Redwood County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1916 (part 6 of 13)

Mr. Kleinschmidt was married January 16, 1890, to Emma Zeigenhagen, born June 22, 1872, daughter of William Zeigenhagen, a pioneer farmer of Eden township, Brown county, and his wife Fredericka (Stabanow) Zeigenhagen. Mr. and Mrs. Kleinschmidt have six children, all of whom reside at home, namely : William, born January 14, 1891 ; John, October 19, 1897 ; Edward, April 8, 1901; Albert, December 12, 1903; Arthur, June 2, 1906; and Louis, June 12, 1908.

William F. Stoltz, manager of the Co-operative Creamery at Morgan, was bom in Steele county, Minnesota, October 7, 1868, son of Frederick W. and Caroline (Rosenau) Stoltz. The father was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1861 and in

1865 at the age of 34 years. His wife Caroline, died February 15, 1915, at the age of 77 years. In the fall of 1866 she married her second husband, Herman Schandel, a retired farmer of Meriden, Minn. William F. Stoltz began working out at the age of 18 and after five years took up the creamery trade, learning it in the creamery at Meriden, where he remained for three years. After two more years in this kind of work he became manager of the creamery at Pratt, Minn., where he remained for eight years. While there he erected two buildings, each costing about $3,600. Next he spent two years at Echo, Minn., and in November, 1911, became manager of the Morgan Co-operative Creamery, where he is now. He is a member of the M. W. A. and the family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Stoltz was married August 24, 1900, to Jennie M. Martinson, who was born February 17, 1879, daughter of Ole Martinson, a retired farmer of Waseca, Minn., who died November 18, 1908, and his wife, Elaine (Johnson) Martinson, now living at Waseca, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz have had three children : Clare, who died at the age of three ; Hubert, who died at the age of six ; and Ivis, born January 17, 1906.

William Hillger, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Morgan township, was born in Qermany August 31, 1866, son of John and Wilhelmina (Kuthlo) Hillger. The father, who was a farmer in Germany, died in 1908 at the age of 70 years, the mother died in 1873 at the age of 35 years.

age of 24 lie 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 9 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. 0. 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 ; Katherine, 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 1 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 Iff 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.

Mr. Kleinschmidt was married January 16, 1890, to Emma Zeigenhagen, born June 22, 1872, daughter of William Zeigenhagen, a pioneer farmer of Eden township, Brown county, and his wife Fredericka (Stabanow) Zeigenhagen. Mr. and Mrs. Kleinschmidt have six children, all of whom reside at home, namely : William, born January 14, 1891 ; John, October 19, 1897 ; Edward, April 8, 1901; Albert, December 12, 1903; Arthur, June 2, 1906; and Louis, June 12, 1908.

William F. Stoltz, manager of the Co-operative Creamery at Morgan, was bom in Steele county, Minnesota, October 7, 1868, son of Frederick W. and Caroline (Bosenau) Stoltz. The father was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1861 and in

1865 at the age of 34 years. His wife Caroline, died February 15, 1915, at the age of 77 years. In the fall of 1866 she married her second husband, Herman Schandel, a retired farmer of Meriden, Minn. William F. Stoltz began working out at the age of 18 and after five years took up the creamery trade, learning it in the creamery at Meriden, where he remained for three years. After two more years in this kind of work he became manager of the creamery at Pratt, Minn., where he remained for eight years. While there he erected two buildings, each costing about $3,600. Next he spent two years at Echo, Minn., and in November, 1911, became manager of the Morgan Co-operative Creamery, where he is now. He is a member of the M. W. A. and the family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Stoltz was married August 24, 1900, to Jennie M. Martinson, who was born February 17, 1879, daughter of Ole Martinson, a retired farmer of Waseca, Minn., who died November 18, 1908, and his wife, Elaine (Johnson) Martinson, now living at Waseca, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz have had three children : Clare, who died at the age of three ; Hubert, who died at the age of six ; and Ivis, born January 17, 1906.

William Hillger, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Morgan township, was born in Germany August 31, 1866, son of John and Wilhelmina (Kuthlo) Hillger. The father, who was a farmer in Germany, died in 1908 at the age of 70 years, the mother died in 1873 at the age of 35 years.

William Hillger came to America in 1883, locating in New Ulm, Minn., where he worked on a farm for two years and afterwards in carpenter work for one year. He next went to Eden township, Brown county, where he lived until 1892 when he moved to Morgan township, Redwood county, and bought 160 acres of land in the northeast quarter of section 33. He has lived there since and has made many improvements on his farm. He has one and a half acres of orchard and a fine grove covering six acres. He also has 75 acres set out in timothy. In 1900 he remodeled his residence and now has a comfortable eight-room house, 28 by 32, with a full basement and equipped with furnace heat. In 1901 he built a barn, 32 by 60 feet, and a granary, 24 by 24 feet. He raises graded Shorthorn cattle and carries on dairying, having a herd of 35 cows, 20 of which are milch cows. He has 35 Shropshire sheep and raises Plymouth Rock chickens. Mr. Hillger is also interested in bee culture and does a profitable business with his six colonies of bees. He served as supervisor of the township for seven years and is a stockholder in the Redwod County Rural Telephone Company and is also a stockholder in and treasurer of the Farmers ' Elevator Company at Morgan.

Mr. Hillger was married September 14, 1894, to Emma Dittbenner, who was born in Eden township, Brown county, August 26, 1874, daughter of August and Katherine (Fixsen) Dittbenner, the parents being natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1854 with his parents, locating at New Ulm and was one of the defenders of New Ulm during the Sioux uprising, afterwards drawing a pension for his services. He homesteaded in Eden township, Brown county, where he remained until his death in 1911 at the age of 65 years. His wife was born in 1853 and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. William Rhode, of Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Hillger have nine children: Arnolf, born June 19, 1895; Lucy, April 4, 1897; Oscar, June 16, 1900; Ella, August 5, 1903 ; Herbert, September 19, 1905 ; Clarence, February 18, 1908 ; Wilbert, January 27, 1909 ; Marvin, April 12, 1913 ; and Lester, December 23, 1915. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Morgan.

Christian Frederick Larson, son of Lars Christenson, a farmer of Denmark, and his wife, Ellen Christenson, was born in Denmark, April 15, 1862. There were six children in the family, Sisley, Christian, Hans, Jens, Anna and Lars. Christian came to America in 1880; his brother Hans, who came in 1884, is now in Oregon. The parents came to America in 1887 with the rest of the children and the mother died in Brookville at the age of 72 and the father at the age of 76 years. They are both buried in Brookville cemetery. Christian P. Larson set out for America in the summer of 1880 and came to Minnesota. He had $5.00 when he arrived at Sleepy Eye and worked near Qolden Gate during the harvest, helping with the threshing. During the winter he chopped wood. Then he worked out among the farmers and after a while obtained employment with H. Werring of Oolden Gate, with whom he remained for sixteen and a half years, having charge of his farm for 12 years. Then he moved to Morgan township, Redwood county, bought 160 acres of improved land in section 29 and engaged in farming for himself. He carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Larson has been chairman of the township board for the last eight years and a member of the board for ten years. He has served as a member of the school board for 14 years. He is a member and director of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Morgan.

November 10, 1889, he was married to Catherine Strong, who was born June 10, 1872, in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, daughter of Charles Strong, a native of Long Island, N. Y., and his wife, Ellen (Frost) Strong, who was born in Vermont. They were married in Iowa. The father, a veteran in the Civil War, served three years in the Thirty-Second Iowa Regiment and was wounded. He engaged in farming and died in Golden Gate, where he had settled after coming from Iowa, being 77 years of age at the time of his death. They had six children, Nellie, Frank, Catherine, Charles, John and Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Larson were the parents of the following children : Ellen, now Mrs. Ed Allison, of Brown county ; Catherine, a teacher; Laura, Bennett, Mildred and Mamie, the four last mentioned are residing at home.

Julius 0. Jackson, who is well known in banking circles in Redwood county, was born in Forkton, Ky., October 10, 1873, son of James and Mary (Chapman) Jackson. The father was a native of Virginia, who lived for 25 years in Williamsburg, Iowa, and later moved to Sherman, Texas, where he retired from farming. Julius C. Jackson graduated from the Missouri State Normal School at Eirkville, Mo., in 1891 and was assistant superintendent of schools at Jamesport, Mo., for two years. He was then elected superintendent of schools at Williamsburg, Iowa, where he remained for two years and next spent two years at De Smet, S. D., as school superintendent. From 1898 to 1902 he was in the real estate business at De Smet and then became cashier of the State Bank at Parker's Prairie, Minn., where he remained for four years. In 1906 he bought an interest in the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank at Morgan, Minn. He was president of the bank during the years 1911 and 1912, was cashier in 1913, 1914 and 1915, and was again elected president January 1, 1916.

Mr. Jackson is a stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Mahnomen Land Company of Mahnomen, Minn., established in 1912. and served as its president for one year. He was also one of the organizers and president of the Citizens' State Bank at Mahnomen, Minn., and is a stockholder in the Peoples' State Bank at St. Paul. He has been an influential faetor in the village affairs of Morgan and served as mayor for two years. He was also recorder for one year, treasurer for two years, and is now serving his sixth year as secretary of the board of education. Fraternally he is associated with the Masons and Odd Follows, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Jackson was united in marriage April 9, 1899, to Florine S. Armstrong, who was born October 4, 1879. Her father, Ase F. Armstrong, who was engaged in the real estate business at De Smet, South Dakota, died in 1911 at the age of 63 years. His widow (Alice Tyler) now lives in Los Angeles with her sons, Newell and Claude. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have two children: Lyle, J., born December 15, 1903, and Quinten, born December 14, 1907.

