Jackson County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 2 of 13)

The father of our subject was John Benson, a Methodist minister, who was bom on the island of Martha's Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. He located in Maine in an early day, and prior to 1852, when he moved to Minnesota, had no permanent location^ being located in different towns where his duties as minister called him. Coming to Minnesota in 1852, he located a claim on land that had been ceded to the government by Little Crow. Thereafter until his death in October, 1889, he was a resident of Minnesota. Our subject's mother was Margaret (Moore) Benson, who was born near Madison, Maine, and who was the daughter of Goff Moore and Betsy Moore. She died in Minneapolis in October, 1906, at the age of 91 years.

To these parents John W. Benson was born at Dixmont, Maine, on the 15th day of March, 1849. He accompanied his parents to Minnesota in 1852 and lived on the claim in Dakota county five years. The next two years were spent in Red Wing, and from then until he arrived in Jackson county he resided on his father's farms in Goodhue and Dakota counties. During the month of July, 1872, Mr. Benson arrived in the little hamlet of Heron Lake and engaged in the mercantile and grain business and in farming. In September, 1892, he organized the Peoples State Bank, of which he was president, and when that was reorganized into the First National Bank he continued to hold the chief office. As the country developed and his capital increased Mr. Benson engaged in other lines of business until today he has interests as above mentioned.

In Rice county, Minnesota, March 22, 1877, Mr. Benson was married to Hattie M. Cabot, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and Mary (Partridge) Cabot. She came to Minnesota with her parents in 1857^ the family first locating in Goodhue county and later in Murray county. Mrs. Cabot died in Murray county; Mr. Cabot in Heron Lake in December, 1897.

Five children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Benson. They are Elsie, wife of Prof. H. S. Kirk of the Heron Lake schools; Lois Benson, who resides at home; Frances (Mrs. C. A. Kirby), of Kansas City, Kansas; Paul, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Heron Lake; John C.^ a student at Hamline university.

Mr. Benson is a member of the Methodist church. He served as treasurer of the board of education for a number of years. Mr. Benson's sister, Mrs. F. M. Southwick, who is interested with her brother in the many enterprises, came to Jackson county with her brother in 1872 and homesteaded in Alba township.

THOMAS J. KNOX (1872). There is, perhaps, no man in Jackson county who is better known within the county and in the state at large than is Thomas J. Knox, attorney at law of Jackson. He has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in that village for the last thirty- seven years, and as a law^'er has gained a state- wide reputation. During this long period of residence here lie has taken an active and prominent part in the political, social and business life of the county and is one of its most honored citizens.

T. J. Knox is a Pennsylvanian by birth and a descendant of revolutionary stock, his ancestors having come originally from Scotland and England. The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Knox, was born September 27j 1767, and died March 10, 1834. He was a member of the Colonial army during the greater part of the struggle for independence, and was a tanner by trade, and followed that occupation from the close of the* war until his death, having built and operated the first tannery built in Covington, Pennsylvania. His wife, Ann Knox, was bom November 23, 1764, and died Jime 21, 1808. The maternal grandfather of T. J. Knox, Royal Cole, was also a veteran of the revolutionary war, as well as the war of 1812. His home was in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

The parents of our subject were George and Ruth (Cole) Knox. The former was bom in Pennsylvania December 22, 1805, and was a tanner by trade. In the spring of 1854 he moved with his family to Wisconsin, locating on a tarm near Geneva, and from that time engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the autumn of 1855 he became a resident of Fillmore county, Minnesota, preempting a claim in Bristol township. There he lived until after the close of the war, when he moved to Mower county. He died in that county November 11, 1867. His wife, Ruth (Cole) Knox, also died in Minnesota.

To these parents at Covington, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on February 16, 1846, Thomas J. Knox was born. ^ At the age of eight years, in the spring of 1854, he accompanied his parents to the new home in Walworth county, Wisconsin, and in the fall of the following year to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he grew to manhood on a farm. His early school privileges were limited, but he was naturally studious and had access to a good library in his father's home. Thus his education was obtained largely under the parental roof, supplemented by a year's attendance at a private academy.

Thomas J. Knox

fession and in 1868 began reading law in the office of C. T. Benedict, of Rochester, Minnesota. The next year he became a student in the office of Stearns & Start, both members of which firm have become prominent in the affairs of the nation, the former as United States senator, the latter as chief justice of the supreme court of Minnesota. Mr. Knox was admitted to practice before the state courts on October 14, 1871, and before the United States courts on December 12, 1876. For four months after his admission to the bar Mr. Knox remained in the office of Stearns & Start, and then decided to seek a location in Dakota territory.

In the month of November, 1872, Mr. Knox set out for the western country, but was caught in the great blizzard that swept over the country on the twelfth of that month, becoming snow-bound in the new village of Windom, Cottonwood county. The roads were blockaded and it was impossible to proceed farther. Mr. Knox decided to visit the village of Jackson, which was then connected with Windom by a stage line, and from thence to return home, giving up his western trip for the season. At Jackson he met some friends of former years who urged him to locate in that frontier village. This he decide<l to do and became a permanent resident of the village and county on November 17, 1872. He at once opened a law office and ever since has been engaged in the practice of his profession in that village.

The terrible grasshopper scourge came upon tlie country the year following the location of the young attorney in Jackson county and for several years Mr. Knox had a severe struggle to maintain his position during the early years of his practice; but by perseverance and close attention to business he eventually succeeded in building up a lucrative clientage. He is gifted by nature with a good delivery, is a fluent and forcible speaker, and his services ns a public speaker are frequently in demand. In 1900 Mr. Knox admitted Mr. F. B. Faber ns a partner in the law business and that gentleman has since been associated with Mr. Knox. In January, 1903, John C. Knox, a son of the senior member of the firm, became a member of the firm which then became Knox, Faber & Knox, which it remained until the death of the junior partner on June 10, 1904.

During his long residence in the county Mr. Knox has been called upon to serve in responsible positions on several occasions. He was appointed judge of probate by the governor in June, 1874, to complete an unexpired term; served as county superintendent of schools from 1880 to 1886, inclusive; and was county attorney from 1887 to 1890, inclusive. He became a member of the Minnesota state board of examiners in law by appointment in May, 1891, and served in that capacity until 1900, when he resigned. In 1900 he was appointed a member of the board of state railway commissioners. Mr. Knox was appoiiitcd in May, 1901, by the state supreme court as one of the commission to revise and codify the general laws of the state of Minnesota and he was occupied with these duties until April, 1905.

On September 3, 1877, Mr. Knox was united in maiTiage to Miss Jane Cowing, a native of Adams county, Wisconsin^ and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Davidson) Cowing, pioneer residents of Jackson. To Mr. and Mrs. Knox have been born the following named children: Elizabeth, born September 23, 1878, died January 27, 1879; John Cowing, born January 7, 1880, died June 10, 1904; Ruth, born June 6, 1884; Thomas Start, born September 19, 1888.

CLARK A. WOOD (1872), ex- sheriff of Jackson county and ex -postmaster of Heron Lake, is a resident of thirty -six years standing and now lives a retired life in Heron Lake. He is of English descent, his grandfather having come from the mother country and settled in New York state. Both his parents, Nelson and Elizabeth (St. John) Wood, were natives of the Empire state. The former died there in 1878; the latter moved to Jackson county a few vears after the death of her husband and made her home with her son until her death in 1900.

Clark Wood was born in Schoharie county, New York, October 25, 1843, and made his home with his parents until 1866. During the civil war he served twenty- two months as a member of company B, Sixth New York heavy artillery. After his discharge from the army Mr. Wood engaged in farming one year in Rensselaer county. New York. Then he and a brother, Louis C. Wood, engaged in the coal and lumber business at Stillwater, New York, for five years. He came west in 1872 and has ever since that date been a resident of Jackson county. He took as a homestead claim the northwest quarter of section 10, Alba township^ and resided there until 1875, engaged in farming for a few years and in the hotel business in Heron Lake for a time.

After leaving the farm in 1875, Mr. Wood located in Heron Lake, and that village has since been his home. He has taken part in county affairs and has several times been called upon to serve in an official capacity. He was the first justice of the peace chosen in Alba township, and when the village of Heron Lake was incorporated he was chosen to serve as the first president of the council. He also served on the board of education for several years in the early days. Mr. Wood was elected sheriff in 1884 and was reelected two years later. Again in 1894 he was chosen to the same office and was reelected in 1896, making a total of eight years he served as Jackson county's executive officer. He was appointed postmaster of Heron Lake in 1900 and held the office eight years, retiring from active pursuits at the expiratioin of his last term. Mr. Wood owns a quarter section of land in Aitkin county, Minnesota, and village property. He is a member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges.

In Schoharie county. New York, on the 15th day of April, 1^66, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wood to Lucinda O. Briggs. She died in 1882. As a result of the marriage five children were born, as follows: Nettie J., Bertha M., Frank N., Leroy C. and Hattie 6., all of whom are living. Mr. Wood's second marriage occurred at" Stillwater, Minnesota, December 25, 1884, when he wedded Mary E. Lammers, a native of Taylor's Falls, Minnesota, and a sister of Attorney L. F. Lammers, of Heron Lake. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been bom one child, Mable E.

ALBERT H. STRONG (1870), deputy clerk of the district court of Jackson county, is one of the very early pioneers of the village of Jackson, having made his home in that village nearly forty years. He is a native of Barre, Orleans county. New York, where he was born March 4, 1844, the son of Samuel B. and Susan L. (Gasterline) Strong.

