Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 13 of 21)

Ole Cornelius Ingvalson, proprietor of a good 80-acre farm in section 20, Spring Grove township, was born in Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minn., Feb. 16, 1882, son of Gunvald and Mari (Tollefsrud) Ingvalson. He was educated in district schools, which he attended up to the age of 15 years. When he was about 11 his parents moved to Highland township, Winneshiek county, Iowa. He resided with them until he was 17, and subsequently worked as a general farm hand until 1905, when he opened a restaurant in Mabel, Minn., and was thus occupied for two years. He was then engaged for one year in the agricultural implement business. On March 25, 1908, Mr. Ingvalson was united in marriage with Emma Louise Grindeland, daughter of Stone and Ingri Grindeland, of Highland, Winneshiek county, Iowa, and at about the same time he began housekeeping on the Oscar Tollefsrud farm, in section 29, Spring Grove township, Houston county. There, however, he remained but two years, as in 1910 he purchased and moved to the Lee Copeman farm of 80 acres, adding thereto 40 acres in 1919, where he is now living, and which is situated in section 20, Spring Grove township, five miles southwest of Spring Grove village. Here he is profitably raising Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, besides carrying on other farming occupations. He has a good five-room frame house, a frame barn, machine shed, poultry house, hog house, and other buildings, all in good or fair condition. His equipment also includes two working teams, with all necessary tools and machinery. As a stock raiser, dairyman and general farmer of good ability Mr. Ingvalson is favorably known in his township and the vicinity. Formerly a Republican, in 1916 he became a non-partisan. Religiously he was reared in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church and belongs to the Spring Grove congregation. He and his wife are the parents of four children : Ilyn, born Aug. 7, 1910 ; Grant, July 27, 1912 ; Leslie, July 6, 1915 ; and Ervin, July 6, 1917.

O. B. Nelson, a member of the firm of Nelson & Johnson, of Spring Grove, ranking among the leading hardware dealers in Houston county, is a man who has taken a high place both in business and public life, having formerly represented this district in the State Legislature. He was born in Spring Grove township, Feb. 8, 1854, son of Nels Olson Blexrud and his wife, Anna (Skiftem) Blexrud. The parents came from Norway in 1850, settling first in Rock county. Wis., where they remained two or three years, their home being near the city of Beloit. In the summer of 1853 they drove with an ox team to Houston county, Minn., and bought government land in Spring Grove township, one mile north of the village. Their journey was broken by a few weeks' stop at Calmar, Iowa, the river being crossed at McGregor. After developing a good farm in Spring Grove township, both parents died, the mother surviving her husband seven years. O. B. Nelson was born in the log house which his father first erected on the farm. His primary education was acquired in the district school, but he later attended the State Normal School at Winona for four terms, and afterwards the Madison Business College at Madison, Wis. From the age of 21 to thax of 24 years he was engaged chiefly in teaching school in Spring Grove and the vicinity. Then he took up the study of telegraphy and became agent at Newhouse for the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad, later holding a similar position at Mabel, Minn. After remaining with the railroad from 1879 to 1882, Mr. Nelson went to Clark, in Clark county. South Dakota, where he sold hardware and agricultural implements as a member of the firm of Snell & Nelson, his partner being Mr. Snell of Mabel, Minn. He remained there until 1887 and then sold out and returned to Spring Grove. Here he bought a half interest in a hardware business with T. T. Bergh, which was conducted under the style of Bergh & Nelson until 1888, when Mr. Bergh sold his interest to O. B. Tone. In 1906 Mr. Tone sold his interest to I. D. Johnson, Mr. Nelson's present partner, and the firm has since conducted business as Nelson & Johnson. The concern has retained the same location ever since Mr. Nelson and Mr. Bergh became associated together. A large stock of heavy and shelf hardware is carried, and there is also a furniture department in connection with the store. The firm enjoys a large patronage and its business is steadily increasing. Mr. Nelson was one of the organizers and has been president of the Spring Grove State Bank since 1904. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company and the Root River Electric Company, and is a man who has long taken a prominent part in promoting useful enterprises in this part of the county. Though public spirited he is unostentatious and is highly respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. In politics Mr. Nelson has always been a Republican. He served for years as township assessor and clerk and has been president of the village council, and in 1907 and 1909 he was representative from this district in the Slate Legislature. A member of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which his father was one of the founders ; he served for years as a member of its board and as treasurer. Mr. Nelson was married in April, 1879, to Anna, daughter of Embrick and Kjersti (Ruen) Benson of Spring Grove township. Mrs. Nelson is an active and useful member of the same church as her husband and is a lady who has many friends in this community.

Nels Husemoen, who died on his farm in section 27, Spring Grove township, Nov. 8, 1916, had been a resident of this township nearly all his life and had made his mark as a successful agriculturist. He was born in Nes Hallingdal, Norway, Oct. 1, 1865, son of Gilbert and Marget Husemoen, and came to Minnesota with his parents when six years old, the family settling directly in Spring Grove township, Houston county. In 1877 the parents bought 160 acres of wild land in sections 27 and 28, on which they erected a log cabin and began the development of a farm. Here young Nels grew up and when old enough contributed his share of labor to the upbuilding of the family fortunes. His education was obtained in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 15 years. On July 28, 1888, Mr. Husemoen was united in marriage with Caroline Qvern, daughter of Hans and Martha Qvern of Spring Grove township, and who was born in Norway and came to this country with her parents at the age of ten years. He and his wife began housekeeping on her present farm in a two-room log cabin, in which they resided until 1900, in which year Mr. Husemoen built a modern two-story frame house of nine rooms, consisting of an upright and wing, the former 16 by 28 and the latter 16 by 20 feet, with hot water heat and gas illumination. In 1909 he built a frame barn 36 by 60 by 14 feet, with a hip roof and a full stone basement of eight feet, cement floors and swing stanchions for 20 head of cattle and eight horses. He also built a tool shed 20 by 48 ; a log house 16 by 48, with two wings 16 by 20 on each side and cement floors; a granary 16 by 28 by 14; poultry house 12 by 14; a shop 12 by 12 ; well house 12 by 14 ; cream house 10 by 12 ; stave silo 12 by 35, corn crib 10 by 30, double summer kitchen 14 by 18, and garage 10 by 12. Mr. Husemoen successfully raised grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, keeping full-blooded sires for his herds to improve the stock, and at his death had 100 acres under the plow, the balance of the land being in pasture and timber. The farm is now operated by his widow with the assistance of her eldest son, Gustav, and is a productive and profitable piece of agricultural property. Mr. Husemoen was a Republican in politics and was a member of his district school board, but not otherwise active in public affairs. He was an industrious, persevering man, well liked and respected, and up to the last two years of his life enjoyed good health. He and his wife had the followed named children: Gustav, born March 18, 1889, now operating the home farm ; Hannah, born Dec. 22, 1893, who married C. Grayburn of La Crosse ; Manda, born June 7, 1896, now Mrs. Eugene Miner of Spring Grove township ; Annie, born Dec. 11, 1899; Christian, born May 18, 1902; Maline, born Jan 6, 1905; Clarence Morton, born Oct. 17, 1907; Maurice Gerhardt, born Aug. 1, 1910; Florence Jeanette, born Jan. 15, 1913; and Esther Irene, born Aug. 23, 1915.

John Johnson Lommen, one of those intrepid pioneers who laid the foundations of the present wealth and prosperity of Houston county, was bom at Valdres, Norway, Nov. 18, 1831. He grew to manhood in his native land and at the age of 13 years had lost both his parents. After that he had little chance for schooling, as he had practically to support himself. One. of his brothers, Cjermund, who had emigrated to the United States, having sent home a favorable report of this country, especially the northwest, three other brothers, Peder, Tosten and Thomas, together with John, determined to come here also, and accordingly in 1851 they set out, and in due time safely arrived. All of these brothers are now deceased. The first three years of John Johnson Lommen in this country were spent in the Wisconsin pineries. Then in 1854 he came to Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minn., and bought a tract of wild land in section 3, two miles northwest of what is now Spring Grove village. In the following year, on June 20, 1855, he married Marit Orsdatter Ristey, the ceremony being performed in Knute Keland's first log hut. This marriage was probably the second to be celebrated in the township, that of Hans Nielson Myhra and Mary B. Anderson having taken place in February of the previous year. It resulted in fi\e children, three of whom are now living, namely : Jorend Foskerud, of Wentworth, S. D. ; Ole, of Spring Grove village, and Marit Narum of Shevlin, Minn. The mother of these children died April 24, 1867, and in the following year, on April 5, -Mr. Lommen married Kasperinde Erickson Oium, who was of Norwegian parentage. Of this marriage six children were bom: Martin, Edward, Peter, Anton, Tosten and Johanna, the last mentioned of whom is now the wife of Alfred B. Halvorson, residing on a farm adjoining the old homestead in Spring Grove township. In the meanwhile Mr. Lommen was improving and developing his farm and bringing it into good condition by breaking the land and erecting buildings. His early years on the place were full of hard work with little immediate compensation, but he was waging a successful battle with the forces of nature and in time obtained the mastery. He resided there until 1903, when he felt it was time to retire, and, selling the farm to his son Peter J., he took up his residence with his wife in Spring Grove village, where the rest of his life was spent. In 1909 he suffered a paralytic stroke, an indication of his approaching end, which came at last Oct. 21, 1911. His wife survived him until Sept. 29, 1913, when she too passed away. She was then in her seventy-ninth year, having been bom in Norway, May 28, 1835. They were people of sterling character, industrious and neighborly, and for many years active supporters of church and school.

