Freeborn County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 6 of 11)

Thomas Ellwood Noble was born at Marquette, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, Dec. 30, 1856, son of John H. and Emma Lyon Noble, early pioneers. He acquired his education in the county schools of Marquette and Kingston, and for six years after leav¬ ing school was employed on a farm. In 1882 he went to Iowa, re¬ maining there two years, and on March 1, 1885, he came to Free¬ born county and located in Manchester township. Here Mr. No¬ ble rented the George B. Chamberlain farm, which he worked until 1898, and then purchased 158 1-2 acres of the same farm, located in section 26, Manchester. He remodeled the buildings, cultivated and improved the land and engaged in general and dairy farming, making a specialty of raising graded Jersey cat¬ tle. In 1906 Mr. Noble moved to North Albert Lea, where he made his home until May, 1911, when he moved into Albert Lea. He purchased a home at 616 West Clark street and there resides at the present time. Mr. Noble's time is occupied with home and farm interests, assisting in the agricultural department of the local high school. In political activities Mr. Noble has adhered to the views of the Prohibition party, and he wras elected to serve in the State Legislature in 1907 and again in 1909 on the Prohibi¬ tion platform, being one of the three first men of that party to serve as legislators in Minnesota. He has held township and school district offices, always taking an interest and participating in matters pertaining to the public welfare. He is a stockholder in the Manchester State Bank and also in the Manchester Creamery and for several years was a director of the latter organization. In 1910 he was elected to be the first president of the Minnesota State Corn Growers' Association, of which he is one of the char¬ ter members, and was re-elected in 1911. He is an attendant of the Baptist church and a contributor to its support. Fraternally, he is a member of the M. AY. A. Air. Noble married Dora Cham¬ berlain, daughter of George B. and Emily Skiff Chamberlain, on April 23, 1885, and their one son, William, formerly a student at the University of Alinnesota, nowT occupies a position with Skin¬ ner, Chamberlain & Co., in Albert Lea.

John H. Noble, born April 15, 1832, was a native of New lY>rk state. In 1846 he moved to Alarquette, Wis., and settled in Green Lake county, where he acquired some land and engaged in gen¬ eral farming. He later met and married Emma Lyon, who came to AYisconsin in the early forties with her parents from Duchess county, New l"ork, and settled in what is now Lyons, Wis. Emma Noble died on Alarch 24, 1864, leaving a family of four children, two girls, Emma and Harriet, having died in infancy. Of the four, Ellwood resides in Albert Lea; Josephine married Lewis Phillips of Clarks county, AYisconsin; Judson L. lives in Fairwater, AYis. ; Lucy died at Bristol, N. Y ., Aug. 23, 1905. Air. No¬ ble had by a second marriage two more sons, Samuel, of Fairwater, AVis., and Carleton, of Kingston, Wis. Air. Noble died July 30, 1903, survived by his third wife, Eunice Gardner Noble, who now resides at Bristol, N. Y.

George B. Chamberlain was born Nov. 22, 1820, in Palmer, Hamden, Alass. In his early youth' he moved with his parents to Cattaraugus county, New York, where, in Alarch, 1855, he was married to Emily Skiff. They settled on a farm in Ellicottville, where to them were born Ella M., nowT Airs. Charles Fellows of Albert Lea ; Denna AL, who died in infancy, and Dora E., now Airs. Ellwood Noble, Albert Lea. In the fall of 1859 they moved to Lyons, A\ is., where they spent the winter with the parents of Airs. Chamberlain. The spring of 1860 they came overland with horses and wagons to Manchester, Freeborn county, occupying the home built in section 26 by Smith S. Skiff. This was the first house built in the township, it being built in the summer of 1856. Later they moved on to their own farm, adjoining, where they re¬ sided until April, 1885, when Mr. Chamberlain rented the farm to T. E. Noble. In this home their son, William G. Chamberlain, now of Albert Lea, was born. They returned to permanently re¬ side with T. E. Noble's family in the fall of 1903, moving with them to Albert Lea, where Mr. Chamberlain died on May 2, 1907. Mrs. Chamberlain survived him till Dec. 19, 1909, when at the age of seventy-seven, she, too, passed away.

Mrs. George B. Chamberlain. Emily Skiff, daughter of Stephen and Mehettable Skiff, was born in Cattaraugas county, New York, on March 29, 1832. She was one of a family of seven daughters and four sons. In young womanhood she came with her parents to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where she spent a number of years before returning to her native state on a visit. There on March 18, 1855, she was married to George B. Cham¬ berlain. They settled upon his farm in Ellicotville, N. Y., where three daughters were born to them : Ella M., now Mrs. C. R. Fel¬ lows; Dora E,, now Mrs. T. Ellwood Noble, both of Albert Lea, and Demia, dying in infancy. In the fall of 1859 they decided to try their fortunes in what was then the "Far West," taking with them horses and wagons with which to convey themselves and a small quantity of household goods. The first stage of the journey was via the Great Lakes to Wisconsin. After passing the winter at Lyons they resumed their journey in the spring with the horses and covered wagon. Their objective point was Manchester, Minn., where two of Mrs. Chamberlain's brothers, Benjamin and Smith Skiff, had previously secured land, the latter having built the first log house in the township of Manchester in the year 1856. This house is. at the time of publication, still standing at its original location on Section 26. To this home Mr. Chamberlain came, securing adjoining land, upon which they lived for the next quarter of a century. Here was born a son, William G., now of the firm of Skinner, Chamberlain & Co., of Albert Lea, In the meanwhile acquaintances and relatives had been coming to Free¬ born county and establishing homes. Among these was the family of E. K. Pickett, whose wife, Philina Skiff Pickett, was a sister of Mrs. Chamberlain. With the courage and cheerfulness of youth these earU settlers endured privations, overcame diffi¬ culties, and shared with each other their joys and sorrows. In the year 1885 Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain rented their Manchester farm and purchased a home near Albert Lea. They continued to live in and near Albert Lea for the rest of their lives. Mrs. Chamberlain, upon leaving the farm, was enabled to devote a greater part of her time to church work. She was a devout mem¬ ber of the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea and loyally fol¬ lowed it through its various vicissitudes, living to see it in its new home and in a flourishing condition. She also was a strong advo¬ cate of temperance principles, being a member of the Albert Lea AY oman 7s Christian Temperance Union for many years. During the last years of her life she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. T. E. Noble. Air. Chamberlain died in Alay, 1907, and Airs. Chamberlain, in her 78th year, passed away December 19, 1909. At the close of a most useful life we have this tribute paid her: ' 'Airs. Chamberlain was a sterling character and was a Christian in its truest sense in every walk of life.7'

William N. Nelson, extensive land owner and retired farmer, now residing in Albert Lea, was born in AViota, La Fayette county, AYisconsin, Sept. 14, 1855, son of Even and Johannah (Christian¬ son) Nelson, pioneers of 1858. AVilliam N. was brought to Alinnesota in 1858, and was reared to manhood in Albert Lea township, receiving his early education in the schools of district 54. In 1878 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in section 13, Freeman township, the tract now being known as the "Dick AYindt place." Through hard work and by untiring efforts, Air. Nelson forged ahead, and with the years attained great prosperity. He acquired extensive holdings, developed and improved several tracts of land, erected suitable buildings, and conducted agricultural operations in a modern manner on a large scale, becoming one of the sub¬ stantial men of the county. He was a fancier of black Poll-Angus cattle and Poland China hogs, and for twenty years bought, raised, fed and shipped cattle to the markets, more particularly to Chi¬ cago, his annual business in this line amounting to something like $100,000.00. In the fall of 1876 he and C. Rood purchased a threshing outfit, which they operated several autumns. Being in¬ terested so greatly in cattle, it was but natural that he was in¬ terested in organizing the first creamery at Glenville and became one of its directors. During the period of his agricultural and live stock operations, Air. Nelson made his home on the family farm in Albert Lea township, and upon retiring in 1905, left his son, Alaynard J ., on the place, thus making a continuous occupancy of the farm by the Nelson family since 1858. Aside from farming, Air. Nelson has interested himself in real estate. At the present time he owns 4000 acres of land, including 700 acres in Freeborn county, considerable territory in Murray county, this state, where he first acquired land in 1894, and also large tracts in Alontana, Texas and North Dakota. He is also interested in the Albert Lea Land Co. and the Aladison Valley Land & Stock Co., both of Al¬ bert Lea. These companies he helped organize and is serving them as president. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank, of Albert Lea ; the Freeborn County State Bank, of Albert Lea, and the Glenville State Bank, of Glenville. Since 1890 he has been a third owner, with his brothers, C. E. and J. E., in the Nelson Bros, department store in Albert Lea. While in the coun¬ try Mr. Nelson served honorably in many school and township of¬ fices. He was on the town board and has the distinction of serv¬ ing a quarter of a century on the school board of district 54, which school he attended as a boy. In 1905, the subject of this sketch retired from farm work and moved to a pleasant home which he erected on Fourth street, Albert Lea. Here he and his wife live in well-deserved retirement, although Mr. Nelson is still actively engaged in looking after his various properties. It has been said of Mr. Nelson that he started in life by driving an ox team, on the farm for his father, and has now reached the stage where he drives a fine White Steamer automobile for himself. William N. Nelson and Emma B. Haug, who was born at Wiota, Wis., Dec. 3, 1858, were married May 24, 1877, and this union has been blessed with four children. Edgar H. lives in Shell Rock township ; May¬ nard J. works on the old home farm; Wilda L. is a student in St. Olaf college, Northfield, and Elmer P. is doing well in the Albert Lea schools. The family faith is that of the Norwegian United Lutheran church.

