Redwood County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1916 (part 4 of 13)

Herbert A. Baldwin, president of the First National Bank of Redwood Falls, is one of the most active factors in the efforts which have made Redwood Falls one of the best known of Minnesota's smaller municipalities. A thorough believer in the future of the city and county, he is ever ready to lend his hand to any good cause which has the betterment or progress of the city and county in view. His influence is strong with all classes throughout the community, and he is ever ready to use that influence in behalf of whatever he believed to be right and of advantage to the people. A ready orator, his services as a speaker are in demand on every occasion, and his genial welcome of visitors to the city has done much to increase the high repute in which the city is held. A man of unusual business ability, and one who has achieved a full measure of success, he is nevertheless democratic and approachable, and his delightful personality has had its influence on all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Baldwin is one of the native sons of Minnesota, his birth having occurred in Waseca county, February 22, 1865. When a child of six years, he was brought to Redwood Falls by his parents, Hon. H. D. and Augusta Baldwin. Here he attended the public schools and later the high school and on laying aside his text-books he entered upon his business career. Realizing how essential is physical development to the successful business man, he spent eighteen months in work upon a farm, in order that he might expand his lungs and strengthen his muscles, thus preparing for the closer confinement of commercial life. In connection with his father he then embarked in the grocery trade, under the firm style of H. D. Baldwin & Son, spending three years in a mercantile career, after which he entered the high school in order to further add to his education. His next business service was in connection with the Redwood County Bank. He started as messenger boy, and by earnest devotion to his duty, won steady promotion until he became cashier, a position he retained after the bank became a State bank, and still later after the bank became a National bank. In 1910 he assumed the duties of his present position as president. He is also connected with several other banks, being president of the Security State Bank, of North Redwood, and vice president of the State Institution for Savings, at Minneapolis, as well as vice president of the Minnesota Fire Insurance Company, at Chatfield, Minn. For nearly three decades he has been treasurer of Redwood Falls. In addition to his financial interests he is an extensive holder of real estate. He has also been interested in the hotel business. He has passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias; is a member of the I. 0. O. F. He has been an active patron of such local interests as the park system, the Commercial club, and the Armory, and is connected with numerous boards and committees. Mr. Baldwin was married January 8, 1887, to Eva F. Martin, born in 1861, daughter of George W. and Eliza J. (Clements). Mr. Martin is a retired farmer of Redwood Falls, Minn., and a pioneer of Dakota county, Minn., who came to Renville, Minn., in 1883, and to Redwood in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have four children : Dean, born March 12, 1890, who has been a student of the high school of Redwood Falls, Carleton College and the Winona State Normal school; Vean, born March 12, 1890 a graduate of the high school and Carleton College and now a teacher ; Clinton H., born September 10, 1892, a student in the law department of the University of Minnesota; and MarjQrie E., born December 13, 1900, a student of the Redwood Falls high school.

Donald Stewart, a sturdy pioneer of Redwood county, was born in Campbellton, Scotland, May 1, 1834, son of Hugh and Annie (McLean) Stewart. The family came to Canada when Donald was a boy. There they lived for a number of years. From there in 1856 Donald Stewart and his brothers, Archibald, Andrew, and John, came to Wabasha county, this state. It is worthy of note that all of these four brothers afterwards came to Redwood county and all became prominent and prosperous citizens, Andrew being the only one of the four who is now living. Donald Stewart arrived in Redwood county in the fall of 1871, and secured a half section of land in sections 10 and 15, Redwood Falls township. His first building was a frame shanty 16 by 24 feet, which, in later years, was converted into a granary. Beginning to farm on a small scale and gradually breaking more and more of his land, Mr. Stewart in time obtained unusual prosperity. Of sturdy Scotch principles he early espoused the prohibition cause and fought hard for his belief in the days when temperance was not so popular as it is at the present time. At one time he was a candidate for the legislature. A thorough believer in education, he served for some years as a school director. It is worthy of note that Mr. Stewart specialized in the dairy business at the time when many others believed that this county was more adapted to the feeding and shipping of stock and would never become a leading cow district. His active life was brought to an untimely end July 2, 1896, when he was killed in a runaway accident. Mr. Stewart was married in London, Canada, July 1, 1861, going back to Canada from his farm in Wabasha county to claim his bride. His wife Catherine (Watson), was born in Scotland, June 1, 1833, came to Canada as a girl, lived with her husband some ten years in Wabasha county, came to Redwood county with him, was an admirable helpmate in all his endeavors and survived her husband by three years, dying October 30, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the parents of eight children : Annie L., is the wife of Andrew D. Smith, of Paxton township, Redwood county, Minnesota; Andrew D., is a farmer of Redwood Falls township, Redwood county ; Margaret, of Seattle, Wash.; Robert, of Redwood Palls township; Archie, deceased; Belle, now Mrs. W. J. McDonald, of Walnut Grove, Redwood county; John, of Medford, Minn.; Catherine, now Mrs. Francis Pollard of Morgan, Redwood county.

John 0. Smith, for many years a prominent farmer and dairy-* man of Winnebago, HI., was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1832, came to America in 1851 traveled about for a while and in 1859 purchased land near Winnebago, HI., where he devoted his time to grain raising and dairying. He was a stock holder in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company of that place, as well as secretary and director of the Winnebago Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. In politics he was a Republican, later working in the ranks of the Prohibition party. After a useful life he died in April, 1913. John C. Smith was married in 1858 in Illinois to Jean McNair, who was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1834, and died in Illinois in 1909. In the family there were seven children: James M., of Illinois; Andrew D., of Redwood county, Minn.; Annie J., wife of George Bridgland, of Illinois; Elizazeth C, wife of David Greenlees, of Sidney, Australia; Martha,

Andrew D. Smith, a well-to-do and prosperous farmer of Paxton township, was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, October 27, 1861, son of John C. and Jean (MeNair) Smith, natives of Scotland. He was reared on the home farm in Illinois, worked with his father for a number of years and also learned the carpenter trade. His district school education was supplemented with a course of study in a private school in 1884. While still pursuing his work on the Home farm he devoted the winters of 1885, 1886 and 1887 to teaching school. It was in 1888 that he came to Redwood county and taught school at the historic old school house in the Wabasha Creek valley. In the winter of 1889 and 1890, he taught in district forty-seven. In the meantime, in 1889, he bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 7, Paxton township, thus forming the nucleus of his present splendid place of two hundred and twenty-two acres. On this farm, Mr. Smith conducts general agricultural operations along the latest approved lines. He makes a specialty of raising a good grade of stock, possesses a good herd of Jersey cattle, and a good flock of Shropshire sheep. The value of his farm is further enhanced by a big grove. The residence, surrounded by a wide lawn, was erected in 1900, and is a modern eight-room dwelling. In addition to this he has erected barns, machine and carriage sheds, granary and other suitable buildings, has fenced and tiled the farm and has purchased a splendid supply of tools, implements and machinery. Aside from his farm holdings, he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator of Redwood Falls, and also in the Redwood Falls Rural Telephone Company. He has served as chairman of the town board and also as assessor. A Prohibitionist in politics, he has been chairman of the county organization for some years. He and his family are devout members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith was married August 15, 1889, to Annie L. Stewart, who was born in Wabasha county, December 1, 1862, daughter of Donald and Catherine (Watson) Stewart, and this union has been blessed with eight children : Donald S., Elizabeth C, Martha, John C, Esther, Jean, Dorothy, and Lucius B. Donald S. was born January 6, 1891, graduated from the Redwood Falls high school, married Irma Mace, January 1, 1913, has two children: Helen A., born November 10, 1913, and Irwin M., born August 5, 1916, and farms in Redwood Falls township. Elizabeth C. was born September 17, 1892, graduated from the Redwood Falls high schood and Park College, Parkville, Missouri, with the degree of B. A., and now teaches school. Martha was born March 20, 1895, died March 5, 1897. John C. was born March 29, 1897, and will graduate in 1917 from Park College. Esther, born June 21, 1899, and Jean, born August 3, 1901, are students at Redwood Falls high school. Dorothy, born February 7, 1904 attends the graded school int Redwood Falls. Lucius B. was born March 2, 1906, and died March 27, 1907.

William D. Flinn, M. D., was born in Ireland, in 1842, and as an infant, was brought by his parents to Auburn, New York, where they lived until he was some eight or nine years old, then coming to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and locating on a farm near. Columbus. He was but nineteen years of age, when, upon August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the 23rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. On being mustered out, July 4, 1865, he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, from which he was graduated with high honors in 1868. With the ink scarcely dry on his diploma, he opened an office in Elysian, Le Sueur county, this state. In the fall of 1870, he came to Redwood Falls and began his remarkable career here. Under Governor A. R. McGill, he was president of the State Board of Medical Examiners, and remained a. member of that body the full period allowed by law. He was appointed United States pension examiner for this district shortly after his arrival, and with the exception of the eight years of Grover Cleveland's administrations, served in this capacity until his death. He was consulting physician of the Minneapolis & St. Louis. Dr. Flinn declined to serve in political office. In the early days he served for a while as county superintendent of schools, and at one time he was prominently mentioned as a candidate for the state senate, though he felt that he could not become a candidate on account of his large practice. Dr. Flinn died November 22, 1897. He was stricken at the office of the Redwood Gazette, October 21, and the best of medical attention was unable to save him. William D. Flinn was married in 1870, to Mary Brainerd, of Danville, Wis., to which union there were born five children. Of these, two, Thomas and Brainerd, are living. Thomas is a practicing physician at Redwood Falls and Brainerd is a student at the Rush Medical College, Chicago.

