Polk County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 2 of 15)

Mr. Stardig was married in Sweden to ^liss Marina Ostenson, who was bom in that countiy October 1, 1846. They have had nine children, .seven of whom are living: Otto, Sebner, Anton, Ida, Albert W., Minnie and Emilj'. A daughter named Anna died when slie was eleven yeai's old and a son named Mortiu passed away at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when he was about thirty. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. The father has held the office of supei'vi.sor in Knute township for a number of years and that of school treasurer for a much larger number.

Levor A. Bjella

Levor A. Bjella, a well knowu contractor and builder of Mcintosh, is a native of Norway, where he was bom March 31, 1876. He gi'ew to manhood in his native land and came to the United States when nineteen years of age. He came directly to Minnesota and for two years was employed in farm laljor in Nonnan county. In 1897 he entered the carpenter business and during the three years of his operations in that trade, became an efficient and successful workman. He located in Mcintosh in July, 1900, and for two years was employed with his brother in blacksmith work and then engaged in tlie contracting and building business and has since given his attention to his rapidly gi-owiug trade; his tliorough technical training and business ability mai-king him as the leading contractor in Mcintosh. Mr. Bjella is a member of the Synod Lutheran church. His mari'iage to Amelia Erickson occun-ed July 10, 1903, at Mcintosh. She was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and is of Norwegian parentage. Mr. Bjella and his wife have si.x children, Anna, Oscar, Laura, Oliver, Kalmer, and Mabel.

Tallak H. Aakhus

This gentleman, who is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of King township, this county, came to the United States in his youth in search of better opportunities than he thought his native land of Norway promised. He has been successful in his quest, having won a good estate and prominence among the people by his industiy, frugality and good management and his abiding and serviceable interest in the welfare of the land of his adoption, and especially the .section of it in which he lives. He was born October 9, 1864, and emigi-ated to America in 1881.

Landing at New York when he arrived on this side of the Atlantic, he found the East unattractive to him and came at once to Polk county, Minnesota, locating at Fisher's Landing. He lived there about a year and a half, working out at farm labor. He then went to the Paeitic coast and passed six years in the states of Washington and Oregon. Returning to Polk county at the end of that period, he purchased 160 acres of land adjacent to the vilhige of ^Mcintosh, and on this tract he is still living.

an earnest interest and an active part in local public affairs and has filled the offices of constable, township treasurer, supei-visor and township clerk, holding the last named several years. He is also chaiinnan of the board of supervisors of King township for a number of years, and has long been one of the leading promoters of educational interests and activities in that township.

Mr. Aakhus has been married three times. His first marriage was with Miss Anna Torbinson and took place in Grand Forks. She was bom in Minnesota but of Norwegian parentage. Five children were bom of the union, Halvor, Torbjor, Theo, Olaf and Benjamin. Torbjor is now the wife of N. W. Phillips. The mother of these children died in King township

May 11, 1904, and the father was married some time afterward to Miss Anna Nornes, a native of King township, this county, and the daughter of Gunsten Nornes, who was one of the first settlers in that township, where he died upward of fifty years of age.

By his second marriage Mr. Aakhus became the father of one child, his son Carl. Carl's mother died Januaiy 28, 1907, and afterward his father married his present wife, who was iMiss Engeborg Nornes, a sister of his second wife. The offspring of this union numbers five, Andy, Arnold, Melvin, Harold and Thelma. All the members of the family belong to and are active in the work of the United Lutheran church.

Iver Johnson

This gentleman, who is the present capable and obliging postmaster of the thriving village of Beltrami, Polk county, has had a somewhat varied and interesting career, through which he has worked his way by his own pluck and ability, making evei'y advance in his progress a stepping stone to something better. He is a native of Norway, where his life began March 27, 1871, and where he lived until 1882, when he emigrated with his parents to the United States and found a new home in the New "World in Ottertail county, Minnesota. The next year the family moved to Polk county, and for a few succeeding years lived in Garfield township.

In 1892, when Mr. Johnson was just twenty-one years old, he took up his residence in the village of Beltrami, and there he was employed as a clerk in a store for about four years. At the end of that time he attended the Grand Forks college for a year, and on his return to Beltrami he engaged in mercantile business on his own account. In the spring of 1904 he was appointed postmaster of Beltrami, and this office he has filled with acceptability to the people ever since. He has always taken a warm interest in the welfare of the village, and has given it excellent sei'vice as village recorder, and the township the same in the capacity of township clerk and justice of the peace. In addition to his business and other holdings in Beltrami he owns fifty-five acres of good land in Reis township, which is close to the village and steadily increasing in value. On February 9, 1907, Sir. Johnson was married to Miss Matilda Agneberg. They have four children living, Norman J., Ignatius M., Constance B. and Katharine M. The religious affiliation of the family is with the Lutheran church.

Elias Steenerson

In September, 1876, he started for the Red River Valley with a team and a covered wagon, several head of horses, cattle, and sheep, belonging to his father, who had taken a homestead in the town of Vineland in 1875, and who was establishing a new home in the west where all his sons and daughters could become land owners if they wished to. He arrived at Sand Hill River, town of Vineland, November 3, 1876, after a six weeks' journey in the then modern prairie schooner. Few men are more intimately identified with the settlement and development of Polk county than the subject of this sketch.

In the winter of 1876-1877 he taught school in District No. 5, Polk county, a territorj^ embracing nearly two townships. The school was held at the homes of the scattered settlers along the Red river, between Marsh and Sand Hill rivers, at periods of two weeks at each place, so as to get all children of school age enrolled.

He applied to purchase the east half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the northeast quarter, section twenty-five, township one hundred fortyeight, range forty-nine, fi-om the railroad company, and also pre-empted the southeast quarter, section six, township one hundred forty-seven, range fortyeight. He secured the title to these lands by purchase from the railroad company and by homestead from the Government. He still owns these lands and takes pi'ide in the fact that there is no mortgage on them. He has added some to this acreage, and through a renter fanns six hundred acres near Climax; he calls his farm Walhalla.

In 1879 he was selling machinery in Caledonia, North Dakota, and in 1880 in Grand Forks. In 1881 he established himself with his brother as the firm of Steenerson Brothers at Fisher and Crookston, dealing in Walter A. Wood's harvesting and other machinery. He claims the distinction of selling and delivering the first twine binder in Polk county. The firm distributed forty-two twine binders from Fisher, and forty from Crookston in that year. The same year the firm opened a genei-al store at Fisher. He was mayor and postmaster of Fisher for several years.

In 1887 the firm retired from machinery and mercantile business and our subject moved to Crookston, where he opened a real estate and insurance office, devoting a large portion of his time to farm insurance, which cari'ied him all over the county and gave him an intimate acquaintance with the farmers such as few others enjoy.

He has been identified with the farmers' movement in many ways. In 1892 he instituted the famous Steenerson Grain Rate Case which established the principal of State control of Railways. He has been delegate to various farmers' and marketing conventions. He helped to create the sentiment which brought about legislation for the Railway and Ware House Commission; for grain inspection and grading ; for the reclaiming of swamp and over-flow lands by a system of state drainage; and for extending the College of Agriculture by establishing branch agricultural schools throughout the state as part of the University - in particular in the Northwest School of Agriculture, located at Crookston. He is an advocate of placing boards of trade and chambers of commerce under control of the state.

In 1900 he traveled over the Northwest as special agent for the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company, lu 1901 he was interested in lumbering near Blackduek, Beltrami county, and furnished the lumber that built the fii*st houses in that village. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster at Crookston by President Roosevelt, and was re-appointed in 1909 and served with distinction until succeeded by a Democrat, in July, 1913. During his incumbency tlie Crookston postoffiee was raised to a high standard of efficiencj' and cleanliness. The rural delivery system was increased from two carriers to six, giving service to within a mile of every farmer within a radius of sixteen miles from Crookston. A Federal building was built during his term, the furnishing of which

In 1914 he resided part of the time in Minneapolis, and at the solicitation of his farmer friends, he filed on the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, and, although scarcely making an effort worth mentioning, he made a run that threw the scare into his opponent and the machine politicians who supported him, receiving a total vote of nearly seventy-eight thousand (78,000), and cariying every county in the Ninth Congressional District with big majorities.

In the spring of 1915 he returned to Crookston to live where he has a neat and cozy home, and is again to be found at his desk in his office, on Main Street, where he conducts a real estate and insurance business, and looks after his farming interests through- out the county. He is a member of the Crookston Lodge of Elks No. 342, and the Native Sons of Minnesota. He is a liberal contributor to all public enterprises.

Mr. Steenerson was married in 1884 to Oliama Iloug. They have had one son, Vivian, a promising young man who died at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Steenerson enjoy traveling, and spend part of their time in that manner, having visited nearly all points of interest in North America, including Mexico and Cuba. Their next trip will be to Europe, and were it not for the great war they would be there at this writing. Mr. and Mrs. Steenerson hold membership in the Lutheran church, where Mrs. Steenerson takes an active part.

