Redwood County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1916 (part 12 of 13)

August H. Seebeck, a progressive farmer of Homier township, was born in Germany, August 9, 1849, son of John and Helen (Rush) Seebeck, and came to America with his parents in 1861. The father was a native of Germany and engaged in farming in LeSueur county Minnesota, where he subsequently resided until his death in 1887, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1898 at the age of seventy-six. August H. Seebeck worked out on the farms from the age of twelve to that of twenty -one years. His first wages were $5.00 for three months' work. He plowed, mowed with scythe and cradled grain all summer for one pair of shoes with wooden soles, one pair of overalls, two shirts, one jacket and two pounds of wool. At the time of the Indian outbreak he was working out about eight miles east of Ottawa in LeSueur county, and was engaged in cradling wheat when the courier drove through and notified the people of the approaching danger. They at once dropped everything and three families there fled to Ottawa for safety. The men all went to New Ulm to join forces against the Indians, leaving young Seebeck and Fred Berndt to protect the women and children. The next night the men returned to their families. It was late when they returned and the boys thought it was the Indians coming. Young Berndt cautiously pushed open the door, while August Seebeck had raised his gun to fire when he recognized the late arrivals.

Young Seebeck felt bound to fight the Indians and next day got a neighbor 's team and drove to the camp, 30 miles away, to join the troops. He stayed over night at the camp, but on account of his youth was rejected and, much disappointed, returned to where he had been working. Subsequently he learned the miller's trade and worked at it for nine years. Then he farmed in LeSueur county for two years and in the fall of 1879 came to Redwood county and rented a farm in Paxton township until 1884. He next bought 40 acres in section 32, Homer township and now owns 160 acres in the same section. He owned at one time 440 acres. Mr. Seebeck has made many improvements on his farm. In 1900 he built a comfortable nine-room house, having previously erected a barn in 1890. He has a fine apple orchard of 550 trees. As a stockman he raises Hereford cattle, Duroc Jersey swine and Percheron and Belgian horses. Taking an active interest in public affairs, he has served as assessor for two years, chairman of the township board for three years, is now a member of the board of supervisors, and for six years has been clerk of the school board. He is a member of the Farmers' Elevator of Redwood Falls and of the Redwood County Fair Association. Mr. Seebeck was united in marriage March 15, 1877, to Bertha C. Soltau, who was born February 2, 1860, daughter of Jurgen Soltau, who died in 1896 at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife, Rebecca (Shoemacher) Soltau, who died in 1879 at the age of fifty-four. Mr. and Mrs. Seebeck have had twelve children: George W., a druggist at Conrad, Mont. ; Garfield, who died in 1900 at the age of nineteen; Hattie, wife of Ewald Schulz, a farmer; Ella, wife of Harry Barnes, a farmer ; Carolyn V., a teacher ; Herbert B., at home; Bertha C, wife of Arthur Dittbenner, of Echo; Walter; Ormie ; Harold ; and Grace, and one who died in infancy.

Hans Knudsen, an enterprising farmer of Morgan township, was born in Denmark, June 13, 1876, son of Christian Hansen and Hanna (Hansen) Knudsen, farmers of Denmark. Two of Mrs. Christian Knudsen 's sisters, Martha and Maren, had come to the United States in the early days. Martha, arriving first, located at Racine, Wis., where she married Christian Eichart Hansen, and came by ox team to Evan, Minn. St. Peter was then the nearest market. Maren, the other sister, was married in Denmark to Nels Matsen and later came with her husband and family to Evan, Minn. Christian Knudsen and his wife had eleven children, two of whom, Johanna and Anna, were by a former marriage of Mr. Knudsen 's. The children by the second marriage were : Carl, Sophia, Christian, Adolph, Hans, Amelia, Christopher, Julianus, and Gertel. Christian was the first member of this family to come to the United States. In 1893 Hans came to Evan, Minn. He had borrowed his fare from his uncle, Christian Eichart Hansen, and stayed with him the first winter and worked for him the next summer at $15 per month to pay him back. That fall he worked with a threshing outfit and then went to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for three years at $10 a month during the winter and at $20 a month during the summer. One winter he went to school to learn English and worked for his board. Next he returned to his native country and visited for about three months. While there he was married to Christina Rasmussen, born in Denmark, April 6, 1872. They came to Iowa and at first both worked on the farms, his wife receiving $2.00 a week and he $20.00 a month. The next year they rented a small farm, receiving one-third of the crop. The following year they came to Minnesota and rented for two years a farm from C. D. Gilfillan in Paxton township. Then they went to Evan, where they rented a farm for three years, and in 1903 bought 150 acres in section 18, Morgan township, Redwood county. There were no buildings or trees on the place, but most of the land had been plowed. Mr. Knudsen built a barn 26 by 24, which has since been replaced by a larger building, 46 by 52 feet. His first house was 16 by 28 feet and now has a 16 by 16 addition. He set out three acres of trees for a grove and three acres of fruit trees. He keeps a good grade of stock. For the last three years Mr. Knudsen has served on the school board and is a member of the Morgan Farmers' Elevator Company and Creamery. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran church and has served on its board of trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Knudsen have ten children : Robert, Olga, Carl, Dagny, Christopher, Harry, Helen, Lillie, Rudolph, and one unnamed child, who died in infancy. All are living at home.

Emil Tonak, a prosperous and successful farmer of Sundown township, comes of pioneer stock, having been born on his father's homestead in the township where he still resides, September 23, 1874, son of August and Mary (Brandt) Tonak. Reared on this place, he attended the schools of the neighborhood and remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. Then he left home and rented 160 acres of land in section 17, of which by making gradual payments, he in time became the owner. Through the early days of his occupancy on this land his pluck and endurance were taxed to the utmost. One year his crops were totally destroyed by hail and the yield was so poor for several seasons that he was compelled to eke out his income by working with a threshing crew, with Joseph Bellig, but in time, he reaped the results of his intelligent hard work. He improved his buildings, developed his farm, and in 1912 greatly increased the value of the place by erecting a machine shop, a corn crib 28 by 32 feet, and a granary 24 by 40 feet. On this excellent place he conducts general farming and raises a good grade of stock, disposing of the cream from his herd to the Wanda Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. In public affairs, he has served as constable in Sundown township for three years. Mr. Tonak was married in 1901 to Ida Bellig, who was born in Steele county, this state, March 21, 1880, daughter of Peter Bellig. Mrs. Tooak has proven a loyal and encouraging helpmate in all her husband's undertakings. She is a member of the Mothers' Club, the Ladies' Aid Society and of other organizations. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

August Tonak, one of the earliest settlers of Sundown township, was born in Germany, April 5, 1844, youngest of the four children of John and Julia (Schafer) Tonak, the others in the family being Ernestina (now deceased) ; Henry, still in Germany, and Minnie, now deceased. August was reared and educated in his native land and set out for himself in 1869 by coming to the United States. After working for a while in Wisconsin, he secured work at Stillwater, this state. It was in 1871 that he obtained a homestead of wild land in section 18, Sundown township, with a team of $500 horses. Owing to the hard times, however, he went back to Wisconsin in the winter of 1873, and worked at chopping and hauling wood for his father-in-law, Henry Brandt, leaving a neighbor to look after his few head of cattle. A few months later he returned and again took up his work on the farm. In 1875 one of his horses died, and he traded the other for a pair of oxen. Mr. Tonak suffered all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and did his part in the upbuilding of the county, having been one of the original organizers of the township. In June, 1872, he built a frame house, 14 by 18 feet, one of the first in the vicinity. Other buildings were erected as necessity required, and his land was gradually developed until his place has become as good as any in the neighborhood. In addition to his general farming, he early turned his attention to dairying and was one of the earliest stockholders of the old Sundown creamery, later becoming one of the stockholders of the Wanda Creamery. In every way he is an estimable citizen and is regarded as one of the representative and useful members of the community. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. In the early days they attended services at the log cabin of Ferdinand Schwartz, at Springfield, and there the children were baptized and confirmed. A few years ago, however, they assisted in building the church at Wanda, and there they now attend services. Mr. Tonak was married in 1872 to Mary Brandt, who was born in Marine Mills, this state, May 11, 1858, daughter of Henry and Anna (Heins) Brandt, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tonak have been blessed with twelve children: Henry, born April 29, 1873 (died September 23, 1873) ; Emil, born September 23, 1874; August, July 8, 1876; Anna, June 13, 1878 ; Caroline, July 20, 1880; Emma, August 9, 1882; Mary August 20, 1884; Henrietta,

November 5, 1886; Bertha, December 25, 1888; William, April 26, 1890; Minnie, September 3, 1891; and Herman, July 28, 1895. Emil lives not far from his father. August lives at Wabasso, Anna at Lamberton, Caroline at Osceola, Wis., Emma at Sundown, Mary in Vail, and Minnie in Sundown.

