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

^III^HE SUBJECT of this sketch, W. J. XiL WHririNGTON, the proprietor of the Litchfield greenhouse and market garden, is a native of Sussex, England, born December 28, 1863. From the time that he was old enough he spent his time in a greenhouse and garden in his old home, on the south coast of his native land, until he was about fourteen years of age, when he came to this country and located in Union Grove township, in this county. He passed some three yeai-s in that vicinity, and then removed to Litclitield. The first six months he was here he spent in attendance at the high school, after which, for about four years, he was employed at farm labor. In the fall of 1885 he leased two town lots on the corner of Third and Holcomb streets, with the intention of establishing a floral and plant conservatory for local and shipping trade. He broke the first ground for this enterprise September 12, 1885, and by his energy and perseverance soon built up an active trade and an enviable reputation. These grounds proving too small for his rapidly increasing business, in the fall of 1887 Mr. Whittington purchased some five acres of ground in Greenleaf's addition to the town, a portion of which he is laying out as a private park, for the purpose of floral displays, which is to bear the name of Garfield Park. In this our subject proposes to show the growth and culture of the various flowers and plants susceptible of outdoor exposure in this climate, and exhibit some features of landscape gardening. It is the intention to hold annual horticultural shows and festivals here, given by the generosity of the propri- etor to his friends and patrons throughout this section of the State. In connection with this Mr. Whittington carries on market gardening, and being connected with the business part of the city by telephone, can make deliveries at short notice. He also handles all the various tools used in gardening, pots, and instructions as to the cultivation of plants and flowers, and is ])repared to furnish bouquets and floral decorations for weddings or other festive occasions.

MUGUST ERICKSON, The subject of j|£>^ this sketch is a prominent farmer who lives on section 15, in Greenleaf township. He was born in Sweden October 3, 1851, and his parents were natives of the same land, his father having been born in 1809 and his mother in 1812. His father died when he was only twelve years of age and he wa-s early in life thrown upon his own resources. His mother 'is still living. In 1872 he came to the United States and settled at Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y. Two years later he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., and renuiined there about four months after which he came to Meeker county, and settled in Greenleaf township, where he has since livetl. He arrived here in the fall of 1874. He has a valuable farm, substantial improvements and is in prosperous circumstances. He has taken an active interest in religious matte)'s and is a member of the Mission Friends Church.

On the 20th of July, 1873, he was married to Christina Peterson, who is also a native of Sweden. Her parents were also natives of the same country, her mother still living, but the father having died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been blessed with seven children, all of whom are living, as follows - Anna, born September 5, 187-1; Ilildur, born June -i, 1876; Salraa,

WEN PRINTY, a prosperous and well- V^y to-do agriculturist of Darwin township, residing on section 14, is a nat^'e of that gem of the sea, Ireland, born about the year 1831. Reared among the beautiful scenery of that ever-verdant isle, Mr. Printy had no wish to leave it, were it not for the fact that it was almost impossible to stay there and enjoy more than the barest necessaries of life, so oppressed and down-trodden are its. people by foreign misrule.

In October, 1860, Owen was married to Miss Alice McGill, a native of the same country, and the following year the young couple determined to seek a new home in free America, where a man could raise his condition if he chose. They accordingly embarked, and, crossing the ocean, landed at Quebec. From there they came direct to St. Paul and St. Anthony, and in the latter city Mr. Printy remained some five or six months. He then came to Meeker county, but after a stay at Forest City of some five or six months more, he was driven back to St. Anthony by the terrible Indian outbreak of 1862. Four years later, with his family, he left St. Anthony, where they had been living, and coming to Meeker county, settled in Darwin township, on the farm where he now lives, where he has ever since made his home.

Mr. and Mrs. Printy are the parents of seven children - Ellen, Mary, Owen, Alice, John, Joanna and Michael, all living but Joanna, who died November 29, 1877. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

ICHOLAS NELSON, a highly respected old settler of Litchlield townlip, was born in Sweden, October 23, 1849. His father, Bengt Nelson, was born in 1815, and died in Meeker county, in 187-1. His mother, Christine Nelson, was born in Sweden, in 1805, and at this date (1888) still lives near neighbor to Nicholas. The family came to America in 1850, and lived in Knox county, 111., till 1858, Avhen they came to Meeker county, by way of the river to Carver county, and took up a claim on section 22, of what is now Litchfield township. Nicholas has three half brothers and one half sister, namely - Swan, Nels and Peter Swanson, and Hannah Swanson Vorys.

At the time of the Indian outbreak the family, consisting of Nicholas and his father and mother, were living on the old claim, about two miles from where Litchfield village now stands. After receiving the warning of the onslaught of the savages on that memorable 17th of August, the family took refuge for the night in the house of Nels Swanson, and they next proceeded to Forest City. After remaining there a short time, they went to Washington county and stayed there during the winter, returning to the farm in the spring. Nicholas continued to assist his father in carrying on the farm until the latter's death, when he took the hehn himself, and has operated it in a quiet, though successful way. In 1879 he was married to Emma Olson, a native of Sweden. They have four children - Charles, Josephine, Ellen and Alfred.

JTOHN W. TORREY. One of tlie most ^ successful and enterprising farmers of Union Grove township, is the gentleman whose name heads this article. He is a resident of section 25, and his enterprise is manifested in the substantial buildings wiiich he iuis erected, and his fai'm,as a whole, is a credit to the township in wiiich he resides.

Mr. Torrey is a son of John A. and Ann E. (Diamond) Torrey, and was born forty miles west of Detroit, in Jackson county, Michigan, on the 29tli of December, 1838. His mother died when he was still a boy of eight, and he remained with his father until he was sixteen years old, when he started out to earn his own way in the workL In 1855 he came to Minnesota with his father, and remained here two years working on a farm, after wiiich he returned to Michigan. Three years later he came back to Minnesota, and in October, 1861, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Battery, and went south for service with his company. He saw very active service, and participated in tiiefolhjwing battles - Shdoh, Corinth, second Corinth, Vicksbm-g, Champion Hill, luka, Atlanta, Columbia and Goldsborough.

He remained in active service for three years and seven months, and was finally mustered out at St. Paul, on the 2d of July, 1865. He then came to Meeker county and looked over the country, but did not locate until March, 1866, when he took eighty acres on section 26, in Union Grove township. He remained there for two years and then sold his right, and purchasetl forty acres of railroad land. He has since adfled additional pieces, until he now owns 210 acres of land, his buildings being located on section 25.

In the winter of 1865-6, the husband of Mr. Torrey's sister \Yas frozen to death, and the care of his sister and her three cliildren, devolved upon liim. She was with him three years, when she removed to Litchfield, and has since married.

Mr. Torrey has met with considerable bad luck. He had some $1,400 in money when he came to the county, but lost in all in three years, from various causes beyond his control. In 1877 the grasshoppers took his grain, and one year he paid $2.50 per bushel for seed wheat, and sold his meager crop in October for 50 cents per bushel. Thus luck ran against him until, when he bought the first forty of his present farm, he did not have a dollar. His enterprise and industrj', however, have not been unrewarded, as he is now one of the most comfortably "fi.xed" farmers in the township. He is a republican in political matters, and has taken considerable interest in township matters, and held various local offices, including that of supervisor for four years.