Hogen B. Hogenson

This useful citizen of Polk county and resident of the village of Fertile for years met the requirements of duty as an industrious and successful home-steader and farmer, redeeming a tract of virgin land from the wilderness and making it fruitful with the products of systematic cultivation, and he is now engaged in ministering to the comfort and general welfare of a large number of persons as the United States mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2 running out of Fertile. He was bom in Norway December 27, 1859, the sou of Thorsten and Guro (Hanson) Hogenson, and passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native land.

His mother died in Norway, and in 1872 he came with his father to the United States. They located in Olmsted county, Minnesota, where the son lived until he reached the age of twenty-two. He then changed his residence to Polk county and entered a homestead in Garden township. On this homestead he continued to live and labor, breaking up and cultivating his land and making needed improvements year after year, until August, 1905, transforming his wild claim into a good farm and a comfortable home

In August, 1905, he moved to Fertile and was appointed rural mail carrier on Route No. 2, in which capacity he has ever since rendered excellent service to the public. His farm comprises 200 acres and is well developed and improved. Wliile living on it Mr. Hogenson filled several township offices with credit to himself and benefit to his township. He served as assessor, justice of the peace, chairman of the board of supervisors and member of the school board, taking an active part in all township affairs and helping to develop and advance the locality by all the means available to him. His work in the township is appreciated and the people there have high regard for him because of his genuine worth and the service he rendered them.

In church connection Mr. Hogenson is a Lutheran. He was married in Olmsted county, Minnesota, June 3, 1882, to Miss Gunnild Gunnufson, who was born and reared in this state. She died September 8, 1914, at the age of fifty-four years leaving eight children : Anna, Thomas, John, Christine, Ida, Clara, Helmar and Gladys. A sou named Hogen died when lie was five years old. Anna became the wife of All)ert Holm and died June 20, 1908. Christine is the wife of William Olson, who is a farmer and lives in Garden township.

John A. Erikson

Although a native of the state of Wisconsin, John A. Erikson, a prominent hardware and farmiun; implements merchant of Fertile has been a I'esident of Polk county, Minnesota, for thirty-three years and of the village of Fertile for twenty-eight. He is therefore fully in touch with the people of this county and has an earnest interest in all their a.spirations and undertakings for advancement and elevation in their standards of living, and he has contributed his full portion of the effort necessary to promote their w-elfare.

Mr. Erikson is the son of Hemming and Elizabeth (Johnson) Erikson. They were both Norwegian by birth. The father came to the United States in 1854 and took up his residence on a homestead he entered in Waushara county, Wisconsin, near the village of Mount Morris. There his son John A. was born June 19, 1867, and there the family lived until April 26, 1882, when the family home was changed to Liberty township in this county. In 1904 the father sold his Polk county farm, and since then he has made his home in Minneapolis.

John A. Erikson remained on his father's farm in Liberty township until September 1, 1887, when he changed his residence to the village of Fertile and took a position in the employ of George Kronschnabel, who was then conducting the leading hardware store in the village. Mr. Erikson later became his partner in this business and they were associated in the management of it until June, 1896, when Mr. Kronschnabel sold his interest in the firm to W. L. Vannet, with whom Mr. Erikson was in partnership until 1906. Since then he has carried on the business alone, carrying an extensive stock of hardware and farming implements and building up a large and active trade throughout a considerable scope of country.

By his activity in behalf of every project designed to build up and improve his home community Mr. Erikson has made himself an important factor in promoting the progress of this region and won the esteem of its residents as one of its most enterprising, publicspirited and sei-viceable citizens. He has served as assistant postmaster and for over four years has been seeretai-y of the Commercial club. Frateraally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and in religious affiliation to the United Lutheran church.

Feeling that his education was deficient when neaping the dawni of his manhood, Mr. Erikson attended the Central school in Crookston in the winter of 1886- 87, and for a short time in the late summer of 1887 he was employed as a clerk by Charles M. Old at Beltrami. He was married in Faribault, Minnesota, in 1902, to Miss Carrie Oehler, who was born in Iowa. They have two children, their sons Earl and Luther.

Harry M. Halvorson

Although he was bom and reared on a farm and has himself followed farming, Harry M. Halvorson's taste and inclination have always been toward business, and the greater part of his life since reaching maturity has been passed in business operations, chiefly as a liveryman, which he is at present, and one of the leadei-s in his line in Polk county. He is studious of his calling and makes evei-y effort to keep his equipment for it strictly up to date, and he also studies his trade and strives vrith all his resources to meet every requirement of his patrons.

and a representative man among its people. His life began on his father's farm in Liberty township June 23, 1891, and he continued to live there until he reached the age of twenty years, obtaining a common school education at the school in the neighborhood of his home. He also worked on the farm from the time when he was big and strong enough to do it until he left the parental rooftree and started out in life to make his own way in the world.

Mr. Halvoi'son is a son of Hans and Hamiah (Gulickson) Halvoi'son, the former a native of Norway and the latter of Iowa but of Norwegian parentage. They were among the early settlers of Liberty township, this county, where the father entered a homestead in the early days and has since been engaged in farming. Seven children were born of their union, and of tliese their son Harry was the fifth in the order of birth. When he left home he rented a farm for a year in Scandia township and then took charge of one in Rice township for a few months. In December, 1913, he purchased the livery business and outfit of J. I. Hamre in Fertile, and to the management of that business he has since devoted himself with constant industry, good ability and profitable results. He is an excellent citizen and esteemed as such throughout the community.

Thorvald A. Bydal

Thorvald A. Bydal, of East Grand Forks, a well known citizen and leading merchant of that place, was born in Norway, May 8, 1865. He remained in his native land until twenty years of age, when he came to the United States and for a year resided in Portage county, Wisconsin. In 1886 he remoA'ed to Polk county and became associated with the grocery trade as a clerk in a store in East Grand Forks and continued in that employment for a number of years, making his independent venture in the commercial world in 1907. In May of that year he opened a grocery store under the firm name of Bydal & Bydal and has since devoted his attention to the successful management of that business. This store is one of the largest and most attractive in that locality, furnishing the town with excellent trading facilities and enjoys a steady prosperity and lucrative patronage which attests to the ability and integi'ity of its management. Aside from his commercial activities, Mr. Bydal is interested in farm lands, owning three hundred and twenty acres of North Dakota land. During the many years of his residence in the county, he has given his ready support to every project which tends to public betterment and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the community. He is an influential member of the Commercial club and one of its directors. Also vice president of the Retail Merchants association of East Grand Forks and Grand Forks. Mr. Bydal was married in Minneapolis, October 12, 1903, to Anna Leewy, who, like her husband, is a native of Norway. They have one child, Laila.

William Street

Being one of the extensive, progressive and successful farmera of Reis township, this county, William Street is a useful and stimulating force in the part of the county in which he lives and has done a gi-eat deal toward helping it to progress to its full development and most advanced improvement. He also handles live stock extensively, and in this branch of his

Mr. Street was bom near the town of Ringwood, Hampshire, England, November 6, 1845, and was reared on his father's farm there and educated at the school in the neighborhood. From his boyhood he looked forward to fanning as his chosen occupation for life, and through all his subsequent years he has largely adliered to this choice. In 1873 he emigrated to the United States and took up his residence at Glyndon, Clay county, Minnesota, and there, for a few months, was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad. While railroad work was not entirely to his liking it pleased him well enough to hold him for the next five years, during which he was in the employ of the Great Northern company, earning fair wages and saving them for future use.

At the end of the period named he once more turned his attention to farming, becoming foreman on the large W. H. Fisher farm in Norman county, and serving there in that capacity thirteen years. In 1891 he engaged in farming for himself, taking up a homestead in Section 22, Reis township, this county, which he lived on and improved as his home until 1897. He then took school land on Section 16 of the same township, and on this he has ever since resided. But he has added to his holdings until he now owns 640 acres, all of which he has improved and brought to a high state of productiveness. In addition to his farming operations, which are of a general character, he handles live stock in considerable numbers, having at the time of this writing (Nov. 1, 1915), some 22 head of horses, 90 of cattle and 50 of hogs.

Mr. Street has always taken an earnest interest and an active part in the public affairs of his township and county. He has acceptably filled several local offices and was one of the principal men in organizing the Beltrami Co-operative Creamery company, in which he is still largely interested. In the spring of 1892 he was married in Crookston to Miss Lizzie Savage, who is a native of Faribault, Minnesota. They have six children, Emma, William, Walter, JIabel, Clara and Herbert. Emma is now the wife of Dr. Fred Lvman.

