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

John T. Brakke, a thrifty farmer of Westline township, was born September 2, 1884, in Brule county, South Dakota, son of Amon T. Brakke. Amon T. Brakke was born in Norway in 1857 and came to America in 1869, locating in Blooming Prairie, Steele county, Minnesota, where he worked as a farm hand. In 1882 he took up a homestead of 160 acres in Presho township, Lyman county, South Dakota. He improved his land, planted groves, built a house and barn, and farmed here until 1890, when he sold out and came to Westline township, Redwood county, Minnesota. He bought 160 acres in section 1, which he improved and to which he made additions until he owned 480 acres, 160 acres in section 11 and 160 acres in section 15. He sold 400 acres and gave his son John 80 acres and then retired to Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota, where he still lives. His wife was born in 1859 in Steele county, Minnesota. They had the following children: Stena, Mrs. Chas. R. Terhell of South Dakota; Matilda, Mrs. Holvre Johnson, who died February 12, 1915; John T.; Elizabeth, Mrs. N. Reuter of Paynesville, Minn. ; Alfred, a mail carrier of Milroy; Minnie; Clara; Alma; Lillian; William, and Eleanora. John remained at home until 1910, when he began farming for himself on the eighty acres received from his father. He also rented 160 acres in section 9 from Ed. Ellison for two years. Then he rented 320 acres of good land from Heagel & Van Dorn for two years. In 1915 he moved onto his 80 acres in section 11 and bought 80 acres more in section 11. He built a small house and barn and engaged in farming there. Mr. Brakke was married November 19, 1912, to May Simmons, born in 1893 in Underwood township, Redwood county, daughter of Taylor Simmons, born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and his wife Adelia Simmons, born in New TJlm. Mr. and Mrs. Brakke have one child, Russell, born March 30, 1914.

Holvre Johnson was born April 11, 1872, in Norway. He came to America in 1888 locating in Delhi township, Redwood county, where he secured work as a farm hand and remained there for four years. In 1892 he bought 160 acres of land, with his brother, in section 23, Westline township, and in 1897 sold his interest to his brother. He then bought the northwest quarter of section 23, which he sold in the spring of 1900 and purchased 160 acres of partly improved land in section 15. From time to time he added to this until he now owns 446 acres. In 1902 he built a barn and gradually other buildings were erected, such as cribs, granary and a wind mill. He also planted an orchard. In 1914 he built a comfortable two-story house. Mr. Johnson was married in 1900 to Tillie Brakke, born in 1883 in South Dakota and died February 12, 1915. She was the daughter of Amon T. and Guneld (Johnson) Brakke, both natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have the following children : Mildred, Florence, Ethel and Sanf ord.

Oscar R. Nordgren, dealer in farm implements in Walnut Grove, was born July 18, 1883, at Hastings, Minn., son of Gustav A. and Ida (Larson) Nordgren, both natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1882. They lived at Hastings one year and in 1883 came to Walnut Grove where the father bought a farm in Gales township and lived there until 1911, when he sold and moved to Walnut Grove, where he and his wife are now living. He is a Republican and has served on the school board for a number of years and held other local offices in Gales township. Besides Oscar R. there was a daughter, Olga, who died in 1907. After completing his education in Gales township, Oscar R. attended the Minneapolis Business College one term in 1908. In 1910 he started in the farm implement business, succeeding A. W. Olson. The business has grown rapidly since he took charge of it. He has a well equipped office and two warehouses. He handles the John Deere farming machinery and gasoline engines. Aside from the above business he owns, in partnership with Alex L. Dahlgren, the Walnut Grove electric plant with an investment of $7,000. It has been in operation since October, 1914. He is also interested in the local oil business under the firm name of Nordgren, Dahlgren & Co. They have two 12,000-gallon oil tanks, one tank wagon and team with which they supply Walnut Grove and vicinity with oil. Mr. Nordgren married August 27, 1910, Caroline Johnson, born March 27, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Nordgren have two children : Orville, born April 27, 1912, and Bernetta, born February 9, 1914. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Julius Christensen, a successful farmer of Sundown township, was born in Denmark, September 28, 1858, son of Christ and Johanna Christena Christensen, both natives of Denmark. Christ Christensen was born April 9, 1825, and his wife was born February 19, 1831. He was a harness maker by trade. In 1848 he served as a soldier in the war between Germany and Denmark and was wounded. Julius received his education in Denmark and came to the United States in 1885, locating in West Branch, Iowa, where he began working. He rented a place and farmed for five years. Next he went to South Dakota, where he remained one year and then came to Lamberton, Minn., and afterwards to Willow Lake township. Then he bought 120 acres in section 8, Sundown township. There was a small house and barn on the place. Since that time he has remodeled his house and made other improvements. In 1909 he built a bam 28 by 42, a granary 18 by 28, a machine shed 14 by 20, and corn crip 24 by 24, besides putting down a well and fencing the farm. In 1911 he bought 160 acres in section 5. He has served as county road officer. Mr. Christensen was married in 1886 to Mary K. Sorensen, born June 14, 1856, in Denmark. She came to the United States in 1886 and was married the same year. They have seven children: John, Nels, William, Edward, Lena, Otto and Fredrick. The family are members of the Scandinavian Lutheran church.

John Schwengle, at one time an extensive land owner of Bedwood county, was born in Wisconsin, June 18, 1868, and was there reared. From Sleepy Eye, this state, where he farmed for several years, he came to Waterbury township, Redwood county, and secured 400 acres of land in sections 22 and 23. With the exception of a tract of 20 acres of flax this land was entirely wild. He set to work, and from a small beginning developed one of the best farms in the county. In 1900 he built a six-room house and a barn. In 1906 he extended his building operations still further by erecting another barn, 40 by 80 feet. This barn was burned and in 1910 he replaced it by a structure 40 by 60 feet. In 1907 he spent $4,000 in tiling the 400 acres. For many years he carried on general farming on an extensive scale and became one of the leading men of his community. For eleven years he was treasurer of school district 93, and for two years served as director of school district 30 (consolidated). His death, January 30, 1913, is still sincerely mourned. The farm is now conducted by Mrs. Schwengle, who has further improved it. Mr. Schwengle was married October 29, 1893, to Bertha A. Kreuger born at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, January 10, 1874, daughter of Julius and Hattie (Sparman) Krueger and they have six children: Teresa, Magdalen, August, Bertha, Cecelia and Leona. Teresa and Magdalen graduated from the Lamberton high school and the normal department thereof, and have taken a summer course in the University of Minnesota. The others are still attending the Wanda Consolidated school. Julius Kreuger was born in Germany, was brought to America at the age of seven years, was married in 1869, and had a family of ten children : Herman, Fred, William, Lewis, Emma, Bertha, Tena, Ida, Albert and Amelia. Albert and Amelia are dead.

