Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 4: Teeritorial and State Officees, 1888 (part 8 of 11)

On the 1st of May, 1867, quite a party of settlers left Lowell, Mass., bent upon finding homes in Minnesota, the McCann family being among the number. They finally arrived at Clearwater, and from there, with teams, they made their way across the country to Forest City. Thomas McCann, the father of our subject, located on section 10, in Harvey township, where he remained for seven years, and then removed to Manannah township, where he still resides.

Henry McCann remained at home until he had arrived at the age of cwenty-one years, when he began making^ his own way in the world. With the exception of one winter spent in the pineries, his home has been in Harvey township, constantly, since that time. He now has a valuable farm of 120 acres, and a comfortable home. A good share of his place is under a high state of cultivation, and, in connection with his general fanning operations, he carries on stock-raising to a considerable extent. In political matters he votes the democratic ticket, and is regarded as one of the leadingcitizens of tlie township in wiiicli he resides. Onr subject was married on tlie 24rth of Novemijer, 188-1-, to Miss Katie A. Mitcliell, and they have been the parents of two children, as follows - Miss Allice, born March 1, 1886; and Harry, born Marcli 15, ISSS. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCann are devout and active members of the Catholic Church. The marriage of our subject and his lady took place at East Minneapolis, the ceremony being jierformed by the Rev. Father O'Reillv, of St. Anthonv church.

McLANE. The subject of the I'ing biography is one of the finest representatives of a class of foreignborn citizens, who have brought the tlirift and energy, whicli was their only heritage in tlieir native land, to tliis country, witli its gTeat possibilities, and are accomplishing the best results in tlieir application under the influence of American institutions.

Mr. McLane is a native of County Antrim, Ireland, born October 9, 1854, and is the sou of Patrick and ]\[arian ((^lose) McLane. He was reared in the Emerald Isle and remained in the land of his birth until 1879, when, with a natural wish to better his fortune, he crossed the stormy bosom of the Atlantic, landing at New York City. P'rom there he proceeded to Chicago, but, a few mouths later, in 1880, came to Litchfiekl and opened the wholesale and retail gi'ocerv stoi-e now under the ]iroprietorsiiip of W. II. Dai-t, building the store building in the summer of 1881. He remained in this lino of trade until 1SS7, when, being desirous of a change in his business, he sold out to Mr. Dait, as he had the previous year entered into a copartnersliip Avith L. D. Crowe, in the agricultural implement business. Devoting his abundant energies to this line of trade Mr. McLane is ra])idly and surely acquii'ing a jirominent place among the business men of this section of the State, and has the warmest respect nnd esteem of his fellow-citizens.

ETER J. LUND, one of the pioneers of Meeker county, and the first settler in Acton township, still has his residence on the southeast quarter of section 4, where he first located in 1857.

Mr. Lund is a native of Skone, Sweden, born October 2, 1821, and came to this country in 1852. After short stays in Knoxville and Moline, 111., he located in Chisago county, this State, where he remained until coming here. During the Indian troubles he suffered much loss of property, the savages burning his houses, stealing his horses and running off his stock. He heard of the outrage and left his liouse in a hurry with his family to Forest City, and leaving them in safety returned to his place with six or seven neighl)ors, foi' he had considerable provisions, etc., in his house, which he had accumulated to sell to such of his neighbors as needed tliem. They approached the house cautiously, seeing everj' where the evidences of the Indians having been about, and did not dare to light a candle or even a match. The house hail been broken open and Mr. Lund, entering, could see by the dim light that the drawers and trunks had been forced and their clothing stolen. He went up stairs and dropped two sacks of flour to the friends below, and, taking a trunk that was still intact, left. These depredations he lays to the Ilonu! (Guards, as the Indians had not been there }'et, but at the time he did not know it. After loading- these things on a sled, they got a yoke of the neighbors' oxen which they hitched to it, and drove out on the prairie, where the others had congregated with their teams. All being afi-aid, he volunteered to lead, but confesses that he lay pretty close to the sled and kept his eyes wide open for Indians. They got through safely to Forest City, although the savages shortly afterwards burned his house and destroyed all the property they could. During the attack on the stockade at Forest City, on the morning of the 4th of September, Mr. Lund says that an opening existed in the line of fortification on the north side, and that while he and another man held poles and planks across the opening, Hamlet Stevens, now the banker at Litchfield, calmly nailed them fast, although the bullets were singing round their heads prettj^ freely, and also says that Mr. Stevens budt the first house in Grove City, while he boarded with Mr. Lund.

Mr. Lund has now a fine farm of 350 acres of land, although he was a poor man when he came here. He was married, in May, 1850, in Sweden, to Miss Ellen ISTelson, who is the mother of seven children - Anna, deceased ; Ingi'a, Sarah, Joanna, Amy, and Nels, deceased.

puis MARTENSON, a respected farm- |&^ er, residing on section 25, Litchfield township, is a son of Marten and Pernella Larsen, and was born in Sweden on the <)th of September, 18i4. lie lived with liis parents in the old country until 1872, when he came to the United States with Peter Martenson and Peter Olson, and the party settled in Meeker county, Minn.

In 1879 Louis Martenson was married to Anna Johnson. She was born in Sweden. Feljruary 10, 1859, and came to America with her parents, Jonas and Lovisa Johnson, in 1869. Her father died in 1870, and her mother lives with Louis and his wife. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martenson, as follows-^Emma Lovise, born May 28, 1880; Axel Albert, born October 15, 1882 ; Oscar Louander, born February 14, 1885 ; and Marten Edward, born August 14, 1887. Mr. Martenson devotes his entire time to farming and stock-raising and is very successful. His good management, economy and enterprise have not been without their reward, and he is now in comfortable circumstances and has a pleasant home. He has also met with some serious reverses in the way of loss of crops. In 1887 his crops were almost wholly destroyed by the terrific hailstorm which swept over this portion of the county.

EV. HUGH McDEVlTT, resident priest J^V, of the Catholic Church at Manannah, is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, born on the 3d of Februar3', 1843, and is the son of Winifrede O'Flaherty and William McDevitt. He received his education in the Missionary College of All Hallows, Dublin ; promoted to the order of priesthood on the 27th of June, 1865, and served for some years as a missionary in the diocese of Sydney, N. S. W. Returning to Ireland, with the permission of his superiors he came to America, and became affiliated with the Diocese of St. Paul many years ago. He is now under the jurisdiction of Bishop Ireland. Prior to his coming to Manannah, he served in the missions of Chatfield, Pine Island and Bell Creek, with excellent results. On the removal of Father King to St. Stephen's church, he was requested by the bishop to succeed Father King, and came to Litchfield on the 1st of May, 1885. Manannah was then united to Litchfield, services being held every alternate Sunday. Seeing the neces- sitj'^ of Manannah having a resident priest, lie mentioned tiie matter to tlie bisliop, who gave liiin every encouragement in his undertaking, lie immediately' began the erection of the pastoral residence, at a cost of $2,000. The congregation was rejoiced that a jiriest was to reside with tliem ; all subscribed nobly, and cooperated with their priest in 2>roviding every requisite, lie is a priest strict in all church matters, kind, but firm in what he considers his duty botii to churcli and people. We wish him God-speed in all his undertakings and best endeavors for the welfare and good of his congregation, and to cultivate the ]>oi'tion of his Master's vineyard entrusted to his care with Heaven's choicest flowers.

JOHN W. KNIGHT, dealer in tubular well machinery, wood pumps, rubber goods and engine extras, and one of the pi'ominent businessmen of Litchfield, is an old settler in Meeker county. Mr. Knight is a native of Burrilville, E. I., born on the IStli of August, 1841. His parents were William and Abigail (Olney) Knight, both natives of Massachusetts, Avliose forefathers on both sides were among the first settlers of that region, and the mother's brother, Wilson Olney, was an Indian iigent in Massachusetts many years ago.

The subject of this sketch was one of a family of six children, as follows - William Henry, of Swanzey, N. II., where he has been steadily employed in a bucket factory for thirty years; Abigail, now Mrs. C. C. Carpenter, of Graceville, Minn.; John W. ; Lizzie G., now Mrs. Fitch, of Swanzey, N. H.; Mary, now Mrs. White, of Keene, N. II.; Dutte S., of Hinsdale, JS". H., an overseer in a large blanket factory; and Ilattie N., now a Mrs. White, of Keene, N. H.

working on a farm and attending school when opportunity ortVred until he was eighteen years of age, when he purchased his "time" of his father and began life on his own account. He worked in factories and at whatever he found profitable until Marcii 3, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Second New Hampshire Infantry for three years service. He was mustered in at Concord, N. H., on the ith of April and his regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. The first actual service was at the siege of Yoi-ktown, Va., under Gen. G. B. McClellan. From there they went to AVilliamsburg with tlie division under General Hooker, and there Mr. Knight was seriously wounded l)y the concussion of a shell ; a comrade to his right having his head taken off, and one to his left having a leg amputated by the same shell. J\Ir. Knight was taken to the Williamsburg hospital and a shoi't time later to the Yorktown hospital, and there remained until the latter place was evacuated. He was finally mustered out and discharged for disability July 31, 1803, at Concord, N. H.