Joseph Franklin Bunting, of Delhi township, was born October 22, 1864, in Dane county, Wisconsin, son of Job and Mary (Noble) Bunting, natives of England, who came to America at an early age and met and married in Dane county, Wisconsin. Here the father purchased 100 acres of land and engaged in farming and here he and his wife resided until their death. Job Bunting was born in 1823 and died May 5, 1894; his wife, born in 1830, died May 13, 1910. They had the following children: Alice, now Mrs. D. W. Whittet of Redwood Falls; Selena, now Mrs. Henry Abbott of Rock county, Wisconsin ; Isaac, of Dane county, Wisconsin; Sarah Ann, deceased; James, deceased; George, deceased; Joseph F.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Arthur Vickers, of Dane county, Wisconsin; Amos, of Dane county; and Agnes, deceased. After finishing school at Albion Academy, Albion, Wis., Joseph F. Bunting came to Redwood county and a few years later purchased 160 acres of land in section 21, Delhi township. Here he began to break ground and erected a five-room house which in 1910 was replaced by a fine ten-room house. He made many improvements and erected suitable buildings - a barn, 32 by 60 feet, an implement shed, granary and corn crib. He has a fine grove around his home and a small apple orchard. He has the following acreage of grain : wheat, 30 acres ; corn, 40 acres ; oats, 45 acres, and barley, 10 acres. He keeps a good grade of stock, having graded Durham cattle, and has from 12 to 14 milch cows, also raising Poland China swine and Percheron horses.

In politics, Mr. Bunting is a Republican and has been supervisor of the Delhi township board for 16 years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bunting was married July 27, 1892, to Emma Taber, who was born February 25, 1861, in Ontario, Canada, daughter of John and Charlotte (Smithers) Taber. Her father, born in England in 1823, came to Canada when 16 years of age and was engaged in the hotel business about one mile from Seaf orth, Ontario, Canada, for several years. In 1872 he came to Redwood county and bought 160 acres in Vale township, where he engaged in farming. In 1901 he retired from active work and made his home with his son at Seaf orth, Minn., for a number of years. Then he moved to Oreen county, Washington, where he died in February, 1906. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, coming from Canada to the United States to enlist, and was twice wounded, once being left on the battlefield supposed to be dead. Mrs. Bunting's mother was born in England in 1833 and is now living with her daughter Hattie at Sioux City, Iowa. There were ten children in the family : Elizabeth, now Mrs. Eugene D. Lamb of Seaf orth, Minn.; Charlotte L., now Mrs. R. S. Pickett of Wabasso, Minn.; Emma S. ; Mary A.; Caroline, now Mrs. John Heimer of Redwood Falls, Minn. ; Susan, now Mrs. William Longbottom of Ontario, Canada; William C, living at Green Lake, Washington; Minnie R., now Mrs. Charles Davis of Redwood county, Minn. ; Nettie ; and Hattie, now Mrs. George Musselman of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting have the following children: James Earl, born May 12, 1893; Roy Harold, July 8, 1894; Hubert Leslie, March 13, 1898; and Mildred, May 16, 1900, all of whom are residing at home.

Earl L Bliss, a progressive farmer of Delhi township, was born February 24, 1890, in Renville county, Minnesota, son of Benjamin and Laura (King) Bliss. The father, now a traveling salesman for the Avery Implement Company, was born in 1864 ; the mother was born in 1867. There were seven children in the family : Earl I., Grace, deceased; Maude and May, twins; Ethel; Ida and Iva, twins, of whom Ida is deceased. Benjamin Bliss bought 160 acres in Delhi township in 1900 and added to it from time to time until he had 320 acres, which he farmed until 1912, when he sold 100 acres to his son Earl and moved to Redwood Falls to take up his position with the Avery Company. Earl I. Bliss completed his education in the schools of Delhi township and has lived on his farm ever since 1900. He raises horses for his own use and specializes in Poland China and Duroc Jersey swine, keeping also about four milch cows. The farm, which was all uncultivated land when his father bought it, is now well improved ; good substantial buildings have been erected on it, and trees and small fruits set out. . In politics Mr. Bliss is Independent. He has served three years on the school board of district No. 89 and is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Bliss was married to Florence Garner June 12, 1912. She was born September 6, 1888, daughter of James and Sarah (Johnson) Garner. Her father was a farmer, born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1858, and her mother was born at Smith Falls, Canada, in 1867. Both are now living at Turlock, Calif. There were seven children in the family: Florence, Adrian, Harley, June, deceased; Mabel, Ruth, deceased; and Merton. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss have one child, Floyd, born April 7, 1913.

Neil McKay, a prosperous farmer of Delhi township, was born June 6, 1867, in Argyleshire, Scotland, son of Archie and Jennette (McNaughton) McKay. In 1875 he came with his parents to Ontario, Canada, where his father engaged in farming and died December 22, 1881 ; his mother died in 1908. Neil McKay came to Redwood county in 1890 and purchased 160 acres of land from J. A. Willard of Mankato at $13.00 per acre. This land was entirely uncultivated and without improvements of any kind. In 1892 he built a five-room house, in 1898 added four rooms and has since remodeled the house so that now it is entirely modern. The first crop of wheat, planted in 1892, yielded 36 bushels to the acre. He had planted 100 acres and the crop was sold at 87 cents per bushel. He has since decreased the wheat acreage and increased that of other grains. He began with five acres of corn, yielding 25 bushels the acre, and now plants 60 acres and has a yield of 50 bushels to the acre. There being no market for oats in the early days, he planted 15 acres for his own use, but now has 60 acres and has a good market. He also plants 12 acres of barley. Mr. McKay keeps a good grade of stock and raises Shorthorn cattle, having 12 milking cows and a fine Poll Angus bull. He also raises Duroc Jersey swine and the Norman breed of horses. He buys two carloads of sheep to feed for the market every year. He has erected good farm buildings and has a substantial barn, 32 by 74, built in 1916, modern in every respect. A corn crib and shed were built in 1895 and a feeding shed in 1915, 18 by 36 feet.

Mr. McKay is a Republican in politics and has held various offices in the township. From 1892 to 1900 he was road overseer, and from 1900 to 1906, township supervisor. In 1910 he became township clerk and is still serving in that capacity. From 1890 to 1896 he was president of the school board of district No. 18, Delhi graded school. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. lodge of Redwood Falls and has held all the offices. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. McKay was married February 8, 1894, to Mamie Andrew of Rockford, HI., who was born December 12, 1872, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Picken) Andrew, both natives of Illinois and now living in Rockford, that state. Mr. and Mrs. McKay have the following children: Hugh Archie, born November 18, 1894; Eva Jeanette, born October 10, 1897; and Arthur Elmer, born January 25, 1900.

John Cummings, of Delhi township, was born January, 1826, in Argylshire, Scotland, son of Robert and Barbara (McEachran) Cummings, both natives of Scotland, who lived and died there. The children in the family were : Ephemia, Hugh, Angus, Robert, Donald, Archie, Walter, Barbara and John, of whom Donald and John are the only ones now living. John Cummings came to America in 1855, locating in Ontario, Canada, where he lived for

.about two years. He then went to Illinois, where he resided until 1858, when he moved to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and took a homestead. In 1879 he came to Redwood county and purchased 160 acres in section 20, Delhi township. Later he gave 84 acres of this farm to his son Donald. There was a two-room log house on the land, which was the first house in that vicinity, there not being another between the farm and Redwood Falls, a distance of six miles. Mr. Cummings began farming with three horses and sowed 45 acres of wheat, increasing the amount as the years went by. He is a breeder of Galloway cattle, Duroc Jersey swine, Shropshire sheep and Percheron horses. In politics he is an Independent and the family are members of the Presbyterian church at Delhi.

Mr. Cummings was married February 28, 1852, to Isabelle Stewart, who was born in Scotland, October 29, 1829, daughter of Hugh and Annie (McLean) Stewart. Her father came to Ontario, Canada, in 1855, and in 1858 located in Wabasha county. In 1875 he came to Redwood county, where he died in 1888. His wife died in Scotland in 1854. There were nine children in the family: Catherine, Margaret, Archie, Donald, John, of Tacoma, Wash.; Andrew, of Delhi village; Hugh, Robert, and Dugan. Catherine, Margaret, Archie^ Donald, Hugh, Robert and Dugan are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have had nine children: Robert, of Lyon county, Minn.; Annie, of Delhi, Minn.; Hugh, of Spokane, Wash.; John, deceased; Barbara, now Mrs. William Burr of Colorado; Donald, residing at home; Isabelle, at home ; Catherine, deceased ; and Margaret, at home.

Isaac Leslie, now deceased, was born January 13, 1831, in Canada, son of Qeorge and Mary (Virtue) Leslie. Both parents were natives of Scotland and married there. They came to America and located in Canada, where Mr. Leslie secured 100 acres of land on which he farmed until his death in 1844. His wife died in 1865. There were eight children in the family: George, Isaac, Mary, Aaron and Jacob, who grew up, and Charles, John and Aurelia, who died in infancy. Isaac Leslie came to Minnesota in 1866 and settled in Wabasha county, Minnesota. In 1870 he moved to Redwood county, this state, and purchased 160 acres in section 16, Delhi township, which he farmed until 1908, when he sold it. This farm was all wild and uncultivated when he bought it and he made many improvements and built good substantial buildings. He also set out trees and started an apple orchard. He carried on diversified farming. In politics Mr. Leslie was a Republican and served on the township board of Delhi seven years, also on the school board for district No. 18 one year. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Leslie was married May 14, 1868, to Margaret McLennan, born in Nova Scotia, March 1, 1833, daughter of Angus and Christina (McDon- aid) McLennan. Her parents were both natives of Scotland and married there. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie had the following children: Mary, now Mrs. H. McHenry, and living in Minneapolis ; George, of Wabasso, Redwood county; Christina, at home; and Lillico, now Mrs. D. McLean of Redwood Palls. Isaac Leslie died December 13, 1915.

