Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 4: Teeritorial and State Officees, 1888 (part 10 of 11)

ICHAEL MURPHY. One of the |=<Jjf^ large land owners and prosperous farmers of Kingston toMmship, is the above gentleman, who lives upon section 28, where his house is surrounded by his fine farm of 640 acres. Mr. Murpby is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, born January 6, 1835, and was reared among the beautiful scenery of that part of the lovely island, until about nineteen years of age, when he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada. From there he made his way to Eutland, Vt., where he spent eight years, in the stone and marble works, and from there came to Meeker county in May, 1862, in company with Daniel B3'rnes, and has been a resident ever since.

William, Timothy, Morris, Julia, John, Ellen, Norah, Michael (died August 30, 1871), Joseph, Charles, and Dennis. William is the only one married, the rest are living at home.

In politics Mr. Murphy is a democrat, and having the cause of education at heart, has served for nine years as clerk of school district No. 1. He is giving a large share of his attention to stock and also to grain rais-

1^1 LA JOHNSON, a respected farmer of i^^ Darwin township, residing on section 19, is a native of Sweden, born September 10, 1827, and is a son of John and Ceceha Johnson. He was reared among the wild native scenery of tlie land of his birth, and there grew to manhood. In 1849 he married Plannah Ingerraan, daughter of Andrew and Ellen Ingerman, and in 1858, taking his wife and five children he bade adieu to the fatherland and sailed for America. He lauded at New York July 1, 1858, but did not remain there, coming dii'ect to Meeker county, Minn., ari-iving in Litchfield township in the month of August. He at once took up a claim of 160 acres of land in section 14, on the site of the present city of Litchfield. Here he built a house and commenced to develop his farm. Soon came the Indian troubles of 1862. He was warned, on the night of August 17th, that the redskins were out engaged in butchering the peaceful and defenseless settlers, and the next day, after helping bury the murdered people in Acton, and assisting in the inquest, he took his family' to St. Paul, he and his eldest son then returning to their home. Still fearing the redskins, the settlers were compelled to throw up a fortification around Mr. Johnson's house. Some ten families were here at the time, all of the men working on the fortification. This was built of logs and rails and banked up inside with dirt and surrounded by a deep ditch. When the trouble was about over, Mr. Johnson, after losing everything he had went to St. Paul, where his family made their home for some eighteen months. After peace had once more settled upon the border, he V)rouglit his family back and has made this county liis home ever since, except one year sjjent in the " Golden State." Mr. Johnson and his estimabk; wife are the parents of thirteen cliildren, all of whom are living but one. They are - John, who married Anna Peterson, and is living in Litchfield ; Ellen, the wife of Hon. Andrew Nelson, of Litchfield ; Andrew married Miss Josie Viren, and lives near his father; Sarah, Mrs. John Birch, living in Litchfield ; Mary, who married Henry Wilson, is a resident of Portland, Ore. ; Elizabeth, who is living at home with her parents; Emily, the wife of B. Peter Nelson, of Litchfield; Edward S., who owns the adjoining farm to his father's but lives at home ; Abram B., living in Portland, Ore. ; Josephine, Nathan and Willie S., at home with their parents, and Annie, who died in 1869.

In 1869 Mr. Johnson sold his farm, and with his family removed to California, but one year later returned to Meeker countj' and purchased his present place, which contains 440 acres.

ARK GATES. Foremost among the ^^^ij[?^ band of rugged pioneers that dared to penetrate through the " Big Woods " and to plant beyond their shade the banner of civilization, was the gentleman whose name heads this article. He came to Meeker county in 1856, and upon the filing of his claim in April of that year, went back to Maine, where he was married, and returned and settled upon his land that same year.

Mr. Cates is a native of Washington county. Me., born December 22, 1827, and is the son of Mark and Mary (Parmer) Cates. He was reared among his native hills and there secured the education which is the lot of every New England boy, an<l was employed at agricultural pursuits in that locality until 1855. In the fall of that year, leaving the old settlements, he pushed out into the great West, then for the most part an unknown land, and reached ilinnesota in the spring of 1856, as related above.

On his return to Maine for liis bi'ide he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cates, a native of the " Pine Tree State," and the daughter of Asa and Maria (Parmer) Cates, the father a ship carpenter by trade. The lady comes of a race of hard}"- mariners that so abound in the ])orts of that iron-bound coast, two of her brothers being captains in the merchant marine to-day, while a third brother died while upon a voyage. Bv their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cates have been the parents of ten children - Willie H., Charles P., Hilman L., Mary A., now Mrs. Warren Saulsbury ; A. V., Lizzie, deceased September 6, 1877 ; Frank, who died September 5, 1877 ; Frederick ; Jennie; and ]\Iaud. who died March 30, 1886.

In his politics Mr. Cates attiliates with the republican party, believing that in its principles lies the surest guarantees for our national prosperity.

TONAS RUDBERG, one of the former y) prominent citizens of the village of Dassel, but now deceased, was a native of the far-away kingdom of Sweden, who came to Meeker county in 1869, and located in Dassel on a farm, with his brother John, now one of the influential citizens of tlie county. In 1872 Jonas entered the village and went into trade, and remained at the head of the drug business of Dassel until February, 1885, when, starting to visit his native land, died at Philadelphia, on his way to Sweden. His family are still residents of the village.

JTOHN RODANGE, one of the enterpris- S| ino- and progressive business men of Litchfield, is a native of the Grand Ducliy of Luxemburg, born among its vine clad hills, and near the classic waters of the beautiful river Rhine, February 25, 1839. He remained beneath the roof of his parents, John and Mary (Leonard) Rodange, spending his time in acquiring an education in the schools and under private tutors until he had attained his sixteentli year, at which time he entered a linen factory, where he passed some three years. The succeeding twelve months were spent as book-keeper in the office of the same establishment, after which he entered the employ of a large government and railroad conti'actor as clerk, with whom he remained three years. Mr. Rodange, after serving nearly three years more as book-lceeper and traveling salesman for a woolen mill, determined to seek in the New AVorld the field for his efforts toward a competency, and accordingly, in 18<i4, crossed the ocean, landing in New York, from whence he proceeded direct to Chicago. From tliere he went into the Wisconsin pineries, spending some time at various occupations until ISC*), when he took charge of a general merchandise store as head clerk, where he remained for a time, and then removed to Aurora, 111. After a year passed in that city, he went to Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he operated a brewery for a year or tAVO,- and then took up farming. One year's experience of that mode of life having convinced him that it did not suit him, he sold out and removed back to Aurora, where he went into a wholesale liquor store. There he remained for five years, when his wife's health failing, he came to Litchfield, Minn., arriving there in the fall of 1876. He commenced in the saloon business, and remained in that line until 1882, when he sold out and estabhshed the Litchfield Bottling Works, where he is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of carbonate beverages. Mr. Rodange was also engaged in the wholesale disposal of Milwaukee beer until 1887, which he carried on in connection with his other business.

Mr. Rodange was very active in the promotion of the woolen mill company and the erection of the factory, and was one of the first directors and first treasurer and secretary of tiie association. In 1888 he was made general manager, and holds that office and tliat of secretary at the present writino-. He is largely interested in I'eal estate in Litchfield and its environs, owning one of the finest residences in the city, besides other property and 200 acres of fine farm land.

Our subject was united in marriage May 9, 1867, with Miss Margaret Nickels, a native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and daughter of Peter and Susana (Michaelis) Nickels, of Aurora, 111. By this marriage there have been born a family of seven children - Peter, who is a clerk in Stevens & Co.'s Bank ; Susie, John, Eddie, Henry, Mary and Louisa.

Mr. Rodange lias been prominently identiwith the growth and development of Litchfield's business interests, and stands high in the estimation of all. He is a shrewd and careful business man, of the strictest integrity, and is a true representative of the best business element in this part of the State. A good portrait of Mr. Rodange will be found in another department of this Album.

^"-^HARLES MAGNUS GUMAELIUS, a prominent fanner of Litchfield township, was born in Stockiiohn, Sweden, July 14, 1820. His father, Carl M. Guniaelius, was for many years a captain in the Swedish army, and died in 1832. Charles spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and was educated at Strangnes High School, continuing his studies for several years afterward, and laying up a goodly store of useful knowledge. In 1855 lie was married to Anna Forsberg, daughter of Charles Forsberg, who was for many years an officer of court in the roj'al palace at Stockliolm. Mr. and Mrs. Guniaelius are the parents of three children, all of whom have grown to manhood and live on tlie home farm, near Litchfield - Charles Magnus, born July 23, 1856; Axle, born February 4, 1859; and Henning, born July 25, 1862. The family came to America in 1873, and settled in Meeker county, and have continued to reside here ever since, engaged in farming and stock raising.

/^^ L. GRINDALL, deceased, formerly one ySIs/ of the leading agriculturists of Cosmos township, had his home on section 26. He came to this county in 1870, and filed a homestead claim upon this piece of land, containing 160 acres, upon which he did some breaking, erected a house, moved his family into it and made it his home until his deatli. He was born in Penobscot, Me., in 1S16, and there received his education and there grew to manhood. He followed farming and lumbering for many years in the State of his nativity and until coming West. When he was about twenty-two years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Orcutt, also a native of tlie State of Maine, who stillsurvives him. making her home with her son Hiram. I\Ir. Grindall departed this life October 17, 1887, leaving, to mourn tlieir loss.

his bereaved widow and five children. Mr. Grindall was always connected with every movement looking to the benefit of the community, and was one of the truly good and Christian men that are so beneficial, both in examjile and jn-ecept. He was respected by all who knew him.

