Redwood County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1916 (part 5 of 13)

Ferdinand J. Werner, a thrifty farmer of Vesta township, was born in Germany, July 29, 1862, son of Daniel and Caroline (Zirkie) Werner. Daniel Werner was a blacksmith in Germany and died in 1870. There were twelve children in the family, four of whom are living : August, a farmer of Underwood township ; Bertha, now Mrs. Fred Gums of Henderson; Ferdinand J., and Charlotte, now wife of Henry Thoele of Sibley county, Minn. Ferdinand J. Werner came to America in 1877 with his mother, and located in Sibley county, Minn., where he farmed until 1892. He then bought 160 acres of land in section 17, Vesta township, and built a one-story frame house, 16 by 20 feet, which in 1903 was remodeled into a comfortable six-room house. In 1911 he built a barn, 32 by 56, accommodating 40 cattle and eight horses. He raises shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey swine and Belgian horses and specializes in Rhode Island Red chickens. Mr. Werner has held office on the township board of Vesta for two years, has been constable for two years, and has also served as road overseer. He is a director in the Farmers' Elevator Company at Vesta. Fraternally he is associated with the A. 0. U. W., of which he is master workman, and with the M. W. A. of which he is watchman. Mr. Werner was united in marriage March 21, 1892, to Bertha Gutknecht, who was born in Germany, January 17, 1877, daughter of August and Anna (Straw) Gutknecht. The father was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1884, locating in Sibley county, where he died in 1888, aged 49 years. There were seven children in the Gutknecht family: Amelia, widow of Fred Summick, a farmer of Sibley county, who died in 1912; Ottilia, wife of Gust Kelm, a farmer of McLeod county; Annie, now Mrs. Carl Wudelman, of Sibley county; Carl, a farmer of Stearns county; August and Albert who are farming in Sibley county, and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Werner have ten children: Minnie, born Feb. 19, 1894, who was married July 2, 1913, to Otto Meier, a farmer of Vesta township; and has one child, Marvin, born April 18, 1916 ; Otto, born Jan. 3, 1896 ; John, December 5, 1897 ; Harry, December 21, 1899 ; Sophia, February 13, 1902; Esther, January 15, 1904; Ida, May 9, 1905; Sadie, September 25, 1906; Fredwin, October 22, 1907, and Martha, April 14, 1910. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

Noma W. Cobleigh, successful farmer, man of affairs, and former register of deeds, was born in Lauderdale county, Mississippi, December 9, 1850. His father, Simon, was born in Vermont, July 7, 1811, living there until 1840, then went to Mississippi and there lived until 1851, when he moved to Baraboo, Wis., where he lived until his death in 1887. The mother, Oril E. Way, was born in Connecticut in 1818, and died March 26, 1889. The subject of this sketch was reared in Wisconsin, and at the age of twenty-one years, struck out for himself, alternating teaching with farm work until 1879, having in the meantime in 1876 graduated from the Northwestern Business College in Madison, Wis. It was in 1879 that he purchased 280 acres of land in section 36, Willow Lake township, this county. This farm he successfully operated for some years, winning the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to the extent that in 1896 he was elected register of deeds of Redwood county, serving from January 1, 1897, to January 1, 1903. Upon retiring from this important office, he purchased a farm of 277 acres in the west half of section 3 of Redwood Falls township to the improvement and development of which he has since devoted his attention. He has erected a two-story house of ten rooms with all modern improvements, hot water heat, running hot and cold water, acetylene lights, and other improvements, making the place one of the finest in the township. The house is surrounded with a beautiful lawn, ornamented with neat walks, with side shrubbery, and flower beds. The out buildings include a barn, 36 by 80 feet, and a tile silo with a capacity of 150 tons, a reservoir with a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels furnishes an ample water supply. Surrounding the house is a splendid grove and the value of the farm is further enhanced by a two-acre orchard of fruit trees. Mr. Cobleigh successfully carries on general farming, makes a specialty of Poll- Angus and Redpoll cattle, Duroc-Jersey swine and Shropshire sheep. The business connections are with the State Bank of Redwood Palls of which he is a director, the Farmers' Elevator Company of Redwood Falls of which he is secretary, and the Redwood County Rural Telephone Co., of which he is a stockholder. Fraternally he affiliates with the Odd Fellows. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Redwood Falls, of which Mr. Cobleigh is one of the trustees. Mr. Cobleigh has taken a sincere interest in the early history of the county and from 1880 to 1896 served as secretary of the Old Settlers' Association of Willow Lake, Sundown and adjoining townships. Mr. Cobleigh was married February 5, 1879, to Jennie L. Patterson, who was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, April 21, 1858, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Patterson) Patterson. Thomas Patterson was born in Ireland, May 26, 1839, came to Wisconsin in 1853, living there ten years, came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1863, living there until 1904, then moved to St. Charles in Winona county, and there died, December 30, 1909. Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson died in Olmsted county in 1874 at the age of forty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Cobleigh have been blessed with three children, Clarence, Myrtle M. and Winnifred. Clarence was born September 26, 1884, was educated in the Redwood Falls public schools and now operates the home farm. Myrtle M. was born August 14, 1886, graduated from the Minnesota Commercial College at Minneapolis and resides at home. Winnifred was born February 13, 1892, and is now Mrs. Stanley Boushek of Carrington, North Dakota.

Anthony A. Praxel, pioneer merchant of Lamberton, was born in Austria in 1845, and married Mary Shandera, who was born in Germany in 1852. He came to America as a young man and in 1872 came to Cottonwood Crossing, near Lamberton, where, for two years he and Frank Shandera engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Praxel & Shandera. In 1874 they moved to Lamberton. In 1885 Mr. Praxel sold out to his partner. He died in 1895 in Montana, and his wife is still living in Lamberton. In the family there are four children: Peter, of Walnut Grove; Theresa, now (Jeceased; Anthony J., an attorney of Lamberton ; and Julia, who married Richard M. Hamer, of Lafayette, Ind., and has two children, Leha and Daniel.

Anthony J. Praxel, M. A., L. L. B., a leading attorney of this region and prominent in fraternal circles throughout the state, is a native of Lamberton where he still resides. A man of genial temperament and well trained native ability, he has made his own way in the world and having already achieved a degree of success unusual for one of his age, his friends predict for him a brilliant future of limitless possibilities. He was born in Lamberton where he still resides, January 8, 1878, the son of Anthony A. and Mary (Shanders) Praxel, pioneers of that village. He attended the district schools, and graduated from the Academy of Carlton College at Northfield, this state, in 1900. With this preparation he entered the law college of the University of Minnesota from which he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of L. L. B. His master's degree was granted by that university in 1907. In 1906 Mr. Praxel entered the law office of Ayers & Mc- Donald of Minneapolis. In 1908 he opened an office in Lamberton, a year later he formed a partnership with Senator Frank Clague which continued until 1911, when Senator Clague moved to Redwood Falls. Since that date, Mr. Praxel has practiced alone. Mr. Praxel has been village recorder of Lamberton since 1910. He is now candidate for a seat in the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature, as representative at large from Redwood and Brown counties. Fraternally Attorney Praxel is affiliated with the Masons, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Odd Fellows, in all of which he has taken a prominent part. The Knights of Pythias have signally honored him by electing him Grand Chancellor of the state of Minnesota and in this capacity he is doing most efficient service, having previously demonstrated his ability in the office of Vice Chancellor.

Alva D. Wyman, a mail carrier of Yesta, was born in Underwood township, Redwood county, Minn., July 10, 1886, son of Frederick A. and Janet (Barber) Wyman. He grew up on the home place and learned farming from his father, but at the age of eighteen met with a severe fall which incapacitated him for that kind of work. He then became carrier on the rural free delivery mail route from Vesta. He owns 160 acres in section 11, Underwood township. For two years he has served as village assessor. Mr. Wyman was married June 17, 1914, to Minnie Lemke, who was born March 17, 1886. He and his wife have one child, Harold, born June 27, 1915.

William J. Barber, a dealer in farm implements and automobiles at Vesta, was born in Vesta township, February 6, 1877, son of Thomas D. and Adelaide (Garry) Barber. The father was born in Canada and came to the United States in 1862, securing a homestead in the southwest quarter of section 6, Vesta township. There he lived until 1904, when he came to Vesta and subsequently resided here until his death in 1913, when he was

Anthony J. Pr Axel

64 years old. He served as township clerk for 18 years. His wife, Adelaide, now in her 57th year, makes her home at Redwood Falls. William J. Barber farmed in Vesta township from 1899 to 1902, after -vtrhich he was engaged in the hardware and implement business in Vesta for four years. He then went into his present business, that of dealing in farm implements and automobiles. He handles the Ford cars. Like his father, interested in public affairs, he has served as village recorder for three years and for two years was a member of the council. Mr. Barber was united in marriage October 24, 1899, to Rosa Becker, who was born February 5, 1881, daughter of Herman and Amelia Becker. Her father, a native of Germany and a pioneer in Minnesota, is now a retired blacksmith and wagonmaker of Echo, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have two children: Lucile, aged 13 and Cecil, aged 11 years. The family attend the United Brethren church, of which they are members.