Even Nelson (deceased) was born in Norway and came to America in 1853. Shortly after his arrival in this country he married Johannah Christiansen and they located in LaFayette county, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade as shoemaker. In 1858 they moved to Freeborn county and located on section 36, Albert Lea township. There he acquired a quarter section, erected a log house and started breaking the land. He continued to fol¬ low general farming, gradually improved his place, built a frame house and suitable barns, and went through all the hardships in¬ cident to pioneer life. As opportunity afforded, he increased his holdings and at one time owned considerable tracts of land. In 1877 he left the home place in charge of his son, William N., and moved to another farm, where he passed the remainder of his life. To himself and wife, Johannah, five children were born, of whom William N. resides in Albert Lea; Amelia married M. P. Johnson, now deceased ; C. E. and J. E. are merchants in Albert Lea, their firm being known as the Nelson Brothers, and Julia married Erick Ramsey of Park River, N. D. Some years after the death of Mrs. Johannah Nelson, Mr. Nelson married Anna Olson of Wiota, Wis., this marriage taking place May 17, 1878. To them a family of seven children were born: Eva, the wife of Edward Storvick, of Albert Lea; Ida, now Mrs. John Abba, of St. Paul; Archie, of Al¬ bert Lea ; Mabel, Chester, Guy and Edward, at home. Mr. Nelson

£d. Open, the successful farmer of section 15, Riceland, is a native of Norway and was born Oct. 1, 1866, son of Nels and Ellen Open, who lived their lives in the old country. Mr. Open received his education before coming to the United States in 1881. He first worked out by the month three years after he came here, mostly on farms. In 1884 he went to South Dakota, where he fol¬ lowed railroading seven years. Tiring of this work, he came to Freeborn county and bought 145 acres in sections 15 and 22, and has so well succeeded that he now has 190 acres. This success has been achieved by general and dairy farming, followed in an in¬ dustrious manner. In 1889 he married Ingeborg Ramsey of Iowa and to them has been born one child. Ella. Mr. Open is a member of the Lutheran church and for several years was one of the di¬ rectors of the Lutheran parochial school of Riceland. In politics he is a Republican and has been elected to both school and town boards. For over five years he has been treasurer of the Riceland Creamery, is a stockholder in the local telephone company and has served as supervisor on the town board. Mr. Open is one of the men of whom it may be truly said that he is a self-made man of sturdy character.

Nicholas Ott was born in Switzerland, Nov. 30, 1857, son of Nicholas and Margaret (Urfer) Ott. He came to the United States with his parents in 1858 and located near LaCrosse, Wis., where he later attended school. When he was twelve years old the fam¬ ily moved to Albert Lea township and here he attended the public schools. After completing his education he engaged in farming and now owns 220 acres of land, part of which is in Pickerel Lake township and part in Albert Lea township. He keeps a high grade of Shorthorn cattle and raises many Poland-China and Berkshire hogs which yield him a substantial income. He disposes of his dairy products to the Co-operative Creamery, of which he is a stockholder. He has made many improvements on his farm and his well-built and comfortable home is one of the landmarks in that locality. He married Carrie Jeklin in 1882 and they are the parents of four children: Robert, wTio married Emma Lembke; Cyrus, Willis and Corenia. Mr. Ott's abilities have been recog¬ nized by his fellow-citizens to the extent that they have elected him to the office of treasurer of school district 102 for twelve con¬ secutive years. He has also been supervisor of the township in the past, serving in these offices with common sense and excellent judgment. He affiliates with the Prohibition party and is a mem¬ ber of the M. W. A. Camp, 835, of Albert Lea. Mr. Ott owes his present prosperous condition to his own hard work and farsight¬ edness, retaining through the years the respect and good will of

Nicholas Ott, Sr., and his wife came from Switzerland to this country in 1858 and settled near LaCrosse, Wis., where he fol¬ lowed the occupation of farming. They remained near LaCrosse eleven years, after which they moved to Minnesota and located in Albert Lea township, and here spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born six children: Margaret, Mary, Mattie, Nich¬ olas; John and Lydia are deceased. Mr. Ott died in 1881 and his wife a few years previous to that time. When the Otts first came here they erected a log cabin and lived there for a time until a comfortable home was later erected. Nicholas Ott, Sr., purchased 320 acres in the early days, but later disposed of a part of it.

Ole Peterson, a prominent citizen of Hayward township, has held many offices of trust and honor in that town, among which are a member of the board of supervisors, in which capacity he has served for the past seven years, and member of the school board, serving here for five years. He was born in Norway, July

18, 1862, and came with his parents to America when he was eighteen years old. They settled in Albert Lea, where they es¬ tablished a home and resided until the end of their lives. The father passed away in 1890 and his widow survived him but a year. Ole, the subject of this sketch, began his early education in the schools of his native land and completed it in the schools of Hayward, after which he began railroad work for the B. C., R. & N., which he followed for a period of sixteen years, the last eight years being car inspector. Later he bought eighty acres in section

19, town of Hayward, and rented additional land and here con¬ ducts general and dairy farming, together with stock raising. He prefers the Holstein-Fresian breed of cattle for dairy purposes and raises Poland China hogs to supply the ever-increasing de¬ mands of the markets. Betsy Hanson, of Norwegian parentage, married Mr. Peterson in November, 1888, and they have three children : Oscar, Gyda and Philip. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church and contributes liberally to its support. He also belongs to the Order of United Workmen and in politics votes independently. He is a stockholder in the Hayward Cream¬ ery and a man whose good judgment is respected by his fellowcitizens.

William P. Pickle, one of the oldest settlers of Freeborn coun¬ ty, was born in Onandaga county, New York, Dec. 31, 1834. When he was two years old, his parents moved near Marshall, Mich. He spent his time on a farm and in a select school in Dane county, Wisconsin, until he was eighteen years old. He then was appren¬ ticed to the blacksmith trade at the Upton Mfg. Co. at Battle Creek, Mich. He worked at his trade until 1857, at which time he crossed the plains in a prairie schooner drawn by four yoke of oxen. He mined gold at Pike's Peak and Leadville. Buffalo were then plentiful and he hunted and killed a large number, also was engaged in many Indian fights. He shod the first government mules that carried the mail across the plains from Fort Kearney, Neb. In 1859 he returned east and located in Freeman township, this county, until 1862, at which time he enlisted in Co. A, 21st Iowa Yol. Inf., in response to the call for volunteers to quell the rebellion. He saw active service and fought at Fort Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and the Siege of Vicksburg. In January of 1864, while at Vicksburg, he was sun-stricken and had the brain fever, from which he never entirely recovered. He was promoted to corporal and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was mustered out April 7, 1865. After the war he re¬ sided for one year with his father in Hartland township, and on May 27, 1865, he married Mary L. Krausliaar. He returned to Freeborn county and bought 160 acres of land in Nunda, where he lived until 1888, at which time he moved to Albert Lea and engaged in the well and windmill business. In 1890 he started a general store at Clover. A year later he again moved to the farm, where he resided until 1898, at which time he moved to Albert Lea and retired from active work. On Aug. 18, 1905, he passed out of this life and now lies at rest in the cemetery near the Ger¬ man Lutheran church, near Clover. His widow and their five children: Lillian Nelson, Fargo, N. D. ; Walter H., Edwall, Wash. ; Martin E., Detroit, Mich.; Etta Jones, Clover, Minn., and Ralph H., Albert Lea, Minn., still survive him. Mr. Pickle served in va¬ rious town and school offices and was held in high esteem. He was a member of the local Masonic lodge.

Ralph H. Pickle of the American Gas Machine Co., of Albert Lea, was born in Nunda township, this county, Jan. 11, 1880, son of William P. and Mary L. (Kraushaar) Pickle. He received his education in the public schools of this county and the Iowa City Commercial College and the Irish Business Lmiversity of Iowa City, Iowa. He began work in the office of the Sharp Mfg. Co. shortly upon completion of his school work, which he continued until the spring of 1904. At that time he engaged as a traveling salesman in specialty lines until 1907, at which time he engaged with the American Gas Machine Co., jobbing their product, with headquarters at Des Moines, la. He discontinued his office during 1909 and traveled direct from headquarters at Albert Lea until Dec. 1, 1910, at which time he assumed charge of the shipping and stock departments for the above company. Aside from his reg¬ ular vocation, Mr. Pickle makes a special study of agriculture, which he carries on on his farm in Itasca. He is one of the pio¬ neers in the raising of alfalfa in this county, and believes it will soon be as common as clover. He has been especially successful in the raising of potatoes, having secured large yields of fine qual¬ ity tubers. Mr. Pickle votes independently and belongs to the U. C. T. and K. 0. T. M. lodges. He was married Jan. 24, 1904, to Nellie E. Lawson, daughter of Lawrence and Hannah (Nelson) Lawson, of Boone, la., and this union has been blessed with three children : Virginia, Manford and Ramona.