Andrew Stewart, an influential citizen of Delhi, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, May 1, 1841, son of Hugh and Ann (Mc- Lean) Stewart, with the former of whom he came first to Ontario, Canada, and then to Wabasha county, in this state. From there he enlisted in 1861 in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in at Ft. Snelling, served under Generals Grant and Sherman, and took part in some thirty engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Corinth, Richmond and Bed River. After his discharge as a corporal at Demopolis, Ala., September 6, 1865, he returned to Wabasha county. He first came to Redwood county in 1870, when he drove Isaac Leslie here, and broke forty acres of land for him. In 1875 he settled here permanently, securing the south half of section 18, Delhi township. He set at work with a will, erected a house, and started to break the land. His first crop of wheat was destroyed by the grasshoppers in 1876. But he kept at work with undaunted courage, and in time achieved success. His barn, 44 by 44 feet, was erected in 1877. A corn crib, 18 by 24 feet, was built in 1890. In 1895 the original six-room house was remodeled and enlarged to nine rooms. Other buildings and sheds were constructed as necessity required. For many years Mr. Stewart earned on general farming, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, Percheron horses and Duroc Jersey swine. In 1910 he retired and moved to Delhi village, where he has a pleasant home on one of its prettiest streets. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Grain & Fuel Co., of which he is one of the directors. As school director he has done good service for several years. His fraternal affiliations are with the G. A. R. Post at Redwood Falls. He and his family are faithful members of the Delhi Presbyterian church, in which he served as a member of the building committee in 1890. Mr. Stewart was married December 12, 1872, to Catherine McLean, who has the distinction of being the first white girl to be married in the township. Mrs. E. G. Pomroy is the first white woman to be married from the township, but was married at Redwood Falls. Mrs. Stewart was born January 21, 1848, in Ontario, Canada, daughter of John and Sarah (Duncan) McLean, both natives of Scotland who came to Canada in 1846 and to Redwood county in 1870, where they bought 160 acres of land in section 18, Delhi township, on which they spent the remainder of their days, he dying in 1877 and she in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have the following children : Sarah D., born December 21, 1873, engaged in teaching school; Annie, born March 3, 1876, now Mrs. John McKay, of Kintire township; Mary E., born August 24, 1879, now Mrs. Andrew Smith, of Illinois; John L., born September 1, 1881, a farmer at Delhi; Hugh S., born October 15 1885, and died April 4, 1902; Edna A., born October 30, 1889, a high school teacher. Mrs. Stewart is one of ten children, all the others now being dead except her brother, Daniel McLean, who is secretary of the Redwood County Rural Telephone Co.

Hugh Stewart was born in Argylshire, Scotland, in 1797, and there married Ann McLean, who was born in that neighborhood in 1802 and died in 1854. He came to Ontario, Canada, in 1855, and three years later moved to Wabasha county, this state. In the fall of 1875 he came to Redwood county, and spent his declining years with his children. He was the father of nine children, of whom there are now living three: Andrew, of Delhi; Isabelle, now Mrs. John Cummings, also of Delhi; and John, who lives in Tacoma, Wash.

{Louis P. Christensen, for several years a substantial farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Denmark, February 2, 1849, son of Chris and Anna Marie (Nelson) Christensen, both natives of Denmark and parents of ten children, three girls and seven boys, three of whom came to the United States. Louis P. and his brother, Christian, came in 1869 and located in Racine, Wis., where he acquired a house and lot. In 1892 he traded his property there for an 80-acre tract of wild prairie land in section 18, Willow Lake township, Redwood county. On this tract, he built a frame house, 16 by 20 feet to which many additions have since been made and now is a fine substantial farm house. He also built a barn and many other necessary farm buildings, set out groves, and by his perseverance and energy became the proud owner of a well developed farm. Being interested in dairying he held stock in the local creamery, and did what he could to assist in its upbuilding. His death, August 3, 1913, is still sincerely mourned. Mr. Christensen was married in Racine, March 28, 1874, to Nicolene Hansen, born Dec. 12, 1852, a native of Denmark and daughter of Hans and Martha (Nelson) Hansen. Mrs. Christensen came to the United States in 1872, and located in Racine, where she was later joined by her sisters, Tillie and Sarah, another sister remaining in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen had eleven children: Jennie, Anna (deceased), Nellie (deceased), Julius (deceased), Martha (deceased), Edward, Adolph, Albert, Louis, Walter and George, all born at Racine. Jennie married James L. Johnson and they live in Minneapolis. Edward married Meta Lippert, and they live in Lamoure county, North Dakota. They have three children, Mabel, Emmett and a baby. Adolph married Elfreda Seibert, and they have one child, Norma C. Albert married Ida Lippert, and they live in

Aberdeen, S. D. Louis married Emma Lippert, and they live in Willow Lake township. As a memento of the early days, the family still preserves the old spinning wheel on which their mother spun the yard for their caps, mittens and socks.

Willard C. Mann, a prosperous farmer of Honner township, was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, May 27, 1862, son of Edwin A. and Mary (Everett) Mann, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts, and came to Goodhue county, this state, in 1862 and there farmed until 1905 when he moved to Redwood Falls. Willard C. Mann remained at home until twenty-three years of age, helping his father on the farm. Then he bought his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Honner township, Redwood county, later increasing his holdings to 600 acres. He now has a well improved place and carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising Hereford cattle, doing some dairying and shipping a considerable number each year. He is also an extensive breeder of swine. Mr. Mann's public work has included service as assessor for fifteen years and on the township board for six years. He was one of the organizers of the North Redwood Co-operative Creamery and served as its first secretary for eight years. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company and was its first secretary. Mr. Mann was married October 30, 1888, to Laura Simpson, born September 15, 1866, and died January 8, 1907. She was the daughter of David Simpson, a pioneer farmer of Goodhue county and his wife, Ellen (Peck) Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. Mann had five children: Everett and Harold, who farm on their father's land; Ellen, Clarence and Ralph. Mr. Mann's place is known as the Camp Pope Farm." It was from here that General Henry H. Sibley set out on his expedition against the hostile Sioux, June 8, 1863, as fully related elsewhere in this work. A suitably inscribed marker has been erected to commemorate the event.

Henry R. Nelson, a prominent and successful farmer of Gales township, was born in Winona county, Minnesota, son of Charles J. and Emily E. C. (Peterson) Nelson. Both parents were natives of Sweden and married there. The father was born June 19, 1832, and died October 3, 1906; the mother, born July, 11, 1835, died October 1, 4914. Coming to America in 1857, they remained in New York state for a short time, and then they moved to Rockford, HI., where the father engaged in work as a stone mason, which trade he followed until 1863, when he homesteaded land in Nocollet county. In 1873 he moved to Minneapolis, where he again followed his trade for about a year. In 1874 he, with his family, moved to Gales township, Redwood county, Minnesota, and he pre-empted a claim in section 28, where his son, Charles, now lives. The journey to the new home was made in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. Mr. Nelson improved the farm and also took active part in the affairs of the township. He was a Republican in politics. He was one of the organizers of Gales township, and a member of the township board for many years, the first meetings being held at his home until the school house was built in 1879, when they were held there. He was also for many years a member of the school board of district No. 35. He and his wife had eleven children : Jennie, widow of William A. Rawlings, and now living in Springdale township ; Henry R., of Gales township ; Charles P. (deceased) ; Julia S., widow of L. W. Larson; Ghas. G., a farmer of Gales township; Emily A. (deceased) ; Philip A., of Lyon county, Minnesota ; John L. (deceased) ; Lydia L., now Mrs. William J. Davidson of LeSueur Center, Minn., said to have been the first white girl born in Gales township ; Leonard R, of Tracy, Minn. ; and Laura E., now Mrs. A. C. Hawes of Robbinsdale, Minn. At the age of twenty-one years Henry R. Nelson engaged in farming for himself, purchasing his present farm in section 27, Gales township, from the railroad company. He began working with untiring energy and the results have justified his efforts. He now owns 240 acres of well improved land, raises considerable grain and keeps a good grade of stock, including Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey sWine. With his brother, Charles G., he has operated a threshing outfit for the past 29 years. He has brought to a practical realization his idea of a straw stoker or self-feeder for a straw-burning threshing engine, received a patent for the same in 1898 and has used it successfully ever since. He built his present house in 1892 and a fine barn in 1900. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Nelson was married in 1887 to Kate A. Joyce, who was born in 1860, near Madison, Wis., daughter of James and Sarah (Slattery) Joyce. Her father enlisted in the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company F., in 1861, and served under Generals Grant and Logan throughout the war. He was once wounded and was honorably discharged in 1865. He then engaged in farming in Mazomanie, Wis., and died in 1900 at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother died in 1898 at the age of seventy-two. There were the following children: P. J. Joyce, John Henry Joyce, Kate A., Sarah Ann, and Mary Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Nelson's children are: Emily Rose, Sarah A., Robert, Jr., Joyce C, and Walter H. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Phillip A. Nelson, son of Charles J. and. Emily E. C. (Peterson) Nelson, at the age of twenty-one purchased a quarter section from the railroad company in section 28, Gales township. Later he traded this land for a quarter section in Amiret township, Lyon county, where he now owns half a section of land, which is well improved. He raises a good grade of beef cattle and hogs and is very active in politics and in the promoting of county and state roads in his county. He also owns a half interest in a 160-acre farm in Springdale township, Redwood county. In 1895 he was married to Anna Johnson, and they have two children : William N. and Dorothy.

Leonard F. Nelson, son of Charles J. and Emily E. C. (Peterson) Nelson, at the age of twenty-one years engaged in threshing, which business he followed for two years. In 1901 he, together with his nephew, F. H. Rawlings, who also had been his partner in the threshing business, opened a general store in Vesta, Redwood county, then a new town, where they did business for about two years. At the end of that time Mr. Nelson, with his brother, Phillip A., engaged in the wheat buying business in Milroy, Redwood county, then a new town, where they bought grain, cattle, hogs and sheep for shipment to eastern markets. In 1908 he entered the Citizens State Bank at Tracy, Minn., where he worked as assistant cashier for seven years. He owns 160 acres of well improved land in Monroe township, Lyon county, and also has a half interest in 160 acres of well improved land in Springdale township, Redwood county. At the present time, 1916, he is engaged in business in Tracy, Minn. Mr. Nelson was married in 1913 to Isabelle Abernathy.

