Renville County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1916 (part 5 of 10)

John W. Bakker, deceased, was born in Emden, Germany, March 25, 1834, and came to America with his family in 1S69. He located at Forreston, 111., where he followed farming for seven years. Then he moved to Grundy Center, Grundy county, Iowa, and farmed there for about eleven years. In the fall of 1886 he came to Renville county and purchased 200 acres of land in section 5, Crooks township. In the spring of 1867 he and his family moved to this county and he then purchased 240 acres of improved land in Ericson township on which he located. He engaged in farming and became land agent for Prince & Co., and was very influential in getting the Germans and Hollanders from Illinois ami Iowa to settle in Ericson and Crooks township. During five years he sold over 13,000 acres for this company. He was also agent for the O'Connor Land Co. He added to his holdings until he owned nearly a thousand acres. He was the founder of the Emden German Christian Reform church in Erieson township and worked hard for its support, and was an elder for very many years. He remained on his farm until 1902 when lie retired to Renville where he died Jan. 4, 1913. His widow still survives. He was married in Germany to Henderika Kpanhout and the following children were born : W. J., of Crooks township ; George, of < 'rooks township ; John, of Renville ; M. J., of Crooks, and Harm, of Renville. Five children are deceased : Mena, Harm, Maggie, Gerret and one unnamed. At the time of Mr. Bakker's retirement he divided his land among his then six living children, giving each 160 acres of land.

William A. Johnson, a prominent farmer of Winfield township, was born in the township where he still resides, March 30, 1875. His father, I). J. Johnson, was born in Sweden Oct. 15, 1844, came to America in 1873, located at Lake Lillian. Kandiyohi county, this state, anil a year later came to Winfield township, and homesteaded 160 acres in the northeast quarter of section 22, to which he afterward added another tract. There he remained until his death, July 24, 1897. He was married in 1864 to Christine Larson, who was born in Sweden in 1840, and died on thr homestead in Winfield township, Jan. 30, 1914. In the family there were eight children: John, born Jan. 22, 1865: Anna, born Oct. 14, 1866; Louisa, born June 17, 1872, died in infancy; Charles, horn Nov. 6, 1873; William, born March 30, 1875; Christena, horn Oct. 24, 1S77; Hilda, born July 13, 1879: and Mary, born Aug. 20, 1881.

William A. Johnson has remained on the homestead. He has brought it to a high stage of cultivation, and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China swine. He annually ships a carload of swine and half a carload of steers, and milks an average of twelve cows throughout the year. In 1899 he rebuilt the home, so that he now has a nine-room structure. 40 by 48 feet. In 1886 Ins father built the barn. It is 38 by 98 feet, with a wing 36 by 40 feet. The sheep barn is 16 by 40; the swine barn is 16 by 40, and the granary, 58 by 48 feet. Pure water is secured from a dee]) well, and a gasoline pump takes it to the house and barns. Mr. Johnson was married June 19, 1904, to Mary Linn, born at Lake Lillian, in Kandiyohi county, Nov. 8, 1877. Her fat Iter, Eriek Linn, was born in Sweden, Dec. 31, 1S44. came to America and settled in Kandiyohi county, this state, in 1874, and there lived until his death, Aug. 31, 1897. His wife Bessie was born in Sweden in 1847, and still makes her home at Lake Lillian. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have five children : Gladys M. E., born July 29, 1905; William S., born Jan. 6, 1907, and died in in-