Frank Helling, a prosperous farmer of Morgan township, and father of one of the largest families in the county, was born in Austria, April 11, 1869, son of Joseph and Annie (Schneider) Heiling, both of whom died in 1905, the former at the age of seventysix and the latter at the age of sixty-five. Frank Heiling was reared in Germany and in 1888 came to America and located in Morgan township, this county, where, with the exception of two years spent in Watertown, Wis., has since been his home. In the early nineties he rented a place of 320 acres in section 20. This place in 1900 he purchased. He has rebuilt the house and erected other farm buildings, and he has also greatly improved and developed the farm. The value of the place is still further enhanced by four acres of grove and orchard. Mr. Heiling carries on general farming and dairying, and specializes in breeding Duroc-Jersey swine. In addition to his Redwood county property he has a farm of 625 acres in Carrington, N. D., which he rents. Mr. Heiling was married September 29, 1891, to Magdalen Mark, born March 18, 1870, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Leibl) Mark. Mr. and Mrs. Heiling have sixteen children: Clara, Magdalen, Laura, Elizabeth, Katherine, Matilda, Anna, Agnes, Mary, Eleanor, Frank, Hugo, Joseph, Paul, Alois and Reuben.

Andrew Werner, a prosperous citizen of Springdale township, was born in Sweden in 1857, was brought to America by his parents as an infant and was reared in Illinois. In 1899 he bought 160 acres in section 2, Springdale township, this county, where he still resides. He was married at Mankato in 1871 to Anna L. Roselund, who was born in Sweden in 1853, and this union has been blessed with eight children: Carl A., Prank L., John 0., Walter L., Selma, Ellen, Ardena and Anna. Carl A. farms in South Dakota. Selma is now Mrs. Axel Truedson, of Gales township. The others are on the home farm.

Lars Trudeson, for many years a worthy citizen of Springdale township, was born in Sweden, October 30, 1846, and there grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to America and after traveling about for a while located in Carver county, this state. Prom there, in 1882, he made his way to Redwood county and took a homestead of 160 acres in Springdale township. He erected a rude shack in which to live and a shed for his stock, and set about with a will to establish his fortune. He broke the sod, planted a grove, and by toiling early and late developed as good a farm as is to be found in the community. As the years past the shack and shed were replaced with a modern home and a fine set of barns and other buildings. The value of the farm was still further enhanced by a splendid apple and plum orchard which he brought into bearing condition. For many years he carried on general farming and made a specialty of Hereford cattle. In 1910 he retired and moved to a sightly home just outside the village limits of Walnut Grove, where he died June 2 of that year. Mr. Trudeson was married in 1884 to Anna Benson, who proved a faithful helpmate in all his undertakings, a loyal wife and a loving mother. She died June 2, 1910, at the age of sixty years, leaving four children : Nels, a farmer of Springdale township ; Axel, a farmer of Gales township; Dora, now Mrs. E. Swenson of Springdale township, and Albert, a farmer of Springdale township. Mr. Trudeson was married the second time, April 18, 1911, to Hannah Younglun, who was born in Sweden, June 8, 1865, came to America January 5, 1878, and located in Waseca county, this state.

Albert Truedson, a well known farmer of Springdale township, was born December 10, 1887, in the township where he now resides, son of Lars and Anna (Benson) Truedson. He was reared on the home farm, passed through the common schools of his neighborhood, and took a commercial course at the Mankato Commercial College, as well as an agricultural course at the University of Minnesota. With this preparation he has since successfully engaged in farming on the parental acres in section 14. He is popular among his associates and is regarded as one of the rising men of the township. Mr. Truedson was married October 14, 1913, to Ellen Werner, born March 24, 1890, in Waseca county, Minnesota, daughter of Andrew and Anna L. (Roselund) Werner, and they hav$ one child: Kathryn M., born January 12, 1915.

Michael Wagner, a successful farmer of Sheridan township, was born in Brown county, Minnesota, February 5, 1870, son of Engelbert and Mary (Kuelbs) Wagner. Engelbert Wagner was born in Germany, was brought to America in 1855 by his parents, and in 1870 took a homestead in Home township, Brown county, where he lived until his death in 1897, at the age of fifty-seven years, his good wife dying Mar. 28, 1915, at the age of seventy-five years. Michael Wagner was reared to farm pursuits on the home place. For a time he was employed in his native county on the farm of Julius Schroeder, whose daughter he married. After his marriage, he bought 200 acres in section 31, Sheridan township, where he now resides. This place he has highly developed, making many improvements. The pleasant home was erected in 1897, and his roomy barn, 32 by 12 feet, with a basement, was erected in 1912. On this place he conducts general farming, and makes a specialty of Duroc swine, breeding, feeding and shipping to the markets. The value of the farm is enhanced by a three-acre fruit orchard, while another feature of the place consists of a fifteenacre tract of clover and timothy. In public life, Mr. Wagner has served for several years as road overseer and as treasurer of school district 12. He holds stock in the Farmers Grain & Fuel Company at Seaforth, and is one of its directors. His fraternal affiliations are with the I. 0. 0. F. and the A. O. U. W. Mr. Wagner was married April 24, 1894, to Emily Schroeder, who was born in Brown county, January 13, 1874, daughter of Julius and Emily (Hemp) Schroeder. Julius Schroeder was born in Germany, came to America in 1854, and farmed in Brown county until his death, January 14, 1906, at the age of eighty-eight years, his wife dying December 24, 1903, at the age of seventy-four. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have had four children: Hugo V., born September 1, 1895; Lorina, born September 28, 1900; Alpha, born June 27, 1907, and died January 28, 1910, and Anita, born March 14, 1912. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Julius Jacobsen, a progressive farmer of Brookville township, was born in Denmark, September 19, 1860, son of Christian and Carrie Jacobsen, who spent their lives on a farm in that country. Julius was one of seven children, the others being Mena, Fredericka, Carl, Maren, Peter and Ole. He came to the United States in 1879, practically penniless, and found his way to New Ulm, in Brown county, this state, in which vicinity he worked during the summer as a farm hand. For a few months he worked in an elevator in Nicollet county, but finding the work too confining, he secured employment as a farm hand for some three years. Later he went to Montana, where he hauled apples for an orchard contractor, later taking up his residence in Valley City, N. D., for a while. In 1884, he came to this county, and after working about for a while, settled on a tract of land in section 15, Brookville township. Starting on this wild land, he set out groves, erected buildings, fenced the fields, and purchased modern equipment. By judicious purchases he has increased his holdings to 200 acres. Mr. Jacobsen carries on general farming, but makes a specialty of stock raising. Active in township and school affairs, he has been town assessor and a member of the school board. A thorough believer in co-operative effort, he has become a stockholder in the Brookville creamery. He is a solid, substantial citizen, and is well regarded throughout the community. Mr. Jacobsen married Carrie Neilson, also a native of Norway, and they have seven children: William, Emil, Hans, Albert, Ida and two who died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church.