Thomas E. Flinn, M. D., was born May 27, 1884, in Redwood Falls, Minn., son of William D. and Mary L. (Brainerd) Flinn. He graduated from the Macalaster Preparatory Academy and Macalaster College with the degree of A. B., in 1905, and from the Rush Medical College with the degree of M. D., in 1909, and during the next two years devoted his life to work as an interne in various Chicago hospitals. Since then he has been in practice in Redwood Falls, Dr. G. R. Pease being his partner. Dr. Flinn was married October 4, 1911, to Lucy M. Hyslop, born November 4, 1885, daughter of John Hyslop, a farmer who died in 1897, at the age of sixty-five, and his wife, Lucy (Kelly) Hyslop, who now lives in Chester, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Flinn

Giles £. Pease, M. D., is the dean of the medical profession in Redwood county, having been in practice here since 1887. He was born in Michigan, November 16, 1861, and after receiving his preliminary education, entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1885. For a time he practiced at Madison, Minn. In the spring of 1887 he came to this county and established his practice. In December, 1911, he formed a partnership with Dr. Thomas E. Flinn, a partnership which has since continued. In 1915 the doctors erected a splendid hospital, known as the Redwood Falls Hospital, in which both now maintain their offices. Dr. Pease has been health officer of the city and coroner of the county and has also done efficient service on the city council.

Thomas D. Barber, now deceased, was born in Perth, Ontario, Canada, January 8, 1849, son of William and Mary (Dodds) Barber, the former of whom came to Vesta township, this county, in 1872, and died in 1873. Thomas D. Barber came to Vesta township with his father, and took a homestead on section 6, where he developed a fine farm, and where he successfully carried on agricultural operations for many years. He is regarded as one of the real pioneers of the region. As town clerk he did efficient service for twenty years, and for a similiar period was director of the school district of his neighborhood, which he assisted in organizing. He also took an active part in the affairs of the Brethren church. In 1902 he retired and moved to the village of Vesta, where he died February 9, 1912. In the fall following his death, his family moved to Redwood Falls, where they have since resided. Mr. Barber was married December 15, 1875, to Sophia A. Garry, who was born August 29, 1858, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Dearborn) Garry. John Garry settled in Lyon county, this state, in 1874, and later went to Cottonwood county, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died in 1861 at the age of forty. Mr. and Mrs. Barber had ten children: William J., proprietor of the garage at Vesta; Elizabeth Gertrude, now Mrs. Albert Becker, wife of a harness dealer at Wood Lake; May A., now Mrs. Arthur Athey, wife of a traveling salesman, of Redwood Falls ; Lester A., farmer at Saskatchewan, Canada; Raymond T., a farmer of Saskatchewan, Canada; Florence E., now Mrs. G. L. Crooks, whose husband is manager of the elevator at Vesta, Minn. ; Stanley J., proprietor of a barbershop at Vesta; Winnie, who died in infancy; Ruth Abrina, student at the Mankato State Normal School and later teacher in Redwood county, and Jeanette L., student at the Redwood high school.

B. James Reynolds, an expert civil engineer, is a splendid example of the success which may be won by a young man of pluck and energy and a determination to make the most of every opportunity. In Redwood county his name is inseparably connected with the extensive ditching project which is making the county known throughout the state. Mr. Reynolds was born in London, May 25, 1879, son of Bion and Fanny (Fletcher) Reynolds. He came to Western Canada in 1898, and engaged in farming near Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Later he became accountant and experimentalist at the government experiment station at Indian Head. In May, 1910, he came to Redwood county as superintendent of the Sears-Oold farms. For some years he studied civil engineering with the International Correspondence Schools, and in 1912, took up the practice of that profession. He has been unusually successful, and is now doing much of the drainage work of the county, employing four assistants, all of whom are college graduates. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married July 12, 1916, to" Abigail Peavoy, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ellen (Kenney) Peavoy, whose farm is situated within the city limits of Redwood Falls. Bion Reynolds, father of B. James Reynolds, was a man of extensive education, having received his degree of M. A. at Cambridge University. In that university and in London, he taught mathematics for twenty-five years. In 1904 he came to Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada, to live with his son, and died in 1909 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, the mother of B. James Reynolds, died in 1894, at the age of fifty-five years.

L. P. Larson, the efficient auditor of Redwood county, was born in Denmark, October 10, 1870, son of Hans and Sophia Larson, the former of whom is still living in that country at the age of seventy-two years, and the latter of whom died in 1891 at the age of forty-five years. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native land, and at the age of twenty years came to America in 1890 to take up his home with an uncle in Brookville township, this county. With this uncle he remained for several winters, in the meantime working during the agricultural season with various farmers of the neighborhood. It was in December, 1892, that disaster overtook Mr. Larson, and changed the course of his life. Struck by a railroad train he was so badly injured as to necessitate the amputation of his right arm at the shoulder. Thus incapacitated for farm work, the young man pluckily determined to secure an education, and so insure for himself a life of usefulness. Accordingly, poor in purse, handicapped by his misfortune, with little knowledge of the English language, he entered "Wilder College, at Wilder, Minnesota, an institution which has since closed its doors. By industry, perseverance, undaunted courage, and the strictest self-denial, he completed his course in the spring of 1897. With this preparation he spent two years in an insurance office at Walnut Grove. Here he accumulated a little money, and was thus enabled in 1899 to purchase 80 acres of land in section 20, Johnsonville township. In 1902 he became deputy county auditor, and was elected auditor in 1906, since which time he has held the office continuously by successful re-elections, his present term expiring on January 1, 1919. Mr. Larson is a genial, affable gentleman, widely known and honored, and his conduct of the arduous duties of the auditor's office has met with wide favor. In spite of the constantly increasing work of the office, with its rapidly added cares and responsibilities, he has shouldered the burden cheerfully, and has met with ability every new problem that has presented itself. Mr. Larson has a beautiful home on the banks of Lake Redwood, and his yard, bordering on the lake, is fast taking on the aspect of a sightly private park. On November 22, 1899, Mr. Larson was married to Mae M. Smith and took his bride to his farm. She was born May 8, 1876, daughter of Erastus Smith, a well-known farmer of Cottonwood county, who died in 1897 at the age of sixty-eight years. Her mother, Mrs. Mattie Smith, now lives at Proctor, Minn., and she was born in 1850. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Larson; Verda C, born July 25, 1900; Vern, born Jan. 10, 1902; John, born Nov. 16, 1903; Bernice, born Oct. 29, 1905; Marguerite, born March 18, 1907 ; and Dorothy, born Dec. 6, 1908. In April and May of 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Larson made an extended trip to the Pacific coast, and visited the two Expositions taking place there at that time.

W. Burrell Clement, one of the most popular young men of Redwood Palls, has lived here some eleven years, and during that time has established for himself an enviable position in the community. His genial personality, his straightforward character, and his business ability, have made him an important influence in the life of the city and county. Lieutenant Clement was born in Racine, Wis., July 16, 1884, son of William H. and Elizabeth (Bull) Clement. After passing through the graded schools and attending the Conrad (Iowa) high school, he entered Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, later attending the Central Iowa Business College at Marshalltown, Iowa. Thus prepared, he became bookkeeper and stenographer at the Iowa Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown. In July, 1905, he came to Redwood Falls, as stenographer for the First National Bank. After a few months he was promoted to assistant cashier, and some three years later he became the cashier. In this position he served with credit and ability for some three years. Then he resigned, and bought the insurance agency of J. B. Robinson, which had been established in Redwood Falls in the early days. On September 1, 1914, he sold the agency to A. E. King, retaining, however, the life insurance business. As district agent for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co. of Newark, N. J., his district covers eight counties. For some months he was connected with H. M. Hitchcock & Co., dealers in drugs, stationery and optical goods. Lieutenant Clement, at the time of going to press (October 1, 1916) is on the Texas border with his regiment. He became a member of Company L, M. N. G., in 1908, and was commissioned first lieutenant in July, 1913, an office he still retains. He has proven a most efficient soldier and officer, and is popular with officers and privates alike. Fraternally, Lieutenant Clement is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Masonic Order. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Clement was married August 3, 1910, to Gretchen Hitchcock, born December 13, 1884, daughter of H. M. Hitchcock. They have two children, Katherine Ruth, born April 6, 1913, and Margaret Louise, born October 30, 1915. Rev. William H. Clement, father of W. Burrell Clement, was born in Geneseo, N. Y., and was there reared. Coming to Racine, Wis., as a young man, lie secured employment as an iron moulder. Later he worked as a gold miner in the Black Hills. Subsequently he turned his attention to religious work as a Y. M. C. A. worker. In 1889 lie became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church as a member of the Upper Iowa Conference, and preached in various places, including Minneapolis.