Mr. Strong was educated in an academy at Barre and early in life engaged in teaching as a profession, which he followed in his native county nine years. Li May, 1870, Mr. Strong left home and moved to Jackson, Minnesota, where he was employed to teach the village school. In 1870 he gave up teaching and, in partnership with his brother, M. A. Strong, went into the drug business under the firm name of Strong Bros. In this business he was engaged until 1880. During the next six years after going out of business he was employed as deputy in different county offices, and in 188G was elected clerk of the district court. He served eight years in that office, having been reelected in 1890. He served as deputy county auditor from 1896 to 1900, and in 1902 was appointed a member of the state board of equalization, serving in that capacity two years. He was appointed deputy clerk of the district court in 1907 and has since served in that capacity.

;Mr. Strong owns 320 acres of land in Wisconsin township, one-half mile east of the Jackson depot. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Masonic lodge.

On January 31, 1876, Mr. Strong was married to Lois M. Bobbins. To these parents have been born the following named children: Mary E., born March 6, 1879, died September 16, 1900: Lois Alberta, bom August 14, 1882; Seward D., bom October 20, 1885; Harry W., born June 4, 1888.

J. C. JOHNSON (1869) is one of the well known and successful farmers of Jackson county, having resided here since he was a boy seven years of age. He now resides :n Belmont township.

Mr. Johnson is a native Minnesotan, having been born in Houston county February 13, 1862. He is the son of John E. and Susan (Swanson) Johnson, who now reside on their old homestead in Wisconsin township. The former came from Norway in 1841 and until he became of age lived at Muskego, Wisconsin. He then located in Houston county, Minnesota, where he enlisted in the mounted rangers of Minnesota volunteers and served In the campaigns against the Indians. He took his homestead in Wisconsin township in 1868 and located on the place the next spring. The mother of our subject came from Sweden in 1854.

J. C. Johnson accompanied bis parents to Jackson county in the spring of 1869 and until he was eighteen years of age lived with his parents on the Wisconsin township farm, receiving a common school education and assisting with the farm work. From the time he was eighteen years old until 1886 Mr. Johnston worked at the miller's trade in Jackson and Brownsburg. Then he bought land in Wisconsin township and engaged in farming there until 1901. He then sold out and bought his present farm of 200 acres on sections 28 and 21, Belmont township. He has a well improved farm and has prospered. He engages extensively in the raising of cattle and hogs. Mr. Johnson has stock in the Belmont Creamery company and in the Farmers Cooperative Store comiMiny of Lakefield. He has held township and school offices during nearly all the time since he became of age. He is a member of the Lutheran church and of the M. W. A. lodge of Jackson, No. 1069.

Mr. Johnson was married January 10, 1885, to Sina Larson, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin and a daughter of Nels Larson. Her father took as a homestead claim the farm now owned by !Mr. Johnson in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born the following named children: Nellard, born February 9, 1886; Millie S., bom April 6, 1888, Albert M., born August 23, 1889; Sibyl J., bom March 1, 1891; Louis E., born December 8, 1892; Benton H., bom November 20, 1894, died November 28, 1894; Charles B., bora October 27, 1896; Robert W., born September 20, 1898; Julius K., born December 30, 1899; Susan A., bora May 7, 1901; Allen F., born April 19, 1903.

LARS 0. TEIGEN (1879), ex-member of the Minnesota house of representatives from Jackson county and a prominent farmer and business man, resides on the Des Moines river a short distance above Jackson. He is an early day resident of the county, having resided here over thirty years, and one of its best known citizens.

Mr. Teigen is a native of Norway and was born November 27, 1864. His parents, Ole and Bertha (Brakke) Teigen, came to the United States from Norway in 1868, lived in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, eleven years, and came to Jackson county in 1879, settling upon the farm now owned by their youngest son - one of the old farms of the county. The United States patent to this farm is signed by President Andrew Johnson and was given under the provisions of the soldiers' bounty act to Charlotte E. Bump, a minor child of Liberty Wood, a private in the Vermont militia during the war of 1812. The patent was assigned to John Olson, and in 1868 the land came into possession of a Mr. Rassmussen, from whom Mr. Teigen secured title. Ole Teigen lived on this farm on section 11, Des Moines township, until the spring of 1905; then he moved to Jackson and died in that village March 25, 1906, aged seventy-two years and one day. His wife lives in Jackson at the age of seventy-five years. Lars is one of a family of nine childi'en, of whom six are living. They are Lars, Julia, Bessie, Martin, Anton and Emma.

Lars accompanied his parents to America when four years of age, lived with the family in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, imtil May 19, 1879, which was the date of their arrival to Jackson county. Until he reached his majority Mr. Teigen resided on the home farm in Des Moines township, assisting with the farm work and attending school. At the ago of twenty he engaged in teaching school in the country districts and made that his exclusive occupation until he was twenty-six, making his home on the farm. He married in 1891 and located upon a farm on section 32, Enterprise township, which he bought at that time, and upon which he lived until the death of his wife on July 24, 1898. During this period of residence Mr. Teigen taught school four years besides carrying on his farming operations. After the death of his wife he broke up housekeeping and lived one year with his parents. Then he built his present home on the northwest quarter of section 11, Des Moines township, which he has since occupied. Mr. Teigen's real estate holdings include his tract of fifty acres on section 11, forty acres on section 1, Des Moines, and two hundred acres on section- 32, Enterprise.

Besides his farming Mr. Teigen is interestecl in several other business enterprises. He was one of the chief promoters of the Farmers Cooperative association of Jackson, an organization effected for the purpose of dealing in grain, live stock, etc. He drafted the articles of incorporation and the by-laws and was made secretary of the company. He has been the secretary and manager of the Belmont

In a political way Mr. Teigen has often been called upon to serve bis people. In 1904 he was elected a member of the Minnesota legislature from Jackson county on the. republican ticket and served one term. He introduced the original resolution providing for the establishment of a harvester factory at the state prison and his resolution was adopted. He served as chairman of the joint committee which considered the proposition and upon whose report favorable action was taken by the legislature. Mr. Teigen, while a member of the house, gained the reputation of voting more "noes" than any other member of the body that session. In his township Mr. Teigen has often been called upon to serve in an official capacity.

Mr. Teigen has been married twice. His first marriage occurred in Jackson county May 24, 1891, when he wedded Tilda Olson, a daughter of the late Simon Olson. She died July 29, 1898. As a result of this marriage four children were born, as follows: Bertha, born April 14, 1892, died September 8, 1895; Oscar S., born November 17, 1893; Bertha M., born August 4, 1895; Albert E., born March 16, 1898. The second marriage of Mr. Teigen occurred in Jackson county June 2, 1903, when he wedded Emma Roe, daughter of Anders and Elsie Roe, who came to the county in 1868. Two children have been born to this union: Elsie T., born March 12, 1904; Andrew L., bom August 5, 1906.

LEONARD F. ASHLEY (1860), who owns and conducts a farm just south of the corporate limits of the village of Jackson, has made his home on that farm since he was thirteen years of age. His parents were Leonard and Mary Jane (Wilbur) Ashley, both natives of Pennsylvania and both deceased. In the year 1853 these parents started from their Pennsylvania home for Illinois, where they intended to make their future home, a homestead claim having been previously entered through a brother, Frank Ashley. While traveling through Michigan, enroute to their new home, Mr. Ashley died. Mrs. Ashley continued the journey and made her home on the homestead, upon which her brother-in-law was living.

On this homestead, near the town of Peoria, Illinois, on June 19, 1853, Leonard Ashley, of this sketch, was born. When he was six months old his mother returned to her old home in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and there Leonard lived until the fall of 1866. On the second day of October, 1866, he and his mother arrived in Jackson county to make their future home, an uncle of our subject, Welch Ashley, having preceded them six months. For a couple of years he attended school - the first season in the school taught by Mrs. B. H. Johnson at the home of her husband, a log building on the east side of the river.

In 1868 Leonard began working on the farm of his step-father, Isaac Wheeler, his mother having remarried. This farm is the one now owned by Mr. Ashley and is on the southeast quarter of section 26, Des Moines township. When Mr. Wheeler became too feeble to care for the farm Leonard took the management and conducted it on shares. Before he had yet reached his majority Leonard purchased a forty acre tract of the 240 acres of the original farm, and upon the death of his mother he became the owner of the rest of the home place, except 80 acres which had been sold.

Mr. Ashley was married in Jackson January 13, 1879, to Mary Thomas who, with one exception, is the oldest living settler of the county. She is the daughter of the late Joseph and Jane Thomas, who became residents of the county in 1858. Mrs. Ashley was bom in Montague, Sussex county, New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have been bom tlie following children: Louis W., Leslie N., Solon, who died at the a^e of nineteen years; Henry, Allison, Mary, Arthur, who died at the age of eleven months.

ROBERT H. WADE (1871). Among the earliest settlers of Kimball township is Robert H. Wade, who has lived on his present farm thirty-nine years. He is not only a pioneer of Jackson county, but of Minnesota as well, having come to Minnesota in territorial days and having fought in the union army with a Minnesota regiment.

