Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 12 of 21)

Ole Amundson Bergh, a pioneer of Spring Grove township, was bom in Ness Hallingdal, Norway, and was married in the spring of 1843 to Marie Anderson Langaar. In 1850 they set out for America, and after a tedious voyage of ten and a half weeks aboard a sailing vessel, landed in New York. From there they found their way to Rock county, Wisconsin, near OxfordviDe, where they secured eighty acres of land. But hearing of better land to the westward, Mr. Bergh in the fall of 1851 set out for this region. On Looking Glass Prairie, Winnishiek county, Iowa, he found a piece of land which suited him, and returned to Wisconsin for his wife. But fearful of the Indians who were then numerous, Mrs. Bergh refused to come until the following spring, when news came to them of the signing of the Indian treaties, relinquishing all Indian rights to this region. Accordingly, in the spring of 1852, with his brother, Tolef A., and their wives, he set out with an ox team, his household supplies and several cows. Journeying by way of Prairie du Chien and Decorah, they reached Big Canoe, Iowa, where they left their families. Finding the land in Looking Glass Prairie taken, the two men continued to Houston county, and each selected a claim in Spring Grove township. Then they went and brought their families here. Ole A. Bergh squatted on eighty acres in what is now section 16, two miles southwest of the viUage. He built a pole house, broke some land, and started to put up hay for the winter. In the fall he built a log cabin. Thus the pioneer life of the family in Minnesota was started. In 1859 the smaU cabin was replaced with a substantial two story, hewn log house, with a good cellar. Later the inside of this cabin was sheeted and the outside clapboarded, and a frame addition built, giving a comfortable family home. On March 1, 1860, by the advice of a friend, he preempted the eighty acres on which he had squatted, and also the adjoining eight acres. The patent, signed by President James Buchannan, is still in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Bergh lived and labored together on this place the remainder of their lives, he dying Dec. 16, 1885, and she Nov. 7, 1894.

Andrew O. Bergh, who was one of the prominent and influential citizens of Spring Grove township, spent the whole span of his years on the farm where he was bom. He was bom in a log cabin thereon Aug. 1, 1854, son of Ole Amundson and Marie Anderson (Langaar) Bergh, the pioneers. He was educated in the district schools, and also had the advantages of two winters in the Elwell Business College at La Crosse. At his father's death he bought one half of the home farm, which then consisted of 360 acres, of which some 175 acres had been improved. To the development of this farm he continued to devote his attention, building a two-story frame house of nine rooms, upright and wing, with several modem improvements including a fumace. His farm buildings are in the best of condition, and include a frame bam 30 by 60 by 18 feet, a swine house, 16 by 26 feet, and a double com crib, 20 by 24 feet, with an eight-foot drive between. One hundred and twenty acres are under the plow, and the balance in pasture and timber. The farm is weU equipped with tools and machinery. Aside from the usual diversified crops, Mr. Bergh made a specialty of graded Shorthoms of which he had a herd of about thirty and of Duroc-Jersey swine, of which he had a herd of some sixty. Mr. Bergh was a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co. and the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, both of Spring Grove. A thorough believer in education, he served several years on the school board. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Bergh was married July 8, 1876, to Margaret Odegard, daughter of Erick and Karine Odegard, early settlers. She died March 21, 1897, leaving ten children, Edward, Olaf, Adolph, Clara, Albert, Amanda, Henry, Hilda, Nina and Margaret. Edward was bom Dec. 25, 1876, and now lives in Minneapolis. Olaf was bom July 16, 1878; Adolph was bom April 3, 1880, and died Nov. 3, 1894 ; Clara was bom Feb. 3, 1882, and died May 17, 1909; Albert was bom June 20, 1884; Amanda was bom Nov. 15, 1886 ; Henry was bom Sept. 15, 1888 ; Hilda was bora Jan. 12, 1891, and married Albert Halsath of Alberta, Canada; Nina was born Sept. 15, 1895 ; Margaret was bom March 18,1887, and died Sept. 15, 1909. Mr. Bergh was married June 5, 1905, to Marie Odegard, sister of his first wife, who now makes her home in the village of Spring Grove. Mr. Bergh died March 6, 1919. The farm is now being carried on by Henry and Albert, their sister Nina keeping house for them.

Henry Wold, one of the leading agriculturists of Spring Grove township, is conducting an excellent farm, and is taking his part in the development of the region in which he lives. He is a native of this township, having been bom in section 32, Sept. 27, 1872, son of Knudt and Berget Wold. He attended district school in his neighborhood, and attained his higher education at the Valder Business CoUege at Decorah, Iowa. In 1895 he and his brother, Peter A., rented the home place, and in 1899 he and his brother, Peter A., bought 201 acres in section 30, over the hill from the father's farm. In 1909 Henry disposed of his interests to Peter A and purchased the old homestead of 220 acres in section 31. To the development of this place he has since devoted his attention. It is located seven miles southwest of Spring Grove Village and four miles southeast of Mabel. One hundred and sixty acres are under the plow, and there is a good equipment of tools and machinery. The family dwelling is a comfortable two-story house of ten rooms. The farm buildings consist of a bam built in 1914, 36 by 74 by 20, with a hip roof, and an eight-foot stone basement with a cement floor, a swine house, a granary, and a stave silo. On this place Mr. Wold carries on diversified farming and stock breeding. With a Hereford sire he is breeding into the Hereford stock from high graded Shorthoms, and has a splendid herd. He also has a drove of some seventy-five Poland-China hogs. Mr. Wold is a member of the American Society of Equity and a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Mabel. He is a prosperous, hard working man, and thoroughly deserves the success with which he has met in life. Mr. Wold was married in 1909, to Emma, the daughter of Mathias and Mary Tomeraasen, formerly of Benson, Minn., now of Willmar, Minn. This union has been blessed with five children, Bernice Marjorie, born March 11, 1912; Ruby Viola, bom Feb. 26, 1914; Vema lona, born June 2, 1915; Hildus Eugene, born March 22, 1917; and Orlin Eleanor, born Sept. 1, 1918. The family attends the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church at Mabel.

Charley M. Langland, for the last thirteen years assistant cashier of the State Bank of Spring Grove, president of the Commercial Club of the village, and the owner of a good farm of 200 acres in Winneshiek county,

Iowa, was born in Pleasant township, that county, on the farm mentioned Nov. 25, 1870, son of Mons and Maria (Johnson) Langland. The parents were natives of Norway, whence have come so many hardy settlers of this region. Both came to this country when young, the father at the age of fourteen and the mother at that of four years, and both families settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, though in different townships, the Langlands locating in Pleasant township while the Johnsons took a farm in Highland. After their marriage the parents of the subject of this sketch began farming in Pleasant township, and in time developed a farm of 120 acres on which both died, the father June 4, 1899, and the mother July 20, 1891. They were members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Charley M. Langland acquired his primary education in the district school, which he attended until reaching the age of nineteen years. Then in 1889, in the fall, he became a student at Breckenridge Institute, Decorah, Iowa, and pursued his studies there during the winters of 1889 and 1892, his summers being spent on the home farm. In the spring of 1892 he began teaching school, an occupation in which he continued for seven years, the last two years of that time in Spring Grove village school, where he taught from the fall of 1896 to the spring of 1898. His vacations were spent in working on the home farm, and in the winter of 1895-96 he improved his education by attendance at the Valder Normal and Business College at Decorah, Iowa. In the fall of 1898 he again entered the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah and was a student there until the following spring, with the intention of taking a University course. But his father's health having begun to fail a year previously and not improving, he returned home and took charge of the farm, which he operated until the fall of 1899. He wad then appointed deputy auditor of Winneshiek county, the duties of which office he assumed Sept. 18, 1899, and in which he continued until March, 1903. He then resigned and went back to the home farm, which he bought two years previously, his father's death having occurred, as previously narrated. In 1902 he had also bought an additional tract of eighty acres adjoining the farm on the west, which increased his landed property to 200 acres. The name of Valley View Farm, which he gave to the place, was the first recorded farm name in Winneshiek county. The place is well provided with buildings of modern type, including a two-story frame house ; a frame bam 30 by 70 by 14 feet in size, with a full basement of nine feet and cement floors ; a granary, 26 by 26 by 10 feet ; machine shed, 22 by 48; poultry house, 12 by 30, on the "Minnesota model"; a triplewall silo, 14 by 32, and corn cribs. The farm, now leased to a tenant, is well stocked with Hereford grade cattle and Duroc- Jersey swine, with full blooded registered sires for each herd. On Oct. 1, 1906, Mr. Langland came to Spring Grove to take the position of assistant cashier in the State Bank of this village, in which he is still serving. Here he has made his power felt as an able business man, and is now serving as president of the Commercial Club and also of the Spring Grove high school board. He is a director and stockholder in the bank, and also a stockholder in the Spring Grove Hospital, the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, of which he is treasurer, and in the Twin City Fire Insurance Company of Minneapolis.