Herman Moritz, one of the successful farmers of Delhi township, was born February 2, 1865, in Germany, son of Fred and Augusta (Daganar) Moritz. The father was born in 1832 and died April 20, 1909; his wife was born in Germany and died in that country in 1876. They had two children, Herman, and Mary, now Mrs. George Cook of Kintire township, Redwood county. Herman Moritz emigrated to America and came to Redwood Falls in 1884 (his father coining in 1889), and bought 80 acres of land in section 13, Delhi township, to which he has since made additions so that now he has 480 acres. There was only a small log house on the place at the time he took possession of it, but now he has a fine eight-room house, finished in hardwood throughout, costing $5,000.00. Mr. Moritz has erected various farm buildings: two barns, one 74 by 42 feet, the other 42 by 35 feet; a corn crib, 26 by 32 feet, and an implement shed, and has three and one-half acres of orchard. He set out a fine grove of cottonwood and box-elder trees. He has 90 acres of wheat, 60 acres of corn and 100 acres of oats. He markets from 75 to one hundred head of cattle and has about thirty milk cows, of the Shorthorn breed, and three Belgian brood mares. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Moritz was married April 14, 1888, in Renville county, Minn., to Augusta Koahlar, who was born in Germany, August 15, 1865, daughter of August and Augusta (Weasa) Koahler, and came to America in 1885. Her father was born in Germany and died there in 1896. Her mother came to America in the fall of 1896, and was married again to August Wallart, now living in Renville county, Minn. There were five children in the family: Augusta, Charles, of Berlin, Germany; Bertha, living in Berlin, Germany; Lena, now Mrs. Herman Burlang, living in Berlin, Germany, and Fred, of Delhi township. Mr. and Mrs. Moritz have the following children: Fritz, born January 18, 1889, who married Bertha Akree, and is living in North Redwood, this county; Walter, born March 16, 1891, at home; Lotta, born July 2, 1893; Charles, born July 28, 1899 ; and Frank, born December 25, 1900.

George Lechner, now deceased, was born in Germany, November 2, 1846. He came to America when a boy and in 1880 to Redwood Falls, where he entered into partnership with Henry Ackman in the grocery business. In 1894 he bought Mr. Ackman's interest and operated the store alone until 1900, when he sold it. He built up a good, prosperous business and at the time of its sale it was one of the best in the town. He purchased a farm in section 26, Delhi township, which he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Lechner, who was highly regarded and respected by all who knew him, died July 1, 1912. He took an active interest in public affairs and held various offices of trust. Mr. Lechner was married in 1880, to Helen Speckeen, who was born in Waukesha, Wis., October 12, 1860, daughter of Henry and Mary (Bobseen) Speckeen. Her parents were both natives of Germany and made their home near Milwaukee, where they were married. There were five children in the family, one daughter and four sons. Mr. and Mrs. Lechner had five children: George, born September 8, 1881, of Polk county, Minn. ; Edward, born March 16, 1882, now of Redwood, Minn. ; Lulu, born January 18, 1885, living at home ; Bessie (Mrs. Joe Bolster), of Polk county, Minn., born September 12, 1886, and John, born March 16, 1888, who operates the home farm for his mother. The family are all members of the Catholic, church of Redwood Falls.

Robert 0. Rogers, an efficient farmer of Delhi township, was born September 18, 1855, in Ontario, Canada, near Stratford, son of John and Sarah (Russell) Rogers. The father was born in Canada, September 18, 1830, and died January 23, 1911, on his farm of 100 acres in Canada, where Robert G. was born. For three years he was treasurer of Fulerton township, Perth county, Ontario, Canada. His wife, mother of Robert, was born March 31, 1827, in Scotland, came to Canada with her eldest sister in April, 1850, and is now living on the farm there. Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers had five children: Robert G.; Mary (Mrs. Geo. Brown, of Manitoba, Canada) ; William, living on the homestead; John, surveyor in Mitchell county, Canada, and Adeline, deceased. Robert G. Rogers acquired his education in the schools of his locality, and at the age of 26 years went to Manitoba, Canada, where he homesteaded 160 acres. He left this land, returned to hip home and in March, 1887, came to Redwood county, Minn., where he bought 160 acres of wild land in section 15, Delhi township, to which he made additions from time to time until he owned 293 acres. He built a small frame house 14 by 18 by 8 feet high, and in 1904 built a two-room house and also a barn. He moved the old house to its present location and made additions to it so that he now has a nice modern house of nine rooms. He has a three-acre grove of maple trees, five acres of box elders and a one-acre apple orchard. He raises grain, having 30 acres of wheat, 90 acres of corn and 80 acres of oats. He raises Shorthorn cattle and has eight full blooded cattle and one registered sire (Duke Irvin). His other stock consists of Duroc Jersey swine and Norman horses. From a small beginning, having only $7.00 in cash and an ox team to start with, he has made a pronounced success of farming and shows promise of continued pros- perity. In politics, a Democrat, he has held several offices in the village, has been treasurer of Delhi village council for three years, and for twelve years clerk of the school board of district No. 18. For six years he has been the secretary of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel company of Delhi and is a stockholder in it, and at one time he was the secretary of the Delhi creamery. At one time he was also a stockholder of the Delhi State Bank.. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of lodge No. 68, of Redwood Falls. Mr. Rogers was married, February 9, 1881, to Mary Parker, who was born in Australia, August 8, 1862, daughter of William and Bridget (Butler) Parker. Her mother was born in Ireland in 1834, and died in 1909. Her father, born in Canada, in 1830, went to Australia where he made a moderate fortune in the gold fields. He met his future wife, married and returned to Canada, where he died December 22, 1899. They had eight children: Mary; John, residing in Michigan; Rebecca (Mrs. James Good of North Dakota) ; James, of Michigan ; William, of South Dakota; Robert, of Delhi township; George, on the homestead in Canada, and Margaret, wife of Joseph Butters, a veterinary surgeon of Renville county. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have the following children : John, born January 21, 1882, who married Rose Ducett, in 1913, and has one child, Olive, born May 3, 1914; William, born July 10, 1884, was married February 28, 1913, to Wilhelmina Fader, born July 14, 1892; Leila, born January 25, 1889, who is principal of the Morgan high school ; Ira and Clara, twins, born September 27, 1894, of whom Clara is teaching in Eintire township, and Ira is a student at Cornell College in Iowa; and Robert, born October 23, 1897.

George Stronach, a prominent farmer of Delhi township, was born October 19, 1837, in the Parish of Glass, Scotland, son of John and Jane (Mclntire) Stronach. The father, a Scotch farmer, was born in 1812 and died in the fall of 1875, the mother died in June, 1849, both parents having spent their lives in Scotland. George was the eldest of twelve children the others being : Margaret, now Mrs. James Taylor; William, deceased; John, deceased; Annie, widow of Peter Watson; James; Alexander; Elizabeth, deceased ; Robert and John (twins) ; Jean, now Mrs. Geo. Robertson, and Charles. All the living children, except George, reside in Scotland. George Stronach came to America in the spring of 1869 and spent the next six years in Wabasha county. In April, 1875, he came to Redwood county and purchased 160 acres in section 20, Delhi township. This land was wild and uncultivated and here he engaged in farming with his team of oxen. He erected a one-room frame house, 14 by 16 feet, which several years later was replaced by a larger house, and in 1914 he built the present home of eight rooms. The first barn was a rude strawcovered structure. For four years he farmed with his oxen be- fore he was able to secure a team of horses, in 1878 he planted a grove of cottonwood and box-elder trees which now surround the house on two sides. Mr. Stronach is a member of the Republican party and has taken active interest in the affairs of his community. He was president of the school board for district No. 18 from 1875 to 1881 and its clerk for three years at a later period. In 1876 he was township supervisor, the township being organized that year. Prom 1877 to 1880 he was township treasurer and from 1880 to 1886 was chairman of the township board. Prom 1886 to 1888 he served as township assessor. He is a member of the I. 0. O. F. lodge at Delhi and he and his family are faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Stronach was married August 7, 1881, to Hannah McLennan, who was born in Nova Scotia, June 1, 1848, daughter of Angus and Christina (McDonald) McLennan, both natives of Scotland, who came to Nova Scotia, and later moved to Bruce, Ontario, where they died. There were nine children in the family: Christina, deceased; Angus, deceased; Margaret, now Mrs. Isaac Leslie, of Delhi; Neil, deceased ; Catherine, now Mrs. Solomon Russell, of Ontario, Canada; Francis, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Hannah ; Ann, widow of Hugh McDougall, of Delhi, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Stronach 's children are: John, born January 21, 1883; Francis, born June 17, 1885; Christine, born August 3, 1888; and William, born October 11, 1890. All reside at home with the exception of John, who for the past seven years has served in the Second Cavalry, United States army, in which he is now a corporal. He is now stationed at Ft. Ethan, Vermont.