Jacob Schmahl was among those early German pioneers to settle in the Minnesota Valley. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1817, a descendant of one of the early families to settle in the Middle Palatinate, from which family there sprang Lorentz Schmahl, Adam Schmahl and Wentz Schmahl, who, on September 2, 1743, sailed on the ship Loyal Judith, Capt. James Cowey, master, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, for American shores, the former settling on a farm six miles from York, Pa., where he pursued assiduously and successfully lis calling to the close of his life, leaving four sons, John, Eilain and Lawrence. Of this branch of the Schmahl family, it is remarkable that it required only one generation to reduce the name to plain "Small." Jacob, when young, moved to Baltimore, and his son, Col. Jacob Small, was mayor of the city for a time following the revolutionary war. John Schmahl moved to and settled in Beaver county, Pa., and Kilain and Lawrence remained in York. From the former the greater part of the numerous Smalls in York county descended. Of the other members of the Schmahl family to settle and grow up on the Middle Palatinate, it appears that they remained in Germany until long after the Revolutionary period. Certain it is that the head of the Traverse des Sioux family did not come to the United States until after 1837, and romance has it that he followed the girl who was to be his future wife to this country, he having met her before she left Mainz, Germany, accompanied by her father, for this country. He came to Galena, 111., and thence to St. Paul, where he again met the girl of his first choice, Roset Apfel, and shortly afterwards they were united in wedlock. It was about this time that Jacob Schmahl fell in with those sturdy Minnesota pioneers and boomers - Sibley, Rice, Becker, Flandrau, and many others identified with the early history of the state. Politically, he and they were Democrats, he, probably, through following in the paths of those active men of the territory, and it was by their advice that he and his bride moved to Traverse des Sioux, in the hopes that ere long the capital of the state would be moved to that point, or a point near that famous crossing of the Sioux. Thither they went, at least, and engaged in the hotel business, and at their stopping place many of the prominent men of early days put up for the night on their journeys up and down the river. Here, too, occurred frequent payments of Indian annuities. When the St. Peter Townsite Company collapsed, as a result of the theft of the capitol removal bill, after the same had passed both houses of the legislature, by Hon. Joseph Rolette, chairman of the committee on enrollment, the Schmahl family moved west to a farm three miles east of Ft. Ridgley. When the Indian outbreak of 1862 occurred the family was the last to enter the fort, Colonel Sheehan's company returning from Glencoe, forcing the family in against its will, both Mr. and Mrs. Schmahl believing that no danger would result by their remaining in the farm home. During the eleven days' residence in the fort Jacob Schmahl had a leg injured, and was unable to give much assistance to the men fighting against the Indian foe. Following the defeat of the Indians the family returned to their home east of the fort, and finding it nearly destroyed, their household effects demolished or stolen, their wearing apparel all gone, they returned to Traverse des Sioux, where they remained until 1870, when, by team and by foot, they moved to Redwood Falls. Here Jacob Schmahl engaged in the brewery business, and for a time conducted a saloon as an adjunct to the same, in neither of which did he meet with success. Following the destruction of the family home in 1876, Mr. Schmahl moved to Canby, Minn., leaving his family at Redwood Falls, and at Canby he again commenced the brewery business, with but little success. Early settlers of the Minnesota Valley between Redwood Falls and Lac qui Parle will recall him bringing beer to the farm houses and towns along the way, and referring to it as "Schmahl's Best.' 9 Following the abandonment of his venture at Canby he gave up active business for himself, and was employed at various occupations at Fargo and Casselton, N. D., and at the latter place he had one hand so seriously injured by the kick from a horse that amputation was necessary. After this he returned to Redwood Palls, where he resided up to a few months prior to his death, he having gone to St. Alexander's hospital, New Ulm, where he passed away in September of 1906. Mr. Schmahl was the father of ten children, six of whom are still living at the time of the publication of this history. The four who have passed away are Phillip, who died in infancy, Julia Schmahl Jaehning, Emil and Otto Schmahl. The six surviving children are Mrs. Matilda Schmahl Liebenguth, Alexander C. Schmahl, Teckla Schmahl Wingett, Herman G. Schmahl, Julius A. Schmahl and Charlotte Schmahl Palmer.

Alexander 0. Schmahl is a tinner and hardware man by trade. Early in life he was apprenticed to a New Ulm hardware merchant, and after spending several years in New Ulm, he returned to Redwood Palls, and worked as a tinner in various stores up to the time that the firm of Schmahl & Jaehnings was organized, when he became the senior member of that hardware firm, he continuing as such until his health became impaired, and he was obliged to retire, closing out his interests to Jaehning Bros. After spending some time in farm life he took up his residence in the city, where he still resides, and is employed at various times by Jaehning Bros. He was married to Mary Dittman and they have no children.

Herman Germonicus Schmahl was the second son born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Schmahl, and came to Redwood Falls from Traverse des Sioux in 1870. His first years were spent in doing such work as possible and going to school. He herded cattle for one or more seasons, and then entered the employ of E. E. Harriott, publisher of the Redwood Gazette. It was there that he acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business. Later he found employment in the store of Philbrick & Francois, and when that firm dissolved he became a member of the firm of Francois & Co., general merchants at Redwood Falls. With the death of C. A. Francois the firm changed its name to Francois & Schmahl, and a few years ago Mr. Schmahl became the sole owner of the business under the name of H. G. Schmahl & Co. The firm conducts one of the largest general merchandise stores in the Minnesota valley. Mr. Schmahl was married to Carrie Porter, who passed away in 1912, and he is the father of one child, Irma jSchmahl.

Julius August Schmahl, secretary of state of Minnesota at the time that this history was being written, first saw the light of day at Traverse des Sioux, Nicollet county, Minnesota, on August 1, 1867. Three years later his parents moved to Redwood Falls, then a frontier town of Minnesota, and the transportation to which at that time was made either by foot or by horse or ox team over unusually rough roads. He was one of a family of ten children, one sister alone being his junior in the family. His school years were spent in the town, but when he was six years old he, with an elder brother, were obliged to spend the summers in herding cattle and doing such other labor as would assist the mother in caring for her family. Later, for three years, he herded cattle on the prairies of Swedes Forest, Vesta and other townships of the county, boarding at the homes bf John Rucker, James Durtnall, Harvey Wingett and Thos. D. Barber. When twelve years old he entered the printing office of the Redwood Gazette, under James Aiken, and worked at the printer's trade in that office for over two years. He then went to Fargo, where he was employed in the Fargo Argus job printing office for more than two years. Returning to Minnesota he worked at the trade for a time in St. Paul, and finally returned to Redwood Falls to work in the office of the Redwood Reveille. It was while employed in that office that he became a member of a local chautaqua circle, and continued the course of reading prescribed by that circle for the full term of four years, and Mr. Schmahl points to that system of education as being responsible for his after advancement in life. From 1885 to 1892 he was engaged in reporting for the Minneapolis Journal, Tribune, and Times, and for the St. Paul Globe, Pioneer Press, and News, spending three years of that time as the political and capitol reporter on one or more of the papers. On August 1, 1892, with Herbert V. Ruter, he returned to Redwood Falls, and the two purchased the plant of the Redwood Gazette from James Aiken, changing the paper from a four-page patent inside paper to an eight-page allhome print. The partnership continued for a period of fifteen months, when Mr. Ruter retired and James Aiken again returned to the plant, the new firm being known as Aiken & Schmahl. Mr. Schmahl was elected chief clerk of the house of representatives of the Minnesota legislature in 1901, re-elected at the extra session of 1902, and the regular sessions of 1903 and 1905. His acquaintance grew from session to session and on January 15, 1906, he announced that he would be a candidate for the Republican nomination for secretary of state. This was in the old convention days, and on June 13, 1906, at the Republican state convention held in Duluth, he was nominated on the second ballot, in a field of nine candidates, he receiving 703 votes, or nearly 200 more than the required number. He was elected the following November, and on December 1, 1906, he announced his retirement from the Gazette firm, closing out his interests to his partner, James Aiken, and shortly afterwards Mr. Schmahl and family moved to St. Paul to take up his official residence.

He was re-nominated by two succeeding conventions, and again at the state wide primaries of 1912, 1914 and 1916, as the choice of his party for secretary of state, being elected at each succeeding election in the following November, and with the expiration of the term commencing January 2, 1917, he will have held the office continuously for twelve years. Mr. Schmahl was married to Elizabeth T. Dunnington, at Redwood Falls, on February 20, 1895, and one son was born to them, Dana C. Schmahl, now a lieutenant with the First Minnesota Field Artillery. Mrs. Schmahl passed away on February 6, 1914, and Mr. Schmahl has since been married to Minerva B. Fowlds of Brooten, Stearns county.

E. A. Lyman, the pioneer, came to Minnesota from Wisconsin, in 1865. In 1868 he located in Redwood Falls and at once identified himself with the life of the community. As a teamster he made many trips between Redwood Falls and St. Peter and New Ulm, and he also did considerable trucking for various pioneer enterprises as well as for many of the old settlers. To him belongs the credit of owning one of the first threshing machines of the county. After a long career, filled with busy wprk and successful endeavor, he moved, in 1900, to Zephyr Hills, Florida, where he now resides. His wife, Clara A. Pryor, died in 1889, at the age of seventy. In the family there were three children : Alice, wife of R. E. Anderson, a Presbyterian clergyman of Onarga, HI. ; Ellen C, the wife of M. Yingling, a retired business man of New Comerstown, Ohio, and E. A., Jr., a prominent dentist of Redwood Falls.