^MNTHONY WAYNE COLEMAN is one Jt^"^^ of the leading farmers of the town of Collinwood, and lives on section 31, where he has a fine farm of 180 acres. He is a native of Buchanan count}', Va., and is the son of Richard and Nancy (King) Coleman, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. His father was a merchant in the village of Grundy, and owned a large stock farm besides. When the war broke out he joined the " Home Guards," and while absent from home on duty was taken prisoner by the Federals. By disguising himself he managed to escape, but found that the Confederates had cleaned him out of ever3'thing in his absence. _ Disgusteil, he returned and and enlisted in the federal army, and was afterward killed in battle. The family, being left destitute, removed to Louisa, Ky., where they lived until 1864, at which time the family came to Minnesota. At that time the family consisted of Mrs. Coleman and her eight cliildren - Lewis, Joseph, Anthony, Mary Jane, Pricy, Ellen, Ci-osby and Carrie. They settled in Hutchinson, IVfcLeod county, where the mother died two years later, and the children were scattered. Anthony worked around from place to place until he was about eighteen years old, at which time he commenced attending school, spending two years in the district schools, one year in the Hutchinson High School and the last term in the State Normal. He then came to Collinwood, and for eleven years taught a portion of each year. In 1877 he purchased the farm where he now lives, and has made it his home ever since. He was married. April 4, 1878, to Miss Lydia McKinney, daughter of John and Lydia (Hicks) McKinney. By this union they have five children - Lydia, born January 6, 1879; Joseph, born August 29, 1880; James, born September 13, 1882 ; Jane, born May 5, 1884 ; and Theresa, born July 7, 1886.

this sketch is a well-known and highly respected farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 20, Forest Prairie township, and an ex-I^nion soldier.

Mr. Rowley was born in Cai'roU county, Ohio, on the 24th of August, 1844, and is a son of William and Ann (Morledge) Rowley. The parents were natives of England ; the father came to the United States, when seventeen, and the mother, when eleven years of age. They were married in Ohio. The}' are now both dead ; the father died June 23, 1877, in Bartholomew county, Ind.,

Henry C. Tlowley, our subject, spent liis school days in Jennings and i>artholoniew counties, Ind. On the 11th of November, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and went into service, participating in the battles of Green river, Shiloh, Corinth, Marietta, Chickamauga, and Atlanta, besides many skirmishes. He was finally discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., on the 21st of November, 18fi5, and returned to his former home in Indiana. As he was only seventeen years old at the time of his enlistment he resumed his schooling, after his return from the war, and attended one winter term, after which he was emploj'ed in a saw mill, and also worked at mason work, having learned that trade. In the spring of 18S0 he went to Arkansas, and was on the road in the macliinery business for about one year, then lived in Little Rock, Ark., for one year, engaged in the milling business. In April, 1882, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and purchased his present farm in Forest Prairie township, where he has since lived. He has one of the best improved and most valuable farms in the township.

Mr. Rowley was married at Columbus, Ind., December 17, 1868, to Miss Margaret Irwin, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of William Irwin. Her fatiier was t;inner l)y trade, who died when she was quite young. Her mother married James W. Polk, and now lives in the same township as her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the parents of six children living, as follows^ William Orien, Luia B., George, Clarence, Grace, and Mattie. One child, Nora B., died when three years old. The famil}' are members of the Christian Church.

In political matters Mr. Rowley is a republican. He has taken an active interest in educational and official mattei-s, and is one of the leading citizens of the township in which he lives.

l^ERGUS McCUSKER, the subject of this JP^ personal historj', a resident of section 10, is one of the most successful and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers in Ilarvey township. He is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and was born in September, 1827. His early life was spent in the land of his birth, where he received the severe and rigid discipline of industry and frugality which was given to lads of his nationality. On the 1st of November, 1846, he sailed for America, landing at the city of New York, and a few days later went to Newburyport, Mass , where he worked in the ship-yards for several j'ears. From there he went to Lowell, Mass., where he secured work in a cotton factory and remained until 1855. In the spring of that year he started west and located in Illinois, arriving there on the 4th of April. Remainino; in that State during the intervening time, in 1859 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and located in Harvey township, where he still lives. Here he was living with his family peaceably carrying on his farming operations when the Indian outbreak occurred. Mr. McCusker at once moved his family to Forest City, and a few days later to Clearwater, where he left them and he returned temporarily to finish his harvesting. In the same fall, 1862, he brought his family back, and has since made this his home without interruption.

On the 7th of June, 1S4S, ]\[r. McCusker was married to Miss Margaret ]\IcNulty, and they have been the parents of seven children the two oldest of whom - Charles and Charles A. - are dead. The five living children are - James, Mary Ann, Rosella, Maggie and

Charles. James is married. Mary Ann is now Mrs. Patrick McQuid, of Swift county, Minn. The family are active members of the Catholic Church.

In political matters Mr. McCusker acts independent of party. By his thrift, industry and frugality he has accumulated a fine property, and now has a splendid farm of 460 acres, which is one of the best improved farms in Meeker county. His enterprise is manifested in his building improvements, which are a credit to any farming district. He has a windmill on his place arranged with the necessary machinery so that he can grind all his grain except for flour, and also does all such work as sawing wood, churning, etc.

^LE LARSON, one of the old settlers of Acton township, was born in Norway, on the 9th of January, 1835, and is a son of Lars and Katrina Anderson. He came to the United States in 1855, and settled in Illinois, where he worked for various farmers until 1861, when he came to Minnesota, and took a homestead on section 26, in Acton township, where he now lives. Mr. Larson had barely got settled in his new home when the terrible Indian outbreak of 1862 began. He visited Baker's house - where the first murder was committed - at about eleven o'clock on the night of the killing, and could hear the Indians yelling and shooting in the neighborhood, some of the bullets coming so near that he could hear them sing as they passed his head. Fearing that a large force of Indians would come he returned to his homestead, and, gathering together what few things he could readily carry, he went to Forest City. The same night the Indians burned his house, grain, and destroyed all else that they could. At Forest Citj' he got a house to live in, and on the night of the attack upon Forest City he went to the stockade for safety, and the Indians burned the house which he had occupied. After the close of hostihties he returned to his farm and has since made it his home. He has been very successful in his farming operations and is now well off. He has a comfortable house and fine farm buildings.

Mr. Larson was first married in the spring of 1861, to Miss Sarah Halverson, who died in 1870. His second marriage was with Mrs. Dora Hanson. Her first husband was Andrew Hanson, who died in Norway in 1863, and by whom she had two children - Sophia and Hans, both of whom were born in 1855. By these marriages Mr. Larson has had the following children - Betsy, born January 9, 1863; Louisa, born in March, 1865; Hannah, born March 1, 1867; and Lewis, born May 7, 1869. Betsy married A. 0. Lawson, a general merchant of Grove City ; Louisa married Andrew Bjorhus, a farmer in Greenleaf township ; Hannah married Olof Olson, a farmer in Acton township; and Lewis is living at home Avith his parents.

