Freeborn County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 10 of 11)

C. W. Ransom was a native of Wisconsin, coming to Freeborn county as a small boy with his parents. Here he was educated in the public schools and later married Mary L. Walsh, also of Wisconsin. After leaving school Mr. Ransom became the agent of the AY. AY. Cargill Grain & Fuel Company, in Austin, with whom he remained a few years. Returning to Albert Lea he entered the grocery business. Later a partnership was estab¬ lished with his brother, R. G. Ransom, known as Ransom Bros. AYholesale Grocery, which was later incorporated as "The Ran¬ som Bros. Company." In 1901 this corporation sold out to the AYestern Grocer Company. In 1897 C. AAT. Ransom established the Consolidated Fire & Alarine Insurance Company, becoming president of the firm. After the sale of the grocery business lie continued as president of the insurance company until Jan¬ uary, 1910. when Alinneapolis men bought an extensive interest and the headquarters were transferred to that city, C. W. Ran¬ som remaining with the company as vice-president. During all these years he lias been a potential factor in the business life of Albert Lea and an honored citizen. He is now in Texas.

George C. Schmidt is a native of Freeborn county and was born on the farm which he now owns, which was formerly the homestead taken by his grandfather when he came here from Illinois in 1856. The grandfather died in 1878. His son, Henry, father of the subject of this biography, was born in Illinois in 1853, on August 26. Lie came to Mansfield at an early age, in 1856, and grew to manhood here. He married Caroline Leonhardi, who was also a native of Illinois. Henry Schmidt was a highly respected man in his community and acquired land, held many offices of trust and proved his affection for his parents and his old home by living there his whole life. He died March 4, 1897. The mother died February 7, 1911. George C. Schmidt is the oldest living child of Henry and Caroline (Leonhardi) Schmidt, being born Ararch 13, 1883. After completing his school studies he worked out several years but when old enough to assume the responsibility he took charge of the home farm and has since conducted it successfully. He now owns 360 acres in sections

Me. And Mrs. Christian Larsen Me. And Mes. Petee Peteeson

9, 10 and 13, in Mansfield. On September 20, 1906, he married Louise Stiehl, a daughter of Henry Stiehl, of Pickerel Lake. To them have been born two children, Ella and Melita. Mr. Schmidt, like his father before him, is a member of the Lutheran Church. He votes with the Republican party.

Mr. Schmidt is one of the young men who can look with pride upon the works and success of his fathers, and it is cer¬ tain that he today is following in the same way to up-build a country which his forebears had such an important part- in starting. He is a director in school district No. 92, and holds stock in the Mansfield Creamery.

Peter Peterson, who was one of the progressive and wellknown farmers in Bancroft, was born in Denmark March 22, 1839, and came to America with his parents, Peter and Mariah Peterson, in 1853. They made their first home in this country in Wisconsin where the father followed his trade as a weaver. After spending some years there they moved to this county, where they lived until summoned by the Grim Reaper. Peter, their son, and the subject of this biography, purchased the farm in Bancroft in 1863, and for some years lived in a rough log cabin. As time passed and opportunity afforded he ' made improvements on his property and had a fine home and well cultivated farm. He engaged in general and dairy farming and disposed of his dairy products to the local creamery. He married Mariah Olson October 9, 1888 and they were the parents of the following children: Emma, Agnes, Nellie, Cora, Alfred, Reuben and Nora. Mr. Peterson was a member of the Baptist Church and a Republican. He served his township in the capacity of supervisor and also as a member of the school board. He owned 245 acres of valuable land in Clarks Grove and sold many town lots to the residents of that village. He died February 10, 1911.

Martin Sprenger, the well-known and popular merchant of Conger, was born in Pickerel Lake township November 28, 1881. His father, Frederick Sprenger, a native of Waldeck, Germany, was an early settler in this county and homesteaded the farm on which Martin, the subject of this sketch was born and reared. Martin began his early education in the district school near his father's farm and later attended the Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul. After completing his studies in the Seminary he returned to his home on the farm and worked for his father for a few months and then went to Mankato, where he took a six months' course in the commercial college of that city. His first position after completing his business education was with Skinner, Chamberlain & Company, of Albert Lea, and he remained in the employ of this firm for a period of eighteen months, after which he went into business with F. E. Yost in the village of Conger. Some time later his brother bought out Mr. Yost 's interest in the firm and the concern became Sprenger Brothers. Two years after this his brother sold his share in the business to Christ Bangert, but eventually Mr. Sprenger bought the entire stock, and is now the sole owner and pro¬ prietor of the store. He carries a large assortment of dry goods and groceries and aims to give to all his customers satisfaction. That he is successful in his enterprise is evidenced by his increas¬ ing patronage and popularity. Ella Stiehl, a daughter of Henry and Caroline Stiehl, became his wife, and to them has been born one child, Lee.

* Levi Chandler Sweet, one of the highly respected farmers of Carlson township, was born in Alleghany county, New York, on May 17, 1851. He is the son of Charles and Harriet A. (Lamphere) Sweet. The father, Charles, came west to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in i856. Here he farmed until the spring of 1863, when he came to Carlston township and took up as a homestead the land in section 32, where he lived until his death, on September 11, 1880. In addition to farming he was engaged, with his son, Levi C., in the farm implement busi¬ ness at Alden for some years, until 1878. Mrs. Harriet Sweet died March 18, 1911. Levi C., in the fall of 1873, bought a farm home of seventy-six acres in section 29, Carlston toAvnship. Mr. Sweet is chairman of the board of supervisors, of which he has been a member for eight years. He has been a member of the school board for thirty years. He has also been justice of the peace. He owns stock in the creamery at Alden. The Seventh Day Advent Church of Dodge Center numbers him as a mem¬ ber. September 16, 1876 Mr. Sweet was married in Carlston township at the home of the bride to Nettie Curtis, who was born in Verona, Oneida county, New York, January 4, 1856, daughter of Rev. D. P. Curtis and Cordelia A. Clark Curtis, the former of whom died August 15, 1897, and the latter August 4. 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are the parents of two children. Lucius was born October 30. 1883. He is a popular young man, is a member of the Wells Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and is employed as a buttermaker in that citv. Belva was born November 12, 1884. and married E. Stockman, a grain and coal dealer of Alden.

Gilbert Gulbrandson was for many years a prominent figure in Albert Lea and Freeborn county, where his intelligent interest in public affairs and his upright character exerted a whole¬ some influence. He was born at Naess Aadalen, Norway July 17, 1841. He came to America with his parents, Endre and Marit Gulbrandson, in 1852, settled in Wisconsin, and after four years moved to the portion of Minnesota territory which in time became the town of Havward, and Freeborn countv, where they settled. He enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served three years, then re-enlisted and served to the close of the war. He was wounded in the battle of Black River Bridge, being shot through both thighs. Gangrene resulted in one thigh, and Gilbert was pronounced by the head doctor of the hospital as dead and to be abandoned, but was saved by a young physician just out of school. He came home on a fur¬ lough lame and more dead than alive, but after two months returned to the South and, as stated before, was discharged with honor in 1865.

In 1869 he came to Albert Lea and engaged in the farm imple¬ ment business, but being of a studious mind began quite soon to study law with Judge John A. Lovely, and was elected to the office of judge of the probate in 1871 and re-elected twice. In 1878 he established the City Bank of Albert Lea, that was later changed into a $50,000 First National Bank, of which he became president. That institution is now a $100,000 bank. He was married to Christine Anderson in 1875. Eight children were born to them, of whom, besides the widow, five are now living: Mrs. Dr. Rodli, Leif E., Rolph M. and Thor L. Gulbrandson, of this city, and Emma L. Wald, of Philadelphia. Gilbert Gulbrandson died February 19, 1900, leaving a record of which anyone might be proud. As scholar, public servant and business man he was honest and honorable. His library was said to be the best selected and largest of any, with the excep¬ tion of professional men, in the city.

Rev. James Doag Todd was born in Chautauqua county, New York, November 22, 1826, son of Silas and Betsy Filley Todd. In 1843 he moved to Apple River, Ill., where he farmed until entering Beloit College as one of its first students in prepara¬ tion for the ministry. On October 3, 1856, he married Susan S. Webster, of Apple River, Ill., from which union there were seven children, three girls and four boys: Cornelia E., James M., William F., David R., John R., Susan E. and Mary F. The two older boys became physicians, the two younger lawyers.

James D. Todd entered the Congregational ministry supply¬ ing churches at Plymouth, Richland Center and Johnstown, Wis., when he removed, in 1869, to Winnebago City, Minn., where he became pastor until 1871, when he organized and built the first Congregational Church at Granite Falls, Minn., taking a gov¬ ernment claim in Yellow Medicine county at the same time. In 1875 he accepted the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Wabasha, Minn., and in 1877 removed to Albert Lea, where, after service in the Congregational Church here he became affiliated with the Presbyterian denomination, in which he re¬ mained until his retirement in 1898, after which time he confined his labors to supplying churches temporarily, as his health per¬ mitted, and in travel. He moved to Paola, Kan., in 1911, to make a permanent home.

