Otter Tail County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 14 of 28)

Martin ( ). llalvorsen is one of four children horn to Ole and Agnete 1 Erland) Halvorsen, and his birth occurred on April 4. 1866, in the city of Stavanger, Norway. He has not needed a leader to shape his destiny nor a fortune with which to begin his business career hut, with the natural aptitude for his chosen vocation and keen foresight, he forged straight ahead, until he has reached a position of prominence.

Martin O. Halvorsen immigrated to America in [884 and located immediately in Dalton, Otter Tail count}, Minnesota, where his brother llalver had preceded him the previous year. After the arrival of Halver and Martin ( ).. the remaining members of the family followed in quick succession until, in [885, the last ones had taken up their abode in the great West. Ole Halvorsen, father of Martin Halvorsen, was employed for t \\ent\ -two years making "block and tackle," while a resident of his native country and during the entire time was engaged by the same firm. After his arrival in the United States he engaged in agriculture. To this union were horn four children : Johanna, Ingehorg, Halver and Martin 0. The paternal grandparents of Martin 0 Halvorsen were Halver and Ingeborg Halvorsen, who immigrated to America in [880, locating near Dalton, Minnesota, where his death occurred at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died at the age of ninety-two years. He was employed in the capacity of cler!- For one of the liusiness linns in Norway. The maternal grandparents of Martin ( ). Halvorsen were Morton and Elian Erland, who lived and died in Stavanger, Norway. Morton Erland was a shoemaker by trade and followed that vocation until his death. The paternal grandparents were ven

Martin ( ). Halvorsen received his education in the schools of Norway and after completing same, he was engaged in the rope-making trade, but upon his arrival in America he became interested in farming, which occupation has claimed his energies until the present time. In iSqi he purchased a ('arm and now owns one hundred and sixty acres, plus the one hundred and sixty acres contained in the original place. He has put on all the improvements and the buildings are far superior to those on the average farm. lie makes a specialty of general farming and stock raising and uses progressive methods in the production of his crops.

On November 18, 1888, Martin O. Halvorsen was united in marriage to Hannah Sonmor, a native of Norway and daughter of Even Sonmor, also a native of Norway. Hannah was born in that country, but emigrated to America with her parents at the age of six months. To the union of Martin O. and Hannah (Sonmor) Halvorsen, have been born three children, namely, Carrie, Ole Alvin and Melvin Herman. Carrie became the wife of Julius Madson. The two sons are at home. Martin O. Halvorsen was supervisor for Town of Tumuli, covering a period of six years. He and his wife are loyal supporters and active members of the Ten Mile Lake Lutheran church. He is much respected and liked by those who know- him best and he has many friends in the community in which he resides.

Born in the town of Lawrence. St. Lawrence county, New York. August 13, [839, George Washington Sheldon, a well-known retired resident of Fergus balls. Minnesota, is the son of Nehemiah and Sarah 1 Lincoln 1 Sheldon, the latter of whom died when George W. was a mere lad. leaving at the time of her death four children. Mr. Sheldon's father was married, secondly, to Nancy Smith, and to them was born one child, now Mrs. Clifford. Mr. Sheldon has two brothers living, Gordon II., who lives near Nicholville, New York, and Milo 1'.. who live- at Lawrence, New York. Mrs. Nancy (Smith) Sheldon died a few years after her marriage to Nehemiah Sheldon and lie was married, thirdly, to Sarah Andrews, and to them were born three children.

George \Y. Sheldon was reared on tin- home farm at Lawrence. New York. and. after growing to manhood, purchased a farm adjoining that of his father, where he carried 011 farming until 1872, when he and his wife came west with a colony which had left Xew York state at that time. They came to Minnesota and settled in (liter Tail county, locating in a town which the colom called Western. Mr. Sheldon homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and bought enough more to make two hundred and fourteen acres. He built a small frame house and later added to this house, spending many years on this farm. After living on the farm until 1903, Mr. Sheldon moved with his wife to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Previously he had been, for six years, overseer of the county poor farm. Since moving to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mr. Sheldon has been living retired.

George W. Sheldon has been twice married. He was married the first time to Mary Dewey, a native of New York state, and, after her death, he was married to his present wife, who. before her marriage, was Abbie Giffin, a -.laughter of Calvin and Rhoda (Hewitt) Giffin, both natives of Vermont, who later moved to New York; where they remained the rest of their lives.

The Sheldons are highly respected citizens of this city and are well known among the people of Fergus Falls and vicinity. Mr. Sheldon served as supervisor in the town of Western.

Peter C. Svendsrud

Peter C. Svendsrud is one of nine children born to the union of Christian and Ingeborg (Petersdatter) Svendsrud and his birth occurred in 1865, in Norway, of which his parents were both natives. The names of the other children follow: Nels, Cam, Mathia, Mathew, Carl, Julia, Marie and Otto. Christian Svendsrud was a farmer and the home place was near the town of Forburg, Norway, where Peter C. Svendsrud was born. Christian Svendsrud died in Norway and his widow still lives in that country. The paternal grandparents of Peter C. Svendsrud were Nels Nelson and Marie Svendsrud who remained in Norway all their lives. Nels Nelson Svendsrud was a farmer and followed that vocation until bis death. The maternal grandparents of Peter C. Svendsrud were also natives of Norway and farmers, who lived and died in that country. Their names were Peter Horen and Karen Petersdatter. Both families were members of the Lutheran church. Peter C. Svendsrud is indebted to the schools of Norway for the education which be received, following which he immigrated to America, in [890, and came direct to Dalton, Otter Tail county, where he was employed fur a period of seven years, in the service of K. H. Brandvold. After completing tins service, be rented the farm be now owns and cultivated it, for vo years, at the end of which time he inie hundred and sixty acres of land, il county.

union of Peter C. Svendsrud and his wife have been horn four children Chester, Mildred, Burghild and Evelyn. He has been an earnest worker and his wife has been of material help to him in his effort to evolve a comfortable competency from his labors.

Albert Knudsen

The sturdy Norwegian has played a conspicuous role and has had a large part in the development of the great state of Minnesota. The seeds of their thrift and energy, the sturdiness of their race and the fervor of their religious belief, have been beneficially scattered broad-cast throughout this great state, whose present growth and development are a marvel. The subject, whose name heads this sketch, is one of those sons of Norway who has aided in the development of Otter Tail county, Minnesota.

Albert Knudsen was born in Bergen, Norway, on October _\ 1845, l,u' son of Knud Larson and Ingeborg Jacobsen, both of whom were born, lived and died in Norway. Knud Larson jacobsen was a farmer and landowner in his native land and reared his children to manhood and womanhood on his farm, instilling in them the love of husbandry. He was actively interested in the local politics of his county. Roth he and his beloved wife were devoted members of the Lutheran church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knud Larson Jacobsen, as follow : Lars, a farmer who lived and died in Norway; Annie, the wife of Nels Muklebush, who remained in her native land; Jacob, a farmer and stock dealer of Norway: Engeborg, the wife of Jacob Skenlo, who lives in Norway, and Martha, the wife of a Mr. Skenlo, who died early in life.

Albert Knudsen was educated in the public schools of Norway, following the school as it was conducted from place to place. At an early age the love of adventure, so characteristic of the race, asserted itself and he became a sailor and fisherman, which occupations he followed until be was twentythree years of age. In the meantime he had also served at various times in the army. In 1869 he left his native land and emigrated to America and. upon his arrival in the United States, came directly to Minnesota, where he worked on various farm- in Fillmore county. Later he ret cousin ami was employed in the pine woods, near Black l\i\ later he returned to Fillmore county and then went to Duluth employed in the lumber camps and on the lakes. Subsequent to Superior and lived there for a time, but returned to Dulu 1S7S, he came to Otter Tail county and homesteaded forty a section 34, I'.lult'lon towns brush and had never been 1 the present barn, he began to clear the land and to break the soil. Several years later, he erected a small frame house and still later, in 1910, a modern barn. Mr. Knudsen has always rented considerable land in his immediate neighborhood as well as adding to his original tract. At the present time he operates about two hundred acres. He is devoted to general farming and has about eight milch cows on his farm.

In icS/3 Albert Knudsen was married in Fillmore county to Johanna Gilbertson. also a native of Norway and the daughter of Gilbert Jacobson, a pioneer settler in Fillmore county, who later moved to South Dakota, where he died many years ago. To this happy union there have been born seven children, as follow : Clara, who married Frank Potter, died in Wadena, Minnesota; Josephine is a trained nurse and lives at home with her parents; Louisa married Mark Greene and lives in North Dakota; Albert is a building contractor and an electrician of Wadena; Matilda married Elmer Johnson and lives in the state of Washington ; Julia, the twin of Albert, married Charles Bradford and lives in Crete. North Dakota, where he is station agent; Arthur lives at home with his parents.

Albert Knudsen is identified with the Republican party and much interested in local politics. He has served successfully and efficiently as supervisor of Blurrton township, and as road boss has had much to do with road buildine in this section of Minnesota.