James Gaffney, a pioneer, was born in County Caven, Ireland, and came to America as a young man, locating in Illinois, and from there going to California by way of Cape Horn. After a year's stay in the mining district there, he returned to Illinois. Next, he moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, in 1858, and located on a farm, where the city of Waseca now stands, going from there to Rice county where he stayed about one year. Then he drove with oxen into Renville county, went up along the Sacred Heart creek and lived there during 1865-66. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Gaffney located a homestead of 160 acres of wild prairie land in section 3, Flora township, where his son, Edmund, now lives. Here he built a log building, made out of hollow logs called scoop logs. Later he built another log house which had a shingled roof. The first township election of Flora township was held in the first of these log cabins. At that time there were about fourteen voters in the township. Mr. Gaffney began to break up the land with his ox team and improve the farm. He was a member of the Catholic church. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty years. Mr. Gaffney was married in Illinois to Mary Powers, daughter of John Powers, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Gaffney died in 1870, at the age of thirty-seven.

James P. Gaffney, county commissioner, successful farmer, and well known citizen of Delhi township, was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, December 30, 1864, son of James and Mary (Powers) Gaffney, who in 1865, brought him to Flora township, Renville county, where they are numbered among the earliest of the pioneers. Here James P. Gaffney was reared, attended district school, grew to manhood and learned agricultural pursuits from his father. In 1892 he started out for himself by purchasing 160 acres of wild land in section 14, Delhi township, where he still resides. In the nearly quarter of a century that has elapsed since that time he has brought the place to a high stage of development. On the raw prairie he erected a four-room house and a small barn, planted a grove of cottonwood, ash and box elder, started an orchard of apples, plums and cherries, and set at work with a will to establish himself as a representative and substantial member of the community. Everything about the place has kept pace with the march of time. His first barn was burned in 1897 and was replaced the same year with a larger structure, 16 by 46 feet. In 1913, the present stone and cement modern barn was erected, 44 by 64 feet. In 1904 the original house was remodeled and increased to its present proportions. As necessity has required, a granary, corn crib, jchicken house, sheds and the like have been erected. Mr. Gaffney carries on general farming, raises good diversified crops, and makes a specialty of .Shorthorn and Aberdeen-Angus cattle, Poland China swine and a good grade of horses. Mr. Gaffney began to take an interest in public affairs soon after his arrival in this county. For fourteen years he did excellent service as town supervisor. He was also a member of the school board of district 53 for six years and served for a similar period as road overseer. In these various capacities he so thoroughly won the approbation of his fellow citizens that in 1912 he was elected county commissioner from the 5th district, a position in which he has since served with satisfaction to his constituents and with credit to himself. Fraternally, Mr. Gaffney is a member of Redwood Falls Camp, No. 3797, Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Gaffney was married Dec. 13, 1886, to Mary Smith, born March 23, 1868, in Flora township, Renville county, this state, daughter of John and Julia (Falkel) Smith, natives respectively of Germany and Poland, who came to this country, were married in LeSeuer county, this state, and settled in Flora township, this county, among the earliest pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney have three children: Mary Annie, Joseph F. and James A. Mary Annie was born May 7, 1888, married E. H. Lechner, of North Redwood, this county, and has two children: Lois and James E. Joseph F., born April 24, 1890, and James A., born March 23, 1894, are both farming at O'Brien, Mont.

Alvin Duncan, for several years a prominent farmer of Eontire township, was born in Dodge county, Wis., November 4, 1848, and was there reared. As a young man he engaged in the milling business and eventually acquired a saw and gristmill of his own. In 1885 he started farming in Spencer, Clay county, Iowa. There he remained until 1898 when he drove overland by team to Redwood county, and with Hugh C. Duncan, purchased the southeast quarter of section 36, Kintire township, each having an 80-acre tract, where he successfully farmed until 1907, when he retired and moved to Redwood Palls, where he now resides. Mr. Duncan was married June 28, 1870, to Emma J. Cowan, who was born September 26, 1853, at Boltonville, Wis., daughter of Hugh and Lydia (Oberdorf) Cowan. Hugh Cowan was born in 1823, enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died in 1862, at Racine, Wis., on the way home.

Hugh 0. Duncan, a well known farmer of Kintire township, was born in Boltonville, Washington county, Wis., son of Alvin and Emma J. (Cowan) Duncan. He received a high school education, and in 1907 took charge of his father's farm, and also rented a tract in Sheridan township. In 1910 he bought his father's farm in section 35, Kintire township. To this he has added until he now operates 280 acres. He has developed the farm in many ways, and has erected suitable buildings until he now has as good a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. He carried on general farming and makes a specialty of Duroc Jersey swine. Mr. Duncan was married March 6, 1907, to Jessie M. Duncan, who was born at Boltonville, Wis., November 8, 1876, daughter of Albert and Almyra (Hall) Duncan, the former of whom was born December 18, 1843, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and the latter of whom was born April 21, 1842, in Syracuse, N. Y. Albert Duncan was taken to Washington county, Wisconsin, by his parents, when two years of age, and as a young man operated a saw and gristmill for twenty-five years. He is now a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have two children : Hubert, born November 25, 1909, and Hazel Emma, born December 29, 1915.

Andrew J. Sun dine, a prosperous farmer of Kintire township, is one of the best known men in this part of the county, and has achieved more than the usual measure of success. Coming to America as a poor boy, he saw strenuous life as a member of a railroad construction crew in Canada, and finally settled down on his present farm, to which he has since devoted his time and attention. His home is set in a beautiful grove, and the spreading front lawn is beautified with flower beds and shrubbery, through which a drive leads to the front door, giving the place the appearance of an estate in the old country. His barn is one of the largest in the community, and is equipped with every modern convenience, while the other buildings are ample and commodious. Mr. Sundine was born in Sweden, April 29, 1854, son of Samuel and Anna (Anderson) Somerson, the former of whom was born in Sweden in 1822, and there farmed until his death in 1866, and the latter of whom was born in Sweden in 1829, came to America in 1877, and lived in Kintire township, this county, until her death in 1896. The subject of this sketch came to America with his mother, and first located in Chicago. He entered railroad work, and after laboring awhile at Marquette, Mich., he went to Canada, where he assisted in railroad construction. It was there that he met with mafty interesting adventures and thrilling experiences. In 1884, however, he decided to devote his future life to farm work. Accordingly he came to Kintire township, and acquired the southeast quarter of section 2. To this, he has added from time to time by judicious purchases, until he now owns a large farm of 600 acres of the best of land. The house was rebuilt in 1892 ; the granary, 30 by 40 feet, with its portable elevator, its gasoline engine, its feed grinder and other conveniences, was erected in 1906 ; the barn, 48 by 96 feet, with concrete basement, was built in 1908. Mr. Sundine carries on general farming, and has a splendid herd of Shorthorn cattle, as well as a large drove of swine, and some good farm horses. Andrew J. Sundine was married February 18, 1899, to Helena Anderson, born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 28, 1870, daughter of Rasmus and Anna (Thompson) Anderson, and came to this county December 20, 1896. Rasmus Anderson, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1847, and died in 1877. His wife, who was born October 21, 1848, came to America in 1893, and located in Renville county; she died in Astoria, Ore., October 25, 1902.

Andrew M. Bondeson, an early settler, was born in Sweden, February 28, 1845, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1869, found his way to Chicago, went from there to Rockford, HI., and worked on a railroad, and spent the winter in Michigan. In the spring of 1870 he came to this state, and located in Nicollet county. There he remained until 1877, when he came to Redwood county and homesteaded 80 acres in section 8, North Hero township. On this wild land he built a shack, 14 by 14 feet, set out a grove and started to break the prairie sod for crops. With the passing of the years he built up a good farm, added 200 acres in section 7, and gradually attained prosperity. While engaged in general farming, he made a specialty of grain and flax. He served on the town board three years and on the school board seventeen years, and also did considerable other public service. In 1914 he retired and moved to Walnut Grove, where he erected his present sightly home. Mr. Bondeson was married in March, 1872, to Eva Frisk, born in Sweden, September 25, 1853, daughter of Samuel Frisk, who was born in Sweden in 1826 and died in Nicollet county, this state, in 1908. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bondeson are: Gustav, born February 15, 1873, and died March 16, 1891 ; William, a farmer of North Hero township, born September 2, 1875; Axel, born July 17, 1877, now farming in North Hero township ; Ellen, born

March 4, 1879, now Mrs. Fred Lundholm, of Chicago City, Minn. ; Henry, born January 30, 1881, now a farmer of Johnsonville township, this county; Mina, born November 13, 1883, wife of Nerd Erickson, of North Dakota; Esther, born September 22, 1885, now Mrs. Albert Stark, of Minneapolis ; Emily, born August 15, 1887, wife of William Nelson, a farmer of Johnsonville township ; Andrew, born February 16, 1889, a farmer of North Hero township ; Fred, born February 17, 1891, now at Walnut Grove ; and Winnie, born May 24, 1895, also now at Walnut Grove.