E. A. Lyman, Jr., D. D. &., one of the leading men of Redwood Falls, was born in Zumbro Falls, Minnesota, April 21, 1867, son of E. A. and Clara A. (Pryor) Lyman. After passing through the common schools, he was graduated from the Moorehead high school in 1882. Early becoming interested in dentistry, he spent two years in a dental office in Moorehead, and later entered the dental department of the St. Paul Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1888. Since 1889 he has been in the practice of his profession at Redwood Falls. A thirty-second degree Mason, he has passed through the Blue lodge, Chapter, Commandery at Redwood Falls, being past commander of Redwood Falls Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar. He also belongs to the Winona Consistory, No. 4, and to Osmund Temple, No. 4 at St. Paul. He has been a public spirited citizen, has served on various committees, and was a member of the fire department from 1890 to 1913. He was married December 5, 1889, to Blanch S. French, daughter of E. D. French and Sarah (Johnson) French. Mr. French was a dealer in real estate, served as judge of probate and was revenue collector at St. Cloud. Dr. and Mrs. Lyman have four children: Ruth, Mrs. R. A. Cooper; E. D., a bookkeeper at the State Bank of Redwood Falls; Susan, Mrs.

Alfred O. Dolliff, attorney-at-law, and special judge of the Redwood Falls municipal court, was born in Oldtown, Me., September 30, 1874, son of Lucius P. and Mary (Gould) Dolliff, and was reared in his native state and in Minnesota. After receiving the necessary preliminary education he entered Carleton college, at Northfield, Minn., and after studying there three years entered the University of Minnesota. Upon graduating from the law department of that university, June 7, 1895, he was admitted to the bar, and a few months later, on September 4, 1895, he took up his residence in Redwood Falls, where he has since been in the active practice of his profession. He is one of the leading attorneys of the county and has been concerned in considerable important litigation. For several years he was city attorney. As a progressive Republican, he has been active in public life, and during the Republican campaign of 1906 did efficient work as chairman of the Republican county committee. At college, Mr. Dolliff was admitted to membership in the Delta Chi fraternity. For man} years he has been a member of the State Bar Association. As a loyal citizen he is an active member of the Commercial club. For some years he was lieutenant of Co. C, Second Minn., M. N. G. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. F. & A. M. and the Knights of Pythias, and in the local lodge of the latter order he has occupied all the chairs. Mr. Dolliff was married November 25, 1895, to Lulu V. Porter, born November 16, 1873, daughter of Richard and Harriet Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Dolliff have one son, Roger P., born February 17, 1897. Mrs. Dolliff, who is a graduate of the Decatur (Indiana) high school, taught school in Indiana for a while and was later a teacher in the Redwood Falls schools. Lucius P. Dolliff, father of Attorney Alfred C. Dolliff, was born in Maine, and was there married. Later in life he went to northern Wisconsin, and there remained until 1884, when he moved to Minneapolis, where he was joined by his family who came directly front Maine. In 1885 he moved to Wood Lake, this state, and there' remained for several years. In 1892 he again took up the lumber business in Minneapolis and there he still makes his home.

Carl August Herman Laudon, a pioneer, was born in Sagast, Germany, October 2, 1843, and was there reared and educated. In 1868 he came to America with his parents and located in Olmsted county, this state. From there, in 1871, he came to Redwood county, and purchased 200 acres of land in section 23, Sherman township, where he successfully farmed for many years. He died January 6, 1914. His wife, Frida W. Turban, was born in Germany, June 5, 1848, and came to America to be married in June 1871. She died August 26, 1897. In the family there were eight children. Mr. Laudon was a prominent man in his township and served for many years in such positions as* town clerk, supervisor and assessor.

Alfred R. A. Laudon, judge of probate, was born in Sherman township, this county, January 7, 1875, son of Herman and Frida W. (Turban) Laudon, and was reared to farm pursuits. He received his preliminary education in the schools of the county and was for a time employed as a teacher near Wabasso. Subsequently he attended the Northern Illinois College of Law, at Dixon, 111., and also studied law with Judge Joseph Chadderdon, of Redwood Falls, being admitted to the bar in 1900. Since then he has been in the continuous practice of his profession in Redwood Falls, and has appeared in a number of important cases. His public work includes service as city recorder, clerk of the municipal court and judge of the municipal court. In the fall of 1910 he was elected judge of probate, and in that position, by re-election, he is still efficiently serving. His fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias, in the local lodge of which he has passed through all the chairs. August 24, 1902, he was married to Florence A. Baker, born July 10, 1881, daughter of John S. and Hannah M. (South) Baker. John S. Baker, a retired farmer of Redwood Falls, and a veteran of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, died February 21, 1913, at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Laudon have two children : Lowell R., born March 4, 1905 ; Frida M., born March 11, 1913.

William S. Ball, Civil war veteran and pioneer, was born in New York state in 1825. He was there reared, and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. He married Emily Griswold, who bore him six children, and in 1855 he brought the family westward to Wisconsin, where he lived for a number of years in Fond du Lac county. His wife died in 1866 at the age of thirtyfive years, and sometime later he returned to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1897. During the Civil war, he served two and a half years as a private in Co. A, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, being honorably discharged at the expiration of this time as the result of disability acquired in service. Some years later he was granted a pension, which continued until the time of his death.

Halbert M. Ball, financier, man-of -affairs, and leading citizen of Morgan, has been prominent in the public life of two counties, and is now president of the State Bank of Morgan, an institution with which he has been connected since its organization. He was born in Chemung county, New York, March 1, 1849, one of the six children of William S. and Emily (Griswold) Ball, both descended from sturdy York state stock. As a boy, in 1855, he was brought to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and was still of tender years when he lost his mother. At the age of sixteen he started out for himself. He was eighteen years old when he came to Minnesota and located in Brown county, where, after learning the carpenters ' trade, he followed building and contracting until 1880. Then he bought 160 acres in Eden township, in that county, and started farming. There he built up a good place, increased his holdings to 300 acres, and successfully carried on general farming and stockraising for many years. During this period he served six years as county commissioner of Brown county and his efficient work in this capacity is still remembered by the people of that county. It was in 1892 that he came to Redwood county. A year later he assisted in organizing the State Bank of Morgan. When this bank opened its doors he was cashier and general manager, a position he retained until 1913, when he assumed the duties of his present position. His personality has built up the bank into a successful, solid institution which has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the village and the surrounding rural community. An ardent Republican in politics, Mr. Ball has served as a member of the Redwood county Republican central committee. Fraternally, Mr. Ball is associated with the A. P. & A. M. and the I. 0. O. P. His religious affiliation is with the Morgan Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Ball was married April 2, 1874, to Augusta Hartwick, born in Newark, N. J., and this union has been blessed with five children, Elizabeth M., William H., Walter, Myrtle and Stella, who died at the age of two years.

William H. Bally cashier of the State Bank of Morgan, was born in Brown county, this state, January 17, 1877, son of H&lbert M. and Augusta (Hartwick) Ball. He attended the schools of Brown and Redwood counties, studied in Hamline University two years, and in 1901 graduated from the dental department of the University of Minnesota. Thus prepared, he opened an office at Chatfield, in this state, where he successfully practiced for ten years. In 1911, however, he reluctantly abandoned his chosen profession to share with his father the increasing burdens of the growing State Bank of Morgan. While working as bookkeeper in the institution he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and in 1913 became assistant cashier. His ability in this work was at once apparent, and in 1914 he became cashier, a position he still holds. Mr. Ball is of a sociable, approachable disposition, and has passed through the chairs of the I. 0. 0. F. at Morgan and the A. F. & A. M. at Chatfield. In the latter order he has reached the Royal Arch Mason degree. He is also a popular member of the B. P. 0. E. Mr. Ball was married November 28, 1903, to Matilda McOuat, daughter of John and Lillian (Lallisen) McOuat, pioneer farmers living near St. Peter, in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have three children, Virginia, Lois and Katherine.

chants State Bank in that place and his personality is proving one of the vital factors in the success of that institution. He was born in Home township, Brown county, this state, September 26, 1881, son of Fred and Atillie (Petrich) Grabow. His father, Fred Grabow, was born in Germany, came to America in 1868, located in Brown county with the early settlers, purchased 160 acres in Home township, gradually developed and improved it, and there still resides. On this farm Emil P. Grabow was reared. He attended the district schools, and with this preparation entered the St. Paul Park College, did excellent work in the academic and commercial courses and was graduated in 1905. Then, after spending a short time with his parents, he entered the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Morgan on July 25, 1906. From bookkeeper he was promoted in 1908 to assistant cashier, and in 1916 assumed the duties of his present position. In addition to his duties in this financial institution, he has served as village treasurer since the spring of 1913. His fraternal affiliations are with the I. 0. 0. F., the M. W. A. and the E. F. U. In the first named of which he has occupied all the chairs. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Grabow was married September 23, 1915, to Alma Hecker of Mankato, born in New Ulm, a daughter of John B. and Julia (Eobler) Hecker, the former of whom is engaged in the extensive manufacture of cigars at Mankato.

