Redwood County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1916 (part 8 of 13)

Joseph Pistulka, cashier of the State Bank of Seaforth, was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, March 9, 1889, son of Vaclav and Mary (Posekang) Pistulka. Vaclav Pistulka came to America from Austria in 1875 and located in Iowa, where he remained until 1893, when he bought a farm in section 31, Sheridan township, Redwood county, Minn. Joseph Pistulka grew to manhood on this farm, attended the schools of his neighborhod and was graduated from the Mankato Commercial College in 1910. He soon found employment as assistant cashier in the Security State Bank at Seaforth, Minn., and on June 1, 1914, became cashier, which position he now holds. He has been village assessor for two years. Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workers, having been treasurer of his lodge in the last mentioned order for six years. He is a member of the Catholic church, in which he holds the office of treasurer. Mr. Pistulka was married May 17, 1915, to Alice Connors, who was born January 17, 1895, daughter of Thomas Connors, a barber of Minneapolis, and his wife, Anna (Moran) Connors, who died August 3, 1913, at the age of 42 years.

August Fenscke, one of the early pioneers of Minnesota, was born thirty miles east of Berlin, Germany, May 31, 1839, son of John and Justine (Bronck) Fenscke, both natives of Germany. John Genscke was born September 27, 1801, and died in Brown county in 1875, and his wife Justine was born March, 1805, and died in Brown county in 1888. They had nine children: Wilhelmina, Johanna, Ferdinand, Julius, who was killed by the Indians during the outbreak in 1862, six miles from New Ulm ; Paulina, Matilda, August, John and Charles, all of whom are dead, with the exception of August and Charles. The parents were small farmers in Germany, where they had 13 acres of land. The father was also a carpenter and wagon maker. The family emigrated to America May 1, 1853, being eight weeks on the ocean, and landed at Quebec, then only a fort. They remained at Montreal until fall, the father and oldest son working on the canal being built from the St. Lawrence river to Montreal. August carried water to the workmen. In the fall they took the stage for Chicago by way of Niagara Falls. At Chicago the father worked in a furniture shop. May 1, 1855, the family set out for Fort Ridgely, Minn. They came by steamboat to St. Paul and from there traveled by team to Fort Ridgely. The father took a claim where the old New Ulm was and a half a mile from the present site. They began breaking the land, hitching four oxen and a pair of cows to the big breaking plow. Logs were hewn and a house built. August had attended school in Germany and also at Chicago, but after coming to. Minnesota had but few chances of going to school. He grew up on his father's farm. Before the Indian outbreak he had gone to Dakota to help pacify the Indians under Sitting Bull and Big Eagle and also to teach the Indians farming. He became very friendly with Big Eagle, who was the means of saving his life during the outbreak. His brother Julius was killed by the Indians and his brother John was shot by a bone arrow, which he carried four days before he had it removed. In 1864 he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company F, serving till the close of the war. After the war he located in Eden township, Brown county, purchasing a half section in sections 16 and 17. He built a log house which is still standing, and began farming, having both horses and oxen for breaking the land. His crops were destroyed for several seasons by the grasshoppers. He lived there 35 years. In 1902 he located in Brookville township, Redwood county, on a tract of 200 acres in section 4. There was a small shed on the place. He has improved the farm, built modern buildings of all kinds and uses the most modern machinery in carrying on his farming. In the early days he made a study of some medical books and from the knowledge gained was able to help his neighbors at times when a physician could not be reached. Mr. Fenscke was married July 4, 1869, to Augusta Diptdenber, born September 2, 1847, in Pomerania, Germany, daughter of Carl and Johanna (Kreuger) Diptdenber, who came to the United States in 1867 with five children: William, Herman, Edward, Augusta and Wilhelmina (deceased). They located at New Ulm and farmed in Eden township the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Fenscke have the following children, all born in the log house in Eden township, Brown county : Anna, Ferdinand, Blondina, Fred, Emil, who died in infancy ; Einil, Edward, Henry and Clara, deceased. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. Mr. Fenscke served as secretary of the Methodist church in Eden township for over thirty years.

Joshua S. Towle, a farmer of New Avon township, was born in Maine, December 13, 1837, son of Jonathan P. and Eliza (Heath) Towle. His father was a farmer in Maine until 1862 when he moved to Greenlake, Wis., and lived there until 1871. Then he moved to New Avon township, Redwood county, Minn., where he lived until his death October 15, 1881, at the ftge of 70 years. His wife died in 1879 at the age of 70 years. In 1870 Joshua S. Towle came to Redwood county and homesteaded on the northeast quarter of section 8, New Avon township, where he remained until 1890. Then he located in the southeast quarter of section 8, where he still remains. He helped organize and name New Avon township and also helped organize school district No. 14, of which he was clerk for 14 years, from 1897 to 1911. There were five voters in the township at that time and Redwood county extended to the Dakota line. He has also served as township clerk for 31 years and was chairman of the township board for one year. He was justice of peace four years and served as postmaster of New Avon for twelve years, 1874 to 1886, keeping the office at his home. He was an agent for the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the township of Redwood Falls for eight years. Mr. Towle was married November 22, 1858, to Betsy A. Horn of Maine, born May 9, 1838, daughter of Nicholas Horn, a farmer of Maine, and his wife Esther (Perkins) Horn. Mr. and Mrs. Towle have had four children : Emma, now Mrs. D. A. Barnum, wife of a farmer of New Avon township, died July 22, 1913 ; William L., of Seattle, Wash ; Minnie, who died September 6, 1874, at the age of six ; and Ada M., Mrs. Culver Thurber, deceased. V^l

Alexander Datwyler, of New Avon township, was born in Switzerland, January 2, 1869. He is a son of Daniel Datwyler, now a retired farmer of Blue Earth county, Minnesota, who came to America in 1890, and his wife Mary (Hofer) Datwyler, who died in 1909 at the age of 70. Alexander Datwyler came to America in 1885 and worked out in Blue Earth county for seven years. Then he bought 80 acres of land in Blue Earth county, where he lived until 1899, when he bought 280 acres in section 22, New Avon township, Redwood county. On this farm he has made many improvements. In 1907 he rebuilt the house and now has a nice comfortable nine-room dwelling equipped with gas lights. Two acres of his land are set out in fruit, three in alfalfa and twenty in clover. He raises Shorthorn cattle for dairying purposes. He was vice-president of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Rowena and stockholder of the Farmers' Store at Wabasso. As a citizen who is interested in the welfare of the community, he has served on the township board since 1907 and was director of school district No. 8 for six years. Mr. Datwyler was married January 16, 1892, to Lena Kormann, who was born January 17, 1874, daughter of John Kormann, a farmer of Brown county, who died in 1891, and his wife, Madeline Kormann. Mr. and Mrs. Datwyler have had five children: Ella, wife of Amandus Georgius, a farmer of New Avon township, and the mother of two children, Clifford Theodore and Janette Dorothy; George, who married Minnie Beyer, he and his wife residing with his parents ; Inez; Mildred, who died October 15, 1913, at the age of three years, and one who died in infancy.

John Johanneck was born May 16, 1846, in Germany and came to America in 1868, locating in Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he bought 160 acres of land in West Newton township and remained there for 22 years. In 1891 he sold this farm and moved to Vail township, where he bought 560 acres of land in section 3. Only 100 acres of this was improved at the time when he took possession. He built a house and barn, planted a grove and engaged in general farming. He raised Holstein cattle and specialized in shipping swine to the market. He died October 26, 1895. He was married in 1868 to Magdelena Radell, born in Germany, February 28, 1848, and this union resulted in the following children : Mary, now Mrs. Geo. Zitzmann of Vail township ; Joseph, a farmer of Vail township; John, a farmer of Red Lake Falls; George, a drayman in Nicollet county; Barbara, now Mrs. Fred Bauer of Wabasso ; Lena, Mrs. P. Schoeb of St. Peter ; Frank, a farmer on the old home farm; Charles, carpenter at Redwood Falls; Wencel, farming in Vail township; Rosie, wife of Tony Schueller, a blacksmith in Nicollet; William, Alexander, Anton, all on the old place ; and Francis.

George V. Mantel, a prosperous farmer of Vail township, was born September 11, 1866, in Fort Ridgely township, Nicollet county, Minn., son of Valentine and Emaline (Chapman) Mantel. Valentine Mantel was born February 14, 1827, in Germany and came to America in 1847, locating at Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked as a teamster and later moved to Rochester, Minn. In 1854 he homesteaded 160 acres of land on the east line of the pres. ent city limit of Rochester, which he owned until his death. In 1861 he enlisted at Fort Ridgely and served during the Indian uprising, being honorably discharged after the outbreak. In 1864 he homesteaded 160 acres in section 3, Fort Ridgely township, Nicollet county, and moved there with his family from Rochester, traveling with wagon and a team consisting of a horse and an ox.