Ole A. Thoreson

Ole A. Thoreson, a former postmaster at East Grand Forks and a Avell kno\^^l citizen of Polk county, was bom in the northern part of Norway, in the parish of Bardo, December 26, 1845. The early years of his life were spent in his native land, where he lived until he was sixteen years of age, when in the spring of 1862, his parents brought their family to the United States, making St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin their destination. Shortly afterwards they took homesteads north of St. Croix Falls in Burnett county, which was the home of Ole Thoreson for a number of years during wliich he engaged in farming and was actively associated with the public interests and political affairs and was elected to the oflSces of county auditor and county commissioner. After spending about fifteen years in Wisconsin he became desirous of removing westward and in 1877 visited Polk county, looking for a new location for his agricultural activities. About one j'ear later he came to Polk county and took a preemption claim of one hundred and sixtj' acres in Sullivan towniship. He devoted his attention to the development and improvement of the farm until 1889 when he was appointed postmaster of East Grand Forks by President Harrison and served in that office for four years. In 1902 he was again called to public service, being elected probate judge of Polk county and in 1904 was returned to the office but resigned before the end of his term to accept his second appointment as postmaster of East Grand Forks, and continued in office through the administrations of Roosevelt and Taft. Through the many years of public service which have marked his career vdth honor and merit, Mr. Thoreson has met all the demands of his position with an efficiency and diligence that have brought liim the confidence and unfailing support of his constituents. As a public spirited citizen and successful farmer, his influence has been exerted in all phases of the rapid development of the eountr>' which he entered as a pioneer. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he has always been a faithful aud generous supporter and has been actively interested in the extension of its activities, having been prominently associated with the erection of two churches, one in Wisconsin and in the First Lutheran church in Grand Forks. Mr. Thoreson was married at Grantsburg, Burnett county, Wisconsin, December 31, 1876, to Albertiua Hilnian, who like her husband is a native of Norway, born at Frederickshald, November 25, 1855. She came to the United States with her parents when ten years of age and after residing for several years in Lafayette and Green counties, the family settled in Burnett county, which remained the home of Mrs. Thoreson until shoi"tly after her marriage. Seven children were born to Mr. Thoi'eson and his wife, of whom five are now living. The death of a daughter. Alma Thoreson, occurred November 11, 1911, in her thirtieth year and that of another daughter in her infancy. The surviving members of the family are, Ida H., Theresa E., Olaf A., Hannah M. and Elmer T.

Charles Street

This enterprising and successful farmer of Reis township, this county, is a younger brother of William Street, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume, and is living on the old homestead taken up by his brother William in Section 22, which was the first home of the latter in Polk county. Charles was boi-n near the town of Ringwood, in Hampshire, England, December 18, 1858, and was reared, like his brother William, on his father's farm, obtaining his education at the country school in the vicinity of his home. In August, 1884, he emigrated to the United States, and during the next eight years he lived in different places in this country and was employed at various occupations, doing with interest and energy whatever he found to do.

In 1893 he became a resident of Polk county, and for six years thereafter he was in the employ of his brother William. He then bought his brother's old homestead of 160 acres in Section 22, Reis township, and on this he has expended his time and energies in a general farming enterprise ever since. He is a progressive and studious man, and has brought to bear on his farming operations whatever he has been able to learn by study and obsei-vation that has seemed likely to improve his methods and accelerate his progress. His farm is an example of the good results of forethought and intelligence as applied to modern agriculture, and he is, besides, an excellent citizen with a broad-minded and public-spirited interest in all the public alfairs of his township and county. lie has found good opportunities for his industry and enterprise in this country, and has profited by them. The countiy has also been the gainer by his having selected it as the seat of his operations, and he is highly respected as a thi'ifty and upright man by all who know him.

Wilbur G. Lytle

Having given up active pursuits of a laborious kind and taken up his residence in Crookston, where he is living retired, Wilbur G. Lytle, formerly one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Polk county, is enjoying in the quiet way agreeable to him the fruits of his long and arduous labors during tlie years of his greater activity. He was born at Lisbon, St. Lawrence county. New York, August 10, 1845, the son of John A. and Lucinda (Scripture) Lawrence; the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Vermont. They were farmers and both died in St. Lawrence county, New York, where they passed the greater part of their lives.

Wilbur G. Lytle remained at home assisting his father on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen. He then came West and located at Bronson,

Compendium Of History And Biography Of Polk Colnty

Branch county, Michigan, where he followed farming and lumbering for nearly four j'ears. At the end of the period named he returned to his native county and again devoted his energies to farming there for a number of years. But the West still wore a winning Biiiiie for liim iuid he came to St. Croix county, "Wisconsin, where he operated a grain elevator and also farmed until 1877. In June of that year he changed his base of operations to Polk county, Minnesota, and located on a farm in Andover township. This farm he sold in 1908, but has lived in Crookston since 1888, and for some years has been nearly free from business eai'es.

Mr. Lytic has always taken an active interest in public affairs and has filled several local offices in Andover township with credit to himself and benefit to the township. He has l)cen the owner of a considerable amount of real estate- in this county. On December 20, 1876, he was married at Richville, New York, to Miss Mary Fisk, a native of the same county as himself and born August 10, 1855. She is the daughter of Edwin R. and Ruth A. (Brown) Fisk, the former born in the city of Rutland, Vermont, and the latter in St. Lawrence county, New York. They came to Polk county, Minnesota, in 1882, and here they passed the remainder of their lives, dying well advanced in years and high in general esteem.

Mr. and Mrs. Lytic are cordial supporters of the Congregational chui'ch and all its work for the improvement of the community. Mr. Lytic is a member of the Masonic Order, in which he has reached the rank of Knight Tcmplai-. He has served as warden of Constantine Commander\- No. 20 for more than twenty years and still fills that office. Has been a member of Blue Tjodge for forty-eight years.

John Heldstab

Starting in life for himself at the age of twenty-one, with nothing but his strong arm, clear head and determined spirit as capital, the late John Hcldstab, one of the enterprising and successful business men of Crookston, steadily pursued his way through a variety of trials and occupations to consequence in a worldly way and a position of high esteem and regard among the people of the city in which tlie greater part of his activities were shown.

Mr. Heldstab was a native of Switzerland, born in the city of Davos, December 2, I860, where he was reared on a farm and remained until he reached the age of twenty-one. He was the son of Honus and Anna (Travaner) Heldstab. Both parents died in Switzerland. In the spring of 1882 he came to the Ignited States in company with his brothers, Christian and Martin, and located at Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin. In that locality he worked for about one year at farm labor. Early in 1883 he changed his residence to Crookston, Minnesota, and here also he worked out on farms for a few years, but passed most

Mr. Heldstab 's next move was to form a partnership with Matthew Ridi for carrying on an active business in the ice trade. The partnership lasted only a few years, as Mr. Heldstab saw a more favorable opening for his energies in a short time and sold his interest in the ice firm. He then turned his attention to the draying industry and also occupied himself to a considerable extent in collecting buffalo bones and shipping them to markets where they were in demand. He continued his draying business for a number of j-ears and then sold it to advantage. In 1896 he purchased the ice business of John Schajitzen, which he conducted with increasing trade and prosperity until his death at his home in Crookston, 420 North Main street, on September 8, 1915. He was fifty-four years of age when he died, and twenty-two years of his industrious and useful life were passed in Northwestern Minnesota.

Mr. Heldstab took an earnest interest and an active part in the affairs of the community of his home and contributed essentially to its progress and development. He was not, however, an active political partisan and never sought or desired a public ofSce of any kind. His work for the advancement of his city and county was that of a good citizen outside of political contentions and hopes of direct personal reward except what came from the improvement of his locality. He belonged to the German Lutheran church and was one of the earliest and most active members of St. Paul's congregation of that sect in Crookston.

On December 20, 1891, Mr. Heldstab was married in Crookston to Miss Lena "Weber, who was bom in Oberstein, Germany, November 12, 1871, and came to this country in 1888, when she was seventeen years old. Seven sons were born of their union, one of whom, Paul Walter, died when he was about one year old. The mother and six of the sons are living and have their homes in Polk county. The living sons are : John W., Gustav M., Christian R., Theodore E., Harold D. and Willard A. At the time of his death the father owned a fine farm of 320 acres, which was well improved and under good cultivation.

Hon. Gunder Krostue

As a large landholder, an enterprising and successful merchant, a member of the state legislature, the postmaster for many years of the town of Fisher and a pi'ominent, influential and highly esteemed citizen, the late Hon. Gunder Krostue dignified, adorned and admirably represented the best manhood and citizenship of Polk county in many lines of usefulness and beneficial labor and example to the locality of his home.

Mr. Krostue was bom June 10, 1851, on a farm named Krostue in Saetersdahl, Norway, and was brought to the United States by his parents when he Avas but ten years old. The familj' located in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, where the son grew to manhood and obtained a limited education in the country schools. At an early age he began to work at farm labor and later was employed as a lumberman, driving logs down the Mississippi river to St. Louis. These occupations, however, were too precarious and unpromising to satisfy his ambition, and he determined to do something more in line with his tastes and embodying better prospects for him.

