Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 16 of 21)

Mrs. Karen Quinnell, proprietor of a fine 240 acre farm in Wilmington township, residing in section 3, was born in this township, Feb. 1, 1863, daughter of Halvor and Kjersti Wermager, who were pioneers of Houston county. She was educated in the district school and resided at home until arriving at the age of 17 years, when, on Feb. 6, 1880, she was united in marriage with Nicolai Quinnell, an energetic young farmer. They began home-making on a farm in section 9, Wilmington township, but two or three miles from her old home, but resided there only one year, when Mr. Quinnell bought a farm of 120 acres in Spring Grove township, which is now the Ole Helgeson farm. That farm was their home for eleven years, at the end of which time Mr. Quinnell sold it and purchased the Mat Meighen farm of 160 acres in section 3, Wilmington township, to which he and his wife moved. To its area he added 80 acres, thus increasing it to the rfize of 240 acres, which it is today. Here Mr. Quinnell died Oct. 23, 1899, after an active and successful career as an agriculturist, and with the well- earned reputation of a good neighbor and sterling citizen. Since his death Mrs. Quinnell has managed the farm successfully, her present assistant being her son, Louis Arnold. All the land is now under cultivation, the farm is well stocked with graded cattle and Poland-China swine, while the operating equipment is of the best. Mrs. Quinnell is also a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery Association and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company. Her religious affiliations and those of her family are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Quinnell the following named children were born: Eddie William, born Dec. 9, 1880, now a prosperous farmer residing near the old home; Clara Mathilda, born June 17, 1882, wife of Albert Renslan, a farmer of Caledonia township ; Julius Henry, born Jan. 25, 1884, who is a farmer in this vicinity; Carl Nelius, born March 3, 1886, who is also a farmer ; Johan Helmer, bom Jan. 1, 1890, who is employed in a lumber office at Spring Grove ; Ingebord Louise Josephine, born June 2, 1892, now the wife of Oliver Myhre, a farmer of section 20, Wilmington township ; and Louis Arnold, born Oct. 24, 1894, who is operating the home farm for his mother. Besides rearing this family of seven children to useful manhood and womanhood, Mrs. Quinnell has proved herself a woman of good business ability and has taken a high place among the successful farmers of her township.

George H. Meyer, proprietor of one of the best farms on Portland Prairie, located in section 25, Wilmington township, was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 25, 1864, son of Jeorgen and Elizabeth (Heitman) Meyer. He was but a year and a half old when he accompanied his parents to America, they reaching this country in April, 1866, after an ocean voyage of three weeks. Coming directly west, they settled in Lansing, Allamakee county, Iowa, where during the first year the father worked as a farm hand for Henry Deters. In 1867 they took a farm in that county, on which the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, residing at home until the age of 22 years. In the meanwhile he had learned the carpenter's trade. In 1886 he went to Nebraska on a prospecting tour, remaining there two years. Then, not caring to settle in that state, he returned home, and for about six years followed the carpenter's business, building many houses and barns in the immediate vicinity of his present farm. While thus engaged he rented twenty acres of this farm, together with a house which stood on the land, and in 1894 he bought the farm, containing 120 acres in sections 24 and 25, Wilmington township. A granary and an old frame house stood on the land, and the house he occupied until 1903, in which year he built the modern two-story, ten-room frame residence that he now occupies. He has in addition built a frame barn, 32 by 70 by 18 feet, with a ninefoot stone basement, for horses and cattle ; a garage and machine shed combined, 20 by 30 by 10 ; a granary, 18 by 28 ; a double corn crib, 24 by 30, with a ten-foot driveway ; a hog house, 16 by 32, with a poultry house above, with a cement feeding floor, 16 by 32 (the first one built in the conMnunity) , and a second machine shed, 12 by 30 feet. The entire farm is under cultivation and is very productive. The stock consists of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, Mr. Meyer keeping pure-bred sires. Hog-tight wire fencing - some 600 rods - extends over the entire farm where needed, and is supported by cement posts, which Mr. Meyer manufactures both for his own use and for sale. He also occasionally does carpenter work when not busy on his farm. His equipment is of the best and includes an underground cream and water-cooler through which water runs to all his buildings. In addition to the interests already mentioned, he is a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery and the People's Co-operative Stock & Grain Company, of Caledonia. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Meyer was married, Feb. 11, 1890, to Minnie Brinker, who was born March 29, 1867, daughter of Barney and Mary (Slengel) Meyer, of Allamakee county, Iowa. He and his wife have six children : Emma Elizabeth, born Dec. 18, 1891, who is residing at home ; Paul Otto C, born Nov. 24, 1893, who is an auto salesman and garage proprietor at Caledonia; Elsie Louisa Dora, born June 22, 1897; Louis August, Feb. 25, 1901; Henry Frederick, March 8, 1903 ; and Albert August William, June 2, 1908. Mr. Meyer and his family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, and are people of high social standing with a wide circle of friends.

Hans G. Miner, proprietor of a picturesque and productive farm of 120 acres, lying chiefly in Wilmington, but partly in Spring Grove township, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, June 11, 1866, son of Daniel and Ellen (Hanson) Miner. The father was a native of Allegany county. New York, and the mother of Norway. They settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1855, and for many years were engaged there in agriculture. Both parents are now deceased, Daniel Miner having died in Spring Grove village, Houston county, in 1897, at the home of his son Eugene, and his wife on the old home farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa, of which her son Charles was then proprietor. Hans G. Miner, who acquired his education in the common schools, was brought up to agricultural pursuits and early became a practical farmer. His parents' farm not being far from the state line, he became acquainted with Christine Gronna, daughter of Jorgen and Guri (Peterson) Gronna, of Wilmington township, Houston county, and to her he was married Dec. 3, 1891. He then took up his residence on the Gronna farm in section 31, which subsequently became his property, and here he has since resided. During the first two years of their domestic life he and his wife resided in a log house, after which Mr. Miner built a frame house of six roms, which was the family dwelling until 1915. He then erected the modern two-story frame house in which he is now living. To the original area of 80 acres he has added 40 more adjoining it on the west, but which is in Spring Grove township. He has also built a frame barn, 32 by 60 by 16 feet, with a full stone basement of eight feet, machine sheds, corn sheds, garage and other necessary and useful structures. The house is surrounded by fine evergreen trees, set out by himself and wife, and the appearance of the place is picturesque and homelike. A good spring which flows all the year round affords water to every part of the farm, which is well stocked with graded Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, the herds having full-blooded sires. All the buildings are painted and the operating equipment is complete and of modern type. Mr. Miner is a member of the Equity Shipping Association of Spring Grove, and a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, the Honey Creamery at Bee and the Spring Grove Hospital. He and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. For a number of years he has served as treasurer and secretary of the school board of his district. Mr. and Mrs. Miner are the parents of seven children, bom as follows : Delia, Aug. 17, 1892 ; Grace, May 20, 1894; Eugene, March 17, 1896; Amy, Aug. 8, 1897; Clara, May 26, 1899; Viola, Oct. 28, 1901 ; and Myrtle, March 10, 1904. All the children are residing on the home farm except Eugene, who is a farmer in Wilmington township, and Amy, who lives in Spring Grove. Mr. Miner was one of a family of eight children : Marie, James, Absolom, Martin, Eugene, Hans G., Charles and Emelia. Marie and Absolom are now deceased. James is a farmer living near Toronto, S. D. Martin is a resident of Freeport, Iowa. Eugene is a resident of Spring Grove, Minn. Charles is residing on the old homestead in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Emelia is proprietor of a millinery business in Spring Grove, Minn.

Jorgen Groniia, an early serttler in Wilmington township, where he developed a farm and was known for a number of years as an industrious and worthy man, was bom in Norway in 1820. He was married in his native land to Guri Peterson, who was born there in 1821. On emigrating to the United States they settled first at Pine Creek, Iowa, but after residing there a short time came to Wilmington township, Houston county, Minnesota, and bought a tract of 40 acres of wild land in section 31, on which they built a two-room log house, afterward adding 40 more acres. With the aid of oxen they cleared this land and in time developed a farm. This work was not accomplished without difficulties, as they started very poor and for years Mr. Gronna was a cripple, but in spite of that he persevered, his wife working by his side in the field, and in due time their patient industry met with its reward. Each had an attractive personality, Mr. Gronna being a good husband and kind father, as well as an agreeable and helpful neighbor, while his wife was a model housekeeper, wife and mother. Reared in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, they were active members of the Spring Grove congregation, contributing liberally to its support, and helping to build both the first and second church edifices. In time they ceased from their labors, Mr. Gronna passing away first, in 1892, and his wife in 1904. They had had a large family, four of their children being born in Norway, of whom two died in infancy, the other two being Ole and Knute. Those born in this country were : Asle J., now a senator from North Dakota, residing in Washington, D. C. ; Gumberjor, wife of Frank Carlson, of Spokane, Wash. ; Randi, now Mrs. Qrf red Piprew, of North Dakota ; Sigvart, residing in South Dakota ; Christine, wife of Hans G. Miner, now occupying the old Gronna farm; and Magdeline, who is deceased.