He built a log house, 16 by 16, in which George V. was born, and also built a log barn, 16 by 30, with a hay roof. The roof of the house was made of split log shingles. A shed was put up for the cattle, made of posts and poles with a straw roof. In 1884 he built a two-story frame house, hauling the lumber from St. Peter and New Ulm. He worked the farm with his ox team. He died January 11, 1885. He was married in 1856 to Emaline Chapman, born in 1840 in New York, who died in 1905. Her parents lived in Chatfield, where her mother died at the age of 96 years. This union resulted in seven children: Lorenz V., a farmer of Cairo township, Renville county ; Elizabeth V., widow of C. Klugman ; George V. ; Elsie, wife of J. Moravec, a farmer of Canada ; Arthur T., born October 1, 1870 and died March 6, 1891 ; May, wife of C. Rose, a plumber of Minneapolis ; Emma, born October 4, 1878, and died in 1889. George V. remained at home until his marriage, when he rented a farm in Cairo township, Renville county, and lived there for six years. Then he went to Fort Ridgely township, Nicollet county, and farmed there two years, next coming to Redwood county, where he bought 160 acres in section 35, Vail township. He broke the prairie land, built shacks and then brought his family. In 1898 he built a new house and planted a large grove. As time passed he added necessary buildings and remodeled the old ones. In 1902 he added forty acres of land in section 26. He was a member of the township board ten years and is a director of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel Company of Wabasso. He is associated with the C. O. F. Mr. Mantel was married April 25, 1890, to Anna Schumack, born January 12, 1870, in Austria. She came to America in 1885, locating in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Mantel have the following children : Mary A., born June 9, 1892, and died March 22, 1912 ; Elizabeth V., born June 6, 1894, wife of Frank Domer of Vail township ; Rosie M., born April 1, 1896, now Mrs. Arthur Noble of Chicago; Anna M., born January 19, 1897; Sofia E., born April 16, 1899; Francis G., born April 18, 1901; Gertrude B., born March 11, 1903; Magdalena, born August 9, 1905 ; George O., born June 14, 1907 ; and Stella G., born March 18, 1912.

Christ P. Thorkelsen was born in Schleswig Holstein, July 24, 1857, son of Peter Jessen and Mary Hansen, the father being a native of Denmark. Both parents died in Schleswig. There were three children in the family. Christ P. emigrated from Schleswig Holstein to Denmark, where he secured a position as telegraph operator for the state railroad. After a time he served as corporal in the army and then returned to railroad work, holding the position of brakeman and later of conductor for 14 years. In 1888 he came to the United States, landing at New York and continuing on to Evans, Minn., where he hired out by the year at $1.00 per day. In 1889 he rented a farm of 120 acres in Redwood county.

He had no money of his own but obtained a loan of $50 on two good watches and also a loan of $30 from two neighbors. With this he bought a team of oxen and enough lumber to build a small shack. The first year he had no crop. In the meanwhile he bought six cows, which furnished the support of the family. After two years Mr. Thorkelsen bought the present home in section 8, Brookville township. Here he secured 80 acres of state land with a small house and barn, paying $500 to the man living there and the balance to the state. In 1891 he increased the size of his farm by purchasing 40 acres more in section 8. In 1900 he built a barn, 28 by 50 feet, a granary 14 by 22, a corn crib and other building* necessary to a farm. A seven-room modern house was erected in 1899, and other improvements have also been made on the property. Mr. Thorkelsen carries on general farming and raises thoroughbred Jersey cows and Red Poll cattle. He is a stockholder in the Brookville Creamery and has been its treasurer for the past eight years. He has been a member of the school board of district No. 34 for ten years. Mr. Thorkelsen was married May 6, 1881, to Harriet Kragerup, who was the daughter of Henry Kragerup. Two children were born : Thala, March 23, 1882, and Mamie, January 29, 1885. Thala married William H. Schultz and they reside in Brookville township. Their children are: Lester, Vernon, Olennis and Ivan. The family faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church.

Christ J. Lawrence, one of the leading farmers of Sundown township, was born on his present place March 9, 1877, son of Jacob and Lesa (Bredvold) Lawrence. Jacob Lawrence was born June 29, 1846, and his wife was born February 26, 1843, both natives of Norway. He came to America by sailing vessel in 1865, being several weeks on the ocean, and went to Michigan, where he worked in the pineries and in the copper mines. Then he came to Iowa and worked out on a farm. After five years he came to Minnesota in 1871, coming to Sundown township, Redwood county, where he secured a homestead of 80 acres in section 20. It was all wild land and the nearest neighbor was six miles away. He built a board shanty with sod on the outside and began farming with a team of oxen which he drove from Iowa. For five years he lost his crops on account of the grasshoppers. The nearest milling place was at New Ulm. For a time he had to work out and his wife remained at home with the children. After a time conditions improved and he added 80 acres of railroad land to the homestead and built a good modern house* and barn. He was one of the organizers of the township and also of the school district. The family church is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Sundown, which he helped to organize. Meetings were often held in the houses in the early days before there were any church buildings. Mr. Lawrence was married June 28, 1872, to

Lesa Bredvold, who came from Norway in 1869 with her father, Lars Larson, and brothers. Her mother, Anna (Jensen) Larson came later. There were five children in the family, Jacob, Ludwick, Martin, Lesa and Julius. Julius and the mother came in 1873. The family came to Lansing, Iowa, the same year as the Lawrence family did and then moved to Sundown township, where they located a homestead ill section 20. Upon coming to America they changed their name to Bredvold. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence had seven children: Louis, of Wisconsin; Louisa, in Idaho; Christ; Anna Sophia, a teacher; Josephine Lorenza, of Idaho; Jacob, of Canada; Rebecca, now Mrs. Skow of Sundown township. Mr. Lawrence died March 9, 1912. Christ J. Lawrence received his education in the district school and grew to manhood on the farm. He attended the agricultural school and engaged in farming, going to Dakota, where he remained for three years. Then he located on the old homestead, which he has farmed since 1903. He raises good Holstein cattle and other good stock and built the first silo in the township with a capacity of 125 tons. He is a member of the creamery companies. His father was the organizer of the old Sundown creamery and was its president for several years. He was married June 13, 1906, to Anna Skow, born in Sundown township, daughter of Christ Skow. They have had three children, Helen, Elenora, and Lesa who is dead.

Scran Christian Johnson, one of the pioneers of Sundown township, was born May 27, 1859, in Denmark, son of Ole and Christina Jensen, farmers of that country. He was 11 years old when his parents brought him to the United States. He had received some schooling in Denmark and later attended school in New Ulm and also in Sundown township, where he grew to manhood on the farm. His first wages were $13 per month. He farmed on his mother's homestead and in 1885 traded 55 acres of it for 80 acres of his present farm in section 32, Sundown township. Forty acres were broken and a small grove set out, but there was no building on the place. He built a frame house and began farming with horse team. He had used oxen on his mother's homestead. He owned one cow and a few chickens. In time he prospered, set out a grove and added 80 acres more land. He was married February 15, 1885, to Marie Jorgeson, born in Denmark December 21, 1858, and came with a brother Rasmus to the United States in 1883. Her mother, Marie Jorgeson, died in Denmark. Her father spent his last days in the United States with his children. The other children were: Peter, Marie, Stena, Anna and Nels. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Peter, born January 7, 1882, who farms the home place. He married Minnie Anderson, a daughter of Nels Anderson, of Sundown township. They have three children, Arnold, Mabel and Ronald. The family church is that of the Lutheran church.

John Goblinch, a successful farmer of New Avon township, was born in Austria October 20, 1867, son of John and Elizabeth (Buechl) Qoblirsch. John Goblirsch, Sr., was a native of Austria and came to America in 1868, located in Nicollet county, Minn., where he engaged in farming and died in 1908 at the age of 73. His wife died in 1908 at the age of 71. John Goblirsch lived at home until 1891 when he bought 160 acres of land in section 3, New Avon township, Redwood county. He built a granary and lived in this during the first year. In 1902 he remodeled the old house into a fine eight-room home, and in 1914 erected a barn, 28 by 48. The farm is now well improved and has been increased to 400 acres. He raises Shorthorn cattle, full-blooded White Berkshire hogs, and Percheron horses. He was chairman of the township board for twelve years, and clerk of school district No. 97 since 1908. He is a director of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Rowena and is affiliated with the C. O. F. Mr. Qoblirsch was married November 24, 1891, to Annie Muehlbauer, born January 28, 1871, daughter of Louis Muehlbauer, who died in Austria in 1873, and his wife, Annie Muehlbauer, who died in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Goblirsch have had eight chiL, dren: Frank, Henry, Katie, John, Mary, Charles, Louis, and Francisca.

Joseph F. Prokosch, an enterprising farmer of New Avon township, was born in Ottertail county, Minn., April 26, 1878, son of Wenzel Prokosch, a native of Germany and a retired farmer of Pine county, Minn., and his wife, Annie (Springer) Prokosch. Joseph F. remained at home until 21 years of age. The next four years were spent in the meat business in Lamberton and Morgan. Then he worked out on the farms for two years. He next rented a farm in Morgan township for a year and in 1905 bought 240 acres of land in sections 13 and 14, New Avon township, Redwood county, where he now resides. In 1909 he built a barn, 24 by 48, with a 12-foot lean-to and in 1915 a two-story eight-room frame house, 28 by 30, with a full basement and furnace heat. He carries on diversified farming. He has been school clerk of district No. 101 for ten years and is a stockholder in the Rowena Farmers' Elevator Company. He is a member of the Catholic church of Clements and of the St. Joseph Society. Mr. Prokosch was elected clerk of New Avon township in the spring of 1916. Mr. Prokosch was united in marriage May 10, 1904, to Rose Schwab, born June 9, 1883, daughter of Michael Schwab, a retired farmer of New Avon township, who now lives with his son George and his wife, Annie (Stengle) Schwab. Mr. and Mrs. Prokosch have three children, Leo, Margaret and Bernice.