Karl J. Kopperud is one of the successful agriculturists of Norwegian Grove township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota and also is a leader in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which denomination he has been choir leader for many years. He was born on January 1, 1859, in Norway and is the son of Johanes O. and Anne Kopperud, both natives of Norway. Johanes O. Kopperud was born in 1800 and his death occurred in 1884. Anne Kopperud was born in 1813, and died in 1905. Johanes O. Kopperud was a farmer while a resident of his native country and immigrated to America in 1S71. traveling as far as St. Cloud, Minnesota, by rail and finishing his journey to Norwegian Grove township, Otter Tail countv. by ox-team conveyance. Upon his arrival in this locality, he purchased fortv acres of land, under the homestead law, continuing to reside with his sous. He was the father of seven children, whose names follow: Ole, Martin. Randine, Andrew, Johanes (deceased), Mathia and Karl J.

Karl J. Kopperud is indebted to the schools of his native heath for the education which lie received, following which he immigrated to America and engaged in general farming on the place he now owns. This farm consists of one hundred and twenty-six acres located in Norwegian Grove township. Otter Tail county.

In 1902, Karl Kopperud was united in marriage to Matilda Mikelson, and to (hem have been horn four children, whose names follow: Calmer, Esther, James and Nora. Karl Kopperud and his wife are earnest members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which denomination he has served as treasurer for nearly nine years in Norwegian Grove church.

Ole Henry

In the days when homesteading was a popular occupation in Minnesota, many enterprising men were drawn to her prairies to work at clearing the land of its timber and underbrush. Among those who have been most successful at this employment are the members of the colony of Norwegians, who hearing of the agricultural wealth of the state, crossed the Atlantic to farm within its boundaries. Ole Henry is one of the pioneer farmers of Otter Tail county, and owes his success to his ability to meet the demands of a life in the wilderness, and to his method of removing obstacles incidental to establishing a home in a primitive district.

On November 11, T854, Ole Henry was born, sixty miles north of Christiania, Norway. He is the son of Henry Pederson and Caroline Maria Olson, both natives of Norway. His father worked the greater part of his life at the occupation of fanning. He was owner of a small tract of land in his native country and for a time before his death was employed in a saw-mill. After his death, which occurred in 1869, his widow and three children came to the United States to join the eldest son, Martin, who was living in Otter Tail county.

His mother was a woman of much force of character and sound wisdom. Left a widow when her children had not yet reached the age of independence, she left her native land to brave the dangers of a life of toil in the wilderness of a foreign land. Being a widow she was entitled to eighty acres of homestead land, of which she held possession until her son Ole was of age. Upon reaching manhood he, too. acquired eighty acres of land which adjoined his mother's, and converted the whole tract into one farm place. Mrs. Henry is the mother of the following children: Martin, a farmer of Clitherall township: Christenaj the wife <>i" Peter Hanson, who is living at I '.at tic Lake; Ole, the subject of this sketch, and Christian, who is a farmer living in Clitherall township.

Ole Ilcnn received his elementary education in the public schools of Norway and in 1870 came to Vmerica with his mother and family. They began the homestead life upon their arrival in Minnesota. After clearing roads and cutting large tracts of timber land, the family began to build a small log house, which is -till standing on the present farm. It i- a rude structure, twelve by fourteen feet and remains a memorial to the thoroi n ness and simplicity which characterized the work of the earliest settlers in that section. In relating his experiences in clearing the land, Mr. Henry has many interesting stories to tell. For twelve years during his process of making roads and cutting timber he used a team of oxen. Perham, the nearest station, was often reached by the most tiresome and dangerous journeys. Tribes of Indians still made their homes in the forests, but the recollections of Mr. Henry regarding his intercourse with them are of the most pleasant character.

The farm now occupied by Mr. Henry has been improved from time to time, until now it represents everything new in modern improvements. In 1908 he erected a barn of large proportions and he has also made a number of additions to the house.

In r8y5, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Thea Ellwanger, the daughter of Fred Ellwanger, one of the oldest settlers of Otter Tail county. Mrs. Henry, who is a native of Clitherall township, is the mother of the following children: Harold, who was born on September 21, 1897, and Irvin, who was born on September 28, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the Synod congregation and contribute generously to its support. Xot content with giving close attention to his agricultural affairs. Mr. Henry takes an active interest in politics and gives his loyal support to the cause of the Republican party.

Sever C. Sorenson

Representing two generations of expert fanners, Sever C. Sorenson is continuing the family name in a way which reflects credit upon those who have gone before, and success has come as a reward for conscientious work. Sever C. Sorenson was born on March 22, 1884, on the farm which is still his home. His father, Christian Sorenson, came with his wife, Mary (Hawkinson) Sorenson, to America from Norwav, their native country, in 1866.

The paternal grandfather of Sever C. Sorenson, died in Norway, where the paternal grandparents. Ever and Ella Hawkinson were both born. After Christian Sorenson and his wife landed in America, they journeyed to this township and their early efforts and frugality enabled their son to acquire his present home, a part of which consists of the old log cabin in which the pioneer settlers lived. The elder Sorenson homesteaded one quarter section of land, where he lived until his death on Januarv 2, 1913. Two years previous to his death he homesteaded eighty acres in North Dakota and this land his wife proved up after his death. She is still living with her son. Sever Sorenson. The father spent only enough summers in Dakota to legalize his claim. To tin'-; couple were born ten children, five of whom are

Sever C. Sorenson, who lives with his mother on the old home- farm. attended the local country schools and interspersed his school-days with farm work. He bought eighty acres of the home farm of his mother, and having previously purchased forty acres which his father had added to the original homestead, the property in his own name consisted of one hundred and twenty acres. He was engaged in erecting a fine modern barn at the time that his father was called away by death.

Mr. Sorenson is regarded as a man thoroughly conversant with the science and practice of farming, but more than this he is a dutiful son and has devoted himself to the care of his mother and the management of her property. Mr. Sorenson is highly respected in this vicinity.

Daniel A. Petersox

The name of Daniel A. Peterson is a synonym for efficiency, thrift and honesty, these three qualities having been dominant factors in the successful issue of his many commercial and civil interests. Pie was born on November 28, 1869, in Sweden, and is the son of Andrew and Kazsa (Johnson) Peterson, both natives of Sweden. Andrew Peterson immigrated to America in 1869, effecting a temporary location in the city of Chicago, moving in 1874 to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased a homestead in Eagle Lake township and prepared for the arrival of his family. In October, 1874, Kazsa (Johnson) Peterson, immigrated to America, accompanied by her children and, they immediately joined the husband on the farm in Otter Tail county. The names of the children are as follow: Andrew. John, Peter, Agnes and Daniel. One daughter died in Sweden. Andrew is a fanner living in Eagle Lake township. Otter Tail county: John passed away while in Saskatchewan, Canada: Peter is proving on a homestead in Canada; Agnes is deceased. The mother of these children is a widow, her husband having died some years ago, and she resides with her son, Daniel. She is eighty-three years of age.

Daniel A. Peterson received Ins education in Eagle Lake township and has always resided on the old home place, which lie now owns. This place contains two hundred and forty acres and is very well improved. On June 2, IOOI, Daniel A. Peterson was united in marriage to Olena Finkleson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Ole Finkleson, also a native of Norway. The Finkleson family immigrated to America in iSoo and located in Eagle Pake township, Otter Tail county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born six children, Edith, Mabel. Ruth. Ida. Hazel and 1 ennard

Mr. Peterson has served in various capacities, in township offices, acting as constable, school clerk and school treasurer. Commercially, he is a director of the Midway Telephone Company; director of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Melby, Minnesota, and is the president of the Melby Potato Warehouse Association, of which he was organizer, and has been president since 1912. He is also a stockholder in the State Bank of Melby, Minnesota. Few men are more respected by their fellow citizens than is Daniel A. Peterson, and the high regard in which he is held is a deserving tribute to his life of service and activities.

Karl Merz

Among the men of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, whose sterling qualities have made their imprint upon the business community, and without a record of whom the history of Otter Tail county would be incomplete, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Merz is an agriculturist of exceptional qualifications and keen foresight, all of which have been of benefit in his financial achievement.

Karl Merz. farmer, Elizabeth township, this county, was born on August 4, 1840. at Wittenberg, Germany, and is a son of Schaufer and Frances Merz. He received a good education in his native country, and came to America in 1863, at the age of twenty-three years, landing at New York City, from where he went direct to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was employed in a sash and door factory. After a short stay there he went to Michigan and worked in the copper mines for seven years. In 1870 he came to Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county, where he acquired a homestead in section 22, Friberg township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed for a time and then sold out to Ferdinand Schmidt and then moved to Elizabeth township, where he bought two hundred acres, the most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Merz sold eighty acres of this tract to William Kort, and bought one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of which he gave to his step-son, Charles G. Wicker. He improved his farm with a substantial barn, which was erected in 1895, a house, built in 1808, a silo and two garages. Politically, Mr. Merz has always given his support to the Republican party, while bis religious sympathies are witli the Catholic church, to which be contributes liberally.

Schaufer Merz was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1770. His wife was also a native of Wittenberg, where they both lived and died. Mr. \lcr> followed the vocation of a farmer, and was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars, serving in all twelve years, during which time he was never injured. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merz were members of the Catholic church, lie died in T867. This union was blest with six children: Joseph, Schaufer, John,

George, Karl and Anna, the last two of whom were the only ones to come to America. Schaufer and George were soldiers in the army and never left their native country.

