Renville County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1916 (part 2 of 10)

Frederick and Anna Mary Sophia (Maury) Heinecke. Julius Heinecke remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when lie went to work for his board while attending school. When he was nineteen he began the wagon makers' trade at Benton. Carvei' county, Minn., where he remained one year. Leaving there he worked two years in the framing department of Thomas Chambers Art store at .Minneapolis. The next three years were spent in the same line of work for James Browned at St. Paul. In 1876 In1 entered a homestead claim of eighty acres and a tree claim of eighty acres on the southeast quarter id' section 32, Preston Lake township, which he still owns together with the south half of the northwest quarter and the south half of the northeast quarter of section 32. He retired in 1910 and has lived in Olivia since. For four years he was township supervisor and for one year assessor. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Olivia. Mr. Heinecke was married Feb. 2, 1S77, to Mary F. Robinson, born Dec. 15. 1857, in Iowa, daughter of Thomas L. and Sarah (Buxton) Robinson. Ten children were born: Ambrose -lulius, born Oct. "20, 1878, of Byers, Colorado, married Mary Haugen of Lac qui Parle county. Minn., and has four children; Aurora, born April 25, 1880; married Charles Olson, a hardware merchant of Centuria, Wis., and has five children; Sophia Cora, born Dec. 31, 1881, was married to -less Scheibel of Olivia, a hardware clerk; Annie Florence, born March 2, 1884, was married to Burgess E. Woody, of Los Angeles, California, and has two children; Cornelius Ray ml. born .Ian. 29. 1886, now of Grafton township. Sibley county, married Minnie Keitel ; Roland < '.. born Dec. 30, 1887, of Olivia; Herbert Harrison, born Feb. 11, 1890, on his father's farm in Preston Lake, married Cora Harrier and lias two children; Julian Wingred, born Oct. SI, 1892, now of Sioux City. Iowa; Percy Ehvin. born Sept. 31, 1895, of Centuria, Wis., clerk in a hardware store; and Lula Viola, born Dec. 18, 1896, at home.

John Adolph Frederick Heinecke, born in Germany .March 3, 1820, came to America in 1848 and spent a short time in Philadelphia, going from there to Harrisburg, Pa., where he spent five years in the tailoring trade. While there he made a suit of clothes for Alexander Ramsey, who later became governor of Minnesota, and who influenced him to move to Minnesota in 1855 and locate at St. Paul, as a tailor and clothier. In 1858 he took up land in Carver county where he remained until 1867 when he sold out his property. He then purchased eighty acres in Chaska township, where the Carver County Sugar factory now stands, moving from there in 1901 when he retired from farming and located in Preston Lake township, where he resided with his son, Julius, until his death in 1908. His wife was born Dec. 18, 1819, in Han- Over, Germany, and died Easter Sunday, 1902.

Thomas L. B. Robinson, born in 1824, near Columbus, Ohio, was a cabinet maker and farmer. He came to Renville county in 1873, and died iu 1884 ?t the age of sixty-three years. His wife, Sarah (Buxton) Robinson, was born iu 1830 and died March, 1903, at the age of seventy-three years.

William Buethe, an extensive laud owner now living in Olivia, was born iu Hesse, Germany, March 10, 1848, son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Meier) Buethe, who came to America iu 1861, located iu Will county, Illinois, engaged iu farming for many years, aud afterward retired to Monee Station, where they both died. William Buethe attended the schools of his uative land, came to America with his parents in 1861, and located with them on a farm in Will county. Illinois, where he likewise attended school and where he grew to manhood, and learned farming from his father. He remained home until 1873 and then came to Renville county where he purchased a farm of 160 acres in the town of Birch Cooley and farmed about four years, after which he removed to Winfield township and took a tree claim of 160 acres. He improved this claim, built up a fine farm, and added to the place from time to time until he owned 480 acres of the best laud. In 1897 he rented his farm and moved to Olivia where he erected a splendid residence and where he is now, after a long and strenuous life filled with hard work aud strenuous endeavor, speudiug the afternoon of life in the comfort which he so richly deserves. He still owns the 480 acre farm in Winfield township, and in addition to this has his five-acre tract in the village of Olivia, fourteen acres iu Oregon, eighty acres in Wisconsin, and 220 acres in North Dakota. While in the township he was one of the most popular men in the community, and served on the township board for many years, was assessor thirteen years, and was treasurer or clerk of his school board at different times for many years. Since coming to the village he has served two years as assessor and eleven years as a member of the village council. He is a stockholder in the Olivia Canning Co. William Buethe was married in Will county, Illinois, Feb. 13, 1872, to Sophia Homeier, who was born in Hauover, Germany, Juue 23, 1853, daughter of Henry and Mary (Bergman) Homeier, natives of Germany who came to America in 1854, located in the town of Green Garden, Will county, 111., and there engaged iu farming until 1875, when they came to Renville county and located at Beaver Falls, in their latter days making their home with Mr. and Mrs. Buethe in Winfield township, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Buethe have had eight children : William J., Henry, Minnie, August, Matilda, Rika, Ida, and George. William J. lives in Elesa, Minn., where he conducts a restaurant. He married Cora Smith and they have five children. Henry lives in Ruso, North Dakota, where he farms. He married Annie Doering, and they have eight children. Minnie lives in Clara City, Minn. She married Emil Yock and they eonduct a general store. They have three children. August is a merchant at Paynesville, Minn. He married Edna Feeder and they have three children. Matilda lives in Clara City, Minn. She married George Schulte, a hardware merchant, and they have three children. Rika lives in Sheboygan, Wis. She married Julius Bruhm, a druggist, and they have one child. Ida lives in Bird Island, this county. She married Albert Baarch, a real estate dealer, and they have one child. George is proprietor of the Olivia Bottling & Ice Cream Co., of Olivia, and lives at home. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

Dennis O'Shea, one of Minnesota's heroes, was born Nov. 1, 1831, and died April 27, 1912. He is buried at Ft. Ridgely which he helped to defend. He served five years in Company L, Second United States Artillery, two years in the Seminole war in Florida, was with Marsh's command when it was ambushed at Redwood Ferry, Aug. 18, 1862, and had command of a piece of artillery during the siege ami battles of Ft. Ridgely. Of him it has been said: "He lived up to his orders and was faithful to his commands." Before the Massacre he lived near Franklin, but he afterward lived near the fort which he had so nobly defended.

John Mehlhouse, one of the leading farmers of Renville county, now living in Olivia, was born in Lee county, 111., Dec. 11, 1869, son of Justus and Mary (Kummel) Mehlhouse. He received a good education and learned farming from his father. In 1891 he purchased eighty acres of land of R. D. Cone in section 6, Norfolk township. This he still owns and values at $100 per acre. In 1893 he bought eighty acres of Joe Single, this farm being well improved and valued at $150 per acre, and is still in possession of it. In 1897 he moved onto this farm, always living at home until then. In 1902, together with his brother George, he purchased 120 acres, but soon sold his interests in the farm. In 1905 he purchased 160 acres in section 32 of Bird Island township for which he paid $37.50 an acre. This proved an exceptionally good investment, as he sold eighty acres of it in 1914 at $100 an acre. In 1907 he secured eighty acres from his brother George, for which he paid $40 an acre, this being located in section 6. Norfolk township. Another 160 acres in this section was obtained in 1910, for which he paid $44 an acre. Another eighty acres he secured from his father in the same section at $55 per acre, which gave him a total of 440 acres in section 6, Norfolk township. He has made great improvements on this land and to this end has in his employ from three to six men. His home on the edge of Olivia is one of the prettiest places in town. The eight-room modern house is surrounded by an acre of well improved lawn and gardens. The farm lies four miles south of

Olivia. He also owns eighty acres in Bird Island township, a half interest in 200 acres in section 24, Kosmos township, Meeker county, Minn., 120 acres in Swift county and a half interest in 400 acres in Troy township, this county. For many years Mr. Mehlhouse lias been one of the leading stockraisers in this county and has just completed one of the finest concrete barns in this part of the state. He specializes in Poland China hogs. Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Shropshire sheep. For many years in the past he operated a threshing machine with his brother George, Will Dennstedt and Frank Conrad. He is a director of the Peoples National Bank and a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator, both of Olivia. In politics Mr. Mehlhouse is a Republican and has served two years as town supervisor of Norfolk township, nine years as clerk of the school board of district No. 36, six years in the same capacity in district No. 137, and five years as road supervisor. Fraternally he is a member of the Olivia lodges I. O. O. F. and M. W. A. Mr. Mehlhouse was married Dec. 30, 1S9S, to Emma Krbmer, born Sept. 20, 1869, at Lakeville, Minn., daughter of Fred and Barbara Kromer. This union resulted in three children, Inez and Irene, twins, born Sept. 16, 1899, and Lloyd, born Oct. 22, 1902. The family faith is that of the German Evangelical church.

Fred Kromer, a native of Germany, came to America when quite young and settled in Peru, 111., where he met his future wife. Barbara Meutchler, also a native of Germany. They were married in Illinois and ten children were born: Fred, who died in 1900; George, who is in the hardware business at Bird Island; Dora, the wife of II. Fisher of Bird Island; John, of Bird Island; Christine, the wife of William Schmidt of Bemidji, Minn.; Emma now Mrs. John Mehlhouse: Celia, now Mrs. August Felska of Hutchinson, Minn.: Henry, of Norfolk township; and Richard of Thief River Falls, Minn.