John Anton, an energetic young farmer of New Avon township, was born in Nicollet county, Minn., March 20, 1878, son of Joseph and Katrina (Wallander) Anton. Joseph Anton was born in 1848 in Austria and came to America in 1872, locating in Nicollet county, Minnesota. In 1891 he bought 360 acres of land in section 34, New Avon township, Redwood county, where he remained until 1907, when he retired and moved to Wabasso. John Anton remained at home until 1907, helping his father, and then, with his three brothers, William, Joseph A. and Oeorge, took charge of the farm. There were 920 acres, which were divided between the four boys. John received 240 acres in section 26, where he now lives. He is president of the New Avon Creamery, has been a member of the board of trustees of the Rowena Farmers' Elevator Company for two years, and has served as school director of district No. 8 since 1907. Fraternally he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Anton was married November 23, 1908, to Frances Schottenbauer, who was born September 14, 1886, daughter of John and Annie (Hackert) Schottenbauer. Mr. Schottenbauer came to America from Austria in 1868 and located in Nicollet county. Moving to Redwood county in 1898, he lived in section 13, New Avon township, until 1911, when he retired and took up his residence in Wabasso. Mr. and Mrs. Anton have four children: Mary Bertha, born September 4, 1909; Joseph William, born December 30, 1910 ; Frank Albert, born March 2, 1911 ; and Edward Raymond, born March 10, 1915. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Nels H. Haag, a well-known merchant of Lucan, was born April 22, 1860, in Denmark and came to America in 1884, locating in Sleepy Eye, Brown county, Minn., and later moved to Redwood county, where he worked as a farm hand in Morgan township. In 1887 he bought forty acres in Prairieville township, Brown county, but continued as a farm hand. In 1890 he sold his land and bought 120 acres in section 15, Granite Rock township. It was raw prairie. He built a rude shack and a straw stable. Hay was used for fuel. He broke the land and planted a grove and small orchard. Later he added 80 acres in section 14. In 1894 he built a barn and in 1900 a house. He also made many other improvements. In 1912 he rented the farm to his youngest son and moved to Lucan, where, in 1914, he engaged in the furniture business. In 1911 he bought an interest in the elevator at Lucan with his son-in-law, Hans L. Jensen. Mr. Haag has been active in public affairs, having served as chairman of the township board for two years, assessor for six years, clerk of the board for six years and justice of the peace of the village for two years. Mr. Haag was married November 9, 1879, in Denmark to Mary Nelson, born March 7, 1861, in Denmark, daughter of Nels Paulson, born in 1833, and came to United States in 1894 and died July 13, 1907, and his wife, Carrie (Nelson) Paulson, born in 1823 and died in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Haag have six children: Peter, Christian, Anna, Carrie, Minnie, and William.

Hans L. Jensen, manager of the elevator and electric- power plant at Lucan, was born March 1, 1881, in Denmark, son of Christ and Mariah (Hansen) Jenson. His father was born August 15, 1858, in Denmark and came to America in 1889, locating in Brown county, Minnesota, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. In 1891 he bought 80 acres of land in section 33, Granite Rock township, Redwood county, and later added 80 acres more. It was all wild prairie land. He broke the land, planted a grove and built a cheap board house and barn. As time passed he improved his farm and erected better buildings. In 1902 he built a comfortable one and a half story house. He raises good stock. He was married in Denmark in 1880 to Mariah Hansen, born March 2, 1861, and they have three children : Hans L., Anna, Mrs. Gust Dalmann, of Granite Rock township ; and Jens P., who lives on his father's farm. Hans attended the common school and at the age of 18 engaged as a farm hand for Ed Norcutt, Granite Rock township, where he worked for two years. In 1901 he went into the livery and dray business in Clements, Redwood county, for a year. For seven seasons he operated a threshing machine. In 1903 he rented 160 acres in section 13, Granite Rock township, from Peter C. Anderson. He also bought 160 acres of land in section 28, which he later sold at a great profit. After three years he rented 160 acres in section 15 from Nels Haag. In 1907 he became manager and buyer for the Sleepy Eye Milling Company, having charge of their elevator at Lucan. In 1911, in partnership with his father-in-law, Nels Haag, he bought the elevator. They have since added the electric power and lighting plant and have installed modern machines for drying and handling the grain. They shipped 271,000 bushels in 1914. In 1913 he bought 320 acres of land in Stutsman county, North Dakota, all improved. The same year he bought 80 acres in the southern half of the northeastern quarter of section 29, Granite Rock township. In 1914 he bought the balance of the northeastern quarter of section 29. He sold a half interest in same to Nels Haag and together they have improved the place and built good buildings. Mr. Jensen rents the farm and lives in Lucan, where he owns property. He has served as a member of the township board for four years, of the village board two years, and of the school board. He was married March 2, 1904, to Carrie Haag, born October 28, 1886, in Brown county, Minnesota, daughter of Nels Haag and Mary (Nelson) Haag. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have the following children : Myrtle, Grace, Milton, Orvile, Milan F. and Floyd.

Henry 0. Dittbenner, a rural mail carrier of Lucan, was born May 2, 1873, in Eden township, Brown county, Minnesota, son of John and Caroline (Semondate) Dittbenner. John Dittbenner was born August 15, 1844, in Germany and came to America in 1858 with his father Ludwig. They located in Chicago, his father securing work near there as a farm hand, and in 1862 they came to New Ulm. This was just before the Indian outbreak. He bought 160 acres of land adjoining New Ulm limits and broke ground. He made many improvements and built good buildings. He died in 1890. John was 18 years old at the time of the Indian outbreak and bore his share in the defense of New Ulm and Fort Ridgely, having enlisted in and served three years and three months with the army. He was detailed to guard the settlers. He was honorably discharged. Then he rented a farm near New Ulm for two years. In 1867 he homesteaded 160 acres of land in Eden township, Brown county, and built a log house and barn, broke the prairie, planted a grove and later added 40 acres more. In 1887 he built a new house and in 1889 a new barn. He set out two acres of orchard and made many improvements. He carried on general farming and died in 1898. His wife Caroline (Semondate) Dittbenner, was born in 1847 in Germany and came to America in 1858 with her father, Carl Semondate, who later served in the army during the Indian uprising. He took a homestead in North Redwood, Redwood county, and died there in 1885. Mr. Dittbenner died in 1896. There were twelve children in the family: Alfred, Rosie, Ellorne, Henry, John, Cora, Amanda, Ida, Qeorge, Ludwig, Carrie and Arthur. Henry attended the common school until 18 years of age, when he began work as a farm hand. In 1894 he rented his father's farm and in 1896 bought the farm. In 1897 he sold it and moved to Revere, Redwood county, where he bought a house and lot and engaged in the business of selling farm implements. After a year he sold this and bought 160 acres of land in section 18, Granite Rock township. It was all wild prairie land. He broke ground and began making improvements. In time he built a good house and barn, added 80 acres of land and made many other improvements. After living there five years he bought 101 acres in section 21, adjoining the village. He has since increased this farm to 310 acres and built a new house and barn. He has also built other farm buildings, such as granary, engine house, garage and chicken house. He rents his farms. He has carried mail since the route was established. He was married June 15, 1899, to Emma L. Mielke, born March 10, 1881, New Ulm, Minn., daughter of Frederick and Willimena (Schlief) Mielke. Frederick Mielke was born in Germany in 1845 and came to America in 1880 to Wisconsin and later moved to Brown county, where he bought 160 acres of land in Home township and died in 1907. His wife was also a native of Germany and is now living in Eden township, Brown county. They had the following children : Theodore, a farmer in Granite Rock township; Ida, Mrs. Julius Zacke, on the home farm ; and Emma L. Mr. and Mrs. Dittbenner have the following children: Elvera, born August 25, 1900; Vernan, born April 16, 1905 ; Agona, born June 3, 1907 ; and Mildred,

Andrew Peter West was born in Sweden June 10, 1855, son of Andrew Johnson and Johanna (Bingelson) Johnson. The parents were natives of Sweden and were married in that country. Andrew Johnson, the father, was born in 1830 and came to the United States in 1858, locating in Dahlgren township, Carver county, Minnesota, where he bought 40 acres of land, on which he lived for eight years. Then he sold this and moved to Stevens county, buying 120 acres of timber land in Hancock township. Here he built a log house, which was his residence until his death in 1890. His wife, Johanna, was born in 1841 and died in 1899. They had five children: Anna, wife of Louis Johnson, a retired farmer of Carver county; John, who is farming at home; Andrew P., subject of this sketch; Christena, now Mrs. Ole G. Olson of Oales township; and August, a farmer of Isanti county, Minn. Andrew P. remained on the home farm until he was 27 years of age, when he bought 160 acres of land in section 26, Gales township. Later he added to this 480 acres in sections 36, 25 and 22, Gales township, and 280 acres in sections 29, 18 and 30 in Johnsonville township, making 920 acres in all. Starting out with a rude shack and straw barn, he made improvements as rapidly as his means permitted. One of his early labors was to set out a grove. In 1902 he built a fine two-story house and in 1906 a large barn with a stone foundation and hip roof. Other improvements are a machinery shed, granary, chicken house and cattle and hog sheds. Mr. West raises graded Shorthorn cattle. He has served on the township board for six years, and has been director on the local school board six years and treasurer five years. Mr. West was married June, 1881, to Clara Hult, who was born June 25, 1862, in Carver county. Minnesota, daughter of John Hult and his wife, whose maiden name was Betsy Lundblad. John Hult was born in Sweden in 1841 and came to America in 1858, locating in Carver county, Minnesota, where he bought 40 acres of land. In 1877 he sold this property and bought 40 acres in section 30, Johnsonville township, Redwood county, where he remained until his death in 1911. His wife was born in Sweden in 1847 and died in 1907. There were four children in the family : August, a farmer of Johnsonville township; Clara, wife of A. P. West; John J., a farmer of Johnsonville ; and Anna, now Mrs. Thos. Lidenberg of Gales township. Mr. and Mrs. West's children are: Algert E., John E., Albert, William O., Fredrick J., Flora, Nettie, Emma, Ellen and Mabel. The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which Mr. West is deacon.

