the Evangelical church and take a warm interest in local goods works. Mr. Zieske is a charter member of the local post of the Grand Army of of the Republic and for years has been one of the most active promoters of the interests of that patriotic organization. In 1881 he was elected to represent Brown county in the state Legislature, where he served on a number of committees and took part in the discussion of several bills.

James A. Peterson

James A. Peterson, well-known farmer and stockman, of Eden township, this county, who, in partnership with his brother, is operator of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, situated a little more than eight miles from Sleepy Eye, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm where he still makes his home, January 16, 1871, son of John C. and Mary (Jensen) Peterson, natives of Denmark and early residents of Brown county.

John C. Peterson was reared on a farm in his native land and in 1858, when a young man, came to the United States, proceeding directly from New York to Racine, Wisconsin, in the neighborhood of which city he was engaged in farm labor until the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Thirty-first Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command for two years and nine months, during which time he participated in a number of the most important battles of the war, including Sherman's campaign to the sea. Upon the conclusion of his military service he returned to Wisconsin, but in 1866 came to Minnesota, settling in Brown county. He bought a quarter section of land in Eden township and there established his home. He prospered in his undertaking and presently added to his place by the purchase of an adjoining quarter section and lived there the rest of his life, his death occuring in March, 1912. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, Hannah, James, Frank, Emma, Lydia, Anna, Albert, Emilia, Agnes, Elmer and William.

James Peterson was reared on the home farm, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and in the schools of Sleepy Eye, in the meantime assisting his father in the development of the farm. Being the eldest son, much of the active labors of management fell upon his shoulders during the later years of his father's active farming. In 1909 he associated with himself his brother, Albert, and in a mutually agreeable partnership the brothers have since been successfully operating the same, being regarded as among the most progressive and substantial farmers in that neighborhood. They have made about eight thousand dollars worth of improvements on the place, have a ten-acre grove on the farm and are very comfortably and pleasantly situated.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Baptist church at Sleepy Eye and takes an earnest interest in various neighborhood good works. He has ever given a good citizen's attention to the local civic affairs and has held the office of township supervisor, justice of the peace and of road overseer. He is an " independent' ' voter.

Carl P. Manderfeld

Carl P. Manderfeld, clerk of the district court of Brown county, at New Ulm, Minnesota, for years a conscientious instructor of the youth of this and other counties, and one of the popular and well liked men of the county, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a pioneer farm in Sigel township, on October 21, 1872, son of Anton and Anna (Holm) Manderfeld, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Austria, early settlers of this county and long prominent residents of the same, well known throughout the county and respected by all.

Anton Manderfeld, third in order of birth of the seven sons of his parents, Hubert and Clara Manderfeld, was of age when he came to the United States, being among the early settlers of Brown county. Anton Manderfeld was born in 1826 in the village of Manderfeld in the Rhine province, Germany, came to the United States in 1855, settled first in Chicago, and later in 1857, came West to Minnesota, making the way with an ox team, being among the first settlers of Brown county, Minnesota. While working for the government at at Big Stone Lake Agency, 1862, the Sioux Indian massacre broke out. All of his comrades at the Agency, except he and one other, were killed by the Indians. Manderfeld became separated from his only companion and made his way from Big Stone Lake to Fort Ridgely on foot, through a wild and unsettled country, traveling in the night-time and hiding from the Indians in the daytime. After eight days of weary wandering and suffering, untold hardships he reached the fort. In 1862, after the Indian massacre, he gave his services in behalf of the Union cause during the Civil War, enlisting as a volunteer in Company L, First Regiment Minnesota Mounted Rangers, serving with this company until he received his honorable discharge. On December 1, 1864, he was married to Anna Holm and soon after settled on a farm in Sigel township, where he lived the remainder of his life, his death occuring on October 21, 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years. As a citizen he took an interest and active part in civic affairs and for years he held different town offices in his township. He also served several years as a member of the board of county commissioners, and in many other ways performed his full duty as a public-spirited citizen. The parents of Anton Manderf eld were Hubert and Clara Manderfeld, who lived with their son, Anton, on the farm until they passed away.

Anna (Holm) Manderfeld was born in 1845 in Bohemia, Austria, daughter of John and Anna Holm, early settlers in this county, who also resided in the township of Sigel. She died on October 31, 1892, at the age of fortyseven, three years prior to her husband's death. Anton Manderfeld and wife were the parents of six children, namely: Henry, a farmer of Sigle township, this county; Hubert, of Genesee, Idaho ; Clara, who is the wife of Frank Rohner, of Renville county; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Hofmeister; Caroline, the wife of Frank Manderfeld, a farmer of Bird Island, Renville county, and Carl P., the subject of this review.

grades in the district school he entered the high school at New Ulm, from which he went to the State Normal school at Mankato, graduated in 1895, and afterwards took up a course in the Mankato Business College. For twelve years he served the public faithfully and conscientiously as a teacher of the youth of Brown county. During this time Mr. Manderf eld was forming a wide and a valuable acquaintance throughout the county, and when he was nominated as a candidate of the Democratic party for the office of clerk of the district court in 1906, his election was regarded by his many friends as a foregone conclusion, and so it proved. He entered upon the duties of his office in 1907, and has been retained in the office ever since, having been re-elected to the important and responsible office, which he is filling with such general satisfaction to the public at large.

On January 15, 1898, Carl P. Manderf eld was married to Caroline Mueckl, daughter of Max and Creszenzia (Hoffman) Mueckl. Mrs. Manderfeld was born on April 2, 1870, in Zenching, Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Manderfeld are the parents of two children, Emanuel C, born on April 18, 1899, in Brown county, and Viola C, born on February 13, 1903, in Chippewa county, this state.

The parents of Mrs. Caroline Manderfeld were Max Mueckl, born on April 7, 1832, living at Willmar, Minnesota, and Creszenzia (Hoffman) Mueckl, born in 1840, died on February 2, 1882, in Germany. They were the parents of four children : Max, deceased ; Mary, wife of W. E. Somerville, of Willmar, Minnesota; Caroline, wife of Carl P. Manderfeld, and Cecelia, unmarried, now living in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The grandparents of Mrs. Manderfeld were Max and Scholasticka (Sulzbeck) Mueckl, the former of whom was born on November 17, 1798, and died January 14, 1880, while the latter was born in 1802, and died December 25, 1869. The couple were married in 1828.

