Fillmore County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1912 (part 1 of 20)

Biographical Review

Lives of Men Who Have Assisted in the Growth and Develop: ment of the County - Storics of the Pioneers - Genealogical Statistics - Facts Concerning the Modern Leaders - Family Histories

Appendix 1 Physicians And Surgeons

Importance of the Medical Profession - Hardships of the Pioneer Doctors - Fillmore County Medical Society - Fillmore Eelectic Medical Association - Houston-Fillmore County Medical Society - Fillmore County Physicians - Edited by Dr. George A. Love

Appendix Ii

Beginning of the Postal System - First Postal Service in America- - First Postoffice in Fillmore County - Names of the Early Offices - History of Present Offices - Establishment of the Rural Routes

Miscellaneous

The Onstine Party, by M. H. Onstine - Lanesboro Schools, by Mrs. C. C. Scanlan - Early Days in Bloomfield, by O. P. Hadland - Fountain Waterworks, by A. W. Powers - Farmers' Mutual Cyclone Insurance Company - Gray & Thompson - Rushford Wagon Factory - Spring Valley Sun - Highland Village - Early Rushford Schools - Harmony Schools - Reminiscences of Uriah Williams - Reminiscences of Kate Little - Early Days in Rushford - Canton Items - Canton Schools - Elliota - Canton Village - -Prosper - Lenora - Soldiers from Canton......... 1148

Chapter Xli

Lives of Men Who Have Assisted in the Growth and Development of the County - Stories of the Pioneers - Genealogical Statistics - Facts Concerning the Modern Leaders - Family Histories.

Fillmore county has given to the world many a stauneh and substantial leader in public affairs. In the early days the leaders were men and women from other lands, other states and other climes, who came to this county, took an active part in public affairs, and wrote their names permanently on the pages of the county's progress. As the connty beeame older, men went out from here to take their share in the affairs of the state and nation. But the real makers of the county are those who have pursued their lives from day to day; in the office, in the store or on the farm, not seeking honors, but doing their share whenever duty ealled.

In this chapter the publishers have endeavored to present the principal facts in the lives of the leading men of the county, past and present. The data has been gathered from the subjects of these biographies or from those best qualified to give the information. All the sketches have been submitted to those most eoncerned, and errors which may appear in any reviews are due to the subjects. of the biographies or their friends, and not to the publishers.

His father, Gilbert Bingham Oscar Bassett, was born in Middlebhury, Vermont, February 19, 1817, and died June 8, 1878, in Carimona, Fillmore county Minnesota. He was a eitizen and subject of the United States at the time of his son's birth. Gilbert Bassett's parents, Elnathan Bassett and Lydia Bassett, were both horn in New England of eolomial and revolutionary stock. Ejnathan's father was a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and himself a soldier in the United States Army in the War of 1812. Lydia Bassett was the daughter of Daniel A. Buck, of Vermont, who when a were boy in the Contineutal Army at the battle of Bennington lost his arm. He was afterwards for many years congressman from that state.

Mary Smith Bassett, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ancaster, Canada West, August 1, 1816, and died July 29, 1911, at Washtuena, Wash. Her father, Samuel Smith, was born in New Hampshire and was a soldier in the regular army during the War of 1812. Her mother, Luvia Graves Smith, was born in the state of New York. The family of Gilbert and Mary Bassett consisted of six boys and four girls, of whom Henry was the third eldest child. Only four of this family are now living, who in the order of their ages are Henry S. Bassett, of Preston, Minn.; George W. Bassett, of Washtuena, Wash.; Gilbert B. O. Bassett, of Helena, Mont., and Samuel S. Bassett, of Spokane, Wash. George married Alice C. Lancaster; Gilbert, Sarah Andrews, and Samuel, Kate Hopp. Caroline A. Bassett, one of the daughters of the family, married John B. Palmer. She died in Carimona, February 9, 1893, leaving surviving her husband and four children, C. H. Palmer, of Benchland, Mont., E. L. Palmer, of Preston, Minn.; Virginia Palmer, of Ostrander, Minn., and Fannie Vailer, of Fresno, Cal. Mr. J. B. Paimer and his daughter are now residing in Ostrander, Minn. Mary Bassett, the youngest daughter, married William Harkness, of Walla Walla, Wash. She died in 1900 at Spokane in that state, leaving surviving her husband and four children, William, Charles, Mary and Marjorie Harkness.

Gilbert and Mary Bassett, with their family, then consisting of Henry and two daughters, moved from Canada West in 1844 aud settled in Scott county in the territory of Iowa. At that time there was no railway westward out of Chicago and from that point the family made the journey to Rock Island, U1. by stage and team. The country at that time was new, and few white inhabitants, and these as a general thing cultivated but a few acres, made their own clothing and depended for a living prineipally upon the wild game, of which there was an abundance. Many Indians were still in the country. There was a trading post or so but no real stores, or mills, or roads in the country and no schools or churches. It was then the western fronticr of the States. Though Gilbert Bassett was a printer by trade, he never worked at that business while living in lowa, but during' that time was principally engaged in farming and in mercantile business and a portion of the time in operating a daily line of four and six horse stages from Dubuque west to Independence in that state, for at that time, 1850-52, there was no railway running west from Dubnque. In 1853 he with his son Henry and a daughter came to Minnesota, then a territory, to look up a loeation.. Late in December of that year the family started in teams from Delhi, Iowa, for Forestville, in Fillmore county, Minnesota, the place selected for the new home. The family was delayed in their journey by cold weather and snow storms for some time in Burr Oak, Iowa, but finally arrived in Forestville on January 4, 1854, where a dwelling had been purchased and a store opened by Mr. Bassett. His son, Henry, then thirteen years old, walked and drove the cows on this journey. Forestville was not then platted as a village. Winona and Brownsville in Minnesota and Decorah, Lansing and MeGregor in lowa, were their nearest market places. After the family settled in Minnesota, Mr. Bassett continued in the mercantile and farming business. A district school was established in Forestville in 1855 and maintained about half of the time which Henry attended most of the time until December, 1858, when he went to Crawfordsville, Ind., to attend Wabash College, located at that place. Prior to his going to Minnesota he had attended private and district schools to a very limited extent, so when he entered upon his college course his education it may be said was mostly acquired by his study outside of the schools. He had a good knowledge of frontier life, farming and mereantile business as carried on in a new country, and managing and caring for horses and other stock. and was physieally strong, active and able to undergo great fatigue and exposure. Desiring to obtain a collegiate education, as above stated, he went to Wabash College, where he took up a regular classical course and studied from January, 1859, to early in May, 1861, when, on account of the Civil War then just under way, he returned to his home in Minnesota, in order that he might obtain his father's consent to enlist in the army. He had tried to enlist in Indiana, but being under age and not having his father's consent, the authorities would not aecept him. During the time he was a student at Wabash College he supported himself by his manual labor, cutting cord-wood, digging ditch, sawing wood, or doing whatever other work came to hand. After his return home he was obliged to delay entering the army until August 4, 1862. But in the meantime he aided his father in his business and taught a school of seventy scholars during the winter of 1861 and 1862 in the village of Fillmore. Having helped to raise men enough to form a company he entered the army August 4, 1862. About half of the members of the company were from Fillmore county and half from Houston county. The men rendezvoused at Fort Snelling, where they were organized as Company K in Sixth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, with W. H. Woodward as captain, W. W. Braden, first lieutenant, and H. 8. Bassett, second lieutenant. Within a few days after the company was organized and before the different companies composing the regiment could unite, the Indian outbreak on the frontier and the massacre of the white settlers in the western part of the state occurred. Mr. Bassett served with his eompany in the campaign under General Sibley against the Indians for the relief of Fort Ridgley, the release of the white prisoners and protection of the frontier that year. In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and took part that year in the seeond eampaign against the Indians. During that year he was for some time adjutant at Fort Snelling under Colonel Morgan. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was sent south to Ielena, Ark., where during wost of the summer of that year, Lieutenant Bassett served as assistant provost-marshal of the district of eastern Arkansas. In the winter of 1864 and 1865 hig regiment was sent to St. Louis, Mo., where, until February, 1865, it was on duty. In that month it was sent to New Orleans and placed in the Seeond Brigade of the Seeond Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith. Company K, with the regiment in this corps, formed a part of the forces under General Canby in the capture of Spanish Forts, Blakeley and Mobile, and im the campaign against Montgomery, in the spring of 1865. During these campaigns Lieutenant Bassett was in command of his ecompany, its captain being absent on detached service. The company under the command of Lieutenant Bassett returned to the state after the war closed and was mustered out at Fort Snelling, August 19, 1865. Mr. Bassett, after his more than three years' service in the army, was still unwilling to give up his college course. After resting at home for about three months, in January, 1866, he entered the University of Wisconsin and again took up his studies. In May he returned to his howe in Minnesota to assist his parents to fit ont for their journey to the territory of Montana. Tis parents and five of their children that month set out from Forestville in teams for Helena, Mont., where they arrived in September, 1866. Henry taught school in the village of Carimona during the fall and winter of 1866 and 1867. In the fall of 1867 he returned to the University of Wisconsin and resumed his studies. A military department had been established in the university, and at the request of the authorities of that institution he organized the students subject to military drill into companies, drew arms and equipments for them from the state and superintended their drilling and training during the four years he remained in the university thereafter. He not only took up and continued his regular elassical course of studies in the university at this time, but also the studies of the eivil and military engineering departments, and graduated on June 21, 1871, receiving his diploma and degree from each of the three departments.