Island township, was born in Lee county, Illinois, Oct. 13, 1873, son of -lustus and Mary (Kuemmel) Mehlhouse. He received his early education at the public schools of his native county, came to Renville county with his parents in 1888 and completed his education at the high school at Morton. When the parents came to Renville county they brought with them a corn planter which was the first to lie introduced in this section. For about fourteen years William operated this corn planter in his neighborhood. He also used to go out with the threshing crews during the threshing season. At twenty-three years of age he purchased 160 acres of land in section 31, Bird Island township. There were no improvements whatever on this land, it being all wild prairie. He worked early and late and as a result has achieved prosperity, now having a fine house and a complete set of outbuildings and has added to his land until lie now has 213 acres. He carries on diversified farming and .stock raising. For the past seven years he has been clerk of school district No. 137 and for seven years he was a member of Company II, Third Regiment of the Minnesota National Guards of Olivia. He was one of the original stockholders and boosters of the Olivia Canning factory. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company and the Central Creamery Company, both of Olivia. In fact. .Mr. Mehlhouse has ever taken an active interest in whatever has been for the good and betterment of Ins town and county. Mr. Mehlhouse was married Sept. 27, 1904, to Florence Meulhousen, born in Sibley county Feb. 15, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Mchlhouse are the parents of four children: .Milton, born Oct. 14, 190.""); Pearl, born Oct. 12, 1908; Willard, born Nov. 7, 1911; ami John, born April 12. 1914. George Mehlhouse, a well-known and successful business man of Olivia, was born in Roehelle, 111., son of Justus and Mary (Kuemmcl ) Mehlhouse. He was reared on the home farm, and remained in his native state until 1888, when he came to Renville county with his parents and located on section 7, Norfolk township. While the days of the early settlement had passed, nevertheless conditions were still somewhat primitive, and Mr. Mehlhouse was able to purchase eighty acres of land at the low price of $11 an acre. Mr. Mehlhouse at once started business operating an auger well digger and a threshing machine, living with his. parents, and devoting his spare time to developing the farm. By hard work, industry and frugality he added to his possessions until in 1900 he owned 600 acres. Mr. Mehlhouse took up his home in Olivia in 1901 and engaged in the implement business with W. J. Glenn. Mr. Glenn died a few months later, and Charles W. Felska became a partner in the business. Mr. Felska died in 1909 and Matthew Erickson secured an interest in the firm. On July 1. 1912, Mr. Mehlhouse purchased the Erickson interests, and on Aug. 15, 1912, reorganized the business as the Olivia Hardware Co., with George Mehlhouse as president, L. A. Matzdorf as vice president; A. R. Schuellar as secretary and treasurer. On March 31, 1915, Mr. Mehlhouse disposed of his interests. From a small business which he and Mr. Glenn had started fourteen years before the concern bad grown in size and importance, automobile and implement departments had been added, and the venture had become one of the largest of its kind in the county. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Mehlhouse has for many years been an extensive dealer in live stock. At present, in company with E. G. Heins, under the firm name of Mehlhouse & Heins, he is engaged in the automobile and garage business. He has just completed a splendid brick block, with full basement and equipped with an elevator. This block constitutes the finest and largest automobile salesroom in Renville county. The office will be amply furnished for the carrying on of the large business, and the salesi-ooms will contain the Hudson, Buick, Dodge and Maxwell cars, as well as all sorts of accessories, supplies, oils, greases and the like, while a filling station will be an attractive feature. Mr. Mehlhouse's popularity, his wide acquaintance, and long experience guarantees the success of this venture. Mr. Mehlhouse has taken a prominent part in business, political and fraternal life. He is a stockholder in the Olivia Canning Co., the Farmers' Elevator of Olivia, and the Electric Short Line of Minneapolis. While in the township he was supervisor for two years and he is now serving his third year as a member of the village council. He is a popular member of Olivia Lodge, No. 190, I. 0. 0. F. ; of Olivia Lodge, No. 2350, M. W. A., and of Olivia Lodge, No. 220, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Mehlhouse was married Nov. 12, 1902, to Augusta Muelhausen, born in Sibley county, Minn., Nov. 12, 1880, daughter of August and Augusta (Kuske) Muelhausen. Mr. and Mrs. Mehlhouse have three children : Lillian, bom Oct. 28, 1903 ; Harvey, born Feb. 7, 1907 ; and Marion, born Aug. 12, 1910. The family faith is that of the Evangelical association.

August Muelhausen, a pioneer of Sibley county, this state, was born in Germany, but as a boy came to St. Louis, Mo. It was in 1864 that he came to St. Paul. From there, in 1870, he came to Sibley county and purchased 160 acres, later adding eighty more and developing a good farm. The land was wild, and the family underwent all the experiences of pioneer life. In 1902 he sold this farm and bought 200 acres in Troy township, this county, where he successfully farmed until 1910, when he sold out and removed to Olivia where he now lives. August Muelhausen was married at St. Paul in 1865 to Augusta Kuske, who came from Germany in 1858. This union has been blessed with eight children : Charlotte, now Mrs. A. A. Juliar, of Mankato ; Hannah, now Mrs. L. J. Kuske, of Olivia ; John, who died in 1914 ; Margaret, now Mrs. William Haedt, of Cathay, N. D. ; Robert, of Olivia; Louise, now Mrs. O. O. Juliar, of St. Clair, Minn.; Augusta, the wife of George Mehlhouse, of Olivia ; and Florence, now Mrs. William Mehlhouse. of Bird Island township.

Justus Mehlhouse, one of the substantial residents of Renville county, was born in Germany, June 24, 1838, there attended school and grew to manhood. When quite a young man he came to America. After spending some years in farming in Lee county, Illinois, he, in 1883, moved with his family to Benton county, Iowa. In 1885 he moved to Tama county, Iowa. In 1888 he came to Renville county, Minn., where he established his home and became one of the leading and prosperous farmers of Renville county. He now has retired from active work and makes his home at Olivia. He was married at Rochelle, Illinois, Nov. 11, 1866, to Mary Kuemmel, born in Germany, Feb. 22, 1845, and died in Renville county, May 22, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Mehlhouse were the parents of eleven children : George, of Olivia, whose family sketch will be found elsewhere; John, of Olivia, whose sketch will be also found elsewhere in this work ; Elizabeth, who keeps house for her father; William, of Bird Island township, whose sketch will be found elsewhere ; Kate E., who died July 13, 1909; Anna, now Mrs. Henry Kromer of this county, who has three children, Orlando, Esther and Mildred; Jacob, who conducts the home farm in Norfolk township; Martha, deceased; Minnie, deceased ; Nettie, a twin of Minnie, now Mrs. Harry Juliar, of Mankato, and who has two children, Milton and Harold ; Rose, who keeps house for her brother Jacob on the farm. The family faith is that of the German Evangelical church.

Leo R. Pirsch, D. D. S., a popular Olivia dentist, was born Feb. 16, 1891, in Caledonia. Minn., son of Peter J. and Johannah (Palen) Pirsch. His father, Peter .1. Pirseh was born Sept. 28, 1860, near Milwaukee, Wis. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and moved to Caledonia where In- engaged in contracting and building. He is still engaged in this work and has achieved great success. May 6, 1885, he married Johannah Palen of Caledonia, born .Ian. 28, 1865. They an- the parents of the following children: Leo K.. of Olivia, and Joseph, of .Minneapolis, who is a district manager for the International Correspondence school. Leo R. Pirsch received his early education in the public schools of Caledonia and later attended the University of Minnesota, where he took up a course in dentistry arid graduated in 1914. He at once came to Olivia, began his practice as dentist and has built up a good clientele. He is a member of the C. 0. F. and has held all the chairs of the lodge at Calodonia.

John F. Lorenz, Bird Island, was born in Austria. Nov. 14. 1864, son of Frank and Theresa (Kreutzer) Lorenz, who in 1868 brought him to America and located at Mankato, where the father followed his trade as blacksmith until his death in 1898. after which the mother took up her home with her children. John F. Lorenz was reared in Mankato, passed through the parochial schools, and at the age of nineteen became a tool sharpener in the granite works at St. Cloud. This work he followed for fifteen years. In that time he prepared the tools for many big contracts, including the Hennepin County Court House and the Minnesota State Capitol. For three years he conducted a shoe store in Mankato. For two years he farmed on a place three miles southeast of Redwood Falls. In 1901 he engaged in business in Bird Island, where he new resides. He has a pleasant home with all modern equipment. Mr. Lorenz is chief ranger of the C. O. F., secretary of the D. R. K. U. G., and a member of the Bird Island Commercial Club. The family faith is that of the

Roman Catholic church, in which Mr. Lorenz is a member of the St. Joseph Society. John F. Lorenz was married Oct. 25, 1887, to Anna M. Mahowald, born March 3, 1867, daughter of John and Katherine (Weber) Mahowald, the former of whom, a general merchant, died in Mankato in 1909 at the ripe age of seventynine years, and the latter of whom still lives in Mankato. Mr. and ^Irs. Lorenz have seven children : John E., born Sept. 6, 1888, is a teacher; Roman B., born Jan. 6, 1892, is a successful business man of Hector; Ferdinand A., born May 27, 1894, is at home; Agatha, born Sept. 5, 1897, is also at home; Alphonse, born March 24, 1901. and Herman and Crescentia (twins), born June 7, 1903, are attending the parochial schools.