Alfred B. Ouren

Although a young man, Alfred B. Ouren, of the Security State Bank of Hanska, Brown county, is widely recognized as one of the most influential men in financial and business circles in that locality. He was born on June 10, 1884, in Linden township, Brown county, Minnesota, and is a son of Bernt and Kari Ouren, both natives of Norway, coming from the provinces of Toten and Gudevandsdalen, respectively. They came to the United States when children and were married in Minnesota, in the year 1877, and here established their home. It was immediately following the Indian wars that the father came to this country. His father, Ole P. Ouren, homesteaded a tract of about one hundred and twenty acres on the present town site of Hanska, the south boundary of his land being the present main street, running east and west. There Bernt Ouren worked to assist in developing the new home, remaining with his parents several years, then bought two hundred acres of land in Linden township, for which he paid not more than ten dollars an acre ; to this tract he later added forty acres, all of which lies in section 18. He made extensive improvements on this farm, bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He erected good buildings, planted a large grove, etc. It was here that Alfred B. was born in a plain, small board shack, which is now used as a granary. He was the first of the children born on this farm.

in the winter time until he was sixteen years of age ; then went to Minneapolis where he attended the State University, graduating from the agricultural department of that institution in 1904. Thus exceptionally well equipped for a career as husbandman, he returned to the farm, working with his father for two years, when he decided that the business world held greater attractions for him, and he accordingly abandoned the farm, came to Hanska, where he secured employment as a clerk in a store, also was assistant postoffice clerk. Later he engaged in the hardware and implement business for a short time. In 1907 he was elected secretary and manager of the Hanska Rural Telephone Company, which office he held until 1909, in which year he went to Courtland, where he became cashier of the Courtland State Bank, which position he held until February 9, 1913, when he came to Hanska again, this time as cashier of the Security State Bank, with which he is still connected.

Politically, Mr. Ouren is a Democrat and is active in party affairs. At this writing he is mayor of the town of Hanska, also treasurer of the local school board, and is doing much for the general welfare of the place. He is a supporter of the Unitarian church, in which he was reared, his parents having belonged to that denomination. He is a member and president of the Hanska band, which is the best band in the county, with the possible exception of the Second Regiment band of New Ulm. He enjoys the reputation of being one of the most conservative bankers in Brown county, and under his able management the Security State Bank is rapidly growing in prestige and business, ranking with the best in Brown county.

Joseph Griebel

Joseph Griebel, a well-known farmer and stockman of Cottonwood towship, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the Searles neighborhood, seven miles from New Ulm, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm on which he still makes his home, April 3, 1880, son of Michael and Kunigunde Griebel, natives of Germany and pioneer settlers of this county.

Michael Griebel was a farmer in his native land. Upon coming to this country he landed at the port of New York, whence he proceeded to Illinois. After spending some time in that state he came to Minnesota and homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1890. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, Emma, Rose, Reginald, Bertha, George, Dora, Hannah, Joseph and Nellie.

Joseph Griebel was reared on the homestead farm in Cottonwood township, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and one year in New Ulm school. At the age of fifteen he quit school and thereafter gave his whole attention to the labor of assisting in the development of the home farm. After the death of his father in 1890 he assumed practical management of the place and in 1905 bought the farm from his mother and has since owned and operated the same. He has about seven (29a)

In 1905 Joseph Griebel was united in marriage to Connie Dietsch, who was born in Illinois, daughter of Andrew and Barbara Dietsch, who later became residents of this county, rearing here a family of five children, four sons and the one daughter ; and to this union five children have been born, Hubbart, Alwin, Willie, Edith and Martin. Mr. Griebel is a member of the Catholic church at Searles and the children are being reared in that faith. Mr. Griebel is a member of the St. John Society and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. He is an " independent 9 ' voter. Mrs. Griebel, who was also a Catholic, died on February 18, 1914.

George Mikaelsen

George Mikaelsen, a well-known and substantial farmer of Prairieville township, this county, owner of a welldeveloped farm of four hundred and twenty acres at the edge of the pleasant village of Evan, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in the township in which he still makes his home, March 2, 1873, son of Jens and Koren (Neilsen) Mikaelsen, natives of Denmark, who came to the United States following their marriage in 1872. They landed at the port of New York and came directly to Brown county, where they settled on a quarter of a section in Brookville township, Redwood county, and there established their home, remaining there until Mrs. Mikaelsen died. Mr. Mikaelsen retired from the farm and moved to Evan in 1904. To Jens Mikaelsen and wife thirteen children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being Louis, Anna, Laura, William and Henry. Seven children are deceased.

George Mikaelsen was reared on the home farm in Brookville township, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. He left school when sixteen years of age and thereafter gave his energies to assisting his father in the development of the home place. He also presently bought a threshing-machine outfit and for twenty-two years operated the same in season throughout that part of the county. At the age of twenty-two he bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in section 7, Prairieville township, and twenty-three acres in section 6 and proceeded to improve and develop the same. In 1898 he married and established his home on that farm and there he lived for fourteen years, at the end of which time he sold that part of the place, consisting of the twenty-three acres above mentioned, on which his home stood, and bought one hundred and fifty acres on the outskirts of the village of Evan, where he ever since has lived and where he and his family are very comfortably situated. He has spent about six thousand dollars in improving the place and has one of the best-kept farms in that neighborhood. In 1914 he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Brookville township, Redwood county.

In 1898 George Mikaelsen was united in marriage to Emma Martinson, who was bom in Michigan, daughter of Jens and Kathrine Martinson, pioneers of Redwood county, this state, and to this union two children have been born, Clarence and Eyler. Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelsen are members of the Lutheran church at Evan and take a warm interest in good works throughout that vicinity. Mr. Mikaelsen is an "independent" voter and takes an active interest in local political affairs, for eight or ten years having served as overseer of highways in his district.

Bernhard Knees

Among the good citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, is Bernhard Knees, one of the children of the well-known family of William Knees. For further particulars regarding this esteemed family, the reader is referred to the sketch of another son of the family, Albert Knees, which will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Bernhard Knees was bom in the same township in which he lives, on March 8, 1860, and in his native township he received his education. He later became one of his father's assistants on the home place, remaining with him until some twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself. For about five years, he worked as a farm hand among the farmers of this section and when twentyseven years of age, he bought eighty acres, which is part of his present homestead. Ten years later he bought one hundred and sixty acres, making his present holdings two hundred and forty acres, about one hundred and fifty being under the plow. He carries on general farming such as practiced throughout this section and is uniformly successful with his crops.

On October 31, 1889, Bernhard Knees was united in marriage to Kunigunde Backer, daughter of John Backer, and to their union five children have been born, namely: Frieda, Hertha, Erna, Oscar and Ella, all single and at home with their parents. All belong to the Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Knees is an independent voter, and altogether stands high in the respect of the citizens of his community.

Joseph J. Sperl

Joseph J. Sperl, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Brown county, proprietor of a fine farm of three hundred and forty-three acres on the outskirts of the pleasant village of Searles, in Cottonwood township, clerk of that township, also clerk of school district No. 4, and president of the Farmers ' Elevator Company of New Ulm, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born in the neighboring county of Nicollet, October 12, 1869, son of Anton and Catherine (Eckstein) Sperl, natives of Austria, who later became prominent residents of Cottonwood township, this county.