J. Q. Annis, a well known patriot and old resident of Albert Lea, was born in Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, on July 2-1, 1837. He spent his youth until sixteen years of age on a farm, and at the age of 20 moved to Jamestown, N. Y., where he learned the painters' trade, which he followed until the four¬ teenth day of April, 1861, at which time he enlisted for service in the Civil War. In December, 1863, he was discharged from the army for disability. The following year he was united in marriage to Minerva H. Fenton, niece of Governor Fenton, of New York. For some time after his discharge from the army Mr. Annis' health was poor, owing to exposure and hardships of military service, and in May, 1864, he removed with his wife to Oil Creek, Pa., in the hope that the change would prove bene¬ ficial. Here he engaged in an extensive cooperage business until 1871, when he removed to Ironton, Ohio, where he did a large contracting business in painting, largely for the railroads traversing that section. Air. Annis, with his wife and family of three daughters and one son, came to Albert Lea in 18 <6, and for many years thereafter he conducted a successful business contracting painting and interior decorating. During his resi¬ dence in Albert Lea he has been honored by being chosen to many offices of public trust, as well as having been selected to preside over all the fraternal orders of which he is a member. He was commander of Robson Post, G. A. R., three years and aid-de-camp of the department commander in 1894. He was city assessor three years and a member of the School Board two terms. The year following his arrival in Albert Lea he united with the Odd Fellow and Masonic orders by card, having become a member of both bodies before his departure from Ohio. Tn 1888 Mr. Annis was elected clerk of court for Free¬ born county, which office he held continuously for twelve years. Since concluding his services in the latter capachy Mr. Annis has spent some time in real estate transactions and fruit cultiva¬ tion in Arkansas, and latterly has served as city assessor for the past several terms. Mr. Annis enjoys the esteem and high regard of all the citizens of Freeborn county, and whether in his capac¬ ity as a public officer, or as a private citizen, he has alike demon¬ strated the possession of these sterling qualities which win con¬ fidence and retain friends.

about fourteen miles northwest of the city of Albert Lea, on June 8, 1867. His father, who was a very conscientious, painstaking, accurate and reliable man, and who held the office of Register of Deeds of Freeborn county at the time of his death on the twenty-first day of February, 1881, died when Mr. Simonson was but 13 years of age. He received his boyhood education in the country school near the farm, but when the family moved to Albert Lea, the county seat, where his father assumed the duties of Register of Deeds, he received a common school educa¬ tion in the city public schools. In the year 1882 he had a desire to learn the printing business, so he decided to use his spare hours after school, Saturdays, and during school vacation, to begin acquiring some knowledge of that trade. For some time he devoted this spare time with the "North Star," a weeklv newspaper published at that time, and whose editor was J. C. Allerton. After concluding his school duties he accepted a posi¬ tion with the Albert Lea "Enterprise," published by M. Halvorsen, where he was employed for a year or more as an appren¬ tice. He then accepted a position with the Freeborn County "Standard," published by H. G. Day, its present owner and proprietor, in whose employ he remained for over ten years, as an apprentice for some time and later as a newspaper and job printer. In 1901 he desired to go into business in a moderate way himself, so he purchased a half interest in the job printing business of McCulloch & Whitcomb (F. FI. McCulloch and L. S. Whitcomb), buying the former's interest in that concern, and the firm name was then changed to Simonson & Whitcomb, who continued the job printing business exclusively until the year 1907, when they consolidated with the Evening "Tribune" and Semi-Weekly "Tribune," Avhose editor was J. P. Hurley, a daily and semi-weekly newspaper published in Albert Lea, thereby connecting their extensive job printing, bookbinding, and lino¬ type business, when there Avas an incorporation made with a capital stock of $30,000, under the incorporated name known as the Simonson. Whitcomb & Hurley Company, of which insti¬ tution he Avas elected secretary. In the fall of 1910 the Simon¬ son, Whitcomb & Hurley Co. purchased the "Times-Enterprise," a weekly newspaper published in Albert Lea, the latter being a consolidation of the Freeborn County "Times" and the Albert Lea "Enterprise," being tAvo of the best, oldest and leading newspapers of the county. The corporate name was then changed to the Albert Lea Publishing Company, Avith a capital stock of $50,000, Avhen he served as secretary of the company, until the election of officers on October 4, 1911, when he was elected as president of the company. In this concern there are thirty people employed. When the Spanish- American War broke out he enlisted in Company I, 12th Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which was an Albert Lea company, was mustered into service as a volunteer on May 5, 1898, at which time he was appointed second lieutenant of the company, and served as such during the hostilities, until the regiment was mustered out on November 5, 1898, receiving a certificate as to good ability, and service, health and physical condition at the time of being mustered out. In the year 1907 he bought a third interest in the Olson Manufacturing Company, in the manu¬ facture of various kinds of hay tools, such as the Advance bay carriers, "Common Sense" hay slings, the "Advance" Litter Carriers, roller bearing pulleys, steel track, etc., and whose products are sought for on account of their simplicity , durability and satisfaction given to the farmers throughout the Northwest. Fie is a member of the Business Men s League and several other societies and organizations of the city of Albert Lea. On January 18, 1898, he was married to Anna Emelia Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Flanson, of Albert Lea. Four children were born to them, viz., Hazel Marion, Carmen Elizabeth, age 8; Ardus Marjory, age 6; Otis Alton, age 4; the first named dying in her infancy, and the others in good health, vim and vigor. His mother, Mrs. Susan A. Simonson, is com¬ fortably living in the city. She has five children still living, viz., S. Otis, Mrs. L. C. Lane, of Kensal, North Dakota; Carl M. and Ida A., of this city, and Joseph A., of Genoa, Colo., and many pleasant reunions are held at the mother's home.

Mrs. Susan A. Simonson (Susan A. Gjellum) was born in Indre Sogn, Norway, Jfine 5, 1843. When but six years of age she emigrated to this country with her parents, the voyage across the ocean, which was of thirteen weeks' duration, being made in a sailiug vessel, steamers being unknown to ply the ocean at that earlv date. After reaching this country they located at Utica, Dane county, Wisconsin, which remained her home till she was twenty-one years of age, when she was married, August 3, 1864, to Ole 0. Simonson. The young couple left the following month via ox team and covered wragon for Minnesota. Mr. Simonson obtained employment as clerk in the Frank Hall general store in Albert Lea but, being unable to obtain a house, Mrs. Simonson spent the winter with relatives in the country. The following spring they were able to rent a log house, which had served as the second postoffice in Albert Lea, and located about opposite where the Hotel Freeborn now stands. They resided here about two years, when they moved to their farm in Hartland township. In 1877 Mr. Simonson was elected register of deeds of Freeborn county, and the family again moved to the city. While serving his second term in that office he was suddenly stricken ill and, after a brief illness of three days, passed away February 21, 1881, leaving the widow with six children, the eldest being but fifteen years of age. Two children preceded their father in death when they were very young. Mrs. Simonson has continued to make her home in Albert Lea ever since, though still retaining an in¬ terest in the farm in Hartland township; and of the children, Mrs. E. S. Gjellum, of Fowler, Colo., died in December, 1909; S. Otis, Carl M. and Ida A. reside in this city, Mrs. L. C. Lane in Kensal, N. D., and Joseph A. in Genoa, Colo.

Burt May was born October 14, 1878, at Forest City, Iowa. He received his grammar education at Forest City. After coming to Albert Lea he took a course in the public high school. In 1895 he went to Moline. El., arid worked as apprentice with the Moline Evening "Mail." When the Albert Lea "Tribune" started, August 8, 1897, under R. N. Joselyn, he began as compositor and was foreman of the "Evening Tribune" and "Twice-a-Week Tribune" for nine years. He then accepted a like position with the Albert Lea "Enterprise," which was consolidated with the "Freeborn County Times" in 1905, of which he became assistant manager. In 1910 the "Times-Enterprise" company consolidated with the "Evening Tribune," and he became assistant manager of the mechanical department of the Albert Lea Publishing Com¬ pany. In 1910 he was endorsed by the temperance element and ran for alderman of the third ward, being defeated by ten votes. He is an active member of the Masonic Western Star Lodge, No. 26. He was married November 17, 1909, to Adelaide Nesbett. Mrs. W. H. May, his mother, came to Forest City in her girlhood days. She. with her parents, walked from Chicago, carrying their household goods with an ox team, ferrying at Dubuque, Iowa. They arrived on the bank of Lime creek, where they erected a log house, being pioneers of Forest City several years before the city of Albert Lea was founded.

Lesley Sherman Whitcomb, journalist and business man, was born March 20, 1866, at Westfield, Vt., and removed with his parents to Edgerton, Wis., when a child. After a year they re¬ moved to Worth county, Iowa, where L. S. grew to manhood. He attended the rural schools of his neighborhood, the Northwood, la., schools, the Cedar Valley Seminary, at Osage, la., and Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, la. Thus equipped, he taught school five terms in the rural schools of Worth county, la., and then took up printing, a profession in which, in one capacity or another, he has continued to engage. After working a short ap¬ prenticeship at the "Index" office in Northwood, la., he came to Albert Lea to engage in an exclusive job printing business in partnership with F. H. McCulloch, in August, 1890. One year later S. Otis Simonson, formerly of the "Freeborn County Stan- dard" force, succeeded Mr. McCulloch and the name of the firm was changed from McCulloch & Whitcomb to Simonson & Whit¬ comb. This partnership was continued successfully until July 1 1907. when the Simonson & Whitcomb office and business was consolidated with that of Hurley & Co., publishers of the daily and semi-weekly ''Tribune,'7 and a corporation was formed of which Mr. Whitcomb was chosen treasurer and business manager. During August, 1910, this company and its plant and business was merged with the Times-Enterprise Publishing Company, pub¬ lishers of the ' ' Times-Enterprise, a weekly newspaper resulting from the merger of two Republican newspapers, the Albert Lea "Enterprise" and the "Freeborn County Times," and the new organization was chartered as the Albert Lea Publishing Com¬ pany. Of this company Mr. Whitcomb became secretary and treasurer as well as business manager. The company does a gen¬ eral printing, publishing and blankbook business, as well as pub¬ lishing the evening "Tribune" and the "Times-Enterprise." Mr. Whitcomb is a great believer in Albert Lea and is an enthusiastic booster of its business interests. He belongs to the Business Men's League, as well as to all the local Masonic bodies, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject of this sketch was married June 20, 1894, to Marie Elvira Edwards, who died February 24. 1901, leaving two daughters, Marie L. and Ruth Elizabeth. Mr. Whiteomb was married July 24, 1902, to Maude Fenton Annis, a daughter of J. Q. Annis, of this city.