Robert H. Wade is a son of David anil Johanna (Wade) Wade, both natives of New Jersey. They came west in 1854 and died at Trempealeau, Wisconsin. There are four living children of this family - ^William T., of Sumner,

The subject of this biography was bom in Essex county, New Jersey, May 18, 1830. There he lived until tweuty-four years of age, learning the carpenter's trade and following that occupation during his residence there. In 1854 he moved to Johnstown, Wisconsin, and two years later located in Dakota county, Minnesota territory, where he worked at his trade until 1871. On March 1, 1864, Mr. Wade enlisted in the Third Minnesota light artillery and served until February 27, 1866.

After the war Mr. Wade located at Shakopee, Scott county, where he followed carpentering until he came to Jackson county in 1871. Arriving in this then new country, he took as a homestead claim the northeast quarter of section 24, Kimball, township, and as a tree claim the southeast quarter of the same section, and tliat farm has been his home ever since. Very hard times were encountered during the great grasshopper scourge, and during a part of this time Mr. Wade was obliged to be at Shakopce, working at his trade. For a number of years after coming to the county he worked at his trade as well as engaging in farming, and many of the buildings in the neighborhood in Kimball township and Martin county were erected by him. For his own home Mr. Wade hauled the lumber from Shakopee and erected a 14x16 foot building with a lean-to.

During his long residence in the coimty Mr. Wade has always been held in high esteem, and he has often been called upon to hold offices of trust. He served on the jury during the years from 1875 to 1879, inclusive, and has soen jury duty before every judge holding court in the county. He took the government census of Kimball, Belmont and Enterprise townships in 1880, the state census of 1885, the government census of 1890 and the state census of 1895. He served as chairman of the Kimball board of township supervisors five years, was township treasurer one year, justice of the peace twenty years and was clerk of his school district from the second year after its organization until a few years ago. He is a member of the society of Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, of the John A. Myers Post No. 60, G. A. R., of Jackson, and of the Presbyterian church of the same village.

Robert H. Wade was married at Newport, Minnesota, in October, 1859, to Hannah Parker, who was bom near Rutland, Vermont, April 29, 1829. She died May 26, 1897. To them were born three children, as follows: Charles H., William F. and Frank H.

The last named has charge of his father's farm. He is married to Mary A. Allen, a native of Minnesota, and they have seven children: Sylvia M., Lucy A., Mabel A., Henry A., Susan H., Frank H., and Helen E.

JOHN P. BRAKKE (1871) - spelled in Norwegian would be Johannes Pedersen Brakke - is one of the oldest settlers of Delafield township and is one of the precinct's most successful and best known farmers. He came with the vanguard of those who pushed out into the frontier country, when a young man just coming of age, and he has seen Jackson county develop from a wilderness into the fine farming country it is today.

John P. Brakke was born in Ringsakers parish, Hedemarkens, Norway, March 22, 1850. His parents were Peder Johanesen Brakke and Anne (Svendsdatter Olesveen) Brakke. His father, who was a carpenter and farmer, was born in the same place as was his son November 10, 1824, came to America in 1866 and located at Houston, Minnesota. He came to Jackson county in 1872 and located in Heron Lake township, but made his home with his son in Delafield most of the time until his death, which occurred June 7, 1879. The mother of our subject was l)orn early in the year 1829, was married to Peder Brakke in Norway and died in her native land January 9, 1908.

Until he was seventeen years of age Mr. Brakke lived in his native land. At the age of twelve years he began working at the cabinet making and carpenter trades, which he followed in Norway until his arrival to America in 1867. Coming to the new world, he located at Houston, Minnesota, and there he worked at his trade until the spring of 1871. At that time he was twenty-one years of age and took a fancy to locate in some frontier section of tlie country and grow up with it. His father had visited Jackson county so early as 1868 and was pleased with the country, although he did not locate here at that time. His report on the country to the west decided young Brakke to visit the county. He did so, and on March 20, 1871, set foot on the

Boil of Jackson county for the first time. Two days later, on his twenty-first birthday, he made filing on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 32, Delafield township, as a homestead claim.

When he arrived in the county he had practically nothing in the way of property or money, but he set to work with a will to make his fortune. He at once erected a frame house, 12x14 feet with eight foot posts, and engaged in farming on a small scale. When the grasshoppers came in 1873 Mr. Brakke was obliged to temporarily desert his claim, and from that date until 1878 he worked at his trade in Houston county. He returned to his Jackson county home in the spring of 1878 and again engaged in farming.

In 1889 Mr. Brakke received the appointment as a deputy state weighmaster, imder the first administration of Governor Merriam, and he held the office eleven years, serving imder Governors Merriam, Nelson, Clough and Lind. During these years he resided in Minneapolis, his family remaining on the farm. Returning to the farm in 1901, he again took up the duties of an agriculturalist. He now owns 360 acres of laud in one body and has one of the finest homes in the neighborhood, his grove being one of exceptional merit. The grove was started in 1878. In the summer of 1909 - thirty-one years later - Mr. Brakke sawed 10,000 feet of cotton wood, maple and ash lumber from it, without apparently diminishing the grove.

Besides his other accomplishments, Mr. Brakke is a violin maker of more than a local reputation. W)ien he was a boy in the old country he engaged in violin making as a recreation. When he came to America at the Age of seventeen he gave up the work, but when forty -seven years of age he again took it up and has spent odd moments at the work ever since. He has a number of the instruments on hand, all the work of his handicraft. Many of the instruments have been decorated by his daughter.

Besides holding the state office for eleven years, Mr. Brakke has held many minor offices. He was chairman of the board of supervisors of Delafield township three years, was township assessor three years, was township clerk nine years and he has held the office of clerk of school district No. 29 for many years. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. lodge. Mr. Brakke was married at Blackhammer,

Houston county, Minnesota, March 24, 1878, to Mari Guttormson Tyribakken, who was bom in Houston county December 26, 1857. She is the daughter of Knudt Guttormson Tyribakken, who was one of the early settlers of Houston county, locating there in 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Brakke have been bom the following children: Albert Marius, bom May 22, 1880; Anna Elisa, born April 4, 1882; Clara, born October 30, 1883; Peander Cornelius, born October 10, 1885; Gustav, bom January 8, 1888.

MARSHAL B. DUNN (1867), who is engaged in the machine and engine business at Jackson, is one of the pioneers of Jackson county, having resided here since he was ten years of age. Mr.. Dunn was bom in Bangor, Maine, September 29, 1857, the son of James W. and Elizabeth M. (Seeley) Dunn, pioneers of Minnesota.

Our subject moved to Minnesota with his parents in 1860 and for two years lived on a claim in Meeker county. The father enlisted in the union army in September, 1861, being first sergeant of company B, Fourth Minnesota volunteers. He was wounded in the battle of luka, Mississippi, by a bullet in the leg, which he carried until his death. In 1862, while the head of the family was in the army, Mrs. Dunn took her three children and sought refuge in Fort Rldgely and was present during the attack on that fort. Her name appears on the monument erected in memory of the defenders of the fort. In the fall of 1862 the family moved to St. Paul, and there Marshal B. Dunn lived until he came to Jackson county. He accompanied the family to this county, arriving June 6, 1867, and grew to manhood on the farm in Petersburg township.

Mr. Dunn was made deputy sheriff of Jackson county in 1894 and served in that capacity four years. He was elected sheriff in 1898 and held the office eight years. He has been deputy game warden at large the past two years, and is village constable. He owns 160 acres of land in Petersburg township, eighty acres in Minneota and village property. He is a member of the K. P., I. O. 0. F., M. B. A. and M. W. A. lodges.

Elizabeth L., born in Jackson county October 10, 1886; Ney M., born July 23, 1888, died June 16, 1908; Donald S., born November 3, 1893; Kenneth S., born May 3, 1895. Mr. Dunn and family are members of the Presbyterian church. The son, Ney M., was captain of the state university football team at the time of his death.

ERICK KILEN (1867), in partnership with his brother, John Kilen, owns and farms 240 acres of land on sections 16, 21 and 20, on the west side of the river in Belmont township, where he has spent nearly his entire life. His parents were Erick R. and Johanna Kilen They were bom in Norway, came to America in the early sixties, lived in Wisconsin a short time, in Fillmore county, Minnesota, several years and came to Jackson county in 1867. They took a homestead claim in Belmont township, where they resided until their death, he dying in 1897 and she four years later. There were thirteen children in the family, of whom six boys and two girls are living.

It was while the family were living in Fillmore county, on the second day of September, 1864, that Erick Kilen was bom. When three years old, in 1867, he accompanied the family to Jackson county, and Belmont township has been his home ever since. He worked for his father on the farm until the latter's death in 1897; then he and his brother, John, conducted the home place for their mother until her death four years later. After the death of their mother Erick and John bought the entire real estate holdings of the family and have since farmed in partnership. Besides his farming interests Mr. Kilen has interests in the Lakefield-Belmont Telephone company, in the Jackson Telephone company and in the Belmont Creamery company. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Mr. Kilen was married in Des Moines town- Bhip June 13, 1891, to Betsey Teigen, a native of Blue Earth coimty, Minnesota, and a daughter of Ole Teigen, one of the pioneer settlers of Jackson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kilen have been bom four children, as follows: Peter, born March 29, 1892; Clara, born March 12, 1894; Edwin, bom December 15, 1896; Ole, bora October 7, 1902.

Mr. Vogt was born on board ship on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were on their way from Mecklenberg, Germany, to America. The date of his birth was September 17, 1854. His father was Peter Vogt, who died in Missouri fourteen years ago; his mother, Annie (Schuldt) Vogt, lives in Missouri.