Nels P. Larsen, a young business man of Lucan, was born December 24, 1873, in Denmark, son of Jens and Sophia (Hansen) Larsen. His father, Jens Larsen, was born in 1854, and came, to

America in 1881, locating at Sleepy Eye, Minn., where he rented a farm of L. P. Jensen, in Eden township, Brown county, and lived there eight years. In 1889 he bought 240 acres in section 23, Granite Rock township, this county. He broke the land, planted a grove, built a small frame barn and lived with the horses the first summer. Then he built a house which was partly a dugout on the hillside and partly made of lumber hauled from Sleepy Eye, and here he lived for ten years. For three seasons in succession his crops were destroyed by hail and he had many other problems to solve. Undaunted, however, he continued his farming and in time became successful. He carried on general farming and raised cattle and swine. In 1898 he sold 80 acres of his farm and in 1900 he sold the rest of it and retired to Sleepy Eye, where he died February 2, 1910. He was married in 1872 in Denmark to Sophia Hansen, born in 1851. They had the following children: Nels; Margaret, wife of J. Albert Johnson, a land agent of Redwood Falls, Minn.; Elizabeth, wife of George Johnson, a banker of Grygla, Minn. ; and Lettie, of Minneapolis. Nels P. attended the common school in Denmark and also in Minnesota and learned farming. In 1896 he bought 80 acres of his father and farmed there for six years. In 1902 he rented the "80" and moved to Lucan, where he accepted a position as manager and buyer for the Sleepy Eye Milling Company's elevator at Lucan. In 1909 he became cashier of the Lucan State Bank and after a year entered the employ of the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Company, where he is at present. He has served as township assessor of Granite Rock from 1898 to 1902 and clerk of the school board of district No. 58 for the same time. He was president of the village council from 1902 to 1912, and clerk of the village school board since its organization. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. O. U. W. Mr. Larsen was married July 14, 1898, to Jennie Kartak, born June 3, 1875, in Renville county, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bodie) Kartak, both natives of Austria. Mr. Kartak was born in 1835 and came to America in 1860, locating in Renville county, where he worked as a farm hand until 1891 when he came to Redwood county and bought 160 acres in section 11, Granite Rock township. It was all wild land. He made many improvements, set out a grove and erected good buildings. His wife was born in 1837 and still lives in Lucan with her son-in-law, Nels Larson. Mr. Kartak died March 20, 1907. There were the following children in the family : Jacob, who died in November, 1914 ; Stephen, now a retired farmer of Olivia, Minn. ; Mary, wife of John Dolezql, a farmer of South Dakota; Anna, wife of Joseph Dolezal, a retired farmer of Olivia, Minn.; Frances, wife of Otto Hack, a retired farmer of Olivia; Josephine, wife of Mike Skoblick, a farmer of Granite Rock township ; Jennie, wife of Nels P. Larson ; and John, a farmer of South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have the follow-

Charles Welter, in the livery and dray business at Lucan, was born September 25, 1879, in Medo township, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, son of Nicholas and Emily (Will) Welter. His father, Nicholas Welter, was born April 15, 1850, in Luxemburg, Germany, and came to America in 1866, locating in Oconomowoc, Wis., where he engaged in farming for five years. In 1871 he came to Medo township and rented a farm, where he lived for two years. In 1873 he rented a farm owned by John Nelson in Blue Earth county and lived there nine years. In 1892 he bought 160 acres in section 4, Johnsonville township, Redwood county. This land was partly improved and had a rude barn and frame house upon it. A grove had been set out, but he planted more grove and orchard. In 1899 he built a barn and rebuilt the house. He raised a good grade of swine. In 1904 he rented the farm and retired to Lucan, where he died December 31, 1914. He was married in 1877 at Oconomowoc, Wis. His wife was born October 15, 1855, at Oconomowoc, and now lives at Qary, Ind. She was the daughter of David and Mariah (Watson) Will, both natives of Scotland, who died in 1869 and 1914 respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Welter had the f oUowing children : George, born in 1878 and died in 1893; Charles, born September 25, 1879; Jennie, born April 9, 1883, now at Gary, Ind.; William, born November 11, 1885, an attorney at Gary, Ind. Charles Welter attended the common school of his neighborhood and graduated from the Lamberton high school in 1902. He taught district school for two years and in 1904 took the position of manager and buyer of the Springfield Milling Company's elevator at Lucan. In 1914 he entered the livery and dray business. He was married June 22, 1904, to Ethel Archer, born September 27, 1884, at Tracy, Minn. She was the daughter of Wilber Archer, formerly in the railway service, later owning a farm near Lamberton. In 1897 he moved to Lamberton, where he died August 7, 1902. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Archer are: Arthur, proprietor of a restaurant at Lucan; Ethel ; Mrs. Fred Jefferson of Granite Rock township, and Dorah. Mr. and Mrs. Welter have the following children: Lila Elaine, born October 4, 1906; Lucille Jeanette, born July 24, 1908; Ethelyn Pearl, born October 4, 1911 ; Frances Marie, born June 28, 1914; Doris La Von, born August 31, 1916.

Delancy S. Oantine, a very successful farmer of Johnsonville township, was born in Saugerties, Ulster county, New York, January 20, 1863, son of Peter and Sarah Ann (Starin) Cantine. Peter Cantine was born in Saugerties, December 27, 1831, and for many years was a well known attorney of that town. He died December 21, 1900. He was of that sturdy Dutch stock which settled New York and laid the foundations of its commercial greatness, the ancestral Gantines coming from Holland to America in 1685. Peter Cantine was married December 29, 1857, to Sarah Ann Starin, who was born May 27, 1831, at Pultonville, Montgomery county, New York, and died in January, 1904. This union resulted in the following children : Charles F., born November 4, 1858, who died July 14, 1912, in New York state; Lydia, born November 25, 1860, now residing at Saugerties, N. Y. ; Delancy S., born January 20, 1863, and Martin, born January 22, 1866, who is a paper manufacturer at Saugerties. Delancy S. Cantine attended the common and high schools at New York and also took a special three-year college course in the Academy in his home town. After finishing his schooling he worked on his father's farm until 1884, when he came to Redwood county, Minnesota, and bought 320 acres in section 34, Johnsonville township, and 80 acres in the east half of the southeast quarter, being a tree claim. With his father he also bought 640 acres - section 3 - in North Hero township, which was the second piece of railroad land sold in that township. He broke the raw prairie, planted his tree claim and set out good orchards. He also built the present house and barn and has since added a granary, cribs and made other useful improvements. The house was badly damaged by fire July 4, 1915, but was soon rebuilt. Mr. Cantine raises Poll- Angus cattle and buys feeders and ships about five carloads every year. He keeps about 300 sheep and raises Duroc Jersey swine. Through energy and perseverance he has cpnquered success and now has a fine, well-kept and profitable farm. Mr. Cantine was married March 11, 1889, in North Hero township, to Myrtle T. Knight, who was born February 24, 1870, in Hampton, Minn., daughter of Byron M. and Miranda D. (Keith) Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Cantine have the following children: Sarah A., born January 11, 1890; Hester E., March 10, 1891; Marinda K., August 29, 1892; Peter B., May 6, 1894; Lydia F., June 29, 1896; Martin, April 11, 1898; Elizabeth D., February 28, 1900; Charles F., June 19, 1902; Delancy S., October 25, 1906 ; Mary P., February 17, 1908, and Myrtle C, January 24, 1913.

Byron M. Knight, a pioneer, was born July 22, 1824, in North Hero,. Vt., and came west to Dakota county, Minnesota, in 1854. There he bought a farm and tilled the soil until 1869, when he sold out and came to Redwood county. Here he homesteaded 160 acres in section 10, North Hero township, giving the township the name of his birthplace in Vermont, and engaged in farming. In course of time he improved his farm and added to it 320 acres. He was one of the most prominent citizens of the township and held many local offices. Mr. Knight enlisted in 1861 in the Nineteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served until 1863, being honorably discharged for disability. He was married in Michigan to Miranda D. Keith, who was born February 10, 1833, in Monroe county, New York. Mr. Knight died April 27, 1901, in North Hero township. There were the following children: Mariah W., who died February 1, 1888 ; Merrill A., born October 19, 1853, and died March 27, 1915 ; Agnes S., born June 10, 1856, and died in May, 1912; William P., born December 8, 1858, and died in August, 1913 ; Beach M., born March 25, 1865, a farmer of Canada; Myrtle T., born February 24, wife of Delancy S. Cantine; Walter, born November 10, 1874, a farmer in Canada.

Alfred J. Gebhard, of Gebhard Brothers, clothiers of Lamberton, was born April 1, 1875, at New Ulm, Minn., son of Joseph H. and Mary (Gropper) Gebhard. His father was born at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1852, and his mother was born at Geneva, 111., in 1856. His father was in the hardward business at New Ulm from 1875 until 1890, and then sold out and moved to Lamberton, where he again entered that business. He died in 1905. There were twelve children in the family, nine are living: Alfred; Henry N., of Lamberton ; Louis W., of Lamberton ; Jos. W. Gebhard, of Winsted, Minn. ; George W., of New England, N. D. ; Matie, now Mrs. A. O. White, of Lewistown, Mont. ; Laura, Walter and Agnes, all at home. Alfred completed the work in the public schools at St. Clair, Minn. He took a course at the Mankato State Normal school, finishing in 1897. At the time of his father's death he took charge of the business with a partner under the name of Gebhard and Dqster. A few years after his father's death he sold his interest in the hardware business and opened the present business with his brother Louis. He is a Republican and was a member of the Republican county committee from 1901 to 1905. He served as postmaster of Lamberton from November 15, 1902, to April 1, 1915. He is affiliated with the Masons, the E. of P., the A. O. U. W., the M. B. A. and the Eastern Star, and has been through the chairs of the Masons and the E. of P. lodges ; was elected a delegate from the Second Congressional district of Minnesota to the Republican national convention June 7, 1916. Mr. Gebhard was married August 18, 1903, to Mabel Shaw, born at Clearwater, Minn., May 15, 1874, daughter of William and Julia (Browe) Shaw, whose father died in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhard have the following children: Eenneth, age 8; Marjorie, age 6; William, age 4, and Merle, age 2. The family are members of the Congregational church.