Nicholas I. Hugger, owner and active manager of the Danube Creamery, was born in Denmark, May 2, 1879, son of Morton and Christina (Damgaard) Hugger. The father was born in 1847 and now lives in Yonsild, where he is town mayor and president of a company which owns a large cooperative store and creamery. In his earlier days he was an extensive farmer, making a specialty of buying, raising and selling dairy stock. The mother was born in 1848 and died in 1891. The children in the family are : Mathias, a miner, in Alaska; Jeppe, of Denmark; Christ, dead; and Elizabeth, Mary and Christina, of Denmark. Nicholas I. Hugger came to America in 1,905, and for a time lived in Buena Vista county, Iowa. Then he attended the Dairy school of the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated in 1906 with high average score of 97 points, 100 points being the maximum. For a few months he was employed as buttermaker at the "Wooden Farm" near Minneapolis; for a time he was in business for himself at Osakis, in Douglas county, this state, and for four years he was at Parker's Prairie, in Ottertail county, also in this state. While there he was awarded a silver set as first prize in butter making and also the State of Minnesota Gold medal. After leaving that place he went to Denmark to visit his relatives. In 1912 he came to Danube, purchased the property of the old Creamery company. This property, which had been closed for three years consisted of a good brick building with modern machinery. It has been very successful under Mr. Hugger 's ownership. The output is about 135,000 pounds of butter and the amount of business is $35,000 a year. Mr. Hugger is active in the affairs of the community but has never sought public life. He belongs to Parker Prairie Lodge, No. 137, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat. Mi-. Hugger was married at Osakis, this state, Dec. 19, 1907, to Emma Anderson, who was born in Union Grove, Wis., July 31, 1879, daughter of Clemen and Anna Anderson, who came to America from Denmark about 1870 and are still living in Douglas county near Osakis on their farm. In their family there are seven children: Julius, of Minneapolis; Alfred, of St. Louis Park, Minn.; Andrew, of Osakis, Minn.; Mary, at home; Clara, of Minneapolis; Emma, wife of Nicholas I. Hugger, and Mabel, at Home.

Otto E. Schroeder, of Danube, was born July 23, 1888, near New Ulm, Minn., son of Julius and Annie (Wilde) Schroeder. On graduating from the school at Danube he entered the National Business College at Minneapolis, from which he graduated in 1909. Returning to Danube he entered the employ of Otto Schmidt, dealer in hardware. H. F. Bruss later purchased this business and in 1913 Mr. Schroeder bought a third interest in it, his partners being Elmer Fisher and II. F. Brass. He is a Republican and a member of the Evangelical church. Mr. Schroeder was married June 18, 1913, to Cora Reck, born May 30, 1891, daughter of Herman Zaske, her birthplace being Renville county and her home at the time of her marriage Danube.

Julus Schroeder was born in Wisconsin and married Annie Wilde, born in 1867 in Germany, having come to America with her parents and settled in Wisconsin. Both of these people were farmers' children. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder settled in Renville county on 160 acres of land in Flora township. Selling the farm in 1900 Mr. Schroeder opened a country store which he operated for three years, selling it in 1904, when he moved to Danube and entered the hardware business. This business he sold three years later to Otto Schmidt, when he retired from active business. He still resides in Danube with his family. Seven children came to the home, three of whom, Alice, Elda and Viola, living with their parents ; Ida, now Mrs. F. W. Prodehl, of Renville county ; Fred and Matha (deceased), and Otto E., of Danube.

Herman Zaske was born in Germany, lb' and his wife both came to America at an early age and are now living at Danube. Mr. Zaske pursued farming in Renville county for many years and now owns 320 acres in Troy township. He was the father of ten children, all of whom are living. Stella, Sarah, Pearl, Oscar, Gertrude and Lilah are living at home. George and Edward are on the farm; Walter is a farmer; Cora is now Mrs. Otto E. Schroeder.

