Mower County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 9 of 14)

Frank Irving Crane, now deceased, was one of the well-known citizens of Austin, and well deserved the honor and esteem in which he was held. He was born in Sharon. Medina county, Ohio, September 26, 1848, and lived there until 1863, when his father. William A. Crane, sold his homestead on which he had resided for thirty years and came to Minnesota. The family came across the lake to Milwaukee, and from there came to this state in an emigrant wagon. All of the family were present except Eugene, who left the party at Madison, Wis., to go to Ann Arbor to continue his law studies. The party crossed the line between Iowa and Minnesota on Frank's fifteenth birthday. The Crane family spent the winter of 1863 with Frank's uncle, William Chatfield, then living near Spring Valley. In the spring they came to Austin, reached here March 16, 1864, located in the log house on the farm that is now the property of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, and in 1865 built the brick house which still stands to tiie west of the cemetery. Frank worked on the farm and attended district school. In 1872 he joined his brother, Eugene B. Crane, now of Minneapolis, and worked with him as appraiser of Northern Pacific lands, and later attended a business college in i\Iinnea polls. From there he entered the old Mower County Bank to learn more of business methods. In 1873 he went to work for AVilliam Richards, father of Mrs. Lafayette French, Avho conducted a lumber yard near the present C, M. & St. Paul station. Bray & French at that time also had a lumber business here, near the corner of Franklin and Water streets. In 1876 Mr. Crane succeeded Bray & French, and continued in the lumber business until the time of his death. Mr. Crane took a prominent part in all public movements, belonged to the old Board of Trade and the Booster Club, wa.s a member of the Board of Education, was appointed on the first Library Board of the city, and was its ])resideiit from its organization until his death. One of his most distinguished services was as mayor. He was elected in 1896, and it Avas due to his efiPorts that the finanees of the city were put in a greatly improved condition. So great was the favor with which his official acts met that he was re-elected without opposition in 1897. He was a high degree IMason, and also belonged to the Elks. The subject of this sketch was nuirried :\rarch U, 1880. to

Sylvia Pettibone, of Bainbridge, Ohio. Mr. Crane and his Avife were born within forty miles of each other, biit never met until she came to Austin to visit her sister, Mrs. H. H. Kent. To them were born four children : Leah, Ralph, Clara and Florence. Mr. Crane lived in Austin from 1864 until the time of his death in 1910, a period of forty-six years, and his mind was a storehouse of first-hand knowledge of local history. Few events happened here in the half century of which he had no mental record. He had a wide acquaintance in his home town, his county and surrounding towns. He knew and called his friends by name in his fraternal fashion, and never forgot them. One needed to go about with him to realize the number of friends who gave him hearty greeting wherever he went. His hospitality was genuine and extended alike fo rich and poor. His keen, practical mind gave him business sagacity and a cool judgment to discriminate between the real and the sham, while his warm heart taught him the Avorth of men and helped him to forget their failings.

John F. Cook, one of the early real estate dealers of Austin, was born in Malone, N. Y., May 13, 1823, son of the Rev. Stephen Cook, a clergyman in the Empire state in the period folloAving the Revolution, and first pastor of the Congregational church at Austin. John F. Avas tAvelve years of age when his parents removed from Malone, and Avith them he subsequently liA^ed in A^arious places in his native state. As a young man he Avas engaged in various occupations, working for a time at Clintonville, N. Y., and later at Peru, N. Y., where he began his career as an office boy in a large retail store, and rapidly advanced till he became an equal partner in the business.' Siibsequently he went to loAva, and during the construction of the Illinois Central through that state Avas engaged in railroading and in the mercantile business, being located at Waterloo and subsequently at Independence. Mr. Cook came first to Austin in 1854, but did not remain. He returned in 1856 and purchased land around Austin, and owned an undivided one-fourth interest in the original townsite. He remained here about two years, retaining his interest in a number of mercantile establishments in loAva. He sold his interests thei-e and returned to Austin in 1864, taking up the real estate business. He Avas Austin's mayor in 1870 and again in 1874. He Avas an active business man and a public-spirited citizen. He died at his home in Austin, December 2, 1892. The subject of this sketch married Addie E. Carpenter, and to this anion three children were born : Charles F., Addie and John P.

Ira P. Chase, rural mail carrier, is one of the popular men of Dexter, and has one of the prettiest homes in tlie township, his place being Avell kept and very attractive to the passerby. Being of a sociable nature, he has allied himself with the M. W. A., and is a popular member of the local lodge of that order at Dexter. He is also a member of the I\Iasonic Lodge No. 253, at Dexter. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 17, 186:3, son of Amos B. and Annie (Martin) Chase, the former of whom, a native of New York state, came west, and after a few temporary stops, located in Dane county, where he farmed for many years. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Wisconsin, attended the district schools, and in 1903 came to Mower county and located in the northwest quarter of section 36, Dexter township. He married Lizzie W., daughter of Charles and Maria (Huntley) Seymour, and they have five bright children: Asa, Lia, Ray, Lena and Annie.

John H. Eckstein, a scientific and well-read farmer of Le Roy township, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 12, 1856, son of Herman and Fredrika (Grass) Eckstein, natives of Wurtemlierg, Germany. This worthy couple came to America in 1849, lived in Cleveland, Ohio, until 1856, then located in Howard county, Iowa, where they acquired 600 acres of land and engaged in farming, Herman dying August 15, 1910, while his widow still makes her home on the farm. John H. received his education in the district schools, then took up farming at home. Later he went to South Dakota, farmed there six years, and then came back to the farm in Iowa, engaging in general farming. In 1905 he came to Le Roy and purchased a tract of land in section 34, where he repaired the buildings and improA^ed the land. He still carries on general farming and makes a specialty of stock and grain raising, taking great pride in Hereford cattle, Shropshire sheep. Chester White swine and Belgium horses. The subject of this sketch was married December 26, 1904, to Julia Aga, born at Hardanger, Norway, March 28, 1866, daughter of Mikkel and Margreta (Huse) Aga, the latter of whom died in Norway, ^larch 21, and the former of whom came to America in September, 1906, and now makes his home with his daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Eckstein have one son, Ernest Aga, born February 27, 1909. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Charles E. Fairbanks, a scientific farmer of Dexter township, is well known throughout the county, and his place, the "Cold Spring Farm," is one of the model farms of this part of tlie state. The property consists of 320 acres, well kept in every way, and cultivated with the latest improved machinery along the most modern lines. His comfortable home is a demonstration of the fact that rural life may be made most attractive, while his barns and other buildings are roomy, commodious, airy ;ind sanitary. His sleek-looking stock, well cared for and well Iniused, form in the summer a pleasant feature of the pastoral landscape. Like most intelligent men, Mr. Fairbanks has a hobby, his particular pleasure being in hunting for big game in the northern woods, to which territory he makes frequent trips during the hunting season. At home he is highly regarded and has been honored in his township with various offices, including town assessor for thirteen years, as well as treasurer. Recentl}'- he has been appointed by Gov. A. 0. Eberhart as boiler inspector in the Sixth district. Charles E. Fairbanks "was born near Madison, Wis., February 10, 1858, son of Caswell and Miranda (Tyler) Fairbanks, the former of whom was born near AVatertown, N. Y. Charles E. Avas educated in the common and high schools of Madison, and attended the state normal school at Oshkosh, Wis. He came to Dexter, Avith his parents, at the age of eighteen, and for a time taught school in the township. He married Augusta Heath, also a well-known teacher. Mrs. Fairbanks v;as the daughter of Kimball and Jane (AYalker) Heath, who came from NcAv Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Fau'banks are the parents of three children. Earle C. is in the real estate business in Minneapolis. Mary C. teaches in Duluth. Ralph B. lives at home.

Philip Heydt, a progressive citizen of Sargeant tOAvnship, has been a resident of this county since the centennial year, and during that time has maintained a most honorable record. He has been supervisor, toAvn treasurer and school director and at the present time is a director in the Farmers Lumber Company, at Hayfield. Philip Heydt Avas born in Germany, April 14, 1856, fion of Carl and Louisa (Ruppenthal) Heydt, natives of that country. He eames to America in 1872, settled at Ncav Ulm, Minn., and remained two years. Then he Avorked a similar period in Norwalk, Wis. In 1876 J\Ir. and Mrs. Heydt came to Sargeant toAvnship -and he Avorked for Mr. C. S. Meyer for three years, then he farmed in section 5 for himself thirteen years. Then he moved to his present location in section 8, Avhere he owns a half section of excellent land, Avith a comfortable home and suitable buildings for stock, machinery and crops. Mr. Heydt Avas married in 1876 to Katharina, daughter of Henry Elsebach and a native of Germany. They are the parents of seven children: William H. : Lena E., the wife of the Rev. C. G. Roesti; Jacob E., Frederick C, Leonard L., Harvey A. (deceased) and Elmer 0. W. H. is married to Bertha Wohlfeil; they have three children, Eva, Florence and Pari. J. E. is married to Lillian Schrapp and have one child, Lucile Vivian, a little girl. The three younger boys are home and Avork the home farm. Rev. and Mrs. Roesti have five children: Ernest, Katie, Ester, Ruth and Hazel.

town clerk. lie was boru in Pinkney, Lewis county, N. Y., De- (.-ember 3, 1839, son of Hiram and Cornelia (Hall) Hunt, who were born in New York state, migrated to AVisconsin, and then came to Browusdale, this county, where they ended their days. E. F. attended the common schools, and later on the high school at Beaver Dam. AVis. He spent his early manhood on the farm, tmd in 1870 came to AValtham township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 16. Here he built a home and other buildings, and soon added another eighty acres, thus making a fine farm, which he still cultivf|,tes. The subject of this sketch married INIary C. Kezar, at Waupon, Wis., September 17, 1864, she being the daughter of Hiram and Catherine (Nesdel) Kezar. i\lr. and ]Mrs. Hunt are tlie parents of six children : Mary A., Josephine A., Franklin E., Jennie and Louisa and Arthur B., who still lives at home. Mary A. married Otto IMiller and they have one child, I\Iary G. Josephine A. married W. W. Carver and they have two children, Ethel E. and Lloyd F. Franklin E. lives in Clay county, Cromwell township, married Katherine Pick, daughter of Fisher Pick, and has one child, Veronica. Jennie married E. E. Edwards and they have two children. Everette E. and ilark W. Louisa married C. C. Lawis, and they liave four children - AVard, Blanche, Merl, Violet.