He returned to his home in Fillmore county and in the fall of 1871, upon the Republican ticket, he was elected probate judge of that county. He continued to hold that office by election from

January 1, 1872, to January 1, 1882, when he voluntarily declined. to be a candidate for re-election and gave his attention wholly to the practice of law, having been admitted to practice at the bar in 1874. July 12, 1882, he married Mrs. Georgiana A. Smith, at the home of her parents, in Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Mrs. Smith, at the time of her marriage with Mr, Bassett, had one son, Everett R. Smith, who continued to live with them until his marriage to Mae O'Brien some years ago, since when he and his wife have lived in their own home adjacent.

Mrs. Georgiana A. Bassett, daughter of Rev. R. S. Armstrong, a Congregational minister, was born at Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1848, and received her education in the Academy of Potsdam, in that state. She engaged in teaching at the age of seventeen and followed that profession principally until she married Mr. Bassett in 1882. She spent some years in California, crossing the Isthinus of Panama on a pack horse in going to and returning from that country in the early sixties with her husband, Mr. Smith. She and her parents and family eame from the state of New York and settled in Minnesota in 1868, where she has resided ever since. Her home has been in Preston in Filhnore county since 1879. She was an able and suceessful teacher, enterprising and publi¢ spirited and has taken an active part in all educational enterprises of her village, and other matters for the social and moral betterment of her village and the community. For the last fifteen years and more she has given much of her time to horticulture on the hoine farm, where she lives adjacent to the village of Preston, where she has a fine fruit orchard.

Mr. Bassett was appointed by Governor Johnson judge of probate of Fillmore county, in April, 1907, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Farrington, who died while holding that office, and served as such probate judge until January 1, 1909.

During his residence in Preston he was for ten years a member of the board of education of the high school. He has also served the village as mayor and village attorney. Since December, 1872, he has been engaged in the study and practice of his profession, the law, in the village of Preston.

Christopher M, Anderson, founder and cashier of the First National Bank, of Preston, which is one of the leading financial institutions of southern Minnesota, is one of the substantial citizens of Preston, and has shown his faith in the future of this village by his various investments here. He was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, January 14, 1855, son of John A. and Martha M. (Axdale} Anderson. His boyhood days were spent in acquiring a good education in his native county. At the age of fifteen years he went to Lac qui Parle county, this state, with his parents, there completed his schooling, and grew to manhood's estate. He early became identified with public life and public questions. From 1880 to 1883 he was in partnership with Cc. J. Coghlan in publishing the Lae qui Parle ''Press.''? Tle served as register of deeds in that county two years, as county treasurer four years, and as county surveyor a like period. In time he moved to Dawson, Minn., where he successfully engaged in the mercantile business. In the meantime he had been investigating the banking profession, and in 1889 turned his attention im that direction, founding the Commercial State Bank, of Dawson, of which he became president and eashier. After ten years' honorable service in this capacity, he went to Lime Springs, Howard county, Ia., and purchased what was known as the Bank of Lime Springs. In 1902 he came to Preston, and assisted in organizing the institution with which he is now prominently identified. In addition to this, he is a stockholder and director in the Citizens Bank, of Ossian, Ia., and president of the Peterson State Bank, of Peterson, Minn. He is one of the leading citizens of Preston, and his residence, the remodeled Weiser mansion, located on 'The Ridge,'' is one of the finest pieces of architecture in Fillmore county. Mr. Anderson has done good service as an active member of the Preston School Board, and being of a fraternal nature, he has allied himself with Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M.; Malta Coimandery, No. 25, K. T., and Osman Temple, A. A. O. N. M. §. The subject of this sketeh was married January 26, 1887, to Delphine Fregeau, at Fort William, Ontario, Canada. Their marriage has been gladdened by the birth of three children: Merle V., Colia M., and J. Francis. Merle Virginia was born December 9, 1887. She attended the Preston public schools and graduated from the Preston High school, afterward receiving her degree of Bachelor of Arts from the Northwestern University at Evanston, Dl. Miss Merle entered heartily into college life, was a charter member of the Alpha Omicron Pi, and an active worker in the Y. W. C. A. She was also a member of the Epsiton Eta, of the graduating class of 1911. She is now principal of public schools at Hesper, N. D. Coila Marie was born February 6, 1891, attended the Preston public schools and graduated from the Preston [igh school. She is now a sophomore at the Northwestern University at Evanston, IIl., is a member of the Alethenai Literary Society there, and also belongs to the Alpha Omicron Pi, of which her sister was one of the founders. Julian Francis, the only son, was born February 3, 1894, and is a student in the Preston High school.

daughter of Frederic and Virginia Marie (Bélanger) Fregean, natives of Quebec, of French descent, the former being a contractor. The family located in Superior, Wis., in 1854, and were among the early settlers. Iu 1875 they moved to Ft. William, Canada, where the mother still lives, the father having died December 18, 1893. The daughter, Delphine, received her education in Superior, and when her family moved to Ft. William heeame one of the first teachers in that place, being in charge of a school two years. Then she returned to the United States and entered the Minnesota State Normal school at Winona. Thus equipped, she tanght school three years in Minnesota, and later returned to Ft. William and taught three more years there. January 26, 1887, she was married in her parish church to Christopher M. Anderson, and started housekeeping in Dawson, Minn. There, Mrs. Anderson was a charter member of the W. R. C. and served as its secretary four years aud as its president one year. In Preston she has served as president of the Browning Club, and is now its viee president. She has algo been an active factor in the establishment of the public library here, and for two years: was president of the Preston Browning Public Library Board, being now its secretary. Mrs. Anderson is a model hostess and mother, and justly takes pride in the splendid education of her three children.

John C, Mills, oldest son of John Mills and Sarah Ann Mills, was born October 16, 1859, on a farm in a little log hut about sixty rods west of the school house in district forty-seven, Preston township, Fillmore county. Up to the time he was seventeen, like many boys of that day, he. helped to clear up a grub farm and attended the district school] in the winter. Later he attended the Preston high school for three years. Then he taught school two years at each of the following places: Carimona, Mabel, Fillmore, and Wykoff. Mr. Mills was married in 1896 to Emma F. Allen, formerly county superintendent of schools for Fillmore county. He was elected county auditor of Fillmore county in 1892 over the combined opposition of the Democratic, Prohibition and Peoples parties and served eight years. During this time he was chairman of the county central committee and helped stump the county in 1894 - the time of the gold standard agitation. He was a delegate to both county and state conventions many times and was one of the leaders in the Republican party. He also served as alderman of the village of Preston six years and was instrumental in establishing the public library. He was one of the organizers of the Minnesota State Breeders' Association, being its first treasurer, and holding this office thirteen years. He also helped organize the First Congressional

Live Stock Breeders' Association and was also its first secretary and treasurer for four years. He also helped organize the Minnesota State Shorthorn Breeders' Association and was its first secretary and treasurer, holding these offices two years. He was one of the organizers of the Fillmore County Live Stock Association, and was also its secretary and treasurer. He was president of the Fillmore Agricultural Society for ten years. He is a life member of the State Agricultural Society and also of the Fillmore County Agricultural Society. He has for many years been greatly interested in the introduction into the county of blooded stock of all kinds - sheep, eattle, hogs, horses, dogs and elrickens. He was the first to introduce pure-bred Oxford and Hampshire Down sheep and Poland China hogs into Fillmore county. Tle has imported thousands of sheep and eattle from Canada, and in 1901 went to England and visited the most renowned flocks and herds of England and Scotland and the royal show at Cardiff, Wales, and made a large importation of prize winning Shropshire, Oxford and Hampshire Down sheep. He still resides at Preston and is interested in the improvement of the' live stock of the country.

