Otter Tail County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 26 of 28)

Carl Hanson

Carl Hanson is the son of Andrew and Martha (Elius) Hanson, both natives of Norway. Andrew Hanson was born on August 1 1. 1832, and the birth of his wife occured on July 4. 1839. They were united in marriage on October 11, i860, and immigrated to America in [863, locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, until 1865. They then removed to ( irant county, Minnesota, where the}- remained one year, in [866 choosing St. Olaf township. Otter Tail count}-, Minnesota, as their permanent home and removing to that place. It was here that their son, Carl, was born on November J4, [873, and here he has since remained. Andrew Hanson was the first to locate in this neighborhood and the roads consisted only of Indian trails. There were also elk in abundance and to witness them traveling in droves was almost an everyday occurence. During the first three years of their sojourn in St. Olaf township, (old Springs. Minnesota, was the nearest trading point anil flour was twenty dollars per barrel and potatoes were five dollars per bushel. The place was soon cleared and under cultivation, for no time could lie wasted with facilities so poor and provisions so high. Andrew Hanson not only cleared the farm but put on all of the improvements and added to his holdings, until the farm was increased to one hundred and sixty acres. The names of the children born to Andrew and Martha Hanson are: Jeh, Matilda, bred, Lewis. Anna. John F. and Carl. The family are all members of the Xorwegian Lutheran church. Andrew Hanson is a stanch Republican.

Carl Hanson received his education in the schools of St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county. Minnesota, and upon completion of his studies assisted his father with the work on the home place and has continued to do so until the present time, although he owns eighty acres, independently, on which he does general farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Percheron burses. His farm of eighty acres was purchased in 1895. O" March 29, 191 5. Carl Hanson was united in marriage to Carolina B. Holt, daughter of Iver Holt.

Carl Larson Ryg was born on June 23, 1868, in Norway, and is the son of Martin Larson Ryg and Matea Christenson (Olson) Ryg, both natives of Norway. They immigrated to America in September, 1879, and located on the farm which is now the property of their son, Carl Larson Ryg, on April 24, 1880. The homestead was covered with heavy timber and entirely unimproved and the struggle for an existence was a difficult proposition indeed, but with thrift and the endurance, which only the pioneers knew, the place was cleared and put under cultivation and a comfortable home made. Martin Larson Ryg did general farming and stock raising until his death on January 5, 1908, at which time Carl Larson Ryg assumed full charge of the place and has farmed it on an independent basis. Matea Christenson (Olson) Ryg now lives with her son Carl. The names of the children born to the union of .Martin Larson Ryg and his wife follow : Carl, Amie, Anna, Hannah who died at the age of four years; Inga, Ovedia, Ranga. Both parents were devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Carl Larson Ryg received a meager education in the schools of St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, following which he assisted his father with the work on the home place, where he has since remained. In 1906, he purchased forty acres of land for himself, located in St. Olaf township, on which he follows general agriculture and stock raising. Religiously, he is a devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in his political affiliations is allied with the Republican party.

Ole E. Busk R Ud

Ole E. Buskrud is a native of Norway and was born on March 16, 1857. He is the son of Elof and Emma M. Buskrud, both natives of Norway. Elof Buskrud was a farmer and followed that vocation until his death. He was the father of eight children, three of whom are residents of the United States.

Ole E. Buskrud is indebted to the schools of his native land for the education which he received. After the completion of his student days, he followed farming for a short time, later serving as an employee of a railroad company and then he became a laborer in the nickel mines, where he worked until his immigration to America in the spring of [879. Upon his arrival in the United States, he immediately located in St. Olaf township,

Otter Tail county, Minnesota, wherie he remained for a period of five years, finally removing to Clay county, Minnesota. While a resident of Clay county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, and cultivated that place for twelve years. He was also united in marriage, while a resdent of that county, to Gunil Jacobson and they became the parents of seven children whose names follow: Helmar, Edwin, Emma (deceased), Minnie, Olauas. Edwin (deceased) and Emma.

During the family's sojourn in Clay county, the mother of these children passed away, after which Mr. Bruckrud returned to St. Olaf township, Otter Tail County. Minnesota, where he has since remained. Some time after the death of his first wife, Ole E. Buskrud was united in marriage to Betsey Hola and they are both members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The farm consists of one hundred and eighty acres which he devotes to general agriculture and stock raising and keeps a dairy herd of ten cows. Politically, Ole E. Buskrud is affiliated with the Republican party.

Severt H. Guldseth

Severt H. Guldseth is the son of Huldor Guldseth who led a very interesting life, in spite of the fact that he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and was the father of a large family. Huldor Guldseth was born in Norway and had the true spirit of the hardy Norsemen. His marriage to Segred Garberg was solemnized in his native land and shortly afterward they immigrated to America and effected a temporary residence in Spring Grove, Minnesota. In 1863, Huldor Guldseth enlisted in the Civil War and served his adopted country until the close of the conflict. In 1867 he removed to St. Olaf township Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, and farmed this land until his death. When he first located in this township, St. Cloud, Minnesota, was the nearest trading point. Mr. Guldseth made two trips back to his native country and several journeys to the state of Washington. On one of these trips to the Northwest, the return was made with a team from the state of Montana. He also made a trip to Canada with a team and upon his return was for two days without water, while crossing a desert in Montana. He was the father of these children whose names follow: Ed, Severt H., Gustav, Emil, who died at the age of thirteen; Joseph, Henry, who died at the age of twelve; Isabelle and Hilda. Huldor Guldseth and his wife were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and active in its support. Huldor Guldseth was a stanch follower of the Republican party.

Severt H. Guldseth was born on August 15, 1873. on the homestead in St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He is indebted to the schools of his native locality for the edu- cation which he received, following which he assisted his father with the work on the home place and has continued to devote his time and attention to general farming and stock raising. He has razed the old buildings and erected new ones and has improved the place to the best of his ability, considering the many obstacles which he has had to overcome. In addition to the ardouus duties which devolve upon him in connection with the cultivation of his farm, he is engaged in house moving, in the adjoining towns, and has followed this vocation for a period of fifteen years. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1893 Severt H. Guldseth was united in marriage to Renda Olson, daughter of Ole A. Olson. They are devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are very active in the support of this denomination. Severt H. Guldseth is a strong Democrat and has the courage of his convictions, whether political or religious.

Alfred Malmgren

Alfred Malmgren, farmer and stock raiser of Eastern township, Otter Tail county, was born on November 10, 187^, at the place where he still resides, and is a son of Nels and Anna (Monson) Malmgren. His education was obtained at the public schools of the district, and as a young man, he began farming for himself on the place which he now owns. In 1900 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Parker's Prairie township. In 1914, he bought and paid for his present home place, consisting of one hundred and seventy acres, and follows general farming and stock raising, and for the past fifteen years has made a specialty of buying and selling cattle, and for the past two years has done the shipping for the Farmers Equity Company. Mr. Malmgren has put valuable improvements on his place, including a splendid barn, erected in 191 5. Mr. Malmgren is a public spirited young farmer, and an earnest member of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally. Politically, he is an independent voter.

Nels and Anna (Monson) Malmgren were both born in Sweden, where they followed farming until 1872, when they emigrated to America, stopping at Sauk Center, where they kept a boarding camp during their first summer in this country, in connection with which means of livelihood, Mr. Malmgren was employed on the railroad, and in the fall of that year, they came to Otter Tail county, and settled in Eastern township, where they took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which place is now owned by their son. Mr. Malmgren improved his home place and followed general farming and stock raising, spending the remainder of his life here. To Nels and Anna (Monson) Malmgren were born seven children, Johanna, Magnus. Alfred. Ida. Mary. Flof, and Selma M.

which union has been blest with five children. Aimer. Edwin (deceased), Leonard, Edith and Fern. Mr. Malmgren has lived and labored to worthy ends, and is one of the sterling and substantial men of his community, where he is respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

John August Peterson

John August Peterson, of Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden. .March 21, 1849, the son of Peter and Marv (Carlson) Anderson. John August Peterson lived in that country where he received his education in the public schools, until the year [869, when he came to America, going to the city of Duluth, Minnesota, where he was employed at railway work between the cities of Duluth and St. Paul, Minnesota, for about one year and a half. In 1872 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in Parkers Prairie township, a farm which he leased out while he worked at farm work through the states of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and then about the year 1SS0. returned to his land, which he improved extensively and where he has since lived as one engaged in general agricultural pursuits. After some years of unbroken success as a farmer. John August Peterson added forty acres of adjoining land to his farm, land which later he deeded to his son, Alfred, who is well known among the farmers of the township and county.

John August Peterson and his wife Charlotta (Johnson) Peterson are the parents of two children, Alfred and Edwin. Mr. Peterson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, they taking an important place in the work and worship of this congregation in the community. In politics John August Peterson is an ardent Republican.