Anton Sperl came to the United States when a young man and located in Nicollet county, this state, about 1863. For five years thereafter he worked on various farms and at the well known Bless saw-mill, and after his marriage homesteaded a tract of land in Fort Ridgely township, which he sold three years later and bought a farm of three hundred and forty-three acres in Cottonwood township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being Otto, Anton, Anna, George and Stanislaus.

Joseph J. Sperl was but an infant when his parents moved from Nicollet county to Brown county and he grew up on the home farm in Cottonwood township. His school days ended when he was eleven years old and his youth and early manhood were devoted to the assistance of his father on the farm. When he was twenty-two years old he went to St. James, in the neighboring county of Watonwan, where he became interested in the manufacture of carbonated beverages and presently bought a "pop" factory there which he operated for three years, at the end of which time he sold the factory and returned to the home farm and until the death of his father seven years later managed the place for his father. After the death of the elder Sperl, Joseph J. Sperl took charge of the farm and has since then been operating the same very successfully, long having been regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial farmers in his neighborhood. He has a fine brick house and a large grove on the place and is very comfortably situated. The Sperl farm shows evidences of being well kept, having about eight thousand dollars worth of improvements on it. Mr. SperPs trading points are New Ulm and Searles. He has for years taken an active part in the promotion of the agricultural interests of this section and is president of the Farmers 9 Elevator Company of New Ulm, a concern which has done much toward gaining for the farmers a better price for their grain. Mr. Sperl is a Democrat and has held the office of township clerk ever since 1901.

In 1894 Joseph J. Sperl was united in marriage to Lena Gall, who was born in this state, daughter of Michael and Mary (Herman) Gall, who were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Sperl is the only one residing in this county, and to this union twelve children have been born, Anton, Josephine, John, Elsie, Joseph, Lena, Wenzel, Andrew, Mary, Anna, Genevieve and Leona, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sperl are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Sperl is the president of the St. John's Society at Searles and is a member of the New Ulm branch of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Society, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

Hugo E. Dittbenner

Hugo E. Dittbenner, former justice of the peace in and for Eden township, this county, and a well-known and progressive young farmer of that township, proprietor of a well-kept farm of one hundred and twenty acres about seven miles east of the town of Morgan, which is his trading point, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a pioneer farm in the township in which he still makes his home, February 26, 1885, son of William E. and Predericka ( Verpel) Dittbenner, both natives of Germany.

William E. Dittbenner was about seven years old when he came to the United States with his parents in 1860, the family landing at the port of New York. After about a year spent in that city the family came to Minnesota and settled in Brown county. The elder Dittbenner homesteaded a farm in Cottonwood township, where, and in New Ulm, he spent the rest of his life, and where William E. Diitbenner lived until 1874, in which year he pre-empted a quarter of a section of land in Eden township, where he established his home and where he reared his family. He was a good farmer and he and his wife, the latter of whom was a member of one of the pioneer German families of Brown county, prospered in their undertakings, being, at the time of their retirement from the farm in 1907, the owners of a fine farm of six hundred acres in Eden township, long having been regarded as among the most substantial residents of that community. Upon retiring from the farm they moved to Morgan, where William E. Dittbenner died in 1908 and his widow moved to New Ulm, where she is still living. They were the parents of nine children, Ferd, Matilda, George, Emil, Willie, Adolph, Hugo, Fredericka and Herbert.

Hugo E. Dittbenner was reared on the paternal farm in Eden township, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. He completed the course in the local school at the age of sixteen and thereafter remained on the farm assisting his father in the development of the same. After his marriage in 1908, he rented the home farm for awhile and then bought one hundred and twenty acres of the same and on that portion has made his home ever since, being now very pleasantly situated. He has made about five thousand dollars worth of improvements on the place and he and his family have a very comfortable home. Mr. Dittbenner is a Republican and from the time he attained his majority has taken an earnest interest in civic affairs. For some time he served as school director in his district and in 1908 was elected to the office of justice of the peace.

In 1908 Hugo E. Dittbenner was united in marriage to Theresa Fischer, who was born in this county, daughter of Adolph and Bertha (Zugenhagen) Fischer, early settlers of Eden township, and to this union three children have been born, Veena, Hillary and Willard. Mr. and Mrs. Dittbenner are members of the Methodist church and are active in all local good works.

Ernst G. Koch

Ernst G. Koch was born on April 19, 1833, at Radegast Anhalt-Dusan, Germany, and came to New Ulm as early as 1860. He anticipated entering the fur trade and for this reason made his way to Lake Shetck, near Tracy, Minnesota. He and his partner, Mr. Voght, spent a year trapping and hunting on the shores of the lake. At the beginning of the Indian uprising, in 1862, Mr. Voght was killed by the Indians. When Mr. Koch learned of his partner's death he immediately made for Mankato, where he arrived at the time the Mankatoites were organizing a company to come to the relief of New Ulm. Considerable credit is due Mr. Koch for his untiring efforts in getting the Mankato people started for the hard pressed city on the day they did. While in New Ulm he saw his share of active service, being a member of several relief expeditions that were sent out.

After the hostilities were over, Mr. Koch decided to cast his lot with the other settlers of New Ulm and so became a permanent resident of that city. From the very first he took an active part in public affairs. He never sought public offices but when elected he gave the people the best service he was capable of. In 1866 he was elected county auditor, in which capacity he served for ten years. In 1876 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business and served as agent for the Winona and St. Peter Land Company, and as court commissioner of Brown county. He was elected as a member of the board of education in 1881 and served as clerk

In 1889 Mr. Koch was made cashier of the Brown County Bank ; three years later vice-president, and six years later, president. He retired from active business in 1900 and has since been living quietly and comfortably on his farm, which is located in the city limits of New Ulm, enjoying the full fruits of his life of earnest and energetic endeavor. While an officer of the bank, Mr. Koch gave to that substantial old financial institution the benefit of his sound judgment and rare knowledge of local conditions. There were few men in the state who had more accurate knowledge of realty values and conditions in southern Minnesota than he. The impress made upon the city of New Ulm during his administration as mayor is still apparent in the permanent improvements he projected.

In 1864, not long after settling in New Ulm, Ernst Gh Koch was united in marriage to Elizabeth Sahli, daughter of Nicholas and Marie Sahli, who had migrated to this county from Switzerland. Mr. Koch's first wife died in 1864. In 1866 he married Caroline Schmidt, who died on April 19, 1898. Ten children were born to this union, eight of whom are still living. They are : Emma, William E., a retired banker, and Ida, living at home ; Mrs. Robert Heidman, of Arlington; Mrs. Bertha Fenske, of New Ulm; Albert P., in the milling business at Echo, Minnesota ; Mrs. Henry N. Somsen, of New Ulm, and George R., a dentist in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

that faith. He is independent in his political views and not inclined to undivided allegiance to any one of the several political parties, believing that personal fitness of candidates for local office should be the voter's guide, rather than a mere party stamp of approval.