On the 27th of August, 1863, he was married by Rev. S. S. Dudley to JVIiss Abbie P. Fletcher, a native of Acwortii, N. II., born March 18, 1845. A short time later they went to Winchendon, Mass., where Mr. Knight was engaged in the sewing machine factory of Goodspeed'ct Weyman, for about one yeai", when he went to ilarlborough, N. II. A short time later lie went to Bellows Falls, A"t., and remained thereuntil May, 1866, when he came to Meeker county, Minn. He selected a homestead on section 28, in Forest City township, and commenced improving his land, erecting the kind of a cabin customary with the early settlers. His family arrived in October of the same year. Mr. Knight remained on his farm for seven 3'ears, when he sold out and removed to Litchfield, where for a year he followed cariientering and draying. In 1873 he went into the puni|) business which he has followed constantly since. In 1886, in company with his son, Wilmer W., lie opened a shop in Paynesville, Stearns county, which his son now conducts. Mr. and ^Irs. Knight are the parents of five living children - Wilmer W., born in New Hampshire, November 28, 1864, now in Paynesville, Minn. ; Alnion E. luid Ahnina E., born in Forest City, April 21, 1869 ; Elsie V., born in Forest City, October 23, 1873 ; Ernest A., died at the age of fourteen months ; and Inez O., born at Litchfield, May 31, 1879. Tiie family are members of the Christian Church.

I^DAM BROWER, an enterprising and pi'ogressive farmer of Kingston township, living on section 16, is a native of Jennings county, Tnd., born June 29, 1840. and is the son of Adam and Jeannette (McMurchey) Brower. His father, wlio was the son of Peter Brower, a native of Holland, wlio had settled in this country some time liefore, was born in Gloucester county, N. J., K\m\ 13, 1S02, and moved with his parents to Clareiiiont county, Ohio, in 1816, where he was married October 12, 1824, and there carried on lirickmaking and farming. He was one of the representative men of that portion of the State, and on moving, in 1838, to Jennings county, Ind., carried his popularity with him. He was soon elected to the magistrate's bench, upon which he served some thirteen years, and his decisions were such that bnt one was ever ajipealed from.

" Ripe in wisdom was he, but patient and simple and childlike." He connected himself with the Methodist Chnrch in 1825, and was licensed to preach in 1845. His voice was ever heard against slavery and intemperance, and his walk and conversation were in consonance with his teaching. He is still living in his Indiana home, having raised a family of thirteen children, of whom the following is the record - James, moved to Hai'rison county, Mo., in 1853, and represented his district twice in the legislature; Sarah, living in Rush county, Ind.; Alineda, whose home is still in Jennings county; George and Adam, living in Minnesota; Margaret, in Jefferson county, Ind.; Jennette, in Marion count}'; Lemuel, in Hendricks county; and John. The latter, a brave and gallant soldier, died of starvation and exposure in one of the loathsome prison pens of the rebels during the late war.

The subject of this sketch enlisted, also, in April, 1861, in the Sixth Indiana Infantry, and, after serving his three months with that regiment, re-enlisted, September 14, in Company H, Twenty Seventh Indiana Infantry, and with that famous liand of heroes participated in many of tiie l)loodiest battles of the war, among Avhicli were Winchester, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, in the east, and, after they were transferred to the Cumberland, Resaca and Altoona. He was wounded in the latter confiict, and was laid up in the hospital for a few weeks. He was mustered out, at Indianapolis, Septemlier 14, 1S65. He was taken prisoner by the rebels at the battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862, and kept by them until September 20th, following, when he was exchanged and resumed duty.

In February', 1867, our subject came to Meeker county, and purchased the place where he now lives. For the first three years of his residence here he was engaged in brickmaking in the village, but at the expiration of that time took up farming. Two seasons since that he has been in the same business, and a part of the time in the sawmill at Dassel.

j\[r. Brower was married, October 4, 1869, to Miss Flora E. DeCoster, a native of Massachusetts, and daughter of Albert DeCoster, of Massachusetts. By this union there have been born f(jur children, namelv - Adam M..

'OHN RALSTON, one of the most successful, prominent and leading farmers jind stock-raisers in Meeker county, is a resident of section 25, Harvey township. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, of Scotch parents, on the 2d of March, 1837, and his early days were spent in his native Province, where he received the education afforded by the facilities of those daj'S and he received the same training as to industry and frugality that is characteristic of the people of that nationalit3\

In March, 1858, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and spent one month in wliat is now Harvey townshi|). At the expiration of that time he went to Minneapolis and spent the summer, returning to Meeker county in the winter, working at stone masonry most of the time during this period. Five years later he again returned to Minneapolis, where he remained three years, and since that time he has made his home in Harvey township. He has one of the most valuable and best improved farms in the county, and his successful and able business management is abundantly evidenced by his present standing, as he is rated as one of the most solid and sul)- stantial citizens in the nortiiern pait of Meeker county. He carries on diversitietl fanning, together with stock-raising, extensivelv, and his i)lace is well arranged for his work.

Mr. Kalston was married, on March 18, 1869, to Miss Sarah L. Wilkinson, of the Province of Quebec, and they have been parents of two children - John E., deceased.

and Jane E., who is still at home. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ralston does not take an active ])art in political matters, at least so far , as oiKco seeking is concerned, and in those matters he does not follow tiie arbitrary dictation of party, but acts in an independent ma/imer.

of Dassel's respected and honored deceased citizens, who was identified with its early development, was a native of Sweden, and came to Meeker county in 1866 and took a homestead. He was at that time a young unmarried man, and did not remain upon the farms steadih% but when the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad was being built through the county in 1869, he entered their employ as carpenter, he having learned that trade. He remained with them until 1872, at which date he came to Dassel village and entered into the mercantile business, and remained in that line until his death, which occurred in January, 18S4. While a resident here, in 1876, he was elected a member of the Minnesota State Legislature, and served one term with credit.

PETER PETERSON, a farmer of Acton township, belongs to a family that has a number of representatives scattered through the Northwest. A sister is now Mre. Laurits Frogner, of Atwater; one of his brothers, Frederick Peterson, also lives in Atwater, where he works in an elevator; and another bi'other, Xels, is inspector in on elevator at Fisher's Landing, Dak.

Peter Peterson, the subject of this biogruph\', was born in Denmark on the 21st of August, 1839, and is a son of Peter and Anna Peterson. He came to the United States in 1873, and at once settled in Acton township, "*

Meeker county, Minn. He then purchased -eighty acres on section 31, but has since bought an acklitional eiglity, so that his farm now consists of 160 acres, a large share of which is under a higli state of cultivation. His place is improved with substantial and farm buildings, and he has it well stocked with iiorses and cattle. In ad- -dition to his farming operations he has a feed mill on his place, which he operates for the -convenience of himself and neighboi's.

Mr. Peterson was married, in 1863, to Anna, .a daughter of Peter and Anna Christina Peterson. The following is a record of the births and deaths of the children that have been born to them - Mary, born December :21, 1863, died June 15, 1866 ; Mary Christina, born September 6, 1866, died in June, 1871 ; Peter, born August 1, 1868, died in October, 1869 ; Kasmus, born November 16, 1872, died in May, 187-1; Mary, born August 10, 1875, -died in August 1878; Anna P., born December 16, 1876 ; Marius, born January 27, 1878, 'died in August, 1878 ; Peter and Gogen (twins), born March 11, 1881, both died early in 1B82. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Peterson is a repuljlican in political matters, and has taken an active interest in all matters wliich .affect the township's welfare. It is well worthy of notice in this connection that Mr. Peterson is an old soldier, having served ten anonths in tiie resular army before leavinjr Denmark.

,/H:SALE KITTLESON, a proininont old set- X^li/ tier who resides on section 31, Litchfield township, is a native of Norway, born in 184:4, and a son of Kittle and Carrie Haroldson. In 1846 he came to the United States with his parents and they settled in Kock county. Wis., where they remained .until 1857, and then removed to Meeker county, Minn., and the family settled on section 30, Litchfield township. Ole Kittleson was only a bo}' of eighteen years of age at the time the outbreak of tlie Indians began, but the duties of a man devolved upon him. He assisted in the burial of the first five victims, and was one of the pursuing party that chased the retlskins who came upon the ground while the inquest was being held. When the danger seemed to have passed, he and his father and Ijrothers returned to their unfinished harvesting, but the news of the bloody massacres and murders that followed, drove them to Forest City for refuge. The family spent the following winter of 1S62-63, on the old Gitchell place, near Kingston, but Ole stayed a portion of the time on the oltl claim, sleeping in the house alone. In' 1 863 they gathered together what stock there was left and did a little farming.

Ole Kittleson tinuily purchased a farm adjoining that of his father's and went to farmino' on his own account. He has been very successful and now has a valuable farm, upon which he devotes his time, carrying on diversified farminjy and stock-raisins'. In 1869 he was married to Sarah Ilalverson Ness, a daughter of Ole Ilalverson Ness. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living - Carrie, Christian, Olavus, Mary, Henry, George and Iila. At the time of the grasshopper i)lagne in 1S77, -Mr. Kittleson lost about all his crops, having sown seventy bushels antl only raised five.

Mr. Kittleson lias taken an active interest in all matters affecting the Avelfare of his township, and is justly regarded as one of the solid and substantial citizens of the county. He has held various township offices and has been school director of his district for over twenty years. The family are members of the Ness Norwegian Lutheran Church.

^^^TENDERSON M. ANGIER, of Litch- -At'o- lielil, is a native of Clieiiango county, N. Y., born October 24, 1835, and is the son of Roland and IVfary (AFarsh) Angler. Both of his parents were natives of Massachusetts who had come to tiie Empire State in youth, and were marrietl there. Shortly after the birth of 11. M. the couple removed to Porter county, Ind., where they resided until 1859, wiien they came to Meeker county, and settled in (Treenieaf township, where they died, the father in 1867, the mother in 1873.