Stengrem Johnson Bergrud, an early settler in the southwestern part of Houston county and founder of a good farm, was born in Segedahoven, Norway, in 1830. He came to Anierica in 1848, at the age of 18 years, and finally settling in Houston county, Minnesota, bought 160 acres of land in section 19, Wilmington township, and 40 acres in section 24, Spring Grove township, the two tracts adjoining each other, which gave him an undivided farm of 200 acres. The land was partly improved, some 20 or 30 acres being broken, and there was also a small frame house on it. In August, 1865, he married Margit Svartebraaten, who came from the same part of Norway as himself, and they worked together to develop the farm, clearing in time about 80 acres, erecting a new frame house of five rooms and adequate outbuildings. In this work they were assisted by their son, Willie S., who in 1900 purchased the property. Stengrem Johnson Bergrud died on his farm May 3, 1915, being survived by his wife, who is still living on the old homestead. He was a successful man and was prominent in the affairs of the community, being one of the organizers of the Spring Grove, Wilmington & Black Hammer Farmers' Insurance Company. Mrs. Bergrud was born April 18, 1843, and accompanied her parents to this country. They settled first in Muskogee, Wis., thence removing to Skeepland, that state, and two years later to Winneshiek county, Iowa, whence they came to Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minnesota, locating on the Peter Bergrud farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stengram Johnson Bergrud reared a family of six children, namely: John, born Aug. 7, 1868, now a farmer in Hundah, N. D. ; Theodore, born Dec. 24, 1870, who is a carpenter in Barrett, Minn. ; Glaus, born Nov. 12, 1872, now a farmer in Maddock, N. D. ; Peter, born April 17, 1874, who is a farmer in Braman, N. D. ; Willie S., born Aug. 18, 1876, proprietor of the old home farm; and Julius, born June 3, 1879, who is a carpenter at Anagard,

Willie S. Bergrud, a prosperous farmer and well known and respected citizen of Wilmington township, residing in section 18, on the farm established by his parents, was born on this farm Aug. 18, 1876, son of Stengrem Johnson and Margit (Svarlebraaten) Bergrud. His education was acquired in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 18 years, though during the summers from the age of 12 he had to work on the farm, which he continued to do steadily until he was 16. After that he occasionally worked out for others, continuing to do so at intervals for about six years. He then gave his unremitting attention to work on the old homestead, assisting his father until 1900, in which year he purchased the property, and has since operated it on his own account, his mother residing with him. In 1912 he rebuilt the house, which is now a modern two-story residence of eleven rooms, and a summer kitchen. Among the other buildings he has erected are a good bam, machine shed, hog shed, poultry house, double corn crib, sheep shed and garage for his five-passenger Dodge auto. The farm is well fenced, 80 acres being under cultivation, and the equipment being adequate and of modern type. Mr. Bergrud raises Hereford cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep, having full-blooded sires for each kind of stock. He is also a shareholder in the Honey Creamery Company, the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and the Spring Grove Hospital. In politics he is a Republican, and for the last ten years has served as school treasurer. His religious affiliations are with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

Cecelia, daughter of Olaus O. and Margit Sanness, of Wilmington township. He and his wife have had seven children : Odin Centennial, bom Jan. 3, 1904 ; Minerva Viola and Myrtle Sadella, twins, born May 19, 1906 ; Edwin Carlton, born Sept. 13, 1908; James Norton, bom May 5, 1912, who died in infancy ; and Ervin Palmer, bom Aug. 13, 1914.

Carl and Edwin Burtness, who under the firm name of Burtness Bros., are engaged in scientific stock farming in section 14, Wilmington township, are the sons of Elling and Kristi Burtness, and were bom in this township, Carl on April 30, 1882, and Edwin on Jan. 20, 1888. In early youth both brothers attended school in district 85, and Carl was subsequently a pupil at Brickenridge Academy at Decorah, Iowa, where he studied for two years, in 1903 and 1904 attending the Minnesota Agricultural School. Edwin, after graduating from the common school, attended Gale College at Galesville, Wis., and afterwards spent three years in the Minnesota Agricultural College, being graduated in 1911. The farm which they are now operating is the old home farm of their parents, on which both have resided since their birth, except that Carl spent one year on a wild homestead in Minnesota. The farm was rented by them in 1910. It contained 120 acres, lying in sections 14 and 15, Wilmington township. In 1917 they bought 120 acres adjoining, in Wilmington township, giving them a total area of 240 acres, of which 200 acres are now under the plow. Though they raise abundant crops, all their grain is turned back onto the farm in the shape of feed for the stock, the raising of which is their main line of business. They have between 90 and 100 head of cattle, about 25 of which are pureblooded Guernseys, their specialty being the raising of pure-blooded cattle and hogs. Their only sales are of cattle, hogs and cream, and they buy feed rather than sell it. Among the buildings on the farm are a barn, 30 by 80 by 16 feet, with an eight-foot basement of stone; a feed room and dairy room, each 10 by 14, attached to the barn ; a tile silo, 14 by 40, with a capacity of 125 tons; a corn crib, 14 by 30 by 11; a tile hog house, 20 by 40 by 8, with a cement floor, and also a cement feeding floor, 30 by 48; a machine shed, 20 by 40; feed room, 10 by 14 ; and a garage, 12 by 18. The house is a comfortable eight-room dwelling, with a separate summer kitchen. All the buildings are lighted by electricity, and the barn is fitted throughout with the most modern appliances, including a two-unit milking machine. The operating equipment, which is of the best, includes a fine auto, and the farm is well watered and beautifully situated. The brothers are unmarried, their two sisters keeping house for them. They are stockholders in the Wilmington Creamery Association, the People's Co-operative Stock & Grain Company, of Caledonia, and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, and are numbered among the most prosperous farmers of Wilmington township, where they enjoy a wide popularity. Their religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of Wilmington.

Elling H. Burtness, an early settler in Houston county, who carved from the wildemess a good farm in sections 10 and 11, Wilmington township, was bom at Nes Hallingdal, Norway, Sept. 29, 1837, son of Helge.Pederson Burtness. His mother, whose maiden name was Live Magermoen, died in

Mb. And Mrs. Elling H. Burtness

Norway, and in 1859 the subject of this sketch, with his father, came to the United States, locating at Orf ordville. Rock county. Wis. In 1860 they came to Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minn., walking from Decorah, Iowa. Elling had had but a limited school education but had improved his mind considerably through reading, always keeping well supplied with papers and books. After residing in Black Hammer township till 1865, engaged in agricultural pursuits, he came to Wilmington township, where he took a tract of land, only partly cleared, which he subsequently developed into the farm above referred to - one of the best and most productive in the county. In common with the other early settlers he made use of oxen until the advancing civilization of the county rendered horses more available. For nearly half a century - ^lacking but two or three years - he was a resident of Wilmington township, his death taking place on his farm, Feb. 15, 1913. As a raiser of stock he had good success, keeping for the most part high grade Shorthorn cattle, with a few registered animals, while his hogs were of the Poland-China breed, of which he raised large numbers, generally marketing a carload or more both of cattle and hogs each year. Though he took no part in the affairs of local government, he was a man widely known and respected throughout the southern part of the county, and was a prominent member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Wilmington, assisting in building both the original and the new edifices of that congregation. In politics he was a Republican. Aside from his direct f arm^ing interests he was a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., the Caledonia Stock and Grain Co., and the Wilmington Co-operative Creamery. Mr. Burtness was married, Dec. 29, 1866, to Kristi Myhre, born in 1844, daughter of Ole and Sigrid (Rudningen) Myhre, and who at the time of her marriage was residing on what is now the Knute Myhre farm in Wilmington township. Mrs. Burtness survived her husband barely more than six months, dying at the old home, Aug. 18, 1913. They were the parents of fourteen children : Live was born in 1867, and is now Mrs. J. P. Kopang, of Wilmington township. Sigrid, bom in 1868, is keeping house for two of her brothers on the home farm. Helge, bom in 1870, lives in Wilmington township. Olaus, born in 1872, was for many years treasurer of Houston county and is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Caledonia ; Peter E., bom in 1874, is a farmer and banker in St. Louis county, Minnesota. Theodore, born in 1877, is likewise a farmer in St. Louis county, Minn. Emma (first), bom in 1879, died in 1888. Theoline and Elida (twins) were born in 1880, the former now living in Wilmington township, and the latter having died in 1907. Carl, born in 1882, and Edwin, born in 1888, are prominent farmers of Wilmington township. Emma Christine was born in 1891, graduated as a trained nurse from the La Crosse Lutheran Hospital in 1915, and enlisted in the United States Red Cross service, spending six months in the United States and six months in Base Hospital No. 62, in France. The others died in early childhood.