Karl Merz was united in marriage, in 1880, with Mary Koch, daughter of John Koch, and widow of John Wicker, by whom she had one son. Charles. She died on August 24, 1907, leaving one child, George, who was horn on March v}o. 1882, and was married on November 10, K)o8. to Martha Knackendoffel, daughter of Adolph and Marie Knackendoffel. Martha Knackendoffel was horn on November 27. 1884. Her parents were natives of Germany, and came to America about 1S75. To George Merz and his wife, Martha Knackendoffel, have been horn five children: Lawrence. Alvin, Kirov. Henry and a son who died in infancy. George Merz is living on the home place with his father, and owns forty acres, which he bought from his father in 1913.

Peder Lien

Few men in Otter Tail county have a wider acquaintance than former Justice of the Peace Peder Lien, of Amor township, who is one of the bestknown citizens of the Richville neighborhood and who i- held in very high esteem throughout that entire section of the county.

Peder Lien, who was born on April 21, 1873. is a brother of Joint Lien, whose biographical sketch, presented elsewhere in this volume of biography, carries further details of the genealogy of the well-known Lien family, to which the reader is referred for additional information regarding that phase of the biography of the subject of this sketch. Reared on the home farm. receiving a common-school education, Peder Lien earl}' became a farmer on his own account, having bought the farm on which he now lives in [899. This is a tine farm of eight) acres and is under excellent cultivation, all the improvements on the same having been made by the present owner, who built the barn in iooi and his present house in 1903.

On May 3. [906, Peder Lieu was united in marriage to Hannah Hult, who was born in otter Tail county, daughter of John Hult, and to this union three children have been horn. Julia, llihna and Melvin. Mr. Lien for years has taken an active interest in civic affair- in Amor township and in the county at large and i- much concerned in matters relating to good government. For eight years he served as constable for Amor township, in which capacity lie performed excellent public service, and for four year- he was a justice of the peace, hi- services in that connection having been of much value to the community, his decisions upon such matter- of neighbor hood dispute as would conic before him for adjudication invariably being accepted as final. .Mr. Lien is regarded as one of the leaders in the community in which he lives and is held in high respect throughout that part of

Nels X. Holt

Successful as a fanner and business man in Inman township, Otter Tail county, .Minnesota. Nels X. Holt was scarcely a year old when" he was brought to America by his parents. Air. Holt was born in Norway, February <). [865, and is the son of Nels ( >. and Olena Holt, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. Holt's father was born in 1831 and his mother in the same year.

The Holt family came to America and settled in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, in [866. Two years later they emigrated to Dakota county, Minnesota, purchasing eighty acres of land. Later they sold this first farm and purchased one hundred acres, where Mr. Holt's father died in [910. His mother died in January, 1805. They were the parents of ten children. of whom Mary, Theodore. Theodore and Lena are deceased. The living children are Ole, Otto, Reinhart, Martin. Nels X'. and Tina.

Nels X'. Holt, who was about one year old when the family came from Norway to America, was six weeks on the ocean in the voyage from Xorwav to America. He was reared on a farm in Dakota county, Minnesota, and. when old enough, took up farming on his own responsibility. Mr. Holt purchased one hundred and forty acres in Scott county, Minnesota, and. after living on the farm for four years, sold out and moved to Otter Tail county in 1900. He settled in Inman township on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 34, which he had purchased in [899. Mr. Holt is a farmer and stockman. Some years ago he built a good house and barn, the latter of which is thirty by forty-six feet. His buildings are all well painted. His farm is well fenced and well drained and produces abundantly.

While a resident of Dakota county, in 1804. Xels X. Holt was married to Sarah Seversen, who was born in Dakota county, Minnesota, on the old homestead in i860. She is the daughter of Ellend and Gunhild Seversen. early settlers of Dakota county. Minnesota. Mrs. Holt's father served in the Civil War and is now deceased. Her mother, however, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Xels XT. Holt have been the parents of two children, Mabel Otilia, and Mervel Netleton, who died in 1911, at the age of eleven years.

Mr. Holt has served <>n the school board for fourteen years and has served as supervisor of the township for three years and as assessor for three vears. He has one more year to serve in the last named office. He has always been prominent in local politics and prominent in the life of the neighborhood where he has lived. Nels N. Holt is a man of most genial temperament, who makes friends readily and who, by his upright and honorable course in life, is able to hold the friends he makes.

John E. Boen, a prosperous farmer of Aurdal township, this county, who is the son of Erick T. and Ingeborg (Bjorgo) Boen, was born in Norway, September 3, 1862. Mr. Boen's parents were natives of Norway. They emigrated to America and settled in Otter Tail county, where they homesteaded eighty acres of land. This farm is located in section 27, of Aurdal township. Here Mr. Boen's father died in 1896 and his mother three years previously, in 1893. They had nine children, of whom three sens and three daughters are now living.

John E. Boen came with his parents to Otter Tail county in 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Norway and also attended the public schools of Aurdal township after moving to this county. Mr. Boen is a farmer and owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in this township. He is a general farmer and stockman and has been prominent in this township for a number of years.

In 1888 John E. Boen was married to Sigri Bergrud, who was born in Norway in 1862, and who is the daughter of Andrew and Sigri Bergrud, early settlers in ( )tter Tail county, Minnesota. Mrs. Boen's father is deceased but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Boen have been the parents of four children, Edgar, who is deceased, fnga, Emil and Anne.

Mr. Boen has served on the school hoard of Aurdal township and for ten or twelve years was supervisor of the township. He has also been chairman of the board of supervisors Mr. and Mrs. Boen and family are members of the Lutheran church.

John 11. Johnson

John II. Johnson, who owns an especially fine farm in Compton town ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was horn on March 1 _\ iSSj. in Sweden. and is the son of R. J. and Margarel (Person) Johnson, both of whom were also horn in Sweden. Mr. Johnson's paternal grandfather was a native of Sweden, a fanner by occupation and spent all of his life in his native country. lie is now deceased. lie and his wife were members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Johnson's father, the late R. J. Johnson, was educated in Sweden and. after his marriage came to \merica in 1882. Upon landing at Halifax he proceeded immediately to Detroit, Michigan, and then to Wadena, Minnesota. He lived in Wadena county until his removal to Compton township, Otter Tail county. Here the late R. J. Johnson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 21. He lived on his farm until his death, which occurred on January 3, 1909. His widow and her son, Carl, make their home with the subject of this sketch. At the time of his death, the late R. J. Johnson had one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, most of which he had succeeded in clearing. He was a member of the Mission church. Before he came to America he received military training in his native country. Four children were born to R. J. Johnson and wife, Anna, Carrie, John H. and Carl W. Of these children. Anna married Andrew Noreene, and Carrie married Nels J. Noreene.

John H. and Carl W. Johnson, having been educated in the rural schools of Compton township, lived at home with their parents on the farm until the father's death and afterward had charge of the farm. They now live on the home place, which comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres, of which one hundred and fifteen acres belongs to the mother until her death. The barn was built by Mr. Johnson in 1908 and the house was built in iqoo.

On November 29. 19 12, John H. Johnson was married to Ella Josephine Anderson, who was born in Compton township, this county, and who has borne her husband one son, Kenneth E. Mr. Johnson is a successful farmer, an enterprising and useful citizen and one who is well liked by all of his neighbors.

Bernhard A. Sletner

Born in Norway on March 17, 1868, Bernhard A. Sletner, a successful farmer of Everts township, this county, is the son of Andreas O. and Karen 1 ilson) Sletner.

Mr. Sletner's parents were native- of Norway, his father having been born in 1832 and his mother in 1831. They came to Everts township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1882, and purchased eighty acres of land, later adding ten acres. Some years later he sold the ten acres to his son, Ole, and later the eighty-acre farm to bis sou, Anton. Mr. Sletner's father is now living retired at his home. His wife died on January 6, IQI3. To them were born six children, of whom three, Anetta, Maren and Caroline Augusta are deceased. The last named died in infancy. The living children are Ole, Bernhard and Anton.

Bernhard A. Sletner was educated in the public schools "I" Norway and in the public schools of Everts township, this county, which be attended after coming with his parents to America. Mr. Sletner owns one hundred

In [898 Bernhard A. Sletner was married to Anne Berg, who was born in Norway in 1876, and who is the daughter of Anton and Anna Marea (Glende) Berg, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Air. and Airs. Sletner have mi children.

Mr. Sletner has made many valuable improvements upon the farm where lie now lives, lie moved to the farm in [898 and now ha- good buildings upon it. including a good house and a good barn. Rernhard Sletner is a progressive farmer and citizen. He and hi- wife are members of the 1'Yee Lutheran church.

Olof Peterson

Farmer and stockman of Henning township, Otter Tail count}-, Minnesota, Olof Peterson was horn on July 1874, in Sweden. Mr. Peterson i- the son of Peter and I'.lna Peterson, who were also natives of Sweden.

Mr. Peterson's father died in 1875 and his mother in 1913. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four, Andrew, Daniel, Ellis and Mary, are deceased. The living children are Martin. Peter and Olof.