Emma Frances Allen Mills was born October 2, 1859, on a farm in Sumner township, Fillmore county, Minnesota, daughter of David Allen, and Lepha Ann Carter. She received her early education in the district school known as the Science Hill school, under the able teacher, Mrs. Georgiana Smith, now Mrs. Judge Bassett, When thirteen years old she entered the high school at Spring Valley, M. F. Varney superintendent and principal. The next year she attended select school for young people, conducted by Mrs. G. A. Smith, and that fall (1875) began teaching in the district school at Sumner Center, followed by a summer term at Hardserabble. In 1876 she entered the State University of Minnesota and studied here four years on a six years' course. Ill health made a change a necessity, and after a vacation of a few months she resumed teaching at Hamilton, and near Chester, Towa. In 1882 she was elected as assistant principal of the high school at Spring Valley, which position she held four and onehalf years, and left January 1, 1887 only to enter upon the duties of superintendent of schools of Fillmore county, to which she was elected in November, 1886, and re-elected in 1888. In 1889 she held a private summer school at Preston, and another in 1890 at Spring Valley. In 1891 she returned to the State University and completed the course of 33. L. in 1893. She was elected principal of the high school of Rochester in 1893 and re-elected the next year. In 1895 she again returned to the State University to take post graduate work. She was married

January 16, 1896, to John C. Mills, county auditor of Fillmore county and went to Prestou to live. She taught summer school in the State Normal summer school work in Glenwood in 1892; Heron Lake in 1893, Lakefield in 1894, Austin in 1895 and at Jackson in 1896. She reared and educated two children: Vivien I. Dowdell and Wilham E. Dowdell, In 1898 she was elected superintendent of the Sunday schools of Fillmore county and held annual county conventions at Cherry Grove in 1899, Rushford in 1900, and Chatfield in 1901. She employed Missionary J. E. Webber to work in the county. In 1891 she took a trip with Mr. Mills to England and Scotland. She established the Browning Club in 1898 and was appointed a member of the library board in 1908, being reappointed in 1911.

Dr. A. D. Becker, osteopathic practitioner and progressive citizen of Preston, has a high professional standing in Jowa, Minnesota and Missouri, the three states in which he is licensed to practice, and is one of the pioneers and ''path finders'' in his profession in this part of the country, he being among the first to go hefore the examining board in Minnesota, and also amoung the first to go before the examining board in Iowa. IIe was also an active worker on the legislative committtee that induced the state of Minnesota to place the practice of osteopathy on its rightful level with the other legalized and reeognized schools of therapenties. The subject of this sketeh was born in Austin, Minnesota, August 20, 1878, son of Mareus and Sarah G@. (Blair) Beeker. He attended the Austin public schools, aud after the death of his father clerked in a store for a number of years. But he had ambitions toward a professional life whieh should Jead to the alleviation of physieal pain and suffering, and, accordingly, in January, 1901, he entered the 8. S. Still School of Osteopathy at Des Moines, Iowa, from which institution he graduated in 1903. At once after completing his course he located at Preston, where he established a large practice, winning the respect of the community for himself and for the profession in which he is engaged, In 1908, desiring to perfect himself still further, he took a post graduate course at the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo. While a student there he became a member of the Stillonians and of the Atlas Club, both of which are eollege scientific and literarv ehubs. After completing his course, he was retained us one of the faewly. doing hospital work, and occupying the chairs of praetice and gynecology. After three years of absence he again loeated in Preston, and las since won a constantly growing practice. Being an advoeate of the highest etliical standards in the practice of therapeutics, Dr. Beeker has allied himself with the Minnesota State Osteopathic Association, of which he is president, and with the American Osteopathic Association. He is junior warden of Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M., and a member of Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. AL, Malta Commandery, No. 25, K. T., and of Kirksville Lodge No. 464, B. P. O. EK. Dr. Becker was married Oetober 17, 1906, to Mabel Rollins, born January 19, 1883, at Caledonia, Houston county, Minnesota, daughter of Ilenry M. and Ellen L. (Evans) Rollins. Dr. and Mis. Beeker have one son, Rollin Edward, horn Mareh 8, 1910. Mareus Beeker was a native of New York, a millwright and stationary engineer by trade. He married Sarah G. Blair, a native of Ohio. In 1872 they came to Minnesota from Iowa, and located in Austin, where Mareus was engineer of the city water works several years. He died in April, 1891, and his wife still lives in Austin. They were the parents of six children: James died in infaney; Nora lives in Austin; Dr. A. D. lives in Preston; Hattie died in infaney; Walter is a railroad engineer, with headquarters at Ottumwa, Ia.; Ethel is a student at the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., and after her graduation in January, 1913, will assist her brother, Dr. A. D., at Preston. H. M. Rollins and Ellen L. Evans Rollins, his wife, were born in New Hampshire and caine to Caledonia in 1854. H. M. worked as a farmer for a while, then became postmaster at Caledonia, then became a railway mail clerk, and in 1908 was promoted to his present position as transfer clerk at the LaCrosse postoffice. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins have four children: Frederick II., a pliysician of St. Charles; G. L., of Preston, Charles A., a fruit grower in Washington, and Mabel, the wife of Dr. A. D. Beeker, of Preston.

John W. Hopp, a prominent lawyer, and preseut county attorney of Fillmore county, has been a resident of Preston since the date of his birth, January 13, 1868. He received the rudiments of his education in the district school at Preston, and later attended the Minnesota State University, graduating in the class of 1891. After finishing his university course he associated himself with Henry R. Wells in the practice of law, but this fina was dissolved in 1910 and Mr. Hopp now continues in the profession entirely on his own responsibility. He has held many offices in the town and county, serving as village attorney for two terms and as county attorney from January 1, 1897, to January 1, 1908, as well as from January 1, 1909, to the present time. He is affiliated with the Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery, No. 25, K. T., as well as with Osman Temple, A. A. O. Nu M. 8. of St. Paul. He is also a member of the M. W. A. Myr. Hopp married Alice E. Daniels, of Winona, Minn., and they are the par- ents of Harold D., born August 12, 1898, and Margaret E., born February 24, 1911. The parents of John W. Hopp were Michael and Eva (Letz) Hopp. The father came to the United States from Germany in 1856 and 'located a time in St. Joseph, Mo., before taking up his permanent residence in Preston. He died June 22, 1900, and his wife passed away May 14, 1904.

Henry A. Larson, the capable clerk of the district court of Fillmore county, is a native born son of this county, having first: seen the light of day in Preston township June 27, 1877, son of Aslak and Carrie (Storlic) Larson, natives of Norway, now restdents of Preston township. He received his preliminary education in the Lanesboro high school, and took courses in the Northerm Indiana Normal] college at Valparaiso, Ind., and in the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. In the meantime he taught school two years and continued to teach a year after leaving the university. In 1902 he was elected clerk of the district court of Fillmore county. Before this he had served in minor local offices, at one time being assessor of Preston township for two years. Aside from his home in Preston village, Mr. Larson owns a farm of 120 aeres in Preston township which he rents. He is a director and stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Preston, and has other interests of various kinds.

Mr. Larson is prominent as a Mason, is master of Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; a member of Preston Chapter 32, R. A. M.; and past commander of Malta Commandery, No. 25, K. T. He is also a member of Preston Camp, No. 276, M. W. A. The subject of this sketeh was married September 25, 1906, to Frances Broderick, daughter of John Broderick of Preston. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Aslak Larson, a pioneer, now living in Preston township, 1s one of the honored veterans of the Civil War. He was born in Norway, came to America in 1860, and in 1867 married Carrie Storlie, also a native of the same country. After coming to this country he located in Allamakee county, Iowa, and in July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to corporal, saw active service in many battles aud campaigns, was wounded in the face, and was discharged in Tennessee in 1866. After returning to Fillmore county he purchased 160 acres in Preston township, which he broke and developed, and where he still makes his home, being one of the substantial law abiding citizens of the county. He and his good wife are the parents of nine children: Louis, Olaf, Peter, George, Henry A., Clara, Gena, Adolph and Melia. The two oldest boys have farms. Henry A. is a county official. George is in North Dakota. Adolph is a student at the State University at Minneapolis, Minn. Melia is a student at the Albert Lea College for Women in Albert Lea, Minn. The rest are at home.

M. M. Blunt, who has for several years done the city of Preston efficient service as alderman, is the leading hardware dealer of this vicinity. He was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, December 12, 1861, son of Frances and Deliah (Cheney) Blunt. He attended the common schools, and rounded out his education with courses in the Janetsville high school and the Silsbee Business college in the same place. After attaining young manhood he went to Huron, Beadle county, South Dakota, and engaged as clerk in a supply store for the Chicago & Northwestern. He was soon promoted to manager of the supply department, having charge of the supplies for 800 miles of road. In this position he continued fourteen years, giving great satisfaction to. his employers. But he determined that he wished to be his own master instead of working for others. So he took up 480 acres of land in Beadle county, and also purchased several lots and residences in IIuron, in that county. In 1896, he came to Preston and purchased the bankrupt hardware stock of Bennett & Hirsch, at the corner of St. Paul and Main streets. After thoroughly overhauling the stoek he opened for business, and his success was assured from the very start. In 1905 he erected his present store building, a beautiful brick structure, thirty-four by ninety-six feet, two stories high. The lower floor is devoted to store purposes, where a full line of hardware is kept. The stock is up-to-date and the store enjoys a large trade. The upper floor is devoted to office apartments and store rooms. Mr. Blunt is a Mason, and belongs to the M. W. A. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected alderman in 1901, 1903, 1909 and 1911. The subject of this sketch was married in 1889 to Mattie L. Jones, of Rock eounty, Wisconsin, and they have two children. Floyd attends the Winona Business College at Winona, Minn., and Ray E. is a pupil in the Preston high school. Francis and Deliah (Cheney) Blunt were natives of New York state. They came west to Wisconsin, located in Walworth county, and there spent many years, later going to Rock county, in the same state. They were the parents of eight children: Albert E. is dead. Arthur L. is a physician in Chicago. Ella A. is a teacher in Whitewater, Wis. M. M. is a hardware merchant in Preston. Asher A. lives in California. Mrs. Ida M. Tipple lives in Whitewater, Wis. Seward is a physician in Waupun, Wis. Seymour E. is a farmer at Whitewater, Wis.