Andrew O. Myhre, an enterprising and successful farmer of Wilmington township, residing in section 14, was bom in this township. May 29, 1859, son of Ole K. and Sign Myhre. His parents, natives of Norway, were among the pioneer settlers in this locality, and in early days were very poor. Andrew was sent to the district school, where he acquired the elements of knowledge. At the age of thirteen he began to work out, his first employer being Swen Aslesen, a neighbor, and he continued as a farm hand until reaching the age of twenty-two. In April, 1881, he married Sophia Dahle, who was born in Wilmington township, March 26, 1860, daughter of Knute and Marie Dahle. In the same year he bought 140 acres of partly improved land in section 14, Wilmington, where he now lives, having 110 acres under cultivation, all being good land. When he took this place there were no buildings on it, but he has since erected a complete set. including a comfortable frame house of eight rooms, surrounded by evergreens and shrubbery ; a frame bam 30 by 54 feet ; another bam, 20 by 40, for calves and young cattle ; a machine shed, 18 by 40 ; mill house, 12 by 32 ; hog house, 12 by 32, with cement feeding floor, 16 by 32 outside; double com crib, 22 by 82, with a 10-foot driveway ; and a poultry house, 16 by 16 feet. He also has a good windmill. The farm is well stocked with high grade Shorthom cattle and Poland-China hogs, and the operating equipment is of the best. As a general farmer Mr. Myhre is doing a profitable business, and he is also a stockholder in the Wilmington Co-operative Creamery, the Caledonia Co-operative Stock & Grain Co., the First National Bank of Caledonia, and the Caledonia State Bank. For some years he served as clerk of the school board, in politics being a RepubUcan. He and his family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter. To Mr. and Mrs. Myhre twelve children have been bom, whose record in brief is as follows: Ole, bom Jan. 14, 1882, who died in infancy; Ole Wilhelm, bom Feb. 18, 1883, now a farmer in Wilmington township ; Carl Alfred, bom Feb. 8, 1885, also a farmer in this township; Martin Julius, bom March 18, 1887, who is a bank cashier at Poison, Mont. ; Celia Louisa, bom Jan. 29, 1889, now Mrs. Peter Engen, her husband being a farmer in Wilmington township ; Albert Stephen, bom Feb. 27, 1891, also farming in this township ; Manda Christine, bom Feb. 5, 1893, who is the wife of Clarence Fossum of Pequot, Minn. ; Ella Cecelia, bom Feb. 8, 1895, wife of Oscar Roble, a farmer of Wilmington township; William Gerhard, bom May 29, 1897, who died in infancy; William Gerhard (second), bom June 15, 1898, who is farming part of his father's place ; Styrk Edwin, bom May 27, 1901, who is living on the home farm ; and Neuman Theodore, bom May 23, 1904, who is also at home.

Henry E. Burtness, proprietor of Pleasant Hill Farm in section 10, Wilmington township, was bom on his parents' farm in section 15, this township, Dec. 3, 1870, son of EUing H. and Kristi (Myhre) Burtness. He completed his district school studies at the age of seventeen and at the age of nineteen attended Breckenridge Academy in Decorah, Iowa. Then retuming to his parents' farm, he worked on it as his father's assistant until 1900, when he bought from his father 120 acres of the farm. There was a house and barn on the place and the land was under cultivation, so that he was able to begin independent farming immediately. By the subsequent purchase of forty more acres of land he has increased the area of his farm to 160 acres, of which he has 115 acres under the plow. He has also made other important improvements which have made his place one of the model farms of Houston county, a condition enhanced by the fertility and productiveness of the soil. His fences are hog-tight, and he has replaced the original dwelling by a fine two-story frame house of twelve rooms, built in modem style and electrically lighted and hot water heated, the house and grounds being surrounded by Norway fir trees as a wind-break, all the trees having been set out by himself. Among his other buildings - all, like the house, electrically lighted - are a granary, garage, machine shed, hog house, poultry house and tile silo, each in excellent condition. He has also good wells and a steel windmill, while his general equipment, which includes a traction engine, is of the best modern type. The farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle, of which he has from forty to fifty head, together with a herd of seventy to eighty Duroc-Jersey hogs. With each herd is a pure-bred sire. Aside from his direct farming interests, as above described, Mr. Burtness is a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery Co., of which he has been secretary since 1903, and a part of the time treasurer; the Peoples Co-operative Stock & Grain Co., of Caledonia ; the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., and the First National Bank of Caledonia. A Republican in politics, he served his township several years as supervisor and chairman of the board, and for the last fifteen years has been treasurer of his school district. Mr. Burtness was married Oct. 16, 1912, to Julia, daughter of Edward and Anna (Thorson) Selness, of Allamakee county, Iowa. He and his wife are the parents of three children : EUing Hjalmar, bom Dec. 31, 1913; Inar Rolfe, bom June 26, 1915, and Arthur, bom Oct. 4, 1917. The family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mr. Burtness is a liberal supporter.

Die A. Myhre, who owns and operates a farm of 103 acres in section 15, Wilmington township, was born Feb. 18, 1883, in this township, son of Andrew and Sophia (Dahle) Myhre, the parents being of Norwegian descent. He was educated in the district school, which he attended up to the age of seventeen years, during the winters, and was afterwards a pupil at Breckenridge Academy at Decorah, Iowa, for two winters. Until the age of twenty-one he remained on the home farm, after which he worked out for a year. He then rented his present farm of 103 acres from his father, working it from 1905 to 1912. In the meanwhile, on June 2, 1905, he was married to Johanna, daughter of Andrew and Caroline Fossom, of Wilmington township. She died Aug. 20, 1911, leaving two children: Arnold, bom Jan. 8, 1907, and Stella, bom June 15, 1909, both now living. In 1913 Mr. Myhre with his two children lived on his father's farm. On March 25, 1914, he married Louise, daughter of Embrick and Gertrude Morken, of Wilmington township, of which union also two children have been bom : Gilma, Jan. 20, 1915; and Gertrude, Sept. 17, 1916. In 1917 Mr. Myhre bought the 103-acre farm in section 15 from his father, and has since been engaged in operating it. It is well improved, having an adequate set of buildings, good fences and equipment, and the land is weU tiUed and productive. Mr. Myhre also owns a good auto car. Industrious and enterprising, he has made good progress and is numbered among the substantial fanners of his township, which he has served two terms as treasurer. In politics he is a Republican, and in addition to his service on the town board, he has been treasurer of his school district for the last five years. As a stock raiser he gives his attention to the breeding of Guernsey cattle, graded, and Poland-China swine. He and his family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Tob Olson Tweten, an early settler in Wilmington township, was bom in Norway, and came to the United States with a party in 1844, landing in New York, after a voyage of seventeen weeks. In the party was his future wife, Ingeborg, and her parents, with two small children. Both her parents dying at sea, the children - one two years and the other seven weeks old - were left to the care of this young woman, then twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. She and Mr. Tweten proceeded to Muskego, Waukasha county, Wisconsin, where they were married. After a time they moved to Pine Creek, near Lansing, Iowa, where they bought a farm, but owing to the difficulty of procuring water, they subsequently sold it and came to Houston county, Minnesota, buying land in Wilmington township. It was but slightly improved, but there was a small log house, in which they took up their residence. They now had two children of their own, Betsy and Ole, who had been born in Iowa, of whom Betsy is now deceased, Ole being a resident of Spring Grove village. Subsequently five others were bom to them, namely : Hans T., now a prominent farmer of this township; Sarah, deceased; Anna, widow of Ame Moen, of Seattle, Wash.; Jacob, living in Roleth, N. D. ; and Mary, deceased. Mr. Tweten died on his farm May 20, 1867, being survived by his wife, who finally passed away in the fall of 1888 at the home of a daughter in North Dakota. They were worthy people who suffered many hardships, but did their part in helping to develop the resources of the township in which they made their home.

Hans T. Tweten, one of the leading citizens of Wilmington township, proprietor of an excellent farm of 240 acres, his residence lying in section 4, was bom in section 27, this township, Aug. 16, 1855, son of Tob Olson and Ingeborn Tweten. He was reared on the home farm, attending district school until the age of sixteen years. On his father's death in 1867 he bought a portion of the farm which he operated for four or five years. On Nov. 22, 1875, he assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, being united in marriage with Randena, daughter of Oscar and Valborg Qunnell of Wilmington township. For a while after his marriage Mr. Tweton operated a part of his parents' estate, consisting of eighty acres in section 20, but soon after he bought 120 acres in section 4, where he is now living. It was then a farm but slightly improved, the residence being a log house, but he has since developed it into a fine piece of agricultural property, having by additional purchases increased its area to 240 acres and erected an adequate set of buildings. The latter include a frame bam, 30 by 80 by 22 feet ; a tool shed 20 by 60 ; poultry house 12 by 36 ; granary 14 by 26 ; double com crib 20 by 46, with an eight-foot driveway ; a stone hog house 12 by 50, with cement feeding floor, 14 by 50 ; and another hog house 14 by 26. His teams, tools and equipment are also first class, and the farm is well fenced and in a high state of cultivation, 200 acres being under the plow and the rest in timber and pasture. Mr. Tweten is engaged in diversified farming, including stock raising and dairying. For the last eighteen years he has been engaged in raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle, having at present a herd of thirty full blooded and twenty of high grade. He also breeds full blooded Poland-China hogs, from 100 to 150 yearly. Of late, hov^rever, he has been practically retired, exercising a general supervision over the farm and leaving to his son the active operation. He formerly ov^rned large land interests in South Dakota, but has sold them. In politics he is a Republican, and formerly served several terms as a member of the town board, for a number of years also acting as school clerk. His mother having been one of the founders of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, he was the first child christened in that congregation, being then a year old, at a meeting held in the home of Olaus Somers. He has since served the church as a trustee and as one of its liberal supporters. On April 21, 1913, Mr. Tweten sustained a breavement in the death of his wife, Mrs. Randena Tweten, who had been to him a faithful helpmate. They had had seven children whose record in brief is as follows : Ida, bom Jan^ 28, 1876, who is now the widow of Andrew Kjome and resides near Spring Grove village: Emil, bom March 11, 1878, who is a farmer at Solway, Minn.; William, born Feb. 22, 1881, who is manager of a lumber yard at Mabel, Minn.; ' Hannah, bom Oct. 6, 1884, who is housekeeper for her father; Rudolph, bora April 11, 1888, now residing on the home farm; Anna, born July 7, 1891, who is the wife of Carl Ruak, a butcher at Taylor, Wis.; Bertha, bom Jan. 24, 1895, who is a trained nurse in the Augustana Hospital in Chicago.