Willis A. Smith

Willis A. Smith, general farmer and stock raiser, Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county, was born on May 3, 1881, in Steuben county. New York, a son of Azariah and Abbis (Burlingame) Smith. His early education was received at the public schools of his native state, and after coming with his parent- to Otter Tail county, in 1809, continued his studies in the public school of of Parkers Prairie township, this school having a sod roof and earthen floor. After leaving school, he assisted bis father with the farm work, taking entire charge of the place at the age of eighteen years, in [878, and managing it from that time on, during the firsl year and a half of which time he worked out in order to obtain sufficient funds with which to keep things going during the famous grasshopper year. In 1893, Mr. Smith became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of his father's home- Mead, which he has owned and farmed ever since. In the fall of 1895, ne bought the farm where he now lives, consisting of eighty acres, adjoining the old homestead, and has lived here ever since. He has erected practically all the buildings, and follows general fanning and stock raising, giving special attention to the breeding of purebred Shorthorn cattle, of the milking strain, blooded Poland China hogs and brown Leghorn chickens. His farm is known as the "Cedarvale Farm," which is splendidly equipped with guild buildings. Politically, Mr. Smith is a strong Republican, while in religion he is an earnest member of the Baptist church, in the work of which he takes an active interest, having long served as choir leader and trustee. Fraternally, he is allied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has served as chairman of the board of supervisors of Parkers Prairie township.

Azariah Smith, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on January 16, 1829. at Deerfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Abbie (Burlingame) Smith, was born un March 17, 1833. and was a native of the same place. Mr. Smith was educated at the public schools of Deerfield, Pennsylvania, and as a young man went to Woodhull, Steuben county, New York, and settled on a timber farm, living there from 1857 to 1867, and while hauling lumber from a mill to the town, he and his team went through a bridge into the river, and he was so injured that he was unable to continue his farm work for two years. He had another misfortune in the loss of a flock of tine thoroughbred sheep, in which he had invested in 1867. caused li\ disease. This loss so crippled him financially that he left for the west, coming to Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, in 1869, spending the first winter here with his brother. Cyrus P. Smith. On this trip he brought with him his eldest son, the remainder of the family following in May of the next year. He took up a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occuring on August 7. 1889. Azariah and Abbie 1 Burlingame) Smith were the parents of three children: Ellen, horn on November i_>, 1857; Sherman B., born on March 10. 1880, and died on December 23, 1908. and Willie A. His first wife died, and Mr. Smith was then married to Eliza M. Mariner, by whom he had one child, Herbert A., born on January jj, [866, ami died on January -' 1 , [903. Mr. Smith's second wife died on December 6, 1898. Politically, he was a Republican, and in religion a member of the Baptist church, in the choir of which he was leader for many years in both New York state and Otter Tail township, during which time he also officiated as deacon of the church.

Willis A. Smith was united in marriage, August 30, 1893, w'tn Estella P. Bacon, by whom he has had the following children: Asa A., Beth, who

Mr. Snmh is one of the busy men of Parkers Prairie township, but always manages to rind time to be affable and agreeable to all with whom he comes in contact, and is a prominent citizen in the community honored by his residence.

Xels Nelson, farmer, Eagle Bend, Eastern township, Otter Tail county, was born on February 15, 1866, in Sweden, and is a son of Nels and Ellen (Nelson) Christianson. His education was received at the public schools of Sweden, where, as a young man, he learned the blacksmith trade, which vocation he followed until he came to America in 1887, at which time he located at Litchfield, Minnesota, where he did mason work for six years. Mr. Nelson then lived in Minneapolis for about twelve years, after which he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in section 13, Eastern township, Otter Tail county. He moved to this farm in 1904, which has since been his home. Mr. Nelson grubbed this farm and put all the improvements on it, including good buildings of every description, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising, keeping ten dairy cows. He is a member of Swedish Lutheran church.

Nels Christian, father of the subject of this sketch was born in Sweden. His wife Ellen (Nelson) Christianson, was also a native of that country, where they both lived ami died. Mr. Christianson followed the vocation of a miller all his life.

Nels Nelson was united in marriage, June 30, 1894, with Emma Swanson, who was burn on January 1, 1863, in Sweden. This union has been blest with seven children: Ellen, who died when two years of age; Hilma, Ellen, Algot, Hazel, Helmer, who died when three and one-half years old, and Gladys, all of whom became members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Wilson E Nelson

Wilson E. Nelson, farmer and school teacher. Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, was born on June 10, 1875, in Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county, and is the son of John N. Nelson. His education was obtained in his native township, where he attended the public schools, after which he attended the Moorhead Normal School for one year, graduating at the Valparaiso Normal College, in 1901. He then entered the Minnesota Stale University' for one year, and with the exception of three years he has been teaching in Otter Tail county. From 1005 to 1908 he was deputy clerk of the court at Fergus Falls, and for the past two years has been teaching the district school near his home, and at the same time managing his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Eastern township, where he does general farming. Politically, Mr. Nelson votes independently. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

John N. Nelson, father of the subject of this sketch was born on March 22, 1 842, in Sweden. His wife was Emma (Olson) Nelson. They came to America in 1868, stopping the first year in Wisconsin, and coming later, in 1869, to Otter Tail county, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he afterward added forty acres more. His life for many years was one long, hard struggle, success finally crowning his efforts, and became less strenuous for him. He put all the improvements on his place, including good buildings of every necessary description. John N., and Emma (Olson) Nelson were married May 29, 1865. She was a daughter of Oke and Elizabeth Olson. This union was blest with six children : Ida, Wilson E., Axel. Elsie, Wilhelmina and Julia. John N. Nelson died on July 22, 1905. He was a deacon in the Swedish Lutheran church.

Gustav Nelson, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Sweden, as was also his wife, Martha. He was a farmer, and spent his entire life in his native land.

Wilson E. Nelson was united in marriage, December 25, 1906, with Lillie E. Olson, daughter of A. W. Olson. This marriage has been blest with three children, lone, Ariel and Eloise. Mr. Nelson has long enjoyed the respect and esteem of a wide range of friends and acquaintances, and is one of the best-known men in school work in Otter Tail county.

Charles Christianson

Charles Christianson, farmer, Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, was bom on February 28, 1874, in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Ole Christianson and Betsey (Haagenson) Christianson. His education was obtained at the public schools of Pelican Rapids, remaining on the home place until 1901, when he began farming for himself, at which time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Pelican township, and now follows general farming, managing his father's farm in connection with his own.

Ole Christianson, father of the subject of this sketch was born on December 15, 1842, in Norway, and is a son of Christ Telarson and his wife, Alice (Olson) Telarson. He was educated at the public schools of his native country, where he was married to Betsey Haagenson, also a native of Norway. He came to the United States in [865, and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1870 he took up a homestead in Pelican township. Otter Tail county, where he still resides on his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, giving his attention to stock raising and general farming. The children born to Ole and Betsey I Haagenson) Christianson are as follow: Molly. Charles, Levi, Theodore, Hilda (deceased), Anton and Oscar. Mrs. Christianson died on January [8, [913.

Charles Christianson was united in marriage. November 4, [898, with Sophia Wolbeck, who was horn on November 27, [869. This union has been blest with two children, Oden. horn on September 28, [899, and Birdella, horn on March 30, 1901.

Mr. Christianson is an earnest and attentive member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to the work of which he contributes liberally. He also gives his unrestricted support to all questions pertaining to the advancement of his township, where he has a large circle of sincere friends.

Ole Christianson

Remaining true to the farming instincts of his ancestors. Mr. Christianson, whose abilities as an agriculturist have long been recognized in Pelican township, is the possessor of a fine, well-kept farm, and is oik- of the largest stock raisers in that locality.

Ole Christianson, farmer. Pelican township. Otter Tail county, was born on December 15, 1842, in Norway, and is a son of Christ Telarson and Alice (Olson) Telarson. his wife. His education was received at the public schools of Norwav, and in 1865 he came to America, locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he spent five years. In 1870, he came to Pelican township, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. dividing his time and attention between general farming and stock raising. Religiously, Mr. Christianson is an earnest member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Christ Telarson, father of the subject of this sketch was born in Norway, where he was united in marriage with Alice Olson, also a native of that country. They were farmers in their native land, ami came to America in [860, locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where thev later became the owners of a large farm. They were the parents of seven children. Evan, Ole, Tonetta, Christena, Bernt, Nettie and John.

Ole Christianson was united in marriage with Betsey Haagenson, also a native of Norway. This union has been blest with seven children. Molly, Charles, Levi, Theodore, Hilda (deceased), Anton and Oscar. Mrs. Christianson died on January 18. [913.

Mr. Christianson's life work lias called for unceasing industry, and during bis residence in Pelican township he has always been regarded as a man of upright principles, combined with broad views, few men in this locality being more favorably known.

Edward Van Antwerp

Distinctly qualified as a man of action and leadership in public affairs, is Edward Van Antwerp, who has attained prestige as one of the representative members of the bar of his state, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years. The subject of this sketch was horn in Cleveland. Minnesota, on the 20th of March, 187'), and is the son of William and Hattie (Tooker) Van Antwerp. His father was horn in Jefferson county, Indiana, and his mother claimed the state of New York as her birthplace. William Van Antwerp is the son of John Van Antwerp, a native of Jersey City, Xew York, and of Elizabeth (Nycoff) Van Antwerp, who was horn in Jefferson county, Indiana. The origin of the Van Antwerp family in America is traced hack to John Van Antwerp, a native of Holland, who came to this country as early as 1754, where he established a shipping yard in Brooklyn, Xew York.