George Quinn, medicine man. friendly Indian during the massacre, was probably born at Kaposia, now South St. Paul, possibly about 1840. lie claimed to be a half-breed Sioux and Kickapoo, but it is generally believed to be the son of Peter Quinn. the scout, and Ineyahewin, a Kickapoo squaw. In November, 1862, he was one of the three delegates who conducted the negotiations between Gen. Sibley and Little Crow for the release of prisoners. A note still in existence, signed by S. R. Riggs and T. S. Williamson, missionaries, tells of George Quinn, Mahryaduta and Huntkamaza, the three delegates winning the release of the white captives and of bringing them to General Sibley. "Dr." Quinn, as he was called, sold herbs through the Northwest for many years. He died on the reservation near Morton, Jan. 29, 1915. His last words were: "1 soon die. Gitchie Manitou, the Mighty, is calling and soon I answer. Soon I face the setting sun and start the long journey. But it is well, my friend. I have lived long, I have seen much. Many moons have passed since I first winged the arrow. I am going to the happy hunting grounds where peace always is."

was born in Montreal, Canada. June 15, 1842. When 12 years of age. lie came to Minnesota, settling in LeSueur county in 1854. On May 22. 1863. he enlisted in Company K, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, under General H. H. Sibley and was in active service from the start in fighting the Sioux warriors. On Nov. 26 of the same year he received his honorable discharge. On Nov. 28, 1866. he was united in marriage to Kate Morgan, and four years later the family moved to Renville county, settling on a homestead in Troy township. His wife died Oct. 25, 1887. At the time of his death, Sept. 31, 1915, he was living with his son, James F. Haley, north of Olivia. He was a member of the G. A. R. A good neighbor, a substantial citizen, a man of kindly and generous impulses, his memory will long be honored.

breeders in the state. He was born in Germany, May 31, 18G5, son of Christ and Fredericka (Triete) Gummert, who brought their family to America in 1882 and located in Iowa. While still living in Iowa, the father purchased 160 acres in Erickson township, Renville county, six miles north of what is now the city of Renville. In the spring of 1889 the family came to Renville county and purchased the old Lee farm, consisting of 520 acres in section 10. Emmet township. The father. Christ, and the sons Carl F. and Herman, started to improve this large farm, making a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, which they had brought from Iowa. Christ was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Cooperative creamery, mill and elevator at Renville, and took part in other public movements, lie died Jan. 1, 1914, at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife died Sept. 29, 1913, at the same age. Carl F. Gummert remained on the home farm until after his marriage. Then he located on the 160- acre farm which his father owned in Erickson township. He improved this farm in various ways, living there two years. Then he purchased a half of the old Lee farm from his father. This half of the farm was unimproved and lay on the north bank of Lee lake, in section 10. Emmet township. Mr. Gummert set at work with a will improving this place. He erected a good home and a complete set of outbuildings, set out a large grove, erected fences, purchased equipment, and made the place one of the best in the township. He still owns the farm but lives in the city of Renville, where he has a comfortable home and twelve acres of land. Mr. Gummert is considered one of the best judges of swine in Minnesota. He specializes in the raising and breeding of pure bred Poland China swine, keeping about 150 animals each year. His exhibits at the state fairs each year always receive a big share of the blue ribbons. In 1910 he won the Grand Champion prize on a boar and brood sow at the Minnesota and South Dakota state fairs and that same year received fifty-four other prizes. In 1911 he received the Senior Champion prize at the Minnesota State fair and the same year won eleven other awards. In 1914 credit belongs the inauguration of the Brood Sow sales in Minnesota. Already he has held six such sales, and purchasers come from many surrounding states. Among his notable herd boars maybe mentioned Hathers Joe. 215,391 ; Columbus the Great. 215,- 398; Choice Wonder, 210,577; Gummert 's Expansion, 226.857. Mr. Gummert also makes a specialty of full-blooded Plymouth Rock chickens, Toulouse geese. Mammoth Bronze turkeys, and Rowen ducks. Mr. Gummert has been clerk of the school district 58 and township assessor of Emmet. He was one of those instrumental in establishing the great ditch known as Ditch 45. Carl F. Gummert was married Dec. 2. 1896, to Augusta Asal, of

Arlington, Minn., daughter of George and Augusta Asal, natives of Germany, and married in Minnesota, early pioneers of Grafton township, Sibley county. Mr. and Mrs. Gummert have six children : Elsie, Antonia, Erick, Gladys, Alice and Ruth.

William E. Kemp, at one time county commissioner of Renville county, was born in Havana, Mason county, 111., May 29, 1851, son of James and Lucina (Wilcox) Kemp. James Kemp was born in Watertown, New York, son of William and Sarah Jane (Hagerty) Kemp, natives of England and Ireland, respectively. They were married in New York City, where he engaged iu the shoemaker business. In 1847 he moved, locating in Havana, 111. James was married there to Lucina Wilcox, native of Ontario, Can., and in 1854 brought his wife and two children, William E. and Charles, to Minnesota, locating in Langdon where he first farmed and later entered into the hardware business. He died June 27, 1899, at the age of 63 years. He held township and school offices. He was prominent as a member of the I. 0. 0. F. of Hastings, Minn., lodge. William E. received his education at Langdon schools and at the Sparta, Wis., High school. Then he went to Northfield to attend college. On his return home he engaged in farming for himself in Hector township, Renville county, securing 240 acres of wild land May 15, 1878. He built a board shanty and lived here. After a number of years he moved to Hector and engaged in business, but returned to the farm again after about fifteen years. This has been improved with modern buildings and other improvements. He raises Mule Foot swine and Guernsey cattle. In the past he was also an extensive breeder of sheep and still raises a few. He is interested in several farmers' organizations, such as creameries, elevators, etc.. and has held office. He lias served as township clerk and assessor. He was a member of the county board at the time of the building of the courthouse and jail. Mr. Kemp was married Dec. 18. 1877, to Mahalie Mosher, and they have three children, Edith, a graduate of Hamline University and a teacher: Orville. a farmer of Brooktield township, and Percy.

1869. The Dodges were of old New England stock and the Cooks were from Germany. Ralph K. was a carpenter by trade. He brought the family to Hadley Valley near Rochester county, Minnesota, in 1857, where he secured some land and built a frame building. He had an ox team and drove to Winona, the nearest market, for his supplies. He left this place in 1869 and went to Renville county. He located a homestead near Fairfax, township of Cairo, securing a tract of 160 acres of wild prairie land. Here he erected a frame building of elm lumber, and began breaking up the land with his team of oxen. New Ulm was the nearest market. He helped organize the school district of his home section. He died Feb. 28, 1871'. and his wife died Nov. 20. 1912, in Ottertail county.

Eugene I. Dodge, a prominent resident and retired farmer of Hector, was born at Montague, Mass., Dec. 24, 1855, son of Ralph K. and Susan J. (Cook) Dodge. He received his education in Olmsted county, this state, and grew to manhood in Renville county, where he engaged in farming. He secured a homestead in Martinsburg township, section 26, obtaining 160 acres of land. He was twenty-one years old at this time. He built a log house 14 by 14 and began improving the land, using an ox team. As time passed he built up a good farm and erected modern buildings. In 1892 he sold his farm and moved to Hector, where he purchased 120 acres in the village limits which he improved and platted into desirable village lots which found a ready market. For the past fifteen years Mr. Dodge has been engaged in the retail ice business. On his place some years ago he constructed a pond seven feet deep, filled by a thirty-five foot well. This pond is filled fresh each fall, and this wholesome water freezes into the purest kind of ice for family purposes. He also has a fine orchard of some 400 trees, largely of the McMann and Wealthy varieties, which in the fall of 1913 produced over 600 bushels of apples. Mr. Dodge was one of the first to own and operate a threshing outfit in the county and followed this line of industry for thirty seasons.

Mr. Dodge held the office of township assessor for one term. He was also a member of the school board. He became a volunteer in the Farmers" Alliance at that time. He first took active part in church work in the Baptist church, holding office there and being superintendent of the Sunday school. Later he became interested in the Methodist church and has held office in the church and has become a member.

Mr. Dodge was married May 1, 1883, to Minnie Marquardt, born in Wisconsin Dec. 14, 1863, daughter of Ferdinand and Augusta Marquardt, both natives of Germany and married in Wisconsin. Mr. Marquardt owned a farm in Wisconsin and later in Martinsburg township, Renville County, coming about 1880 and remaining there the rest of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have the following children: Delia Clara, born Feb. 25. 1884; Harry Philo, born Dec. 4, 1885; Esther Sadie, born Dec 8, 1887, and died Sept. 22, 1888; Nettie Bell, born August 12, 1889; Frank L., born March 31, 1891; Chester, born Dec. 5, 1895; Faith H, born Marcli 21, 1899, and died March 31, 1900; Ival Ralph, born August 10, 1902 ; and Robert F., born Sept. 3, 1903. Delia married Burt Moer, of Park Rapids, Minn., and has two children, Florence and Margaret. Frank married Flora Brenham, of Hector, and they have one child, Paul.

Andrew Strom, deceased, was born in Christiania. Norway, Oct. 1, 1820, there grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. He arrived in America in 1850, and in 185(3 came with his family to Minnesota ami located at Butternut Valley. Blue Earth county, being an early pioneer of that section. There he took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres and engaged in general farming. As soon as the homestead law was enacted he secured a homestead of 80 acres joining his pre-emption claim, thus making 240 acres in his farm. He erected suitable buildings and became prominent in his locality taking a very active part in the affairs of his town, lie held different town and school offices and for a time served as one of the county commissioners. In the spring of 1S78 he moved his family to Renville county, where they lived for a period of six months in Palmyra township, thence going to the village of Beaver Falls, where they remained one year. In 1879 they moved to Hector, where he built a store and residence, and engaged in the drug and grocery business, following the same along until 1888 when he took his son William B. into partnership. The firm continued as Strom & Son until Mr. Strom's death, Nov, 20, 1902.

I!i' was united in marriage to Maren O. Fosom, in Chicago, in 1856. She was born in Christiania. Norway, in 1822. came to America about 1852. and located in Chicago. She died June 27, 1913. They were the parents of six children. Thora, who was born in Chicago, became .Mrs. I. S. Gerald, and died in 1889. leaving two children, Guy Howard and Clara Maud; Odin Allied the first white child born in Butternut Valley, is in the real estate business in Kerkhoven, Swift county, Minn.; Wm. I!., of Hector, is mentioned elsewhere; Alice M.. is now Mrs. C. R. Sheppard of California and has four children. Byron, Pearl, Cyrus and Gladys. Cornelia L. is now Mrs. W. L. Ramsey of Billings, Montana, and has one child, Bessie.

William B. Strom, postmaster of Hector since 1897, and merchant since 1888, was born in Butternut Valley, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, October 2. 1860. He received his education at the district schools in Butternut Valley, and the State Normal school at Mankato. In 1S78 he came with his parents to Renville county.