Albert C. Bunge, who during the last ten years has developed a good farm in section 13, Wilmington township, was born in Eitzen village, Winnebago township, Houston county. May 30, 1878, son of Christian and Dora (Wuemeke) Bunge. The parents were married in this locality, the father having come to this country from Germany when a boy. He is now dead but his wife is still living. Albert C. was educated in the Eitzen school and at Beloit Academy, Beloit, Wis., which he attended for two years. He then spent one season on the road as a salesman, and for a few months resided in Chicago with an uncle. After that he attended the Minnesota Agricultural College for two winters. Then retuming to the home farm at Eitzen, he became associated with his father, whom he assisted until the latter's death, after which he managed the farm for a time. In 1908 Mr. Bunge bought his present farm of 200 acres, 162 acres lying in section 13, Wilmington township, and sixty-eight acres in section 18, Winnebago township, all being tillable land. On the Wilmington section there was an old frame house, and some straw sheds for cattle. The improvements Mr. Bunge has since made include the erection of a good set of buildings, namely: a house, frame bam, tool shed, granary, hog house, corn cribs, and tile silo. He has also good wells and a steel windmill. The house was erected in 1916 and is a beautiful, modem, two-story, eleven-room residence, with hard and soft water, both hot and cold, and bath and toilets. It is electrically lighted, as also are the bams. Mr. Bunge has 180 acres under the plow and is engaged in diversified farming along scientific lines, keeping Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. For the past ten years he has bred registered Shorthorns. His teams, tools and equipment are of the best. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a shareholder in the Peoples Co-operative Stock & Grain Co. of Caledonia. On Oct. 16, 1907, Mr Bunge was married to Mathilda, daughter of George and Minnie Deters, oi Winnebago township. Of this union five children have been bom: Paul G., Anna, Laura, Norma and Wilma. The family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical church.

William M. Shisler, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Wilmington township, residing in section 11, was bom in Vernon county, Wisconsin, May 12, 1868, son of Martin and Nancy ( Asbury) Shisler. The parents came to Houston county, Minnesota, when the subject of this sketch was about fourteen years old, but remained only a year subsequently returning to Wisconsin. William M. accompanied them there, but later came back to Houston county and as a farm hand entered the employ of Charles Albee of Portland Prairie, Wilmington township, remaining with him until the fall of 1890. He was then married, Nov. 12, to Evelyn, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Albee) Metcalf. She was bom in Winnebago township, Feb. 20, 1868, her parents afterwards moving into Wilmington township. For the first six or eight years after his marriage Mr. Shisler rented and worked farms in Winnebago and Wilmington townships, and also the John Robinson farm just across the line in Allamakee county, Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Shisler bought 160 acres of improved land in section 11, Wilmington township, on which was a frame house, bam and granary, which is in all essential respects his present farm, though he has improved it since taking possession, his farm buildings and general equipment being all of good quality. The soil, of which he now has 115 acres under cultivation, is also good. Mr. Shisler's stock consists chiefly of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, his herd of the latter numbering from eighty to one hundred head. Included in his equipment is a good Overland auto car. In addition to his direct farming interests he is a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery Association and the Co-operative Stock & Grain Co. of Caledonia. In politics he is a Republican. He is affiliated religiously with the Portland congregation of the M. E. church, To him and his wife six children have been bom, as follows : Myrtle, Sept. 23, 1891, who is now the wife of Phil Noben, a farmer of Caledonia township ; Grace Vera, born June 20, 1893, who is residing at home ; Archie Cornelius, bom May 6, 1895, who served his country in the war with Germany ; Lila Bemice, bom April 26, 1897, residing at home ; Kenneth Leroy, bom June 10, 1902, who is a student in the Caledonia high school, and Leona Licinda bom Aug. 26, 1905, who resides at home with her parents. The military service of Comelius in the recent war was as a member of the heav^ artillery, with which he took part in several engagements, and, after the signing of the armistice, he was in the Army of Occupation with the Rain* bow Division. He was honorably discharged in May, 1919.

Allamakee county, Iowa, just south of Eitzen village, on Aug. 2, 1875, son of Henry and Mary (Buchholtz) Deters. He obtained a fairly good education after leaving the district school, attending Breckenridge Academy at Decorah, Iowa, for two winters, and afterwards pursuing a business course for two terms at Waukon, Iowa, where he completed his studies in 1894. From the spring of that year until the fall of 1897 he worked on the home farm, which he subsequently operated in partnership with his brother, Louis H., until the spring of 1903. He then bought fifty acres in section 13, Wilmington township and eighty-two acres in Winnebago township, the two tracts constituting the old Busitzky farm, of which 110 acres were then under the plow. In 1904 he bought an adjoining tract of forty acres in section 19, Winnebago township, and in 1908 another forty-acre tract adjoining on section 13, Wilmington township. Of his farm of 212 acres in one body, he has 150 now under the plow. The soil is of excellent quality, and there is a good set of farm buildings, provided with modern equipment. In 1915 Mr. Deters built a two-story, twelve-room house of tapestry brick, which he fitted up with hot and cold water, baths, and a hot water heating system, furnishing heat not only to the house but also to other buildings on the farm. The house is lighted throughout by the "Blaugas" system, but is wired for electric light. The situation is picturesque and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. Mr. Deters follows diversified farming according to scientific methods, making stock breeding his specialty. Since 1904 he has been engaged in raising registered Shorthorn cattle, and he also breeds Poland-China hogs, having full-blooded sires for each herd. One of the leading stock farmers in the southern part of the county, he is president of the Houston county Agricultural Society, and is a shareholder in the Wilmington Creamery Co., the Eitzen Creamery Co., the Peoples Co-operative Stock & Grain Co. of Caledonia, and in the Eitzen State Bank of Eitzen, Minn., of which he is president. Enterprising and prosperous, he is one of the leading citizens of his township and is well and favorably known throughout the county. Mr. Deters was married Nov. 18, 1903, to Anna M. Bunge, who was bom Dec. 13, 1874, daughter of Christian and Dora (Bunge) , of Eitzen, Minn. He and his wife have four children : Martin B., bom Feb. 15, 1906; John L., Nov. 20, 1909; Ruth L., May 10, 1912, and Martha M., Oct. 31, 1916. The family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical Lutheran church.

Hans Johnson^ a pioneer settler of Wilmington township, now decease^, was a native of Norway who came to this country in 1860. About 1862 he bought a tract of forty acres in section 10, Wilmington township, to which he later added forty acres more, and of the eighty he developed an improved farm, which in 1898 he rented to his son, Alfred B., who purchased it in 1900 and is now the owner. Mr. Johnson died Feb. 14, 1916, after a long career of agricultural activity, having worthily performed a pioneer's part in the development of the county. His wife, Jorend, who came from Norway at about the same time as he did, survived him until Jan. 2, 1919, when she too passed away.

Alfred B. Johnson^ proprietor of a good farm of 160 acres in section 10, Wilmington township, was bom on a part of his present farm, March 1,

1877, son of Hans and Jorend Johnson. In his boyhood he attended the district school, and as he grew older assisted his father to develop the home farm, on which he has always resided with the exception of about three years spent in Kanabec county, Minnesota, and in Caledonia as clerk. In 1898 he rented the home farm, containing eighty acres, from his parents, and two years later, in 1890, it became his property by purchase. Since then he has doubled its size, and now has 120 acres under the plow, the rest being in pasture and timber. He has added to the buildings, having in 1916 erected a modern frame barn, 34 by 80 by 14 feet in size, with a full eight-foot, cement-block basement, and it is equipped with a complete James system of pens, stanchions, mangers, box-stalls and crane litter carrier. The farm is in a high state of cultivation and yields a good return in crops, in addition to which it is well stocked with a good grade of cattle and Poland-China swine. Mr. Johnson's operating equipment includes a good automobile, and in addition to his interest in the farm he is a stockholder in and president of the Wilmington Co-operative Creamery Co., and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company. A man of mark in his township, he has served two years as supervisor and the same length of time as town treasurer, in politics being a Republican. On Nov. 23, 1901 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Ingebor, daughter of Knut and Guri Buxengard of Wilmington township, where her father was an early settler, having resided on the same farm for sixty-three years. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been enlarged by the birth of eight children, bom as follows: Harry Kenneth, July 3, 1903; Gilbert Jorgen, June 14, 1906; Tilman Johan, Sept. 17, 1907; Olaf Burton, Aug. 6, 1910; Alice Isabelle, May 25, 1912 ; Ividia Dorothy, June 25, 1914, and Sylvia Mathilda, Aug. 22, 1916, and Orlando Clarence, bom Sept. 22, 1918. The family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