George W. Whittet, Jr., a progressive and up-to-date farmer of Delhi township, was born in that township November 1, 1879, son of Geo. W., Sr., and Annabel (King) Whittet. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself, living at home until his marriage. Buying 100 acres in section 5, Redwood township, in 1900, he farmed it until 1904, in which year he sold it and bought 120 acres in section 33, Delhi township, where he now lives. Mr. Whittet has a nicely improved farm with an acre of fruit, and carries on diversified farming. In the spring of 1915 he erected a comfortable two-story seven-room house, which stands near the state road on a slight eminence, and affords a fine view of the surrounding country. Mr. Whittet is associated fraternally with the I. O. O. P. and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married May 30, 1905, to Bessie Bauer, who was born November 20, 1886, and died November 29, 1911. Two children were born of this marriage, Bernice, August 7, 1906, and Bessie, November 22, 1911. Mr. Whittet was married, secondly, July 2, 1913, to Rena Alexander, who was born August 16, 1879, daughter of David and Katy Alexander. Her father was a retired farmer who came from Canada in 1875. Her mother died at the age of fifty-seven years.

John E. L. Lund, an enterprising young farmer of Johnson ville township, was born in Gales township, Redwood county, May 4, 1888. His father, Charles Lund, was a native of Sweden and came to America when quite young, locating in Carver county, Minnesota, where he worked as a farm hand for a short time. In the «arly seventies he came to Redwood county, where he homesteaded 160 acres in section 34, Johnsonville township. It was all raw prairie land. He has improved this land and in 1915 retired to Walnut Grove. He was married to Lotta Swanson, born in Sweden. They had the following children: Esther, now Mrs. Oils. Nicolayson, of Revere, Minnesota ; Laura, widow of Nels B. Pierson, of Tracy, Minn. ; Hannah, Mrs. Otto Dahlgren, of Walnut <Jrove ; Anna, Mrs. Albert Dahlgren, of Gales township ; John B., subject of this sketch; Minnie, Hattie and Arthur. John B. L. Lund received his education at the common school and took a -short course at the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota during 1906 and 1907. In 1912 he took a course at the

Mankato Commercial College. In 1912 he became assistant cashier of the Walnut Grove State Bank. In 1914 he left that position and took charge of his father's farm. He raises grains, Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey swine, marketing about fifty or sixty every year, and also raises good grade of Percheron horses. In politics he is a Republican and has held office as school clerk of district No. 19. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Walnut Grove. Mr. Lund was united in marriage September 4, 1912, to Susie A. Lyman, born November 7, 1893, in Redwood Palls, Minn., daughter of E. A. and Blanche (French) Lyman. Mr. and Mrs. Lund have had one child, Dorothy, born July 9, 1913, and died March 23, 1915.

Barton E. Rollins, a well known produce dealer in Lamberton, was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, son of Jeremiah and Charlotte (Garrison) Rollins, the parents being natives of New York and Indiana, respectively. The father, who was a veteran of the Civil war, came to Minnesota in 1868 and engaged in farming, also carrying on business as a building contractor. Moving, in 1880, to Redwood Falls, he there followed his trade until 1892, when he bought a farm in Murray county, and moved to Slayton, where he lived until 1901, in which year he went to Elk River, Minn., and bought a farm in Sherburne county, also a house in Elk River, where he and his wife now reside. Berten E. Rollins finished his schooling at Redwod Falls and at the age of twenty became telegraph operator for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. at Sanborn, where he remained for three years. He then worked as an extra at New Ulm for a while, after which for six years he was operator and cashier at Marshall. From there he went to Porter, Minn., as agent for the Northwestern Railroad, occupying that position for three years. The next seven years of his life were spent as agent at Lamberton. In March, 1915, Mr. Rollins gave up railroad work and established the B. E. Rollins Company of Lamberton, dealers in all kinds of produce. He has already built up a thriving business with good prospects for the future. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and in the Blue Lodge, of which he has been Master ; the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Eastern Star, of which he is Worthy Patron. Mr. Rollins was married, September 1, 1897r to Bertha Armstrong, who was born September 28, 1880, at North Freedon, Wis., daughter of Charles and Adelia (Schellenburger) Armstrong. Her father was a merchant in Sanborn, having settled there in 1882. After conducting business there for a number of years, he moved in 1902 to Comfrey, Minn., and engaged in general mercantile business there. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins have twa children : Irene, born April 29, 1899, and Iona, born March 8^ 1901. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Joseph W. Dysart> a merchant of Milroy, was born February 16, 1857, in Altona, Pa., son of Wilson and Francis (Wallace) Dysart. Wilson Dysart, father of our subject, was born November 27, 1829, in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming. In 1857 he went to Illinois, purchasing 160 "acres of government land in Lee county. He improved the land and made additions until he owned 640 acres. He divided this into three farms and erected suitable buildings on each. In the spring of 1899 he retired to Nachusa, 111., where he died in August, 1902. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 and now lives in Dixon, HI. Their children were : Warren P., born May 9, 1854 ; a mail carrier at Luverne, Minn. ; Joseph W., born February 16, 1857 ; Annie, born in 1859, wife of C. Crawford, a farmer of Illinois, and died in 1880; Ernest S., residing on one of the home farms; Edith, wife of H. Countryman, a farmer of Nebraska ; Marion Lee, of Dixon, 111. ; Fannie, now Mrs. John Herbst, of Dixon, 111. ; and Edward E., of Dixon, 111. Joseph W. attended the common school of his neighborhood and took a course in business in the business school at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. In 1879 he entered the grain business at Nachusa with Israel Slouthower and Capt. John Dysart, his uncle. After a year he bought an interest in a general store with Lawrence McGuire at Nachusa which was conducted for six years under the firm name of McGuire and Dysart. In 1886 he sold and moved to Hancock county, Iowa, where his father owned 640 acres. The farm was improved with good buildings and he raised and shipped about three carloads of cattle and one hundred head of swine per year. Later he devoted his attention to the raising of corn. He lived there fourteen years. After the death of his father the estate was sold. In 1902 he came to Redwood county, where he bought 320 acres improved land in section 30, Westline township. In 1912 he sold this and moved to Milroy, where he bought the hardware and implement business of L. H. Powell. In March, 1914, he sold the hardware business to Chas. C. Seemans and now conducts the implement business. Mr. Dysart was married February 12, 1889, to Anna Slothower, born in 1871, in Wisconsin, daughter of Israel and Jennie (Stover) Slothower. Israel Slothower was born in 1836 in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming and blacksmithing. He later came to Illinois and was a grain and stock buyer at Dixon. He died in 1900. His wife was born in 1843, in Pennsylvania and now lives at Dixon, HI. Their children were: Anna; Lauretta, principal of graded schools at Dixon, 111. ; Carrie, teacher at Dixon, HI. ; Lula, clerk at a department store, Dixon, HI., and George, connected with a moving picture company at Dixon, HI. Mr. and Mrs. Dysart have the following children : Harvey W., born May 9, 1893, and died August 30, 1910; Scott W., born July 14, 1895, now in business with J. W.