The New York Public Library

Locating with them in Palmyra township, removing with them six months later to the village of Beaver Falls, where he entered the drug store of his brother-in-law, I. S. Gerald, with whom he remained until 1880, coming that yen- to Hector and entering the drug and grocery store which his father had established the year before. In 1888 he became a partner with his father in the business, the firm being known as Strom & Son, and continuing as such until the father's death in 1902, when William B. became sole proprietor. About this time he discontinued the grocery business ami equipped the store with a full and complete line of drugs and sundries. Mr. Strom continued alone until 1908, when he formed a co-partnership with R. P. Clark and ('. .1. Whitney, his brothers-in-law, the firm being known as the W. B. Strom Drug Co. In 1897 Mr. Strom was appointed postmaster of Hector, a position he still retains. Soon after his first appointment, the postoffice was moved into the rear of the drug store, where it is still maintained. Mr. Strom was very active in establishing the rural delivery routes, and now has six routes out of Hector, one more than any other office in the county. When Mr. Strom was appointed, the postoffice was in the fourth class and paid about $800 a year, but under his management it is now third class and pays $1,600 a year. In 1903 Mr. Strom, together with his brother-in-law, R. P. Clark, established and constructed the Hector Telephone Co., which they later sold to the present management. Mr. Strom has taken an active interest in the cleanliness and beauty of the village streets, parks and boulevards. In 1899, he purchased the Hector "Sentinel." transferring it to Sacred Heart, where he published it for two years under the name Sacred Heart "Journal," and there sold it. Mr. Strom served on the Congressional Committee during Joel Heatwolde's Congressional career, having charge of his campaign in Renville county. He is president of the Commercial club, vice president of the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank, former president of the Hoard cf Education and served as justi f the peace for a number of years.

His fraternal affiliations are with Hector Lodge, No. 158, A. P. & A. M. Aside from his beautiful home and other property in Hector, lie has a half acre in Kandiyohi county, located on the south shore of Diamond Lake, where he has a fine summer cottage. motor boat and other comforts.

Mr. Strom was married August 22, 1888, to Lola L. ( 'lark, born in Victory, Wisconsin, January, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Strom have had three children. Russell Rex, born July 8, 1889, passed through the graded and high schools of Hector, took a four-year academic course in the University of Nebraska and one year in the medical department of the Minnesota State university, and is now studying medicine in the Northwestern University Medical Department at Chicago, (iyneth Maymie died in infancy. 1901.

G. C. Clark and Sarah Wilcox ('lark, parents of Mrs. W. B. Strom, moved from Victory, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, and later to Anoka, where the father died, after which the mother came to Hector, where she still resides. They were the parents of three children, Lola L., now Mrs. W. B. Strom, of Hector; Effie, now Mrs. C. J. Whitney, of Hector; and Russell F., of Hector. He married Florence Harding and they have two children, Dorothy and Floyd.

Hans Hanson is a prominent farmer of Granite Falls township, Chippewa county, just over the line from Renville county. He was born in Norway Jan. 29, 1838, son of Hans Thoroson Hanson and Anna Hanson. He came to America in 1865 and lived on Highland Prairie, Fillmore county, until coming to Renville county with them in 1867. A year later he left home and filed on a quarter section in Granite Falls township, just over the line in Chippewa county. Amid discouraging circumstances he started work to establish for himself a home in the wilderness. Many times in making trips to the nearest markets at Willmar and New Ulm he had to subsist the entire distance on frozen bread and sometimes he narrowly escaped serious injury during severe snow storms and frosts. When the grasshoppers came he found it impossible to obtain a living on the farm and consequently secured employment in the flouring mill of Park Warden at Minnesota Falls. In this business he engaged for some ten years. The farm in the meantime continued to occupy his attention and since then has engaged all his energies. His original log house was replaced with a frame dwelling and substantial outbuildings took the place of the shacks which in the early days sheltered his stock. Mr. Hanson has taken an active part in the development of the community, has been supervisor of the township, and for over thirty years, served as treasurer of his school district. He has likewise taken a deep interest in the affairs of the Hawk Creek Norwegian Lutheran church. His farm consists of 600 acres, forty acres of which are in Renville county, and on this splendid tract he successfully carries on general farming along the latest approved lines.

Mr. Hanson was married in Norway. January 11. 1863, to Christena Olson, who died on the farm April 8, 1907. In the family there were eleven children: Hans, Jr., Albert, Anna Christena, Albert, Mary Lilly, Julius H., Helmer and Julia. Hans, Jr., was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1863, and now farms in Clear Water county, Minn. Albert was born in Fillmore county, in 1865, and died at the age of two and a half years. Anna Christena was born Jan. 12, 1867, and is now Mrs. 0. P. Berg, of Granite Falls, Minn. Albert was born Aug. 24, 1869, and farms in Granite Falls township, Chippewa county. He married Lena Seim and their children are Hubert, Esther, Evelyn, Margaret and Harriett. Mary was born Aug. 17, 1871, and died Oct. 22, 1898. Lilly was born Aug. 6, 1873, and is now Mrs. Fred Bakke, of Granite Falls township. Julius H. was born April 25, 1875, and farms in Hawk Creek township. Helmer was born May 11, 1878, and is associated with his father in conducting the home farm. He married Mathilda Thorstad and his children are Maurice, Philip, Douald, Florence and Richard.

Hans Thoroson Hanson, a highly respected early settler, now deceased, was born in Norway in 1805 and there spent his early manhood. In 1862 he with his wife, his two sons and a daughter came to America and located on Highland Prairie in Fillmore county, where they remained until 1867. In that year they set out for Renville county and after arriving filed on a claim in sections 18 and 19, Hawk Creek township, where they started pioneer life in a crudely constructed shack. They passed through all the vicissitudes of frontier life and in time achieved the prosperity which they so richly deserved. Mr. Hanson died in 1889. His good wife who was born in 1810 died in 1880. In the family were five children : Hans, Thorvald, Olaus, Mary and Christopher, all born in Norway.

Thorvald, Olaus and Mary came to Fillmore county with their parents in 1862, and to Renville county in 1867. Christopher did not come to America until later.

Thorvald was born in 1840 and upon coming to Renville county took a homestead in section 18, Hawk Creek township, where he farmed until his death.

Olaus was born in 1844 and upon coming to Fillmore county took land in section 19, Hawk Creek township. He became a man of considerable distinction and carried on farming until 1911, when he sold his farm to his son-in-law, John Agre.

Mary is the wife of K. 0. Agre of Hawk Creek township. Christopher was born April 26, 1836, and now farms in Hawk Creek township. He is appropriately mentioned elsewhere.

Charles H. Evert, one of the well-known residents of Troy township, was born in Rice county, Feb. 15, 1864, the son of Joseph and Lisette (Schultz) Evert, who brought him to Renville county in 1878. After leaving school he remained at home, helping his father on the farm in Flora township, until 1884, when he rented a farm for two years. He then bought 160 acres in Troy township. He broke and developed the bind, erected a house and outbuildings, and remained there until 1899 when he moved to Olivia and devoted a few years to active business life. Ultimately he purchased 120 acres in section 11, Troy township. He has remodeled the house, erected a new barn and other buildings and has greatly beautified the place. Additional land has been bought so that now the farm consists of 360 acres, all of which is tillable with the exception of about twelve acres. Mr. Evert is a man of progressive ideas, and does diversified farming, feeding and shipping two or three carloads of cattle every winter. He has served on the town board and for several years was school clerk. In addition to the home farm he owns a fine farm in Stevens county and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Creamery. He is a member of the Evangelical church of Olivia. Mr. Evert was united in marriage to Bertha Seide, March 27. 1884. Mrs. Evert was born in Germany, June 21, 1861, and came to this country with her parents, Christopher and Anna (Schultz) Seide, in 1868, locating with them in Nicollet county where they engaged in farming and where both parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Evert have had eight children : Henry C, a farmer of Troy township, who married Mary Zachow, has one child, Helen L. ; Emma L., who married George Juliar, who is farming in Blue Earth county, their family consisting of two children, Earl and Delmar; Arthur C, Laura A., Elmer E., Benjamin F.. Edward and Estella M., all of whom are at home. Joseph Evert, born in Germany, married Lisette Schultz in the Fatherland and removed to America in 1862 settling in Rice county. For three years he followed teaming at Dundas. Then he began farming in the same county where he remained until 1878 when lie came to this county and bought SO acres of partly improved land in Flora township, where lie engaged in general farming. In time lie added another 80 acres to his original purchase, developing a fine property. Leaving the farm in the fall of 1901 he and his good wife moved to the village of Morton. In the spring of 1905 they moved to the state of Washington. After the death of his wife there. Joseph Evert returned to Renville county where he now makes his home with his children.