Always a Republican in politics, while living in Winneshiek county, Iowa, he served at different times in public office, being for a while clerk of his township, deputy auditor of the county for three and a half years, and two years as a member of his school board. Mr. Langland was married Sept. 12, 1911, to Clara Elizabeth, who was bom at Fergus Falls, Minn., April 21, 1884, daughter of Hans T. and Karen Hills. The children of this union are : Corine Minerva, bom Sept. 23, 1912 ; Maurice Howard, bom Jan. 12, 1914; Richard Alexander, bom July 3, 1917; Joseph Thomas, bom Feb. 16, 1917 ; Lois Elizabeth, bom Dec. 23, 1918. Mr. Langland and his family worship with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, he being a member of the Highland congregation of that religious body in Winneshiek county, Iowa, which he formerly served as treasurer for nine years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Langland are taking an active part in the progress and welfare of the community in which they reside.

Knudt O. Wold, one of the earliest settlers of Spring Grove township, was bom in Christiana-Stif t, Dec. 22, 1830, and was there reared to young manhood. In 1850 he came to America and lived for a while with a brother in Wisconsin. In 1852 he came to northeastem Iowa, and a few months later to Spring Grove township, then a wildemess almost entirely uninhabited. He staked a claim near the present village of Spring Grove, but during a temporary absence his claim was jumped by a newcomer, and not being of a pugnacious disposition, Mr. Wold moved over the line into Winona county. Here he built a log cabin and prepared for pioneer life, but this claim also was jumped. Then he decided to get still further into the wildemess, so he took a claim near Springfield, in Jackson county, this State. But upon the Inkpaduta outbreak he became discouraged at this venture and came back to Spring Grove township and secured land in section 31. He cleared and developed this land, and by hard work created a good farm. Then he bought a tract of land in section 30, which he afterward sold to his sons, Henry and Peter A. After a long and useful life he died January 1, 1907, and was widely moumed as a good husband, a considerate father, and a respected citizen and neighbor. He was a man of sincere religious beliefs and was active in the affairs of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church at Mabel. Mr. Wold was married as a young man to Mary Anderson and by this marriage there were four children, Ole, Theodore, Marie and Matilda. Ole lives in Mabel in Fillmore county, this State. Theodore lives in Enderline, N. D. Marie is Mrs. Christ Espelund, of Northwood, Iowa. Matilda, now deceased, was the wife of Henry Helgeson. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Wold married Berget Burtness and by this union had eleven children, Christina, Henry, Peter A., Carl, Elginus, Adolph, Rudolph, Oscar, Beatha, Osella and Laonard. Peter is a farmer of Spring Grove township. Henry A. owns the home farm. Carl lives at Elbo Lake, Minn. Elginus lives in Minneapolis. Adolph has served in the United States Infantry. Beatha is the wife of Charles Cady, of Mabel. Osella lives with her mother in Mabel, Minn. Leanard has served with the Aviation corps in France. Christina and Rudolph are deceased. Oscar lives in Montana. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Peter A. Wold, an energetic and successful farmer of Spring Grove township, was bom on section 32, in the township where he still resides, Dec. 10, 1874, the son of Knudt O. and Berget Wold, who were born in Norway, came to America in the sixties and settled in Spring Grove township, where they were worthy and respected citizens. Peter A. Wold attended district school until he was about fifteen years of age. He was reared to farm pursuits on the home place and in 1895, with his brother Henry, rented the homestead. In 1899 he and the same brother, Henry, bought from their father a tract of 201 acres in section 30, in the same township, just across the hill from the home place. This partnership continued until 1909, when Peter A. bought out his brother's interest and became sole owner and proprietor. When the brothers started to operate this farm a log house and an old frame house and old frame bam were on the place. In 1902 the brothers erected a good barn, 42 by 60 by 16 feet, with full stone eight-foot basement. After securing the farm in 1914, Peter A. remodeled the old frame house into a comfortable residence and constructed a stave silo, 16 by 32 feet. The farm is now one of the most sightly in the township. The house is surrounded with evergreen trees set out by the owner, and evenrthing about the place bespeaks thrift and care. In 1914, at the same time that Mr. Wold made the improvements on the farm in section 30, he purchased a tract of 200 acres in sections 28 and 29, Spring Grove township, to which he moved. This place is two miles east of the old homestead. The buildings on this place were in fair condition, but only fifty acres had been broken. To the development of this farm Mr. Wold has since devoted his attention. He has an excellent equipment of tools and machinery and intends to make the place one of the best in the township. Aside from carrjdng on general farming and raising the usual diversified crops, Mr. Wold specializes in cattle, horses and swine. For some years he raised Shorthorn cattle, but is now grading to Herefords, having a herd of some sixty or seventy head. His drove of Poland-China swine, numbering about 75, is headed by several full-blooded sires. Mr. Wold is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, of Mabel. He is also a member of the American Society of Equity. In politics he is a Republican, but has never cared to seek public office. He is a hard working, industrious man, highly regarded by his neighbors and associates.

Mr. Wold was married, Feb. 14, 1905, to Clara Thomeraasen, daughter of Mathias and Mary Thomeraasen, then of Benson, Minn., now of Willmar, Minn. This union has been blessed with seven children : Blanche, Perley, Myron, Vernon, Russell, Glennis and Arlien.

Bjom Anderson Kvelve, though never a resident of Houston county, was a man with an interesting history. The subject of this sketch was bom in Vikedal, Norway, June 3, 1801, his parents being peasants. After he had grown to manhood he became the owner of a small farm in the vicinity of his birthplace, and also of a small coasting vessel, dividing his time between farming and coast trading, carrying fish and other commodities to Stavinger and bringing back various merchandise. In Stavinger he came into contact with a body of Quakers, in whose doctrines he became interested and with whom he identified himself in religious communion. As this was in the second decade of the last century, he was still but a young man, between 20 and 30 years of age, but being a bom agitator, he made himself conspicuous by his advocacy of the Quaker doctrines, which, as they differed so widely from the religious faith of the great majority of the people, made him unpopular and got him into some trouble. He also found himself mixed up in more unpleasantness when, in July, 1831, he married Abel Catherine Von Kroh, who was born in Sandeid, Vikedal, Norway, Oct. 8, 1809, and whose parents, belonging to a prominent military family, were opposed to the match. Less than five years later, however, Bjorn Anderson Kvelve cut loose from all these disagreeable associations, becoming the leader of a large company that in the spring of 1836 sailed from Stavinger, Norway, for America. Here in the United States he and his wife found that no one cared what their religion was nor what had been their respective social positions in their native land, so long as they shpwed a desire to work and conducted themselves like decent people. They first located in Rochester, N. Y., but in 1837 came west as far as the "Fox River Settlement," in La Salle county, Illinois, where they remained until 1840. Then in June of that year Anderson Kvelve went to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he bought 80 acres of government land in Albion township and built a log cabin. In the following year he brought his family to the new home, his wife being the first white woman to make her residence in that township, and their daughter Martha was the first white child bom there. This daughter is now Mrs. Lewis Johnson, of Goodhue county, Minnesota. The education of the older children was begun by their father, who later engaged private teachers for them. Thus matters went along, the parents working hard at developing a farm, until 1850, when the scourge of cholera - in those days more common than now - struck the community, and among the victims were the subject of this sketch and one of his sons. There were ten children in the family, the son Bruun, or "Brown," not having yet been born. All, including the mother, took the disease, but all, with the exception of the father and the son above mentioned, recovered. The coffins for the dead were made by Ole Teigen, a neighbor, who attended to the funeral ceremonies. In the following April was born the son Bruun, now known as Brown Anderson, a prominent citizen of Spring <5rove village, Houston county, Minn. Four years later the mother married Englebret Amundson, a native of Norway, who had been in her employ for some time previous. This union resulted in one son, Albert, now a practicing physician in Cambridge, Dane County, Wis. Mrs. Englebret Amundson died about 1883. Of the eleven children by her first marriage, eight are now living.