Peter J. Lommen, the proprietor of a well improved and productive farm of 173 acres in section 3, Spring Grove township, was bom on the farm he now owns and operates, Aug. 23, 1872, son of John J. and Kasperinde Erickson (Oium) Lommen. He acquired his education in the district school, and until he was twenty-one years old remained on the home farm assisting his father. After that he worked out for a while as a farm laborer. On Oct. 21, 1895, Mr. Lommen was united in marriage with Ingeborg, daughter of Gjermund and Aagot Lommen of Wilmington township. On July 3, 1896, his wife was injured in a runaway accident near Spring Grove, and died two days later leaving no children. In the following year, on Aug. 5, 1897, Mr. Lommen married Maria Ronningen, daughter of Frederick and Anna Ronningen of Caledonia township, Houston county, and who was bom in Norway, Oct. 25, 1874, and came to America with her parents at the age of seven years. In the spring of 1898 he rented the C. Lommen farm in Black Hammer township, which he operated until the spring of 1904. He then moved to Spring Grove village, where he built a house in which he and his wife resided for a year. In the spring of 1905 he traded his village property for his father's old farm in section 3, Spring Grove township, and took up his residence on it. It already had some good buildings, including a log house, log granary, a frame bam, 32 by 60 by 18 feet in size, with a full stone basement of nine feet, and since then Mr. Lommen has improved the bam, and erected a number of other buildings. These include a frame granary, double com crib, machine shed, cook house for hog food, and a modem, two-story ten-room house, gas lighted, heated with hot water, and with a laundry in the basement. He has 140 acres of the farm under cultivation, the balance of thirty-three acres being in pasture and timber, while his equipment of teams, tools and machinery is of the best kind. In addition to raising bounteous crops, he is a successful breeder of grade Shorthorn cattle, keeping twenty-five to thirty head, with some twelve or fifteen milch cows, and he has a herd of fifty to sixty Poland-China swine. His other business interests include those of a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Company and the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. Of Mr. Lommen's second marriage ten children have been bom: James Ignatius, Dec. 16, 1897; Clarence Ferdinand, Feb. 5, 1899; Cora Adella, Nov. 28, 1900; Harry Mentol Percival, Jan. 11, 1903; Thomas Oswald, Nov. 3, 1904; Stella Dorothy, Oct. 27, 1906; Ruth Matilda, Nov. 30, 1908; Olga Georgiana, Oct. 12, 1909; Nels, who died in infancy; and Thora Belinda, April 1, 1914. Cora Adella is now a third-year pupil in the Spring Grove high school. James I. and Clarence F. in 1918, took a year's training in the agricultural college at St. Paul. Mr. Lommen and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican.

Christopher Vaaler, one of the earliest pioneer settlers of Spring Grove township, now deceased, was a native of Norway, from which country he came to the United States as a young man in 1853. He first located at Rock Prairie, near Beloit, Wis., but remained there but a brief time, coming thence to Fillmore county, Minnesota. He soon came to Houston county, buying 200 acres of government land in section 12, Spring Grove township, about one mile east of where the village now stands. In his native land he had followed the occupation of a timber hewer, and it was therefore no hard task for him to chop down a few trees and build himself a log house, after which he began the work of clearing and developing the land. He had come to this country a single man but was soon united in marriage with Rangel Johnson, who died, however, about 1864. By her he had two sons and one daughter : Olaus C, the present proprietor of the old home farm ; B. C. Vaaler, now living at Mohol, Calif., and a railroad man by occupation ; and Kaam, now Mrs. Christ Steneroden of Red Wing, Minn. Mr. Vaaler in time developed and improved his farm into a valuable piece of property. His early years on the place were strenuous and full of hard work, though now and then lightened by an unexpected bit of good fortune or some humorous incident. There were many Indians in the neighborhood in those days, and on one occasion when Mr. Vaaler was engaged in hewing logs for a building, using a large old-fashioned broad-axe, finding the axe dull, he paused in his work and went into the cabin to grind it. It happened that an Indian had just previously gone into the cabin to warm himself, and the Red Man on seeing the axe took it for a monstrous tomahawk and thinking himself in danger of his life made a rapid exit from the cabin and took to his heels as fast as he could, in a moment being out of sight. Some time after his first wife's death Mr. Vaaler contracted a second marriage, of which union two sons and two daughters were bom. Of these children one son. Karl, is now a prosperous farmer in Fillmore county, and one of the daughters, Rosalia, is now Mrs. Gust Gubrud of Bagley, Minn. Mr. Vaaler continued on his farm until his death, which occurred Dec. 28, 1888. He was a man well known and respected, one of that grand army of pioneers coming from various parts of the world who built up the great Northwest and established the reign of law and civilization in what had before been a wilderness inhabited only by wild animals and savage men, and as such deserves recognition and remembrance.

Olaus C. Vaaler, now serving in his second term as postmaster of Spring Grove, is one of the leading citizens of his township, which he has served in various offices, and has also had a successful career as a farmer. He was bom in Spring Grove township, on his parents' farm one mile east of the village, Aug. 6, 1856, son of Christopher and Rangel (Johnson) Vaaler. His early education was acquired in the common school of Spring Grove, after which he became a student in the State Normal School at Winona, Minn. Relinquishing his studies at the age of nineteen years, he turned his attention to the development of the old home farm, which he finally purchased. After it became his property he effected various improvei rebuilding the house and erecting a number of other buildings. The is now a comfortable frame residence consisting of an upright and one and a half stories in height and containing eight rooms. The bui erected by Mr. Vaaler include a frame barn, 30 by 70 by 14 feet ii with a full nine-foot stone basement, cement floor and James equip silo, 14 by 30 ; granary, 18 by 30 by 12 ; tool shed, 20 by 30 by 10 ; tw cribs, 7 by 30 by 10 each ; a cream and separator house, 8 by 10 ; p house, 12 by 20 by 8, and a hog house 8 by 30 by 6 feet. All are ii condition and 135 acres of the land are under the plow. Mr. ' remained on the farm until 1913, giving special attention to the i and improvement of Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China swine and B horses, keeping full-blooded sires for all his stock. Being then app postmaster of Spring Grove, he turned the farm over to his son Wal and moved to the village, where he owns a comfortable home. He is a holder in the Spring Grove Creamery Association, of which he was the organizers, serving as its president until 1913 ; also in the Spring Stock & Grain Association, of which he was auditor for some yean in the Root River Electric Light Company and the Spring Grove He Politically a Democrat, he has taken a prominent part in local affairs a served a number of terms in each of the important offices of supe town treasurer, town assessor, and chairman of the town board. Ii he was a candidate for the State Legislature but was defeated. On 11, 1878, Mr. Vaaler was married to Sophia Sannes, daughter of 0 Semeve Sannes of Wilmington township, Houston county. Her p also were pioneer settlers in this county, her father being an indus and thrifty man, so careful of his oxen that on one occasion, it being hot day in summer, he carried a plow on his back a distance of seven from Caledonia village to his farm, rather than drive his oxen in th< Mr. and Mrs. Vaaler have had a family of eleven children: Olaf O Jan. 13, 1879, now proprietor of a general store and postmaster at 1 N. D. ; John O., born April 22, 1881, who lives in La Crosse and is a tn salesman for T. T. Bergh & Co. ; Celia, bom Oct. 23, 1883, who is n on the home farm; Lars O., born March 22, 1886, now a meat de; Scranton, N. D. ; Christopher O., bom Sept. 7, 1888, who graduated fr« Spring Grove high school and the Minnesota University and is now a principal at Wolverton, Minn.; Rosabelle, born June 29, 1891, and is teacher, being a graduate of the Spring Grove high school and the \ Normal school; Walter O., born Feb. 21, 1894, now in charge of 1 home farm ; Otto O., bom Oct. 18, 1896, who is clerk in a general stc assistant postmaster at Desert, N. D. ; Stella, bom Oct. 10, 1899, j uate of the Spring Grove high school, who has taken up nursing La Crosse Lutheran Hospital; Minnie Viola, bom Jan. 29, 1902, wl Feb. 6, the same year ; and Martha, bom May 6, 1903, who is a stui the Spring Grove high school. In 1912 the wife of Mr. Vaaler's son J died leaving two daughters and a son, Inga, Ida and Olaus. Oi children Olaus and Inga are now living with their grandfather, Mr. while Ida is being taken care of by her matemal grandmother.