JOHN KNIGHTS, one of the leading stock-buyers of Litchfield, is also engaged in the livery business in that villasre. He is a native of Eaton, Canada, born February 27, 1837, and is the son of "William and Catherine (Hoburn) Knights. Both of his parents were natives of the Emerald Isle, who had come to the Dominion several years previous. John was reared in the county of his birth, upon the farm of his father, until he had reached the age of nineteen, when he came to the United States and located at St. Paul, this State. He remained in that place and in Hennepin county for about four years, engaged in lumbering, and then moved to Oshkosh, Wis. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in tlie I'^ii'st l\rinnesota Infantry, for thi-ee iiiontlis, and on the exjiiration of liis term of service, re-enlisted in the Third Alinnesota Infantry. He partici])ated in the fortunes of the regiment until March, 18G3, wlien he was mustered out for disability. Settling in Wright county, at the time of the outbreak he was made scout and guide to one of the columns, after which he served as deputy provost marshal until the close of the war. Mr. Knights remained at farming in Wright county six years, and then ran a store at Cokato for eighteen months,and after spending another year in lumbei'ing, hecame to Litchfield and went into the livery business with A. L. McCarger. Four years later he commenced the cattle business. In 1886 the firm of Ross & Knights was formed. In April, 1864, he married Miss Helen Marr Jenks, a native of Illinois, who had come to this State in her childhood. By this union there have been Ijorn nine children - Henry H., Viola E., Gertrude E., Bertha M., Winnie M.. Arthur E., AUie F., Harry M., and John A.

>ETER E. LARSON, a prominent citizen [^ of Litchfield township, was born in Sweden March 1, 1846, and came to America and Meeker county, Minn., with his parents, John and Celia Peterson Larson, in 1857. He was sixteen years of age Avhen the Indian outbreak occurred, but the duties of a man devolved upon him. He helped move the family to Forest City, then Clearwater, and, later on, to Anoka. While the family were encamped on the bank of the river opposite Clearwater, he started there to see them. The ferryman refused to take hini across the river, the object being to keep all the men and horses on this side of the river for use in the constantly expected confiicts with the Indians. But Peter had started to see his folks, and see them he would, at all hazards. So, nothing daunted, he tied his clothes on his back and swam the Father of Waters, in defiance of the mandates of the ferryman and all his men. During the fall he came liack and remained at the old home ail winter and the following spring and summer, "keeping bach" witiihis brother Louis. After his father's death, in 1867, Peter conducted the farm, and still lives on the old homestead. On the 11th of June, 1870, he was married to Anna Oleson, daughter of Ole Ilawkinson. Eight children have been born to them, two of whom - Charles and an infant unnamed - are dead. The others are all at home - Josephine Albertina, Alice A., Geoi'ge William, Alexander, Amanda and Huldah. Like his brothers, Peter has acquired some fine propert}', by dint of hard toil and close attention to business, having a splenditl farm of ne.irly 400 acres. In addition to farming, he has for many years carried on the business of threshing, and yearly adds a goodly portion to his earthly store by that means. He devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, both native and blooded.

,'V)LE K. BJORHUS, a prominent and X^ii/ successful farmer residing on section IS, Greenleaf township, was born in Norway, in 1824, and is a son of Knute and Martha Bjorhus. In 1869 he came to America in company with his oldest son, Knute, and two years later transpoi-ted the rest of his family. In 1878 he purchased a tract of land on section 18, Greenleaf township, where he still resides. He has reared a family of seven children - Matilda, Knute, Lisa, Louis, Andrew, Tnga and I^eter, the last named of whom is dead.

in 1871. He was reared on the farm with his father, and in 1884 purchased a farm adjoining, and commenced business forliimself. The same year he was married to Louisa Larson, a daughter of Ole (Kalvorson) Larson, who was born in Meeker county, February 10, 1865. They have one child, Maria Sarah, born May 26, 1887. Both are members of the Ness Lutheran Church, and the family are highly respected by all wlio know them.

"T|:^aOUlS EKBOM, a fanner and stock- IIM^ raiser of Darwin township, living on section 7, is a native of Sweden, born in the province of Gothland, October 25, 1833. He remained in the land of his bii'th until 1856, and then immigrated to the LTnited States, landing in New York, from whence he came direct to Minnesota, and settled in Carver county. One year later he came to Meeker county, locating near where the city of Litchfield now stands. The first year he did what he could find to do, until during the year 1859,. when he removed to Forest City and opened the first shoemaking shop in that place, and in the county. He continued there in that line until tiie starting of Litchfield, when he put up one of the first buildings in that city, and opened a shoe store and shop for the making of foot gear. This he ran successfully for twelve years. In 1880 he sold out his place and removed to the farm in Darwin, where he now lives.

When the Indians murdered the Jones and Baker families, on the 17th of August, 1862, Mr. Ekbom was at the house of liis In-otlierin-law, Nels Elofson, in Swede Grove, where they were holding a meeting to find means to raise mone\' with which to ])rocure substi tutes in the army, not desiring that any in their town should be drafted. Toward evening our subject started for the house of Ole

Munson, a neighbor, and on the way met nine Indians, six of whom were mounted, who made motions for him to go back, but he did not understand them, and went on to his destination. On his return to Elofson's, he found these Indians there, quietly smoking their pipes, and after talking with the whites went north toward Manannah. Hearing the news of the killing of the settlers in Acton, they sat up and watched all that night and in the morning joined the party at the inquest and l)urial of the first victims of the massacre. Mr. Ekbom that night stayed with Nels Elofson, and in the morning went to Forest City, but a few days later went to St. Paul, where he remained about a year and then returned to Forest City.

Februar}^ 15, 1868, Mr. Ekbom was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Williams, and b}' this union there have been born eight children, all of whom ai'e living.

PETER MelNTYRE, who is engaged in carrying on farming upon section 14, of Mannanah township, is one of tiie earliest settlers of that jiart of the county lying north of Crow river. He is a native of Ireland, born in 1839, but his mother dying in his childhood, he was taken to Scotland by his relatives, with whom he was reared. He made his home in that land of heaths and braes until he was almost nineteen years of age, at which time he concluded to cross the ocean and come to America. He set out and lantling upon Columbia's shore made directly for Joliet, 111., where his elder brothers were living. He made iiis home in that place for two years, but in 1860 he removed to Kansas, but one year later he returned to Joliet. On the -20th of July, 1862, our subject enlisted in the Nineteenth Illinois InfantiT, which was a part of the famous Fifteenth Corps, commanded by Gen. John A. Logan. He participated with the regiment in many a hardly contested field througliout their long and valued service, principal among which were the siege and capture of Vicksburg, battles of Corinth, Chattanooga, Missionary Kidge, all the various engagments in the Atlanta campaign, including the capture of the city. At the battle of Jonesboro, August 3L 1864. Peter JMcIntyre was badly wounded in the shoulder by a minne ball, so that he could not march with Shei'manto the sea. He was sent north on a fui'lough, alter spending some time in the general hospital, and thirty days later reportetl at Nashville, where he was in the convalesent hospital during the bloody battle fought for its possession. On his recovery our subject was placed in a pioneer corps, and there served until June 6, 1865, when he was discharged.