Brown Anderson, a prominent business man of Spring Grove village, where for the past thirty-eight years he has successfully conducted a restaurant and confectionery business, was born in Albion township, Dane county, Wisconsin, April 7, 1851, son of Bjorn Anderson Kvelve and his wife, whose maiden name was Abel Catherine Von Krogh. His parents were Norwegian immigrants who, on coming to the United States in 1837, had settled first in Rochester, N. Y., and then in La Salle county, Illinois, whence they had removed to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1840. In the fall of 1850 the father and one of his sons fell a victom to cholera, the father thus never seeing his son Bruun, now known as Brown Anderson. The latter at the age of 14 went to live with a sister near New Lisbon, Wis., and remained with her for four years. Then going to Decorah, Iowa, he entered the Lutheran college there and three years later was graduated from the teachers' department. He also took up salesmanship, at which he was employed in different lines for a year or more. When about 23 years old he came to Houston county and engaged as clerk with Nicholas Koob, of Caledonia, with whom he remained for three years. About the end of that period he began domestic life, being united in marriage, March 11, 1876, with Caroline Henri, of Black Hammer township. She was born in Norway, Jan. 8, 1853, daughter of Ole and Martha Henri. The father dying in his native land, the mother had come to Minnesota with her six children - three sons and three daughters - Caroline then being about 6 years old. About the time of his marriage Mr. Anderson left the employ of Mr. Koob and for awhile thereafter was engaged in the music business. He then opened a restaurant in Caledonia, which he conducted for a short time, afterwards serving as deputy sheriff and turnkey under Sheriff Walter Goergen. These occupations were merely tentative, but in March, 1881, he found the right groove when he came to Spring Grove and opened on Main street the restaurant and confectionery business which he has since conducted, having always remained at the same location. In this line of work he has been successful and is now one of the prosperous and influential business men of the village, owning a comfortable home on Maple avenue. He has for a partner his son Albert, who now shoulders much of the work. He and his wife have been the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living. The record in brief is as follows: Martha Catherine, born Dec. 7, 1876, who is now the wife of Nelius Hendrickson, a general merchant of Sattre, Iowa ; Bernhard 0., born March 23, 1878, now a jeweler at Kindred, N. D. ; Albert, born April 6, 1880, who, as already mentioned, is in business with his father; Anna Maria, born March 4, 1882, who died in July, 1888; Carl A., born Oct. 10, 1883, now in the agricultural implement business at Fallon, Mont.; Andreas Emil, born Dec. 14, 1885, who is a jeweler and optician at Towner, N. D.; Inga Matilda, bom Jan. 4, 1888, now Mrs. William A. Bandel, station agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Hebron, N. D. ; James Frederick Otto, born Sept. 15, 1890, who is engaged in the grocery and crockery business in Spring Grove; and Rudolph Bruun Martin Kvelve, born Jan. 1, 1892, an accomplished violinist, who entered the United States Army in 1917 and saw active service in France. Mr. Anderson and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, those at home attending the Spring Grove congregation. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Democrat. During his long residence in Spring Grove he has gained an established reputation as a reliable business man and public-spirited citizen, taking an interest in whatever is for the good of the community, of which he is one of the prominent members, and his surviving children have grown to useful manhood and womanhood, reflecting credit on the family name.

Ncls Olsgard, one of the energetic and successful farmers of Spring Grove township, was bom in the township where he still resides, March 12, 1871, one of the eleven children of Ole and Thora Olsgard. Ole Olsgard was bom in Norway in 1830, and there married his wife, Thora, who was bom in the same country in 1835. Their children were Henry, Rachel, Ole, Teman, Leva, Oline, Peter, Nels, Ida, Mary and Belinda, all of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ole Olsgard came to America in 1867, and located at once in Wilmington township, this county. After a year there they moved to section 32, Spring Grove township. Only a few improvements had been made, but a small log cabin had been built. In this log cabin the family made their home. But one night the cabin burned to the ground, and the family sought shelter at the home of Ame Solberg. Then a comfortable two-story log house was built. Later this was replaced with the present sightly frame dwelling. Ole Olsgard died Nov. 3, 1898, and his widow moved to Spring Grove village where she died in March, 1918. Nels Olsgard, the subject of this sketch, was born in the home of Ame Solberg, while his family found temporary shelter there. He received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and also had the advantages of courses in the Breckenridge Institute and the Valder Business College, both at Decorah, Iowa. Since then, with the exception of one summer spent in North Dakota, he has remained on the home farm. To the original tract of 120 acres he has added 120 acres, so that he now has a fine farm of 240 acres on which he carries on general farming and dairying. In 1914 he built a modem bam, 34 by 76 by 16 feet, with a full-stone, nine-foot basement, provided with cement floors, with James equipment and furnishing space for thirty head of cattle and twelve horses. The cream separator room is twelve feet square. The farm also has two machine sheds, granary, calf shed, swine house, and a lean-to feeding shed with cement floors. Thus equipped, Mr. Olsgard carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of cattle, swine and horses. He has about fifty high grade Hereford cattle and about 100 Duroc-Jersey swine, both of which herds have full-blooded registered sires. His horses are of a high grade Belgian breed. The equipment of the farm is of the best, and located as he is, six miles southwest of Spring Grove village and five miles east of Mabel, he finds a ready market for all his products. His place is kept in the best of condition, and is a tribute to the care and thrift of its owner. Mr. Olsgard was married Feb. 5, 1908, to Lena ToUefsrad, daughter of Ole and Gurine ToUef srud, of Spring Grove township, who was bom in the same cabin as himself. Both are active in the social affairs of the community, and both are deeply interested in the work of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation at Spring Grove.

Knute Onsgard, one of early settlers of Spring Grove township, now deceased, was a native of Norway, where he grew to manhood and was married to Berget Vibe. Having little expectation of attaining to comfortable circumstances in their native land, in 1860 they emigrated to Minnesota, coming directly to Spring Grove township, Houston county, where they bought 160 acres of wild government land, situated two and a half miles west of the village. With very limited resources they began in a humble way, living in a small log house and developing the land with the aid of oxen. Progress was slow but steady and in time a flourishing farm occupied the place of the original wild tract. On this place Mr. Onsgard died Feb. 2, 1901, having several years previously sold the farm to his son Martin K. His wife survived him 15 years, finally moving with her son to the village, and dsdng at his home there March 24, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Onsgard had eight children: Ingeborg, now residing in Spring Grove village, the widow of Dr. Thore E. Jensen ; Kari, who married Ole GuUingson, of Detroit, Minn.; he died in 1914; Gure, who married Gul Traaen; Bella, deceased, who was the wife of Teman Evenson ; Christian, now a physician in Rushford, Minn. ; Lauritz, a physician in Houston, Minn. ; Martin K., a merchant in Spring Grove village; and Marie, a resident of Great Falls, Mont., and the widow of Herman Gunvalson.

Martin K. Onsgard, one of the leading merchants of Spring Grove, dealing in boots, shoes, dry goods and groceries, who is also the owner of a fine farm in Spring Grove township, was bom on the farm mentioned, situated two and a half miles west of the village, Aug. 30, 1868, son of Knute and Berget (Vibe) Onsgard. He acquired his education in the district school, which, however, he attended but for a limited period, becoming industrially active at an early age as his father's assistant on the farm, and he continued to act as such until about 1897, when he purchased the property, his parents continuing their residence thereon. In 1901 the father died, but the mother continued to reside with her son Martin, who operated the farm until 1906, when he rented it to a tenant and moved to the village, where he lived retired until the following year. He then bought a restaurant, which he conducted until the fall of 1908, when he sold it to Albert Vik. In March, 1909, he opened his present store on Main street, in partnership with Helmer Holje, but having bought his interest in 1911, he has since been the sole proprietor, and has established himself as a successful merchant, keeping a stock of up-to-date goods and giving good value to his customers. Before leaving the farm he had brought it into excellent condition, having 160 acres under the plow, with good herds of grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, the herds having fullblooded sires. He had also improved some of the buildings and erected others, which, as they now stand, include: a good, two-story house of 12 rooms ; a frame bam 30 by 50 by 14 feet in size, with a full stone basement of 8 feet ; a granary 18 by 24 ; milk house 10 by 10 ; machine shed 20 by 24 ; double com crib 18 by 24, with an 8-foot drive between the cribs ; and a hog house 24 by 44, with a cement feeding-floor. In addition to the interests already mentioned, Mr. Onsgard is a stockholder in the Root River Electric Co. He is a member of the iF$llage council and is usefully active in everything that concems the good of the community in which he resides. He was married, Dec. 23, 1899, to Tena, daughter of Hans and Eli Forsyth, of Money Creek township, Houston county. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican.

1881, son of John Olsen and Mary (Dukleth) Landsom. The parents were early settlers here, establishing a farm in section 20 soon after the close of the Civil War, in which the father served as a Union soldier. He died in Texas in 1894, after a short residence in that state, but the mother is still living being now a resident of Spring Grove village. James Gustav Landsom, who was one of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom a son and two daughters died in infancy, was brought up on the home farm, on which he remained until arriving at the age of 16 years. He then accompanied his brother Ole to El Campo, Texas, remaining there about two years and a half, or until October, 1899, when he returned home and for a while was associated with his brother Andrew in operating the farm for their mother, Ole being still in Texas. In the spring of 1901 James G. bought from Andrew a farm of 121 acres, situated a mile and a half west from the old homestead, which had some improvements, including a small frame house and a barn. That place, after working it for a while, he later sold to B. O. Garness, and for five or six years subsequently worked as a farm hand, also for several years operating his mothers' farm. In 1910 he bought another farm, which he operated for six years, coming to his present farm, which he bought of C. P. Glassrud, in the spring of 1916. It contains 80 acres of land well improved ; a five-room frame house, consisting of an upright and wing, and its other improvements at the time he bought it included a tool shed, granary, small frame barn and steel windmill. In 1917 Mr. Landsom erected a hip-roof barn, 32 by 56 by 14 feet, with block basement and cement floors, fitted out with a James equipment, and having room for 30 cattle and six horses. He also built a good corn crib and has otherwise improved the place. For his herds of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine he has full-blooded sires, while his general equipment is good and his farm productive. Mr. Landsom was married Nov. 28, 1912, to Mary Tweeten, daughter of Ole and Mary Tweeten of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and who was bom March 19, 1879. On this union two children have been bom : Margaret Marcella, born Aug. 5, 1915 ; and Julian Odell, bom Jan. 3, 1917. Mr. Landsom and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Landsom inclines toward the principles of the Republican party, though not bound by strict party Unes.