John W. Oarlile was born in Vermont, of sturdy New England ancestry in 1846, the son of James L. and Charlotte Carlile. At the age of twenty-five years he came to Farmington, this state, and there remained until 1872, when he moved to St. Paul and engaged in the meat business. In 1876 he came to Redwood county and started farming in Sherman township. He was one of the prominent men of this vicinity and served as county commissioner for several years. January 1, 1870, he married Marian L. Hendryx, who came to Farmington, this state, from Ohio with her parents in 1861 at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Carlile were blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter.

Walter W. Oarlile, D. D. 8., dental practitioner of Morgan, is one of the popular young men of that place and has taken an active interest in its public and fraternal affairs. He was born in Paxton township, this county, April 29, 1878, son of John W. and Marion L. (Hendryx) Carlile, early settlers of this county. Beared in the home of these good parents the subject of this sketch passed through the district schools of Sherman township, to which his parents moved in 1881, and completed the eighth grade studies at Morgan. Thus prepared, he entered Macalister College at St. Paul in 1897 and graduated from its academic department in 1900. June 5, 1904, he completed his studies in the dental department of the Northwestern University at Chicago.

Christian 80Rensen And Family

That summer he perfected his training by practicing as a traveling dentist in Iowa and Kansas. Since June, 1905, he completed his studies in the dental department of the Northwestern University at Chicago. That summer he perfected his training by practicing as a traveling dentist in Iowa and Kansas. Since June, 1905, he has been located in Morgan. His office is well equipped with all the latest appliances and he has demonstrated himself to be a splendid operator. He keeps well abreast of the latest discoveries in his profession and is thoroughly qualified in all its branches. His standing among his fellow doctors is shown by the fact that he has been made a member of the National, State and Southern Minnesota Dental associations. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic and Odd Fellow bodies. In the latter lodge at Morgan he has passed through all the chairs. His business holdings include stock in the State Bank of Morgan and the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company. His interest in his village is shown by the fact that he is an active worker in the Morgan Commercial club. Dr. Carlile was married August 22, 1905, to Gertrude Wederath, who was born October 12, 1884, daughter of George M. and Marian L. (Turban) Wederath, pioneers of Sherman township, this county. Dr. and Mrs. Carlile have one child, Marian L., born January 15, 1907.

A. W. Nelson, father of Mrs. Christian Sorenson, was born in Denmark, August 27, 1836. He married Meta Marie Larsen, also a native of Denmark, who died in 1864. In 1866 he married Marie Christensen and in 1870 he came to America, locating in Lake Crystal, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Here he lived for five years, carrying on the blacksmithing and wagon business in a brick building he erected, since converted into a dwelling house which is still in use. He then removed to Lone Tree Lake, Eden township, Brown county, Minnesota, where he farmed successfully for fifteen years. Then in search of health he went to Missouri, where he died in 1890. His widow resides in Seattle, Wash. The remaining living children are: Mrs. C. Sorenson, Morgan, Minn.; Frederick C. Nelson, St. Paul; Mrs. P. Giem, Mont., and Mrs. A. R. Caselton, Seattle. Mr. Nelson was educated in both the Danish and German languages and quickly acquired the English language.

Christian Sorenson, a well-to-do farmer of Morgan township,, was born in Denmark, February 28, 1858. His good parents, Soren and Meta Marie Olson, who spent the span of their years in Denmark, were the parents of seven children; Lars, Mary, Hans, Sophia, Christina, Trena and Christian. Of this family Lars was the first to make the venture to this new country. He located in Wisconsin and then found his way to Eden township, Brown county, this state, where he sent for his brother, Christian, the subject of this sketch, who was then a youth of seventeen years. Christian arrived with but thirty dollars in his pocket. This he increased by working as a farm hand, first for his brother and then for others in the neighborhood. In 1880 he purchased 80 acres of land in section 27, Morgan township, on which he started. When he acquired this tract, a few acres had been broken and the only improvements in the way of buildings were an old shack and a straw shed. For a time he rented a part of this land. The first year that he worked it himself he had no team and had to do his work with such horses as he could hire. He worked hard, however, saved his money and was soon enabled to erect a small house 14x14 feet. Mr. Sorenson 's present prosperity is in striking contrast to his circumstances in the early days. He has a splendid eight-room house, a commodious barn 70x32 feet and all the other buildings necessary to carry on modern farming. The original tract has been increased to 320 acres, well tilled, fenced and equipped, and enhanced in value by a large grove and plenty of fruit trees. On this place Mr. Sorenson carries on general farming and makes a specialty of short horn grade cattle and of the Norman strain of horses. Aside from his farm holdings, Mr. Sorenson is a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Morgan and in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank also of that village. In public affairs he has been supervisor of his township and a member of his school board. Mr. Sorenson was married July 20, 1891, to Caroline Nelson, born in Denmark, December 9, 1862, daughter of A. W. and Meta Marie (Larson) Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson have been blessed with four children : August W., Meta Marie, Alfred P. and Alice V. L. August W. was born December 17, 1893. Meta Marie was born June 14, 1897. Alfred P. was born January 21, 1902, and Alice V. L. was born May 28, 1906.

Sebastian Biebl, for many years a resident of West Newton township in Nicollet county was born in Germany and there married Mary A. Baar. In 1871 they came to the United States, located in West Newton township, Nicollet county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. He died in 1889 at the age of sixtyeight and she in 1905 at the age of eighty-four.

George Green, one of the pioneers of Nicollet county, this state, was born in Germany, came to America in 1846, lived in Philadelphia for a time, then moved to a farm in Illinois. Upon coming to Nicollet county he took up a homestead in West Newton township. Here he and his good wife endured the hardships of pioneer life. In 1862 they fled before the wrath of the Sioux Indians, took refuge in New Ulm, went from there with the other refugees and finally after ten weeks absence returned to their farm to find that the Indians had burned ail the buildings and destroyed all their property. Undaunted, however, they again started to establish a home. Prosperity came with the years and they successfully farmed on their original place until 1882 when they took up their home with their son, Casper. Mr. Green died in May, 1901, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Barbara Weiniger, died in April 1888, at the age of sixty-three.

Alfred Green, miller and electrician, was born in West Newton township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, June 12, 1884, the son of Casper and Barbara (Biebl) Green. He was reared in his native township, attended the public schools and thoroughly learned the milling industry from his father. In 1909 he secured an interest in the Morgan Roller Mills, previously owned by his father, and became the active manager. In 1911 he purchased the elevator at Morgan of the Sleepy Eye Milling Company, which he now operates. Since 1915 he has been secretary, treasurer and manager of the Wherland Electric Company of Morgan, Minn. Mr. Green was married February 16, 1909, to Lucy Reding, who was born August 30, 1889, daughter of Henry N. and Katherine (Petsinger) Reding, pioneers of Three Lakes township in Redwood county. Mr. and Mrs. Green have three children : Wilfred, born July 4, 1911; Leonard, born March 26, 1914, and Lucile, born December 22, 1915.

Gasper Green, miller and extensive land owner, now living in Morgan, was born near Chicago, 111., April 26, 1855, son of George and Barbara (Weiniger) Green, who brought him to West Newton township, Nicollet county, this state, in 1857. Although but a small boy at the time of the Sioux massacre, he has vivid recollections of the flight of the refugees. He was reared on the farm, secured such education as the neighborhood afforded and remained with his parents until after obtaining his majority, when he started out for himself as a farmer in the same county. As the years passed he became interested in the milling industry and in 1889 started his career in that line by purchasing a mill at Gibbon. Later he owned the mill at Biscay, which he moved to Buffalo Lake. It was in 1897 that he built the present mill at Morgan. After successfully operating this mill for some years, he took his son Alfred as a partner in 1909 and turned over to him the management of the establishment. Since that time he has devoted his time to his farm and his extensive real estate holdings. In all, he owns about 1,000 acres, 680 acres being in a farm near Murdock in this state, and 275 being in his farm near Morgan. The Green farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, the buildings being especially attractive. The home is a modern twelve-room house, equipped with hot and cold water forced through the house by a pressure tank on two large cisterns, a hot water heating system, electric lights and many other conveniences. It is interesting to note that Mr. Green completed a modern home, which on December 17, 1914, shortly after it was finished, caught fire from the hot air furnace pipes and was burned to the ground. The barn is well in keeping with the home. It is 140x28 feet, sanitary throughout and equipped with the latest modern machinery, making it one of the best barns in the county. The silo is 16x38 feet. On this splendid place Mr. Green carries on general farming. He makes a specialty of Red Poll cattle. His full blooded herd is the best that money can buy and is widely known. An evidence of Mr. Green's progressive spirit is shown in the fact that he has recently installed one of the latest improved milking machines. In addition to his farm holdings, Mr. Green is a stockholder in the State Bank of Morgan. In that village he served on the village council for some four years. All in all, Mr. Green is a splendid type of the twentieth century farmer. A thorough business man and an expert agriculturist. He keeps well abreast of the times by reading farm bulletins and papers and by careful scientific experiments on his own place and the results have fully justified his efforts. His shrewdness, integrity and hard work have brought him more than man's usual measure of success and his worth as a man has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Green was married June 1, 1885, to Barbara Biedl, born in Germany, November 30, 1859, daughter of Sebastian and Mary A. (Baar) Biebl. This union has been blessed with seven children: Alfred, miller and electrician of Morgan; George and William, farmers of Morgan township, and Edward, Harry, Mary and Frank, who are at home.