In 1880 Mr. Krostue took up his residence in Polk county, and here for a time he served as engineer with a threshing crew and then worked on the survey of the Great Northern railroad between Grand Forks and Crookston. Later he proved up on a homestead claim in Grand Porks county. North Dakota, which he then sold. He at once located in the town of Fisher, this county, and for four years thereafter was employed as a clerk in the store kept by Messrs. Thompson & Johnson. At the end of that period he entered upon an independent mercantile career, opening a store in Fisher for general merchandise and farming implements. This proved to be one of the most successful of his many activities, and carried him to a prominent place in connection with the business interests of the county. He became an extensive landholder, owning some 2,100 acres of farm land near Fisher, and was also president of the Fisher Bank from the time of its organization until his death. In addition he served as postmaster of Fisher for many years until the pressure of other engagements compelled him to retire from the ofiSce.

Mr. Krostue continued to live in Fisher until his death on July 7, 1912, when he was in his sixty-first year. He belonged to the class of men who rise to success and influence through their native ability and industry and win the regard of all who know them by their sterling worth and admirable manhood. He freely bestowed the gifts of his strong personality in the service of his fellow men and left the memory of many commendable accomplishments as a citizen, many noble traits as a friend and many wise and fruitful achievements through his enterprise and public spirit, as well as that of his eminent success as a business maji.

In the public life of his community this far-seeing gentleman always was a trusted leader, and in the fall of 1902 his fellow citizens selected him as their representative in the lower house of the state legislature. In the session of 1903 he was chairman of the House committee on drainage and a member of the committees on grain and warehouse and roads, bridges and navigable streams. He was re-elected in the fall of 1904, and in the session of 1905 he was again chairman of the comniittee on drainage and was also assigned to duly oil the committees on binding twine, public health, dairy and food products and temperance legislation.

In his religious aflfiliation Mr. Krostue was connected with the United Lutheran church, of which his widow is also an active member and earnest supporter, lleimaiden name was Christine Benson and she is tlie daughter of Lars Bensou. She was born in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, and at an early age removed with her parents to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where the family resided until the accidental death of the father by drowning at Red Wing. After that sad event the mother and her eight children changed their residence to Pope county, Minnesota, and there Miss Christine lived until her marriage to Mr. Krostue, which took place on December 2, 1882. Of the children born of their man-iage seven are living: Lawrence, who is a farmer, and Clara, Lottie, Myron, Theresa, Clayton and Glendora. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Krostue has continued to make her home at Fisher.

Julius Wentzel

Having Imnie faithfully and with good results for The land taken up by Mr. Wentzel was wholly unhimself and the localities in which he lived the heat cultivated and unimproved, and he began to devote and burden of a long day of toil, in which he experi- himself at once to transforming it into a farm ami eneed many privations and hardships, Julius Wentzel a good home for himself and his family. He conof Crookston, one of the former prosperous and pro- tinned to live on it and develop and improve it until gressive farmei-s of Polk county, has retired from ac- the fall of 1909, making it over into a highly productive pursuits and is passing the evening of his life in tive and valuable rural estate and an attractive councomfortable leisure and enjoying in a sensible and try home. In the fall of 1909 he decided to quit farmnseful way the fruits of his former well-applied in- ing and all active work of a laborious character, and dusti-y and good management. moved to Crookston, where he has since' resided.

Charles, William, Au^st, Julius, Minnie, Anna, Fred, Alvina, Ida, Freda, John and Pauline, the youngest child, was drowned in Red Lake river at the

Robert Anderson

Approaching now the evening of his life in peace and prosperity after many years of arduous labor, care and the usual difficulties incident to the existence of a farmer in the Northwest of this country, Robert Anderson, of East Grand Forks, has retired from active pursuits with an unstained record of clean, good and serviceable citizenship to his credit and favored with the esteem and good will of everybody who knows him. He was bom in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, January 28, 1847, and in June, 1874, came to the United States, locating temporarily at Grand Forks. On July 2, of the year last named he took up a homestead in Grand Forks township, Polk county, and on this he lived until the spring of 1913, when he gave up fai'ming and moved to the city of East Grand Porks. He has sold his farm and is living retired and free from all business cares.

Mr. Anderson has, however, taken a very active and helpful part in the public affairs of Polk county in times past and has never lost any degree of his cordial and judicious interest in the county's growth and improvement. He was the first township clerk of Grand Forks, Huntsville and Rhinehart townships, his jurisdiction extending over the present city of East Grand Forks, and he held the office of clerk of Grand Forks township continuously until 1918 and that of school director of DLstrict No. 2 in that township for thirty-six yeai-s. He was also a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Grand Forks, and is now an elder of the Mendahall Presbyterian church in East Grand Forks.

Mr. Anderson was first married April 8, 1874, to Miss Mary Patterson. They had four children, Charles H., Margaret J., Aaron L. and John H. The mother of these children died in Grand Porks township August 4, 1898, and on December 19, 1906, the father contracted a second marriage which united him with Miss Jennie Rintoul, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, but long resident in this country. Like her husband, Mrs. Anderson is held in high esteem for her genuine worth and her warm and serviceable interest in everj'thing that contributes to the welfare of Polk county and the Nortliwest in general.

August Akerlund

Since March 18, 1879, August Akerhind has lived in Crookston and been actively and profitably engaged in contracting and building and general carpenter and cabinetmaking work. He has done liis part in helping to develop and improve the city and surrounding country, and many of the substantial buildings now standing in this part of the state are monuments to his industiy and ability as a builder. He was born in Sweden August 8, 1845, and learned the trade of a cabinetmaker in that country, where he remained

With his arrival in this country began a new era in the life of ]\Ir. Akerlund. The West attracted him and he located at Whitehall, Illinois, and there worked at bridge building for about three years. He then changed his base of operations to Dubuque, Iowa, where he passed one year building bridges for the railroads. From Dubuque he moved to Bellevue, Iowa, and in that locality he turned his attention to

Mr. Akerlund was married at Bellevue, Iowa, May 4, 1874, to Miss Anna Louisa Turneblad, whose life began in Sweden July 24, 1855. They have three children, Augusta, Charles and Aimer. Charles is a mail carrier in Crookston, and Aimer is working with and under the instructions of his father. The father owns 160 acres of land in Pennington county, Minnesot-a, and the building in which he carries on his business was erected bj- himself. He has always taken a cordial interest in the welfare of the city and county of his home, and the people respect him highly for his upright life, public spirit and sterling manhood.

Medric Collin

Through many trials and difficulties and a variety of occupations Medric Collin, who is now one of the successful and prosperous merchants of Crookston, has made his way by persistent industry, frugality, pluck and good management to his present condition of prominence in business and substantial comfort in a worldly w^ay. He is the proprietor of the well known and popular Crookston Supply house, wdth which he has been connected about twenty-three years and which he has owned and conducted for about three years.

Mr. Collin is a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada, where he was bom August 9, 1860, and where he lived until he reached the age of twenty-eight, and was engaged in farming during the ga'eater part of the time. Wlien he left his native land he took up his residence in Minneapolis, and there he lived and was variously employed until the autumn of 1892. In November of that vear he came to Crookston and entered into partiiersliip with his brother, F. X. Collin, and together they carried on an active mercantile business for about twelve years under the firm name of Collin Bros.

At the end of the period named the partnership was dissolved and the brother retired from the business. Since then it has been wholly owned and carried on by Mr. Collin of this sketch.

Mr. Collin's store is widely and favorably known through this part of Minnesota as the Crookston Supply hou.se, and is especially well esteemed for the extensive stock of general merchandise which it carries, the superior quality of its goods, the upright and progressive manner in which its operations are conducted and the enterprise which keeps it always up to date in the style, quality and general excellence of its merchandise. Mr. Collin stands well in the community and deserves tlie esteem bestowed upon him.

Christian T. Brown

The dairy business has grown to great proportions in the Northwest and become very active. It supplies some of the wants and meets several of the requirements of a vast number of persons, increasing with the growth of the country and keeping pace with the ever expanding demands for its service. One of its enterprising and progressive representatives in this part of the country is Christian T. Brown, of

Mr. Brown was bom in Non\-ay, July 31, 1845, and was reared and educated in his native land, where he remained until 1882, following farming as his principal occupation. In August of the year last mentioned he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. He came at once to Crookston, and during the next thi'ee years he was employed in various ways to his advantage. In 1886 he started a mercantile career in the dairy trade, and in this he has ever since been actively' and profitably engaged.

Some years before leaving his native laud Mr. Brown was married there to Miss Mary S. Johanason, the marriage being solemnized in 1874 in Christiania, the capital city of the country. Mrs. Brown was also a Norwegian b}' nativity and was born in 1851. They have had eleven children, four of whom have died.

Three passed away in infancy, and a daughter named Josephine died February 17, 1904, when she was twenty-six years old. The children who are living are: Anna, who is the wife of Jacob Knudson, of Minneapolis; Julia, whose home is in Montana; Thea and Carl J., who are living -at home; Sophia, who is the wife of James Calverwell, of the state of Washington; Mary, who is a teacher in Polk county, and Minnie, who is also living at home.