William Bondeson, a well known farmer of North Hero township, was born September 2, 1875, in Bernadotte, Nicollet county, Minnesota, son of Andrew M. and Eva (Frisk) Bondeson, and has lived in North Hero township since 1877, when he arrived here with his parents. In 1906 he acquired the original 80 acres of his father's homestead, erected a new house, and has since made many improvements in the buildings, and perfected many developments in the land. On this good place he conducts general farming and makes a specialty of Jersey cattle and O. I. C. hogs. Mr. Bondeson was married February 22, 1906, to Nellie Amundson, born March 25, 1881, daughter of Helga Amundson, and they have five children : Evelyn, Irene, Marvin, Florence and Wilma. Helga Amundson came to the United States in 1883 and located in Lyon county, this state. He was the father of five children : Amund, on the home farm in Lyon county ; Mary, wife of Louis Trulson, a farmer of Fillmore county, this state ; Helga, a farmer of North Dakota; Ida, wife of Lyman Coyle, a farmer of Murray county, this state; and Nellie, now Mrs. William Bondeson.

Paul Doepke, cashier of the State Bank of Wanda, and one of the leading men of the county, was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 14, 1871, son of William and Wilhelmina (Schmechel) Doepke, who brought their family of seven children to the United States in 1889, and located in Renville county, this state. Paul Doepke was reared in his native land, came to Renville county with his parents, secured a farm of 160 acres which had just been broken, and there farmed for several years. Subsequently he engaged in business in Fairfax and New Ulm. In 189* he came to the newly established village of Wanda, and opened a hotel, which he conducted until 1905, when he entered the banking business, in which he is still engaged. He also handles automobiles, makes a specialty of the Paige car, and has btrilt a well equipped garage, 25 by 60 feet. His activities in public life have been many, and the thriving aspect of the community reflects in a large degree his progressive spirit. He helped to organize the village, served as its first treasurer and is now its efficient clerk ; he was an influential factor in fostering the movement which resulted in the watertower and the water- works system, and he was a hard worker in the project of establishing the splendid consolidated school, serving as one of the first officers and now holding the position of treasurer. The Consolidated Co-operative Creamery of Wanda, of which he is the secretary, also numbers him among its most active organizers and advocates. In many other beneficial movements he has likewise taken his part, and his reputation as a public spirited citizen has extended far beyond the boundaries of the county. Paul Doepke was united in marriage in Renville county, November 3, 1894, to Martha Darkow, born in Germany,. March 28, 1874, and this union has been blessed with six children: Irma, Herta, Brwin, Esther, Armin and Harold. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church, in which Mr. Doepke has been trustee ever since its organization.

Leonard Bedding, cashier of the State Bank of Lamberton, and actively identified with several financial institutions throughout the state, was born March 12, 1870, at Houston, Minn., son of Anton 0. and Caroline (Johnson) Redding, natives of Sweden. He received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and as a youth assisted his father with farm work. In 1894 he engaged for a short time in the farm implement business at Springfield, Minn. Later he entered the employ of the State Bank of Springfield. His next employment was with the Mc- Cormick Harvester Co., for which concern he traveled some three years. It was in September, 1898, that he came to Lamberton as cashier of the newly organized State Bank. In this institution he has since continued, his energetic work and pleasing personality being important factors in its growth and success. Aside from his interests in this bank Mr. Redding is a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants' State Bank at Stillwater, Minn.; the Citizens' State Bank, St. Peter, Minn.; the State Bank of Parkers Prairie, Minn.; the Security State Bank of Warrod, Minn.; the First State Bank of Finlayson, Minn. ; the State Bank of Revere, Minn.; the Little Falls State Bank, of Vader, Wash.; the State Bank of Mahnomen, Minn., and the State Bank of Willow River* Minn., in several of which institutions he is a director. Among his numerous other financial holdings may be mentioned stock in the Lamberton Block & Tile Co., and the Central Minnesota Loan & Investment Co., in the former of which he is president and in the latter secretary. Though busy with his numerous business activities he has found time to give efficient service to Lamberton for several years as mayor and to the school board for a longer period as treasurer. Fraternally he is a thirtysecond E. C. C. H. degree Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Lamberton, the Chapter at Springfield, the Consistory at Winona, and the Shrine at St. Paul. He also belongs to the Eastern Star, the Knights of Pythias and the United Workmen at Lamberton. Mr. Redding was married in August, 1897, to Minnie Nelson of Nicollet county, this state, daughter of Nels and Pernilla Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Redding have four children : Viola, Loraine, Maynard and Marion. Anton 0. Redding devoted his active life to farming and is now making his home at Sioux City, Iowa. He is the father of two children, Leonard, the subject of this sketch, and Alma, who is now Mrs. Oscar W. Gustafson of Sioux City, Iowa.

David McWilliams, for many years an extensive land owner of Westline township, was born in St. Charles, 111., July 8, 1853, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he learned the harness making trade, and in this line continued for many years. In 1881 he purchased, with his brother James, the whole of section 29, Westline township, Redwood county. To the improvement and development of this farm he has devoted considerable time. He took over his brother's interest in the spring of 1910. Mr. McWilliams married Ida Matteson, who was born in Traverse City, Mich., in 1864, daughter of Daniel Matteson, a Civil war veteran. This union was blessed with two children: James A., born August 16, 1884, and Mae, born February 9, 1886.

James A. McWilliams, a progressive farmer of Westline township, is carrying on extensive farming operations on his father's farm, along the latest approved lines, and his endeavors are meeting with much success. Although still a young man, his opinion on all questions of modern farming is received with respect, and his work is demonstrating the splendid possibilities of present day rural endeavor. Mr. McWilliams was born in St. Charles, HI., August 16, 1884, son of David and Ida (Matteson) McWilliams. He there received a common and high school education, and then went to Chicago, where from 1908 to 1914, he was a director and assistant treasurer in the office of the National Condensed Milk Co. In the spring of 1914 he came to Westline township, this county, and took charge of his father's farm in section 29. This farm he has developed into one of the best country estates in this part of the county. When he took the management of the place, the large house and barn had already been built by his father. Since then, the subject of this sketch has erected other good farm buildings, such as two corn cribs with a granary overhead, a cattle barn, a milkhouse with windmill over a deep well; a tool shed, a 220-ton triple wall silo, a swine house, and similar structures. Mr. McWilliams, as a part of his farm operations, raises a considerable amount of grain and timothy, and breeds Percheron horses, Duroc Jersey swine and Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. Each year he ships several carloads of swine and cattle to the markets. Though tyusy with his farm duties, Mr. McWiliams has found time to indulge the fraternal side of his nature, and is allied with the I. 0. O. P.

at St. Charles, 111., and the A. F. & A. M. at Marshall, Minn. Mr. 'Mc Williams was married June 28, 1906, to Ella May, born October 19, 1887, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Axley) May, the other children in the May family being Guy, Effie, Calvin, Lonetta, William, Clarence and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Mc Williams have one child, Kathryn, born October 9, 1907. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.

Louis Gerstmann, a pioneer merchant, was born in Germany in 1844, and came to America in 1865. After living in New Ulm a short time, he secured a farm in Sherman township, this county, where he farmed for a while. Then he conducted a store at the Rocks, northwest corner in Brown county, west of New Ulm, for a year and a half. Subsequently, after a winter near Fairfax, in Renville county, he later located on a farm in the southwest corner of Nicollet county, on which he remained for seven years. Later he lived at Golden Gate in Brown county a year. It was in 1882 that he bought the George Knudson store in the new village of Morgan, which he conducted until his death in 1892. He married Anna Hoffman, and they had eight children : August (deceased); Otto; Hannah, wife of Dr. J. L. Adams; Prank; Mary, wife of Martin Kittel; William; Cora; and Robert (deceased).

Otto Gerstmann, hardware dealer and prominent citizen of Clements, was born in Brown county, this state, March 29, 1870, son of Louis and Annie (Hoffman) Gerstmann. He lived with his father in Brown, Renville and Nicollet counties, and in 1892 succeeded to his father's business in Morgan, as manager of the estate. Later he sold his interest. For a time he was a stock buyer, and for several years served the village of Morgan as marshal. In 1902 he came to the new village of Clements, and with J. W. Hopfenspirger, engaged in the hardware business, and implement business, securing the sole ownership in January, 1916, of the hardware business, Mr. Hopfenspirger taking over the implement end. He has taken an active part in public affairs, was first mayor of Clements, and served in that capacity for seven years. Mr. Gerstmann was married September 24, 1894, to Clara Schoffman, daughter of Joseph and Katherine (Schneider) Schoffman, the former of whom is a farmer and hotel keeper at Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Gerstmann have five children: Irene, Magdalene, Marguerite, Ray and Lewis. Irene is a proficient teacher, having graduated from the normal department of' the Redwood Falls high school.