Henry F. Hopfenspirger, postmaster and leading citizen of Morgan, was born in Racine, Wis., August 5, 1876, the son of Charles and Carrie (Palsbott) Hopfenspirger, now living in retirement at Sleepy Eye. He farmed with his parents as a youth, worked with threshing crews for some seasons and finally became interested in the implement business in the employ of his brother, Joseph W. Hopfenspirger. Later he became traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company and subsequently dealt in real estate for some years. March 13, 1915, he became postmaster at Morgan. He is an efficient public servant and his administration of the duties of this important position have given general satisfaction. Mr. Hopfenspirger was married May 9, 1901, to Lena M. Pixsen, who was born in April 1879, daughter of Fred and Mathilda (Daube) Pixsen, farmers of Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Hopfenspirger have three children: Lloyd, Hazen and Beatrice. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Nels Jensen is an excellent type of modern merchant. Thoroughly loyal to his village and a sincere believer in its future, he has invested heavily in building up its business center and his vital personality has been an important factor in the position which Morgan now occupies among its sister municipalities of this region. Entirely a self-made man, he came to this country as a poor boy, had several years of vigorous farm work, and as a clerk had considerable experience in the general mercantile line before starting in the business for himself. Nels Jensen was born in Denmark, January 9, 1868, the son of Jeppe and Mary (Larsen) Jensen, the former of whom died in 1894 at the age of seventy and the latter in 1912 at the age of seventy-seven. Reared by these good parents, the subject of this sketch attended the neighborhood schools and grew to young manhood in the old country. He was ambitious, however, for a wider field of endeavor and in 1886 he came to America and took up his home with his uncle Han Larson near Evan, Brown county, this state. Later he worked for other farmers. About 1890 he secured employment in the general store of A. Rinke at Sleepy Eye. With this experience, in 1899 he came t6 Morgan and with Philip Johannesen, under the firm name of Jensen and Johannesen, opened a general store. A year and a half later Henry Gerhke succeeded Mr. Johannesen. Two years later Mr. Jensen purchased the Gerhke interests and has since conducted the business alone. He is a man of much vitality and energy and a shrewd business man and upright citizen. His honest methods have won him a large trade, and so rapidly has the business grown that it is now some six times larger than it was when he started. His customers include the leading citizens of Morgan and the substantial farmers of tride country area. Mr. Jensen is just completing one of the finest store buildings in this part of the county. It is in the shape of an "L" fronting on Main and East streets. The State Bank of Morgan cuts out the corner. The building is of solid brick with a full basement, lighted with electricity and heated with a steam heating system. Everything is modern and up to date. There are rest rooms for the women and lavatories for both women and men. The cases and fixtures for the display of goods are of beautiful design and of the most convenient models. The store is a department store in the strictest sense, handling a general line of dry goods and men and women's ready-to-wear apparel and accessories. Though so busily engaged with his own business and occupied with building up a greater success than falls to the average man, Mr. Jensen has not neglected his public duties. He has served on the village council, has taken part in everything which had for its object the betterment of the community. In the Morgan Improvement association he is an enthusiastic worker. His business holdings include stock in the State Bank of Morgan. Mr. Jensen was married April 9, 1896, to Kate Johannsen, who was born October 20, 1869, the daughter of Hans and Sophia (Peterson) Johannsen, the former of whom died at Sleepy Eye in 1913 at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have four children: Wilbert, born October 31, 1897;

Oscar, born November 9, 1901; Rex, born July 27, 1903, and Viola, born December 11, 1898. The family faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church.

John Henry Weldon, a veteran of the Civil war, was born in New York state in 1823, and was there reared and educated. In the early part of the Civil war he enlisted in the 153rd Wi*. Vol. Inf., and served under General Philip Henry Sheridan. Though slightly wounded in battle, he was never disabled, and followed the fortunes of his regiment to the end, participating in the battle of Appomattox Court House, and being present at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Weldon returned to his native state. In 1872 he came to Minnesota, and took a soldiers' homestead of 160 acres in section 12, Highwater township, Cottonwood county. In 1876 he sold this farm and purchased 160 acres in Lamberton township, this county, where he lived for several years. Then for a while he lived in Sauk Center, Minn., but later took up his home in Lamberton, this county, where he died in 1911. He married Jane B. Smith, who was born in 1827 at Fultonville, Tood county, New York, and now makes her home in Staples, Minn.

Abram J. Weldon, a well known resident of Wabasso, was born in Gloversville, Pulton county, New York, April 5, 1858, son of John Henry and Jane E. (Smith) Weldon. He spent his boyhood in his native state, and in 1872 came to Minnesota with his parents. For a time he was employed as a farm helper and later with a railroad construction crew. Subsequently, he purchased 160 acres in section 8, where he successfully farmed until 1900, when he retired and moved to Wabasso. For a time he sold farm machinery, later he was a land agent. Still later he took up his present work as a stock dealer. Mr. Weldon has been one of the most active of Wabasso citizens, and has acceptably filled the position of president of the council for several years. He has been especially prominent in the Wabasso Building and Loan association, and he has also been vitally identified with the Citizens State Bank, the Farmers Creamery, the Fire Department and other organizations. He wasxne of the organizers and first masters of the A. O. U. W. and is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Weldon was married October 15, 1877, to Alvina Jacobs, born March 29, 1859, at Sharpsburg, Penn., daughter of Gotlieb and Barbara (Neilenger) Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have had four children: Emma, wife of L. Berg, a farmer of Vail township ; William G., clerk of the district court of Redwood county; Hattie (deceased) ; and Edward G., a newspaperman in Wabasso. Gotlieb Jacobs, father of Mrs. Weldon, was born in 1819 in Germany, came to Minnesota in 1869, homesteaded 80 acres in Charlestown township, this county, and died in 1889, his wife, who was born in 1820, dying in 1890.

Edward Ct. Weldon, editor of the Wabasso Standard, was born August 20, 1889, in Charlestown township, Redwood county, Minnesota. Son of Abram J. and Alvina (Jacobs) Weldon. He received his adncation at the district school and attended the Mankato Commercial College seven months. In 1908 he entered the printing office of W. C. Starr at Lamberton, Minn., where he remained seven months. In 1909 he bought the Wabasso Standard, a weekly Republican paper, which he still edits. He is one of the influential men of the community and is highly regarded throughout the county. Mr. Weldon was married May 9, 1914, to Kathryn Zeren, born July 10, 1888, at Chaska, Carver county, Minnesota, daughter of Peter Zeren, a native of Brighton township, Kenosha, Wis., born July 24, 1850.

William O. Weldon, clerk of the district court, was born in Charlestown township, this county, March 11, 1882, son of Abraham J. and Alvina (Jacobs) Weldon. He lived at home and as a boy assisted in operating the home farm. His business education was acquired in the New Ulm Business College and in the Marshall Commercial College, graduating from the latter institution in 1902. Thus prepared, he became assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Wabasso one year and was late cashier of the State Bank of Revere six months. One year he was partner in the Marshall Bottling Works at Marshall, Minn., and for a time he was in the collection and insurance business at Wabasso. He was elected to his present position as clerk of the district court of Redwood county in the fall of 1908, taking office January 1, 1909. He was re-elected in the fall of 1912 and is doing most efficient service. Fraternally he is affiliated with the K. of P. and the I. O. O. P. On May 25, 1904, Mr. Weldon was married to Maud A. Maxon, born April 11, 1885, daughter of William T., who died in Marshall, Minn., at the age of sixty-five years in 1903, and his wife, Adelia S. (Woodruff) Maxson. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have one child, Gertrude May, born August 10, 1905.

Fred Basse, a pioneer of Home township, Brown county and veteran of the Civil. war, was born in Germany, came to America in 1844 and spent several years in Tennessee, Texas and other southern states. In spite of his residence in that region he espoused the union cause at the outbreak of the Civil war and did good service as a soldier for four years. After that conflict, in 1865, he came to Brown county, this state, and took a claim in Home township. Beginning on a small scale, he achieved prosperity by hard work and business shrewdness. In 1906 he retired and moved to Sleepy Eye, where he died December 31, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years. His good wife, Hannah (Schlek sen) Sasse, still makes her home in that village. The children in the family were: August, a farmer of Home township, Brown county, Minnesota; Louisa, wife of Herman Zelmer, a farmer of Home township, Brown county; Charles, a farmer of Morgan township, this county; Fred, on the home farm; Amelia, wife of Julius Anderson, a machinist at Morgan; Ida, a milliner at Chicago; Lydia, public librarian at Sleepy Eye, and Amanda, who died in 1908 at the age of nineteen years.