John

The city of Crookston, which is the home of John A. Johnson, one of the leading carpenters of Polk county, and the country surrounding that city contain many evidences of the most substantial character of the productive usefulness of his life and his skill as a mechanic. For he has erected a large number of houses in the city and its vicinity, and they all stand forth visibly and tangibly to his credit. He was born at Smolands, Sweden, December 18, 1855, and remained in that country until 1882, growing to manhood on his father 's farm and then learning his trade as a carpenter and working for some years in a sash and door factor}^

In the summer of 1882 Mr. Johnson emigrated to the United States, landing at New York and coming at once to Polk county. He took up his residence at Fisher's Landing, but moved to Crookston at once, and in this city he has since resided. He has made working at his trade and contracting in the erection of buildings his principal occupation throughout his residence in this county, and he has reached a liigh rank in his business. He is also esteemed as a progressive and public-spirited citizen deeply interested in the welfare of his home community.

Mr. Johnson was married in his native place September 27, 1875, to Miss Augusta Johnson, who was of the same nativity as himself and born April 19, 1856. They have had twelve children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Mary, Pauline, Ida, Amelia, Albert, Gustav, Louisa, Esther, Elizabeth, Ella and Elmer. The parents are active members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and the children have been reared in the same faith. All the members of the family stand well in popular esteem and are deservedly respected.

Knute

KNUTE E. Having followed the vocation of a farmer in his native land of Norway, where his life began December 16, 1836, and in two counties of this state in succession, through a long career of useful and productive labor, Knute E. Messelt of Winger, this county, has rendered good service to two of the progressive countries of the world and has lived in each according to the requirements of upright and manly citizenship.

Mr. Messelt remained in his native land until 1869 and was married there November 25, 1860, to Miss Gertrude Halvordater Evenstad, also a native of Norway and bom May 3, 1841.

In 1869 Mr. Messelt brought his wife and the two children they then had to the United States and located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he lived for about fifteen years. In November, 1883, he came to Polk county and took up a homestead in Winger towiisliip. On this tract of land he livi'd and labored, cultivating and improving his farm and erecting good buildings on it, until the fall of 1914, when he retired from active work and moved to AVinger. He and his wife have had three children, Herman K., Ingmar K. and Carl G. Ingmar died at Mentor, Polk county, November 26, 1902. The other two are living. Carl G. Messelt was married at Winger December 18, 1912, to :\riss Ellen Stai, a native of Winger and the daughter of Engebn-t Stai of Winger township. They have one child, their son Conrad E. Carl has filled school and other offices in the township, and has won the esteem of the people by his sturdy and sterling citizenship and devotion to the welfare of his locality. He and his wife are zealous and consistent members of the Synod Lutheran church. A separate sketch of Mrs. Carl ^Messelt will be found in this volume.

Orin Daniels

Orin Daniels, of Crookston, ex-.sheriiif of Polk county and a retired farmer, was born August 17, 1874, in Dane county, Wisconsin, and came to jMinnesota with his parents when eight years of age. He is the sou of Anun and Tone (Bergland) Daniels, the latter ii native of Dane county, Wisconsin. Anun Daniels was born in Illinois and engaged in farming in Wisconsin, where he enlisted in the service of his country during the Civil war and was an officer in his company. In 1882 he came to Polk county and located on government land near Crookston, which he developed into a prosperous farm property and sold iu 1891. He is now living, at the close of a useful and active career, in Spokane, Wa.sliington. Orin Daniels is the only one of the family of eight sons and a daughter, wlio resides in Minnesota. He was reared on his father's homestead and received his education in the public schools of the county and for a numlwr of years devoted his attention to farming activities, his first association with official service being in 1901, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under Mr. Sullivan. He continued to hold this po.sition for eight years, through the terms of office of Mr. Sullivan and his successor, Mr. Gonyea, becoming well known through the county during these years of able service and in 1908 was elected sheriff and capably discharged the responsibilities of this office for two terms, being reelected in 1910. Beside his official duties and public services, Mr. Daniels has always been actively interested in agricultural enterprises and gives some time to the successful management of his farm of two hundred and four acres. He has always been a loyal supporter of the Republican party and is a member of the Elk lodge. His marriage to Sadie Reindahl, of Dane county, Wisconsin, occurred in 1903 and they have one son, Truman.

Thore H. Bang

The late Thore H. Bang, whose death occurred in Crookston August 14, 1905, was an early settler in the city and helped materially to build and develop it from its small beginning to something near its present magnitude and importance as a trading, manufacturing and commercial center. He was born in Valberg, Norway, in 1843, and was reared and educated in that country, where he followed farming for some years after reaching his maturity.

In 1882 Mr. Bang came to the United States and located iu Polk county, iMinnesota, on a homestead which he entered east of Crookston, and which he partially improved and then sold. After .selling his farm he took up his residence in Crookston and became a member of the city police force, on which he served five years. He was aftervvai'd variously emjjloyed in Crookston until his death.

Anna Larson. Four of the children born of their union are living: Gilbert H., Charles L., Carrie (now Mrs. Simpson, a widow) and Laura, who is unmarried. The mother died in 1913. The father was a Republican in political allegiance and took an active part in the affairs of his party. He was well known throughout Polk county, and was held in esteem by all classes of its people.

Gilbert and Charles Bang, the two sons of the household, are now operating the Crookston Bottling Works, which they purchased in 1908. They sell their products all over Northern Minnesota and in parts of the adjoining states, and have a large and active trade. They are good business men and are enterprising and progressive in looing after the needs of the territory tributary to their establishment.

Gilbert H. Bang was married in 1899 to Miss Thora Griebrok. They have six children, George, Charles, Edmund, Irene, Edna and Florence. Gilbert's brother Charles was married January 6, 1906, to Miss Pearl Fox. Their childi-en number two, Kenneth and Lillian. The brothers were both born in Norway, but they were brought to this county at early ages and here they grew to manhood and were educated, the greater part of their lives to the present time having been passed in Crookston. They are men of sterling worth and zealous in the performance of all the duties of citizenship.

Nathan P. Stone

A New Englander by nativity but having passed more than four-fifths of his life to the present time (1916) in the northwest, Nathan P. Stone, a retired business man of Crookston and a valued citizen of Polk county, has been able to acquire an accurate knowledge of the tendencies and aspirations of two widely different sections of the country and become well acquainted with the institutions and methods of thought of each, and he has profited by this sweep of vision and made it of advantage to the locality of his present home in business, in citizenship and in social life.

Mr. Stone was born in Bristol county, Massachusetts, January 21, 1838, the son of Mason and Abigail (Patten) Stone, both of the same nativity as himself. The father operated a cotton mill and kept a general store at Norton, in his native county. He also took a leading part in local public affairs, and was the colonel in command of the state militia which escorted President Jackson when he made his tour through the New England states. The mother died in 1842, and the father afterward married Miss Mary Holman. He died in Pierce county, Wisconsin, in 1888. He was the father of three sons and two daughters who grew to maturity, and one of the sons is still living in Massachusetts.

Nathan P. Stone remained in his native county until 1853, when the family moved to Pierce county, Wisconsin. There the father engaged in farming until he was elected probate judge. He afterward was active in the grain trade until his death. The son began his education at the district school in Norton in his native county and completed it at the academy in River Falls, Wisconsin. After leaving school he followed farming four years, then changed his residence to Prescott, Wisconsin, and engaged in mercantile business.

In 1879 Mr. Stone became a resident of Crookston and a merchant in the farm implement trade, which he carried on alone until 1900, when his sons, William M. and Walter P., were taken into partnership by him. Recently the father has retired from active control of the business and it is now conducted by the sons under the firm name of N. P. Stone & Co.

Mr. Stone was married at River Falls, Wisconsin, in 1873, to Miss Ada L. Powell, a native of the state of New York and a daughter of Lyman and Lucinda (Taylor) Powell, who were pioneers of that state, locating in it in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of five children : William M. and Walter P., who are in buisness with their father; Ida P., who is a school teacher in Helena, Montana; Gertrude L.,

In the public affairs of Crookston Mr. Stone has taken an active part from the time of his arrival in the city. He served as alderman five terms and as a member of the school board and its official treasurer two terms. He is also a member of the charter commission of the city. In political faith and allegiance he is a Republican, in fraternal relations a Freemason and in religious connection a Congregationalist, being a tru.stee of the congregation of that sect. He also belongs to the Old Settlers' association of Polk county and is its official historian. When he became a resident of Crookston it was a straggling hamlet, and he has witnessed and taken part in all the phases of its growth to a city of 8,000 people.