Samuel P. Hambleton is one of the progressive and leading citizens of Frankford township. AYith the natural ability of a keen, active mind he combines a capacity for good .judgment and hard work, and his influence in the community has been an excellent one. He has served the town twelve years as supervisor and for the past five years has been chairman of the town board. He is also a member of the school board of Grand Meadowvillage and a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery in the same place. Samuel P. Hambleton was born in Bensalem township. Buck's county. Pa., December 9, 1854, son of Thomas and ^lary Ann (Stackhouse) Hambleton, native of Pennsylvania, the former of whom died in I\Iarch, 1895, and the latter in January, 1899. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district schools of his native county and completed with a two years' course in the Andalusia Hall, a school for young men located in Buck's county, Pennsylvania. After his school days were over, Samuel P. engaged in farming at home until 1886, when he came to Mower county and for five years worked in Grand Meadow township. Then he came to Frankford township and purchased eighty acres in the east half of the southeast (piarter of section 19. In 1903 he purchased the other half of 1he same quarter. He also purchased three acres in section 30. making in all 163 acres, on whicli he now conducts general farming. His ])lace is an excellent one. well tilled and well Ue])t. ;ind its value is enhanced by the fact that Deer creek runs through it. The subject of this sketch was married September 29, 1880, at Buck's county, Pennsylvania, to Lidie Stout, a native of Middletown in that county, born December 7, 1857, daughter of Samuel R. and Jane M. (Hibbs) Stout, also natives of Pennsylvania. The Stout family came west in 1886, piirchased 640 acres in sections 28 and 32, Clrand Meadow, and there remained until Mrs. Stout's death, November 15, 1902, after which Mr. Stout moved to Grand IMeadow village, where he died May 17, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Hambleton have three children: Frank S., Samuel R. and Rodman T. Frank S. M^as born at Beusalem, Pa., August 1, 1881, and now conducts a store and restaurant at Grand Meadow. Samuel R. Avas born at Bensalem, Pa., May 10, 1885, and died September 29, 1886. Rodman T. Avas born July 21, 1888. He is a senior at Hamline University, is editor of the Hamline Oracle, and was captain of the Hamline baseball club in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Hambleton are members of the Methodist church. 'Mr. Hambleton is a member of the M. W. A., and ]\Irs. Hambleton is a patriotic instructor in the W. R. C.

J. P. Johnson has a A\'ell-kept farm of 240 acres in the south- Avest quarter of section 6, Sargeant toAvnship, Avhere he has lived for some quarter of a century. Born in NorAvay, March 25, 1857, son of Peter D. Johnson, he was brought to America by his parents and reared in Dodge county, this state. Later the family came to Mower county and settled on the place where J. P. now resides, and where Peter D. died in 1909. Mr. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, married Anna Kyllo, also a native of NorAvay, and they have twelve children: Oscar, Enen, Alma, Oneil and Selmer (twins), Bennie and Mabel (tAvins), Melvine, Elmer, Sanford and Clififord (twins) and Roy. The family affiliates Avith the Lutheran church at Hayfield.

John T. Keefe, noAv deceased, Avas knoAvn in both ^loAver and Freeborn counties. He Avas born in Ireland and came to America with his parents at the age of eight years. They settled in New York state and there he grew to manhood He married Maryann Kerby, and continued to live in New York state until 1877, Avhen he brought his family west and settled in Newry, Freeborn county, this state. A year later they came to Udolpho township, this county, and lived on the old Field farm. In latter years he took up his home Avith his daughter, ]\Irs. John Dennis, and died December 11, 1909.

Albert Keefe, an industrious farmer of Waltham toAvnship, was born in Bombay, N. Y., May 20, 1871, son of John T. and Maryann (Kerby) Keefe. He came to IMinnesota Avith his parents, attended school in district 50, Udolpho, and assisted his father on the farm."" When twenty-seven years of age he married Mary

Drisooll, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Pendergast) Driscoll, the former of whom was born in Ireland, came to America, located in Chicago, came to Udolpho, lived eighteen years on the George B. Hayes farm, and afterward lived twenty years in Red Rock township, subsequently going to Virginia, in this state, where he now lives. Albert Keefe and wife lived five years in Newry, Freeborn county, and then came to Udolpho and located on the Stimson place. They are now on the Budahn farm in Waltham tOAvnship. They are the parents of three bright children: William H., aged ten; Irene S., aged nine, and Margaret, aged one. Mr.Keefe owns 160 acres in the township of Badger, Roseau county. Minn. He is a modern farmer and his wife has proven an intelligent and sympathetic helpmeet.

Granville Kearns, now living in retirement in Austin, is one of th? few early pioneers still living in the county, he having the honor of dating his residence in, this part of the state from April 28, 1856, on Avhich day he arrived in Austin for the first time. He w^as born in Ontario, Canada, May 26, 1835, his parents being Robert and Nancy (Purdy) Kearns. After arriving at Austin, he went to Moscow, Freeborn county, and pre-empted land thei'e, farming until 1900, Avhen he retired and moved to the city of Austin, where he now resides in a comfortable home at 400 Vine street. ]\Ir. Kearns married Julia, Lamping, daughter of Peter and Julia (Goodore) Lamping, her father being a farmer by occupation. To this union have been born four children: William F., Alice B., Charles E. and Burton G. William

F. married Daisy Newell and they have five children: Ruth, Clifford, Arnold, Dorothy and Alice. Charles E. married Minnie Green, of Rockford, 111., and they have one son, Frank. Burton

Leander Kirkland, a retired farmer now living in Austin, luis the honor of having been town treasurer and chairman of the board of supervisors of the township of Red Rock at intervals fcr twenty-three years. He was born October 5, 1843, in Chautauqua county, New York, son of James and Phoebe (Dawley) Kirkland. both natives of New York state. Leander spent his early life in New York state, and in 1864 the family moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, settling near Decorah, where liis parents died, James in 1872 and Phoebe in 1868. In 1864, immediately after his marriage, the subject of this sketch took up farming in Decorah, Iowa, and there remained until 1870, when he l)rought his family to Red Rock township, IMower county, and settled in section 34, where he farmed until 1906, when he practically retired and moved to Austin. He is a Republican in politics, a uiiMiilicr of tlie blue lod'^v and the rhaptcr iu the

Masonic order and also of the A. 0. U. "W. He was married in New York state, September 22, 1864, to Patience Rugg, and to this union has been born one daught&r, Alice P., the wife of Edwin T. Bemis, whose father, Oliver Bemis, was one of the early settlers of Austin. Mr. Kirkland is highly respected by his friends, and for many years has been one of the substantial residents of the county, his advice on important matters being often sought by the younger generations.

Harcar Lyons, an old settler, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, son of Joseph Lyons. In 1857 he came to ^Mower county Avith his brother, John P., and settled in Lansing township. November 1, 1863, he enlisted in Co. B, Second ^Minnesota Cavalry, and served on the frontier against the Indians. He Avas honorably discharged in December, 1865, after which he returned to Lansing and resumed farming. He married, November 24, 1870, Maty A. Bernier, born October 12, 1849, daughter of Joseph and Henrietta (De Mars) Bernier. This union has been blessed Avith tAvo daughters : Fay Eugene and Elizabeth V. Elizabeth V. married R. L. Johnson and they have tAvo children : Louise L. and Hazel I.

Jacob Martin, a Avell-liked farmer of Sargeant, Avas born in Cascade toAA^nship, Olmsted county, this state. May 13, 1872, son of Philip and Christina (Fuchs) Martin. When ten years of age, he was brought to MoAver county by his parents, and Avas reared on the farm in section 16, Sargeant toAvnship, completing his common school education in district 113. lie now resides on the home farm of 240 acres, all under cultivation. Mr. Martin has taken a prominent part in the aifairs of his township, has been in toAA'n office since tAventy-tAvo years of age, Avas many years superA^isor. and is noAv school clerk and constable. He is a director in the farmers' telephone and is a member of the Diamond cornet band of Sargeant. The; subject of this sketch Avas married October 24, 1900, to Emma Peterson, daughter of Nels and Betsey Peterson, and they had tAvo daughters : Beulah, born April 17, 1907, and Bessie, born November 10, 1904, and died April 9, 1905.

Philip Martin, of "Waltliam, Avas born in Germany and married Christina Fuchs. He came to America in 1848, located in Jackson, Wis., and lived there until 1864, when he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and there resided eighteen years. In 1882 he came to Sargeant township, located in section 16, and liecamc a prominent citizen. In 1900 he moved to the village of AValtham, and his son Jacob is noAv in charge of the home farm.