William Schroeder, a successful farmer of Wilmington township, residing in section 23, was born in Hanover, Germany, Nov. 27, 1857, son of Christopher and Mary (Garfe) Schroeder. At the age of seventeen he came with his parents to Houston county, Minnesota, they settling at Eitzen in Winnebago township. He was then unable to speak English, but found work as a farm hand, being employed one year by Mr. Cardess, and then for two years by Mr. Albee, who allowed him to attend school two years in order to learn English. At the age of twenty he went to the Robinson farm near Eitzen and on the Iowa state line, on which he worked as manager for four years, his employer being Mrs. Robinson. This farm contained 300 acres and its management involved a large amount of hard work. In this and other agricultural employment he made steady progress, giving satisfaction to his employers and improving his own condition until he found himself able to assume the responsibilities of domestic life, and on May 4, 1883, was united in marriage with Amelia, daughter of Barney and Mary Brinker, who lived in Allamakee county, Iowa, near Eitzen village. After continuing in general agricultural work for some years in others' employ, Mr. Schroeder in 1891 bought eighty acres of land in section 23, Wilmington township, the tract being a partly improved farm, with forty-five acres of broken land, a small log house, and a combined granary and stable. To this farm he has since added thirty acres, making a total of 110, of which ninety are under the plow, the balance being in pasture and timber. He has also greatly improved the place by the erection of new buildings, including a comfortable house ; a frame barn, 32 by 70 by 16 feet, on a full stone basement of eight feet ; a granary 20 by 32 feet, built in the bam; a poultry house, three com cribs, a hog house* with cement floor and two feeding floors, a feed cook house for hogs, an ice house, smoke house, machine shed, wood house and a garage for his five-passenger Dodge car. All the buildings are painted and in good condition, while his teams, tools and other equipment are of the best. Mr. Schroeder's stock consists of Red Poll and Shorthom cattle and Poland-China hogs, each herd having a full blooded sire. His other business interests include those of a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery Co. and the Peoples Co-operative Stock & Grain Co. of Caledonia. In politics he has always been a Republican, and with his family is a member of the Etizen congregation of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder eight children have been bom : Gustav A., bom May 20, 1884, now a farmer of Winnebago township ; Otto, Nov. 19, 1886, who is a farmer in Wilmington township ; William F., bom Aug. 16, 1889, who for the last four years has been manager of the Farmers Co-operative Store at Eitzen; Elvina, bom May 30, 1892, wife of Otto Meyer, a farmer of Winnebago township; Edwin, born Nov. 26, 1894, who is a farm hand ; Ella, born April 23, 1896, who is housekeeper for her brother Otto ; Henry, bom June 16, 1899, who is associated with his father in working the home farm ; and Albert, bom July 28, 1903, who is a student residing at home. Mr. Schroeder has three brothers, Henry, Fred and Werner, all of whom are farmers in this vicinity.

Ole J. Tosterudy the owner of a good eighty-acre farm in section 11, Wilmington township, who has been a resident of Houston county for over thirty-five years, was born in Norway, May 11, 1847, son of Jens and Inga Johnestaater. His educational advantages were limited to the common school, while industrially he was trained as a farmer. On Dec. 28, 1874, he was married in his native land to Maren, daughter of Ole and Helene Johnson Bammerud. For eight or nine years after his marriage he continued to reside in Norway, during which time four children were born to him. The family was very poor, the parents being able to save nothing, although Mrs. Tosterud in her spare time did weaving to add to their income. After a while they realized that their only future hope lay in emigration to a land of greater opportunities, but the expense of the journey was still an obstacle. However, they succeeded in borrowing enough from their friends and relations for this purpose, and in 1883 they left their native land with four children: Elsie Marie, bom Feb. 15, 1876; Jens, bom June 29, 1878 ; Oscar, born Dec. 17, 1880 ; and Inga, born March 29, 1883, the last mentioned, of course, being a baby in arms. Coming directly to Houston county, Minnesota, they first settled on Portland Prairie, Winnebago township, Mr. Tosterud finding work as a farm hand. The wages for such labor in those days were not large and Mrs. Tosterud wove carpets to help pay their way. After remaining on their first farm until 1890 they removed to the Sigri Engen farm in section 14, Wilmington township, where they remained three years, removing from that place to the Ole Engen farm, where they stayed two years, and then, in 1895, taking the Elling Burtness farm, where they spent one year. In 1896 Mr. Tosterud bought eighty acres of wild land in section 12, this township, on which he built a small house and took possession. Here he has since remained and has improved the farm. The land is rough but productive and is now nearly all under the plow, the children having helped to clear it. Mr. Tosterud has erected all necessary buildings, including a bam, granary, poultry house of frame construction. In 1917 the house was remodeled and enlarged and is now a comfortable six-room dwelling. It is located on a prominence in one of Wilmington's many pretty valleys, and is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine. The village and market of Caledonia lies seven miles to the north. Mr. and Mrs. Tosterud have worked hard for many years, but have met with their reward and are now enjoying a well earned leisure, as in 1908 Mr. Tosterud leased the farm to his son Julius, who owns one-half of the stock and equipment. In addition to the four children who accompanied the parents from Norway, the following were born in this county: Helen, born Dec. 30, 1884, now Mrs. Walter Restveldt of Fargo, N. D. ; Julius, born Oct. 7, 1886, who is operating the home farm ; Martin, born May 8, 1888, who in 1918 graduated in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, enlisted in the Medical Department of the U. S. army, and served with the Army of Occupation in Germany; Minnie, born Aug. 22, 1890, now Mrs. John Opsal of St. Paul, Minn. ; Agnes, born Aug. 7, 1892, who resides in Fargo, N. D. ; Emma and Tilla (twins), born Jan. 22, 1895, of whom Tilla died March 13, 1899, and Emma is residing on the home farm; Clara, born May 10, 1897, who graduated from the Central high school at St. Paul in 1918, and is now at home; and Tilla (second), born June 23, 1899, who is also at home, attends the Caledonia high school. All the children have received good educational advantages and the family is one of the most respected in this locality. Their religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Wilmington.

Hans P. Wermager, who is one of the successful farmers of Wilmington township, operating a 165-acre farm in section 30, was bom at St. Hillaire, Red Lake county, Minn., Nov. 20, 1884, son of Peter Wermager and his wife Guri, whose maiden name was Guri Sned Kerpladen. The parents, who were married in Wilmington township, began domestic life in section 81 on a farm that belonged to Mrs. Wermager's father. Later he took a claim of 160 acres at St. Hillaire, and moving there, remained several years. Then selling out, he returned to Houston county and bought 12C acres of his father-in-law's old farm in section 31, which he operated until 1898. He then sold it and bought 125 acres of improved land of Julius Bondley in section 30, on which was a good two-story frame house and s frame barn 30 by 70 by 16 feet and basement. This place he operated until 1908, when he sold it to his son Hans P., and has since been retired, residing with his children. His wife died Aug. 2, 1900. Their children now living are : Hans P., the subject of this sketch; Ole, a farmer in Wilmington town- ship ; Christine, wife of Henry Stoen, a farmer of Gary, Minn. ; Gusta, now Mrs. Oliver Hauge of Caledonia, Minn.; Clara, wife of John Tilleraas, a farmer of Gary, Minn. ; and Selma, whose husband, Alfred Skaare, is also a farmer at Gary. Hans P. Wermager, who was educated in the district school, has spent nearly all his life since he came to Houston county on the farm which his parents established, except that at the age of 17 he worked one summer for Lauretz Wolden, a farmer in the vicinity of his home. On July 2, 1908, he married Julia Thompson, daughter of John and Ingebor Thompson of Allamakee county, Iowa, and in the same year purchased his present farm from his father. He has remodeled the house and barn and now has a good set of buildings, including a stock and grain barn, 30 by 70 by 16 feet in size, with a 9-foot stone basement and cement floor; a machine shed, 32 by 50; single corn crib, 8 by 30; a poultry house, hog house, cream house and garage. The farm is favored with a fine soil and has a rolling surface, and about 100 acres are now under the plow. Mr. Wermager is profitably engaged in general farming, keeping grade Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, with full-blooded sires for his herds. His yearly shipment of cattle amounts to 30 to 35 head, and of hogs from 80 to 100 head. He has an excellent operating equipment, and the village of Spring Grove, four and a half miles distant, affords a convenient market. In addition to his direct farming interests he is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., the Bee Creamery Association and the Spring Grove Hospital. He and his wife are the parents of three children : Grant Palmer, born Jan. 19, 1910 ; Irene Jeanette, born Oct. 31, 1914 ; and Orville Herman, Nov. 2, 1915. The family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Spring Grove.