Andrew P. Bans, manager of the Wanda Elevator Company, was born March 17, 1892, at Springfield, Minn., son of Paul and Lena (Holly) Bans. When he was about two years old his parents secured a homestead of 160 acres of wild land in section 22, Sundown township, Redwood county, where they began farming with an ox team. This farm has been improved and brought to a high state of cultivation and is now under the management of Andrew P. Bans and is known as the Clover Bloom Farm. He still has in his possession the old yoke which his father used for his oxen when he began farming. Andrew P. Bans operated the Clements Elevator for two years for the North Star Grain Company and came to Wanda in 1914 and took charge of the Wanda Elevator Company. He is a member of the C. O. F. and also of the Catholic church. Mr. Bans was married May 8, 1915, to Hettie Green of Morgan.

Ola Hjyelter, a carpenter of Seaforth, was born in Norway. Mr. Hjyelter was married March 30, 1910, to Martha Washborn, born May 19, 1889, in North Bedwood, Minn., daughter of Morton and Rachel Washborn. Her father was born in Canada and was a farmer and carpenter and came to Bedwood county at an early date, and at the time of his death was quite well to do. He died in 1900 and was buried at New Avon Cemetery. Her mother is now living at North Bedwood, Minn. There were the following children in the family: Etta, Morton, Martha, David, Arnold, Lawrence and Alvin. Alvin has lived since his early childhood with David B. Ganoe of Sheridan township. Mr. and Mrs. Hjyelter have the following children : Mary, born September 18, 1911, and Bertha, born October 15, 1913. Th6 family are members of the Presbyterian church of Seaforth.

Louis 0. Hook, a modern farmer of Vesta township, was born in Columbus, Columbia county, Wisconsin, September 29, 1868, son of Fritz and Caroline (Winter) Mock. The father, a native of Germany, came to America in 1869, locating in Columbus, Wis., where he remained until 1887. Then coming to Minnesota, he rented a farm in Yellow Medicine county until 1890. Next he bought 160 acres in Echo township, Yellow Medicine county, where he lived until 1901, after which he made his home with his children until his death, September 5, 1914, at the age of eightynine years. His wife died in 1881 at the age of forty-two. There were five children in the family: Louisa, married to Gustav Peterine, a farmer of Yellow Medicine county, who died in 1909 at the age of forty-two ; Louis C, subject of this sketch ; Albert, a farmer who died in 1913 at the age of forty-two ; and two who died in infancy. Louis C. Mock remained at home until he was twenty-six years of age, at which time he bought 92 acres of land in section 5, Vesta township, Redwood county, Minnesota. He now owns 226 acres in this township and raises graded Hereford cattle for the market. In 1915 he built a two-story, eightroom house, 28 by 30 feet, with screen porch, and which is equipped with furnace hea^t and wired for electric light. Mr. Mock also owns 200 acres in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, and 312 acres in Bottineau county, North Dakota, both of which farms are equipped with buildings and both of which he rents out. Mr. Mock married Caroline Kuehn, who was born October 5, 1876, daughter of Christian Kuehn, a farmer of Sibley county, who came from Germany to the United States in or about 1862, and his wife, Caroline (Jacoby) Kuehn. Mr. and Mrs. Mock have six children: Herbert, born May 2, 1902; Brvin, April 14, 1903; Clarence, August 2, 1904 ; Lola, May 21, 1906 ; Alvin, December 21, 1909, and Arthur, September 21, 1911. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.

John Zeren, a well-known citizen of Wabasso, was born October 16, 1874, in West Newton township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, son of Peter and Gertrude (Stacken) Zeren. Peter Zeren was born in Brighton township, Kenosha, Wis., in July, 1850, son of Nicholas Zeren, a native of Paris, France, who came to America, locating in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming, and died in 1854. He was married in France. After his death the widow married John Heck, also a native of France, who came to Wisconsin in 1858 and then came to Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead of 160 acres in Brighton township. In 1860 he sold his claijn for $150.00 and returned to Wisconsin. In 1861 he returned to Nicollet county, Minn., and bought 120 acres in Brighton township. At the time of the Indian uprising in 1862 the family took their livestock and went to St. Peter to avoid the Indians. On returning to the farm they found their house safe but the barn and wheat stacks had been burned. Peter, the father of John, worked on the home farm during the summers and in the winter was employed in the pineries in Michigan. In 1871 he came to Minnesota and bought 80 acres in West Newton township, Nicollet county. Here he remained until 1885, when he sold and moved to Chaska, Carver county, this state. He was a carpenter contractor there for twelve years and then moved to Renville county, where he rented a farm in Cairo township. He moved to Fairfax, where he diecf. He was married in 1871 to Gertrude Stacken, born in 1851 in Prussia, Germany, who is still living in Fairfax. Her father, Cornelius Stacken, was born in 1813 and came to America in 1867, locating in Lake township, Carver county, Minnesota, where he bought 140 acres of land. In 1896 he returned to Granby township, Nicollet county. He died in 1898. His wife, Katherine (Kademacher) Stacken, was born in 1815 and died in 1895. Mr.

and Mrs. Peter Zeren had the following children: John, Cornelius, of Wabasso; Margeretha, who died in 1899; Philip, a farmer in North Dakota; Mary, Mrs. Chas. Johanneck, of Redwood Falls ; William, of Fairfax ; Elizabeth, of Fairfax ; Gertrude, of Fairfax; Katherine, Mrs. E. G. Weldon, of Wabasso, and George, of Fairfax. John Zeren remained at home until twentyone years of age, when he entered the harness business of Mahovel & Ness at Fairfax. After two years he went to Wabasso and followed the harness trade there until 1903, when he engaged in the harness and shoe business for himself. He was a member of the village council for nine years and is a director of the Wabasso Building & Loan Association and a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Wabasso. Mr. Zeren was married June 26, 1900, to Barbara Sons, born in 1877 in Brighton township, Nicollet county, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Nicholas and Susana (Schaefer) Sons, both natives of Prussia, Germany. Nicholas Sons came to America in 1860. He was one of the old Civil war veterans and died in 1880. His wife was born in 1830 and died in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Zeren have the following children : Leona, Raymond, Mildred, Werner and Winefred.