Frederick W. Kaitnar was born May 13, 1881, in Lamberton township, this county, son of Christian and Eatherine (Harr) Eastner. His father was born in Germany, September 2, 1839, and his mother was born at Waterloo, Mich., March 17, 1844. Hit father came to America at an early age locating in Ohio and later in Michigan. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and served to the end of the war. In the spring of 1873 he came to Redwood county and homesteaded 160 acres in section 18, Lam- berton township where his son now lives. He made extensive improvements and prospered. He carried on general farming and stockraising. He was a Democrat and held office both on the township and the school boards. In 1912 he retired from active work and moved to Lamberton, where he died May 23, 1916, at his home in Lamberton, Minn. His son, Frederick, took charge of the farm. There were eight children in the family: Four sons and four daughters. Frederick W. Kastner has made good progress during the short time in which he has been in charge of the farm. He carries on diversified farming and raises Shorthorn cattle, Poland China swine and Clyde horses. He is a nonpartisan and is serving as a member of the township board for second term. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

Julian P. Motter, a well known farmer of Lamberton township, was born August 27, 1864, in Wright county, Minn., son of Phillip and Sybil (Stewart) Motter. His father was born in Germany, engaged in farming a while in Wright county and in 1873 moved to Springfield, Minn., where he died in 1906; his wife was born in Ohio, and died in Springfield, Minn., May 24 1908. In 1885 Julian P. Motter bought 160 acres in section 8 of Lam* berton township, and later added eighty acres in section 9. It was all wild land and he has made many improvements. He has a fine orchard of apples, plums, and cherry trees, besides small fruit. On this place he has the following acreage: thirty -five acres of wheat, forty acres of corn, forty acres of oats, thirtyfive acres of rye and forty acres of pasture. He also owns 120 acres of land in Eldorado county, California, where he spends his winters. On his California farm he raises wheat and other small grain. He also has fifty hives of Austrian and Italian bees which produce about 3,000 pounds of honey per year. He has a number of registered Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, and also raises a good grade of Clyde horses. He is a stockholder in the Farmer's Elevator at Lamberton, and is independent in politics. He is president of the Farmers' Club and clerk of the school board. He belongs to the M. W. A. of Lamberton. Mr. Motter was married July 4, 1885, to Leona Oooler of Redwood county. By this marriage there was one child, Louis, born June 12, 1889. He was married the second time September 2, 1907, to Mrs. Anna Bittner, born August 13, 1868, in Blue Earth county, daughter of William Conrad and Elizabeth (Kaus) Conrad. Her father served for two years in a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War and was a prisoner at Libby prison, where he contracted a sickness from which he never recovered and which caused his death July 10, 1913. He was a farmer of Bismark, South Dakota. Her mother died in 1890, at the age of fortyfour. Anna Conrad was married March 15, 1887, t# Ernest Bittner, Mankato, Minn., and he died in 1893. There were two children by this marriage: William, born July 23, 1889, now living at Ft. Clark, North Dakota, and Arthur, born August 12, 1891, living in Redwood county, Minnesota. By Mr. Motter's second marriage there is one child, Clarence, born April 29, 1909. The family faith is that of the Methodist church.

Albert H. Enersen, county attorney of Redwood county, was born October 4, 1871, in Bashaw township, Brown county, Minn., son of Christian and Charlotte (Heramb) Enersen, both natives of Christiania, Norway. His father was born Dec. 10, 1836, and his mother was born January 11, 1838. They are both living at Springfield. His father was a rope maker by trade before he came to America in 1866. He remained in New York state two years and then moved to Black Hawk county, Iowa, next going to Brown county, Minnesota, in 1870, where he bought 160 acres of land and farmed until 1884, when he sold out and moved to Springfield, Minn. There were six children in the family: Clara, now Mrs. A. W. Christensen, of Grant county, South Dakota; Axel R. M., of Detroit, Minn.; Carrie, now Mrs. H. E. Schroeder, of Miller, South Dakota ; Laura, now Mrs. Henry Q. Ohlsen, of Springfield, Minn. ; Albert H. ; Cora, now Mrs. Hans L. Hansen, of West Concord, Minn. Albert H, completed his education at Mankato high school, Mankato, Minn., June, 1894, and became that fall principal of the West Mankato school, a position which he held for four years. In 1898 he went to Lamberton and studied law and was admitted to the bar October 8, 1900. In politics he is a Republican. He has held the office of clerk of the school board of Lamberton since 1901. He was a member of the village council in 1906-08 and has been secretary of the Lamberton Commercial club since 1904. May 1, 1910, he was appointed county attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the retiring of William G. Owens. In the fall of 1910 he was elected to that office and re-elected in 1912 and again in 1914. He is affiliated with the following lodges: A. P. & A. M., M. W. A., A. O. U. W., O. E. S. and the K. of P. Mr. Enersen was married October 8, 1902, to Ethel Rice, of Mankato, Minn., born February 6, 1878, daughter of Tobias and Ada M. (Perrin) Rice, natives of Norway and Vermont respectively. Her father was a traveling salesman and died in 1890. There were three children in the family: Jessie, Ethel and Garth, who is at Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Enersen have two children : Burnham, born November 27, 1905, and Lawrence, born July 5, 1909.

Albert F. Borchardt, a successful farmer of Lamberton township, was born January 18, 1860, in Wisconsin, son of John and Caroline (Timm) Borchardt. The parents were natives of Germany who came to America in 1858, locating in Wisconsin. In March, 1860, they removed to Nicollet county, Minnesota, where the father bought 120 acres of school land. The mother died there in 1884, and John Borchardt later moved to Renville county, where his death occurred in 1890. Their children were: Fredricka, now Mrs. Charles Sachow, of Renville county ; Albert P. ; Bertha, now Mrs. August Blank (deceased) ; John, of Redwood county; and August, who died in infancy. Albert F. Borchardt remained at home until he was 23 years of age and then bought a farm in Renville county. Two years later he moved to Redwood Falls and bought a farm in Redwood Falls township, which he owned for 12 years. In 1899 he bought his present place of 318 acres in sections 14 and 15, Lamberton township, Redwood county. He also owns 240 acres of land in Wisconsin. His acreage in grain is 80 acres of wheat, 40 of oats, 55 of corn, 32 of rye and 15 of barley. He raises red poll Angus cattle and Poland China swine, keeping about 50 a year, and also keeps a good grade of horses. A Republican in politics, he has served as treasurer of Lamberton township during the last six years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. W. A. camp at Lamberton. Mr. Borchardt was married July 10, 1884, to Adaline Wilschack, of Renville county, who died October 30, 1895. Three children were born of this union; Clarence, Jasper and Hazel. He was married again October 15, 1896, to Lizzie Patsche, who was born in Nicollet county, Minn., October 26, 1863, daughter of Henry and Fredricka(Preibe) Patsche, natives of Germany, who came to Nicollet county, Minnesota in 1854. For many years Mr. Patsche farmed and then retired in 1884 to Nicollet, Minn., where he lived until 1905. He then moved to St. Peter, where he died January 15, 1907. Mrs. Borchardt 's mother died November 23, 1886. There were five children in their family: August; Lizzie; Henry, of Eldridge, North Dakota ; Annie, now Mrs. Herman Radatzke, and John, who died in infancy. By Mr. Borchardt 's second marriage there were two children, Ruben, born October 8, 1897, and William, born August 4, 1901.

William Fairfield, one of the early farmers of Waterbury township, was born in Canada, February 7, 1836, son of John and Elizabeth (Clapp) Fairfield, natives of Canada and New York, respectively, and married in Canada, where they lived until their death. They had five children: Reuben, William, James, Albert, and Charlotte. William attended the district schools of Canada and at the age of fifteen came to the United States, locating in Wisconsin, where he worked in the pineries. Afterwards he engaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-third Regiment, Wisconsin, Company C, and was ordered to Camp Randall, at Madison, Wis. His first scrimmage was at Champion Hills, Va. He also took part in the battle at Arkansas Post, where several lives were lost. The next battle was at Vicksburg. He was discharged August, 1863, returning to Wisconsin. In 1870 he came to Brown county, Minnesota, and se- cured a homestead. On account of the grasshoppers destroying his crops he moved to Redwood county and located on the farm of 0. B. Turrell, where he lived two years. Then he came to Waterbury township and bought 160 acres of school land, and here he began farming with four head of horses and seven cows. He broke forty acres of land the first year. He raised good stock and farmed until 1908. The farm is now conducted by his son James. Mr. Fairfield was married March 1, 1865, to Harriett Ells, born August 3, 1846. They have three children: James, John and Annie. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. John lives in Lamberton township and Annie is the wife of Edward Roof, of Lamberton.

James Fairfield, an extensive farmer of Waterbury township, was born November 26, 1875, in Brown county, Minnesota, son of William Fairfield. He was two years old when the family moved to Redwood county. He bought 160 acres in section 18, Lamberton township and farmed there several years when he sold it to his brother John. He then returned to the home place in section 36, Waterbury township, where he now carries on general farming and is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. He was married October 20, 1899, to Myrtle Olson. They have three children: Harrison, Eunice, Agnes.

Arthur E. Clements, a well known business man of Clements, was born in St. Paul, August 13 1876. For eight and a half years he was engaged in the livery business at Clements, but in the spring of 1913 sold out and opened a hardware and implement store. In the fall of 1915 he sold a half interest to Louis Raddatz and the firm is now known as Clements and Raddatz. They carry a full line of implements and hardware, the stock being valued at $6,000. The store, a brick building with full basement, 28 by 48, and one story, was built in the spring of 1913. Mr. Clements served on the village council for three years and was its president for one year. He also served as clerk of the school board for three years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. B. A. Mr. Clements was married January 26, 1904, to Louisa Genske, born October 10, 1882, daughter of August Qenske, a farmer of Carrington, N. D., and his wife, Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Clements have six children: Mabel, Richard, Ethel, Lorna, Ida and Byrel.