W. C. Peck was born in New London, Huron county, Ohio, April 6, 1832, son of Harris and Martha (Stimpson) Peck, natives of New York, who in 1831 moved to Ohio, where they lived until 1858, during which year they moved to Minnesota and located in Albert Lea. The elder Peck was here engaged in the furniture business until the time of his death. W. C., the subject of this biography, attended school in Ohio and completed his education in the Painesville high school. After leaving school he took up the work of carpentry, which he followed until he came west in 1854, first locating in Rockford, Ill., and later in Peoria. In 1861, Mr. Peck came to Albert Lea and was employed at carpentry with his father until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Co. F, 4th Minn. Vol. Inf., and served three years. He was hon¬ orably discharged at Madison, Wis., in 1864, after which he re¬ turned to Albert Lea and again took up his carpentry work. In 1872 Mr. Peck went to Chicago, working for an agricultural ma¬ chine company, and in this occupation he remained until 1882, when he resigned and came again to Albert Lea, where he re¬ sumed his old trade. In 1905 he retired from an active life and is living in his home near the city. He is a Socialist and has pro¬ gressive views. He belongs to the Robson Post, G. A. R., and is a highly-esteemed citizen. On Feb. 25, 1854, Sarah A. Green, of Painesville, 0., became his wife, and their marriage has resulted in the birth of two children, Frank G., a wood manufacturer, of Chi¬ cago, and Maude M., who lives at home.

A. C. Paulson, the well-known and popular banker of Alden, was born in Chicago, Ill., May 25, 1872, son of Paul Carlson and Anne Nelson, the former of whom was lost in the great fire of Chicago. In later years the mother married Ole Paulson and they reside in Martin county, Minnesota. When a boy, Mr. Paulson laid the foundation for his future success in life by close applica¬ tion to his studies. After completing his education he went to Chicago, where he secured employment and received good bus¬ iness training. He returned to Martin county in 1906 and went to work in the bank in Conger, Minn., as cashier, being immedi¬ ately put in charge of the bank. Three years later he accepted the position of cashier in the Security State Bank of Alden, where he is employed at the present time. Annie Olson became his wife on Jan. 23, 1895, and to them one child was born, Arthur, which cost the mother her life. On Feb. 28, 1905, Mr. Paulson married Myrtle Brown, a daughter of R. N. and Anna Brown, and this marriage has been blessed by the birth of a daughter, Lois G. Mr. Paulson favors the ideas advanced by the Republican party and attends divine worship at the Presbyterian church, of which he is a loyal and respected member. He is a member of the Mod¬ ern Brotherhood of America and in every respect one of the pub¬ lic-spirited and progressive citizens of Alden, his success in life being due to his just and conscientious dealings with his fellowmen.

Hans Peterson, who has served his fellow-citizens by acting as chairman of the board of supervisors one term, supervisor several terms and member of the school board for the past twenty-seven years, is one of the influential men of Carlston township. He was born in Denmark, April 27, 1861, and came to the United States six years later with his parents, who located in Illinois, where they remained three months. They moved from there to Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 1867, and settled in Carlston, where the father built a small house, broke the land and prepared to follow the occupation of farming. Hans, the son, was educated in the log school house near his home, and during vacation months helped his father with the farm work. Octavia Svendsen became his wife and their home was blessed by the arrival of six children: Hjalmar, Jens, Victor, Guy, Nora and Hulda. Mr. Peterson owns a valuable farm comprising 200 acres in sections 9 and 16, and here conducts general farming, keeping a large percentage of his land under cultivation. His father is dead and his mother makes her home with her son at the age of four score and four years. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the Alden Co-operative Creamery.

Isaac W. McReynolds, affectionately known as "Father" Mc- Reynolds, was an important factor in the early life of Albert Lea. His deep religious convictions, his rugged piety, his common sense and his benignant disposition, all combined to make a man of rare personality. His influence and that of a few others of strong re¬ ligious faith did much toward making early Albert Lea a lawabiding and God-fearing community and prevented much of the lawlessness usually associated with the beginning of pioneer com¬ munities. Isaac W. McReynolds was born in South Carolina, Feb. 4, 1806. In 1816 he moved with his parents to Jefferson county, Indiana, where they resided on a farm three years. In 1827 Isaac McReynolds moved to Grant county, Wisconsin, and there en¬ gaged in mining and farming until 1856, in the meantime partici¬ pating in the Black Hawk war and taking part in the battle of Bad Axe. In 1856 he came to Freeborn county and lived the first year with William Kellar, at the same time proving up a claim of

160 acres, one mile west of tlie Freeborn county courthouse, in Albert Lea township. He brought his family here the next year. Father McReynolds broke and developed his farm land and erected a log house (still preserved) and suitable outbuildings, and carried on general farming until failing health prevented a continuation of this work. In connection with this he preached and presided at funerals, as a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. At an early date he sold a part of his farm for a nominal sum, to an association of Albert Lea citizens, and the beautiful Albert Lea cemetery now occupies the site. When he was ready to retire, he deeded his farm to his son Frank, but continued to reside on the home farm until his death, Feb. 18, 1899. The subject of this sketch was married in 1834 to Nancy Sparks, a native of Tennessee, born June 7, 1808. Mrs. McRey¬ nolds was a fitting companion for her noble husband, assisting and encouraging him in all his endeavors, and cheering the hard' ships of a pioneer home with Christian fortitude and sweet womanly love. She died Feb. 16, 1892, and went to her grave sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds were the parents of eight children: Margaret and Sarah are twins, the former being married and living in Albert Lea, and the latter being dead. The next children were Jane, Henry, Mary, Franklin M., all deceased, an infant who died before being named and Frances E. (Nielsen), who now owns and oc¬ cupies the old homestead.

Franklin M. McReynolds, now deceased, a veteran of the Civil War, and for many years an honored resident of Albert Lea town¬ ship, was born in Wisconsin in 1840, son of Isaac McReynolds and Nancy Sparks McReynolds. He came to Freeborn county in 1857 with his mother and other members of the family, his father hav¬ ing located here in 1856. He grew to manhood on the McReynolds farm, one mile west of the city of Albert Lea, and for several years taught school in various districts in this county. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C, 5th Minn. Vol. Inf., and served until honorably discharged for ill health, doing excellent valiant service against the Sioux during the Indian campaign. After a well-spent life devoted largely to farming, Mr. McReynolds passed away, Jan. 18, 1893, his funeral being conducted by the G. A. R. and by the Masonic order, in both of which he was a prominent member. At the time of his death the Freeborn County Standard said: "Mr. McReynolds was in every respect a valuable citizen, always up¬ holding everything that was best in the community. He never married, but leaves a host of friends to mourn his death, his ill¬ ness having extended over a period of seven years. His father was the first minister of the Methodist faith that resided here and Franklin M. was ever a consistent follower of that faith."

Frances E. Nielsen (McReynolds) was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, September 23, 1845, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Sparks) McReynolds. She came to Minnesota with her mother in 1857, her father having located here the previous year. Here she grew to womanhood and has always remained on the home farm, faithfully caring for her parents, her brother and her husband during their last days, and at the same time conducting the house¬ hold affairs with ability and economy. She was married April 18, 1889, to Lewis Nielsen, who was born in Denmark, February 9, 1862. Mr. Neilsen attended the schools of his native country, there grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty, in 1882, came to America, locating in Freeborn county. He was employed in vari¬ ous places for a short time and then secured employment on the McReynolds' farm. Here friendship ripened into courtship, and he was married in due time to the daughter of the house. For several 3rears before his death he managed and conducted the old McReynolds' homestead and made many improvements, erecting a fine home, a large barn, and necessary outbuildings, being in a prosperous and successful condition when death called him, July 10, 1909. After coming here he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as steward and trustee of the local congrega¬ tion until the time of his death. He was also a stockholder in the Albert Lea Creamery. Since his death Mrs. Nielsen has continued to live on the home place, renting her land. Like her parents, her brother and her husband Mrs. Nielsen is a devout Methodist and is interested in every good work.

Fred S. Ruble, a successful and prosperous farmer who resides in Pickerel Lake township, was born in that township on Novem¬ ber 20, 1865, son of John and Henrietta Ruble, the pioneers. The subject of this biography was educated in the district school near his home and later completed his studies in Albert Lea, after which he engaged in general farming, working with his father on the home place. In 1890 he started farming on his own responsi¬ bility, purchasing 200 acres of the old homestead located in sec¬ tions 12 and 13. Here Mr. Ruble erected all the buildings and made many improvements, his barn being considered one of the finest in the county. As time has passed and prosperity made it possible, Mr. Ruble has added forty acres to his original farm, making a total of 240, all of which are under a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising pure bred cattle of the Holstein-Fresian variety, having forty head of registered stock, which have taken many prizes at state and county fairs. He is a prominent member of the Holstein-Fresian Breeders' Asso¬ ciation of America. Mr. Ruble is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party and, being of a fraternal disposition, he has allied himself with the M. W. A. He has been selected to serve as a member of the town board for several years, and he is now one of the directors of school district 39. On May 27, 1890, Parthena M. Converse became his wife. She is a daughter of J. H. Con¬ verse, one of the early pioneers in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruble four children have been born, Albert F., Blanche, Helen M. and Clifford A.