A. M. Sivertson, of Crookston, a pioneer business man and prominent citizen, was bom in Norway, in 1855, the son of Sivert and Hanna (Halsteson) Sivertson. His parents spent their lives in their native land and A. M. Sivertson remained there until his twentyfifth year, employed in farm work and for five years was in the militarj' service, in the regular army during the fii-st two years and later with the resei-ves. In 1880 he came to the United States and located at Crookston, where he learned the carpenter trade and engaged in this work for some time and then advanced to the larger activities of the contracting business and also conducted a successful trade as a lumber dealer. During the fifteen years of his extensive operations as building contractor, Mr. Sivertson erected many of the best buildings in Crookston and has been actively associated with the growth and progress of the city through the creditable achievements of his industrial career as well as by his public spirited support of eveiy enterprise. He is now retired from the contracting business and devotes his attention to his real estate interests, in which he has made many investments, owning the opera house block and a number of residence properties and farms. He has given able service to his fellow citizena as a member of the city council and has been a member of the library board for seven years. Mr. Sivertson is widely known throughout the State and county as a successful business man and highly respected citizen of Polk county. He is a member of the Republican party and of the Sons of Norway. He was married in 1855 to Dora Sockem, who was a native of Norway. She died in 1911, leaving five children, Hanna, the wife of Mr. R. Tetley; Sophia, who is a teacher in the Crookston high school ; Herman, Albert and Margaret. In 1914 Mr. Sivertson was married to Mrs. Hillman, who was a widow. He is a member of the United Lutheran church.

Julius Spokely

Although born and reared on a fann and beginning his life work as a tiller of the soil, Julius Spokely has such natural adaptability to and eapacitj' for merchandising, that in eleven years of active and enterprising devotion to this line of business he has made himself one of the leading merchants in the city of Crookston, a field in which there is strong competition and rivals of ability are numerous.

Polk county whose life began in Hubbard township in 1877. His parents, GuUick and Gonvor (Simon) Spokely, were bom and reared in Norway, and came to the United States in the sixties. They were married in Houston county, Minnesota. They located in Houston county, Minnesota, and entered a tract of government land in Chippewa county, but in 1871 took up their residence in Polk county when it was nearly all still a wilderness, being among the very earliest settlers in that part of it where they live. The father took up homestead, pre-emption and tree claim, and on the land which he thus acquired he is stiU residing at the age of seventy-three, the mother being sixty-eight. They made the trip to their new home through the wilds in a "prairie schooner," patiently enduring the privations, hardships and dangers of the journey buoyed up with the hope of obtaining a good reward for their enterprise and daring.

These hardy and resolute pioneers have four sons and two daughters living: Albert, a farmer; Julius and Adolph, twins; Alexander, a farmer, and Annie and Sophia, who are living at home with their parents. Julius grew to manhood on his father's farm and obtained his education at the school in the neighborhood. After farming a short time he began his mercantile career as a clerk in a store at Nielsville. In 1899 he moved to Crookston, and during the next five years he clerked in stores in this city. At the end of this period he opened a store of his own, and this he has since conducted vnth a steadily increasing trade and strengthening hold on the confidence and regard of the people of the city and county. He was also associated with his brothers in keeping a store in Fargo, North Dakota.

Mr. Spokely is a citizen of public spirit and progressiveness, and takes an active and helpful part in the public affairs of his community. He was a member of the local school board, and was its treasurer at the time when the new school house was erected. Fraternally he is a Freemason and a member of the Order of Elks, the Sons of Norway and the Scandinavian Workmen. In 1907 he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Tisdel, who was bom in Austin, Minnesota. They have one child, their son Roland.

Mark Rauenbuehler

Having become a resident of Crookston in 1879, Mark Rauenbuehler is one of the pioneer residents of Polk county; and having been the first harness maker in Crookston, he is also one of the pioneer manufacturers and merchants of that city. Moreover, having borne his share of the privations and hardships of the early days, and helped to build the town to its present state of advancement and importance, and having, at the same time, made his own advancement in business and material gains keep pace with the progress of the community, he is entitled and prepared to enjoy his share of the pleasures and prosperity of the present period and look with pride upon the structure his hands have helped to build and improve.

Mr. Rauenbuehler was born in Baden, Germany, July 5, 1852, a son of Alois and Mary A. (Stahlberger ) Rauenbeuhler, who were natives of the same province as himself, and passed their lives in it, profitably engaged in fanning. They were the parents of three sons and five daughters, of whom all of the sons and one of the daughters are now living in the United States. The father took an active part in the public affairs of his native land and served as a soldier in the Revolution of 1848 in that country.

His son Mark remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen, then, in 1869, came to this country and located at Fort Madison, Iowa, where he learned his trade as a harness maker. He next passed four years in Wisconsin, and then moved to Anoka, Minnesota. In 1879 he located at Crookston and opened a small harness shop on Second street, in front of which he planted the first hitching post in Crookston. During the first three days of his venture his cash receipts amounted to ten cents, but as the town grew his trade increased until it reached a considerable magnitude, and for many years it has kept him busy all the working hours of the day.

parents, and wius boni on the Atlantic ocean while they were on their way to America. Five children were born of the union, three of whom are living, Louisa, Paulina and George. Their mother died in 1889 and in November, 1890, the father contracted a second marriage in which he was united with Mrs. Johanna Netzer, a widow. They have two children, JIadouna and Eugene. The parents are members of the Catholic church.

Harry L. Marsh

Harry L. Marsh, vice president and manager of the First National bank of Crookston, is a native of New York, born at Bridgewater in 1881. He was reared in that village and there received his early education. After completing his preparatory studies, he entered Oberlin college and graduated from that institution in 1903. During the following year he held a position with the Citizens' Trust company at Utica, New York, and then came to Crookston, accepting the position of book keeper in the First National bank. Here his able and efiScient services have won him rapid promotion and as vice president and manager of the First National bank, he is prominently associated with the financial interests of the Northwest. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Crookston commandery. He was married to Annie Miller, the daughter of A. A. Miller, a well known attorney and financier of Crookston. Mr. Marsh and his wife are members of the First Congregational church.

Carl Riedesel

This pioneer shoe merchant of Crookston has a fundamental knowledge of his business not possessed by every man who is engaged in it by reason of his having learned the trade of shoemaking in all its features and requirements under competent instructors in his native land of Germany, and he makes this knowledge tell to his own advantage and that of his customers, because he is able to distinguish between good and poor material and workmanship in the manufacture of the goods he handles. His judgment in this respect is considered first rate and his work in reference to the (|uality of foot gear always carries great weight with the purchasing public.

Mr. Riedesel was born in Westfallen, Erndtebrueck, Germany, in 1854, where his parents, Henry and Louisa (Wiekel) Riedesel, passed the whole of their lives. The father was a shoemaker, a sturdy and sterling citizen, and devoted to the welfare of the working people. He rendered his country good service in the Revolution of 1848 in Germany, through which many men of prominence in the Fatherland were driven to seek safety in foreign lands, some of the most eminent of them becoming residents of this country. Six sons and five daughtere were born to the parents, but only two of the number are residents of the United States, Carl and one of his sisters, Louisa.

Carl Riedesel remained in his native land until he reached the age of twenty-six and there learned his trade as a shoemaker. In 1880 he came to America, locating in Carver county, Minnesota, and finding employment on farms in the neighborhood of Waconia. On December 29, 1882, he became a resident of Crookston, and here he worked at his trade for four .years in the employ of Mr. Sehvvark, who carried on a harness and shoe business. In 1889 Mr. Riedesel purchased the shoe department of the business and this he has since conducted continuously, which makes him one of the oldest merchants in the city in unbroken connection with the same line of trade.

the school hoard. He is a Repuhlic-an in party allegiance but not an active partisan, although he is always deeply interested in the welfare of his county, state and adopted country. Fraternally he is a Freemason, and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In each of these organizations he has held important offices and of the Camp to which he belongs in the Woodmen he has been secretary for twenty years.

In 1883 Mr. Riedesel was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Reinhardt, like himself a native of Germany, and by this marriage he has become the father of seven children, Frederick C, William E., Helen (now Mrs. Misner), Louisa, who is a school teacher, George M., Lillian and Anorma. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church. They are well and favorably known throughout Polk county and in other localities, and are evei*ywhere held in high esteem.

Frank A. Grady

Frank A. Grady, a well known attorney of Crookston, was born in Olmsted county, Minnesota, March 2, 1870, the son of James and Bridget (Towhey) Grady. The latter were natives of Ireland. They were married after coming to the United States and located in Olmsted county about 1854, in the eai'ly days of the settlement of the new territory. After living here for many years, in 1878 they removed to Brookings county, South Dakota, where they continue to make their home. Frank Grady received his early education in the country schools of Minnesota and of Brookings county. He then entered the South Dakota State college where he received the degree of B. S. in 1889. The following four years he spent teaching school in Iowa and Montana. On returning to Minnesota, he began to prepare himself for the legal profession in the law department of the state university. He graduated in 1894, was admitted to the bar and on June 8 of that year, began the practice of law at Anoka where he remained for a year and then went to Thief River Falls. In 1897 he located in Red Lake Falls, where for fifteen years he was a prominent member of the bar. During the years of his able and successful practice in Red Lake Falls, Mr. Grady became widely known in northern Minnesota and made many friends in Polk county. He served as county attorney for Red Lake county for four years and was a member of the school board. In 1912 he came to Crookston and is one of the leading attorneys in that city. His marriage to Harriet E. Ryan occurred December 29, 1897. Three sons have been bom to this union. Clarion, Willard and Lowell. Mr. Grady and his family are communicants of the Catholic church.