Arae O. Myhro, who with the exception of a few years was for nearly half a century a resident of Spring Grove township, where he developed an excellent farm, was bom in Hallingdahl, Norway, May 24, 1848. At the age of nine years, or in 1857, he came with his parents to Houston county, Minnesota, his father buying 130 acres of wild govemment land in sections 8 and 9, Spring Grove township, just west of the village. Thus the boyhood days of the subject of this sketch were passed amid pioneer scenes, and it soon fell to his lot to drive the oxen and do the various chores inseparable from farm work, his responsibilities increasing as he grew older. Occasionally when work was slack on the farm he was permitted to attend the district school. Thus he grew to manhood working for his parents until he attained his majority. He was then married.

March 20, 1869, to Anna, daughter of Benjamin and Jorend Kolsrud, of Spring Grove, and began domestic life on the parental homestead, which he then purchased. About 1901, however, certain lands being thrown open to settlement in what is now the state of North Dakota, he went there and homesteaded 160 acres near Harvey, and he and his wife resided on that farm for five years, during which time he developed the place, breaking the land, and erecting a comfortable frame house, a bam and other buildings. In 1906 he returned with his family to Spring Grove and began the improvement of the old homestead, though still retaining his Dakota farm, which he owned at the time of his death. On the former place, which he now made his home, he erected a two-story frame house of ten rooms; a barn 36 by 52 feet in size ; a toolshed 24 by 40 ; com cribs, a hog house, poultry house, and other necessary buildings. He also put 120 acres of the land under the plow and in time transformed the place into one of the best farms in the township, doing general farming and dairying. His teams and general equipment were first class, and he took special pride in his fine work horses. He also raised a good grade of cattle, keeping from 18 to 20 milch cows, and usually having from 20 to 25 young cattle on hand, besides a fair-sized herd of swine. Mr. Myhro continued on this farm until his death on Aug. 19, 1908. He had won a reputation as a successful farmer and a reliable citizen interested in the welfare of his community, and was a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company. He was survived by his wife some five years, her death taking place Dec. 9, 1913. Their remains now rest in the West Cemetery close by their farm. Their children were as follows: Olaus A., now manager of the Spring Grove Grain & Stock Co.; Aasine, now deceased, who was the wife of H. Hellerund of Flora, N. D. ; Jorgeine, now the wife of Ed Quarve, a farmer of Spring Grove township; Berat, deceased, formerly a farmer at Hettinger, N. D.; Marie, wife of Martin Storlie, a farmer of Loma, N. D. ; Josephine married G. Torrison, of Seattle, Wash., and is now deceased, her husband, formerly in the mining business, being now retired ; Albert, a farmer and hardware merchant at Hamburg, N. D. ; Gina, wife of Gust Carlson of Flora, N. D. ; Amanda, wife of Arthur Glasrud, a farmer of Spring Grove township; Oscar, who is engaged in farming in the same township ; Amos, who is living on the old homestead in this township ; Julia, wife of Ingeman Mueller, a meat dealer of Spring Grove ; and Sarah, who is a graduate of the Spring Grove high school and the Minnesota University and is now a teacher. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, those at home or in this vicinity, being members of the Spring Gorve congregation.

Olaus A. Myhro, manager of the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., and who is also the owner of an improved farm in Spring Grove township, was bom on a farm in this township, July 29, 1871, son of Arne 0. and Anna (Kolsrud) Myhro. He was early brought up to agricultural work in its various branches, but attended the district school. No. 55, up to the age of 18 years, and subsequently was a pupil for two years at the Decorah (la.) Business Institute. On April 3, 1895, at the age of 24 years, he was married to Lou Quarve, daughter of Levor and Christi Quarve of Spring Grove, and he and his wife began housekeeping on a farm of 160 acres in sections 15 and 16, Spring Grove Township. There Mr. Myhro continued until the death of his wife, which occurred Sept. 9, 1909. His home life being thus broken up, he went to Fessenden, North Dakota, becoming clerk in the department store of T. L. Quarve, in whose employ he remained for a year. In August, 1910, he returned to Spring Grove, and in the same faD took a position with the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., as manager, which he has since retained. He still owns his farm, which is situated a mile and three-quarters west of the village. It is a well improved piece of property, 110 acres of the land being under the plow, and the buildings including a two-story, nine-room frame house ; a frame bam, 38 by 72 by 18 feet, with a full stone basement of 9 feet, and cement floor and James stalls ; these and the other buildings being all in good condition. The farm, which is operated by a renter, is well stocked with grade Hereford cattle, including a fullblooded sire ; and with Duroc-Jersey swine. Mr. Myhro also owns 160 acres in Northern Minnesota, which land he leases, it being all under cultivation. He owns stock in the company of which he is manager, and also in the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery of Spring Grove, and has made a good reputation as an able business man. A Republican in politics, he has taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, and has served seven years as chairman of the town board, having also been school clerk for several years. By his first wife, Mrs. Lou Myhro, whose death has been mentioned, he had two sons: Arthur, bom Feb. 11, 1897, and Luther, bom Aug. 19, 1900, both of whom are now living. Both graduated from the Spring Grove high school, and Arthur also took a business course at the Lutheran Academy at Albert Lea, Minn. Mr. Myhro was married secondly, April 6, 1911, to Anna Hoegh, daughter of Charles and Theoline Hoegh of Spring Grove village. He owns a comfortable home in the village, and he and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Martin Jetmundson, a pioneer of Spring Grove township, who passed from the scene of his earthly labors but little more than two years ago, was bom in Norway, Janjkl8, 1829. At an early age he became acquainted with farm work, and was thus occupied for a number of years in his native land, though he also worked for one year in a warehouse and for two years in a store. In 1858, at the age of 29, he came to the United States, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he spent three years. In 1861 he removed to Minnesota and was employed here for some time at farming, and also for a while as a clerk. In 1862 he retumed to Wisconsin and was there married to Julia Olson, whom he brought with him to Houston county. In the following year Mr. Jetmundson began his career as proprietor of a farm, purchasing 180 acres in section 32, Spring Grove township, he and his wife establishing their first home in a log house. There they resided together, developing and improving their farm, assisted in time by their children, until separated by death, Mrs. Jetmundson passing away first, Oct.* 21, 1901. Mr. Jetmundson survived his wife a little more than 15 years, continuing to reside on the old homestead until his own death, Jan.

11, 1917. They were the parents of seven children: Joseph, Enoch, Oceanus, Lorenzo, John, David and Ole, all of whom are living and prosperous. The old farm is now owned by the son Oceanus.

Oceanus Jetmundson, who owns and operates a good farm of 334 acres in Spring Grove township, residing in section 32, was bom an a part of his present farm, Feb. 26, 1866, son of Martin and Julia (Olson) Jetmundson. His parents had taken the place but three years or less before his birth, so there was still much pioneer work to be done when he was old enough to be of assistance to his father. He was educated in part in the district school, also spending two winters in the Valder school, and one in Breckenridge Institute. On the home farm he obtained good practical experience in the raising of grain and stock, dairying, and other branches of farm work, doing his part in helping to develop the place. In 1906, some five or six years after his mother's death, which took place in October, 1901, he bought the farm, then consisting of 180 acres, and has continued to reside on it. Having in 1908 purchased an adjoining tract of 154 acres, its present area is 334 acres, a considerable part being under cultivation. In other respects also it is thoroughly up to date, Mr. Jetmundson having made many valuable improvements on it. Among them, he has remodeled the frame house and bam built by his father, the house being now a good twostory structure of 14 rooms, gas lighted, and provided with running water. The bam, measuring 34 by 96 by 18 feet, with a full stone basement 9 feet in height, and cement floors, is provided with a modern James equipment for 75 head of cattle and 15 horses, and is also gas lighted. Among the other buildings are a stave silo, 16 by 45 feet ; a cream house, 12 by 12 ; garage, 14 by 18 ; poultry house, 14 by 32 ; machine shed, 26 by 30 ; hog house with cement feeding floor, 26 by 60, with a feed room attached, 24 by 60, and a com crib, 5 by 60 feet. Mr. Jetmundson put in his gas system in 1916. He has now a herd of from 60 to 75 Shorthom cattle, and one of 90 to 100 Poland-China hogs, with full-blooded sires for each herd. The farm is .well fenced with woven wire and compares favorably with any of equal size in this part of the county. A Republican until 1916, Mr. Jetmundson then became a Non-partisan. On June 23, 1897, he was married to Annie Amelia, daughter of Peter and Elenie (Rosendahl) Ness, of Spring Grove township, and who was bom August 19, 1875. The children of this union, all residing at home, are as follows : Elenora Josephine, bom Feb. 18, 1900, who is a graduate of the Spring Grove high school ; Palma Matilda, bom June 4, 1902; Olga Amelia, Aug. 28, 1904; Marcus Jeffrey, S^t. 21, 1907; Tilford Arthur, Oct. 30, 1908; and Leslie Orlando, May 21, 1911. Mr. Jetmundson and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., and the Mabel Co-Operative Creamery, and is a member of the American Association of Equity.