Andras B. Foss, who with one exception is the oldest man now living in Spring Grove village, is one who has had a notable history, not only as a pioneer of Houston county, but also as a gold seeker in California in the thrilling and romantic days of the early fifties. The story of his life, if told in detail, would furnish material for an interesting novel of fair-sized dimensions. Here, however, the main incidents only can be given. Mr. Foss was bom near Bergen, Norway, April 24, 1826, son of Brengel Anderson Foss, his father being a baker by occupation. He had scant opportunities for obtaining an education and his material prospects in his native land were not promising. As he grew to manhood his eyes turned to America as a land of opportunity, and here he resolved to seek his fortune. Accordingly in the month of May, 1849, at the age of twenty-three years, he set out for the United States and after a voyage of seven weeks and four days landed at New York on July 4. From that city he went by railroad to Albany, from Albany to Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and from Buffalo by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee. His objective point was Janes ville, Wis. where he had a cousin who had come to America in 1847, and whom he might have accompanied but for his reluctance to borrow money from his father to pay for his passage, he preferring to earn it and leave no debts behind. On his arrival at Milwaukee he found himself practically without money. However, he set out from Milwaukee on foot headed for Janesville and had covered twenty-two miles when he arrived at a little place called Georgeville. There he met an Irish farmer named Joseph Lennon who engaged him for a half month to help in the haying at fifty cents a day. For him he worked eleven days, at the end of which time his hands were so blistered from the use of the scythe that he was unable to do any more. Although he had but two days more to serve to make up the half month, the farmer meanly refused to pay him anything, so he went on his way penniless. He managed, however, to reach Janesville, where he found his cousin, who was a bricklayer and who hired him to mix mortar and carry the hod at one dallor a day. During the following winter, when mason work was out of the question, he did whatever he could find to do for his board and lodging. In the spring of 1850 he found work on the farm of Levi St. John near Janesville, receiving ten dollars a month wages, and remained until the fall. He then went to Plattville, Wis., where he had a cousin who was a contractor, for whom he worked until winter set in. The winter of 1850-51 he worked again for his board and room, without wages. While thus engaged he met an American just returned from California, who told wonderful stories about that far-off and almost unknown territory and of the recent discoveriees of gold there which had already sent a thrill of excitement throughout the civilized world and started hosts of adventurers on the road to the new El Dorado. Mr. Foss was both young and human, and these stories made a strong impression on him and aroused in him likewise the spirit of adventure. His cousin, Mons K. Foss, was equally impressed, and they, with five others - Americans - ^formed a company determined to brave the perils of the overland journey across the plains and risk their lives to make their fortunes. Accordingly they made a pool, each member putting in $100, and in addition, they elected a boss or commander of the expedition. They also provided themselves with two wagons and five yoke of oxen. In April, 1851, the long and dangerous journey was begun, and was made without any particular incident to the second great desert, 300 miles this side of the Rocky Mountains. The oxen stood the trip well, and though some Indians were encountered, they gave the party no trouble. On reaching the edge of the desert mentioned they traded their oxen for mules, and crossed it on mule back in four days and nights. They then entered Salt Lake City to secure supplies, and after leaving that place traversed the Mormon Pass over the Rockies. While on this part of the journey some Indian guides joined themselves uninvited to the party, which caused its members some apprehension, due to stories which they had heard both in regard to the Indians and the Mormons, but after remaining with them a day and a night the Indians disappeared and they saw no more of them. Two of the company, however, foolishly insisted on riding ahead of the others, with the result that one was shot, which was the only casualty they suffered. They often encountered bands of Indians numbering 500 or more, and occasionally they joined other caravans of emigrants and accompanied them for a while until for choice or by accident they separated. On June 10 they reached the Rockies, and soon after arrived at their stopping place in California, known then by the suggestive name of Hangtown, but later as Placerville. They were now beyond the pale of civilization, the only law in operation being the miners' regulations for dealing with crime, the court being presided over usually by Judge Lynch. At Hangtown Mr. Foss and his cousin hired out to mine at four dollars a day and board, remaining there and at Cold Springs until the spring of 1852. Then with his cousin he spent some time in prospecting in the vicinity of Hangtown, but without much success. Resolving on a change of location they set out for Sacramento, and on arriving there proceeded up the Sacramento River by steamer to Marysville, a mining town, and from there to Parker's Bar, another camp three miles above, where there were rich diggings. There they bought a share in a mine for two hundred dollars. Soon afterwards Andras B. Foss went to a point about forty miles north, where, as one of a company of sixteen men, all equal partners, he bought a share in another mine, each member's assessment being one hundred dollars. To accomplish their operations successfully they built a dam and flume to turn the water so they could search for gold in the river bed below. This flume was 400 feet long and was covered with canvas, and it being late in the fall when it was finished, they were able to do but two weeks' mining before the rainy season set in, the work netting each man but six dollars a day, an amount which, considering the fearfully high price of all necessities, was insignificant. To save losd and months of weary waiting, they resolved to sell their works and disposed of them to some Chinamen for $2,000. Almost as soon as this transaction was effected the rains came on with such violence that everything was washed away and the Chinamen completely ruined. But they were not the only sufferers, as Mr. Foss almost immediately afterwards lost all his money in a "freezeout" game, and returned to Parker's Bar, where his cousin had established a miner's boarding house, poor in pocket but rich in experience. Finding there was no money to be made at Parker's Bar, and his cousin being equally unsuccessful, the two set out for DowneyviUe, forty miles from Sacramento, where they found the mining poor. By this time the subject of this sketch had discovered that it was not easy for him to acquire sudden wealth, and made up his mind to return to Wisconsin and seek it by the slower but surer method of agriculture. His cousin having also had enough of California, they set out for San Francisco, where in three weeks they secured passage by boat to New Orleans, the fare being $150 apiece, steerage. An eightdays' trip down the coast brought them to Acapulco, where they took on supplies, and then, after another eight days, they were landed in Nicaragua. They crossed the Isthmus partly on mule back and partly by boat journey across Lake Nicaragua, the mule hire costing them $5 apiece. On this part of the journey they had to traverse the river from the lake until they reached the rapids, where they made a portage, went by a steamer which they found below to the second rapids, then made another portage and took a second steamer to the eastern coast, where they boarded a Gulf steamer and in three days found them in New Orleans. The next stage of their journey was made up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, the fare being $12 apiece. They then proceeded to Dubuque, where they crossed the river to New Galena, 111., and from there traveled on foot to Janesville, which place they reached just three years after leaving it. In the fall of 1853 Andras B. Foss started out to find land on which to settle, going from Janesville to McGregor, Iowa, from McGregor to Decorah, being accompanied by his cousin and both making the journey on foot. At Locust Prairie, Iowa, he bought 160 acres of wild land on which he built a shack and some straw sheds, and began to make improvements, leading a bachelor's life. On June 20, 1855, he married Anna Solberg, daughter of Andros and Gerhardt Solberg of Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minn., and he and his wife resided on the Iowa farm, which lay close to the Minnesota state line, until 1860. Then Mr. Solberg died and Mr. Foss sold his Iowa farm and bought that of his deceased father-in-law, to which place he and his family moved. It was located in section 32 and there he remained until the spring of 1887, during which time he made extensive improvements on the place, increasing its area to 340 acres and erecting good buildings. He then rented it out and moved to Spring Grove village, erecting a two-story, square brick house on West Main street. Later he built another residence on an adjoining lot, which is the one in which he and his wife made their home until her death, Sept. 3, 1918. Mr. Foss is now ninety-three years old. There is one older citizen in the village, and he has the advantage of Mr. Foss by but eight months. As a man who has had a remarkable history, and who has remained unspoiled by either bad or good fortune, Mr. Foss is widely known and highly esteemed. He was one of the founders of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he has ever since been a member, serving for years as a trustee. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children : six daughters and five sons, all living, well and strong. Barbara Maria, now Mrs. N. H. Nelson, her husband being a retired farmer and banker of Mabel, Minn. ; Gertina Andrene, widow of Thorvold Doely of Elbow Lake, Minn.; Johana Christina, wife of C. M. Walhus of Winneshiek county, Iowa ; Brady, who is now farming in Cuba ;

Albert, a prosperous farmer of Spring Grove township; Martha Malina, wife of T. A. Kroshus of Spring Grove township ; Peter A., living on the old homestead in Spring Grove township ; Julia Louisa, wife of Anton Walhus of Winneshiek county, Iowa ; Edward J., of Spring Grove village ; Anna Sophia, wife of Frank Joerg, of Spring Grove village, and Leander A., of Robinson, N. D.