Alonzo A. Neale, a prosperous farmer of Delhi township, was born August 13, 1854, at Packwaukee, Wis., son of Robert and Diana (Sharpe) Neale, both parents being born and married in England. The father came to America in 1852, and returned later to England for his bride. He was a tailor and followed his trade for a year at Chicago, then to Packwaukee, Wis., where he went into the grocery business and also followed the tailor's trade. He died in 1911 in Sonoma county, Calif., where he was living with his daughter Alma, his wife having died in Packwaukee, in 1882. They had the following children: Alonzo A.; Alma (Mrs. Joseph Eoebom, of Sonoma county, Calif.) ; Jennie (Mrs. Edward Kelly), now deceased; Alva, who is in the grocery business at Sonora, Calif., and Agnes, who died in infancy. Alonzo A. Neale completed his education while in Wisconsin and at the age of 25 years went in 1879, to Redwood county, Minn., where he bought 80 acres in Delhi township, to which he made additions from time to time until he owned 120 acres. The land was without improvements when he came into possesion of it. He erected a small frame house 12 by 16 feet, which was later enlarged so that now he has a good eight-room house. He has also built sub- stantial barns, a granary and other needed buildings. He raises Poland China swine and Clyde and Percheron horses, and owns from six to eight milch cows. As a grain farmer he has 45 acres of wheat, 45 acres of corn and 20 acres of oats. In politics Mr. Neale is a Democrat. He has been a director of school district No. 53 for three years. He is a stockholder of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel Company, of Delhi, and of the Farmers' Elevator of North Redwood. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Neale was married November 16, 1881, to Christina Johnstone, who was born in Ontario, Canada, December 28, 1858, daughter of James and Christina (McClennan) Johnstone, both parents being born in Scotland. They both came to Canada at an early age and were married in Toronto, moving to Redwood county in 1868, where Mr. Johnstone bought 80 acres of land in Delhi township. In 1871 he sold this land and took a homestead in New Avon township, living there five years. Then he traded this property for a farm in Delhi township, which he later sold to his eldest son. He then moved to Redwood Falls, where he lived for several years and later made his home with his daughter until his death, May 23, 1909. His wife died May 25, 1903. There were six children in the family: Christina; James A., of Mankato, Minn. ; Margaret S., widow of Geo. Brown, Redwood Falls, Minn. ; Mary J. (Mrs. G. C. Engerman, of Excelsior, Minn.) ; Angus W., of Redwood Falls, Minn. ; and John F. Mr. and Mrs. Neale have the following children: Alva A., born September 17, 1882, who married, October 4, 1905, Ellen Bendorf, of Sonora, Calif., and has one child, Florence, born February 23, 1907 ; Arthur A., born January 26, 1884, who married June 9, 1909, Ethel Pomroy, of Entire township, and has three children: Eldridge, Beatrice C, and Alma J. ; Diana C, born May 26, 1885, who married George Federly of Redwood Falls, June 2, 1909, and has two children, Clara May, born March 12, 1910, and Neale Albert, born May 7, 1913; William I., born February 5, 1887; J. Wesley, born June 18, 1889; Evelyn I., born December 19, 1891; Melba M., born January 29, 1894, and Robert F., born July 7, 1898.

Byron R. Whittet, an enterprising farmer of Paxton township, was born July 10, 1887, Dane county, Wis., son of Thomas A. and Henrietta (Smith) Whittet. The father was born in Dane county, Wis., July 11, 1860, and is now living on a farm in Redwood Falls township with his wife, who was born in Dane county, Wis., September 16, 1862. He came to Redwood county in March, 1892* and bought 160 acres in section 21, Delhi township. After «ight years he sold this and bought 280 acres in Redwood Falls township. Byron R. Whittet is the eldest of four children : Byron, Hubert, Helen and Grace. After completing his work in the public schools, Byron R. Whittet took a course in agriculture at the Minnesota University in 1907 and 1908 and farmed with his father until 1909, when he rented the present place of 160 acres in section 15, Paxton township, and two years afterwards purchased it. The farm was well improved and had an eightroom house, good barns and granary, a grove and an apple orchard. Mr. Whittet has made further improvements and this year is raising 50 acres of corn, 50 acres of oats, and 25 acres of hay and also markets about 30 head of Duroc Jersey swine, and 18 head of grade Shorthorn cattle, with a full blooded sire. He also has three good graded brood mares. In. politics Mr. Whittet is Independent. He was constable of Paxton township during 1912 and 1913 and has served as assessor of this township since 1914. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. of Redwood Palls and his wife is a member of the Christian church of Redwood Falls. Mr. Whittet was married October 27, 1909, to Mildred Wetmore, who was born May 27, 1888, in Clay county, Iowa, daughter of Seymour and Samantha (Shaffer) Wetmore. Her father was born in Iowa, June 6, 1859, and came to Redwood county, March, 1906, where he engaged in farming. Later he sold his farm to Byron Whittet. Mrs. Wetmore was born April 14, 1861, at Freeport, HI. Both parents of Mrs. Whittet are now living at Redwood Falls. Mr. Wetmore is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. of Redwood Falls, and the family are members of the Christian church. There are four children in the family: Bveret, of Paxton township ; Ralph, of Redwood Falls township ; Mildred (Mrs. Whittet), and Mable, now Mrs. Lewis Cheney, of Paxton township. Mr. and Mrs. Whittet have one child, Donald, born September 4, 1910.

Gottlefb Hauptli was born in Switzerland and was there married. In 1874 he came to America, found his way to Minnesota and to this county and homesteaded one hundred sixty acres in section 22, New Avon township. Starting on a small scale and undergoing all the hardships of pioneer life, he, in time, became a prosperous and successful farmer. He died in 1898. Mr. Hauptli was married in Switzerland to Rosetta Hoffman, who died March 19, 1906. In the family there were six children : Rose, wife of William Lindeman, a merchant of Rowena ; Louisa, wife of Fred Mursett, of Redwood Falls ; Fred, a farmer of New Avon township ; John, who died October 30, 1898, at the age of twentyone ; Mary, wife of James Peterson, a traveling salesman of Sleepy Eye; Lydia, of Sleepy Eye, and Oscar, who died in infancy.

Fred Hauptli, enterprising farmer of New Avon township, was born in Switzerland, June 13, 1872, son of Gottleib and Rosetta (Hoffman) Hauptli, who brought him to New Avon township in 1874. He was reared on this place, attended the district schools, learned farming from his father, gradually assumed the management of the home farm and purchased it in 1900. He is one of the rising men of the community, carries on general farming along the latest approved methods and takes an interest in education, serving as director of school district No. 8 for six years. Mr. Hauptli was married August 28, 1900, to Mary Bill, who was born September 29, 1878, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Kormann) Bill. Mr. and Mrs. Hauptli have eight children: John, Leona, Elmer, Albert, Fred A. (died in infancy), Henry, Leonard and Irvin.

August Llndaman, a Minnesota territorial pioneer, was born February 6, 1822, in Germany, and came to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1854, where he remained for three years. Then he moved to Le Seuer county and remained there for eleven years. In 1868 he bought 160 acres of land in section 7, in the north-west quarter of Beaver Falls township, where he remained until the spring of 1894, when he retired from farming and moved to North Redwood. On this farm he built a one and a half story log house, 18 by 18 feet, with a shingled roof and board floor, hauling the material from Mankato. Beginning farming with a plow, harrow and a wagon, as his only tools, he gradually improved his land until, in 1894, he had increased his farm to 560 acres. He died in 1896. His good wife, whose maiden name was Mary Grauke, was born in Germany, January 6, 1834, and is now living at North Redwood at the age of eighty-four.

William Lindeman, a leading citizen and merchant of Rowena, was born in Le Seuer county, Minnesota, October 4, 1865, the son of August and Mary (Grauke) Lindeman, who brought him to Beaver Falls township, Renville county, in 1868. There he was reared and attended the public schools. In 1885 he purchased 160 acres in section 34, New Avon township, this county, and there successfully farmed for many years. In 1897, seeing the possibilities of a mercantile career in the vicinity, he opened a general store near the New Avon creamery in section 32, New Avon township. In 1911, however, when it became evident that Rowena was to be the trading center of the community, he opened a store in that village, which he has since continued to conduct. In that village he makes his home in a splendid modern residence which he erected in 1912, consisting of ten rooms with full basement and many improvements, and is the finest place in the vicinity. In 1915 Mr. Lindeman widened his interests by opening a general store at Clements, which he is conducting in connection with his store at Rowena. A thorough believer in education, Mr. Lindeman has done good service as clerk of the school district No. 7 for some fourteen years. Mr. Lindeman was married October 21, 1890, to Rosa Hauptli, born May 2, 1870, daughter of Gottleib and Rosetta (Hoffman) Hauptli. Mr. and Mrs. Lindeman have been blessed with six children: Sarah, Zelma, Irvin, Henry, Lester and Mable. Sarah was born September 6, 1891, and was married June 26, 1913, to Edward Schuester of Crookston, Minnesota.

Zelma was born July 18, 1893, graduated from the Normal department of the Redwood Falls High School and is now a teacher in Olivia. Irvin was born December 1, 1894; Henry was born September 20, 1897; Lester was born June 26, 1902; and Mable was born December 31, 1905.