D, L. Mills, of Sargeant toAvnship, is one of the many modern farmers Avho have folloAved the "back to the soil" movement. After attaining success as a civil engineer and as a banker, he has now determined to become a scientitii- fariixT, and iias slarlcd l)y acquiring 280 acres of good land, on wliicli lie has ci'i'ctcil a good home and commodions outbuildings. He already has a hue lot of dual-purpose cattle, sheep and Poland-China liogs, and it is his intention to engage successfully in stock breeding for tlie market. Mr. Mills was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, ]March 6, 1879, son of John and Rose (Vorhees) Mills. The father, John, came from Ulster, Bradford county, Pa., and the mother. Rose, from Tioga county, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1888, John Mills came to Minneapolis and engaged in the real estate business. He is now in Tacoma, Wash., in the same business. D. L. Mills attended the public schools in Minneapolis and studied engineering, which he made his profession for six years. Afterwards he went into the banking business and for five years he managed the Bank of Dexter, Minn., which he organized. In 1907 lie disposed of his interest and spent two years in the state of Washington and other places, with a view to selecting a permanent home. Finally he returned to Mower county and purchased his present property. Mr. Mills married Clara J., daughter of F. C. Hartshorn, and they have five children: Carl H., Fred L., Nadine, Robert and Lila.

Michael Matter will long be honored in Waltham township for the part he had in the upbuilding of the St. Michael German Lutheran church. The first services of this congregation were held in his home, and at the organization of the church in 1873 he gave sixty acres of land for the church, school, cemetery, etc. i\Iichael Matter was born October 19, 1798, in Ljuchentin, Germany, came to America in 1841, located in Wisconsin, and thm-e lived until 1869, when he brought his wife, Avhose maiden name was Friderike Zulke, to Mower county, where he purchased eighty acres in section 20, Waltham township, from his sou, ^Michael F., who came the same year. He died January 19, 1880, in ]\Iilwaukee, Wis., and his corpse was brought to Waltliam, ]Minn., for burial at the siile of his wife, who died October 18. 1872.

Michael F. Matter is a prominent citizen of Waltham toA^iiship, where he has lived since 1869. He was born in Germantown. AVashington county. Wis., April 21, 1848, son of Michael and Friderike (Zulke) ^Matter. He came to ]\Iower county in 1869, purchased 160 acres in section 20, Waltham township, and two years later sold a half to his father. He improved and cultivated his half, erected buildings, and carried on general farming for many years. ^Mr. flatter is one of the oldest settlers of Waltliam township. He is als.i th,- oldest member of St. :Michaers 'hurcli. and one of the I'cadcrs in the churcli wlicn the pastor is al)scnt. He has been supervisor of tlic town and scliool trea.s- urer and a trustee of St. Michael's church at its organizatiou and several terms thereafter. Mr. Matter was married at tlie first meeting of the German Lutherans in Waltham township. This service was held at the home of his father by the Rev. Mr. Wier, from Lake Elmo, Washington county. His wife, whose maiden name was Therese Frohreich, daughter of Michael and Friderike (Matter) Frohreich, has borne him nine children, oO which still live: Wilhelmine, Augusta, Matilda, Herman, Ferdinand and Ida. Wilhelmina married Henry Baumgartner and they have six children. Augusta married John Boeris and they have six children. Matilda married Henry Yunkans and they liave seven children. Herman married Anna, daughter of Rev. F. C. Milius and they have one child, Beata. Ferdinand, Auguste and J\Iatilda live in Wisconsin. Ida married William Suhrke and lives near AValtham, Minn.

Oscar W. Nichols, a well-liked citizen of Waltham township, in which he owns a half section of rich land, all under cultivation, Avas born in Moscow, Somerset county. Me., June 17, 1858, son of Charles E. and Clara L. (Hill) Nichols. The father, Charles E., came west March 8, 1869, stopped at Waukon, Iowa, a few days, and then proceeded to Rice Lake, Dodge county, Minn., where he remained four months. In September, 1869, he moved to Waltham, section 11, and there established his home. Oscar W. was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of district 58, and assisted his father in agricultural work. After his marriage he moved to his present home in section 2. His good wife, who was ]\faggie Baumann, daughter of George and Emily (Warren) Baumann, has borne him five children: Pearle E., George W., Cleve E., Ruth L. and Floyd 0.

Manley Ousley, of the Southern IMinnesota Land Company, is one of the most successful real estate dealers in this portion of the state. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, April 28, 1858, son of M. B. and Amanda S. (Day) Ousley. He received his early education in the public schools of Boscobel, Wis., and then learned the woolen manufacturing business from start to finish in the mills there. In 1876 he removed with liis parents to Deeorah, Iowa, and worked at the woolen business two years more. After this he opened a restaurant in that place, continuing the same for seventeen years. His restaurant, which bore the name of "Ousley Restaurant," was one of the finest eating houses in the state of Iowa. After selling out this place, Mr. Ousley came to Austin and purchased the Grand Hotel, which he maintained as the leading family hotel of Austin. After about fourteen years in this business, Mr. Ousley sold out and with Herbert St. Ledger entered into the real estate business under the name of the Southern Minnesota Land Company, a company which during the past year has done over a inilHou dollars' business. While in Deeorah Mr. Ousley served on the school board, but he has always voted independently and lias never cared to enter actively into i)olitics. He is a niemher of the Christian Science church. The subject of this sketch was married April 13, 1879, at Deeorah, loAva, to Etta M. Kimball, a native of New York state, now the first reader of the ('hristian Science church at Austin. To this union two children have been born. Flora May, who was born ]\Iay 30, 1886, died at the age of ten months. Walter D., born June 29, 1893, is a student in the Austin high school.

M. B. Ousley, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Missouri, and married Amanda S. Day, of Kentucky. They located in Boscobel, W^is., and there lived for some years, going in ISTfi to Deeorah, Iowa, where they are now living a retired life.

Theodore Sanders, a well-known retired farmer of Austin, was born in Denmark, April 2, 1845, a son of Carl and Stina (Larsen) Sanders, who passed their lives in the native land, Denmark. Theodore received a good education in the public schools of Denmark, after which he followed farming until his emigration to America in 1867. . Arriving in this country, he settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, engaging in farming there until 1875. when he removed to IMower county, IMinnesota, and purchased a quarter section of improved land in section 15 of Nevada township. This was the family home for twenty years, during which time modern buildings were added, and the land greatly improved by carefid cultivation, yielding rich returns in crops. In 1895, Mr. Sanders sold this property, immediately purchasing a 176-acre farm in Windom township, but on which he has never lived, at once removing to Austin with his family after the sale of the first farm. He had previously bought a ten-acre tract on South Kenwood avenue and built a home which was their residence until 1907, Avhen he disposed of this place, and moved with his family into their present beautiful and modern home at 1101 North Kenwood avenue. Since his removal to Austin, Mr. Sanders has not been engaged in any line of work, but is enjoying a well-earned rest. He is identified with the Republican party. November 20, 1871, he was married to ^Fathilda Nelsen, who deceased IMarch 26, 1909, leaving one child. F.melia, Avho lives at home and keeps house for her father. Carl, who died at the age of eleven years; Thorvald, deceased, aged nine, and Thora, who died at the age of eight days, were the other children of the family. The Lutheran clnirch has always had the loyalty and support of the family.

ville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 11, 18-40, son of Bemau B. and Olive (Scott) Sherman. They were born respectively in Windsor county, Vermont, February 26, 1811, and in Massachusetts, August 4, 1815. They vi^ere married January 4, 1838, and lived in Mayville, N. Y., until 1856, when they removed to Edgerton, Wis., Avhere they both died, the father in 1897, and the mother in 1876. Loran received his education in the common schools and in the Mayville academy, and came west with his parents at the age of sixteen. As a youth he engaged in farming and teaching in Rock county, Wisconsin, until August 23, 1864, when he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Army of the Potomac under General Grant around Petersbiu-g, Va., until wounded in the final and victorious assault on that stronghold, April 2, 1865. He was discharged at Madison, Wis., June 14, 1865. At the close of the war he went to Iowa and engaged in railroad work at various points. In 1871 he became a buyer for the Bassett-Huntting Companj^ grain dealers, at Lyle. At the same time he became proprietor of a lumber and coal business, continuing the same until 1906, at which time he retired, moving to Minneapolis three years later. He took an active part in the affairs of the village, was elected first mayor of Lyle, served as justice of the peace for a time, and was clerk of the school district of Lyle village from its organization until 1907. He belongs to the Congregational church and affiliates with the John A. Rawlins Post, No. 126, G. A. R., of Minnesota. The subject of this sketch married, in 1868, Miss Cathleen B. Wilcox, of Pennsylvania, and of this union one son is living, Louis A. Sherman, of Austin. Mrs. Cathleen Sherman died in July, 1875. In August, 1876, Mr. Sherman married Marion F. Wilcox, and this union has been blessed with two daughters, Laura I. and Edna L., both of whom live M'ith their parents in Minneapolis.

Bjnron E. Shutt, the genial proprietor of the Grand Hotel, at Austin, was born at Fort Wayne, Allen county, Ind., April 8, 1864, son of Daniel and Barbara (Cope) Shutt, the former of whom died December 9, 1906, and the latter of whom is now living at Spring Valley, Fillmore county, this state. Byron E. lived at Ft. Wayne, Ind., until eighteen years of age, and then spent a winter in Canton, Fillmore county, Minn. The following spring he went to Duluth, Minn., clerked in a hardware store a year and then returned to Canton, where he spent four years on his father's farm. Subsequently he farmed for a similar period in Iowa. Then he came to ]\Iower county, purchased a quarter section in Frankford township, and a year later a similar tract in Howard county, Iowa. Still later he located on a farm in Racine township and farmed there until 1906, when he came to

Austin and opened a livery stable in the l)uilding that has since been remodeled as the Elk Hotel. Later he went to Cresco, Iowa, and made his first venture in the hotel business. Thus equipped v.ith suitable experience, he came back to Austin and purchased the Grand. He conducts a first-class place in every respect, the rooms of the Grand being well furnished and comfortable at all seasons and his table being excellent in every respect. I\Ir. Shutt was married October 26, 1886, to Etta A. Erode, who has proven a most able helpmeet in all his undertakings. To this anion have been born four children : Mark C. is a student in the State University of Iowa; Claude E. is in the Dakotas, and Joy and Etta are dead.