Frederick Fletcher Benham

Among the early residents of Stark township, this county, there were few who exerted a wider or more potent influence for good in that community than did the late Frederick Fletcher Benham, for years a well-to-do farmer of that township, one time county commissioner and rural postmaster, who did well his part in the work of developing the better interests of the neighborhood in which he and his wife settled in pioneer days. Mr. Benham died in 1889 and his widow continued to operate the farm until 1901, in which year she moved to Sleepy Eye, where she is now living and where she is very pleasantly and comfortably situated.

Frederick F. Benham was born in the state of Vermont on July 25, 1830, son of Philander and Relief Benham, of English descent, and was the last born of the six children born to his parents, the others having been Silas, Eli, Phoebe, Eliza and Hannah. He was but a child when his parents moved West and settled in Indiana, where they lived for a time, later moving to Michigan, where they spent the remainder of their lives, and his education therefore was received in the schools of Indiana and Michigan. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years old and then took up the carpenter trade, at which he worked for seven or eight years in Indiana. When he was twenty-three years old he married an Indiana girl and some years later came up into the Northwest, locating at the town of West Union, in Fayette county, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for about two years, at the end of which time he moved over into Minnesota. There Mr. Benham homesteaded a farm in Houston county, Minnesota, on which he lived for nine years. Disposing of the homestead farm in 1864 he bought a farm of three hundred and seventy acres in Stark township, Brown county, and here spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on January 1, 1889. Mr. Benham was a good farmer and early came to be recognized as one of the most substantial and influential residents of that community. He was a Republican and for several years served the public in the important capacity of county commissioner. He also for years was postmaster of his local postoffice and in other ways made himself useful in the community. He was a prominent member of the Grange and was one of the most active promoters of the interests of that organization hereabout. He and his wife were earnest members of the Christian church and ever took an earnest interest in the advancement of all good causes in their neighborhood. After her husband's death Mrs. Benham continued to make her home on the farm until 1901, since which time she had been living in Sleepy Eye.

It was in 1853 that Frederick F. Benham was united in marriage, in Cass county, Indiana, to Elvina Snethen, daughter of the Rev. Abraham and Lydia Snethen, prominent farming people of that county, the former of whom also was a well-known pioneer minister of the Christian church in that part of Indiana. Elvina Snethen was the tenth in order of birth of the twelve children born to her parents, the others having been Eliza, Ruth, Hannah, John, James, Louisa, Vernia, M. C, Greenhut, Ezekiel and Hanna. She received an excellent education, continuing in school until

To Frederick F. and Elvina (Snethen) Benham five children were born, as follow : Carrie, who married Myron McKown and has six children, Myrtle, Hattie, May, Fred, Edna and Silas; Laura, who married William Carpenter and has two children, Paul and Fred; May, who married Elmer Ingram, now living in Idaho, and has one child, Evlyn; Alice, who married Walter Jones, a California ranchman, and Emma, who married Joseph Sherman, a Wisconsin farmer, and has two children, Dorothy and Denwood, twins.

Luther C. Ives

Luther C. Ives, now living retired in his pleasant home at Tracy, in Lyon county, this state, who is one of the few active survivors of that rugged band of pioneers who brought about an orderly government in this part of the state in pioneer days and who helped to bring to its present high state of development the then wilderness, is a native of the great Empire state, having been born in the town of Java, in Wyoming county, New York, December 4, 1840, son of Russell and Lucretia (Kilbourn) Ives, natives of Connecticut, who later became prosperous and influential pioneers of this section of Minnesota, for many years having been prominent residents of Brown county.

Russell Ives was born in the state of Connecticut, son of Seth and Lois (Holcomb) Ives, natives of that same state, she of Dutch descent, and he was of English and Norwegian ancestry. Seth Ives died in New York state in middle age. His widow joined the family of her son, Russell, in this county in the summer of 1861 and some time later was killed in a runaway accident on the highway between Northfield and Hastings, in Dakota county. She and her husband were the parents of nine children, Riley, Albert, Jarvis, Ambrose, Calvin, Russell, Nelson, Loann and Harriet. Russell Ives was reared on a farm and later became a miller in New York state. In the fall of 1860 he and his family emigrated to Minnesota, his eldest son, Luther C, the subject of this sketch, having made a prospecting trip to this country a (3 oa ) couple of years before, sending back a flattering report of the promising conditions here, and took both a pre-emption and homestead claim, the former of one hundred and sixty acres and the latter of forty acres, two hundred acres in all, in what is now the township of Stark, in Brown county, and there established his home, the family early becoming one of the most substantial and influential hereabout. Russell Ives had married in New York state Lucretia Kilbourn, who was a valuable and competent helpmeet in all the difficult labors of their pioneering in this county. She was the third in order of birth of the five children born to Freeman and Almira (Tryon) Kilbourn, the others having been Jeremiah, Ruth Ann, Freeman and Almira. Freeman Kilbourn was of English descent and his wife was of Scottish descent. They were well-to-do farming people and their last days were spent in the town of Sheldon, in Wyoming county, New York, where both lived to advanced ages.

Russell Ives was active in local civic affairs from the very beginning of his residence in this county and held at one time and another most all of the township offices in Stark township, having been one of the organizers of that township. His wife was a member of the Baptist church while he was a free thinker and both were active in good works, no family in Stark township being held in higher esteem than was theirs. In 1890 Russell Ives and his wife and daughter moved to the state of Washington and located in King county, where their last days were spent, her death occurring in the spring of 1897, she then being about seventy-five years of age, and his death occurring in 1907, he then being past ninety years of age. They were the parents of six children, namely: Luther C, the immediate sub- ject of this biographical sketch; Electa, who died unmarried ; Claracy, wife of Frank Miner, of Vashon Island, King county, Washington, and three who died in early youth.

Luther C. Ives was reared in Erie county, New York, receiving his education in the common schools of that county, and grew up assisting his father in the work of the latter 's saw- and grist-mill. When he was eighteen years old he decided to put in his lot with those hardy souls who then were beginning to settle the great Northwest and in 1859 came to Minnesota, settling at Northfield, in Rice county, where he remained about a year, at the end of which time he pushed over into Brown county and began trapping among the Indians. So favorably impressed was he from the very first with the possibilities of this section of the state that he sent back word for his father and the other members of the family to join him here, which they did, as recounted in a preceding paragraph. By the time of the Indian outbreak in 1862 Luther C. Ives had become a wellknown trapper and pioneer in this section of the state and had acquired not only a thorough acquaintance with the country hereabout, but had established relations with the Indians that gave him an insight into their character and habits which rendered his services invaluable in behalf of the brave defenders of the New Ulm settlement, during the memorable siege of that village, and fought valiantly with the plucky volunteers until the bloody uprising in this section of the state had been put down.