Joseph P. Hurley, journalist and man of affairs, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., January 10, 1874. He passed through the grade schools and graduated from the high school at Syracuse, after¬ ward taking special studies for two years at the University of Syracuse. For two years he did reportorial and other work on newspapers at Syracuse. In 1895 he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Unitype Company as traveling sales¬ man. He remained in that employ until early in 1904, when he came to Albert Lea and purchased a half interest in the "En¬ terprise." Nine months later he sold this and purchased the daily "Tribune." Fie was editor and manager of the "Tribune" lor two years and then it consolidated with Simonson & "W bitcomb's job print ery. the Simonson, Whitcomb & Hurley Com¬ pany being organized. Mr. Flurley became president of that com¬ pany and editor of the "Tribune." Three years later this com¬ pany purchased the "Times-Enterprise," and the Albert Lea Publishing Company was organized with a capital of $50,000. Of this Mr. Hurley became president as well as editor of the com¬ bined papers, retaining these positions until he sold his interest in the company October 1, 1911. Mr. Hurley has never sought public position but has been prominently mentioned in connection with several important offices. He has worked for the good of Albert Lea, and has served on a number of important boards and committees. Fie has been an enthusiastic booster for the Busi¬ ness Men's League, and has done good service as a member of the board of trustees of the Albert Lea College for Women. He is a member of the Masonic body, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the United Commercial Travelers, the Modern Woodmen and the Maccabees. Mr. Hurley was married October 31, 1901, to Agnes Perl, the daughter of Hon. and Mrs. Peter Perl, of Decatur, Ill., in which city the marriage took place.

William Granville Kellar was the second son of William and Elizabeth Kellar, born in Grant county, Wisconsin, August 17, 1847, died at Albert Lea January 23, 1902. His parents were among the very first, settlers in the vicinity of Albert Lea, locat¬ ing one mile southwest of the court house September 27, 1856. He attended the common schools until 1865, when he entered Oberlin College in Ohio, and on returning was engaged for sev¬ eral years in surveying and engineering. He opened a real estate office in Albert Lea which he conducted until his death. For sev¬ eral years he was employed as held agent of the land department of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. He served several years as county surveyor and one term as mayor of the c-itv of Albert Lea. On November 30, 187.1, he was united in marriage to Ada Green, of Albert Lea, who died March 7, 1900. To this union one child was born - Mrs. H. A. Barck, of Albert Lea.

Alexander McNeill was born in the township of Richmond, thirty miles west of the city of Kingston, Canada, September 10, 1834. In 1847 he removed with his father's family to Milwaukee, Wis., where he learned the carpenter's trade. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 28tli Wisconsin Volunteer In¬ fantry, being discharged from the army at Madison, Wis., August 22, 1865, having been engaged in six heavy battles and many minor engagements. He was married at Prairie du Chien, Wis., December 24, 1867, to Jennie Hamilton, which union has been blessed by one son, Willis M. McNeill, of Albert Lea. He settled in Albert Lea in the autumn of 1869 and has been engaged as a contractor ever since. He has been a prominent member of Rob¬ son Post, G. A.. R., from its organization, and has always taken a profound personal interest in the physical and moral upbuilding of Albert Lea. He is noted for his integrity, and our beautiful court house, erected under his master hand, stands as a monu¬ ment of his fidelity to public interests, for it is built upon honor, at a cost to the county far less than any of the estimates of the others who bid for its construction.

Magnus Berglund, fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. John Berglund, ay as horn in Sweden September, 1864, and came with his parents to Freeborn county in 1868. He grew up on the farm, early learning to take part in the farm work. As time would permit he attended school in district 54, known as the Murtaugli school. He also went to high school at Albert Lea two terms, walking there three miles from his father's home. At twenty-one lie became a member of the Swedish Baptist church and aa as an interested Avorker, being its first organist and for many years Sunday school* superintendent. Upon leaving home he settled on a farm three miles due south of Albert Lea, He married Sierid Johanna Nelson, of Freeborn county, in 1887, to which marriage three children were born. In the fall of 1891 he left the farm and entered the Baptist Theological Seminary at Mor¬ gan Park, Chicago, graduating in the spring of 1894. While at school he preached at DeKalb, Ill., and also built a neAA house of worship. Galesburg, Ill., Avas the next pastorate, but only for a A^ear and four months. Then he came to Minnesota on account of the failing health of Mrs. Berglund, and to do missionaiw Avork on the neAv iron ranges for two years. His AATife «/ died during this time. Cokato, Minn., AAras the next pastorate, but only for a year and four months, but he completed AAhile there a neAv church building. In 1899 he became the Sunday school missionary of the SAAredish Baptists in Minnesota and YV iseonsin. With the exception of a few months AAdren he was finan¬ cial secretary of Bethel Academy, he is still in this work, having, however, dropped Wisconsin. He has started seATeral neAAr schools and organized quite a number of neAv churches. He has also started three Bible AAragons. For years he has been holding seATeral responsible positions in his denomination, such as trustee and executive member of the SAA^edish Baptist Conference of Min¬ nesota, trustee of Minnesota Baptist State Com^ention, trustee of Bethel Academy, school of the Swedish Conference of America, and trustee of the Mounds Park Sanitarium of St. Paul. His second Avife is Ella Pauline Nordill, of Isanti county, and three children are born to this union. The present home is near Cam¬ bridge, Isanti county. J. LeRoy, the oldest son, lives in Montana.

Christian Larsen, a highly respected citizen of New Denmark, Albert Lea, Avas born in Denmark on January 10, 1846. His parents Avere Lars and Mary Anna (SAA^ensen) Jorgensen, natives of Denmark, Avhere they both died, the former on September 12, 1856, and the latter November 9, 1864. The subject of this sketch Avas educated in the schools of his native land and he came to America during the month of September, 1864. After reaching this country Mr. Larsen located in Wisconsin, AAdiere he remained for a vear and a half, after AArhich he Avent to Illinois and later to Iowa, but later returned to Wisconsin and remained in La¬ crosse until November 30, 1870, at which time he came to Minne¬ sota. Here he located in Rice! and township, in this county, bought 40 acres oi land in section 9, erected a house and good out¬ buildings, and engaged in farming. As prosperity afforded he added to his original possessions until he owned 150 acres, all located in the same township and in section 9. This land was broken, cultivated and developed by Mr. Larsen, and it thus be¬ came more valuable each year. Mr. Larsen carried on general diversified farming until May 15, 1893, when he sold his prop¬ erty, moved to Albert Lea, purchased three and one-half acres just out of the city limits, erected a fine house and good barn, and settled down to enjoy his well earned years of rest and retire¬ ment. He has been an independent voter and served in many of the prominent public offices in the township where he made his home during the active years of his life. He was elected to the office of town treasurer, which he held for four years; became supervisor of the town, serving for one year ; served as chairman of the town board for eight years, and for many years he was a member of the school board. Among the various business in¬ terests with which Mr. Larsen has been associated are: Stock¬ holder in the Lerdal Creamery, of which he was the president for two years ; stockholder in the Clarks Grove Mercantile Co. ; one of the directors of the Albert Lea State Bank, for one year, and now a stockholder in this bank and also in the Citizens National Bank, of Albert Lea : a stockholder in the Building & Loan Asso¬ ciation of Albert Lea, and the owner of considerable city prop¬ erty. On December 29, 1869, Mr. Larsen married Mary Andersen, who was born in Denmark on October 22, 1851, daughter of Iver and Maren Madsen. She came to America with her parents in 1866 and to Freeborn county in 1870, locating in Bath township, where her father died on February 9, 1877, the mother dying March 22, 1907, in Albert Lea.

Emil Nelson, postmaster and prominent citizen, was born July 13, 1859, in Freeman township, Freeborn county, on the northeast quarter of section 23, township 101, range 21, taken as a home¬ stead by his father, Lars, in 1856. He spent the first twenty-two years of his life on the farm in section 23, near Gordonsville, Minn. He attended common school at Gordonsville and the high school at Northwood, Iowa. He studied telegraphy at Gordonsville, a small station on the B. C. R. & N. Rv. (now C. R. I. & P.). His first position was as operator at Flandreau, S. D., March 10, 1883. After filling seAmral positions as extra agent he was transferred to Albert Lea December 27, 1884, as operator and assistant to agent, which position he held until November 1, 1890, when he resigned and engaged in the stock and grain business at this place and Gordonsville. He was elected and held the office of register of deeds from January 1, 1893, until January 1, 1897, and engaged in the real estate and mercantile business until 1904. lie was appointed postmaster January 18, 1904, which posi¬ tion he still holds. He was assessor of Albert Lea from 1897 to 1901. He is a member of the Masonic order from the blue lodge to the shrine, and also belongs to Albert Lea Lodge, No. 66, K. of P. He was married November 18, 1896, to Lora E. Higgins, daughter of William A. Higgins, and they have two bright chil¬ dren. D. Wyeth Nelson, born February 5, 1899, and Olive A. Nel¬ son, born September 28, 1905. These children spent two years in Berlin, Germany, with their mother - 1908 and 1909 - Wyeth at¬ tending German school and their mother studying music.