Henderson M. remained with his parents until August, 1855, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Crosby, a native of Schenectady count\', N. Y., and the young people remained in Indiana until the spring of 1850, when they came to Meeker county, ari'iving here June 19th, of that year. The next year they settletl upon section 10, Greenleaf, on which the}' lived until June, 1862, when they removed to Litchfield township, Mr. Angier taking up a homestead on section 12, and commencing to get out the timber foi' a house, when his operations were interrujited by the Indian outbreak. The night before that event he was at Forest City, attending a war meeting, but, on hearing the news, decided to remain and help defend this portion of the country against the savages, and accordingh' went to Forest City and took charge of the crew who were ffettini:' out the timbers for the stockade. He was on many of the expeditions, which issuetl forth from that place to look up the missing and bury the dead settlers, and did valiant service at the fort during the night of the attack on Forest City. lie was one of the volunteers who went out to rescue the party in the old house in the timber, and collect the loose stock the next morning, and stood next to Olson when the latter was wounded, and helped assist him and William Branham, who was also wounded, back to the stockade.

Mr. Angler remained in' Forest City until the spring of 18»J3, when he went to Illinois for his family, whither he had sent them for safety, and I'eturned to Forest City in 1865, sto))])ing for some time in Clearwater on his return. In 1866 he returned to his farm and liiiished building his house, begun four years before. There he remained until 1873, when he removed to Union Grove, but one year later removed to the village of Litchfield, where he now lives. In the spring of 1878 he was elected city marshal, and has held that office and that of deputy sheriff, ever since. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity anil of the A. O. U. W., and was the Grand Representative to the State lodge of the latter for two 3'ears. He is also an active temperance man and worker.

Sarl John Gottfried Hanson

SARL JOHN GOTTFRIED HANSON,, is an enterprising farmer who is located on section 26, in Litchfield township. He is a son of Bengt and Elna Hanson, and was born in the city of Hamburg, Germany, while the family were en route from Sweden to the United States, and is a twin brother of Nels C. G. Hanson, a merchant in Litchfield. His father, Bengt Hanson, is one of the most prosperous fanners In this part of the county, and noticed at length elsewhere in this volume. Carl was reared on his father's farm, receiving good educational advantages in the Litclifiehl schools. During the summer of 1886 he erected a house on that portion of the original Hanson farm located on sections 26 and 27, and embarked in the business of farming on hisown account. On the Ith of Novend)er of the same year, he was united in marriage with Emma C. Lindberg. She Is a daughter of Hans and Carrie Lindberg, and was born in Sweden October 31, 1867. They have one child - Lily - a bright little babe, which was born to them on the 29th of July, 1887-

Mr. Hanson attends closely to his business of fanning and stock raising, and justly ranks as one of the most substantial young farmers of the county. He is a member of Golden Fleece Lodge No. 89, A. F. & A. M., of Litchfield.

JAMES H. McKENNEY, one of the active, enterprising l)usiness men of the village of Dassel, is a native of Limerick, York county. Me., born March 26, 1843, and is the son of He4iry and Nancy (Jack) McKinney, l)otli of whom, as well as tiie gramljiarents of our subject, were natives of the same State.

When the subject of this memoir was some ten years of age the angel of death invaded the household and bore away the loving mother, and the family circle was bi'oken. Young McKenney remained in his native town until his nineteenth 3'ear, receiving the elements of a good education, finishing the last three years at the academy, and laying the broad foundation upon which he has built his present fortune, and in 1862 removed to Charleston, Mass., where he was engaged as clerk in a wholesale and retail grocery store. On the 29th of September, 1865, he left that city by the sea for Minnesota, and for the next year or more, followed teaching at Anoka. \\\ the spring of 1867 he removed to Anderson, Ind., at which point he entered into the saw-mill and lumber business and continued in that line until 1874, when the mill was burned down, involving a loss to him of some i?7,000. The next springhe returned to Anoka and taught the same school which he had taught in 1865. He remained in that ])lace until 1877, when he removed to Wright county, and one year later to Meeker county. He was engaged in school teaching near Spring Lake and at Beaver

Dam until the fall of 1878, when he came to Dassel, and for two years filled the position of principal of the village schools. Li the fall of 1880, Mr. McKenney bought an interest in the Dassel elevatoi", and took charge of the business, and since that time, hasacquired by purchase almost all the shares in the same, and now has full control of it. The elevator has a capacity of 45,000 bushels, and his business reached the shipment of 65,000 bushels of wheat dui-ing the year 1887.

Mr. McKenney was united in marriage, in Anderson, Ind., December 26, 1868, with Miss Lydia J. Isley, who died December 17, 1870, leaving one child, which died in infancy December 25, 1881. Mr. McKenney again entered the married state, wedding Miss Emma E. Wolsey, a native of Stockbridge, Wis., who has become the mother of two children - Henry B., and Gertrude A.

"T|lnUKE D. CROWE, the junior partner in llM^^ the firm of McLane & Crowe, agricultural implement dealers, Litchfield, is a fair specimen of the representative class of citizens of Meeker county, who, by their native ability, are fast taking rank among the best business men of this section of the State.

He is a native of County Gal way, Ireland, born in 1853, and is the son of George J. and Jane Crowe, with whom he came to Meeker county in 1870. His father purchased a farm in the town of Litchfield, and settled down to the quiet pursuits of agriculture. Luke D., whose home training was under the tender influences of his mother's cai'e, grew to manhood and helped his father in the manifold cares devolving upon the industrious farmer, until he attained the age of twentyfive years. About that time our subject removed to Traverse county, Minn., where he filed a homestead and tree claim, and made his residence there for six years. Ee- turning to his home, u])on the farm of his father, in this county, lie remained one season, anti in 1880 came to tlie city of Litchfield, and, in company with Daniel McLane, opened a warehouse for the sale of agricultural im])lements, and is now in the full tide of the success that invariably awaits honest and unremitting attention to business and straightforward dealing.

successful and enterprising stock-raisers anil general farmers in Meeker county, resides on section 17, Danielson township, where he located in 18T<'>. He is a son of Soren and Mary Christianson, and was born in Denmark on the 1st of May, 1852. His eai'ly life was one of toil and hardship, as he has relied upon his own exertions ever since he arrived at the age of fourteen years. As he grew to manhootl he spent three years in the regular army of Denmark. His parents Averc also natives of Denmark, who remained in the land of their birth until their deaths. In 1876, Lars P., in company with his brother John, came to the United States, and made his way directly to Meeker county, Minn., and together they purchased 240 acres on section 17, in Danielson townsliip. He has since purchased his brother's interest. He has erected farm buildings which are a credit to the township, and plainly evidence his thrift and enterprise. He has a substantial story-and-a-half house, 18x24- feet in size, with an addition 10x18 feet, and his barn is 32x72 feet in dimensions with t went \'-foot posts, besides which he has a good granary, machinery sheds and other farm buildings. He devotes his time to diversified farming, and in company Avith A. ISTelson, is raising pure-bred Holstein cattle. Mr. Sorenson has taken an interest in the affairs of his township, and has held the office of township treasurer for two years.

In 1879, Mr. Sorenson was married to Miss- Johanna Dotha Jacobson, and their union has been blessed Avith three children - Soren Christen, born June 3, 1880; Andrew, born April 12, 1882; and l^fartin Jorgen, born April 13, 1888. Mrs. Sorenson is a daughter of Andrew and Sarah Jacobson. She Avas. born on the 19th of Decembei-, 1852, and came to the United States with her parents, in July, 1872.

lis) ALPH D. GRINDALL, one of the 'JfcJV most successful and prominent stock raisers and general farmers in the southern portion of Meeker county, is a resident of section 8, Cedar Mills toAA^nship. He is a native of Hancock county. Me., and Avas born on the 20th of November, 1827. His. parents were Elijah W. and Caroline B_ (Iliggins) Grindall, both of whom Avere natives of Maine. His grandfather, on his father's side, Avas a native of the Isle of Wight, Avho settled at the town of Penobscot at an early day ; and when the English came to build their forts at Castine, he Avas pressed into the English service, and Avorked upon the fort during the summer of 1812' receiving compensation at the rate of eight cents per day. Kalph's grandfather Higgins, Avas a nati\'e of Nova Scotia, Avho at an early day settled on Bartlett's Island, Avhere the mother of our subject, Caroline- B. Iliggins, Avas born February 21, 1806.