Hiram Grindall, the j'oungest son of E. L. and Caroline (Oi'cutt) Grindall, is living upon the homestead where his father settled in 1870. He was born in Penobscot, Me., in 1863, and since his birth has always been witii liis parents. Since attaining his majority he has taken cliarge of the farm, and by diligence, industry and business ability, has brought a portion of it to a high state of cultivation. The balance, which is woodland and pasture, has its uses, and the improvements are excellent.

^^TaROLD KITTELSON, of Acton town- JP^ ship, is one of the pioneers of Meeker county. He was born in Norway, on tlie 8th of February, 1840, and came to the United States in 1846, with his parents, Kittel and Carrie Haroldson. They settled upon a farm in Rock county. Wis., where they remained until 1857, when they removed to Meeker county, Minn. Harold remained with his parents until 1864, when he moved onto a farm of 149 acres on section 24, Acton townsliip, wliich he purchased of his fatlier for $300. He has since bought additional hind, until he now has 319 acres in all, a good share of which is under cultivation. In 1874 he erected a story-and-a-half residence, 24x32 feet in size, and in 1886 built an addition 18x20 feet in dimensions. In 1884 he built a large barn, witli a basement, and besides these, has otlier substantial farm buildings. On tlie 25th of July, 1863, he was married to Miss Martiia Paulson. She is a daughter of Mathias and Mai'v Paulson, and was born in

Norway July 18, 1835. Her father, Mathias Paulson, with his family, five in number, were included in the first party of emigrants that ever started for America from S^lboe, South Throndhjems, Arnt, Norway, May 18, 1857, and landed in Quebec, Canada. The family traveled partly by railroad and the balance of the way with team, to Berry, Compton county, Canada East, where they settled June 22, 1857. In the spring of 1860 Martha came witii her brother Paul to St. Paul, Minn., and in the fall of 1861 she came to Meeker county, where her jiarents had settled in the fall of 1860.

Mr. and Mrs. Kittelson's marriage has been blessed with the following children - Carrie, born April 3, 186i ; Carl, born August 26, 1866; Mathias, born December 1. 1869; John, born May 31, 1873, die<l in September, 187-i; Ilannaii M., born February 1,1877; and Nellie Christina, born March 12, 1879, died September 12, 1879. Mr. Kittelson was living with his parents when the Indian outbreak of 1862 began, and he was one of the first settlers to see Jones after that unfortunate pioneer was murdered. He was also present when Jones and the other victims were buried, and with his team hauled from Litchfield the first base of the monument - which now marks their last resting-place. Mrs. Kittelson was also here during that eventful period, and was at work in the family of A- C. Smith at the time the attack was made on Forest City. Smith came in that night while she was clearing off the supper dishes, and stated that he believed an attack would be made that night, directing her to go at once to the stockade. Siie desired, however, to stay until she had finished her work, but Smith explained that she could finish the work in the morning if she was alive. She therefore threw a quilt over her head for a shawl, and went to the stockade, and, not realizing the approaching danger, went peacefully to sleep. The same night the attack was made, and for a time all thought that the Day of Judgment had come. In the morning she found that Smith's advice had saved her life, as the Indians had, in the meantime, been to the vacated house and stolen all they could carry off, and set it on fire, but the blaze had died out before much damage was done. A full account of the Indian troubles is given elsewhere in this volume, so it is unnecessary to go further in detail in this connection.

STEVENS, the senior partner Jp3L in the banking firm of Stevens & Co., is one of the oldest settlers in Meeker county, and Ijas watched its growth from a state of wilderness to its present prosperous condition. He was born in West Hawkesbury, Canada, August 16, 1830, and is the son of Samuel and Annie (Whitcomb) Stevens, both of whom were natives of Vermont. In his earl\' manhood the elder Mr. Stevens went to Canada, where he was engaged for many years following his trade, which was milling, and was there married, and there made his home until he passed to the silent chambers of the dead.

The subject of this memoir was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and as he reached maturer years, learned the carj^entering trade, and worked at that and millwrighting until coming here. At the age of twenty -six, in October, 1856, he left his Canadian home, and following the tide of emigration which was flowing westward, and as the bulk of the people were coming to Minnesota, he, too, came to the " North Star State." He remained that winter at Hastings, where he was employed at his trade, working on the hotel building, but in the spring of 1857 came to Meeker count\', where he has ever since made his home, and has been identified with its liistor}'. In the summer of 1863 he was appointed to fill the office of register of deeds, left vacant by the death of Tliomas Skiiuier, and was elected to the same office at the expiration of the term. In the autumn of 1871 he was a candidate for the position of county treasurer, elected and served therein until tlie s])ring of 1873. Having been chosen county auditor bv tiie people, in the spring of 1875, he entered upon the discharge of the duties of that office and remained there until the s])ring of 1879. The fact that a democrat of his j)ronounced type held any office in a republican county, is a fair criterion of the estimation in which he has always been held by the greater part of the community. In June, 1888, he was in attendance upon the Democratic National Convention, at St. Louis, as one of the alternates from this district.

Mr. Stevens, during the tragic days of the Indian troubles of 1862, joined the Meeker County Guai-ds, and was, at once, elected second lieutenant of tlie company, and served with them, as detailed elsewhere, until it was disbanded. It lias l)eeii justly said by the older residents that to him is due the credit, in a large measure, of finishing the stockade the day it was done, and which was so necessary before the dawn of the next morning. On the dispersion of Captain Whitconib's company Mr. Stevens enlisted in the United States' service and went to Fort Snelling, but was rejected on examination, as unfit for the purposes of war, anil then returned to Forest City, and there resided until the removal of the county seat to Litchfield, when he came hither himself. After the expiration of his term as treasurer Mr. Stevens made a trip through New Mexico and Colorado, and some time after his return to Litchfield started the banking business, in company' with IL S. Branham, which still is continued by them. Mr. Stevens is a ])rominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being the scribe or secretary of all three branches, and is one of the vestrymen of the Episcopal churcii.

ATHAN C. CASWELL, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, is still a resident of Manannah township, where he settled in 1856, on section 31. He is a native of BromjJton, Sherbrooke county, Canada, born August 28, 1835, and is the son of Carlos and Anna (Wakefield) Caswell, the former a native of Guildhall, Yt., born March 11, 1708, and was the son of Nathan Caswell, one of the Revolutionary heroes from the Green Mountain State." Carlos Caswell went to Canada when a child, and made it his home until 1855. He wedded Miss Anna Wakefield, a native of Vermont, born April 8, 1801. He came to Meeker county in 1856, and here made his home until August 31, 1871, when he passed to his reward.

Nathan C. Caswell, whose younger days were passed among the scenes of liis birth, came to the State in 1855, locating at Monticello. November 15th of that year he, Avith othei's, started and made a tri]) thi-ough this county, as detailed in another chapter. In the summer of 1856 he, v.ith others, came here and permanently located, and from that date have been prominenth' identified with the town and county's interests. He started for Pike's Peak, at the time of the excitement, with others, but in Nebraska, learning the state of affairs, he returned part of the way, stopping at Nebraska City, Neb., where he was engaged in teaming for an army contractor. He returned, after a while, to his home, and has since lived here. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, has worthily filled several important offices, and is at present one of the board of county commissioners. At one time in his life, in 1859, he filled the position of fireman on a lower Mississippi river steamboat to the satisfaction of his employers, and has ever since given the strongest proofs of his loyalt}' to the intei'- ests committed to his charge.

in marriage with Miss Mary A. Welch, a native of New Brunswick, and daughter of John Welch, of Stearns county, now deceased. By this marriage there have been born two children - Seth C, born at Monticello, Wright county, November 19, 1863, wlio married Lillian M., daughter of Nathan W. Caswell, born at Brompton, Canada, September 1, 186ti. Their marriage toolv place November 27, 1884, and they have one child - Gertrude Emma, born October 1, 1886. The other child of N. C. Caswell was Mark J., who was born February 26, 1872, and died February 20, 1881.

Nathan C. Caswell, our subject, is one of the most prominent citizens in the northern portion of the county. lie has always taken an aptive and leading part in all public and educational affairs, and no citizen has been more closely identified with the official history of the county and township in which he lives than the subject of this article.

fOHN MATTSON, the gentleman owning and operating the flouring mill at Kingston, came to that part of the county, October -4, 1882, and ]iurchased of J. H. Thompson, of Minneapolis, the mill built by Whitney & Hutchins. It was then equipped with three runs of buhrs, but he has added two sets of rolls and centrifuii-als combined, and other improved maciiinery, making it as good as any mill in the county.