Lars Nelson, early pioneer and member of the first board of supervisors of Freeman, was born in Norway and married Agnetta M. Johnson. After coming to America they located in Wisconsin, and about 1856 came to Freeborn county and located in Freeman township, entering 160 acres in section 23. There they broke and improved the land and remained until June lo, 1863, when they moved to Shell Rock township, locating on 160 acres of land in sections 32 and 33. There they continued to carry on general farming many years, developing and improv ing the land and erecting the necessary buildings. In 1886 they moved to Oregon, where they now make their home.

Theodore Naeve, whose name and that of his good wife, Dorathea, will be sacredly perpetuated in Albert Lea, in the designa¬ tion given to the splendid new city hospital, had his jpart in the upbuilding of the commercial interests of Albert Lea, and lived a life which was an example of earnest endeavor and substantial, manly character. Theodore Naeve was born in Bargen, Holstein,

- Germanv. Oct. 8, 1844. and came to America after the Civil War, in 1865. securing employment as clerk in a store in Dubuque, Iowa. Later he went to Waterloo and engaged in selling goods lor five years, part of the time with Charles Sotli as a partner. About 1873 he came to Albert Lea, and two years later married Dorothea Solh, a sister of his partner. As head of the business firm of Naeve & Both he Avas remarkably successful. He trans¬ acted a money lending business for himself and others, and man¬ aged this difficult business to the satisfaction of loaner and bor¬ rower. In 1889 he built the large and splendid residence which in 1911 vTas moved aAvav to make Avay for the hospital AAThich bears his name. Mr. NaeA^e Avas a singularly quiet and reserved man, and Avas ever kind, courteous and pleasant to all. He Avas notably conscientious, exemplary in all his habits, just, methodical, and prompt in his dealings. As a husband, friend and citizen he Avas held in the highest esteem. He Avas honest, just and true, and his death was a real loss to the community. Fie died at his home, September 12, 1891, very suddenly, having been in his accustomed health the day previous.

Mrs. Dorathea Naeve was one of those women whose name will ever be held in loving remembrance in Albert Lea, and the suf¬ ferers whose hours of illness are made comfortable in the splendid new Naeve Hospital, which stands on the site of her residence, will bless the generous intention which made this institution possible. She was born at Domitz, Mecklenburg, Schwerin, 'Ger¬ many, July 25, 1841, oldest child of Johann and Flenrietta Soth. In the family was a sister, Bertha, two years younger, and a brother, Charles, five years younger than Dorathea. The whole family came to America in 1849 and settled in Watertown, Wis., where soon afterward the parents died of cholera within a week of each other. About a year later Bertha was drowned. Charles and Dorathea, thus bereaved, for some time boarded out, and later were taken and reared by their uncle, Adolph Krueger, who lived on a farm near Watertown. At fourteen Dorathea had fin¬ ished her schooling, and a few years later went to Milwaukee, where she worked for some time. In 1869 her brother, Charles, went into the saddlery business in Waterloo, Iowa, and Dorathea went there to keep house for him. In 1873 they came to Albert Lea, and here Dorathea continued to keep house for her brother, who had formed a business partnership with Theodore Naeve, who opened a general store. On May 27, 1875, Dorathea Soth was married to Theodore Naeve. The wedding took place at the home of relatives in Eau Claire, Wis. Several years later Mr. and Mrs. Naeve built a house on the corner of Water street and West avenue, where they lived until 1889, when they moved to their new home on Fountain street. In 1890, having no children of their own, they adopted a daughter, Edith, who became a true daughter in every respect. After the death of Theodore Naeve, September 12, 1891, Mrs. Naeve continued to live in Albert Lea until the fall of 1906, when she moved to Minneapolis in order to give her daughter the benefits of a University education. On May 4, 1908, Dorathea Naeve died in Minneapolis as the result of an accident. She was buried in her vault in Albert Lea cemetery on May 7, 1908. Mrs. Naeve had no opportunity for securing an education so far as schooling was concerned, but she was widely read and spent much time in travel. She had for several years spoken of bestowing her Albert Lea home, where she had lived seventeen years, upon the city for the purpose of an improved hospital. Her wish was carried out, after her death, by her brother, Charles Soth, and the gift was accepted.

sound sense, good judgment, and enthusiasm in the promotion of the community interests, who combines with these qualities the ability to clothe his thoughts in forceful prose, both written and spoken, and who is fearless in his advocacy of his firm con¬ viction of the right, and in his denunciation of those things which he believes to be wrong. Albert Lea has such a man in Charles ll. Farnsworth. As an earnest advocate, Mr. Farnsworth is known as a friend of education. Himself a successful teacher, he be¬ lieves in the value of appropriate education as the solution of some of the most difficult problems which confront the American people today,' and to the end that the cause of proper education may be advanced, Mr. Farnsworth uses his pen, his voice and his influence. Not alone, however, as an advocate of scholarship is Mr. Farnsworth known, his reputation as a gallant soldier being one of his proudest assets. Not only did he show distinguished bravery on the field, but since the great army was disbanded he lias proven himself ever the friend of the old soldier, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the veteran, and a leader in instilling patriotism in the younger generations. Charles H. Farnsworth was born in Beekmantown, Clinton county. New York, December 1, 1838, son of Samuel IT. and Cynthia (Hazen) Farnsworth. He received his early education in the district schools of his native county, and in 1856 came west to Chicago, going thence to Portage City, Wis. For some time he traveled in various places, observing the local customs and manners, and in the interim teaching two terms in a school near Madison, V is. This experience showed him the need of advanced education to assist in the activities of life. Accordingly, enriched in knowl¬ edge bv the district and select schools, as well as by his experience at traveling and teaching, he returned to his home state and en¬ tered the New York State Normal College at Albany, N. Y., graduating in 1860. Then he taught school again, studying for the legal profession. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in February, 1862, as a private in the 96th New York Volunteer Infantry, being immediately appointed regimental quartermaster sergeant. Stephen Moffitt, afterward general, was colonel of this regiment. With this command, Mr. Farnsworth saw service throughout the Peninsular campaign under General McClellan. Becoming disabled by disease, he was discharged in 1862. He returned home and recovered from his illness sufficiently to teach two terms in the North ward school, in Plattsburg, N. Y. In 1863 he again responded to his country 's* call and entered the 16th New York Volunteer Cavalry as lieutenant in Company G. By promotion he was later transferred to Company K in the same regiment, being mustered out at the close of the war and given the rank of captain. With the Sixteenth he saw service on the skirmishing line throughout the campaign of the Wilderness. He commanded the troop next to that of Captain Dougherty, who pursued and captured Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Captain Farnsworth himself was on duty at the trial of the per¬ sons charged with conspiracy in connection with Lincoln's death. At the end of his service he returned to Plattsburg and was ap¬ pointed a keeper at Dannemora prison. There he served three years. At the end of that time he resigned and came west with his father's family, locating in Lancaster, Grant county, Wiscon¬ sin, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits a few years with his father. Then he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, and became a con¬ ductor for the C. D. & M. railway. Two years later he moved to Burlington. Ia., and engaged as express messenger for the Ameri¬ can Express Company. In 1883 he took up his residence in Albert Lea, coming here as an express agent and remaining with the express company about ten years. While still in that employ he was instrumental in having a Bell telephone system installed here, and became its manager. Then he secured a franchise and estab¬ lished an electric light plant. Since that time he has devoted much of his time to real estate and to public service. He was one of the prime movers in securing the adoption of the present county fair system in Freeborn county, and is a member of the city charter commission. He has taken an active part in many public discussions, and has been a liberal contributor to the press. In this capacity he became a close personal friend of Robert Bur¬ dette, formerly of the Burlington "Flawkeye," now a clergyman in California. While it is not generally known by his present friends, Mr. Farnsworth has a rare poetic giff, and in his earlier life wrote some very beautiful poems, which he has often been urged to publish in book form. Mr. Farnsworth is a loyal mem¬ ber of Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., for which he is patriotic in¬ structor. It is worthy of note that by the approval of the gen¬ eral commander, Captain Farnsworth is entitled to wear the Cross of L. A. (Lincoln's Avenger). Among other good works Mr. Farnsworth labored hard for the establishment of the Ramsey School, and it was at his suggestion that it received its name. The Farnsworth family reside at 1019 St. Joseph street. The subject of this sketch has been a staunch Republican through life. He was married July 4, 1863, at Grand Isle, Vermont, to Frances I. Rice, daughter of Franklin E. and Sarah (Paige) Rice, natives of Vermont, th6 former of whom died August 31, 1883, and the latter December 15, 1845. The father was a dentist. Mrs. Farns¬ worth received her education in the New Hampton Institute at Fairfax, Vt., and until her marriage was a teacher giving instruc¬ tion in the common branches and in music and French. This union has been blessed with three children. Two are living : Rolla

S an attorney practicing in Ogden, Utah, and Mary C., who is 'proofreader in the office of the Albert Lea Publishing Com¬ pany, at Albert Lea. Addie was born May 13, 1864, and died March 3, 1865. The parents of Charles H. Farnsworth were Samuel H. Farnsworth, born March 3, 1813, and Cynthia Hazen Farnsworth, born November 5, 1817, both natives of Clinton county. New York. The father was a merchant a part of his life, but devoted the greater part of his career to agricultural opera¬ tions. He was an honored citizen of his county and held posi¬ tions of trust and honor, including the superintendency of the schools of Clinton county, New York. About 1870 he brought his family to Lancaster, Grant county, Wisconsin, but still later went to Cherokee, la., and spent his declining years with his daugh¬ ter, Mrs. Lillian Scribner. He died September 10, 1883, and his wife passed away May 19, 1878. Both are laid to rest at Lancas¬ ter, Wis. They were the parents of eight children : Charles Hazen lives in Albert Lea, Martha died November 14, 1840, Cynthia Z. married Charles Bushnell and they live at Condon, Ore., Sarah P. died November 4, 1858, George P. died December 15, 1902 ; he was a veteran of the Civil War; Mary T. married John Studebaker and they live in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Lillian Jane married Roderick Scribner and they live at Cherokee, la. ; Nathan lives at Bakers¬ field. Cal.; his wife, Fannie ITornibrook, died May 25, 1903. Samuel Farnsworth was the son of Philip and Puah (Parsons) Farnsworth. Philip Farnsworth, grandfather of C. H. Farns¬ worth. served with the American forces of artillery at the battle of Plattsburg. N. Y., in the W ar of 1812. Cynthia Hazen Farns¬ worth was the daughter of Charles Hazen, her mother s maiden name being Emery. The ancestors of the Farnsworth family in America can be traced to three brothers who emigrated to Con¬ necticut from England before the Revolutionary War, there be¬ ing records of the birth of Dr. Farnsworth in Connecticut in 1715.