Ananias Sorenson has lived in Le Eoy township for thirtyfive years and has seen many changes in township, county and state. He was born in Norway, married Annie Ronningen Paulson, and brought his family in America in 1865, locating at Lansing, Iowa. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Winneshiek county, in the same state, and in 1876 came to Mower county, where he purchased 160 acres in section 2, Le Roy township. This land he developed, erected a house thereon and followed farming until the fall of 1888, when he sold his farm to his son, Soren A., with whom he now makes his home. His wife died August 9, 1910.

Soren A, Sorenson was born in Norway, March 27, 1860, was brought to America by his parents, lived with them in Iowa, and in 1876, centennial year, came with them to Mower county. After receiving an adequate education he worked with his father until 1888, when he acquired the home place, having in the meantime purchased eighty acres in 1885. On his farm of 240 acres he now conducts general farming and has made many improvements, including a new barn built in 1897 and a new house built in 1898. His stock consists of Poland-China hogs, Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Mr. Sorenson has spent practically all his manhood in Le Roy, with the exception of one year from the fall of 1887 to the fall of 1888, when he was in Canton, Lincoln county, S. D. He has taken an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood and has served continuously for twenty-two years as treasurer of school district No. 1. Aside horn his farm in Le Roy he owns a SiO-acre farm in Chisago county, near North Branch. The subject of this sketch was married Janiiary 23, 1891, to IMiss Louisa J. Sogn, born in Lincoln county. South Dakota. This union has resulted in ten children, of whom eight are living. They are : Alice M., a graduate of the Augustaua College, at Canton, S. D., and Leonard A., Mattic O., Sylvester R., Edna L., Helen S., Ruth C. and Enoch B.

has the honor of being one of the few persons born in Mower county as early as 1856, having first seen the light of day in Le Roy township, April 11, 1856, just four days after the first lioard of appointed county commissioners had met at Frankford in their first meeting. He was reared in the home of his parents, Permanes and Eunice C. (Edson) Huntley, attended the ;listrict schools, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, at which time he purchased eighty acres in Le Roy township, section 6. This he has since increased to 240 acres, all in the same section, and on this tract he followed general farming, making a specialty of stock and grain. He is an independent voter, has served as a member of the school board several years and belongs to the ]M. W. A. The subject of this sketch Avas married March 30, 1882, at Le Roy, to Lena Peterson. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Huntley have one son, Frank L., born December 20, 1882.

Permanes F. Huntley, a territorial pioneer, now deceased, was a man highly esteemed in the community. He was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y., May 28, 1821, and grew to manhood in his native state. May 19, 1840, he married Eunice C. Edson, and eight years later, in April, 1848, came west and settled on forty acres in Kenosha county, Wisconsin. In September, 1850, they moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and settled on a farm six miles east of Decorah. Later they located at Hickory Ridge, Alamakee county, Iowa, where they owned tAvo farms. In June, 1853, they came to Minnesota and settled on land on which the Aallage of Spring Valley is now located. From that place they came to Le Roy toAvnship and purchased a preemption claim of 320 acres in section 19. Here they carried on farming the remainder of their days. At the age of 43, in 1864, Mr. Huntley enlisted in Co. M, First ]\Iinnesota Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. By virtue of this serA'ice he became a prominent member of the James George I'ost, No. 23, G. A. R. The subject of this sketch died October 27, 1893, and his wife passed away March 22, 1901.

James M. Tanner, an honored and esteemed farmer of Red Rock township, is one of the earliest settlers of IMower county, still living, and during his residence here he has had the pleasure of seeing a Avild prairie blossom forth Avith cities and villages, houses and barns, crops and live stock. He Avas born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1844, son of Ebenezer E. and Lydia A. (Colby) Tanner, the former of whom Avas born in Tompkins county. New York, September 25, 1824, and the latter in the same state in 1827. In 1859, the family came to Red Rock tOAvnship, Avhere they lived until their death, Ebenezer E. passing away in 1878, and Lydia A. in 1860. James ]\[. Tanner assisted his father on the homo farm and received his first education in a private school. Afterward, when the school district in Red Rock was organized, he completed his schooling in the public scliools. He was hard at work on the I'arui when the Civil war broke out. Quick to see his country's danger, he enlisted in Co. C, Ninth ^Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until April 3, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of poor health and general disability contracted in the service. Diiring his v.ar career he saw strenuous fighting for a year on the frontier against the Sioux, and later participated in the battles of Oxford and Nashville, as well as in many other skirmishes. After his discharge he returned to Red Rock and resumed farming. His place, which is located in sections 11 and 12, consists of 157 acres, on whicli suitable 1)uildings have been erected. His house, which is a substantial one, built in 1866, has been remodeled and repaired from time to time and now presents a comfortable and modern appearance. The subject of this sketch was married, March 10, 1867, to Lois A. Dickius, daughter of Robert and Lois A. (Tanner) Dickins. She died some years later. Later Mr. Tanner married Anna M. Colby, daughter of Amos and Mary (Stephens) Colby, the former a native of Bow% N. H., and descended from an early Colonial family. Mr. and ]Mrs. Tanner are the parents of Gladys G. and Pearl B.

Daniel B. Vaughan- was born in Clinton county. New York, July 3, 1835, son of Benjamin and Johanna (Kimble) Vaughan, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. He went with his family to Rock and Dane counties, Wisconsin, and in 1855 came to INIower county, pre-empting land in the northwest quarter of section 15, Lansing township. Here he has since continued to live with the exception of three years spent in the army and several v.inters in the Avoods. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, Ninth IMinnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was married IMarch 13, 1861, to Elsie Lyons, daughter of Joseph Lyons, and this union has b(n^n lilessed with three children.

Ellas H. Wells was born June 24, 1833, in Fairfax, Franklin county, Vt. He lived with his parents on their farm attending district school and working between terms until he was about fifteen years of age. As a result of overwork or overheating his system he was warned that lie must leave the farm and try some less arduous way of earning a living and one more sheltered from the summer sun. Therefore he left home and up to the time he became of age was either attending school or teaching or clerking in a store in the village. When quite young, being very desirous of seeing tlie world outside of Fairfax, he volunteered l)efore Vermont was blessed witli railways to help take a lot of horses to Hadley Falls, ]\lass. Tlicrc he vis- ited relatives in different places, returning home via Albany, Troy and Whitehall, N. Y., and Burlington, Vt., partly by rail, then by canal and then by lake steamer, finishing up on the old horsedrawn stage coach. This trip is still one of his pleasantest recollections. He visited the first world's fair lield in this country. This was in 1853 in New York City. He returned home via Boston and Hadley, and this, too, is one of his choicest recollections. He has had something of a mania for attending big fairs Avhen possible. Accompanied by his Avife, he visited the Centennial at Philadelphia and the expositions at Chicago, St. Louis and Portland, Ore. These trips Avith others to the cities of Washington, Norfolk, Pittsburg, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Victoria and other points in the British possessions he holds as more A'aluable. assets than large accumulations of silver or gold or corporate securities or" even Minnesota dirt. In October, 1854, shortly after becoming of age, he left Fairfax for the then distant West, going via Ogdensburg, Niagara Falls and Chicago. He spent about fifteen months in the states of Illinois, loAva and the then territory of Minnesota, AA'hen St. Paul and Minneapolis v-ere little but hills, sandy plains, shanties and great expectations. He returned to Fairfax in the Avinter of 1856, when at the solicitations of his parents Avith promise of aid, he purchased a general stock of merchandise and opened it for trade in the store in Avhich he had formerly clerked. In the succeeding year he Avas elected clerk and register of deeds for the toAvn, Avhich office he continued to hold until after he Avas appointed postmaster. After serving three years he resigned this ofifice, closed up his business and in company with the family of his wife's father. Dr. R. Soule and others, in the spring of 1865 started for Minnesota. On account of the series illness of his wife he did not reach Lansing until about the middle of July. Rochester Avas the nearest raihvay point and from there he came by private conveyance to Lansing, Avhere he has resided ever since. While in Fairfax Mr. Wells did a general credit business. His experience in trying to collect his dues and the loss he sustained discouraged him from continuing in the business, as he once contemplated. Therefore he invested most of his money in land, expecting to improve it and hoping to get satisfactory returns by renting to others to Avork upon shares. This not proving quite satisfactory, he concluded to try his hand at the business and in the spring of 1870 moved onto the southAvest quarter of section 14 in Lansing. Some tAvo or three years later he Avent to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and purchased a carload of high-grade merino sheep, also a pair of Shorthorn cattle. Those Avere specialties Avhich he continued on the farm. Some of the time the flock of sheep, including lambs, numbered from 600 to 800, and they Avere a musical lot.