A. W. Edwards, a successful farmer of Redwood county, was born in New York City, April 12, 1847, son of Sherman and Mary Jane (Vanomen) Edwards, who were married in New York City it 1845. The father, a native of Kentucky, and a carpenter and joiner by occupation, died in 1849 at the early age of twenty- nine years, and his widow subsequently became the wife of P. A. Martin, at Columbus, Columbia county, Wis., and there engaged in farming, later farming near Cambria, Wis. She died in 1889 at the age of sixty-nine years. P. A. Martin served three years in Co. E, Third Wisconsin Cavalry and was sent to Missouri and Kansas. He was killed near Clarkville, Kansas, being shot from an ambush while riding along the road. A. W. Edwards lived with his mother and step-father until 1868, when he began working out among the farmers. In 1879 he bought 160 acres in the northwestern quarter of section 19, Redwood Palls township, where he is still living. His first house was a 12 by 16 shanty, and all he had to start farming with was an old team of horses, harness and a wagon. His first crop of hay was cut with a scythe and raked by hand. At first the food consisted mainly of salt and potatoes. He now has 265 acres of land and has improved it in many ways. He carries on diversified farming and from a small beginning has, by industry and perseverance, brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Edwards is a staunch Republican and has served as the chairman of the board of township supervisors for three years, having been a member of the board for five years, and has been director of school district No. 46 for eight years. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Edwards was also a member of a musical association, the Randolph Band of Randolph, Wis., and played E flat cornet. He had several good offers to continue in musical work but preferred farming for a life work. Mr. Edwards was married September 2, 1903, to Clara M. Adams, who was born August 7, 1874, daughter of Peter and Cresentia (Kuisle) Adams, of Winona, Minn. Her father, who in his latter years was a retired farmer, died in Stockton, Winona county, May 29, 1904. Her mother is still living in Stockton and, although seventy-six years old, is still very active, and takes pleasure in attending to her household duties and her garden. Mrs. Edwards, who was graduated from the Winona State Normal School, was a teacher in Minnesota for eight years and in Wisconsin for two years, taking charge of her first school in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have had two children, a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Pern, born January 18, 1909. By a previous marriage Mr. Edwards had a son, Lloyd S., who was born August 12, 1891, who died in Minneapolis, July 15, 1911.

Frank B. Fobes, veteran of the Civil war and of the Indian campaign, and at one time county treasurer of Freeborn county, was born in New York State February 5, 1841, and was there reared. In 1860 he came to Minnesota and located in Albert Lea, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. October 11, 1861, he enlisted at Fort Snelling as sergeant in Co. F, Fourth

Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, from which regiment on March 3, 1862, he was discharged to accept a commission as second lieutenant, Co. C, Fifth Minnesota Valunteer Infantry. In this capacity he took part in the campaign against the Sioux Indians. The heroic work of Lieutenant Fobes and his brave men at Fort Ripley and elsewhere is a part of the history of the nation and need not be repeated here. After the Indians were subdued he retired July 1, 1863. He longed, however, to serve his country in the South, and with this purpose in view enlisted in Madison, Wis., February 27, 1864, in Co. M, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. He was promoted to sergeant October 20, 1864, and was honorably discharged July 10, 1865. Subsequently he lived in Albert Lea for many years,- engaged in the general mercantile business. From 1886 to 1892 he was county treasurer. In Masonic circles he was especially prominent, attaining the thirty-third degree and serving as Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons of the State of Minnesota in 1905. After a distinguished life of worthy effort he died April 12, 1902. His wife, Anna Grace Fuller, was born at Hebron, 111., February 25, 1848, and died January 25, 1896.

Charles A. Fobes, proprietor of the Electric Shop, Redwoond Falls, was born in Albert Lea, Minn., September 16, 1868, sop. of Frank B. and Anna Grace (Fuller) Fobes. He* was' .reared ;ki his native city and secured his first business experience -in i the court house. there when his father was serving as county treasury. Subsequently he. was enga'ged in clerical work in $ railroad office after which- he became '"interested with his father in the telephone business. 'Afteit'sejcuring' further Jtraining 'as an employe of the Western Electrie Company -in Iowa'^het [went to Trinidad, ColQ., in r1901,. as mana'ger of ther Automatic -3-elephdiie tGompany? Ju$e 1, 1904, he entered" the employ of thp Minnesota' Central* Telephone Company as manager . at Long Prairie, later holding the same position for that company , at Sleepy Eye. His next position was as manager of the Sleepy Eye Telephone Company. March 10, 1914, he came to Redwood Falls and purchased froin A. C. Burmeister the electrical supply department of the Redwood Falls Light & Power Co. He has built up an extensive business, does electrical contract work, deals extensively in general electrical supplies, and has the Service Station of the Willard Storage Battery Co. Charles A. Fobes was married January 1, 1902, to Edith M. Moore, born March 13, 1878, daughter of Josiah H. and Anna (Gibson) Moore, and their children are: Anna, born- February 6, 1904; Jeanette, born August 22, 1906; Margaret, born November 6, 1910; and Marian, born July 30, 1914, who died October 11, 1914. Josiah H. Moore was born in Barnet, Vt., served four years in the First Vermont Cavalry, was captured, spent six months in Andersonville and Libby prisons, and was afterwards released. Later he came to Minnesota arid farmed near Rushford for many years. His wife, born April>20^1847,i is still living at Rushford. \ John BicCurdy, veteran of the Indian campaign and pioneer of Redwood county, was born in Canada, came to Minnesota in the early days and saw active service in the Indian expeditions after the massacre of 1862. For a short time he lived in Redwood and Pipestone counties but spent the greater part of his life in St. Peter, this estate, where he was active in church, musical and fraternal circles. As one of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal Church there he served as trustee for over forty years. For twenty-five years he was a leader in the musical activities of that place and retired only when his hearing failed. His Masonic membership dated from 1862. Failing health caused him to move in 1914 to California where he resided until his death, March 14, 1915, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. McCurdy was married in Canada to Cordelia Louisa Gamsby, a native of Canada who bore him four daughters : Ida, Ethel, Melvina and Cordelia. Ida is the wife of the Rev. T. H. Wilkinson o'f:High Grove, Calif. Ethel is the wife of C. A. Parks of Ohio. Melvina is the wife of Lucian Payne of Sheridan township, this county; Cordelia is the wife of B. Fred Fixsen' of Sheridan township. :

' Bernard P. Fixsen, a pioneer, was born in Germany, came to America in 1870. For four years he' lived in St. Louis, where he worked as a mail carrier. In 1874 he came to Redwood county and farmed in Sherman township until 1883 when he located in Vail township. After engaging in the cattle business here for several years he purchased land in section 8, where he lived until his death, August 16, 1899, at the age of forty-seven years. Oftentimes he was township clerk. Mr. Fixsen married Eleonora Daub, who was born June 14, 1856, and still resides on the home farm.

B. Fred Fixsen, a prosperous farmer of Sheridan township, was born in the township of Sherman, March 4, 1877, son of Bernard F. and Eleonora (Daub) Fixsen. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to Vail township but for four winters thereafter continued to live in Sherman township, making his home with his uncle, F. W. Fixsen, for the purpose of attending school, there being no school house in the vicinity of his father's home in Vail. Reared to farm pursuit he remained with his parents until 1907 when he purchased 147J/2 acres of land in Section 29, Sheridan township, where he has since been engaged in general farming. On this place he has made a number of improvements including a good barn, 32 by 50 feet, erected in 1915. While in Vail township Mr. Fixsen served one term' as town clerk. Mr. Fixsen was married March 20, 1907, to Cor- delia L. McCurdy, born June 28, 1881, daughter of John and Cordelia L. McCurdy. To this union has been born four children : Walter P., born October 17, 1910; Orman B., born January 30, 1912; Clarence J., born April 16, 1913; and Elenora, born February 1, 1915.

Mathias Jenniges, a pioneer of Willow Lake township, was born in Germany, September 27, 1849, one of a family of two boys and three girls born to Mathias and Gertrude (Knauf) Jenniges, who spent the span of their years in the old country. He was there reared and in 1869 as a boy of nineteen came to America with the family of Peter Eichten, with whom he came as far as Chicago. From there they came to Brown county, this state, while he went to Green Bay, Wis., where he worked in the pineries for several years. In 1875 he came to Leavenworth township, Brown county and on December 30, of that year, was married at New Ulm to Gertrude Eichten who was one of the party with whom he had come to America. For their bridal tour they visited their old home in the Fatherland. In 1876 Mr. Jenniges came to Redwood county and bought a homestead right to a quarter section in section 20, Willow Lake township. This land was all wild, but a small cabin had been erected. Into this he and his wife moved and started farming on a small scale. For many years they endured all the hardships of pioneer life ; the nearest markets were at Sleepy Eye and New Ulm, and the trip there was long and tedious; provisions and money were scarce; Mrs. Jenniges was compelled to weave hats for her husband and children from the straw in the fields, and she herself spun the yarn from which she knit their caps, mittens and stockings. With such a beginning by frugality, hard work and intelligent efforts they increased their holdings until they were the proud possessors of eighteen hundred acres of good land. Being a substantial man of the community Mr. Jenniges was honored with the position of first president of the State Bank of Wanda, and he was also prominently connected with the Farmers' Insurance Company. In the township he was a real leader. In the early days he was treasurer for two years and subsequently served as town clerk for some thirty years. He was clerk of his school district from the time of its organization until it became a part of the consolidated district at which time he became a director of the new board. Some years ago his friends persuaded him to run for the office of county treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and though his party was greatly in the minority he was defeated by only a small margin. A devout Catholic, he opened his home to the early priests who held services in this vicinity and he also assisted in erecting a splendid church of that denomination at Wanda. In November, 1913, he and his wife returned to Germany and spent a number of months visiting their former home there. After a useful life filled with worthy endeavor and successful achievement, he died April 2, 1915, at the age of sixtyfive years. Mr. and Mrs. Jenniges were the parents of ten children : Mathias, who died in infancy ; Peter B., of Wanda ; Valentine P., of Wabasso; Mathias M., on the old farm; John J., of Waterbury township; Bernard J., of Willow Lake; Catherine, now Mrs. Bernard Otte of Willow Lake ; and Gertrude A., Teresa H., and Helena M., who are at home.

Peter B. Jenniges, a well known contractor of Wanda, was born in Willow Lake township, August 19, 1880, son of Mathias and Gertrude (Eichten) Jenniges, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm in section 20 and at the age of twenty-one engaged in the mercantile business at Wanda with his father under the firm name of M. Jenniges & Son. Eight years later he sold out his interest in that concern and engaged in the contracting business, since which time he has done some extensive drainage work as well as handling a number of large contracts in other lines. Mr. Jenniges married Elizabeth Ludwig, daughter of Peter Ludwig of Waterbury township and they have one child, Jerome V.