William Van Antwerp was educated in the public schools of Jefferson county, Indiana, and upon reaching the age of manhood learned the blacksmith's trade. He followed this occupation for a short while, when he realized that the work was too confining, and decided to take up farming as a means of regaining his health. He came to Minnesota and finally located in Otter Tail county. Minnesota, in 1900, purchasing a farm in Dora township, where he continues to live. In political affairs, Mr. Van Antwerp supports the principles of the Republican party, and his only son, Edward Van Antwerp, continues to follow the example set by his father, whom he joins in allegiance to the same political party.

Edward Van Antwerp has received the advantages of a liberal education. His early educational training was received in the public schools of Cleveland, Minnesota. After completing the normal course given in the Gustavus Adolphus College, at St. Peter. Minnesota, he entered the Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1898. Following an ambition which was to become a student of the law, he entered the St. Paul College of Law at St. Paul, and completed the course there in 1905. Mr. Van Antwerp began the practice of his chosen profession in Dent, Minnesota, and after a short period of residence in that section of the county, left for Brownsville, Texas, where he practiced law for three years. In [909 hr left the South and returned to Dent, where he controls a large and representative law business. Edward Van Antwerp is a man possessing a strong personality, which has won friends in various circles of business life. Outside the compelling duties of the law practice, he has given attention to stock shipping and for a time was engaged in handling merchandise. From [903 until 1006 he served as postmaster at Dent, but resigned the appointment to go to Brownsville, Texas.

The marriage of Edward Van Antwerp to Jennie Gow was solemnized in 1900, and to this union two children, Gladys and Dorothy, have been horn. .Mr. and Airs. Van Antwerp take an active part in the social life of the community in which they live, where Mr. Van Antwerp is affiliated fraternally with the Yeoman's lodge.

Alexander Kitts

Alexander Kitts. who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Fergus Falls, was born on May 13, 1S66, in Davenport, Iowa, and is the son of Thomas Jefferson and Margaret (Ross) Kitts.

Previous to his coming to Fergus Falls, in 1902, he had been engaged in the lumber business for sixteen years. After coming to Fergus Falls he gradually drifted into the real-estate business, and has been a close student of real-estate systems and methods. The real-estate business he has built up covers a large field and the interests of the enterprise carry him over a large territory, where he has gained the good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

Alexander Kitts married Rowena Hezzelwood, who was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of William and Elmina (Foster) Hezzelwood, members of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Ontario. To Mr. and Mrs. Kitts have been born four children, Rex H., Ronald, Margaret R. and Mary R.

Among the very oldest business men in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is M. T. McMahon, who has been continuously engaged in the lumber business and in the retail sale of building materials for the past thirty-three years. He is a man who has taken a prominent part in the political life of Fergus Falls and community and has served as mayor, alderman ami as member of the school board. He is also prominent in Masonic circles in this part of the state.

Mr. McMahon is a native of Rutland, Vermont, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret ( Caffrey ) McMahon, who were natives of Ireland. Thomas McMahon came alone to America when sixteen years old. Having begun when a young man to fortify himself for the battles of life, he developed and cultivated habits of industry and economy which crystalized into a very large measure of success. In his early life he was a well-to-do farmer, hut after his marriage removed to Castleton, Vermont. Subsequently, lie removed to Rutland, where he continued as a farmer.

hood in the wholesome, inspiring freedom of the farm. After he had reached maturity, he took up railroading and finally became a locomotive engineer. In 1882 Mr. McMahon came to Fergus Falls and in partnership with John S. Billings engaged in the retail lumber business. Mr. McMahon continued in partnership with Mr. Billings until the latter was elected sheriff of Otter Tail county in 1891. Since 1891 Mr. McMahon has had sole charge of the business and is the sole owner. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his adopted home, and has served it as mayor, alderman and as member of the school board, the latter position for a period of twenty-one years. He is prominent in the financial circles of Fergus Falls and vicinity, being a director of the Fergus Falls National Bank and vice-president of the Fergus Falls Casket Works.

By his marriage to Ann Mars there were born two children, namely : Royal, deceased, and Lynn ford, who married Charles Kiplinger, of Freeport, Illinois. Mrs. McMahon died on July 16, 1900, and some years after her death Mr. McMahon was married to Minnie Ramsey, a native of the state of Pennsylvania.

Having joined the Masonic fraternity at Rutland, Vermont, Mr. Mc- Mahon later demitted to Corner Stone Lodge of Fergus Falls. He is a member of the York Rite Masons and also of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons.

Herman Krueger

The story of an obscure beginning to a triumphant end is that of the life of Herman Krueger, now the mayor of Perham, who at the age of fourteen years landed in America, alone and practically without prospects of finding business employment. The subject of this biographical sketch was born on the 4th of February, 1877, in Germany, and is the son of Carl and Amelia (Scholtz) Krueger, both of whom were born in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer during his life.

The early education of Herman Krueger was obtained in the schools of his native land, where he attended from the age of six to fourteen years. At the age of fourteen he crossed the Atlantic, and upon landing in this country came directly to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where ho found employment in Hobart township. He worked in this community from 1891 to 1898, when he came to Perham and purchased the dray business controlled by A. T. Newmann. Since that time he has found this line of work especially profitable. The subject of this sketch has been agent for the Standard Oil Company since 1898.

Aside from the immediate affairs of business. Mr. Krueger has always taken part in local politics, where he is a prominent figure in Republican circles, llis ability has been recognized and as a consequence he has served in many offices of public trust. He was a member of the city council for three years and has served as mayor of Perham since the election in 1913. The marriage of Herman Krueger to Louisa Kiverbs, the daughter of Earnest Kiverbs, was solemnized in 1900. Air. and Mrs. Krueger have become the parents of the following children: Minnie, who is deceased; George, Louisa, Otto, Henry and Edna. Mr. Krueger occupies a prominent place in the fraternal affairs of the community in which he lives and holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Workman's lodge.

Joseph Bauer

Among the prominent industries of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the heating, ventilating, plumbing and sheet metal industry of which Joseph Bauer, a well-known resident of this city, is the proprietor. Mr. Bauer was horn on February 9, 1869, in Lower Austria, eight miles from Vienna, and is the son of Carl and Anne ( Dorn ) Bauer. Mr. Bauer's father was a farmer while he lived in his native land, but, after emigrating with his family to America in 1879, he worked for the Great Northern Railway Company, in Fergus Falls, Barnesville and at Devils Lake. Fie lived at Devils Lake until his death in 1910. His wife died three years later, in 1913.

To Mr. and Airs. Carl Bauer were born ten sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Joseph Bauer, the subject of this sketch, received hi- early education in the public schools of Austria and, after coming to Fergus balls, Minnesota, attended the night school in order to become conversant with the language and trade customs. He then worked for four years in the hardware store owned by M. Frankoviz, when he moved to Barnesville, Minnesota, and there learned the copper-smith's trade, working at the trade for two years. Subsequently, Air. Bauer moved to Duluth, where he entered the employ of the Marshall- Well Hardware Company, working in the tin and sheet iron department. In Duluth, Air. Bauer joined the Duluth band, well known for their splendid music and played the cornet and solo alto. He traveled with the band on their tour of the United States, and visited all of the large cities. After a period of three and one-half years in Duluth, Air. Bauer returned to Fergus Falls and was employed by Howe brothers until they sold out.

Air. Bauer then purchased the Lepper and Spikerman business, at which time Air. Lepper and Mr. Bauer engaged in the hardware business, which the) have conducted successfully for the past seven years. Finally, however, Doctor Metcalf became Air. Bauer's partner in the hardware business under the firm name of Joseph Bauer & Company. At the end of eight months they sold out to A. E. Luedke. Air. Bauer then engaged in business on his own account, beginning in cornice and metal work, to which he has since added heating and ventilating, plumbing, etc., and in which he has been most successful.

Joseph Bauer was married to Berth Babst, a native of Wisconsin, who was born in November. 1N77, and they are the parents of eleven children, as follow: Adelia L... Edwin C, Madeline, Alden J., Marie, Florian, Laurence. Helen, Rose, Loraine F. and Retta.

Mr. Bauer is a man of great musical talent and has sung in the choirs of various churches since he was sixteen years old. Fraternally, he is chief ranger of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The Bauer family are prominent members of the Catholic church of Fergus Falls.

John Sabbin

One of the citizens of Dora township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, known not only for his success as a farmer, but for his activity as a citizen serving in public office, is John Sabbin, who was born in Erie county, New York, on September 15. 1856, a son of John and Martha Sabbin, the former a native of German}'.

John Sabbin, Sr., came to America when a young man and located in Erie county. New York, where be lived until 1872 and then moved to Carver county, Minnesota. There he lived as a farmer for three years and then came to Otter Tail county in 1875, locating in Effington township, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cultivated as a general farmer for the remainder of his days. John and Martha Sabbin were the parents of six children: Fred, John, Mary. Frank, Caroline and Katherine. The elder Sabbin and his wife were active members and workers of the German Lutheran church.