Frederick A. Bade, the efficient secretary and manager of the Danube Mercantile Co., was born in Germany, Oct. 24, 1858, son of August and Ernestine (Montei) Bade. The father was born in Germany, June 4, 1829, brought his family to America in 1858, lived in Green Lake county, Wis., a few years and in 1867 came to Freedom, Minn., where he bought eighty acres of land, to winch he added from time to time until he owned 200 acres, and became a very successful farmer. He died on his birthday, June 4, 18.88. His wife was born Oct. 4, 1834, and died on her birthday, Oct. 4. 1898. Aside from Frederick A. there was in the family a daughter, Amelia, born Aug. 4, 1864. in Green Lake, Wis., now the wife of C. F. Karth. of Duluth. Frederick A. Bade received a good education ami remained with his parents until twenty years of age, when he left home to carve his fortunes in the world. He was employed in mercantile establishments in Duluth and other places until the death of his father in 1888, when he returned home to look after his mother's interests. In 1890 he came to Renville, in this county, and opened a general store. Three years later he sold out and engaged in the drygoods and show business in Duluth, where he remained until 1905, when he came to Danube and established the Danube Cash store. Two years later he purchased a building and moved to the new location. Five years later he lost everything in a fire. However, he at once erected a new building and opened for business once more. In 1912 he consolidated with Heck & Mackledt, under the firm name of the Danube Mercantile Co., Inc., with Mr. Bade in his preseut position. The store has made good progress and has a large trade from both village and country. Mr. Bade is well known throughout the community, and has been mayor of Danube. He is especially prominent in the work of the German Lutheran church. He has held various offices in this church, has been active in its progress, and is now the Bible class teacher in the Sunday school. Mr. Bade was married March 3, 1882, to Josephine Weskworth, who was born in Waseca county. Minn., Dec. 7, 1861, and this union has been blessed with three children : Elizabeth, August and William. Elizabeth was born April 7, 18S3, married Lilliam Looek, lives in Crooks township, this county, and has four children. August was born April 7, 1887. He married Anna Heach, and has one child, Ruby. William was born Aug. 2, 1904, and is attending school in Dulutli.

Mrs. Bade's father was born in Germany, married there, brought his family to America in 1856. His wife died in January, 1898. There were five children in the family. Josephine, the fourth child, now Mrs. Frederick A. Bade is the only one living. Minnied died in 1897, Fred in 1914, Martin in 1907 and August in 187S.

Henry J. Stange, Danube, was born Sept. 6, 1889, in this county, the son of John and Ulricka (Brown) Stange. He attended school at Renville, and on finishing the course there went to work for Mayer Wolpert & Co., storekeepers at Renville, with whom lie remained seven years. Leaving there he went to Minneapolis where lie entered the National Business College. < 'oming to Danube in 1912 he purchased an interest in the Danube Mercantile Company of which he became secretary and treasurer. Later he was made vice president. This company owns the Danube Meat Market and the Danube Produce Company, Mr. Stange being manager of the latter concern. A Republican in politics, he is now serving his community as recorder. His faith is that of the Evangelical church. Mr. Stange was married Sept. 3. 1913, to Martha H. Summerfield of Renville county, born at Danube, the daughter of August and Otellia Summerfield. One child, LeRoy Edmund, has been the result of this union.

John Stange was born in Germany in 1844. He came to America in 1869, settled in Wisconsin and was married there, in 1870, to Dlrieka Brown, removing to Renville county soon after where he homesteaded eighty acres in Troy township. He became quite well off and at one time owned 800 acres of land, the most of which he has divided among his children. He began lite in Ren- ville county with so little of this world's goods that it was necessary for him to do his plowing and hauling with a horse and a cow hitched together. He has property at Danube and is a stock holder in the Danube Mercantile Company. He and Mrs. Stange reside in Danube, two of his sons, William and Christ, residing on the farm which they are working. There were seven children in the family: Ernest, dead; William, on the farm; John, who lives at Havelock, North Dakota; Christ, on the farm; Frank, of Havelock, North Dakota ; David, who resides at home and Henry J.

August Summerfield was born in Germany. He married Otellia Breitkrutz. They are now living at Renville, Minn. Mr. Summerfield came to Renville county and at one time was owner of the land on which Danube now stands. As a farmer he was eminently successful and now owns a farm of 320 acres which is worked by two of his sons. There were eight children in the Summerfield family, and three of the daughters married three of the John Stange sons. Emma is now Mrs. John Stange ; Robert is a farmer in Renville county. William and Henry are on their father's farm. Lydia married Frank Stange. Otto lives in Montana. Martha is now Mrs. Henry Stange. Esther is at home with her parents.