Upon their arrival to the new world the family located near Toledo, Ohio, where they lived eight years, and then resided in Monroe county, Michigan, until they came to Jackson county in 1872. Peter was brought up on a farm and had only meager educational advantages. He accompanied his parents to Minnesota, arriving during the month of September, 1872. The family spent the winter of 1872-73 in the village of Hersey (now Brewster), then just founded, and in the spring moved onto a farm on section eight. Alba township, which the elder Vogt took as a preemption claim. This farm is now owned by our subject.

Until he was twenty-eight years of age Peter lived at home and worked for his father. During the grasshopper scourge the family experienced very hard times and our subject was obliged to work on the section part of the time to earn money to support the family, the father being a cripple. At the age of twenty - eight years Mr. Vogt married and engaged in farming and has prospered.

Mr. Vogt was married in Alba township January 12, 1882, to Matilda Toball, who was bom in Prussia June 3, 1866. To this union have been bom the following four children: Emma, bom March 18, 1885; Lydia, bom Febmary 6, 1887; Theodore, born May 24, 1889; Ernest, born July 28, 1900. The family are members of the German Lutheran church of Brewster. Mr. Vogt served two years as a member of the board of supervisors of Alba township and he served as a director of school district No. 86 for sixteen years, giving up the office in July, 1909.

ANDREW C. SERUM (1873), builder of con- Crete structures^ of Jackson, is an early day settler of the county and one who has taken an active part in the affairs of the county. He was bom in Norway September 28, 1845. His parents. Christian Hermansen Serum and Mar- tha (Johnson) Serum, came to America in 1862, the year after their son arrived, but returned after one year's residence here and died in their native land.

Andrew lived with his parents in Norway until he was past sixteen years of age and then, in 1861, came to America. Locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, he worked on a farm during two summers and then went to Madison, where he secured employment in a drug store for nine months. He then w^ent to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he lived until the spring of 1873. During those years he was engaged in various occupations. For three years he was on the police fbrce of Red Wing, and for a time was engaged in buying grain.

Mr. Serum came to Jackson county in 1873 and for the first year made his home in Heron Lake. He then took a homestead in West Heron Lake township and upon tliat place he lived eight years. Selling his farm at the end of that time, he moved to Jackson, and that village has since been his home. He was employed as register of deeds of the county from 1882 to 1889 and after that went into the abstract business, which he was engaged in until 1907, when he sold out on account of poor health. Since the last named date he has been engaged in the concrete business.

Mr. Serum has held office during many years of his residence in the county. During the time he was living in West Heron Lake township he served as township clerk and justice of the peace. He was elected sheriff in 1873 and served two years. It was during his incumbency that the grasshoppers came, and the first year of his term the office fees amounted to only $90, and of these he collected only $75. He was elected county commissioner from the third district in 1875 and served three years. Of this time he was chairman of the board from January to July, 1877, and during the year 1878. He was elected register of deeds in 1881 and was reelected in 1883 and 1886. Mr. Serum owns two Jackson county farms, one in Belmont township and one in Des Moines township. He is a member of the Episcopal church and of the Odd Fellows and Workmen lodges.

Mr. Serum has been married three times. His first wife was Maren Severson and his second Rikke Severson. On December 3, 1883, he was married to Helona Brakke. To them have been born the following children: Philip, Marie, Mark and Reuben.

TROND O. TRONDSON (1869) has Uved on his present farm on the south bank of Heron lake, on the southwest quarter of section 30, Heron L&ke townships for the past forty years, and he is one of the oldest settlers of the township. In addition to the quarter section upon which he lives he owns a half of section 25, West Heron Lake township, and is one of the big farmers of the community.

Mr. Trondson is a Norwegian by birth, and first saw the light of day August 1, 1853. His parents were Ole and Carrie (Olson) Trondson, whom he accompanied to America in 1865. After a residence of four years in Allamakee county, Iowa, the family decided to push on still farther west, and in 1869, accompanied by four other families, a journey to Canton, Dakota territory, was begun. When Swan lake, Iowa, was reached Mr. Trondson, the elder, died, and the trip to Dakota was abandoned. The other families of the party settled in the vicinity of Estherville, while Mrs. Trondson and her family came north into Jackson county. She bought from a Mr. Cleveland a homestead right to the southwest quarter of section 30, Heron Lake township, and there she established her family home. For eighteen years their only habitation was a sod shanty, which stood where Mr. Trondson's home is now.

Mr. Trondson's mother died eleven years ago in Campbell county. South Dakota, where she had made her home with a son. In the eariy seventies Mr. Trondson homesteaded a tract of land nearby, and later he acquired his mother's homestead. Ever since locating in the county in 1869 his home has been on section 30. He added the tract in West Heron Lake by purchase about 1893.

The first marriage of Mr. Trondson occurred in Heron Lake township January 6, 1879, when he wedded Helena Rongstad, who was born in Norway November 6, 1861, and who was the daughter of Andrew Rongstad. As a result of this union the following children were born: Clara, bom April 7, 1881; Albert, born May 10, 1883; Theodore, bom October 20, 1885; Ole, born December 29, 1888, died May 19, 1909. Mr. Trondson's first wife died, and on January 6, 1892, he was united in marriage to Mary Mone, a native of Norway and a daughter of Ole Mone. Mr. and Mrs. Trondson are the parents of nine living children, as follows: Hilda, bom April 15, 1893; Hannah, bom July 27, 1894; Thea, bom

October 16, 1895; Christena, born January G, 1897; Carrie, born January 31, 1899; Constance, born November 11, 1901; William R., born August 1, 1904; Walbag R., born August 1, 1904; Josepli, born December 19, 1906. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Trondson has been treasurer of school district No. 81 since it was organized.

WILLIAM H. GRUHLKE (1869), Petersburg township farmer, is one of the early day settlers of that precinct. He was bom in Waseca, Minnesota, March 21, 1866, the son of August Gruhlko, who died January 8, 1895, and Wilhelmina (Roesler) Gruhlke.

William accompanied his parents to Jackson county in 1869 at the age of three years. His father took as a homestead claim the southwest quarter of section 30, Petersburg township, and our subject has lived upon that land ever since - a period of continuous residence of forty years. When the family located there Mankato was the nearest railroad point and to that point they hauled what grain they had to sell. William received a common school education and assisted with the farm work. After growing to manhood he engaged in farming for himself.

Mr. Gruhlke owns 100 acres of land in Jackson county and a quarter section in Dakota. He has stock in the Petersburg creamery, the Jackson Telephone company, the Middletown Telephone company and in the Jackson Fair association. He served as treasurer of his school district for nine years and is a member of the M. W. A. lodge.

On June 8, 1893, Mr. Gruhlke was married to Hattie Wolflf. They are the parents of four children, bom as follows: Claron, born August 27, 1894; Gordon, born Febmary 20, 1898; Roy, born December 23, 1901; Kermit, born November 3, 1903.

ROBERT A. GRUHLKE (1869), stock buyer and shipper of Jackson, has spent forty years of his life as a resident of Jackson county. He was bom in Marquette county, Wisconsin, October 4, 1858. He is the son of the late August Gruhlke and Wilhelmina C. (Rotfsler) Gruhlke, who resides in Jackson and is 77 years of age.

Both parents were born in Hamburg, Prussia, came to the United States in the early fifties and located in Marquette county, Wisconsin. August Gruhlke engaged in teaching school in the fatherland, and after coming to America engaged in agricultural pursuits and ministerial work, being a German Lutheran minister of the gospel. About 1860 the family moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, and located upon land upon which the town of Waseca was afterwards built. In 1869 they came to Jackson county and the head of the family took as a homestead claim the southwest quarter of section 30, Petersburg township, upon which they lived until 1892. August Gruhlke died in Jackson in 1895 at the age of 76 years. Robert is one of a family of live living children.

The subject of this biography lived with his parents until he was twenty -seven years of age. At that age he married and engaged in farming the home farm six years. He acquired one hundred acres of the home place and later added to the farm by the purchase of 120 acres adjoining. Later still he bought an interest in his wife's father's farm on section 2, Middletown. In 1891 Mr. Gruhlke left the farm and went into the butcher business in Jackson. He conducted a meat market three years, and since that time has been engaged in buying and shipping stock.

Mr. Gruhlke was married in Middletown township on Christmas eve, 1885, io Fannie M. Withers, daughter of the late Walter and Jane E. (Allen) Withers. She was born in Fillmore county> Minnesota, January 28, 1862. To these parents one child has been born, Evelyn Mae, born July 22, 1902. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gruhlke are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Eastern Star lodge. Mr. Gruhlke is a Mason.

ROBERT MITTELSTADT (1870) is one of the very oldest settlers of Rost township, having lived in that precinct ever since he was two and one-half years of age. His parents, Fred and Dorothea Mittelstadt, were bom in Germany. They came to Jackson county with their family in 1870 and took as a homestead claim the northwest quarter of section 18, Rost township. They encountered many hardships in the early days, notably during the grasshopper times, but they stayed with the country and eventually weathered the hard times. For many years they lived in a typical sod house and had a sod barn for their stock. During the memorable winter of 1880-81 their house was entirely covered with snow. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mittelstadt, as follows: William, of Seattle, Washington; Julius, of Heron Lake; Mrs. Tina Trosin, of Heron Lake township; Robert, of this sketch; Minnie Dolly, of Lake Wilson, and Bertha Beyer Kahler, of Ewington township. Fred Mittelstadt died in 1907; his wife still lives on the home place and is 80 years of age.