About the 11th of August, the same year, Mr. Mclntyre came to Meeker county and took up a homestead of 160 acres where he now lives, but which was then entirely covered with heavy timber. He lived here off and on until his marriage, since which time he has made it his home. He was married November 7, 1870, at Forest City, to Miss Catharine Klaas. They have a family of ten children - James, Mary, John, Nellie, Thomas F., Peter, Edward, Matilda, Philip Sheridan, and Ilosanna. Mr. Mclntyre is one of the board of school directors, and takes a deep interest in the cause of education. He is a member, also, of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A. E.

'ICHARD FOURRE, a leading agricultl&{\, urist of Darwin township, having his residence on section 10, is a native of Canada West, born February 8, 1839, and is a son of

George and Eliza (Wyman) Fourre. His father was born in England, although the paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of France, and was Pichai-d Fourre by name. The mother of our subject was born in Oswego, N. Y., and was the daughter of Gardner Wyman, a native of Scotland.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch remained in his Canadian home until 1857, when he came to the United States, and settled in Kane county, 111., where he made his home for some five years, llemoving to Grant county. Wis., at the end of that time, he made that his home until 18G5, when he came to Meeker county, and made a settlement in Da"win townshi|), on the property where he now lives. AVhile a resident of Grant county, April 18, 186:3, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Morgan (Condon) Grogen. While still a citizen of the " Badger State,"' Mr. Fourre enlisted in Company F, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, on the 27th of February, 186i, and was assigned for duty to the Army of the Potomac, and participated with the regiment in the sanguinary contest known as the battle of the Wilderness, where he received some slight injuries from a spent shot. In the battle of Spotsylvania, which followed some time after, he had the misfortune to have his thumb blown oif, and was transferred to the Twenty-Fourth Kegiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed at Washington, D. C, where he remained on duty until the close of the war. He was one of the guawls over Mrs. Surratt, just before her hanging, and over the infamous Dr. Mudd. He received his discharge July 25, 1865, and returned to his home.

Mrs. Fourre was born January 6, 1838, in County Limerick, Ireland. She came to Grant county* Wis., with her ])arcnts, David and Mary (Galway) Condon, in the spring of

PETER R. PETERSON is a prosperous and respected farmer who resides on section 23, in the township of Danielson, in which he was one of the very earliest settlers. He comes of the same nationality which by their industry and frugality have done so much toward tlie development of Minnesota's resources. He was born in Norway on the 10th of October, 1838, and is a son of Rolof and Rachel Peterson. The family came to the United States in 1857 and located in Rock county, Wis., where the father's death occurred, and where the mother still resides.

Shortly after his arrival in the United States, in 1857, Peter R. Peterson, our subject, began life for himself, by working for farmers in Wisconsin, and remained there until June, 1864. At that time he came to Meeker county, Minn., and went to work for Ever Jackson, a farmer in Litchfield township. In the spring of 1865 he removed to a homestead which he had taken on section 2, in Danielson township, thus becoming one of the first settlers of that township, the only settler at that time within its limits being Nels Danielson. Mr. Peterson remained upon his farm until 1872, when he sold out and removed to a farm uliich he had purchased in Iowa. In 1874 lie ^old tiie Iowa farm and returned to Danielson township.

where he bought the farm on section 23, upon which he still resides. lie has been ver\' successful in his farming operations and now owns 104 acres of land, sixty-four of which is in Danielson, and the balance in Cosmos township, besides which, in 1882 hegave his son, Elof, eighty acres on section 23, Danielson township. He was a poor man when he came to America, and his present comfortable circumstances are entirely due ta his own efforts and industry.

While in Wisconsin Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Mary Anderson, and they were the parents of five children - Elof, born September 19, 1862; Ralph, born November 11^ 1864; Anna, born October 1, 1866; John,, born June 20, 1869; and Eliza, born November 20, 1871, died August 13, 1873. The daughter Anna, married Hans Olson, of Greenleaf township. The sons, Ralph and John, are in Dakota. Mr. Peterson's first wife died on the 25th of May, 1880, and on the 16th of October, 1885, he was married to Carrie Olson, the widow of Christian Jacobson. By her former marriage she had four children,. as follows - Jacob Jacobson, Ole Jacobson, John Jacobson and Christina Jacobson.

Mr. Peterson has taken an active interest in the public matters affecting his township, and has held various offices of a local nature, including the following: Township supervisor, two years; school director, two or three years, and road overseer, two years. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.

kR. E. B. WEEKS, dentist, residing iu the village of Litchfield, is a native of Ilartland Waukesha county. Wis., born September 30, 1857, and is the son of Thomas and Mary E. (Bissell) Weeks. His father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm until he was about twenty years of age. His early educational advantages were somewhat limited, hut lie attended the district school wiien the opportunity occurred, and being of a studious nature studied by himself whenever he had any leisure from the duties of the farm, thus, by energy and perseverance, laying a good foundation of knowledge. Sliortly before attaining his majority our subject went to Dakota, where he spent one year, and, returning, entered a dental office in "Wliitewater, Wis., where he remained until lie had l)ecome proficient in the theory ami ])ractice of that profession. In 1SS3 he came to Litchfield and opened his present office, over Eevell Bros.' drug store, and is now enjoying the fruits of an extensive practice, having gained the reputation in this community of being a man of sterling worth and excellent ability.

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Ciiurch and a Christian gentleman. He takes great interest in the good of the village and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

s\ ELS WAYLANDER, one of the pioii iu ueers of Acton townshij), is a native of Sweden, and came to this country in 1852, with his wife and child, he having married Miss Elsa Swan. The first winter after coming here he spent in Ivnoxville, 111., and the following summer in Moline, but late that year he emigrated to St. Paul, Minn., and after numerous difficulties got his little family to Chisago county, this State, Avhere he took up a claim. This he sold shortly after, and owned and occupied various ))ieces of real estate thei-e, until the spi-ing of 1837, when he came to Meeker county and settled on section 4, Acton township. He afterward took up a homestead on the same section, and later, ])urcliased adjoining land until he had accumulated a fine property. Foi' many years he was busily engaged in oj)erating this farm, but has now retired from the active cares of life. He has given each of his sons a farm, and his daughter a ti'act of timber land. In 1862, with the other settlers here, he passed through the terrible vicissitudes of the Indian troubles. On tlie night of tiie Acton murder, he was with the party who set out from Swede Grove, as detailed elsewhere. He took a prominent part in the movements of that autumn, and relates many hairbreadth escapes and thrilling stories of those eventful days. On Sunday afternoon, August 17, 18^2, six Indians stopped at his cabin and talked with him, and it is the supposition that they were the red fiends who had murdered Jones, Baker, etc., in that town, but a few houi-s previous.

Mr. and Mrs. Waylander are the parents of five children, as follows : Nels, born September 12, 1851, married and living in Acton; Betsy, born in May, 1S51, is dead; Ellen, wife of George Oakeson. born April 20, 1856, living in Grove City; Lewis, born September 12, 1860, died September 18, 1878; and Albert, born Fei)ruary 20, 1863, married and living in Paj'nesville, Minn. Mr. Waylander is one of the representative citizens of the county, and merits and receives the I'espect and esteem of the entire community, for his industry, thrift, and social uprightness and sterling integrity.