Nels Johnson, who was the first person of Swedish birth to settle in Mansfield, was born in Sweden March 25, 1840, and 29 years later came to Freeborn county and settled in Mansfield. He came to the United States in 1868 and worked one year near Des Moines, la., with a party of his countrymen. On coming to Freeborn county he located on section 20, in Mansfield, and has ever since carried on extensive farming operations there, both as a general farmer and also as a stock raiser. He erected barns and other buildings and has since made additions thereto, until he now has an excellently furnished home place and a well equipped farm of 480 acres. When he first came to this farm he planted many trees, and his reward today is a beautiful grove of willows and other trees near his house. One of the recently fallen trees is from a stump more than three feet in diameter, and this grew from a twig planted by the subject of this biography when he was first on the land. Religiously Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican of the pro¬ gressive type. He has always borne his share of the public work but has continued to refuse public office. In October, 1862, he married PernilJa Person, a native of Sweden, who died in March, 1907. To this union were born three children, only one of whom, Hanna, wife of Ole Nelson, of Mansfield, is now living. He later adopted his nephew, Henry, who is now a successful farmer in Mansfield. On October 3, 1909, the subject of this biography mar¬ ried Hanna Simonson, a native of Sweden. When a visitor today spends an hour at this home and sees the trees that have been planted, the land that has been drained, cleared and improved, he realizes what an immense task was performed by Mr. Johnson and those other men who came here at an early day and made the way for our comforts and advantages of today.

Guttron 0. Trytten, who came from Norway to the LTiited States when fifteen years of age, was born May 3, 1850, the son of Ole 0. and Annie 0. (Honsey) Trytten. The subject of this biography settled first in the township of Bath, Freeborn county, and lived there till 1872, when he, with his parents, moved to Iowa and bought land in Winnebago county. He acquired land on his own responsibility and lived in AYinnebago county until 1901, when he sold his farm there and came to his present home on section 32, township of Mansfield, and bought 160 acres of land. He here erected a comfortable dwelling, good barns, sheds and all necessary buildings. He has followed general and dairy farming, and that he has done so successfully is evident from the general view of his farm as well as from general inspection. Annie 0. Sorbo, of Silver Lake, became his wife on November 26, 1874, and this union has been blessed with nine children, Oscar Alex¬ ander, Gustina, Annie Sophia, Ole, Clara Mary, Edwin Seuzrin, Ida Josephine, Julia and Alfred. Mr. Trytten is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he supports the principles of the Republican party. He has been director of school district 41 three years, was six years chairman of the board of super¬ visors of Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, and presi¬ dent of the Winnebago County Stock Company five years. He is stockholder in the Scarville Farmers' Elevator Company and is interested in many other similar enterprises. Mr. Trytten ?s pres¬ ent high place in his community and his personal success have been won by dint of hard work and his unfailing hard common sense, which will continue to be a service to his friends and his community as well as in advancing his own interests.

township, is a native of Denmark and was born October 2, 1860, the son of Lars and Katrina Nelson. Not until he was 20 years of age, in 1880, did he leave his native land for the United States. He settled first in Lake Mills, Iowa, where he worked at common labor for six years. He then bought a creamery, which he oper¬ ated three years and later sold out to the farmers of the locality, after which he came to Mansfield and bought his present home farm of 160 acres. By tiling and making many other improve¬ ments he has made this into one of the most valuable farms of the township. On November 13, 1889, he married Hilda Aleta Peterson, of Lake Mills, and they now have a family of nine children. The children are Alfred, Selmer, Ida, Melvin, Wilford, Harold, Alma, Katerina and Margaret. Though Mr. Larson has been a very hard worker for himself and his family, he has always found time to serve the public with the same success which has attended his private endeavors. He is an active member and worker in the Lime Creek Lutheran church. In politics he is with the Republican party. In school district 41 he has been a mem¬ ber of the board fourteen years ; he has been supervisor of the town eight years ; he was president of the Scarville Creamery four years, and director of the Emmons Telephone Company four years. Mr. Larson is a man who, though born in a foreign land, came here and in a comparatively short time has made himself one of the leading men of the community and a man as well liked as he is respected for his ability to overcome difficulties and bring success to his endeavors whether for his own personal or for public benefit. He is president of the Farmers Elevator Com¬ pany, of Scarville, and a stockholder in both the Lake Mills, la., and Emmons, Minn., lumber yards.

W. L. Palmer, M. D., one of the foremost physicians and sur¬ geons of Freeborn county, was born in this county, having first seen the light of day in Glenville, September 22, 1867, son of Rev. Daniel and Mary (Buck) Palmer. He received his common school education in Glenville, and graduated from the Albert Lea high school in 1885. Upon finishing his high school course he taught in the country two vears and then went to Monticello, AY is., where he conducted a milling business for four years. Then he entered the Rush Aledical College at Chicago, in 1893, gradu¬ ating three years later. After receiving the necessary hospital practice he located in Glenville, where he practiced some ten years, coming in 1906 to Albert Lea, where he has built up a large practice. lie has taken post-graduate courses in the New York Polytechnic and in Chicago institutions, and has kept well abreast of the most modern trend of medical progress, his library being unusually full and complete. Dr. Palmer owns a pleasant home at 401 Fountain street and his office is over the Freeborn

County State Bank. He belongs to the county, state and national medical associations and also to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern AVoodmen of America. The subject of this sketch was married June 27, 1891, to Ida M. Trow, daughter of A. C. and Arinda (Wiggins) 9 Vow, and they have one son, Foster C. Rev. Daniel Palmer is mentioned in several places in this history. He and his wife, Alary Buck Palmer, were natives of New York state aud came to Minnesota in 1863, Rev. Palmer being sent here as a clergyman of the Baptist denomination. Rev. Palmer died in Glenville in 1872 and his wife lived until 1887.

Fred H. Mallory, the efficient manager of the Broadway The¬ ater, and owner of a dray and transfer line, is a native of Albert Lea, born February 9. 1871, son of Z. K. and Alary Alallory, natives of New York state. The parents came to AVisconsin in an early day and to Freeborn county in 1869. After farming two years, Z. K. engaged in the fuel and dray business in Albert Lea, in which he continued until his death, in 1903, serving also for a time as rural mail carrier. Airs. Alary Alallory still lives in Albert Lea. The subject of this sketch attended the graded schools of Albert Lea and graduated from the high school in 1 887. Leaving high school, he attended the Albert Lea Business College, where he took a course in shorthand and typewriting. He spent two years in Iowa after leaving the college, and then returned to Albert Lea and went into business with his father. In 1 908. after his father's death, he sold out the fuel business, but continued in the dray and transfer business. His business is at present in a flourishing condition. In the year 1902 Mr. Alallorv was married to Julia A. Niles. She died in December, 1906. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Elks and K. of P. lodges, but has never aspired to the holding of any pub¬ lic office.

Oscar Subby, the efficient and courageous sheriff of Freeborn county, was born in Denmark, February 14, 1875, son of N. P. and Christine (Flansen) Subby, who came to America in 1880, and took up their residence in Albert Lea, where they now live. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools, and later engaged in the meat business four years. Then he joined the police force and did excellent service until his election as sheriff in 1905. Since then he has been re-elected three times, and has made a splendid officer, feared of evildoers and admired and respected by all law-abiding citizens of the county. Air. Subby was married December 30, 1903, to Lillian Jones, < and one child, Dor O., has been born. Airs. Subby also has two children by a former marriage, Nellie and Harry Jones. Sheriff Subby is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Albert Lea Lodge, No. 813. B. P. O. E. ; member of the Freeborn County Game Pro- tective Association; member of the Business Men's League; mem¬ ber of the Albert Lea Fire Department ; vice-president of State Sheriffs' Association; member of Albert Lea Gun Club; member of Danish Brotherhood (Dannebrog Lodge, No. 75), and has been secretary of the Freeborn County Central Republican Club since 1908.