Olof Peterson was educated in the public schools of his native land, lie came to America and to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1802 and. for a short time, worked on neighboring farms. In 1804. hi partnership with his brother, Peter. Mr. Peterson purchased eighty acres of land in section 13, of Leaf Lake township. In iqoo they sold the farm and in the same year moved to Henning township, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres in section 35. In 1914 Air. Peterson purchased forty acres in section 35. and now owns altogether one hundred and sixty acres. Several years ago. 111 100-, Mr Peterson buill a large barn, thirty by sixty-four feet. His farm i- all very well improved. It is well drained, well fenced and has commodious and substantial outbuildings, which are kept in a very high state of repair. Air. Peterson is a general fanner and stockman.

In [900 Olof Peterson was married to Caroline Person, who was horn in Clitherall township, near Eagle Lake church, in 1875. and who is the daughter of \ndrew and Llna Person, natives of Sweden and pioneers in Clitherall town-hip ! In \ homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in [869 and were among the first members of Eagle Lake church. In fact. Mrs. Peterson's father had charge of the church for many years. He

Mr-. Peterson wen- married in Eagle lake Swedish Lutheran church by Rev. lames Aloodv. Mr-. Peterson was one of five children horn to her parents, being the youngest. The other children were Cecelia Eunice, Will

The Petersons are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They attend religious services regularly and take an active interest, not only in religious matters, but in civic matters as well. The family is widely known in Kenning township and very popular.

Michael Long

Michael Long, a general fanner and stock raiser of Candor township. Otter Tail county, and the proprietor of forty acres of land in Candor township, as well as forty acres in Becker county, Minnesota, was born on February 28, 1858, the son of Daniel and Mary (Gleason) Long, both natives of Ireland. When about nineteen years of age, Daniel Long and Mary Gleason emigrated to the United States and settled in Onondaga county. New York, where they were subsequently married. They spent their entire lives on a farm near Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, and lived to attain the ripe old ages of about seventy-five years, he passing away in 1904 and she in J 003. To this happy union there were born seven children: John, Nora, Michael, Edward, Mary. Thomas and Kate. Of these children. Nora alone is deceased.

Reared to manhood in Onondaga county and educated in the public schools of that county, Michael Long, upon reaching early manhood, began driving mules from Buffalo to Syracuse on the Erie canal, continuing the work for three summers. After working on the Great Lakes for several years as a laborer, he went to Minneapolis, only to remove a short time later to North Dakota, where he worked by the year as a farm laborer for Sheriff Twitchel. After his marriage he continued in the employment of Sheriff Twitchel on the Cass farm, near the Dalrumple farm. In 1900 he removed from North Dakota and settled in Candor township, Otter Tail county, buying forty acres in section 3, of that township. He also purchased an additional forty acres situated in Becker county.

( )n \ugust jo. [897, Michael Long was united in marriage to Carolina Bordseth, who was born in Norway. March 11, 1871, the daughter of Ole and Bertha Arneson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The former died in his native land in 1873, the father of but one child. Carolina, the wile of Mr. Long. Bertha Arneson was married, secondly, to Peter Mikkelsen. to which union there were horn twelve children, seven of whom are living. To Mr. and Mr-. Long there have been horn three children, all of whom are living, as follow: Mary, horn on August o. [898; Arthur, November 17. [900, and Mildred. Uigust 20. iooq.

Tohn Henry Larson

The second eldest living settler of Tordenskjold township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, is John Henry Larson, who had many Indians for neighbors when he first came to this part of Minnesota. Bear and deer were also plentiful during the period of his early residence in this county.

Mr. Larson was born at Lolland, Denmark.' September 21, 1841, and is a son of Lars Christiansen and Annie Elizabeth Hendricksen, who spent their entire lives in their native land. Mr. Larson's father was a fanner and gardener. Both he and his wife were faithful and earnest members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of five children, of whom Johanna, who married Hans Petersen, died in Denmark; Sophia, who married Peter Olson, died in Copenhagen^ Denmark; Henry died in infancy, and .M 111,1 died at the age of ten years; John Henry, the subject of this review, is the youngest child.

Educated in the common schools of his native land and reared on his father's farm. John Henry Larson enlisted in the Danish army in 1864, and served eight months in the Danish-German War. He was taken prisoner by the Germans and was confined in a prison camp for two months. During his service as a soldier he participated in the battle at Duble, and after that battle was driven on to an island, where he was captured. He remained m prison until the close of the war. As a result of his service in the Danish army he receives an honor gift every year.

After leaving the army, Mr. Larson returned to the farm in order to earn money with which to come to America, and in 1868, while still unmarried, he emigrated to America and settled in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, about twenty miles west of Milwaukee, where he lived for one year. The next year Mr. Larson emigrated to Minnesota, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tordenskjold township. He began life in this new state by clearing the land and improving it in various ways. From time to time he erected substantial buildings and has lived on the farm where lie first settled ever since. In the meantime, however, he has added to his original holdings and now owns two hundred and forty acres of splendid land in cue tract. Mr. Larson is a general farmer and stockman, and has met with pronounced success in his chosen calling. He is a director in the creamery at Rattle Lake, and takes an active interest in all local affairs which have for their object the betterment and development of his home community.

\ fter living nine years a- a bachelor in America. Mr. Larson was married, in 1878. to Carrie Amelia Robertson, a native of Denmark, and the daughter of Hans Robertson, who died in bis native land Mrs. Larson.

with her mother and some of her brothers, later came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of ten children, as follow: Annie, the wife of Christian Hilton, lives at Red Wing, Minnesota; Sophia, who died in infancy; Dora, who also died while young; Sophia II is the wife of George Newman, and lives in Nebraska; Hans Johan, living at home; Dora, the wife of Emil Newman, a farmer of Elizabeth township; Mina, the wife of Bernard Carson, also a farmer of Elizabeth township; Henry, who lives at home; Julius, also living at home, and one who died in infancy.

John Henry Larson was identified with the Populist party. He served as a member of the school hoard in this township for many years. Although he was forty years a member of the Lutheran church, he is not now identified with any church. Mr. Larson is a very successful farmer, and a man who enjoys the confidence of a host of friends in this community.

Ernest Frederick Winter

Ernest Frederick Winter, a farmer of Buse township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, near the city of Fergus Falls, was horn near Aldenburg, Germain, March 28, 1S76, a son of Ernest Henry and Helen (Hackenfrerisch) Winter. The father was born at Minden, Prussia, and the mother near Aldenburg, in a small village. At the time when the immediate subject of this sketch was about four and one-half years of age, the parents emigrated to America and came directly to this state, where the father had a brother, William Winter, residing at Horseshoe lake. William Winter had come to America prior to the Civil War and was a veteran of that struggle. After the close of the war he came to Otter Tail county and was one of the earliest settlers of this section.

In the winter of 1880-81 E. H. Winter purchased forty acres in Buse township from William Ward and took his homestead right for another forty, making his entire holdings eighty acres. There were no improvements on the land at that time and no building but the small claim shanty, but he set about making a home which came nearer to his ideal, and in time had many acres under cultivation and a comfortable residence, as well as suitable outbuildings. He later added another tract of forty acres and there spenl the remainder of his life, his death occurring in [899. Mrs. Helen Winter is -till living and makes her home with her son, John. Ernest It. Winter became an ardent Republican and was known as a man who took great interest in anything which made for the development of the community where he had chosen t<> make his home. Both he and hi- good wife were devout members of the Lutheran church, in which faith they reared their family. There were seven children, as follow: Diedrich. a retired ranchman, living at Chinook, Montana; John, a farmer living near the old homestead; Henry, who died in Seattle, Washington, where he had been a railway conductor: Mattie, single; Gerhard, living near the old homestead; Ernest Frederick, the sixth child in order of birth, and the youngest of the j'ainil\- was Mary, who died when but sixteen years of age.

Ernest F. Winter, in his boyhood, received such education as the of Buse township at that time afforded and from early boyhood was taught to help the father with the work of the farm, which occupation he has always followed. Since the death of the father, Ernest F. Winter has managed the homestead, where he carries on general farming. Air. Winter is a Republican in politics and both lie and bis wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church.

.Mrs. Winter, before her marriage, was Martha Mavis, born in Western township, Otter Tail county, and a daughter of William Mavis. There are three children in the family, namely: Ernest. William and Martha. Mr. Winter is an honorable and upright man. highly respected by friends and neighbors.

Knut Wilhelm Bondy

Xo citizen of Otter Tail county. Minnesota, has attained a greater degree of prominence in Minnesota state politics and few men enjoyed a larger measure of success than late Knut Wilhelm Bondy. a farmer by occupation and a member of the state board of equalization, to which position he was appointed both by Governor Nelson and Governor Klough. He also served two terms in the Minnesota state Legislature and enjoyed a large success a- a farmer.

Mr. Bondy was born at Vang, Valders, Norway. June 17, 1844, the -on of Wilhelm Bonde, who spent his entire life in hi- native land. Mr. Bondy's father was a farmer by occupation and owned land in his native country. He lived a quiet and retired life.