Henry Ruble and Mary E. Simonds, his wife, were the parents of George S. Ruble, the founder of Albert Lea, and John Ruble, one of the earliest pioneers of Pickerel Lake township. The founder of the Ruble family in America came from Hanover, Germany, about 1730, and settled in Miffin county, Pennsylvania. His name was Peter. To him were born four sons, Christian, Peter, Abraham and Mathias. The latter settled in the east end of the Kishocoquillas valley several years prior to the Revolution, and he also had four sons, Peter, Michael, John and Henry. The latter married Mary E. Simonds, of York county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four sons, all natives of the above named valley. These sons were Simon, George S., Henry and John. The combined weight of these four brothers before the war was 1,265 pounds, and their combined height was twenty-four feet and ten inches.

John Ruble, one of the earliest pioneers of Freeborn county, and for many years one of the leading citizens of Pickerel Lake, was born in the Kishacoquillas valley, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1827, son of Henry and Mary E. (Simonds) Ruble, of German ancestry. At the age of two years he was taken by his parents to Wayne county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood. He was mar¬ ried August 20, 1849, to Henrietta Fleck, born March 17, 1830, in Saxony, Germany, and removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, settling on a farm there three miles west of the city of Beloit. In 1856 he sold out his interests there and joined his brother, George S. in Freeborn county. He took a quarter section about three miles from Albert Lea in Pickerel Lake township, and in time added to his original preemption until he owned some six hundred acres. At an early day he commenced the sale of agricultural implements, and maintained warerooms and an office in this city. John Rubel died Aug. 27, 1884, and his wife passed away March 24, 1891.

George S. Ruble, the founder of Albert Lea, was born in Kishocoquillas Valley, Miffin county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1822, son of Henry and Mary E. (Simonds) Ruble. In 1829 he was taken by his parents to Green township, Wayne County, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood, receiving but little schooling. On February 1, 1849, he marriey Elethear Humphrey, and removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, settling on a farm three miles west of the city of Beloit, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1855 he sold out his interests in .Wisconsin and came to Albert Lea, being the second settler on the town site. His part in the building of the city is told elsewhere. When the Civil War broke out he was among the first to respond to his country's call. He raised and became captain of Company H, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, was mustered in Decem¬ ber 5, 1862; spent the winter with his company in barracks at Fort Ridgley, and accompanied. General Sibley in his expedition against the Indians across the plains of Dakota in the summer following. He was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, November 24, 1863. In 1864 he re-entered the army as senior first lieutenant of Company C, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went South with that organization. He was com¬ mander of the fort, on Cameron Hill, at Chattanooga, Tenn., and from there was transferred to Charleston, Tenn., and placed in command of Fort Bishop. He was mustered out of the service July 5, 1865, at the close of the war, after which he returned to Albert Lea. While in the South he had become impressed with the opportunity for business development at Chattanooga, Tenn., and decided to locate there, which he did in 1866. He opened business in the agricultural implement line and continued for a period of twelve years. He moved his family therein 1868, and built a house on Lookout Mountain, called " Ruble's Cottage Home." This he conducted as a hotel for twelve years, and it became a famous resort will known all over the South for good fare and genial hospitality. In 1871 his warehouse with all its contents was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of over $50,000.00. The Cottage Home was sold, Captain Ruble having returned to Albert Lea. His health began to fail on account of disease con¬ tracted from exposure while in the army, and he died July 2, 1886, and was buried in the family burying ground at Beloit, Wis., where his wife, who died February 6, 1892, is also buried. H many respects Captain Ruble was a remarkable man ; of Urg and powerful physique, with a fine and commanding figure ; he verance. He stood six feet two and one-half inches in height, and his weight was 275 pounds, and all his brothers were like him - large men. In politics Captain Ruble was a Republican, but was not an active partisan. He was appointed the first sheriff of Freeborn county. He was a charter member of the "Western Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was one of the first Knights Templar in the State. He left two children - Charles Newton Ruble, now deceased, and Mrs. T. P. Greene, of Shelby ville, Tenn. Another child, Simon, died in infancy.

13, 1852, son of John and Henrietta (Fleck) Ruble, the pioneers, who brought him to Pickerel Lake township in April, 1856, where he received his education, and has since continued to reside, engaging in farming pursuits. He now owns 100 acres in section 11, where his home is located, and 260 acres in sections 1 and 2. Like his father before him, he has been prominent in town affairs. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, has served as town clerk and assessor to his own credit and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens, and at the present time is treasurer of school district 39. The subject of this sketch was married, November 29, 1881, to Eliza Heising, and this union has been blessed with four children : Harry E., of Albert Lea; John D., who conducts his father's farm in sections 1 and 2, Pickerel Lake township ; Lanetta V., now Mrs. F. C. Hill, of Albert Lea township ; and Edna, who is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

P. 0. Rosenberg, a prosperous farmer of Hayward township, was born in Norway, July 17, 1862. In 1881 he came to America with his parents, Agnat and Mathias Rosenberg, and located in Hayward township, where the father purchased eighty acres of land and here he carried on general farming until his death in 1902. The mother still resides on the old homestead. The subject of this biography was educated in the schools in Norway, and, having completed his work in them, he started out for himself when he reached this country and purchased forty acres of land in Hayward township, section 32. To this he has added from time to time as opportunity afforded and he now has 360 acres, with over 250 acres under cultivation. On his farm Mr. Rosen¬ berg has made all improvements except building the house. He does general and dairy farming and keeps a herd of grade cattle. He also raises Poland china and Chester white hogs. In 1891 Sene Monson, a native of Norway, became his wife, and this marriage has been blessed with five children : Arthur M., Chester M., Pearl Sophia, Odin C. and Russell M. Mr. Rosenberg upholds the tenents of the Republican party, has held various of¬ fices in his township and has served a number of years as director ci school board. He is one of the stockholders in the Glenville ( ' L-camery.

I T ' H. Rofshus was born in Norway, January 16, 1850. He tame co America with his parents when he was but nine years old, a^d for about a year after reaching this country they lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which they moved to Minnesota and settled in Bancroft. Here they purchased a farm and spent the remainder of their lives; the mother's death occuring in 1889 and the father's five years later. Iver H., their son, took charge of the farm as he grew older and at the present time resides here, carrying on diversified and dairy farming. He disposes of his dairy products to the Riceland Co-Operative Creamery, of which he is a stockholder, and for six years was a director. Carrie Olson, daughter of Ole and Terena Olson, both deceased, became the wife of Mr. Rofshus in 1876, and they are the parents of nine children : Annie, Tilda, Helen, Olave, Sophia, Martin, Irwin and Hazel, and Henry, who is dead. Mr. Rofshus has 119 acres of land. In political ideas he adheres to those advanced by the Republican party, but his careful attention to the betterment of his home and farm have prevented his seeking public office. His genial manner, together with his excellent judgment, have won the regard of the community in which he resides.

N. H. Rasmusson, banker, was born in Freeborn county, Nunda township, April 7, 1868, son of Hogan and Christi (Nelson) Rasmusson, who came to the United States in 1857 and settled in Wisconsin, where they remained but one year. Many of their friends from Norway were settling in Freeborn county, and in 1858 they came here and bought 160 acres of land at $1.25 per acre in Nunda, where they followed general farming. It was here they lived until 1908, and here their children, Christina, N. H., Albert, Isabell, George, Betsy, Andrew, Hanna and Tilda grew up. In 1908 the father died; the mother now lives in Emmons. The subject of this biography was born April 7, 1868, and grew to manhood attending the local schools, the St. Ansgar Academy, and working on his father's farm. After completing his school work he taught two years. It was while teaching that he became interested in telegraphy, to which he zealously applied himself and in a short time became well versed in this work. He worked in various stations in Wisconsin and later was assigned to the station at Norman, Iowa, which was the railroad station for Emmons at that time. He was so well suited to this work that he followed it in the same position over nine years. Appreciating that the opportunity for advancement in this line is somewhat remote lie resigned and became assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Emmons in 1902. He was later made cashier and has since occupied that position. The bank under his man¬ agement has steadily increased in business and risen in the estimate of the public, and today has a high place in the regard of the people of northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. In 1894 Mr. Rasmusson married Gurine Nelson, daughter of Nels and Carrie Nelson, natives of Norway, who located in Nunda in 1859. They here followed farming and reared their family. The mother died in 1907 ; the father still lives in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Rasmusson have been born two children, Cora and Hattie. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Lutheran church. He is with the Republican party in politics, but gives but little time to political affairs. Being socially inclined, he has accepted invitations to join several fraternities, among which are A. 0. U. W., M. W. A., M. B. A., L. P. 0. E., Sons of Norway and the Masonic order.