On February 22, 1864, Luther C. Ives enlisted in Company G, Second Minnesota Cavalry, volunteers, and in June of that year joined General Sully on the Missouri river, in Dakota Territory, participating in the battle of Takakota on July 28. On the 8th of August Mr. Ives was wounded in the left leg, an Indian arrow piercing clear through the leg above the knee. He had the satisfaction, however, of bringing down the redskin who shot him and the painful wound in his leg presently was healed, without creating any permanent disability. Mr. Ives was with General Sully until the latter part of September, at which time he was transferred to the hospital at Ft. Wadsworth, suffering a severe attack of typhoid fever. Upon his recovery he was brought down to Ft. Ridgely, where he was promoted to the rank of corporal. Here he was joined by his wife and child, who remained with him for nearly a year. Mr. Ives remained in the service until he was mustered out in December, 1865, the Indians by that time having learned that the white men were indeed the rulers of the Northwest. Mr. Ives's long experience in fighting the Indians was attended by many narrow escapes, but the arrow wound he received during the Dakota campaign was the only serious wound he sustained during his service. In one of his earlier skirmishes around New Ulm he was one of the six survivors of a company of seventeen men that went out against a maurading band of redskins and there were many just such thrilling engagements against the savage foe during that troublous time.

In the spring of 1863 Luther C. Ives had married one of the pioneer girls of New Ulm and upon the conclusion of the military service he settled on a homestead claim on a quarter of a section of land in what is now Stark township, in this county, and proceeded to develop the same, presently becoming one of the most substantial and influential farmers in that neighborhood. He bought an adjoining "forty" and on this two-hundred-acre farm made his home until 1890, in which year he sold out and he and his family went to Oregon, where he pre-empted a tract of land in the Cascade mountains and there they lived for about seven years. In June, 1897, he returned to Brown county and bought back one hundred and twenty acres of his old homestead and resumed his residence there. His wife died there in 1905 and in 1908 Mr. Ives sold, or traded, that land and went to South Dakota, later retiring and locating in Tracy, Lyon county, this state, where he is now living, very comfortably situated in his declining years, but still retaining the liveliest interest in Brown county affairs and is a frequent visitor back to the scenes of other days, ever certain of a warm welcome on the part of his countless friends here.

On March 15, 1863, Luther C. Ives was united in marriage at New Ulm to Ursula C. Tuttle, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Albert and Delight (Horton) Tuttle, natives of that same state, who were among the very earliest settlers in .Brown county, they having arrived in the New Ulm settlement with their family on July 3, 1855. Albert Tuttle became a prominent pioneer farmer of this county. He was county commissioner and a member of the Legislature. Both he and his wife spent their last days here and are buried in the cemetery at New Ulm. They were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity, William, Esther, Lucilia, Ursula C, George, Frank and Florence. William married Prudence Bond in 1861 and was killed by the Indians at New Ulm on August 19, 1862, leaving his wife and one child, Etta, who now resides in Illinois. Esther married Henry Behnke in 1857 and to this union were born eight children, Frank, Edith, William (deceased), Albert, Oscar, Henry, and two who died in infancy.

Henry Behnke, Sr., died in 1878. Lucilia married Almond Loomis in 1857 and her husband was killed by the Indians at New Ulm on August 19, 1862, leaving his wife and two children, Mittie and Albert. Lucilia was married, secondly, to Capt. S. A. George and they were the parents of one child, Helen. Captain and Mrs. George both died in 1912. George died in 1873. Frank married Etta Rice and to this union were born two children, Porter (deceased), and May. Florence died in 1892.

Albert Tuttle was the second in order of birth of the ten children born to his parents, Josiah and Jerusha (Bingham) Tuttle, both of whom died in Pennsylvania, the others having been Chester, Calvin, William, Durinda, Edwin, Joseph B., Eliza, Ethan and Sally A. Delight (Horton) Tuttle was the daughter of William and Esther (Cowell) Horton, also natives of Pennsylvania, who spent all their lives in that state. They were the parents of eleven children, Delight, William, Esther, Eliza, Richard, Lucinda, Rachel, Isaac, Lucy Ann, and two who died in infancy.

To Luther C. and Ursula C. (Tuttle) Ives six children were born, as follow : William, who died when six years of age; Emma J., who died on October 8, 1890, at Loveland, Colorado, who was the wife of George Fox, to which union three children were born ; William L., Leroy and one who died in infancy, the former of whom married Ida Wilson and has three children, George, Alton and Burmah, great grandchildren of the subject of this sketch; Minnie, who died when six years old ; Albert T., who lives near the town of Veblen, in Marshall county, South Dakota, married Carrie Banker and has six children, Laurel, Lena, Lottie, Leona, Vera and Ray; George R., now deceased, who mar- ried Pearl Hutchings and had one child, Glade, and Freeman K., of Tracy, this state, who married Helen Ladd and has two children, Marian Ursula and Hollis G. Mrs. Luther C. Ives died at the old homestead in this county on February 14, 1905, she then being past fifty-nine years of age, and is buried in the cemetery at Iberia.

Although now past seventy-five years of age, Mr. Ives has the appearance of a man years younger than that, still retaining much of his old-time force and vigor. His mind is clear and his memory is remarkable for the accuracy with which it recalls incidents of pioneer days, he long having been regarded as perhaps the best authority now living on subjects relating to the early history of Brown county. For some time past Mr. Ives has been employed by the Minnesota and North Dakota State Historical Societies in the important task of collating and rectifying data relating to the history of several counties and in eliminating the errors of statement that have crept into former histories. He also spent a part of two seasons in western North Dakota searching for the graves of fallen comrades. Mr. Ives is a most engaging conversationalist on topics relating to the past and his reminiscences of pioneer days are not only exceedingly interesting, but highly informative and instructive, many of his newspaper articles covering incidents of a day now long gone, possessing a high value to the student of local history. Mr. Ives is independent in his political views and liberal in his conception of the religious duties of mankind, being naturally inclined to that school of thought usually referred to as "free-thinkers." He is a cheerful optimist and believes in doing all the good one can in all the ways possible, being also firmly convinced that he shall be spared for years yet to contribute his part in the work of bettering the conditions of mankind generally. During his residence in this county, Mr. Ives took an active part in civic affairs and held all the various offices in Stark township, and was assessor and justice of the peace for about twenty-five years. He is a member of Wesley Green Post No. 71, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Minnesota, and is a prominent and ardent Odd Fellow, a member of Sleepy Eye Lake Lodge No. 83, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah at Tracy, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

Prof. Joseph C. Hofmeister

Prof. Joseph C. Hofmeister, well-known teacher of instrumental music and leader of the Second Regiment Band, Minnesota National Guard, at New Ulm, is a Bohemian bybirth, having been born near the city of Egar, in Bohemia, March 29, 1867, son of Ignatz and Maria (Keim) Hofmeister, natives of Bohemia, who later became well-known residents of New Ulm, in this county, where their last days were spent.