\./a:/ thriving farmers of CoUinwood township, there is none more ]irominent than the subject of this biograj)iiy. He was born in Russell county, Ya , January 15, 183t!, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Biair) (;haney. His ])arents were natives of Is'orth Carolina, and his maternal gieat- grandfather was born in Germany, and settled in Pennsylvania at an earl}'^ da}'. The latter married and moved to North Carolina, where he died at the age of 101 years, in 186i. His wife was a native of Scotland, and a daughter of General "Wilson, of Revolutionary' celebrity.

The subject of this memoir lived with his mother until attaining the age of twenty-one years, and then went to Pike county, Ky., where he was married, April 7, 1858, to Miss Malinda Sword, the daughter of John and Rebecca Sword. Two years later he moved back to Russell county, Ya., where he farmed about four yeare. While there he enlisted in a battalion of Virginia cavalry, and served three years in the Confederate Army. He was taken prisoner, and after lingering in confinement for a year, enlisted in the Union Army, and served there, on the frontier, thirteen months. After his discharge be returned to Kentucky. Two years later he moved to Piatt county. Mo., where he made his home until April, 1887, when he came to Meeker county. He has a fine farm of 120 acres of good land. Mr. Chaney is the parent of ten children.

JETER OLSON, an intelligent, prominent and successful former and stockraiser of Litchfield township, was born in Sweden, April 7, 1845, and is a son of Ole and Carrie Peterson. In 1870 he was married to Betsy Larson, daughter of Louis Paulson. No children have been born to them, but they have adopted and are rearing a boy named John Ockescvn, who was born in Sweden May 7, 1876. Mr. Olson and wife came to America in 1872, and lived near St. Paul until 1875, when they came to Meeker county and settled, pursuing the business of farming. Mr. Olson has met with some severe reverses since since coming to Meeker count\', by way of grasshoppers and hailstones, which destroyed a good portion of his crops, but he still ranks as a successful and enterprising farmer.

lE^URNS BROTHERS, two of Meeker JMy county's honest, sober, industrious and prosperous stock-raisers, farmers and business men, are proprietors of the Union Stock Farm, on Tyrone prairie, in Manannah township. They are natives of Lowell, Mass., where Edward Frank, the elder, was born December 5, 1859, and where Hugh was born November 25, ISCl.

Their father, Frank Burns, was born at the same place, August 13, 1838, just after the death of his father, and his mother jiassed to the other world two weeks after his birth. Frank Burns learned the miller's trade, and in 1858 was married to Mary McMahon, a daughter of Peter and Ann McMahon. When the foundation of the government was threatened, and the stars and stripes were fired upon by Southern traitors, Frank Burns enlisted and went into the service, and the fact that he-nobl}' did his duty, and answered to every call where danger was involved, is attested by the sad fact that he now fills an honored soldier's grave. The following will explain itself:

Commonwealth op Massachusetts, Adjutant- ) Genekal's Office, Boston, June 4, 1888. ) The name of Frank Burns, of Lowell, aged 24, occupation mill operator, is borne on the muster-out roll of Company B, Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry ; enlisted August 13, 1863 ; mustered in August 23, 1863, for three years; killed in battle June 3, 1864. Samuel Dai.ton,

Frank Burns was with Grant's advance on Ri«hmond, and, as the historian has already recorded, " a series of terrible conflicts ensued, in which blood flowed like water." He was at the AVilderness May 5th to 7th ; at Spot-

SN'lvania C. H. from the 8th to the 12th ; and at Cold Harbor, a few miles from Ilichmond, June 3, 1864. At daybreak on that date a general assault was made, ami, twenty minutes after the first shot was fired, ten thousand Union men were stretched writhing on the sod or still and calm in death. Here Frank Burns met his death. He fills an honored soldier's grave - his life given as a sacrifice upon the altar of his country and his flag.

Upon the death of the father, the children and bereaved widow lived with the widow's father and mother, Peter and Ann Mc- Mahon, the grandfather, becoming guardian Edward and Hugh. They lived happily together, and the grandfather invested the money, obtained for the boys from the government, in railroad land, as he received about enough to meet the payments. On the '3d of October, 1866, they came to Meeker county, Minn., and settled in Manannah township, where the two boys, with their mother and two sisters, Mary Ann and Lizzie, still live happily together. The grandmother died in May, 1875 ; the grandfather March 11, 1883. They were highly respected by all. The grandfather was a Father Mathew Temperance man." They were buried at Forest City, where there have since been interred the remains of Edward and Hugh's half-sister, Ellen Omelia A. Vintus, a young lady, sixteen years old, who died Ma}' 2, 1888. Her death was sincerely regretted by a wide circle of friends, and her funeral, which was presided over by Father McDevitt, was very largely attended.

In 1875 Edward F. Burns started West, and entered a homestead near DeGraff. He was then but seventeen years of age, so he used his father's homestead right. He farmed it for five years under discouraging circumstances, meeting with reverses in the loss of crops, which would have disheartened the hardiest of men. The fourth year his labors

On the 24th of February, 1884, he took a contract to ship cattle to Miles City, Mont., and during the following spring shipped 300 head, and was very successful in this enterprise. In March, 1885, he purchased the stallion French Emperor II., and Avas also successful in this venture. With him he secured the second premium at the county fair and his colts rated high. Mr. Burns tintiUy sold the animal April 1, 1886. On the 15th of September, 1886, E. F. Burns bought the first lot that was sold in Eden Valley, erected a fine building, and October ItUh, established a meat market ami farm produce exchange, and supplied the railroad contractors with provisions. He also bought wheat and dealt in wood. AVhen the boom began to " weaken," in Febi'uary, 1887, he soUl out.

The brothers are independent in politics, and are members of the Catholic Church. In 1885 Edward F. was elected treasurer of his school district, which ofiice he filled for three years, and in the spring of 1886 he was elected justice of the peace. He has also taken an active interest in temperance raattere, and in speaking of their ])rosperity, they say they attribute the success of their firm to "religion, temperance and diversified farm-

^^WAN CARLSON. The subject of this '^^ biography is an enterprising and thorough farmer and stock-raiser on section 32, Harvey township. He was born in Sweden, May 4, 1848, and six years later came to the United States with his parents, landing in the cit}' of New York, but after a week's stay came to Minnesota and located at Swede Lake, Chisago county. He made that place his home until 1871, when he

He was united in marriage May 16, 1872, with Miss Ellen Nilson, and by this union there have been born seven children as follows - Edward, born February 5, 1873; Eugene, born July 12, 1874 ; William, born February 4, 1877; Aivina, born February 9, 1879 ; Frank, born August 15, 1880 ; Alfred, born November 24,|1882 ; and Victoria, born February 11, 1885. Mrs. Carlson's father died in Sweden, his native country, in October, 1878, but her mother is still living in the old country. Mr. Carlson's parents make their home in Chisago county, where his father carries on the carpenter's trade in connection with his farming o]ierations.

In his political views our subject is an adherent to the princii)les of the republican pai'ty, and has held several local offices. He and his wife are zealous members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and are exemplary Christian people. Mr. Carlson, being imbued with the natural thrift and frugality of the race from which he sprang, has accumulated a fine property consisting of 280 acres of excellent arable land, ujion which he has made some excellent improvements.