Mr. Mattson is a native of Sweden, born near the city of Gottenborg, October 4,1832, and is the son of M. Mattson and Helena Mattson, both of whom died in their native land, the father in 1834, and the mother in 1862. He was reared and educated in that land and there grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-two, in 1854, he started for America, and after a voyage of fifty days on the Atlantic, landed in Boston on the 4th of October. A short time later he came west to Chicago, and while crossing the lake suffered the hoi-rors of shipwreck, and, the vessel drifting into the harbor of Eacine, Wis., our subject landed and sought employment, and fort}^ miles from that point he was employed in chopping wood for three months. In April, 18.55, he went to Chicago, and the following May went to Rockfoi'd, 111., where he remained until the spring of 1856, and then came to Retl Wing, Minn. During that summer he was employed at rafting on the Mississippi river, but later in the same season was taken sick and quit work. Upon his recovery he took a homestead in Goodhue county, near Red Wing, which he sold in the summer of 1857, and in the fall went to Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, and began learning the miller's trade with R. C. Knox & Co. He remained with them until February, 1865, when he enlisted in Company B, First Minnesota Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Returning then to Minnesota, he again resumed his milling business, and was employed at the following points : W. K. Rodgers & Co., Cannon Falls. Minn.; in 1868 for Archibald, Wilcox & Co., Oxford, Minn. ; from 1869 to 1873 for R. Gregg & Co., Cannon Falls, Minn. ; during 1873 and 1874 he was engaged in the general mercantile trade ; in 1875 again engaged in milling for Nelson, Swanson & Co., Bell Ci'eek, Minn. ; in 1877 for C. N. Wilcox, of Oxford Mills, Minn. ; in 1878 for W. S. Turner, at Star Prairie, Wis. ; in 1879 for Mr. Munch, near Taylor's Falls, Minn. ; in 1880 for C. N. Wilcox, Oxford Mills, Minn. ; and in 1881 and, 1882 for Thompson, Smith & Co., at Cannon Falls, Goodhue county. In the latter year - 1882 - he came to Meeker county, as stated.

Charles and Hannali Johnson. She had come to America with her parents in 1853, landing at Boston, and after two years' residence in Indiana, and two years in Iowa, came to Cannon Falls, this State, where the parents died, the mother in 1867, the father in 1884. Mr. Mattson is the father of eight children - Ella, now Mrs. M. T. Gunderson; Amanda C, Agnes M., and Ida E., and four deceased. Mr. Mattson is a member of the Lutheran Church. He votes with tiie republican party.

PETER J. MITCHELL, the subject of this slietch, has a valuable farm, with fine building improvements, located on section 9, Harvey townshiji.

He is a native of Blair county, Pa., born September 14, 1859, and is a son of Stephen and Ann Mitchell. Stephen P. Mitchell was born in Ireland in about 1830, and came to the United States in 1848, settling in Blair county, Pa. In 1852 he was married to Miss Anna Morgan, and tliey were the parents of nine children, as follows - John, Anna, Peter, Mary, Katie, Patrick, Rody, Delia B. and Ella. The father followed railroading and mining in Pennsylvania, until 1875, when he came with his family to Meeker county, Minn., and purcliased 120 acres of land in Harvey townsiiip, and engaged in farming, remaining there until tlie time of his death, August 18, 1877. His widow, who was a native of County Gal way, Ireland, is still living on the old homestead.

Peter J. Mitchell, the subject of this sketcli. learned the carpenter's trade while still a boy, and followed that to some extent, but the most of his life has been spent in farming. Since his father's deatii he has taken charge of the homestead, and also has 200 acres in the township. He is a successful farmer, and also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party, and is one of tlie leading members of that organization in the township. He has taken an active interest in public matters, and has held the office of township clerk since 1881, dischartjing: the duties of the office in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned. Through his connection with townshi]! matters and official affairs he has justly earned the reputation which he has of being one of tlie most careful aiul thorough business men in the township.

J/SRAEL MILLER, proprietor of the Litch- ^ field feed mill, is one of the brave veterans of our late civil war, " whose faitii and truth on war's red touchstone rang true metal." He is a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., and first saw the light of day beneath the roof of his parents, John F. and Julia A. (Coffman) Miller, on the 10th day of July, 1839. In 1834, when John F. Miller settled at Fort Wayne, it was but an insignificant village, containing about a hundred people. He became a land owner in that vicinity, and pi'ospered as the countr\' developed, and made it his home until his death, which occurred in 1860.

The subject of this memoir remained at home with his parents, ]ieacefully following the pursuit of agriculture until the tocsin of war with wild clamor filled the land, and the government called for the men of our country to sustain it. Israel enlisted in 1868 as a wagon master, thinking that the duties called forth in that position were best suited to his capacities, and received the charge of a train of some twenty-five wagons. He remained in this branch of the service some eigiit or ten months, and on the 15th of February, 1865, enlisted in Company G., One Hundred and Fiftv-second Indiana Infantry, and served witli that gallant regiment until his discharge at Charleston, W. Va., August 30, 1865. During this time the body of men to which he was attached, were a portion of the army under Gen. "W. S. Hancock, whose post of duty was in the Shenandoah and Kanawha valleys.

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Miller engaged in railroad work, which he followed for several years. In 1876 he became the general manager of a stave and head mill at Fort Waj'ne, but a year later he entered into business in the milling and chair factory line, with A. C. and D. S. Beaver, but a si ort time thereafter sold out and removed to Grundy county, Tenn., where he engaged in the same species of business. Five years later, on his wa}^ to the Red River country, he stopped at Litchfield, and was so struck with its appearance that he has never gone any further north. Tlie next summer he placed a steamboat upon the pellucid waters of Lake Ripley, for excursion purposes, which was quite a success. He, the same fall, erected the feed mill he is now operating, and is still the owner of some 700 acres of timber and coal lands in Tennessee, and an undivided half-interest in 600 more.

Thfe marriage that united the destinies of Israel Miller and Miss Harriet M. Beck was solemnized upon the 4tli day of March, 1860. The lady was a native of Allen county, Ind., and the daughter of Richai'd and Sarah Beck. On the 16th of May, 1866, Mrs. Miller passed to " that land Elysian, whose portals we call death," having been the mother of three children, of whom the following is the recoi'd - Frank M., the eldest, is a resident of Ontario, Cal.; Laura B. married M. Milburn, and is a resident of Indian Territory ; and William H., still lives at home with his surviving parent. Mr. Miller, July 24, 1868, again entered into the married state, being united with Miss Susie C. Totten, who is the mother of three children, two of whom are still living - Susie and Jennie. The name of the one deceased was Julian, who died October 23, 1879. Again death entered the home of Mr. Miller and snatched from husband and mourning children the wife and mother, her death taking place November 22, 1876. After two years passed in single blessedness, May 1, 1878, Mr. Miller again essayed the matrimonial yoke, this time wedding Miss Florence M. Palm, who became the mother of three children - Mary E., Arthur G. and John. The latter died in infancy, June 1, 1880.

PETER P. ORNBERG, is one of the leading farmers of Swede Grove township. He is a native of Sweden, born on the 17th of September, 1853, and is a son of Ole P. and Hannah Ornberg. He came to the United States in 1870, and came direct to Swede Grove township, Meeker county, Minn. He worked for different farmers in this neighborhood until some time in 1877, when he purchased 105 acres of land on section 29, Swede Grove township, and began farming on his own account. He has since bought eighty acres on sections 19 and 20, making 185 acres, w' hich he owns at the present time, his bmldings being located on section 29, on the north bank of Peterson Lake. When Mr. Ornberg came to this country he was not worth a dollar in this world's goods, but by thrift and industry he has accumulated a comfortable property. He has good and comfortable buildings, a full supply of the necessary farm machinery, a number of horses and quite a herd of cattle and hogs.

Mr. Ornberg was married on the 26th of May, 1874, to Miss Anna Peterson, a daughter of Hans and Betsy Peterson. They have been blessed with four children, as follows - Clans, born June 9, 1875 ; Ella, born September 27, 1877; Andrew, born December 23, 1879 ; and Ury, born July 2, 1886. Mr.

Ornberg takes an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and has held several local offices. He was school director of liis district for six vears.

ELS LARSON, a prominent farmer, resiiiing on section 8, in Litchfield townslii]), is one of tiie pioneers of the county, and a survivor of tlie Indian massacre of 18G2. He \v;is liorn in Sweden Decemljer 19, 1839, and is a son of John and Cela Peterson Larson. lie left Sweden in 18.57, when seventeen years of age, with his parents and tliree brothers, Andrew, Peter E. and Louis, coming by way of Hamburg to the United States, and being eight weeks 6'« route. They came direct to Minnesota by way of Chicago and Prairie du Chien, and, after some little time spent in prospecting, they finally settled in Meeker county, locating first on section 9. of what is now Litchfield township, but subsequently took up a homestead on section S. Nels entered a liomestead of eightv acres adjoining his father's land, and shortly afterward purchased 120 acres of the jrovernment. He was married in 1859 to Anna Ingeman, and their union has been blessed with seven children, two of whom - Isaac and Lina - are dead. Of the other children, the eldest, Albert A., married Anna Kjellberg, and lives near Litchfield ; while Emanuel, Emma Maria, Edward and Isaac John are still with their jiarents on the homestead.