Elling K. Blexrud, sheriff of Fillmore county, was born in Spring Grove, Houston county, this state, April 4, 1855, son of Knud O. and Maria P. (Mokastad) Blexrud, the pioncers. He attended the district schools of Ilouston county, and had the advantages of courses in the Minnesota State Normal School at Winona, and the La Crosse Business College at La Crosse, Wis. After leaving school he took up eclerking. In 1883 he engaged in the mercantile business in Fountain. While there he became interested in public affairs, was mayor of Fountain, was treasurer of the school board, and served in other public positions. In 1896 he was elected to his present office of sheriff, and has since been successively re-elected, having made a most courageous, plucky, disereet and successful officer. For the past ten years he has been chairman of the Republican central committee for Fillmore county. In addition to his other interests he is vice president in the Farmers and Merchants' State Bank of Preston. The subject of this sketch was married January 5, 1884, to Ingeborg Sagdalen, a native of Spring Grove, Houston county, this state. This union has been blessed with three children: Maria graduated from the Normal school at Winona, and married N. F. Saxton, of Williston, N. D. Clara lives at home. She is a graduate of the high and Thomas Normal Training school at Detroit, Mich., Kenneth, the youngest is at home. Knud O. and Maria P. (Mokastad) Blexrud were natives of Norway, came to America in 1850 and Jocated in Wisconsin four years, after which they came to Spring Grove, Houston county, with the early pioneers. They had eight children: Ole Blexrud operates the home farm. Elling K. is sheriff of Fillmore county. Paulina is the wife of Julius Gulbrandson, of Spring Grove, Houston county. Bertha is the wife of Prof. Cornelius Narveson, now deceased, and lives in Caledonia, Minn. John Blexrud igs a merchant in Caledonia. Martha is the wife of Elling Roverud, a newspaper editor in Caledonia. Ingar married Dr. Erickson and they live in Ilarmony, this county. Christ Blexrud is the sheriff of Houston county.

John Taylor, one of Fillmore county's early settlers and prosperous farmers, was born in County Dunn, north of Ireland, February 6, 1830. It was there he received his education, growing to manhood and preparing himself for his fight for success. In 1851 he crossed the briny deep, locating in New York state and remaining there six years. In 1857 he came west to Minnesota, and for sixteen years lived in Preston, where, together with his brother William, he followed agricultural pursuits. During those years he worked early and late, saving his money, and finally investing in forty acres of land in section twenty-five,

Fountain township. There he erected his home an' all necessary outbuildings, and engaged in farming and stock raising. He has added to his possessions from time to time until he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres, on which he makes his home. Mr. Taylor is widely known in the community where he has for so many years resided, and is highly respected by all, both for his honest dealings and his worth as a man.

In his younger days he was widely known by the people of Preston and vicinity for his remarkable strength and durability, and having now reached the honorable age of four score and two years is still hale and hearty. It is worthy of note, from a historical standpoint, that Myr. Taylor quarried the first stone for the foundation of Fillmore county's beautiful court house, and this service he rendered gratuitously, working fourteeu days. Tlis brother William hauled timber for the same building from Winona, he also presenting his services. John Taylor has always taken an active interest and prominent part in whatever has been for the good and betterment of the county. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican party, and his religious beliefs are those of the Presbyterian chureh. The parents of John Taylor were James and Sarah (Sturgeon) Taylor, both natives of the north of Ireland, but of Scotch descent. The father died in the old country. In the family were six sons and one daughter who lived to adult age. Three of the sons came to America first, and were followed by the mother, four sons and one daughter. The latter party were nine weeks and three days on the water, aboard a sailing vessel. The mother died in Preston, having nearly reached her ninety-first year. Robert died in Yonkers, Wis., leaving two daughters and a son. Thomas died in California. He served in the Civil War under General Thomas.

Thomas I. Garratt, cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Preston, who for many years has been prominently identified with the public offices of Fillmore county and Preston, was born in Jackson county, this state, Angust 3, 1869, son of Wilson C. and Mareella (Crosby) Garratt. He acquired his early education by attending school in Chatfield, and after completing his studies, worked as deputy for his father, who was then register of deeds in Fillmore county. In 1896, Thomas I. was himself elected to the honorable office which his father had so ably occupied in two counties, and this position of register of deeds in Fillmore county the subject of this sketch retained until the year of 1910, when be resigned to accept his present position in the then newly organized Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank. In addition to the above mentioned offices, Mr. Garratt served as deputy clerk of the District Conrt for seventeen years, and it is said that no one in the county is more thoroughly acquainted with the court house records than he. In spite of his busy life and many official duties, he has found time to develop the fraternal side of his nature and has allied himself with Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. and A. M., and Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M., as well as Preston Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F. and several other orders. Mr. Garratt was married some years ago to Effa M. Terwilligar, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. E. A. Terwilligar. They are the parents of two children: Gladys M. and Wilson A.

Wilson C. Garratt, now deceased, formerly register of deeds in Fillmore county, was born in Wellington, Prince Edward county (Prince Edward Island), Ontario, Canada, February 3, 1830. His parents were natives of New York, and returned to that state soon after the birth of Wilson C. The subject of this sketch came to Fillmore county in 1853, and first took a claim in Carimona township. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served two and a half years as private. He was then promoted to quartermaster sergeant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. Le participated in the battles of Mill Spring, Perryville, Chickamauga, Siege of Atlanta, as well as in Sherman's heroic '' March to the Sea,'' and was wounded in the battle of Resaca, Georgia. After the war, Mr. Garratt went to what is now Jackson county, in this state, and helped to organize that county, being appointed its first register of deeds. He was elected the following spring and held the office for eight years. In 1874 he moved to Chatfield, and a year later to Fountain, where he engaged in the mereantile business. In the fall of 1892 he was elected register of deeds of Fillmore county, a position which his experience and integrity made him well qualified to fill. In addition to this, he was town clerk of Fountain for two years, and president of the village couneil of. Fountain for two and a half years. He held a notary's seal, nnder appointment by Gov. Lucius F. Hubbard, The subject of this sketch was married February 9, 1864, to Marcella Crosby, a native of Utica, N. Y. He died Jnne 26, 1901, at Chatfield, Minn. His widow is still living at Chatfield.

Hans H. Olstad, a well thought of citizen of Preston township, owns a valuable farm of 160 acres in sections nine and ten, which is kept in an excellent state of cultivation and yields abundant crops each year. On it was erected in 1902 a large and substantial house which is one of the pleasing land marks in the township, and the commodious outbuildings bear witness to the industry and good management of their owner and builder. Mr. Olstad was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, December 17,

Mr. And Mrs. H. H. Olstad

1854, parents being natives of Norway, who were married in that eountry and came to the United States in 1854. For two years they made their home in Wisconsin, after which migrated to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., where the father bought a farm where the family lived for twenty-six years. Then they came to Preston, where they purchased a farm in section twelve and here made their home for sixteen years. At the end of this period the family moved to another farm, where the father died in 1901, the wife and mother having passed away in 1889. Tlans H., the subjeet of this sketch, was educated in the Larson district school and acquired his knowledge of farming by working with his father. He married Olena Grythe, born in Norway, March 8, 1854, and brought to Preston township in 1871 by her parents, Christian H. and Eliza O. (Fjelstad) Grythe, the former of whom died in 1902, and the latter in 1885. My. and Mrs. Olstad have one son, a student in the Preston high sehool, of whom they are justly proud. They are both members of the Norwegian Lutheran ehurch, of which they are loyal workers and contributors, and they are also prominent temperance workers, both being members of the Union Prairie Temperance Society, and Mr. Olstad being an ardent follower of the Prohibition party. He has been elected to serve as school treasurer and is a stoekholder in the Preston Creamery Association.

Carl Kuethe, a prosperous merchant of Preston, has been a resident of that city since September 4, 1880. Previous to his arrival in Preston, Mr. Kuethe had spent two months in New York City after coniing to this country from his native Germany. Te was born July 2, 1835, son of Christian and Fredericka Kuethe, and spent his boyhood days in the home of his father, attending school and fitting himself for a successful business life. He left his old home when he was twenty-four years old. When he arrived in Preston his first position was in the store owned by Benjamin Anushinisky, in whose employ he remained for about a year and a half, after which he accepted a position with Kramer and Hard. Four years later, when this firm dissolved, he was retained by Mr. Hard, and in 1889, taken into partnership by him. The firm then beeame known as Hard & Kuethe until 1904, when they incorporated under the firm name of Hard & Kuethe Company, taking in William Kuethe. In September, 1883, Ar. Kuethe was united in marriage with Elizabeth Mueller, and they are the parents of five children. of whom Emma &., is the wife of Jonathan N. Webster; Marie M., married Rev. HE. C. Kumpf; Harold is attending college at Clinton, Ia., and Reuben and Hortense live at home, My. Kuethe owns one of the most picturesque and substantial residences in the village of Preston, the beauty of which is greatly enhanced by being entirely surrounded by a well kept hedge. As a leading citizen of the village, Mr. Kuethe is actively interested in promoting civic improvement, and in every respect he is a publie-spivited man. He is now and has been a member of school board for fourteen years, and has also served on the city couneil of Preston.