Gunder Sorenson was born in Norway, Feb. 5, 1847, son of Tor and Carrie (Olson) Sorenson, who were married in Norway and came to America in 1867, bringing with them four children, Ole, Gunder, Anna and Carrie. They were five weeks on the water and seven weeks from Christiania to Milwaukee. Soren, one of the children, had come to Milwaukee in 1866. The family stayed in Dodge county for two years and then moved to Minnesota in 1869, coming to Mankato and later to Renville county, where Gunder obtained a homestead in section 2, Sacred Heart township, and the father secured one in the same section. It was all wild prairie land and located on the old government road. Gunder Sorenson made a dugout where the family lived and later built a small log house, part of the present house. Tor Sorenson lived here until his death thirty-five years ago at the age of sixty-five years and his wife died seven years ago at the age of ninety-five years. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and helped organize the first church of that denomination. Gunder and his three brothers owned a team of oxen together and had one wagon. They began breaking up the land, hiring a man to help them and then they broke up land for the neighbors. It was four years before each of them could afford to have a team of oxen. The father and son together owned 208 acres of land, and raised good stock and improved their land. Mr. Sorenson is a shareholder in the Renville Farmers' Elevator Company. He is also a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has been its president for many years. He has helped build three churches, one at Renville, one at Sacred Heart and one at Updahl. Mr. Sorenson was married in 1872 to Mary Rice of Norway, born in 1846 and died in 1878, leaving three children, Clara, now Mrs. Ole Peterson, Tillie, and Mary (deceased). Mr. Sorenson married again to Serena Severson, of Norway, born Sept. 22, 1833, and came to America in 1879.

Thomas Olson, early pioneer and one of the thrifty and prosperous farmers of Sacred Heart township, was born in Norway, April 8, 1840, son of Ole and Gurine Kolien. There were eight children in the family: Margaret, Thomas, Helliek, (iullick, Peter, Sven anil Stein, who were twins, and Sigriil. The family left Norway in 1858 on a sailing vessel and after thirteen weeks came to America. They had intended to come to Iowa, but meeting some friends on the boat who were going to Houston county they decided to go with them. They left Quebec by way of the St. Lawrence river and the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes and came to Milwaukee. From there they went by .rail to Prairie du Chien, going from there by steamboat to La Crosse. When they came to Houston they farmed on shares the first two years; then the father bought some railroad land in the valley near Houston and built a log house. He had a team of oxen and began farming, remaining here until 1866, when they came to Renville county. Thomas pre-empted a claim of 160 acres in section 5, in Sacred Heart. The parents took up a claim adjoining. A sod dugout was built on the father's place and Thomas stayed with them while his place was getting started. He built a log house with a sod roof on his own place, using split logs for the floor. He hewed tables and bedsteads and shelves out of split logs. The nearest markets were Redwood Falls and New Ulm, which were reached by ox team. The first wheat was thrashed by flail on the ground and part of it was stamped by the oxen, the crop being about 200 bushels in all. He took this to Redwood Falls and the miller said there was ice in it and gave him barely 100 pounds of flour for it. He was a very ambitious man and improved his place and gradually increased it till now he has 680 acres of land where he lives and over 2,000 acres of land in various places. The log cabin has been replaced by better houses. the last house being a very fine modern building. He started out with a yoke of oxen, a cow. a breaking plow and one wagon and now he has fine modern machinery and raises a fine breed of stock, specializing in Red Duroc hogs. He is regarded as the most prosperous farmer in the county. Mr. Olson has been a member of the school board and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and was one of its first trustees. He is a member of the Farmers' Elevator at Sacred Heart. Mr. Olson has never aspired to public offices but is well liked and is well known for his hospitality. In 1872 Mr. Olson was married to Gorra Knudson, who died in 1877 at the age of thirty-five. There were three children one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Josephine, who is a teacher, and Ingeborg, who married Bernt Olson and lives at .Sacred Heart. Five years later he married Anna Larson, of Norway, who came to America in 1881. She was born Nov. 22, 1852, and was the daughter of Lars and Ingeborg (Leering). Six children were born to this second marriage: Louis, Olena, Tim, a bookkeeper in St. Paul ; Marie, a teacher ; Hilda and Henry.