Dennis L. Hitchcock, M. D., pioneer physician, was born in Forkston, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 7, 1827, son of Hiram and Lucia (Burgess) Hitchcock. He passed through the schools of his neighborhood, read medicine under a proficient physician and surgeon there, and further studied in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Upon coming to Minnesota, he located in Faribault, practiced there for a while, and at the same time located a claim near Warsaw in the same county. In the fall of 1857 he went to Waterville, of which town he was one of the proprietors. While there he made an extensive trip to the West. He came to Redwood Falls, bringing his family, in the spring of 1865, started the practice of his profession here, and at once became one of the leading citizens of the community. A few years later he established the drug store which is now conducted by his son. In the upbuilding of Redwood Falls, Dr. Hitchcock took a prominent part, and his name will continue to be honored as long as the story of the county continues to be told. His death, Dec. 31, 1884, has not yet ceased to be mourned. Among many other things which Dr. Hitchcock did for the city was the planting of a number of trees, the forerunners of the stately trees which now add so greatly to the beauty of the city he helped to establish. Dr. Hitchcock was married in the fall of 1857 to Pamela, born in Nova Scotia, daughter of James and Eunice (Jenks) Davison. The Davison and Jenks families were early colonists in Rhode Island. From there they went to Nova Scotia. In the early forties, James Davison brought his family from Nova Scotia to Maine, and later to Indiana. In 1849 he settled six miles east of Waterville, in this state. His daughter, now Mrs. Hitchcock, was the first schoolteacher in Waterville, and also assisted in the first school in Faribault. Dr. and Mrs. Hitchcock had eight children, of whom seven grew to adult years: Hiram Melville, Helen, Elizabeth, Sarah J., Harriet M., Julius R. and Agnes G. Mrs. Hitchcock still makes her home in Redwood Falls, surrounded by the love and care of her family, and the profound respect of the entire community.

Hiram Melville Hitchcock, optometrist and pharmacist, and leading citizen of Redwood Falls, was born in Waterville, this state, Sept. 14, 1859, son of Dr. Dennis L. and Pamela (Davison) Hitchcock. He came to Redwood Falls with his parents in the spring of 1865, and as a boy passed through all the experiences of pioneer life in Redwood Falls. He attended the pioneer schools, remaining in attendance until high school studies were established, worked in the drug store with his father, and as a young man assumed the management of the establishment, at the head of which he has since remained. In 1893 he graduated from the Chicago Ophthalmic College, and has since been one of the leading optometrists in western Minnesota.

For several years he was president of the Minnesota State Association of Optometrists, and in this society also held several other official positions. When the State Board of Examiners in Optometry, the first board of its kind in the United States, was established, he was one of its first members. He has been several times reappointed, and was for several years president of the board. He has also been vice president of the Scientific Section of the American Optical Association. He was for several years secretary of the school board, and is likewise president and prominent member of the library board, and an active member of the park board of this city. The purchase and improvement of the Ramsey State Park is due in a large degree to his generous efforts, and he will live in history as the father of the park project. With unbounded enthusiasm, and with tireless energy, he advocated the project at its inception, he has watched over its progress month by month, and is now advocating a still further extension of the park system. In the Methodist Episcopal church he has been a member of the official board. The history of the early days has been his especial hobby. He took an interest in the moving of the McPhail cabin to the park, and his researches have preserved the story of the cabin, and the tale of the first settlement of Redwood Falls for all future generations. June 1, 1881, Mr. Hitchcock was married to Regina Stegner, born March 16, 1861, daughter of Conrad and Mary Stegner, pioneers of Dakota county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock have the following children : Gretchen, wife of W. B. Clement, one of Redwood Falls' leading citizens; Eva R., wife of Ralph Towne, a school superintendent ; Alice L., wife of Andrew J. Olson, an agricultural teacher j Paul M., of Houston, Texas ; William, who died in 1911 at the age of thirteen ; Dorothy, who died in 1914 at the age of thirteen ; and Hazel, at home.

8. O. Peterson, prominent citizen, journalist, merchant and real estate dealer, was born in Denmark, July 3, 1867, son of George and Sinnie Peterson. George Peterson came to America in 1869 and located at Chicago, where he engaged in contracting until his death in 1892 at the age of forty-seven, his wife having been drowned at sea in 1871. S. G. Peterson started out for himself as a young man and conducted a book and stationery store at Hutchinson, this state, for two years. During the next seven years he conducted a dry goods store at Hutchinson for Brown Brothers of St. Paul. In 1895 he bought the Hutchinson "Democrat" and changed it to the Hutchinson "Independent" and also started the Lester Prairie 11 Journal" at the same time. Soon he sold these and bought the Glencoe "Register," one of the oldest papers in the state. In 1899 he sold this and came to Redwood Palls, where he bought a general merchandise store and operated it until 1905. Then he bought the Redwood "Reveille," which he published for three years and then became owner of the Echo "Enterprise" for the next five years. He owned the Granite Falls "Journal" one year. He was in the cloak and suit business for quite a period, and conducted a store in the building of Cooper & Gold. He also engaged in the real estate business with the Gopher State Realty Company, dealing in both foreign and home lands. He has served as a member of the city council one term and has been a member of the park board since 1907 and is treasurer of same. He has been president of the school board for three years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the K. P. and the A. O. U. W. He is a member of the State Horticultural society and of the Minnesota Editorial Association, having belonged to the latter since 1894. In the Chatauqua association he has been one of the vital factors. Mr. Peterson was married September 2, 1895, to Christine S. Christianson, and they have three children : Maude E., a graduate of Albert Lea College, Albert Lea, Minn., in 1913, a teacher of music and a student at Oberlin college ; Harold, a student at Valparaiso, Ind., and Pauline. The family worship at the Methodist Episcopal church where Mr. Peterson is steward. He has also been first vice president of the State Epworth League for five years and District President of same for five years. He is a Sunday school teacher and chorister.