Elijah W. Grindall, the father of our subject, Avas born Sept. 2, 1804. He married Miss Iliggins on the 4th of January, 1827, and remained in his native State - Maine - until 1854, Avhen became to Minnesota, and opened up a farm near St. Anthony. He remained there until the time of his death^ June 28, 1872, and his Avidow still resides in Minnea])olis.

and then bought "liis time"' of his father, and for the two yeai's immediately following he was em])loyed at whatever he could find to do, a portion of the time working for his father. lie then followed teaming and in 1851 had the misfortune to lose by fire five horses, wagons, harness, etc. In August, 1852, he was married to Miss Sophrona L. Howard, a native of Maine. Mr. Grindall remained at Bangor, in his native State, until 1854, Avhen he went to Kansas and spent a few months, helping to erect the first mill that was built on the present site of Lawrence. In the fall of the same 3'ear he came to St. Anthony, Minn., but only stayed a short time and then went to Chicago where, daring the following winter (1854-55) he had general charge of transfer work and collecting bills for the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad. In the spring of 1855 he engaged in farming near Dubuque, Iowa, and the following fall again came to St. Anthony, Minn. He put up the first slaughter house in Minneapolis for Allan Hammond, after which he followed butchering at Fort Snelling for Pettijohn & Steele. In the spring 0% 1856 he engaged in the same business at St. Anthony and remained there until the spring of 1861. In 1856 he had purchased forty acres of land near Minneapolis. [It is now in the heart of the city.] In the spring of 1861 he put in a crop on this land, and then went to work with a government surveying party in the western part of the State, running township lines, and remained at this work until the following fall. He then returned to St. Anthony, and on the 6th of May, 1862, he had the misfortune to lose his house by fire, and with it the accumulations of ten years' hard labor. He built another house during the summer and also carried on his farm. When the Indian outbreak occurred in August, 1862, he enlisted in Northup's Cavalry, and spent some time at Fort Ridgely, and then he returned to St. Anthony and engaged in farming. During the winter of 1867-68- he followed teaming. from ilinneapolis to Meeker county, making nine trips, and during the following winter he followed the same business from Greenleaf to Clearwater and from Hutchinson to Carver. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Grindall came to his. present farm in Cedar Mills township, having purchased 360 acres of his farm in 1862, and commenced to imjirove it. He has met with some reverses, especially during 1876 and 1877 when his crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers. Upon the whole, however, he has been very successful in his fanning operations. He has a splendid farm of 440 acres of land and carries on general farming and stock-raising, devoting especial attention to breeding thorough-bred Short-horn stock. Among the fine animals which Mr. Grindall has recently added to his herd are the folloAving : " Roan Duchess of Oxford 8th," from one of the oldest tribes on record ; " Oxford Wild Eyes 2d," another animal' of pure breeding ; and a Short-horn bull, "Duke of Minneapolis." All of these magnificent animals are registered, pure bred and have splendid jiedigrees.

Since his settlement here Mr. Grindall has taken an active interest in public affairs and figures prominently in the official history of the township. He has held about all the various township offices and is now township treasurer. He has taken a prominent part in educational matters and aided in securing the erection of the first school-house in the township.

|[gg) OY M. CASE, one of the young and 'JPIV- enterprising agricuiturists of Colliiuvood towiishi]), maizes his home upon his farm on section -11. He is a native of Waupun. Dodge county, "Wis., born March 25, 1853, and is the son of Royal T. and Almira F. (Batcheller) Case, natives of the State of Yermont. Ilis father was a farmer and upon the farm our subject was reared. When he was about eight years old his parents removed to tJiis State and located at Plainview, where they purchased a farm, and there made their home until the spring of 1869. During that year they moved to the neighborhood of Hixtchinson, where they lived until coming to this county in 1873. They settled in Collinwood on section 27, where the mother died October 29, 1877, and the father February U, 1886.

The subject of our sketch was an inmate of his father's house until his marriage with Miss Catherine Ann Grant, on October 17, 1882. The lady is the daughter of James and Rebecca Grant, and was born in Jennings county, Ind., December 18, 1862, and is a most accomplished musician, as are most of the family. "When Mr. Case was married he had but little of this world's goods, but purchasing a farm of fifty acres upon section 21, on time, and by diligence and industry has reclaimetl it from its original state of wildness and cleared it of debt. He is a finished musician, and has traveled, giving lessons and selling instruments. His estimal)le wife has largely contributed toward their success in life by her industry and economv.

^^[ONORABLE O. M. LINNELL, of Ac- J!?^'jL ton township, is one of the most prominent citizens of Meeker county. He was born near Wexio, in Sweden, on the 21st of April, 1810, and is a son of Magnus Jonason and Lisa C. (Falk) Linnell. With his parents he came to the United States in 1852, and they settled on Lake Chisago, in Chisago county, Minn., the same year. O. M. Linnell, being the oldest in the family, had to woi'k veiy hard in the summer time to help his father clear off a farm in the heavy timber and had to work out for others to earn money for clothing. Most of the year 1857 was put in at and around the city of Superior, Wis., when the noted hard times in Minnesota set in, of 1857, 1858 and 1859, when it was next to an impossibility to get a dollar in money. The av inter of 1859 and 1 860 our subject spent near St. Joe, La., cutting cord wood, where money was paid for labor. He was thei'e offered the charge of a cordwood landing, with three large wood Inirges and twelve negroes, but could not stand it to hear the abuse of the Southerners toward the Northern men, nor see the abuse of the slaves ; so in A]iril he went back to his liome in Minnesota, where he remained with his parents part of the time, and to earn money for the family worked on the St. Croix river during the summers, on the logs, driving, or on the booms. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Fort Snelling, just at the time the Sioux Indians' noted massacre broke out in the town of Acton, where Mr. Linnell now lives. Company C, of the Seventh jMinnesota Infantry, was sent on foot, marching to Fort Ripley without having time to wait for uniforms. They received bright, shining Springfield rifles, but not a single cartridge. It looked, as the boys used to ex])ress it, " kind of funny to meet the savage Indians without powder or lead, meeting citizens Ijy the linn- clreds fleeing from their homes for their lives." From Foi't Eipley the company was ordereJ to the Ciiippewa Agenw to guard the government stores. Tiiere they were soon surrounded by 500 Indian warriors, and as the company had only a few rounds of ammunition the position for a time was a dangerous one. Tliey were kept in this shape for four days, when the Indians learned that the Sioux were defeated at Wood Lake, and were then very glad to make a treaty. Had the Indians known the condition of the soldiers and made an attack, Company C would have been annihilated. After the treaty was perfected the company was sent back to Eipley, where tliey built large barracks, and with other com])anies expected to camp over winter, but in the latter part of Xovember they received orders to report at Fort Snelling, to go South. The compan}'^ got a few daj's' furlough to go home to visit friends, and during this time the governor of Minnesota got permission to keep what soldiers were in the State for fear of a new outbreak of the Indians in the spring, and Company C was sent to IMankato to guard the Indian ])risoners. This company afterward carried out the linal execution of the thirtyeight Indians who were hanged there. The last military duty Mr. Linnell did was on December 17, 1S62, wlien he was detailed to help ferry the government teams across the Minnesota Kiver, and was taken sick with a disease of tlie lungs. He Avas under the doctor's cai'e for eleven months. He has nevei fully recovered from tliis sickness. He was honorably discharged from the service for disability, at Fort Snelling, on the ith ol August, 1863, and returned to his home, and from 186-1: to 1876 was farming, lumbering and dealing in rafting materials. In 1876 he came to Meeker and settled in Acton township, where he now lives. He now has a good farm of 520 acres of land, with excellent macliinerv and a good stock of liorses

Mr. Linnell has taken an active and prominent part in public matters ever since he attained his manliood, and he has held some town or county otlice each year since he has been old enougii, with tlie cxce])tion of the first year in Meeker count}'. Since coming here he has held the offices of county commissioner, school treasurer for nine j'ears, and is at the present time. He is the present town clerk. In 1880 he was elected to represent this district in the legislature, and was re-elected in 1882. The sessions in which he served were three of the most important ever held in the history of the State, particulai'ly in settling at fifty cents on the dollar the "Eight-Million-Dollar State Ptailroad Bonds," whicli had been a stain on the glorious banner of our North Star State. Mr. Linnell had always advocated a settlement of the bonds to redeem the honor of the State. In 1883 he was chairman of the standing committee of agriculture and manufactures, and, as usual, a member of several difi'erent committees.

Mr. Linnell strongly supported temperance legislation, and a reduction of interest on money. He served with honor to himself and credit to the district.

Mr. Linnell was married on the 21th of June, 1881:, to Carolina Sophia Anderson, a daughter of C. M. and Kaisa Anderson. She was a native of Smfdand, Sweden, born November 11, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Linnell have been blessed Avith the following named children - Luther A., Medora E., Emely L., Llerbert M., William Sabin, Mary A., Albert T. and Annette E. The daugliter ISIedora is now a teacher in tlie graded schools at Grove City. Mr. Linnell has all his life been a worthy member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church, and is now one of its trustees and treasurer. He is a man of the strictest honor and integritv, and his word is recognized as beino- as o-ood as liis l)on(l, wlierever he is known. lie is well read and well posted on all public topics and justly holds the confidence and esteem of ail who know him.

OHN WHALEN, one of the first pioneers that broke the way for progress and civilization into the wilds of Meeker county, came here with a party of his countrymen, and made a settlement npon section 24, of Forest City townshij), where he now lives.

He is a native of Ireland, born in County Waterford, in the year 1824. He made liis home in the "Emerald Isle" until 184C, when he crossed the ocean in search of a home in America. He landed at Montreal, Canada, reaching that place l)y way of the St. Lawrence lliver, and fi'om there by way of Montpelier, Vt., he drifted to Boston and Lowell, Mass. After some time spent in those places, he turned his steps toward Xew York and New Jersey, and finally to Philadelphia, seeking employment Avherever it offered, for he \vas of an industrious disposition, and had his living to provide for. Making up his mind that in the great West there was a greater chance for him, he accordingly came to Indiana, where he passed some six years and a half in farming, having adopted that calling. In the spring of 1S56. a party consistmg of the Whalens, the Flynns, the Fitzgeralds and others left Crown Point, Ind., for California, init reaching Dubu(|ue, Iowa, heard of this country, and determined to investigate it. John Whalen and John Flynn pushed on ahead of the others, and on reaching Meeker count\', and being ])leased with it, returned for the train containing their families and friends, meeting them at Eochester, this State. Tiiey at once headed for this country, and crossed the county line on the Otli of July, that year, and made their settlement. Mr. Whalen located upon the place where he now lives, tiie others elsewhere, as related in their memoirs. Mr. Whalen has added to iiis place from time to time, until he is now the owner of 714 acres, and is classed among the wealthiest farmers in the county. In 1S5G he was married to Miss Mary Flynn, and they are the j)arents of five children - Thomas^ James, Ellen, Mary and John.