Douglas Allan, an enterprising and up-to-date farmer of Paxton township, was born September 14, 1861, near Aberdeen, Scotland, son of William and Annie (Creb) Allan, both deceased. His father was a gardener and died before Douglas left Scotland, and his mother died in 1909. There were ten children in the family, those now living being residents of Scotland, Canada and the United States. Douglas Allan emigrated to America in 1884 and located in Nebraska, where he remained one year. He then moved to Ramsey county, Minn., where he remained until 1888, when he came to Redwood county and bought 320 acres in section 27, Paxton township. On this uncultivated land he began farming, broke the land and made improvements from time to time as his means permitted, with the result that he now has a fine farm with up-to-date buildings, among which may be mentioned a barn, 100 by 40 feet, and a comfortable, seven-room, modern home, all the buildings being equipped with running water and electric lights. A progressive farmer, he has taken a course at the agricultural college at Hamline, Minn., and is making practical application of the knoweldge gained at that institution. He makes a specialty of raising full-blooded cattle and of the Shorthorn breed, Poland China swine and Percheron and Clyde horses, and has 100 acres of wheat, 100 acres of corn, 50 acres of oats and ten of barley, the rest of the land being given up to pasture. He has also a fine grove and apple and plum orchards. In politics Mr. Allan is an Independent and has served as a member of the township board of Paxton two years, and as treasurer of the school board of district No. 47 three years. Mr. Allan was married October 15, 1885, to Elizabeth Leggat, born July 13, 1859, near Glasgow, Scotland, the only child of John and Agnes (Miller) Leggat. Her father was born in 1835 and died in 1900; her mother, born in 1845, died in 1863 in Scotland. Mrs. Allan came to America in 1873 and lived three years at Long Island, New York. She then resided one year on the Hudson river, and subsequently spent a year in Kansas, and one in Missouri. In 1877 she came to Minnesota with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dennistoun, met her future husband in Ramsey county and was married in Minneapolis. She has served as a member of the school board of district No. 47 for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Allan have eight children : William D., born May 7, 1887, now living at Brooks, Minn., who married October 2, 1908, Laura Larsen, and has two children: Elizabeth J., born July 29, 1909, and Annie Laurie, born May 6, 1912; Agnes M., born April 16,

1889, now Mrs. Clarence Okins of Redwood Falls township ; Margaret D., born January 29, 1891, a stenographer, in Elmore, Minn. ; James O., born September 11, 1892, residing at home; Annie E., born February 9, 1894, who is a teacher ; George W., born August 19, 1896; Mary H., born November 24, 1898, and John L., born June 10, 1900, the three youngest children being at home. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.

0. M. Bendixen, for over a decade Redwood county's representative in the lower house of the Minnesota State Legislature, was born in Denmark, December 3, 1857, son of Christian and Caroline (Jensen) Bendixen. He was reared in his native land and learned agricultural pursuits from his father. In 1880 he came to America, crossed the continent and worked four years in a vineyard in Alameda county, California. In 1884 he came to this state and located in St. Paul, where he secured clerical work, first in railroad offices and later in the office of the auditor of Ramsey county. In the meanwhile he studied evenings, covering the common branches and the usual high school subjects. Thus prepared he matriculated in the evening law school in the University of Minnesota, pursuing the courses for some two years. His early training, however, gave him a longing for outdoor life and in 1897 he came to Redwood county and purchased his present place of 200 acres in section 13, to which he moved the next year. Soon after his arrival he set out an orchard of three acres. In 1901 he erected a splendid modern home and in 1910 constructed a new barn. Other buildings have been erected as necessity required. His farm is in splendid condition, thoroughly tiled and equipped with all the latest implements and machinery. On this place Mr. Bendixen carries on general farming, raising Shorthorn cattle, and full-blooded Poland China swine, and makes a specialty of White Wyandotte chickens. A thorough believer in the co-operative movement, he assisted in organizing the Farmer's Elevator at Morgan and has been its only president. Since 1905 he has been treasurer of the Morgan co-operative creamery. For many years Mr. Bendixen served as clerk of the school board of his district. In 1906 he was elected a member of the State Legislature and his services have been so satisfactory that he has since been continued in that office. In this capacity he has given eminent, satisfaction to his constituents. His voice and vote have ever been on the side of what he has believed to be for the best interests of his state and his ability and integrity have won the esteem and respect of his colleagues. Mr. Bendixen was married March 27, 1886, to Cecelia Larsen, who was born in Denmark August 7, 1865, and died December 25, 1887, leaving one child, Cecelia E. F., who was born December 17, 1887, and died in May, 1888. In November, 1893, Mr. Bendixen married Annie Peterson, who was born in Denmark, August 19, 1863.

C. M. Bendixen And Family

This union has been blessed with three children : Cecelia E. P., Helen and Elmer. Cecelia E. F. was born August 8, 1894, and died at the age of four months. Helen was born June 28, 1896, and was graduated in 1914, from the Morgan high school ; Elmer was born September 8, 1900, and has taken the short course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota.

Lars Benson, a progressive farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in Denmark, April 11, 1873, son of Nels and Maren (Rasmus) Benson. For 35 years his father was the guard at the State prison on the Island of Zealand, near Copenhagen. The mother of Lars died in 1904 at the age of seventy. There were eight children in the family of whom two came to America. Lars came in 1892 and his brother Jens in 1901. The latter engaged in farming in Spink county, South Dakota. Lars Benson worked out near Sleepy Eye for five years. Then in 1900. he bought 160 acres of land in section 12, Three Lakes township, where he now lives. Here he built a seven-room frame house in 1911, and a barn, 36 by 40, in 1902, and planted a fine three-acre grove. He has 35 acres of clover and timothy and keeps graded Shorthorn cattle and Poland China swine, feeding and shipping half a carload of swine every year, besides carrying on general farming and dairying. He is director of the Farmers' Elevator Company and president of the creamery and of the Shipping Association at Morgan. For three years he has been treasurer of school district No. 83. Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. B. A. Mr. Benson was married September 17, 1897, to Jennie Paulsen, who was born in Denmark, January 30, 1875, daughter of Adolph Paulsen. Her father was a farmer of Brookville township, who died in 1894, at the age of 54 years; his wife, Mrs. Ellen Paulsen, dying in 1911, at the age of 73. There were five children born to this union: Louis, May 4, 1900; Mary, September 10, 1901; Edward, December 25, 1905; Edna, January 20, 1909, and Harvey, June 16, 1910. All reside at home. The family are members of the Danish Lutheran church.

Gustav Backer, postmaster of Clements, was born in Brown county, Minn., June 27, 1877. In 1896 he began working out in Redwood county, where he lived until June, 1898, after which he spent six months at Echo, Minn. The next year and a half was spent at Currie, Minn., where he engaged in business. October 1, 1903, he opened a place in Clements, which he conducted until July, 1908. Then he became cashier of the state bank of Clements which position he held for six years. At the end of that time he bought the general store of William Kuehn of Clements, which he has since conducted. December 8, 1914, Mr. Backer was appointed postmaster of Clements and keeps the office in his store, having as assistants, Margaret Neudecker and Elizabeth Bierl. He was village treasurer in 1908 and 1909 and served on the school board in 1909. Mr. Backer was married January 19, 1904, to Clara Prokosch, born July 3, 1884, daughter of Frank Prokosch, a farmer of Clements, and his wife, Annie (Krippner) Prokosch. Mr. and Mrs. Backer have four children: Annie M., Sylvester, Leo and Helen. The family ar£ members of the German Lutheran church of which Mr. Backer is sexton.

Thomas Dennistoun, Sr., son of Malcolm and Ellen (Dobbie) Dennistoun, was born in Scotland, August 20, 1839. His father, a farmer and stone-wall contractor of the county of Stirling, Scotland, was born August 6, 1812, and died December 23, 1880 ; his wife was born April 10, 1816, and died April 1, 1899. There were the following children in the family: Agnes, Thomas, Malcolm, Christian, Ann, and Jane, all, with the exception of the subject of this sketch, now living in England or Scotland. Thomas Dennistoun came to America in January, 1872, and remained in New York state three and a half years, living on Long Island one year. In 1876 he went to Ellis county, Kansas, and worked as foreman on a ranch, where he remained one year. He then went to Minneapolis, Minn., and was foreman on Col. King's farm, now a part of the city of Minneapolis, where he remained two years. Then he moved to Wisconsin, but after spending a year there, came to Redwood county, Minnesota, in 1884, where he bought half of section 27 and later a quarter section more at $10 per acre. This land is now worth $140 per acre. His son now lives on the western half of the former farm in Paxton township. In the early days this farm was called the "Huddles," because the white people took refuge there seeking protection from the Indians during the uprising. When Mr. Dennistoun took possession of the farm there were two old houses on it, one of which he occupied for several years. In 1901 he built the present home, a fine eight-room residence. He now rents most of the farm, but when he was actively engaged in tilling the soil he specialized in raising stock, having from 40 to 60 head of Shorthorn cattle a year, 30 head of Clyde graded horses and 80 to 100 head of Berkshire and Poland China swine a year. He also handled sheep, but of late years has done but little with any stock. He used to raise 75 acres each of corn and oats, the rest of his land being set aside for pasture. In politics a Republican, Mr. Dennistoun served for 20 years on the township board and was also a member of the school board for many years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Redwood Palls. Mr. Dennistoun was married February 24, 1865, in Scotland to Margaret Miller, born February 26, 1833, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Shaw) Miller, who were married November 15, 1824. Her father was born in Scotland and died at the age of 40 years; her mother, also born in Scotland, died at the age of 68. Their children were : Elizabeth, born October 4, 1825; Margaret, born December 23, 1826; Alexander,

Robert Parker, an early settler of Three Lakes township, this county, now deceased, was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 10, 1838, was there reared and educated and there grew to manhood. In 1867 he came to America and after living two years in Wisconsin came to Three Lakes township in 1869 and homesteaded a tract of land in section 20, Three Lakes township. He broke the land, erected suitable buildings and prosperously carried on general farming until 1902, when he moved to Redwood Falls, where he died June 2, 1912. Since that time his widow has made her home in St. Paul. Mr. Parker was married in England to Maria Eemp and to this union were born four children : Emma, wife of H. B. Bacon, of St. Paul ; Mary, now Mrs. Theodore Dahms, of Clements, this county; William R. and Joseph, both successful farmers of Three Lakes. David Parker, a brother of Robert Parker, lives in Redwood Falls; his other relatives being in England.