Senius Jensen, a farmer of Sundown township, was born in Denmark, August 13, 1871, son of Nels Jensen, who died in Denmark at the age of seventy, and his wife, Hannah (Christensen) Jensen, who died in 1874. Senius came to the United States in

1888 and landed in Baltimore. When he reached Chicago he had just 75 cents. He remained one day and then came to Springfield, Minn., with 52 cents left and nothing to eat but part of a loaf of bread. He went to work herding cattle, having charge of 500, working for $6 per month for eleven months, and then attended school for about two months. Besides his schooling in America he had two terms of school in Denmark. In 1896 he bought two oxen and engaged in farming. He was unsuccessful in this venture and lost all he had. He made another attempt, renting 160 acres of land, and succeeded in raising good crops. Then he went to Brookville township, Redwood County, and farmed four years. He next bought 160 acres in Chippewa County and after two years came to Redwood County and bought 160 acres in Section 8, Sundown township. There was a small house and barn on the place. In 1913 he built a new eight-room house and in 1911 a barn, 28x40, with a sixteen-foot lean-to. He raises good stock and does general farming. He has served as a member of the school board for seven years. He is a shareholder in the Wanda Creamery. Mr. Jensen was married November 6, 1896, to Rakka Petersen, daughter of Chris Petersen. She was born March 10, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have eleven children: Inez, Henry, Viola, Alvin, Hazel, Anton, Arnold, Raymond, Ellis, Orvald and Cleo. The family are members of the Scandinavian Lutheran church.

Samuel Dutton Hinman was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1839, son of Thomas and Mary Carrington Hinman, both descended from New England Colonial ancestry. He attended Cheshire Episcopal Academy in Connecticut; came to Faribault, Minn., in 1856; entered the Bishop Whipple Seabury Mission and was ordained to the ministry by Bishop Whipple on October 5, 1860. He was married the same month to Mary Ellen Buery, who died March 12, 1876, daughter of Thomas Hannah and Margaret Buery, of New York City. He removed to Lower Sioux Agency, in what is now Redwood County, and began his labors as missionary to the Indians and was so engaged at the time of Indian massacre. He was one of the defenders at the battle of Fort Ridgely. When the Indians were removed to Nebraska, Mr. Hinman accompanied them and founded what has since been known as the Santee Indian Mission. He translated much of the Bible, Book of Common Prayer, and Hymnal into the Dakota language. He was connected with and furnished valuable data pertaining to Indians to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C. ; was a member of the government Sioux Indian Commission of 1876; also the Dawes Commission of the eighties ; and was supervisor of Indian census in 1880. In 1884 he was married to Mary Myrick, daughter of William Myrick. He removed to the present Bishop Whipple Indian Mission, Redwood County, in 1886. The surviving children by the first marriage are : Henry Whipple, Samuel Dutton, Rob- ert Heber Clarkson, William Welsh and Joseph Carrington; by the second marriage, Mary Myrick. March 24, 1890, the Rev. Mr. Hinman entered into rest, after a short illness, and he sleeps beside the church to which so many cares and toils had been given. Like her husband, Mrs. Hinman also sleeps beside the church at Santee Mission, to whose cause and the spread of Christ's kingdom to the Dakotas she devoted her life work.

James A. Larson was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 9, 1860. He emigrated to Minnesota with his parents in 1877 and settled with them on a farm in Johnsonville township, Redwood county. He assisted his parents in improving that farm. On December 24, 1883, he was married to Johanna Halverson, and on November 1, 1890, he homesteaded a quarter section of land in Westline township, which he improved and later returned to the township of Johnsonville, where he resided for a number of years on his father's farm, which he later acquired by purchase. He held many township offices and took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of that county. In 1903 he moved to Walnut Grove, where he resided until he was appointed as assistant secretary of state under Julius A. Schmahl, which position he is holding at the present time. In 1896 he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for representative to the legislature and was elected. In 1898 and again in 1900 he was nominated and elected to the same position without opposition. From 1905 until January, 1907, he was postmaster at Walnut Grove. In the legislative sessions of which he was a member he was very active in securing legislation that has been very beneficial to the people ctf the State of Minnesota. With Senator Miller of Luverne, Rock County, he worked for and secured a reduction of freight rates for southern Minnesota. He also assisted in passing a law providing for loading platforms at all stations where needed. He favored State aid for rural schools and was largely instrumental in securing the passage of a law for that purpose. He worked for and secured legislation that has been beneficial to the stock shippers of the State. He also led the fight for the foreign corporation law, which has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars into the State treasury. He is the father of ten children, all of whom were born in Redwood County. Frank Henry, born September 20, 1884, died February 20, 1894; Josephine M., who is now the wife of Daniel A. Malloy of Walnut Grove, was born November 30, 1885 ; Bertha L., who is now the wife of T. M. Gjestrum, born November 30, 1887 ; Fannie E., who is a stenographer in the secretary of state's office, born March 4, 1890; John William, who is now a student at the State University, born November 30, 1891 ; May Ellen, who is also a stenographer, born December 11, 1892; George Edward, born September 20, 1894 ; Lillie C, born September 22, 1896 ; Frank Henry, born September 20, 1899 ; Amelia Jo-

James A. Larson

Lewis Larson was born in Norway, and in 1854 was married to Mary Erickson in that country. In 1856 he emigrated to America and settled in the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in dairy and truck farming. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, 82nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served under Grant until he was seriously wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, and from there was sent north to a hospital, where he was finally discharged on account of disability. In 1877 he emigrated to Redwood County, Minn., and settled on a homestead in the town of Johnson ville. He resided in Redwood County for six years and in 1884 returned to the city of Chicago. His wife died in April, 1900, and he died on March 17, 1907. They had five children: Amelia, who died in infancy; Edward, who is now ranching in South Dakota; Emma, who died in infancy; Henry, who died in the early 90*8; James A., the present assistant secretary of state; and Frank, who died in 1895.