T|jaOXLEY R. WOOD, a prominent citi- 11^^ zen of Darwin township, has his residence on section 7, where he carries on farming and stock-raising. He is a native of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., born March 23, 1828, where he was reared. Remaining there until 1856, our subject then removed to Luzerne county, in the same State, and made his home there, among the picturesque scenery of the Blue Ridge, for about three years. About 1859 he came to Minnesota, and settled at Minneapolis, where he made his home for some two years, and then removed to Wright county, and there lived for about eight years. At the end of that time he again made a new settlement, this time in the vicinty of Montevideo, Chippewa county, this State, but a few years later returned to Minneapolis, and in that city remained some thirteen years. While a resident of Wright county, Mr. Wood was a participant in many of the exciting scenes of the Indian massacre of 18(52. He was livinar on Moore's Praii-ie at the time, but did not feel alarmed until he heard of the murder of the Dustin family, and then went to Minneapolis, and on his way there came across the corpses of the victims of the savages, and assisted in their burial. He came back to his place a few days later, and gathered up his stock, which he drove to a place of safety.

The war for the defense of the Union had been progressing some time, and men had become quite scarce in the Northern States, and in response to the call from the President for more troops, in 1864, our subject enlisted in Company I, Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, and served with that regiment uniler General Sheridan. He was assigned to the quartermaster's department, and there served until the close of the war, and was mustered out and discharged in 18G5, and returned to Wright count\% Minn.

Mr. Wood was united in marriage August 18, 1850, with Miss Elizabeth J. Fisk. By this union there have been seven children, four boys and three girls, all of whom are dead except one - Isaac L., born June 1, 1860.

WILLIAM MILLS CAMPBELL, the present L'nited States marshal for the district of Minnesota, is one of Meeker county's most prominent citizens, and has been identified with its interests from pio- neer days. lie was born in Philadelphia, Pa., A|)ril 11, 1839, and is the son of Edward and Eliza (Mills) Campbell. The father was a native of the cit}' of Londonderry', Ireland, born in February, 1808. lie came to the United States in 183-1, and in Philadelphia learned and followed phunbing and gas fitting. In 1837 he married, moved to Hutland, Kane county, 111., in 1842, and shortly after purchased a farm near Elgin, where now stands the village of Gilbert. The mother of our subject was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and died in 1818, leaving five children, namely - William M., Edward Augustus, Louisa, now Mrs. John Fitzgerald, Fannie, Mrs. Michael J. Flynn. and Eliza M., Mrs. C. F. McDonald, of St. Cloud.

William grew to manhood upon the farm and received his education in the district schools of the day and county, which he attended during the winter sessions. In 1858, hearing excellent accounts from Minnesota, from friends hei-e, who had come in 1850, on the first of May. he started alone for Meeker county, walking the entire distance from St. Anthony to Forest City, arriving there the same month. He was for some two years engaged in working on the river and in saw mills.

In 1860, his father, induced by the descriptions of the son, sold out and came to Meeker county, and William helped his father get settled, and took up a claim himself, the southwest quarter of section 26, Forest City township. This he lost, however, by enlisting in the service. At the time of the Indian outbreak, in 1862, Mr. Campbell was temporary in Iowa, but hurried back, and assisted in organizing a force of young men, stacked and took care of all the grain they could find cut and helped some thresh. He then enlisted in Comj)any A, First Jlinnesota Mounted Rangers, and accompanied Sibley in the campaign to the Missouri in 1863, participating in all its dangers, and in all its battles. Returning, he re-enlisted in Company D, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and was a part of theex])edition under General Sully, and served two years. He was mustered out December 5, 1865, and returned home.

The following year Mr. Camjibell entered into mercantile life in company with his brother Edward; not liking that line, quit it and engaged in farming, opening up a large farm in company with Michael J. and Daniel Flynn, his brothers-in-law. In 1868 he purchased a place on section 34, in Harvey, to which he removed the following year.

In 1809 our subject was elected sheriff of the county on the democratic tidket, overcoming a republican majority of about 500. He was re-elected to the same office in 1871, and then removed to Litchfield. At the conclusion of his second term he commenced the sale of agricultural implements, a business he followed until 1877, when he sold out, and in company with AV. II Jones, became general northwestern agent of the Gammon & Deering harvester machinery. In the'fall of 1877 Mr. Campbell was elected to the State Legislature, to which he was re-elected the next year. In 1880 he was elected to the State Senate, Garfield carrying the county at the same time by a majoritv larger than the whole democi'atic vote. Two years later he was defeated for re-election by fifteen votes. His record in the House and Senate is highly creditable, and he then assumed the position of a leader in the democratic party in this State, from which he has not receded. He was a delegate to the national democratic convention at Chicago, in 1884, and received his appointment of United States marshal in February, 1880, and then moved to St. Paul.

June 11, 1866, Mr. Campbell was married to ]\riss Lizzie A. Flynn, and the}' are the parents of ten children - John A., Millie, Edward Bennett (deceased), Anna, Grace, Edward, James, William Lewis, Michael B., and Mary.

JAMES NELSON is a prominent and wealthy fanner and stock-raiser, who resides on section 23, Union Grove township. To avoid rejietition we must refer the reader to the chapters devoted to the Indian trouble, and also to other sketches for many of the most interesting features in the history of Mr. Nelson. He took a very active and prominent part in those trying days.

Mr. Nelson was born in Ireland, on the 18th of June, 1837, and was a son of Robert and Ann Nelson. In July, 1840, he came to America with his parents. His father and mother settled near Montreal, in Canada East, where they engaged in farming, and remained until the time of their deaths. In August, 1856, James came to Meeker county, Minn., and preempted 160 acres on section 23, in what is now Union Grove township. This place has since been his home, with the exception of a short time during 1862-3, when they were driven away by the Indians. He then enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantr}^ and went South, remaining there until the close of the war, when he again settled upon the farm, and lias since remained there. He has one of the most valuable farms in the township, and it is well improved, with substantial farm buildings.

Mr. Nelson was married on the 7th of April, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Caswell, which is said to have been the first marriage within the limits of Meeker county. Mrs. Nelson was a daughter of Carlos and Anna Caswell, and was born in Canada on the 16th of August, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been the parents of six children, as follo-ws - William, born November 24, 1858 ; Frank, born October 27, 1860; Anna, born May 25, 1863; James, born July 9, 1870 ; Orriu, born July 9, 1872 ; and Albert, born October 21, 1875. Anna married William Phillips, and now lives in Union Grove township ; they have three children - Mana, Carl and Florence. William married Sarah Newcomb,

In political matters Mr. Nelson is a republican. He has taken an active interest in public matters, and is one of the leading citizens of the countj^ He has taken a prominent part in township afPairs and held various local offices.