Mr. Larson's early life being one of industry and frugality, he soon began accumulating property, and had just got a good foothold, or start in life, when the Indian outbreak came, and the fruits of nearly all his toil were swept away. When first warned of the terrible ravages that had been commenced, he took his family to his fathers' house for safety, and the next day moved them on, as others did, to Forest City. After personally looking the ground over, he concluded the danger was over, and moved liis family into a house outside the fortifications. A day or two afterward the fatndy were terrified by a fresh attack of the Indians, and they rushed into the fort for refuge, under heavy firing. The Indians took a span of colts and a yoke of oxen which he had not time to secure. Mr. Larson borrowed a horse the next day, and went over to his farm, where he found his house a smoldering mass of ruins. He concluded to make the best of the situation, and proceeded to look after his cattle, which were in the timber and had not been molested by the redskins. While thus engaged, he discovered four Indians coming upon him, and, mounting his horse, he fied, taking a course across a marsh on his farm. He succeeded in crossing it without trouble, but the savages mired their horses in it, thus enabling him to make good his escajie. After taking his wife and children - one of whom, Emma M., was only two weeks old - to St. Paul, for safekeejjing for the winter, he bought a team and a third interest in a tlirashing-machine on credit, and once more began life's lalior anew. During the year 1863 he workeil on his farm as best he could, his family being sheltered in the fortress at Forest City and Litclifield. The Indians in the meantime kept infesting the country as bands of marauders, running off stock and committing other depredations, and Mr. Larson slept in the stable where his horses were, during the entire summer. That winter he stayed on his father's place, and in the spring of li'i^ built and moved into a cabin, where several of his neighboi's' families, who had learned to look to him for jjrotection, came and shared the shelter of his roof. Mr. Larson's industiy and enteiprise have enabled him to overcome those reverses of fortune, and he now has a splendid farm of 0<)5 acres, including considerable timijer. He has held the office of township supervisor a number of years, and is justly regarded as one of tlie " solid " men of the county.

JMTONS A. BROWN came to Meeker li'-X^i^ county, Minn., in the first part of September, 1869, and settled where Litchfield is now locateil. At that time there was no depot nor passenger trains, only a construction train now and then, upon which all freight and passengers had to be transported. At that time tliere was Old Sol's so-called hotel, Brown's blacksmith shop, Truls Nelson had just commenced a small dwelling, and II. B. Johnson had some lumber on the place, while Messrs.. Heard & Ward had also commenced a one-story build-' ing. In the latter part of September he received 1,200 feet of lumber from Minneapolis, and built a board shed, or shanty, in the rear of lot 14, corner of Second street and the alley. The board shanty was 12x16, with shingle roof. About the Stli of October he opened up a tin-shop and stock of hardware - the first hardware store and tinshop Litchfield had - in a small way as it was. In November of that year he had an addition built to this shed, of 16x16, one and a half stories, with windows, sealed inside with flooring, where he moved his workbench and hardware, and used the shed for stoves and warehouse. In 1870 he erected the frame building on lot 13, on Sibley avenue, which he occupied until 1882, and which still stands on the old site, and is now occupied by P. W. Jolmson as a hardware store. In October of that year he moved his family to Litchfield, and moved in over the hardware store. The family consisted of his three children and Mrs. A. Brown, his mother, and Miss Susan Johnson, as the governess. In 1882, after selling out his hardware business to Mr. Johnson, he engaged in the brick business for four years, on part of section 6, town of Darwin, and then abandoned the business. In 1884 he opened up a retail business in Grove Cit\% of a general line, such as dry goods, groceries, clothing, hats, caps and notions. Mr. Brown has only held local offices; has been twice town treasurer. He served as first town clerk, when Litchfield was part of the incorporated town of Ness, and after being changed to town of Litchfield. He also served one year as president of the village council, and two years later as trustee on the village council.

M. A. Brown was born in Norway. His father emigrated to this country in 1850, where he landed in Chicago, III. Mr. Brown lived in Chicago for about fourteen years, where he was married, and where his children were born. In 1865 he moved to Water Valley, Miss., where he came from when he settled in Litchfield, Minn. Mr. Brown has been always on the side of enterprise, and has fully identified himself with all the material progress of the village and the county. He has erected several good buildings in the village, which are a credit to himself and an ornament to the place.

JOHN QUINLAN, who is engaged in general farming on section 11, Darwin township, is a native of Fond du Lac county, Wis., born November 12, 1859, and is the son of Jeremiah and Sarah Quinlan, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle, and are now residents of the same township. John Quinlan remained in the Badger State until he was some twenty years of age, but in 18T9 he left that portion of our country and came to Meeker county, and, taking up his residence where he now lives, has made this his home ever since. March 28, 1882, he was united in marriage with Margaret Doyle, who died April 14, 1888, leaving the following children to mourn their loss - Jeremiah R., born April 21, 1883 ; Margaret C, born September 4, 1885 ; and John M., born March 21, 1888.

Mr. Quinlan has followed farming most of his life, and understands tiiat business thoroughly. In his religion he is a devout Koman Catholic, and cheerfully fulfills his duties. In politics he is entirely independent, not being bound by party lines.

/^LAF PETERSON is one of the indus- ^^^ trious foreign immigrants who have brought the thrift and economy so necessary in their native land to the fertile soil of the new world and are accumulating a comfortable competence. He is the son of John and Mary (Olson) Peterson, born in Sweden, January 24, 1860. "When he was seven years of age he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Carver county. The family afterward came to this county and settled in CoUinwood township. He remained an inmate of the parental" home until 1886, when he moved to his farm on section 36, where he has eighty acres of fine land, forty of which is under cultivation. He learned the carpenters trade in his early manhood and has followed that business a part of the time ever since, and also works at masonry and plastering. He has a neat and tasty residence and comfortable outbuildings. Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, August 4, 1883, with Miss Betsy Larson, and by this union there has been born two children - Mary, born June 25, 1884 ; and John Imer, born March 9, 1886. Although a young man, he is rapidly coming the front and bids fair to achieve success. He is of an ingenious turn of mind and has made some excellent s])ecimens of cabinet work which are very creditable.

M LFRED RODGERS, one of the "brave jP^^JL l^oys in blue" during the late civil war, who is engaged in farming in Forest Prairie township, on section 18, where he owns some eighty acres of land, is a native of Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., born March 18, 1830. He is the son of Stephen and Sarah (AVilliams) Rodgers.

The father of our subject was a man of mark in the community in which he lived. He was the father of seven children l)y his first wife, of whom Alfred was one, the others being - EvaUne, Hiram, Wesley, Clark, Harriet, and Manfred. The latter died, while in the army; and Clark's decease occurred in Goodhue county, this State. The mother of our subject died in the Empire State, and after her death Stephen Rodgers married Mrs. Spencer, by whom he had four children - Sarah, Martin, Eliza, and Orilla. In 1856, or 1857, Stephen removed to Wisconsin with his family, where he resided until his death, which occurred about 1877.

The subject of this personal history learned the carpenters trade in youth, and followed it for some ten years in his native State, and, since coming here, has worked at it more or less. He was married July 4, 1853, to Miss Marietta Spicer, a native of New York, Avho died in 1858. She was the mother of one child - Dalton, who died in childhood. Mr. Rodgers' second marriage was with Miss Euphemia Scribner, who became the mother of three children - Manfred, Eliza and Eva.

In April, 1861, Mr. Rodgers enlisted in Company G, Thirty-fifth New York Infantry, and participated in manj-^ of the most bloody battles fought by the Armies of the Potomac and Shenandoah, among which may be mentionad those of the first and second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and White Sulphur Springs. He Avas finally mustered out and discharged, and returned to New York. He came to Meeker county in 1S69, and took up a homestead on section 8, in Forest Prairie, but later moved to his present localit}'. lie is independent in political matters, and a representative man of the section of the county in which he lives.

"OSEPH LAWRENCE WAKEFIELD, dealer in dr}' goods and general furnishing goods, is one of Litchfield's most prominent merchants. He is a native of Providence, E. I., and was born in 1854. His parents, William and Harriet S. (Belcher) Wakefield, -were both born and raised in the same State, and his grandfather, Joseph Belcher, belonged to the famous " Horse Marine Guards " in early times in New England. He was later ' a hardware merchant, which business is still carried on by his sons, and was the first pei'- son to introduce throughout the United States horse shoe nails made by machinery, contracting for and handling the entire production. Joseph Lawrence's father, William Wakefield, was connected with the banking business in Providence, but in 1856, with his family he went to St. Paul, Minn., for the purpose of settling up the estate of a deceased brother, and, becoming settled there, he has since made that his home.

J. L. Wakefield remained with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he went to Ked Wing and attended school, and afterward entered Ripon College, at Ripon, Wis. In the fall of 1877 he went to Chicago and was employed as salesman in the dry goods establishment of A. T. Stewart & Co., until the spring of 1880. He was then employed by Auerbauch, Finch, Culbertson & Co., at St. Paul, until November, 1883, when he came to Litchfield and opened the store which he still conducts. He carries an extensive and a complete stock of everything pertaining to his line and does a large business. He has taken an active interest in all public matters and is the present city recorder. Mr. Wakefield was married in October, 1882, to Miss Carrie A. McConnell, of LeEoy, Minn. They have one child - Henry Lawrence.