Charles 6. Basse, a prosperous agriculturalist of Morgan township was born in Home township, Brown county, this state, January 6, 1873, son of Fred and Hannah (Schleisen) Sasse. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools of his neighborhood and learned farming from his father. In 1891 he went to Sleepy Eye and worked for two years with William Steinke as a carpenter. Then after a year in the implement business in that village, he devoted another year to his trade. It was in 1895 that he came to Morgan and, in partnership with J. W. Hopfenspirger, under the firm name of Sasse & Hopfenspirger, engaged in the hardware business. Two years later Mr. Hopfenspirger sold out and the firm name was changed to Sasse & Readen, later Mr. Sasse sold out to Mr. Readen and in 1899 moved onto the John Dittbenner farm of 160 acres in section 16, Morgan township, which his wife had inherited. To this, in 1905, he added 120 acres in section 9, Morgan township, a tract which he sold in 1910, when he bought another 80 in the same section. On this splendid farm of 200 acres Mr. Sasse now carries on general farming. His house and barns are excellent and a silo built in 1914 with a capacity of one hundred twenty-five tons adds much to the value of the place. One acre is set to fruit, three acres are in alfalfa and some eighty acres are devoted to clover, timothy and blue grass. For some time Mr. Sasse made a specialty of feeding cattle for the market and his herd of fullblooded registered Hereford cattle was widely known. In 1915, however, he changed his plan by disposing of his entire herd and purchasing the nucleus of a herd of short horn which he is now breeding for dairy purposes. He also keeps a drove of O. I. C. swine and devotes considerable attention to raising Rhode Island Red chickens. Being interested in the most modern developments in his line of endeavor, he has allied himself with the Minnesota Stock Breeders' Association, the National Herford Breeders' Association and the Redwood County Agricultural Association. Aside from his farm interests, he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Morgan and the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company. While living in the village of Morgan, he was a member of the village council and since living in the township he has served on the township board for six years. His fraternal affiliations are with the M. W. A. and the E. F. U. The family faith is that of the German Methodist Episcopal Church of Morgan, of which Mr. Sasse is one of the trustees. Itfr. Sasse was married May 21, 1901, to Bleanora Dittbenner, who was born December 31, 1878, daughter of John and Caroline (Simondent) Dittbenner. Mr. and Mrs. Sasse have had three children: Fernelle, who was born April 20, 1905; Floyd, born May 16, 1909, and Violet, born March 12, 1913.

John Dittbenner, a pioneer of Brown county and a veteran of the Indian campaign of 1862, was born in Germany. He came to America in 1852, and later located in Brown county, September 15, 1862. After the Indian massacre, he enlisted in Company C, Irregular State Militia, at New Ulm and served until October 10, 1862, when he was honorably discharged. He then farmed in Brown county until 1892, when he came to Redwood county, located in Morgan township and there lived until 1896 when he died at the age of fifty-three years. His wife, Caroline ( Simon - dent) Dittbenner, died the year previous at the age of forty-seven. In the Dittbenner family there were fourteen children: Alfred, who died at Springfield, Minn., in 1914, at the age of forty-six; Rosa, wife of August Rentz, a farmer at Bertha, Minn. ; Eleanore, wife of Charles G. Sasse ; Henry, a mail carrier at Lucan, Minn. ; John, a real estate dealer at Woodward, N. D. ; Cora, wife of Carl Bluhm, a merchant at Bertha, Minn. ; Amanda, wife of Will Gode, a farmer at at Lamberton; Ida, wife of Will Albrecht, a farmer at Milk River, Alberta, Canada; Carolina, wife of Henry Schultz, a farmer at Milk River; George, a farmer at Woodward, N. D. ; Ludwig, a farmer at Milk River ; Arthur, proprietor of a restaurant at Echo, Minn., and two children who died in infancy.

Ole J. Olson, a prominent and energetic farmer of Delhi township, was born on section 9, in the township where he still resides, June 20, 1877, son of John Olson and Ellen (Johnson) Wogland, the pioneers. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and remained at home until 1913 when he purchased from his father 160 acres in section 31, Delhi township, where he now lives. He has been successful in his operations, and carries on general farming and stock raising, raising each year about twenty-five acres of wheat, about the same amount of oats, and some sixty or more acres of corn, as well as pasturing a good herd of cattle and a profitable drove of swine. In politics, Mr. Olson is a Republican. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Olson was married December 18, 1892, to Hannah Sundquist, born at Sacred Heart, Minn., May 21, 1874, daughter of Peter and Christiana Sundquist. This union has been blessed with two children: Edna Sylvia, born December 26, 1913, and Helen Olila, born April 4, 1915. Mrs. Olson has two brothers and two sisters: Carl Sundquist, of Webster, S. D.; Ida Sundquist, who lives with her parents in Sacred Heart; Emma, now

John Olson Woglund, a pioneer, has lived in this county for over forty years, and no one who has not passed through the experiences that he has can realize the changes that have taken place since he first arrived here. It was then a region of wild prairie, with only a scattered house here and there, the only timber to be seen being in the bottoms and along the waterways. Farming was done in altogether a different way from what it is now, comforts and conveniences were few and hardships and privations were many. But in spite of discouragements he and his good wife kept faithfully at work until they were numbered among the most prosperous citizens of a well-settled and thriving community. John Olson Woglund was born in Trondhjem, Norway, May 11, 1847, son of Ole and Annie Woglund, who spent the span of their years in the old country. He was reared in his native parish, and was there educated and grew to manhood. It was in 1870 that he came to America and took up his residence near Austin, in this state. In 1874 he came to Redwood county and purchased 120 acres of land in section 9, Delhi township, where he has since continued to live. The land was absolutely wild and unbroken. Mr. Wogland erected a small log cabin and a straw shack, and with his oxen started to break the land and develop the farm. One of his first duties was to set out a grove of small trees. This grove he has seen develop into a small forest. His farm has developed into one of the best in the community. Prom time to time he added to his possessions until he owned 1,000 acres of well-improved land. As necessity required, he -erected necessary buildings, until he now has a modern ten-room home, with commodious barns and a splendid set of other farm structures. Three times Mr. Woglund has journeyed back to Norway to the land of his birth and visited his old friends there. A thorough believer in education, he has done good service on the school board. His business holdings include stock in the Farmers Elevator at Delhi. His church affiliation is with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Delhi, of which he' has served as trustee for some years. All in all, he is a useful citizen and is highly respected throughout the community in which he lives. Mr. Wogland was married July 4, 1875, to Ellen Johnson, daughter of John and Gertrude (Larson) Johnson, the former of whom died in Norway and the latter of whom came to this country and died in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Wogland have been blessed with seven children : Anna, born November 12, 1875, now Mrs. Albert Peterson, of Delhi township; Ole, born January 20, 1877; Gertrude, born October 4, 1880; Nettie, born December 13, 1882, now Mrs. Ole Wogland, of Delhi township; John (deceased), born July 7, 1885; Cora, born February 17,

1888, now Mrs. Herman Sundquist, of Sacred Heart, Renville county, this state, and Josephine, born June 22, 1892, now Mrs. Martinus Matison, of Delhi township.

James Arnold, for many years a potent factor in the life of Redwood county, was born in Kent, England, in 1837, and was there reared and educated. In 1866 he came to America and located in Ford county, Illinois. It was in 1887 that he came to Redwood county, and purchased 160 acres in section 22, Vesta township. A well educated gentleman, he took a vital interest in public affairs, and served in many public offices. For eight years he was county commissioner, during which time he earnestly advocated the cause of good roads, both at the meetings of the board, and by communications in the county newspapers. One of his official acts was the securing of the appropriation for the bridge across the Redwood at Vesta. At his home, he kept the Vesta postoffice, and he greatly assisted the establishment of the new village of Vesta by moving the postoffice to the village and appointing F. H. Bendix as his deputy to take charge of the mail. He also assisted the new village by establishing its first newspaper, "The Vesta Bright Eyes," in 1899. He died on his farm, January 19, 1912, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Arnold was married November 22, 1864, to Maria Riddel, who was born in Kent, England, April 11, 1838. Of the eight children in the family, there are now living four: Herbert, manager of an elevator at Burwick, N. D.; Henry, manager of an elevator at Stanley, N. D.; James, a farmer of Vesta township, and Alexander F., who conducts the old homestead.

Alexander E. Arnold, an industrious young farmer of Vesta township, was born in Ford county, Illinois, March 3, 1879, son of James and Maria (Riddel) Arnold. He was reared to farm pursuits and was educated in the schools of his neighborhood. Since 1900 he has been in charge of the home place. On this place he carries on general farming and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle and Plymouth Rock chickens. Mr. Arnold was married January 5, 1903, to Margaret Goblisch, born November 1, 1881, daughter of Michael, a farmer of Henryville township, Renville county, and his wife, Eatherine (Weis) Goblisch, who died in 1908 at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two children : Esther, born August 10, 1904, and Barbara, born June 28, 1906.

Charles Diets, a prosperous farmer of Vesta township, was born in Germany, January 6, 1863, son of Frederick and Friedericka (Zinder) Dietz. The father was a German cabinet maker who came to America in 1873, and bought a farm in Sibley township, Sibley county. In 1888 he came to Redwood county, buying 240 acres in section 7, Vesta township, where he subsequently resided until his death, May 4, 1914, at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife died May 21, 1891. Charles Dietz remained at home and took charge of his father's farm until 1888. He then bought 160 acres in section 7, Vesta township, which he operates in addition to his father's land, owning altogether 466 acres and carrying on diversified farming. He has been treasurer of school district No. 3 since 1913. Mr. Dietz was married February 21, 1893, to Ottilia Rucks, who was born December 24, 1873, daughter of August and Ernstina (Blemke) Rucks. August Rucks, who was born in Germany, and who came to America in 1855, served two and one-half years in the Civil war. He settled in Sibley county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. Mrs. Rucks' mother is Wilhelmina Winter, who is still living in Sibley county, where she is enjoying life at an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz have six children : Herman, a farmer of Underwood township, born December 1, 1893, who married Lillie Kolander September 23, 1914 ; Hilda, born September 29, 1895; Fred, born June 29, 1897; Henry, born April 26, 1899; Clara, born September 12, 1901, and Selma, born March 24, 1903. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.