TOSEPH PLUMADORE, one of the act- ^ ive, thorough-going agriculturists of Kingston township, living upon section 15, came to Meeker county in 1870, and settled at the village of Litchfield, where he })Hed his craft of carpenter. A few years later he removed to Minneapolis, where he followed the same avocation for about two years, when he returned here and took up his pi'csent homestead, knowing that " here lands may be had for the asking, and forests of timber with a few blows of the axe are hewn and framed into houses." Although the place was covered with the primeval forest, still, by extreme energy and jJerseverance, he has succeeded in clearing it and developing a fine farm of eighty acres in extent.

The subject of this memoir is a native of New York, born May 11, 1830, and is the son of William and Mary (Laurie) Plumadore. His father was a native of lahelle France^ and was engaged in all kinds of speculating and barter and sale. After attending school, our subject took up his handicraft, in whicli he served a full apprenticeship, and followed regularly until settling down to agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage, September 11, 1S73. with Miss Mary A])field, a native of Germany, whose parents had crossed the ocean with her in her infanc}^ and settled in Scoit county, where she was reared and educated. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Phimadore are the parents of an only daughter - Edith, born April 22, 1S75.

In his political views Mr. Plumadore coincides Avith the principles formulated in the platforms of the republican party, and has always been an adherent of that organization. His sterling- integritv and honorable dealing has won him hosts of friends in the community, and his name is synonymous with easy good nature and genial hospitality.

ILS MARTENSON, one of the most highly respected and prominent farmers in the western ])art of Meeker county, resides on section 4, Swede Grove township. He was born in Sweden on the 10th of November, ISiS, and is a son of Marten and Alice (Olson) Anderson. Nils was reared in his native land, ])ut in 1S6S, when twenty years old, he cameakme to America, landing in Quebec, making his way on to St. Paul, Minn., and one day later came to Litchfield, in Jleeker county. He worked two weeks for Ole Ingerman, four for Andrew Nelson, and then went to Cutt's Grove, where he was sick for six weeks. Upon his recovery he went to St. Paul, and one montii later to Louisiana, where he remained six months. He then returned to Minnesota, working for six months at St. Paul and Cutts' Grove in Washington county. After this he worked for six months in Louisiana, and then went to St. Paul to meet his parents who had just arrived from Sweden, and together they came to Meeker county and settled on the land where Nils now resides. Tliis was in 1871. He is now in comfortable circumstances, all of which is the result of his own enterprise, industry and good management.

Mr. Martenson was mnrried on the 11th of August, 1873, to Ellen Trulson, wliose parents still reside in Meeker county. Mr. and Mrs. Martenson have been the parents of eight children, the three oldest of whom are dead. The names of those liv ng are Judet M., Euth, Samuel, Ehoda, and Lydia. The family are members of the Baptist Church and are exemplary Christian people. In political matters Mr. Martenson affiliates with the republican party.

PATRICK ENRIGHT, one of tiie most prominent and enterprising fai'mers and stock-i'aisers in the northern part of the county, resides on section IS, Manannah township. He was Ijorn in County Limerick, Ireland, March i^5, 183-±, and is a son of John and Eliza (Blake) Enright. He left his native land in 1S47 with his parents, and settled in Canada, where his parents remained until the time of their death. Our subject remained in Canada until 1874, when he came to Meeker county, Minn., and settled on section 18, Manannah township, where he still lives. He is now in comfortable circumstances, and is one of the largest land owners in the township, having 400 acres of land. A good share of his place is under cultivation, and in connection with diversified farm ing he devotes considerable attention to raising stock. In political matters Mi'. Enright affiliates with the democratic party, and lias taken an active interest in public matters. He has been prominently identified with tiie official history of the township, and has held

Mr. Enright was married in December, ISoo. to Miss Mary Fitzpatriek, and their marriage has been blessed with nine children, us follows - Patrick, Mary, Eliza, James, William, Catherine, Michael, Marguaret and John, all of whom are still living. ]\Irs. Enright's parents were natives of Ireland. The mothor died in Canada and the father in ^[eeker county.

WILLIAM GRONO is the proprietor of the marble works at Litchfiekl, the first and only establishment of the kind ever started at the county seat. Mr. Grono was born at Pontiac, Oakland county, Mich., October 4, ISfiO, and is the son of William and ]\[innie (Zelhime) Grono. Both of his parents were natives of Prussia, who had settled in Michigan in 1856. In 1872 they settled at Worthington, Mmn., taking up government land in N"obles county, on which the parents still reside. William Grono, Jr., remained wiLii his parents until he was fifteen years of age when he went to Owatonna, ]\[inn., and learned the marble cutter's trade. lie remained in that city until 1883, when he went to Montevideo, and in company with J. II. Seaman, engaged in the marble trade. A year later he sold his interest to his i^artner and came to Litchfield, and on tlie first of March, 1885, established the marble works of which he is still proprietor. lie carries on an extensive business.

Mr. Grono was married on the 10th of October,lS84, to Miss Rosa Maw, of Steele county, Minn. They have one chdd - Maudie May, l)oru Janvuirv 25, 1886.

TpTALVER O. HALVERSEN, one of Acton i^i township's representative farmers, is one of the best known citizens in the western part of Sleeker county. He is a native of Wisconsin, born on the 2r)th of October, 1850. Ilis j)arents were Henry and ilargarette Ilalversen, both natives of Nor\vay. They came to the United States in 1840. and settled in Wisconsin, where they engaged at farminir, and remained until 1856, then came to Sleeker county, Minn., and settled upon a farm, which the father purchased in Litchfield township. In 1883 they sold this, and the father purchased a farm in Acton township, which he still owns. At this writing the father is visiting in Washington Territory.

H. 0. Ilalversen, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm. LTpon attaining his manhood he was married to Mrs. Uattie Olson, in 1873, widow of Gutrom Olson, who died in 1867. By her first marriage his wife had one child, Gurine, who was born December 5, 1867, and died July 21, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Halversen have been blessed with the following children - Mattie A., born May 13, 1875 ; Henry C, born February 27, 1877, and died July '22, 1882; and Ida O., born January 10, 1870, and died July 10, 1882 (these three children died of diphtheria, and were buried on the same day); and the following children, who are living - Mattie A., born May 13, 1875; Ole L., born August 22, 1881 ; and Ida (Murine Henrietta, born December 29, 1883. i\Ir. Ilalvei'sen has been very successful in his farming o))erations, and is well-off in this '" world's goods." He has in all 291 acres of land, and hves on the northwest quarter of section 24, where he has a neat and comfortable residence, and splendid barn, and other farm buildings. In addition to his farming and stock-i-aising interests, he runs a steam tliresher during the threshing season. At the time of the Lulian outbreak, althouyh ]\[r. Ilalversen was but a lad of twelve, he has a distinct recollection of the events during that trying time. His parents fled with the famih' from their Litchfield farm, and went to Forest City for safety. A year later, however, Halver returned witlx his father and helped put in the crops. Til is matter receives full attention in the chapter I'elating to the massacre. In religion Mr. Halversen and famih' are members of the Xorwegian Lutheran Church, and in political matters, Mr. Halversen is a republican.

EORGE DICKSON, for many years a banker in Scotland and India, retired in Ijroken health in 1S72, on a life pension of five thousand dollars per annum. After recruiting his health for over two vears in Eng-land, he traveled throuo'h the United States and Canada, during 1874 and 1875, and in 1880 purchased from Col. "V7. S. King, the property of " Oakwood," in Danielson township, ]Meeker county. Minn.

This is one of th'e best equipped fanus in the State of Minnesota, the buildings being of a very superior description and well finished. It contains 150 acres of well matured timber, skirting "Lake Dickson," two miles long, h^ one and three-quarters of a mile in breadth. The soil is remarkably good, ffentlv rolling thi'oucrhout: is well watered, and is subdivided by over eight miles of substantial fencing.

The herd of short horn cattle usually numbers from 130 to 180 head, and has been graded up to a high state of perfection. The interior accommodation, with numerous box stalls for wintering 1-30 head of cattle and eighteen horses, is very complete.

The loft of the cattle barn, 195 by 40 feet, with two large wings, has a capacity of 200 tons of hay ; and the stable, S() by 40 feet, a capacity of 100 tons.

Over 500 acres are under cultivation ; two separate holdings, each of 160 acres, have hitherto been let to tenants, and the main farm, usually held by a tenant " on shares " is under a regidar cereal rotation, and has ample provision of natural and cultivated grasses, orchard and blue grass, red clover and timothy.

A school house and postoffice have recently been established here. Otherwise considerable improvements in building, draining and fencing have been effected on the pi'opeity since 1880. So that it is now one of the most valuable and desirable among ^[innesota"s -- Bonanza farms."