George P. Lattin, educator, agriculturist and man of affairs, has taken an active part in the modern life of Freeborn county. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors of Freeborn town one year and town clerk eight years. He was county com¬ missioner in Freeborn county from 1896 to 1901 and county superintendent of schools from .January, 1901. to January, 1909, doing excellent service in all these several capacities. He has also been connected with the school board of Albert Lea, and is one of the trustees of the Albert Lea College for Women, at Albert Lea. In a business way he is connected with the People's Building & Loan Association of Albert Lea, the First State Bank of Freeborn, and the Citizens' National Bank of Albert Lea. Fraternally he associated with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church. George P. Lattin was born in Fox Lake, Wis., March 25. 1859, son of Richmond E. and Martha (Calkins) Lattin. He graduated from the public schools and spent one year at college in Fox Lake, Wis. He came to Minne¬ sota in 1878, locating at Freeborn. He taught in a rural school, and afterward became principal of the semi-graded school at Freeborn village winters and farmed during the summer months. In 1880 he purchased a farm in Faribault county, near Winne¬ bago City, but later sold that and purchased another in Free¬ born county, near Freeborn village, which he now operates. He conducted a general store in Freeborn village twelve years. Mr. Lattin was married November 2, 1882, to Nettie E. Scott. Earl, an adopted son and only child, died in November, 1897, at the age of nine years.

Victor Gillrup is one of the leading citizens of Freeborn county, his ability, his force of character and uprightness of principles having Avon for him the esteem, respect and admira¬ tion of all AA'ith Avhom he comes in contact. Although a man of Avide interests and many duties he is affable and approachable, and always AAulling to give assistance and encouragement to any¬ thing which tends tOAvard the progress of the community. He Avas registrar of deeds of Freeborn county from 1884 to 1889 ; has been mayor, president of the council and alderman of Albert Lea; has done good service on the State Board of Equalization; Avas chairman of the Republican County Committee four years; aa as postmaster at Albert Lea four years; has serA7ed as president and member of the Albert Lea Board of Education ; and is director and president of the Albert Lea Building & Loan Asso¬ ciation. He is a member of the G. A. R. and the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Gillrup was born in Denmark, May 29, 1840, and graduated from the high school there. He came to America December 10, 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 1st N. Y. Yol. Engineers, and served to the end of the Civil AYar. He located in AYatertown, AYis., about August 1, 1865, and reached Albert Lea November 27, 1868. He started a general store at Shell Rock City, now Glenville, in the fall of 1870, and remained there until January 1, 1884, when he came to Albert Lea, having in the fall of 1883 been elected regis¬ trar of deeds. Since then he has made his home in Albert Lea. He was married July 29, 1872, to Lillie I. Carter, and has four living children : Harriet G. Edwards, of Acapulco, Mexico ; Harry S. and AYalter, at Albert Lea : and Genevieve in San Diego, Calif.

D. K. Stacy, for many years city justice of Albert Lea, was born in Columbus, AVarren county, Penn., November 16, 1842, son of Edwin Clark and Elizabeth D. (Heath) Stacy, the pio¬ neers. The family moved to Minnesota when D. K. was fourteen years old, and here he spent his boyhood, first in Geneva and then in Albert Lea. He was the first to take mail into the village of Geneva, carrying it on his back. In February, 1862, he en¬ listed in Co. C., Fifth Minnesota AYdunteer Infantry, and served in the Indian campaign and in the South, receiving several pro¬ motions. He was mustered out in October, 1865. Since then he has continued to make his home in Albert Lea. He has been postmaster several terms, and from 1870 to 1874 wTas deputy sheriff. He belongs to the Masons and the G. A. R. His serv¬ ices as a starter at the state fair for many years have been highly appreciated. The subject of this sketch married Lelia G. Moon, and this union has been blessed with three children.

Eugene H. Brown, popular druggist of Albert Lea, comes of one of the pioneer families, his parents and paternal grand¬ parents having come to Minnesota during territorial days. He was born in Minneiska, Minn., April 5, 1869, and as a boy at¬ tended the public schools. Then he entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, a department of the Illinois State University, and thus equipped spent some time as employe in various retail drug stores in Chicago, Ill., Moorhead, Minn., and Superior, A\Tis. Afterward he was chemist in wholesale drug houses in Duluth, Minn., and Minneapolis, Minn. He purchased his present store in November, 1906. Being a keen student of current events, he has joined the Fortnightly Club, of Albert Lea, and was presi¬ dent of that organization in 1909 and 1910. He was married

David R. P. Hibbs, now deceased, veteran of the Civil War, and esteemed citizen of Albert Lea, was a typical American gen¬ tleman, descended from a famous revolutionary officer, and him¬ self one of the members of the heroic Loyal Legion. He was horn in Hulmeville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1838, son of Jacob and Sarah Ann (.Worst all) Hibbs. He was reared on a Pennsylvania farm, attended such schools as his neighbor¬ hood afforded, and then took courses at the Millersville Normal School, Millersville, Penn., and at the Attleborough Academy at Attleborough, Penn. He taught public school a while and was also assistant teacher in Attleborough Academy while preparing for college. His educational career was cut short by the gather¬ ing war clouds, and the news of the battle of Bull Run in July. 1861. Soon afterward he began recruiting for Co. F., 104th Penn. Vol. Inf., was commissioned first lieutenant, and mustered into service September 12, 1861. He commanded his company at the battle of Fair Oaks and during the Seven Days' Battles. For sixteen months he was adjutant, and for some time he served in South Carolina as acting assistant adjutant general of Hart's Brigade. After being mustered out October 1, 1864, he entered the Frankford Arsenal, at Philadelphia, and was in charge of the department for preparing ammunition until the close of the war. Soon afterward he returned home and in 1865 married Anna C. Yandegritt. He farmed three years and studied law for a time, coming to Albert Lea in 1872. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar, opened a law office, and practiced until 1876. Centennial year he entered into partnership with Horatio D. Brown .in the banking business, the firm being known as H. D. Brown & Cc. In 1892, when the Albert Lea National Bank was organized, he became its vice-president and in 1901 assumed the presidency. In 1902 at the organization of the Albert Lea State Bank he became its president, but in 1909 retired to the vice-presidency, a position he still retained at his death. Mr. Hibbs was always interested in educational affairs, and served as a member of various school boards in Pennsylvania and in Albert Lea for some twenty-six years. He owned 280 acres of land in Albert Lea and Freeman townships, which he conducted in a successful manner, making a specialty of breeding to Holstein-Friesian cattle. Mr. Hibbs was a prominent member of Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R. To his union with Anna C. Vandegrift three children were born. Frank AY. graduated from the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, and is now engaged in constructing sub-marines for the Electric Boat Co., at Seattle, AYash. Anna is now Airs. D. C. Armstrong, of Albert Lea. Alice H., wife of Dr. O. A. Burton, lives in Sarasota, Fla. Mr. ITibbs died August 24, 1911, at a hospital in Minneapolis. His death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. His life-long friend, Dr. A. C. Wedge, followed him to the grave a few months later, one of the last labors of the doctor's being to prepare a loving tribute to Mr. Hibbs for publication by the Loyal Legion. The parents of David R. P. Hibbs were Jacob Hibbs and Sarah A. Worstall Hibbs, both natives of Bucks county, Penn., where was spent the span of their years. The great grandfather of David R. P. Hibbs, Edward Heston, was a lieutenant colonel of a Pennsylvania regi¬ ment during the Revolution, was one of the noted heroes of that conflict, and afterward rose high in official life in the Keystone state.

Harwood G. Day, the dean of Freeborn county journalism, has edited the Freeborn County Standard since 1883, and has made that paper not only a powerful organ in the county but also in the state. He has taken an active part in every public movement, and few indeed are the committees for the upbuild¬ ing of the city or county on which he has not served. An enumeration of the offices he has held, the committees he has headed and the business concerns he has assisted in starting would fill several pages. He was born in Jericho, Vt., July 15, 1844, son of Jonas Galusha and Betsey Washburn (Stroud) Day: was educated in the common and select schools of Attica, Wis., and Evansville (Wis.) Seminary; read law in the office of Judge James Knowlton, of Chicago, 111., completed his law courses in an office at Webster Citv. Iowa, and was there admitted to the bar May 18, 1868. Thus equipped he engaged in the practice of law at Estherville, Iowa, from 1868 to 1878, and at Lanesboro, Minn., from 1878 to 1883, engineering some important railroad deals in connection with the Southern Minnesota. In the mean- Tkae he had enlisted as a private in the Civil War, and was detailed to act as clerk in the assistant quartermaster's depart¬ ment in the Army of the Cumberland. In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the lower house of the Iowa legislature, and for ten years he served as county attorney of Emmet county, Iowa. It was with this record that he came to Albert Lea in 1883 and assumed control of the Freeborn County Standard, established in 1857. In this capacity the scope of his influence cannot be meas¬ ured. During the nearly thirty years of his residence here he has fearlessly and staunchly stood by his convictions, and his paper, which has a wide circulation, represents the sane, laAV abiding sentiment of the substantial people of Freeborn county. Mr. Day has served the Democratic party in various important positions, and is a close personal friend of many of the Demo¬ cratic leaders. He is also an influential member of the Minne- sota Editorial Association. His fraternal affiliation lias been chiefly with the Masonic body. The subject of this sketch was married at Blue Earth, Minn., May 22, 1871, to Mary Howland, who has proved a most able and sympathetic helpmeet. This union has been blessed with the following children: Carlyle Harwood Day, Mary Pearl Day and Howland Carroll Day. Mary Pearl Day was born March 6, 1874, at Estherville, Iowa, educated at the Albert Lea high school and Albert Lea College, and was married at Albert Lea December 28, 1896, to Carl E. Day, of New York city, which is his headquarters as member of a large manu¬ facturing company. They have two children: Mary Dorothy and Carl E. H. Day.