John Sal >1 >in was educated in the public schools of Erie county, New York, after which he became a farmer engaging in this work near the home place. In 1K72, with his father. Mr. Sabbin moved to Carver county, Minnesota, where he remained until 1K7N and then came to Dora township, Otter Tail county, and homesteaded 011c hundred and sixty acres of land in section 22. On this land John Sabbin placed the necessary improvements, thoroughly equipped his farm and his since been successfully engaged in general farming and the raising of good grade live stock.

During the year 1881 John Sabbin was married to Ilulda Hoffman, who was born in Germany on January jj. 1862. and to this marriage have been born eight children: .Minnie. Emma, Gottlieb, Elma, ECatheryn, |ohn, Ella and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Sabbin are active members of the German Lutheran church in this community and are highly respected people oi this

Q2.S Otter Tail County, Minnesota

John Sabbin has taken his place in the official life of Dora township, by serving with his usual ableness as a township supervisor for three years, and is a man who is known to be willing to give of his time and effort for the promotion of community affairs at all times.

Edward S. Lamson

The president of the Lamson-Gray Company, a well-known firm of general contractors of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is Edward S. Lamson, who came with his parents to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1881, and who has spent most of bis life in this great county. Mr. Lamson was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Otter Tail county.

Edward S. Lamson was born on October 2j, 1868, near Chatham, Columbia county, New York, a son of Marcus I. and Mary E. (Spencer) Lamson, the former of whom was born at Mt. Washington, Massachusetts, and was reared in the Bay state. After reaching manhood, Marcus I. Lamson moved about from place to place, living for a time in Columbia county, New York, and then in Sheffield, Connecticut. He also lived for a time in Barkhamstead, Connecticut. In 1881 the family moved to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and it was in this county that Edward S. Lamson attended school, and there the family lived for seven years, or until 1888, when they returned to New York state and located at Spencertown. While living in the latter place Edward S. attended the State Normal School at Albany, New York. His father remained in New York state about a year and one-half, but on March 24, 1889, removed to Great Falls, Montana, where his death occurred the following September. His remains were buried in the cemetery at Great Falls.

In 1890 Edward S. Lamson and his mother came to Fergus Falls, where Mr. Lamson taught school for five years. Mr. Lamson's ambition was to attend the University of Minnesota, but while a student in the high school he saw an opportunity to engage in business. He purchased a store, and after converting it into a grocery, operated it for seven years, when he disposed of it. The store was located where the Manhattan building now stands in Fergus Falls. Mr. Lamson then engaged in the carpenter's trade ney) Libby. In 1912 Edward S. Lamson was elected a member of the Fergus Falls city council. He is a man of wide intelligence, naturally shrewd, energetic and far-sighted in business matters. A profound thinker and a wide reader, he keeps abreast of the times and is a student of everything to which he turns his attention.

Charles Hanson

For more than seventeen years the street commissioner of Fergus Falls, Charles Hanson, a well-known resident of Otter Tail county, is respected by the people of this enterprising seat of county government for his long and efficient service.

Mr. Hanson was born on January 31, 1854, and is the son of Berger and Martha (Saunderson) Hanson. Mr. Hanson came to America by way of Quebec, Canada, when he was still a young man. After landing at Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, he worked on the construction of the railroad through that place for a few months and then came to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, where he was engaged in the same work for a period of eighteen months.

In 1883 Mr. Hanson removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and assisted in laying pipes for the waterworks during the next three or four years. For two years he served in the capacity of steam-fitter, and shortly afterward worked for the city as street commissioner, an office which he is still holding and which he has held now for a period of nearly eighteen years.

By Charles Hanson's marriage to Mathea Storffh. a native of Norway, four children have been born, namely: Martin B., who was born in 1885, married Marion Baglo and they have one daughter, Margaret; Edwin, who married Ann Longfeld, is the father of one child, Ardia E. ; Henry is the agent for a railroad in North Dakota, and Mabel lives at home with her parents. Fraternally, Mr. Hanson is a member of the Modern Samaritans and the Sons of Norway.

Homer Cassius Cook

Homer Cassius Cook, one of the prominent residents of Otter Tail county, was a native of Ohio, having been born near Columbus,- December 27, 1839, the son of Ambrose and Eliza (Hesser) Cook, the former of whom was born in Vermont in 1809 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 181^. They settled near Columbus, and later, in 1855 moved to Iowa, where Ambrose Cook died, at Elkader, Iowa, in 1884. Mrs. Cook survived ber husband some years, having died in Huron, South Dakota, April 19, 1903. ' C59b)

Homer C. G » >k w as reared in Ohio and reeeived his education in the public schools of that state and at the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He enlisted in the Union army and served as a soldier during the Civil \\ ar. After his first enlistment he became a member of Company 1. First Regiment, Missouri Engineers and served in this capacity for three years. Mr. Cook was married in Iowa to .Mary J. Albright, who was born in Xiles. .Michigan. November 2, 1842, she being the daughter of Rev. William EC and Anna ( Ritche 1 Albright. Mr. Albright was a native of Tennessee, having been born in that state in 1812, while .Mrs. Albright was born in Indiana, May 24, 1823. Before their marriage they both went to Michigan and were married near Xiles, after which they moved to Winnebago county, Illinois in 1845, a"d later moved to Fayette county. Iowa, in 1854. Mr. Albright died there in 1894, his wife having died on March 17. [894. They were the parents of the following children: John Wesley 1 deceased I, Man- Jane, Hannah Elizabeth, Philip Jefferson, Sarah Emeline, Richard Walsen 1 deceased), Joseph Fayette (deceased), Emma Malissa. Julia Adalinel deceased 1. Wilbur Finley, Albert Harlin and Charles Sumner, who lives in Minneapolis and is connected with the department of the labor commission.

.Mr. Cook and wife after their marriage lived in Clayton county, Iowa, and later moved to Winnebago county, where they remained until 1878, when they moved to Detroit, Minnesota, where they lived for one year. In the spring of 1870 they came to Candor township. Otter Tail county, where they took a homestead of one hundred and forty-three acres, in section _>. The widow still makes her home here. Homer Cassius Cook having died on January 2, 1884. Mrs. Conk completed proving up the claim in [892, and has had most of the land cleared and improved, with good buildings and substantial fences. They were the parent- o\ nine children, namely: Minnie Alveretta, Lena .May, Clarence Watson, Jessie Bright, Willis Kincade, Harlan Charles. Ambrose Philip. Julia Emma and Cora Pearl. Minnie Alverta, is the wife of J. II. Wise, a conductor on the railroad and they have three children, Herbert, George and Aileen. Lena May is the wife of George W. Nfulp, of Keene, North Dakota, and they haw the following children: William. Roy. Clarence, Hazel. Herbert (deceased), ha Pearl (deceased), Ina Mary, Veda and Marvin. Clarence Watson lives in Montana and is single. Jessie Bright married Benjamin Eaman, and they had three children, Gwendolin, wife of Arthur Xivey, they having four children, Eaman Arthur, Kenneth Rolland. Royal Delos, and Carrol Barr. Xita the wife of Abraham Weighand, they having two children, Lena Jessie and Dallas Leverne (deceased): Homer Cvrie. who is still unmarried. Jessie Bright, married, secondly, John McAn-ley and they have two children.

Neoma Olive and lola Lucile. Willis Kincade lives in Minnesota. Harlin Charles is single. Ambrose Philip lives in Montana. Julia Emma is the wife of Henry Randolph, they having the following children, Marion Irene, Earl Vincent, Ruth Winnifred, Wayne Russell and Melvin Lambert. Cora Pearl died in infancy.

Homer Cassius Cook was of a family of six children, Hattie, deceased; Orrin, who died in Ohio, at the aye of twenty-two years; George Washington, Homer Cassius, Marvin and Emma Mahaley.

Mrs. Cook, the wife of Homer Cassius Cook, is a woman of refinement and education, having been educated in the public schools and at the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. She was a popular and efficient teacher in the schools of her state for a number of years.

Jacob Berns, prosperous farmer, stock raiser and man of business, in Rush Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnnesota, was born in Bavaria, Germany. September 27, 1848. the son of Jacob and [-Catherine (Simmer) Berns, both of whom were natives of Germany. Jacob Berns, Sr., came to America in 1850. and settled in Mercer county, Ohio, where he bought a farm of eighty acres, on which he lived the remainder of his days. Jacob and Katherine Berns were the parents of two children. Katherine and Jacob.