Harry Clifford Wood, owner and proprietor of the Vesta garage, was born in Cumberland county, Illinois, March 21, 1891, son of Elmer E. and Ellen (McGillivray) Wood. Elmer E. Wood was born in Ohio and came to Illinois when a child. In March, 1913, and he bought 160 acres of land in Vesta township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. Harry C. Wood remained at home with his parents until 1911, in which year he went to Kansas City, Mo., and worked in a garage. In March, 1915, he bought the Vesta garage and machine shop of E. T. Swenson, and on July 15 of the same year he moved into a new modern building, 50 by 75 feet, built of cement blocks and located on Front street, which had been erected for him by James McGregor. Here he does all kinds of repair work and steam vulcanizing. Mr. Wood is a member of the Presbyterian church. He was married January 18, 1914, to Daisy Peters, who was born May 21, 1894, daughter of Amos and Ida Peters. Mrs. Wood's father is proprietor of a restaurant at Mattoon, 111.

George Leroy Crooks, manager of the Bingham elevator at Vesta, was born in Redwood Falls, June 28, 1882, son of George F. and Margaret (Penny) Crooks. The father, who erected the first brick building in Redwood Falls, died in North Yakima, Wash., at the age of sixty-two, December 23, 1911. His wife still lives in North Yakima. George Leroy Crooks in 1901 began working for the Bingham brothers, being employed in their grain business at New Ulm for nine months. He then became manager of their elevator at Vesta, a frame building with a capacity of 25,000 bushels. He has been clerk of the Vesta schools for four years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. Mr. Crooks was united in marriage June 26, 1912, to Florence B. Barber, who was born March 18, 1888, daughter of Thomas D. and Adelaide (Garry) Barber.

Charles Kuhfeld, of the Dahl and Kuhfeld garage of Vesta, was born in Sibley county, Minnesota, February 27, 1884, son of Charles and Paulina (Flotz) Kuhfeld. The father was a native of Germany who came to America in 1870, farming for a time in Sibley county and then moving to Redwood county, where he secured 240 acres in section 1, Westline township. He died there in 1909 at the age of 83 years. HQs wife is still living in Vesta. Charles operated the home farm in Westline township from 1898 to 1907 when he became its owner and resided on it until 1914. Then he retired to Vesta and in June, 1915, opened a garage in partnership with C. H. Whiting. July 15, that year, M. H. Dahl bought Mr. Whiting's interest and the firm is now know as Dahl and Kuhfeld. They handle automobile accessories and do garage work. Mr. Kuhfeld is the oldest of five children, having one brother and four sisters, namely: William, born April 16, 1886, who is connected with the railroad at Winthrop; Mary, who married Leopold Stoge, a farmer of Granite Rock township, Redwood county; Amelia, wife of Ed. Schwede, a farmer of Ward county, North Dakota; Martha, residing at home, and Elizabeth, who married Henry Bauer, a farmer of Vail township, Redwood county.

Martin H. Dahl, of the Dahl and Kuhfeld garage of Vesta, was born in Sacred Heart, Renville county, Minnesota, March 19, 1892, son of Halvor and Mathilda (Hanson) Dahl. The father was a native of Norway who came to America in 1882. He lived in Sacred Heart until 1894 when he bought 80 acres in Vesta township, Redwood county, where he remained until 1902 and then moved to Murray county, where he engaged in farming. His wife, Matilda, died in 1901. The children in the family were : Hannah, now wife of Martin Severson, a farmer of Springdale township, Redwood county; Martin H., subject of this sketch, and Henry, Louis and Sena. Martin H. Dahl remained at home until the spring of 1912, when he engaged in farming in Springdale township and was thus occupied for two years. Then he worked for two years in Vesta. July 15, 1915, he bought the garage. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

George L Alexander, a rising young farmer of Vesta township, was born in section 12, this township, June 19, 1887, son of David and Catherine (Johnson) Alexander. David Alexander was born in Scotland and came to America when one and a half years old, his father, Adam Alexander, homesteading in the northeast quarter of section 12, Vesta township, Redwood county, Minnesota, in 1869. There he lived until 1887, when he moved to Redwood Palls and died. David homesteaded the northwest quarter of the same section and now owns 640 acres, including the homestead of his father. In 1901 he moved to Redwood Falls where he now resides. His wife, Catherine, was a native ^of Can- ada. There were nine children in the family: Lorena, now the wife of George Whittet, a farmer of Delhi township; Cora, who died in childhood ; Ormie, a farmer of Vesta township ; George I., subject of this memoir ; one that died in infancy ; Grace, now the wife of George Whittet, a farmer of Delhi township ; Cora, who makes his home with George, and Charles and William, residing at home. George I. Alexander attended school in Redwood Falls and worked on his father's farm until the spring of 1910, when he rented 320 acres of his father's place and began farming for himself. He raises graded Polled Angus cattle and makes a specialty of feeding one carload of cattle for the market every year. He has built a good house and barn and made many improvements. Since 1908 he has been in the threshing business with his brother, Ormie. In addition to his holdings in Redwood county, he also owns 160 acres of land in Spink county, South Dakota. Mr. Alexander was married January 7, 1914, to D6ra Williams, who was born July 6, 1887, daughter of William Williams, a pioneer farmer of Blue Earth county and keeper of Minneopa Park, who died in Mankato in 1914, at the age of 67 years, and his wife, Margaret (Olson) Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have one child, Margaret June, born June 3, 1915.

Lars T. Braafladt, a retired farmer of Belview, and who was the first president of the Farmers State Bank of Belview, was born September 9, 1853, in Nummedal, Kristiania Stift, Norway, son of Tosten H. and Helga (Roon) Braafladt. The father, who was born in 1821, and whose life was spent in farming, died in 1869. He had been a widower for about six years, his wife, who was born in 1824, having passed away in 1863. Lars T. Braafladt came to America in 1875, locating in Swedes Forest township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he found work as a farm hand and was thus engaged for two years. During the winters, however, he attended school. In 1877 he homesteaded 160 acres of land in Underwood township, this county. This he sold in 1884, buying 160 acres in another section of the same township. Later he increased his holdings by purchasing an additional tract of 80 acres. In 1886 he sold his farm and bought 190 acres in Entire township, section 9, where he resided until 1913, continuing his farming operations. He then sold that property and took up his residence in Belview, where he bought a house and nine acres of land and is now engaged in farming this small tract. In 1910 Mr. Braafladt was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Belview and was its first president. While a resident of Underwood township he served three terms on the town board and he was a member of the town board of Entire township for seven years. Religiously he is affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Braafladt was married in 1878 to Marie Heir, who was born in Norway, September

1, 1859, and came to America with her brother in 1876, they settling in Clayton county, Iowa. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Braafladt : Theodore O., Ida H., Louise B., Louis EL, Ole A., Martha, and one child that died in infancy, unnamed. Theodore 0., a dentist of Cloquet, Minn., married Ida B. Mattson, of Cokato, Minn., and has three children, Louis E., Myrtle L. and Theodore H. Ida H., the wife of Sanford Nelson, of Kintire, has two children, Walter S. and Iona M. Louise E., who is the wife of Harold Olson, a farmer of Ottertail county, has two children, Clayton L. and Lola M. Louis H., who studied for the ministry and also graduated from Rush Medical College, is preparing to go to China as a medical missionary. He married Anna Olson, of Swedes Forest, and has two children, Borghild and Chester L. Ole A., who is now practicing dentistry in Bellingham, Wash., married Myrtle Price, of Mt. Vernon, Wash., and has one child, Marjorie E. Martha is a teacher.

Henry A. Dreyer, a well-known business man of Belview, was born March 17, 1871, in Flora township, Renville county, Minnesota, son of Henry and Regina (Korth) Dreyer. Henry Dreyer was born March 11, 1828, in Germany, and came to America in 1852, locating at Freeport, 111., where he worked with a railroad construction crew for two years. He then went to Watertown, Wis., where he became a wagon maker and made sixty-two wagons by hand in the two years he remained there. One of these wagons was the first wagon in Rochester, Minn., in 1857. He then went to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, where he remained for ten years engaged in farming. In 1867 he went to Flora township, Renville county, and bought 160 acres of land. He lived there until 1901, when he retired to North Redwood and died December 23, 1906. His wife, Regina (Korth) Dreyer, was born June 24, 1833, in Germany, daughter of William Korth, who came to America in and died in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. Henry A. Dreyer remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He received his education in the common school of his neighborhood and in 1892 was graduated from the St. Paul College at St. Paul Park, Minn. He then acted as clerk in the general stores at Morton and Renville for two and a half years. At the end of that time he returned to the home farm and remained there until 1896. From 1896 to 1899 he worked as a carpenter and bought 160 acres in section 23, Kintire township, where he remained until 1908. Then he bought half interest in the hardware store of Sandager and Hegdal at Belview, but after three and a half years sold his interest to Sandager. He now sells and installs gas lighting plants for country homes. He has served as school clerk for two years and has been a member of the board of health for six years. Mr. Dreyer was married July 10, 1901, to Lydia E. Kohls, born

October 13, 1874, in Columbia County, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Frederick Kohls, born January 1, 1840, in Germany, and came to America in 1870, and his wife, Anna C. (Bohl) Kohls, born February 14, 1851, in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dreyer have one child : Forrest R., born August 12, 1902.