The late Knut W. Bondy, whose name was changed from Bonde to Bondy, after coming to America, on account of the confusion with other people of the same name, was educated in the public schools of his native land. When he was eighteen years old, he immigrated to America alone and was the first of the family to leave Norway. Upon his arrival in America, he joined friends in Wisconsin and lived with them for a time, hut in icS66 moved to Rice county, Minnesota, where he was employed by O. Osmundson, at Nerstrand. While living there he was married to Mr Os mundson's niece and shortly after hi^ marriage moved to Granl county, making the journey with an ox team in i860. There were many difficulties to overcome in making this journey. The oxen were compelled to jump

After living in Grant county for several months, in 1870 Knut W. Bondy came to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Clitherall township. This farm was located in sections 17 and 18, and was wild land, largely covered by timber. A Mr. Myhre, cousin of Air. Bondy, lived nearby in a large log cabin, and there Mr. Bondy and his family spent several months while he was erecting a house on his own land. Mr. Finkelson, a carpenter, assisted Mr. Bondy in building the new home. Subsequently, the farm was improved and sold to Andrew Rolandson, and another farm consisting of two hundred and forty acres south of the original place was purchased. There was only a log house on this second farm, but Air. Bondy built a good house and barn and other substantial outbuildings. He lived on the farm until his death, in the meantime having erected a good house, which is still standing. He became one of the largest and most influential farmers in this community and was prominent in the educational and religious affairs of the county.

The late Knut W. Bondy served two terms as a member of the state board of equalization, having been appointed first by Governor Nelson and later by Governor Klough. He resigned finally and was elected to the Legislature in 1902, serving during the session of 1903. He was re-elected in 1904 and served during the session of 1905. In the Legislature he was prominent in many lines, and his voice carried great weight in the party councils. In his early life, he served at one time as a deputy sheriff. For two terms he was president of the Battle Lake Wheat Association and was also a director of the Sverdrup Insurance Company. At the time of his death, November 15, 1908, he was a director in the Synod Lutheran church.

Knut W. Bondy was married on February 8, 1869, at Wheeling, Minnesota, to Anna Gurine Osmundson, a native of Nerstrand, Norway, where she was born on September 13, 1850. Mrs. Bondy is the daughter of Gudmund Osmundson and came to America in 1854. She settled in Rice county, Minnesota, where she and Mr. Bondy were married. Her father and mother died in Grant county, Minnesota.

Mr. ami Mrs. Knut \Y. Bondy were the parents of nine children, as follows : Caroline, who married Andrew Rolandson and lives in Roland, Minnesota; Wilhelmina, who married Nels B. Thompson and lives in Dane Prairie township; Ellen, who died at the age of eighteen; Wilhelm, who was a traveling salesman, is now engaged in the real-estate business at Makoti, North Dakota: Konnow, who conducts a general store at Roland, Minnesota; Alfred, who is a graduate of the Park Region Lutheran College and who is (33b) a salesman at Battle Lake; Sophia, who was educated in the Park Region Lutheran College and the Moorhead Normal School and taught school for five years, married Oscar Henry and lives on the homestead farm with her mother; Iver, who was married on November 15, 1915, resides at Roland. Minnesota; Mejvin, who graduated from the Park Region Lutheran College, is in the mercantile business at Roland and is postmaster at that place.

The late Knut W. Bondy was progressive by nature, public spirited and devoted both to his public and private duties, lie was a prominent citizen, charitable to a fault and generous to his friends. Lie gave liberally to religious enterprises and was a leader in the movement which resulted in the construction of a new church, lie also contributed liberally to the support of Park Region Lutheran College, at Fergus balls, where some of his children were educated. He was a hard-working, conscientious man and a good citizen, who lived to see his children all well educated and well started on the highway of life.

Nels A. Knudson

Agriculture has been an honored and fundamental vocation from earliest times, and has attracted men of energy and ability. By its daily contact with nature in out-of-door life, husbandry cultivates those traits of character which contribute to real manhood, and lays the foundation for success in alter life. The boy, therefore, who is born on a farm is fortunate, especially if by reason of the ambition within him he makes the most of his opportunities. A striking example of this is found in the biography of Xels A. Knudson, a prosperous farmer of Elmo township, who was born in Norway on October 4, 1863, the son of Knud \nderson and Johanna Nelson, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they lived and died.

Knud Anderson was born in Bergen, and his wife was born thirty miles north of that town. There they were married, and he farmed on his owm land. He passed away in 1889. After the death of his first wife, who passed away in 1865, he again married. By his first marriage he had five children. Annie. living 111 Norway; Lena, Martha, Xels, and John, wdio died in infancy, of whom Xels was the fourth born. By the second marriage, three children were born, these being Johanna. Christiane and Andrew.

Xels \. Knudson received a good common schools education in B then for seven years he worked in a woolen factory, three of these years doing farm labor in addition to hi- factor) work. \t the age of twentynine lie came to America and found employment on a farm in this county. The following year he boughl eighty acres of wild, uncultivated land in section 11. of Elmo township, and built there his first home, a log cabin, the material for which he himself cut and brought from the woods. This was later replaced by a modern frame dwelling. He continued general farming on this and eighty acres additional land which he bought, and subsequent years not only brought success in agriculture but in business, for he became a stockholder in the Almora Creamery Company.

The year 1886 saw the marriage of Nels A. Knudson and Eliza Rasmussen. Of their twelve children, eight still live to bless their declining years. They are Knud, a street railway employee in Minneapolis; Nettie, a resident of Chicago; Hannah, who is a teacher, educated in Henning and Park Prairie; Annie, a student in the Henning high school; Amanda, who lives at home; Ragny, Martin and Delia.

Mr. Knudson has been all his life an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Knudson is considered one of the progressive farmers of his locality, and deserves commendation for the fact he is practically a self-made man. Mr. and Mrs. Knudson have many friends in the community, where in liberality and spirit they have given both means and time to their church and to the causes which mean social uplift.

George A. Meigs

A well-known citizen, a successful farmer and a man who has demonstrated to the township and to the county his value as a citizen, is George A. Meigs, who as one esteemed and respected in the community and as a man who has done no small part in the development of the locality and its resources, as well as being one to whom the people of the township look for leadership, in public matters, he is entitled to a leading place in the records of prominent men of Otter Tail county.

George A. Meigs was born in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, on July 11, 1870, the son of George Patterson and Martha (Warren) Meigs, the father being born in the state of Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna river, and the mother being born in the state of New York. Martha Warren was the daughter of Decatur Warren and wife, Decatur Warren being a farmer of the Empire state. The Meigs family were directly descended from a general in the American Revolutionary War. George Patterson Meigs, father of the subject of this sketch, following his youth in Pennsylvania, enlisted with the Twenty-first Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in the year 1861, for service in the Civil War and served with that regiment until the battle of Gettysburg, the third day of which, on July t,. 1863, He was wounded in the shoulder and in the hip, resulting in his being confined in the army hospital for two years. Following his recoverv. George P. Meigs returned to the state of Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short time and then went to the state of Wisconsin, locating in Trempealeau county, and engaging in general farming on two hundred acres of land which he acquired there.

After the death of his wife, Martha, during the year 1872, George Patterson Meigs came to the state of Minnesota and located in Otter Tail county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Friberg township, on which he lived for three years. In the year 1882 George P. Meigs went to the state of Montana, where he conducted a sheep ranch. George Patterson and Martha Meigs were the parents of four children : Richard 1 deceased), Marvin, Geprge A., the subject of this sketch, and a child who died in infancy. George P. Meigs was a prominent man in the public life, both in Friberg township, Minnesota, where he served as township clerk, and in the state of Montana, where his ability was recognized and he was elected to various offices of his community. George Patterson Meigs was a member of the Episcopal church.

George A. Meigs was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin, the public schools of Otter Tail county, and at the high school of the town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, after which he taught school for a year in Traverse county, Minnesota, and then took up a position as a traveling cigar salesman for two years, then rented a farm in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he now lives.

On April 27, 1914, George A. Meigs was married to Margaret Streeter, and to this marriage has been born one son, George A., Jr. Margaret ( Streeter") Meigs is the daughter of John Marvin Streeter, who was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, August 4, 1856, he being the son of Mathias and Sarah (LeesoiO Streeter, the father born in the state of Pennsylvania and the mother born in Ireland. Mathias and Sarah Streeter located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, in the year 1854, where they bought land and where they lived until the Civil War, when Mathias Streeter enlisted as a volunteer and was assigned to the quartermaster's department, while performing the duties of which position he contracted disease and died. Following the death of her husband. Sarah Streeter moved to Otter Tail county and lived with a daughter in Aastad township, dying some years later.

John Marvin Streeter, son of Mathias and Sarah Streeter, and fatherin-law of the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Goodhue county. Minnesota, after which he came to Otter Tail county in the year 1870, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. later buying one hundred and six additional acres in Aastad township, land which he improved and a place where bis wife now lives. John Marvin Streeter was married during the year t 884 to Frances F. Carpenter, of Otter Tail county, and to this marriage were born the following children :

John Marvin, Jr., Stella. Mathias, Margaret, Thomas Gates, Erminda and Vernon. John Marvin Streeter was a devoted member of the Episcopal church, as was his well-known and highly-respected family. John Marvin Streeter died during the year 1906, mourned by a large circle of friends.