The First National Bank of Redwood Falls, Minn., was established as a private bank under the name and title of the Redwood County Bank by G. W. Braley in 1872 and conducted by him as such until his death in 1880, when the affairs of the bank were closed and discontinued. The building, furniture and fixtures were purchased by Hial D. Baldwin and Clarence T. Ward, who were at that time engaged in the practice of law. They reopened the bank under the name of Redwood County Bank, and conducted same as a private bank under the firm name of Baldwin & Ward, proprietors, until it was incorporated into a State bank in 1891, with a capital stock of $25,000. Its first president was Albert Scheffer of St. Paul, who was president for two years. The first statement published on April 14, 1891, showed deposits of $38,661, and total footings of $65,041. E. A. Hendrickson of St. Paul was its next president and held the office until January, 1896, when W. D. Lines of Redwood Falls was elected his successor for the next two years, and on January, 1898, A. C. Burmeister was elected president and served for several years. In May, 1901, this bank was converted into a national bank and the first statement as a national bank showed $88,000 deposits and a total footing of $134,000. Mr. Burmeister continued as president until January, 1910, when H. A. Baldwin was elected his successor and still serves as such. The last statement published previous to this article showed a handsome increase in business, with deposits of $470,051.44 and footings of statement $543,551.44. It has always been the policy of this institution from its establishment to conduct its affairs along conservative lines, consistent with the very best principles of banking ; and at all times to consider the best interests of its patrons and the development of the community; has always adopted a progressive policy and devoted its generous support and assistance to anything that meant progress and stable development. Its continued increase in business and usefulness to the community is reflected by the increase of its business and number of patrons, and the general excellent reputation it bears in this section. Its present official staff and directorate are among the very ablest men of the community, as will be noted in the following list: H. A. Baldwin, president; A. C. Burmeister, vice president; Emil Kuenzli, second vice president; Fred W. Zander, cashier; C. H. Baldwin, assistant cashier; Robert Y. Ochs, assistant cashier; A. H. Hassenstab, bookkeeper; A. C. Burmeister (chairman), H. G. Schmahl, C. A. Luscher, Emil Kuenzli, E. A. Luscher, A. E. Ward, William M. Smitl* and H. A. Baldwin.

Appendix

Redwood Falls Lake and Redwood River Dams. Redwood Falls is very fortunately situated, having as its surroundings a beautiful prairie for grazing and agricultural purposes, the city itself nestled in beautiful woodland, traversed by the scenic Redwood River, that has been the pride and joy of its citizens for many years, afforded the primitive settler with abundance of opportunity for enjoyment, fishing, trapping and hunting, and because of its rippling water over its rapids through the city limits, has offered an excellent opportunity for power purposes and privileges.

In 1868 the first dam was built near the present mill by Park Werden, this dam being located about 700 to 800 feet below the present dam. In the year 1869 A. M. Cook, an early settler, constructed a dam about 1,000 feet above the present one and located his mill downstream about 800 feet. A very amusing story is told in connection with this particular dam, which has been repeated for many years, the circumstances being very well known by the early settlers.

Colonel McPhail, who was stationed at this point, was asked by the government for a report on the water power and mills, and it is said his report was something like this: "I saw a dam by a mill site, but did not see a mill by a dam site."

The two dams mentioned furnished sufficient water power to operate the two mills for the benefit of Redwood Falls and many other towns surrounding, and supplied flour and feed to Yellow Medicine, Renville, Lyon and Redwood counties. But as time passed it was discovered there was a better location for a dam, that would not only supply an abundance of water, but would give to this beautiful city a lake and park that would add greatly to its pleasure and usefulness, and for several years this project for a new dam was a daily subject.

A. C. Burmeister, the present owner, realizing that Redwood Palls and vicinity was fast crowding upon his abilities to serve it with enough power, purchased the abutting property to the present location of the dam, that the burden of expense of constructing the dam and buying the overflowage right would be a material hardship for him to bear alone, the enthusiasm and pride of the citizens was of such a character that a committee, known as the dam committee, of which H. A. Baldwin was chairman, Julius A. Schmahl, F. L. Warner, H. M. Hitchcock, O. L. Dornberg, C. W.

In 1900 the matter of procuring overflowage rights was vigorously commenced, some were freely obtained, but others were fought in the courts with strenuous opposition, but after about eighteen months of litigation the committee was successful in closing all overflowage rights. It is at this point where the real evidence of appreciation is presented, many of the citizens and business men signed notes amounting to $2,600, and the money was advanced by a local bank to pay the flowage rights, showing the keen interest and faith that was had in the enterprise.

In 1905 by a special act of the Legislature the city was permitted to issue bonds amounting to $3,400 to reimburse the signers of these notes, and an agreement was obtained from Mr. Burmeister to maintain at all times a specified high level of water. During the progress of the erection of this dam, which was built out of concrete with solid natural stone abutment and foundation, the citizens of Redwood Falls and surrounding country were daily visitors. It required Mr. Burmeister from August, 1901, to May, 1902, in which to complete the dam, and it certainly was a great day when the final gate was placed in its position and the filling of the dam commenced. It required four to five days to properly fill the flume so that the water flowed over the top of the dam.

Great credit is due to A. C. Burmeister who had the courage to place his money and labor into the enterprise that must needs be built for many years in the future.

The building of this dam has placed Redwood Falls in the prominent and front ranks among efficient water powers of the State, giving an eighty-eight foot head, which is one of the greatest, if not the greatest fall obtained in the State.

A special phase of the movement, which lends interest to the enjoyment that the people of Redwood Falls got out of the artificial lake, is the organization of the Redwood Falls Lake, Park and Boat Association, the incorporators of which were : Julius A. Schmahl, F. L. Warner, O. L. Dornberg, C. W. Mead, C. Fred Thompson, F. M. Isham, I. N. Tompkins, George Jaehning and EL A. Baldwin. These gentlemen purchased twelve acres of land at the head of the lake, built a dock, pavilion and equipped the park with many other things for amusement. They also purchased two gasoline launches, which had been on Lake Calhoun near Minneapolis, transported them from the city to Redwood Falls and launched them amid great enthusiasm and excitement, putting them into use for transporting excursion parties to the park, a distance of two and one-half miles. Near the foot of the lake substantial boat houses and docks were erected, and the ground in general beautified so as to be attractive.

The building of the dam, the creation of the lake and the adding of these boat equipments and park, furnished Redwood Falls with an opportunity to entertain the surrounding country in a yery pleasant way, and added to this, the City Park affords abundance of pleasure for picnics and parties within walking distance of the business section of our city.

The dam, with auxiliary steam and Diesel oil engine equipment, furnishes sufficient power to supply the wants and needs of the city of Redwood Falls, Morgan, Morton, Franklin and North Redwood, and could still supply more. - By H. A Baldwin.

Dr. Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa). During a typical Minnesota blizzard in the late fall season of 1858 there was born an Indian boy, Ohi-Yi-Sa, in a tepee at a temporary camping place on the Redwood County side of the Minnesota River, opposite to where the town of Morton is now located. The parents were caught by this storm as they were returning from a hunting expedition.