William O. Mahoney, of Wanda, Minn., who has been engaged in the draying and livery business since 1914, was born in Fairfax, Minn., September 12, 1885, son of Michael and Julia (Black) Mahoney, extensive farmers of that neighborhood. In his boyhood he attended the district schools and was reared on the home farm. In 1914 he was married to Marion Molitor, daughter of Steven and Margaret (Rock) Molitor, natives, respectively, of Iowa and Wisconsin and now farming in Renville county. Mr. Mahoney is a steady and industrious young man, well adapated to make a success of his present business. Michael Mahoney, father of William G., is an extensive land owner of Renville county. He was born in Ireland, came to this country as a young man and was married at Springfield to Julia Black, a native of Wisconsin. After their marriage they lived for a time at Redwood Falls, and then they located near Fairfax on a farm, where they owned a thrashing machine operated by horse-power. From a small start they made good progress and prospered until they owned 640 acres of land. A few years ago they moved to Granite Rock township, Redwood county, where they now own 540 acres. Michael Mahoney is a prominent man and has served on the school board. He and his good wife are the proud parents of thirteen children. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Christian Leuther, mayor of Wanda, was born in Germany, August 28, 1862, son of Hilary and Margaret (Grommes) Leuther. The parents spent their lives in Germany and died there, the father at the age of eighty-six and his wife at that of fifty-one. They had five children : Nicholas, Mary, Catherine, Christian and Johan, of whom Christian was the only one who came to America, which he did in 1893. In his native land he had been a farmer, and on arriving in the United States he came directly to Willow Lake township, this county, where he worked out for the farmers during the first year. The second year he was employed in a brick yard at Springfield. Then, in 1895, he bought a tract of 160 acres in section 26, Willow Lake township. He built a house 14 by 18 feet, set out a grove of trees in 1896 and later added a new barn. He carried on general farming, raised good stock and in time added 80 acres more to his farm. Moving to Wanda in 1901, he built the first hotel at that place, his interest in which he sold out in 1914. He also engaged in the meat business. In 1912 he was in the implement business. In 1914 Mr. Leuther built a fine modern house in Wanda. He was elected mayor of Wanda in 1904 and held the position ever since with the excep- tion of one year. He is a stockholder and director of the State Bank of Wanda and is also a stockholder in the Wanda creamery. Mr. Leuther was married in Germany July 27, 1892, to Catherine Jennings, who was born March 13, 1865, daughter of Peter and Anna Catherine (Knauf) Jennings, who lived and died in Germany as farmers. They had seven children: Eva, Mary, Gertrude, Mathew, Anna Mary, John and Anna Catherine. Of these, the present Mrs. Leuther and her brother John were the only one? to come to the United States. They came first in 1883 but returned to Germany in 1886 when she was married to Mr. Leuther. Mr. and Mrs. Leuther have seven children: Hilary, Gertrude, now of the Sisters; Nicholas, John, Margaret, Ludwina and Peter. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Frank Altermatt was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, May 18, 1854, son of John B. and Dorethea Altermatt, natives of Germany, who, coming to America, engaged in farming in Wisconsin. After a time the family came to Minnesota, locating eight miles east of Springfield, where they bought land and where the parents lived for the rest of their lives. There were eleven children in the family, of whom Frank was the fourth oldest in order of birth. He was nine years old when he arrived in Minnesota and grew to manhood in this state. He worked for two years in Owatonna and then located on 160 acres of wild land in Willow Lake township, which he homesteaded in 1875. He has made many improvements on his place and has increased his land holdings from time to time, so that now he has over 560 acres. He retired from active work and moved to Springfield in the spring of 1915. Mr. Altermatt married Freda Schneider, a native of Germany, and the children born of this union are : George, F. H., John, Minnie, Elizabeth, Augusta, Rosa and an unnamed infant. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Otto 0. Kuehn, a prominent merchant of Wanda, was born in Sigel township, Brown county, May 5, 1875, son of John and Doretha (Schumacher) Kuehn, who had located there in 1863 and engaged in farming. During the first year they rented a farm and then bought one of 160 acres at $12 an acre. All they owned to begin farming with was an ox team. Building a rude sod house, they began the strenuous work of improvement, enduring all the hardships of pioneers in a new country. For three years the grasshoppers destroyed their crops. A grove was set out and in time conditions improved so that now they have a fine farm and a modern house. They were members of the Lutheran church and in the early days religious services were often held in their sod hut. Otto C. Kuehn was the fifth of eleven children and received his early education in the district school. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and learned the trade of buttermaking in the local creamery, also taking a course in the dairy school at St. Paul. Later he operated the creamery at Wanda, when it was first built, and after four years went to Clements and operated a creamery there for a year and a half. Then he returned to Wanda and in January, 1907, became sole proprietor of a mercantile business, handling a full line of general merchandise. Mr. Kuehn is a member of the fire department and has served as mayor of the village one year. Mr. Kuehn married Minnie Altermatt, daughter of Frank Altermatt. She was born May 1, 1888, in the village of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs.' Kuehn have seven children born, as follows: Elmer, June 26, 1904; Herbert, May 3, 1906 ; John Blden, Feb. 29, 1908; Dorothy, Oct. 9, 1910; Evelyn, Aug. 17, 1912; Myrtle, Oct. 18, 1913, and Norma, June 21, 1915.

Frederick John Bens, a retired farmer of Wanda, was born in Saxony, Germany, September 26, 1845, son of John and Elizabeth (Remely) Benz, who lived and died in Germany. His father was a weaver by trade. The children in the family were : Elizabeth, Wilhelmina, Dorethea, Frederica, Augusta, Frederick and Henry. Frederick J. Benz acquired his education in Germany and learned the trade of a carpenter. He was a soldier from 1867 to 1869 and took part in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1, being a member of Battalion Regiment No. 4. He was the only one of his family to come to the United States, which he did in 1884 with his wife and two boys, William and Frank. He settled at Jamestown, 111., but after a short time went to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he engaged in farming on a rented place. In 1893 he came to Minnesota and rented a farm in Westline township, Redwood county. In 1895 he bought a farm of 120 acres in section 32, Granite Rock township, which he improved and operated until 1901. He then sold out and removed to Waterbury township, where he bought a tract of 160 acres in section 4. Here he remained until 1914 in which year he sold the farm and retired from active work, taking up his residence in Wanda. While living in Westline township he served one year on the school board. Mr. Benz was married April 30, 1872, to Wilhelmina Kotzbau, who was born February 10, 1850, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schleisener) Kotzbau, natives of Germany, her father being a workman in the lumber industry. There were nine children in the Kotzbau family : Frederick, Elizabeth, Dorethea, Wilhelmina, August, Wilhelm, Gustave, and two who died in infancy. Elizabeth and Wilhelmina were the only members of the family to come to the United States. Elizabeth came in 1868, locating in Illinois, where she was married to August Mewves, a farmer of that state.

father's farm in Minnesota. He remained at home and took charge of the place until 1914 when he engaged in business. He is a stockholder in the creamery at Wanda. He served as justice of the peace of Waterbury for two years.

Mathias J. Eichten, postmaster of Wanda, was born on his father's homestead in Willow Lake township, this county, February 13, 1879, son of Mathias and Gertrude Eichten. He grew up to manhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district school. Then he engaged in farming until twentyone years of age when, in the fall of 1900, he entered the hardware and lumber business in partnership with his father and his uncle, Valentine P. Eichten. Their store, which was the first hardware store in that locality, was operated under the name of Eichten Bros. Mathias later took over his father's share, sold out the lumber yard, bought the hardware stock, and in 1906 became the sole owner of the business. He carries a full line of hardware and harness. He is also a stockholder in the local creamery. In 1906 Mr. Eichten was appointed postmaster, which position he has held ever since. During the last seven years he has held the office of assessor. Mr. Eichten was united in marriage to Magdalene Ludwig, born at Barnesville, near Sleepy Eye, Minn., daughter of Peter Ludwig, who came from Wisconsin and located in Brown county. Six children were born to this union, Lucille, Bertrand, Loraine, Gladys, Vernon and Wendelin.

Ernest Fred Auf derheide, of Willow Lake township, was born in Prussia, Germany, September 27, 1851, son of Jacob and Sophia (Beinke) Auf derheide, farmers of Germany. Jacob Auf derheide died in his native land at the age of fifty-six and his wife was left with five children : Frederica, Berdina, Sophia, Ernest and Fred. Frederica was the first to emigrate to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she married a Mr. Roseveldt and subsequently died. Berdina also went to Cincinnati, where she married William Wielhoff. Subsequently she moved to New Ulm, Minn., and still later to Minneapolis, where she died. Fred located in Cincinnati, whence he moved to New Ulm, where he still resides. Sophia and her mother came to New Ulm in 1882. Ernest F. Aufderheide grew to manhood in Germany and engaged in farming. After coming to the United States he located in New Ulm, where he worked with his brother in the brick yard. After being twenty years in this occupation, he decided to return to farming and, having rented a farm, engaged in his old occupation. At present he rents a farm of 320 acres and specializes in stock raising, keeping Durham cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. He also raises a considerable quantity of grain. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church, in which he has held office. Mr. Aufderheide was married in Germany to Frederica Wilhelmina Hergemuller, a native of Prussia, and they be- came the parents of seven children : Fred, Gustav, Lena, Bertha, Albert, Henry and George. Mrs. Aufderheide died in 1897 at the age of thirty-seven years and is buried at New Ulm.