E. J. FosSy an enterprising and successful business man of Spring Grove village, handling the Ford automobiles and also engaged in the insurance business, was born on a farm in Spring Grove township, Houston county, Feb. 6, 1876, son of Andras B. and Anna Foss. He was educated in the common schools and at Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, where he finished a three years' course about 1894. Up to the age of 19 years when not at school he resided on the home farm with his parents, and during that period acquired some knowledge of agriculture and stock raising. In 1895 he began learning telegraphy and railroad station work at the Spring Grove depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, and a year later became station agent and operator at Newhouse, the first station west of Spring Grove. That position he held for thirteen years, being also engaged for several years in buying and shipping stock and grain for several grain elevator companies and for the last few years on his own account. In 1910 Mr. Foss moved to Spring Grove and engaged in the handling of Ford autos, a business which he had started as a side issue two years previously. He has since continued in it and is now conducting a garage and salesroom. In addition to this he has been for years agent for the Equitable Life Insurance Company, of Des Moines, Iowa. One of the hustling, energetic business men of the community and honorable in all his dealings, he has advanced steadily on the road of prosperity and is the owner of a comfortable residence. He is also a stockholder in the Harroun Auto Company and the Root River Electric Company. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Foss was married, June 14, 1901, to Louisa, daughter of Knute K. and Anna Kieland, of Spring Grove township. He and his wife have been the parents of four children : Adolph K., born Nov. 18, 1902, who died March 4, 1918; Owen, born Oct. 27, 1905, who is attending the Spring Grove High School; Anna, born in 1912, who died in the following year; and Norman W., born December 11, 1915. Mr. Foss and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Torger Johnson Tendeland, one of the earliest pioneer settlers in Spring Grove township, long since passed away, was born near Stavanger, Norway, about 1813. In the same neighborhood in the year 1818 was born Bertha Larson, who subsequently became his wife. In 1849, some five or six years after their marriage, with two children. Bertha Maria, then 4 years old, and Johanas, aged 2, they set out for the United States and after a long voyage landed at New York. From that city the family went by railroad to Albany and thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, where they tarried for a few months. At last they took passage by a lake steamer for Milwaukee, but before the steamer had left Buffalo harbor another child, Lauritz T., was born to them on board. With this increase to their family they arrived in Milwaukee and from there journeyed by wagon and ox team to Jefferson Prairie, near Beloit, Rock county, Wis. There they remained until the spring of 1852, Mr. Tendeland working at anything he could find to do. They then extended their travels towards the northwest until they reached Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn. Here Mr. Tendeland bought 200 acres of wild government land, of which 80 acres was grub land and the rest prairie. He had very little money and he and his family had to live economically with no comforts and sometimes hardly the necessaries of life. The first dwelling he erected was a log shack, 12 by 14 feet in size, which was the family home for some years. The farm was located in section 15, just west of the present limits of the village of Spring Grove. During the first year they suffered a severe misfortune, their sheds and all their hay being destroyed by fire, and the little house being the only building left. But in spite of this they persevered with hope for the future, Mrs. Tendeland often assisting her husband in the field work. In time a good frame house replaced the old log shack and a frame barn was also erected, together with other necessary buildings. Three other children came to enlarge their family circle, but they were not destined long to survive. Diphtheria, that terrible scourge which the doctors of early days knew not how to cure, visited the township and carried off four of the children - Johanas, at the age of 14 ; Guri and Raagnel, at the age of 9, and Gabriel, aged 5. This left but two survivors. Bertha Maria and Lauritz, both of whom are now living. On Dec. 23, 1873, the father of the family also died after a brief sickness. Almost up to the time of his death he had been a strong and rugged man. He had done his part as a pioneer and was respected in the community for his industrious habits and steady character. One of the founders of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, he served it for a number of years as a trustee and helped to build its stone edifice. Mrs. Tendeland survived her husband some years, dying in 1878. Their remains now rest in the old cemetery in Spring Grove village. At the mother's death the two surviving children. Bertha Maria and Lauritz T., inherited the farm, which they operated together until Lauritz bought his sister's interest, and he has since remained its proprietor. Bertha Maria is now Mrs. Embrik Stringer, of Waukon, Minn.

Lauritz T. Johnson, a well to do farmer residing in section 15, Spring Grove township, was born at Buffalo, N. Y., July 8, 1849, son of Torger Johnson Tendeland and his wife Bertha, whose maiden name was Larson. His birth took place on a steamer in Buffalo harbor just as his parents were setting out on a lake journey to Milwaukee. From there he accompanied them to Rock county, Wisconsin, and several years later to Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minnesota, where he was brought up and reared to manhood on the farm on which he is now living. This he inherited with his sister. Bertha Maria, on the death of his mother - his last surviving parent - in 1878. Subsequently buying his sister's interest, he has since remained the sole owner of the farm, on which he has effected various improvements, having enlarged the house and erected additional buildings. His bam measures 30 by 60 by 16 feet, and rests on a full stone basement of 8 feet, and among the other buildings are corn cribs, a nog house, machine shed, poultry house and spring house, all in good condition. He has also a good equipment and his farm is very productive, it being one of the most fertile in this part of the county. He had 135 acres of meadow and plow land, the balance being in pasture and timber, while his stock includes grade Red Poll cattle and Poland-China swine, he having of the former some 15 to 20 milch cows and 30 to 40 young cattle. For both cattle and hogs he has full-blooded sires, endeavoring constantly to improve his herds. Mr. Johnson was also one of the organizers of the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and for years has been one of its directors. Politically he has always been a Republican and has taken an active part in the affairs of local government, serving at different times in various offices. For the past twenty-eight years he has been town clerk, for three years clerk of Spring Grove High School, for a number of years he served as town supervisor, and he has also been town assessor and justice of the peace. Mr. Johnson was married, April 3, 1874, to Bergita Regina Nelson, who was born in Norway, April 9, 1855, daughter of Peter and Martha (Johnson) Nelson. After her father's death in his native land she accompanied her mother to this country, being then 17 years old. To Mn and Mrs. Johnson thirteen children have been born, as follows: Petra Theoline, born Sept. 19, 1875, now the wife of Gust H. Kyllingsted, a farmer of Spring Grove township ; Bertha (first) , born Sept. 4, 1877, who died in infancy; Bertha (second) , born Aug. 9, 1878, now the wife of John MattKison, a civil engineer of Hamilton, Mont. ; Richard Tedeman, born Dec. 12^ 1880, who is residing on the home farm ; Id^t Maria, born Dec. 26, 1882, who graduated from the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, Wis., and the Carter Business College at Duluth, Minn., and is now bookkeeper and stenographer in the department store of Harper Bros, at Enderlin, N. D. ; Gena Laurenze, born Dec. 17, 1884, who graduated from the Ladies^ Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., and is now Mrs. Ernest Ruesch, of Blremlin, Mont. ; Lucy Rebecca, born March 27, 1886, now the wife of James F. Wall, superintendent of the Portland cement works at Morgan Park, near Duluth, Minn.; Peter Gerhard, born Aug. 23, 1888, who died Dec. 2 the same year; Manda Amelia, bom Oct. 8, 1889, who after graduating from the Spring Grove High School, studied in the Winona Normal School, was a teacher for six years and is now Mrs. Magnus Nalley, of Albert Lea, Minn. ; Ruth Lillian, born Jan. 3, 1894, who is the wife of Theodore B. Smerud, of Elkader, Iowa; Frances Mildred, born March 9, 1896, who graduated from the Spring Grove High School and is now a student in the Winona Normal School ; and Pearl Geneva, born April 24, 1898, who is a graduate of the Spring Grove High School and a student in the Winona Normal School. Mr. Johnson and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, those at home or in this vicinity attending the Spring Grove congregation. He is one of the two pioneers of this section still living.

Helmer J. Sylling, proprietor of a flourishing farm of 165 acres in section 9, Spring Grove township, was born in this township on a farm four miles south of the village, Aug. 19, 1871, son of Juul and Bertha Sylling, his parents being pioneers of this locality. He acquired his primary education in District School No. 88, and in 1894 completed a business course in Valders Normal College at Decorah, Iowa. The next two years were spent on his parents' farm. On March 12, 1896, he was married to Caroline, daughter of Jorgen and Olaug Quarve, of Spring Grove township. Having rented the Hermanson farm south of town, he and his wife took up their residence on that place, which he operated until the spring of 1899. He then moved to Eddy county. North Dakota, where he bought 160 acres of land, of which 60 acres had been broken, although there were no buildings. The latter defect he remedied by erecting a small frame house, also a board barn to shelter his teams and stock. He also broke 80 acres more of the land, and until 1910 was engaged in raising flax and wheat there. Then selling the place, he returned to Spring Grove and bought his present farm of 165 acres in Spring Grove township, two and a half miles west of the village, which was formerly the Paul Hanson farm. It was an improved place with a two-story frame house, consisting of an upright and wing, and a good frame barn and granary, 14 by 22 by 10 feet in size. To these buildings he has added a machine shed, 14 by 22 feet. He has now 130 acres of the land under the plow, and besides raising good crops is successfully breeding grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China and Duroc-Jersey swine, keeping full-blooded sires for improving his herds. Of cattle he has at present some 35 to 40 head, including 10 or 12 milch cows, and of swine from 125 to 150 head. Mr. Sylling is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Hospital and is recognized as one of the enterprising and successful men of his township. He is a Republican politically and is now serving as treasurer of school district No. 55. While living in North Dakota he was for five years town assessor. He and his wife have five children : Bertha, born April 8, 1897 ; Genora, born Aug. 12, 1899 ; Jeanette, born Dec. 26, 1901 ; George, bom Jan. 8, 1904 ; and Harriett, born Dec. 1, 1907. Bertha, who was graduated from the village high school, was for three years engaged in teaching. She married Rudolph Tweeten, of Wilmington township. May 26, 1918, and has one son, Harland. Genora, Jeanette and George are attending the village high school. The religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Spring Grove.