In these precarious circumstances began the life of Dr. Charles A. Eastman, who became the most noted of Redwood County born citizens of the United States, with a nation-wide acquaintance and reputation and attaining to a more prominent place in literature than any other of his race. Soon after his birth it became evident that his mother would not recover from her illness and as he was the last to be born in the family he was first named Hakadah, "The Pitiful Last," and it was freely predicted that he would not survive. Four years later at a summer festival and gathering of Sioux and Chippewa tribes, when the chief entertainment was feats of athletic skill, the winning of friendly contests by the Sioux was celebrated by re-christening the boy with a new name. The medicine man of the tribe who conducted the ceremony proclaimed: "Ohiyesa (or Winner) shall be thy name henceforth. Be brave, be patient and thou shalt always win. Thy name is Ohiyesa." From Dr. Eastman's description of the location of this event it is quite certain that it took place in the open space in the bottom land lying between Tiger Lake and the Minnesota River about halfway between the towns of North Redwood and Morton.

The home of this family was in the Sioux Indian Reservation of the Upper Minnesota Valley, near the Redwood Agency headquarters at the western edge of the present Indian colony and within sight of the present Mission Church and Government School. Had it not been for the strife and contests of an entirely different character which occurred a few weeks later, there would doubtless have followed the usual uneventful life of a reservation Indian, deprived by the encroachments of the white settlers from his former means of self-support and independence, coming in contact with much of the worst and little of the best influences

The open revolt of Chief Little Crow and his band in 1862, starting at the agency headquarters, was the beginning of the untimely ending of nearly 1,000 lives and the permanent loss to the Sioux tribes of all that remained of their land possessions in Minnesota. As a result of this catastrophe, this Redwood Indian boy, during the formative period of his growth, received the kind of training and discipline that was possible only in the wild, adventurous, primitive Indian life as it then existed in the far west Canadian frontier. Then he was suddenly transferred to the opposite extreme of environment with opportunity to learn the white man's language and ways. While he grew from a boy to a man he acquired a high type of New England education and culture at the opposite edge of the continent. Dr. Eastman distinctly remembers the tragic occurrences of the Indian outbreak when he was but four years old and the enforced flight through the Dakotas to west Canada, pursued by General Sibley and his troops. His mother, who was reputed to be a woman of unusual attractiveness, when she could not live, chose her husband's mother to care for the child and this proved a fortunate selection.

His father, a full-blooded Sioux, was captured and sentenced to be executed and father and son were so widely separated that neither one learned of the fate or whereabouts of the other for a number of years. The father was pardoned by President Lincoln and after his release from a term of imprisonment, not desiring to return to reservation life, he qualified as a United States citizen and secured a farm with an Indian colony in South Dakota. After securing his own independence, he made search for the boy, who then learned for the first time that his father was still living. The elder Indian had learned that primitive conditions must pass and adjusted himself to the new order and he decided that his son Ohiyesa should have a chance to be a winner and not a loser in the transition that was inevitable.

Until this time this young Indian lad, just emerging from boyhood, reared in an atmosphere of hostility to the whites, based on harsh and unjust treatment, had received no intimation that he would be separated from every associate and association that he had known, to learn a new language, adopt a new name, to live a new life in preparation for a career of which he had not heretofore imagined. At an age when white boys are well along in their high school course he began in the primary grades to learn to speak, write and think in the English language, rapidly won his way through the common schools. Then he graduated at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and secured a degree of Doctor of Medicine in Harvard University. It would seem that this bril- liant and rare educational achievement would not have been possible had not his native talent been developed and conserved by an efficient physical and mental character training during his younger years by his old Indian grandmother and by his father's brother in the far western wilds.

After completing a course at Harvard he was ready for the profession he had chosen and located first at St. Paul, Minn., then for -several years at a Sioux reservation in Dakota, having in the meantime been married to Elaine Goodale, a former teacher in an eastern college. The dramatic and adventurous circumstances of his earlier years, followed by his school, college and university training, stimulated and maintained a high degree of mental activity that did not entirely subside during the more prosaic conditions of his later life. Partly as a diversion apd because such a record would be interesting to family and friends, he translated portions of his unusual experiences to the written page and some of this reached the public through contributions to magazines. It was during this time that Roosevelt was a comrade enjoying the friendship of rough riders, both white and red, when a large portion of the west was still occupied by ranches and reservations' and there was a friendly acquaintance between Roosevelt and Dr. Eastman. Roosevelt estimated the quality of Eastman's writings sufficiently high that he urged him to discontinue his practice of medicine and develop his talent for literature.

The fate of Eastman's father after his death sentence in the early sixties depended entirely on the word of the best beloved of White Fathers at Washington, at a time when he was heavily burdened with the big quarrel between his white children, North and South, but he took thought of the red men in the west and Lincoln's leniency gave this Indian a chance to demonstrate that he could be good without being dead and Eastman's earlier opportunities to learn the ways of the white man were directly due to Lincoln's reprieve to his father. Nearly forty years later this other, one of the most notable of the White Fathers, made provision for a change in Eastman's occupation, which proved a turning point in his career toward the most important achievements of his life. When Theodore Roosevelt became president, he knew the conditions of the western life better than any of his predecessors in the White House and demonstrated his confidence in Eastman's ability by appointing him to an official commission in the Indian service. During the seven years of this service, under Roosevelt, Eastman's duty was to establish official records and names for individuals and families of the Sioux tribes and he acquired a more intimate personal knowledge and acquaintance with the Sioux people and the pioneer settlers in western Minnesota and the Dakotas probably than any other person. In the meantime a group of children had come to the Eastman house- hold and neither Mr. nor Mrs. Eastman were content that they should have less early advantages than had been their own privilege, so at the close of the Roosevelt administration they moved with their family to Amherst, Mass., for the educational opportunities of that college town. This did not interrupt Dr. Eastman in the study of the history and problems of the aboriginal Americans, which had now become his vocation, and through the medium of series of lectures to college societies and to the general public and of several books which he has published, he has reached extensively many listeners and readers.

In the summer of 1909, Dr. Eastman took charge of the preparation and presentation of the Indian features of the most elaborate historical pageant that has been staged in Minnesota at the St. Paul Auditorium, and impersonated Hiawatha. At this time he visited and lectured at Redwood Falls, later in the year attending the World's Congress of Races in London, having been chosen to represent the North American Indian, and delivered a lecture at the speaking program. Dr. Eastman still lives with his family at Amherst, Mass. - By H. M. HITCHCOCK.