Jacob Berns was educated in the public schools of Mercer county, Ohio, after which he went to the woods of Michigan anil Wisconsin, where he worked until 1870. when he came to Otter Tail count}-. Minnesota, and located in Rush Lake township. After some time as a workman in the woods of Rush Lake township. Jacob Berns. with Victor Eifert, engaged in the manufacture of lumber products, at the town of 1'erham, while following this line of work, these men erected tin- firsl building t" be built in Perham. In his building, Mr. Berns started a blacksmith shop, taking as a partner |>>seph Swabe, who was a blacksmith and who looked after that work, while Jacob Berns engaged in the sale of machinery, a business in which he continued for three years. \ fur disposing of his interests in Perham, Jacob Berns went to the city of Minneapolis, where he was employed on the engineering feat of putting a concrete wall fort}' feet below the Mississippi Falls, a work in which he was engaged for one year, after which Mr. Berns went to the state of Ohio. On .May 4. 1878, Jacob Berns returned to Perham and shortly afterwards bought a farm of one hundred acres m section .}, Rush Lake township. Minnesota, a place to which he later added eighty acres, as well as securing eighty acres east of Perham, twenty acres of timber land in section 23, Rush Lake township, five acres of hay land in Otto township,

During the year 1878, Jacob Berns was married, in Mercer county, Ohio, to Catherine Weis, who was born in Mercer county, on December 15, 1858, the daughter of Stanus and Magdalena (Stuter) Weis, natives of Germany. To the marriage of Jacob and Catherine Weis have been born nine children: Barney, who now lives near Los Angeles, California; and Jerome, Aurelia, Mary, Leonida, Leo, Henry, Ragena and Simon, who are residents of Otter Tail county. Jacob Berns and his family are members of St. Josephs church, at Perham.

Jacob Berns has been active in the business life of his community, he being one of the organizers of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Perham, and he is now a stockholder of the Perham Creamery Company.

Magna Samson

Magna Samson, one of the early pioneers of Otter Tail county, was born in Voss. Norway, November 3, 1S38. His parents, Shure and Esther Sattre, were also torn in Voss. The father of Magna Samson died in Norway at the ripe old age of one hundred; the mother died in Iowa at about the same age. One of the brothers of Mr. Samson lost his life in the Mexican War.

Magna Samson came to America with his parents in 1842 and located in Dane county, Wisconsin. He attended school in Deerfield township, in that county, from 1849 to 1853, and then attended school at Janesville. in the same state. At the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Samson enlisted as a private and served with this rank throughout 1861 and 1862. During 1863 he became a corporal and in the following year he was made a sergeant. During 1865 he was doing scout duty for General Dodge, who at that time was in charge of the Fifteenth Army Corps. Among the different battles in which Mr. Samson was engaged may be mentioned the following: Mt. Zion Church, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca, Atlanta and all of the fighting which Sherman engaged in through Georgia and North and South Carolina. Mr. Samson was in the Grand Review in 1865 at Washington, and soon afterward he was mustered out of the service in Dakota county, Minnesota. He has his two honorable discbarges from the service and a special certificate which was granted him by the government in recognition of his long and faithful service.

Mr. Samson remained in Dakota county, Minnesota, until 1880, when he came to Otter Tail county and settled on his present farm near Clitherall, in Leaf Mountain township. He now owns two hundred acres of land.

sixty acres of which is under cultivation. His place is called "Shiloh Farm." Here Mr. Samson has lived with his good wife and reared a large family of children. He was married on June 10, 1878, to Carey Anderson. She was born in Norway, August 22, 1836, a daughter of Endre and Carey (Forstro) Anderson. Her parents had seven children: Oley, Carey, Randay, Christina, Knute, Agnes and John G.

Mr. Samson was surveyor of different counties of Minnesota in the early days. He located settlers under the pre-emption law and later under the homestead law. In fact, Mr. Samson has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his community in several different ways. He was postmaster at Eureka, Dakota county, Minnesota, from 1855 until the opening of the Civil War. He has also served as township clerk and as supervisor. In all of these capacities he has done his work well and earned the commendation of his fellow citizens. Mr. Samson is a Republican. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Protestant Lutheran church, to which a large number of his countrymen belong.

Mr. Samson has a great fund of reminiscences of the early days in Minnesota and Dakota. He has some especially fine stories to tell about the Indians, whose language he learned. He is one of the few remaining pioneers of the past generation, and few old settlers in the county can tell of more hair-breadth escapes or thrilling adventures. It is by such men as these that the farms have been developed and Otter Tail county brought to its present state of agricultural prosperity.

Mons Askerooth

Mons Askerooth, a well-known farmer of Everts township, was born in Sweden, June 8, 1855, and is a son of John Askerooth, who, with his family came to Minnesota, in 1869. John Askerooth settled in Meeker county, where they lived for a short time, and in 1870, removed to Tordenskjold township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where they took a homestead of eighty acres, in section 12. Here Mr. Askerooth's father died on April 7, 1884. His wife had died previously, in 1878, at the age of sixtyseven years. John Askerooth and wife were the parents of eight children, of whom Anne and Nels, the first and second in order of birth, are deceased. The other children are Andrew, Rertha, Betsey, Hannah. John and Mons.

Mons Askerooth, the youngest child in his parents' family, was educated in the schools of his native land. He accompanied his father's family tn America in 1869, and when old enough took up farming for himself. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Askerooth purchased one hundred and twenty-four acres of land where he carried on general farming and stock raising. Some years ago he disposed of eighty acres of his land, and now retains fortyfour acres located in section 4, of Everts township, on Otter Tail Lake.

In 1885 Mons Askerooth was married to Alary Henkye, who was born in the state of Wisconsin, in 1861. She is a daughter of Fred Henkye, a native of Germany, who first settled in Wisconsin after coming to America. but later removed to Tordenskjold township. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he lived until his death. Mons Askerooth and wife are the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, as follow: Jesse, Louise, Karl, Alice, May, Edwin, Florence and Earl. Air. Askerooth and family are prominent in the social life of the community in which they live, and are highly respected citizens of the township.

Henry Maurin

Henry Maurin, merchant and president of the town of Elizaheth, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on July 9, 1882, in the county where he now resides, and is a son of Peter and Anna (Kaus) Maurin. His education was obtained at St. John. Minnesota. After his father's death, Mr. Maurin, in partnership with his brother, Mark, took over the management of the -store, which is now the leading mercantile store in Elizabeth, in addition to which he is the owner of other valuable property in the town. Politically, Mr. Maurin is a Democrat, and for the past four years has been president of the village.

Peter Maurin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1839 on a farm in Austria, and was a son of Marcus Maurin. He was reared on a farm and attended both the Slavic and German schools, coming to America at the age of nineteen years. He landed at New York City in 1859, going direct to Chicago, Illinois, where he arrived with the magnificent sum of twenty cents. Securing a stock of goods on time, he started out on a peddling tour through Minnesota with a horse and wagon, carrying a good line of goods, which he sold to the soldiers and Indians, and at the end of four years he engaged in a general mercantile business at Cold Springs in 1863, conducting the business under the firm name of Maurin Brothers for nine years. It was the largest store of the kind at that place. He located at Elizabeth in 1872, in pioneer days, when no railroads entered the village. This business was conducted in a log cabin for eight years, but at the time of his death Mr. Maurin was the proprietor of the largest store in Elizabeth. In addition to his mercantile interests, he also engaged in stock raising and farming, in which he was equally successful, and eventually became the owner of about twenty-live hundred acres of land. He also has an interest in the grain elevator at Carlisle, Minnesota. He was united in marriage July 27. [868, at Faribault, Minnesota, to Annie Kaus. She was reared at Lafayette, Minnesota, where she received a liberal education. Mr. Maurin was always a public-spirited man, taking an interest in the affairs of his home village, and holding a number of the village and township offices, among which were the following : President of the village board, chairman of the township board, postmaster for ten years, besides several other offices. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, while his religious sympathies were with the Catholic church, and was one of the organizers of the church at Cold Springs. He died on August 14, 1914. Mrs. Maurin was born at Milwaukee, and is still living. She makes her home with one of her daughters at Elizabeth, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Maurin were the parents of seven children: Emma A., Martha J., Matilda J., Marcus P., Frank J., Antoinette J. and Henry F.

Marcus Maurin, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Austria, and came to America, settling in Wisconsin. He was engaged in the sale of goldsmith's tools, and had traveled over Europe, and made several trips across the seas to and from America. He and his wife were Slavs, and spoke in the Slavic language. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Peter was the third.

Henry Maurin was united in marriage, November 28, 1912, with Laura Rush, daughter of James Rush, a railroad division superintendent. She was born in Wisconsin. This union has been blest with one child, Dorothy, born in 1913. Mr. Maurin has always been regarded as a man of upright principles, and few men in Otter Tail county are better known. His manly qualities, genial disposition and earnest endeavor to keep abreast with the times entitle him to a position as one of the leading citizens of his home town.

Robert Altner

Robert Altner, farmer, Elizabeth township, Otter Tail county, was born on December 27, 1886, in the county where he now resides, and is a son of Gustave and Sophia Altner. He and his sister, Tillie, still live on the old home place, and have cared for it ever since their father retired from an active agricultural life, and moved to Fergus Falls. Mr. Altner and his sister take their full measure of comfort out of a neat Ford machine, and with the assistance of an extra farm hand the work of looking after the home place is very much lessened.