Asle Halverson, a widely known and highly esteemed resident of Spring Grove viDage, where for some ten years or more he has lived retired, was bom in Ness-Hallingdal, Norway, Aug. 14, 1847, son of Halvor and Berget

(Aselson) Halverson. He resided in his native land until reaching the age of 19 years, and then, in 1866, with two sisters, Ingeborg and Carrie, and the latter's husband, Nels Rierson, he came to America, landing at Quebec after a voyage of five and a half weeks on a sailing vessel. There they were detained about two weeks on account of Fenian disturbances, but at the end of that time came directly by rail to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., arriving here June 26, by which time Asle Halverson's cash resources had diminished to ten dollars. The sister Ingeborg subsequently married George Quarve of Spring Grove township, but died a number of years ago ; while Carrie (Mrs. Nels Rierson) died here in 1916. Asle soon after arriving here found work as a farm hand, and was thus engaged for six years. In the meanwhile, however, in 1867, his father died in Norway and the mother, left a widow, came to America in that year and took up her residence with her daughter, Mrs. Rierson, with whom she remained until her death in 1899, at the venerable age of 94 years and six months. Asle Halverson, after his six years of farm work, in the spring of 1871 became clerk in the general store of Nels Hendrickson in Spring Grove. With Mr. Hendrickson he remained two years and then, in 1873, started in business for himself in Amhurst, Fillmore county, Minn., where he conducted a general store and, under President Grant's administration, was made postmaster. In 1878 Mr. Halverson sold his store and business there and returned to Spring Grove, where he formed a partnership with Nels Hendrickson in a general store. That partnership was^dissolved a year later and in the spring of 1880 Mr. Halverson engaged in business again alone and so continued until February, 1898, when he sold out to L. A. Bye and bought the farm of Peder Lommen, two miles northwest of Spring Grove village, which he operated until 1907. He then sold the farm to his son Alfred and retired, taking up his residence in Spring Grove village, where he owns a comfortable home. In former years Mr. Halverson took an active part in public affairs. He first aligned himself with the Republican party, but left it at the time of the Blaine-Cleveland campaign to enter the ranks of the Democracy. He served one year as assessor in Fillmore county, being at the same time school clerk. While living on his farm he was for three years a supervisor of Spring Grove township ; while as a resident of the village he served as assessor for two years, and as trustee and mayor. In 1898 he was nominated for district representative but failed of election. He, however, reduced the usual Republican majority of 800 in the county to less than 500, and received 48 votes in the village, which, aside from his candidacy, polled but 12 Democratic votes. From 1878 to 1882 Mr. Halverson was a justice of the peace in the village. For many years he has been a prominent member of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, having served it in various capacities. He was a member of the building committee on the second church edifice in 1893 and was treasurer of the congregation for 17 years. In the middle seventies of the last century Mr. Halverson was united in marriage with Anna Oline Brenney, daughter of Otto and Anna Brenney, of Amhurst, Fillmore county, Minn. She died in Spring Grove March 2, 1910. The children of this union were as follows : Otto Hebnick, bom Feb. 25, 1874, who died Feb. 3, 1886; Agnes, born Feb. 11, 1875, who died May 22, 1877; Ida, bom Jan. 16, 1877, who is keeping house for her father ; Alfred Bernhard, bom April 5, 1879, who in 1907 bought his father's farm; Agnes Othelie, born Nov. 15, 1880 ; a daughter who died in infancy ; Pauline, born Dec. 26, 1884, who died the day of her birth ; Johan, bom Nov. 16, 1885,. who died young; Otto Helmick (second), born in 1888, who also died; and Henry Oscar, bom June 13, 1890, who died April 6, 1897. It will thus be seen that Mr. Halverson has survived both his wife and many of his children. He is a man who has faithfully fulfilled the public and private obligations of life and stands high in the regard of his fellow citizens.

Alfred B. Halverson, a prominent representative of the farming interests of Spring Grove township, was born in Spring Grove village, April 5, 1879, son of Asle and Anna (Brenney) Halverson. He was educated in the village school, which he attended up to the age of 19 years. He then spent a year in his father's store as clerk, and subsequently for two seasons worked in Fillmore county as a farm hand in the employ of Oscar Pederson. He then re-entered his father's employ and worked in the store in Spring Grove village until 1901. In that year his father purchased the Lommen farm in section 3, Spring Grove township, and Alfred B. became a worker on it. In 1907 he bought the farm, an old improved place of 210 acres, and has since been successfully engaged in its cultivation, doing general farming and dairying. He has a herd of from 30 to 40 Shorthom cattle and one of 50 or 60 Poland-China swine, and possesses a good general equipment for modem farming. ^About 160 acres of his land are now under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasture, and the soil is fertile and produces abundant crops. The buildings on the farm include a good, two-story, brick house of eight rooms; a good frame barn which Mr. Halverson has enlarged to the size of 30 by 106 by 16 feet, and which has a full eight-foot stone basement ; a granary 30 by 30, with a lean-to on either side 16 by 30 feet each, for tools ; a hog house 12 by 60 ; poultry house 12 by 32 ; also a woodshed, garage and summer kitchen. Mr. Halverson married Johanna, daughter of John J. and Casperine Lommen of Spring Grove village. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Asle, born Oct. 2, 1906; John, bom Oct. 22, 1911 ; and Harold, bom Feb. 12, 1915. Mr. Halverson is independent in politics and has served in the office of justice of the peace. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co. and the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery of Spring Grove. He and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Albert A. Foss, one of the substantial farmers of Spring Grove township, residing in section 28, where he is operating successf uDy a good farm of 160 acres, was bom in section 33, this township, Oct. 29, 1866, son of Andrew and Anna Foss. In his boyhood he attended district school No. 76, and began a life of practical agriculture on the old homestead established by his parents, who were pioneers in this locality. With them he remained until he was 18 and then, in 1884, went to Decorah, Iowa, where he became a student in the Breckenridge Institute, remaining until the spring of 1885.

Then returning to the home farm in Spring Grove township, he rented it of his father and operated it until the spring of 1886. During that summer and until September he drove a cream route. He then re-entered the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah and continued his studies until June, 1887. That summer he helped his father on the farm and in the fall took a westem trip, returning late in the same season. In the spring of 1888 he again rented his father's farm and operated it until the spring of 1890, when he went to the farm of his brother Brady in section 28, with whom he worked in partnership until the fall. That same summer, on July 30, he was married to Eliza Snekerpladsen, who was bom May 4, 1868, daughter of Hans and Gunhild (Livdahl) Snekerpladsen, of Wilmington township, this county. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Foss and his wife took up their residence on the farm of her father in Wilmington township to keep house for him and look after the place. In April of the following year he bought from his fatherin-law what is now the C. A. Blegen farm in section 36, Spring Grove township, where he and his wife made their home for two years, or until the winter of 1892-93, when they came to their present farm in section 28, which Mr. Foss bought of his brother Brady. For some years they lived in the old log house which was built on the place in 1873 by its former owner, Berge Holland, but in 1906 Mr. Foss built his present residence, a twostory house of 11 rooms, consisting of an upright and wing, the upright measuring 28 by 30 feet and the wing 16 by 18 feet. It is heated by furnace, provided with running water, and is a very comfortable residence. Among the other buildings which Mr. Foss has erected and which add greatly to the value of the property are : a frame bam, 30 by 60 by 16 feet, with a full stone basement of 8 feet ; two machine sheds, one 16 by 28 and the other 16 by 20 ; twin com cribs, 24 by 26, with a 14-foot drive ; a hog house, 10 by 36 with a cement feeding-floor, 30 x 32 ; a granary, 16 by 28, and a poultry house 16 by 16. The farm is well fenced with woven wire and is divided into six lots. As a breeder of Black Poll cattle and Duroc Jersey swine, Mr. Foss is having good success, and he also raises an average amount of crops, having 135 acres of his land under the plow. He has taken rank among the enterprising citizens of his township, and besides being a member of the American Society of Equity, is a shareholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Company and the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery of Mabel. His fraternal society afliliations are with the American Brotherhood of Yeomen at Spring Grove, and he and his family belong to the congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church at that place. In politics he has been a Republican since casting his first vote. Mr. and Mrs. Foss are the parents of seven children, bom as follows : Harry Amold, May 21, 1891 ; Genora Aurora, Oct. 19, 1893 ; Dinah Luella, April 18, 1895; Ephraim Alexander, May 10, 1898; Viola Henrietta, April 9, 1900; Ralph Norman, May 10, 1902 ; and Norton Carleton, Sept. 11, 1904. Genora Aurora is now the wife of Lloyd Leisenberg, a traveling salesman residing at Mason City, Iowa. Dinah Luella, formerly a student at the Young Ladies' Seminary in Red Wing, Minn., graduated as a trained nurse from the Asbury Hospital at Minneapolis in 1919. Viola H. and Ephraim A. graduated from the Spring Grove High School, and the former has also taken courses in Luther College and in the preparatory school at Decorah, Iowa. Ralph N. and Norton C. are still pursuing their studies. This family was called upon to make the Supreme Sacrifice during the Great War. Harry A., one of the most popular young men in the community, served in France in the Infantry with the 78th Division, proved his worth as a good soldier, and was killed in the last drive which ended the war, thus giving his life in the cause of Liberty and Democracy^ His memory will long be cherished as an inspiration to the younger generation.