George W. Hard, of the Hard & Kuethe Company, leading merchants of this vicinity, is one of the substantial, respected citizens of the county, and has taken his share in the progress and upbuilding of the village of Preston since the closing days of the Civil War. He was born in Broom county, New York, December 2, 1843, son of Ryan and Sophia (Beach) Hard, natives of New York state, who, in 1859, brought their family west and settled in Deeorah, Ia. In 1862 they moved to Buena Vista county, Towa, and there the father engaged in farming. He was a hunter and trapper, and in 1872 started on a hunting trip through the Dakotas, taking with him $400.00 with which to purchase furs. Nothing was ever heard of him. The son George made many trips, offered large rewards, and followed many clues, but all to no purpose. The broken hearted wife and mother remained on the home farm a while, and then went to live with her daughter in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa. Later the son, George, purchased a farm in Preston for his mother and sister. After the marriage of the sister, the mother came to live with the son, George, and here ended her days in 1910 at the age of nimety-one years. George W., the subject of this sketch, was at Decorah, Ia., when the Civil War broke out, and in the spring of 1862 went to Winona, where he enlisted in Company A, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, but was honorably diseharged at Fort Snelling the following year for disability. In 1864 he re-enlisted, this time in Company F, Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1865 he came to Preston and followed his profession of photographer three years. In 1868 he was chosen deputy county auditor, and served five years under ©. H. Conkey and four years under Aldis Bartlett, after which he was himself elected county auditor and served three terms, or six years. In 1881 he engaged in the general mercantile business with A. H. Kramer as partner. In 1885 My, Hard purchased his partner's interest, and continned the business alone until 1889, when he formed a partnership with Carl Kuethe. In 1904 William Kuethe was admitted to the firm, and the company was incorporated as Hard & Kuethe Company. Mr. Hard has been mayor of Preston several years, as well as a member of the council many terms. He is an enthusiastie member of the Masons and belongs to Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; Preston

George W. Hard

Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery, No. 25, K. T. He is a past master and the present treasurer of the Blue Lodge, has been throngh practically all the offices of the Chapter, and has been Eminent Commander of the Commandery several years. He is also a member of Underwood Post, No. 125, G. A. R. It ig worthy of note that Mr. Hard, with 8. C. Barton and II. R. Wells, built the first creamery in Preston, and possibly the first in the county, being manager of the concern for several years. It is, however, not in his sueeess as a merehant or as a public official or as a fraternity man that Mr. Hard has taken his greatest joy, for his deepest pleasure has been in his home and in his children. He was married December 29, 1876, at Halstead, Kan., to Eva J. Kurtz, who died in June, 1894. This was the first wedding ever held in Halstead. Mrs. Hard was a lady of beautiful, gracious character, and her personality sweetened the lives of all with whom she came in contact. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hard was brightened with four children: Hattie Luella, Roy A., Dora and Nora, the latter bemg twins. [lattie L. is now the wife of Dr. F. C. Hoffer, of Lorain, O., and they have two children, Malisse and George Edward. She is a graduate of the school of clocntion of the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Il. Roy A. is farming in Alberta, Canada. He married Stella Morgan. The twins, Dora and Nora, attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Musie, at Oberlin, O., and there met two young men who afterwards became their husbands, the wedding being a double one, performed in the Hard home in Preston. Dora's husband is Panl F. Iaase, M. D., of Cleveland, O., and Nora is the wife of Roy D. Demmer, a hardware merchant, of Kast Palestine, O. All the children are graduates of the Preston High school.

Ole Nelson, Preston's oldest blacksmith, was born July 17, 1848, at Hoffsdar, Norway, and attended the schools in his native land. When he was twenty years of age, he decided to seek his fortune in America, and accordingly crossed the briny deep in 1868, and came west to Preston. For three years he was employed by his brother, Peter in his blacksmith shop, and at the end of this time entered into partnership with his brother, and this firm continued until 1905. Mr. Nelson then went into business entirely on his own responsibility, and has been most suceessful, having been engaged in blacksmithing for forty-five years, a greater length of time than any other man in Preston. That he has gained the confidence and respect of his fellow men is shown by the fact that he has always enjoyed a good trade, as well as by the fact that he has served as alderman of the village for five years. He married Hannah Wilson, -of [llinois, and they have had seven children. Nels Benoni is a graduate of the civil engineering department of the State University of Minnesota. Adolph P. is register of deeds of Fillmore county. Olga is teaching school in Montesano, Wash. Orvis is a farmer in Preston township. Winifred and William are attending the high school at Preston. Alina is dead.

Adolph P, Nelson, register of deeds, a progressive young business man who has always been a resident of Preston, was born June 22, 1884, son of Ole and Hannah (Wilson) Nelson. His education was acquired in the district school 45 of Preston, and later in the Minneapolis Business College, after which he was made deputy auditor and treasurer, and was chosen to fill this office for three successive years. February, 1910, he was appointed register of deeds, this appointment being made by the board of county commissioners, In September of that year he was chosen at the primaries and elected to the office in Novemher. As he is a young man of sterling qualities, he will, no doubt, occupy many important offices in community and county.

J. L. Kramer, a retired wagon manufacturer, has been a resident of Preston for thirty-five years, and in all that time has maintained a reputation as an honorable and upright citizen. He was born in Germany June 22, 1845, son of William and Caroline (Schmidt) Kramer, who came to America in 1866 and settled in LaCrosse, Wis., where they remained for three years. They later removed to ''Mormon Cooley,'' in LaCrosse county, where Mr. Kramer died in November, 1884, and his widow in March, 1906. They were parents of five children: August, of "Mormon Cooley ;'' Augusta, now Mrs. Karow, of Columbus, Wis. ; J. L., of Preston; Charles C. and Fred, now deceased. J. L., the subject of this biography, acquired his education in Germany and came to the United States with his parents when he was twentyone years of age. He learned the wagonmaker's trade in La- Crosse, Wis., and later worked at this industry in Milwaukee, Sparta and LaCrosse. In 1875 he came to Minnesota and located in the village of Preston, where for three months after his arrival he was employed by Jake Kramer. Ie afterwards formed a partnership with George Renner and made wagons and did general repairing. This partnership continued for nearly two years, after which Mr. Kramer purchased his partner's interest in the business and conducted the work on his own responsibility. He made a specialty of farm and lumber wagons, which were known as ''The Preston Wagons.'' The good quality of his product and the success with which he managed his business enabled him to retire from the activities of his trade in 1910, and he is now residing in Preston, enjoying many of the com- forts and luxuries of life. Mr. Kramer married Mary R. Mueller, a daughter of John and Marie M (Pflugfelder) Mueller of Harmony and their home has been gladdened by six children: John William C., born March 3, 1882, is now engaged in farming on his parents' property in this county. Arnold Otto, born September 11, 1884, graduated from the Preston high school in 1902, entered the Minnesota State University that fall and graduated in 1906; was a professor in Wortburg College at Clinton, Iowa, and is now in the manufacturing business in Milwaukee. Edward R., born November 24, 1886, graduated from high school and later entered Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from which institution he received his diploma and is now practising in Letcher, S. D. William A., born April 25, 1889, works on the home farm. Miriam R., born October 1891, graduated from Preston high school, and is a teacher. Luella M., born September 23, 1896, is a student in the Preston high school. Politically Mr. Kramer is an Independent Republican, favoring the man who is qualified for office, rather than one selected by a party. Ile is a respected member of the German Lutheran church, which he has attended and to the support of which he has liberally contributed during the many years of his residence in the village of Preston.

John Mueller, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of this county. He was born in Germany April 12, 1831, and came to Ameri¢a in 1854, locating in Michigan. Two years after he arrived in the United States he met and married Magdalina Pflugfelder, who was born in Germany July 23, 1832, and came here when she was twenty-two years old. Soon after their marriage they left Michigan and came to Minnesota, where Mr. Mueller preempted a claim near Big Spring. Here for nearly twenty years he and his worthy wife lived and followed general farming. Tn 1876 they moved to a farm east of Preston, where they resided until 1894, at which time they moved into Preston village. To them five children were born, of whom three are now living: Mrs. J. L. Kramer, Mrs Carl Kuethe and Mrs. Albert Kriese, all of Preston. Mrs. Mueller, the devoted wife and mother, entered into rest November 23, 1908, and the following year, on October 21, 1909, her life's partner was summoned to the Great Beyond.

William Selee, an old settler of Fillmore county, came to this loeality in 1856 and took a preemption claim of 160 acres in Holt. townsbip. He broke and developed his land, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and there built his home and necessary outbuildings, and engaged in farming for the balance of his days. He passed away April 19, 1903. He was married to Harriet A.