Robert Mittelstadt was born in Wisconsin November 16, 1867, and accompanied his parents to Jackson county in 1870. He lived on the old homestead until 1896; then he moved onto his own place^ where he has since lived. His fairm consists of 160 acres of land on section 18j and all the improvements on the place were made by him.

Mr. Mittelstadt was married in Rost township on November 30, 1893, to Bertha Schulz, a native of Germany. To them have been bom the following named seven children: Dorothea, born March 4, 1895; Edna, bom September 13, 1896; OleU, born March 20, 1898; Hattie, bom March 9, 1900; Leah, bom May 2, 1903; Edmund, born November 24, 1904; Adolph, born October 1, 1906. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.

EDSON FADER (1872) is a retired farmer living at Lakefield. He was born in Calmar, Winneshiek county, Iowa, February 13, 1857, the son of Ludwig and Jane (McNeil) Fader. One year after his birth the family moved to New Oregon, Iowa, and five years later, in 1863, to Fillmore county, Minnesota.

Edson Fader came to Jackson county with his parents in September, 1872, and for the next six years lived on the farm in Minneota township, nine miles south of Lakefield. He went to the vicinity of Madison, South Dakota, in 1878, took a claim there and resided upon it imtil 1889. Returning to Jackson county that year, he bought a farm in Minneota township and resided in that precinct ten years. We next find Mr, Fader at Wentworth, South Dakota, where he engaged in farming two years. He moved to Polk county, Minnesota, in 1901, farmed two years, and then took up his residence in Lakefield, where he has since resided.

Mr. Fader was often called upon to serve in an official capacity. He was assessor two years, served as a member of the board of supervisors, and was town clerk six years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges. He owns six blocks of land in the southern part of Lakefield village.

Mr. Fader has been married three times. The first was on July 5, 1880, when he wedded Louisa Welch at Jackson. She died May 24, 1890, after having borne six children, named as follows: Vivian V., born July 24, 1881; Vira v., bora April 13, 1883; Cleveland a, bom December 13, 1884; Leland L., bom June 3, 1886; Mabelle, bom March 4, 1888; Maggie, born Deceniber 25, 1889, died August 13, 1890.

His second marriage occurred October 8, 1892, to Sarah Nicely at Evansville, Indiana. To this union four children were bom: Perainna F., bom July 4, 1892; Wahnetta, bom May 30, 1894; Ula, bom June 6, 1896; Ingra, .bora August 9, 1898. Mrs. Fader died December 16, 1901.

JOHN K. BROWN (1879), deceased. Among the men who entered prominently into the business and social life of Jackson mention must be made of John K. Brown, the founder of the first bank in the county.

John K. Brown was bom in Canada in 1827, of Scotch, English and Dutch descent. He lived on a farm until eighteen years of age and then moved to St. Thomas, where for four years he was a salesman in a retail store. He moved to London, Ontario, in 1851 and engaged in the dry goods and millinery business. While a resident of that city he served as a member of the city council. Mr. Brown moved to New York in 1860, was with Arnold, Constable ft company one year, and then entered the freight office of the Rome & Watertown Railroad company. From 1865 to 1870 he was a traveling salesman, with headquarters at Montreal, his territory including parts of both the United States and Canada.

In 1870 Mr. Brown located at LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he entered the general oflice of the Southern Minnesota Railroad company and became assistant paymaster. A little later he entered the land department of the same road and served as land commissioner eight years. When the Southern Minnesota railroad was constructed to Jackson Mr. Brown gave up his position with the railroad company and in 1879 founded the Bank of Jackson, the first bank in the county. He was the head of that institution (later it become the Brown National Bank) until his death, which occurred April 16, 1908.

JOSEPH H. NOURSE (1871) owns a tract of land in the wooded district along the Des Moines river, a short distance up the river from Jackson, where he engages in farming on a small scale, in gardening and wood cutting. He is one of the early residents of the county, having come first when he was a boy ten years of age. He is a native Minnesotan, having been born in Goodhue county January 8, 1861.

Our subject descends from New England stock, his father, William H. Nourse, having been born in Massachusetts and his mother in New York state, her maiden name having been Kosemond C. Stuart. These parents came to Minnesota in 1856 or 1857 and took a preemption claim in Goodhue county. Mr. Nourse, senior, was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted from Red Wing in company F of the Second Minnesota cavalry. The family came to Jackson county in 1871 and Mr. Nourse took a soldier's homestead claim on section 10, Kimball township, where they resided until the ravages of the grasshoppers caused them to leave. Mr. Nourse took his family to Rice county and he later went to Kansas. He died in the soldier's home at Morrow, Indiana, in 1906. There were eight children in the family, of whom the following seven are living: Anna (Mrs. M. B. Dunn), of Jackson; Joseph, of Des Moines township; Lelia (Mrs. S. J. Dunn), of Grant county, Minnesota; Gilbert F., of Jackson; Walter, of Rice county; Zella (Mrs. Charles Swan), of Wood Lake, Minnesota; Mark R., of the Minnesota soldiers' home at Minnehaha, he having been disabled at Porto Rico during the Spanish war.

Joseph lived with his parents in Goodhue county, Minnesota, until June, 1871. Then he accompanied his parents to Jackson county and until the grasshoppers came a few years later he resided on the Kimball township homestead. He accompanied his parents to Rice county and resided there until 1884. That year he again took up his residence in Jackson county, where he has ever since resided. He engaged in farming and dealt in hay for four years; then he married and farmed a rented place two years. The next three years of his life were spent in the village of Jackson, after which he bought a timber lot on section 10, Des Moines township, and since that time he has resided in the country a short distance from Jackson. Several years after locating on his present place he added to his holdings by the purchase of other tracts in the vicinity.

During his residence in the county Mr. Nourse has often been called to serve in an official capacity. He was deputy sheriff under Sheriff M. B. Dunn, has been township clerk for the past five years, was treasurer of school district No. 10 for three years and has held the offices of road overseer and township assessor. He was census enumerator of Des Moines township in 1905. He is a director and secretary of rural telephone line No. 7. Mr. Nourse is a member of the Methodist church. He belongs to the A. 0. U. W. lodge and he and his wife are members of the Degree of Honor lodge.

In Lake Fremont township, Martin county, Minnesota, on November 29, 1888, Mr. Nourse was united in marriage to Flora P. Celley, who was born at Wilton, Maine, December 23, 1864. She is the daughter of John C. and Sarah B. (Hall) Celley, both deceased. Five children have been born to Mr., and Mrs. Nourse, as follows: J. Walter, bom August 30, 1889; Winifred B., born November 21, 1892; Wilma J., bom October 3, 1896; Warren K., bom March 8, 1898; Isabelle W., bora March 14, 1900.

HENRY KNUDSON (1870), exsheriff, county treasurer, and judge of the probate court of Jackson county, who now lives at Heron Ijake, is an early day settler of the county and one who has played an important part in public affairs.

Mr. Knudson was brought up on a farm, having been bom in Nordre (or Northern) Aurdal, Valders, Norway, September 26, 1843. His father was Knud Chestenson Klevegaard (the latter being the farm name), a farmer and tailor by occupation. He was born in Northern Aurdal, Valders, Norway, came to the United States in 1862, lived respectively in Rock, Walworth and Iowa counties, Wisconsin, and in Bellecreek, Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he died in 1870 at the age of o9 years. Our subject's mother was Anna Hendrickson Fuglien (the latter being the farm name). She was also born in Nordre Aurdal, Valders, Norway, and died near Maxonville, Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1854 at the age of 37 years.

Henry is the second of a family of five children, of whom the only one besides himself now living is Ole, whose name has been changed to William Christen. He is the president of a mining corporation of Cripple Creek, Colorado. The deceased children of the family were Christen Knudson, who came to Jackson county in 1870 and resided on his farm near Wilder until his death in 1808; Knud Knudson, who died in 1863 at the age of about twelve years; Anna Knudson, who died in Denver, Colorado, at the age of about 40 years. Besides his full brothers and sisters Mr. Knudson has the following half sisters and brothers by his father's second wife, namely: Esther (Mrs. Ole Tollefson), wife of a prosperous farmer of Arville, North Dakota; Mrs. Mary Erickson, of Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Stark Christy, a farmer of Bellecreek, Goodhue county, Miniiesota; Elias Knudson, doceased, of Mcintosh, Minnesota.

When Henry Knudson was nine years of age he had to go out and make his own living, as his parents were poor. In November, 1861, at Moscow, Iowa county, Wisconsin, he enlisted in the union army, and on December 8 was mustered into company E, Fifteenth Wisconsin infantry, known as the Scandinavian regiment, all being Norwegians from the colonel down. The regiment was in several engagements while he was in it, the principal ones being at the capture of Island No. 10, at Union City, Tennessee, and at Perrysville and Danville, Kentucky. On November 24, 1862, he reenlisted for three years in company K, Fourth United States cavalry, and was transferred thereto by order of tfie war department. The first battle he was in after being transferred was Murfreesboro, or Stone River, Tennessee. He was in a number of engagements ~ in the vicinity of Murfreesboro and one time was cut off from his command by a body of copfed^rat^ cuvalry at Spring Hill,

Mr. Knudson served on General Rosecrans' body guard and was orderly to General Elmer Otis. He was one of twenty picked men of the regiment chosen to charge on twenty con-, federate cavalrymen who were stationed on what is known as Round Top, in Wilson county, Tennessee. In this charge four men were killed and two were taken prisoners. On February 18 and 10 the regiment had an engagement between Auburn and Liberty, Tennessee. During this time Mr. Knudson was acting fm sergeant and led the advance. Wlien about two hundred feet from the enemy he was struck by a rifle ball near the right nipple, the ball passing through the lung^ and coming . out near the spinal column. Being escorted to the rear by two comrades, he was left on the battlefield all night and the next day was taken in an ambulance to Murfreesboro, a distance of about thirty miles, over a rough road. Mr. Knudson was discharged for disability at Louisville, Kentucky, July 18, 1863.