^^OREN MORTON. The subject of this "^^^ biography is one of the most prominent citizens ef Danielson township, being a resident of section 10, in that subdivision of Meeker county. Mr. Morton is a native of Denmark, born on the 29th of November, 1836, and is a son of Morten Johnson and Johanna Skovenborg. Soren remained in the land of his birth until 1863, when he came to the United States and first located in Kipon, Wis., where he remained five or six months, having charge of a farm. He then went to St. Clare county. 111., where he worked on a farm until March, 1864, when he returned to Eipon, and again took charge of the farm which he had previously had control of. In the fall of 1864 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and took a homestead on section 10, in Danielson toAvnship, where he now lives. After taking his claim he worked for different farmei-s for a time, then went to St. Paul, and remained through the winter, working in a wood-yard. The following spring he returned to his claim, set out some trees and made some other improvements and then returned to St. Paul. A short time later, in July, 1865, he moved his family to his claim, and has lived there ever since. He now has a splendid farm and splendid improvements. He devotes considerable attention to raising stock, together with general farming, and is recognized as one of the most intelligent and prominent farmers in the western part of the county. He is a democrat in political matters and takes an active interest in the affairs of his townshi]), having held a number of the most important local offices, including those of chairman of the supervisors, for several years while Acton and Uanielson formed one township, school clerk for eight years, and others. Mr. Morton married Miss Louisa Winterlig, who was born May 22, 1845, and is a daughter of Peter C. and Christine Wintei'- lig. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have hail six children, as follows - Sarah H., born July 3, 1865 : Henry "W., born December 28, 1867; Willie T., born June 8, 1869 ; Victor, born July 12, 1874; Agnes Myrtle, born February 4, 1877; and Alice, born July 3, 1884. The family are members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Morton is one of the most active workei"s, having held various offices in that organization, including those of trustee and steward, for several }'ears.

G. JOHNSON. The subject of this biography, a farmer residing on section 22, Greenleaf township, was born in Sweden on the 10th of October, 1857. He left his native land with his father s family in 1867, and came to Meeker county, Minn. His father was a farmer most of his life, but has now retired from active business and lives in the village of Litchfield. The subject of this sketch now has three brothers and four sisters living, one brother having died.

C. G. Johnson learned the carpenter's trade in 1878, and followed that vocation for several years. In 1881 he went to Missouri and remained there about eighteen months, returning then to Minnesota. In 1 884 he purchased the farm where he now lives, on section 22, Greenleaf township, and has since made that his home. He has a valuable farm of

160 acres, seventy-eight of which is under plow and fifty to meadow, while he has a few acres of timber. He has substantial improvements, and his farm is among the most valuable in his portion of the township. He devotes his time to general farming and to stock-raising, and has a good lierd of cattle on the ])lace.

JCHAEL J. ROACH. Among the farmers and cattle raisers of the north part of the county, is Mr. Roach of Forest Prairie, who has his home upon section 8 of that township. He was born in Rockbridge county, Va., December 23, 1820, and is the son of John antl Elizabeth (Petolomey) Roach, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively. When our subject was but a child his parents removed to Henry county, Ind., and finally settled in Cass county, that State, where they died. The early education of the subject of this sketch was acquired in his native count}', and afterwards in the schools of Indiana, which at that earl}^ day were few and far between. He was one of a family of thirteen children, the names of the others being - Lucilla, William, James N., Mary Ellen, John C, Betsy J., Margret A., Joseph, Andrew J., George, Carson, Nancy D., and one that died in infancy.

Mr. Roach was reared to maidiood in Cass county, Ind., and was there married, December 28, 1843, to Miss Sarah J. Wynn, a native of Warren county, the same State, born November 4, 1832. She is the daughter of James and PoUie (Harden) Wynn, who were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. By this union there have been born a family of thirteen children - William, Michael, Sarah Jane, Margaret A., Deniza, Elizabetii, Ellen Dosh, Cinda, James, John and Mary. The latter died in infancy ; the rest are all

Mr. Eoach came to Meeker county in 1866, reaching Forest City, on the 9th of May, and shortly after came to his present place and took up his homestead. At that time the woods were full of game and he acquired the reputation of being the best and most successful hunter in this part of the country. He made considerable money by this means, but has always given considerable attention to farming and stock-raising, preferring the sure gains of husbandry to any more alluring speculation or business. He was the third settler in the township, one of the okl pioneers ; is a member of the Church of God, and usually votes the re])ublican ticket.

JESSE V. BRANHAM, Jr., a pioneer, who took a most active and j^rominent part in the trying times of the Indian massacre, is one of the best-known and most conspicous figures in Meeker county's history. He is a native of Jennings county, Ind., born July 8, 1834:, and is the son of Jesse V. and Mary (Butler) Branham, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this Album. In 1847 his parents removed to Franklin, Johnson county, Ind , where our subject remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he opened a dry -goods and gi'ocery store. In 1855 he was united in mariage with Miss Mary L. Stark.

Early in tlie summer, of 1857, Jesse V., Jr., joined a party of pioneers, consisting of his father, Jesse V. Branham, Sr., William Branham, Levi Eeed, Hugh McCannon, and others, and came to Meeker county, Minn., our subject Locating on section 35, of Litchfield - then jS^ess - township, in June of that 3'ear. He at once began improvements, and his family joined him in August. He there remained, earnestly devoting his time and labor to developing a farm, living in contentment and prosperity, notwithstanding the many disadvantages usual to pioneer life, until the Indian outbreak of 1862 began.

On Sunday, August 17, 1862, while Jesse V. Branham, Jr., was crossing a field with a neighbor, the report of the Jones and Baker murders were brought to him. After a hasty consideration of the matter, he concluded to get all the people of the neighborhood together at the house of George C. "Whitcomb (who was absent), on account of the location, partly because of a good well in the cellar, should the Indians make an attack, and partly to protect Whitcomb's family. Sunday night, after the neighborhood had been notified and brought to one point, our subject, in company with his brother William, mounted his horse and started for Acton, to learn as to the truth of the reports. When within about three miles from their destination, they met a part}'^ from the scene of the massacre, who had with them a child, which was the only surviving member of either the Jones or Baker households. The Branhams then learned that all reports were true, and immediately retui'ned to AVhitcomb's house. Early Monday morning the.y all started for Forest City, where they remained inactive for a daj' or so, but Tuesday afternoon word was received that the outbreak was general and would extend all along the border. That evening they held a council, and decided to send all women and children to Clearwater, and J. Y . Branham, Jr., was appointed to take charge of the train. Wednesday morning the train started, being made up of teams of every description, and being half a mile in length. Jesse V., Jr., piloted thefn about half way through the "Big AYoods," when he bade his famil}' good-bye and returned to Kingston. There he talked with a number of the leading citizens, gave them hie idea of the stockade, and the fol- lowing morning, with iiis team, he hauled the first log for tiie Kingston fortifications. Returning to Forest City, he found George C. Whitcoml) witli an order from Governor Ramsey to form a comi)any of State militia, to defend the town. Our subject joined the ranks, and, as soon as possible, he, with others of the command, were mounted and started west to bury the dead and aid the wounded. The}' rode through the western part of Meelcer county and all over Kandij^ohi county.