/o?? RiCK BYLU.ND is a prominent old set- V^^ tier who resides on section 6. Litchfield to\vnship. He was born in Sweden on the 16th of February, 1824, and is a son of John E. and Anna Byliind. His early life was one of incessant toil and bitter hardship, and during four years of the earlier period of his life, from 1837 to 1840, he lived on nothing but fish and bread made from pine bark. In 1850 he came to the L'nited States and after living one winter in Illinois he came to Minnesota, settling at Taylor's Falls. Chisago county. There were but very few settlers in the Territory' of Minnesota at that time and none away from the east territorial line. Erick worked for several j-ears in the pineries striving to get money enough together to transport his father anil brother from the old world to the new. In 1863 he came to Meeker county and located on section 6, in Litchfield township, where he still lives. During that summer he helped build a fort near his fann and his own and four other families occupied it for several weeks during the Indian scare.

liiiii twn cliildren - Jolin, horn l)cceiHl)er 7, ] SriS, (lied when four j'etirs of age ; and Nels, born June 12, ISCO. Nels has always followed farming with his father, and now has cliiirge of the farm. Mrs. ByhuKl died on the ISth of May, 1884, and Mr. Bylund and son, Nels, have since lived on the old homesteail, which is beautifully situated in the northwestern part of the township. The farm is well located and well improved.

stock-raiser, residin"' on section 9, Forest Pj'airie township, was liorn in Baiern, Germany, on the 7th of April, 1832, and isason of George and Catherine (Martin) Keubauer. His father and mother ^vere the jiarents of eleven children, some of whom, however, died in infancy.

George Neubauer, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in his native land, attending school regalarl}' until he was twelve years old, and for six years thereafter, attended a school held every Sunday. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when, in 1852, he, in company with his brothers and sisters, John, Michael, Mary and Barbara, came to the United States. They landed in New York and tlicn went to Jersey City, where they remained two years, George being at work in a cement factory. In 185i they removed to Silver Creek, Penn., and lived there until 1879, when George came to Minnesota.

In 1881, George Neubauer came to Meeker county and located on section 22, Forest Prairie township. Two years later he settled u])on the place on section 9, where he still resides. He has a valuable farm of eighty acres and devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising.

native land, on the l.")tli of August, 1852, to ]\riss Elizaljeth Schreivogel. They have eight children living, six boys and two girls, as follows - John, Michael, Mary, Joseph, Lawrence, Lizzie, George and Daniel.

_. MBROSE T. DORMAN. Another pioi'll_ neer family of Meeker county is the Dormans, some of whom have jmssed away, some have removed from the county, but there are a few here still. One of them, and a prominent one, is the gentleman whose name heads this article.

Ambrose Dorman was born in Ilai'rington, AVashington county. Me., May 29, 1836, antl was there reared to manhood. He received the elements of the excellent education which is the privilege of every citizen of New England, in the schools of his native town. In 1858, with a view to the betterment of his fortunes, he came to Minnesota and settled in Meeker county, where he now resides.

Nathaniel Dorman, the father of the subject of this memoir, came to Meeker county in 1857, with the first settlers of the township, and took up a cLiim. The old gentleman, altliou^'li some eiii'litv-four years of asre, still survives, a monument to the regularity of the lives of the former generation, whose habits have preserved them to a ripe old age. Mrs. Nathaniel Dorman died in 1870, and her remains are buried in the Kingston cemet^r}'. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living - John F., Phoebe S., Ambrose T., Hany Y., Samuel A., Ellen E. and Leonard L.

Ambrose T. Dorman made a trip to California in 18(53, and remained in that Eldorado, engaged in mining, for some three years, and then returned to Meeker county.

He is somewhat of an adventurous disposition, havins: followed the sea for some five years in his _youth, and spent one j'ear in Maine, one in Wisconsin, and one in the Minnesota pineries. April 18, 18(i0, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Goble, a native of Kentucky, born July 27, 1847, and the daughter of William and Edith (Phelps) Goble. Her father died here in June, 1876, and his body lies at rest in the cemetery of Kingston; her mother is still living. The latter is a native of Virginia, where she grew to the years of womaniiood.

Mr. and Mrs. Domian have an interesting family of five children, whose names are as follows - Willie A., Edith V., Silva Jane, _Mai"tha Ann, and John P. Mr. Dorman is a stanch adherent to the principles of Jeffer- ^sonian democracy in his politics, and is a worthy and public spirited citizen .of the county.

JOHN HILL. The subject of this biograjihy, a resident of section 28, Manannah townsliip, is one of the most intelligent, leading and successful farmers and stock-raisers in the northern part of the countj^ He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1829, and is a son of Francis and Mary (Campbell) Hill. His early life was spent in his native land, where he acquired the iiabitsof industry, perseverance and frugality', wliich are so characteristic of the race from which he springs. In 1851 he came to tlie LTnited States, landing in Boston and proceeded to Lowell, Mass., where he remained for eleven years, working in a cotton factory. Tie then went to San Francisco, Cal., where he lived for five years, engaged at firing on an engine. He then returned to Lowell, Mass., and sixteen montiis later he came to Meeker county, Minn. From Clearwater he came by stage to Forest City, and the next day he ari'ived at the house of Owen Quinn, in Manannah townshi]x A few days later he purchased the farm on section 28, where he still resides. He has 240 acres of land, and devotes his attention to farming and stock raising.

Mr. Hill was married on the 21st of February, 1855, to Hannah McAloon. Their marriage has been blessed with three children, Avhose names were Francis, John and Charles H. John is the only child living, the other two having died, and are buried in Lowell, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Elill are exemplary members and active sujjporters of the Catholic Church.

/f^HARLES A. OILMAN, a prominent and \^>' energetic farmer of Cosmos township, has his beautiful home upon sections 20 and 29, where his fine farm of 240 acres is situated. He came to this locality in 1877, and for about a year lived on section 26, and then three j^ears on 33. In 1881 he took up his present homestead. One hundred acres of his land is well cultivated and the improvements are of a high class.

Mr. Gilman was born at Sangerville, Piscataquis county. Me., August 25, 1846, and is the son of Jonathan C. Gilman and wife, natives of Gihnanton, N. H. His parents removed to Maine in 1826, and located at Sangerville and made their home there until 1850, when thej' moved to Dexter, Penobscot county, where the}' still live. Charles remained at home until he was about twelve years of age, when he commenced worlcing for other parties, and was thus emploj'ed until 1863. About that time the government, needing more men to suppress the rebellion, had just issued a new call for volunteers, and in Se])tember, 1863, our subject enlisted in Company E, Second Maine Cav- airy, and served with the Nineteenth Army Corps in all its campaigns and marches, lie was discharged at the close of hostilities, at Augusta, Me., September 11, 1S05, and going to Dead river, Franklin county, that State, bought a farm, upon ^viiicli lie settled, and where he made his home until 1872, when, selling out, he came to Minneapolis and went into the lumber business. He came to Meeker county from there in 1877.

Mr. Gilman was married, October 27, 1865, to Miss Angelina S. Fisher, a native of Parkman, Piscataquis county, Me., and daughter of A. J. and Laura A. (Sargent) Fisher. They have a family of two children - George F. and Charles A. Mr. Gilman is a member of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A. E., and has served the town as justice of the peace from 18So until tlie present time.

PENRY E. DANIELSON, a prominent farmer anil stock-i'aisei', wiio resides on section 31, Cedar ]\Iills township, is a native of Meeker count}', antl is a member of one of the most prominent pioneer families in the county. He was born in Acton township, Meeker county, Minn., on the 25th of April, 1858, and is a son of Nels and Kandi Danielson, after whom the township of Danielson was named. A full histor}' of his parents will be found elsewhere in this work. Henry was the fifth in a family of six children. He remained at home with his father's family until 1881, when he struck out for himself to earn his own way in the world. He first went to Atwater, where he remained for some three months, and then went to Minneapolis, where he spent one winter in Archibald's Business College. The following spring- he entered the employ of the St. Paul, Minneapolis A: Manitoba Railway Company as car repairer, and remained in that position until ^lay, 1881. During the following season he Avas engaged at carpenter work and various other lines of employment. In the spring of 1885 he located on section 31, Cedar Mills township, where he still lives. He has a valuable farm of 160 aci'cs, a good share of wliieli is under cultivation, has comfortable buildings, and is in good circumstances. He devotes liis attention to general farming and stock-raising, and by his enterprise and industry he now ranks with the leading and most substantial citizens of of the township.

Mr. Danielson was married while in Glyndon,on the 25th of June, 1883, to Miss Mary Eller, and one child has been born to them - Daniel D., born February 27, 1886. Mrs. Danielson was born at Baiern, Germany, on tiie lOtli of January, 1861. Her parents' names were Jojian and Maria Eller.

OHN KONSBRICK, of the city of Litchfield, is a native of the duch}' of Luxemburg, Germany, born in the year 1839. He was reared in the land of his birth, among its picturesque and vine clad hills, and remained there until he had reached the age of one and twenty. He then emigrated to the shores of the new world to better his fortunes, and on arrival in this country settled at Aurora, 111., where he lived for some two years, and at the expiration of that time came to Minnesota. For two yeai's he was employed in farming in Dakota county, after which he sjient a couple of years more at Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa. From the latter place he returned to Dakota county, this State, and after a trip to the Teri'itory of Dakota ho came to Litchfield, and for three years was in tiie employ of John Rodange, a fellow countryman and an acquaintance of his boyhood. In 1883 our subject started for himself in the retail liquor business, but some two years later his place was destroyed by fire by whicli he lost some $700 over tlie insurance. lie, instead of being discouraged, at once commenced to put up a new building. It was erected at a total cost of something like $4,500, and is a credit to the town. Mr. Konsbrick is one of the leading saloon men of the town and a square business man.

m^'c. NIELSON KASTETT, a respected farmer who resides on section 23, Danielson township, is a son of Niels and Marie (Olson) Kastett, and was born in Norway, on the 15th of Jul}', ISiU. He came to the united States in 1861, and first settled in Houston county, Minn., where he remained one summer, and then M'ent to Iowa, where he stayed for two years at work for farmers. In December, 1S63, lie enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, and Avas mustered in early in the following January. He served on the frontier, participating in two engagements with the Indians in the Bad Lands of Dakota, and was finally mustered out at Fort Snelling, in December, 1SC5. He then returned to Houston county, Minn., and remained there until the spring of 18C6, when he came to what is now Cosmos township, Meeker county, then a part of Lincoln county. He was the first man to take a team and a plow into that township, and did the first breaking there. He also erected the first house. He remained there for five years, and then lived in Danielson township for five years, after which he spent two years in Cosmos, and then settled on the place where he now lives. In 1S7S he sold his Cosmos farm, and now owns a place of ninety acres on section 23, Danielson toAvnship. He has taken an active interest in all mattei's affecting the wellfare of the township, and has held various local offices, including that of chairman of the township supervisors for two or three years.