L. T. Scott, who has been prominently identified in the growth and development of the village of Freeborn, was born in Wyoming county, New York, June 16, 1830. His parents were W. E. and Eliza (Fuller) Scott, who spent their lives on a farm in New York. L. T. received his schooling in his native state and came west to Minnesota in 1856. He homesteaded land in section 26, Freeborn township, and cut logs with which he built a house. He and his wife, Marian Purdie, also a native of New York, endured great hardships and privations, but with the courage of the early pioneers, they struggled against all difficulties and year by year toiled and prospered. The nearest market to which Mr. Scott could sell his grain was at Hastings, and to make this trip required six days by ox team. At times he sold his grain for only 35 cents a bushel. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott six children were born: George F., who was the second white child born in the township; Agnes M., married to Fineus S. Howard; Nettie, the wife of George P. Lattin; Larinda, married to Albert T. Schoen; Peter P. and John G. For forty years Mr. Scott was engaged in general farming interests. He retired from active life in 1896 and moved into the village of Freeborn. He is the president and a director of the First State Bank of Freeborn, and was one of the founders of this institution. He has held many prominent offices in the town, among which are chairman of the board of supervisors, which office he occupied for seventeen years. He was the first postmaster in the town and erected the first hotel, in which was opened the first general store in Freeborn village. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and Eastern Star lodge of Albert Lea and took his first degree in 1861. A public spirited citizen, Mr. Scott is held in respect and admiration by his asso¬ ciates and venerated by the younger generations.

Charles Scoville, an esteemed resident of the village of Free¬ born and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Onondago county, New York, June 27, 1841, son of Lemuel and Eleanore (Reese) Scoville. His father was a native of Connecticut, who moved to New York in the early forties, where he followed the occupation of farming, and in 1858 he came west to Minnesota, locating in Freeborn township, where he spent the remainder of his days. Charles, the son, remained in his home state until the breaking out of the war, and then he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth New York Yol. Inf. He served his enlistment of two years and was honorably discharged, coming to Minnesota in 1863. Here he homesteaded land in section 13, Freeborn town- ship, and carried on general farming for two years, after which he again enlisted to fight for his country, this time in Company A, Ninth TJ. S. Veteran Volunteers. One year later he returned to Minnesota and resumed his labors on the farm, which he continued until 1884, when he moved into Freeborn village. Mr. Scoville married Ann Ball, daughter of John and Charlotte (Smith) Ball, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and a stonemason by trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Scoville eight children were born : Charlotte is the wife of Rev. P. H. Fisk, Nina is now Mrs. Page Guthrie, Grace married John Luther, Herbert M. married Mary Stoddart, Bertha married Ansel Gilmore and they are the parents of one boy, Gordon. Donald, the youngest child, was a graduate of the Albert Lea high school, and a young man uni¬ versally beloved, died in early manhood. Two died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Scoville's daughters were school teachers and the family is one of which they are justly proud. For thirteen years Mr. Scoville was a mail carrier between Hartland and Freeborn and during his service in this capacity he never missed a day's duty, but was busy in all kinds of weather and never faltered in his task. He is a member of the G. A. R. and adjutant of Ash Post, No. 98, of Alden. He is also a member of the M. VT. A. lodge of Freeborn. For eight years he was constable in Freeborn township.

Lester Vandercook Spicer, born in Erie county, Ohio, March 10, 1837, was the oldest son of Isaac Gamble Spicer, of Fort Ann, N. Y. (a descendant of early Connecticut pioneers), and Cornelia Francis Vandercook, born at Pittstown, N. Y., of Dutch-Patroon ancestry. At an early age he went to Oregon, where he was engaged in mining and lumbering at Salem and Joseph. Return¬ ing to Ohio, he conducted a hardware store, and in 1865 moved with his mother and younger brother to Fulton, Mo. In 1870 he came to Albert Lea. He was married April 18, 1872, at Fulton, Mo., to Laura Ann Smith. Mrs. Spicer is the oldest daughter of James Henry Smith and Elizabeth Marshall Duggins, of Bedford and Nelson counties, Virginia. In 1872 Mr. Spicer entered a partnership with Dr. A. C. VTedge in the Corner Drug Store, which business he continued until his death. Having purchased 270 acres of wild timber land he converted it into one of the best stock farms in southern Minnesota and in doing so was one of the first to introduce blooded short-horn cattle in Freeborn county. Mr. Spicer was killed November 29. 1884, by one of his blooded bulls near the present Floral Fair grounds, which was then the west part of his farm. He was the father of five children : Irene, who died December 30, 1899 ; Cora Francis, who married Bert E. Ross and lives at Pasadena, Cal. ; Emma Vandercook, who married

Lester Wedge Spicer, of the firm of Barlow & Spicer, drug¬ gists and stationers, was horn in Albert Lea, October 20, 1876, son of Lester Yandercook and Laura Ann (Smith) Spicer. He was reared in the city of his birth, attending public school and graduating from the high school in 1895. In 1897 he graduated from the College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, and in 1899 became junior member of the present firm. Mr. Spicer is an independent voter and has served as county coroner. He is a member of several fraternal orders. The subject of this sketch was married March 10, 1909, at Wooster, Ohio, to Elizabeth New¬ berry Beebe, fiprn July 20, 1878, daughter of William 0. and J 0*s

Falls, Ohio. Mrs. Spicer is a graduate of Wooster University.^^^^ To this union has been born one daughter, Margery Elizabeth, ' born June 29, 1910.V^nr\iw<k

His father was Sorenson Lah, who died in 1888. The subject of this biography came to America with his parents and settled first in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he worked out by the month for farmers of that locality for three years. He then went to Worth county, Iowa, and took a pre-emption of 160 acres with his father and worked this land till the first call for troops, in August, 1862. He enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Iowa Yol. Inf., which command was organized under the direction of Captain A. B. Miller. This company took part in the engage¬ ments at Yicksburg, Yellow Bayou, Pleasant Hill. Alexandria,

Nunda, where he now owns 120 acres, and also 126 acres just south of this in Iowa. He has also started his children with land for farming. The log house which is at present his home is the one which he constructed in the sixties, and is one of the few remaining log houses which have not been sided over. On March 12, 1867, Mr. Sorenson married Mary Olson, a native of Norway, who came to Iowa with her parents and experienced all the hard¬ ships incident to the life of the pioneer girls during the war period. When laborers were hard to find during the war years she earned from one to two dollars per day doing a man's work on nearby farms. This sturdy old couple has reared a family of twelve children : Julia Sophia, married Asley Larson, of Nunda ;

Iowa ; Sam, married Louise Loberg ; Clara Marie, married Thoaten Flaten, of Nunda ; Olena Frederica, married Ole Larson. Ole Johan is at home, as are also Emma Matia and James, who married Betsy Brewer. Betsy Magina married Henry Hanson. Anna Louisa, Mary Josephine and Ole are deceased. The Sorenson family attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Sorenson is a Re* publican in politics and has been town supervisor many years and member of school board in district 72 over forty years. He is a member of Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R.

Peter Larsen, representative farmer of Albert Lea, was born in Denmark, October 16, 1865, son of Lars and Anna Larsen. His father died in 1873, and the mother is now living in Riceland township, this county. Peter, the subject of this biography, was educated in Denmark and he came to America in 1882, locating in Riceland township. For a period of ten years Mr. Larsen worked at farming in Riceland, after which he came to Albert Lea, where he was employed until 1907, then renting Dr. A. H. Street's farm, which he is caring for and cultivating at present. In 1908, Mr. Larsen purchased eighty acres in section 21, Albert Lea township, and he works this in connection with Dr. Street's property. Politically Mr. Larsen votes independently and he has never sought public office. He married Mary Christiansen on May 13, 1895, and they are the parents of six children, Laily, Ruth, Lyman, Harold, Y'endel and Acton. The family attend the Lutheran church.

Dr. Avalin H. Street has been a prominent citizen of Albert Lea for many years. He was born in Orleans county, New York, on April 29, 1833, son of Chapin and Dolly (Ness) Street, the former of whom passed away in Illinois, and the latter in New York. Avalin, the subject of this biography, commenced his education in the public schools of Orleans county, subsequently attending the academies at Albion and Kerryville, N. Y. Later he graduated in dentistry and medicine in his native state and prac¬ ticed dentistry in the East until thirty-six years of age, when he decided to try his fortunes in Minnesota. Accordingly in 1869 he came to Freeborn county, and opened a dental office in Albert Lea. For a time he also practiced medicine. Retiring eventually from public life, Dr. Street bought a farm comprising a half section located in Alden, and there he made his home for several years, after which he returned to Albert Lea and purchased the John G. Godley farm of 295 acres, on which he resides at the present time. This farm is located about two miles out of the city, and, though seventy-eight years old, Dr. Street walks into Albert Lea nearly every day. He still owns theHarm in Alden but rents it. He has served as justice of the peace in the past, and he has even been a public spirited man. He has left an

Mr. And Mrs. John A. Schoen

T. 0. Selstad, who has been supervisor of the town of Bancroft for the past twelve years, is one of the prominent men in his community. He was born in Bancroft, June 30, 1862, son of Ole and Aasne Selstad. His early boyhood was spent on the home farm assisting his father and making himself generally useful. He received his education in the country school near his home and later in life began farming on his own responsibility, an occupa¬ tion which he has followed since and in which his efforts have been crowned with success. He owns 120 acres of land and raises Holstein cattle, does a profitable dairying business and stock raising. He also raises a good grade of hogs for which he finds ready market. The fine, substantial house in which Mr. Selstad now lives was built by him and he also has made many improvements on the other building's belonging to him, and has erected a silo. He was married to Christina Overland June 24, 1889. He is a respected member of the Lutheran church and is its treasurer. He is a Republican in politics, but has independent views. As a member of the school board he has shown his interest in educational lines and, in fact, Mr. Selstad is in sympathy with all movements which are for the advancement of humanity in general. He is a stockholder and director in the Lerdal Tele¬ phone Company, having served as its manager.