Carlyle Harwood Day was born at Estherville, Iowa, October 10, 1872, graduated from the Albert Lea high school, married Marguerita Harvey Dwight at Albert Lea June 20, 1900, was associate editor of the Standard ten years, served as first lieu¬ tenant in Co. I., 12th Minn. Yol. Inf. during the Spanish-Ameriean war, and was deputy state fire marshal at St. Paul, and member of the late Gov. John A. Johnson's "Kitchen Cabinet." He has since been manager of an extensive real estate business at Omaha and Chicago. They have three children : Dwight Har¬ vey, Elinor Harwood and Priscilla H. Day.

Howland Carroll Day, who is associated with his father in the editing and publishing of the Freeborn County Standard, was born in Albert Lea April 8, 1888, son of Harwood G. and Mary (Howland) Day. He attended the Albert Lea schools, graduated from the Albert Lea high school in 1907 and at once took up work with his father. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is one of Albert Lea's popular young men.

A. J. D. Haupt, D. D., clergyman, author, educator and man of affairs, has been in the county too short a time to have taken a part in its past history, but his work is already having its in¬ fluence on the people of Albert Lea and vicinity. Dr. Haupt comes of a distinguished family, his father, General Herman Haupt, having not only been a distinguished officer in the Civil War, but also an engineer of international reputation, some of the most difficult tunneling and construction work in the United States having been accomplished under his direction. He was also a professor of higher mathematics in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn., for many years. A. J. D. Haupt was reared in a home where the influences were those of refinement and beauty. In 1882 he graduated with high honors from the Uni¬ versity of Pennsylvania, and the following year came to Minne¬ sota and started his pastorate of the Memorial English Lutheran church, in West Sixth street, St. Paul. In this relation he con¬ tinued for over a quarter of a century, starting with a congre- gation of six members, and leaving a large congregation well established as one of the leading churches of the city. When he first came to St. Paul he served as private tutor in the Univer¬ sity. Having been a teacher in free hand and mechanical drawing free night classes, Rev. Haupt has utilized this talent in his church work, and several churches still standing are a monu¬ ment to his skill as an architect. While pastor at St. Paul he was appointed in 1906 by Gov. John A. Johnson, along with Justice E. A. Jaggard, a state commissioner to the National Divorce Congress. As one result of this appointment the Penn¬ sylvania College at Gettysburg, Penn., in which his father served as a professor in 1837-39, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in June, 1907. After serving as divorce com* missioner for the state, the people of Pittsburgh, Penn., made insistent demands that he begin the work of the Inner Mission in that city. Seeing the field for abundant results, Dr. Haupt accepted the call, and during his three years in Pittsburgh made a special study of the causes and prevention of crime. The work was vastly important, but after three years' strenuous work Mrs. Haupt 's health broke down, and the doctors ordered her back to Minnesota. Consequently in the fall of 1910 Dr. Haupt accepted the pastorate of the Salem Lutheran church, of Albert Lea. He has done much toward upbuilding this church and has made an especial effort in behalf of the young people. Dr. Haupt is the author of books and articles on the life, work and career of his father, as well as upon various historical subjects, espe¬ cially along the lines relating to the growth of the English Lutheran church in America. He himself has had a part in the making of history, being one of the pioneers in the English

Andrew J. Luther was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 8, 1837, moved to Wisconsin in 1856 and came to Minne¬ sota in 1857. He located on a farm in Bancroft township, this county, and farmed until 1898, when he retired and moved to the city. He married Florence Hamilton and has two children. February 24, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 5th Minnesota Vol¬ unteer Infantry, and served until mustered out, being wounded

Philip Herman was born in Germany May 11, 1828. He came to America in 1854 and to Freeman township in 1857, taking land and farming until 1901, when he retired and moved to Glenville. He died January 28, 1908, and his wife died April 7, 1909. Of

Henry N. Ostrander was born in New York state in 1824, and as an infant was taken to Canada. While still a boyhe 'v*s taken back to New York by his father and on November 22, 1846, married Sarah A. Smith. In June, 1849, they located in Wiscon¬ sin, and June 12, 1859, Mr. Ostrander staked out a claim in sec¬ tion 26, Bancroft township, this county. He served in town and school office and was county commissioner some five years. He had eight children. Henry N. Ostrander died in 1899, and his wife in 1905.

C. N. Ostrander, of Alden, the firefighter, was born in Clinton county. New York, and lived with his parents as an infant in Wis¬ consin, before coming with them to Bancroft township in 1859. He was reared on the home farm and also worked on the rail¬ road. Tn 1877 he came to Alden, and has since been engaged in the jewelry, machine and wagon business. He has been school director, was engineer of the water works fourteen years and has been chief of the fire department many years. In 1873 he mar¬ ried Jennie Comstock, and has three daughters, Mabel, Leona and Ruby.

Simon Strauss is a native of the grand duchy Hessen, Ger¬ many, where he attended the folkscliool. At the age of thirteen he entered the Gymnasium at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and after graduating, took employment as correspondent in a bank. In the year 1876 he came to America and located in Iowa. Two years later, in September, 1878, he came to Albert Lea, and opened a clothing store. In this business he engaged for twentynine years. Then he retired in fairly comfortable circumstances. He was one of the organizers of the Albert Lea National Bank and of the Albert Lea State Bank, and is now ^ne of the prin¬ cipal stockholders in the First National Bank of Albert Lea.

Mrs. Ellen Thompson. Ellen Gascoyne was born January 8, 1830, at Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England. She was married to A\ illiam Thompson in 1851 and came to America with her husband four years later, locating at Burlington, Wis. In 1858 they moved onto a farm a few miles east of Albert Lea and lived there until Mr. Thompson enlisted in the army. He served ;ts a corporal in Company C of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer In¬ fantry, was severely wounded at Corinth and died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., August 25, 1863. Mrs. Thompson displayed the characteristic courage of the pioneers and she was able to fight prairie fires, ward off Indians and endure all the hardships of those early days with remarkable bravery. She was a woman of great strenglh of character and her life has been marked by the great¬ est kindness and most unselfish devotion to the welfare of others.

Peter P. Overgaard, a well known and respected farmer, was born in Rieeland township January 19, 1869. His parents, Peter and Susan Overgaard, were natives of Norway and crossed the briny deep to make a home for themselves in a new and strange country in the forties. They first settled in Wisconsin and re¬ mained there for about ten years, after which they came to Free¬ born county and located in Riceland township, where the father was one of the early settlers. He took a claim of about 200 acres and did general farming until his death in 1890, when his son, the subject of this sketch, assumed the responsibility of running the farm and caring for his mother. Peter P. Overgard attended the common schools of Riceland and spent one term at 'the Luther Academy, Albert Lea, but his father's death ended fur¬ ther pursuance of his studies. He later purchased the old homestead and lias since made numerous improvements and here pursues general and dairy farming. Fie raises Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Overgard was married to Caroline Winjum, daughter of Ole K. Winjum, of Albert Lea, in 1896, nnd six children have come to bless their home : Vivian, Pearl, Peter, Raymond, Alyda and Henry, who are all at home. In politics Mr. Overgard votes with the Republican party and he is a member of the Lutheran church. That he has the regard and confidence of the community is evidenced by the length of time he has served in different offices in the township. He has been assessor for the past six years, has been town clerk, and is stockholder and director in the Riceland Creamery and stock¬ holder and director in Lerdal Telephone Company.

Christ Yost was born in Germany September 15, 1837, the son of Frederick and Louisa Yost. He received his education in Europe and came to United States in 1857, locating on a farm near Chicago. He Jived there and later worked in the city of Chicago. In 1866 he purchased land in Nunda and moved here, lie later sold tliis first purchase and bought his present farm in section 16, and followed general and dairy farming till 1907, at which time he soJd his farm to his son and lives a retired life on the old home place. On May II, 1862, he married Elizabeth Lucas and to this union were born seven children. Frederick W. married Susan Harrington; Mary L. married Ernest Linderaann ; Katie A. married Charles Fink ; Margaret A. married Frank Fink ; Louis married Emelia Smith and they live on the home place. John, the youngest child, married Lottie Marby. On September 15, 1910, John was killed in an automobile acci¬ dent. Mr. Yost's wife died in September, 1896. On December 11, 1898, Mr. Yost married Minnie Barst. He is a member of the Lutheran church. He votes with the Republican party.

Valentine Katzung, one of Manchester's leading farmers, was born in Germany, January 4, 1845, son of Joseph and Margaret (Hoffman) Katzung, who came to America with their family in 1855 first locating in Winnebago county, Illinois, where the mother died some years after, the father following her to the grave some time later. Valentine attended the schools of his native land, and came with his parents to America in 1855, at ten years of age, locating with them in AYinnebago county, Illinois, and there attending the English schools, completing his education and there growing to manhood. Then he resided for a year in Columbia county. "Wisconsin. In June, 1862, he came to Minne¬ sota, and on January 1, 1863, joined the Union army by enlist¬ ing in Company F, First Minnesota, serving until October 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., on account of the close of the war. He served in most of the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment engaged. He was wounded in the left ankle at the Battle of Gettysburg, which kept him from his company for seven weeks, after which he re¬ sumed his duties until discharged. Then he returned to Minne¬ sota and located in Faribault county for four years, after which lie came to this county and located in Mansfield township, where he purchased eighty acres of land in section 9, and here estab¬ lished his home and engaged in farming. He first constructed a sod house in which he and his family lived for nine years. His present home was erected in 1903, and is one of the finest in the township. Mr. Katzung worked hard, and by dint of hard labor and his untiring efforts he prospered as the years glided by and added to his holdings from year to year until he owned over a thousand acres of land, one section, 640 acres, of which was across the line in Keister township, Faribault county, the balance being in the present farm in Manchester township, where he still re¬ sides. The section of land in Faribault county he has divided among his sons, August, Edward, "William and Herman, who are now substantially located on the land. Aside from the farms, he equipped them with stock and horses, and fitted them in every way to begin life for themselves upon a substantial foundation. Mr. Katzung follows general farming and a visit to his large farm shows the evidence of his thrift and farsightedness. Mr. Katzung is an independent Republican and the family faith is that of the German Lutheran church, of which they are faithful attendants and of which Mr. Katzung is a liberal supporter. He, together with others, was instrumental in the building of the Manchester Creamery, in which institution he is a stockholder and director at the present time. Like all others who fought for the Union cause, he is still loyal and intensely patriotic, and has for a good many years been an active member of Ash Post, G. A. R., of Alden, Minn. He was married August 2, 1868, to Chris¬ tina Yrost, daughter of Frederick and Fredereka Y^ost, natives of Germany, where she Avas born February 10, 1850. She has proven a capable and faithful helpmeet through all these years union eleven are living. They are: August, Edward, AVilliam, Ferdinand, Flerman, Fred, Bertha, Ernstina, Alwena, Louisa and Elizabeth. Those dead are Minnie and Katherine. .