Henry O. Evans, a prominent farmer of Willow Lake township, son of Henry and Anna (Ramsey) Evans, was born and grew to manhood in Minnesota, receiving a meagre education at the district log school. He secured a homestead of 80 acres in section 24, Willow Lake township, and began farming with an ox team, building a small frame house. By dint of hard work he acquired a fine home and property and has built barns, set out groves, and added 120 acres more to his land. He raises good stock. He was married to Laura Wandy of Cottage Grove, Minn., who died in 1907, leaving a family of children. Henry Evans was of the typical pioneer stock and came to New York state from England as a young man. He was married in that state to Anna Ramsey, a native of Ireland, coming as a young girl with her sister to New York state. Henry Evans and wife left New York for Michigan and then went to Indiana and Illinois. In 1862 they came to Minnesota, locating ten miles southwest of New Ulm, where he bought 160 acres of wild land and built a log house, hauling the logs from the river three miles away. Into this cabin he moved with his family of seven children and lived there three or four years, when he sold out and went to Missouri. During the Indian outbreak in 1862 the family went to Hastings. In 1871 he came back to Minnesota, settling near Sleepy Eye and soon after came to Willow Lake township, Redwood county, where he secured a homestead of 160 acres of wild land in section 24. He built a home of logs, sawed on the river, and began farming with an ox team. He also set out groves and erected good buildings. One of the organizers of Willow Lake township, he held various offices and also served on the school board. In 1900 he sold his farm in Willow Lake township and moved to Alberta, Canada, where he secured land which he improved and fenced, at the time of his death owning over a section.

Henry Berg, Sr., was born May 1, 1865, in Brown county and moved to Redwood county when twenty-two years of age, buying 160 acres of land in section 12, Willow Lake township. To this he has made additions from time to time until he now has 440 acres. Among his early improvements were a two-acre grove, a small house and a straw barn. In 1902 he built a new house and also a barn. He was one of the organizers of the township's first school and is a shareholder in the Wanda Creamery. For many years he served as road overseer. Henry Berg, Sr., was married October 25, 1887, to Mary Stelzer, born February 22, 1866, in Germany, who came to America when nineteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have had fourteen children : Henry, John, William, Theodore, Albert, Leonard, Maggie, Laura, Rosa, Helen, George

Henry Berg, a rising young farmer of Willow Lake township, Redwood county, was born in this county, September 25, 1888, son of Henry and Mary (Stelzer) Berg. He lives with his parents on the home place, where he has spent his entire life helping his father. He owns considerable stock and is a stockholder in the Wanda Creamery and also in the Farmers Elevator Company.

Peter Berg, a farmer of Willow Lake township, was born February 18, 1861, in Bond county, Illinois, son of Henry and Frances (Ohren) Berg, both natives of Germany. Henry Berg, born March 6, 1830, came to the United States when twenty-six years of age and for about ten months worked out by the day. He then rented a farm in Illinois and operated it until 1862, when he removed from that state to Minnesota, locating in Brown county. In 1864 he enlisted in the Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company M. After the war he returned to Brown county, where he resided until his death in 1897. In 1855 he had married Frances Ohren, born in Germany, January 6, 1838, who came to the United States when twelve years of age. They had eighteen children, eight of whom are now dead, the survivors being: Henry, Bertha, Frank, John, William, Herman, Tony, Fred, Margaret and Peter. Peter Berg came to Minnesota with his parents, living at home until twenty-eight years of age. Buying 160 acres of land in section 14, Willow Lake township, this county, he, in 1886, built a house on it, 20x26 feet, which has since been improved and enlarged so that it is now a substantial and commodious eight-room dwelling. A barn was built in 1909. Mr. Berg has been chairman of the township board for twenty-seven years and has served on the school board for eighteen years. He is a shareholder in the Wanda Creamery and also in the elevator at Rowena. Mr. Berg was married March 4, 1889, to Mary Brown, who was born in Austria, June 16, 1868. Coming to this country with her parents when an infant, she resided in Brown county until her marriage. She and her husband have been the parents of a large family, namely: Frederick, Anthel (deceased), Frank, Anthel (second), Herman (deceased), Peter, Minnie, Herman (second), Frances, Mary, Margaret, Anne and Augusta. The members of this family belong to the Catholic church.

Leo Altermatt, now deceased, was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and when a small child moved with his parents to Leavenworth township, Brown county, Minnesota, seven miles southeast of Springfield. His opportunities for attending school were limited, but he grew to manhood on his father's place, and acquired a good knowledge of farming, in which industry he engaged. In 1871 he moved to Willow Lake township, Redwood county, locating on an 80 acre homestead in section 22. Here lie built a small shanty close to the north and south line but later moved it to its present fine location on a slight elevation. He began to break up the land with horses, and set out groves, bringing trees from the home in Leavenworth township. During the grasshopper plague he lost his crops. He raised Galloway cattle and was also a great sheep raiser, keeping the Shropshire and Merino breeds. Besides making considerable additions to the acreage of his farm, he bought and sold land in both Redwood county and in Dakota. A prominent man in public affairs, he served as assessor and also as county commissioner - the latter for about eight years. He was also usefully active in promoting the construction of good roads and bridges and in organizing school district No. 32, of which he became the treasurer. In 1901 he moved to Wabasso, where he was identified with the Farmers Insurance company, being also a stockholder in the telephone company and in the Wabasso Farmers Elevator Company. His death took place June 30, J914, when he was sixty-five years old. Mr. Altermatt was married in New Ulm to Anna Gorres, of which union seven children were born: Mary, Emil, Anna (now deceased), Clara, Dora, Gertrude and Herman. The family faith is that of the Cathplic church.

Emil Altermatt was born April 24, 1875, on the old Altermatt farm, which he now owns, and grew up to manhood there. He attended the public school and also the agricultural department of the state university. Mr. Altermatt raises Galloway and Shorthorn cattle, Belgian horses and Duroc Red swine. He has served as treasurer of the school board of District 32. He was married November 24, 1903, to Katherine Weyker, who was born at St. Peter, Minn., January 23, 1880, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Michael) Weyker. Mr. and Mrs. Altermatt have had five children: Valerious, born August 26, 1904; Sylvester, born January 19, 1906; Aloysius, born September 7, 1908; Mary, born August 9, 1911, who died the same day; Dora, born February, 1913, and Isadore, born June 16, 1915.

Andrew Andersen, a farmer of Willow Lake township, was bdrn in Denmark, April 13, 1868, son of Andrew Nelson, a carpenter, and his wife, Marie (Larson) Nelson, who lived and died in Denmark. The father died at the age of forty-eight years and his wife, at that of seventy. In accordance with an old Scandinavian custom, Andrew Andersen derived his surname from his father's given name Andrew. He acquired his education in the common school of his locality and worked on the farms until he was twenty-three years of age, when he immigrated to the United States. Landing in New York from a steamer of the White Star Line, he continued his journey to Sundown township, this county, where he had friends. His first work in this new country was on the farm of William C. Meyer. After working out on farms for about three years, he rented one of 120 acres in section 10, Sundown township. He had saved $350, and with this sum bought a team and two cows. After a time he purchased his present place of 80 acres in section 35. There was a small building on it but no fence and no grove, and many other improvements were needed. Mr. Andersen immediately set out a grove, began fencing and erected good substantial buildings. In time he also added 40 acres more to his land. Besides carrying on general farming, he is a member of the Farmers Elevator Company at Sanborn and of the Farmers Store. In 1894 Mr. Andersen was married to Caroline Rasmussen, who was born in Denmark in 1866. The children of this union were: Mary, Agnes, Christine, Emma, Alva and James, the last mentioned being now deceased. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Frank Bruckbauer, a successful farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Germany, April 10, 1867. His mother, born in Germany in 1839, came to the United States in 1888, locating in Sleepy Eye, Brown county, Minnesota where she secured work. In time she saved enough to buy a small house, which she sold after five years, buying 80 acres of land in section 11, Willow Lake township, Redwood county. From time to time improvements were made on this land, which she sold to her son Frank in 1897, afterwards making her home with her son John. Frank Bruckbauer started farming on the land which he bought from his mother. At the time he owned two horses, a small house 14x16 and a straw barn. He has since prospered and in 1914 he built a comfortable seven-room house and also a barn 28x40 feet in dimension. He set out his own grove and orchard, besides a large number of shade trees, his orchard consisting of plum, apple and pear trees. Aside from this, he is a stockholder in the Wanda Creamery and also in the Farmers Elevator Company at Bowena. Mr. Bruckbauer was married February 19, 1897, to Mary Dussel, who was born in Germany, November 13, 1876, and who came to the United States when nineteen years of age, working her way over on the steamer. Mr. and Mrs. Bruckbauer have had the following children: Frank, Andrew, Bertha, Joseph (deceased), Rosa, Francis, Clara and Elsie. The family church is the Catholic.

Edward Dooner, a well known farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Longford county, Ireland, March 31, 1841, son of John and Catherine (Gente) Dooner. John Dooner brought his wife and his two sons, James and Edward, to Canada in 1844, and in 1872 came to the United States and settled on a homestead in Willow Lake township, this county. It was all wild land hereabouts and there were no buildings within eighteen or twenty miles. A grove was set out and other improvements soon followed. Here John Dooner lived the rest of his life. The family faith was that of the Roman Catholic church and in the early days mass was often held at his home. He helped to organize the first church of St. Mathias parish and also served on the township board for a number of years. In 1873 Edward Dooner came and secured his present place near Wanda. Among his first improvements was a granary, 14x16 feet, which he covered with hay. He broke ground with a four ox team for himself and his neighbors and, November 6, 1876, moved into his granary until he could build a home. During the grasshopper plague his crops were destroyed and he had to work out for a living. Mr. Dooner was married to Mary J. Bagen, who was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, March 14, 1852, daughter of John and Bridget (McGuire) Bagen, who were natives of Ireland. Her father, at the age of eighteen, came to the United States in a sailing vessel with his parents, Michael and Margaret (Kelly) Bagen. Landing at Hartford, Conn., they remained in Connecticut for four years, and then moved to Watertown, Wis., where they lived on a homestead. John Bagen later moved to Jefferson county, where he obtained some government land. In 1874 he came to Minnesota, locating on a homestead in Burns township, Brown county. There the rest of the family, with the exception of the mother, who died in Wisconsin, joined him, and there he spent the rest of his life. A prominent man in that section, in the early days he held township offices and served also as county commissioner. He owned part of the site of Springfield and helped to lay out the town, also donating ground for the Catholic church and parochial school. He died in 1903 and is buried at Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dooner have six children : Edward, James, Charles, Margaret M., William Vincent and Robert. Religiously the family belongs to the Roman Catholic church.