Solomon Bergman, bora in Sweden, April 24. 1836, son of Swan and Anna Munson, who were parents of four children, Peter. Andrew, Solomon and Christine. Solomon's father died when he was fifteen years of age and Peter and Solomon were the only ones of the family to come to America. Solomon was married to Johanna Christina Pearson of Sweden. April 1860. She was the daughter of Peter and Ingre Anderson. Solomon left his wife and children in Sweden and came to America in 1870 to New York where he began working in a stone quarry. The first winter was spent in the woods of Michigan and in the spring he came to Judson, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Here the family joined him in 1871 and the following spring they moved to Renville county where he located 80 acres in section 22, Palmyra township, and built a dugout. The family came in a covered wagon drawn by a team of oxen. It was all wild land and Mr. Bergman began breaking up the land with the help of the oxen. He bought 80 acres adjoining in section 15. He endured many hardships during the first years. For four years in succession his crops were destroyed by the grasshopers. Beaver Falls was the nearest milling place. In 1880 he built a frame house and barns. In 1881 a Cyclone destroyed every building on the place and new buildings had to be erected. Mr. Bergman improved his farm ami had a large tine farm and kept a good grade of stock. He was interested in farmers' organizations and was a member of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Hector and a member of the board of directors. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers ' Insurance Company, known as the Palmyra Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He later became a director of the company and served as vice president. He was also a stockholder of the Hector Telephone Company and Exchange. Mr. Bergman was a leader in the affairs of his community and township and held the office of township treasurer for seventeen years. He was also a member of the school board and helped organize district. No. 86. He was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and was one of the organizers of this church, being its secretary for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Bergman have had the following children : August (deceased), Anna Matilda, Emelie Sophia, Julia Marie, Jennie Augusta, August P., John W. (deceased), Albert F., Carl E., and Nathalia C. Anna Matilda is now Mrs. C. G. Johnson of Minneapolis, and has the following children: Mabel (deceased), Elmer, Clarence. Reuben, Agnes and Myrtle. Emelie Sophia is now Mrs. Claus W. Peterson of .Minneapolis. They have two children: Albert and Harry. Julia Marie married C. M. Johnson and died Oct. 13, 1912, leaving the following children : Herbert. Rudolph, Sidney and Violet. Jennie Augusta is now Mrs. Emil R. Johnson of Minneapolis. Their children are Wallace, Emery and Lillian. Albert F. has for the past fifteen years rented the old homestead and of late years August P. lias been his partner. August P. is now a stockholder and director of the Hector Elevator Company and Albert F. has served as chairman and supervisor on the town board. Carl E. is a painter at Hector. Nathalia C. is now Mrs. Albert Anderson of Palmyra and has tln-ee children: Viola, Gladys and Burgess.

.Mi'. Bergman died Sept. 19, 1908, at the age of seventy-two years, four months and twenty-six days. His wife is still living with her sons, on the old home farm in section 15. Palmyra township.

Sarah (Davis) Rich. Benjamin Rich was born in Bucksport, Maine, son of Benjamin, Sr., and Debora (Wily) Rich. He was a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, son of Robert Rich, native of England who as a child came to Massachusetts with his father. Benjamin Rich, Sr., was a sailor, being a whaler of Cape Cod. He retired from this work and bought some land and lived at Bucksport, Maine, where he died. Benjamin Rich, Jr., took over the old farm of his father and spent his life there. His children were George, Charles, James H., Sarah, Luther, Mary, William and Albion. Sarah Davis was born in Sangerville, Maine, daughter of Abijah and Amelia (Harding) Davis, both of English ancestry.

James H. attended the school of his native township and farmed in the summer and worked in the lumber camps in the winter time. He came to Wisconsin at the age of eighteen years and engaged in lumber business and continued this in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota for about eight years. Then he lived in Wisconsin for a year and a half and in 1877 came in a covered wagon drawn by horses to Renville county, Minnesota, the trip from Waupaca county to Minnesota taking eleven days. He located the present place in section 20, obtaining 100 acres of school land; there were no buildings on the place and it was all wild land.

The family rented a house nearby until their own house was ready. A small house 16 by 24 was built and also a hay roof barn. The nearest trading posts were Glencoe and Hutchinson. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops the first year and the hot winds blighted the straw. He had one cow and began improving the farm. He still owns the old farm and has given it the name of Pine Hill, deriving the name from the number of pine trees on the place set out by himself in the early days.

He is a member of the school board and helped organize district No. 120. -Mr. Rich was married in Wisconsin in 1876 to Abby Waite, born in Wisconsin, daughter of Smith L. and Elmira (Eldridge) Waite. Samuel L. Waite was a native of New York. Elmira Eldridge was a native of Maine and of English parentage. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Rich are parents of five children: Arthur, born July 2, 1875, was married to Mary Buckley, and lives at Minneapolis. Charles, born June 22, 1878, was accidentally killed at Cass Lake, Minn., while loading logs at the landing. Mark, born July 27, 1882, conducts the home farm, lie is a member of the M. W. A. and of the I. O. 0. F. He served as town clerk for one year and was school treasurer nine years. He was married to Helna Meier and has two children, Dorris Beryl and Arthur Henry. Elgie, born July 17, 1885, resides at home. Beryl, born Dec. 9, 1888, married Arthur W. Ritchie and lives at Royalton, Wisconsin

Mr. And Mrs. August Hu8Sock Philip Bingenheimer And Family

Phillip Bingenheimer, one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Renville county, was bom in Hanover, Wright county, this state, Feb. 27, 1856, son of Jacob and Margaret (Schneider) Bingenheimer, who were born in Germany, came to the United States in 1842 and 1851, respectively, were married in Fond du Lac. Wis., settled in the early fifties in Wright county, this state. engaged in farming a while, later moved to Minneapolis, where the father engaged in the milling business and there ended their days, the father in 1873 and the mother in 1910. In the family there were nine children : Phillip ; Mary, now Mrs. James Kistler, of Minneapolis. Ferdinand, of Mandan, North Dakota ; Louisa, now Mrs. Charles Schnacke, of St. Paul ; George, of Mandan, North Dakota ; Edward, of Timmers, North Dakota ; Catherine, now of Minneapolis; and Gustave A. and Ida, of Minneapolis.

Phillip Bingenheimer was afflicted with poor eyes during the first twelve years of his life and this was a great handicap to him in obtaining an education. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and then started to work out as a farm hand. In 1878 he took a homestead in Crooks township, this county, but disposed of it, and in 1882 purchased -40 acres in section 19, Troy township. He erected a shanty, worked his land summers and teamed winters in Minneapolis. In 1884 he was married and settled permanently on his farm. By hard work, intelligent effort, and frugal habits he has increased his holdings until he now owns 400 acres located in sections 17, 18 and 19, Troy township. He has made many improvements, erected a splendid dwelling, a line set of barns and outbuildings, and the necessary sheds and the like. He has a well tilled, well fenced farm, and his machinery, tools, implements and equipment are of the best. Aside from carrying on general farming on an extensive scale, he makes a specialty of breeding Black Poll Angus cattle. Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Bingenheimer is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Danube and in the Danube State Bank. Mr. Bingenheimer was married June 7, 1884. to Paulina Hussock, who was born in Germany June 1, 1865, and was brought to this country in 1871 by her parents, August and Christina (Fussan) Hussock. Mr. and Mrs. Bingenheimer have had six children : Walter E., Florence, Eleanor, Harry, Richard and Margaret. Walter E. is a farmer of Flora township. He was married June 3, 1915, to Bertha Black, who was born June 1, 1896. Florence lives in Brookings, South Dakota. She was born May 4, 1890. and was married Sept. 5, 1912, to Edward Black. Eleanor, born July 29, 1895, and Harry, born April 23, 1897, are both at home. Richard and Margaret died in infancy. August Hussock was born in Germany, married Christina Fussan, came to this country in June, 1871, lived two months in New Ulm, took a homestead in Emmet township, this county, in October, 1871, and there en- gaged in farming. Mrs. Hussock died in 1911, and Mr. Hussock now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Phillip Bingenheimer. They were the parents of three children: Paulina, now Mrs. Phillip Bingenheimer; Paul, of Portland, Oregon, and Matilda, now Mrs. Ernest Hoffman, of Emmet township.

Anton M. Holtan, retired farmer and business man, of Renville. Minn., was born March 23, 1857, at Laurdahl, Norway, the son of Mathew .J. and ('ceil Marie (Oldberg) Holtan. He came to America in 1874 and spent two years in Minneapolis, leaving there for Riverside, where he eondneted a general store, going from there to Dawson, where lie pursued the same business for the same length of time. Selling out he went to Sacred Heart, where he sold farm implements and acted as the agent of the Singer Sewing Machine (Jo. He disposed of this business in 1890 ami came to Renville, where he bought out Rolson & Kleimenhagen, the meat dealers. He formed a partnership with his brother Edward and for four years the new firm conducted the business, when it was sold to Ora Howe. Mr. Holtan then purchased 320 acres of land in Crooks township, where he resided one year, leaving there for Renville where he now lives. In addition to this farm he owns 160 acres in Sacred Heart township and 30 aeres in Renville city in addition to his home there. For many years he has been a stock buyer and is engaged in that business now. At one time he owned an elevator at Renville, which he operated for three years. In politics he is independent. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Mr. Holtan was married Feb. 2, 190(3, to Laura Peterson, born Aug. 7. 1869. at Norland. Norway, daughter of Pierre and Alice (Swenson) Peterson. Mrs. Holtan came to America Sept. 6. 1904, and lived for a short time at Hesper, Iowa, removing to Renville county, Minn., in 1905.

Mathew J. Holtan was born in 1815 at Laurdahl, Norway, and died April 11. 1885, at Norway, never having been in America. He married Cecil Marie Oldberg, born in 1S25 at Oldberg. Norway, tlie date of the wedding being in 1844. Mrs. Holtan came to America in 1890 and died at Minneapolis in 1894. She was the mother of eight children: Jacob, who died in Minneapolis; Regcnia, dead; Regenia, now Mrs. A. Hanson: Edward, who died in Minneapolis in 1906: Anton M.. of Renville: Lars, who died in Minneapolis in 1892 : Martin, who died in Minneapolis in 1885 ; Elsie Andrea, now Mrs. E. Myrhe, who is living in Norway.

Pierre Peterson, born January 6, 1825, at Henningvar, Norway, died Dec. 11, 1901, at Henningvar, Norway. He married Alice Swenson in 1857. She was born Sept. 24, 1836, at Overholen, Norway, and died Aug. 28, 1898, at Henningvar, Norway. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Peterson ever came to America. They had ten children; John, of Henningvar, Norway; Laura, now Mrs. A. M.