Gulbrand Gubrud, one of the pioneer settlers of Wilmington township, was, like so many of the hardy pioneers of this section of the Northwest, a native of Norway. Born Dec. 14, 1827, he came to the United States as a young man in 1852, and for some time was a resident of La Crosse, Wis. ; working for wages at whatever he could find to do. After a while he crossed the river into Houston county, Minn., and in Spring Grove became acquainted with Malinda Skiflun, who, like himself, had been born in Valdars, Norway, though she was 12 years younger, having been born in 1838. When 11 years old she had set out from Norway with her parents bound for the United States, but during the long voyage of many weeks, both her father and her mother had died at sea. She, however, came on to Rock Prairie, Wis., and then to Spring Grove, Minn., to visit friends. Here, when she was about 18 years old, she met Mr. Gubrud, and after an acquaintance leading to mutual esteem, they were married in 1856. Mr. Gubrud, having now assumed the responsibilities of domestic life and having two to provide for, with the likelihood of a family in the future, thought it time to begin the establishment of a home, and boldly but wisely resolved to obtain his living from the soil. As there were then practically no improved farms in the county, and he couldn't have purchased them if there had been, he did the next best thing and bought 160 acres of wild land in section 4, Wilmington township, on which he built a log house as the first requisite, and then began the strenuous work of breaking his land and developing a farm. In time this work was well done and before their death he and his wife had increased their land holdings to about 800 acres. In the meanwhile a numerous family had grown up around them, though of their 15 children four died young. Of the eleven who attained maturity, eight are now living: Gustav, of Gagley, Minn.; Elias, who lives at Kindred, N. D.; Ole, of Holt, Minn.; Maria, now Mrs. H. Hallum, of Fargo, N. D.; Olava, wife of John Gran of Black Hammer township; Sophia, wife of John Fossum of Bremen, N. D. ; Sara, now Mrs. N. Morken of Maddock, N. D. ; and Anna, wife of Carl Rustad of Cartwright, N. D. In 1897 Mr. Gubrud rented the farm to his son John, who operated it under rental until 1901 and then purchased it. Since John's death in 1913 it has been operated by his wife and children. Of the other children of Gulbrand Gubrud who grew to maturity, a daughter, Christine, died in Spring Grove, May 21, 1912, and a son, Andrew, died Feb. 19, 1918, in Fargo, N. D. Gulbrand Gubrud died in March, 1898. Mrs. Gubrud is now living with her children in North Dakota.

John Gubrud, who was for a number of years an active and successful farmer residing in section 4, Wilmington township, was born on his parents' farm in this township - the one of which he was afterwards the owner - Feb. 14, 1865. In his youth he attended the district school to the age of about 15 years, and when not engaged with his studies was acquiring his industrial education as a helper on the home farm, which he aided his father in developing. In 1897 he rented the property and subsequently operated it under rental until the spring of 1901, when he purchased it. In the year that he rented the place, on Sept. 16, he married Bolethe Johnson, daughter of Ole S. and Maria Johnson of Wilmington township, and brought his bride to his father's farm. From that time until his death Mr. Gubrud was a hard worker and did much to improve the farm, increasing its cultivated area, building fences and erecting new buildings. He also became the owner of 160 acres of land in South Dakota, which he subsequently sold, and was a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and the Spring Grove Creamery. He served as treasurer of his district school board, in politics being a Republican, and was a member, with his family, of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and a liberal contributor to its support. His useful activities were ended by death on March 29, 1913, and the news of his passing caused general sorrow throughout the community. The farm has since been operated successfully by his widow, with the assistance of her son. It now includes 208 acres, of which 135 are under the plow. Among the buildings erected by Mr. Gubrud were : a two-story, frame house, consisting of an upright and wing, and containing eight rooms, with a summer kitchen detached ; a frame barn, 36 by 80 by 18 feet, with a full basement of 8 feet ; and a granary, 28 by 38, with a machine shed attached thereto. These buildings are all painted and in good condition, the general equipment is fully adequate, the tools and machinery being of modern type, and the farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, the cattle usually numbering from 30 to 40 head, while from 100 to 150 hogs are raised annually. The children bom to Mr. and Mrs. John

Gubrud are as follows: Ove Gerhard, born Aug. 28, 1898, who after attending the Minnesota Agricultural College for two winters, is now working on the home farm ; Milliard, born Feb. 4, 1900, who also attended agricultural college and is employed on the home farm ; Morris, born Aug. 31, 1901 ; Johan Bennie Carlton, born Feb. 9, 1903 ; Olava Mathilda, bom Jan. 6, 1907 ; and Arnold, born March 25, 1909. All the children are residing at home with their mother. It is interesting to note that Millard Gubrud enlisted Oct. 30, 1918, in the S. A. T. C, at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and received his honorable discharge, Dec. 11, 1918.

Juul Sylling, for many years an active and respected farmer of Spring Grove township, but now deceased, was born in Grauns, Prestegeld, Hadland, Norway, Dec. 24, 1832. In 1862 he accompanied his parents to Houston county, Minnesota, settling in Wilmington township. On Nov. 4, 1870, he married Berthe Blexrud, a native of Norway and daughter of Lars and Annie Blexrud of Black Hammer 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 bam 32 by 52 by 16 feet in size, with a full stone basement, and other 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, May 26, 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., on the home farm ; Albert J. ; Lars J., a farmer of Wilmington township ; and Annie, now the wife of Hans Bekkemo, of Spring Grove township.

Lars J. Sylling, whose well cultivated farm of 200 acres in Wilmington township is situated in section 4, and about half way between the two villages of Spring Grove and Caledonia, was born in Spring Grove township, April 17, 1875, son of Juul and Berthe (Blexrud) Sylling. His early years were spent on his parents' farm, which he helped his father to improve. On Feb. 17, 1900, he began domestic life, being united in marriage with Christine, daughter of Ole and Gunhild Larson, of Winneshiek county, Iowa. In the same year, accompanied by his wife, he went to Cheyenne, Eddy county, North Dakota, where he bought 240 acres of unimproved land, and began its improvement by the erection of a small shack for a dwelling. There he remained for ten years, during which time he brok all but ten acres of his land, built a good two-story ^rame house, a larg frame barn and other substantial buildings. While residing there he als served several terms as a member of his town board. In 1910 Mr. Syllin sold the farm and returned to Houston county, where in the same year h bought his present farm in section 4, Wilmington township, which wa known as the Heyche farm. He has improved this property by the erectior in 1913, of a large frame barn, with full stone basement, and now has good set of buildings and operating equipment. He is engaged in genera farming and dairying, and is successfully breeding Shorthorn cattle, hzM ing the nucleus of a fine herd, Duroc swine and Shropshire sheep. I] politics Mr. Sylling is a Republican, and a man who takes an active interes in whatever makes for the welfare of the community in which he lives. H is now serving as chairman of the Wilmington town board, in which offic he has shown ability and a good comprehension of local conditions and re quirements. With his family he belongs to the Spring Grove congregatioi of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Syllinj five children have been born: Gina, Aug. 3, 1901; Julia, Oct. 19, 1903 Cora, July 14, 1907 ; Alma, Oct. 6, 1912, and Leonard, Feb. 2, 1915. Th three elder children were born in North Dakota and the two younger ii Wilmington township, Houston county, Minn. Gina and Julia are no\ students in the Spring Grove high school.

Barney J. Schoh, a well known and popular representative of the farm ing industry in Wilmington township, was bom in Winnebago township Houston county, Sept. 9, 1869, son of Henry and Mary (Brinkman) Schoh The parents, who were natiyes of Germany, after settling in Houstoi county were for some time very poor, but young Barney was allowed t< attend school during the winters up to the age of 17 years. During thi rest of the time he worked On the home farm, and remained on it until Jan 5, 1897, when he was married to Annie Schulze, daughter of John anc Katherine Schulze of Allamakee county, Iowa. In the same year he bough 120 acres of improved land, but with poor buildings, in Hancock county Iowa, where he and his wife began domestic life. In the fall of 1899 h( sold that farm and bought 80 acres in Wilmington township, on whicl tract was a log house and granary. To this in 1908 he added 46 acres more now making an acreage of 125 acres. On to this farm Mr. Schoh and Ydi family moved in the spring of 1900, and for three years they lived in the log house, which in 1903 Mr. Schoh replaced with a substantial frame house, with upright and wings. Until 1908 he got along with strav( sheds for his cattle, but that summer he built a good frame bam 32 by 66 by 16 feet in size, with a full eight-foot stone basement foi horses and cattle. He has also built a steel machine shed 24 by 50, with a hollow tile hog shed below and a cement feeding floor 20 by 40. The buildings are all in good condition and conveniently located, and the surroundings are picturesque, the farm house commanding a good outlook. About 100 acres are now under cultivation, and aside from the productiveness of the soil, the farm is well stocked with Shorthorn and Red Poll cattle and Poland-China and Duroc swine. Mr. Schoh is a shareholder in the Wi^ mington Creamery Co. He is a Republican in politics and for six years served as town supervisor. He and his wife have one child, Alvin H., who was bom Sept. 27, 1897, who is living on the home farm, assisting his father. The family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the (Jerman Evangelical church.