Ole Kron

The life of Ole Kron has been and still is proof positive that obstacles become mere stepping-stones to position and wealth, when visited upon the child. With only three short months of schooling, Ole Kron has battled successfully with the confronting handicaps of education and environment and accomplished much that is worth while. His birth occurred on October 12, 1848, in Vermland, Sweden, and he is the son of P. O. and Stina Kron, both natives of Sweden, who emigrated to America in 1867 and located in Holmes City, Douglas county, Minnesota, bringing their son, Ole, with them. P. O. Kron pre-empted a small farm, later selling it to Ole Kron and his brother. Both P. O. and Stina Kron died while living in Evansville, Minnesota.

Ole Kron received two months of schooling in Sweden, but upon reaching this country he became desirous of being something more than a mere spoke in the wheel of American industry, and began reading and thinking on the many phases of life with which the worker has to cope and was soon prepared to voice his opinion for the benefit of others. One month of schooling, received at Alexandria, Minnesota, added to his two months in his native land, comprises all the opportunities he ever had for acquiring an education. Nevertheless, he has written thousands of newspaper articles on national issues, such as the tariff, finance, education and temperance and has edited several papers, one of which was the V esterlandet , published in Stillwater, Minnesota, a Swedish paper. His newspaper work commenced in 1888 and has continued ever since.

Tn 1874 Ole Kron entered the general mercantile business in Holmes City, Minnesota, thence removing to Alexandria and later to Evansville. In 1906 he removed to Alel and became part owner and manager of the Eagle Lake Mercantile Company, in which company he still occupies the same position.

In 1875 0'e Kron was united in marriage to Caroline Myhr, a native of Norway, and they are the parents of the following children: Louise Alel. Minnie Stella. Jennie. John Kmil. Othelia, Irene, Ora and Gustave Adolph.

While a resident of Rvansville, Minnesota, Ole Kron was elected as postmaster of that town and served in that capacity for a period of eight

Among the different papers for which he has written are: Svenska Tribunen Nyheter, Svenska Amerikanska Posten, Arvika Nyheter, a paper published in Arvika, Sweden; the Park Region Echo, Minneapolis Daily News, the Battle Lake Review, Fergus Falls Journal, and Reform, a Norwegian paper published at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Truly, Ole Kron has not hidden his talents under a bushel, nor has he forgotten the commands of his Creator that he improve the talents bestowed upon him, that his storehouse of knowledge -he constantly supplied with the things needful to his best development.

Alfred B. Rosenquist

Alfred 1!. Rosenquist, farmer, Eagle Bend, Eastern township, this county, was born on January 15, 1865, in Sweden, and is a son of Andrew P. and Sissela Rosenquist. He came to America with his parents when about one year old, and received his education at the public schools of Wisconsin and Eastern township, Otter Tail county, and afterward attended school at Alexandria, Minnesota, for one year. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years at St. Paul, Minnesota. In 189 1 he located on his present farm, in section 35, Eastern township, which he bought in 1885, and now owns one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has put all the improvements, and where he follows general farming and stock raising. Mr. Rosenquist makes a specialty of blooded Jersey cattle, and keeps about fifteen head of dairy cows. His place is equipped with a silo and a milking machine, which facilitates the labor. Politically, he is an independent voter, and takes an active interest in the public welfare of the community. He is at present serving his second term on the school board. Religiously, he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Rosenquist possesses a good capacity for business, and in addition to his agricultural interests, is filling the office of president of the Rose 1 o-operative Creamery Company, in the township of Spruce Hill, Douglas county.

Andrew P. Rosenquist was born on January 25, 1836, in Sweden, and his wife, Sissela Rosenquist, was born on < >ctober r6, [838, in Sweden. Mr. Rosenquist learned the carpenter's trade in his native country, and came to America in [866, locating in Washington county. Minnesota, where he lived on a farm for about six years, and from there he moved to Tierce county. Wisconsin, and farmed for eight years. In May, 1881, he moved to Eastern township, section 34, Otter Tail county, where lie spent the remainder of his life, following agricultural pursuits. At the time of his death he owned one hundred and forty acres of land. Seven children were born to Andrew P. and Sissela Rosenquist: Alfred B., Lizzie (deceased), Anna E., Adolph C, Joseph, Nels T. and Matilda, all of whom became members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Alfred B. Rosenquist was united in marriage in 1893 witn Lydia Johnson, who was born on June 13, 1872, and died on March 14, 1900, leaving surviving her husband and two children, Hilding B. and Edwin W.

Mr. Rosenquist is admirably filling his place in the rank and file of agricultural enterprises, and is considered one of the leading men in his line in Eastern township.

George E. Tomhave

George E. Tomhave was born in Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on April 21, 1883, and is one of the younger generation who have chosen agriculture as his life work. He is die son of John Tomhave and hi> wife, Anna H. (Mier) Tomhave, both natives of Germany. John Tomhave was born on January 13, 1834, and died on February 9, 1907. His wife was born on August 4, 1839. They emigrated to America in 1868 and effected a temporary location of two years in Fontenac, Wisconsin, removing at that time to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they lived for six months.

In 1870 they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law. in Fergus Falls township. Otter Tail county, and continued to live on this place for six years. The place was then sold and another farm was purchased in the same township, on which the family continued to reside for fifteen years, and then sold to the son, Louis. John Tomhave had a struggle in the early years of his residence in this township and followed his trade of mason, as well as his agricultural operations. He built the first brick block that was erected in Fergus Falls and did the first mason work in Elizabeth, Mr. Mason splitting out the Ixxird? on which he plastered. In 1889 he invested in the place on which his son, George, now lives, and in tSq2 he erected the present buildings. To John Tomhave and his wife were born the following children: John J., Henry A.. Louis. Catherine, who is the wife of ('. J. Holzbauer; \nna. who is the wife of Ed Kemnitz; Peter W. (deceased), Albert C, Carl (deceased), and George E. John Tomhave was a member of the German Evangelical church and an officer of the same.

George E. Tomhave received his education in Fergus Falls, upon the completion of which he assisted his father with the work of the home place. In 1005 be purchased eighty acres of land, which be -till owns Tn 1006.

together with his brother, Albert, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Carlisle township, which was sold in 1913. In 1910 they invested in one hundred and sixty acres mure, which they divided equally, and this is devoted to general farming and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. In 1909 George E. Tomhave was united in marriage to Alma Baumgart. and they are the parents of two children, Beverly Muriel, who was bom on May 18, 1912, and Dorothy Alma, who was born on December 2, 191 5. Alma (Baumgart) Tomhave was born on March 11. 1885, and is the daughter of G. J. and Hettie (ScoveD Baumgart. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In political matters, George E. Tomhave votes the Republican ticket in national affairs, but votes independently on local questions. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Edward T. Lund

A prominent and well-known man of Otter Tail county and of the town of Vining is Edward T. Lund, who as a man of business and as a citizen interested in the public welfare has been of valuable aid to the community in the development of its life and in the advancement of its measures. Edward T. Lund is a member of one of the most noted ami highly-esteemed families of the entire district and has demonstrated himself to lie a man capable of handling the more important matters presenting themselves totsolution at the hands of the citizenship of the township and county.

Edward T. Lund was born at Lund, near Namsos, Norway, on May 11, 1853, and following his education in the public schools of his native land he was engaged as a sailor and fisherman until 1889, when he came to America and joined his brother. Andrew T. Lund, at Vining, Minnesota, with whom he lived until the death of Andrew T. Lund, in 1908. Edward T. Lund, following his emigration to this country, engaged in the business of a carpenter and a contractor, which vocation lie has followed since. Edward T. Lund, during- the early days of his residence in Otter Tail county, bought a farm, which he later --old and moved to the state of North Dakota, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he lived for some time and then sold his holdings and returned to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he invested in eighty acres of land m Folden township, a place which In- now owns.

On luly 26, mi"), Edward T. Lund was married to Isabella Olson, who was horn in Norway, and when three years of age came, with her parents, Elaf Olson and wife, to America, where they settled in Folden township. Otter Tail county, where Elaf Olson now lives. To the marriage of Edward T. and Isabella Lund was horn one daughter, Boletta Margaretta, whose birth occurred on October 15, 1910.

Edward T. Lund and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, where they take a leading part in the activities of that congregation. Tn political affiliation, Mr. Lund is a Republican.

By his pleasing ways and genial personality, Edward T. Lund has won a host of friends in Vining, and he is conceded to be one of the leaders in all moves for the betterment of life and general conditions in the locality. He is a man of various and broad experience in life, and from the benefit of these things he lends to the community a valuable element which is of appreciable value.

Joseph Olson

Joseph Olson was born on February 24, 1865, in Sweden and he is the son of Frederick and Christina (Erickson) Olson, both natives of Sweden. Frederick Olson was a farmer and followed that vocation in Sweden until his emigration to America. He was the owner of all the land which he cultivated in his native country, and after his arrival in this country, in 1871. he became an employee of a railroad company, and followed this line of work for several years, following which he located on an homestead in Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, where he remained until his death. He was the father of seven children.

Joseph Olson is indebted to the schools of Sweden and America for the education which he received. After the completion of his student days, he assisted his father in the work of the farm until the age of twentv-one, when he rented a farm and began agricultural operations on an independent basis, lie rented the farm in St. Olaf township for a period of five years and in [893 purchased the present farm of one hundred and forty acres, to which he has added until he now owns two hundred and fifteen acres in St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, and one hundred and sixty acres in Eagle Lake township, same county. Both farms are devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is also a breeder of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. A splendid barn was built in i<)i4, and adds very materially to the appearance of the place.