Stewart, who always proved an able helpmate, a kind wife and a loving mother. She preceded her hushand to the Great Beyond in the vear 1877. They were the parents of two children: Nettie L. and Elanor. Nettie L. is the wife of Patrick Buck and they have one child, George W. Elanor is the wife of Joseph Dunford, an implement merehant of Canton.

Charles M. Foote, respected citizen of Preston, and veteran of the Civil War, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, Angust 6, 1828, son of Samuel and Mary Ann Foote, of New York and Vermont respectively. Aiter their marriage this couple lived several years in St. Lawrence county and then moved their honsehold to Ohio, where the father continned his agricultural pursuits. In 1850, they left Ohio, and farmed for five years in Illinois. Then they came to Minnesota and settled in Fillmore county, where the father purehased 160 aeres of land, on which, for nine years, he conducted general farming. He eventually disposed of his property and moved into the village of Preston, where he and his worthy helpmeet entered into rest. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living: Charles M., of Preston; Alfred, a resident of Colorado; James and Luey, now Mrs. Woodford, living in California. Charles M., the eldest, is the subject of this biography. Te received his early edueation in the district schools, living with his parents in New York, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota. In March, 1857, he married dane Hanks. Five years later he enlisted in Company D, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Indian expedition from 1862 to 1864, after whieh he went south with his regiment and fought for the Union until the close of the war, when he received an honorable diseharge and returned to Minnesota. Later he purchased 160 acres of land located in the township of Fountain. He eventually sold this farm to M. T. Grattan and ruoved into the village of Preston, where for twenty years he was cngaged in the livery business, during which period he drove a Stage between Preston and Isinours. His devoted wife passed away April 1, 1910, and her death is sincerely mourned by Mr. Foote and his three daughters: Virginia, who keeps house for her father in Preston; Nellic L., a teacher; Charrie, the wife of W. E. Long, of Des Moines, Ia. Mr. Foote now lives a retired life, surrounded by friends and neighbors, by whom he is held in great esteem. le attends the Presbyterian church, and affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Underwood Post, G. A. R., and for several years was its commander. For four successive years he was elected to the office of marshal of Preston, in which capacity he rendered praiseworthy service.

Wendell B. Grinnell, M. D., was born in Fredonia, Wis., April 23, 1873, son of William E. and Margaret (Burrell) Grinnell. William E. was a native of Oswego, N. Y., and came to Saukville, Wis., with his parents, Allen and Algeline (Wakelee) Grinnell, when he was a young lad. <As he grew to manhood he learned the occupation which his father had followed and beeame a sueeessfil farmer. Wendell B., the subject of this biography, attended the graded schools in his home town and after completing their course, went to Oskosh, Wis., where he entered the Normal school. When he was but sixteen years of age he was granted a teacher's certificate and then taught school at Fort Washington, Wis., for three years. At the conelusion of his services as a teacher, he entered the Milwaukee College of Medicine, and later attended the medical department of the University of Tlinois, at Chicago, from which institution he graduated in 1900. Dr. Grinnell began to practice the profession for which he had so ably prepared himself in the town of Wycoff, Minn., and there met with decided sueeess. He came to Preston in 1901 and has built up a large and luerative practice in this town, where his skill and devotion to duty have won the confidence of the residents of the entire community. He has ajfiliated himself with various social organizations of Preston, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masons, as well as belonging to the Odd Fellows. Ile is county coroner of Fillmore county, and United States pension examining surgeon.

Dr. Henry Jones, the highly esteemed and well known resident dentist of Preston, first saw the light of day at Nashville, O., March 13, 1845. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Nashville, 0., and attended school near his home. At the beginning of the struggle between the North and South he enlisted in Company B, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. He was wounded in the hattle of Petersburg, which caused him to be detained in a hospital in Philadelphia for a period of ten months. After his release he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Nashville. He then went to Prophetsiown, DJl., and became a student in the Franklin Institute during the years of 1866-67, and studied medicine with Dr. J. H. Mosher. In 1869 he entered Rush Medical College in Chicago and graduated in 1871, after which he came to Minnesota and established a practice in Preston. He took up the study of dentistry in 1882 and has since given this profession his most careful attention. Bertha A. Loomis became his wife on December 24, 1874, and to them was born a son, Charles Henry, who died when only ten months old. Four years after her murriage the mother was also summoned by death. Dr. Jones married

Ella Gray, June 19, 1881, and they are parents of tliree children: Millie M., of Chicago; Rodney C., of Wallace, Idaho; Mabel, deceased. Dr. Jones is an independent voter and a prominent member of Underwood Post, No. 122, G. A. R., of whieh for more than seven years he has been commander. Ile attends the Presbyterian church, belongs to Preston Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., and Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. and A. M., and is highly respected for his virtues, attainments and labors.

William Jones, now deceased, was a native of the state of Ohio, where for the greater portion of his life he was engaged in farming. He married Sarah Collier, also of Ohio, and in 1866, they came to Whiteside county, Dlinois, where he met with a railroad accident which eventually cost him his life. Mrs. Jones passed away in 1896, and was survived by her husband ten years. To this estimable couple eleven children were born, of whom eight are now living; Henry, a suecess{ul doetor of Preston, Minn.; Mary, now Mrs. Wright, of McPherson, Kan.; Susan, now Mrs. Rose, of Walnut, Ill.; Sylvester, of Canton, Kan.; Samuel, living in Granbury, Tex.; Evangeline, now Mrs. Warner, of Morrison, Il.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hunter, of Omaha, Neb., and William A., of Rifle, Colo.

John Kingsbury, one of Preston's pioneer residents, now deceased, came to this county from New York in the fall of 1852. He was a son of English parents and spent his boyhood years in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., where he was born June 12, 1828. After completing his education in the country schools located near his old home, he decided to seck his fortune in the West, where many opportunities were offered to young men of energy and determination. Upon his arrival in Minnesota, he pre-empted a claim of 160 acres of land in Canton township. This wild land he cleared, broke and eultivated, and on it erected a rude log eabin, which in later years was replaced by a comfortable frame house of modern architecture. He also built commodious barns and the necessary ont buildings and engaged in general farming until 1896, when he retired from the activities of a farmer's life and moved into the village of Preston, where he passed his remaining years in the home which he purchased on ''Oak Ridge.'? He was a Republican in his political views and a loyal member of the Methodist church, to the support of which he was a liberal contributor. Tis death, which occurred on September 8, 1910, was sincerely mourned, not alone by the members of his family, but by the residents of the community in which he had lived for fourteen years. He was a man whose sterling qualities won the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Kingsbury married Cordelia West, July 25, 1854. She was born in Adrian, Lenawee county, Mich., March 13, 1835, and eame to Fillmore county, October 18, 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury eight children were born: Walter, married and living in Wayne, Neb., is a wheat buyer; he has four children, Charles C., John M., Florence M. and Raymond; Clara married O. W. Kingsbury and they have two ehildren, Clinton and Muriel. Charles married Lena Larsrud, and they are the parents of four children, Arthur, Harold, Raymond and Alvin. Edyth E. lives at home and looks after the welfare of her aged mother. Eva A., 8. Vietor, Josie and Fannie are deceased. Mrs. Kingsbury taught the second school ever taught in Decorah, Ia. It is claimed that Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury were the first couple martied in what is now Fillmore county.

George A. Love, M. D., ten years mayor of Preston village, is one of the prominent men of southern Minnesota. Kindly, eapable and self sacrificing, he well fulfills the ideal of the village physician, and his true worth is written on the hearis of those by whose bedsides he has ministered in the hours of sorrow and suffering. The subject of this sketch was born in Woodstock, MeHenry county, Il, Mareh 3, 1853. When he was but an infant his parents, Robert and Agnes (Dickson) Love, moved to Manchester, Ia., and m June, 1856, they came to Minnesota, locating with the early pioneers in York, this county. In 1867, George A., then a young country boy, arrived in the village in whose mayoralty chair he was so honorably to serve in after years. He studied three years in the public schools, and then took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John A. Ross. In 1871 he went to Chicago, and entered the Bennett Medieal College. After graduating from that institution in 1874, he returned to Preston and for two years engaged im the practice of medicine in partnership with his preceptor. Since that time, nntil he received his son, George R., as a partner several months ago, he has maintained his practice independently, being recognized at the present time as the most successful and skillful physieian in Preston. Being thoroughly ethieal in his practice and work, he has allied himself with the Southern Minnesota, the Fillmore and Houston, the Minnesota State and the American Medical Societies. He has been a member of the county board of health for twenty years and is now chairman of the village board of health. In political convictions, Dr. Love inclined strongly toward the Demoeratie party, though he has independent views, favoring the man qualified for office, rather than the one selected by the party leaders. As a prominent fraternity man, Dr. Love is well known, being a member of Preston

Lodge, No. 36, A. F. and A, 4.; Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M.; Malta Commandery, No. 25, K. T., and Minneapolis Consistory, No. 2, Seottish Rites, as well as of Preston Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., and Preston Camp, No. 276, M. W. A. George A. Love and Mary J. Kingston, daughter of Rev. William Kingston, were married March 5, 1877, and this union has been blessed with eight children: Claude (now deceased), Bessie, George R., William J., Fred, Elwin, Ilelen and MeClaren. Bessie is the wife of R. A. Swetland and lives in Omaha. George R. graduated from the medical department of the University of Minnesota, and is now practicing medicine with his father. William J. is a student in the Northwestern Dental College. IFred is a. senior in the State University of Minnesota.