Ignatz Hofmeister was the first-born child and only son of his parents, he having had a sister, Theresa. His father was an official of the Bohemian government and was killed while in the performance of his official duties. Ignatz Hofmeister received an excellent education in his native land and became an efficient building contractor. There he married Maria Keim, daughter of a peasant farmer, and second in order of birth of the five children born to her parents, the others being Joseph, who died a resident of this county, he having been a well-to-do farmer of the Sleepy Eye neighborhood ; Magdalina, now living in New Ulm, widow of John Eckstein; Catherine, widow of Wenzel Tauer, and Peter, who is an important citizen of the city of Vienna, capital of Austria. In 1885 Ignatz Hofmeister and his wife came to the United States, three of his sons and a few others of his kindred having preceded them here, and settled in New Ulm, where he became actively connected with the building trades and where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring two years after that of his wife. Both were devoted members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, all sons, as follow : Franz, of Neuheisel, Bohemia ; Joseph C, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch ; Andrew, deceased ; George, of New Ulm ; John, also of New Ulm, and two who died in youth.

Joseph C. Hofmeister was but fourteen years of age when he came to the United States in 1881. Upon arriving on the shores of this country he proceeded immediately to this comity and joined kinsfolk who were farming in Milford township, and there he made his home for six years, working on the farm and completing his common-school education. In the schools of his native land he had acquired an excellent elementary education and had given particular attention to the study of music, which he had followed closely for three years under competent masters. He did not neglect his music upon coming here and when twenty years old left the farm and located in New Ulm, where he devoted himself assiduously to the further study of his favorite theme and became a very able musician, presently beginning the teaching of music, particularly instructions in the technique of the violin and wind instruments, it not being long until he was recognized as one of the ablest music masters in this part of the state, a prestige which he ever since has maintained. For nearly twenty years he has been the leader of bands in New Ulm and is now the leader of the famous Second Regiment Band, Minnesota National Guard, a musical organization consisting of thirty-six members and ranking second to none in the state. In addition to his duties as leader of the band, Professor Hofmeister has

On April 25, 1892, Prof. Joseph C. Hofmeister was united in marriage at New Ulm to Anna Manderf eld, daughter of Anton and Anna (Holm) Manderfeld, a history of which family in this county is presented elsewhere in this volume in the sketch relating to Carl Manderfeld, and to this union four children were born, namely : J osephine, who after graduating from the New Ulm high school took a course in the normal school and taught school for three years, later marrying Albert Hacker, of Lafayette township, Nicollet comity; Ella, who died in infancy; Hayden, who is taking a commercial course at New Ulm, and Frank, who is a student in high school. The mother of these children died on August 25, 1900, and on September 30, 1902, Professor Hofmeister married, secondly, Mary Hackel, daughter of Wenzlar and Anna Hackel, and to this union six children have been born, Louis, Walter, Peter, Hugo, Otto and Theodore. Mrs. Hofmeister was born in Bohemia and came to this country, locating in New Ulm, when a young girl. Her mother later joined her here and is now making her home with her, the father having died in the old country. Grandfather Hackel was a musician of note in Bohemia, as were all his children, and all held government positions there save Wenzlar, who was city clerk of Neurn, Bohemia. Professor and Mrs. Hofmeister take an active interest in the general social and cultural life of their home town and are held in high regard by all hereabout. Haydn, Frank and Louis Hofmeister are also enlisted in the Second Regiment Band as musicians.

Edward F. Berkner

Edward F. Berkner, of Sleepy Eye, one of the most extensive realty dealers in southern Minnesota, vice-president of the State Bank of Sleepy Eye, who also is a stockholder in five other banks ; an extensive dealer in fine horses and one of the most progressive and enterprising business men in Brown county, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born on a farm in Manitowoc county, that state, October 19, 1873, son of William and Henrietta (Weber) Berkner, the former a native of Holland and the latter of German Westphalia, for many years substantial farming people in Wisconsin, who are now living retired in Sleepy Eye, this county.

William Berkner came to the United States with his parents when a well-grown boy and grew to manhood on the farm on which the family settled, in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he was living when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted as a soldier in behalf of the Union cause and served in the army for three years and six months. At the conclusion of his military service, William Berkner returned to Manitowoc county, where he married Henrietta Weber, whose parents had settled in that county years before. After farming in Manitowoc county for a few years, William Berkner moved to Dodge county, in that same state, where for thirty years he was engaged in farming. Later he and his wife moved to Fond du Lac and after a residence of some years there moved, in 1905, to Sleepy Eye where they now reside. They are members of the German

Evangelical church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, namely : George, who lives in Home township, this county; Clara, deceased, was the wife of J ohn Berndt ; Alvina, who died at the age of nine years; Edward F., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch ; Alfred, of Sleepy Eye ;. Henry, also a resident of that same thriving little city, and Ezra, of the same place.

Edward F. Berkner was reared on the paternal farm in Dodge county, Wisconsin, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. At the age of twenty he came to Brown county, locating at Sleepy Eye, where for three years he was engaged in the general store of George Knutson. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Knutson in the milling business at Brooking, South Dakota, and was located at the latter place, engaged in milling, for eight months, at the end of which time he sold his interest in the business and returned to Sleepy Eye, where he went to work for Peter Christianson and was thus engaged for a year. He then transferred his services to the Sleepy Eye Milling Company and for a year was engaged as a grain buyer by that concern, after which, in partnership with his brother, Alfred, bought the Bueler & Orth general store at Sleepy Eye. Six months later the brothers extended their mercantile connection by buying the Theodore Weber store and for about fourteen years were actively engaged in merchandising in Sleepy Eye. Mr. Berkner in the meantime had been paying considerable attention to the realty business and was also largely concerned in the horse market, he having been the owner of some locally celebrated horses during his connection with the horse business. Since retiring from the store he has given his attention almost exclusively to the real estate business, with particular reference to farm lands, and has become recognized as one of the most enterprising and progressive realty dealers in southern Minnesota. In addition to his extensive operations as a real estate agent, Mr. Berkner is a large landowner, being the possessor of about four thousand acres, including eighteen farms in Brown county, two in Chippewa county, this state ; two in South Dakota and eighteen hundred acres in Lincoln county, Colorado. Mr. Berkner is also largely interested in various banking ventures, being a stockholder in five fine banks. He is the vice-president of the State Bank of Sleepy Eye and a director of the State Bank of Shields, North Dakota. It will be seen, by a review of the above connections, that Mr. Berkner is a very busy man and he is known far and wide throughout this section of the state as a " hustler,' 9 one of the real "live wires' ' of Brown county, and as such has the full confidence and regard of business circles generally hereabout. When Mr. Berkner came to Brown county he was a poor young man and was content to go to work in Mr. Knutson's store at a wage of ten dollars a month, which was his rate of pay for three years. His indefatigable industry, however, soon brought him to a position of importance in the commercial and general business life of the community, and he has prospered, as he deserves to have done.