After his discharge from the army Mr. Knudson went back home, near Moscow, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1865 went to Red Wing, Minnesota. There he clerked in a general merchandise store, bought wheat, ran a wareliouse and sold machinery. For a time he was also engaged in farming near Bellecreek, Goodhue county. He came to Jackson county in the spring of 1870 and took a homestead claim on section 10, Weimer township.

On January 10, 1871, Mr. Knudson was appointed deputy sheriff of Jackson county by Sheriff E. Sevatson and at the election that fall he was elected sheriff. He was elected county treasurer in the fall of 1873 and took possession of the office March 4, 1874; he was reelected in the fall of 1875 and served until March, 1878. In the fall of 1874 he was also elected to the office of judge of the probate court and held the two offices for two years.

On the 24th day of December, 1876, Mr. Knudson was united in marriage to Christine Tollefson, of Christiania township. She was born in the town of Belmont on the 3rd day of February, 1861, and was the daughter of Tollef Olson Slaabaken and Ingebor Slaabaken. She was a twin sister of Ole Tollefson, who now lives on a fine large farm near Arville, North Pfikota. During \h^ Indian massacre in August, 1862, Mrs. Tollefson had to carry these twins in the flight from the Indians, Mr. Tollefson being in the army. To Mr. and Mrs. Knudson were born two children: Ida Anna, born March 18, 1870, and Christian Henry, born October 16, 1880. Mrs. Knudson died October 17, 1880, and Christian Henry died August 14, 1882.

In the spring of 1879 Mr. Knudson moved to a farm he owned on the south shore of Heron lake. During his residence there he founded the town of Jackson Center and was appointed postmaster. In 1882 he moved to Lakefield and was appointed postmaster there March 23, 1882, an office which he soon resigned.

The second marriage of Mr. Knudson occurred June 19, 1882, at Lakefield, when he wedded Jennie Olson, daughter of Ole Isakson and Inga Isakson, of Nordre Aurdal, Valders, Norway. Mrs. Knudson was born in the same place as were her parents, the date of her birth being October 6, 1859. She came to the United States in 1880. To these parents have been born two children: Emma D. (Mrs. L. T. Christenson), of Minneapolis, and Christian Oscar, who died September 18, 1889.

In 1886 Mr. Knudson moved to Heron Lake and in the fall of that year was again elected to the office of judge of the probate court, which office he held for the full term of two years. During this time he was also a member of the Heron Lake village council and village justice of the peace, which offices he resigned in 1893 on account of ill health and too much business. Mr. Knudson was the founder, owner and editor of the Southwestern Minnesota Farmer, a monthly publication which he started in 1888. Besides the offices mentioned Mr. Knudson has held at one time or another nearly all the township offices. He has been a notary public and has been engaged in the insurance, real estate and loaning business. On September 1, 1891, he was authorized to act as agent before the department of the interior.

Mr. Knudson went to the Puget sound country for his health in 1893, but returned home to Heron Lake in the latter part of that year. In 1894 he went to California for his health and lived in Los Angeles until 1899. Then he returned to Heron Lake, where he has ever since resided.

JESSE A. PATTERSON (1866), deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers of Jackson county and resided in Petersburg township for forty years. He was bom in Grant county, Indiana, October 30, 1848.

He joined the army when less than fourteen years of age, enlisting as a member of company C, of the 89th Indiana infantry, on August 8, 1862, and serving until his discharge at Mobile, Alabama, July 19, 1865. Six months after leaving the army Mr. Patterson moved from Indiana to Chatfield, Minnesota, and during the summer of 1866 he located in Jackson county. For several years he worked at different occupations. He worked out during the summer seasons, the first year in Fillmore county; he chopped wood at Jackson for Major H. S. Bailey, and he hauled groceries to the new settlement from Winnebago City, which was then the nearest railroad point. For several years he operated a stage between Spirit Lake and Jackson and between Fairmont and Jackson. Mr. Patterson secured a quarter section of land, by homestead, in Petersburg township in 1866 and engaged in farming for many years, his widowed mother and five sisters residing with him. He suffered many hardships incident to the grasshopper period and pioneer days. On one occasion he lost his barn and live stock from the ever-dreaded prairie fire. Mr. Patterson died at his home in Petersburg township January 4, 1906.

On August 8, 1875, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Maggie Jungbauer, who survives her husband and makes her home on the farm in Petersburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were bom two children, as follows: Martin Henry, who died at the age of two years, and Ida May.

ANDERS OPPERUD (1870), deceased, was a pioneer settler and one of the best known farmers of Delafield township, his home being a short distance south of Wilder. He was bom in Norway April 21, 1845, the son of Anders Anderson and Annie Anderson. These parents came to America during the eighties, but soon moved back to their native land and both are now deceased.

Anders came to the United States in 1868 and located in Fayette county, Iowa. After residing there two years he came to Jackson county and took as a homestead claim the southwest quarter of section 18, Delafield township. For two years he and his family lived in a combination sod shanty and dugout, 14x14 feet in size, and his barn was built of straw. Later a small frame building was put up, and in time this was added to, resulting in the present house. Hard times were encountered during the grasshopper times, and Mr. Opperud was obliged to spend the greater part of his time for six years working in the vicinity of Albert Lea, while his wife and mother kept up the farm as best they might. Mrs. Opperud remembers that one year the only crop they harvested was five bushels of wheat and a few potatoes.

Mr. Opperud was a hard worker and a splendid farmer. He prospered and when he died on June 20, 1908, he left his family in comfortable circumstances. During his lifetime he always took an active part in local political and business affairs. For eighteen years he was a member of the Delafield township board and in the early days was identified with the public school of his district, having served on the board. He was one of the directors of the National Bank of Windom. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and was instrumental in the building of the first church erected in Delafield township. For a number of years he served as treasurer of the church society.

Mr. Opperud was married at Elkadcr, Iowa, April 8, 1869, to Johanna Gilbertson, who was born in Norway October 17, 1850, and who came to the United States in 1865. Her parents were Gilbert Bcrge and Gunela (Opperud) Berge. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Opperud, of whom the following named six are living: Josephine (Mrs. Sam Juleson), of Texas; Mrs. Anna Fawcett, of Wilder; Mrs. Hilda Potter, of Springfield, Minnesota; Mrs. Inga Schield, of Fall Creek, Wisconsin; Mrs. Matilda Fuller, of Lamberton, Minnesota; John Arthur Opperud, of Delafield township.

JOHN FREDERICKSON (1879), one of the members and officers of the Lakefield Tile & Drainage company, cement tile manufacturers, has been a resident of Lakefield ever since the founding of the village. He is a native of Norway and was bom September 9, 1846, being the son of Frederick and Mary (Kulungstad) Frederickson.

years of his life in his native land. He was educated in the public schools and later studied the English language under a private tutor. In 1869 he emigrated to America and during the first three years of his residence in the new world lived at several different places, working on the railroad. He spent one month in Madelia and then worked on the Omaha road a short time at IVIankato. Next he took a position with the Milwaukee road, but a little later went to St. Paul and for two years worked for the Northern Pacific. He spent one harvest season working near Hastings, and then again took a position with the Northern Pacific.

In 1872 Mr. Frederickson located in the new town of Windom, where he secured a position in a lumber yard. Later he built a boarding house there, which he conducted several years. While living at Windom he took a homestead claim near Wilder station. On the first day of September, 1879, while the town was being founded, Mr. Frederickson located in Lakefield and that village has ever since been his home. For seven years he was manager of the Colman lumber company's yard and then engaged in the machinery business. He conducted the machinery business alone for ten years, then sold a half interest to Charles M. Gage, and later sold his remaining interest to E. A. Gage. After going out of the machinery business he opened a land office, which he has conducted ever since. In 1908 he formed the Lakefield Tile & Drainage cornpany and began the manufacture of cement tile. The officers of this company are Anders Quivli, president; John Frederickson, secretary; John Grein, treasurer.

The subject of this biography, in partnership with Walter L. Seely, platted the addition to Lakefield known as South Lakefield. He has been a member of the board of education ever since the district was formed. He has served as a member of the village council a number of times, has been president of the council two terms and has served as village treasurer a number of years. He is a member of the Methodist church and of the A. 0. U. W. lodge.

Mr. Frederickson was married at Windom April 12, 1872, to Karen Foslie. To this union have been born the following named children: Fred, bom December 21, 1874; Martin, bom January 21, 1876; Charles W., bora 1877; Ida, born November 17, 1878; Samuel, bom April 18, 1880; Emma, bom Septem*

WILLIAM F. RIDGEWAY (1869), of Des Moines township, is one of the early settlers of Jackson county, having resided here since he was eleven years of age. He owns twentytwo and one- half acres of land on the Des / Moines river a short distance up from Jackson. He does very little general farming but he is a successful chicken raiser and deals in wood.