Gustav P. Mangerud, a leading citizen of Sacred Heart, was born in Sacred Heart township, this county, Feb. 14, 1872, son of Peter Martinson and Anna (Dalager) Martinson, the sturdy pioneers. Gustav P. Mangerud was reared on the home farm, and remained on the home farm until the age of twenty-three. In the meantime, by attending the district schools and by much reading of worthy books he had acquired a good education, and to further perfect this mental training he then entered the Willmar Seminary at Willmar, Minnesota, graduating in 1895. He then entered the furniture business at Granite Falls for three years. He found, however, that he needed outdoor life, and accordingly purchased a farm of 160 acres in Hawk Creek township. He also purchased 200 acres in section 24, Hawk Creek township, and section 19, Sacred Heart township. These farms he still owns and rents. On them he has made many improvements and successfully carried on general farming for many years. In 1910 he came to Sacred Heart village and engaged in the land, loan and insurance business. He has built up a big business and enjoys the confidence and high respect of all who know him. There being no attorney in Sacred Heart, and Mr. Mangerud being well versed in the law, his services are much in demand in giving legal advice and in drawing legal papers. Mr. Mangerud is doing efficient work as clerk of the village of Sacred Heart. He served as clerk of the school board for several years, and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Sacred Heart. He has also served in many other positions of private trust and public honor. Mr. Mangerud was married July 13, 1898, to Emma Edman, born in East Granite Falls, Minn., Aug. 18, 1873, daughter of Edward and Lena Edman, natives of Sweden. The father was killed on the railroad ami the mother still lives in East Granite Falls.

Peter Martinson (Mangerud), a worthy pioneer farmer and blacksmith of Sacred Heart township, was born in Norway, in 1840, and came to America in 1866. After living in St. Peter, Minn., one year he came to Renville county and homesteaded 160 acres in section 9, Sacred Heart township. He built a blacksmith shop, and did smithing work for the pioneers, at the same time attending to the work of developing his farm. He and his family underwent all the privations and hardships of pioneer life and had their part in the general upbuilding of the community. He was killed in a runaway accident Sept. 22, 1886. Peter Martinson (Mangerud) was married at St. Peter, in 1867, to Anna Dalager, who was born in Norway, May 9, 1842, came to America in 1866, and now lives in Sacred Heart village. Their children are: Lena, Gustav, Hannah, Alfred. Marie and Peter. all of whom are living.