Ole Selstad was born in Norway and migrated to the United States in 1858. He settled in Wisconsin for about two years, after which he came to Bancroft and purchased a farm and made his permanent home and here reared his family. To himself and wife, Aasne, were born seven children, Ole O., Matilda, Halvor, Ida, T. O., Annie and Edna. Mr. Selstad entered into rest in 1888 and his widow survived him for five years.

John A. Schoen, deceased, was for many years a citizen of Albert Lea. He was a native of Germany, having been born in that country January 2, 1829, son of Otto and Mary Schoen. The subject of this biography grew to manhood, was educated in the land of his birth, and when twenty-three years of age, left his old home and crossed the ocean to America. Upon his arrival in this country, Mr. Schoen located in New York and engaged in gardening on the Hudson river, where he carried on this line of business until 1858, when he disposed of his interests and came to Minnesota. He settled in this state first in Hartland township, where he bought 160 acres of Government land, on which he erected a log house and made many improvements and resided for several years. As prosperity afforded he added to his original possessions and purchased forty acres of land across the line in Freeborn township, where he eventually moved and built a frame house, cultivated the soil and carried on general farming until 1893. During this year, Mr. Sclioen rented his farm and moved to Albert Lea and purchased a house at Washington street, where he made his home for a period of time, later selling and moving to Sunset avenue, where he had erected a house. This house Mr. Schoen sold at a later date, after which he purchased the home located at 501 Fountain street, where he resided in retirement until his death, which occurred March 19, 1911. In 1864, Mr. Schoen joined the Union army and served until the close of the war, bravely fighting for the preservation of the Union. He was smitten with a sunstroke on a march near Rich¬ mond, but recovered, and was later honorably discharged. He was an independent voter and did not seek public office. He was a member of Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., Albert Lea, and a respected member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Schoen 's years of industry and farsightedness enabled him to enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries of life during his later years. On October 17, 1856, he married Caroline Harold at New York city. She was born in Germany, December 4, 1833, daughter of Samuel and Caroline Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Schoen were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Adelia; Alfred, of Wells, Minn. ; Mary, the wife fif Samuel Beach, of Manchester; Ella, now Mrs. John Stoa, of Albert Lea; Dora, married to Frank Yost, of Rochester, Minn. ; Mary L. and John H., deceased.

Peter J. Tennis, a progressive farmer of Pickerel Lake town¬ ship, was born there April 10, 1871, the son of Peter and Barbara (Groosbusch) Tennis. Peter was a native of Germany and came to the United States and settled in Laporte county, Indiana, where he farmed a time. He came to Pickerel Lake in the fifties and located on section 26. He here followed general farming, living in the 13 x 13 log house which he erected soon after taking the land. Much of his time in the first years was taken up in clearing and breaking the land and in making the necessary improvements that the farm might become one of increasing value. He gave his efforts to establishing the com¬ munity on a firm basis for future prosperity, and held several public offices. He died January 20, 1892, only four days after the death of his wife. The subject of this biography attended the country schools till fourteen years of age, and then took up regular work on his father's farm. At the time of his father's death he took charge of the farm and has from time to time purchased other land ; he now owns 310 acres in sections 25, 26, Pickerel Lake township. He keeps a good herd of grade short¬ horns and Shropshire sheep, and gives considerable attention to the feeding of steers for market. He annually raises from sixty to eighty hogs of Poland China breed and keeps several horses for farm and driving purposes. The brick house in which Mr. Tennis lives was built in 1885 and is one of the first of the thor¬ oughly comfortable and roomy houses to he built in this locality. On January 25, 1893, the subject of this biography married Mary Holscher, of Manchester, and to them have been born two chil¬ dren, Elizabeth B. and Agnes Annie. Mr. Tennis is a member of the Catholic church, which he attends in Albert Lea. In politics he is independent and has been a director in school district 102 seven years and has held several of the minor offices of the district. Mr. Tennis has made many improvements on his farm, having built a large and modern barn, 40 x 80 feet, and many outbuildings. He has also laid over 2,000 rods of tiling. He has been road overseer, and is a member of the M. W. A. of Albert Lea, as well as of the Albert Lea nest of Owls.

J. E. Simms, a territorial pioneer, has one of the oldest mercan¬ tile establishments in Freeborn county, having been in business in Albert Lea since 1877. He was born in New Jersey, July 26, 1845, son of H. T. and Anna B. (Moore) Simms, and came with them to Freeborn township, this county, with the earliest settlers in 1856. He attended the public schools, and later took a course in Milton College, at Milton, Wis. After teaching two years, he came to Albert Lea, and was employed in the county auditor's office. Then he was interested in the drug and music business a year, after which he opened a music store of his own, handling pianos, organs, and, in fact, all kinds of string, reed and wind instruments. With the invention of the phonograph, he added that line also, and, in addition to this, he also handles sheet music, his place at the present time being one of the musical headquarters of the county. His store at 126 West William street is well worth a visit. While in Freeborn, Mr. Simms served as a justice of the peace, but has not entered public life since his residence in Albert Lea. He is an independent voter, but a believer in the prohibition principles. His place of worship is at the Piesbyterian church. The subject of this sketch was married in 18/2 to Josephine Crandall, of Wisconsin, and this union has been blessed with four children: Elwyn is married and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Jessie is the wife of John Lorenz, and lives in JacKson, Miss. ; Hattie is the wife of Lawrence McCarthy and lives in New York city; Mildred is at home and assists her father in the store. The family residence is at 503 Park avenue. Mr. Simms has taken a deep interest in the early history of the county and has delivered several talks on the subject. May 11, 1909, he presented the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers with a poem entitled "The Vacant Chair," the third verse being his own composition, and the other verses being an entire rear¬ rangement of a favorite old song, from which the music also was

W. J. Warwick was born in Winona county, Minnesota, in 1889, son of James and Ida (Clark) Warwick. His father, who was a native of Ireland, came to America when he was twentyfive years of age and located in Winona county, Minnesota, where he lived until his death. His mother was a native of Winona county, where she resides at the present time. W. J. Warwick was educated in the common schools of Winona county, and later took a short course in the Austin schools. Completing his early schooling, he secured a position as railroad station agent, in which capacity he was employed for several years. He gave up this position to take a course of study to fit himself for a chiropractic practitioner and went to Davenport, Iowa, for this purpose. Later he came to Alden and entered into partnership with J. E. Clayton and here they conducted a general merchandise business until January 1, 1911, when Mr. Warwick sold out to his partner. The subject of this sketch married Dolly Wolcott, a daughter of John Wolcott, of St. Clair, Minn. One child born to them died in infancy. Mr. Warwick is a Republican in politics.

Thomas Thompson

J. E. Clayton, is one of the well known men in his community. His parents were Eastern people who came to Minnesota in 1863 and located at Money Creek, Houston county, where they engaged in farming until 1909, at which time the father, Samuel Clayton, passed away. His wife, Henrietta (Howes) Clayton, now making her home in Alden with her son, the subject of this biography. When a boy J. E. Clayton began his education in the schools in Houston county and later completed it in the Normal school at Winona. He then went to the northern part of the state and purchased a farm, on which he worked during the summer months, teaching school in the winter. For three years he con¬ tinued these occupations, after which he studied telegraphy and worked at this for ten years, finally securing the position of station agent in Alden, where he finally located. Later he and W. J. Warwick formed a partnership, purchased a building in Alden, and here established a general store. The partnership was dissolved January 1, 1911, when Mr. Clayton purchased the War¬ wick interest. Annie WArwick, a sister of "W. J. WArwick, married Mr. Clayton, and they have one child, Estella. Mr. Clay¬ ton is a Republican in politics and is a member of the school board. He affiliates with the M. W. A. and belongs to the Metho¬ dist Episcopal church.

Thomas Thompson and Kari Jacobson, his wife, were early residents of this county. In 1852 they left their home in Norway and crossed the ocean to found for themselves a new home in a strange country. Upon arriving in the United States they pro¬ ceeded west as far as Wisconsin, where they remained for the following eight years, after which they came to Minnesota in 1860 and located in Bath township. They here reared their family of nine children: Bessie, Mary, Carrie, Jacob, Thomas, Henry, Louise, A. C. and Isaac. The latter has charge of his father's farm, which consists of 156 acres, of which about 100 acres are cultivated and the rest is pasture and timber land. Thomas Thompson and his wife underwent all the hardships and priva¬ tions of pioneer days, but overcame their difficulties and made their home one which excites the admiration of all who see it. He is living with his children, Isaac and Mary, on the old home¬ stead, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife having passed away in March, 1881. The family attends the Lutheran church and the sons are of independent political opinions. A. C. Thompson, who has given the material for this biography, was born in Bath township, May 4, 1870, and, with his brothers and sisters, worked on the home farm many years. He has recently been appointed to the responsible position of general manager

W. H. Walker, one of the energetic and successful business men of the village of Alden, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 11, 1859, son of Asa and Mary C. (Bruce) Walker, natives of Vermont, who brought him to Carlston township the year he was born. He was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the district schools of Carlston township, com¬ pleting his studies in the Albert Lea public schools. After leaving school he taught several terms in the rural districts winters and farmed summers. Later he turned his whole attention to farm¬ ing until 1892. at which time he engaged in the agricultural implement supply business in Alden, in which vocation he con¬ tinued until 1899. He then, together with others, formed a stock company, now known as the W. H. Walker Milling Company, and purchased a flour mill at Alden, which was burned five years later. After the fire a much larger and more modern mill was erected, where the company now manufactures several leading brands of flour. In 1900 the company built an electric light plant which supplies the street lighting system and is also used for commercial purposes. Mr. Walker has always taken an active interest in the progress of the village. He is now president and a director of the First National Bank of Alden, director of the Securitv State Bank of Alden, treasurer of the Alden Co-Operative Creamery, and was formerly first president of this latter association, which he assisted in organizing. He is an independ¬ ent voter, is clerk of the school board of Alden, and a member of the Alden Fire Department. Mr. Walker is past grand of Alden Lodge, No. 192, I. 0. 0. F., and also affiliates with the M. W. A., the M. B. A., and the B. P. 0. E. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Walker owns two farms of 400 acres in Carlston township. The subject of this sketch was married March 31, 1895, to Mary Whelpley, and this union has been blessed with three children, of whom one, Bruce, is living. The deceased were named Majorie and Robert.