Our subject was married on the 22d of January, 1870, to Mary N. Nelson, who is mentioned at length hereafter. They are the parents of the following children - Nellie Amelia, born October 25, 1870 ; Regina Marie, born August 19, 1872; Nels Oliver, born July 28, 1871:; George Henry Nechalai, born August 8, 1876 ; Carl Theodore, born July 10, 1879 ; Helen Matilda, born April 30, 1882; Eagnhild Mary Agnes, born July 16, 1881; and Daniel Anton, born January 26, 1887.

Mary'N. Nelson, the wife of Ole Nielson Kastett, is a daughter of Nels and Ragnliild Danielson, the first settlers in Danielson township, and was born in Norway, on the 16th of October, 1819. She came to the United States in 1855 with her parents, and after stopping for two years in Wisconsin, in 1857 they came to Meeker county, Minn., where they have since lived. When the Indian outbreak began, the family with the majority of the other settlers, hastily went to Forest City, and a short time later to Kingston, it being stated that the string of teams extended in procession from one place to the other. They remained at Kingston but a short time, and then went back to Forest City and moved into a house near the river, there being another family to occui)y it with them. Mr. Danielson, the father, was helping to complete the fort in the afternoon before the attack was made on Forest City, and, beginnning to fear that an attack would be made, he directed the women to take the children and go to the hotel, which they did. He and three other men remained. In the night the house was set on fire, and upon looking out, they coukl see hundreds of Indians. They succeeded in escaping, however, unhurt. The Danielsons remained but a few days after the attack, and then retui-ned to their farm, but before taking the family back, the father and the daughter, Helen, had gathered some of the grain. The follow- ing winter Mr. Danielson took fifty head of cattle to winter, and as lie had hay in Kandi\'olii county, he took tluMu there and also took his daughters llclcn and Mary to aid in caring foi- tlieni. The father was unable to clotiie the girls properly, and as they could not keep u|) enough fire to keep even water next to the stove from freezing, both the girls froze their feet badly, and the father contracted rheumatism from which he afterward died. Tiiis will illustrate some of the harilships whicii the early settlers were compelled to endure. The daughter, Mary, remained at home until her marriage. Having been among the oldest settlers of the county, she has witnessed the county grow from nothing to its present pros]ierous andtliickly settled condition.

ILLIAM H. WILCOX, ex-county commissioner, a resident of Swede Grove township, is one of the most prominent citizens in the noi'thern part of the county. He is a native of Ohio, born on the 22d of May, 183.5, and was the son of Horace and Polly "Wilcox. His father was extensively engaged in the dairy business.

"William H. remained with his parents until lie was twenty-one years of age and then began life for himself, working first in a cheese factory for a year, and then starting for the "West. He worked about St. Paul and Minneapolis until 1857, when he bought a squatter's claim to 100 acres of land in Manannah township in Meeker county, paying fifty dollars for it. He secured government title with a soldier's land warrant, wiiicii cost him $130. He then sold the land to a Mr. Deck- for $750 in gold, and bought ir>0 acres on sections 2 and 3, in Swede Grove township, where he lias since liveil with the exception of the summer of 1858, when he worked at St. Paul. He returned to his winter. "When the Indian outlireak occurred he had a family on the place keeping house and his brother was living with him. (_)n the same day as the killing of Jones and l!akoi', eleven Indians cam]ied near his claim, and upon learning of the killing Mr. "W^ilcox accused the eleven of doing it, but they denied this, claiming they were "good Indians," and left without doing any mischief. Mr. Wilcox supposed the matter amounted to nothing more than a drunken row, but soon learned that it was to be a general outbreak. He therefore loaded sixteen women and eliildren together with a few trunks onto a wagon and sent the outfit to Forest City in cliarge of his brother. He remained at home until nearly night and then took his gun and went out on the prairie to see if there ^vere any Indians about. At a neighbor's he learned that the Indians were murdering and burning everything as they went, and were scouring the country for whites, and he was prevailed upon to go with them to Forest City. The following morning he started back for his farm against the advice of his friends, but feeling that he could not stay there and let his ho«js and cattle, which were shut up, starve. Upon approaching the house he saw that the kitchen was open and expected every moment to see the head of an Indian poked out and feel the lead from a rifle. He was relieved, however, by finding the house empty, but the stove was still warm, as the Indians had been cooking there and had demolishetl things generally, and stolen whatever they could carry off, cutting open a feather bed to get a sack to hold their liooty. After this, he remained alone most of the time caring for his grain and stock, until he joined the "Home Guards," a company organized at Forest City, for protection against the Indians.

Mr. Wilcox was married on tiie 'Jtli of November, 1867, to Miss Ellen Peterson. She was a native of Swetlen, horn December 29, 1850, and is a daughter of Hans and Betsy (Ostrad) Peterson. She was six j'ears old when she came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have been blessed with the following children - Lillie, born November 12, 1868; Sarah, born November 22, 1870; Horace, born July 22, 1873, and I^ellie, born February 21, 1877. Mr. Wilcox has taken a very prominent part in all matters of a public nature. He was the principal factor in tiie organization of the Swede Grove township in 1869 ; was county commissioner for tliree j^ears ; township clerk in Manannah three years ; town clerk in Swede Grove tliree years ; chairman of tlie sujiervisors for two years, and has held many other offices of responsibility. Mr. Wilcox owned the first cheese factory in operation in Meeker county, having established it in ISGi, and one year sold $1,600 worth of cheese. His house was one of the first frame buildings erected in tiie northwestern part of the county, having been built in 1865. It is a story and a half building, 20x28 feet in size with an addition 10x21 feet. He also has substantial farm buildings, including two spacious barns, a granary, and other buildings. His many years of residence here have made him well known among all the old settlers, and he is held in high regard wherever he is known.

fAMES QUIGLEY, one of the old residents of Forest City townsliip, came to Meeker county about the year 180G, and settled in Forest Prairie, where he made his home for some five years. At the exjiiration of that period he removed to Kingston, from Avhence, some five years later, he came to

Forest City, and Icjcated upon 160 acres of land on section 20, wliich he owns, and where he now lives. He is a native of Canada. He left that province in 1866, and came to Minnesota, where he has since lived.

Mr. Quigley was married in 1872, at Forest City, and by this union there has been born one child - Mary Ann. In his politics Mr. Quigley is a democrat, but has given l)ut little attention to such matters. He is a respected and esteemed citizen, and one of the older residents of the county, who is looked up to as such.

the lirm of Dudley & Nelson, graindealers, and owners of tlie elevator that bears their name, is one of the representative citizens of Grove City, where he has lived for more than eighteen years.

The subject of tliis personal narrative was born in Sweden April 28, 1841, and is the son of N. P. and Sarah Nelson. He made his home in the land of his birth until 1867, wlien emlwrkino- he crossed the ocean to the new world, to better his condition in life. He landed at New York, October 7, of that year, and from there came to Minnesota, and after staying a short time in New London, Kandiyohi county, went from there to St. Cloud, and on to AVatab, where he found employment in a saw-mill, with Asa Libby. He remained there until fall, when he went into the pineries, and there was engaged until the following April, when he returned to Watab, and Avent to school for about six weeks, but from there went to Minneapolis and was employed in the brickyard of Woodward tfe Co., he having worked at that business in the old country. In the following October he commenced track-laying for the St. Paul ct Paci fie Pailroad Company, and continued with them until November 17, 1869, when he received orders to take his crew of men to Swede Grove, and stopped that night about two miles and a half from the place, with Eric Bylund. lie then reached his destination and secured board for himself and crew with Peter J. Lund, and went to woi-k to put in the side-track, etc. lie remained liere that winter, and in the spring moved into a little house that Olaf Levander built about tliat time. Mr. Nelson had charge of the railroad men here until January 1, 1878, when he entered into the general mercliandise business with Mr. Peterson, under the firm name of Peterson, Nelson ife Co. They also handled lumber in connection with their other business, Mr. Nelson having been in the latter line while in the railroad company's employ. Mr. Peterson dying a few months later the firm name changed to that of Dudley k Nelson. They carried on the business, besides a store in Minneapolis for three years, when Mr. Nelson sold out to his ]iartner, and in company witli Isaac Cooper, went into tlie lumber, grain and cattle business, but two years later, going out of the firm resumed his old place with ilr. Dudle}', and the firm thus formed, Dudley & Nelson, are the prominent grain dealers of the village.

November 29, 1873, Mr. Nelson married Miss Anna, daughter of Peter J. and Elna Lund, who died December 3, 1871-, when her son, Adolph, was but eleven days old. The grandparents took care of the child until July, 1878, when Mr. Nelson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Lund, a sister of his first wife, who assumed charge of the little orphan. She has been tlie mother of four ciiildren, three of whom are dead, and one, Anna, born August 3, 1881, is living.