ENGT HANSON, one of the most prominent old settlers in Meeker county, is a resident of Litchfield township, his extensive farm adjoining the village plat. Mr. Hanson was born in Sweden on the 6th of August, 1825. He was married in October, 1853, to Miss Elna Larson, a daughter of John and Lissa Larson. Her parents both died in Meeker county, the father in September, 1867, and the mother in February, 1887. Mr. Hanson's parents both died in Sweden. On the 6th of May, 1857, Bengt Hanson and family left their native land for America, but were detained at Hamburg, Germany, for twenty days. They finally arrived in New York on the 3d of July, and proceeded to Dunkirk, then to Toledo and on to Chicago. There was no depot as yet at the latter place, and his goods wej-e dumped on the ground, while the family were obliged to walk two or three miles through the mud to the other railroad. They took the line to Prairie du Chien, and, as there were no passenger cars, they rode to the latter point in box cars, and from there they took a boat up the river to Carver, Minn. At that place Bengt Hanson bought a span of horses and wagon, and leaving his family behind, he made a prospecting tour through several adjoining counties, but did not find a place to suit him. He then brought his family to Meeker county, and purchased 13(i acres of land. He has since continually added to his place, until he now owns 500 acres of valuable land. He is recognized as one of the most solid and substantial fai'iiiers in the county, and his integrity and straightforward deahng, have won liira a reputation which have made liis word as good as a l)ond.

JMr. Hanson, witii tlie other ])ioneers, suffered a considerable loss and backset on account of the Indian outbreak. The redskins stole several horses and other loose stock and destroyed most of his grain.

He has always taken a commendable interest in public matters and has been prominently identified with the official history of the township in which he lives, having held the office of supervisor for over twenty years.

Mrs. Hanson died on the 5th of April, 1877, aged forty-one years. She was a true anil sincere Christian lady, and was held in high esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson were blessed with the following children - Emma, born in Sweden, December 10, 1854; CarlJ. G. and Nels C. U. (twins), born in Hambui'g, Germany, May 14, 1857 ; Alfred Emanuel, born June 30, 1859, died December 15, 1862 ; Caroline, born September 4, 1862; Esther, born April 4, 1865; Alfred Emanuel, born November 14, 1869 ; Edla Victoria, born May 30, 1874. Emma married Olaf H. Peterson, and resides in Litchfield township. Nels C. G. and Carl J. G. are mentioned elsewhere at length. Caroline married Andrew Johnson, a resident of Litchfield townshi]).

ARTIN J. PAULSON, one of the leading citizens of Meeker county, and for a nuudier of years a resident of Grove City, is the son of Johnson and Emma (Olson) Paulson, and was l)orn in Sweden on tiic 6th of Novembei-, 1851. Ho came to America with his parents in 1870, and on their a nival at Grove City found only two buildings in that ]>lace, the depot and a store. He was poor and a foreigner who could not speak the language, but he buckled to his life work, and now reaps the reward. He did whatever lie could find at hand for a cou])le of years, but learning the house-painting trade with A. Lofstrom, he followed that for about seven years. In 1879 Mr. Paulson purchased the Swede Grove House, the pioneer hotel of the village, opened in 1874 by L. A. Olson, and changed the name to Grove City House, and was the landlord of it until the spring of 1888, when he removed to Lake Koronis where he now lives. He has, by his own industry and thrift, raised himself, unaided, from his penniless condition into comjmrative affluence. He owns the fine hotel property and a good farm in Stearns county. He has also grown in influence in the community and has held the office of member of the council since 1882; is the i)resent village recorder; and being the candidate upon the democratic ticket for member of the legislature, in the fall of 1886, was only defeated by the union of the three other parties, and then only by a small majority.

November 12, 1884, Mr. Paulson was united in marriage with Miss Siney Peterson, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Eskelson) Peterson-Clase. Both of Mr. Paulson's parents died in this county, his mother in 1887, and his father in 1886. His wife's father resides with them, but her mother died here about the time of the Indian troubles.

^g^ILLER C. WOOD, a resjiected ^^t,i%_ citizen and a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 20, Mannnah township, was born in Logan county, Ky., on the 4tli of August, islS, and is a son of Miller and Melinda (Campbell) AVood. He left his native State with his parents in 1832 and settled in Illinois, being among the earliest settlers of tliat region. lie remained there for many years, but in ISO-t came to Nicollet county, Minn., and settled, remaining one year. At the expiration of that time he came to Meeker county, and located on a farm in Union Grove township. In 1879 he removed to Manannah township and settled on section 20, where he has since continued to reside. lie lias eiglity acres of land, and, in connection with a light general farming business, he devotes considerable attention to raising stock.

In the year 1855 he was again married, Miss Lucinda S. Rogers becoming his wife. Thirteen children were born to them, ten of whom are still living. In political matters Mr. Wood affiliates witli tlie democratic party.

Co., is a native of Johnson county, Ind., and was born January 30, 1856. His parents, Jesse V. and Mary (Stark) Braniiam, were natives of Johnson county, Ind., and came to Meeker county in 1857, and located in what is now Litchfield township.

Hiram was reared upon a farm until he was about twelve years of age, since which time he has, until the formation of tlie present firm, been employed in some capacit}' in some of the county offices. He commenced in ISOS, with his father, Jesse V. Branham, Jr., who was serving then as auditor, and later on was with his present [)artner, Hamlet Stevens, in the same office, having been appointed his deputy, and remained in that position for some eight years. Tlie banking firm was established bv them in ISSl, and they are now doing a large biisiness, real estate and farm loans being a specialty. Mr. Branham, who is recognized in the community as one of its ablest and brainiest business men, by his long and faithful service in the auditor's office, became thorouglily posted in regard to the lands of the county, and this, together with his intuitive and sure judgment in all land matters make him an extremely safe guide in all real estate transactions.

Mr. Branham and Miss Jessie A. Greenleaf, the latter the daughter of Hon.W. H. Greenleaf, were united in marriage December 27, 1882. They are the parents of one child - Charles Greenleaf Branham, born December 26, 1884.

fOHN VOGEL, one of the prosperous and intelligent farmers of Dassel township, is a native of Germany, born in 1813. He was reared amid the scenes of his youth until he was about twenty-one years of age, when, starting out to seek his fortune, he turned his steps toAvard the west, to the land of the free, on this side of the ocean, whither he soon after arrived. For about two years he was engaged in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, but that work not being congenial to his taste, he came to Minnesota and for a time remained in tlie city of St. Paul. He then went to Howard Lake, and was in the employ of the railroad until 1877, when he gave that up, and witii his family settled on the farm on section 20, Dassel township, where he now lives. The first year they lived here there was no floor to their house, and they suffered considerable privation in every respect. Mucli of his time was taken up in working for others in order to provide for his family, so that the development of his own farm was somewhat retarded, but the native thrift and economy of his race, and stciidv persovoi-ance and undcviating diligence, in time met witli a signal reward, and he has now one of the best farms in the town. It contains 120 acres, and is highly cultivated and cared for.

Mr. Vogel was married in St. Paul, October 23, 1865, to Miss Emily Zeigler, a native of Germany, wlio came to this country the August preceding. They are the parents of eleven children, as follows - Edwin, born December Y, 1807; Martin, born March 19, 1869; Adelia, born February 22, 1877 ; Louisa, born July 23, 1873 ; Albert, born March 3, 1875 ; Julia, born December 22, 1876 ; Emily, born November 26, 1878 ; Mary, born March 31, 1881 ; Hattie, born March 8, 1883 ; John, born April 1, 1885 ; and Mabel, born June 6, 1887.

liW. AI.VFR O. NESS, an enterprising JP*^ farmer of Litchfield township, is a son of Ole Halverson and Mary Ness, and was born in Rock county. Wis., February 20, 1850. "When he was but six years of age his parents removed to Meeker county, and settled on section 29, of what is now Litchfield township, where his entire life has been spent in the same industrious and upright manner that characterized the lives of his worthy ancestors. In 1877 he was married to Carrie M. Karn, who was born in Alamakee county, Iowa, March 25, 1855. Her parents, Helga and Hellen Ness, came to America in 1844:, and are still residents of Iowa. Two children have been born to Ilalver and Carrie Ness - Mary, born June 1, 1878; and Hellen, born April 5, 1879. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Grove City. "When the Indian outbreak came in 1862, Halver was but twelve yeai-s old, yet the work of a man devolved upon him, and he remembers many incidents of the memorable reign of terror.

^^ILAS H. CASWELL, one of the pio- '5^§) neers of T'nion Grove township, is the son of Carlos and Anna Caswell, who were natives of Vermont. He was born at Bromj)- ton, Quebec, Canada, October 22, 1827, and Avas reared upon a farm until his nineteenth year. For a few years he was sa\vyer in a sawmill, commencing life on his own account when twenty-four years old. August 9, 1853, he was married to Miss Fannie E. McCrea, the daughter of Eobert and Elizabeth P. McCrea, who was born March 4, 1832, at Castle Fin, Ireland, of Scottish parents. She had resided in the land of her birth until eighteen 3'ears of age, coming to Canada in 1850.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Caswell came to the United States, November 3, 1854, arriving in St. Anthon}', Minn., with but $2.50 in their jiossession. The following February they removed to Monticello, Wright county, where he took up a claim and made his home until his removal to Union Grove township, this county, in 1857. While at St. Anthony, he was engaged in carpentering, and helped finish the first brick building erected in Minneapolis. In 1856 he came here, as detailed elsewhere, and, going back, sold out and moved his family here, as above mentioned.