Gustave Altner, father of the subject of this sketch was born in Germany. His wife, Sophia, was born on October 14. 184-'. in Germany. He came to this country in [862, and spent the first year at Washington, moving from there to Elizabeth township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, in section 7, to which he afterward added two hundred acres more in Elizabeth township. About three years prior to his death, Mr. Altner moved to Fergus balls, his death occuring about 1906. He put all the improvements on his farm, and was a very active man in the community, but never cared for public office. Religiously, he was a member of the Evangelical church, in the work of which he took a leading part, having been a well educated man. Mis. Altner died on June 25, 1909. Seven children were born to this union, namely: Henry, John. Herman, Gustave, Sophia, Robert, Tillie. Henry was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schocht, now deceased, and Mr. Altner resides at Kermit. North Dakota; John was married to Anna Schneider, and lives at Fergus Falls; Herman was united in marriage with Martha Wissbrod, and lives at Xoonan. North Dakota; Sophia became the wife of Harry Seibel, and lives at Emerson, Canada; Gustave is with his brother. Herman; Tillie is on the home place with her brother, Robert, and teaches school in district No. 80, during the winter months.

Mr. Altner has a host of warm friends throughout the county, where he has become an integral part of the agricultural world, giving at all times a full measure of honest business dealing.

Albert Frautschi

Albert Frautschi, farmer, Elizabeth township, Otter Tail county, was born on February 5, 1S70, in Switzerland, and is a son of John P. and Katherine (Frautschi J Frautschi. He came with his parents to America in 1872, landing at New York when he was two years old. He was educated at the public schools of Elizabeth, Minnesota, where he has always lived and where he has achieved an enviable reputation as a progressive and prosperous agriculturist, his present farm consisting of two hundred and sixty acres, and containing substantial buildings of every description, all of which are well cared for and present a neat and attractive appearance, indicating the exercise of good management in every detail. Politically, .Mr. Frautschi is a strong believer in the policies of the Democratic party, and has taken an active interest in local politics, holding the office of township treasurer. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the Lutheran church.

John P. Frautschi, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Switzerland, and was united in marriage with Katherine Frautschi, his second cousin. They came to America in [872, landing at New York, coming at once to Minnesota, where they bought one hundred and sixty acres of good farm land in section 19, Elizabeth township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Frautschi was eminently successful in bis agricultural vocation, owning, at the time of his death, four hundred and twelve acres. Religiously, he belonged to the German Lutheran

Abraham Frautschi, the paternal grandfather, lived and died in the old country, and was a member of the German Reformed church. He was a son of Isaac Frautschi, and was a soldier in the German army, but never participated in any battles. He was a farmer, and lived near Saanen. Isaac Frautschi, the paternal great-grandfather, was a guard for the pope in early days.

Jacob Frautschi. the maternal grandfather, was a soldier in the Civil War of Switzerland, and spent his entire life in that country. He was a son of Xoritz Frautschi, who participated in the battle of Waterloo. Mr. Frautschi always followed farming, and was an earnest member of the German Reformed church.

Albert Frautschi was united in marriage, November 8, 1904. with Augusta Beske, daughter of Garl Beske. Mr. and Mrs. Frautschi have the friendship of a large circle of warm friends and neighbors, and are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside.

Robert Beske

Robert Beske, farmer, Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, was born on January 14, 1890, on the farm which he now owns. He is a son of Carl and Alvina 1 Giese ) Beske. He was educated at the district schools of Elizabeth and later attended the parochial school. He bought his present farm in 1913, which is the farm formerly owned by his father, the place having had but three owners all told, the improvements of which were all put on the place by his father, including a house, built in 1890, and a barn, built in 1903. In all, Mr. Beske owns two hundred acres of land, located half a mile from the town of Elizabeth. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

Carl Beske, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on April 14, 1 85 1. in Germany, and was united in marriage with Alvina Giese. Mr. Beske was educated in his native land, coming to America at the age of thirty-two years, his marriage having taken place in Germany. In two weeks from the time of landing on American shores, he bought the place now owned by Robert Beske, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, on which be lived until his death, which took place on March 7. 1907. Five years after making his original purchase, Mr. Beske added forty acres more in Fergus Falls township, and in 1898, bought two hundred and seventyfive acres more in section [9, Buse township, owning in all, at the time of bis death, four hundred and seventy-five acres. He united with the Lutheran church, in the work of which he always took an active part, officiating as the policies of the Republican party. The children born to Carl and Alvina (Giese) Beske were: Anna (deceased), Augusta. Albert. Martha, Elsie, Robert and Ada. Anna Beske was united in marriage with Max Kronneman. and lived in Fergus balls township; Augusta became the wife of Albert Frautschi; Albert was married to Clara Rossow, and resides in Buse township; Martha was married to Rudolph Rossow, and lives at Orwell, .Minnesota.

August Beske, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Germany, and came to America in 1883, on the same vessel with his son, Carl, and was accompanied by his wife. He landed at New York and came immediately to Fergus Falls township, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Robert Beske was united in marriage on June 24, 1913, with Amanda Splittgerber, daughter of Charles Splittgerber, a farmer. She was born in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Mr. Beske is a busy man, but manages to find frequent opportunity to inform himself as to what is going on in the world, and always has a pleasant word for each of his many friends.

Alfred W. Sundberg

Among the many sturdy farmers of Swedish birth or descent in Amor township, this county, few are better known or are regarded as more substantial citizens than Alfred W. Sundberg, who was born at Fergus Falls, the county seat of Otter Tail county, on March 30, [872, -mi .if Olaf and Augustava (Nordberg) Sundberg, native- of Sweden, who emigrated to this country in the early day^ of the settlement hereabout and who became prominent in the development of this community. Further details of the genealogy of this family may lie found in the biographical sketch of the late Olaf Sundberg, presented elsewhere in tin- volume. His widow, mother of the subject of this biographical sketch, is still living in this county, honored and respected by all who know her. Olaf Sundberg came to America in [865 and was married in this county.

Alfred Sundberg received his early education in district school No. 69, in Amor township, and was reared to the life of the farm. In [902 lie bought the farm of one hundred and twenty acre- on which he is now living and his life since then has been largely devoted to bringing the place to it< present state of excellent cultivation, he being regarded a- one of the best farmer- in hi- neighborhood. All the present substantial improvements on the place have been made by him and his present comfortable home was erected in ton-, the year of hi- marriage ami the year following his purchase of the farm.

Elma Murk, daughter of Oscar Murk, a well-known fanner of this county, sun of Gabriel and Magdalena (Carlson) Murk, also natives of Sweden and old residents in this county, further particulars of which family also are presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union has been burn one child, a son, Herman E., who was born on November 9, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Sundberg have a pleasant home in Amur township and the rural free mail delivery and the telephone keep them in close touch with affairs. They display a proper interest in all good works in their neighborhood and arcvery popular with their many friends.

Mr. Sundberg has a good farm, well cared for, and in addition to his general farming gives much attention to the raising of live stuck, his Shorthorn cattle and his hogs showing evidences of his knowledge of the subject. Mr. Sundberg is a stalwart, good-natured man and lias hosts of friends, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem.

T. E. Ritchey

Member of the town board of Richville, this county, supervisor of Amor township and treasurer of his school district, J. E. Ritchey is doing well his part in the common life of Otter Tail county and is very naturally looked upon as one of the leading citizens of the prosperous and progressive neighborhood in which he lives and where he is held in high regard by the whole community.

J. E. Ritchey was born in Steele county, this state, on October 6, 1862, son of Joseph and Amanda (Reasor) Ritchey. Joseph Ritchey was born in Pennsylvania, son of Jacob Ritchey, a farmer and blacksmith, who also was born in the Keystone state and who came to Minnesota in the early days of the settlement of the great Northwest, settling in LeSueur county, where he farmed until late in life, after which he retired and came to Otter Tail county, where his last days were spent.

Joseph Ritchey, who died in this county in 1898, was but a boy when his parents moved to Minnesota and lie was reared in LeSueur county. where he began farming upon reaching manhood's estate and where he lived until about 1885. He then sold his holdings there and moved to Steele county. He was active in the civic life of the community and held several public offices, in all of which positions he acquitted himself as a faithful public servant and a good citizen. During the Indian war in Minnesota he performed excellent service as a soldier attached to the regular army of the United States and was thoroughly acquainted with pioneer conditions in this state. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Isaac (deceased), Isabella (deceased), Rachel. Joshua, William, Andrew-, Georgre and ( Charles.

J. E. Ritchey received his early education in Steele county, this state, and grew up to the life of the farm. In 1901 he bought a farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres in Amor township, this county, and has brought the same to a high state of cultivation. The substantial improvements on this place he has made himself, his present comfortable residence luning been erected in 1909. His line barn was built in 1904. He gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

J. E. Ritchey married Isabelle Loney, who was burn 111 LeSueur county, this state, and to this union four children have been born. Carl. Henry, Myrtle and Leo, the latter of whom now is the practical manager of the home farm. Air. Ritchey for years has given close attention to public affairs m this neighborhood and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the Richville community. He is a member of the town board, as noted in the opening paragraph of this review, and is likewise township supervisor and treasurer of the school district. He is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives close personal attention to the affairs of that popular order. He is a good citizen and has many friends in this county, all of whom hold him in high esteem.