Henry N. Reding, a prominent farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in Sheldon township, Wyoming county, New York, May 16, 1861, son of Stephen and Josephine (Perry) Reding. He was reared in Goodhue county, this state, and remained with his parents until after attaining his majority. For a number of years he rented farms in Wabasha and Brown counties, and achieved considerable success. It was in 1892 that he came to Redwood county, and bought 160 acres in section 3, Sundown township. He sold this place in 1901 and secured 160 acres in section 14, Three Lakes township, where he now resides. This place he has considerably improved. The seven-room house, and the barn, 30 by 50 feet, were built in 1901 ; and the tile silo, with a capacity of 125 tons was constructed in 1913. For a considerable period Mr. Reding has been intimately connected with public life. In 1902 he became town supervisor and clerk of school district 92. The next year he became town clerk, and as town and school clerk he has since continued to serve. He likewise served for three years as secretary of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Morgan, an institution of which he has been a director for the past seven years. Mr. Reding was married February 16, 1886, to Catherine Petsinger, daughter of Belthasar and Barbara (Eckstein) Petsinger, farmers of Goodhue county, the former of whom was born May 16, 1833, and died December 19, 1896, and the latter of whom was born December 25, 1840, and died March 31, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Reding have six children: John S., Lucy, Mary, Cecelia, Annie and Raymond. John S. was born January 8, 1887, and farms in Morrison county, this state.

He was married September 26, 1911, to Martha Green, and they have three children, Ethel, Catherine and Crescence. Lucy was born September 30, 1888, was married February 16, 1909, to Alfred Green Miller, of Morgan, and has three children, Wilfred, Leonard and Lucille. Mary was born October 30, 1890, married George Green, a farmer of Morgan township, and has one child, Herbert. Cecelia was born December 30, 1892, and was married October 26, 1915, to Herman Koll, of Morrison county, Minnesota. Annie L. was born November 23, 1894; Raymond was born May 26, 1898. Stephen Reding, the father of Henry Reding, was born in Belgium, and was brought to America by his parents at the age of four years. From New York in 1865 he came to this state, and located in Goodhue county, where he farmed until his death, November 28, 1904. He was married November 28, 1858, to Josephine Perry, who was born in Belgium, came to New York with her parents in 1846, and died October 19, 1908.

Andrew Converse was born in New York state, and in 1877 located on a farm in Iowa. After a long and successful career as a farmer he retired in 1902 and moved to Aurelia, in that state, where he died in February, 1912. A Democrat in politics, he was considerably interested in public affairs, and did good service on the town and school board for a number of years. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masons. Mr. Converse married Mary Bliss, also a native of New York state, who died May 10, 1903. They were the parents of nine children: Hiram (deceased); Edward, of Windom, Minn.; Elmer E., a retired farmer of Walnut Grove; Jennie, now Mrs. Frank Jones, of Ocheyedan, Iowa ; Theron, of Arlington, S. D. ; Albert, of Windom, Minn. ; Norton, of Idaho ; George, of Sioux Falls, S. D. ; and Fred, now on a farm homestead at White Rover, S. D.

Elmer E. Converse, for many years a successful farmer, now making his home in the village of Walnut Grove, was born in Jefferson county, New York, December 1, 1867, son of Andrew and Mary (Bliss) Converse. He was brought to Iowa by his parents, and lived with them until attaining his majority. Then for several years he rented and operated various farms, and for a time owned a tract of 160 acres in Osceola county, in that state. In 1901 he came to Redwood county, and purchased 160 acres in section 32, Johnsonville township, to which he later added a similar acreage in section 5, North Hero township. This farm he has developed into one of the most modern in the neighborhood. He carries, on general farming, and devotes a good acreage to corn, .oats and rye. His hobby has been full blooded Durham cattle, and his sire, Victorius, registered by the Chicago Shorthorn Association, is widely known. Mr. Converse has also made a specialty of Duroc Jersey swine and Norman and Percheron horses. In the past he has raised extensive flocks of Shrop- shire sheep but has now abandoned this line of industry. In the spring of 1915 he moved to the village of Walnut Grove, and took up his home in a pleasant residence located on a tract of forty acres on the western edge of the village limits. At Walnut Grove, Mr. Converse is a director of the Farmers' Elevator. In politics a Republican, he has served on the Johnsonville township board for six years, a part of which he was chairman, and for many terms he was a member of the board of school district 19. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. 0. 0. F., the K. of P. and the M. W. A. Mr. Converse was married November 21, 1888, to Annie Griffith, born at Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, December 13, 1876, daughter of Llewlyn N. and Anna (Lewis) Griffith. Mr. and Mrs. Converse have the following children: Henry E., born July 20, 1892; Chloe A., born November 10, 1899; Imo, born November 10, 1905; and Oma, born November 6, 1906. Mrs. Converse was the sixth child in the Griffith family. The others are: Howell, for many years a prominent citizen of Morris, HI., now deceased; David, of Kankakee, 111.; Mary Ann (deceased) ; Jennie, now Mrs. John Campbell, of Omaha, Neb. ; Llewlyn, of Omaha, Neb. ; Morgan, of Beach, N. D. ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Thomas Farr, of Tracy, Minn., and Thomas, of Dexter, Minn.

Guatav Kamholz, a modern farmer of Morgan township, was born in Germany, October 18, 1865, son of August and Henrietta (Frederich) Kamholz. August Kamholz was born in Germany, came to America in 1885, working as a farm hand in Nicollet county, this state, for several years, and then lived with his children until his death, June 4, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife dying March 9, 1911, at the age of eighty-three years, being survived by eight children, five boys, and three girls, all living. Gustav Kamholz was reared in Germany, and came to America in 1882. After working as a farm hand for a while he rented a farm for three years in Nicollet. It was in 1890 that he purchased the northeast quarter of section 26, Morgan township, where he has since resided, and to which he has added 37 acres, making in all 197 acres. He has made improvements from time to time until he now has as good a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. The value of the property ip still further enhanced by two and a half acres of grove and orchard. The roomy barn, 32 by 50 feet, was erected in 1901, and the sightly eight-roomed house, 30 by 32 feet, finished in hard pine oil finish, and equipped with several modern comforts, was erected in 1912. Mr. Kamholz carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Durham cattle, Chester White swine and Percheron horses. For nine years he has served on the township board, and for eleven years on the school board of district 51. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers1 Elevator at

Morgan, and one of the original stockholders in the new Morgan creamery now under construction. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church at Morgan. Mr. Kamholz was married April 22, 1892, to Bertha Bartz, born in Nicollet county, this state, January 31, 1871, daughter of Karl and Caroline (Popp) Bartz, and they have four children: William, born August 16, 1895; Ervin, born January 13, 1898; Elmer, born March 19, 1903 ; and Arnie, born May 28, 1907. Karl Bartz, the father of Mrs. Gustav Kamholz, was born in Germany, and came to America in 1869, with his family, locating in Nicollet county, where he died February 6, 1882, at the age of forty-seven years. Mrs. Bartz, with her three daughters and three sons, the brothers of Mrs. Kamholz, came to Morgan township in 1888, and secured a farm. The following year, on March 6, Mrs. Bartz married Henry Patsche, who died January 15, 1907. Mrs. Henry Patsche died October 7, 1908, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Kamholz continued to keep house for her brothers until her marriage.

Andrew Ruder, for many years a sturdy Minnesota blacksmith, was born in Germany, and there married Catherine Keefe. In 1871 he brought his family to America, found his way to Minnesota and located at Mankato, where he followed his trade for eight years. Then he moved to Janesville, in this state, where he further worked at his trade until his death in 1884. He was a good man of sturdy character and his family sincerely reveres his memory. His good wife survived him until 1911. In the family there were six children : Andrew F., a prosperous farmer of Redwood Falls township; Anna; Sophia, the wife of Henry Amberg, of Delhi township ; Joseph and John, twins ; and Catherine, wife of James Whittet, of Redwood Falls township.

Andrew F. Ruder, one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Redwood Falls township, has taken his part in the growth and development of the county, and has done his share as a good citizen by building up a splendid farm. He was horn in Germany, July 14, 1870, son of Andrew and Catherine (Keppe) Ruder, who the next year brought him to Mankato in this state, where he attended the schools for a while. He was still a young boy when his parents took him to Janesville, in this state, where he passed through the graded and high schools. As a youth he worked as a farmer and as a blacksmith. In 1894 he bought forty acres of land in Blue Earth county, which he worked until 1898, when he came to Redwood county and bought the present farm in section 7 in Redwood Falls township. At that time his farm was but partially developed and the buildings were all poor. Mr. Ruder energetically set to work to bring the place to its present excellent condition. He has erected an eight-room house and a large barn, 30 by 44 feet, with a 14-foot leanto and a 44 by 44-foot full basement. He has beautified his home surroundings, has tiled and fenced the farm and has planted a fine orchard of apple trees. On this place, he now carries on general diversified farming, feeds cattle for the market and does considerable dairying. A public spirited man, he was one of the organizers of district 111, and has served as its only treasurer. For two years he was township assessor. A thorough believer in modern farming, he has taken stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Redwood Falls. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. 0. U. W. of Redwood Falls. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Ruder was married August 28, 1898, to Rose Jackson, who was born in Waseca county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ruder have been blessed with three children, all born on the farm in Redwood county : Francis S. was born September 2, 1899, and helps his father with his farm work ; Andrew L., born November 2, 1902, and A. Leo, born August 31, 1907, are students in the public schools.