He preempted some 160 acres of land on sections 23 and 24, in the town of Union Grove, where he lived at the time of the Indian outbreak in 1862, a history of which is given in detail elsewhere in this volume. Like all of the rest of the settlers here, that fall he and his family left, for safer quarters, and made their home on a farm in Wright county for two years. In 18»)4 he returned to Union Grove, where he made his home until 1876, during which time he had filled several local offices. At that date he removed to Stevens county where he lived for three years, afterwai'd moving back to Union Grove, where he has a fine farm, besides owning a quarter section in Brown county, Dakota, having some 380 acres in all. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell are the parents of five children - Miranda F. E., born June 26, 1854, Brompton, Quebec, Canada; Edwin H., born April 22, 1857, Monticello, Minn. ; Addie J., born February 13, 1862, Union Grove, Minn. ; Oscar C, born October 29, 1866 ; and Ernest F., born August 2, 1869, same place. The eldest, now Mrs. J. H. Murray, of Marshall county. Dak., is the mother of three children - Lura E., born April 7, 1876; Pearl C, deceased, born in 1878 ; and Berna D., born in January, 1887. Addie, Mrs. A. Matteson, of Castle, Mont., has two children living - Bei'tha G., born December, 16, 1879; and Earl L., March 31, 1884 ; she had three more, now deceased.

M. WANVIG, a resident of section 36, Acton township, is one of the most prominent citizens of Meeker county. He is a native of Norway, born June 20, 1831, and a son of Olaavis and Johanna Wanvig. His father followed the business of a general merchant in Norway until the time of his death. In 1861 D. M. Wanvig came to the New World, and settled in Quebec, Canada, where he engaged in farming and was also an interpreter for the Grand Trunk Company he settled in St. Paul, having in the meantime begun railroading, which he followed for a number of years. In the spring of 1870 he removed to Litchfield, being then engaged in railroad contracting,and in superintending the laying of tracks. In March, 1873, he purchased a farm on section 36, Acton township, and moved his family upon it. This has since been his home, with the exception of the years from 1881 to 1885, inclusive, Avhen he was a resident of Litchfield, and where he still owns a magnificent residence.

When Mr. Wanvig purchased his farm there was but fifty-two acres broke. He has added to the place until he now has 320 acres in all, 160 of which is under cultivation, and it is one of the most valuable farms in the county. Mr. Wanvig devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising, the latter particularly. Mr. AVanvig was married in Norway, in 1852, to Marie Louisa Enebo, and they were blessed with four children, as follows - Augusta, born March 31, 1853; John Olof, born December 1, 1854; George Martin, born February 16, 1856, and Marcus, born February 8, 1858. His first wife died in Norway, on the 16th of February, 1858. After coming to Canada, Mr. Wanvig was married again, this time to Elizabeth Dudy. Three children have blessed this union - Daniel, Matilda and Adolph.

Mr. Wanvig has been prominently identified with railroad building in the Northwest. When he began his railroad work the present Manitoba line was known as the St. Paul & Pacific, and he had a $16,000 contract on that line. He built the Winona Road from Marshall west to Chachaska, now Watertown ; also built the track on the line from Morris west to Breckenridge ; and the track from Barnesville to twenty-eight miles north of Crookston. When he settled at Litchfield the terminus of the line was at Benson. In political matters Mr. Wanvig is a republican, and is one of the leading members of that party in the county. From 1874 until 1883, he was, under the republican administration, railway postal clerk from St. Paul to St. Vincent, his home during this time, however, being in Meeker county. It is worthy of mention that the Indian battle which is mentioned at length in the historical department of this work was fought on section 35, of Acton township, on land now owned by Mr. Wanvig. One of the victims was buried there, but the remains were afterward taken up and re-interi'ed at Hutchinson.

^^AMUEL A. DORMAN, aix-omincntand "^i^ resjiected old settlor residing on section 17, Kingston township, dates his residence in Meeker connty the year 1857, and is therefore one of tiie best known citizens in the eastern part of the county. Afr. Dorman is a native of Washington connty. Me., born on the2J:th of January, 18-13. His early life was spent in attending school in his native State, and in 1857, with his parents, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and they located on section 17, Kingston township, where he still resides. His mother is dead and his father is still living. They were here all through the Indian outbreak and all through the most trying times in the history of the county. ]\rr. Dorman, the subject of our sketch, was married in December, 1873, to Miss Martha Gable, a native of Kentuck}', and a daughter of David Gable and wife. Her mother is dead and her father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Dorman are the parents of four children - named, Jesse, Elmer, Ilattie and Ada - two girls and two boys.

Mr. Dorman has taken an active interest in pui)lic mattei's, and has been prominentl}' identified with the official history of the township, having held various local offices. In political matters he is a democrat. During his early manhood Mr. Dorman follow^ed wag(jn-malcing to some extent, but the principal portion of his life has been devoted to farming, and he is now engaged in diversified farminf; and stock-raising.

JASPER WRIGHT, an enterprising farmer of Collinwood township, living on section 4, was l)orn in Yancey county, N. C, January 4, 1837, and is tlie son of Jonathan and Mary (Bailey) Wright, both of whom were natives of the " same State." When he was a boy of six or seven years old, his parents removed to Russell county, Va..

where he was reared to manhood. He remained at home until his marriage, after which he started for himself on one of his father's farms, where he remained until July 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Fiftieth Virginia Infantry, and served until he was wounded and cajjtured. On being paroled he returned to his home, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Lawrence county, Ohio, liut the following October, came to Collinwood township, this county. He took up a claim of 81 acres, on section 4, where he now lives. His entire wealth, when he got here, was ^33, his gun, a spider, and a dinner kettle, and his wife, and two children. He invested three dollars in provisions, and the balance of his money in a cow, and settled down to frontier life. His brother, Waitsdel, and his family were with him, and, as the brother was sick, he was the only support of both families, and kept them going in venison brought down by his gun. For three years Ijieir only meat was of this variet}'. He is now well fixed, however, and enjoys life in a more comfortable fashion.

Mr. Wright was married January 6, 1858,. to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in Russell county, Va., August 26, 1840, and is the daughter of William and Dycia Taylor. They have had a family of five children.

^; ECKSTROM. Prominent among the [^' leading citizens of Dassel village is exsheriff Ekstrom, of whom this sketch is written. His life, which began in Sweden, January 20, 1845, has been a diversified one, his eai'ly years having been passed as a seaman upon the boisterous waters of the North Atlantic, and the more placid Pacific Ocean, and in which profession he rose to the position of mate. Growing tired of the monotony of sea life he came to New Yoi-k in

1S67, and in company witli K. and G. Railing, came directly through to Meeker county by way of St. Paul. During the winter of that year he followed hunting and trapping with the other two men, and in August, 1867, the three purchased 1100 acres of land, all of which they afterwards sold except 300 acres which Mr. Ekstroui kept for his own use, and on which he carried on farming. This was on section 3, town of Greenleaf, and upon it he took up agricultural pursuits, and remained there until 1874, when he sold out, and removing to Litchfield, entered into partnership with A. T. Koerner, in the real estate business, under the firm name of Ekstrom & Koerner. lie remained in this until 18S1. Having been elected sheriff of the county in 1877 he assumed the duties of that office and held it for six years, having been twice re-elected. After the termination of his official career he entered upon the handling of grain at ]\Iorton, where he remained until 188G when he came to Dassel where he is engaged in the real estate business with Peter Johnson, although he still lives at the county seat.

^H^HEODORE EHLERS, of the firm of ^jJU Shaw & Ehlers, millers and grain dealers, Litchfield, is a native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, born December 10, 1837, and is the son of Christian and Amelia Ehlers. He received his education in his native land, and tliere acquired some knowledge of the milling business. He came to the United States in January, 1851, while yet a young man, and followed llie profession of a miller, through various parts of Wisconsin, until 1863, when he located in the city of Minneapolis. There he was employed in the old Cataract mill, which was the first and, at. that time, the only merchant mill in the Flour City. After two years spent as miileiin that establishment, Mr. Ehlers started the- Arctic, now St. Anthony mill, which he operated for about a year. The next two succeeding years were spent by him in thesame line of business at Chaska, this State, after whicii he returned to Minneapolis,, where he entered the Wasliburn flour mill, now known as " B " mill. He started the Zenith and the Galaxy mills, and several others, and made his home there until 1877- At that time he came here, and in company with Mr. Shaw, purchased the Litchfield flouring mill, and established the present business. Shortly after its purchase the new proprietors remodeled the mill, and changed it to the roller system, and improved it throughout, making it first-class in every respect. In 1882 the firm erected their elevator. They are also engaged in the flour and feed business in Litchfield.

Mr. Ehlers is one of the active members of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Hennepin Lodge, No. 4. He is a member of Rabboni Ciiapter, No. 39, and Melita Commandery, No.l7, of this place, and he and his wife both belong to Fidelity Chapter, Eastern Star degree, of which Mrs. Ehlers, formerly Miss Emma E. Elkins, is thepresent secretai'v.