WIMOTHY GIBNEY, the suljject of tliis biograjihical notice, is an enter])nsing and thorough farmer who resides on section 27, in ^fanannah townsliip. lie was born in Upper Canada on tlie 22d of Noveml^er, 1819, anil is the son of John and Anna (Ileaney) Gibney, his parents being natives of Ireland. Ilis early life was spent in his native Dominion and in 1805 he came with his parents to the United States and they made their way directly to Meeker county, Minn., settling in Manannah township, where tiiey still reside. Timothy has 120 acres of land and has been very successful in his farming operations. In connection with his diversified fanning interests, he carries on stock raising in a limited way.

The subject of our sketch was married on the 4th of February, 1883, to ]\nss Mary E. McCaffery, and their marriage has been blessed with three children whose names are James T., Elizabeth, and Patrick, all of whom are still living and at home. ]\Irs. Gibne3''s parents were both natives of Ireland, wlio came to America at an early day and died in Upper Canada. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gibne\' are exemplary memliers and active supporters of tiie Catholic Church.

1^ ICHARD WELCH, deputy auditor of J^^ Meeker county, is a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., born June 5, 1859, and is tiie son of Ilichard and Bridget (McDonald) Welch. His parents were married in Syracuse, N. Y'., in 1853, and shortly after removed to Cayauga county, where the}' still make their home.

majority, but in his twent^'-first j'ear came to Minnesota and located in Meeker county. For a ])eriod of five years after coming here, he was engaged in teacliing school, but in the spring of 1885 he went to Buffalo county, Dak., and there took up a homestead of 16U acres of land. That territory had been thrown open to settlers by a proclamation of President Arthur, but the present administration seeing fit to annul and make void this action of its ]iredecessor, Mr. Welch, in company with many others was forced to abandon his claim. He then returned to Litchfield whei-e he has made his home ever since. He was ajjpointed to the office of deputy auditor of ]\[eeker county in 1886, and is still engaged in the duties of that position. He is a young man in j'ears, but has already won for himself an enviable reputation for steadiness and upright principles, and will, no doubt, occup}' more important and responsible positions in the future, as he well deserves.

TgTAI-STFN ANDERSON. The subject X'll. of this biograpiiical sketch is a farmer resitling on section 1, Danielson township. He is a son of Andrew and Carrie Ilarolson, and was born in Norway on the ITth of November, 1818. His early life was spent on a farm in the land of his birth and he remained there until 1870, when he came to the United States. He Avent first to Dane county, Wis., where he stayed about three years, being engaged at work for various farmers. At the end of that time, March 1."), 1873, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and worked for farmers in the neighborhood of Grove City until June, 1876, and at that time ])urchased forty acres of land on section 1, in Danielson township, where he still lives. He has since bought an additional eighty adjoining his original farm, so that his place now consists of 120 acres. He has a good share of it under cultivation, and divides his time between general farming and stock raising. He was a poor man when he came to America, and had to boi'row the mone\' with which to pay his fare, but by industry and frugality he has accumulated a comfortable property.

Mr. Anderson married Miss Ingeborff Michelson. Her parents were Michael and Anna Anderson, Avho Avere born in Norway, and lived there until the time of their deaths. The parents of Halsten were also natives of Norway, where his father died and his mother still lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Halsten Anderson have been the jiarents of the following named children - Andrew, born May 3, 1873, died May 15, 1887 ; Anna Clara, born September 3, 1875 ; Markus, born January 27, 1879, died April 27, 1879 ; Mattis, born October 15, 1881 ; and Ida, born May 8, 1883. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

^UEL J. HAWKINS. The subject of this sketch, a successful farmer and stockraiser, residing on section 21, Cedar Mills township, while not an old settler here, is one of the most intelligent, prominent and influential citizens in the southern part of the count}'. He is a native of Litchfield, Conn., born July 8, 1826, and is a son of Amos and Minerva Hawkins, Ijoth of whom were natives of the same State. In 1835 the family emigrated to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they were among the pioneer settlers. The father died at Conneaut, Ohio, in April, 1883, and the mother at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1850. In 1859 Buel J. started with a team and wagon for the then " far western " Kansas, and after a dreary overland journey, lasting some six weeks, he arrived in what is now

Crawford county, tlmt State. He pnrcliased goverinnent land and remained on that for abont twelve years, dividing his time between farming- and teaching school, until the fall of 1S71, when he returned East and settled in Kane county, 111., upon a farm which he iiad purchased. Five or six years later he rented his place and removed to the town of Hampshire, 111., where he engaged in the loan, real estate and insurance business. lie took an active interest in all public matters there and became one of the most prominent residents in that locajity. lie was president of the Kane county Bible Association, and secretary of the Kane County Sunday-school Association, for many years, and also took an active interest in educational matters. In the fall of 1885 j\rr. Hawkins purchased a farm on section 21, Cedar Mills township, Meeker county, Minn., and moved onto it in the spring of 1886. Since that time he has devoted his time to general farming and stock-raising. He has a valuable farm of 300 acres, a good share of which is under cultivation. Since coming here he has taken active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the township. The first year he was here he was elected treasurer of the school board, and in 1SS7 he was elected justice of the peace.

Mr. Hawkins was first manned at Springfield, Pa., in the spring of 1850, to Miss Mary A. Custard. She died in 1861 at Fort Scott, Kan., leaving three sons, as follows - Charles, now at Garnet, Kan. ; Herbert, now near Moscow, Idaho; and Kufus, now at Denver, Col. Mr. Hawkins was again married October 14, 1862, to Miss Susan R Welch, a native of Ohio. This marriage has been blessed with two children, who are now living - Areta, now Mrs. F. O. Iloltgren, of DcKalb county, 111 ; and Jennie, who is still with her ])arents. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are prominent and active members of the Methodist Church.

OHN RUDBERG. One of the leading merchants of Dassel. and a man wiio is in the truest sense of the wiml self-made, having hewn out his own ample comjietence with his own hands, is the gentleman of whom this sketch is written. He is a native of Sweden, born May 27, 1836, and made his home in that rugged, but i)icturesque land until he was about thirty years of age. Emigrating to the new world in 1866, he came by way of Minneapolis, that fall, to the town of Dassel and took up a homestead in section 26, and returnetl to the " Flour Cit}^ " to spend the winter. The following spring he purchased at high prices a wagon and an ox-team, together with plough and and other tools for agriculture, and started for his land in Meeker county about the middle of June. The season was very wet, and he and John Erickson, who accompanied him, wei'e some three weeks upon their wa^'. In crossing the " Beaver Dam," which is now dr}' and under cultivation, Mr. Budbei'g had to stand up in the wagon and hold the sack of flour they had with them up out of the water, while his friend ]iiloted the team across the dam. On their ari'ival at their claims, for Erickson had a homestead on section 21, they at once commenced the erection of their cabins, clearing their land, for it was all timber-covered, and getting in a crop. By the fall of 1868, by hard and pei-sistent laboi", Mr. Rudberg had commenced to conquer nature and could show considerable wheat and plenty of vegetables that he had raised that season. In August of the latter year he was joined by his family, who had just come from Sweden in a sailing vessel, and had spent some fourteen weeks on their way from their native land to tiiiscountiv.

In 1871, in connection with ilichel Ilendrixson, he purchased a threshing machine, which for lack of horses was driven by oxen. As this was one of the two machines in this part of the country at that time, they had a larere amount of business during- the season. They continued this business together until September, 1872, when Mr. Hendrixson accidentally stepped into the cylinder of the machine while it was in motion, and his leg being torn otf belo\v the knee, he bled to death before a doctor could be procured. This took place at Hendrixson's own farm. From that time on until 1875 Mr. Rudberg carried on tliresliing by himself in connection with his farm interests, but at the date mentioned removed to the village of Dassel, and in company witii his brothers, purchased interests in the business of Charles Morris, the pioneer genei'al merchandise store of that place. Morris & Rudberg Bros, remained in trade until 1881, when selling out, our subject, in company with his brother Louis, bought the Dassel lumber yard, and established at tiie same time the furniture business. Louis Rudberg died in January, 1S84-, and John operated the entire business from that time on, and is still engaored in those lines.

PETER GROTTE, of Acton township, has cliarge of the farm whicli originally belonged to Robinson Jones, wlio was murdered by the Indians in 1862. Peter Grotte, who carries on farming and stockraising on this historic piece of land, is a son of Halda and Carrie Grotte, and was born in Xorway, on the 17th of December, 1856. Tlie family came to the United States in 1868, pushed on to the Northwest, and after a stay of a few weeks in JMinneapolis, they came to Meeker county, and the father \mvchased a tarm of forty acres on Long Lake. A year later this place was sold, and the father bought a farm on section 6, in Acton township, Avhere they lived for eleven years. At the expiration of that time one of the sons, Peter Peterson (Qrotte), purchased the farm, and the father then bought the Jones place, on section 21, in the same township, wliere the family still live. Tiie fatlier died on the 6th of July, 1883, and since tiiat time Peter Grotte, the siil)ject of this sketch, has had charge of the farm and carried on the business. The farm is a valuable one, consisting of 160 acres of land, a good sliare of which is under cultivation.

The parents of Peter Grotte, Ilalda and Carrie Grotte, had a family of five children, wdiose names and ages were as follows - Mary, born March 13, 18-18 ; Peter II. Peterson (Grotte), born November 17, 1852 ; Peter Grotte, born December 17, 1856 ; Joim, born December 20, 1860; Ingre, born April 2, 1863, died May IS, of the same year. Tlie family are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran Ciiurch.