Charles Loring

Charles Loring, a lawyer of Crookston, was born in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, in 1873. His parents were Lyman and Eugenie (Hutchinson) Loring, the former a native of Maine and his wife of Vermont. Lyman Loring was a farmer, one of the sturdy pioneers who pushed steadily westward as more and more land was opened for settlement and cultivation. He located in Wisconsin in the fifties and in 1877 came to Clay county, Minnesota, and resided here until 1890. He then removed to Missoula county, Montana, where he engaged in ranching until his death in 1898. His wife survived him several years and died in Crookston. He rendered his country valuable service in the Civil war, enlisting in Company G, Fourth Wisconsin volunteer cavalry, in 1861 and serving throughout the war. This regiment was with the army of the Potomac in its campaign. For a time he was transferred to naval duty and later accompanied his regiment on its western maneuvers, receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the war. Charles Loring was the only child and was reared from early childhood in Minnesota. He was educated in the Moor head Nonnal school and in the Phillip's Exeter Academy. After completing his preparatory studies, he entered the law school of the State University and graduated in 1898. In the same year he was admitted to the bar in Montana by the supreme court of that state and practiced there for one year. He then returned to Minnesota to be associated for a year with Judge Nye of Moorhead. In 1900 he located in Crookston where he enjoys a large practice. For several years he wa.s associated in his professional interests with Halvor Steenerson. This firm was dissolved in 1905 and he formed his present partnership with Mr. G. A. Youngquist. Mr. Loring gives some attention to the management of his farm in which he takes great interest. He is also a director of the Scandinavian American bank. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has never sought political prominence nor run for any political office. Mr. Loring was married in 1900 to Bertha Darrow, the daughter of Dr. Darrow of Moorhead. They have two daughters, Helen and Genevieve. Mr. Loring is a member of the Masonic order and of the Elks lodge.

Captain Peter J. Eide

Diligent and enterprising in attention to one of the pursuits of peaceful industry, yet ever ready to move at his country's call in armed resistance to its enemies, Capt. Peter J. Eide of Crookston, is a fine example of the citizen soldiery of the United States, and in all the relations of life he maintains the sterling and elevated manhood of the military spirit, exemplifying in private life all the devotion to the interests of his country that men exhibit on the battlefield.

The captain, who is now one of the leading business men of Crookston, was bom in this county in 1878. He is a son of John P. and Albertina (Johnson) Eide, who were born and reared, educated and married, and began their career of domestic life in Norway, but emigrated to the United States in 1877 and located on a homestead in the township of Roome, this county. They made their virgin land over into a good farm, and the mother died on it in 1898. The father remained on the farm until 1908, when he retired from active work and changed his residence to Crookston, where he died in 1913. They had two children, the captain and his sister, who is now the wife of J. E. Michael and has her home in the state of Oregon. The parents were zealous and serviceable members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and took an active part in promoting all good agencies working for the benefit of the people around them. They were warmly esteemed wherever they were known.

Captain Eide grew to manhood in this county and obtained his education in the public school in Crookston, a business college and the State Agricultural College at St. Anthony Park in St. Paul. For some years after leaving school he was employed as a clerk in Crookston. In 1905 he began business for him.self as a manufacturer of ice cream and proprietor of a confectionery store in Crookston. He has continued his enterprise in these lines until now, and his business has grown to considerable magnitude. He ships ice cream all over this section, and his product has a high rank wherever it is known, for it is made with intelligence and skill and of the best materials for the purpose which can he obtained.

On May 15, 1903, Captain Eide became a private in Company I, Third Minnesota National Guard. He has been constant and studious in attention to his duties as a member of the company from the time of his enlistment, and has risen by successive promotions on merit to his present rank as the head officer of his company, having been elected its captain on February

Jeeome W. Wheeler

22, 1911. He was the prime promoter of the movement for the erection of an armory at Crookston, and by persistent effort in spite of many discouragements and difBculties, he succeeded in obtaining the object of his desire in this respect in the erection of a building that cost $40,000, and is a model sti'ucture for the purpose for which it was designed. It is a source of great pride to the community and he is entitled to the credit of having obtained it.

in readiness for calls to suppress riots and was also prepared for an order to the Mexican border in 1914. The captain is a member of the Masonic Order, the Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America in fraternal relations. His church affiliation is with the English Lutheran sect. He has lived in Crookston from the time when it was an uncomely village of log shacks until now, and has aided materially in promoting its growth and improvement to its present condition. The people of Polk coiinty value his sendees and esteem him highly for his genuine worth.

G. A. Youngquist, of Crookston, county attorney' and a prominent member of the bar in Polk county, was born in 1885, near Gothenburg, Sweden, and was brought to this country in his infancy by his parents, Andrew and Margareta (Abrahamson) Youngquist, natives of the same locality as their son. Andrew Youngquist brought his family to Bui-eau county, Illinois, in 1887 and worked at his trade of blacksmith in that place for two years and then removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and with the exception of several years spent in Carver county, made his home in that city until his death in 1907. He is survived by his wife and seven children, of whom G. A. Youngquist is the only one not residing in St. Paul. He was reared there and received his early education in the city schools and in the schools of Carver county. He entered the St. Paul college of law in 1906 and completed his professional studies in 1909, received his degree from tliat institution and was admitted to practice before the supreme and federal courts. In the same year he opened a law office at Thief River Falls and in the following year located in Crookston where he has since been associated with Mr. Charles Loring in his professional interests. Mr. Yoiingquist is one of the younger attorneys of the county and has already attained a high reputation as an able and successful barrister and has earned the respect and confidence of the courts. He was elected county attorney in 1914. He is widely kno^vn through his active interest in political activities and was a member of the state central committee of the Republican party during the campaign of 1912, He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and in fraternal circles is affiliated with the Masonic order, Vasa Orden and Independent Order of Scandinavian Workmen. Mr. Youngquist was married June 29, 1915, to Scharlie M. Robertson, who is a native of Crookston.

Jerome Winthrop Wheeler

Long known as one of the most capal}le, enterprising and sagacious bankers of Minnesota, Jerome Winthrop Wheeler, president of the First National Bank of Crookston since 1905, has a record in his chosen line of business which justly entitles him to the rank he holds and is a firm foundation for his high and widespread reputation iu financial circles in Minnesota and all other parts of the Northwest. He has been a man of action and done things, leaving to others the pleasant task of talking about achievements. Mr. Wheeler was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, January 15, 1863, and is a son of J. B. and Kate (Dem- ing) Wheeler. He began his education in the public schools of his native town and was graduated from JleMynn Academy, Racine, "Wisconsin, in 1880. Ou leaving the academy he entered the employ of the Kenosha Bank and remained in its service for five years. From 1885 to 1892 he was bookkeeper and teller of the First National Bank of Crookston, and during the next three years was cashier of the Scandinavian-American Bank of that citj'. From 1895 to 1905 he served as cashier of the First National Bank of Crookston, and since 1905 he has been the president of that institution.

In addition to his close and serviceable connection with banks already mentioned Mr. Wheeler has been president of the First State Bank of Humboldt, also Beltrami, Minnesota, and a director of the State Bank of Stephen, also in this state. He has been president of the Wheeler-]Misner Loan company of Crookston, Minnesota, and to each of these enterprises he has given the same careful and productive attention that

In 1912 Mr. Wheeler was chosen president of the Capitol Trust company of St. Paul, and since taking his place at the head of that enterprising and progressive institution he has given every detail of its management his studious personal supervision, thereby promoting its welfare and quickening its progress toward the great development and impressive financial influence it has attained with an impetus that keeps it ever on the move for the accomplishment of still greater results.

Mr. Wheeler has taken a sympathetic interest and an active part in the fraternal life of Minnesota as a member of the Masonic Order, the Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. While earnestly and loyally devoted to the abiding welfare of his state and country, political contes-ts have had no attraction for him, and he has never sought or desired a political office of any kind. He was married August 24, 1886, to Miss Eva J. Hill.