J^ARTIN O. NESS, is a well-known .^.tj^_ farmer and stock-raiser, who resides on section 32. Litchfield township. He is a son of Ole Halverson and Mary Ness, and was among the first white children born in Meeker county, having first seen the light on the old Ness homestead February 11,. 1858. His father and mother were nativesof Norway, and among the first settlers of Meeker county, and Martin was reared on the farm with them. In 1881 he purchased the (Tuiuier-Olson farm, and commenced tlie business of farming on his own acconnt. In 1SS3 he moved tlieold homestead house onto his ])hice, and "batched" it there until September 13, 1884, wlien lie was nuirried to Hannah Peterson, who was born in JS'orwav, June 23, 1859. She is the daughter of Peter and Tisa Peterson Schonhoveh Martin Ness and wife have two children - Oscar Peter, born October IS, 1885 ; Charles Pandolph, born January 31, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Ness are both members of tiie Norwegian Lutheran Church of Grove City.

Carl O. Nkss, of Litchfield townsliip, is another sturdy young farmer, who was born Meeker county, the date of his birth being July 12, 1805, and his parents being Olellaiverson and Mary Ness. He is of that hardy Norse stock that make successful farmers and substantial citizens. He owns a quarter section of land adjoining the farms of his brothers Martin and Halver, and devotes his entire attention to farming and stock-raising,making his home witli Martin. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Litch- Jfield.

)ATRICK MCCAFFREY, one of the most prominent and well-to-do farmers and stock-raisers in the northern portion of the county, resides on section 22, Manannah township. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 8th of ]\Iarch, 1822, and is a son of Patrick and Ellen (McCarran) McCaffrey. He grew to manhood in his native land, acquiring the same habits of industry Jinil frugality which are characteristic of the race from which he springs. His jiarents died in the land of his birth, and in 1844 he started for America, landing in Boston, and went direct to Lowell, Mass., where he settled. He remained there until Mav, 1865, when he came "West to Meeker county, Minn., aud took a claim in Harvey townshij), where T. W. Dougherty now lives. He dug a cellar, got read\' to buiki. and made some other improvements, after which he and his wife returned to Lowell, Mass., for the rest of the familv and i»-oods. Durinj;' their absence a party jumped their claim, and Mr. McCaffrey lost his homestead. The family remained in Massachusetts one year, and then returned to Meeker county, Minn., and Mr. McCaffrey took a claim and built a house on section 30, in what is now Harvey township. After living there for one year they were burned out and lost all they had. When this misfortune overtook them they returned to Lowell, Mass., and remained there until 1876, when thej' again settled in Meeker county, locating on section 22, Manannah township, where they still reside. Mr. McCaffrey has a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising.

In 1842 Mr. McCaffrey was mai'ried to Elizabeth Quinn, and tiiey have been blessed with nine children, as follows - Patrick, Rose Ann, Owen, James, Thomas, Mary J., John, Mary E. and Charles II., all of whom are living except Patrick, Mary J. and Charles H. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

/^HARLES F. SPAULDING, a respected ^^p and prominent old settler residing on section 22, Forest Prairie, and a successful farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Oxford county. Me., born on the 14tli of April, 1850, and is a son of I'enjainin Y. S|)aulding. His parents are still living in Forest Prairie township, in which they were among the earliest settlers.

While Charles was still 3'oung his parents removed to Scott county, and in 1866, they removed to Meeker county. When our subject was only fifteen years of age, in February, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went into the service, and joined his company at Chattanooga, Tenn. He remained in the service until July 29, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then returned to Scott county, Minn., and the following year the family settled in Forest Prairie township, where they have since lived. Our subject owns 2i0 acres of land in all, and devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising. He has been engaged in farming most of the time since attaining his majority, although for four years following 1880, he carried the mail from Litclifield to Forest City.

Charles F. Spaulding was married on the 1st of February, 1874, to Miss Josephine Vossen, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Christian Vossen, a respected resident of Forest Prairie township. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have been the parents of five children, as follows - Joseph, Frank, Charles, Lydia and Julia.

In political matters Mr. Spaulding is a republican. He has taken an active interest in township and educational matters, and has been prominently identified with the official history of the town.

a respected and influenwho lives on section 21, Greenleaf township, was born in Sweden, on the 11th of February, 1839. His father died in Sweden, and he was brought up on a farm, learning the same habits of economy and industry which characterize a majority of that nationality. In 1867 he sailed for the United States and settled at Eock Island,

111. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Meeker county, Minn., and purchased the farm in Greenleaf township where he now lives. He has beeii ver}^ successful in his farming operations, notwithstanding he has met with several reverses in losing or getting poor crops, but his industry has not been without its reward and he is now in comfortable circumstances. He now has 100 acres of land, substantial buildins's and a good lot of stock.

Mr. Olson Avas married in 1876 to Johanna C. Johnson. In religious matters Mr. Olson is a member of the Church of God ; and in political affairs he affiliates with the republican party. His mother resides with him.

rVlREN W. TOPPING, who is engaged ^/ in the hay and straw baling business in the village of Litchfield, was born in Greenleaf, Meeker county, November 11, 1860, and is the son Charles G. and Louisa M. ( Br iggs) Topping.

The father of the subject of this memoir, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 11, 1834, and made his home there, with his parents, until 1855. In the spring of that year he removed to Wisconsin, where he lived until the fall of 1857, when he came to this vicinity, settling at Hutchinson, McLeod county. The following spring he took up a claim on section 10, Cedar Mills township, which be commeneed improving as a fai'm. In January, 1860, he returned to his native State, and was there united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Briggs, and with her returned the following spring to his farm.

In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Minnesota Infantr}^ and served until September, 1864, when lie was honorably disfrora the service for owing to disease contracted in tiie army. His family, at the time of tlie Indian outbreak, having fled back to New York State, he, on receiving his discharge, went there 4ind bi'ought them back to Minnesota, and made his home upon his fanii until 1872, when he sold out and came to the village of Litchfield, where he now lives. His wife, the mother of our subject, and three broth- -ers and one sister, died February 14, 1888. She was a most estimable woman, an affectionate wife and indulgent motlier, and who possessed the esteem of all witii whom she -came in contact.

Oren W. remained with liis parents while they lived upon the farm, but some time after coming to Litchfield, commenced to learn the barber's trade, which he followed for some time, after which he established his present business.

MELS JOHNSON, a successful and enterprising fai'mer ami stock-raiser, residing on section 32, Union Grove township, is a native of Sweden, born July 17, 1836, -and a son of John and Maggie Hanson. His earlv life Avas spent in his native land, where he learned the mason's trade, and acquin^d the habits of industry and frugality which -are characteristics of the Swedish people.

In 1880 he came to the United States and made his way direct to Meeker county, Minn. JB[e first located at Grove City, where he fol lowed his trade, and remained there for four years. At the expiration of that time he came to Union Grove township and purchased 160 acres of land on section 32, where he now lives. His resitience is a comfortable new frame building, and he is rapidly getting his farm in tillable condition.

was born in Sweden on the 18th of December, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been the parents of five children, three of whom are dead. The two living children are as follows - Mary, born May 18, 1866; and John, born May 13, 1868. Mary married O. C. Olson, and now lives in Harvey township, and John is still at home.

[M^RANK Mclaughlin, a prominent, IP^ energetic, and industrious farmer, living upon section 10, Manannah township, is a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, born March 16, 1828, and son of William and Alice A. McLaughlin. He remained beneath the parental roof until some twenty-three years of age, but foreseeing the utter impossibility of ever acquiring a competency in his oppressed native land, he came, like many of his countrymen, to the free shores of America to hew out his own fortunes. After spending about a year in the cotton mills at Lowell, Mass., he repaired to Boston and found employment in a rolling mill, where he continued for three years. The next seven years were passed in various places, en-^ gaged at various emplo^'ments, and the spring of 1861 found him in Columbus, Ind. While there, April 16. of tiiat year, he enlisted in Company K, Tliirteenth Indiana Infantry, and was in the engagement at Iiicli Mountain, W. Va., July 11, 1861, and the balance of the campaign under Gen. George B. McClellan. On March 23, 1862, he was with his regiment and took part in the first battle at Winchester. During the Chickahominy campaign he jiarticipated in the Seven Days' battles which tei'minated at Malvern Hill. From that time on Mr. McLaughlin's fortunes were those of the regiment, one of the best known in the Indiana contingent in the Armies of the Potomac and Shenandoah. He served at the siege of Pe- tersburg, Va., in the spring of 1864, and was discharged at Indianapohs on Jul}' t, 1864. He was three times wounded, once severely. On his discliarge Mr. McLaughlin returned to Lowell and went to work in a factory there. In April, 1806, he came to Meeker county, and settled where he now lives. He has made all tlie improvements here and endured while doing so, all the hardships of early settlers. He was married on the 31st of July, 1861, to Miss Anna Breen, who has become the mother of four children - William J., born June 30, 1865 ; Mary A., born January 10, 1868; Maggie E., born February 21, 1871 ; and Alice C, born January 13, 1877.