After this Jesse Y., Jr., remained with the comjmny until the night of Se])tember2, when, on coming into the stockade after a brush with the Indians, they learned that Captain Strout would be in camp at Acton that night. The whole company knew that the countr}^ was filled with hostile Indians, and knew that unless Strout was warned, his whole command would probal)]y be murdered. Captain Wliitcomb called for volunteers to go upon the extremely dangerous mission of warning Strout, and Jesse V. Branham, Ji-., was the first to offer his services, Thomas Holmes and A. P. Sperry soon joining him, and at sundown they started for Acton, with Jesse in command of the trio. Reaching their destination and fulfilling their mission in the night, they slept for a time,' and in the morning the company started for Forest City. The Indians soon made an attack on them, and in the ene-aeement, Jesse Branham, Jr., was shot through the lungs, the bullet coming out of his back, and seventeen others of Strout's company were wounded. Tiiey were taken to Hutchinson that night, and ujion arriving tliere, Branham got u)> and walked from the wagon to his room, in the second story of the hotel. AVhen the doctor examined him, he said to those in attendance: "I can do nothing for this man; make him as comfortable as you can ; he will be dead in three hours." The following morning, September

4th, was the day of the attack on Hutchinson, and while our subject was lying on his cot, tlien unable to move, there came a shower of bullets on and through the house. Later he was carried to the stockade with the other wounded, and tliere cared for. Four weeks later he was able to go to ]\[inneapolis to his family. Tliree weeks later the family went south to Louisville, K\'., and I'emained tliere until the spring of 1863, wlien they returned to Minneapolis, and the following fall, again settled in Meeker count}'. Jesse V. Branham, Jr., rented the mill at Greenleaf, and operated it during the winter of 1863-4, and the following spring went to Forest City and rented a farm for tlie season. In the fall of 1864, the county commissioners ap]5ointed him county auditor to fill a vacancy, and he M'as afterward elected and re-elected, serving until the spring of 1871. During this time the county seat had been removed to Litchfield, and after the expiration of his term of office, our subject engaged in the mercantile trade at that place. Smce that time he has been engaged either in the mercantile trade, real estate or farming.

In eai'ly days Jesse Y. Branham, Jr., was one of the most active and public-spirited men in the county. When the town of Xess was organized, he was elected first town clerk ; he also held the office of county commissioner, besides that of county auditor, and various local offices. He was one of the original town site proprietors of Litchfield ; drew the bill changing the county seat from Forest City ; gave Litchfield its name, and in many other ways connected his name indissolubly with the early history of the county. He drew the plan of the park in Litchfiekl, and to him, more than any other one man, is due the credit of planting trees and oettine: it into the'beautiful condition of to-day.

fNORGREN & CO., dealers in general merchandise in the village of Dassel, came to the village in thespring of 1S75, and established their present business, and are, therefore, the oldest house in town having a continuous existence. They carry a large and well-assoi'ted stock, and are doing an extensive and lucrative trade. The stoi'e which they occupy was built b}' Louis Rudberg, and is a handsome brick edifice, well lighted and ventilated, and presents a neat appearance from the street.

John Norgren, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Sweden, and immigrated to America in 1866, landing in Carver county, Minn., on the 22d of July, with his family, which then consisted of his wife and five children. He soon afterward bought a farm of eighty acres in Hancock township, about nine miles from Carver, and moved liis family to it. They remained there until 1873, during which time the farm was increased to 160 acres. In 1873 they came to Meeker county, and the father ])urcliased a half interest in the saw- and flouring-mill at East Kingston. He was there engaged in the milling business for two years and a half, when he sold his interest to his partner, and came to Dassel, where he has since lived. He then, in company with J. O. Berlin, opened a general merchandise store under the firm name of J. Norgren & Co. The partner, Mr. Berlin, is also his son-in-law, and had the misfortune to lose bis ej'esight some nine years ago. Mr. Norgren has turned the active management of the mercantile business over to his sons, John and

Lewis. Mr. Norgren is a hale and hearty man of about sixt^y years of age, and still retains his vigor. He has large property interests here in the way of faims and village real estate, and has been intimately associated with the growth and development of the eastern part of Meeker county. He is the present town treasurer, and has taken an active interest in official and educational matters.

John and Lewis Norgren, who have charge of the business, are both capable business men, and their establishment commands as heavy a trade as any in the village. John has been a member of the village council for four years, while both take a prominent part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of their localitv.

ON. A. C. SMITH, for many years one of the most prominent figures in the history of the county, and one of the leading attorneys, was a native of Vermont, born in 1814. He was educated in the State of his nativity, and thei'e studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Washington, D. C, at a session of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1839 he removed to Mount Clemens, Macomb county, Mich., where he entered upon the practice of his profession. A short time after he entered upon a career of journalism, editing and publishing the Macoinh Oazette, and the Landvuvrhs, the latter a Masonic periodical, and continued at this for some five years. He then occupied the judicial bench for three years, and served one term in the Michigan State Senate. In 1855 he came to St. Paul, where he established and published the Free Press, a democratic daily, which did not prove very remunerative. He then took up his law practice in that city, and made it his home until March, 1858, when, haviiio; been appointed to tlie position of register of the land office of tlie United States at Forest City, he came to this county, where he made his lionie until the da}' of his death, which ocurred September 20, 1880. Of liis death, the News Ledger said : " We have known Judge Smith for twelve 3'ears ; in fact, he was the first man we consulted when we thought of locating in this county in 1868, and our confidence in his judgment led us to settle in Forest City. Judge Smith was a man among men - honorable to a fault. He could not brook dishonesty or trickery in others. As a friend he was genial, warm and true as steel - ever ready to assist all who were so fortunate as to be associated with him. As a mend^er of the bar he ranked among the best - was courteous and affable - always working for the interests of his clients with a will and energy which caused him to be respected by his op])onents. In his death the county met with a great loss and the community of Litchfield one of its most esteemed citizens, and his memory is revered by all the early residents of this part of the State."

Location And Topography

surpassed for its beautiful scenery; its roiling prairies interspersed and diversified with natural and domestic groves; its famous lakes, meandering streams and its carpet of Howers and verdure. It lies in the cen- .,_. tral, or south-central part of the ^"^j^ State, having for its boundaries Stearns county on the north, Wright on the east, McLeod and Eenville on the south and Kandiyohi on the west. As an agricultural and stock-raising region Meeker county cannot be excelled. The soil is very productive - ^a rich, dark loam, well adapted to all the cereals common to this latitude. It is also Avell suited to the production of tame and indigenous grasses; and stock-raising, both native and blooded, attracts the general attention of the intelligent class of farmers that have settled here. The greater portion of the surface of the county is made up of a rolling prairie, interspersed with oak openings ; while a considerable area is covered with a moderately heavy growth of natural timber. The surface is weU watered by numerous streams, which furnish ample drainage and an abundance of pure water for stock. In addition to the streams there are scattered throughout the count}' hundreds of beautiful lakes teemine: with fish, and at some seasons of the year the resort of myriads of wild fowl. These lakes add greatly to the beauty of the scenery and healthfulness of the region, and they have made the county noted throughout the State as a " sportsman's paradise."

The principal stream is the Crow River, which traverses with sinuous course through the northeastern portion of the county, and with its many little affluents drains a considerable area of territory. The St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway Company have a branch, known as the Breckinridge division, that intersects Meeker county, crossing the boundary line at the north line of section 30, in Dassell township, on the east, and after crossing the townships of Dassell, Darwin, Litchfield and Acton, recrosses the county's limits, on the west, at the north line of section 7, of the latter township. This road, which is one of the best in the State, affords ample facilities for the marketing of tlie products of the county and vicinit}', and the transportation of freight or passengers. Tiie nortliern part of the county is ])rovided with shipping facilities by the Minneapolis & Pacific liaihvay, upon the line of which is located two stations within the limits of Meeker county.