On March 24, 1909. Joseph Olson was united 111 marriage to Sophie NTycklemoe, and to their union have been born the following children: Franz Joseph. Anna T.. Gustaf Frederick and Arnold Alexander. In bis religious views, Joseph Olson favors the creed of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and his political faith is in the Republican party.

Bjorn Ulsaker

Bjorn Ulsaker, prominent fanner, leading citizen and man of influence in Amor township, ( )tter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway, April 2, i860, the son of Nils and Ragnhild (Jordheim) Ulsaker, natives of Norway, where the former was horn, August 22, 1827. Xils Ulsaker was the son of Xils Ulsaker, a fanner of Norway, an occupation which Nils Ulsaker followed his entire life, with the exception of the time he served as a soldier of the Norwegian army, in the war with Sweden, during the years [806-14. Nils Ulsaker was a well-to-do farmer of his native country, he being the owner of one of the valued farms of his country, a place which Mr. Ulsaker cultivated actively until his death, at the age of ninety years. The elder Ulsaker was a prominent citizen of his community, being especially prominent in the work of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Nils Ulsaker. father of the subject of this sketch, received a good education in the public schools of Norway, being especially well trained in matters of law. After the completion of his class studies. Xils Ulsaker became a school teacher, following the duties of this profession, in his country, for about eight years. Later. Xils Ulsaker took up the work of agricultural life, being one of the successful farmers of his community. Mr. Ulsaker remained in his native country the whole of bis life, be having been a man of prominence and influence as well as having been a citizen who was the occupant of various offices of his locality. Xils Ulsaker died during the month of April. 1X1)4. survived by bis widow, who now lives with a son in Norway, and by eight children. Nels, Marit. Einar, Gunvor, Ingeborg, Oline, Bjorn and Endre.

Bjorn Ulsaker received his education in the common schools and in the high school of bis native locality, and in the public schools near Kindrid. North Dakota, a community to which be came from Norway when a young man in the year [889. \fter some time with relatives near Kindrid. North Dakota, Bjorn Ulsaker engaged in the duties of farm life for five years, working generally on the farms of bis locality, after which be became a salesman in a general store at Milnor, North Dakota. After one year in business life, Bjorn Ulsaker, in 1004. homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland county. North Dakota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres from the Northern Pacific Railway Company, a place which was located twelve miles from the town of W'vndmere. which was the nearest trading point. In political affairs, Mr. Ulsaker was a free Republican and was long a member of the Republican central committee. For live years Mr. Ulsaker cultivated his farm in North Dakota, and then, in [909. lie pi., ed to Otter Tail countv, Minnesota, and bouSfhl three hundred and fifty- five acres of land in Amor township, a place which Bjorn Ulsaker has greatly improved and a farm on which Mr. Ulsaker is now successfully and extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits.

On December 8, 1903, Bjorn Ulsaker was married to Sarah Lockstad, who was born near Dalton, Otter Tail county, the daughter of Peter Lockstad .and wife, well-known people of their locality. Bjorn and Sarah Ulsaker are the parents of one child, Norah, who was born on January 5, 1005. Sarah Lockstad received her education in the home and common school and the Northwestern College, at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and in her girl days was teaching school in Otter Tail county ami Richland county, North Dakota. Sarah (Lockstad) Ulsaker is known to be a faithful and kind teacher, an intelligent woman and true Christian.

Bjorn Ulsaker has taken an active part in public matters and in the official life of the communities where he has been a resident. While a citizen of Richland county, North Dakota. Mr. Ulsaker served as township treasurer for twelve years, was assessor for three years, and during a period of ten years he was president of the board- of education. He served as Sunday school teacher while in Richland county, North Dakota. As a citizen of Amor township, Otter Tail county. Bjorn Ulsaker has been a notable participant in all movements and measures having for their object the advancement of the community general interests, or the promotion of the general welfare. In religious affiliation Mr. LTlsaker is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, a congregation in which he is an appreciated and honored communicant for his part in the work' and worship of this denomination.

Christian A. Hansel

It is a difficult task to undertake to do justice to a prominent citizen in a limited space. In briefly presenting the facts contained below, it is hoped that a fair idea may be presented to the reader, concerning the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch.

Christian A. Hansel, farmer. Dalton, Tumuli township. Otter Tail county, was born on February 25, 1873, in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Anders ( '. and Randi (Olson) Hansel. Anders Hansel was born on February 3. T837. and died on August 15. [906. His wife, Randi, was born on September r6, [836, ami died on \pril 1. 1895, Christian A, Hansel was educated at the district schools of tin- township, and as a young man be began farming for himself on the place which he has owned since 1896, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, where he follows general farming. Politically, Mr. Hansel has long been an independent voter. In religion, he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Anders and Randi (Olson) Hansel were born in Norway, where .Mr. Hansel was a day laborer. They came to America in 1867, locating on the farm now owned by Christian A., in Tumuli township. They had very little if the goods of this world, and struggled hard to get a start, but through industry and thrift they became quite prosperous. The children born to this union were: Surianna, Christian A., Anna and Emma.

Christian A. Hansel was united in marriage in 1906 to Carrie Fossen. daughter of Simon Fossen. which union has been blest with three children, Arthur, born on December 15, 1^07 : Clara Bell, born on April 26, 1910, and Mice, born on April 13, 1914.

Mr. Hansel and his wife have long enjoyed a deserved popularity in the township where they reside. They are affable and genial in disposition and have won ami retain the friendship of the entire community.

Mr-. Augusta ( Nordberg ) Sundberg is the widow of Olof Sundberg, deceased, who was a prominent resident of Otter Tail county for over thirtyfive years. She C able to talk as an authority on the pioneer life in this section of the state, having played a useful part in the early agricultural development of the community in which she now resides. In a story of the life of her whose name initiates this sketch, it is consistent to give a brief account of Olof Sundberg. who was born in Sweden on the 4th of December. [842. He was the son of Matson Sundberg, a native of Sweden, who spent his whole life in the country of his nativity. The Sundberg family has always actively united with the affairs of the Lutheran church. Olof Sundberg was educated in the common schools of Sweden and came to America in [866. He located first at Lake City, Minnesota, and for a short time followed the occupation of tailor in Lake City. Three years after his arrival in Minnesota he went to Fergus Falls, where he took a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Buse township. After six years of untiring labor spent in developing this tract of land, which was in a wild state, Mr. Sundberg traded the farm for eighty acres of land in Amor township, this county, where his widow continues to reside.

On the 20th of February, [870. Augusta Nordberg became the bride of Olof Sundberg. \ugusta Nordberg, who was born in Sweden on the 30th of March 1S50. is the daughter of Lawrence Nordberg, who came to America after the death of his wife in Sweden. Although natives of the same country, Mr. ami Mr-. Sundberg never met until they were established in residence in America. Mr-. Sundberg having come to this country alone in [869 She became the mother of the following children: William,

Alfred, Alfreda, Oscar; David, who married Christina Berglund, a native of Sweden, and who is the father of one child, Gladys; Osea, Hgelmer, Edward, Richard and Agnes.

Olof Sundberg passed away on the -23rd of June, 1904, and since his death his sons, Osea and David, have assumed full management of the farm. They have used every effort to make the farm stand for modern methods of improvement and, in addition to a number of repairs, have erected on the place a barn which is round in form and which stands as the only one of its kind in that section of the county. The land extends over an area of two hundred and seven acres, and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation.

In a brief summary of the life of Mrs. Sundberg only a few of her many accomplishments as a mother and a friend can be mentioned; suffice it to say that the influence she has had upon members of her family, as well as upon the community at large, has not only been inspiring but lasting. The rough ordeals of her life during the early pioneer days in this county, when her husband fought the obstacles of a life in the wilderness, onlv broadened her sympathy for human nature and strengthened her beauty of character. Mrs. Sundberg has always been a consistent member of the Baptist church and her husband before his death had membership in the Mission church.

Jonas Nelson

In Eagle Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, few men have taken a more active part in general affairs and for the promotion of the genera] welfare than has Jonas Nelson, successful farmer and extensive stock raiser. Interested in these things which work for the material progress of the community and giving of his time and effort in church work for (he advancement of the mora! life of the vicinity, and giving of his training and experience towards the instruction of the youth in the locality, this worthy citizen is one who has an important place in the social and official affairs of Otter Tail county.

Jonas Nelson was born in Sweden on March 25, 1840, the son of Niels Martinson and Anna Hokinsdalter, who were natives of Sweden, in which country Nels Martinson was a farmer until his death, in 1873. In the family of Nels Martinson and Anna Hokinsdalter were nine children, three of whom came to America.