William R. Parker, one of the successful and prosperous farmers of Three Lakes township, is a thorough product of Redwood county, having been born in the township where he now resides, August 27, 1879, son of Robert and Maria (Eemp) Parker. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood and later had the advantages of courses in the Wilder College in Cottonwood county, this state and in the Mankato Commercial College, Mankato, Minnesota. He divided his time between attending school, working for his father and working for others as a farm hand for several years. Since 1902, he has had charge of the home place, which he purchased in 1912. This fine farm of 320 acres shows everywhere his thrift and good judgment. Year by year, he has made improvements until he has now one of the finest places in the vicinity. The sightly barn, 40 by 70 feet, with its concrete foundation and floor, and the corn crib, 24 by 40 feet, were both constructed in 1913. The ten-room modern home with its' concrete basement and complete with all modern fixtures including hot air heat was erected in 1915. This place has a good grove, and an acre of fruit and is well-fenced and tilled. A spe- cialty is made of Shorthorn cattle. Although busy with his farm duties, Mr. Parker has taken an interest in public affairs and has been a director of school district No. 106 for some time. He is also director of the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company. Mr. Parker was married September 3, 1902, to Gunella Johnson, born June 29, 1878, daughter of Holmer and Margaret (Nelson) Johnson, who lives on a farm near Sturgis, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have four children : Edgar, born September 9, 1903; Herbert, born August 30, 1905; Helen, born January 15, 1908; Gladys, born January 30, 1911.

Severt Johnson was born in Norway, and in 1853 came to America and located in Brown county, Minn., where he rented a farm and engaged in farming. In 1905 he came to Westline township, Redwood county, where he is still living. His wife, Bertha Enutson, was born July 24, 1854, in Norway and came to America in 1869. There were five children in the family : Nettie, born July 27, 1878 ; Bessie, born Nov. 1, 1887 ; now Mrs. Loris Quam, wife of a painter at Peken, North Dakota; Rena, born October 20, 1889, wife of Ed. Enstad, a farmer of Hamer, North Dakota ; Julius, born April 21, 1892, and died March 6, 1911; and Carl, born April 4, 1894, who lives on the home farm in Westline township.

Enoch L. Ahlness was born in Linden, Brown county, this state, January 16, 1871, son of Lars Ahlness, a native of Norway, who located in Brown county in 1865. Enoch L. Ahlness was employed on various farms in Brown county, until 1896, when he came to Redwood county, and secured 160 acres in section 14, Westline township. He broke the prairie, set out a grove, built a good frame house and barn, and carried on general farming until his death, January 20, 1915. He was married July 2, 1901, to Nettie Johnson, born July 27, 1878, daughter of Severt and Bertha (Enutson) Johnson. Since the death of Mr. Ahlness, his wife has rented the farm, but still continues to reside there.

Joseph Dobias was born in 1835 in Austria and came to America in 1863, locating in St. Paul, Minn., where he worked on the river boats for two years. In 1865 he bought forty acres of timber land in Scott county, which he sold in 1875, and moved to Brown county, Minn. Here he bought - 160 acres of wild prairie lands, near the present town of Sleepy Eye. He improved the land, built a frame house and barn and there farmed for fifteen years. In 1890 he sold this and bought 800 acres in sections 3, 10, 11 and 16, in Westline township, 240 acres of which was afterward divided among his sons. In 1903 he sold his farm and moved to Pope county, Minn., where he now lives. While in this county he served as a member of the school board for two years and as road overseer for six years. Mr. Dobias was married in Austria in 1858, to Frances Serbus, who died in 1868. By this marriage there were the following children : Frank, now a farmer of Renville county, Minn.; James, a farmer of Montana; John; and Joseph, who died in 1865. In 1869 Mr. Dobias married Mary Peterka, born in 1855 and this union resulted in the following children: Anton, who died in 1903; Joseph, of Pope county, Minnesota; Mary, Mrs. Frank Kopjetin; Charles, a farmer in Nebraska; Peter, now station agent in Angus, Pope county; William, a farmer near Duluth; Josephine; Mrs. J. Sykes, of Granite Rock township; Barbara, Mrs. Otto Sykes, of Granite Rock township ; and Benjamin, who died in 1909.

John Dobias, a well-known farmer of Westline township, was born November 1, 1866, in Belle Plaine, Scott county, this state, son of Joseph and Frances (Serbus) Dobias. He lived with his parents in Scott, Brown and Redwood counties, and in 1892 secured from his father 80 acres in section 11, Westline township. To this he has added 240 acres more in the same section, and 160 acres in section 10, making in all 480 acres. From time to time he has erected good buildings, and aside from a comfortable home, now has a good barn, two granaries, two steel tank cribs, a machine shed, two chicken houses, a swine house and a blacksmith shop. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Duroc Jersey swine. In public life he has done good service as road overseer and as a director of school district No. 87. He was married March 26, 1892, to Frances Slama, born in Austria, February, 1866, and this union resulted in the following children: Ferdinand, Frances, George, Wenzel, Joseph and Anna. Ferdinand was born June 6, 1894 ; Frances, December 6, 1895 ; George, December 19, 1898 ; Wenzel, September 26, 1903 ; Joseph, January 2, 1906, and Anna, November 25, 1910.

Ernest E. Weber, manager of the Farmers' Elevator at Rowena, was born in Switzerland, November 14, 1883, son of John and Anna (Kormann) Weber. John Weber came to America in 1888 and farmed in Brown county until 1897, when he located in section 25, New Avon township, till 1913, and then moved to Vail township, where he is now. They have five children : Fred, Albert, Ernest E., Marie and Alma. Ernest remained at home until his marriage. Then he worked in the Farmers' Elevator at Sleepy Eye for one year, was road overseer for two years and next became manager of the Farmers' Elevator at Rowena, Redwood county, where he is now. The Rowena Farmers' Elevator Company was organized in the spring of 1913 with the following officers: President, Peter A. Gores; vice president, A. Datwyler; secretary, William Anton ; and treasurer, Joseph Salf ar. A frame building was put up, having a capacity of 20,000 bushels. About 200,000 bushels are handled every year. Mr. Weber was married November 30, 1911, to Rosa S. Georgius, born January 2, 1888, daughter of Theodore Georgius, a farmer of New Avon town-

Jens S. Gunelson, of the firm known as Qimmestad Land & Loan Agency, of Belview, Minn., was born November 27, 1876, in Christiana (better known as Eoshkonong), Dane county, Wis., son of Ole Gunnuldson and Lisa (Lier) Qunnuldson. His father was born in 1842 in Eoshkonong, son of Qunnuld Yindeg, who came to America from Norway in 1839, and located in the town of Christiana, Dane county, Wis. Qunnuld Vindeg rowed up the Eoshkonong river and settled in Eoshkonong, of which place he was one of the first Norwegian settlers. There he farmed until his death in 1843, being accidentally killed while hauling grain to Milwaukee in his "Kubberulle," the plank-wheel wagon used by early settlers. Ole Gunnuldson was both a farmer and master builder and built the East Eoshkonong Synod Lutheran church, which cost about $10,000. His wife was born in 1846 in Eoshkonong. They are still living in that place, but are now retired from active work. They had four children, namely: Gustave, who is now farming near the old home ; Annetta, who is now Mrs. Gunder Pederson, living near Greenbush, Minn. ; Peter, who now owns and operates the old homestead farm ; and Jens S., the direct subject of this sketch. Jens S. Gunelson grew up on the home farm and attended the common schools of his locality. He also attended and was graduated in 1898 from the Stoughton Academy at Stoughton, Wis. In the fall of 1898 he came to Belview, Minn., where he engaged in the trade of carpenter and contractor. In 1900 he entered the employ of O. A. Qimmestad and in 1903 became a partner of the firm of Qimmestad Land & Loan Agency. He was justice of the peace in Belview from 1902 to lplO, served as village recorder for five years, and is the present mayor, having been elected in March, 1915, and having succeeded himself in the same office in March, 1916. The family faith is the Norwegian Synod church. Mr. Gunelson was married June 23, 1904, to Mina C. Flom, who was born July 21, 1879, in Columbia county, Wis., daughter of Ole O. Flom, born August 29, 1851, in Dane county, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Gunelson have five children : Sarah L., born July 28, 1905; Otto F., born June 1, 1907; Adolph G., born October 8, 1909 ; Walter O., born March 9, 1912, and Margaret Jeanette born March 9, 1916.