They were generally in the care of his eldest son, "William L. In November, 1873, Mr. "Wells was elected senator of IMower county and served during the sessions of 1874 and 1875. He introduced several bills and helped enact them into laws. Probably as beneficial as any was one that has doubtless helped many a worthy farmer to secure pay for damage caused by fires started by railway locomotives. Another he thought was meritorious was that endowing women with the riglit of franchise in public school matters. However, he did not find conditions in the legislature as congenial to his natural disposition as home life and was quite satisfied, therefore, to let others have the honor as well as the responsibility.- As age with its infirmities grew upon him Mr. "Wells gradually closed out his holdings and returned to the village to live once more. On September 14, 1859. IMr. "Wells was united by marriage to Charlotte E. Soule, daughter of Dr. R. Soule, of North Fairfax, Vt. They had two sous born in Fairfax, Vt. The oldest, "William L., August 20, 1861. He lived Avith his parents until he was mai'ried to Hattie Dearborn, of Austin, April 13, 1885, when he commenced housekeeping on section 10 in Lansing, some of the time farming in connection with his father and some of the time independently. In 1897, on account of the failure of his wife's health, he disposed of his place and moved to Austin. He purchased a home there and later bought an eighty-acre farm some three miles distant, which he rents. Most of the time since moving he has been, as he now is, connected with the postal department, city delivery, as mail carrier. They have two davighters. The oldest. Sue Ardelle, expects very soon to graduate from Hamline University. The other, Mae Elizabeth, is to graduate from the Austin High School at about the same time. The second son, Horace Renssalaer, was born in Fairfax, Vermont. January 20, 1864. He is a graduate of the Austin School, also of the medical department of the University of Minnesota and is now practicing medicine in North Yakima, state of "Washington, where he owns considerable orchard property. He married Amelia AVebb, a native of Indiana and a graduate of Asbury Hospital, Minneapolis. They have two children, a girl named Charlotte Franqjes and a boy named Horace Paul. Mr. and ]\Irs. E. H. "\Vells had one daughter named Sasan Charlotte, born January 11, 1869. She married Erastus Hale, of St. Lawrence county, Ncav York, and they are now living on a farm near Canton. They have two sons, the oldest named Charles and the youngest Roy. Elias H. had one brother older than himself, named AVilliam L., who is little more than a remembrance, as he died when quite young. The succeeding younger brother was named George Newton. He, except when attending school or teaching, lived with his parents until he be- came of age, when he entered upon a mercantile career - a part o£ the time in Westford and a part of the time in Fairfax, Vt. Mewton married Celia Roberts, daughter of Larkin Roberts, of Fairfax. They had but one child, a daughter named Ardelle. Not long after the close of the Secession war they moved to Clarksville, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, where he invested his funds in land and landed securities. Not very long after this he was elected treasurer of the county, when he moved to Boydton, the county seat. There he continued to live, retaining his official position until shortlj' before his death. He died April 9, ]892. Both he and his wife are buried in the Sanderson cemetery in Fairfax. The other member of the family was named after his deceased brother, William L. He grew up to manhood on the farm in a manner similar to Elias and Newton, excepting that before finishing school he responded to the call for volunteers to help preserve the Union. He enlisted in Company n. Second Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed one of the color guards for the regiment and some of the time carried the colors. He went with them to the front, participating in the first battle of Bull Run, also fighting with his regiment during McClellan peninsular campaign, remaining with Ids regiment until they Avere again on the Potomac guarding Washington. But the toil and exposure amid the swamps of the peninsula brought on a fever and he was ordered to the hospital. When partly recovered he returned to his regiment, but immediately suffered a relapse, which ended his career, October 22, 1862, aged twenty-three. His remains were returned to Fairfax and biiried in the family lot in Carroll Hill cemetery, followed by a large concourse of real mourners. The parents of Elias H. were Horace Wells and Harriet Farnsworth Wells. They lived the usual laborious and uneventful life of farmers until the j-ear 1861 or about then, when they sold their farm and moved to the village and bought a home and other nearby property. He died June 18, 1864, aged sixty-five years and six months. His death was caused by overwork in aiding the mechanics to repair his barn. He was at times a member of the board of managers for the town and school. Mrs. Horace AVells died at Fairfax, July 23, 1893, when past her eighty-sixth year. Horace Wells was a member of the Congregational church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal eluu-ch, to the aid of which she gave iiU her possessions. They not only taught their children the way they should go, but also what they should believe. As Elias matured and thought of such things, he found that he could not conscientiously accept the old creeds and theories and gradually acquired a more seientifi.e faith, more in accord with nature and its orderly course as we are coming to know it ; lather than as huiuap.ity once iina-iiiuMl thiiii-'s wcri', with constant interference l)y some divine powci', witii tliint^s and events, lie became better pleased to see old creeds and superstitions shiughtered and sacrifieod than to see scientific facts and sensitive beings sacrificed. He is today happy in the belief that the people in general are not accepting either religious or political ideas quite as hypnotically as our ancestors did. However, he does not accept the theory of accidental aggregations of atoms in oar anatomy nor in accidental things generally, but believes that all that is is from some source quite according to an orderly, progressive manhood. The grandfather of Elias was named Cyrus and lived and died on a farm adjoining that of his father. He married Mary Kingsbury, by whom he had children named Zenas, Horace, William, Jeremiah and Mary. After the death of his first wife he married a widow, Farnsworth, by whom he had children named James, Alonzo and Melissa (twins) and Dennison. There was also a Brazilla in the family. They also adopted a daughter, a Hannah jMunsel. The aforesaid widow, Farns- Avorth, was by her first husband the mother of Elias 's mother. The children of Widows Farnsworth by her first husband Avere John, Parker, Betsy and Harriet. Elias thinks that his grandfather Cyrus, accompanied by a brother, Jonathan, who also left a large family, came to Fairfax from Halifax, Vt., about 1805, and that their father was named Jonathan, but of his earlier ancestors he personally knows nothing. Those who have personally examined town and church records of colonial times in Connecticut and Massachusetts, notably Mrs. Annie "Wells Hugo, wife of Hon. N. F. Hugo, of Duluth, are satisfied that the family are direct descendants of Ensign Hugh AVells, of Essex county, England, who was born about 1590, and who, accompanied by a brother, Eichard, came to this country in ship Globe in 1635, landing in Massachusetts, then went to Hartford, Conn., but finally settled in Wethersfield. He Avas a brother of Goa'- ernor Thomas Wells, of early colonial times. From these brothers, particularly HiTgh, Mrs. Hugo traces the large Wells family to Hadley and other places in Massachusetts into Halifax and other places in Vermont. She traces one, a royalist, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, others to Ncav York, Ncav Jersey, Pennsylvania and other places and finds several quite creditable characters, Avho played prominent parts in those trying times, leaving us as an inheritance the freest, most democratic and representative nation on the earth, though still capable of being greatly improved. Starting back in England, ^Mrs. Hugo finds among the female ancestors the names of GoodAvin, CroAV, IMeigs, Phillips, Drake, Ellis. White, NeAvton, Hubbal, Beardsley and other unknoAA'n ones. ^Frs. Charlotte E. Soule Wells, wife of Elias

H. Wells, was born in North Fairfax, Franklin county, Vermont. Her father was Dr. Renssalaer Soule, who was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Vermont, July 30, 1803. Dr. Renssalaer Soule 's father was Salmon Soule and his mother's name was Sarah. His ancestors came from England in the Mayflower. Salmon Soule died June 16, 1858. Sarah, wife of Salmon Soule, died May 23, 1846. There was a large family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom Dr. R. Soule was the third son. Dr. R. Soule was educated at the Vermont University in Burlington, graduated from the medical department, practiced medicine in Canada and Fairfield, was married to Susan Richardson, of North Fairfax, Vt., December 23, 1833. Two children were born in Fairfield, Henry Chilo, who died in infancy, and Renssalaer Soule, Jr. Then they moved to North Fairfax, where five children were born, Renssalaer Soule, Jr., Sarah, Charlotte Susan Jane, Henry and Helen. R. Soule, Jr., was born March 27, 1836, married Cornelia Hawley January 4, 1860, and died in Lansing, Mower county, Minnesota, Marcli 5, 1904. Sarah, the second living child, Avas married to George Robinson in North Fairfax and died in Lansing, Mower county, Minnesota, August 5, 1866. Henry and Helen died in North Fairfax, Vt., in 1864. Charlotte Soule Wells's mother was Susan Richardson, of North Fairfax, Franklin county, Vermont. Her father (Charlotte's own grandfather) was Moses Richardson, who was born December 2, 1776, and died June 5, 1825, aged forty-nine. Her mother was Sally Richardson, who Avas born October 9, 1783, and died November 10, 1830, aged forty-eight. There Avas a large family. Susan, one of the daughters, Avas adopted l)y her uncle John Richardson and Aunt Anne after the death of Susan's parents. John Richardson Avas born October 15, 1768, and died December 24, 1846, aged seventy-seven years. Anne Richardson, wife of John Richardson, Avas born January, 1764, died in 1830, aged sixty-six years. Susan Richardson, adopted daughter of John and Anne Richardson, Avas born June 25, 1812, died March 10, 1880, aged sixty-seven years. Dr. R. Soule, with his children, most of whom were married (Susan Jane being married in Lansing to William M. HoAve), moved west to Lansing, Minn., in 1865, where he purchased a large tract of land. He died November 7, 1880, aged seventyseven yeai's. Dr. R. Soule and Avife were members of the Episcopal church. Charlotte E., a member of the Baptist church.

Mrs. Charlotte E. (Soule) Wells received her education at NcAvhampton Institution, at South Fairfax, Vermont. The aunts and uncles of Mrs. Wells on her mother's side were: John, Harriet, Elvira, Susan, Caroline, George, and Robinson, all deceased. Her aunts and uncles on her father's side were: Sally, Chilo,

August C. Wollenburg, an esteemed eitizen of Waltham township, has taken an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood. He has been, supervisor of his_ township for six years, treasurer for eight years and trustee and treasurer of the German Lutheran church for many terms. In Germany, November 11, 1855, he first saw the light of day in the home of his parents, Daniel and Johanna (AYutchke) AVollenburg, and was by them brought to America in 1868. Upon reaching this country they settled in Lomira, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where Daniel is still livng at the good old age of ninety-one years. August C. attended school in Dodge county and remained on the home farm until Iwenty-two years of age. At that age he married and came to Waltham township in a covered wagon, bringing his bride. Here lliey located on section 34 and nobly started housekeeping in a shack. Prosperity has crowned their efforts. The old shack has been replaced with a roomy house surrounded by airy and commodious barns, while the original farm of eighty acres has been increased to half a section. By his wife, who was Mary Wuertz, daughter of John N. and Catherina (Stahl) Wuertz, ]\Ir. Wollenburg has five children: Augusta, August, Frederick, George and Marie. Augusta is the wife of William Steinbach and they have three sons, Elmer, Clement and Merton.- August H. is married, lives in AYaltham township, and has three children : Loreue, Elwin and Harold.