Theodore Blake, manager of the Farmers' Elevator at Milroy, was born June 19, 1865, in Knupplykke, Kappel Sogn, Denmark, son of Jacob Jacobsen Blake, and Karen Magdaline Madsen, his wife. He came to America in June, 1882 and in May, 1886, secured 160 acres in section 34, Underwood township, this county. This farm had been secured by a pioneer many years before, and on it had been erected in 1871, a log cabin that is still standing, and from which the place takes its name, "The Log Cabin Farm." To the development of this farm, Mr. Blake devoted many years of his life. In 1889 he erected a substantial two-story house and in 1891 a large barn, granary and swinehouse. From time to time he added other buildings. He also set out orchards and improved the place in many other ways. After a while he was enabled to purchase eighty acres in section 33, thus making a good farm of 240 acres. Carrying on general farming, he made a specialty of breeding swine of which he shipped a considerable number each* year. Taking an active part in public affairs he was clerk of Underwood township for a decade, and a member of the school board of district 68 for a similar period. In 1908 he moved to Milroy and assumed the duties of his present position. Mr. Blake was married May 25, 1887, to Carrie Olson, born July 24, 1860, in Denmark, daughter of Henry and Bodil (Madson) Olson. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have had eight children : William, Clara, Bert, Charles, Jennie, John, Louise and Elmer. William was born November 2, 1888, married Mabel Solseth, lives on the old Blake farm in Underwood, and has three children, Chester C, Clarice M. and Wilbert M. Clara was born April 10, 1890, and died September 5 of the same year ; Bert was born November 15, 1891, and died July 18, 1907 ; Charles was born October 10, 1893 ; Jennie, December 23, 1896; John, November 16, 1898; Louis, January 9, 1901; and Elmer, October 20, 1903. Jacob Jacobson Blake, the father of Theodore Blake, was born in Denmark, in 1831, and was and fenced the farm and has planted a fine orchard of apple trees. On this place, he now carries on general diversified farming, feeds cattle for the market and does considerable dairying. A public spirited man, he was one of the organizers of district 111, and has served as its only treasurer. For two years he was township assessor. A thorough believer in modern farming, he has taken stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Redwood Falls. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. 0. U. W. of Redwood Falls. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Ruder was married August 28, 1898, to Rose Jackson, who was born in Waseca county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ruder have been blessed with three children, all born on the farm in Redwood county : Francis S. was born September 2, 1899, and helps his father with his farm work ; Andrew L., born November 2, 1902, and A. Leo, born August 31, 1907, are students in the public schools.

Theodore Blake, manager of the Farmers 7 Elevator at Milroy, was born June 19, 1865, in Knupplykke, Eappel Sogn, Denmark, son of Jacob Jacobsen Blake, and Earen Magdaline Madsen, his wife. He came to America in June, 1882 and in May, 1886, secured 160 acres in section 34, Underwood township, this county. This farm had been secured by a pioneer many years before, and on it had been erected in 1871, a log cabin that is still standing, and from which the place takes its name, "The Log Cabin Farm." To the development of this farm, Mr. Blake devoted many years of his life. In 1889 he erected a substantial two-story house and in 1891 a large barn, granary and swinehouse. From time to time he added other buildings. He also set out orchards and improved the place in many other ways. After a while he was enabled to purchase eighty acres in section 33, thus making a good farm of 240 acres. Carrying on general farming, he made a specialty of breeding swine of which he shipped a considerable number each* year. Taking an active part in public affairs he was clerk of Underwood township for a decade, and a member of the school board of district 68 for a similar period. In 1908 he moved to Milroy and assumed the duties of his present position. Mr. Blake was married May 25, 1887, to Carrie Olson, born July 24, 1860, in Denmark, daughter of Henry and Bodil (Madson) Olson. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have had eight children : William, Clara, Bert, Charles, Jennie, John, Louise and Elmer. William was born November 2, 1888, married Mabel Solseth, lives on the old Blake farm in Underwood, and has three children, Chester C, Clarice M. and Wilbert M. Clara was born April 10, 1890, and died September 5 of the same year ; Bert was born November 15, 1891, and died July 18, 1907 ; Charles was born October 10, 1893 ; Jennie, December 23, 1896 ; John, November 16, 1898 ; Louis, January 9, 1901 ; and Elmer, October 20, 1903. Jacob Jacobson Blake, the father of Theodore Blake, was born in Denmark, in 1831, and was married in 1850 to Karen Magdalena Madsen, who was born September 6, 1831. After his death on March 15, 1874, his widow was married in 1873 to Martin Erickson, born in Sweden in 1843. Mr. Erickson brought the family to America, arrived in Sleepy Eye, this state, June 5, 1882, and engaged in railroad work. His wife died in March, 1911, and in 1912 he returned to Sweden, where he now resides. Henry Olson, father of Mrs. Theodore Blake, was born in Denmark in 1828, and married Bodil Madson, born in 1834. Mr. Olson brought his family to America in 1881, and bought 80 acres of land in Prairieville township, Brown county, improved and developed the place, added 40 acres more of land, and there farmed until his death, June 18, 1907. His widow still lives on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Olson had the following children: Carrie, now Mrs. Theodore Blake; Mary/ now Mrs. Jacob Geiser, of Hubbard county, this state; Anna, now Mrs. A. Phillipson, of Cobsen, Brown county, this state, and Christian, now on the home farm.

Ole P. Skeggeby, one of the venerable old pioneers of Renville county, was born in Province of Vermland, Sweden, March 17, 1831, and was there reared. As a young man he went to Norway and was there employed at various labor. In March, 1867, he embarked on a wooden sailing vessel, "Amalia," under Captain Peterson, at Skien, Norway, and after a voyage of seven weeks landed at Quebec. From Quebec he went by way of the Great Lakes and the canal to Wisconsin. Next spring in 1868 he came to Renville county and took a homestead of 80 acres in section 26, Hawk Creek township. The trip was made overland by oxen. Upon their arrival the family lived for a while in a dugout. This was replaced by a frame house, which is still standing. The family went through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, but as time passed they prospered, and added to their holdings until they owned 280 acres of good land. - Mr. Skeggeby set out the trees which are still standing as ar tribute to his faith in the future greatness of the country. He was a prominent man in the township, served as supervisor and on the school board, and was especially active in the formation of the Synod church, Rev. Johannes Berg, the first pastor, making his home with the Skeggeby family for several years. Mr. Skeggeby successfully carried on general farming until 1904, when he bought a comfortable home in Sacred Heart village, where he still resides. He has led a useful life, has taken his part in the upbuilding of the county, and is now enjoying a well earned rest. It is such men as he who made possible the present prosperity of the county. Mr. Skeggeby was married March 14,; 1863, to Berit Olsdatter Holton, who was born in Norway, March 21, 1841. This union was blessed with seven children: Chris-^ tina, Ole, Betsey, Andrea Caroline, Sven, Ole and Carl. Christina ' was born February 9, 1864, and died October 17, 1872 ; Ole was born July 6, 1865, and died October 22, 1872 ; Betsey was born December 12, 1868, and married Thov A. Rudy, of Redwood having five children, Bertha, Tillie, Mabel, Ole and Theoren; Atadrea Caroline was born November 12, 1870. She married Martin Listrud, by whom she had three children. Mr. Listrud and the three children are all dead. For her second husband she married Svein Homme, better known as Sam Homme, with whom she now lives at Granite Falls, Minn. Sven was born June 12, 1874. He is a farmer in Yellow Medicine county. He married Anna Collin, and they have seven children: Orin, Kenneth, Theresa, Stanford, Prescott, Elmer and Birdella. Ole was born December 3, 1875. He is a merchant at Granville, N. D. He married Clara Foss, and they have a son, Orville. Carl Sivert was born December 15, 1879, and farms on the old homestead in Hawk Creek township. He married Mary Homme, and they have four children : Bernice Gertina, Hildegaard Odella, Owen Wallace and Harvey Gordon.

Thov A. Rudy, a prosperous farmer of Swedes Forest township, was born in a wagon, on the road between Fillmore and Redwood counties, June 25, 1867, son of Thov and Ture Rudi. He remained on the home farm until sixteen years of age, and then secured employment as a farm hand. In 1884 he went to North Dakota, and took up a homestead, but two years later abandoned it, and again returned to Redwood county. In 1895 he purchased from his father-in-law, Ole Skeggeby, 137 acres in section 7, Swedes Forest, where he still resides. On this place he has made many improvements, including a fine substantial house, 14 by 26 feet, with two wings, 16 by 16 feet, and 16 by 14 feet, erected in 1905. Mr. Rudi is on the township board for his tenth year, and has been clerk of the school board. He is treasurer of the Rock Valley Telephone Co. Mr. Rudi was married July 23, 1893, to Betsy Skeggeby, born in Renville county, December 12, 1868, daughter of Ole Skeggeby. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy have five children: Bertha, born August 6, 1894; Tillie, born August 6, 1896; Mabel, born January 17, 1899; Ole, born February 4, 1902, and Theoren, .born April 8, 1910.