The father of our subject is Francis J. Ridgeway, who lives in Jackson and is 75 years of age. He was born in Ohio and moved to Indiana when young, where he was married and lived until 1857. That year he settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota. He enlisted in company F, of the Second Minnesota volunteer infantry, served two years in the army and was discharged on account of disability. Later he reenlisted and fought the Sioux Indians in the Black Hills country one year. During one of the Indian campaigns Francis Ridgeway camped at the Joseph Thomas home where Jackson is now located. After his discharge from the army he lived in Goodhue county until 1869. Then he and family came to Jackson county, took a homestead on section 14^ Wisconsin township, and a tree claim on section 10, of the same township, and resided on the farm until 1889. Since then he has resided in Jackson. Francis Ridgeway's first wife, the mother of our subject, was Martlia Jane Druley, who was born in Ohio. She died several years ago at the age of 70 years. Francis Ridgeway later married Mrs. Anna Ridgeway, his brother's widow.

William Ridgeway was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, November 12, 1858. He accompanied the family to Jackson county in 1869, and until he was twenty-one years of age lived on the farm on section 14, Wisconsin township. After his marriage, which occurred in 1879, he farmed four years in Wisconsin township and then moved to Jackson. In 1896 Mr. Ridgeway bought the lamd he now owns on sections 10 and 11, Des Moines, and that has since been his home. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Mercantile company of Jackson. For three years he was treasurer of his school district.

Our subject was married at Mankato, Minnesota, February 15, 1879, to Cora L. Fancher. She was bom in Indiana and died February 20j 1884. One child, Cora, was bom to this union. She was married to William H. Blakeley and died January 22, 1904. Mr. Ridgeway was married the second time to Mary R. Goodwin, who was bom in McKean county, Pennsylvania, and came to Jackson in 1868, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas* Goodwin, of Wilder, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgeway are members of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and Mrs. Ridgeway is also a member of the W. R. C. and R. N. A. orders.

ABRAHAM JOHNSON (1869), deceased, was one of the very early settlers of Heron Lake township. He was bom in Norway January 7, 1830, the son of George and Gro Johnson. He came to America at the age of twenty-four years and settled in Houston county, Minnesota, where he resided until 1869. He served one year in the civil war, enlisting from Chicago in company F, of the twenty-third regiment of Hlinois volunteer infantry.

Mr. Johnson came to Jackson county in 1869 and bought railroad land in Heron Lake township. He lived on that place fourteen years and then bought school land on section 36. West Heron Lake township, upon which he resided, engaged in farming, until his death, which occurred October 4, 1908. At the time of his death he owned 160 acres of land on sections 36 and 25, where he had builded a fine home. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran churcli and for several years was an officer of his school district.

Mr. Johnson was married in Heron Lake township November 1, 1872, to Rachael Timrud, who was bom in Norway November 2, 1852, and came to the United States when eight years of age. Her parents were Ole and Tone Timrud, who settled in Houston county, Minnesota, before the civil war, and who later moved to the Red River valley, where they died. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born five children: Tilda, bom November 20, 1874; Olof, bom July 30, 1877; Gena, bom November 7, 1879; Julius, bom January 10, 1881; Henry, bom March 16, 1887. Mrs. Johnson resides on the home farm, which is managed by her sons, Julius and Henry.

where he owns six acres of land. He wna born in Norway in 1828, came to the United States at the age of twenty-nine years, and located in Houston county, Minnesota. He served one year in the union army during the civil war. He came to Jackson county in 1873 and homesteaded in West Heron Lake township. He engaged in farming until seventeen year« ago, when he retired from active pursuits.

JESSE P. PRESCX)TT (1868), of Heron Lake, is one of Jackson county's pioneers, ha^^ ing resided here nearly forty -two years. He was born in Penobscot county, Maine, June 7, 1840, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Miles) Prescott, The mother of our subject was born at Newport, Maine, December 3, 1804, and was married to Mr. Prescott December 16, 1823. The family moved to Illinois in 1847 and seven years later to Allamakee county, Iowa. There, with the exception of two years spent in California and Oregon, the parents of our subject spent the rest of their lives.

Jesse P. Prescott accompanied his parents from Maine to the west when seven years of age, and he resided with them until the early sixties. In 1861 he engaged in farming, having previously bought land in Allamakee county, Iowa, but a year and a half later enlisted as a member of company A, Thirteenth Iowa infantry, and served until the close of the war. He farmed two years after the war, and in the spring of 1868 moved to Jackson county, taking as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 30, Des Moines township. Mr. Prescott engaged in farming his homestead five years and then located in the village of Heron Lake, where he has since resided, engaged in various occupations.

At Lansing, Allamakee county, Iowa, Mr. Prescott was married in 1861 to Sophronia Topliff. To them were bom four children, as follows: Edah M., born July 5, 1863, died August, 1888; Iva B., born November 10, 1867, married Henry Conrad, died April 3, 1909; Alvah P., bom September 29, 1872, married Lillie Long; Lelah B., bom December 14, 1881, married C. A. Kellam June, 1907. The second marriage of Mr. Prescott occurred at Sibley, Iowa, October 7, 1889, to Mary McNair, a native of Ulster county, New York. One child has been born to this union, Harvey H., born October 14, 1890, a graduate of Mankato college, and now a clerk in the First National Bank of Heron Lake.

MARK D. ASHLEY (1867), proprietor of the Ashley house, Jackson, came to that village with liis parents when less than one year of age and the greater part of his life of forty-two years has been spent there. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1866, son of the late Benjamin W. and Juliet (Robbins) Ashley. The next spring he came with his mother to the site of the future village, his father and grandfather having come out the year before and platted the village.

In the pioneer village Mark grew to manhood. He was educated in the Jackson public schools, completing his studies with a two years' course in the Curtis Business college of ^iinneapolis and Bowers' Shorthand school of the same city. For a number of years after graduation he was employed in different parts of the country. His first position was with (xeorge M. VanLeiiven, pension attorney at Lime Springs, Iowa. Later he went to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he was a clerk in a lumber, mining and milling company's office. His next position was with the C. B. & Q. railroad, holding a clerkship for a time in the offices at Burlington, Iowa, and later being transferred to the offices at Hannibal, Missouri. From this work he returned to the twin cities and for a number of years held clerkships in different offices in St. Paul and Minneapolis, during the last five years of his residence there being cashier for the Lehigh Coal & Iron company.

In 1898 Mr. Ashley returned to Jackson and for three years engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1901 he leased the Ashley house for a term of three years and at the expiration of the lease bought the property and has since conducted the business. The Ashley house is one of the oldest and best known hostelries of southwestern Minnesota. The original Ashley house was built by Benjamin W. Ashley and his father in 1870. It was then a frame building, constructed of native lumber. The Ashley house of today is a handsome brick building, well appointed and modern in every way. Mr. Ashley is the owner of the hotel property and Jackson county farm lands. He has held the office of village recorder and for a number of years was jus-

In Waseca, Minnesota, on May 13, 1903, Mr. Ashley was united in marriage to Miss Dora M. Child, daughter of the Honorable James E. Cliild, of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have beon born two children, Juliet Marcia and Miriam Constance.

OTTO HANSON (1871) is one of the very earliest settlers of Weimer township. He was born in Norway June 12, 1842, the son of Hans Olson and Marian Olson, both of whom died in their native land. Otto is the oldest child in a family of three boys and one girl, all living in the United States. The others are A. C. Hanson, of Mendora, Wisconsin; Matt Vaunebo, of Montana; Hannah Knudson, of Mendora, Wisconsin.

Until he was a young man Otto lived with his parents in his native land. He then took a position on a farm, where he was employed until he came to America at the age of twenty-seven years. He worked on a farm near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, two years and then, in. 1871, came to Jackson county. He took as a tree claim the southwest quarter of section 20, Weimer township, located on the place at once and began its improvement, erecting a little shack, 12x18 feet, in which he lived for several years. He has ever since resided on the place.

Mr. Hanson was married in LaCrosse county, Wisconsin, in December, 1870, to Annie Lorncen, alsa a native of Norway. Three children were bom to this union: Peter, a machinist at Okabena; Anker, a Weimer township farmer; Hans, of Minneapolis. Mr. Hanson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

GILBERT H. GILBERT (1869), farmer and thresher of Petersburg township, is a native of the county, having been bom in Petersburg township August 22, 1869, the son of Hogan and Mary (Olson) Gilbert.

Gilbert lived on the home farm until the simimer of 1892, when he located in Estherville, Iowa. The next summer he went to Sherburn, Minnesota, and took a position as clerk in a general merchandise store. In 1894 he went back to Estherville, remained there about a year, and then went back to Sherburn. After spending eight months in the latter place he returned to Jackson county and for three years made his home on his father's farm. Then in 1898 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 36 and has since lived there. During the last twelve seasons he has been engaged in the threshing business as well as conducting his farm. The first three seasons he operated with horse power; since that time he has had steam power. Mr. Gilbert owns stock in the Petersburg Creamery company and was a member of the board of directors for three years. He also is interested in the store at Petersburg. He was assessor of his township for six years and justice of the peace two years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

On July 6, 1898, Mr. Gilbert was married to Randena Mickelson, of Wallingford, Iowa. To these parents have been born five children: Howard M., bom May 11, 1899; Olof B., born July 31, 1902; Mabel A., bom December 24, 1904; Gilmore R., bom October 1, 1906; Clarence J., born February 28, 1909.