Ephraim H. Evans, a prosperous farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Sigel township, Brown county, November 22, 1864. Reared on his father's farm, he acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture, but his educational opportunities were limited. In time he started out for himself, homesteading 80 acres of wild land in section 24, where he began independent farming. He had one horse, whose first colt he traded for a wagon and the second for a cow and calf. Securing lumber at Redwood Falls, in two days he had completed a house 12x16 feet and 10 feet high. He also set out a grove, obtaining the slips from the Minnesota river land. These improvements were made in 1886. Three and a half acres, broken by his brother George the first year, had been sown into wheat, which yielded thirty-three bushels to the acre. Of this he saved some for seed, selling the rest at 80 cents a bushel. The second year he put in ten acres of wheat and eight acres of oats. During this early period he worked very hard. When harvest time came he would work in his own fields at night and during the day would help his neighbors for the use of their machines. One morning before seven o'clock he had dug a well for water, eight feet deep. In time he added 80 acres of railroad land to his farm and made many other additions and improvements to his land and buildings, enlarging and remodeling his house so that now it is one of the finest residences in the whole county. He carries on diversified farming, and is also interested in the Farmers Store of Sanborn. Mr. Evans was married July 4, 1885, to Flora Ross, who was born June 27, 1868, near Golden Gate, Minn., daughter of Walter and Sarah Ross. Her parents, who were of Welsh and English descent, had nine daughters and one son. Mr. Ross ran a ferry across the Blue Earth river and one day the only son fell into the river and was drowned. Mrs. Flora Evans died July 9, 1902, leaving the following children : Bessie, Nettie, Rose, Mamie, Flossie, Victor, Myrtie, Francis and Jennie, the last mentioned being now deceased. Mr. Evans married for his second wife Anna Smith May, who was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, July 28, 1864, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Molliter) Smith, both natives of Germany. Her father, when eleven years of age, came with his parents to Wisconsin. Later he moved to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. He afterwards came to Redwood county, where he subsequently resided until his death. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were : Peter, Ernest, Nicholas, Marie> Emma, Catherine and Anna. Anna Smith first married John May, a native of Michigan, and son of Conrad and Ena (Reise) May. His parents were natives of Germany who located in Michigan and then became pioneers of Le Sueur county, Minnesota. John May died January, 1900, leaving five children: Alice, Margaret, Conrad, George and Catherine. The children by Mr. Evans second marriage have been as follows: Ephraim (now deceased), George, Ernest, Clinton, Otis, Leone and Evelyn.

John Gorres, now deceased, was born August 15, 1847, in the Province of Rhine, Germany. He was the first of the family to come to the United States, locating in Roberts, Wis., where he was engaged in the dray business for about two years. There his brother, Mathias, joined him. Then coming to Minnesota, he located in Stillwater, where he resided for a short time. He then homesteaded 80 acres of wild land in section 28, Willow Lake township, Redwood county, and here began farming with an ox team. He built a frame house 14x28 feet, which is now used as an oat granary, and also built a straw shed and set out a grove. Mr. Gorres endured all the hardships of pioneer life in a wild and unsettled country, being lost in snow storms, having his crops destroyed by the grasshoppers and being affiliated with other troubles incident to those early days. Redwood Falls was the nearest milling place. He erected all the buildings on his place, and in 1895 built a modern house. An extensive land owner, he had 680 acres of land in one piece, besides a quarter section one mile east (in section 35), and 280 acres in Lamberton township. As a grain raiser he ranked among the leading farmers, having a yield of three or four thousand bushels a year. He also had a high reputation as a stock raiser, specializing in Shorthorn and Durham cattle, Belgian horses and Chester White swine. He was influential in having the county ditch No. 7 constructed for draining the land. Mr. Gorres was married in 1875 to Frances Evans, and ten children were born to this happy union : Maggie, Emma (deceased), John (deceased), Henry, Mathias, Anna, Charles, William (deceased), Frank (deceased) and Gertrude. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Gorres died September 6, 1913, at Wanda. His wife survived him less than two years, passing away July 2, 1915, at the age of fifty-seven.

Henry Gorres, son of John and Frances (Evans) Gorres, was born on the old homestead in Willow Lake township, Redwood county, December 31, 1880. He attended the public school and grew to manhood on the home place. Then he began farming for himself, renting land from his father. He now owns 160 acres of the old homestead and farms 160 acres of his sister's land and alsp 40 acres belonging to his brother, Mathias. He raises good stock, keeping the same kinds as his father did, and is a member of the local creamery. Mr. Gorres was married May 17, 1910, to Josephine Starken, who was born in Brown county, daughter of Peter and Mary Starken, natives of Germany and of Indiana, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Gorres have three children : Clarence, Milton and Agnes.

Mathias M. Jenniges, a farmer of Willow Lake township, was born November 11, 1884, on the homestead of his father in section 20, Willow Lake township, this county. He received his education at the district school, and after growing to manhood, engaged in farming. At first he located on part of his father's holdings in section 6, where he farmed for seven years. He made many improvements on the place and did considerable tiling, this being the first work of his brother, Peter Jenniges, who is engaged in the ditching and tiling business. In the fall of 1915 he located on the homestead in section 20, where he now farms 360 acres of land, and also raises good stock. He is laying down a mile and a half of tiling on the farm, using about five carloads of tile. Mr. Jenniges is at present serving as township clerk, having been first appointed to fill the vacancy caused by his father's death, the father having held this office for many years. He was re-elected at the spring election of 1916. He is a shareholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Wabasso, Minn. Mr. Jenniges was married October 13, 1908, to Anna Turbes, who was born on her father's homestead in Willow Lake township, Novem- ber 23, 1886. He and his wife are the parents of five children : Marcella Anna, Aloysius Christian, Matilda Gertrude, Edmund Mathias and Mathia Valentine. Religiously tfce family belongs to the Catholic church.

Athanas Henle was born in Erbach, Wurttemberg, Germany, December 6, 1829, where he grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he came to the United States by sailing vessel and located in Chicago, where he remained one year. Then journeying on to Minnesota, he halted eight miles northwest of section 5, Milford township, Brown county, on the southern side of the Minnesota, where he decided to remain. It was a wild country, occupied largely by Indians, with whom he became very friendly. At the time of the outbreak, in 1862, he with others fled to New Ulm. Mr. Henle became a prominent citizen of his locality, serving on the township board and on the school board. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Fink, who was born in Erbach, Wurttemberg, Germany, March 22, 1831, and came to the United States in 1853 with a sister and brother-in-law, the latter being a Mr. Zettel, who located near Mr. Henle 's place. The whole Zettel family was killed by the Indians during the outbreak. The parents of Elizabeth Ping came to Minnesota a few years later and located near the rest of the family on the Minnesota river. They were both killed in the outbreak, with twentytwo others that belonged to that family. It was these people who gave the name to New Ulm, they having come from near Ulm in Germany. Mr. Henle died at New Ulm in 1893 and was survived a number of years by his wife, who died October 6, 1907. Their children were: Mary, living at Redwood Falls; Martin, who is deceased; Cresentia, wife of Frank X. Schlumpberger ; Athanas, John, Anton and Joseph (deceased). The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Frank X. Schlumpberger, of the J. H. Queel & Co., a lumber company, of Wanda, was born in Cottonwood township, Brown county, Minn., March 19, 1865, son of John and Agatha (Rohner) Schlumpberger. The father was born in Hansen, Oberamt Herdenheim, Wurttemberg, Germany, October 28, 1836, son of Christ and Ursula (Zimmermann) Schlumpberger. John Schlumpberger emigrated to the United States in 1861, the voyage by sailing vessel taking 24 days. On landing in this country he came directly to New Ulm, Minnesota, where he became bartender at the Dakota House, and was thus employed when the Indian hostilities broke out. He took part in the defense against the savages, and in October, 1862, joined the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers and served with them for a year, being present at the hanging of the Indians at Mankato. After this he was employed in a brewery until 1864. Marrying in that year, he located on a tract of 120 acres in section 5, Cottonwood township, Brown county.

Ten acres of the land had been broken and there was an old log house on the place into which he moved with his wife. The nearest milling place was at Mankato. For four successive seasons the grasshoppers destroyed his crops, but he was perservering and industrious and finally conquered success. Prominent in public affairs, he held township office, rendering useful service on the school board. He was married June, 1864, to Agatha Rohner, who was born in the Tyrol, Austria, November 14, 1843, daughter of John George Rohner. Her father later emigrated to America, her mother, Mary (Schneider) Rohner, dying in Germany. Mrs. John Schlumpberger came to the United States in 1853 with her aunt and uncle. They located in Ohio the first year and in 1856 came to Brown county, Minnesota, after reaching Dubuque, traveling with an ox team. Mr. and Mrs. John Schlumpberger have now retired from active work and are enjoying the remaining years of their -life at New Ulm. They have had twelve children: five sons and seven daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one son. Frank X. Schlumpberger, who is the eldest of these twelve children, was reared on the parental homestead. He acquired his early education in the district school in Cottonwood township, later attended school at Mankato, and for about ten years subsequently was engaged in teaching in Brown county. Coming to Redwood county in 1902, he located in Clements, where he was engaged in the lumber business until 1907, also serving for three years as clerk of the school board. In the year last mentioned he moved to Wanda and engaged in the lumber business with J. H. Queel and Co. Here also he has held public office, having been a member of the village board and having also served four years as school clerk. Mr. Schlumpberger was married to Mrs. Cresentia Henle Weisensee, widow of Joe Weisensee and daughter of Athanas Henle, born in Milf ord, Brown county. By her first marriage there is one child, Elizabeth, who was married January 28, 1913, to John Moelter, of Wanda, who is in the dray business. Mr. and Mrs. Schlumpberger have five children: John, Florence, Emil, Frank and Lucy.