Ernst Schumacher, now deceased, was born in Germany, Oct. 7, 1846, son of Gustav and Marie Schumacher, likewise natives of Germany. He attended the public schools of his fatherland, underwent a course of military training, grew to manhood and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1872 he came to America and located in Milwaukee, where he worked at his trade as a cobbler. Nov. 7, 1874, he married Johanna Radiske, who was born in Germany, Sept. 20, 1853, daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Wilke) Radiske, natives of Germany. A son. Ernest, was born Oct. 13, 1876; a daughter, Helen, June 16, 1878; and another daughter. Emma, April 4, 1880. In 1881, Mr. Schumacher brought his family to Minnesota. After living six weeks in New Ulm, in Brown county, they moved to the village of Courtland, in Nicollet county, and there he conducted a shoestore for some eighteen months. While there, a daughter, Louisa, was born March 1, 1883. In 18S3 he purchased 160 acres of land in section 27, Cairo township, Renville county. A few acres of this land had been broken and a log cabin had been built, into which Mr. Schumacher and his family moved. He proceeded to break and develop his land, planted a grove and shade trees and. in time, developed a fine farm, and there followed general diversified farming until his death, Nov. 10. 1902. He was a kind and loving husband and father and a considerate and helpful neighbor. The farm is known and registered as "Ideal Stock Farm." and since the death of .Mr. Schumacher the farm has been most successfully managed by Mrs. Sclnunacher and her sons. In 1903 a fine modern home was erected, 18 by 26, with an ell. 18 by 20, and a kitchen, 10 by 20 feet. It is a two-story house with full basement, seven rooms and hot air heat. In 1890 the large barn was built. 40 by 72, for the housing of stock and hay, accommodating about fifty head of stock and having a capacity of fifty tons of hay. The family raise Holstein cattle, Chester White swine, Barred Rock chickens, Bronze turkeys and Pearl guineas. The large silo, 14 by 40 feet, has a capacity of 140 tons of ensilage. In 1914, at the Benson corn show, they were awarded first prize for Renville county on a single ear of corn. They have also a good orchard containing apples of several varieties, of plums and compass cherries, and an abundance of small fruit and berries. In 1911, Mrs. Schumacher purchased a 1912 model, five-passenger Studehaker automobile, one of the first automobiles in the community. This adds much to the comfort and pleasure of the family, as well as to the usefulness of the farm. The younger children were all born on the farm. The complete list of children is as follows: Ernest, born Oct. 13, 1876, now a carpenter at Effington, South Dakota; Helen, born June 16, 1878, now .Mrs. Carl Sehirrmeister, of Closter, New Jersey; Emma, born April 4. 18S0, at home; Louisa, born March 1, 1883, Mrs. Win. Becherer, of Colby, Wis.; Pauline, born Oct. 17, 1SS4, wife of Theodore Kaegbein, a contractor of Fairfax; Otto W., born April 14, 1886. a farmer near Ft. Ridgely; G. Adolph, born June 9, 1890, and Albert, born July 28, 1894, who are on the home farm. The family are all members of and contributors to the German Lutheran church of Fairfax.

Gilbert S. Weaver, V. S., connected with the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, as inspector in charge, of the Hog Cholera Demonstration Station at Olivia, was born near London, in Madison county, Ohio, March 31, 1886, son of Joseph and Luemma (Smith) Weaver, and grandson of Abram Weaver and Joseph Smith, who came respectively from Virginia and Maryland, and settled in Ohio in the early days. After passing through the common schools he attended thi' Wittenberg Academy at Springfield, Ohio, two years and Nelson's Business College, in the same city, one year. Then he entered the College of Veterinary Medicine of the Ohio State University and graduated June 25, 1908. He entered the government service on Aug. 10, 1908, was stationed in Chicago, 111., until 1913, was then in Crawfordsville, Ind., for eight months, and came to Olivia in 1914. Dr. Weaver was married Oct. 17, 1909. at Newport, Kentucky, to Jessie Goodfellow, daughter of Scott and Annabelle (Smith) Goodfellow, of the state of Ohio.

Hans Jepson, one of the prosperous farmers of Sacred Heart township, was born Nov. 4, 1855, in Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, son of Peter and Marie (Hausen) Jepson. There were five children : Christina, Anna, Mary, Zelia and Hans. Hans was the first of the family to come to the United States, coming in 1873 and landing at New York. Then he traveled on to St. Peter, Minnesota, where he joined an uncle, Fred Schroeder, who brought him to Renville county. For five and a half years he worked on the farm of his uncle, then he bought 40 acres of land in Sacred Heart township and began farming for himself. He built a frame house and had a horse team and two cows. After two years he bought 80 acres in section 14, in the same township, and has lived there eve]- since, lie has improved the farm and increased it so that now he owns 160 acres. He keeps a good grade of stock.

Mr. Jepsan is a stockholder in the Renville Farmers* Elevator. He lias served on the school board and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Renville, and is a trustee of that church.

His brothers and sisters all came to America and the parents were ready to come when the father died in 1877 at the age of fifty-seven years. The mother came over alone and died in Renville county in 1891 at the age of seventy-five years.

In January, 1879, Mr. Jepson was married to Ingeborg Berger. born April 1, 1861, in Nebraska, daughter of Berger 8. and Martha (Ingebretson) Berger. Mr. and Mrs. Jepson have had twelve children, of whom eleven are living: Peter. Benjamin, Matilda. Edward, Mary, Ida (deceased), Emma, Henry, Anna, Tena and Elmira (twins) and Sadie.