John W. Depue, of Vesta township, was born in Albany, New York, October 5, 1854, eldest son of John and Mary (Qlover) Depue. The father, born in Albany, was married in 1852 to Mary Glover, who came from England to America in 1841, locating at Albany. She died in 1907 at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Depue removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1864, and in 1878 to Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded land in Echo township and was engaged in farming until 1892. He then removed to Echo, where he died in 1903. There were seven children in the family: John W., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Smith, now living at Sioux Palls; Edward, a carpenter of Echo, Minn.; Charles O., a carpenter of Fergus Palls, Minn. ; William R., a farmer of Alberta, Canada ; Ella, wife of Thomas O'Connor, a retired farmer of Watertown, S. D., and Rose, who was a school teacher and met her death in a runaway accident in 1895 when she was twenty -two years of age. In 1878 John W. Depue homesteaded 160 acres in section 4, Vesta township, where he now lives. He hauled lumber from Marshall by ox team to build a house, which, when completed, was a one-story building, 14x16 feet. His property is now well improved and he carries on general farming successfully. He was school director when the first school was established, and has served as justice of peace and also as road overseer several times. Mr. Depue was married December 23, 1875, to Ruth Mather, who was born October 23, 1854, and died February 17, 1915. She was the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Depue) Mather. The father, Samuel Mather, was a pioneer farmer of Yellow Medicine county, where he homesteaded land in 1871. He later moved to Echo, where he became the owner of the townsite and opened the first general store, residing there until his death in 1900, at the age of 70 years. His wife, who was born in England, and was one of the pioneers of Hastings, Minn., died in 1902, also at the age of seventy. There were three children in the family: Ruth, Henry, a farmer of Great Falls, Mont.; and Emma, Mrs. Albert Simmons. Mr. and Mrs. Depue have had the following children : Lillian, wife of John Calavan, a farmer of Washington and the mother of one child, Clifford; Florence, wife of George Fairweather, proprietor of a livery in Souris, North Dakota, who had four children, Douglas, Everett, Milton and Ruth; Roy, residing at Lene ; Maurice, who conducts the home farm ; Stella and Lorna, both of whom are stenographers at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Winston, living with his sister in Washington.

Donald McKenzie, an industrious farmer of Vesta township, was born in Ardelf, Rosshire, Scotland, September 15, 1848, son of Kenneth and Jennet (McRae) McKenzie. In 1849 Kenneth McKenzie emigrated to Glengarry, Ontario, Canada, where he farmed until 1868. Then coming to Minnesota he settled at Sleepy Eye, where he died in 1894 at the age of 98 years. His wife died in 1892 at the age of 73. There were seven children in the family: Jennet, who was the wife of Finley McDermot of Glengarry, and died in 1905, at the age of sixty-eight; Donald, a farmer of Brown county, who died in Redwood Falls, in June, 1914; Colin, a retired farmer of Sleepy Eye; Margaret (Mrs. Donald McDermot of Glengarry) ; Donald ; Martha, wife of Hans Roy, a retired farmer of Redwood Falls; and Isabelle, wife of Charles Jorgensen, a farmer of Alberta, Canada. Donald Mc- Kenzie remained at home until he was 34 years of age. For six years he was in the fuel business in Redwood Falls. Then he bought 160 acres in section 30, Vesta township, where he lived until 1905, at which time he bought and removed to a 200-acre farm in section 33. He now owns 600 acres. In 1915 he built a barn, 34 by 54, with basement, on his farm in section 30; and in 1910 an eight-room house, equipped with hot water heat, on his farm in section 33. He has made other valuable improvements and has brought his farms to a high state of cultivation. Mr. McKenzie raises shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey swine, and makes a specialty of Plymouth Rock chickens and Bronze turkeys. He has ^ held township office, having served as supervisor for eight years, and director of the school board for three years. For six years he has been treasurer of the Farmers' Elevator of Vesta. Mr. McKenzie was married August 12, 1881, to Emma Hyslop, who was born September 20, 1856, in Nova Scotia, daughter of Edward Hyslop, a farmer of Nova Scotia, who died there in 1908, at the age of 84 years, and his wife, Jane (Shearer) Hyslop, who died in 1908, at the age of eighty-five. Mr. and

Mrs. McKenzie have four children : Stanley, born May 11, 1882, who died July 9, 1892; John A., born December 22, 1883, now of Hay den, Ariz.; Jeannette, born July 19, 1886, who is a student from the Mankato Normal school, and now a teacher in Redwood county; and Chloris C, born February 20, 1890, who graduated from the Mankato high school in 1909, taught in the Vesta schools for two years and was then principal for two years. The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Vesta.

John F. Rohlik, an up-to-date farmer of Vesta township, was born in Bohemia, September 17, 1862, son of John W. and Mary (Harvet) Rohlik, who were married in Bohemia, November 22, 1858. John W. Rohlik came to America in 1867, locating in Chicago and later removing to Crawford county, Wis., where he farmed until 1894. Since then he has lived with his children of whom he and his wife had seven, namely : William M., a farmer, of Vesta township ; John F., subject of this sketch ; Mary, wife of Paul Borte, a merchant of Wanda ; Anthony M., a farmer of Vesta township ; Clara, now sister Ida of St. Rose Convent at La Crosse; Thomas L., a farmer of Vesta township, and Matilda, married to Hans Lienaw, a hardware dealer of Seattle, Wash. John F. Rohlik remained at home, until he was 18 years of age, when he began working out and so continued for about seven years. In 1887, in partnership with his brother William, he bought 160 acres of land in Granite Rock township, where he and his brother lived for five years. In 1892 he bought 120 acres in sections 25 and 35, Vesta township, and began working upon his new farm with characteristic energy, and in time made many improvements. To begin with he had four horses and six cows but no tools. His first house was a two-room frame building, 16 by 26 feet. Mr. Rohlik now owns 600 acres of land, raises Duroc Jersey swine, of which he ships one carload every year, and also Shorthorn cattle, some of which are registered. He has considerable land set out in clover and timothy. In 1914 he built a twostory house, 30 by 32, of eight rooms with full basement and thoroughly modern. He has electric lights in all buildings, dynamo and storage battery in the basement, and the washer, pump and cream separator are all run by electricity. In 1911 he built a barn 40 by 62, which will accommodate 20 horses and 30 cattle. The farm is all enclosed by woven wire fencing. Mr. Rohlik has served as chairman of the township board for 12 years and has been school director of district No. 54 20 years. He is president of the Farmers' Elevator at Seaforth. Mr. Rohlik was married February 24, 1892, to Agnes Borte, who was born in Germany January 18, 1872, daughter of Carl and Theresa (Barsch) Borte. Carl Borte came to America in 1875 and located in Rice county, Minn., where he farmed until 1886. He then moved to Vesta township, where he resided until his death in February, 1904, at the age of 70 years. His wife died January, 1911, at the age of 67 years. There were six children in the family : Mary, married to Fred Hottinger, a farmer of Washington; Paul, a merchant of Wanda, Minn.; twins, who died in infancy; Agnes, and Joseph, a farmer in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Rohlik have nine children : Agnes, born December 21, 1892 ; sister Corona at St. Rose Convent, at La Crosse; Anthony, born May 29, 1894; Charles, November 8, 1895 ; Mary, January 22, 1897; Frank October 1, 1899; Helen, December 31, 1901; Matilda, February 13, 1906; Josephine August 6, 1910; and Francis, July 20, 1912. The family belongs to St. Mary's Catholic church at Seaforth.

William A. Sickman, a rising young farmer of Vesta township, was born in Arlington, Minn., March 3, 1890, son of Gustav and Emily (Taubert) Sickman. The father was born in Sibley county and came to Redwood county in 1892, buying 240 acres of land in section 11, Vesta township. He has since increased his holdings to 480 acres and has a well improved farm. In December, 1913, he decided to retire from active work and moved to Echo, Minn., where he and his wife expect to spend their remaining years. Mrs. Sickman is a native of Germany, and came to America in 1882, being married in 1887. There were four children in the family: Anna, now Mrs. Jacob Geib, whose husband has charge of the elevator at Gaylord ; William A. ; Henry, a farmer on the home place ; and Freida, wife of Arthur Radtke, agent of the elevator at Wood Lake, Minn. William A. Sickman remained at home working on the farm for his father until December 1, 1913, the father being an invalid. He then rented the home farm and has made many improvements on it. He specializes in feeding cattle for the market, shipping one carload every year. Mr. Sickman was married December 29, 1913, to Grace Alexander, who was born February 8, 1891, daughter of David Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Sickman are members of the Presbyterian church.