Nicholas Moelter was born in Germany, March 23, 1853, son of Mat. and Anna Catherina (Knauf ) Moelter. His mother died at the age of 28 years, when Nicholas was four years old, and left three children : John, Nicholas and Barbara, who died at the age of four years. In 1872, the father, with John and Nicholas, emigrated to the United States, the voyage by steamer taking thirteen days. They first settled in Chicago, where they remained four years. Then Mr. Moelter returned to Germany where, after remaining about a year, he was taken sick and died at the age of fifty-four. The son John is now in Wathena, Kansas. Nicholas Moelter received his schooling in Germany and while in Chicago did whatever kind of work he was able to get. After four years he went to La Salle, 111., where he worked in the coal mines for three years. In 1878 he came to Minnesota, locating in Sigel township, Brown county. After a short time he secured a homestead of 80 acres of wild land in section 22, Willow Lake township, Redwood county. Two acres of this land were broken, but there were no buildings, and Redwood Falls was the nearest milling place. He built a rude shack, 12 by 14 feet and ten feet high, into which he and his wife moved. He owned very little in the way of farm equipment to start with and had only two cows. However, the neighbors helped him until he was able to get a team of horses. His wife spun the yarn needed for stockings, caps and mittens. Mr. Moelter set out a grove and gradually made improvements until now he has a well-cultivated farm of 400 acres, a nice residence and good farm buildings. He has held township offices and has served on the school board.

Mr. Moeltf?r was married April 7, 1879, to Margaret Jenniges, who was born October 16, 1859, in Germany, daughter of Christian and Mary (Brauer) Jenniges. In 1869 the parents with their six Children, came to America and located near New Ulm, Sigel township, Brown county, Minn., where they had secured land and where they resided for about 11 years. They then moved to Willow Lake township, Redwood county, purchasing 80 acres of wild railroad land in section 23, to which they later added 80 acres more. Here they set out groves, erected buildings and lived out the rest of their lives. Mr. Jenniges died in 1895, at the age of 69, and his wife in 1891, at the age of 65 years. Mr. and Mrs. Moelter have had fifteen children : Mary, Anna, Katie, Margaret, Mat, John, William, Nicholas, Susan, Julia, George, Beno, Christ and two who died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

William 0. Meyer, a successful farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Denmark, October 1, 1862, son of Julius and Frederica (Book) Meyer. His parents emigrated to America in 1871, bringing with them their family of five children ; Amelia, Emma, William C, Hans F., and Christian, who is now deceased. They came first to New Ulm, Brown county, Minn., and then settled in Nicollet county, where they remained three years renting the farm of Christian Book, a relative. One child was born there, but died in infancy, and the mother died at the age of thirty-five. Mr. Meyer was married again to Barbara Rotnam, of Norway, who came to the United States about the same time that Mr. Meyer did, locating in Goodhue county, Minn. Then the family moved to Redwood county and located on a homestead in section 32, Sundown township, where they obtained 80 acres of wild land. A rude house of rough lumber was built and plastered with clay. A hole was dug in the hillside, covered with rails and straw and used for a barn. An ox team was used to break the land. The nearest market was Redwood Falls. Mr. Meyer set out a grove of trees and in time erected many substantial buildings, carrying on general farming. He became sufficiently prominent to serve one term as township supervisor. The family faith was that of the Lutheran church and many of the early services were held at his home. Mr. Meyer also assisted in the building of the Sundown township Scandinavian Lutheran church, located in section 28, and served as its trustee. He died in 1906 at the age of 71 years. The children of his second marriage were : Bngebret, Anna, Peter, Guri, and Frederica, who is now deceased: The mother died September, 1915. William C. Meyer attended school in Denmark for about two years, but after his arrival in America found little time to continue his education. He assisted his father and remained at home till 24 years of age. Then he located on 80 acres of wild school land in section 36, Willow Lake township, which he had bought in 1884. A small frame house, 20 by 14 feet and 10 feet high, was built and roofed with straw. A rude barn of rough boards, 14 by 16 feet in size, with hay on top, was built for the horses. He started farming with four cows, a team of horses and a colt. As time passed he made many improvements, set out a fine grove, and built a comfortable eleven-room house. He now operates 440 acres of land, carrying on general farming and stock-raising and keeping a good grade of stock. In addition to the property above mentioned, which constitutes the home farm, he owns 160 acres of land in section 22, Willow Lake township ; 160 acres in North Star township, Brown county, and 160 acres in Norman county, Minnesota. Mr. Meyer has held office on the school board since the district was organized twenty years ago. He is a director of the Sanborn Farmers 9 Elevator Company, and of the Farmers' Store and 8 stockholder in the Farmers' Bank of Sanborn and in the Springfield Telephone Company.

Mr. Meyer was united in marriage May 7, 1886, to Anna Hojem, who was born in Norway, June 4, 1862, daughter of Lars and Goranna Hojem. Her parents emigrated from Norway to Iowa in 1869, with their four children, Grace, John, Anna and Theodore. After remaining in Iowa two years, they came in 1871 to Minnesota, when another child, Louis, was born.

The trip from Iowa had been made by ox team, the children driving the calves and cows and walking most of the way. They located on a homestead of 80 acres in section 28, Sundown township, Redwood county. Here a dugout was built in the side of a hill and covered with sod. The nearest market was New Ulm and often wheat for family use was ground in the coffee mill. The mother spun wool into yarn to make stockings, caps and mittens for the family. Mr. Hojem, who was one of the early settlers in the locality, helped to organize the township, held the office of treasurer on the township board and also helped to organize the district school and served as a member of the school board. A leading church member, he donated half an acre of land to the church, of which he was one of the trustees, Rasmus Jenson also donating half an acre. Mr. and Mrs. Hojem owned 240 acres of land at the time of their death. He died in the fall of 1895 at the age of 75 and his wife in 1911 at the age of 82 years. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Meyer are the parents of nine children : Julius, who married Lenora Leberg and resides in Norman county, Minnesota ; Lydia (Mrs. H. Hemmingson, residing in Sundown township) ; Lars, who married Lillian Puck and resides in North Star township, Brown county; Fred, Bmil, Tilda, William T., Anna and Leander. Mr. Meyer and his family belong to the Lutheran church, of which he has been treasurer and a trustee for many years.

Knute 0. Olson, one of Redwood county's pioneer settlers, now deceased, was born in Norway, October 20, 1846, son of Ole and Christina Olson, who lived on their farmstead called Odden. In 1852 they came to the United States by sailing vessel - the voyage taking about 17 weeks - and located on a farm near Eau Claire, Wis., where they engaged in agriculture. From this farm three boys went to war and died on the battlefield. Later Ole Olson brought his family to Goodhue county, Minnesota, making the journey with an ox team. Locating in Bell Creek township on a tract of wild land, he put up a log building and broke the land with his oxen. Here he remained until his death at the age of 85 years. He was a member of the Scandinavian Lutheran church. After having lived in Wisconsin for three years Knute 0. Olson, then 9 years of age, left home to shift for himself. He herded cattle and did what else he could find to do. In time he secured employment with the T. G. Mandt Wagon factory at Stoughton, Wis., and began to learn the trade of a wagonmaker. When Mr. Mandt added a blacksmith shop to his plant, Knute 0. Olson became the blacksmith's helper and thus learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked until 1870. He then came to Minnesota, traveling on foot a distance of over 1,300 miles before arriving at his destination in Redwood county. Taking a homestead in section 22, Willow Lake township, he put up a sod shanty. His nearest neighbor was a Mr. Evans, who lived three miles away. The following year he bought an ox team and then began to break the land, having to go a long way east for his oxen. When his plow share became dulllie carried it on his back to New Ulm to get it sharpened. This long tiresome journey made him decide to have a blacksmith shop of his own, and as soon as he had secured a few tools, he drove by ox team to the Minnesota river and got a few poles. With these he constructed a frame, around which he built a sod blacksmith shop - prob- ably the first blacksmith shop in this section, if not in all Redwood county. It proved a popular institution, and the settlers would come from great distances to have work done. After four or five years Mr. Olson set out a grove. All the hardships of pioneer life were experienced by him. The nearest milling place was at New Ulm. The grasshoppers came for five years in succession and destroyed his crops, and those of his neighbors, so that they had to work out to secure necessary supplies and clothing. After a time Mr. Olson built a one-story house, 40x14 feet, banked with dirt, in one end of which was an old brick oven for burning hay. He was one of the organizers of the township and held public office. He also helped to organize the school district, was school director as long as he lived and was one of the early members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Mr. Olson was married in 1872 to Anna Errickson, who was born in Norway, April 25, 1848, and came to the United States in 1854, being 14 weeks on the ocean. She came directly to Goodhue county, Minnesota. As a child she became acquainted with Mr. Olson, her future husband. Sometime after their marriage they moved by ox team from that county to the new home in Redwood county, and went to housekeeping in the sod shanty. She brought with her a spinning wheel and during the- winter months spun yarn to make the caps, mittens and stockings for the family.