Charles Gustaf Johnson, county surveyor of Renville county, was born July 30, 1845, in Sweden. His parents, John Peter Johnson and Betsy Johnson, came to America in 1853. After his father *s death, he and Ids mother went to St. Peter, Minn., settling there in the fall of 1856. On August 18, 1862, Mr. Johnson enlisted in Company 1) of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. His regiment was sent first to Ft. Snelling, where they were drilled and taught the commands. In September Company I) was sent to St. Peter, Minn., to help put down an Indian uprising, which broke out August 18, 1862. Mr. Johnson was one of the guards at the hanging of thirtyeight Indians at Mankato, Minn., Dec. 26, 1862. In March, 1863, Company D was sent to Judson Minn., where it built a sod fort 165 feet square, and was engaged in subduing the Indians throughout the summer of 1863. For a while Company D was stationed at Fairmount, Minn., where it erected a log fort. In August onehalf of the company was sent twelve miles northwest from Fairmount to erect a sod fort, 132 feet square, called Chanyuska. This sod fort was near the shore of a small lake by the same name. The fort was nine feet in height on the outside, the walls were nine feet thick at the bottom; the inside walls graduated upward by steps to two feet in thickness, the last two feet of the height containing many portholes. In the two diagonal corners were built two round projections, of the same height as the walls, for firing purposes along the walls. On October 8, 1863, the company was ordered to St. Louis, Mo., and arrived there Oct. 12, and let) there Oct. 13, for Jefferson City, Mo. On March 7, 1861, the company was ordered to Kansas City, Mo. Here there was fighting with Quantrell's bushwhackers. May 21, 1864, a move was made to Memphis, Tenn., under General stergus. Here the troops were opposed by General Johnson and General N. B. Forrest. On June 1, the troops started on a raid headed for Guntown, Miss. On June 10, ninety miles out from Memphis, the troops met defeat at the hands of the enemy. The retreat toward Memphis was a running fight, the enemy crowding close on the rear. On June 12, about eighteen miles west from the town of Ripley, Mr. Johnson, with a number of others, was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, Ga., arriving there June 19, 1864. He was confined there three months and eleven days, until Oct. 1, 1864. There were about 35,000 prisoners there at that time. He was then removed to Savannah, Ga., and Oct. 10 left for Millen. Nov. 21 he left for Blackshear, Ga., where he remained four days, and while there signed parole papers. He left Blackshear on those parole papers, by way of Charleston, S. C. While the prisoners were passing through Charleston the town was shelled by the United

States guns, from some island about seven miles off to the east, a shell dropping about every minute. Arriving at Florence, S. C, on Nov. 28, 1864, the paroled prisoners were inclosed in another prison pen, and given the same inhuman treatment as at Andersonville, Ga. The food was scant and each person had to dig himself down into the earth into a hole big enough for two persons to be side by side to keep from freezing to death. About March 1, 1865, the prisoners were put aboard a freight train, en route for the Libby prison at Richmond, Va. It was said that Gen. Sheridan's army cut off the railroad connection into Richmond, so March 3, 1865, the prisoners were put off at some point in North Carolina and were carried down the Cape Fear river on a United States Transport to Wilmington, North Carolina, arriving there March 4. Here they were fed ; and weakened by their nine months of terrible hardships and privation, the unaccustomed diet made many very ill, Mr. Johnson included. March 8,

1865, they were again put on a transport at Wilmington, North Carolina, which conveyed them to Annapolis. Md., where they were well fed, and bathed, and fitted out with new clothing. From Annapolis Mr. Johnson was sent to Benton Barracks, Mo., and thence home on sick leave. August 13, 1865, he rejoined his regiment at Ft. Snelling and was mustered out August 19, 1865. His mother having married again, he went to his step-father's home (his mother having died Oct. 13, 1861), where he remained until 1870. After finishing the common school he entered the academy at Carver, Minn., graduating in 1S67. He studied civil engineering at home and assisted other surveyors as chain man. In 1870 he bought 120 acres of land in Renville count)-. Minn., and added to his holdings until at one time he had 433 acres. He now has 160 acres of the original farm. In 1873 he was elected county surveyor, and has been in continuous service ever since. He has the honor of being the oldest county surveyor in point of service in the state. In 1897 our veteran made his home in Renville. He is a Republican and has served as notary public, postmaster ten years at Vicksburg, Minn., justice of the peace, township supervisor and assessor. The family worship at the Swedish Lutheran church of Sacred Heart which was organized in the year 1871 and of which Mr. Johnson is a charter member.

Mr. Johnson was married April 12, 1868, at St. Peter, Minn., to Christina M. Holmberg, daughter of John Peter and Louisa Holmberg. She was born in Hvetlanda, Sweden, Sept. 7, 1850, and came to America with her brother Carl, arriving in June,

1866. Seven children wen' born of this marriage: Frank (deceased. Aug. 25, 1915, at Seattle. Wash.), electrical engineer, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and for ten years professor of electrical engineering at the University of Washington; Hilda L., a nurse ; Anna A. (deceased, March 1, 1912, at Minne- apolis, Minn.), a graduate of the Gustafus Adolphus college at St. Peter, Minn.; ('. Augusta (deceased, March 29, 1898, at Vicksburg, Minn.); Carl Walter, of St. Paul, Minn.; a civil engineer, state highway commissioner and bridge inspector, a graduate of Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. ; Emily C, a Chicago music teacher and pipe organist, and Florence A., a graduate of the University of Minnesota, teacher and supervisor of public school music at Ewa, Hawaiian Islands.

John Peter Johnson was born Feb. IS, 1816, in Sweden, where he carried on farming. Coming to America in 1853 he went to Chicago and while there the whole family was taken sick with the cholera, the result being that all, with the exception of Mrs. Johnson and Charles, succumbed to the disease, the father dying August 11. 1854. There were four children in the family, Charles Gustaf and August, who died in Chicago in 1853, and Clara and John who died there in 1854.

Betsy S. Johnson was born Sept. 18, 1816, in Grenna, Sweden. Two years after the death of her husband in Chicago she went to St. Peter, Minn., where she earned her living in various ways, with the help of such assistance as Charles could give. In a few months she took up a claim in Nicollet county, built a log cabin and made improvements from time to time. July 7, 1857, she married John Magnus Johnson, by whom she had two children, Matilda M. and Anna J., both of whom are now dead. Her second husband died in 1899.

John Peter Holmberg was born in Sweden and died at St. Peter, Minn. His wife, Louisa Holmberg, died in Sweden. She was the mother of seven children : Louisa, now Mrs. Joseph Anderson ; Christina M., the wife of Charles G. Johnson ; Lena, now Mrs. Jonas Linstrom; Jonas, who died in 1867; John M.. deceased in 1913; Carl, who died in the same year; Eva. the wife of S. A. Peterson.

Edwin S. Johnson, the efficient postmaster of Franklin, was born in Columbia county, "Wis., Aug. 9, 1855, son of Samuel and Alice (Anderson) Johnson, natives of Norway, who Located in Columbia county. Wis., in 1854, and in 1867 took a claim in Wannamingo township, Goodhue county, this state where they died, he in 1889, at the age of eighty-four and she. in 1870. at the age of fifty-seven. Of the twelve children, only two, Edwin S. and Katie (now wife of E. 0. Haugesag, a retired farmer of Kenyon, Minn.) are now living. Edwin S. Johnson started in life for himself at the age of fifteen years by working as a farm hand. At the age of eighteen he, with brother Halvar, came to Renville county and opened a grocery store near the schoolhouse of District 1, in section 18, Camp township. They conducted this store from 1873 to 1874. During the season of 1875 he was in the harvest fields in Lac qui Parle, owing to the ravages of the grasshoppers who had eaten the Renville county crops. In 1876 Edwin S., together with his brother-in-law, Engebret Thompson, started farming on the place of their mother-in-law, Mrs. John Anderson, in the same section. In 1879 be sold his interest in the farm to Engebret Thompson and moved to section 12, township 111', range 34, Birch Cooley. In the spring of 1881 he was appointed postmaster of Franklin, the office then being located three-quarters of a mile southeast of the present site of the village. In the fall of 1882, Mr. Johnson moved to the new village of Franklin. He was the first settler of Franklin village. In the summer he had built the first building into which he moved the postoffice and in which the first store was also located, this being conducted by Hohle Brothers 'Sever and Andrew). This was before the streets were laid out or before it was platted, consequently when it was platted his building stood in the middle of the Third street, so he had to move it on to the corner of the new road, block 1, lot 15. In 1885 he laid in a stock of genera] merchandise. In 1889 be sold out and managed an Elevator for the Great Western Elevator Co., for nine years. Then he managed a store for P. P. Lee. A year and a half later he and Mathias Kelly bought the store, but after another year had passed, he sold the place to Mr. Kelly and with C. H. Hopkins and John M. Johnson engaged in the land business for two years. Then with Iver Mahlum as a partner he conducted a general store at Franklin. Feb. 1. 1907. he sold out his interest in the store to become postmaster, having received his commission, and on April 5, 191)7. entered the postoffice where he has continued ever of the school board thirty years. He has been secretary of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church since its organization. Edwin S. Johnson was married, Jan. 7, 187o. to Gurina Andersen, born Nov. 22. 1855, daughter of John and Martha Anderson a sister of A. J. Anderson, of Camp township, and twin sister of Mrs. Engebret Thompson, of Camp township. Of their nine children, seven are living. Alice and Samuel are dead. Jeanette is the wife of 0. A. Olson, assistant cashier of the Franklin State Bank. George is a railroad employee at Butte, Montana. Martha is the wife of J. L. Jacobs, editor and owner of the Franklin "Tribune." Leona, Arthur, Grace and Mary are at home.