Among the well-known farmers and prominent citizens of Amor township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is F. H. Langvick, who was born on the old Langvick homestead, in Amor township, August 15, 1873, tne son of Mikkel and Bertha (Odegaard) Langvick. natives Of Norway. Following his marriage, in his native country, Mikkel Langvick, in 1871, came to America, and located at Detroit, Michigan, where he lived for a time and then came to the state of Minnesota, living for one year at Red Wing, and then came to Otter Tail county, homesteading eighty acres of land in Amor township. On his farm the elder Langvick placed extensive improvements, and from time to time added to his land until, at the time of his death on May 17, 191-', Mikkel Langvick was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of land in Amor township. Mikkel and Bertha Langvick were the parents of the following children: Joseph, Martha, Anna, F. H., Emma, Clara, Frederick, Mina and llulda. Mikkel Langvick was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Amor township.

F. II. Langvick received his early education in the public schools of \nior township, after which he became a student at St. Cloud College, of St. (loud, Minnesota, a school which he attended for two winters. Following his school days, Mr. Langvick took up fanning, operating the home place until the death of his father, when F. H. Langvick took possession of the homestead, which farm he has improved somewhat and where he now engages in general agricultural pursuits. In addition to the farm of his work, Mr. Langvick is the owner of one hundred and fifteen acres of land in section I, Amor township. Air. Langvick is an active and interested member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, giving of his time and means for the support of the work of this denomination.

John Barry

The proprietor of a splendid farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Maine township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, John Larry, a long-time resident of Otter Tail county, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 7, 1857. Mr. Barry's father, John Barry, Sr., was a native of Ireland, who was born on August 4, 1831, and who died on June 1, 1908. He was twice married, John Barry, Jr.. being the son of Johanna (Scannell) Barry, a native of Ireland. John Barry. Sr., and Johanna Scannell were married in Ireland. After living in Ireland for a time, where Mr. Barry was a sailor and sea captain, they came to this country and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where, for a time, he sailed the sea. Subsequently, however, he moved from Boston to Chicago and, for a few years, worked in the packing houses. He then moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and purchased ninetysix acres of land, where he lived for approximately a quarter of a century. Upon leaving Wisconsin, he came to Maine township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased ninety-six acres of land. Before his death, be owned one hundred and seventeen acres, which is now held by John Barry. Jr.'s, half-brother, Daniel.

The late John Barry was married, secondly, to Catherine Murphy, who was the widow of John Sullivan and who had one child by the first marriage, Mary, deceased. Mr. Sullivan was killed in the Civil War. By his second marriage, John Barry, Sr., had three children, Daniel, Michael and Bridget, deceased. By the first marriage, there were six children, John. Mary, David, Catherine, James and Hannah, who is deceased. The late John Barry was a member of the Catholic church.

John Barrv, Jr., the subject of this sketch, received bis education principally in the common schools of Wisconsin and lived at home with bis parents until July 31, 1883, when he was married to Elizabeth Murray, a native of Canada. To them have been born eight children, all of whom are living and at home except David and Peter. The names of the children in the order of their birth are, John, David, Mary, Elizabeth, Peter. Anna. Thomas and Catherine.

made other important improvements. Mr. Barry began life on this farm in [878. lie now enjoys all of the modern conveniences of rural life, including rural mail and telephone service. Mr. Barry has laid out most of the roads in Maine township.

The Barry family are all members of the Catholic church. Since 1SS1 rohn Barry has been a member of the local school board and for the past eighteen years has been a township supervisor. He took an active pari in the organization of school district No. 146, and also in the organization of the Catholic church in this township. He has been a member of the church committee since 1881.

Solox Hubbard

Solon Hubbard, a citizen of Maine township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served for six months a- .1 member of Company B, Sixty-fourth Regiment, Xew York Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded by a bullet which struck his right arm and. for a time, was unable to use the arm, but eventually regained its use. Mr. I lubbard is an old-time citizen of this count}-, having homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres as early as 1878.

Solon Hubbard was born in Cattaraugus county. Xew York, December 25, 1838. He is the son of Isaac I', and Emeline ( \\ attenlough ) Hubbard, natives of Vermont and of Xew York state, respectively. Mr. Hubbard's mother was the daughter of John Wattenlough, a native of Germany and a farmer by occupation. His paternal grandfather. Elisha Hubbard, was also a native of Xew York and a farmer by occupation, who. after moving to Xew York state, settled in Cattaraugus county.

The late Isaac P. Hubbard was educated in the common schools of the state of Vermont and was engaged in farming practically all of his life, lie owned one hundred and fifty acres of land in Cattaraugus county and died on his old farm. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church and was a very strict believer. lie followed literally the teachings of Christianity. There were nine children in the family of Isaac 1'. and Emeline (Wattenlough) Hubbard, of whom. Emmerilla, Elizabeth, Ellen, Harriet and William are deceased. The living children are Solon E, Mclvin. Mardull and Minerva.

Sol, hi Hubbard was educated in Cattaraugus county. Xew York, and. foi a lime, attended the common schools. In all of his life, however, he never attended more than twenty-seven days in one year, in the meantime, however, be has supplemented his education by home study and toda) is known a- a -real reader. Mr. Hubbard take- the Minneapolis Daily News and is a close -indent of politics, local, state and national.

Mr. Hubbard lias one hundred and sixty acres of land in Maine township, which he homesteaded here in 1878. Some years ago he sold eight) acres of the farm. Mr. Hubbard has put all of the improvements upon the farm. Prior to coming to Minnesota, he was a cheese maker in Cattaraugus county. New York. He established a cheese factory in Maine township which is now known as the Phelps Company, and made cheese himself for thirty-five years and two months.

On January 1. 1858, Solon Hubbard was married to Clarissa Kelley, and to them have been born four children. Rosalind, Clinton, Emmeline and Nellie. All of the children are married and all live in Otter Tail county except Emmeline, who is deceased. For a number of years, Solon Hubbard served as constable of Maine township.

John Shearer, who owns a good farm in Maine township, is a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born on December i_\ 1859, the son of James and Sally (Sarner) Shearer, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state.

The paternal grandfather of John Shearer was John Shearer, Sr., who was a native of one of the eastern states. His father had come to America from Germany and was an early settler in Pennsylvania. John Shearer, Sr., owned about one hundred acres of land in Crawford county and died there on his farm. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served in the War of 1812. Captured by the Indians during the War of 1812, he was bound hand and foot, but during the night one of the Indians cut the rope from his hands and gave him a knife with which to cut the rope at his feet. The Indian who gave him the knife beckoned Mr. Shearer to follow him. The Indian walked miles away from the camp without saying a word, but suddenly turned and said to Mr. Shearer, "Do you remember me?" Mr. Shearer said. "No." "Well," said the Indian. "I know you. Do you remember the time you let a half-frozen Indian into your house." "Yes," said Mr. Shearer. The Indian replied, "I am the man; now, since you saved my life, I am saving yours." The Indian gave him directions a-- to bow be might find his home without being molested. The Indian told Mr. Shearer that he dared not return to his tribe because they would kill him, bul be would join another tribe.

Mr. Shearer's father was educated in the common schools of < raw ford county, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer all of his life. lie died in September, [896, and his wife in 1872. They were member- of the Methodist church.

years and, for a time, worked in the oil regions near Bradford, Pennsylvania. When Mr. Shearer was nineteen years old, he came west and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased a claim. He also homesteaded eighty acres and later acquired one hundred fifty-two and one-half acres all in the same township. Mr. Shearer has made all of the improvements upon his farm and most of it has been cleared of timber. The Indians roamed through this country when Mr. Shearer came west, but there has been a wonderful transformation in the years he has lived in Otter Tail county.

When Mr. Shearer was forty-five years old. he was married to Rosalind Hubbard, who was born in the state of Xew York and who is the daughter of Solon Hubbard, referred to elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Shearer was the widow of Osgood Adley and, by her first marriage, had one child, Clara, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Shearer. By her marriage to Mr. Shearer, there has been born one child, James, who is unmarried and lives at home.

Mrs. John Shearer is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Shearer served six years as constable of Maine township, but has not been active in politics for some years.

John Hilkoske

John Hilkoske, the son of Albert and Elizabeth (Gorskie) Hilkoske, was born in Germany. May 22, 1S47. Albert Hilkoske died when John was but six weeks old and he was left to the loving care and attention of his widowed mother. Albert Hilkoske, a farmer and soldier, lived his life in his native country, Germany. He was a devout member of the Catholic church. The subject of this sketch fought for his country in the War of 1870. Elizabeth Hilkoske was married a second time after the death of her first husband.

John Hilkoske came to America in the year 1S81 and settled in Colorado where he was engaged in coal mining for nine years. In 1890 he came to Otter Tail county, where he purchased two hundred acres of land in' Otter Tail township, bordering on Otter Tail lake. John Hilkoske was married at the age of thirty-six to Josephine Novack, who was also a native of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Hilkoske have been born the following children: Andrew, Benjamin, Mary, John, Catherine, Clara. Rose, Paul, Sylvester and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Hilkoske and family are members of the St. Lawrence Catholic church at Rush Lake.