Their children were Lewis, of Willow Lake townfihip, and Ole, a farmer in North Dakota. Mr. Olson died in 1892 and his wife died in 1893. They are buried in the church yard cemetery at Sundown.

Lewis Olson, son of Knute 0. and Anna (Errickson) Olson, was born July 13, 1873, in Goodhue county, Minnesota. He received but a meagre education and began working very early. Growing to manhood on the home place, he learned the blacksmith trade of his father. In time he took charge of the parental farm of 160 acres, which he now operates, having a well cultivated place and raising good stock. He is one of the organizers and is treasurer of the Wanda Creamery, having held that office since its organization. He has also shares in the Wanda Bank and in the Farmers' Insurance Company. Prominent in township affairs, he has been supervisor for eight years and clerk of the school board for 12 or 14 years. Religiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church.

Mr. Olson was married in October, 1898, to Barbara Dress, a native of Germany and daughter of Mat. and Anna Catherine Dress. Her mother died in Germany, leaving eight children, and the father in 1894 brought the rest of the family, with the exception of the oldest daughter Maggie, to Minnesota, located on section 7, Willow Lake township, Redwood county, where he died in

1898. He was a member of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Olson have had the following children: Alfred, Anna, Gertrude, Agnes, Wilbur, Louisa, Arnold and Mat. (deceased).

James C. Peterson, a farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Denmark, April 7, 1850, son of Peter and Anna (Larsen) Peterson who lived and died as farmers in Denmark. There were five children in the family ; Elsie, Christ, James, Mary, and Peter, of whom Christ and Elsie were the first to come to the United States. James received his early education in Denmark and came to the United States in 1873, locating at once in New Ulm, Minn. He worked at railroad and farm work for .about a year and then, going to Omaha, Nebraska, was in the employ of Hilman and Company, clothing store proprietors, for three or four years. He then went to Chicago, 111., and worked for the Illinois Central railroad. After a time he decided to own a place for himself and returning to Minnesota, located on a farm near Lamberton, which he rented for five years. At the end of that time he went to Chippewa county, where he bought 160 acres of land and resided for three years. Then, selling that property, he bought 80 acres in section 23, Willow Lake township, Redwood county, which place he has since improved.

Mr. Peterson was married in 1882 to Catherine Casterson, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when 19 years of age. She died in 1910. Five children were born of this union, Charles, Oeorge, Walter, Arthur and Anna. Mr. Peterson and his family belong to the Lutheran church.

Peter W. Bobs, a farmer of Willow Lake township, was born on his father's farm in section 16, Willow Lake township, March 29, 1882, son of John Henry and Madeline (Turbes) Ross. The father, John Henry Boss, was a native of Germany, born October 24, 1841, son of Hubert Boss and wife. He acquired his education in Germany and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 when 16 years of age, he emigrated to the United States and settled near New Ulm, Minn. During the outbreak of Sioux Indians in 1862, he took part in the defense against the savages. Bemoving to Bedwood county, he purchased 80 acres in section 16, Willow Lake township, on which he built a small shack and set out a grove. Later he erected a barn and house and in time increased his holdings of land to 400 acres. He now resides in Lamberton.

Peter W. Boss, in his youth, attended the school in his locality and remained at home on the farm until he was 23 years of age. He then engaged in the dray business at Springfield. Five years later he moved to the old family homestead in Willow Lake township, and now has a good farm of 200 acres. Here he carries on general farming, raises good stock and also specializes in Bhode Island Bed poultry. Mr. Boss was married April 23, 1912, to Catherine Schneider of Springfield, daughter of John Schneider,

George Schottenbauer, a well-to-do farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Germany August 18, 1867. His parents, John and Barbara (Pogel) Schottenbauer, the former born in 1831, located in New Ulm, Minn., where the father went to work in the mill. Later he took a homestead in Brown county, on which he built a log house, 12x14, and a straw barn. This he subsequently sold and in 1879 moved to Redwood county, where he secured 480 acres of partly broken land in New Avon township, 160 acres of which is still owned by him. Mrs. Schottenbauer died in 1879, leaving five children, George, Maggie, 4nna> Mary and Katie.

George Schottenbauer, in his boyhood days, attended the district school four miles from his home and grew to manhood on the homestead. When 24 years of age he located in Willow Lake township, where he had secured 160 acres of land in section 12. The following year he built a barn and granary, making his home in the latter until he could build a house. After the erection of the house, which was 16x24 feet, he resided in it eleven years, in time making additions and improvements to it, so that now he has a fine nine-room dwelling. In 1898 he built a barn 48x60 feet. On his farm he raises small grain. In 1893 Mr. Schottenbauer bought 40 acres in section 13, in 1895, 160 acres in section 7, Sundown township, and in 1913, 160 acres in section 6, in the same township. This land is now all under cultivation. He is a stockholder in the Wanda Creamery. Mr. Schottenbauer was married June 15, 1888, to Kate Hornick, and their children are : George, Margaret, William, Matilda, Hedwig, Leonard, Otto, Bernard and Ledwina. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Herman John Stern, a successful farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 24, 1862, son of Fred and Charlotta (Modeska) Stern. His parents, who were farming people, had seven children, Herman, Albert, Matilda, Elena, August, Mary and Charles. In 1882 they came to Minnesota and located near Springfield, where they purchased 80 acres of land and engaged in farming. There were then no buildings on the place, but good ones were soon erected. In time additions were made to the farm until it contained over a section of land. Fred Stern and his wife have retired from active work and now live at Springfield. Religiously they are of the Lutheran church.

Herman J. Stern, as a boy, attended school in Germany. At the age of 18 years he left his native land for the United States to join his Uncle Frank Bodka, who was living near Springfield and who had sent him money for his journey. He arrived at his destination in August, 1880, and began working on the farms and doing railroad work to earn enough to repay his uncle. In 1887 he bought 120 acres of wild school land in section 36, Willow Lake township. A neighbor broke a few acres for him and here he began farming with five cows. He built a barn of posts and boards, 20x30 feet, and a frame house, 16x24, and after two years set out a grove. He has improved his property and added to it until he now farms 280 acres of land in sections 35 and 36, Willow Lake township. He carries on general farming, raising good stock, and has considerable land set out in fruit. He has built an eight-room house and a barn, 32x52 feet, and has numerous other necessary or useful buildings. As an intelligent citizen, ready to be of public service, he has served as a member of school board, district 88. Mr. Stern was united in marriage May 30, 1884, to Teresa Fleishman, a native of Germany, born in Saxony, May 27, 1864, daughter of George and Anna (Arp) Fleishman, and who, at the age of two years, was brought to the United States by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stern have the following children: Albert, now owner of 160 acres of farm land in section 24 ; Theodore, of section 35, Willow Lake; Emma (deceased) ; Lilly; Mary; Paulina; Lawrence; Clara; Charlotta; Anna; Alvina; Elizabeth and George.

George Fleishman was born June 24, 1823, in Germany, son of Michael and Catherine (Werner) Fleishman, who lived and died in Germany as farmers. They had two boys, George and John, (born December 16, 1818), who both came to Minnesota. George -engaged in farming and in 1866 came to the United States by steamer with his family, the voyage taking 16 days. He located in Illinois, where he worked on the farms for a time. Then he left for Minnesota to get a homestead, leaving his wife and chil- -dren in Illinois. He secured a homestead of 80 acres in Burnstown township, Brown county, five miles east of Springfield, and after two years sent for his family. He had built a log house and sod barn with a hay roof. Here they endured all the hardships and' inconveniences of the pioneers. Wheat was often ground into flour in the coffee mill, as the nearest mill was at New Ulm, many miles away - a long journey by ox team. The wife spun the yarn and made caps and mittens for her husband and children. During the grasshopper plague they lost all of their crops. The blizzards were very terrible. Mr. Fleishman's brother, John, had a homestead nearby and during one of these blizzards froze both hands and lost all his fingers. Mr. Fleishman was married September 15, 1854, to Anna Arp, born April 26, 1832, in Germany, daughter of Valentine and Catherine (Wenner) Arp, who lived and died in Germany. They had three children, Anna, Barbara (deceased), and John, who came to the United States at the age of 18, first located in Illinois and later Missouri, where he is engaged in the drug business. Mr. and Mrs. Fleishman had five children, all born in Germany : Theodore, Emma, William, Teresa and Julia. Mr. Fleishman died at the age of 61 years. The family are all members of the Lutheran church.

Christopher W. Whelan, a successful farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Ontario, Canada, November 21, 1860, son of Christopher and Jane (Roach) Whelan. Christopher W. Whelan attended school in Canada, in Hennepin county, at Delano, Wright county, and in Redwood county, Minn. He grew to manhood in Redwood county. In 1884 he secured a homestead of 160 acres of wild prairie land in Willow Lake township, which had been filed on by his brother William, who died in 1879. Christopher took it up as a tree claim but changed it to a homestead. His brother William had already built a small shack upon it, 14 by 20. Christopher broke land by horse team, added 80 acres more to his farm and set out two fine groves. He carries on diversified farming, raising a considerable amount of grain and also keeps Duroc Jersey hogs and a good grade of sheep and horses. He is a stockholder in the Wanda Creamery, the State Bank of Wanda, the Farmers' Elevator Company of Sanborn and also of the Sanborn Improvement Company.