Elias Lint, familiarly known as "Squire Lint, has long been an estimable and highly respected citizen of Preston, and has held the office of justice of the peace in that town for the past thirty-six years. He first saw the light of day in Summerset county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1829, and eame to Minnesota when he was twenty-six years old. His parents, Jacob and Susana (Klingeman) Lint, were natives of Pennsylvania, and spent their lives there. The father was a farmer, saw mill owner and cooper. He passed away at the extreme age of ninety years and eight days, and the mother entered into rest when a young woman of forty-four years. Elias, subject of this sketch, was the third child in a family of eleven. Ile acquired his early education in the district schools of Suinmerset county, and after leaving school, learned to operate a saw mill and was engaged in this ocenpation until he was twenty-iwo years old, at which time he took up carpentry work, which he followed until he came to Minnesota. His first home in this state was in Elliota. On April 4, 1855, he settled in Carimona and was employed by the Picketts in a mill for three months, after which he took a claim of eighty acres in Preston township. Here he built a log cabin in which he lived until the following year, when he moved into Preston village and again resumed his trade as carpenter. In 1900 he retired from active business life, though his interest in the general welfare of the village has never ccased. He married Eliza Shook, of Summerset county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1851, and to them have been born four children: [arley, a resident of California; Amy, living at home; Lizzie, living in Los Angeles, Cal.; Clara, now deceased. In polities, Mr. Lint has ever heen a Democrat, and in the early days held the office of aldemnan. He attends the German Reform chureh. He has been « Mason since 1868, and now belongs to the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery. He served in the Indian outbreak on the frontier in 1862, and has always been a courageous and self-reliant citizen, whose good judgment and honorable business methods, have made him eligible to the responsible office which dhe has oeenpied for so many years.

D. K. Michener, judge of probate, has been called one of Fillmore county's most useful citizens. In the various duties of many offices he has served the people faithfully and well, and the mere record of the work he has done is in itself a tribute to what his life has meant to the community at large. In township affairs Judge Michener has been assessor fourteen years, treasurer two years, supervisor two years, school treasurer twenty years and justice of the peace four years. He was county com- Missioner eight years and chairman six years. In 1884-85 he served in the lower house of the state legislature, and in 1880, 1890 and 1900 was census enumerator. He dates his present office from 1908. With all of this he has not neglected business affairs, and he has been secretary of the Fillmore Mutual Fire Insuranee Company twelve years and secretary of the Fillmore Mutual Cyclone Company ten years. D. K. Michener was born in Wells county, Indiana, September 5, 1845, son of J. L. and Mary (Blackledge) Michener. He came to Fillmore county with his parents in 1856, and after completing his common school education attended the Winona State Normal sehool. After leaving school he continued to work on the home farm in Forestville township. We set at work with a will, made a seientifie study of farm conditions, and engaged in fruit culture as well as in general farming. He improved the land in many ways, brought it to a high state of cultivation, and erected many new buildings. At the same time he taught school for a considerable period. In 1900 he rented the home farm and moved to Spring Valley for the purpose of giving his children the advantages of a good education. In Spring Valley he became a member of Spring Valley Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M., and also purchased stock im the First State Bank. The subject of this sketch was married July 20, 1884, at Pleasant Grove, Olmstead county, to Ida L. Blakeslee, daughter of Samuel Blakeslee. Judge and Mrs. Michener have five children: ©. K. is a newspaper man in San Francisco. Clarice Ei. is principal of the Latin department of the St. Cloud high school and a graduate of Charlton College at Northfield. Laura E. is a student im Carlton College. Lucile A. aitends the Preston high school, and Allene is in the graded schools

J. L. Michener, now deceased, was one of the reformers of the old school, thoroughly convineed of the righteousness of his cause, ready to saerifice all for his convictions, and at the same time tolerant and liberal in his views toward those who did not agree with him. He was a William Lloyd Garrison Abolitionist, and econdneted one of the stations on the old ''Underground Railroad,'' thus helping many a slave toward Canada and liberty. He was a zealous advocate of temperance in a day when the canse was not as popular as it is now. For many years he served as chairman of his township; he was clerk for some time, and from 1872 to 1879 was one of the county commissioners. J. L. Michener was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1819, and lived with his parents until attaining young manhood. In 1839 he went to Indiana, and there engaged in farming and fruit farminy until 1856 when he came to Fillmore county and purchased a relinquished claim of 160 acres in sections twenty-nine and thirty,. Forestville township. There, with the exception of three years when he engaged in grain dealing in Spring Valley, he earried on general farming and fruit growing until his death, which took took place December, 1897. In 1840 he married Mary Blackledge, who died May 19, 1866, leaving four children: Mrs. Rachael A. Soule, of Spring Valley, D. K., of Spring Valley, and Charles and Otis who are dead. Later he married Mrs. Mary Lueia, and to this union was born one son, Harvey L., a groceryman of Minneapolis. Mrs. Michener still lives in Fillmore county.

James P. Tibbetts, now deceased, will forever be held in honored inemory as one of the founders of Preston; and to his faith in its future and his willingness to show his faith by industrial investments, Preston owes much of her present day commercial stebility. James P. Tibbetts first saw the light of day in the historie old town of Bangor, Me., May 22, 1830, his forebears having settled in that state before the Revolutionary War. He remained on his father's farm in Penobscot county, Maine, until twenty-two years of age, at which time he started out to see the world. Starting with a photographer's outfit and a supply ctf jewelry he set out on a tour of the New England states and the Canadian provinces, going leisurely, studying the country and the people, and at the same time, making a comfortable income. In 1855 he determined to come West. Accordingly, after the usual tedious journey, he reached this county, and took up land in Harmony. The same year he came to Preston village and found the Kaercher colony busy working on the stone mill, which is still standing. Seeing the need of a hotel he at once set to work erecting a building on the present site of the store oceupied by G. D. Moore. This building, when completed, was opened as the New England House, and was used for various purposes. While still retaining his property in Fillmore connty and making Preston his home, he continued traveling for some years in the

James Pl Tibbetts And Family

West and South, continuing the photography business, and also continuing to sell jewelry. Later as the village grew he opened a permanent photograph gallery in Preston. In 1861 he purchased the drug business whieh John W. Krees had established in 1857. From that date Mr. Tibbetts was actively interested in the mercantile development of Preston. He conducted two different stores here, and also owned stores in Lanesboro and Fountain. In time he acquired extensive real estate interests, but never devoted much of his time to agricultural pursuits. In the fal] of 1879 he purchased the Stanwix Hotel, erected in the early days by John Kaercher. Mr. Tibbetts conducted this hotel until his death, February 27, 1904. While in the hotel business he erected a building on the present site of the village hall and library which was used as an opera house, public hall and skating rink, and was afterward sold to the village. He also erected other buildings in the village, was interested in a number of business ventures and was justice of the peace for several years. His death removed one of Fillmore county's most substantial figures. The subject of this sketeh was married February 26, 1862, to Mary E. Vrooman, born in Toledo, O., April 27, 1844, daughter of R. B. Vrooman, who brought his family to Preston in 1861. Mrs. Tibbetts is a capable business woman, and was an able helpmate of her husband in all his undertakings. She now looks after the interests of the estate in a capable and able manner. She has a large home in which she delizhts in despensing hospitality to the large circle of friends who admire her for her many sterling qualities of mind and character. She has recently entirely remodeled and refurnished the hotel which bears her husband's name, and it is now one of the finest hotels in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts had three children: Owen D., Mary and Cushman D. Owen D. was born January 19, 1863. He married Fannie Ferren and resides in Sioux City, Iowa. He has four children: James O., Chloe M., Henry B. and Donald ©. Mary was born April 18, 1866, and married G. D. Moore, a merchant of Preston. Cushman D. was born April 6, 1873.

R. B. Vrooman was one of the early merchants of Preston. He came here with his family in 1861, from Ohio, and with a partner condueted a general store under the firm name of Vrooman & Stout. After his health failed he went to Michigan, where he died June 14, 1868. By his wife, whose maiden name was Laura Chaplin, he had four children. George Henry died August 5, 1895. Charles E., a prominent attorney, occupied a position in the treasury department in Washington, D. C., for twenty years. John M. is a newspaper man at Lewiston, Mont. Mary E, is the widow of James P.. Tibbetts, of Preston, Minn.