Juul Syllingy for many years an active and respected farmer of Spring Grove township, but now deceased, was born in Grans, Preslegeld, Haland, Norway, Dec. 24, 1832. In 1862 he accompanied his parents to Houston county, Minnesota, settling in Wilmington township. For some years he lived with his parents and helped them to develop their farm. On Nov. 4, 1870, he married Bertha Blexrud, a native of Norway and daughter of Lars and Annie Blexrud, of Wilmington township. Buying 80 acres of wild land in section 27, Spring Grove township, he erected a small dwelling on it, in which he and his wife took up their residence, and he began at once to develop a farm, the area of which was soon increased to 160 acres by the purchase of another 80-acre tract. In time he succeeded in getting 130 acres of his land under the plow, and had also erected a good set of buildings. Among these was a fine, large brick house, consisting of an upright and wing, the brick for which was made on the farm by a German hired for that purpose by him and his brother Andreas, who owned an adjoining farm and built a brick house at the same time. He also erected a frame barn, 32 by 52 by 16 feet in size, with a full stone basement and dther necessary buildings. His farm was well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, and he had also a good equipment of teams and machinery. All this was not accomplished without much hard work, and for many years Mr. Sylling was a very busy man. He was a prominent member and liberal supporter of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. His death, which took place in a hospital at La Crosse in May, 1911, deprived the township of one of its most worthy and esteemed citizens. His wife, now past 70 years, still resides on the old home farm. They were the parents of six children : Helner J., now a farmer in Spring Grove township ; Christian J., a resident of Spring Grove village ; George J., farming the old homestead ; Albert J. and Lars J., farmers of Wilmington township ; and Annie, now the wife of Hans Bekkemo, of Spring Grove township.

Christian J. Sylling, a well to do resident of Spring Grove village, stock buyer for the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, who is also the owner of considerable landed property, was born on a farm in section 27, Spring Grove township, Feb. 22, 1877, son of Juul and Bertha (Blexrud) Sylling. He acquired his primary education in the district school and subsequently attended for one year the Normal School at Decorah, Iowa. Then returning to his parents' farm, he worked on it until 1899, when he rented the Svarkebraaten farm not far from his home and began operating it independently. In the following year, or on July 8, 1900, he was united in marriage with Louise Larson, daughter of Ole Tufsrud and Gunhild Larson, of Highland township, Winneshiek county, Iowa. After a two years' residence on the Svarkebraaten farm, Mr. Sylling moved in 1902 to Spring Grove village, where he learned the creamery business and became manager of the creamery there. After awhile, finding the plant not large enough to accommodate its patrons, he bought the necessary machinery and supplies and started a creamery at Sheldon, eight miles to the north, which was run as a branch institution to handle the surplus cream. Mr. Sylling was connected with the Spring Grove Creamery for seven years, at the end of which time he sold out his interests and began buying stock for the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, an occupation in which he has since continued. In the same year he bought the Nils Tvito farm of 160 acres in section 23, Spring Grove township, two and a half miles southwest of the village. This is an improved farm with 120 acres of the land under cultivation. Its buildings include a good two-story frame house ; a frame barn, 28 by 56 by 16 feet, with a lean-to of 20 by 56 feet for stock, and with cement floors and modern equipment ; a stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, having a capacity of 80 tons ; a hog house, 12 by 80 feet, with a cement floor 12 by 80 ; a poultry house, 16 by 22 ; and a cream house, 10 by 14 feet. On the farm is a herd of 50 Hereford cattle, including 10 milch cows, and another herd of 100 Poland-China hogs, the herds having pure-bred sires. This farm is now being operated by a renter, Mr. Sylling having no time to give it his personal attention. In addition to this property he owns 80 acres of improved land in Winneshiek county, Iowa, situated about eight miles south of Spring Grove. This tract, which he bought in 1913, he uses for stock pasture, there being no buildings on it. As buyer and shipper for the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, in which he has a financial interest, Mr. Sylling is kept busily employed. He is also a stockholder in the Root River Electric Company and the Spring Grove Hospital. His religious affiliations are with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican and for two years, 1914 and 1915, he served as mayor of Spring Grove, proving a popular official. To him and his wife seven children have been born : Geneva Beatrice, Aug. 15, 1902; James Oberlin, April 8, 1905; Gladys Amanda, March 26, 1907; Charlotte Luella, Sept. 14, 1909; Harold Leonard, April 22, 1911 (died Nov. 4, 1918) ; Alfred Gerhard, May 22, 1914; and Lucille lone, Feb. 14, 1916. The four eldest are attending school in Spring Grove.

Timan Gilbertsan, a former resident of Spring Grove township and village, who through his own exertions rose from a condition of poverty to one of comparative affluence and is still living, though now a resident of a distant state, was born at Nes Hallingdal, Norway, March 15, 1837. The father died in Norway and his widow subsequently became the wife of Halgrim Paulson Frysager. When the subject of this sketch was 10 years old the family emigrated to the United States, settling at Rock Prairie, Wis., whence in 1854 they came to Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minnesota, settling on a farm not far from the village. Mr. Frysager was a man of forceful character and soon became a prominent member of the community. Young Timan was reared on the farm and early trained to habits of industry, attending school but two weeks in this country. In February, 1857, when nearly 20 years old, he married Anne Nelson Kjos, the ceremony taking place in the log cabin built by his stepfather. Both were very poor, the bride's sole effects consisting of a few articles tied up in a small bundle and the clothes she stood up in. But Mr. Gilbertson was not the man to remain poor all his life. Energetic and thrifty, he set to work at once to improve his fortunes. Buying of his stepfather the latter's farm in section 9, two miles south of Spring Grove village, he began its cultivation, making use of oxen for draught animals. During the seventeen years that elapsed until his removal to the village in 1874, he erected a number of buildings, including a substantial log house, 16 by 16 feet in size, to which he later added a frame wing, 16 by 16, and a stave barn, 30 by 40 by 14, which is still standing. By 1882 he had become the owner of more than 500 acres of land. Previous to that, in 1879, he erected a large brick hotel in Spring Grove village, on the west side, which was for years liberally patronized by the traveling public and which is now occupied by his son Amos as a residence. This place he operated as a hotel until the present "Florence" hotel was built further downtown. On moving to the village Mr. Gilbertson took up his residence in the Hinkley house, now occupied by the son Amos, previously mentioned, as a carpenter and cabinet-making shop. He gave to three of his sons a farm of 200 acres each in Spring Grove township and also presented two of his daughters with 160 acres each in North Dakota, one being situated near Fargo and the other near

Hoople. For a number of years he served as a supervisor of Spring: Grove township, as well as in other local offices, and in 1871 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, in which he served during the session of 1871-72 under the administration of Governor Austin. Politically he is a Democrat. While engaged in farming his market was at Brownsville, thirty miles distant, from which place he hauled all the material for the buildings on his farm and also lor the hotel he built in the village. He was a prominent member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which he took an active part, being a member of the building committee for the ola stone church and also of that organized for the erection of the first brick structure. Some years ago Mr. Gilbertson and his wife went to Parkland, Wash., where he bought a tract of land, which he platted and where they are now living, the Pacific Lutheran Academy being located in the immediate vicinity. Both have attained the age of 80 years, there being but one month's difference in their respective ages, and both are hale and hearty and in the enjoyment of good health. Their career has been one of wonderful prosperity and good fortune, except that of their twelve children but four are now living. Of these Hannah and Gustaf are now in the state of Washington ; Ingeborg resides at Horace, N. D., and Amos resides at Spring Grove, Houston county, MinJi.