William White. In 1760 there came to America from the north of Ireland a sturdy yeoman of Scotch-Irish ancestry by the name of White. He settled in Orange county, New York, and there, in 1772, was born a son, Thomas. This son, Thomas, after his marriage, located on a farm at Bemis Heights, in Saratoga county, New York, the homestead being on the historic battle ground where General Burgoyne and his army on September 9, 1777, surrendered to the Colonial forces under General Gates. Here on September 8, 1796, was born William White, son of Thomas White, and a prominent pioneer of Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1798 the family moved from Saratoga county to Clinton county in the same state, and there William grew to manhood. In 1812 he enlisted in the United States army and did duty as a teamster about Platsburg. For this service he received a government land warrant, dated 1814. In the fall of that year the family moved to Tioga county, New York. Here William engaged in the lumber business and farming, operating his lumber business along the Susquehanna river for a period of forty-one years. In the spring of 1857, having in the meantime married and raised a family, he came to Minnesota, and June 17, of that year, located in Nunda township, this county. Here he attained considerable distinction. He was a justice of the peace for many years and from 1861 to 1867, inclusively, served as a member of the board of county commissioners, being chairman of that board a part of the time. He died January 17, 1876, strong in the faith of the religion which had sustained him throughout his life. The subject of this sketch was married in New York state to Margaret Lane. Nine children were born to this union. Joseph and Frederick H. are dead. Sarah lives in Spokane, Wash. ; Mary Ann in Ortonville, Minn. ; Charles in Oregon, Richard in Nunda township, this county ; Harriett in Rochester, Minn. ; Rachael in Nunda, this county, and Addie in Faribault, Minn. Mrs. Margaret Lane White died February 18, 1778.

Richard A. White, a well known and honored resident of Nunda township, was born in Tioga county, New York, January 11, 1840, son of William and Margaret (Lane) White. At the age of seventeen years, in 1857, he came to Nunda township, this county, with his parents, and selected a claim, although too young to prove upon it. He erected a log cabin and developed the place until the outbreak of the Civil War. Leaving his claim under the protection of the act which secured soldiers in the possession of land upon which they were proving up, he enlisted in 1861 in Company F, Fourth Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war, taking part in many engage¬ ments and battles, including the siege and battle of Corinth, the battles of Ramon, Jackson and Champion Hill, and the siege and fall of Vicksburg. He had the honor of being on guard duty when the Confederates marched out of the latter place and surrendered. Later he made the famous march to the sea with Sherman, and was mustered out at Savannah, Ga., December 22, 1864. He then went north, visited New York, received his pay at St. Paul, and was there mustered out. After this he returned to his claim, which he homesteaded under the new homestead act. In 1865 he built an addition to his cabin, and a few years later erected a frame house. Mr. White has devoted his life to agricultural pur¬ suits. He owns 640 acres, carries on general farming, raises from fifty to 100 hogs annually, keeps fifteen Norman horses, and thirty-five milch cows of the Guernsey breed, he being one of the first to engage in dairy farming in this county. He believes thor- oughly in co-operation among farmers, is a stockholder in the Clover Valley Creamery, was its president at one time, and is still one of its directors. Although over seventy years of age, Mr. White is hale and hearty and a most active worker. He has taken an active interest in all public affairs, votes the Republican ticket, has at different times been assessor, was for ten years clerk of his school district and has served some thirty-five years as justice of the peace. For two terms he was town supervisor. It is also interesting to note that Mr. W hite helped to lay out and organize the Bear Lake Cemetery and has been treasurer of its board for some time. He is also a member of Robson Post, G. A. R. The subject of this sketch was married March 26, 1872, to Jennie Rudler, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. To this union have been born seven children, all of whom have grown to maturity in this county. Belle M. is the wife of 0. Weston, of Faribault county, Minnesota ; William M. married Frankie Kelley, and they also live in Faribault county ; Allen married Emma Best, and lives in Nunda township; Ferris L. lives in North Dakota; Ray is at home ; Lina married Clem. Lewis, and they live at Alberta, Can¬ ada ; Lynn is at home.

Christ Stiehl, who has been a resident of Alden township for more than forty years, was born in Germany May 26, 1849. When he was twenty-one years of age he came to America with his brother, Louis, and proceeded west to Minnesota, where they secured employment of Hanibal Bickford. For four years they remained in the employ of Mr. Bickford, after which they began farming on their own responsibility. Mr. Stiehl eventually pur¬ chased a farm in Alden and as opportunity has afforded lie has added to and improved his property until at present he owns one of the finest and most productive farms in the community. The small house which stood on the place at the time he purchased it has now been replaced by a fine new one and he has also erected commodious barns and the necessary outbuildings. He has 600 acres of land and the necessary machinery for carrying on a profitable farming business, and his farm is thoroughly modern and well equipped. He makes a specialty of breeding Guernsey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He married Jennie Kasteng, and this marriage lias resulted in the following children : Victor, Matta, Fred, Clara, Paulina, Arthur and Walter. Emma is deceased. Mr. Stiehl has always taken an active part in the offices of the towmship and is now serving as supervisor, this being his second term in office. He attends the German Lutheran Church, and is a man of sterling character, faithful in all that he undertakes and held in high esteem in his community. Mr. Stiehl is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Alden and in the

Mr. And Mrs. Christ. Stiehl

C. M. Wilkinson, former register of deeds of Freeborn county, was born at Oswego, N. Y., April 20, 1850, the son of Allen and Mary (McGuire) Wilkinson. The father was a native of New York, the mother of Ireland. Allen Wilkinson, in his younger days, was a ship carpenter. With his wife he moved to Wisconsin in 1850, where he farmed until his death in 1861, his wife dying in 1903. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the rural schools of Wisconsin, finishing in Milton College, Milton, Wis. Upon leaving school, he entered the grain and livestock business in the state of Kansas, which occupation he followed from 1869 to 1872. Mr. Wilkinson then came to Freeborn county, where he again took up his former business in grUn and livestock until 1900, when he was appointed deputy sheriff. This position he filled for six years, and in 1906 was elected register of deeds, serving until January 1, 1910. Mr. Wilkinson was united in mar¬ riage to Ella C. Fuller in 1874. Their home has been made happy by three children - Gleam Cora, C. M., Jr., and Harvey A. Polit¬ ically Mr. Wilkinson is a Republican. He has served as mayor of of Albert Lea for seven years, also as president of the city council for three years. He is a high degree Mason and belongs to other fraternities.

Sivert P. Knutson, a prosperous farmer of Hartland town¬ ship, was born June 11, 1870, in the township where he resides at the present time, son of Knut and Betsey Knutson, early settlers in the county. During the years of his boyhood the subject of this sketch attended the country school near home and assisted his. father with the work on the farm. In 1893 he bought 160 acres of his father and later added to this eighty acres more, now owning 240 acres in all, located in section 22. Mr. Knutson has made many improvements on his property and has rendered it more pro¬ ducts e and valuable each succeeding year. He carries on general diversified farming, and is most successful in his chosen occupa¬ tion. He affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has the respect of a large circle of friends, and of those with whom he has to deal in business trans¬ actions. On June 14, 1893, Mr. Knutson married Turena Ander¬ son, and to them have been born five children - Nellie, Cora, Elmer, Tilford and Alma.

Knut Knutson, a well known farmer residing in Hartland township, was born in Norway, where he spent the early years of his life and grew to manhood. In 1853 the subject of this sketch came to America and located in Wisconsin, where he resided for six years, after which he came to Minnesota and settled in the township where he now makes his home. He purchased 120 acres of government land, and later bought another 120 acres, and as he worked and grew more prosperous he purchased 179 acres located in Freeborn township. For many years Mr. Knutson engaged in general farming, but in 1903 he divided his property among his children and now lives a retired life. He was married in his native land to Betsey Knutson, and to them a family of twelve children have been born, of whom but five are now living, Caroline, who married Ole Erickson, of Bath township; Sivert P., of Hartland township; Malline, the wife of John Swenson, of Bath; Lewis, who resides in Freeborn township, and Clara, who is now the wife of Peter Johnson, of North Dakota.