On November 4, 1896, Edward F. Berkner was united in marriage to Kate Moll, who was born in Sleepy Eye, daughter of Daniel and Josephine (Mandel) Moll, both of whom are still living in Sleepy Eye, and to this union two children have been born, Daniel Horace and Staunton

Harry. Mrs. Berkner is a member of the Congregational church and the family is warmly interested in the advancement of the cause of all good works in the vicinity. Mr. Berkner is a Republican and is a member of Sleepy Eye Lake Lodge No. 83, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in the affairs of which several organizations he takes an active interest. He and his family take a proper part in general social affairs hereabout and are held in high esteem by all.

Michael Lehrer

Among the enterprising, progressive and widely-kn>wn citizens of Brown county is Michael Lehrer, one of her native sons and a scion of an old and honored family of this locality. He is now living in retirement in his beautiful home in Springfield, and he is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, which has been in the face of obstacles that would have crushed men of less grit and ambition. He became one of the leading merchants of Minnesota.

Mr. Lehrer was born in New TJlm, Brown county, May 19, 1858, a son of Michael and Anna (Oswald) Lehrer, both natives of Bavaria, Germany, where they spent their earlier years, immigrating to the United States in the early forties. For a number of years the father worked as a laborer after coming to the new world. In 1857 he located in New TJlm, Minnesota, and started teaming, hauling freight at first from New TJlm to St. Paul, later from Mankato to St. Peter, which he continued until the railroad was built, after which he did local odd jobs of various kinds until his death in 1895, being killed in a runaway. His widow survived until 1907. He was one of the defenders of New TJlm during the Indian raid. His family consisted of three children, namely: Joseph, who died on September 12, 1907 ; Michael, the subject of this sketch, and Anna, who is now Sister Hippolyta and has charge of an orphans' home in Chicago, where the poor children receive educations.

then spent a year and one-half in the St. Paul Business College, after which he returned to Brown county and engaged in ranching in Stateley township for two years, then sold out and went to Sleepy Eye where he conducted a hotel and saloon for a year and one-half, and in 1885 he came to Springfield, Minnesota, and engaged in the hardware and lumber business with William Schmid under the firm name of Schmid & Lehrer. Later they added plumbing, and in 1905 they incorporated and started a sash and door factory, remaining in that business until 1909 when Mr. Lehrer retired from active life, having accumulated a handsome competency for his declining years, through his sound judgment, industry, rare business ability and honest dealings. It was due to his efforts that the company adopted a profit-sharing plan - all the employees sharing in the company's earnings. Every man working for the firm owns some stock in the company, which is incorporated for fifty thousand dollars. Although not active in the management of the same Mr. Lehrer is president of the company and oversees its affairs in a general way, continuing the prime motive factor in the same. He is also chairman of the board of directors of the State Bank of Springfield, of which institution he was president for a period of fifteen years, but on account of being absent from the city so much, he resigned this position and was elected to the position he now holds. In 1902 he platted the town of Verona, North Dakota, owning nine thousand acres there. This was a successful venture, and the town now has a population of over three hundred. He still holds a large interest in that section.

Elizabeth Schmid, a daughter of Clements Schmid and wife. To this union twelve children have been born, namely : Anna is the wife of Albert Nuessle and they have one child, Elene ; Arthur C. married Georgia Seigert; Veronica, Otto, Elenora, Alfred J., Emma married Arthur Yaeckel and they have one child living ; Agnes, Viola, Carola, Gertrude and Ida.

Mr. Lehrer is a member of the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus. His life, though comparatively uneventful, has not been unfruitful of good results and kind deeds in behalf of his fellow-men. He thoroughly understands the various phases of the different lines of business to which so many years have been devoted, and the confidence and respect of the thousands of people with whom he has had dealings are his in a satisfactory degree.

Frank Holm

Frank Holm, one of the younger generation of farmers of Brown county, Minnesota, was born on the same farm where he now resides in Sigel township, on October 20, 1881. He is a son of Joseph and Frances Holm, both natives of Germany. Joseph was but eight years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents, the family locating in Sigel township and it was there young Joseph grew to manhood. He received only the limited education which was afforded by the schools of this section at that time and in later life was one of the well-known farmers of his township, being actively engaged in that vocation there until the time of his retirement in 1908. In that year he moved to New Ulm, where he still resides, quietly enjoying the fruits of his many years of labor. Although the Holm family was here at the time of the Indian massacres, their loss f ortunately was small as compared with that suffered by so many other pioneers.

Frank Holm is one of a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living, those other than Frank being: Henry, Mary, Clara and J oseph. Frank Holm was educated in the schools of Sigel township and was early trained in the work of a farm. He remained with his father until twenty-one years of age and then bought the two-hundredand-eighty-acre farm where he now lives, and started out in life for himself. He has been very successful in his undertaking and conducts his farm work along modern lines of business, devoting his efforts to a well balanced amount of grain and stock raising. There are on an average of fifteen cows milked the year round on the farm, their product being disposed of to a nearby creamery.

In 1901, Frank Holm was united in marriage with Hermina Grau, daughter of George Grau, and to their union six children have been born. These are Herbert, Alma, Viola, Frances, Frieda and Leonard. Frank Holm and family are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic church and his political support is given to the Democratic party. He is regarded by his fellow-citizens as a man worthy of high regard.

Anton O. Ouren

Anton O. Ouren, banker of Hanska, Brown county, has long been a prominent figure in the business world in this section of Minnesota. He was born on February 27, 1850, in the province of Ostretoten, Norway, and is a son of Ole J. and Dorothy (Hjeld) Ouren, also natives of Norway where they grew up, attended school, were married and established their home. The father was a farmer and remained in his native land until 1866 when he removed with his family to the United States, having landed first, however, at Quebec, Canada, but later moved on to Coon Prairie, Wisconsin, but in a short time they traveled to Fillmore county, Minnesota, remaining there until 1869 when they located in Brown county, where the father entered forty acres of land from the government on which the town of Hanska was subsequently built, and here he engaged in farming until his death.

Anton O. Ouren spent his boyhood in his native land, where he received his education in the Lutheran schools. Upon coming to the United States he at once took up farm work as a laborer, hiring out by the month. He came to Brown county in 1871, two years after his father had located here, and he bought eighty acres in Linden township, just east of the town of Hanska. He prospered by hard work and good management, and he has added to his original purchase from time to time until he now owns three hundred and fifteen acres, all under excellent improvements. In 1891 he organized the Hanska-Linden Creamery Com- pany, of Hanska, which was the second organization of its kind in the state of Minnesota. In the winter of 1901-02 he organized the State Bank of Lake Wilson, in Murray county, and was a director of that institution for several years. In 1902 he organized the State Bank of Hanska and has been president of the same ever since. Its business is rapidly growing under his able and conservative management. In 1892 he helped organize and was the promoter and backer of the Farmers 9 Co-operative Store, of Hanska, which was a pronounced success from the first. Mr. Ouren guaranteed all bills the first four years of its existence, and they from the beginning discounted all bills. The store has grown by leaps and bounds and has paid dividends from the first.