Gjermund Johnson Lommen, one of the hardy pioneer settlers of Wilmington township, now deceased, was born in Norway, Dec. 21, 1824. He grew to manhood in his native land, coming to the United States in 1849 and settling in Dane county. Wis., where he remained until 1853. He then came to Houston county, Minn., locating in section 16, Wilmington township ; a few months later, however, he moved to section 7, and bought land. The development of his place dated from his marriage at Decorah, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1856, to Aagot, daughter of Ole and Marit Lommen. She had come to this country at the age of 20 years with a younger sister and some friends from Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Lommen now began pioneer farming, their dwelling being a log hut. The land was wild, but they had an ox team and were young and hopeful and ready to face privation. Like the other pioneer settlers, they had many hardships to endure, but worked hard and made the best of circumstances, and in time their labors and endurance brought them a fair reward, and they found themselves in possession of a well developed farm, with a comfortable frame house, a barn, granary and other buildings, forming, with what money they saved, a sufficient competency for their declining years. Mrs. Lommen was the first to pass away, her death occurring April 14, 1893, on the old homestead in section 16. She had never been strong and during the last few years of her life suffered from asthma. She had attained the age of 64 years. Her husband survived her somewhat less than ten years, dying at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. B. N. Blexrud, on the old home farm, Nov. 1, 1902. Their remains now rest in the cemetery at Spring Grove. Mr. Lommen was always a Republican in politics. He was prominent in church affairs, he and his wife members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Though strict in his home, he was just and generous hearted, and quick to forget a fault. To him and his wife eight children were born : Jorend, born Sept. 12, 1857, who died Dec. 17, 1866 ; Marit, born Nov. 23, 1858, now Mrs. John B. Nelson (Blexrud) ; Sigrid, bom Aug. 18, 1860, now Mrs. A. L. Ramstad, of Hickson, N. D. ; Ingeborg, bom March 17, 1862, who married Peter Lommen and is now deceased; John, born Jan. 30, 1864, who died in 1870 ; Oline, born July 25, 1865, who died Dec. 21, 1866 ; Jorend Oline, born Aug. 10, 1867, and Olaf , born July 8, 1872, both of whom died in infancy.

John B. Nelson (Blexrud), who owns and operates an improved farm of 200 acres in sections 7 and 18, Wilmington township, his residence lying in section 7, was born in Spring Grove township, Nov. 10, 1855. He was educated in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 13, and remained at home with his parents until the spring of 1877, when he went to Trail county, North Dakota and homesteaded 160 acres of wild land. On it he erected a board shack, in which he took up his residence, and during his first year there he broke 20 acres. Remaining there until the spring of

1879, he then sold it and during the following summer worked as a farm hand four miles south of Fargo, N. D. In the fall he returned home, where for about a year he operated a well drill, and subsequently drove a cream route in Wilmington and Spring Grove townships. In the spring of 1882 he went to Clark county. South Dakota, where he bought 160 acres of practically wild land on which there were no buildings. Having made arrangements to have 40 acres broken by hired help, he returned to Spring Grove township, Houston county, where he spent the winter of 1882-83. In the next spmig he went back to his farm in Clark county, S. D., which lay 16 miles southeast of the city of Clark, and there he remained until the spring of 1891. He then returned again to Houston county and bought the old home farm in section 1, Spring Grove township, residing on it for six years. In April, 1897, he bought his present farm of 200 acres in sections 7 and 18, Wilmington township, which was an improved farm known as the German Johnson homestead, 130 acres being under the plow. There was also a frame and log house, a frame barn 30 by 50 feet in size, with a stone basement, and a granary 24 by 24 feet. In 1904 Mr. Nelson built a two-story house of 12 roms, hot water heated, and with other modem improvements ; and in 1915 a frame barn, 40 by 80 by 16, with a full cement basement of eight feet, and fitted up with the James system. His general equipment is adequate and of the best quality. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, raising graded Shorthorn cattle and Duroc^Jersey hogs, and keeping full-blooded sires for each herd. In addition to this farm, he owns another, of 160 acres, in Section 1, Spring Grove township, which he rents to a tenant. His total property holdings thus amount to 360 acres, all being good land. He is also a shareholder in the Stock & Grain Company of Spring Grove, and takes high rank among the enterprising and prosperous citizens of his township. His religious affiliations are with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Nelson was married May 30, 1888, to Marit Lonmien. who was bom in section 7, Wilmington township, Nov. 23, 1858, daughter of Gjermund and Aagot Johnson Lommen. The children of this union are: Agnes Aurora Blexrud, born in Clark county, S. D., Oct. 1, 1890i. who after graduating from the high school in 1910, taught school two years, and is now residing at home; Nora Josephine, born in section 1, Spring Grove township, Houston county, Aug. 19, 1892, who graduated from the Minnesota Agriculutral School in 1913, and is also at home ; and Gotthard, bom Aug. 13, 1894, who attended the Minnesota Agriculutral School one winter and is now on the home farm, assisting his father.

Frederick Meitrodt, the founder of one of the good farms of Wilmington township, in section 26, known as Royville Stock Farm, but who is now deceased, was bora in Germany, where he was reared to manhood. In 1863 he came to the United States, a young man, and for a year worked as a laborer in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, having made up his mind to settle on the land, he came to Houston county, Minnesota, buying 80 acres on Portland Prairie, in section 26, Wilmington township. About the same time he was united in marriage with Johanna Smith, and together they developed a farm, Mr. Meitrodt building a small frame house, a frame bara, and other outbuildings. He also cleared a considerable part of his land, and cultivated it, and in time he and his wife became prosperous. They were among the founders of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical church. Both died on the old homestead, Mr. Meitrodt on Dec. 2, 1899, and Mrs. Meitrodt on March 18, 1906. They were the parents of four children: William, now farming in Caledonia township ; Anna, now Mrs. George C. H. Meyer, of Wilmington township; Gustav and Adolph, twins, the latter of whom died May 24, 1894, while Gustav is now proprietor of the old home farm.

Gustav Meitrodt, proprietor of Royville Stock Farm, in section 26, Wilmington township, was bom in this township, Nov. 10, 1868, son of Frederick and Johanna (Smith) Meitrodt, his parents being German settlers. His education was acquired in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 17 or 18, though during the last few years of that period his attendance was chiefly in the winter months, as at other times he was obliged to make himself useful on the farm. Remaining at home until 1887, he then went to Lincoln, Neb., where he worked two years as a common laborer. After his return to Wilmington township he worked as a farm hand for a year, and then, in 1890, took possession of his father's farm, which he has since been engaged in operating. Among his improvements, he has erected a good two-story, nine-room frame house, a frame barn, machine shed, granary, garage, hog house and other buildings, and is the owner of a good auto car. His farm is also provided with good wells and a steel windmill, and is well fenced, nearly all of the fencing being "hog-tight." Of his land, he owns 130 acres in one body, and 15 acres of timber near by, the latter being situated in Allamakee county, Iowa. One hundred and fifteen acres are under cultivation. Mr. Meitrodt is engaged in diversified farming, and for the past 18 years has been a breeder of registered Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine. Through industry and good judgment, he has been successful, and has taken his place among the prosperous citizens of his township. He is a stockholder in the Caledonia Co-Operative Grain & Stock Co., the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., the Caledonia State Bank, and the Wilmington Creamery Co., having been one of the organizers of the last mentioned company. On May 18, 1899, Mr. Meitrodt was united in marriage with Augusta, daughter of Leonard and Emma (Brinker) Ranzenberger, of Allamakee county, Iowa, and who was bom July 6, 1876. The children bom of this union are as follows: Ida, Jan. 21, 1900; Roy, June 22, 1904; Martin, July 7, 1908, and Anna, May 21, 1912. Ida was married, May 8, 1919, to Walter Thiele, and they reside in Winnebago township. Mr. Meitrodt and his family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical church, of which he is a liberal supporter. Though of German antecedents, he is a loyal American.

Gilbert J. Hagen, until recently one of the active and successful farmers of Wilmington township, was bora in the southern part of this township, Aug. 8, 1876, son of John G. and Bertha Hagen. His parents were early Norwegian settlers here, but came separately to the county, being married in Caledonia. They are now retired and are living at Bee village in this township. Gilbert J. had but scant opportunity for obtaining an educa- tion, as his parents for a number of years were quite poor, but he attended the district school for a short time at intervals. He was only 12 or 13 when he began work, being employed partly on the home farm, but to a larger extent working out for other farmers. On March 25, 1915, he was married to E. Emelia, daughter of Ludwig and Maria Erickson, of Wilmington township. Until 1917 he worked his father-in-law's farm, and then rented the Olaus Hefty farm in sections 22 and 23. In the spring of 1918 he moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, just over the state line from the old home in Wilmington township. Always a hard-working and thrifty man, Mr. Hagen has accumulated a fair competency. He has a good farm at his present location, and is successfully raising Hereford cattle and Duroc swine. For years he was a stockholder in the Bee Mercantile Company, but sold his interest in it in the fall of 1917. In addition to his own farming interests Mr. Hagen also worked his father's farm for three years. He and his wife, the latter bom in Wilmington township, July 8, 1886, are the parents of one child, James Leander, who was bom Sept. 8, 1917. The family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

Guttorm G. T3rrebakken, one of the hardy pioneer settlers who helped to develop the natural resources of Wilmington township, was a native of Norway, where he grew to manhood and was married. Although very poor, he and his wife managed to save enough to pay their passage to the United States, and arrived in New York after a voyage of twelve weeks. From that city they came directly to Wilmington township, Houston county. This was in the year 1854, when there were very few white settlers in the county, though white immigration had begun. The Indians, however, were very numerous. Buying 80 acres of wild land, Mr. Tyrebakken built a smaU tog shanty and one or two sheds and began the work of clearing his farm, with the help of oxen. His subsequent career was that of a typical pioneer, hard work being the rule for him and his wife during the early years. But gradual progress was made, the farm much improved, and prosperity finally attained. Faithful to their early religious training, they assisted in building the first Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in Wilmington, of which they were useful members. Mr. Tyrebakken died in the year 1900, his demise being due to heart failure. He passed away suddenly at Spring Grove, where he had gone to consult a physician. His wife survived him eight years, dying in 1908 on the old homestead. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters: Guttorm and Turgen, who are living on the home farm with their brother Carl, its present proprietor; Ole, a farmer in Norman county, Minnesota ; Cecil, deceased ; Oline, who married Christ Christiansen 'of La Crosse; Carl, above mentioned; and Christine, wife of James Jasperson, of Tabor, Alberta, Canada.