David A. Davidson was born April 29, 1859, and is a native of Norway, the son of Andrew and Rachel Davidson, who came to the United States in 1868 and settled on section 35, township of Mansfield, where they bought forty acres of land. Their son, David, began to work out as soon as he was old enough and later rented some land and started for himself. In 1885 he bought eighty acres of land in sections 22 and 27. Here he made his borne and built a house, barn and the other buildings necessary, and he also in many ways made other improvements. On Febru¬ ary 5, 1891, he married G. Skogen, of Wisconsin, and to them have been born eight children. Mr. Davidson is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican. He has held the office of assessor five years, has also been school clerk nine years, which is evidence that he lias the confidence of the people in the community in which he resides.

George Olson, who was born August 19, 1843, is still actively engaged in farming on section 29 in Nunda township. He is the son of Ole and Carrie (Gunderson) Trondson, who were natives of Norway. The subject of this biography came to the United States in 1871, after learning the carpenter's trade in Norway, and located in Albert Lea, where he followed the business of carpenter and builder for more than thirty years. In 1901 he came to his present home in Nunda and took up farming, which has been his chief business to the present time. He has made notable use of his trade by building himself a handsome dwelling on his farm, modern in all essentials. In February, 1886, he mar¬ ried Christiana Emmons, and to them have been born nine chil¬ dren, two of whom are deceased. The living are : Carl, Otto, Etta, Lester, Morris, Alice and Russell. Carl operates the garage in Emmons. Mr. Olson is a member of the Lutheran church. He

J. P. Nelson, the owner of Maple Leaf Stock Farm, came to this country from Denmark in 1881. Two years after his arrival here his parents, Ole and Maren (Olsen) Nelson, came and settled in Bancroft township. J. P. was born July 31, 1866, in Den¬ mark and was only fifteen years old when he left home to seek his fortune in America. For some time after reaching this coun¬ try he worked out by the month and spent about six years travel¬ ing, working on the railroad and in the pine woods, and even¬ tually settling in Bancroft. He purchased the William Kennedy farm, which he cultivated and made yield abundantly for eight years, after which he moved to another farm a year. He rented his present farm a year and then purchased it from N. T. Sand¬ burg, the pioneer. This farm comprises 247% acres of good land, of which Mr. Nelson keeps about 200 acres under cultivation and the remainder is in meadow and pasture. He is interested in gen¬ eral farming, but devotes a greater portion of his time and atten¬ tion to dairying. Formerly he favored Shorthorn cattle. Now iie keeps a valuable dairy herd of Holstein cows and ships their milk to the local creamery, being president of the Bancroft Co-operative Creamery Association. He married Carrie Hen¬ drickson, a daughter of Ole and Martha Hendrickson, and to this marriage two children have been born - Mamie and Ella. Mr. Nelson is prominent in the affairs of his township and at present is the justice of the peace. He is an independent voter. He is held in high esteem by his fellow men and well deserves their trust and confidence, as his life of honesty and integrity bears witness.

Seth Sleeper Challis was born on a farm in Corinth, Vt., April 7. 1822. He gained his education in tlie schools and academy of that town and worked for a time at the carpenter's trade. When about twenty-five years of age he went to Manchester, N. H., where, for several years he worked in the cotton factories, taking an occasional fishing trip to the banks of Newfoundland for cod. mackerel and halibut. November 22, 1852, he was married in Mat linen. Alass., to Ann Julia Orr, also a native of Corinth. They settled in Gloucester. Mass., where he worked at the carpenter's trade. In January, 1857, he sailed from New York to California by way of Panama, his wife and two daughters returning to the old home at Corinth. Five years later he returned across the plains, and the following June he and family arrived in Hartland township, where the next year he filed on the homestead in section 31 and built a house, hauling much of the lumber from Minneapolis by ox team, also using black walnut, sawed at the mill in Freeborn. He was active in the organization of a militia company, of which he was made captain, and in starting the pub¬ lic school in district No. 10, for which he built the first school house, which is still in use. Having sold his farm, he removed to Freeborn village in 1896, where be died November 8, 1905. Mrs. Challis celebrated her ninetieth birthday August 13, 1911, having with her the four daughters, Julia Emma, widow of AY. L. Hansen; Roanna F.. born in Massachusetts; Pollv Abbv, now Airs. Christ Olsen, and Lucy Jane, now Airs. I. H. Seatli, born in Alinnesota. The three older daughters were school teachers. All live at Freeborn.

(Tuttle) Whittemore, natives of New England, who came west in the early forties, and in 1867 moved to Missouri, where James died in 1896, his wife being still alive. Benjamin received his education in Wisconsin and Missouri, to which latter state he went with his parents in 1867. In 1877 he came to Freeborn county, and on January 3, 1878, he married Nancy Jennie Barden. The following two years they spent in Carthage, Mo. Then they returned to Freeborn county and located on the old Barden home¬ stead in Manchester township. Mr. Whittemore is a Prohibi¬ tionist and a member of the Presbyterian church. He has in¬ vented the Whittemore Twentieth Century Road Grader, which was patented March 15, 1910. Simple and strong in its construc¬ tion, the machine will cut a roadway eighteen feet wide, or a narrower width if desired. The work is done by two grader bars, each ten feet in length on one side of the machine. These bars are hinged, so as to swing in or out as may be desired, so as to cut and grade a wide or narrow roadway, as wanted. The bars will cut heavy sod as well as scrape up the loose dirt. At the rear of the machine is a V-shaped device of the same construction as the grader bars. This can be handled independent of the grader bars at the side, and with the aid of levers, raised or lowered, so that dirt gathered up in the grading can be carried along and let out wherever needed to fill up holes and depressions, and the roadway rounded in perfect shape at the same time. Each part is under perfect control by the use of levers or wheels, so that various conditions existing along the roadway can be taken advantage of by the operator. Moreover, the machine adjusts itself to all conditions without extra adjustment on the part of the operator. For propelling the grader a twenty-horsepower traction engine or a gas tractor is used, which enables it to move right along, making a shallow or deep cut as conditions may de¬ mand, at the rate of from two and. one-halt to three miles pei hour. The machine is mounted upon three wheels, two in front and one at the rear, and is easily handled. The machine weighs about one and a quarter tons, is built of first-class material in all respects and is notably strong and durable. It can be made of any size desired, to grade from eight to thirty feet.

Mrs. Benjamin Whittemore, whose maiden name was Nancy Jennie Barden, was born in Erie county, New York, April 29, 1857, daughter of Gilbert J. and Harriett (Sherwood) Barden, pioneers of Manchester township. She came west with her parents in 1858, and was educated in the public schools of Albert Lea, after which she engaged in teaching for four years, one and a half years of this service being in the Albert Lea schools. She is a very interesting woman of the old New England type, and her recollections of the trials and struggles of the early days are very vivid. January 3, 1878, slie married Benjamin Whitte- * more, and after two years in Missouri they settled on her parents' homestead, where they still reside.

Gilbert J. Barden, deceased, a pioneer of 1858, in Manchester township, was born in Erie county, New York, March 18, 1826, son of Gilbert J., Sr., and Lina AYashbourn Barden. He was mar¬ ried November 17, 1853, at Colden, N. Y., to Harriett Sherwood and in the spring of 1858 they located in section 24, Manchester township, this county, and secured 160 acres of government land, on which they engaged in farming. Some years later he estab¬ lished a livery stable at Albert Lea, which he conducted for six years. He was the first veterinary surgeon in the county. It is worthy of note as history that Mr. Barden, in the early days, walked from Albert Lea to McGregor, Iowa, a distance of 144 miles, to earn money to get shingles to cover his log cabin. He died November 7, 1894, at the old homestead, his declining years having been cared, for by his daughter, Mrs. Benjamin AYhittemore.

Mrs. Gilbert J. Barden, whose maiden name was Harriett Sher¬ wood, was born at Salisbury, Yt., August 21, 1832, and was there educated. She came west with her husband in the spring of 1858 and will always be remembered by the people of Freeborn county for her many kind deeds and acts. She was among the first nurses in the city, and for several years assisted Dr. A. C. Wedge. Like him, she was always ready and willing to go where duty called. She was loATed and cherished by all who knew her and her name will never be forgotten in this county. As an evidence that she was as brave and capable as she was kind, the story is told that she once drove an ox team alone from Albert Lea to McGregor, Iowa . She died September 25, 1910, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Whittemore, of Manchester.