Anton O. Ouren was married in Fillmore county on January 23, 1873, to Bertha Maria Hagen, who was born in the same province in Norway in which Mr. Ouren first saw the light of day. Her father, Andrew Hagen, was a foreman on the farm of Ole J. Ouren, in the old country. She was born on July 8, 1854, and her death occurred on May 28, 1914. She was the mother of three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Julia De Nora, who was born in 1876, married Nels J. Ouren, of Hanska, the present manager of the Co-operative Store, although bearing the same name, they were not related. They have four children, James Arnold, Julius Maurice, Evelyn Viola and Ernest. Oscar Aimer, youngest of the three children, was born on October 6, 1878. He married Marge Berrum and they live at Hanska, Minnesota. They have three children, Russell, Bernice and Edmund.

ly, to Irene Bissonette, who was born on January 28, 1869, in Winooski Falls, Vermont, and is the daughter of Antoine and Philomene (Lerige de la Plante) Bissonette. Her mother owned the first business house in Fargo, North Dakota. Mrs. Irene (Bissonette) Ouren received excellent educational advantages.

Mr. Ouren is a member of the Nova Unitarian church, which he helped found in 1881, and he had been church treasurer and secretary almost continuously ever since its organization until 1914, also a director in the same. He is treasurer for the Liberal Union Association, which conducts a public library in Hanska. He was also the organizer of this institution in 1903. Politically he was formerly an advocate of the Populist party until the year that party affiliated with the Democrats. He had previously attended all the state conventions. He was one of the instigators of the twine manufacturing plant in the state prison, which was the first of its kind in the United States. At that time he was appointed state inspector of dairy and food products by Governor Lind. He did not seek the same, having put in an application for a friend of his for this position. Among his other business enterprises he was the purchaser, with a few others, of the controlling stock in the Bank of Halma, Minnesota, and is now president of that flourishing institution.

Jacob Bakke

An enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Brown county is Jacob Bakke of Lake Hanska township. He was born on November 14, 1848, in Gulbranddalen, Norway, and is a son of Thorsten Olsen and Sigrid Synsteby. The father was a farmer in Norway, owning his land. He came to the United States in his later life and here lived until his death. His family consisted of twelve children, of whom Jacob Bakke was the youngest and is the only survivor. Only three of the children besides himself came to America, namely: Ingebregt, who was a teacher; Ragnhild and Vldri, wife of Thore Lokken.

J acob Bakke attended school until he was confirmed, in Norway, and when twenty-one years old came to the United States, direct to Minnesota, where he worked on the construction of both the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Orient Railroad and the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, for awhile, then came to Brown county, where he bought forty acres of school land, for which he paid eight dollars per acre. Later he added to this until he now has an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all in section 34, of Lake Hanska township. His first forty was the hardest to pay for ; the grasshoppers destroyed his crops for three successive years. His first home was a small farm house, rudely furnished. In a terrific storm in the winter of 1872-3 his house caught fire, and for three days he could not build a fire in his store. His sister and her family had just come from the old country and were in the cabin with him at the time. They were far from help and if the house had been destroyed they would all have frozen to death. This was the worst of the many hardships Mr. Bakke has endured. But he persevered and prospered and now has a large modern, nicely furnished home and a well improved and productive farm.

In 1877 J acob Bakke was married, on his present farm, to Carrie Helling, who was born in Hallingdal, Norway, and is a daughter of Thorkil and Anna Helling, who came to America when Carrie was six years old, the father taking up a homestead in Lake Hanska township, Brown county, Minnesota, being one of the early pioneers here. Eight children have been born to Jacob and Carrie Bakke, namely: Sophia, Emma, Sidney, Clara, Anna are all deceased; Tobina, Zulia and Alfred are all three living at home. The wife and mother died about 1899.

Mr. Bakke and family are members of the Lake Hanska Norwegian Lutheran church, he having been active in the affairs of the church for many years, being secretary of the same for some time, also chorister for several years, and still takes an active part in the music. Politically he is a Republican. He held the office of assessor for several years and was chairman of the board of township supervisors. He has held other minor offices. He is a stockholder in the State Bank of Hanska, also in the Hanska-Linden Creamery Company and the Hanska-Linden Store Company. He assisted in organizing the latter. He has been very successful in a business way and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. His children are his chief concern and he is giving them every advantage. He is a good citizen in every respect and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Guttorm Thordson

Realizing that conditions have changed since the days of the first settlers, Guttorm Thordson, farmer of Lake Hanska township, Brown county, is an advocate of twentieth century methods of agriculture and is therefore successful. He was born on May 31, 1846, in Waldres, Norway, and is a son of Thor and Carrie (Lavors) Thordson. They came from the farm known as 6 1 Omsrud. 9 9 The father was a farmer by occupation and followed farming all his active life. In 1852 the family came to the United States, first locating in Rock county, Wisconsin, among the early settlers, but they never purchased land there, coming on west five years later, making the trip in old-fashioned prairie schooners, drawn by oxen, arriving in Brown county, Minnesota, July 17, 1857, locating on a tract of land on the northwest side of Lake Omsrud in Lake Hanska township, where the father pre-empted a good farm, which he developed and on which he established the home of the family, however this was considerably less than a full claim. On this he spent the rest of his life. The first home here was a small log cabin with a sod roof and the bare ground for a floor. There was no window, and the door was made of oak boards which he split from logs and hewed down with an ax, then hung it with wooden hinges. Later a small window, containing four panes of glass, was inserted in one side of the cabin. This shack served as a home for several years, and in the early sixties a hewed-log house was built, which is still standing. These were the boyhood homes of Guttorm

Thordson in Brown county. The first school in this district was established some years afterward in Linden township, being held in Thor Olson's house and was taught by Tom Armstrong. Guttorm Thordson was one of the pupils for four months, which was all the schooling he received in America. He remained at home, assisting with the work on the place, until about 1864 when he purchased about one hundred and thirty-five acres of Ed Casey who had preempted it and later joined the Union and went away to the war, so he sold his entire place for four hundred and eight dollars. At that time St. Paul was the nearest market and when the Thordson family came to this country there was not a railroad in the state. Later they did their trading at New Ulm, as soon as a town was started there. They received their mail every three weeks after they had spent several years in this country. During the Indian troubles, Ole Thordson, a brother of the subject of this sketch, met with the misfortune to have his house robbed and plundered by the savages, but none of his family were killed. The Thordsons were among those who went to Linden township in the summer of 1862 for protection during the Sioux raid, the settlers having gathered there in a log cabin. However, they were not molested, but they would have been practically helpless had they been attacked, for there was not one good gun among them. Bena Omsrud, an aunt of Guttorm Thordson, was also among those who went to Linden township in the summer of 1862.

Guttorm Thordson was married in Lake Hanska township, on April 9, 1872, to Rena Olson Palmer, who was born in Norway, and was the daughter of Ole Palmer. By this union one child was born, Carrie, whose birth occurred on