Amos Centennial Gilbertson, a well to do resident of Spring Grove village, who is the owner of valuable property there and also of a fine farm in the township, was born in the Hinkley House in this village, now used by him as a carpenter and cabinet shop, Sept. 7, 1876, son of Timan and Anne Gilbertson. He acquired his early education in the district and village schools, and from 1894 to 1896 was a student at the Pacific Lutheran Academy, in Parkland, Wash. In the spring he went to North Dakota and started farming near Fargo, where he remained until the fall of 1898. He then returned to Spring Grove, Houston county, but went on almost immediately to Decorah, Iowa, where he took a business course at Breckenridge College. In the spring of 1899 he came back to Houston county and took a farm in the township, five miles west of the village, which he operated until the spring of 1911. This farm, which he now has rented out to a tenant, is situated in sections 17 and 18 and is a fine property of 200 acres, of which 150 are under the plow and in a good state of cultivation. It is provided with acomfortable two-story frame house, consisting of an upright, 16 by 16, and wing, 14 by 14 ; also a frame barn, 32 by 80 by 14 feet in size, with a full stone basement of 8 feet ; a granary, 20 by 24 ; machine shed, 26 by 42 ; a stave silo, 14 by 34 ; a poultry house, 14 by 26, and a steel windmill. It is also well stocked with Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. Since giving up the farm Mr. Gilbertson has resided in the village, owning 10 acres within the corporation limits, also a large two-story brick house, built by his father in 1879 for a hotel and where he has a wellequipped shop for carpenter and cabinet work. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and is numbered among Spring Grove's prosperous and respected citizens. Mr. Gilbertson was married, Oct. 31, 1900, to Ebnina Sophia, daughter of Gunerius and Sophia Olson, of Hoople, N. D. They have had eight children : Carleton T., July 24, 1902, who died in infancy ; Arnold Gerhard, born Oct. 17, 1903, died Aug. 8, 1918 ; Amy Lillian, bom Oct. 9, 1906, died in 1907 ; Edna Sylvia, bom July 11, 1909; Lillian Theresa, born Aug. 3, 1911; Walter Reuben, born Aug. 6, 1912 ; Tilman Carl, born June 3, 1914 ; and Alice Sophia, born March 22, 1916. Mr. Gilbertson and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Hans A. Sylling, for many years a leading citizen of Spring Grove township, regarded as one of the foremost men in the community and whose influence was strongly felt in public affairs, was born in Wilmington township, this county, June 5, 1865, son of Andreas Hanson and Kjerste (Ostensen) Sylling, and died Jan. 18, 1918. He was brought to Spring Grove township by his parents as a boy and here attended the district schools. He also had the advantages of two winters at St. Olaf 's College at Northfield, Minn. He was reared to farm pursuits by his father and devoted his life to that work. In the spring of 1892 he purchased the home farm, on which he made many improvements. In 1908 he erected a good frame barn, 44 by 64 by 16 feet, with a nine-foot basement and cement floors and other improvements. He also put up a silo, 14 by 30 feet ; a tool house, 18 by 35 feet, and other ample buildings. His equipment was of the best, and he made a close study of farm life and farm conditions. His hobby was the raising of horses. He had full-blooded sires, and his drove consisted of three matched pairs in addition to the young horses. His swine, numbering about 75, were of the Poland-China, Duroc-Jersey and Chester White breeds. His cattle, of which he kept about thirty, were Herefords. Mr. Sylling was a stockholder in the Spring Grove Grain & Stock Company, in which he was formerly director. He was also a shareholder in the Honey Co-operative Creamery Company at Bee, Minn., and in the Independent Harvester Company. His fraternal relations were with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Spring Grove. He served in various public capacities in his township, and was supervisor for many years as well as treasurer several times. Mr. Sylling was married, Oct. 12, 1895, to Tilla Thorine, daughter of Ole and Helga Svartebraaten, of Spring Grove township. This union was blessed with five children : Alvin Olander, Helma, Clara, John Henry and Helga. Alvin Olander was bom Aug. 28, 1896. He served in the United States Army in France. Helma was born March 17, 1898, and graduated in 1917 from the Spring Grove High School. Clara was born March 13, 1900, and graduated in accounting and stenography in the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, Wis. John Henry was bom Aug. 20, 1901, and is on the farm with his father. Helga was bom Jan. 24, 1904. The family faith is that of the Spring Grove Evangelical Lutheran church, in which Mr. Sylling was a prominent and active member and liberal contributor.

Andreas Hanson Sylling, an early settler, was bom in Norway, July 13, 1830, and there married Kjerste Ostensen, who was born Nov. 14, 1823. With their two children, Gudbaur (Julia) , now Mrs. N. T. Hendrickson, of Cheyenne, N. D., and a baby who died soon afterward, they set out for America in 1862. They landed in New York, came from there by railroad to Dubuque, Iowa, and thence took a boat for Brownsville, this county, where they were met by a brother-in-law, Gilbert Myrah, who took them to Wilmington township. This was on April 2, 1862, nearly fifteen weeks from the time they had left the old country. After living in Wilmington for awhile they sold out and came to Spring Grove township, where they secured a quarter section of land in section 35, partly improved. A log and frame house combined, a log granary and straw sheds constituted the buildings. Mr. Sylling continued to grub, break and improve the land until he had an unusually good place. In 1887 the log and frame house was replaced by a sightly brick structure, 28 by 32 by 20 feet. Later a onestory kitchen, 14 by 14 feet, was added. The brick was made on the farm itself. The house was at that time considered the best in the township. Mr. Sylling died Aug. 7, 1892, and his wife April 13, 1906.

Nels Tveito, an early settler in Houston county, who is still living, though not at present a resident of the county, was born in Norway in 1843 and came to the United States in 1852, when 9 years old, with relatives. His first residence in this country was in Allamakee county, Iowa, on Pine Creek Prairie, where he remained for one year. In 1854 he came to Houston county and was a resident of the county uninterruptedly until 1864, in which year he attained his majority. He then enlisted for service in the Civil War, but at the end of his career as a soldier returned to Houston county and settled in Spring Grove. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Kari, daughter of EUing and Leva EUingson, of Spring Grove township, and soon after that event purchased 120 acres of wild land in Black Hammer township. He remained on that place but two years, however, and then went to Redwood county, Minnesota, taking up 160 acres of prairie land near Walnut Grove. After a four years' residence there he sold out his interests and returning to Spring Grove township, Houston county, bought 160 acres in section 23, on which the only building was a log cabin. There he remained for about thirty-seven years, during which time he developed the place into a good farm, with a comfortable frame house, a frame barn, granary, machine shed and other buildings. In 1910 Mr. Tveito sold his farm to C. J. Sylling and moved to Spring Grove village, where he resided until 1913 in a house of his own. He then sold that property and since then has spent his time between Esmond, N. D., and Thief River Falls, Minn., being now retired from active life. His wife died in Spring Grove in 1907. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are still living, namely : Elling, now a prosperous farmer of Spring Grove township ; Leve, wife of Andre Gilbertson and a resident of North Dakota ; Martha, now Mrs. Ole Ostby, of Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Regina, now Mrs. Lars Kjose, of Spring Grove township; Clara, wife of Elmer Bennies, of Thief River Falls, Minn.; Annette, wife of Magnus Thorson, of Goodredge, Minn.; Nellie, wife of Peter Halverson, of Goodredge, Minn.; and Nelius, of Middle River, Minn.

Elling Tveito, a well to do farmer and highly respected citizen of Spring Grove Township, residing in section 14, is a native of Houston county, having been born in Black Hammer township, Dec. 22, 1868, son of Nels and Kari (Ellington) Tveito. He acquired a distict school education and resided with his parents until reaching the age of 30 years. In 1898 ho bought 120 acres of land in section 35, Spring Grove township, and was engaged in farming there until 1901, when he sold the place and bought an improved farm of 310 acres in sections 14 and 23, Spring Grove township, which is the one on which he now lives. Among the improvements are a good two-story frame house ; a frame barn, 32 by 66 feet in size ; a machine shed, 18 by 50 ; a granary, 18 by 24, and a stave silo, 14 by 32 feet. Having sold 40 acres of his farm, Mr. Tveito now has 270 acres, of which 170 are under the plow, the balance being in pasture and timber. His farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, each herd having a full-blooded sire, and he is following stock breeding, besides other branches of farming, with profitable results. He is also a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery and the hospital, both of Spring Grove. An industrious and enterprising man, he has made good progress on the road to fortune and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of his township. Mr. Tveito was married, April 6, 1898, to Anna Theoline, daughter of Andrew and Thure Kroshus, of Spring Grove township. His family circle has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, six of whom are now living, the record being as follows: Nels Augustus, born Feb. 11, 1900, who is a graduate of the Spring Grove High School ; Andrew Millard, born Sept. 3, 1902 ; Cora, born April 28, 1904, who died in infancy ; Thomas Elmer, born June 2, 1905 ; Mabel Clarabelle, born May 10, 1907 ; Maurice Theodore, born Oct. 2, 1909 ; and Frances Thurine, born Jan. 5, 1912. Mr. Tveito and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. His political principles are those of the Republican party.