Guttrom K. Winjum, one of the dairy farmers of Freeborn county, whose large farm of 240 acres is located in Bancroft town¬ ship, was born in Norway, July 2, 1853, son of Kjeld and Carrie (Otternes) Winjum, both of whom died in their native land. The subject of this sketch received his education in Norway and came to America in 1873. Coming to Minnesota he felt the need of knowing more of the English language and went to school, at Austin for two years, working on the farm during his vacations. Leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter, which he pur¬ sued for more than a dozen years. June 14, 1886, he married Sophia C. Olson, a native of Sogen, Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Winjum have ten children. Sarah, who attended Luther Academy two and a half years ; Clara, a graduate of the Austin high school and Luther Academy; Minnie, who graduated from a business course at Luther Academy and is now a pupil in the National Business College at Albert Lea ; Arthur ; Louise, a pupil in Luther Academy ; Clarence, who took a course in Luther Academy ; Gerhardt, Mabel, Nora, and Theodore R. The last named died May 10, 1910, at the age of five. During the twenty-five years that Mr. Winjum has lived on his present farm he has not only increased its number of acres to 240 but has very effectively drained it with tile, cleared it and built fine home and commodious buildings for livestock and grain. There are about 100 acres under the plow and the balance is in pasturage. He pays con¬ siderable attention to the raising of draft horses, fine bred dairy cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep. He is a stock¬ holder in the Bancroft Co-operative Creamery, which he helped to build. Mr. Winjum is politically a Republican. He has never held public office but is public spirited and has an active interest in promoting good schools. He is especially interested in the Norwegian Parochial School of Bancroft, being one of its strong¬ est supporters.

E. C. Johnson, who is one of the prominent citizens of Free¬ born county, was born in Norway, January 18, 1844, son of Christopher and Christine Johnson. He was brought to America by his parents in 1856, and they located first at Madison, Wis., where they resided for three years, after which they moved to Minnesota and settled in Bath township, engaging in general farming. On August 16, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company E, Tenth Minn. Yol. Inf., in which he served through the entire struggle. He was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling on August 28, 1865, after which he returned to Bath town¬ ship and resumed his former occupation of farming. When twenty-two years of age, Mr. Johnson purchased 120 acres in section 27, in Bath, and here he established his home, erected a good house and outbuildings, tilled the soil and for many years carried on general diversified farming. At different intervals he added to his original possessions until he owned 245 acres, which were all in the township of Bath and in the one farm, and in 1897 he rented this property and moved into Albert Lea. Mr. Johnson bought a place in this city, tore down the house which stood on it, and erected a new home in which he now resides in retirement. He has an enviable record in the history of the county, having held many of the responsible public offices in the townships in which he has resided. He has been chairman of the town board for several years, also supervisor, town treasurer, school clerk and constable. He also held the office of town assessor for fourteen years and for seven years served as county commissioner. At two different times he took United States census reports. He has even been a staunch member of the Republican party. Mr. Johnson has been actively associated in many business enterprises in the county, being a stockholder in the Clarks Grove State Bank, in the Clarks Grove Lumber Com¬ pany, in the Clarks Grove Hardware & Implement Company and in the Clarks Grove Mercantile Company. He is also manager of the Farmers' Live Stock Union of Freeborn county, and has held this office for the past fourteen years. Mr. Johnson was one of the organizers of the Clarks Grove Creamery Association and served as treasurer of this organization until 1897, when he resigned. As a token of the esteem in which he was held by mem¬ bers of that association, Mr. Johnson was presented with a gold watch. Among other organizations with which he has been con¬ nected are the Manchester Farmer's Insurance Company, of which he was one of the first directors, and the Albert Lea Build¬ ing & Loan Association, of which he is a stockholder. On May 9, 1869, the subject of this biography was united to marriage with Mary Hanson, who was born in Norway, December 8, 1847, and came to America in 1857 with her parents, Stener Hanson and wife, who located in Bancroft township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of five living children, of whom, Rebecca and Carl, now reside on the old home farm in Bath; Alfred is an engineer; Stella married Fred Burcliard, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Arthur lives on the home farm. Alexander, who was a twin of Alfred, died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Thomas A. Vandegrift, veteran of the Civil AVar, and a lead¬ ing citizen of Manchester township, has traveled in various parts of the United States, and is a man of wide experience and broad information. He was chairman of school district 53 for a num¬ ber of years, and was the first president of the present Freeborn County Agricultural Society, which, with Dr. A. C. Wedge and William Morin and others, he assisted in organizing. He also helped organize the Albert Lea Creamery Company and was the first president, filling that position for eight years. Fraternally, Mr. Vandegrift has allied himself with the Masonic order, belong¬ ing to the Bristol (Penn.) Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., and to the Chapter and Commandery at Albert Lea. Thomas A. Vandegrift was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1843, son of Garrett and Anna (Rue) Vandegrift. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, and at Andalusia Academy, Andalusia, Penn. When he was nineteen years of age he enlisted, June 20, 1863, in the Forty-third Penn. Vol. Inf. Soon after the regiment was mustered out. Mr. Vandegrift became associated with the Scribner-Armstrong Publishing Company, of New York, with whom he remained until 1884, when he came to Freeborn county and purchased his present farm in Manchester township. Some of this he broke, and all of it he developed, carrying on general farming to the present time. In 1900 he sold 140 of his 348 acres to his son, Harold L., who has built thereon a comfortable home. Both father and son make a specialty of Jersey cattle and Berkshire hogs. The subject of this sketch was married May 21, 1873, in New York City, to Elizabeth Mudge, born in Rome, N. Y., October 2, 1852, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Beatty) Mudge. This union has been blessed with five children: Thomas A., deceased; Jeanie B., music teacher;

Howard L., Allan R., of New Mexico, and Richard E., at home. Howard L., who is chairman of school district 53, lives in Man¬ chester; he married Alice Humphrey and they have two sons, Thomas A., 2nd, and James H. Garrett and Anna (Rue) Vande¬ grift, parents of Thomas A., were natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where the former was a contractor and builder. Garrett died in 1882 and his wife in 1875. In their family were eleven children: William, deceased; Rachel, wife of Dr. Michael Lampen, of Philadelphia; Louis R., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Thomas Woolman, of Philadelphia ; Anna, wife of D. R. P. Hibbs, of Albert Lea ; Sarah, of Bristol, Penn. ; Thomas A., of Manchester, Minn.; Henry, of Albert Lea; Martha, wife of Lan- drum King, of Philadelphia; Edwin, of Bristol, Penn., and Nellie, deceased. Samuel and Jane (Beatty) Mudge had four children: Erskine, Fanny and James, all deceased, and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas A. Yandegrift.

Frank W. Barlow, an influential citizen of Albert Lea, was born in Genesee county, New York, November 27, 1852, son of Andrew and Anastacia (Schmutz) Barlow. When he was but a small boy he was brought to Minnesota by his parents, and later acquired his education in the public schools of this county. After leaving school he was employed in the Wedge & Blackmer Drug Store as a clerk, and remained in this line of business for several years, until he was elected to the office of county treasurer, serv¬ ing for three terms. He later purchased an interest in the drug store where he had formerly been employed, which was then known as the Wedge, Jensen & Co. After Mr. Barlow became connected with the firm the name was changed to Wedge & Barlow, and when later M. M. Jones came into the firm the name was again changed to Wedge, Barlow & Co. Some time later Mr. Barlow bought the interests of the other two men and conducted the business for a time on his own responsibility. The firm is now known as Barlow & Spicer. Mr. Barlow is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank, in the Albert Lea State Bank and occupies similar positions in the Hamilton Bank at North Dakota. Mr. Barlow is a progressive Republican. He is associated with all the Masonic bodies of Albert Lea, being a member of the Albert Lea Chapter, No. 30, R, A. M. ; Western Star Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M.; the Apollo Commandery, No. 12, K. T., in which latter order he has served as commander for two terms. He also belongs to the Zurah Temple, Mystic Shriners, of Minneapolis. Mr. Barlow served for three years in the Minnesota National Guards. He married Emma F. Prescott, a daughter of Cyrus and Harriett Prescott, of this county, June 14, 1875. Mrs. Barlow was born November 24, 1854, in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Barlow two daughters have been born, Ethelyn and Charlotte P. The former was born May 5, 1876, and died in January, 1879. Charlotte P. was born in the city of Albert Lea November 9, 1877.

Andrew Barlow, one of the early pioneers in this county, was born in Germany, and he came to this country in 1851, locating first in Genesee county, New York, where he remained for four years. In 1857 he came west to Minnesota and located in Free¬ born county, homesteading a farm of 160 acres in the township of Bancroft. He broke and developed the land and erected a log house in which he and his family lived for several years. The log house was eventually replaced by a frame building. Mr. Barlow carried on general farming for the remainder of his life and made many improvements on his property. He married Anastacia Schmutz, who was also a native of Germany, and they were the parents of seven children : Frank, the oldest, now a resident of Albert Lea ; Emily, the wife of M. L. Whelan, of Albert Lea; Flora, deceased; J. H., of Albert Lea; Andrew, who resides on the old home farm; Mary, who married John Thamert; Ellen, who resides on the home farm. Mr. Barlow passed away November 24, 1905, and his widow entered into rest six years later, October 3, 1910.