William B. Ckrady, manager of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel Company at Seaforth, was born in Goodhue county, Minn., September 27, 1865, son of Francis and Bridget (McAweeny) Goudy. Francis Goudy was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1860, locating in Goodhue county,' Minn., where he still farms. William B. remained on the home farm until 1884 when he bought 320 acres in section 22, in Sheridan township. From 1900 to 1907 he rented his farm and lived at Seaforth, but has since lived upon the farm. He has been manager of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel Company at Seaf orth since 1913 and director of same since 1907. He served as assessor for eight years and township clerk for three years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., the I. 0. 0. F., the M. W. A., the A. O. U. W. and the Eastern Star. He has held all the chairs in the I. 0. O. F. and M. W. A. Mr. Goudy was married September 27, 1892, to Mae L. Stegner, born April 8, 1873, daughter of Manuel Stegner, a mason of Minneapolis, and pioneer of Redwood county, and his wife, Louisa (Jennings) Stegner, who died in 1885. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goudy : Annie, who died April 20, 1904; Ruth, a student at Carleton college; Francis, William, Esther, George L., James L., and Robert Lloyd.

Harmony B. Johnson, now deceased, formerly of Sheridan township, was born in Essex county, New York, March 13 1828, and died December 22, 1896. He was the son of Palmer and Polly Johnson, farmers of New York. He enlisted at Ft. Snelling in Company C, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, September 25, 1861, and was discharged for disability May 19, 1862. He took part in the Indian campaign and at Ft. Ripley received the injury which caused his discharge and which ultimately caused his death. He came to Redwood county in 1884, and bought 160 acres in section 27, Sheridan township, where he resided until his death, December 22, 1896. A man of local prominence in his day, he served as township treasurer. He was married February 6, 1857, to Fanny Sophia Atwood, who was born March 20, 1836, daughter of Luke Atwood, a shoemaker of Newport, N. H., and his wife Emily L. (Duncklee) Atwood. Mrs. Johnson's first husband was Job Johnson, a blacksmith, to whom she was married in Elgin, HI., July 12, 1852. He was born June 17, 1828, in Claremont, N. H., son of Reuben and Nancy (Dudley) Johnson, and died in May, 1855. One son was born of this union : Arthur, March 28, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Johnson had the following children: Walter, born Jan. 6, 1858, who died July 26, 1858; Wilber R., born February 28 1860; George Herbert, born November 28, 1862; Nora, born April 2, 1865, who died in infancy ; Judson Eugene, born June 7, 1867, who died August 17, 1880; Fred C., born July 8, 1873, now of Minneapolis ; Nettie Isabel, born May 14, 1875; Lovel Beach, born September 25, 1877, who died October 6, 1883, and Nettie Isabel, who was married December 12, 1893, to Henry Fish, a farmer of Belview, born February 11, 1866.

Hagen Johnson was born August 23, 1866, in Norway, where he received his education and grew to manhood. In 1889 he came to America and located at Wood Lake, Yellow Medicine county, Minn., where he secured employment as a section hand on the railway for three years. In 1892 with his brother Holvre, he bought 160 acres in section 23, Westline township, Redwood county. In 1897 he bought Holvre's interest and later added eighty acres in section 23 and 160 acres in Comstock township; Marshall county, Minn. He set out a grove, moved his house over from Wood Lake and built * barn. He continued his work of improvement and in 1900 built a house and in 1914 a barn. He served as treasurer of the school board for nine years. He was married in Norway in 1889, to Ingrid Liagjheld, born September 24. 1862, and the union resulted in the following children: John, born September 8, 1890; Rose, born July 3, 1892; Louis, born October 29, 1894; Eddie and Emma, born April 1, 1898, and Eddie, died February 18, 1914; Gertrude, born June 21, 1901 ; Henry, born March 14, 1905.

Albert Bratsch, of Westline township, was born in Germany, May 3, 1881, son of Carl and Augusta (Dornneman) Bratsch. Carl Bratsch was born in Germany and came to America in 1884, locating in Milford, Brown county, Minn., where he bought 180 acres of improved land. In 1911 he sold this and moved to Nicollet county, where he bought 330 acres in sections 1 and 12, Brighton township, where he still resides. He was married in 1880 in Germany, to Augusta Dorn, born February 14, 1860. There were three children in the family : Albert, born May 3, 1881 ; Gustave, born Oct. 17, 1889, now on the home farm at Brighton; and August, born March 14, 1895, also at home. Albert remained at home on the farm until twenty-one years of age. He attended the common school and learned farming. In 1902 he came to section 3, Gales township, Redwood county, where he took charge of a farm owned by his father. He broke the land, planted a grove and erected suitable buildings. In 1908 he sold this and moved to Westline township, where he purchased 160 acres of improved land in section 26. He has served as a member of the school board since 1908 and as township treasurer since 1914. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company.

Mathias Ahlnes, a thrifty farmer of Westline township, was born Nov. 24, 1874, in Linden township, Brown county, Minn., son of Lars and Sigre (Hougan) Ahlnes. Lars Ahlnes was born in 1841 in Norway, and came to America in 1869, locating in Brown county, Minn., where he homesteaded eighty acres of land in Linden township. He made many improvements, built a good house and barns and later added 80 acres more. He died in 1893. His wife was born in Norway in 1847 and is still living on the old homestead with her son, Hans. They had the following children : Enock, who died January 20, 1915 ; Hans, on the old home farm in Brown county; Mathias ; Anna, now wife of Albert Lee, a farmer of Brown county; Julius, living with Mathias and owning 80 acres in section 13 ; Albert, a farmer of Polk county, Wisconsin; Emma, now Mrs. John Sanden, of Baldwin, Wis.; Stina, wife of Pari J. Uremo, a farmer of Brown county; Ludwig, a farmer of Polk county Wisconsin, and Ida, wife of Carl Christianson, a farmer of Watonwan county, Minnesota. Mathias Ahlnes attended the common school of his neighborhood and learned farming. In 1898 he came to Westline township and bought 80 acres in section 13. He planted a grove and in 1905 and 1906 put up several buildings, including a house, barn and other needed farm buildings.

John H. Bud, an enterprising farmer of Westline township, was born in Norway, January 14, 1870, son of Hans Rud, born ^January 8, 1844, and Sigrid Sarah (Thompson) Rud, born December 10, 1844, both natives of Norway. Hans Rud came to America in 1901 and located in Redwood county. He and his wife now make their home with their son, John H., in Westline township. They were the parents of the following children: John H., born January 14, 1870; Mary, born September 20, 1872, and died May 7, 1894 at Duluth, Minn.; Marie, born June 26, 1875, now Mrs. A. H. Olsen, of Duluth, Minn. ; Theodore, born February 8, 1878, a farmer of Polk county, Wisconsin; Mathias, born January 17, 1890, a tailor, of Duluth; Hannah, born February 24, 1892 and Sigurd, born February 26, 1894, now a farmer in Polk county, Wisconsin. John came to America in 1889, locating in Duluth, where he worked for two years and then in 1891 went to North Dakota where he worked as a farm hand for nine years. In 1900 he came to Westline township and bought 80 acres of land in section 15 and also rented 160 acres in section 22. In 1901, he, in partnership with his father, bought the 160 acres in section 22, which he had been renting. With the exception of twenty acres it was all wild land. He planted a grove the first year and later built a house and barn, cattle shed, swine house, chicken house and corn cribs. In 1912 he built a new two-story house. He raises full-blooded Duroc- Jersey swine, shipping about fifty head per year. He served as chairman of the township board for four years and is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company at Milroy. Mr. Rud was married March 23, 1901, to Lena Hanson, born in Norway, January 9, 1878, daughter of Hans and Lena (Bottum) Hanson, both natives of Norway. Hans Hanson was born in 1840 and died in 1899 and his wife was born in 1848 and came to America in 1899 after the death of her husband and is now living in North Dakota. They had the following children: John, a farmer of North Dakota; Anna, of North Dakota ; Ole ; Lena ; Mathias ; Hannah, wife of J. I. Mosenden, a farmer of Brown county, and Gina. Mr. and Mrs. Rud have the following children : Minnie, born January 14, 1901 ; Sophia, born August 27, 1903; Gladys, born April 7, 1906; Hilmer, born June 13, 1908; Hazel, born November 3, 1911, and James Lester, born January 25, 1916. All the children are living at home.

William Bluer, a prosperous farmer of Westline township, was born June 2, 1869, in Sibley township, Sibley county, Minnesota, son of Fredrick G. Blaser and Amelia (Mader) Blaser, both natives of Germany, and born in 1830 and 1841, respectively. Fredrick G. came to America in 1858, locating in Sibley, Minn., where he engaged in work as a teamster and farm hand. In 1862 he enlisted in and served through the Indian outbreak. In 1864 he homesteaded 160 acres in section 10, Sibley township. He began farming, breaking the land, erected buildings, which were later replaced by log buildings, and still later by good frame buildings, his house being built in 1888 and barn and granary in 1896. He died in 1904. He was married in 1868 to Amelia Mader, who came to America with her sister, Mrs. B. Franke, in 1866, and this union resulted in the following children: William; Rudolph, a farmer of Westline township ; Emil, on the old home farm in Sibley county, and Paulina, at St. Peter Minn. Mrs. Blaser died in 1890. William Blaser remained at home until twenty years of age, attending the common school of his locality, and learned agricultural pursuits from his father. He then worked as a farm hand until 1893, when he moved to Redwood county with his brother, Rudolph, and purchased 200 acres of land in section 35, Westline township. Together they broke the prairie, planted a grove and built sod shacks. In 1897 they divided their farm, William taking 120 acres in the southwest quarter and Rudolph eighty acres in the southern half of the northwestern quarter of section 35. The same year William built a frame house and small granary and in 1900 a good-sized barn and a granary. In 1913 the house was rebuilt and in 1910 it was entirely destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt. Both brothers carry on general farming. William Blaser is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company.