Peter O. Clements, sturdy pioneer from whom the village of Clements takes its name, was born in Sweden, April 17, 1847, son of Ole and Anna Clementson, who spent the years of their life in that country. Peter O. was reared to sturdy manhood in the old country and was instructed in the rudiments of education and religion in the parish church and school. Seeking a wider opportunity, he came to this country and after visiting four weeks in Litchfield, this state, went to Washington county, also this state, where he worked for several years. In 1877 he came to Three Lakes township, Redwood county, and acquired 160 acres of wild land in section 32. Aside from his land, his personal property consisted of a small amount of furniture, a small quantity of provisions and three horses. The horses he traded for two yoke of oxen and 60 bushels of seed. With this beginning he set to work, broke 82 acres of land and erected a frame house, 14 by 18 feet. Discouragements overtook him from the very beginning. The first year he had no crop and the second year, just before he was ready to harvest, a hail storm swept over his fields destroying everything growing therein. However, with undaunted courage, he continued his hard labor and in time achieved prosperity. He now has a well-improved farm of 320 acres, with two splendid residences, and all the necessary barns, sheds and outbuildings. On this place he carries on general farming, feeds live stock for the market and takes a special interest in his cattle and swine. When the village of Clements was started, this worthy farmer was honored by having his name given to that hamlet. Mr. Clements was married January 6, 1874, to Anna Holmes, who was born June 6, 1853, daughter of C. G. and Mary (Hendrickson) Holmes. To this union have been born children as follows: Agnes, Arthur, Lincoln, Sadie, Lincoln (second), Myrtle, Ada, Hattie and Welden. Agnes was born June 13, 1877, married John Rosendahl, a jeweler, of Walla Walla, Wash., and has two children, Ruth and Viola. Arthur, born April 13, 1878, and who is a hardware dealer in Clements village, married Louise Ganske and they have six children: Mabel, Richard, Ethel, Lorna, Ida and Burl. Lincoln was born May 2, 1881, and died at the age of two years. Sadie was born October 17, 1883, married William Marvin a traveling salesman of Redwood Falls, and has two children, Hazel and Lilah. Lincoln (second) was born February 2, 1885, and now lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Myrtle was born August 14, 1886, and lives in Clements village. Ada was born January 30, 1888, and lives at home, near Clements. Hattie was born June 6, 1890, married Reid Thompson, who has a grocery store at Nevada, Iowa, and has two girls, Neoma and Myrtle. Welden was born August 17, 1891, married Alta Olson, has one son, Forest, and operates the home farm.

Albert E. Hartwig, a substantial farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in Germany, December 22, 1872, son of Carl and Johanna (Bahr) Hartwig. The father came to America in 1877 and farmed near Waseca, Minn., where he lived for 21 years. Then he bought 227% acres of land in section 7, Three Lakes township, where he now lives with his son. His wife died in 1909, at the age of seventy-nine. Albert E. Hartwig remained at home until 1898, when he took over the farm in Three Lakes township on which he has since made extensive improvements. In 1906 he built a barn 30 by 50 feet, and in 1910 a house of ten rooms* equipped with hot water heat, pressure tank and bath. He has a nice grove and a five-acre orchard. Mr. Hartwig is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Redwood Falls. He is now serving as treasurer of school district No. 97. He was married in May, 1903, to Alvina Arndt, who was born October 2, 1879, in Germany, daughter of August and Henrietta (Krueger) Arndt. Her father, who had been a miller, came to America from Germany in 1892 and located in Waseca county, where he died in 1909, at the age of 78 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwig have four children: Gertrude, born December 10, 1905; Helen and Hilda (twins), born April 18, 1908, and Alfred, born August 29, 1912.

Joseph Kuelbs, an enterprising farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in Brown county, January 30, 1866, son of Joseph and Katy (Hurres) Kuelbs. His mother died when he was quite small and he was brought up by his grandfather, Matthias Enipfer, a farmer of Brown county, Minnesota. When 16 years of age he began working out and continued to do so until 26 years old. In 1890 he bought 160 acres of land in section 34, Three Lakes township, where he is now located. He began breaking the wild prairie land and erected buildings, his first house being a frame structure, 16 by 20 feet. His farm is now well improved and embraces 307 acres. He has one acre of fruit and a grove covering three and a half acres. In 1912 Mr. Kuelbs built a barn of cement blocks, 34 by 60 feet, large enough for 25 cattle, 12 horses and 100 tons of hay. Since 1912 he has given a part of his time to threshing. He owns a fine Belgian stallion, which took sweepstakes twice at the Redwood county fair. Since 1903 he has served on the township board, and has been treasurer of school district No. 105 since 1907. He is also president of the Verein at Clements. Mr. Euelbs was united in marriage June 14, 1892, to Barbara Stitz, who was born August 8, 1877, daughter of Nicholas Stitz, a farmer of Brookville township, who came from Germany in 1886, and his wife Mary (Hala) Stitz, who died in 1896 at the age of thirty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Kuelbs have the following children: Andrew, born July 6, 1893; Katy, born March 29, 1896, now Mrs. Carl Klabunde, of Brookville township; Thomas, born May 3, 1899; Mary, born May 1, 1902; Aloius, born September 19, 1904 ; Roman, born May 9, 1907; Cleophas, born September 25, 1911, and Isadore H., born in December, 1915. The family worship at the Catholic church at Clements.

Andrew Paulsen, a prosperous farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in Denmark, May 13, 1856, son of Andrew Paulson, a tailor, who died in 1874, at the age of 67 years, and his wife, Mary (Bylow) Paulson, who died in 1910, at the age of 99 years. Andrew Paulsen came to the United States in 1884 and located at Stoughton, Wis., where he remained for ten years working out among the farmers. Then he went to Brown county, Minnesota, where he farmed for four years. He next moved to Morgan township, Redwood county, where also he farmed for four years. In 1900 Mr. Paulsen bought 80 acres in section 11 in Three Lakes township, and has since carried on farming here. It was all wild prairie land when he bought it, but is now well improved, fenced and tiled. He has added to his land so that he now has 160 acres. In 1913 Mr. Paulsen rebuilt the house and now has a fine eight-room dwelling. In 1900 he built a barn, 32 by 36 feet. He carries on general farming, seven acres of his land being devoted to alfalfa. He has served as school treasurer of district No. 92 for nine years and is a shareholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company at Morgan. Mr. Paulsen was married in 1885 to Marin Peterson, who died in 1887, at the age of 27 years, leaving one child, Louisa. He married secondly Mary Rasmussen, who died November 14, 1914, at the age of 42 years. There were 13 children by this second marriage namely: Louis, Annie, Ella, Christ, Emma, Sophia, John, Elmer, Charles, and four who died in infancy.

Thomas Steffi was born in Austria, March 4, 1861, and came to America in 1870, with his parents, they locating in Brown county, Minnesota. Here he remained until 1886, when he bought 160 acres in section 26, Three Lakes township, Redwood county. From time to time he has improved and enlarged his farm, so that it now comprises 520 acres. In 1893 a barn, 36 by 60, was built and in 1911 a new eight-room house was erected. Mr. Steffi owns 40 head of cattle and carries on dairying. He also has onehalf acre of fruit. He served on the township board four years, was director and clerk of school district No. 105, for fifteen years and has served as township clerk for the past ten years. He was president of the creamery for two years and for two years its treasurer. Mr. Steffi was married July 10, 1888, to Tlieresa Euelbs, who was born December 26, 1867, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Euelbs, her father being a retired farmer of Home township, Brown county, now living at Sleepy Eye. Mr. and Mrs. Steffi have had ten children: Thomas, John (a merchant at Clements), Edward, Mary, Theresa, Margaret, Sylvester, Agnes, Frances (deceased), and Frank.

John F. Steffi, a merchant of Clements, was born in Three Lakes township, Redwood county, Minnesota, April 19, 1891, son of Thomas and Theresa (Euelbs) Steffi. He remained at home until 16 years of age, and then began work as clerk in the general store of Peter Nissen at Clements. Two years later he entered upon similar employment in the general store of Miesen Brothers of Clements. After a year he bought the interest of one of the brothers, Matt. Miesen, and the store was then operated under the name of Miesen and Steffi. They handle general merchandise and furniture, carrying about $15,000 worth of stock, and have leased the Warnecke building, a two-room structure with basement. Mr. Steffi is at present a member of the village council. He was married September 29, 1914, to Martha Hartneck, who was born February 2, 1897, daughter of Joseph and Martha Hartneck, her father being a farmer of Sleepy Eye.

Reuben A. Druck, a successful farmer of Three Lakes township, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1857, son of Benjamin and Katherine (Arnold) Druck. The father, who was a farmer of York county, died there in 1896, the mother dying in 1900 at the age of 64. Reuben A. Druck remained at home until he was 24 years of age. From 1886 until 1891 he was foreman of bridge builders on the C. B. & Q. railroad. Then he entered into the grocery business at Knoxville, la., and later engaged in contracting and building there. Then he began farming in Marion county, Iowa, later farming in Green county, Iowa, and in 1909 bought 160 acres in section 10, Three Lakes township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he is now located, owning at present 307^ acres. He makes a specialty of buying and feeding cattle and hogs, keeping from 125 to 150 head of cattle and about 200 head of hogs per year. As a corn grower he is widely known, and in conserving his soil he alternates this crop with oats and barley. He also plants from 25 to 50 acres of potatoes a year, and in 1914 had a yield of 400 bushels to the acre. In July, 1916, he purchased a cattle ranch of 1,189 acres, with a mile and a half of shore line on Crooked Lake, in Cass county, this state. Mr. Druck was married November 16, 1886, to Helena Johanna Abels, who was born September 16, 1863, daughter of John and Sophia (Gerdes) Abels. Her father is a retired farmer of Mound Union, la., born May 12, . 1833 ; and her mother was born February 23, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Druck have had six children : Raymond H., born August 20, 1887, who died August 19, 1906; Beulah H., now Mrs. Fred Nelson, living on a farm near Albert Lea; Letha'M., now Mrs. Earnest Eckey, of Norway, la. ; Ruby F., William M., and Reese A. The three last mentioned are residing at home.