Edwin F. Kelley

Edwin F. Kelley, sheriff of Polk county, was born at Jackson, Michigan, November 22, 1872, and was brought to Minnesota in his early infancy by his parents, Andrew J. and Ella (Fleming) Kelley, natives of Indiana and Michigan. The father of Andrew Kelley was born in New York state and served in the War of 1812, later removing to Kelleys Ford, Virginia, and from there to Ohio. Andrew Kelley is a cabinet maker by trade and w'as employed in this work until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the defense of the Union in the Seventeenth Michigan volunteer infantry and served with distinction during the great conflict, his valiant services being acknowledged by congress in the awarding of a medal. After the close of the war, he was appointed a keeper in the penitentiary and made his home in Jackson, Michigan, for some time. In 1873 he came to Minnesota and was the first settler in the vicinity of Crookston, locating on government land.

one mile and a half east of the town, and this homestead farm continues to be the home of Andrew Kelley and his wife. Edwin Kelley 's earliest recollections are of the pioneer life of the county and he has witnessed the rapid growth and the evolution of the wild frontier country into the modern agricultural and civic communities and the interests and successes of his career have been identified with its iiistory. Among the first playmates of his childhood were the children of the Indian tribes, before the increasing activities of civilization left no room for their wandering bands. He received his education in the county schools and engaged in farming, later removing to the coast where he owned a stone and timber claim for some time. In 1898 he enlisted in Company L of the Fourteenth Minnesota regiment and served in the Spanish war from April to November of that year, completing the honorable military record of the .services of three generations. On returning to Polk county, he again engaged in farming and for four years was deputy sheriff of the county. In 1911 he was elected to the office of sheriff and reelected in 1913 and has discharged the duties of his position with commendable ability, his services incurring a well merited popularity among his fellow citizens. He has always been a faithful supporter of the principles of the Republican party and is a member of the Presbj'terian church. In fraternal circles, he is affiliated with the Elk lodge. Mr. Kelley was married in 1910, to Estella Barlow, of Iowa and they have two children, Gordon and Dorothy.

L. D. Foskett, of Crookston, cashier of the Crookston State Bank and prominent citizen, was born in Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1865, the son of Elmer C. and Celia M. (Darrin) Foskett. Elmer C. Foskett was a native of Massachusetts and his wife of New York. They have made their home in Iowa for a number of years and now reside at Primghar in that state. L. D. Foskett was educated in Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, and upon leaving the university in 1898, he located in JIarshall, IMinuesota, where he engaged in the abstract and loan business for several years. In 1902 he removed to Crookston and promoted the organization of the Crookston State Bank and since that time has continued to be identified with its successful transactions as cashier. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Foskett is extensively associated with the agricultural enterprises of the county and devotes considerable attention to the operation of about two thousand acres of farm land. His career has been marked by worthy accomplishment and success and, although he avoids active interest in political matters, as a public spirited citizen, he is widely known and popular in all circles. He is a member of the Commercial club and in fraternal orders, is a Mason and member of the Commandery and a member of the Elks and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married, July 25, 1905, to Bernice Addison, who resided in Marshall, Minnesota, and they have two children, Florence and Elmer. Mr. Foskett and his wife are members of the Congregational church.

Wellington H. Jewell

When Wellington H. Jewell, the oldest employe in length of continuous sei'vice in the Northern Division of the Great Northern railroad, first saw Crookston in 1872 it was a straggling hamlet of a few log cabins and gave little promise of becoming a city of 8,000 inhabitants, alive with quickened industrial, mercantile and commercial activities and blessed with all the concomitants of modern municipal progress. He has been a resident of the city from that time to the present, and has contributed his share of the enterprise and force required to build and develop it to its present stature.

the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. The father was a farmer and carpenter. He emigrated from his native land to Prince Edward Island. After living there for a number of years he moved to Maine, but later he took his family back to Prince Edward Island, and he and the mother died there. They were the parents of thirteen children and three of their sons are now residents of the United States.

Wellington H. Jewell remained on Prince Edward Island until he reached the age of fourteen, then came to Crookston with his uncle, Robert Houston, who owned a part of the townsite. For a number of years the uncle conducted a popular and profitable grocery store in Crookston. He is now living in the city of Everett, Washington. The nephew found employment in a modest capacity in the roundhouse of the Great Northern Railroad in 1875, and in October, 1880, was given an engine, and from that time until now he has been running one on the Northern Division of the road. He is a member of the Masonic Order in several of its advanced branches, including the Mystic Shrine.

Miss Annie Dreeland, who was born in Ottawa county, Province of Quebec, Canada. They have three children: Katharine, who is the wife of John Bow, of Crookston; William E., who is in the railroad service, and Albert E., who is a machinist in the railroad shoi)s in St. Paul. The parents are widely knovim and held in much esteem for their genuine worth and the cordial and helpful interest they manifest in every undertaking for the good of their community.

0. H. Bjoin, of Crookston, well known citizen and pioneer of the county, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, September 19, 1852. His parents, Halvor and Annie (Week) Bjoin were natives of Falamaskau, Norway, and prominent farmers of Dane county, Wisconsin, where they had extensive land interests ou Coskland Prairie. The father came to this country in 1843 and the mother in 1844 and they were married in Wisconsin where they reared their family of six sons and three daughters. Two sons, Thomas Bjoin and 0. H. Bjoin, are residents of Polk county. The latter remained in his native state until 1880 when he came to Crookston. For a year he engaged in farming and then for some time operated a liveiy business, working for his brother, Thomas Bjoin. In

1883 he filed on land and gave some attention to his claim, later serving for a time ou the police force of Crookston. He again engaged in the lively business in 1885, September 21, and has continued in this occupation during the past thirty years and is widely known as the pioneer liveryman of the county. Throughout the many years of his business career and citizenship, Mr. Bjoin has maintained an active interest in public activities and in advancing the ra])i(l development of the country and justly enjoys the respect accorded tlie worthy settlers of the city and county. He was married at Red Wing, in 1886 to Lena Carlson, who was born in Norway and they have three children, Anna, Cora and Harold.

John R. Rasmusson

Being one of the pioneers who helped to open the Red River valley to settlement and improvement, and liaving also tried his hand in the stirring engagements of the farther West, John R. Rasmusson of Crookston has had an extensive, varied and valuable experience among men.

Mr. Rasmusson was bom at Kilbourn, Wisconsin, in 1864. His parents, Halvor and Liv (Johnson) Rasmusson, were natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1860, locating in Wisconsin, where the father taught school and clerked. In 1866 he moved to Winona, Minnesota, and in 1878 to Moorhead, this state. There the mother died in March, 1909, and there the father still has his home. lie served as clerk of the courts in Clay county sixteen years, and prior to that time liought grain in various parts of Southern Minnesota.

Of the three sons and two daughters of his parents who are living, John R. Rasmusson is the only one living in Polk county. He attained his manhood and got his education in Minnesota, and at the ag* of twenty-six changed his residence to Spokane, Wash- ihgton, where he served as deputy clerk and city clerk for two years. In 1893 he returned to Moorhead, and in 1896 removed to Crookston, where he has since resided and is now actively and profitably engaged in the hardware trade. He takes an intei'est in the public affairs of his home city and county, but has not sought office or been an active political partisan. In 1892 Mr. Rasmusson was united in marriage with Miss Elisa Dahl, who was born in Norway and brought to the United States in her childhood. They have two children, Harold D. and Dagna J., both of whom still abide with them in their pleasant home. The parents are members of the English Lutheran church and take a sei-viceable part in its activities, as they do in every undertaking for the good of the community. They stand well in the city and county, and deserve in full measure the cordial regard in which they are held by all classes of their residents.

August Miller

The late August Miller of Crookston, who died in that city June 8, 1913, was the founder of the Crookston tannery and for nearly twenty years was one of the leading manufacturers and business men of Polk county. He was born in Sweden in 1853 and was reared and educated in that country. There also he learned his trade as a tanner and followed it until 1888. In that year he brought his family to the United States and Minnesota and located in St. Paul, where he operated a tannery until 1894. He then moved to Crookston and started the first tannery operated in this state north of the Twin Cities. He began his operations on a small scale but steadily increased them until now the plant he founded handles about 3,000 hides a year. The tannery is completely equipped with modern machinery, occupies two large buildings and draws its trade from a large part of this state, the two Dakotas and the province of Manitoba, Canada.

Mr. Miller was married in his native laud to Miss Eva Johnson. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom have died except three. Their mother is also still living. She is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, as was her husband during his life. They were among the founders of the congregation of their faith in Crookston and zealous in its service from the beginning of its history, being persons of sturdy and sterling qualities and helpfully interested in all good works among the people around them.

Herman U. Miller, the sou of August, is also a native of Sweden, where his life began in 1884. He was a child of four years when he came to this country with his parents, and in Minnesota he grew to manhood and learned the tanning trade under the tuition of his father, and since the death of that estimable man he has managed the business of the tannery with enterprise and expanding trade and gratifying success. Though one of the younger set of Crookston 's business men he is one of the most capable and progressive of them all, and is generally esteemed as such.

Mr. Miller, the younger, is a member of the Masonic order and the Crookston Commercial club. In religious afiSliation he adheres to the faith of his parents. He was married in 1908 to Miss Marie Amundson, who was bom and reared in Polk county. Her parents were pioneers of the county, locating and living in the thirteen towns. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children, their son Ronald and their daughter Irene.