Thov Rudi, the pioneer, was born in Norway in 1818, and was there reared and grew to manhood. In 1863 he came to America and secured employment among his fellow countrymen in Fillmore county, this state. In 1867 he arrived in Redwood county, and engaged in farming on a homestead of 160 acres in Swedes Forest township. A part of this farm is now the location of the Rock Dell Norwegian Lutheran church. In the winter of 1868, while returning from Redwood Falls, he was overtaken by a blizzard, and so badly frozen that he died from thfc effects six weeks afterward. The story of this trip is told else- where by A. 0. Gimmestad. Mr. Rudi was married in Norway to Ture Rudi, who was born in Norway December 23, 1828, and now lives in Swedes Forest with her son, the original homestead having been sold to Evan Sampson and Nels Sandager. In the family there were four children: Louis, born in Norway; Gunild and Arnold, born in Fillmore county; and Thov, born on the trip to Redwood county.

Frederick Hagen, for many years a soldier in the German army, was born in Germany, June 7, 1840, and was there reared and educated. As a youth, he joined the German army and so served in three different conflicts, the Russian rebellion in 1863, the Austrian-German war in 1866, and the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871. When not serving his country in the field, he was engaged as a farmer. As a young man, he married Fredericka Rehfeld, who was born in Germany, July 3, 1841. In 1888, with his wife and his two children, Helmuth and August C, he came to America and located in Redwood Falls. A year later he moved to the northwest quarter of section 33, Kintire township. There they endured all the hardships of pioneer life, living the first year in a granary. Three years after their arrival in Kintire they moved to section 5, Sheridan township, where they built up a splendid farm, erected, in time, a sightly home and suitable barns. On this farm the good wife died September 2, 1905, and there Mr. Hagen now makes his home with his son August C. Of the nine children in the family there are now living four: Helmuth, August C, Wilhelmina and Annie.

Carl Zuehlfldorf was born in Germany and there married Wilhelmina Schmidt. In 1889 he brought his family to America, found his way to this county and located in section 3, where he is now a prosperous farmer. Of the eleven children in the family there are now living nine : Ida, Annie, Emelie, Herman, August, Emil, Martha, Minnie and Ervin.

August C. Hagen a substantial and respected farmer of Sheridan township, was born in Germany, July 24, 1869, son of Frederick and Frederica (Rehfeld) Hagen. He was reared and educated in Germany and in the spring of 1888 came to America with his parents and located in Redwood Falls. Four years later, in company with his father, he bought his present place. At that time it was but little developed, seventy-five acres had been broken and a little shanty of 10 by 12 feet had been erected. On this farm Mr. Hagen began his farming operations. In 1895 he built a five-room home, 16 by 24 feet. In 1899 he added four rooms, making a very suitable and commodious farm residence. As necessity required, he erected a good barn 36 by 56 feet, a granary, 16 by 24 feet, a corn crib, tool sheds and other farm buildings. Soon after purchasing the place, he planted large groves on the north and west of the house and he now has many large trees over twenty years old. He also has a good orchard and a productive berry patch. On this splendidly developed farm he carried on general agricultural operations and raises each year about 105 acres of wheat, 75 acres of corn and 30 acres of oats. In addition to the home farm, he has 160 acres of land in section 28, Kintire township. Mr. Hagen is a good citizen, a good farmer and a thorough believer in education. Mr. Hagen was married may 19, 1899, to Anna Zeuhlsdorf ,*who was born in Germany, July 7, 1880, daughter of Carl and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Zeuhlsdorf . Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have been blessed with ten children : Reinhardt, born March 12, 1900; Alma, born August 28, 1903 ; Alvina, June 27, 1901 ; Walter, January 20, 1905 ; Lena, July 12, 1907 ; Emil, October 18, 1908; Rudolph, January 5, 1909; Harold, April 25, 1912, and Ervin, February 2, 1914, and Adeline, October 25, 1915. All the children of school age are attending the district school of their neighborhood. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

William Smith, at one time mayor of Redwood Falls, exerted a strong influence on the life of the community as farmer and public officer and his death on January 14, 1904, is still sincerely mourned. He was born in London, Ontario, Canada, December 13, 1845. At the age of ten years, he was brought by his parents to Minnesota and was reared in Dakota and Rice counties. After his marriage in 1874 he purchased a farm near Northfield which he conducted until 1879. In that year he moved to Redwood county and secured land in section 22, Kintire township, which he proceeded to improve and develop. He at once took a prominent part in the affairs of his community and for five years served as chairman of the town board. In 1895 he moved to Redwood Falls, opened an office and engaged in the land business, buying and selling real estate, negotiating farm loans and looking after numerous holdings. His worth here is recognized as it had been in the country and in 1899 he became mayor, a position in which he served for two terms. Although of a retiring and home-loving disposition, Mr. Smith was cordial and pleasant in social and political life, made acquaintances rapidly and retained those that he made. He was active in church work and did much to promote the interests of the Presbyterian church, of which he served for some time as a trustee. He was likewise an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Pythias, Rathbone Sisters and the United Workmen. Mr. Smith was married in Dakota county, December 10, 1874, to Mrs. Ida A. (Steadman) Price, who was born in Taberg, Oneida county, New York, in 1854, and this union was blessed with three children : Libby MM Tena and George William. Libby M. is the wife of Paul R. McCoy, of St. Louis, Mo. ; Tena is the wife of Walter Hinze of Aberdeen, S. D., and George William is farming on the old homestead. By her marriage to Mr. Price,

Mrs. Smith had one daughter, Carrie, the wife of Clarence King of Redwood Falls. Mrs. Ida A. Smith died June 29, 1916, at Redwood Falls, Minn., and her daughter, Carrie, died in 1906 at Redwood Falls.

George William Smith, better known as Will Smith, still farms on the homestead in Kintire township, where he was born December 5, 1885, the son of William and Ida A. (Steadman) Smith, pioneers. He was reared to farm pursuits, remained at home until eighteen years of age and then went to Minneapolis, where, after learning the plumbers' trade, he was employed in that occupation for several years. Since then he has devoted his time to farming on his present place. He has a sightly home, commodious barns and a well developed farm, and successfully carries on general agricultural pursuits. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the United Workmen. Mr. Smith was married October 28, 1909, to Maude E. Kempton, who was born in Hennepin county, this state, November 4, 1887, daughter of Rollin and Lora (Ellis) Kempton. Her parents were born in New Hampshire, and in 1905 came to Morgan, this county, where Mr. Kempton still conducts a general store. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Maude E., born August 3, 1910, James R., born March 6, 1913, and Robert K., July 17, 1915.

George W. Whittet* a prominent factor in the agricultural and horticultural life of Redwood county, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, Jan. 24, 1854, son of John and Janet (Watson) Whittet. John Whittet was born in Perthshire, Scotland, learned the cappenters' trade, and became an expert building contractor. In 1850 he came to America and located in Sumner township, Jefferson county, Wis., where he farmed the remainder of his days, dying June 2, 1870, his wife, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, August 19, 1821, dying at Milton Junction, Rock county, Wisconsin, June 2, 1911. George W, Whittet attended the district schools as a boy, but has acquired the greater part of his education by wide reading and close observation. At the age of sixteen his father died, and the work of operating the farm fell upon him, his mother, and the younger children in the family. His residence in Redwood county dates from March 3, 1876, when he homesteaded 160 acres in section 21, Three Lakes township. In 1878 he sold this tract and acquired 80 acres in section 35, Delhi township. This land he has increased by judicious purchases. His present home is in the city of Redwood Falls, just at the entrance to the Ramsey State Park, where he has sixteen acres of land, and a pleasant residence in which he has lived since July 20, 1915. Many years ago Mr. Whittet purchased his first nursery stock from Clarence Wedge, of Albert Lea. He now has about 1,400 apple and plum trees, aside from a berry patch of considerable size. A man of strong public spirit, Mr. Whittet has occupied such

Delhi township offices as supervisor and assessor. His fraternal affiliation is with the I. 0. 0. F., in the subordinate Canton and Encampment of which he has been a prominent officer. Mr. Whittet was married February 27, 1878, to Anabell King, daughter of Thomas H. and Nancy J. (Yesley) King, and this union has been blessed with eight children, of whom there are living six : George W., Jr., Maude, David K., Christopher P., Elias and Willard. George W., Jr., was born November 1, 1879, and farms in Delhi township. He was married May 30, 1905, to Bessie Bower, who died November 20, 1911, leaving two children: Bernice, born August 7, 1906, and Bessie, born November 20, 1911. July 2, 1913, he married Lorena Alexander, who was born August 16, 1879. Maude was born July 30, 1889. She graduated from the Redwood Falls high school, took the home economics course in the Battle Creek Sanitarium, also studying instrumental music at the same time, and then studied kindergarten work for two years at the State Normal school at Winona. She is now a teacher. David K. was born October 21, 1891, graduated from the Redwood Falls high school, took a course in Ford's Business college at Minneapolis, and is now with the First National Bank of Three Forks, Montana. He was married June 5, 1916, to Florence Berg, of Chicago. Chris P. was born December 19, 1893, and was married in June, 1915, to Julia Spalsberry, and is now on the home farm. Elias was born March 16, 1897, and Willard A., October 13, 1900.

Thomas H. King, a pioneer of Delhi township, was born in Missouri and came to this county in 1872. He lived a long and useful life, and died in the spring of 1903, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, Nancy J. (Yesley) King, was born February 27, 1844, and now lives in Redwood Falls. Mr. White was the son of a Baptist clergyman, but as his conscience forbade him to narrow his principles to adopt the tenets of any particular creed he became a Free Thinker. He loved the good and hated the bad. He believed that by right living the kingdom of God will be established on earth, and that if a man lives right physically and spiritually, he will never suffer any pain, but live to a ripe old age, and drop off like ripe fruit.