The following children of Mr. and Mrs. Hilkoske are married and have homes of their own: Andrew married Mary Kopell and lives in Becker county, Minnesota; Rose was married to H. D. Wendte, and thev are resi-

John Hilkoske purchased his farm in this county for the most part as Nature had left it and has improved it to its present state. The house was built in the year 1890 by John McNellis, of St. Paul, the other buildings and improvements have been placed by Mr. Hilkoske. The old plat of Otter Tail City was near the present farm. At one time this town had bright prospects to be a thriving city and business center, but the railroad that was to have gone through the town changed its course and passed through the town of Perham. When Mr. Hilkoske settled on his farm many Indians w ere in evidence.

Ah', and Airs. Hilkoske have retired from the active duties of the farm, but the high standard of efficient farming has been maintained through the efforts of their sons, Paul, Sylvester and Albert, with their sister Catherine to look after the household duties.

Iohn Peterson

John Peterson was born in Sweden, December 5, 1867, the son of Peter Johnson and Mary (Knutson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where Peter Johnson now lives, a farmer on one hundred and twenty acres of land in that country. Alary Johnson having died in June, of the year 1913. Peter and Mary Johnson were the parents of the following children. Anna, Carl, Tilda, John, Eingre, Nels, Augusta, Mary, Alfred, Oscar and Ammei, of whom Nels and John came to America. Peter Johnson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

John Peterson, following his education in the public schools of his native land came, during the year 1887, to America and after landing at New York I ity he came to Meeker county, Minnesota, where he worked for two years as a day laborer and then went to the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, where after working some time at day work, he went to the state of North Dakota, and there rented a farm, later returning to Wilkin county, Minnesota, at which place he bought one thousand acres of land on which he cultivated wheat and oats for two years, and then selling this land, John Peterson moved to Otter Tail county, and. in the year 1902, bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Compton township, where he now lives. The farm of John Peterson is one of the best improved and most highly cultivated of the county, this progressive farmer having built, during the year [903, a modern barn in size forty-four by fifty-six feel, and more lately erected a large and complete silo.

who was born in Sweden. May 5. [876, the daughter of Andrew Larson and wife, who came to America during the year 1880, and located in Wilkins county, Minnesota, where Andrew Larson now lives, his wife having died there. To the marriage of John and Cora Peterson were born nine children. Nina May. Harry, Genevieve, Alice. Gladys, Mabel, Agnes, Norma and Lawrence. John Peterson and his family are members and active workers of the Swedish Lutheran church in Compton township.

John Peterson and his family are among the best known people of the community, they being respected and esteemed for their lives and for their works in the township and county.

A. R. Danielson, who owns one hundred and thirty acres of land in Compton township, is a native of Sweden, where he was horn on < Ictober 17, 1863, son ot Daniel and Carrie (Anderson) Danielson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, who spent their entire lives in their native country. Mr. I >anielson's father received military training in his native land. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran church.

Educated in the public schools of his native land. A. R. Danielson came to America in 1887, and. after landing 111 Xew York City, went direct to Mille Lacs county, Minnesota, where he lived for five year-. In 1 80- Mr. Danielson came to Otter Tail county. At the same time he purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he has since added fifty acres. In i8y_' he built a comfortable and commodious home and ha- made practically all of the improvements to be seen on the farm today. For his original farm Mr. Danielson paid only ten dollars an acre. Here in the community where he is well known he is rated as an enterprising and successful farmer and citizen. Mr. Danielson owns an automobile and enjoys both the rural mail and telephone service.

()n July 15, 1890, A. R. Danielson was married to Mary Nelson, a native of Sweden, and to them have been horn two children, Dalia and Albin. Both of these children live at home with their parents.

Fredrick Seeba

I redrick Seeba, well-known fanner of Maine township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Friberg township. Otter Tail count}. Minnesota, on June 3, [881, the son of John and Albertina 1 Eichstadt) Seeba, natives of Germany. John Seeba lived in his native country, until [868, when he came to America, and located at Red Wing, Minnesota, near where he worked as a farmer for three years and then came to ( >tter Tail county, and boughl a farm in Friberg township, where he now live-. John Seeba was the first settler to locate in Friberg township, Otter Tail county, and is a man who has done much for the development and progress of the community. John and Albertina Seeba were the parents of the following children : Fredrick, Herman, John, Alary and Amelia.

Fredrick Seeba received his education in the public schools of Friberg township, Otter Tail county, and after leaving his classes, he became a farmer, buying, in the year iqo8, eighty acres of land which he now cultivates as a general farmer. Mr. Seeba has greatly improved his farm, has supplied his place with the most approved equipment and is now among the most successful of the younger farmers in the community.

On December 22, 190S, Fredrick Seeba was married to Lottie Wenholm, who was born at Lida, Minnesota, the daughter of John Wenholm and wife, well-known people of the community. To the marriage of Fredrick and Lottie Seeba have been born two children, Clifford and Raymond. Mr. Seeba and his wife are members of the Presbvterian church.

Ole Honrud

Ole Honrud, prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Oscar township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born at Spring Grove, Minnesota, July 31, 18(19, the son of Lars O. and Mary (Johnson) Honrud, natives of Norway. Lars O. Honrud was the son of Ole Honrud, who came to America when he was an elderly man and homesteaded a farm in Cass county, North Dakota, where he lived until his death, in 1913, he being ninety-two years of age at the time of his death. Lars O. Honrud was educated in the schools of his native land, after which he married and then, in 1866, came to America and located in the state of Wisconsin, where he worked as a farm helper, until 1871, when he came to Otter Tail county, .Minnesota, and homesteaded eighty acres of land in Oscar township, a farm which the elder Honrud cultivated for the remainder of his days, dying in 1904. Mary, the wife of Lars O. Honrud. died in 1885. Lars O. and Mary Honrud were the parents of six children, Ole, Julia, Oscar, Lena (deceased), Severin and Altin (deceased). Lars O. Honrud was an active and devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Oscar township, he giving liberally of his time and means for the support of the work of this congregation. As a farmer, the elder Honrud was notably successful, not only having cultivated his farm to a high state of productiveness, but he acquired during his farming career, three hundred and twenty acres of the best land in Oscar township, Otter Tail county.

Ole Honrud received his education in the common schools of I >scai township. Otter Tail county, after which he became a fanner, securing one of the desirable farms ,,f Oscar township, where for twenty-three yeat

Mr. Honrud has made his home and where he now engages successfully in general agricultural pursuits. Ole Honrud has greatly improved his farm during the past years, having built a new house in 1900, and during the year 1903 erected one of the best barns of the locality. From time to time Mr. Honrud has added to his acreage until now he owns two hundred and seventysix acres of well cultivated land in Oscar township.

On December 26, 1888, Ole Honrud was married to Lizzie Wastin, and to this marriage have been born nine children. Lewis, Melvin, Elbert, Anna. Oscar, Ludwig, Bertha, Olaf and Melford. Ole Honrud and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of Oscar township.

In addition to his farm activity, Ole Honrud has taken an active interest in business circles, as it affects the farmer, and he is now one of the stockholders of the Rothsay Elevator Company, of Rothsay, Minnesota.

One of the splendid farms of Leaf Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a tract of two hundred acres owned by John L. Taylor, who was born at Winona, Minnesota, April 17, 1862. Air. Taylor not only has a highly productive farm but his buildings are all in first-class condition and he has one of the most beautiful country homes in Otter Tail county.

John L. Taylor is the son of James and Alary ( Campbell) Taylor, the former of whom was 'born in Ireland, December 12, 1832, and the latter born in America, September 28, 183-'. The paternal grandfather of John L. Taylor was James Taylor, a native of Ireland, whose wife, before her marriage, was Alary Anderson. James Taylor, Sr., came to America when his son, James, Jr., the father of John L.. was nine years old, in 1844. He settled in the state of Illinois, and, after living there for seven years, moved to Winona county, Minnesota. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian church. One of his sons, David, a brother of James, Jr., was killed in the battle of Gettysburg.

James Taylor, Jr., was educated in the common schools of the state of Minnesota. 1 le was a broom-maker by trade and a farmer in Winona count)-. Subsequently, however, he moved to IVEcLeod county and lived at Glencoe, Minnesota, carrying the mail and driving a stage from Glencoe to Henderson, and from Glencoe to Blakeley, Minnesota. After a time, he moved to a farm in Sibley county and. after living there for five years, came to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and one acres in Leaf Lake township. He received an extra amount of land because he had been a soldier. His land bordered East Leaf lake on the south. He died on April 27, 1899. He was a soldier in the Civil War. having served in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry for a short time. He enlisted near the close of the war. At his death

John L. Taylor was educated in Sibley county, Minnesota, and lived at home with his parents until November 25. 1887, when he was married to Electa Wilkinson, a native of Sibley county, Minnesota, born on June 4, 1868. Mrs. Taylor is the daughter of Ralph and Elizabeth (Townsend) Wilkinson, natives of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Vermont, respectively. Both are now deceased. The former was a farmer in Otter Tail county for a time, hut late in life moved to Oregon, where his wife died. He then returned to Otter Tail county and died here on August 2, 1900. His wife had died three years previously, June 30, 1897. They were the parents of the following children, all of whom are living: Kleber, Volney, Electa, Jennie, Archie, Robert. Jesse, Irvin, Anna, Harley and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Taylor, who have no children of their own, reared Mabel Haugan, who was married on June 2, 19 15, to Raymond Applegaard.