Julius 0. Anderson, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Melville township, was born in Bandon township, this county, Jan. 1, 1881, son of Ole and Sophia Johanna (Bogema) Anderson. He attended the district schools of Bandon and on March 22, 1903. graduated from the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, and then rented a farm in section 5, Melville township. In 1910 he purchased from bis father 160 acres in the northwest quarter of the same section. In 1912 he rebuilt the house and erected a 16 by 36 stave silo. In 1915 he rebuilt the barn, making it 32 by 76 feet with a 14-foot leanto. He carries on general farming, keeps some fifty head of cattle including six head of registered Jerseys, and ships some 10(1 Duroe-Iersey swim- each year. Although busy with his own duties, Mr. Anderson has not neglected public affairs, and for twelve years he lias done good service as clerk of the school board of his district. He is one of the directors of the Bird Island Farmers' Elevator Co.

He was married June 12, 1912, to Emma Poore, who was born in Osceola township, this county. Aug. 24, 1884, daughter of Hamlin Y. and Caroline (Hibbard-) Poore. Hamlin V. Poore was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, was married Feb. 20, 1873, to Caroline Hibbard, a native of Desota, Missouri, came to Osceola township in 1876, took up a homestead of 160 acres in the southeast quarter of section 19, became one of the most extensive bee-raisers in the state and still makes his home there.

Ole Anderson was born Dec. 17. 1853, m Norway, came to America in I860, lived in Iowa for about a year, located in Spring Grove, Houston county, this state, about three years, came to Renville county, and located in Camp township, bought a quarter section of railroad land in section 23, Bandon, added 160 more in section 35 in 1897 and there lived until June 9, 1899, when he traded his land and came into possession of the north half and the southwest quarter of section 5, Melville township. In 1907 he retired to Bird Island. His wife was born in Norway Dec. 9, 1854, came to Amei'ica at the age of twelve years, aud died in Bird Island Aug. 9, 1913.

William Harvey Jewell, a successful farmer of Bird Island, was born -Ian. 3. 1831. in Saratoga county, New York, son of Joseph and Hannah (Greenfield) Jewell. His father and grandfather were also born in New York State, his grandfather living to the age of 105. The family came to New York from Holland in Colonial days. Joseph Jewell, the father, a carpenter by trade, left New York in 1847, and located at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he lived for six or seven years. There William II. Jewell saw the first raft go over Bull Falls. It had eight men on it and went over without any trouble but the second raft became stuck and the men worked all day before they could get it over. Mr. Jewell assisted in the building of a sawmill thirty miles above on the river. In the spring of 1867 he located in Renville county, securing 160 acres on the east Birch Cooley creek, where he erected a frame house and started farming with an ox team and a horse team. Later he moved to Bird Island where he bought a tract of 80 acres, a part of which was under water. He lived there three years and then he sold this property and bought the block in Bird Island, where he erected a substantial residence which he afterward sold. He also sold lots 1, 4, and 5, but afterward bought back a half of lot 5. Then he erected his present sightlyresidence. Mr. Jewell has held several offices, his first office being that of sheriff of Renville county in 1869. The county seat was then located at Beaver Falls. He was also postmaster at Birch Cooley ten years being one of the first postmasters of the county. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors and has also been street commissioner on the village board, many good roads being built in this section during that time. Mr. Jewell was married at the age of twenty-one to Caroline Bunce. To this union were born five children: Lucian. a farmer at Morgan; Bell, now Mrs. Chas. Cane, of Brook Park. Minn.; Sarah (deceased); Georgiana, now Mrs. Alex DeWitt, of Dogden, North Dakota, and Leonard, a farmer of North Dakota. The present .Mrs. Jewell was Ellen Day, widow of William Ryan, and daughter of Joseph am1 Martha M. (Dickey) Day. She was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, Feb. IS, 1855. By her marriage to Wm. Ryan the following children were born : John, of Appleton, Wis. ; William, who is manager of the Farmers' Elevator of Sheldon, North Dakota; Mary (deceased), and James, who is on a claim in Montana.

Peter Lahti, pioneer hunter and trapper, was born in Finland in 1834. As a young man he went to Norway. From Hammerfest, Norway, with his family, he set sail for the United States, landing at Montreal after a seven weeks' trip aboard a sailing vessel, going thence to Quebec, and thence to Chicago, from which city they came to St. Peter, Minnesota. He there enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery and served ten months. In the fall of 1865 he came to Renville county and, in 1866, took a homestead of 160 acres in section 12. in Birch Cooley, township 112, range 34. There he established his home. He had a camp on the north side of Bird Island lake, and there he went yearly to hunt and trap. One year he brought home 9,000 muskrat skins in one load, which he sold at from 10 to 15 cents each. After a long and useful life he died July 7. 1911. His wife, Johanna, now lives with her son, Charles Lahti.

Charles Lahti, who lias been actively identified with Renville county life for many years past, was born in Norway, of Swedish ancestry, Nov. --, 1859, son of Peter ami Johanna Lahti. He was brought to America by his parents, and after locating with them in St. Peter for a while, came with them to Birch Cooley township. As a youth, he helped about the farm, hunted and trapped with his father, and attended the district schools at times. In 1877 he went to Minneapolis and did railroad work for three years. In 1880 he rented the home place, in section 12, for five years and then purchased it. Being an enterprising and successful farmer he soon was able to increase his holdings, and added to this tract until he owned 416 acres in Renville county, 160 in Aitkin county and two small farms twenty-two miles from Tampa, Florida. In 1903 he retired and moved to the village of Franklin, where he now resides. He is a stockholder in the milling company and has various other interests. Mr. Lahti has a clock, bought in St. Peter in 1865, which still runs and keeps good time.

Charles Lahti was married Dec. 22, 1890, to Bertha Ylilahta, and they have had four children : Mabel, who died at the age of twelve; Sadie, who died at the age of ten ; Esther, who died at the age of eight, and Stella, at home.

Theo. Kaegbein, contractor of Fairfax, was born in Jefferson county, Wis., Feb. 19, 1871, son of Henry and Minnie (Drager) Kaegbein. His father was born in Germany, April 23. 1813, and his niotlie)' was born in the Province of Posen, Nov. 30, 1823. They came to America in 1850 and engaged in farming in Jefferson county. Wis. The father died May 31, 1903, and the mother died May 7. 1900. Theo. Kaegbein lived at home until eighteen years of age when lie went to Illinois and worked out on farms. Then he engaged in carpenter work at New Ulm in 1892 and continued in this work until 1899, when he came to Fairfax. Here he also engaged in carpenter work and continued until 1909, when he engaged in general contracting and building and has been very successful. Mr. Kaegbein was married June 7, 1905, to Pauline Schumacher, of Cairo township, daughter of Ernst Schumacher. Mrs. Kaegbein took first prize at Renville county fair at Bird Island in 1915 on the following : curtains with tatted inserting, home-made hard soap, rye bread, angel food cake, fruit cookies and piccallili. In 1914 she took first prizes on hand embroidered center-piece, canned corn, canned peaches and pickled pears.

Cornelius O. Knudson, restaurant keeper of Fairfax, was born in La Salle county, 111., May 25, 1870, son of Henry Knudson, a retired farmer of Humboldt, Iowa, who was born March 4, 1842, and of Martha Knudson, who was born Aug. 13, 1849. At the age of twenty-one, Cornelius O. Knudson started out in life for himself, and was variously employed for some twelve years, eight of which years he spent with L. J. Grove, of his native county. For five years he farmed in Emmet comity, Iowa. In 1909 he operated a bakery in Humboldt, Iowa, for five months, and in the fall of that year came to Fairfax and purchased the old Detweiler restaurant from G. M. Emerson. He owns the building and operates a first-class place. He also owns 160 acres of land in Clay county, Minn.

Mr. Knudson was married Jan. 3, 1910, to Mrs. Marie Boynm, born April 1, 1878, daughter of John and Bertha (Ness) Mundahl, and widow of Ole E. Boyum, a farmer of Bandon township, this county. John Mundahl and his sister live with his aged mother in Toronto, South Dakota. She was born Jan. 14, 1813.

Bertha (Ness) Muudahl eaine to America with her parents in 1852, the voyage aboard a sailing vessel taking eleven weeks. She died in 1893. By her marriage to Ole E. Boyum. Mrs. Marie (Mundahl) Knudson has two children: Joseph Benjamin, born July 21, 1904; and Ella Constance, bom May 13, 1906. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Hans Gunderson, now deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of Wang township, and his name will be remembered as long as the early story of the county is related. He was born in Christiania, Norway, July 6, 1832, and was there reared to manhood. It was in I860 that he came to America and located in Rochester. Olmsted county, in this state. A year later he found his way to Renville county and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 28, Wang township. On this homestead he erected a loe cabin and started to cultivate the land. He planted groves, developed the farm, went through the privations of the grasshopper time and experienced all the rigors of pioneer life. For five years he lived alone, but in 1873 he married and brought his wife to his primitive abode. Together they labored and. though there were many discouragements and many difficulties to be overcome, they faced life with courage and. in time, were numbered among the most prosperous people in the community. The old log cabin gave place to a sightly frame residence and the straw shack which sheltered their first stock made room for a commodious barn and suitable outbuildings. After a long, successful career as a hardworking farmer, Mr. Gunderson retired in 1907, and moved his family to Sacred Heart village. Inaction, however, did not please him and. in 1910, he returned to the farm and operated it for two years more. Then he moved to Granite Falls, erected a home, and there lived until his lamented death. Dee. 19, 1913. His wife still lives in that village. Her memory of the early days is very vivid and she has many interesting stories to tell of pioneer times when she lived in a log cabin and kept house and raised a family amid the most unfavorable conditions. Mrs. Gunderson was born in 1849 in Norway, her maiden name being Bergit Myrhougen.

Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson have had six children: Marie, Richard, Clara. Hilda. Emma and Carl. Marie married Edward Paulson, of Sacred Heart township, and their children are : Hilma, Elvin. Arthur, Esther. Viola. Leona. Florence and Helen. Richard now lives in Montevideo, this state. He married Laura Bradshaw. Clara married M. J. Larson, of Granite Falls, and they have one child, Berdie. Hilda married S. O. Odegaard, of Hawk Creek township, and their children are: Otis and Berdie Idella. Emma conducts a restaurant in Montana. Carl died at the age of eighteen years.