Mathew Wilson, now deceased, was born in Howard, N. Y., February 9, 1830, son of Samuel and Mary (Powell) Wilson. His father was a farmer in New York and later moved to Illinois and then to Goodhue county, Minnesota. The mother died in 1848. Mathew Wilson came to Goodhue county in 1856 and worked out on the farms until 1872, after which he lived in Redwood Falls for one year. In 1873 he homesteaded a tract of land in Lyon county, Minnesota, and lived there three years. Moving to Redwood county in 1877, he located on the homestead of his father- in-law, in section 20, Three Lakes township, where he subsequently resided until his death, July 25, 1904. For 13 years he served as township clerk, and was school clerk for 12 years. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota regiment, in August, 1862, and served three years. His wife still lives on the home place. Mr. Wilson was married April 24, 1874, to Janet Montgomery, who was born November 10, 1849, in Scotland, daughter of Robert and Mary (Reid) Montgomery. Her father came to America from Scotland in 1871 and located in Redwood county, Minnesota, May 6. In 1872 he homesteaded 80 acres in section 20, Three Lakes township, which place was his home thereafter until his death, February 6, 1890, at the age of 71 years. His wife died in 1878 at the age of 62. They had been married in 1846 in Ayrshire, Scotland, and had five children. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had the following children: Mary, born August 4, 1875, now Mrs. W. T. Wilcox, wife of an implement dealer in Redwood Falls; Jane, born April 8, 1876, living at home; Robert, born June 13, 1877, who died March 1, 1899; Elizabeth, born February 26, 1890, a teacher at Amiret, Minn.; and Alice G., born November 12, 1893, who is a student at the Mankato State Normal school.

Swen J. Bergblom, a well-known farmer of Springdale township, was born October 18, 1853, in Sweden, son of Carl J. and Mariah Bergblom, both natives of Sweden. Carl J. was born in 1825 and came to America in 1869, locating at Moline, 111., where he worked as a farm hand and laborer until 1875. Then he became employed in the Dimmock & Gold saw mill and pail factory at Moline, in which city he died, December 14, 1901. He was married October 1, 1851. His wife was born June 20, 1820, and died December 18, 1901. Their children were: Swen J.; Elizabeth (Mrs. Swen A. Sandahl), now living in Chicago; and Carl A., who died in 1869 at Moline. Swen J. Bergblom worked as a farm hand for a time and in 1871 obtained employment in the pail factory at Moline, 111., where he remained until August 28, 1884. He then came to Redwood county and bought 160 acres of land in section 14, Springdale township. In 1904 he added to his farm 80 acres of land in section 15 and 80 acres in section 22. Ninety acres of the land in section 14 had been broken and seven acres had been used for a grove, there being also a small orchard. There was a small house, 14 by 18 feet, and a straw barn and small shed. In 1892 he built a comfortable house and in 1900 a substantial barn. He has since increased the size of his orchard and has a large number of fine cattle. Mr. Bergblom was married August 17, 1882, in Moline, 111., to Emma Erickson, who was born September 3, 1856, daughter of Nels J. and Anna Erickson. Her father was born in Sweden in 1825 and came to America in 1851, finding employment as a blacksmith in the plow factory of John

Deere at Moline, 111. He became noted for his skill in tempering plows. He bought 120 acres of land near Moline, and died there in 1898. His wife was born in Sweden in 1829 and is now living with her daughter Emma. There were seven children in the Erickson family: Matilda (Mrs. O. Olson), who died in 1884; Emma (Mrs. Bergblom) ; Albert, who died in a railway accident at Moline in 1908 ; Mollie, deceased ; Nathan, now on the old home farm at Moline; John, deceased; and Ellen, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bergblom have five children: August, living in Oales township ; Carl, living in Springdale township ; and Anna, Franz, and Alma, all living in Springdale township.

John O. Wiecks, dealer in meats at Walnut Orove, was born January 23, 1887, at Tracy, Minn., son of William and Bertha (Went) Wiecks. His parents were born, respectively, in 1865 and 1867. The mother came to America from Germany at an early age with her parents. The father is a traveling salesman, who lives at Walnut Grove. Their children are : Edward W.f of Windom, Minn. ; Clara (Mrs. F. A. Evans), of Brookings, S. D. ; Henry A., living at home ; George H., of Elkton, S. D. ; John G., subject of this sketch ; and Fred R., Alfred, Harry, and Dolores, all at home. John G. Wiecks, after completing his schooling at Walnut Grove, began the meat business, January 3, 1910, with his brother Edward, buying out the interest of Henry Jacobs. In 1912 Edward sold his interest to his brother, locating at Windom, where he is engaged in the meat business. John G. has one of the best slaughter establishments in Redwood county, and also a well-equipped retail store. He has an ice house of 550 tons capacity and carries on a regular ice business in the town, and expects soon to install an icing system in his meat market for the show case and the window display. He is agent for the Swift tankage hog feed, and also deals in hides and wool, and is agent for a tanning company of Des Moines, engaged in the tanning of hides for rugs, coats, robes, etc. In addition he conducts a regular produce and poultry trade business, and is a stockholder in the Walnut Grove Building and Loan Association. A Republican in politics, he served on the village council in 1912. He is a member of the Blue lodge of Masons. Mr. Wiecks was married October 14, 1913, to Ginevra E. Walker, who was born February 21, 1893, at Oswego, 111., daughter of Joseph R. and Nancy (Wright) Walker. Her father, a veteran of the Civil war, a member of the G. A. R., and for many years a farmer, went to Walnut Grove in 1907, where he operated the Walker Hotel until his death, April 20, 1915. There were the following children in the family : Laura (Mrs. Montageau Morris), of Waterloo, la.; Floy (Mrs. George Graver), of Aurora, HI.; Larston, deceased; Clara (Mrs. Hardy Edwards), of Oswego, HI.; Homer, at home; Blanche, at home; Ginevra, wife of John G. Wiecks; and Everett, deceased.

Chauncey W. Bulen, postmaster of Walnut Grove, was born May 4, 1873, at Rochester, Minn., son of Benjamin F. and Frances (Creasy) Bulen. Benjamin F. Bulen was born in New York state, October, 1843, and his wife in Massachusetts, in 1840. He first went to Wisconsin, and later to Rochester, Minn., where both parents are now living, having retired from farming. There were six children in their family : Don 0., of San Diego, Cal. ; Cora M. (Mrs. A. E. Hart), of Wisconsin; Chauncey W.; Benjamin F., of Minneapolis; Belle, a jeweler of Kingman, Kan. ; and Pearl (Mrs. John F. Fixen), of Seaforth, Minn. Chauncey W. Bulen completed his common school education at Rochester, and in 1891 went to St. Paul, where he entered the employ of the Hackett Hardware Co., remaining there eight years. Then coming to Walnut Orove, he was interested in the hardware business for about a year with his brother, Don 0. Next he went to Seaforth, where he was engaged in the hardware business for four years. In 1904 he returned to Walnut Orove and again entered into the hardware business with his brother, Don 0. Selling out in 1910, he engaged in the harness business with Mr. Nybo under the firm name of Bulen and Nybo. A year later he sold his interest and started a general store, which he sold in January, 1915. He was appointed postmaster January 8, 1915. Mr. Bulen is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, the I. 0. 0. F., and the M. W. A. He was married November 7, 1899, to Jessie Masters, who was born November 24, 1880, in Winneshiek county, Iowa, daughter of John F. and Prudence (Sharp) Masters, natives of New York, whose children were: Inez, Mabel, Edda, and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. Bulen have the following children : Roy, born June 18, 1901 ; Lloyd, September 2, 1904 ; Mildred, December 6, 1906; Clarence, April 6, 1909; and Genevieve, September 22, 1914. The family faith is that of the Methodist church.

Peter A. Benson, a well-known grocer of Walnut Grove, was born May 22, 1869, in Denmark, son of Hans Peter and Ann Margaretha (Dahlby) Benson. He was one of nine children, eight of whom are living: Martin, of Carona, Canada; Hans, James, Joergen, Signe, Anine, and Caroline, of Denmark, and Peter A., of Walnut Grove. The father, a cabinet-maker, was born in 1836, and died June 11, 1906 ; his wife, born in 1841, died February 1, 1903. Peter A. Benson grew up in his native land, where he also received his education and served in the Danish army one year. He came to America in 1893, locating at once in Walnut Grove, Minn., where he began to look for a business opening. In the meanwhile he rented and operated a farm in Cottonwood county. After seven years he returned to Walnut Grove and opened the Arcade restaurant. January 1, 1902, he sold this and went to Balaton, Minn., where he conducted the Balaton Hotel for a year.

In 1903 Mr. Benson returned to Walnut Grove and opened the Arcade Hotel, which h« operated until November 1, 1913. He then gave up hotel-keeping and has since been engaged in the grocery business, having a good and complete stock. He is a member of the M. B. A. Mr. Benson was married November 11, 1901, to Paulina Nelson, who was born in Norway, December 31, 1852, and died in Walnut Grove, April 20, 1907. He was married secondly, March 5, 1911, to Mrs. Christina M. Demkier, who waa born in Denmark September 30, 1853. The family are members of the Congregational church. Mrs. Benson had by her first marriage seven children.