JOHN NESTRUD (1870) is one of the most {)rosperous farmers and an early settler of Heron Lake township, having resided upon his present farm nearly forty years. He owns and farms 320 acres on sections 20 and 21. When he located there in 1870 there was not a building or stick of timber on the place; now he has a fine home, surrounded by a beautiful grove, which was planted in 1877.

Mr. Nestrud is a Norwegian by birth, having been born July 16, 1845, the son of Hans C. and Johanna A. (Whem) Nestrud. John is the youngest of a family of six children born to these parents. His parents came to America in 1869 and made their home with their son until their death, the father dying in 1898, at the age of 89 years, his mother in 1891, at the age of 88 years.

Our subject resided in Norway until he was twenty-three years of age. During this time he attended school and worked on his father's farm and at outside work. He came to America in 1868 and for two years resided in Houston county, Minnesota. He arrived in Jackson county in June, 1870, took as a preemption claim the northeast quarter of section 20, Heron Lake township, and that has ever since been his home. Later he bought the north-

During his long residence in the county Mr. Nestrud has taken an active part in its business, social and political life. He has been justice of the peace of his precinct during nearly all of the time he has resided in the county, was township treasurer eleven years, assessor nine years, township clerk since 1890 with the exception of two and one-half years, and road overseer for many years. He held the office of clerk of school district No. 56 bofore the reorganization of the districts because of the increase of territory of the Lakefield district, and he has been treasurer of district No. 66 for ten or twelve years. Mr. Nestrud owns stock in and is one of the directors of the First National Bank of Lakefield and owns stock in the Farmers Elevator company and the Jackson County Cooperative Store company. He was one of the organizers of the East Heron Lake Creamery company, furnished the plans and specifications for the building and was secretary of the company the first four years of its existence. He is one of the stockholders of the Delafield FarmeriT Insurance company and has held an office in the company since it was organized in 1889.

Mr. Nestrud was married in Jackson coimty June 14, 1873, to Miss Inge Maria Peterson, who was born in Norway December 25, 1857. Her parents are Hans and Pernile (Ameson) Peterson, who reside in Heron Lake township upon land they homesteaded in 1870. Sixteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nestrud, as follows: Hans P., born December 23, 1873, died September 13, 1874; Josephina, bom November 22, 1874; Petria, born December 24, 1875; Hannah C, born April 20, 1877; Helen M., bom May 20, 1878; Adolph, bom October 14, 1881; Olof, bom Febmary, 1883; Julia, bom January 3, 1880; Laura, bom November

11, 1893; Inga, bom January 10, 1896; Jalmar, bom September 29, 1898, died October 5, 1898; Lloyd W., bom June 8, 1901. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Lakefield.

HALECK K. RUE (1871) is treasurer of Jackson county and resides at the county seat. He is a native of Norway and was bom June 21, 1847, the son of Knute and Beckie Rue.

At the age of nine years, in 1856, Mr. Rue emigrated to America with his parents and located with them in Allamakee county, Iowa. There he resided on his father's farm, attending the country schools and assisting with the farm work, until 1871. That year he started out in life for himself and came to Jaqkson county, taking as a homestead claim the northeast quarter of section 30^ Hunter township. There he resided, engaged in farming, until the beginning of the year 1901, when he moved to Jackson to accept the position of county treasurer, to which office he was elected the preceding fall^ and in which capacity he has since served.

In an official capacity Mr. Rue has served many years. He was a member of the board of county commissioners eight years, was chairman of the board of supervisors of Hunter township a number of years, was postmaster at Orr eighteen years, was clerk of school district No. 52 during the entire time of his residence in the district, and has served as country treasurer nine years. He owns 640 acres of land in Hunter township.

Mr. Rue was married in Allamakee county, Iowa, November 18, 1870, to Isabelle Smaby, a native of Wisconsin. To this union were bom the following named children: Hiram C, Benton O., Lensing W., Elmer B., Edith, Milo, Lottie, Mabel, May and Irvin.

HANS O. GILLIE (1878) is one of the well known farmers of Belmont township, his farm consisting of 220 acres on the west half of section 16, where he has resided for the past thirty- two years. He is a native of Norway and was born July 23, 1843, the son of Ole Halverson and Sarah (Thorstenson) Halverson. The former died in Norway at the age of 96 years; the latter aged 50 years. Hans has three brothers and one sister living.

Until he was twenty-four years of age Hans Gillie lived with his parents, working on farm and at the carpenter's trade and serving one year in the army. He came to the United States in 1867, landing in Minneapolis on the nation's birthday. Minneapolis was his home eleven years, during seven years of which time he was employed in a sawmill and during four years of which he was employed as a teamster in a paper mill.

bought forty acres of his present farm in Belmont and engaged in farming. He built a typical "dug-out" in which he lived several years and which is still on the farm. After having lived in this pioneer abode seventeen years, he erected his present fine home. Prosperous times came upon Mr. Gillie and he has added to the dimensions of his farm until he has today a place of 220 acres, all well improved. Besides his farming operations Mr. Gillie has other business interests. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Mercantile company's store of Jackson, of the Belmont Creamery company and of the new elevator company and a telephone line. He has been assessor of his township for twenty-three years and has held several other offices. He was one of those instrumental in the formation of school district No. 89, known as the Gillie school, and for seven or eight years was clerk of the district. Mr. Gillie is a republican and is active in political affairs of his He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Mr. Gillie has been married twice. His first marriage occurred in Minneapolis in 1869, when he wedded Annie Thompson, a native of Norway. She died in June, 1876, after having borne him three children, named as follows: Sarah (Mrs. Louis Anderson), Oscar and Henry, the last named being killed by lightning April 28, 1896, aged 22 years. The second marriage of Mr. Gillie occurred in Jackson county May 1, 1880, when he wedded Louisa Grimsrud, who was born in Norway and who died December 17, 1908, aged 71 years.

OLE SEVERSON HARSTAD (1871) is a homesteader and one of the very early settlers of Christiania township. He was born in Norway July 22, 1831, and spent the first thirty-six years of his life in that country. He received a common school education and learned the mason's trade. Later he engaged in the fishing business and while so employed made trips as far as the Russian coast.

In 1867 Mr. Harstad came with his family to America find located in Minneapolis. There he worked winters building piers and booms, while he engaged in farming during the summer months. In May, 1871, he drove from Minneapolis to Jackson county, being nine days on the road with his yoke of oxen. He took a homestead claim on section 26, Christiania township, upon which he has ever since lived. He owns a farm of 260 acres and has stock in the Jackson Telephone company and in tlie Christiania Mercantile company. He has served as road overseer and as supervisor of his township. He and his family are members of the United Lutheran church.

Mr. Harstad was married in Norway in July, 1858, to Mary Engan, who died in 1900. There are five children^ named as follows: Betsy and S. O. Harstad, who reside on the home farm; Julia (Mrs. Gilbert Sogge), of Christiania township; ^om 0., who for several years has been manager of the Christiania Mercantile company's store; Anna Mabel (Mrs. Peter Schjei), of Christiania township.

S. J. MOE (1878), ex-sheriff of Jackson county, resides at Lakefield, where he has been engaged in the well drilling business for many years. Mr. Moe was bom in Norway April 1, 1850, the son of Jens and Severne (Bronken) Moe.

When our subject was one year of age the family emigrated to America and located in Potter county, Pennsylvania. One year later his mother died and he was adopted into a family by the name of Solburg, with whom he lived until 1867. When S. J. Moe was five years old he moved with his adopted parents from Pennsylvania to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and that was his home imtil 1861. That year another change in residence was made, when the family located in Blue Earth county, sixteen miles west of Mankato, and there he resided until 1867. Jens Moe, our subject's father, had in the meantime been discharged from the army, married again, and located in Blackhawk county, Iowa, and to that place S. J. Moe moved in 1867. There he worked on farms and attended school during the winter months until his father's death, which occurred in 1869. He remained in Blackhawk county one year after his father died, and then, in company with a brother and Geo. Morgan, who now resides in Worthington, he started north with a view to homesteading and making his home in Minnesota.

The trip to Minnesota was made by team, by way of Spirit Lake, Jackson and Madelia, to Brown county. There the brothers filed on claims and then took employment with the construction forces on the St. Paul & Sioux CJity railroad, which was at the time being constructed from Lake Crystal to St. James. He spent the next winter in Iowa, working on the Burlington & Cedar Rapids ranroa<l, and the following spring returned to his claim. There lie lived four years, passing through the terrible grasshopper scourge, cyclones and other unpleasant experiences incident to pioneer life in southwestern Minnesota.

In 187($ Mr. Moe gave up farming and took a sub-contract for grading on the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad in Scott county, Minnesota. The next year he took a contract with the Blue Earth & St. James Railroad company, a *" wildcat" concern, and received no compensation for his season's work. In the spring of 1878 be secured employment as grading foreman on the Southern Minnesota railroad, working out of Winnebago City, and in the fall of that year finished the line to Jackson. Continuing in railroad work, he the next year worked for the Dakota Central railroad (now the Chicago & Northwestern), which was building in Dakota territory to Fort Pierre.