Mr. Axd Mrs. Leopold Wohlman Mr. And Mrs. Feed W. Wohlman

Leopold Wohlman, a pioneer, was born in Germany, April 22, 1830, there grew to manhood, and learned the trades of machinist and weaver. It was in Germany that he married Hannah Stummer. He left his native country in 1866, coming to the United States by sailing vessel, spending six weeks on the water, and landed at New York port, where he worked for about two years at his trade as machinist. Then he moved with his family to Minnesota for the purpose of establishing a home. They came by rail as far as St. Peter. Minnesota, and then hired a team of horses ami drove to the Spurber home on section 3, in Flora township. This was in 1868; and they stayed with the Spurber family until spring. Mr. Wohlman had located a homestead in section 2S, in Flora township, securing a tract of 80 acres. During the winter lie busied himself by gathering together the logs and materials needed to build a home and in May, 1869, the family moved into the new home, lie also built a shed on the side of the house for the cow and calf. He had no money and had borrowed enough to bring his family to Renville county. He had traded a shotgun he had bought in New York city for the cow, and it was two years before he could afford a team of oxen. He earned money for this by working for the farmers in the harvest season. He used this team to break the land, and here Inlived until 1898, when he moved to an adjoining 80-acre tract, where he lived for ten years. He had increased this to 160 acres and built part of the present frame house and good barns and a frame granary. He raised a good grade of stock. Mr. Wohlman was an active member of the German Lutheran church ami helped organize the Middle Creek German Lutheran church. For two years the services of this church were held in his log house. He was one of the first trustees and was a member of the church board practically all the time that he lived in this section. lie now lives in Renville at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, Hannah Stummer, was born Oct. 3, 1830, in Germany, and died in 1907 at the age of seventy-seven years. Seven children were born to these parents: Anna, Mary, Louisa. Leopold (deceased), Fred, Bertha and Clara.

August Beyer was born in Germany, Aug. 8, 1*37. and came to Minnesota when lie was eighteen yearse of age. He worked on the farms in the neighborhood of Minneapolis and Rochester and mowed hay near White Bear Lake with a scythe. St. Paul was then but a very small town. He located as a pioneer the other farmers and finally located a place of his own in Blue Earth county, where he married. Later they moved to Renville county and located a farm in section 19, Flora township. They are both living in Renville. There were eleven children in the family: Emma. Dorethea, Amanda (deceased). Lizzie. Ida. Ar-

Fred W. Wohlman, a well-known farmer of Flora township, was born March 3, 1871, on his present place, then the homestead of his father. Leopold and Hannah (Stummer) Wohlman. He was reared on the home farm and, after his marriage, took charge of the old homestead, a tract of 160 acres, where he has lived ever since. He has increased the home farm to 280 acres and also farms 240 acres in Beaulieu township, Mahnoman county, in the northern part of the state. He carries on general farming and keeps a good grade of stock. He is a shareholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company of Delhi. He has been the treasurer of Flora township for seven years and is a member of the German Lutheran church. Fred W. Wohlman was married Sept. 23, 1898, to Dorethea Beyer, who was born in Blue Earth county, this state, Aug. 30, 1877, daughter of August and Hannah (Rhodes) Beyer. This union has been blessed with eight children : Oscar, born in 1899 ; George, born June 24, 1902 ; Esther, born Aug. 8, 1904; Irene, born June 9, 1906; Alfred, born May 24, 1908; Otto, born Nov. 29, 1909; Clara, born Sept. 3, 1911, and Harold, born Aug. 15, 1915.

Gustave A. Schafer was born Feb. 2, 1872, in the old log house on the farm of his father, Henry Schafer, in section 24, Flora township, which farm he now owns. He remained with his parents until he grew to manhood. He has taken great interest in public affairs and held several township offices, having been township assessor for four years and director of the school district for the past ten years. He has served as road overseer for the past two years and has been appointed town clerk. He is a stockholder in the Danube Farmers' Telephone Company. Mr. Schafer was united in marriage Oct. 13, 1899, to Mary Zimmer, born in Flora township, daughter of Peter and Gertrude Zimmer. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have two children: Arthur and Ruth. The family worship at the Evangelist church.

A. D. Smith and wife, Margaret, came to Minnesota in March. 1886. and settled in the township of Ericson, Renville county, establishing a home there, where they still reside. By neighborly acts and square dealing they acquired the friendship and esteem of a large circle of neighbors and acquaintances, and were always ready to give a helping hand to the uplift of the neighborhood, having assisted very materially in the organization of School District 116. and to the present time (1915), A. D. Smith has been the only clerk and has issued each and every teachers' contract and school order ever issued in the district. He has held several town offices and refused to accept more such offices than he has held. He generally takes great interest in politics and has very materially aided in the defeat of certain aspiring candidates, both to state and county offices. He is proud of the fact that he did as much, or more, than any other individual in the state, with the single exception of Robert Dunn, to elect the late and lamented John A. Johnson, governor of Minnesota, the first time he was elected. A. D. Smith has been a factor in the defeat of certain undesirable candidates to minor offices in whose interests more dollars' worth of "liquid influence" were "set up" during the campaigns that the salary of the coveted offices amounted to. (Written by A. D. Smith, April 26, 1915, southwest quarter, section 12, range 37, township 116.) Charles Kenning, an early settler of Renville county, was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, March 28, 1850, son of Henry and Fredricka (Dammann) Kenning, natives of Mecklenburg, who came to America in 1853, located in Buffalo, New York, removed to Toronto in 1854 and in April, 1858, settled in Ghaska, Carver county, Minn., where the father engaged in contracting and building, until his death, May 24, 1881. The mother died March 10, 1900. There were four children in the family: Henry, who died Jan. 6, 1900; Charles; Theodore, of Minneapolis; and Fred, of Minneapolis. Charles Kenning was brought to America by his parents and attended the public school and Moravian Academy at Ghaska. In the summers of 1860, 1861 and 1862, when still a small boy, he was engaged as an ox teamster by J. A. Dunkle, who operated a barge on the Minnesota river, shipping wood to St. Paid. At the time of the Indian outbreak, in 1862, his team was one of those drafted to haul provisions from Carver to the soldiers in the Indian country. Although a mere lad of twelve years, he remained by his team and was near Hutchinson when the Indians attacked that village. The train was then ordered back to Glencoe, where all the ox teams were discharged. Young Henning then returned to Chaska, and again took up his duties of hauling wood to the river bank. Later he engaged in contracting and building and also conducted a sash and door factory at Chaska for seven years. During this period he helped organize the Chaska Fire Department, and served as chief as long as he lived there. In 1878 he came to Renville county and settled on a farm two miles east of Bird Island, in Melville township, purchasing 320 acres of state land. After six years he sold this and came in 1884 to Osceola township, where he took a homestead of 160 acres in section 18. This was wild pi-airie land. Here he built a house and made many improvements. This land, by industry and intelligent effort, he has increased to 640 acres, all in sections 7 and 18. In addition to carrying on general diversified farming and making a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep, Yorkshire swine and Percheron fullblooded and graded horses, he does general contracting and building, confining his efforts largely to erecting farm structures. He is also a dealer iu general farm implements and machinery. His public duties have been many. He served in such offices as treasurer of Melville township until he moved from there. He helped organize School District No. 110 and since that date has served as its clerk. He is an original member, stockholder and present director of the Renville County Pair Association, of which he served as president for fifteen years. He was likewise an original member and president of the Clover Leaf Creamery Association at Osceola township, of which he was president for eight years. As secretary and manager of the Farmers' Elevator at Bird Island, he has done efficient work, and his services as stockholder in the Independent Harvester Company have been highly valued. Pie helped organize the State Breeders' Association, and was one of its officers until 1913

Possibly Mr. Kenning takes the greatest pride in the work he has done in connection with the Old Settlers' Association of Renville county. He helped to organize it and served as its secretary for five years, during which time the records were most admirably preserved for future generations. Mr. Kenning was married at Chaska, Sept. 23, 1869, to Henrietta Schraan, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1850. She died in April, 18S5, leaving six children: Henry C, born Aug. 10. 1870, now of Catawba, Wis., engaged as a machinist ; Charles, born May 6, 1873, engaged in farming at Independence, North Dakota; Ida, born August 18, 1875, now Mrs. Gustaf Worsech, of Keiinon, Wis. ; Henrietta, born April 5, 1877, now the wife of Valentine Schoot, a farmer of Hinckley ; Anna, born Nov. 14, 1879, now Mrs. Godfred Schoot. of Hinckley; and Louisa, born Dee. 31, 18S4. now the wife of Lee Mack, a farmer of Crookston, Minn. Mr. Kenning was married a second time Sept. 10, 1885. to Louisa Ehrenberg, born in Germany. Oct. 16, 1866. and came to America in 1884. The following children were born to this union: William, born Feb. 12, 1887, now a farmer at Crookstmi; Louis, born Sept. 28, 1888, a farmer in Kandiyohi county: Frederick, born Feb. 3, 1891; Edwin, born June 27. 1S93 : Alice, born Sept. 7. 1896; Arthur, born July 26, 1898; Mabel born April 13, L901 ; John, bom Dec. 25, 1904; Alfred, born Oct. 3. 1908; Milton, born Aug. 24, 1910, and Merten, born Aug. 24, 1910.

James Gaffney, one of the earliest pioneers, was born in County Caven, Ireland, and came to Illinois, from there going to <';ilil'ornia, by way of Cape Horn. After a year's stay in the mining district there, he returned to Illinois. Next, he moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, in 1858, and located on a farm, where the city of Waseca now stands. The family moved from Waseca county to Rice county and stayed about one year, then they drove with oxen into Renville county. They went up along the Sacred Heart creek and lived there during 1865-66. In the spring of