Andrew Grinager, one of the pioneer settlers of Wilmington township over half a century ago, was born in Hadiland, Norway, Sept. 22, 1826. In his native land he learned the trade of carpenter, and in time was married to Mam H. Ness, who was bom in the same locality, April 17, 1822. In the summer of 1864, with his wife and three sons, Lars, Hans and Andrew, he left Norway for America, and landed at Quebec after a voyage of seven weeks. By steamboat and rail the family came west to Lansing, Iowa, this trip occupying three weeks, and from Lansing to Wilmington township. Soon after a daughter, Betsey, was bom to them there. For seven years the father, Andrew Grinager, worked in this vicinity at his trade of carpenter. Then in 1872 he engaged in farming, buying 80 acres of wild land in section 33, Wilmington township, where he had to grub a space on which to build a small log house of one room. In that dwelling he and his family resided for about ten years, but at the end of that time he was able to erect a small frame house, and in 1898 he built a much better one. All the members of the family worked together to develop the farm, and in time they got 75 acres under the plow, and had erected a number of substantial buildings, including a frame bam, 20 by 42 feet, with a lean-to for cattle of 16 by 42 feet ; a double com crib, 18 by 18, with an 8-foot driveway ; a tool shed, granary, hog house, feed house and carpenter shop. In 1893 the father sold the place to his son Lars, who still operates it. Mrs. Andrew Grinager died on the farm March 25, 1906, her husband passing away a year and three months later, on June 19, 1907. They were industrious and fmgal people, well respected, and were useful members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Politically he was a Republican. Their sons Hans A. and Andrew A. are now associated together as contractors and builders in Wilmington township, residing in section 33, and their daughter Betsy is the wife of M. Severin of the same township.

Lars A. Grinager, proprietor of the old Grinager homestead in section 33, Wilmington township, but now retired, was bom in Hadiland, Norway, Oct. 8, 1852, son of Andrew and Mam (H. Ness) Grinager. He was in his thirteenth year when, in the summer of 1865, he accompanied his parents and two brothers to America, coming from Quebec, their landing point, to Lansing, Iowa, and thence to Wilmington township, Houston county, Minn. He had received some schooling in his native land and attended district school for a very limited period here, his services being needed by his father on the farm, which had to be developed from a tract of wild land. Here he has since resided, having purchased the farm in 1893. It has an area of something over 100 acres, with a good set of buildings and he now leases it out. He retired after a prosperous career, and is a stockholder in the Wihnington Creamery Association. On Feb. 16, 1883, Mr. Grinager married Ingeborg H., daughter of Halvor and Kjerste Wermager, her family being near neighbors of the Grinagers. Mr. and Mrs. Grinager are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. They are among the older residents of the township and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Hans A. and Andrew A. Grinager, who under the firm name of Grinager Bros., are engaged in business as contractors and builders, residing in section 33, Wilmington township, are the sons of Andrew and Mam (H. Ness) Grinager, and were born in Norway, Hans A. on Dec. 23, 1857, and Andrew A. on Nov. 20, 1863. They came to this country with their parents and their brother Lars in the summer of 1865, settling in this county and township, where their father worked the first seven years as a carpenter, in 1872 taking a farm in section 33, Wilmington township. In the development of that farm the brothers took an active part, having previously attended school for awhile. Hans, who learned the carpenter's trade, at the age of 26 set up in business for himself, and when ^drew was 24 he began an apprenticeship to it under his brother. Ever since then they have worked together, making their home with their brother Lars on the old farm of their parents. They have erected many buildings in Wilmington township, and adjacent parts of Houston county, also in Iowa, and on several occasions have filled contracts in North Dakota. Expert workmen at their trade, they have won a good reputation and have prospered, each being now well to do. Hans, in addition to his direct business interests, owns a good farm of 80 acres in the vicinity of the parental homestead. They are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics they are aligned with the Republican party.

John J. Akre, proprietor of a well equipped blacksmith's shop in the village of Spring Grove, was born near Highlandville, in Pleasant township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, March 27, 1872, son of John and Martha (Sarvold) Akre. The parents were both natives of Norway, the father bom June 5, 1829, and the mother Sept. 29, 1836. Both came to this country in 1861, and were married in Big Canoe, Winneshiek county, Iowa, by Rev. C. Clauson, July 5, 1862. In the same county they took a tract of wild land, containing 120 acres, which they subsequently developed into a good farm, bringing 90 acres under cultivation, and erecting good buildings, including a frame house and bam. The father died June 6, 1904, and the mother Dec. 6, 1902. Their family numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters: Martin, now engaged in the creamery business at Highlandville, Iowa; Ole, who is pastor of a Norwegian Lutheran church at Hinsdale, Mont. ; John J. the subject of this sketch ; Jonas, now on the old home farm in Iowa; Inga, wife of James Cowan, a farmer in North Dakota; Hattie, wife of Krog Ovre, a farmer of Mercer, N. D. ; Anna, a twin sister of Hattie, and now Mrs. Peter J. Bidne, of Highlandville, Iowa, her husband being a butter maker; and Bella, who is the wife of Mark Vossenberg, a farmer of Mercer, N. D. Jphn J. Akre resided on his parents' farm until attaining his majority, his education being acquired in the district school. In 1893 he started to learn the blacksmith's trade with E. T. Reed, of Decorah, Iowa, and at the end of three years was a finished blacksmith. Thus practically equipped for an independent career, he established himself in business at Locust, Iowa, where he remained until 1900, when he moved to Bee, Houston county, Minn. Here he erected a house and conducted a shop until 1913, in which year he came to Spring Grove and established his present business in general blacksmithing and wagon woodwork. He rents his shop, a one-story building, 24 by 60 feet in size, located on Main street near the hotel, and has built up a good trade, being the only man in this locality who does gas welding, either of steel, malleable or castiron pipe. He is a Republican in politics and has served as village constable, but gives his chief attention to his growing business. On Feb. 28, 1898, Mr. Akre was married at Locust, Iowa, to Nellie, daughter of Ole Juve of that place. He and his wife are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. They have a wide acquaintance throughout this part of the county and enjoy a deserved popularity. Mr. and Mrs. Akre have one daughter, Martha, who was bom Oct. 28, 1914.

Levor Timanscm Quarve. - ^The transformation of an unproductive wilderness into a flourishing and civilized region, marked out with fruitful farms, dotted here and there with schools and churches - ^the evidences of that higher culture that goes beyond material prosperity - ^and with growing villages, the centers of trade and commerce and social activities, is not the work of a day, but rather one of many years, participated in by many individuals, initially inspired by the hope of self -advancement, but graduaUy broadening in scope and reciprocally and collectively beneficial. To have been an active and potent factor in such a work - a part of the onward and upward movement of humanity - has been the happy lot of the subject of this sketch, Levor Timanson Quarve, now living retired in the village of Spring Grove, and known to all the older inhabitants of the southern part of Houston county, as one of its original pioneers. Mr. Quarve was bom in Naes, Halingdahl, Norway, Dec. 26, 1830. His parents, who were wealthy farmers, conscientiously performed their parental duties, doing their utmost to rear their children in the principles of sound morality and make good men and women of them. Their son Levor attended school but four days in his native land, his long hours of industry being employed chiefly in the herding of cattle. When he was 18 years old, the family emigrated to the United States. The voyage was a long one, lasting many weeks, and the ship encountered tempestuous weather. Such minor discomforts might have been borne, but a greater misfortune was in store for them, as the father was taken seriously ill on shipboard and died a few days after their landing at New York. He was but 53 years old, having been bom in 1795. Leaving one son, George, in New York, the bereaved mother brought the other children west to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they had friends who had preceded them to this country, and where George soon joined them. In that locality they remained for several years, and there Levor T. improved his education, leaming writing and arithmetic. In the fall of 1853, in company with his brother George, he set out to find a good piece of land on which to settle and lay the foundation of a future prosperity. Such land was easy to find in Rock county if money had been no object to him, but of the latter commodity he had very Uttle and could not hope to buy an improved farm. It was necessary to begin at the beginning, take wild land that could be procured at a nominal price, and develop it by long years of toil. With that object in view he explored localities in northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota, and finally found what he sought in Spring Grove township, Houston county, this state, the tract being located two miles west of the site of Spring Grove village, though at that time the village was non-existent. There, at the age of 24 years, he settled in the spring of 1854. There were but five white men within a considerable area, namely, T. A. Berg, 0. A. Berg, Knut Kielan, Fengal Flaaten, and a man by the name of Boo. This Mr. Boo, who seems to have been of an acquisitive disposition, claimed to own all the land in this vicinity, and not only that, but practically the entire county. On this assumption he tried to prevent others from settling unless they bought their land from him. Mr. Quarve, however, disregarded his claims and took possession of the tract he had selected, and not long afterwards Mr. Boo disappeared from this part of the country. With his mother and his brother George, Mr. Quarve established a home, building a large log house, which is stiU standing on the Olaus Myhro farm, and then plunged into the hard work necessary to change the virgin soil into fields of cultivated grain and suitable pasture for cattle. This was a work of time, but in time was well accomplished. About two years after he had entered upon it, or on May 21, 1856, he took a wife in the person of Kriste Knudson Berg, of Orf ordville, Rock county. Wis., a young lady whose solid worth he well knew from previous acquaintance. She was the daughter of Knut and Ragnil Berg, natives of Norway. Her father had died on the ocean voyage to this country and her mother when Kriste was ten years old. To Orfordville Mr. Quarve went to obtain his bride, and thence he brought her to Houston county, taking the train to Belvidere, 111., then striking out to the Mississippi River, where they took a boat to Brownsville, Minn., from which place they made the journey on foot to the farm in Spring Grove township. Mr. Quarve's mother continued to reside on the farm until her death, which occurred Nov. 27, 1881, when she was in her ninetieth year, having been bom in January, 1791. By the time of his mother's death Mr. Quarve had acquired no less than 840 acres of land, of which amount he had 540 under cultivation, a splendid record of agricultural achievement seldom equalled in this region. Moreover his activities were not confined to his own personal aggrandizement, for many times during his active career he showed himself possessed of public spirit in the promotion of worthy enterprises. While the great Civil War was in progress he secured many volunteers for the defense of the Union, and gave Uberally of his time and means for that cause. He was also active in the establishment and support of schools and churches and everything tending to advance the religious, educational and moral welfare of the community. It is said of him that he "worked day and night" in his efforts to establish the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in