H. L. Welken, one of the supervisors of the town of Dexter, has lived on his present farm in section 8 for some sixteen years. He has a well-kept farm of 268 acres, with good substantial buildings, including a large barn, Avhich he has just erected for his sheep. While diversified farming occupied his attention, he also gives nnich of his time to stock raising, and has a fine flock of registered Shropshires and a drove of Duroc hogs, in addition to the usual amount of cattle and horses. Mr. Welken was born in Granvin Hardanger, Norway, February 9, 1867, came to America in 1888, located in Brownsdale, this county, worked out for several years, and finally purchased his present farm. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. and is unmarried.

Henrj' Weber, Sr., was a prominent citizen of Grand IMeadow 'cor many years, and his memory Avill ever be revered by the people of that locality. His variety of experience gave him a breadth of opinion and he Avas a thorough believer in education, being himself a man of many scholarly attainments. He was born in Brusau, Austria, was given a good education, including the graded and high scliools. At an early age he acquired the German, Bohemian and Italian languages and after- wards the English language and was a deep reader of the work of the philosophers and thinkers in these languages. He made civil government quite a study, having himself lived under three systems, the old feudal system, the new constitutional monarchy, and later, in tlie United States, the republican form of government. In 1855, l\rr. Weber came to the United States and settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, where he farmed. In the spring of 1861, he came to Grand Meadow township and bought his first quarter section of land direct from the government and here lived until his death in 1905. He was one of the pioneers of the county, whose plain sturdy manhood, self-reliance and untiring industry helped to subdue the raw unyielding soil into rich fertile fields and change the scene of a monotonous, unsheltering-looking prairie into an ideal farm home with beautiful surroundings. He married Julia Nagle, also a native of Austi'ia, and to them were born the following named children: Julius, Polly, Frances, Robert, Henrj^ and Emma. The three sons are the only ones now living of the family and they reside at Austin, Minnesota.

Henry Weber, Jr., the popular judge of probate of I\Iower county, is one of the leading men of the community, and being still a young man, his friends predict for him many more and still greater honors in the coming j^ears. He was born in Grand Meadow township, May 14, 1861, and is the son of Henry and Julia Weber. He has always taken a keen interest in education and in the reading of books and the gaining of knowledge of a substantial nature. He studied law in the office of W. W. Ranuey, of Austin, and after being admitted to the bar, he opened an office at Dexter and there enjoyed a good law practice until he took his present position on January 1, 1911. During his residence at Dexter he held many local offices, including those of president of the village council, member of the school board, and he still retains his position as president of the First State Bank of Dexter. He is a member of Dexter Lodge, No. 253, A. F. & A. M. The subject of this sketch married Hannah Rahilly, daughter of John and Ellen Rahilly.

H. L. Ziemer is one of the successful and estimable citizens of Waltham township, where he has a farm of 160 acres in section 5. His farm is well kept and his dwelling homelike and comfortable. His barns are also commodious and in an excellent state of repair. No further word need be said of his character than that he is a devout member of St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran church, and in the absence of the pastor he ably conducts and reads the church services. H. L. Ziemer was born in Jackson, Washington county, Wisconsin, September 11, 1860, son of Carl and Bertha (Koepke) Ziemer. He received his schooling in Jaclison county and came to Waltliain with liis parents in 1881. At the age of twenty-five he pureliased eiglity acres of land in section 5, Walthara township, and soon added another eighty, making 160 in all. Mr. Ziemer married Amelia, daughter of Ferdinand and Caroline (Paape) Steffen, and this union has resulted in nine children: William, Beata, Gustav, Samuel, Oscar, Laura, Herbert, Arnold and Hilda.

Carl H. F. Ziemer, for some thirty years an honored resident of Walthara, was an honest, honorable, hard-working man and left a goodly heritage of integrity to his children and descendants. His death, which took place in 1911, was sincerely mourned by the community at large as well as by his large family of five sons, four daughters, forty-one grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two brothers and four sisters. Carl H. F. Ziemer was born September 29, 18o3, at Nadelfitz, Pomerania, Germany, and Avas ten years of age when brought to America by his parents, who settled in Jackson, Wis., tAventy miles from IMilwaukee. He grew to manhood there and was married at that place NoA-ember 2, 1855, to Bertha Koepke. In 1881 they came to y\'altham, with their family, and settled on his farm, consisting then of 300 acres, AAdiieh he had purchased in 1879, a mile north of the village of Waltham, Avhere the subject of this sketch carried on farming until his death, March 8, 1911, at the age of seventy-seA'en years, fiA^e months and nine days. His children are as folloAvs: George, Frank, Henry and John, of Waltham; Alfred, of Austin; Mrs. F. C. Garbish, Mrs. John LcAvis and ]VIrs. Otto Kuchenbecker, of Waltham, and ]Mrs. Henry Plucklian, of ^lihvaukee. Wis.

John F. Ziemer, a progressive and popular farmer of Waltham toAA'nship. is a thorough belicA'er in scientific methods in agricultural pursuits. He Avas born in Jackson, Washington county, Wisconsin, November 26, 1870, son of Carl and Bertha (Koepke^i Ziemer. His early education Avas received in Jackson, AVis., and in Waltham, j\Iinn., to Avhich latter toAvnship he Avas brought by his parents in 1881. In 1897 he graduated from the agricultural department of the University of IMinnesota. IMr. Ziemer "s farm consists of 160 acres, all under cultivation. His home is large and comfortable, and his barns are commodious and sanitary. In addition to his oAvn farm in section 3, he has lecently purchased the old homestead of eighty acres. He is an .active member of the agricultural societies of ^Minnesota and h.as been treasurer of the village of Waltham for fourteen years. The subject of this sketch married Cora A., daughter of Ciuirles A. SchAvartz, the present county commissioner of ^MoAver county. This union has resulted in four chililren : Raymond R.. Florence E.. Harold F. and Lviui.

F. M. A. Ziemer, an industrious farmer of Waltham township, was born in Jackson, Washington county, "Wisconsin, October 30, 1864, son of Carl and Bertha (Koepke) Ziemer. He received his education in Jackson, assisted his father on the farm, came with him to this county in 1881, and is now one of the substantial farmers of the township. He married Emma, daughter of AYilliam and Wilhelmina (Koch) Prodahl, who came from Germany and settled near Zumbrota in Goodhue county, living there many years. Mr. and Mrs. Ziemer have seven children: Carl, Bernhard, Adelia, Esther, Everette, Minnie and Marvin.

Alfred A. Ziemer, a hustling and energetic young business man of Austin, A^'as born May 19, 1884, at Waltham, Minn. His early education was received in the public schools and German school of Waltham, subsequently entering the Southern Minnesota Normal College in 1901. He was later employed in a Waltham drug store for two years, leaving to take a course in- the I\iartin Luther Seminary of BuflPalo, N. Y. At the conclusion of this, he enrolled in the Highland Park College, of Des Moines, Iowa, returning to Waltham after his -graduation and immediately launching into the breeding and raising of fancy fowls and bees. His growing business made new and larger quarters advisable, so in March, 1909, he removed to Austin and purchased an eight-acre tract, erecting suitable and up-to-date buildings. He handles a full stock of high-grade poultry and Italian bees and a complete assortment of poultry and bee supplies, catering to a large and increasing patronage. Mr. Ziemer is a life member of the American Poultry Association, a member of the National Beekeepers' Association, vice-president of the Minnesota Fanciers' Association of St. Paul, secretary of the Austin Fanciers' Poultry Association, and superintendent of poultry for the Mower County Agricultural Association fair. In politics he votes independent of party, considering the worth of the candidate only in his choice. The Lutheran church counts him a loyal member. Carl and Bertha (Koepke) Ziemer, parents of Alfred A., came to this county in 1884, the father engaging in farming in Waltham township, where he died in February, 1911. The mother's decease occurred in 1906. ]\Ir. Ziemer was married on October 10, 1910, to ]Miss ]\Iimi Carlitz.

Thomas Beattie is said to be the oldest builder in active work iu Austin and over 200 buildings standing in Austin and vicinity at the present time testify to the skill and fidelity Avith which he has labored. He was born in Ireland, March 17, 1847, and came to America in 1868, locating at once in IMadison, Wis., where he remained three years, afterward spending a similar period in Chicago, pursuing his trade as carpenter, contractor and builder. In May, 1874, he came to Austin and since that time has been employed here at his trade, having erected since his first coming here, an average of six buildings a year. In 1910 he erected twelve buildings during the year. Mr. Beattie married Elizabeth H. Teeter, and they have one child, Elizabeth.

Anson Beyer is one of the old settlers of Frankford township. He was born in Jefl'erson county. New York, February 18, 1829, came west in 1854 and in 1857 located in Frankford village, purchased fifteen acres of land and combined carpenter work with farming. He was married February 22, 1854, to Azuba Evans, of Jefl^erson covinty, New York, and they have one son, Hiram. Mr. Boyer has been an honored man in the community and has done public service of various kinds.