Jonas Nelson received his education in the public schools of Sweden, in which schools he served for a time a- deputy schoolmaster. In i860 he came to America, where he worked for about two years on the railroad- and in the harvest fields, afterwards coming to Otter Tail county, in tin- vear

[870. in 1N71 he took a homestead of eighty acre- of land in Eagle Lake township. With the aid of a brother and a yoke of oxen, which were their joint possession, they broke up the soil, built a log house, twelve by fourteen feet, where they lived and engaged in general farming, their efforts meeting with success. Jonas Nelson prospered and he now is the owner of two hundred acre- of well-tilled and well-improved land, on which he follows a general agricultural lite, together with dealings in live stock which he raises 1 'ii his farm.

On December 31, r88o, Jonas Nelson was married to Celia Person, and to this marriage have been horn the following children: Garfield (deceased 1. Andrew S.. Paulina, Joseph, Elemor l harlotte, Victor. Hilda M. and Carl Julius.

In church circle- Jonas Nelson is known as a leader and as an active and successful worker in the Swedish Lutheran church, he having occupied nearly all of the office- of this church, and for more than seven years has been a popular and efficient teacher of the Sunday school. Politically and officially, Mr. Nelson also is prominently affiliated. For ten years he served satisfactorily and efficiently as justice of the peace, and for some year- he has filled the office of township clerk-. He has also served his township as assessor. In 1880 he was census enumerator; in 1890 he also filled the same office. Wherever called upon, or in whatever capacity, Mr. Nelson has been willing to serve, even to the point of sacrifice, as a result of which he has won the esteem and gratitude of the township and county.

Tohn C. Will

John C. Will, prosperous and well-known farmer of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has lived for many years and during that time has so lived and served his locality as to win the respect and esteem, as well as the appreciation of the community people, for the part that he has taken in the works and activities of the township and county, was born in the state of Wisconsin, July 11, 1872, the son of John and Albertine (Buss) Will, both of whom were horn in Germany, where they lived until coming to America. ( )n reaching America John Will located in the state of Wisconsin, where he worked in a saw-mill for some time. In the year 187S he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Western town-hip. later adding to his ]X)ssessions until he was the owner of six hundred and fo I acn of land in this county. John Will. Sr., now lives in retirement on the home place, which is now operated by his -on. John Will. Jr., the subject of this sketch. Albertine. the wife of the elder Will, died during the spring of the year 1915. To the marriage of

John Will, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Utter Tail county, after which he worked on the home farm of his father, a place which he later acquired and where he is now engaged in general farming pursuits and in the breeding of Percheron horses and Red Polled cattle.

During the year 1901, John C. Will was married to Sophia Winter. who was horn in Germany, the daughter of [-"red Winter and wife, natives of Germany, who came to America and located in Orwell township, this county. John ('. and Sophia Will are the parents of five children, Fred, John. Ida. Emma and Elsie.

John C. Will and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church in Western township, and are people who take an active and important part in the work and worship of this congregation. Mr. Will has taken no especial part in the public life of Otter Tail county, but has preferred to serve well and dutifully as a common citizen of the community.

Nils Huse

Among the well-known farmers of Tumuli township, this county, who have taken an active interest in the development of the community and its resources, is Nils Huse, a man wdio, coming to America from a foreign country, has made himself a strong and worthy part of the country of his adoption, serving his township ami county as a good citizen, and standing ready with his aid and effort in the movements and projects for a greater community.

Nils Huse was born in Norway on August ig. 1861, the son of Christian and [ngebor (Peterson) Huse, both of whom were born in Norway, where the father was a fanner until his death and where the mother now lives. Nils Christian received his education in the public schools of his native land and afterward, when twenty-one years of age, he came to America, going immediately to the neighborhood of Hillsboro, North Dakota, where he was employed for some nine ami then came to Otter Tail county, where he was engaged at general work, following which he. in the year [895, bought two hundred acres of land in Tumuli township. Otter Tail county, a farm which lie has improved and where he now makes his home, engaging in general fanning pursuits.

On June 22. [895, Nils Huse was married to Mrs. Hannah Torwik. who before her marriagt was Hannah Quinlog. To the marriage of Nils and Hannah Huse were born five children. Clifford, Noble and Norah,

Politically, Nils Huse has not been especially active, but has been a citizen of whom the locality need not be ashamed, and one who has done no small part in the making of Otter Tail county and Tumuli township a habitable and desirable community.

Thorwald H. Froslee

Few men in Otter Tail county have attained the prominence in business life and in official and political circles as has Thorwald H. Froslee. A native of Norway, who on coming to America, has mastered those things to which he has applied himself and a man who in the conduct of his affairs and the duties of public office has shown his capacity for the greater things of life, he is among those citizens of real value to the community.

Thorwald 11. Froslee was born near Christiana, Norway, on October 30, 1865, the son of Hans and Ingeborg (Gjefsen) Froslee, both of whom were born and lived in Norway their entire life. Hans Froslee was a farmer and landowner of his native land and spent his days caring for his interests until, at the age of sixty-eight years, he died on December 9, 1894, his wife. Ingeborg, surviving him until the year 1913, when she died, at the age of seventy-seven years. Hans and Ingeborg Froslee were the parents of the following children: Mons, who lives on the home place in Norway; Anders, who lives on a farm, formerly owned by his father, in Norway; Thorwald, the subject of this sketch; Michael, who is a merchant at Vining, Minnesota; thins, who is a farmer at Regents, North Dakota; and Carolina, who is a school teacher in Norway,

Thorwald 11. Froslee was educated in the "middle school" of Norway, an institution similar to the academy found in this county. At the age of nineteen years, Thorwald Froslee completed his schooling and helped his father until the year [886, when, being twenty-one years of age, Mr. Froslee came to America, landed at New York Cit) on July 11 and went to Spring Grove. Minnesota, where lie worked for a time in the harvest fields and later was employed at Threshing in Fillmore county, Minnesota, after which he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and followed the business ^>i a clerk until the spring of [887, when he came to Vining, Minnesota, in Otter Tail county, and has lived here since, with the exception of three months' residence, in 1890, in the state of Montana. On coming to Vining, Minnesota. Thorwald 11. Froslee engaged for some time in general employment with the farmer- of the community, helping them in clearing and grubbing their land.

Mb. Anh Mrs. Thorwald Ii. Ik'

Later, having received ;i sum of money from home, in 1888, he established himself in the business of general merchandising with Mons G. Hoff, under the firm name of Hoff & Froslee, a business in which he continued for one and one-half years and then sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Hoff, and went to the state of .Montana, where he lived for three months. In 1890 Thorwald H. Froslee became the wheat buyer for the Farmers Elevator Company, at Vining, Minnesota, a position which he held until the year [893, when he bought the interest of Mons G. Hoff, in his former general store, and was the sole proprietor. In the spring of 1892 Michael, the brother of Thorwald Froslee, came to America, and was taken as a partner in the firm. During the year 1894, Thorwald H. Froslee returned to his native country of Norway, leaving his brother in charge of the store. In September, 1894, Mr. Froslee came back to Vining and continued in business with his brother for the next eleven years. Thorwald H. Froslee, during the year [899, erected the Froslee grain elevator, and conducted this business, together with his general store, until 1.914, when he closed the elevator and rented the Farmers elevator, which, for the next year, he conducted and then returned to the management of the JToslee elevator, which he now controls.

Thorwald II. Froslee has taken a conspicuous part in the conduct and organization of the more important business and industrial interests of Otter Tail county and of the town of Vining, Minnesota. Air. Froslee was one of the organizers oi the Vining Co-operative Creamery Company, of which corporation he is now tin manager and the secretary, and he has done much in the promotion of business prosperity by the investment of sums of monev in those ways which would he of general benefit to the locality. Thorwald H. Froslee is a large owner of real estate in Canada and in Otter Tail count}-, Minnesota, and has filled an important place in real-estate circles of the districts in which his holdings are t<> he found. He was the owner of a great part of the land on which the town of Vining has been built, and is the owner of a well-cultivated farm bordering on the city.

In official and political life, Thorwald II. Froslee is no less conspicuous than in business circles. Mr. Froslee, in [896, was honored by his election to the high office of a member of the state Legislature, in which body he served as a candidate of the People's' party. Mr. Froslee. in more local affairs, has served with his characteristic efficiency in several offices, among which was a seat in the Vining city council and the occupancy of the office of city treasurer. No truer evidence of the position of Thorwald II. Froslee in his communit) can be found than the appointment of this leading citizen to the coveted office of postmaster, an office to which Mr. Froslee (34b) was appointed by President Wilson and Postmaster-General Burleson, on December i i. 1914, and an office in which this worthy man 1- proving his competency and his ability.

On November 7. [898, Thorwald 11. Froslee was married to Olena Greftegreff, who was born near Christiana, Norway, the daughter of Ole Greftegreff and wife, who lived and died in their native land of Norway. Thorwald II. Froslee, on January 2, [913, suffered a great loss in the death of his wife, who died while undergoing a surgical operation. To Thorwald and Olena Froslee no children were horn.

Thorwald II. Froslee is a man of Otter Tail county, who at all times has found satisfaction and pleasure 111 serving his community and a man who in the unselfish conduct of his affairs has done no small part in making the town of Vining, Minnesota, one of the most thriving of the smaller towns to be found in the entire state. A man active in all movements having for their aim the public goods ami a man who after the busy allairs of the week finds time and disposition to serve well and conscientiously the United Lutheran church, of which he is a member, In- is today a citizen whose position is second to none in Otter Tail county.