Carl Guttormson, proprietor of an excellent farm of 170 acres in section 35, Wilmington township, which is one of the pioneer farms of Houston county, was bom on this place Aug. 20, 1869, son of Guttorm G. Tyrebakken and wife. At the time of his birth his parents had been settled on the farm for fifteen years, having arrived here from Norway in 1854. Here he was reared to manhood, attending district school up to the age of 16, while his time out of school hours was spent largely in assisting his father. He has never left his boyhood home, and on his father's death in 1900 he bought the property and has since operated the farm on his own account. He has 170 acres of land, of which 125 acres are under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasture land. The soil is rich and productive, and Mr. Guttormson has added materially to the general improvements, having built two frame bams, 26 by 50 by 16 and 28 by 50 by 14 feet, with 8-foot basements, and a lean-to 16 by 50 feet, both with modem equipment; also a com crib and machine shed. Other buildings were erected by his father with his assistance. Mr. Guttormson breeds Shorthom cattle and Poland- China swine, of the latter from 75 to 100 yearly. He is doing a prosperous business and is a stockholder in the Honey Creamery Co. of Bee, Minn.; the Equity Stock & Grain Co. of Spring Grove, and was formerly a stockholder in the Bee Mercantile Co. He is a member of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical church. So far he has not married, his sister Turgen keeping house for him.

Jgorgen Schulze, an early settler in Wilmington township, where he cleared land and developed a farm, was bom in Germany, Dec. 29, 1832. He grew to manhood in his native land, where in 1856 he was married. His wife Katherine was born March 3, 1834. In 1865 they came to the United States, landing at New York, whence they proceeded directly to Houston county, Minnesota, arriving here with but nine dollars in cash. With this small capital they began pioneer farming in section 36, Wilmington township, and, after some early privations, by hard work succeeded in developing a farm, with good buildings and a fair equipment. After nineteen years of steady effort, Mr. Schulze died on the homestead, Nov. 8, 1884, and was survived by his wife, who is still residing on the farm. They reared nine children : John, now in Lyons, Neb. ; William, who has spent considerable time in traveling and has not yet settled in a permanent home ; Ida, now Mrs. Christ Bisping, of Shadron, Nebr. ; Louisa, the widow of the Rev. J. M. Maisch, and a resident of Milwaukee, Wis.; Alfred, of Loveland, Colo. ; Minnie, now Mrs. Sam Paus, of Scoby, Mont. ; Emma, residing with her mother, and who now owns and takes care of the old home, except 40 acres that were purchased by her brother. Otto C. ; Otto C, above mentioned, who is operating an 80-acre farm ; and Herman, who is engaged in the auto and garage business at New Albin, Iowa.

Otto C. Schulze, a well known farmer and prosperous citizen of section 36, Wilmington township, was born in this township and section, Feb. 1, 1874, son of Jgorgen and Katherine Schulze. He was reared on his parents' farm, on which he became industrially active at an early age, attending school but little. At the age of 22 years he began farming for himself, renting the Robinson farm in the vicinity of his home. This farm he worked for three years, at the end of that time renting another farm in Fairmont, Minn., which he operated for two years. Afterwards for three years he worked a rented farm in Breckenridge, Minn. Then returning to Houston county, Minnesota, he bought 40 acres of the old home farm in Wilmington township, and has since purchased another tract of 40 acres, thus having a farm of 80 acres, with improved land and an adequate set of buildings. Mr. Schulze is engaged in general farming, keeping graded cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical church. Mr. Schulze was married Dec. 5, 1896, to Dora, daughter of Henry and Dora Kohlmeyer, of New Albin, Iowa, and who was born March 28, 1875. Eight children have been bom of this union, as follows : Elwin H., bom Oct. 21, 1897, who is a farm hand ; Verona Minnie, born April 3, 1899, residing at home ; Floy J., born March 9, 1901, who is a farm hand ; Freeman B.; bom Dec. 20, 1903, a student ; Howard C, bom March 7, 1904 ; Dora E., August 27, 1908; Harold J., Aug. 5, 1912, and Clarence L., Dec. 19, 1915, who are residing on the home farm.

Gilbert Selland, proprietor of Pine Grove Stock Farm, in section 35, Wilmington township, was born on this farm, Nov. 18, 1872, son of Nels and Guri Selland. In his boyhood he attended district school three months each winter, being obliged to work for the rest of the year on the home farm. Though not as robust as the other members of the family in his younger life, today he is comparatively well and strong. He has always remained on the place, purchasing the property in 1902, and is engaged in diversified farming. In 1910 he began breeding registered Shorthorn and Durham cattle, of which he has sold quite a number, though keeping on hand a herd of about 35 head. He also raises from 50 to 75 graded Poland-China hogs yearly, having a full blooded sire. Since the farm became his property Mr. Selland has made some valuable improvements on it, having remodeled the house and erected a number of buildings. Among the latter are a frame bam, 30 by 56 by 18 feet in size, with a full stone basement of eight feet ; a machine shed 18 by 40 ; double com crib, 18 by 22, with an eight-foot driveway; a stave silo, 14 by 31, and a hog house 13 by 30 feet. In addition to this farm he also owns a half section of farm land in Geraldine, Mont., which is partly improved and which he rents out, making a yearly trip there. He is a stockholder in the Honey Creamery at Bee, this county, also in the Spring Grove Hospital and Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co. Mr. Selland has never married, his mother and sister keeping house for him. In politics he votes for the man rather than with the party, and religiously he is a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church at Wilmington.

Nels Sellandy who founded the farm in Wilmington township now operated by his son Gilbert, was bom in Hardanger, Norway, and came to Houston county, Minnesota, at an early day, settling in Wilmington township. Here he met and married Mrs. Guri Leveson, the widow of Ole Leveson. Two weeks after his marriage he enlisted for service in the Civil War, serving for 14 months or until the end of the great struggle. Then returning home he bought 160 acres of wild land in section 35, Wilmington township, eight miles southeast of the present village of Spring Grove, and set to work to develop a farm. He was a strong man, over six feet in height, and a good worker. His first dwelling was a small log stmcture, which he built and in which he resided until 1886, when he built the house now standing on the farm, consisting of a story and a half upright, with wings of one story. He also built a granary, his bams being hay and straw pole sheds for his cattle and teams. Aided by his wife and children, he grubbed and cleared the land well and succeeded at last in developing a good farm, on which he resided until his death, March 18, 1912, at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 12 days. His wife, who still resides on the old homestead, has attained the age of 87 years. They had six children : Olaus ; Dorothy, now Mrs. Glaus Nelson of Wilmington township ; Gustave, a farmer in Windmere, N. D. ; Gilbert, residing on and operating the home farm ; Helen, now Mrs. Nels Of tedahl, her husband being a farmer in Twin Valleys, Minn. ; and Nicolai, who is deceased.

Edwin F. Luehr, proprietor of a model farm in Wilmington township, near the Iowa state line, was bom in this township, August 3, 1888, son of Henry and Louisa (Deters) Luehr, his parents being prosperous farmers of German origin. His education was continued in the district school up to the age of 18 years, after which he pursued a business course at Charles City, Iowa, and when about twenty attended the Minnesota State Agricultural College for a short term. Up to 1913 he worked with his father on the home farm, and then, in the spring of that year, rented of his father the farm he now resides on, which he purchased in the spring of 1914. Of its total area of 220 acres, 160 acres are in section 33 and the other 60 in section 34, the land being all improved. He has also added 5614 acres near by, having an area of 276V2 acres. The buildings are also substantial and of modem type, and include a good frame house of eight rooms, consisting of a two story upright and two wings ; a frame barn, 30 by 50 by 16 feet, resting on a full nine-foot stone basement, and with a lean-to, 24 by 30 feet, for cattle; a hog house, 20 by 70, with cement floor; a com crib, 6 by 70, with cement troughs and feeding floor in front; also granary, carpenter and blacksmith shop, poultry house, ice house, machine shed, well house, silo and garage. He has fine wells, the water being raised by pumps to an elevated reservoir, so has running water through the house, to which he has added a summer kitchen with a modem laundry in the basement. He can also pipe water to all his buildings. His equipment is also very complete and includes a traction engine. Mr. Luehr does diversified farming, including stock raising and dairying. He breeds full blooded Roan Shorthom cattle and Poland-China hogs, and is doing an excellent business both as a grain and stock raiser. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Luehr married Selma Bunge, daughter of Christian and Dorothy (Weneke) Bunge, her father being a merchant and farmer of Eitzen. She was bom Sept. 12, 1889, and was educated in the common school of Eitzen, and the State Normal School at Winona, also taking a commercial course, subsequent to which she worked several years as clerk in her father's store at Eitzen. They are members of the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Luehr have one child, Lowell, who was bom April 11, 1916.