Fred O. Egge, of the Walnut Grove Hardware Co., was born April 8, 1881, in Freeborn county, Minnesota, son of Andrew A. and Sofia (Sigerson) Egge, natives of Norway, born in 1835 and 1845 respectively. Mrs. Egge died in 1912 at Albert Lea, where her husband now resides. Mr. Egge came to America at the age of 13 and located in Wisconsin, later coming to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he bought a farm. He retired from farming in 1898. The children in the family were : Emma, Tilda, Henry, Ida, Nora, Fred, Alick and Arthur (twins), of whom Arthur is deceased. Fred O. Egge completed his high school education at Albert Lea in 1900 and for five years subsequently had charge of his father's farm in Freeborn county. He then went to Walnut Grove and entered into the hardware business with O. B. Flesche, under the name of Walnut Grove Hardware Co. Mr. Flesche died October 11, 1913, and his widow retained his interest in the business until January 1, 1916. Her death occurred December 8, 1915, and on January 22, 1916, her estate was sold to Mr. Egge. The latter 's store is located in a good building owned by his father. Mr. Egge is a Republican in politics and has served for five years on the village council and on the school board. He was married November 18, 1903, to Inga Molstad, who was born March 7, 1883, in Freeborn county, Minnesota, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Lyner) Molstad, natives of Norway, who came to America, and who are now living in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they are engaged in farming. There were the following children in the family: Holvor, Carrie (deceased), Inga, Helen (deceased), Oluf, Ida, Helmer, and Leo. Mr. and Mrs. Egge's children are: Arthur, born December 21, 1905 ; Winf red, May 20, 1909 ; Ellsworth, May 15, 1911 ; Irene, March 15, 1914 ; and Harriet, March 15, 1916. Mr. Egge and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

P. Joseph Walsh, a progressive farmer of North Hero township, was born April 3, 1865, in Montgomery township, Le Sueur county, Minnesota, son of Richard and Ann (McMahan) Walsh, both natives of County Clare, Ireland. Richard Walsh, born April 29, 1828, came to America in 1846 and located in Augusta,

Mr. And Mrs. Richard Walsh P. J. Walsh And Family

Me., where he was married, in October, 1849, to Ann McMahan, who was born in 1826. In 1850 he moved to Detroit, Mich., where he lived six years, one year of this time being spent on the Great Lakes as a sailor. In 1856 he moved to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, where he took a claim, the deed to which was signed by President Buchanan, and is now in the possession of his son, P. Joseph. Mr. Walsh voted for the first governor of the state of Minnesota. In 1879 he came to Redwood county and bought 172 acres of land in section 18, North Hero township, which he cultivated until 1901. He retired to Tracy, Minn., where he died December 9, 1904. His wife died January 10, 1907. In politics he was a Democrat and was actively interested in local public affairs. He served as county commissioner of Le Sueur county for five years, and was superintendent of the county poor farm from 1867 to 1871. There were seven children in the family: James F.; Mary I., now deceased; John, deceased; Augusta J. (Mrs. Alf. Swoffer), deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Walter Dalton, of New York; Margaret T., who married W. H. Boyle, of Waseca, Minn. ; and P. Joseph. With the exception of two years, P. Joseph Walsh assisted his father with the farm work, and after his removal to Tracy took charge of the farm. He also took a homestead of 160 acres in Springdale township, which he proved up in 1892. He carries on general farming and stock raising, having Aberdeen Angus cattle, Shropshire and white-faced sheep, Poland China swine and Percheron horses. He is a stockholder in the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company. In politics Mr. Walsh is independent. He was on the Springdale township board in 1893 and on the North Hero township board in 1897. Fraternally he is identified with the A. O. U. W. lodge, No. 249, of Walnut Grove. Mr. Walsh was married, October 16, 1901, to Alvilda M. Hanson, who was born November 20, 1876, at Copenhagen, Denmark, and came to America with her parents in 1886, they settling in Brown county, Minnesota. In 1898 they moved to Redwood county and began farming in North Hero township. Her mother died December 12, 1914, and her father now lives in Iowa. There were five children in the family: Lena, Mrs. H. A. Ledenberg; Alvilda; Harl L., of Phillips, S. D. ; Jennie, who is Mrs. Walter Jensen, of Independence, la. ; and Oswald, of Independence, la. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh have seven children : Frances M., born September 8, 1903 ; Alva J., December 23, 1904 ; Richard L., January 10, 1906 ; Jennie J., April 20, 1908 ; Catherine P., January 12, 1911; Joseph P., May 7, 1913; and Connor J., August 20, 1914. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

John Nelson, a well-known farmer of North Hero township, was born August 30, 1851, in Sweden, son of Nels and Truen (Swanson) Ingemanson. The father died in May, 1916, his wife having passed away in 1908. There were nine children in the family: Jokn, Kersti, Malena, Celia, Nels, Bengta, Matilda, Swen and Anna. John Nelson came to America in 1880, locating in section 7, North Hero township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he bought 80 acres of land. To this he later added 80 acres more. He has good farm buildings, a small but well-developed orchard and raises a good grade of stock. As a stockman he keeps Duroc Jersey swine, marketing about eighty per year. In addition to his personal holdings, he rents extra land, having the following acreage in crops: 125 acres of corn, 60 acres of oats, ten acres of rye, 12 acres of barley, and eight acres of wheat. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Rural Telephone Co. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Nelson has just completed a new barn, 22 by 48 feet, also a corn crib and granary, in fact has made all the improvements on his place, including the planting of a grove. Mr. Nelson was married February 25, 1883, to Nellie S. Lindgren, who was born in Sweden, September 15, 1867, daughter of John and Hannah (Nelson) Lindgren. Her parents came to America in 1875 and settled in Springdale township, Redwood county, on an 80-acre tract of land. Mr. Lindgren died in 1882 and Mrs. Lindgren is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had children born as follows: Alfred, April 28, 1884; Carl, October 6, 1885; Franz, October 31, 1887 ; Hannah, August 15, 1889 ; Emma, March 22, 1891; Lillie, May 27, 1893; Alvin, February 11, 1898; Elmer, November 6, 1899 ; and Victor, April 27, 1904. Alfred was married November 7, 1913, to Jennie Whitney ; Hannah was married June 1, 1910, to Carl Moline, and they have one child, Crystal, born August 10, 1912; Emma married September 1, 1915, Swen Swenson, and they have one child, Lorraine. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Edwin A. Randolph, who was for some years a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of North Hero township, was born April 27, 1872, in Easota, Minn., and died March 8, 1916. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Randolph, natives of England, who came to America as young people and settled in Illinois, where they were married. In 1861 they moved to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, where the father died in ,1900. There were eight children in the family, four of whom are now living, James of Kasota, Minn.; John, Henry and Edwin A. Edwin A. Randolph left home at the age of 17 years and with his brother John bought a quarter section of land in Redwood county, later selling it and purchasing three 80-acre tracts with his brother Henry. They sold these in 1910 and Edwin A. went to Los Angeles county, California, where he bought 12 acres of orange orchard. In 1912 he sold this property and returned to Redwood county, where he bought 160 acres in section 34, North Hero township. His farm, which was originally a tree claim, homesteaded by his wife's father, was kept in fine condition. He was engaged in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey swine and Shire and Percheron horses. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. Randolph was an industrious and respected citigen whose death, while still in middle life, was much regretted by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Randolph was married August 1, 1894, to Bessie Wiggins, who was born August 20, 1874, daughter of James and Hilda (Sanderson) Wiggins. Her father came to Redwood county at an early date and settled in North Hero township, where he died in 1911, his wife dying there in 1881. There were seven children in the family, four of whom are now living. Milon, of Redwood county; Jesse, of Walnut G*ove; Bessie, widow of Randolph, and Eva, who is Mrs. Fred Walker, of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph's children were : Clara, born May 13, 1896, who died June 22, 1913 ; Lilliam, born October 11, 1897; Earl, born November 9, 1900; Mary, born May 6, 1903; Kenneth, born August 27, 1906; Le Roy, born September 22, 1908, and Clifford, born January 9, 1911. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Victor E. Olson, an enterprising young farmer of North Hero township, was born November 18, 1893, on the farm which he now owns, in section 4, North Hero township. He is the son of Louis and Ingrid (Johnson) Olson. The father was born January 5, 1848, at Wase Parish, Vermland, Sweden, and in 1869 came to America, locating at Carver, Minn. In 1873 he moved to Redwood county, and homesteaded the place in section 4, North Hero township now owned by his son Victor. He and his wife were married April 11, 1877, and his first residence here was a dugout. After a while he built a small frame house and in 1882, the present residence. A Republican in politics, for several years he served as a member of tjie school board of district No. 19. He died March 12, 1915, revered and respected by his friends and neighbors. He had two sisters, Augusta Westin, of Sweden, and Christina Olson, a step-sister, now Mrs. John Larson, of Tracy, Minn. His wife was born December 12, 1857, and came to America in 1872 with her mother, brother and sister. Her father, Henry Johnson, had come in 1870 and settled at Carver, Minn. In 1873 he moved to Redwood county and here he died in 1911. Mrs. Olson died September 6, 1913. There were seven children in the family: Amanda, now Mrs. John Pierson, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Hattie, wife of Albert Carlson, of Redwood county; John, of Springbrook, North Dakota; Carl, of Rhame, North Dakota; Victor E.; Lillian and Leonard. Victor E. has charge of the farm with his brother Leonard. He attended the country school of his neighborhood and subsequently Minnesota College at Minneapolis, being graduated in 1911. He then spent a year and a half in the agricultural school at St. Paul,

Minn. In the spring of 1914 Mr. Olson returned to the farm, and has since devoted his time to making it one of the best improved pieces of agricultural property in the district. He has good buildings, and has erected a silo of a hundred-ton capacity. He raises Holstein cattle and is contemplating entering the dairy industry. He markets about 50 head of Duroc Jersey swine every year.