Peter A. Foss, one of the leading agriculturists of Spring Grove township, whose fine farm of 280 acres is situated in section 33, was bom on this farm, April 11, 1871, son of Andrew and Anna Foss. His parents were among the early settlers in this township. Peter attended school in his home district and later spent two winters in the Spring Grove village school. From the age of sixteen to that of eighteen he worked out as a farm hand, but for the most part his hours of industry were spent on the home farm, which he helped his father to improve. Until the age of twenty-three he acted as his father's assistant, and then in the fall of 1894 he rented the farm, which he bought in 1902, and operated until 1905, when he rented it to his brother Albert. From that time until 1910 his time was spent on the farm of his brother Eddie near Flora, N. D., in the development of which he took a vigorous part. He then returned to the old home in Spring Grove township, Houston county, where he has since remained, and of which he now has 160 acres under the plow, the rest of the land being in timber and pasture. Here, besides raising the usual crops, he is doing a good business as a stock raiser, giving particular attention to the breeding of grade Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China swine and Shropshire sheep. He is also a shareholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery of Mabel, Fillmore county, Minn.; the Farmers' Elevator Company of Flora, N. D. ; and a Wisconsin woolen manufacturing company. He is also a member of the American Society of Equity. Form- eriy a Republican in politics, he is now a non-partisan. As a general farmer Mr. Foss has had a successful career, and his farm is well equipped with buildings and all necessary machinery. His residence is a two-story, frame house, 24 by 32 feet in size, with basement, kitchen and dining-room ; his stock bam is a substantial frame structure with a full eight-foot stone basement, measuring 32 by 50 by 14 feet, and with the addition of a lean-to for cattle measuring 16 by 32 feet, while he has also two tool sheds, three com cribs and other outbuildings. The farm is situated five and a half miles southwest of Spring Grove village, which is a convenient market for him. Mr. Foss was married in March, 1896, to May Alice, who was bom in 1872, daughter of James and Mary Brown of Riceford, Minn. Of this union three children have been bom : Forrest, in 1897, who died in 1898 ; Augustus, in October, 1899, who is now helping his father on the farm ; and James Leander, in 1901, who is also living at home and helping with the farm work. Mr. Foss and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Jesse Scofieldy one of the pioneers of Caledonia township, now deceased, came to Houston county in the spring of 1855, a single young man, from Berrien county, Michigan. One mile west of Caledonia village was a grub farm with a frame house on it, which place Mr. Scofield, having had some experience in farming, purchased and began to improve. A few years later, when he had made some progress, he was married, July 17, 1859, to Almira Paddock, who was bom at White Oak Springs, Wis., April 8, 1843, and had come to Caledonia township, Houston county, with her parents on Sept. 1, 1853, when in her tenth year. Less than two years after their marriage the Civil War broke out, and circumstances ordained that Mr. Scofield should leave his home and serve for a while as one of the defenders of the Union. He was one of the fortunate ones who returned safely after having done his duty as a soldier, and he immediately resumed the work of improving his farm. This task in time was well accomplished as he made it into one of the best eighty-acre farms in this part of the county, bringing his land into a high state of cultivation and erecting a comfortable frame house with bams and outbuildings. He was a Republican in politics and served in some minor offices, but never sought public distinction, preferring the peaceful avocation of farming and the joys of a quiet home life. In 1888 he sold his farm and retired with his wife to the village of Caledonia, where after five years of peaceful leisure, he died suddenly and without any immediate waming of heart failure, on Sept. 17, 1907. His widow is still living at the old home in Caledonia. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Scofield were the parents of six children : Charles J., bom Aug. 8, 1860, now a well known business man and banker of Spring Grove ; Jane, bom Oct. 14, 1862, who died in infancy ; Eldward J., bom Oct. 18, 1864, who is an attomey residing at Elbow Lake, Minn. ; Lillie J., bom March 24, 1867, now Mrs. Frank E. Newberry, who is engaged in the photographic business at Clarksville, Iowa ; Mary, bom July 9, 1872, who died in infancy ; and Bertha, bom May 24, 1874, who is now Mrs. William R. Garrett of Orange, Calif. Mrs. Scofield, though now seventy-four years old, is still in the enjoyment of good health, and spends her winters with her daughter in Califomia.

Charles J. Scofield, one of the leading citizens of Spring Grove who has made a name f ot himself as a successful banker and business man, was bom on a farm in Caledonia township, Aug. 8, 1860, son of Jesse and Almira (Paddock) Scofield. He was educated in the public school and at Belden Academy in Caledonia, completing his studies at the age of about seventeen years. Remaining on his parents' farm until the spring of 1879, he then began working as clerk in the general store of Sprague Bros., where he remained until the firm closed out their business in the spring of the following year. On that occasion Mr. Scofield entered the employ of J. P. Lommen, who also kept a general store, and acted as clerk for him until the fall. He then went to Minnesota Lake, Minn., where he worked in a similar capacity during the following winter in the general store of N. W. Vance. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Scofield returned to Caledonia and again entered the employ of J. P. Lommen, with whom he remained until December, 1881. In the spring of 1882 he went to Colorado, where he spent some time prospecting for silver, returning home, however, in July, and resuming work as an employee of Mr. Lommen, with whom he staid this time until January, 1889, when he assumed the duties of county auditor, to which ofiice he had been elected in the fall of 1888. His service proved so satisfactory that he was four times re-elected, serving for five terms, or for a period of ten years. At the end of that time Mr. Scofield became connected with the "Houston County State Bank," now the First National Bank of Caledonia, and remained with it for one year. He then resigned and became a salesman for the International Harvester Company, under S. L. Wright of the Winona branch, his territory comprising Houston and Fillmore counties. In 1904 Mr. Scofield came to Spring Grove and organized the State Bank of Spring Grove, becoming its cashier, with O. B. Tone as president, and this position he has since retained. On April 26, 1886, he was united in marriage with Eliza Dabold, daughter of Jacob and Magdalina (Birch) Dabold, of Hokah, Minn., and he and his wife began housekeeping in Caledonia, where he owned a good residence, going to and fro between Caledonia and Spring Grove after the organization of the bank in 1904. In 1907 he built a comfortable home in Spring Grove and moved here with his family. Mr. Scofield organized the Hokah State Bank of Hokah, Minn., and became its president, which office he now holds. He was also one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Harmony, Minn., and one of its directors for the first year, but resigned to give an opportunity to local men. He is still, however, a stockholder in the institution. Since 1881 he has been a member of the Blue lodge of Masons at Caledonia, and since 1882 a member of the Chapter. He also belongs to the local lodges of Modem Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Politically he is a Republican. He worships with and assists in supporting the Methodist Episcopal church in Caledonia, of which his wife is a member. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield are the parents of two children : Archibald C, born May 2, 1891 ; and Theodore Rosevelt, born Nov. 23, 1900.

Archibald C. Scofield, assistant cashier in the State Bank of Spring Grove, was born in Caledonia, Minn., May 2, 1891, son of Charles and Eliza (Dabold) Scofield. He acquired his literary education in the local schools.

including the high school, and in 1913 was graduated after a year's course from the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. He entered the bank in the fall of that year and as assistant cashier has since proved himself a capable and popular young business man. He owns a comfortable residence in the village. On Jan. 24, 1913, Archibald C. Scofield was married to Bessie Bishop, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sturmer) Bishop, of Cassville, Wis. He and his wife have two children : Vera E., bom Jan. 1, 1914 ; and William A., bom Feb. 9, 1915. The Methodist Episcopal church of Caledonia numbers Mr. and Mrs. Scofield among its active members.

Charles Hoegh, now living retired in the village of Spring Grove, of which village he was formerly president, and who was also the proprietor of a flourishing hardware and agricultural implement business, was bora in the northem part of Norway - the "Land of the Midnight Sun" - ^near the Kaabjord copper mines, on Dec. 1, 1845. His parents were Ove Gulberg and Anna (Scheldrup) Hoegh, the father being a physician for the mining company. Later in life Dr. Hoegh became superintendent of and physician for the lepers of northem Norway, the country being divided for that purpose into two districts, north and south, with physician and superintendent for each. Dr. Ove Gulberg Hoegh died in his native land in 1864, having many years survived his wife, who passed away when the subject of this sketch was a year and a half old. Charles Hoegh was educated in the common schools of Norway, which he attended until he was fourteen years old. After that he spent two years and a half in Schleswig, Germany, returaing home at the age of seventeen. From that time until 1866 he was employed in a general store in North Norway. With four years' experience of mercantile life, he came in May, 1866, to the United States, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which city he came directly to La Crosse, Wis., where he remained for six months. In the fall of the same year he came to Brownsville, Houston county, where he obtained a position as clerk in the store of C. H. Justin. By 1870 he had saved enough to go into business for himself and accordingly formed a partnership with John Cluss and engaged in the hardware business in Brownsville, under the style of Hoegh & Cluss. In 1874 this partnership was dissolved and the stock divided, and Mr. Hoegh came to Spring Grove, where he opened a hardware store which he conducted as sole proprietor until 1903. He then sold his stock and business to G. G. Ristey and engaged in the agricultural implement business, which he conducted until 1914, in which year he retired. Since then he has resided in the village in the enjoyment of a competence acquired by many years of industry, and is a respected and influential citizen. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company of Spring Grove. A Republican in politics, though not strongly partizan, he has served four terms as president of the village. Mr. Hoegh was united in marriage, Aug. 3, 1869, with Theoline, daughter of Christian and Karine Thompson of Wilmington township. He and his wife are the parents of four children : Anna, bom Aug. 22, 1871, now Mrs. Olaus Myhre of Spring Grove ; Inga, bom June 27, 1874, who is the wife of Dr. M. Ravn of Merrill, Wis. ; Ove, bom July 14, 1877, now proprietor of a jewelry business in Spring Grove; and Nanna, bom June 4, 1885, who graduated from the Spring Grove high school, and is teacher of English in the high school at Wausau, Wis. Mr. Hoegh, though he came alone to America, had brothers and sisters who also emigrated to this country. His brothers Knute and Oscar came after him, and both became physicians, Knute settling in Minneapolis, where he is still engaged in practice. Oscar, who settled in La Crosse, Wis., died in June, 1917. The sisters who came were: Ragnhild, now Mrs. T. Tillisch, of Merrill, Wis., and Valborg, who married Dr. Ravn of Merrill, but died in 1902.