EORGE B. STROBECK, a progressive ^^pr farmer and stock-raiser living near the village of Litchfield, is a native of New York, and was born in St. Lawience c(unty, July 6, 1816. He was reared on the fai'm with his parents, Henry and Fanny Strol)eck, and was primarily educated in the common schools of tlije county, and afterward received an academic course of four years in the St. Lawrence Academy. In September, 1868, he was united in marriage with Celestia M. Thomas. They have one child, Frederick, born December 1, 1872.

George continued the conduct of his father's farm some five years after his mai*- riage, and then purchased a farm in the same neighborhood, which he operated until 1877, when failing health compelled him to make a change. In the fall of that year he came to Meeker county, and purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Litchfield townshi]i. and the following spring brought his family on, and began life anew on a piece of land without a dollar's worth of improvements on it, and after having been reduced in health and circumstances b}' two j^ears of severe sickness. He now has one of the best improved farms in the township, and has fullv regained his health and strength. His antecedents were i-emarkable for their longevity, his grandfather being 1073'ears old at the time of his death, and his gi'andmother 103, while his great-grantlmother is known to have reached the age of 120. Mr. Strobeck is a model farmer, and devotes his entire attention to the improvement of his farm, and is getting a fair start in the introduction of high grade stock. The family are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Strobeck is a staunch republican, and in 1887 was elected to the board of supervisors on that ticket.

l^RANK J. TWOMBLY, one of the pro- JP^ gressive farmers of Cosmos township, living on section 23, is the son of James and Ellice Twombly, and is a native of McKeene county, Penn., born in 1857. He was reared among the hills, and amid the })icturesQue surroundings of his native county, until he was about six or seven years of age, when his parents removed to St. Anthony, this State, where they made their home until 1878, when they came to Meeker county and located on the jilace, now owned and occupied by Frank. The latter accompanied his parents here, and remained with them until 1884, when he purchased the homestead of his fathei', upon which he now carries on agricultural pursuits. His father, after disposing of his ]iroperty, emigrated to far-off Oregon, settled there anil is still a resident of that State. Frank Twombly has held several minor local offices as a ])reparatory school to the more important ones which, no doubt, the future holds in store for him. He is a careful lousiness man, and holds the respect of all who know him.

A. DRAXTEN is one of the thrifty and enterprising- farmers of Acton townsiiip. Like so many of the residents of the western part of Meeker country, he is a native of Norway, born on tlie Oth of October, 1850, the names of his immediate ancestors being Andrew F. and Mary Draxten. His early life was spent in his native land, hut in 1SG9 he sailed for the United States, and upon his arrival, came direct to Minneapolis, where he was employed in sawmills. Seven years later he came to Meeker county and ]iurchased 111 acres of land on section 17, in Acton township, where he now lives. He has a good farm and valuable improvements - a neat twostory house, 26x32 feet in size, with an addition 14x1-1, and also a substantial barn 28x51: feet in dimensions. His parents live with him, and he has four brothers who are Meeker county farmers, all of whom are married.

Mr. Draxten is a democrat in political matters, and takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his township. He is a well-posted and intelligent citizen, and is highly respected by his neighbors. He has held a number of township offices ; was elected supervisor in 1881 and served one term, and in March, 1886, was elected township treasurer.

JTeSSE V. BRANHAM, SR., one of the 0 pioneers of this locality, was born April IS, 1803, in Scott county, K3^, and lived there until 1811, when he removed with his parents to Franklin,Jefferson county, Ind. He learned the millwright's trade there and followed it for some years, at one time owning a half-interest in the mill at Franklin, and an interest in the woolen mill at the same place. In 1857 he removed to Meeker county, and took up a claim in the town of Litchfield, where he made his home until the tragic days of the Indian outbreak in 1862, when he took his family to a place of securit}', and, although then nearly sixty years of age, returned to help defend the country. He it was that volunteered to ride to the State capital, with the demand of the settlers for help, a service of danger and fatigue, as the road then was nearly one hundred miles long. After fulfilling his duty here he went to Minneapolis, where iiis family were and and there spent the winter. Inthe springof 1863, he and his family returned to Forest City, and two years later to the old homestead. In lS6i he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and served for six years. In 1874 Mr. Branhara sold his farm and moved to the village of Litchfield, where he now resides. He was married December 21, 1821, to Miss Mary Butler, and they have been the parents of eight children, four of whom are living, namely - Jesse V. Jr., Wilham, Mrs. Gullet, and Mrs. E. A. Campbell. Mrs. Branham died June 12, 1888, at Litchfield.

^TlCK BAUER. The subject of this biiffjl ography, a respected and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 7, Forest Prairie township, is a native of Prussia, German}', born on the 20th of March, 1853, and a son of Goodheart and Mary (Earnest) Bauer. In 1865 the family sailed for the United States, and after a voyage lasting for forty days they landed at New York City, and at once proceeded by way of 'St. Paul to St. Cloud, in Stearns county, Minn., where they were among the first settlers. They settled on a farm about nine miles from St. Cloud, and that was the home of the parents until the time of their death. Goodheart Bauer and wife were the parents of a large family of children, the names of their offspring being as follows -

Nick Bauer, the subject of our present sketch, was married on the 14th of September, 1879, at Minneapolis, to Miss Lizzie Fenniman, a native of German}'. She became the mother of one child, a girl named Marj', and the mother died in June, 1880.

Mr. Bauer's present wife was formerly Miss Marj' Roucli. The}' were married at St. Nicholas, Stearns county, on the 9th of November, 1882. They are the parents of two living children, named Anna and Peter.

In political matters Mr. Bauer affiliates with the democratic pai-ty. The family are exemplary members and active supporters of the Catholic Church.

ICHARD DOYLE, a progressive and wide-awake farmer of Darwin township, has his home on section 10. He is a native of Upper Canada, born about the year 1836, and is the son of Terence and Margaret Doyle, who were natives of the beloved but down-trodden island of Ireland. Richard remained for many years in his Canadian home engaged in tilling the soil, for he was alwaj's a farmer until 1867, when he came to the States and settled in Meeker county, where he now lives, and where he has continued to make his home ever since.

While living in Canada he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Enright, who bore him nine children, of whom the following six still survive - Michael, John, James A., Richard T., Mary and Terence. Their oldest child, Terence, died in Canada, as did Patrick, in 1867 ; Margaret died here April 14, 1888, and is buried in Darwin.

his calling. His success since coming here is entirely due to his persistent labor and good judgment, and is an excellent example. There is no tlowery road to success, nothing but diligent work, and Mr. Doyle has proven that he has found it so. He is a strict member of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a sincere and abiding democrat, believing that in that party lies the safest rules for the preservation of our National existence.

OHN WISE, who is successfully engaged '0 in farming and stock-raising, upon section 29, Kingston township, is a native of Miami county, Ohio, born April 8, 1835, and is the son of Samuel and Barbara (Shope) Wise, who were natives of Lancaster county, Penn. His father emigrated from the " Buckeye State," in his later days, to Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy -nine years nine months and thirteen days. The mother died in 1869. Both were members sf the German Baptist Church, and were the parents of fourteen children, who all grew to manhood and womanhood. Their names were - Jacob, John, Samuel, Andreas, Levi, Isaac, Abram, Ilenr}', Daniel, Elizabeth, Sallie, Teena, Barbara, and Marj'.

John Wise was reared in Miami county, Ohio, upon the paternal farm, where he lived until attaining his majority, receiving in the halc3'on days of youth the elements of a good education. He commenced farming in his native State, and from there moved over into Indiana, where he lived until 1879, when he came to Minnesota, locating in Meeker county, on the place where he now lives.

The subject of this historical notice was united in marriage, January 2, 1855, with Miss Sarah Christian, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Solomon and PolMe

Christian, natives of the "Keystone State" also. By this union there have been six children born, namely - Samuel, living in Wisconsin; and Anna, Fannie, Elizabeth, Barbara, and Sara Jane, all of whom are married, but the son. In his politics Mr. Wise is a steady adherent to the principles of the republican ])arty, and is a representative man of tlie township.

MELS EKMAN is a farmer on section 3i, Swede Grove township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Ekman is a son of Swan and Ingra Swanson, and is a native of Sweden, born on the 2d of October, 1853. He came to the United States in ]S71, and made his way directly to Meeker county, Minn. He worked for farmers in this part of the State until about 1877, when he bought a farm of Peter Elofson. Two months later he traded this for a farm in Douglas county, but did not move on to it, and soon afterward traded it for a farm near Grove City, in this county. Two months later he sold this and went to Devil's Lake, where he worked on the railroad one summer, and then returned to Swede Grove. In the spriAg he bought a farm of George Okeson, where he now lives. He has 120 acres of land on sections 3.3 and 3-t, his buildings being on tiie latter section. By industry and economy Mr. Ekman has secured a good start, and is in comfortable circumstances. Jrle was a poor man when he came here - so poor, in fact, that he owed for his passage from his native land to the New World, and he worked for two years to pay the debt. Mr. Ekman was married to Miss Ellen Anderson, a daughter of Bengt and Betsy Hanson. They have been blessed with two children - Betsy, born March 21, 1884, and Andrew, born February 2, 1887. Mrs. Ekman was born in Sweden on the 28th of November, 1859. Her mother is dead, and her father lives in Swede Grove township. Mr. Ekman's father is dead, and his mother is still living in Sweden, her native land. In political matters Mr. Ekman is a republican.