Spring Grove, and in the erection of its first church edifice, as well as in that of the larger and better buildings that succeeded it, and besides contributing largely to its support, he served the congregation as one of its most efficient trustees and in other capacities. Until 1895 he continued to reside on his farm, and then, feeling it time to retire from active work, he sold the place and built a comfortable residence on the Black Hammer road, half a mile from the business center of Spring Grove village, where he has since made his home. Here on Dec. 10, 1910, his wife, who had been his faithful and loving helpmate for 54 years, passed to her final rest, and since then his two unmarried daughters, Olave and Ella, have presided over the household. Though up to recent years a strong and robust man, Mr. Quarve finally began to show the effects of age. In 1914 his eyesight began to fail, and since 1916 he has been almost totally blind. He still keeps up and about, however, having the loving care of his daughters and the warm sympathy of numerous old friends and acquaintances, some of whom occasionally drop in for a few words of cheer. Of the 11 children bom to him and his wife, five are now living, their record and that of those deceased being in brief as f oUows : Timon, bom March 17, 1857, now a merchant in Fessenden, N. D. ; Knute, born Nov. 22, 1858, who has been an invalid from infancy and resides with his father and sisters ; Erick, bom July 2, 1861, who died in infancy; Olave, bom July 25, 1863, now at home with her father; Caroline, bom April 1, 1865, who married Christian Storlie, and died Jan. 21, 1913 ; Edward, bom May 2, 1869, who is a prosperous farmer in Spring Grove township ; Karl, bom July 23, 1872, who died in infancy ; Live, bom Dec. 23, 1873, who married O. A. Myhro and died Sept. 2, 1909 ; Matilda, bom April 23, 1876, who died in infancy ; Ella, bom Aug. 7, 1878, who, as previously stated, is helping to care for her father; and another child who died in infancy. Thus briefly sketched is the history of this worthy pioneer whose life work forms part of the warp and woof of Houston county's development, closely interwoven with that of other hardy settlers here, many of whom have already passed away, but the result of whose labors will forever endure.

Christian K. Storlie, a prominent representative of the agricultural community in Spring Grove township, residing in section 18, was born in section 4, this township. May 9, 1862, son of Knute and Anna Storlie. His parents were pioneer settlers in this locality, and Christian himself had an opportunity in his early years to become acquainted with pioneer methods of agriculture in helping his father develop the home farm, upon which he resided until reaching the age of 35 years. His education was obtained through attendance at the district school up to the age of 15 years. On June 25, 1891, Mr. Storlie was united in marriage with Ragnhild Caroline Quarve, a schoolmate of his, who was born April 1, 1865, and whose parents were near neighbors of the Storlies. Mr. and Mrs. Storlie began domestic life on their present farm, which Mr. Storlie at first rented from his fatherin-law, but which he bought in 1897. It was an improved farm of 120 acres, of which 110 acres are now under the plow. The soil is good and the farm well fenced and provided with good buildings and equipment. In 1902 Mr. Storlie built a fine two-story, ten-room house, with a detached kitchen, and which is one of the best farm houses in the county. He continued the work of improvement in 1914 by erecting a modern frame barn, 35 by 56 by 14 feet in size, with a full stone basement of eight feet and cement floor. He has also a granary, 18 by 20 feet ; a corn crib, 6 by 30 ; poultry house 10 by 18 ; machine shed, 14 by 40, and a feed house, 10 by 10. Mr. Storlie also owns a good Overland automobile. His farm is well stocked with Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. Industrious and thrifty, he has made good progress in life and is numbered among the well to do citizens of his township. For six years he has been a widower, his wife having died Jan. 31, 1913. They were the parents of eight children ; born as follows : Alma Levina Clarisa, Nov. 28, 1895 ; Kenneth Levi, May 8, 1898; Anna Magdalena, March 5, 1900; George Levard, Jan. 29, 1902 ; Ruth Alvina, Nov. 10, 1903 ; Teman Cornelius, Feb. 16, 1906 (died in infancy) ; Erick Tillman, Oct. 29, 1908 ; Caroline Lucille, Jan. 30, 1913. All the children are residing at home, the eldest daughters presiding over the household. Mr. Storlie and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church and take a prominent part in its religious and social activities.

Peter S. Bergrud, proprietor of a good farm of 160 acres in section 13, Spring Grove township, was born in section 22, this township, April 22, 1870. When he was a year old his parents moved to the farm in section 13 on which he now resides and where he was reared. Here the father, who was born in Norway, died in 1906, the mother having previously passed away, in 1895. They had been married in this country, and were steady hardworking people. Peter S., who assisted his father in developing the farm, in his boyhood days attended the district school, which he left at the age of 15 years. He then attended the Decora institute at Decora, Iowa, for five winters. Then turning his attention to farm work, he remained at home until he was 20. In 1892 he went to Fargo, North Dakota, where he worked two years as a farm hand, but in 1894 returned to Spring Grove township, Houston county, and rented the home farm, which he bought in 1901. It is favorably located one mile southeast of Spring Grove village, and of its total area of 160 acres, Mr. Bergrud has 125 under the plow. The productive soil makes it a desirable piece of property, and it is also provided with a good set of buildings, including a comfortable frame house, a frame barn, corn cribs, poultry house, granary and machine shed. Besides raising the usual crops, Mr. Bergrud -is a successful breeder of Red Poll cattle, having two herds, one of registered and the other of grade animals. He is also a stockholder in the Spring Grove Co-operative Creamery and the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Company, and has taken his place among the progressive and prosperous farmers of his township. Over 22 years ago, on June 7, 1896, Mr. Bergrud was united in marriage with Hannah Henderson, who was born in Spring Grove township, this county, a little northeast of the village, Dec. 15, 1874, daughter of Benjamin and Anne (Bjore) Henderson, and he and his wife began housekeeping on the farm on which they now live. They have three children : Addie Minerva, born April 18, 1897, who is a graduate of the Spring Grove high school; Ruth Balinda, bom June 25, 1901, who is a student in the high school ; and Sigmund Benjamin.

born Aug. 18, 1911. Mr. Bergrud and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In the summer of 1919 Mr. Bergrud erected just outside the village limits a modern house of ten rooms, fitted out with electric lights, and heated with hot water.

Thore Erlemoen Jensen, M. D., who died at his home in Spring Grove, April 6, 1915, was widely known throughout the greater part of Houston county, and even in the neighboring state of Iowa as a type of the good physician, and as such was greatly beloved. His career and personality justified the esteem in which he was held. He was born in Tolgen, Norway, March 5, 1840, son of Jens and Marit (Peterson) Erlemoen, his parents being farmers by occupation. With them he came to America in 1853, the family stopping for a brief period in Wisconsin, but reaching Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., the same year. They arrived here with very slender resources, but managed to secure a tract of wild, government land in section 10, two miles west of Spring Grove village, on which the father built a small log house. The subject of this sketch was then a boy of 13, and was one of four children - two boys and two girls - all born in Norway. All are now deceased, except Kjerstine, an unmarried lady now residing in Spring Grove village. Thore had attended a common school in Norway, and in Houston county he went to school for a short time, though his attendance was not prolonged, as he had to assist his parents on their pioneer farm. Being resolved to obtain an education, however, he spent as much time as possible in reading, especially along scientific lines. Having chosen the medical profession as the sphere of his future activities, in 1872 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he entered a medical school, from which he was graduated in 1874. Then returning to Spring Grove, he opened an office in the village and began a notable career that lasted practically without intermission for nearly 40 years, and which left an impress on this region that will not easily be effaced. For years he was the only practicing physician in this locality, his territory extending as far as Houston on the north and Decorah, Iowa, on the south. Always anxious to increase his knowledge and efficiency, after a few years' practice he went to New York City and took a post graduate course at the N. Y. Post Graduate School. As a pioneer physician he endured many hardships, spending much of his time on the road in all kinds of weather, hastening to minister to the patients who had need of him, and no matter how onerous the service, he never neglected a duty. To do this required great endurance, but he possessed it, being of a strong sturdy type. To most of his patients and their families, he was not only a physician but a sympathizing friend, and was loved by the children and young people, as he was esteemed by the old. In such manner he faithfully performed the important duties of his almost sacred calling, until about four years before his death, though he had been ailing for several years before his practical retirement. Even then there were many who would not give him up as their physician, but came long distances to consult him when he could no longer visit them at their homes. During his first few years of practice Dr. Jensen owned and conducted a drug store, being associated during the latter part of that period with