Ove Gulberg Hoegh, proprietor of a flourishing jewelry business in Spring Grove village, was bom in the building in which he is now conducting business, July 14, 1877, son of Charles and Theoline (Thompson) Hoegh. He acquired his primary education in the village school, which he attended up ro the age of fifteen, and was then for two years a pupil at Gale College, Galesville, Wis. Subsequently until he was nineteen, he resided at home with his father, and then went to Watertown, S. D., where he remained four years as shipping clerk in the wholesale grocery of T. Tillisch. He then returned to Spring Grove and for a while was occupied in his father's store. Then going to Peoria, 111., he entered the Bradley Polytechnic School there, where he learned the trade of watchmaking. In 1903 he engaged in the jewelry business in Spring Grove, and in 1907 increased his scientific knowledge by taking a course in optometry, the conduct of which business he combines with that of a jeweler. In 1911 he bought out the stock of B. L. 0nsgard and today is proprietor of a fine and well appointed store and has a profitable trade. In politics a Republican of broad tendencies, he has taken a more or less active part in local affairs, having served several terms as a member of the village council, and is prominent in the business and social life of the community. He was reared in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and he and his family worship with the Spring Grove congregation. Mr. Hoegh was married June 17, 1908, to Clara, daughter of Clarence E. and Mary (Rathman) Lyman, of Caledonia, this county. Their children are: Elizabeth, born Aug. 21, 1909; and Karl Lyman, born Sept. 30, 1911.

Baldwin N. Onsgard, one of the rising and progressive young business men of Houston county, cashier of the Onsgard State Bank, was born in the village of Spring Grove, Jan. 23, 1887, son of Nils O. and Guri (Trostem) Onsgard. After completing the regular course in the public schools of his native village, in 1903 he entered the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, where he pursued special studies to fit him for a business career. In the following year he entered the private bank of his father at Spring Grove, then known as the Bank of Spring Grove, but now as the Onsgard State Bank, where he applied himself to learning the banking business. His work in this capacity was temporarily interrupted when in 1907 he went to Valparaiso, Ind., where he took a special law course at the Northern Indiana Law School. In 1910 he entered the State University of Minnesota, at St. Paul, Minn., where he also took a special law course. In January, 1911, he was elected cashier of his father's bank, which position he has since retained, having proved his ability as a financier and built up a solid business reputation. He has identified himself closely with general local interests, is now serving as treasurer of the Commercial Club, and since 1912 has been treasurer of the Spring Grove Board of Education. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Onsgard was married Aug. 9, 1911, to Martha Carlson, of Minneapolis, Minn., who was bom July 3, 1886, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Carlson. Of this union there is one child, Baldwin Alden, who was born May 29, 1916. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Lutheran church.

Nils O. Onsgard, founder of the Onsgard State Bank of Spring Grove, and for many years one of the most prominent business men in this part of the country, was bom in Hallingdal, Norway, May 21, 1837. He was eleven years old when he came to the United States with his parents, the voyage lasting ten weeks. On the same vessel and at the same time came his future wife, Guri, with her parents, Ole and Kari Guelson Trostheim, she, however, being then a baby a year and a half old. During the voyage it fell to his lot to take care of her for much of the time, and, whether he liked the task or not, it was faithfully accomplished. After arriving in this country the two families settled on farms near Orfordville, Wis., and Nils O. Onsgard and Guri Trostheim grew up in the same locality. On July 17, 1864, they were married at Orfordville, and until the spring of the following year resided with Mr. Onsgard's parents. Mr. Onsgard at that time was working at the trade of stone mason, which he had leamed in Wisconsin. In the spring of 1865 he and his wife came to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., where they first began independent housekeeping. Soon after arriving here Mr. Onsgard formed a partnership with Nels Hendrickson in the general mercantile business. It was through Mr. Hendrickson, a previous acquaintance of his, that Mr. Onsgard had come to Spring Grove, and the partnership with him was continued to 1870, when Mr. Onsgard entered into the farm implement business, in which he continued until 1879. In that year he formed a partnership with H. E. Kieland, with whom he operated a general store until 1890. In that year he organized a private bank in the rear end of his store, which he called the Bank of Spring Grove, and which was conducted as a private institution up to 1907 when it was organized as the Onsgard State Bank, with himself as president. This office he retained up to the time of his death on Aug. 14, 1914, and his management of the institution was conducted on sound, conservative business lines that inspired confidence, while lending stability to the financial interests of the community. The bank occupied quarters in Mr. Onsgard's store for only three years, as in 1903 he erected a goor brick bank building, adjoining the store on the south and facing Wilmington avenue. He also built a large and beautiful residence on Maple avenue which was then the best house in the village, and is now occupied by his widow. For more than twenty years Mr. Onsgard was village postmaster, and for many years served as village treasurer. Though a natural money-maker, he was a man of honor and integrity and sound common sense ; also, when occasion called for it, helpful and charitable to others, and by no means a worshiper of wealth. He was a close student of public questions and a man of strong opinions, generally in the right. His social obligations in life, as son, husband, father and friend, were always creditably discharged. The stable and rapid progress of the business community of Spring Grove and vicinity in particular owed much to his efforts. For about a year before his death he had been in declining health, but on July 17, 1914, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding, an event which comparatively few married people are privileged to enjoy. A little less than a month later he passed away, his life work ended. Mr. Onsgard was politically a Republican. He was a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and for years was a trustee of the Spring Grove congregation, not only being a faithful official but also a regular attendant at the services. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom five survive him. The one deceased was Barba Caroline, who was born in 1855, became a student at St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and died in 1873 at the age of eighteen years. The survivors are: Carrie, bom Dec. 31, 1866, now Mrs. Peter T. Newhouse of Spring Grove; Oline, bom July 14, 1872, wife of attorney O. K. Dahle of Caledonia and president of the Onsgard State Bank of Spring Grove; Nellie, bom July 1, 1877, now Mrs. Oscar E. Hallan of Spring Grove ; Oliver, bom April 4, 1882, cashier of a bank at Rolette, N. D. ; and Baldwin, bom Jan. 23, 1887, who is the present cashier of the Onsgard State Bank of Spring Grove.

John M. Walhus, widely known as an enterprising and successful merchant of Spring Grove village, proprietor of an up-to-date general «tore, was born near Highlandville, Winneshiek county, Iowa, Sept. 29, 1858, son of Mikkel and Ingeborg Walhus. The father was born in Hadeland, Norway, in 1830, and died in Spring Grove, Minn., May 9, 1907, at the age of seventysix years. The mother, who was born in Telemarken, Norway, in 1834, and came to America with her parents at the age of seven years, is now living with her daughter Lise in Spring Grove. The family numbered nine children: John M., the subject of this sketch; Lars, now a retired farmer in Bremen, N. D. ; Christian, residing in Winneshiek county, Iowa ; Anton, living on the old home farm in Winneshiek county ; Martin, a farmer, stock buyer and auto dealer of Mabel, Minn. ; Lise, previously mentioned, who lives in Spring Grove; Marie, residing in Worth county, Iowa, the widow of Hans Hoveland; Karene, who married Ole Weium, a Lutheran pastor, whom she survives ; and Margaret, wife of Rev. A. O. Langhough, a Lutheran pastor now stationed at Eleva, Trempealeau, Wis. John M. Walhus in his boyhood attended the district school near the parental homestead in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Bidding farewell to that temple of leaming at the age of sixteen, he then entered Breckenridge Institute at Decorah, Iowa, which he attended for a term or two, and after that took a short course in the John R. Slack Business College at Decorah. Thus mentally equipped, in September, 1884, he came to Spring Grove and began work as clerk in the general store of Nels Hendrickson, acting in that capacity for two years. At the end of that time, or on April 3, 1886, Mr. Walhus was united in marriage with Ingeborg Hendrickson, daughter of Nels and Berget Hendrickson, her father being his recent employer, with whom he now entered into partnership under the firm name of Hendrickson & Walhus, at the same time buying a one-third interest in the business. The concern flourished until April, 1901, when Mr. Hendrickson retired and the business was sold. In the same summer Mr. Walhus built his present brick store on the corner of Maple and Wilmington avenues, in Spring Grove village, which he opened in the fall, well stocked with boots and shoes, dry goods and groceries, and which he has continued to conduct, it being now one of the principal stores in the village. In 1886, the year of his marriage, Mr. Walhus erected a comfortable house on Maple avenue, where he and his wife have since made their home. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and the Spring Grove Hospital. Active and enterprising, he has through honorable methods built up a good business and is numbered among the leading merchants in this part of the county. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Walhus have had nine children, of whom four - ^Martin (first), Bessie, Venzenora and Arnold - died in early childhood. The survivors are: Josephine Belinda, bom May 18, 1887, who resides at home and is acting as clerk in her father's store; Martin (second), born Jan. 12, 1889, who was graduated from Spring Grove high school, and later, in 1903 as doctor of dental surgery from the University of Minnesota, and is now practicing as a dentist in Caledonia; Nora Louise, bom March 10, 1894, who was graduated from Spring Grove high school in 1914, and as a trained nurse from the Lutheran Hospital at La Crosse in 1917, on Oct. 1, 1918, entered the hospital at Fort Snelling, Minn., as army nurse ; Bessie Vienna, bom Jan. 18, 1896, who was graduated from the Spring Grove high school in 1915 ; and Inga Caroline and James Arnold, twins, who were bom Sept. 24, 1903, and are now high school students. Mr. Walhus and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.