Mr. Whelan was married June 1, 1886, to Isabella McGowen, a widow of Peter B. Raverty. She was born December 8, 1861, in Sibley county, daughter of Pat McGowen, a native of Canada, who later located in Sibley county and afterward in Brown county. She died in 1894, leaving five children: Mary, now Mrs. Joseph Korherr of Gibbon, Minn., a child of the first marriage; Louis, now of Montana; Blanche, now Mrs. Nels Dyste of Minneapolis; Lloyd; and Claude, who was drowned at Gillette, Wyo., August 8, 1914, at the age of 21 years.

Rudolph 0. Wessel, for many years interested in the lumber business in Redwood county, was born in Germany June 5, 1865, son of Karl and Mary (Arndt) Wessel. The father was a mason who came to America from Germany in 1873 and settled at Sleepy Eye, where he died in 1877 at the age of 35 years. The mother is now living in Springfield, Minn. Rudolph C. Wessel grew to manhood in Sleepy Eye and in 1889 became the foreman of the packing department at Sleepy Eye roller mills, where he remained seven years. He then became grain buyer and bought wheat for R. H. Bingham at Sleepy Eye. During the next three years he had charge of the elevator. Then he helped organize the P. Christenson & Company lumber company at Echo, Minn., and became the general manager. After seven years he sold the business and was manager of affairs for his successors for three years. After that he became manager at Morgan for the Lampert Lumber Company and remained with them for three years. January 1, 1906, he bought an interest in the Steinke, Seidl Lumber Company of Sleepy Eye and became manager of the Morgan branch.

Mr. Weasel was married May 9, 1889, to Minnie Henning, who was born May 23, 1868, daughter of Frederick Henning, a native of Germany and a farmer of Sherman township, Redwood county. The father died at Morgan, April 3, 1915, at the age of 73 years, and his wife, Johanna (Koenig) Henning, July 21, 1915, at the age of 69 years. Mr. and Mrs. Wessel have three children, Viola, born in 1891 ; Mabel, born in 1893 ; and Esther, born in 1897.

Frank H. Schieffert, a progressive young man, and proprietor of the confectionery and restaurant at Morgan, was born in Brown county, Minnesota, November 10, 1877, son of Michael Schieffert, a farmer of Germany, who came to America and died March 3, 1880, and his wife, Mary (Eckstein) Schieffert, who died February 29, 1880. Prank H. Schieffert was raised by his maternal uncle, Anton Sperl, a farmer near New Ulm. When ten years of age he began working during the summer (attending school during the winter) with his brother-in-law, Joseph Wiltscheck. After five years he began working out among the farmers in the neighborhood and was thus engaged until May, 1898, when he enlisted at St. Paul in Company A, Twelfth Minnesota Infantry, and after six months at Chattanooga, was discharged at New Ulm, November, 1898. Then he worked for B. C. Schneller at Morgan for two years, and at the end of that time bought the business and conducted it until the spring of 1915. May 1, 1915, he opened a confectionery and restaurant at Morgan and has since made many friends and gained a large patronage. Since 1909 he has been chief of the village fire department. In spring of 1916 he was elected a member of the village council of Morgan. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the St. Joseph's society. Mr. Schieffert was married July 25, 1900, to Frances Kretch, who was born March 5, 1881, daughter of John and Barbara Kretsch. Mr. and Mrs. Schieffert have three children, Eleanore, Alice and Clarence.

C. B. Root, president of the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Morgan, was born in Sherman township, December 30, 1868, son of William and Mary E. (Cooley) Root. The father was born in New York state and came to Renville county, Minnesota, in 1863, taking up a homestead in Cairo township, where he remained for two years. Then he pre-empted 150 acres in section 22, Sherman township, Redwood county, and lived there until 1905. Then buying land in section 35, he resided there for three years, after which time he retired from active work and moved to the village of Morton, where he died in 1910 at the age of 69 years. He served on the school board for 25 years. His wife is still living in Morgan. There were four children in the family: Carrie, a resident of Morgan, widow of Thomas Butcher, a farmer of Redwood county who died in 1911 ; C. B., the subject of this sketch ; Fred, who died in 1899 at the age of 25 years ; and Wil-

C. B. Root received his early educational training in the schools of his neighborhood and grew to manhood on the home farm. In 1898 he bought 240 acres in section 2, Morgan township, and conducted this farm until 1904, when he moved to the village of Morgan and was manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company for three years. Then he engaged in the meat business for three years. Mr. Root is now engaged in buying and selling of stock, and is also in the real estate business. He was one of the organizers and has been a director of the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Morgan ever since it was organized, serving as vicepresident from 1911 to 1914, and becoming president January 1, 1914. He was also one of the organizers and was a director of tne Wherland Electric Company until it was sold to Alfred Green and P. W. Philbrick., He is a stockholder in and business manager of the Farmers' Elevator of Morgan. Since March, 1915, he has been president of the village council and since July, that year, of the board of education. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and the M. W. A. ; also of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a director and elder.

Mr. Root was married June 24, 1898, to Edith Butterfield, who was born April 8, 1875, daughter of Marshall Butterfield, a pioneer farmer of Redwood Falls, who died in 1883, and his wife, Lucy (Griffith) Butterfield, who died at the age of 70 years in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Root have the following children: Pearl, born August 13, 1900; Mabel, October 12, 1902; Lindel, April 11, 1905, and Doris, November 12, 1906.

John Welter, a prosperous farmer of Morgan township, was born in Lake county, Illinois, November 14, 1864, son of Michael and Susanna (Deville) Welter. His parents were natives of Luxemberg, Europe, where they were married in 1850. They came to America in 1855, first living in Chicago, HI., for two years and then removing to Buffalo Grove, Lake county, 111., where they lived until their death. The father died in 1898 at the age of 77 years, and the mother in 1907 at the age of 80 years. The children in the family were : Elizabeth, of Chicago, widow of Nicholas Britz, who farmed near that city ; Peter, a retired farmer of New TJlm; Mary, who died on the ocean at the age of two years; Nicholas, a furniture dealer of Morgan, who died in 1906 at the age of 46; Mary, wife of J. F. Smith, a retired farmer of New TJlm ; Michael, who operated a hotel at St. Louis, Mo. ; John, the subject of this sketch ; Katherine, wife of Nicholas Blocks, a farmer of Lake county, Illinois; and Lena, wife of Anton Brown, a farmer of Camp township, Renville county.

age of 24 he took charge of the home farm and managed it for four years. In 1892 he bought 145 acres in section 30, Morgan township, where he qow resides. He is successful in his farming, has erected modern buildings and made many improvements, and now owns 184 acres, of which four acres are set out in fruit. In 1902 he re-built and remodeled his house into a seven-room comfortable dwelling and in 1909 built a barn, 36 by 64 by 18 feet. He keeps graded Holstein cattle and makes a specialty of buying and feeding cattle for the market, feeding about one carload of cattle and one carload of swine every year, and also keeps Percheron horses. Mr. Welter has been an important factor in public affairs; he served as chairman of the township board for two years, and has been clerk of school district No. 90 for six years. He was secretary and manager of the Morgan Co-operative Creamery Association for 18 years, and is secretary of the Morgan Farmers' Elevator Company, secretary of the Clements Percheron Company, secretary of the Morgan Live Stock Shipping Association and stockholder in the Morgan State Bank Building Company. He is a member of the C. O. F. of Sleepy Eye.

John Welter was united in marriage October 7, 1890, to Mary Pierre, who was born June 4, 1867, daughter of John and Mary A. (Putz) Pierre. Her father was born in Luxemberg, Europe, and came to America in 1847, locating at Holy Cross, Wis., where he engaged in farming and died in 1901 at the age of 80 years. His wife now resides in Saukville, Wis. They were married in 1856 in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and had the following children: Anton, a farmer of Hawarden, Iowa; John, deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ben Hofner of Kenosha, Wis., who died in 1880: Margaret, wife of August Schiller, a farmer of Saukville, Wis.; John, a farmer of New Hampton, Iowa; Henry, a farmer of New Hampton, Iowa ; Mary, wife of John Welter ; Eatherine, sister in a convent in Racine, Wis. ; Barbara, deceased ; Matt., a farmer in Wisconsin; and Annie, a Sister in the convent at Racine, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Welter have had the following children: Annie, May 29, 1893; Susan, October 3, 1896; Amelia, January 13. 1898 (died February 3, 1898) ; Frank J., April 17, 1899; Rosa M., December 18, 1901; George W., February 22, 1903; Olivia, March 8, 1906 ; and Aloysius F., December 11, 1908. The family are all members of the Catholic church at Morgan.

John Kleinschmidt, a very successful farmer of Morgan township, was born in Germany July 22, 1864, son of John Kleinschmidt, who died at the age of 34 years in 1868, and his wife, Amaregetta (Rosenau) Kleinschmidt. John Kleinschmidt received his early training in Germany and emigrated to America in 1882, coming to Eden township, Brown county, Minnesota, where he worked out until 1889. Then, in 1889, he bought 80 acres in section 14, Morgan township, Redwood county, where, he has lived ever since. He cultivated his farm with great care and made additions from time to time so that now he owns 240 acres. In 1901 he rebuilt and remodeled his house into a comfortable four-room residence, and in 1906 built a barn 28 by 48 by l&feet. He has a fine eight-acre grove and an orchard. His stock is of good breed, including Shorthorn cattle and Chester White swine. Mr. Kleinschmidt is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Morgan. He was road overseer for twelve years. The family are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church.