Elling Reierson as partner, but he finally sold his interest in the drug business to Mr. Reierson and gave his entire attention to the medical and surgical practice. The good he accomplished could hardly be over estimated. Wherever he went he inspired hope and radiated sunshine, human S3rmpathy and happiness; and when he at last passed from life's activities the news of his death brought a sense of personal loss to hundreds of homes throughout this region. Almost at the beginning of his professional career, on Oct. 10, 1875, Dr. Jensen was united in marriage with Ingeborg Onsgard, who was born in Norway, Nov. 3, 1853, daughter of Knute and Berget (Vibe) Onsgard, and who had accompanied her parents to Houston county, Minesota, when seven years old. As the daughter of pioneer farmers in Spring Grove township, she did much to help her parents establish their new home, and when old enough drove the oxen many a day while her father held the breaking plow. She survives her husband, who left her in comfortable circumstances, and resides in a new modern cottage near her married daughter, Mrs. Nels Kjome, in Spring Grove. At one time Dr. Jensen owned a fruit ranch near Red Bluff, Calif., but sold it before his death. He owned, however, a comfortable and commodious residence in the south part of the village. His home life was ideal and was the more dear to him from his frequent enforced absence from the domestic circle due to the demands of his profession. Dr. and Mrs. Jensen were the parents of three children ; James C. ; Bergette Matilda ; and Inga Theoline. James C, a physician at Hendricks, Minn., who graduated from Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, in 1899, from the medical course at the University of Minnesota in 1903 and took post graduate work at the New York Post Graduate School Bergette Matilda is the wife of Nels Kjome of Spring Grove ; and Inga Theoline is residing with her mother in the village.

Edward Guttormsray a substantial and industrious citizen of Spring Grove township, was born on section 33, Black Hammer township, Feb. 19, 1873, son of Knut and Mari Guttormson, the pioneers. He was educated in the district school and was reared to farm pursuits by his father. In 1902 he purchased 80 acres from his father in Spring Grove township, section 4. In 1912 he bought 120 acres more, forty of which is timberland. He has good teams, tools and equipment, and successfully carries on general farming, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co. and in the Spring Grove Hospital. Mr. Guttormson was married June 7, 1912, to Rebecca Amondrud, daughter of Martin and Anna Amondrud, of Black Hammer township, and they have two children ; Edwin, bom May 30, 1904, and Clifford born March 26, 1913.

Knut Guttormson, a pioneer, was bom in Norway, July 23, 1823. In 1848 he came to America, and for a while lived in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. There he was married, his wife, Mari, who was born Dec. 26, 1829, having come to that vicinity with her parents when about eighteen years old. In 1854, Knut Guttormson and Tolliff Haagensen and their families set out for Houston county. They jointly purchased 160 acres of wild Government land in section 33, Black Hammer township, and put up a log cabin in which they lived the first year. Then they dissolved partnership, Knut

Guttormson taking the north eighty acres. By working early and late, Mr. and Mrs. Guttormson developed a good farm, and added to their acreage until they owned 254 acres, eighty of which was in Spring Grove township. In 1877 they erected a substantial frame dwelling, then one of the best in the neighborhood. The lumber was all hauled from Houston village, the nearest railroad point. On this farm, Mr. and Mrs. Guttormson spent the remainder of their days, he dying March 29, 1905, and she Nov. 26, 1916. They were the parents of nine children; Torgen (deceased), Guttorm (deceased) ; Mari, now Mrs. Johannes Brakke, of Jackson county, Minn. ; Guttorm (deceased) ; Torgen, deceased wife of Ilisaus Mueller, of Spring Grove ; Olava and Gunhild who live on the home farm, Olaf a prosperous farmer of Esmond, North Dakota, and Edward, of Spring Grove township.

Amos Arnold Myhro, who occupies a prominent place among the younger farmers of Spring Grove township, residing in section 8, was born on the farm he now owns and operates, July 27, 1891, son of Arne O. and Annie Myhro. His parents were early settlers in this county and he was the youngest member of the family. He acquired his primary education in district school No. 55, and during the winters of 1909-10 and 1910-11 was a pupil in the Lutheran Academy at Albert Lea, Minn., working on the home farm during the summers. Here the father finally died and was survived by his wife until 1913, when she also passed away. Before her death, and in the same year, the subject of this sketch rented the farm from her and has since operated it on his own account. He is cultivating 120 acres of productive land, and has a fine herd of grade Shorthorns, and another of Hereford cattle, besides some 75 or 100 Duroc-Jersey swine, with fullblooded sires for both cattle and hogs. His buildings are also in good condition and he has an adequate and modern operating equipment. Though young in years, he is thoroughly experienced and is making his farm pay. A Republican in politics, he has served for some time as clerk of his school district, and is a man who takes an interest in progressive movements and everything calculated to benefit the community in which he resides. On March 7, 1916, Mr. Myhro was united in marriage with Oline Vinge, who was born in Black Hammer township, Houston county, June 28, 1886, daughter of Ole and Maria (Onstad) Vinge. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Norman, who was bom Jan. 10, 1917. Mr. Myhro was reared in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and he and his wife are members of the Spring Grove congregation.

Ben L. Onsgard, who for the last 13 years has been proprietor of the Spring Grove Herald, was born near Beloit, in Rock county, Wisconsin, Sept. 29, 1871, son of Ole and Engsburg (Myhre) Onsgard. The parents settled in Rock county early in the sixties on their arrival from Norway. There, after developing a farm, the father died in October, 1885. The mother, who survived him, is still living at Beloit, having now attained the venerable age of 89 years. They had 12 children of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. Of these all with the exception of Ben. L., are now living in Wisconsin. Ben. L. Onsgard was educated in the common schools of Rock county, Wisconsin, and at Stoughton Academy, Stoughton, Wis., where he was a pupil for one year. At the age of 18 he began to learn the jeweller's trade at Beloit, and was subsequently engaged in it for two years at Blooming Prairie, Minn. In 1889 he came to Spring Grove and worked in a jewelry store here for S. H. EUestad for about two years. He then purchased the stock of Mr. Ellestad and conducted the same store until 1911, when he sold the stock to Ove Hoegh. Some years before giving up that business, however, he had entered the journalistic field, having in 1906 purchased the Spring Grove Herald, a weekly newspaper published in English, of which he has since been proprietor, and which now has a circulation of 1100, including many subscribers in the Dakotas. From 1906 to 1911 he conducted both the jewelry and newspaper business. Mr. Onsgard is in the employ of the state as county oil inspector. His politics are those of the Republican party. Since 1900 he has been a member of Spring Grove Camp, No. 4492, M. W. A., and has been its secretary for the last ten years. He is also a charter member of the local branch of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, having joined the lodge in 1906 on its organization. The Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Co. at Spring Grove numbers him among its stockholders. Mr. Onsgard was married, Oct. 12, 1904, to Anna Erickson, daughter of Mickel and Engeborg Erickson, of Spring Grove village, and he and his wife are living in the house in which she was born. They have been the parents of five children : Morris, born Aug. 25, 1905, now a student in the Spring Grove high school ; Owen, born Sept. 21, 1907; Burnell, born Nov. 19, 1909; lola, born Jan. 19, 1911, who died in infancy ; Inez, born Dec. 23, 1912, and Kenneth, born June 22, 1916. Mr. Onsgard and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Gunvald Ingvalson, who is now living retired on a small farm in section 27, Spring Grove township, was born in Norway in 1850, and came to this country in 1870, a youth of 20 years. He was subsequently married in Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minn., to Mari Tollefsrud, and began farming on a tract of 40 acres in that township, where he remained for about twelve years. He then moved with his family to Highland township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he made his home until 1916. In that year he returned to Houston county and took up his residence in section 27, Spring Grove township, where he and his wife are taking life easily, having a small but comfortable house and ten acres of land. Mr. Ingvalson is now 67 years old and Mrs. Ingvalson 62. They have had a family of twelve children, of whom five are now deceased. Those surviving are : Ole Cornelius, a prosperous farmer in section 20, Spring Grove township; Bernt, Leonard, Gunild, Louise, Gustine and Alfina. Gunild is now the wife of Sever Sacquitne of Winneshiek county, Iowa ; Gustine is Mrs. Bernard Peterson of Blooming Prairie, Minn., and the other daughters are living at home with their parents.