Lowry W. Prosser, agriculturist, horticulturist and stock breeder, of LeRoy township, was born in Marion county, Illinois, March 7, 1850, son of Henry and Nancy (Jones) Prosser, natives respectively of Schoharie county. New York, and the state of Kentucky. The parents, after living in Indiana and Illinois, came to Minnesota in 1856 and took up their residence in Spring Vallej% Fillmore county. The father died in November, 1903, and the mother about 1885. Lowry received his early education in the Spring Valley graded schools and in the Chatfield High School, afterward taking a two years' course in the University of Minnesota. Subsequently he farmed summers and taught school winters in his home county for five years and then in 1878 came to LeRoy township, Avhere he taught and farmed ten years. He purchased a farm of 160 acres and gradually increased his holdings until he owns 410 acres in sections 15 and 2:1 Originally this tract was scrub land, and I\Ir. Prosser cleaned up the hazel bushes and broke the land, bringing it to a high stage of cultivation. He also erected buildings and planted on the northwest of these a fine grove of evergreen trees, firs, balsams, pines and spruces, which act a windbreak and also beautify the farm. Mr. Prosser is a Republican in politics, has s?rved on the school board for many terms and on the board of supervisors for five years. It is as a farmer, however, that he has made his greatest progress. Some years ago he became interested in" horticulture and started planting apple trees as an experiment. He noAv has 1,000 trees and is developing a seedling apple, which he has named the "Prosser." This apple is the highest development in the line of Minnesota apple growing, find ^\r. Prosser has won many prizes, including $40 in prizes from the Minnesota Horticultural exhibit, and several awards from the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society. In the agricultural line he makes a specialty of ""White Dent" seed corn, and in 1910 was awarded first prize at the exhibit of the Albert Lea Seed Corn Breeders' Association. He also breeds pure blooded Shorthorn cattle, registered Shropshire sheep and Duroc Jersey hogs. The subject of this sketch -was married December 24, 1874, to Marcia A. Spencer, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth (McGee) Spencer, born April 16, 1849, and this union has been blessed with two children, William Glenn and Ruby E., the latter of whom was born June 30, 1882, and died three years later. Mrs. Marcia A. Spencer Prosser waa born in Pennsylvania, April 16, 1849, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth (McGee) Spencer, who came to LeRoy in 1856. Mrs. Prosser attended the first school established in the southeast part of the county. Mrs. Prosser graduated from the normal school at AA^inona, in 1867, and taught school for many years in southern Alinnesota and northern Iowa, teaching several terms after her marriage. Lowry AV. Prosser was elected secretary of the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society in 1909, 1910 and 1911, respectively.

William Glenn Prosser was born November 13, 1880, son of Lowry AV. and Marcia A. C Spencer) Prosser. He received his education in the graded schools and in the LeRoy High School, afterward taking a two years' course in plant and stock breeding in the Agricultural School of the University of Minnesota. After returning home from college he took up agricultural pursuits with his father.

Thron M. Lokke, a venerable resident of the village of Grand Meadow, was born near Honefos, in, Norway, January 18, 1847, son of Mons Lokke, a carpenter by trade, as well as a farmer. Thron M. Lokke came to America with his parents in 1852, and with them located in A^ork, Green county, AVisconsin, where he spent his early manhood on a farm. At the age of twenty-five years he went to Floyd county, Iowa, and rented a farm one year. Then he came to Frankford township, this county, and settled in section 32, where he continued to live until the fall of 1909, when he retired and took up his residence in tlie village, leaving the management of the farm to his son, Martin. Air. Lokke married Carolina E., daughter of Iver Peterson, and this union has resulted in eleven children: Martin, Helen G. (deceased), Hannah J.. Isaac G. (deceased), Sena G., Theodora E., Theodore (deceased), Gilbert (deceased), Gilbert, Josie AI. and Clarence. Alartin married Anna Hovda and has two children, Alyrtle A. and Tnunan E. Hannah J. married Torn Odden and they have six children: Inga, Elsie, Helen, Josie, Seymoiu* and Rollin. Air. and Airs. Odden live in Aldrich, AA^aden county, Alinnesota.

Ole Finhart, Jr., an estimable farmer of Adams township, was liorn in Frankford township, this county, April 10, 1856, and is the sou of Ole 0. Finhart and Caroline, his wife, natives of Norway, who settled in Dane county, AVisconsin, about 1848 and were married in Minnesota in the fifties. In the middle fifties they purchased IGO acres in section 7, Fraukford township, and here Ole O. followed farming until his death in 1898, liis widow still making her liome on the old farm. Ole Finhart, the sub.ject of this sketch, was educated in the county schools, and at the age of nineteen started to learn the tinner's trade with C. F. Greening in Grand Meadow. Then he worked out as a farm hand until 1877. That year he attended school at Grand Meadow and at the same tune worked in the store of Ole Jorgen. Subsequently he took a course in the La Crosse Business College. The following year he was made deputy sheriff and jailor, in Mower county, by Sheriff H. B. Corey. This position he held over foi;r years. During this period the fan^ous case of the trial of John Riley for the shooting of Sherman Page came up, and for a time Riley was in Mr. Finhart 's charge. After giving up this position he entered the employ of C. E. Greening in Grand Meadow and worked for him for years. In 1891 he began farming in section 11, Clayton township, where lie purchased a quarter section, which he still owns. Here he followed genei"al farming until December 18, 1901, when he married IMrs. T. S. Olson and came to Adams township to take charge of the ToUafson estate for his wife. Mr. Finhai-t has been fin active Mason since 1880, when he joined Grand IMeadow Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politics,- and while in Clayton township was school clerk three years and town clerk a similar period. He has also served as secretary of the Grand Meadow Butter & Cheese Association and was a director of the Adams Co-Operative Creamery, in which he is still a stockholder.

Horace H, Hubbard lias been a successful farmer in Austin township since the period immediately following the Civil war. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, February 14, 1832, son of H. S. and Margaret (Hanes) Hubbard, both descended from old and distinguished eastern families. Horace received his early education in AYayne county, Hlinois, walking three miles to school. In 1854 he started out in life for himself as a farmer and in June, 1866, came to Mower county and purchased a quarter section of land in section 8, Austin township. Here he built a house and necessary outbuildings, broke and developed the land, and has since continued to carry on general farming with much success. In 1898 he purchased eighty acres adjoining his original purchase. j\Ir. Hubbard is a Republican in politics and ;i inembei- of the Christian church. He was married, Sept(Miil)er 14, 18r)4, to Alary Y. Hawk, of Ojiio, and of the seven children A\lio have blessed tlu'ir happy union, five arc living. They are:

Laura, now Mrs. Homer AVood ; Homer, a hotelkeeper and merchant in Fairmont, N. D. ; Minnie, now Mrs. George Hines; Eunice, now living in Alberta, Canada, and Samuel, now on the old homestead. Cassius and Jennie are dead. H. S. Hubbard was born in Olmstead county. New York, and marrfed Margaret Hanes, a native of Green eonnty, Pennsylvania. H. S. was a carding machine operator and for fourteen winters also taught scliool. He operated the first threshing machine in Columbina county, Ohio. In 1843 ho took his family to "Wayne county, Illinois, and there engaged in farming until his death in 1855. His wife survived until 1873.

John Johnson, who farms on section 21, Marshall township, Avas born in Sweden, September 30, 1848, and was there reared to manhood. At the age of twenty-seven years he came to America and worked at various labor in Chicago three years. In 1876 he married Tilda Johnson, also a native of Sweden, and together they came to Minnesota in 1878. After several years here, they purchased their present farm. All of the 120 acres except the home site are under cultivation; the home is comfortable, the outbuildings in good condition, and the supply of farm equipment, implements and machinery is adequate. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Swedish I;utheran church and votes the Republican ticket. He is essentially a self-made man, having received no inheritance from his parents. He has not cared to seek public office, but at various times has done good work on the school board. Three children have blessed the Johnson home. Charles "W. married Isabelle Bacagard and is a carpenter at Rose Creek. Frank and Carter are at home.

James W. Johnson, of Lyle, has been in charge of the county bridge construction for eight years, and in this capacity has well demonstrated his ability and fitness. He was born in Christiania, Norway, August 29, 3867, son of Carl and Helen (Olson) Johnson, natives of Norway. They came to America in 1880 and located in Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming until 1904, in which year they located in Dawson, Minn., and retired. Carl Johnson died December 24, 1909, after which his wife came to Lyle and died September 3, 1910. James "W. came to America with his parents in 1880 at the age of thirteen. While still a youth he located in Algona, Iowa, and engaged as an apprentice to a wagon maker. In 1885 he went to Minneapolis for a short time, and then became a brakeman for the C, M. & St. P., a position he occupied eight years, after which for two years he was a traveling baggage master. Subsequently he worked at the cement business in Minneapolis and then in 1898 came to Lyle, where he is a worker in concrete, doing general eon- tracting and building and making a specialty of bridge work. He has been street commissioner in Lyle five years, is on the board of health, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the M. W. A. and the I. 0. K. M. He votes independently and attends the Congregational church. iMr. Johnson was married, October 6, 1898, to Mollie Volstad, and this union has resulted in one daughter, lona Julia, born April 8, 1900.

Henry Jacobs, who opened the first regular clothing and tailoring establishment in Austin, was born in Saxony, Germany, March 23, 1830. He received his early education in the German schools and came to America in 1848, after learning the tailoring trade. Upon his arrival in New York, he went up the Hudson by boat to Albany, thence to Buffalo by rail, and thence to Cleveland, Ohio, by boat. From then until 1855 he was engaged in the tailoring business in various places in Ohio, and in that year located in Oshkosh, Wis., where he engaged, as before, in the clothing and tailoring business. In 1861 he came to Austin and opened a similar establishment, the first in the place. This he conducted until 1898, when he closed out his clothing business, although he still continues to do tailoring. Mr. Jacobs has been a deacon in the Austin Baptist church since 1877. He was first converted in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849, and was baptized in Lake Winnebago, at Oshkosh, in 1855. He is the oldest living member of the local church. A Republican in politics, he first voted for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. since 1876, was a charter member of the W. W. A. in 1877 and joined the Good Templars at the organization in 1863. The subject of this sketch was married, December 24, '1856, at Oshkosh, Wis., to Frances E. Lord, who died April 8, 1897, leaving four children, Eugene, Mamie, G. Edwin and Mabel.