Theodore Larson, manager of the Springfield Milling Company's Elevator at Milroy, was born in Sweden, November 6, 1864, son of Lars Larson, born there in 1837, and his wife, Augusta (Tatting) Larson, born in 1839. Lars Larson came to America in 1890, locating in Lyon county, Minnesota, where he bought ten acres of land in Custer township and engaged in farming. There were the following children in the family : Theodore ; Anna, who died in 1886 at Marquette, Mich. ; Matilda, now Mrs. Gust Lindberg, of Huron, S. D. ; Oscar, foreman of a machine shop at Chicago 111.; Oust L., assistant postmaster at Tracy, Minn. Theodore came to America in 1882, locating at Marquette, Mich., where he worked on the Champion Iron Mine for two years. Then he worked as a farm hand for a year. In 1886 he came to Tracy, Minn., and rented a farm in Sodus township, Lyon county. Later he bought 160 acres of school land in section 36, Sodus township. He owned four good oxen with which he broke the land and also helped the neighbors break their land. In 1891 he eame to Westline township where he bought 340 acres in the he built a house, 24 by 24 , which he later enlarged and in 1902 he sold the farm and built a store in Milroy and engaged in the northern half of section 28, known as the O'Connell farm. Here general merchandise business. After five years he traded the store for some land in northern Minnesota. After a time he sold this and bought 22 acres in section 16, adjoining the village of Milroy. July 1, 1907, he accepted the position of manager of the Springfield Milling Company elevator at Milroy. Mr. Larson served as a member of the Westline school board from 1898 to 1903 and of the village school board since 1902 and is now president of the board. He was assessor of Westline township for several years and still serving and has been justice of the peace since 1909. Mr. Larson was married March 22, 1893, to Anna Tengilin, born March 22, 1873, in Sweden and came to America in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have three children: Matilda, born in Sodus township, Lyon county; Carl, born in Westline township, Redwood county, and Marvin, born in Milroy.

Peter T. Petersen, a prosperous farmer of Sheridan township, was born in Schleiswig, Germany, June 12, 1844, son of Hans T. and Augusta (Thompson) Petersen. The father, who was a blacksmith, died in Germany in 1898 at -the age of 86 years, and his wife, Augusta, dying in 1895 at the age of 79. Peter T. Petersen came to America in 1881 and located at Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked for two years on a farm. In 1883 he moved to Belleview, Iowa, and lived there for three years. Then he moved to Clinton, Iowa. In 1891 he purchased 80 acres of land in section 36, Sheridan township, Redwood county, Minnesota, and has since made many improvements on it, having erected suitable buildings, and brought the land to a high state of cultivation. His first house was a one-room building, 10 by 12 feet. In 1900 he built his present residence, which is a fine eight-room dwelling. During the same year he built a barn 24 by 30 feet. He has two acres of fruit land, two of alfalfa and ten of clover and timothy. He is also interested in honey production, deriving much profit from his four colonies of bees. Religiously, he is a member of the Danish Luthern church. Mr. Petersen was married June 5, 1867, to Louisa Skow, who was born July 31, 1844, daughter of Ericson and Annie (Pilgor) Skow. Mr. Skow died December 28, 1869, at the age of 63 years, and his wife in 1874, at the age of 59 years. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have had the following children : Hans T., born April 28, 1868, who is engaged in the meat business at Clinton, Iowa; Augusta, born May 19, 1869, who is married to Fred Sorenson, a farmer of New Eden township, this county ; Christ T., born April 14, 1871, and now a farmer in Mansfield, Wash.; Annie, born June 15, 1874, who died April 28, 1875;

Pete* T., Jr., born June 25, 1876, and now a farmer in Mansfield,* Wash.; Katie, born June 2, 1877, who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, and is married to Darius Johnson, of Washington ; Annie, born September 5, 1879, and now the wife of Bert Van Selus, a farmer of Vesta township, and Thomas, born October 4, 1881, who is a farmer of Mansfield, Wash.

Ellas Holland, a well-known farmer of Westline township, was born in Norway, June 24, 1873. He received his education and grew to manhood in his fatherland and came to America in 1894, locating at Bode, Humboldt county, Iowa, where he secured work as a farm hand. After nine years, in 1903, he rented 160 acres of land in Bode and after five years rented another tract of 520 acres. In 1912 he moved to Westline township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he bought 160 acres of improved land in section 21. He has a fine, well-developed farm with good buildings and stock. He feeds and ships one carload of cattle and one of swine every year. His farm buildings are as follows: a large house, built in 1912 ; a barn, 48 by 48, built in 1912 ; a swine house, 3(> by 28 ; a granary, 42 by 32 ; a hen house, 14 by 32, and a garage, 16 by 18, and a silo, 14 by 32. Mr. Holland was married July 13, 1903, to Signa Torguson, born in 1888 in Delano township, Humboldt county, Iowa, daughter of Christian and Mary (Ingar) Torguson. Christian Torguson was born in 1859 and came to America as a young boy; after growing to manhood he engaged in farming in Emmett county, Iowa, where he still remains. There were the following children in the family: Signa; Herman, a farmer of Iowa; Amanda, wife of C. Rees, a farmer of Norman county; Alvena, wife of C. Fisher, of Emmett, Iowa; and Florence, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Holland have four children: Carl, born October 23, 1904; Maynard, born Feb. 2, 1908; Hazel, born March 4, 1910, and Elmer, born February 1, 1915.

Henry Schwandt, a well-known merchant of Milroy, was born February 1, 1874, in Nicollet township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, son of Julius and Albertina (Otto) Schwandt. Julius Schwandt was born May 18, 1830, in Germany, and came to America in 1858, coming to Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he bought 160 acres of land in Nicollet township. In 1862 friendly Indians warned them that there would be war between the Indians and the whites and advised them to move. The family therefore took their stock and household goods and drove to St. Peter, where they remained until after the uprising. Their home was not molested. In 1890 he sold this farm and moved to Cottonwood county, purchasing 320 acres and also 160 acres in Stately township, Brown county, adjoining. Part of this land was improved. The children of Julius and Albertina Schwandt were as follows : Ella, who died in 1897; Otto, engaged in general merchandise business at Bemidji, Minn. ; Julius, a farmer near Comfrey, Minn. ; Henry, the subject of this sketch ; Martha, wife of John Seipel, a barber of Minneapolis ; Mary, now Mrs. A. Altermatt, of Springfield, Minn.; George, on the home farm in Cottonwood county, and William, manager of the general store at Ayr, N. D. Henry Schwandt received his early education in the common school of his neighborhood and attended the Mankato State Normal school for one year. Then he attended the St. Peter Business College one year. In 1895 he entered the store of A. Altermatt at Springfield, Minn., as clerk, and in 1902 in partnership with A. Altermatt came to Milroy, where they built a store and conducted a general merchandise business under the firm name of Altermatt and Schwandt. He has been a member of the village council for five years and served as mayor for three years.

Benjamin B. Schmid, assistant cashier of the State Bank of Milroy, was born in Springfield, Minn., April 17, 1890, son of John B. and Mary Anna (Adams) Schmid. John B. Schmid was born February 27, 1852, in Germany, and came to America in 1868, locating in Brown county, where he secured a homestead. In 1878 he engaged in the hotel business at Sleepy Eye and in 1882 established a general merchandise store at the same place. In 1885 he was elected sheriff of Brown county, serving three terms. In 1893 he entered into partnership with A. C. Ochs, of New Ulm, purchasing the Springfield Roller Mills and engaged in the elevator and grain business with the North Star Grain Company of Canada. He was president of the State Bank of Springfield and interested in banks at Clements and Comfrey, Minn. He was mayor of Springfield and a member of the school board for twelve years. In 1894 he was nominated for state senator. Fraternally he was associated with the Masonic lodge. He was married in 1872 at New Ulm to Mary Anna Adams, born September 25, 1853, in Green Bay, Wis. She came to New Ulm in early childhood with her parents. At the time of the Sioux massacre the family fled to Mankato with the other settlers. There were the following children in the family: John, born October 30, 1873; Emma M., born November 27, 1875; Louisa, born August 4, 1877; Bertha, born December 14, 1879; Arthur, born November 5, 1881 and died September, 1882; Edward M., born July 7, 1883; Adolph R., born June 7, 1885; Victoria M., born October 8, 1887; Benjamin R., April 17, 1890; Constant E., born April 3, 1892; Elmer R., born July 30, 1894, and Armin C, born October 21, 1897. Benjamin R. attended the common school and the Springfield high school. During the winters of 1908 and 1909 he attended the Mankato Commercial College and during the summers was bookkeeper in the office of the S. O. Company at Mankato. In 1910 he became assistant cashier of the State Bank of Milroy, where he is now. He has served as village treasurer for two years and as constable for a short term. Fraternally he is associated with the Masons. He is a musician of some note and has played the clarinet and saxaphone since twelve years of age, in various organizations. He was the leader and director of the Milroy Cornet band and orchestra. Mr. Schmid was married November 6, 1912, to Linda Yackel, born January 4, 1892, in Winona, Minn., daughter of Louis and Adina (Roth) YackeL There were the following children in the family: Ella, wife of N. F. Dripps, a grocer of Redwood Falls ; Edna, Mrs. James Hamilton, Waconia, Minn.; Arthur, a druggist of Comfrey, Minn.; Linda; Margaret, deceased; Johanna, a teacher at Milroy; Wilbert, a druggist at Redwood Falls ; Arns, Louis, Erwin and Myrland, students at Redwood Falls, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Schmid have two children, Majorie, born April 29, 1913, and Ellen, born June 11, 1916.