Laurence O'Brien, who since 1898 has acceptably filled the position of post-master of Preston, is one of the most popular residents of that village. He was born in Freeport, Il. on October 17, 1861, son of Rickard and Mary (Mooney) O'Brien. The subject of this biography went to the district school which was sitnated near the home farm, and as he grew older and completed the common school course, went to Watertown, Wis., where he entered college. Some time later he completed a business course in the La Crosse Business College, after which he made a study of the various kinds of grains and perfected himself for the buying and selling of this produet. For many years he was engaged in this occupation, and his square business methods and good judgment, won the confidence of all associated with him. His appointment as post-master met with the approval of his fellow townsmen, and in this position he has given general satisfaction and worked for the interests of the people. He married Nellie Mahoney and to them three children have been born, Kathleen, Margaret, and George.

Rickard O'Brien was born in Ireland August 9, 1820. His father died when he was sixteen years old, and heing the eldest of ten children, the chief support of the family devolved upon him. They lived on the farm until 1848, when they were ejected from their home by a sheriff and his posse for a ''non title'' after the rent had been paid. When the house was attacked Mr. O'Brien and one sister were the only occupants. He asked of the Jand agent on the outside a consideration of twenty pounds for improvements made on the farm while they occupied it. This request was at first refused, but as the inmates remained firm, the promise was given but broken after the agent had gained possession. Disgusted with snch laws they sailed the same year for America. Their mother died on the voyage and the family located in Freeport, Ill. The subject of our sketch was married to Mary Mooney in 1854. During the late war he was tax eollector for a time in a part of Stephenson county, LUlinois. In September, 1871, he rented his farm and came to Minnesota, and three years later purehased a farm in Amherst township. He occupied several town offiees and attained a position of honor and respect in the community.

Rev. David L. Kiehle, for many vears pastor of the Presbyterian ehureh at Preston, and county superintendent of schools, made a deep impress on the life of Fillmore county, and will always be remembered here. Of his work, ''Who Is Who in America,'' says: Prof. pedagogy, Univ. of Minn. 1893-1902;

John Kaercher, the founder of Preston, was a wan of enterprise, with originality. In addition to the two mills, he built the Stanwix House, which was a noted hotel fox more than twenty years. [le also built a comfortable brick residence in the lower part of the village. [le bought a farm east of the village and elected a brick residenee. After a few years he sold his mill, but out of aetive business he was alilicted with a spirit of unrest, and, after a time, bought back his mill property, and taking into partnership V. M. Baker, they prosecuted the business for a number of vears, but finally sold to the Conkey brothers, who still own and operate the mill.

Mr. Kaercher then resolved to permanently retire from ihe milling business, but seeing a place for the expression of his energies, and remembering the generous profits of flour manufacture, he leased the Nonpareil Mill, in Chatfield, of 8. T. Diekson. This was put in good repair and he mace a con:plete suecess in operating it. He afterwards bought the Troy sill, in Winona county, and at one time had four mills at different points. Soon after the war there was wild speculation in wheat, it went up to $2.75, and an immense quantity of wheat was purchased at these prices, to keep the mills in operation, when suddeuly the ''eorner'' collapsed and only found a resting place at 70 eents. Myr. Kaercher, it is said, lost $70,000 and had $30,000, as a debt, hanging over him. He had before had serious reverses, but this was the most serious. For several years he was out of business, except as to his farm below the village. but he finally sueeeeded in trading his farm for a little mill at Clear Grit with one run of stones. He inereased the power and added five run of stones. He made the best grades of flour, and in a word, retrieved his fallen fortunes, wiping out the last dollar of his indebtedness. Again he enlarged the mill to more than double its former capacity, but a debt was contracted, and various circumstances conspired to make an unprofitable business, and on June 23, 1881, he removed to the Dakotas, where he. died.

George H. Rappe, a resident of village of Preston, was born in Germany, February 27, 1845, son of George and Katherine (Bakey} Rappe. He came to America with his parents in 1851, and the family settled in Lawrenceburg, Ind., where the father was employed in a mill for three years, after which they moved to Museatine, Ia. In this city they remained three years and then came to Minnesota, and after a two weeks' stop over in Preston, went to Carrolton, arriving there May 20, 1857. George H., the subject of this sketch, with his brother, William, purchased forty acres of land in section thirty-two, and for this farm they paid the government $100. Mr. Rappe and his brother earried on farming operations on this land for sixteen years, and then divided the property, which they had acquired. After the division of the farm, Mr. Rappe moved into the brick residence which had been erected by John Kaercher, and here he made his home until 1909, when he moved into Preston. Myr. Rappe married Katherine Poff, daughter of Michael and Margaret Poff, and they are the parents of Annie, the wife of Fred Weyraueh; Mary, now Mrs. L. P. Weller; George, married Annie Marquedt ; Emma is the wife of William J. Merrell; Rosena married William Bakey; Mable is Mrs. Sever Aekholm; William, Sarah and Edward are deceased. George, Jr., is living on the home farm, which comprises 422 acres of land, of which 18214 belongs to lim and the remainder is worked by Sever Ackholm. Mr. Rappe enlisted January 14, 1863, in Company F, First Regiment, Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and was mustered out at Fort Snelling, December 2, 1863, having served through the Indian campaign. He is now sergeant of the gnards, and a past commander of Underwood Post, G. A. R. Mr. Rappe is well known in the state. He has served on the grand and petit Juries at St. Paul,

Miss Kate Little, who has been actively engaged in W. C. T. U. work in the village of Preston for some time, takes a very deep interest in this order, and at the present time has charge of the village rest room. She is a daughter of Dunean MeArthur and Elizabeth Pedley (Hall) Little, the former of whom was born and reared in Newark, O., and the latter a native of Boston, Mass. To Mr. and Mrs. Little four children were born, of whom one daughter, Kate, grew to maturity. Mr. Little came to Minnesota in 1854 and pre-empted a claim in section three, northwest corner of the township of Preston. Ile then went to Illinois, and for two years was employed at farm work, after which he returned to his claim and broke the land and cultivated it and established his hone. Mrs. Little died in 1850, in Illinois, and was survived by her life's partner until January 19, 1890, when he was summoned by the Grim Reaper. Kate, the daughter, has since made her home in Preston. She is well versed in the early history of the town and has frequently contributed to the papers articles of great interest to her town's people. Her story of pioneer days appears in this history.

George BE, Weatherill, auditor of Fillmore county, has been a resident of Preston ten years, and during that time has acquired an enviable knowledge of the court honse records. Shortly after his arrival here he accepted the position of deputy auditor, whieh he held for nearly two years, after which he had charge of A. W. Thompson's abstract business for a period of five years. In 1907 the board of county commissioners appointed him auditor and fifteen months later he was elected to the office. Mr. Weatherill was born in Oneida county, New York, June 25, 1865, son of William and Mary (Seelye) Weatherill, of whom the former was a native of Yorkshire, England, and the latter of New York. The family came to Minnesota in 1876, and the father engaged in general farming for a mumnber of years. George, the subject of this sketch, acquired his schooling in Lenora, Minn., and later in Deeorah, Ia. After completing his edueation, he taught sehool in Canton and Newburg townships and was most suecessful in this work, giving satisfaction to the residents of the districts in which he was employed. We moved to Preston about 1901, where he is a prominent citizen. Emma Johnson, a daughter of Peter and Sarah Johnson, natives of Norway, became his wife, and they have one son, Cedrie S., born in August, 1891, at present a student in the College of Engineering at the State University. Mr. Weatherill is a member of Preston Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., and bas passed through all the chairs of that order. He also belongs to Preston Camp, No. 276, M. W. A.; Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. and A. M., and Preston Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M.

Alfred G. Olson, a well-known business man of Preston, is a native of this county, born in Newburg May 23, 1871, son of Gilbert and Anna Olson, who came to the United States from Norway in 1864 and located first at Amhurst, where they resided for one year, and then moved to Newburg. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and followed this occupation for seven years in Newburg. He then purchased a farm, which he disposed of two years later and went to Red Wing, where he remained one year aS a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. Then he returned to Newburg and-resumed his eld business. Three years after this he bought back the farm, which he had previously owned and sold, and again carried on general farming, also serving as local preacher. In 1900 he vetired and moved to Mabel, where he spent three years, and later came to Preston. There he lived a short time, after which he went back to the town of Mabel, where he died November 19, 1911. To Gilbert Olson and wife five children were born, of whom but one, Alfred G., the subject of this sketch, is now living. Albert G. attended school in district 5, Newburg, until he was fourteen years old and then secured employment in a creamery near his home. A year later he went with this organization to Canton, where he remained two years. He came to Preston in 1893 and purchased an interest in the village creamery, which he operated for about sixteen years, and later sold. During the period of his association with the Preston Creamery, he engaged in the ice cream, coal and fuel business, which he is successfully conducting at present. In addition to this enterprise, he manufactures all kinds of soft drinks. He entered into partnership with E. I. Hartson in 1903, but four years later this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Olson is now the sole owner and proprietor of the concern. He married Bertha Golberg in December, 1893, and she has borne him five children: Inez, Amy, Goldie, Arthur and Golberg. Mr. Olson upholds the tenets of the Republican party, and attends the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a member and past master of the Preston Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.. He also belongs to the Malta Commandery, in which he holds the office of senior warden, and is first vailsman of the chapter. Ie belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is prominent as a public spirited citizen, whose success and popularity are due to good business principles and progressive ideas.