W. F. Jordan, elevator man at Taopi, Avas born in INlitchell county, Iowa, December 24, 1865, son of William and Mary (Burns) Jordan, both natives of Ireland. W. F. passed his early manhood on the farm and received his early education in the district schools. At the death of his father, in 1892, W. F. and his brothers took charge of the home farm. In 1901, the subject of this sketch came to ]\Iower county and farmed near Elkton three years. After this he traded his farm for an elevator in Elkton, which he operated for one year. Subsequently he came to Taopi, where he has since been located. He is a man of affairs, energetic, keen and alert, and has achieved success in life by his own efforts. He has a pleasant residence, which he himself erected, and is regarded as one of tlie active men of the village.

Charles H. Johnson, M. D., for six years mayor of Austin and the present eoiinty physician, was born in Canada, in the province of Ontario, January 16, 1860, son of Samuel and Amelia E. (MeNish) Johnson. He received his early education in the public schools of his neighborhood and when properly prepared entered the medical department of McGill University, at ]\Iontreal, Canada, in 1879, graduating with honors in 1884, having received in the meantime the necessary hospital and dispensary practice. After gradviating, he came direct to Austin, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of medicine nad surgery in all its branches, having a large clientele in city and county and enjoying the respect and confidence of the community, both as a man and as a practitioner. He was elected to his present position as county physician in 1907 and has also been connected more or less with the state militia. Dr. Johnston is a high degree Mason and belongs to the M. W. A., the A. 0. U. ^X., the K. of P., the F. O. E. and the Owls. He votes the Democratic ticket and attends the Episcopal church. Samuel Johnson and Amelia E. ]\IcNish, his w^ife, parents of Dr. Charles H. Johnson, of Austin, spent their lives in Canada, Samuel dying in 1863 and his wife in 1907.

Emil Larsen, a prosperous farmer of Lodi township, was Ijorn in Christiana, Norway, December 27, 1847, son of Hans Larsen, now deceased. Emil attended the schools of the old country and learned the wallpaper making trade. After attaining the years of manhood, he decided to come to America. A tedious sailing trip over the ocean occupied six weeks, after which Emil Larsen first set foot on American soil in Quebec. Here the immigration bureau gave him the name of H. C. Larsen, for purposes of record, but this name Mr. Larsen has never used. Tie came directly from Quebec to Dane county, "Wisconsin, and learned the carpenter trade. From Wisconsin he came to Mower county, purchased land in section 34, Lodi township, and combined farming with work at his trade as carpenter. The first year he raised wheat, but he has since devoted his attention to diversified farming and dairying, having a herd of about thirty Shorthorn cattle. He also has some twenty-five brood sows of the Poland-China breed. His farm is in excellent condition, and in 1896 he built a pleasant new home with his own hands. He has also erected his own barns and other ])uildings. In 1870 the subject of this sketch married Annie Knutson, the ceremony taking place in Norway. This union has been blessed with eiglit children : Herman Martin, deceased : ('arl Cliristian, at home ; Emma Anita, Avife of Henry Erie ; Christian Louisa, wife of ]\Iike Hermanson, a farmer in Iowa ; IMonson Gustave, a carpenter residing in Rochester; Carrie Olina, wife of James Hauga, a merchant at Clermont, Towa; Oscar, at liomt% and Gina .Matilda, deceased. The family faith is that of tlie Lutheran chiu-ch.

Andrew P. Martin, one of the foremost citizens of Nevada township, has heen chairman of the township board for man.y years, and before his elevation to his present office served several terms as a member of the town board of supervisors. He has also served in other positions of public ti'ust and honor. Andrew P. Martin was born in Nevada township, this county, October 21, 1856, son of Peter and Anna (Anderson) Martin, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, now carrying on general farming on 160 acres of well-improved land. He votes the Republican ticket and is a trustee and prominent member of the Six Mile Grove Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch was married, March 14, 1880, to Julia Bnerson, and this union has resulted in five children: Alma, Thea, Gilbert, Philip and Malvin. Alma is the wife of Oliver Meyer, of Rol)erts county, North Dakota, and Thea is the wife of Alfred Austinson, who resides in Nevada township. Gilbert, Philip and Malvin live at home. Peter Martin, the pioneer, Avas a son of Martin Hanson, and the three, Peter Martin, ]\Iartin Hanson and Andreas Anderson, came to Nevada township in June, 1854, coming from Norway, via Dane county, "Wisconsin, and Calmer, Iowa. Peter Martin lived one year with his father, after his arrival here, and then built a house on his claim in the southvvest quarter of section 21. Peter Martin was born in Norway in 1832. He attended school until eighteen years of age and then Avorked on the farm. In 1853, in company Avith his parents, left his native land and came to America, landing at Quebec, after a voyage of ten weeks. The family first located in Dane county, AA^iere they remained eleven months, then started Avith ox teams for MoAver county, and settled in the tOAvn of Nevada, as before stated. He was tAvice married. His first Avife, to Avhom he Avas married in 1853, Avas Anna Anderson, a native of NorAA-ay, born in 1826. She died in October, 1870, leaving four children, named Martin, Andrew, John and Maria. He Avas married in 1873, the second time, and by this marriage there Avere two children, Clara and Albert. In March, 1888, he Avent to Lincoln county, Washington, Avhere he noAV resides, ^lartin Hanson Avas a native of NorAvay and came to this country in 1853 Avith his family, landing in Quebec. After living a time in Dane county, Wisconsin, he cann; to IMoAver county in June, 1854, and settled in the north half of the southeast quarter of section 28, Avhere he <*rected a log cal)in, Avhich he covered Avith bark. He lived in this cabin a few years and then erected

T. G. Morstad, a prominent farmer of Nevada township, who farms on 160 acres of land in section 9, was born in Norway, December 30, 1849, son of Gilbert and Anna Morstad, of Nor- Avay, the former of whom is now living with T. G., and the latter died in July, 1909. T. G. Morstad, the subject of this sketch, came to this country in 1869, settling in the township where he still resides. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. ]Mr. Morstad is a Repul)liean in politics, but he has never sought public honors. He and liis family attend the Lutlieran church. Mr. Morstad was married at Sis Mile Grove, ^linn., to Agnes Helgeson, daughter of Swensen and Emma Helgeson, the ceremony being performed October 29, 1881. Many children blessed this union: Anna, Ida, Gustav, Clara, Alma, Ole, Melise and Elmer. Anna is the wife of Carl Iversou, of Brazil, N. D. One died in infancy.

George J. Malcombson, a prosperous farmer of LeRoy townfiliip, was born February 11, 1870, in the Shetland Islands, off ihe coast of Scotland. His parents were Malcom and Mary (Leslie) Malcombson, also natives of the Shetland Islands. The father died there in 1879 and the mother brought her family to Canada in 1885. After eleven months in Canada, they came to the United States and lived in Chester, Iowa. Tlien they came to Mower county, and the boys worked out until 1895, when George J. and his brother purchased eighty acres in Le- Roy township. On this tract George J. remained until 1900, when he, purchased eighty acres in section 26, LeRoy township, where he built his house and barns and a large silo. lie is successfully engaged in general farming and breeds Shropshire sheep and Shorthorn cattle. The subject of this sketch was married August 29, 1900, to Eliza A. Schutz, daughter of R. A. Schutz, of LeRoy, born February 27, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Malcombson are the parents of two children. Russell R. was born January 20, 1904, and died May 30, 1906. A. DeLloyd was born May 30, 1907. Mr. Malcombson is a Republican, attends the Presbyterian church and belongs to the ]\l. AV. A. He has been road overseer two years and is now a director of school district sixty-three.

Nels Nelson, for many years a farmer in LeRoy township, was born in Norway, and came to the United States by Avay of Quebec, locating for a time in Dane county, Wisconsin. After reaching LeRoy he worked out for a time, and then purchased eighty acres in section 27, Lodi township, which he tilled and to which he added until he owned 160 acres. After purchasing this land he also bought a small house, standiug two miles to the eastward, and moved this onto his land. In tliis house the family has since resided, making additions and improvements from time to time. In 1909, Nels Nelson sold the farm to his sons, Julius and Martin. The children born to Nels and Julia Nelson are: Betsy, Nils, Lena, Julia, Carrie, Julius and Martin. Betsy is the wife of Iver Hinger and lives in South Dakota. Nils farms in South Dakota. Lena is the wife of Edward Lysne, a contractor at Brainard, Minn. Julia died at the age of thirteen. Carrie is at home. Nelson brothers, Julius and Martin Nelson, sons of Nels and Julia Nelson, are prosperous farmers in Lodi township. The two boys stayed at home and attended to the work of the farm, and have given all their efforts to developing it, and to helping their parents in their declining years. They carry on general farming successfully, have made many improvements, have replaced the old windmill with one, modern in every respect and have just let the contract for a fine new home, to be built just west of the present residence. They take especial pride in their herd of thirty Shorthorns, v.'hich they raise for beef and dairy purposes.

Henry 0 'Marrow, marshal of Grand Meadow village, was born in Ireland, son of Tliomas and Mary (Murphy) O'jNIarrow, who brought their family to America in 1861, settling in Utica, N. Y., where they remained five years. Then they located in Beaver Dam, AVis., and tliere Thomas 0 'Marrow worked seventeen years for Washington Brower, continuing to live in Beaver Dam, until his death in 1904. Henry, the subject of this sketch, was seventeen years of age when he started out in life for himself, and came to Rochester, Minn., remaining six years, after which he came to Grand Meadow. He was assistant foreman of the C, M. & St. P. for six years, then engaged in the grain business, afterward pursued other employment, and later assumed his present duties as custodian of the peace. He also has charge of the village pumping station. He married Kate Mc- Closkey, and to this union five children were born: Thomas, Frank, IMary, IMargaret and Jennie. ]\Iary married Joseph Rathey and they have one son, named Henry for his grandfather.