Berger S. Berger was born in Norway and there married Martha Ingebretson. In the early fifties they started for America, and after a long and tiresome voyage of fourteen weeks reached Quebec. They were then childless, two of their children having died in Norway and one on the ocean. From Quebec, Mr. and Mrs. Berger started by way of the lakes and canals and came to Muskegon, Michigan. Here they became sick with the cholera. When they were well they left for Iowa and then went to Nebraska. There they found the Indians very hostile and they were soon back in Iowa, having driven 300 miles in six weeks, in many places over corduroy roads, in an uncovered wagon, whose wheels were round disks of wood cut from trees. They left Iowa in 1872 and came to Sacred Heart township, Renville county, where they homesteaded in section 14 and also obtained a tree claim. A log house was built, 14 by 14 feet, with board floor and sod roof. Once it caught fire and water had to be carried to put it out and even all the milk on hand was used. The nearest market was at Willmar, which was reached by ox team. Oftentimes the corn was ground in the coffee mill. Mr. Berger was the first thresher in the county and began with a horse power machine. He developed and improved his farm, erecting modern buildings and increasing the farm to 320 acres. There were six children in the family: Edward, Benjamin, Ingeborg, Sever. Matilda and Hans. The family were members of the Lutheran church and the early services of the church were held in his log cabin. He helped organize this church. He died in 190:2 at the age of seventy-eight years and his wife died in 1901 at the age of seventy-four years.

Halver Christiansen Aarnes, a well-known farmer of Sacred Heart township, was born in Norway, Jan. 26, 1839, son of Christian and Johanna h (Halverson) Aarnes. There were eight children in the family: Halver, Christian, Martin, Andrene, Gunne, Karen, Eli and Gulbrand. Halver Aarnes was the first of the children to come to the United States, coming in 1869. He landed at New York and traveled on to Racine, Wisconsin, where he remained for seventeen months, working as a blacksmith in the Mitchell Wagon Factory. In 1S71 he moved to Renville county, where he secured a homestead of 80 acres in section 8, in Sacred Heart township, now a suburb of Sacred Heart village. He filed on his laud and began work on it. There were then no improvements on the place. He made a dugout, where he and his wife lived for a time. He also worked on the St. Peter & Winona Railroad for a time to earn some money, as he had not a thing to start with. The second spring he bought a team of oxen and two cows. By dint of hard work Mr. Aarnes has improved his farm and now has fine groves of trees, a modern house and buildings. He raises a good grade of stock and has added 40 acres of railroad land to his farm.

Mr. Aarnes has held several township offices and has been a member of the school board. He has been a member and director of the Sacred Heart Creamery. He is also a faithful member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has been an active worker there since its first days. At first there was no church building and the meetings were held in the various homes. Mr. Aarnes was a member of the building committee and helped build the church. He has been a trustee and also has been the secretary of this church for many years.

Mr. Aarnes was united in marriage at Racine, Wisconsin, to Kari Semmingsen Andraae. of Norway, who came to America on the same boat ;is Mr. Aarnes did. She was born May 3, 1843. Seven children have been born to these parents: Carl (deceased) ; Samuel, a graduate of Luther College of Decorah, Iowa, who is now living with his parents on the home farm ; Henry, an electrician, now of Minneapolis ; Karen, now Mrs. Albert Slattum, of Viking, Minnesota, who has two children, Harold Clifford and Helen Maria, also a stepson, Arthur Morris; Rikka. a student of Sacred Heart high school and teacher of eight years' experience, now in the photographic work in Minneapolis; Ida, a student of Sacred Heart high school and a teacher of twelve years' experience; and Christian, who died in infancy. In addition to the public school teaching of Rikka and Ida, Rikka, Ida and Karen have all taught parochial school.

Engebret Hanson Docken, a worthy and honored pioneer, was born in Norway, Dec. 7, 1839 and, in 1866, determined to try his fortunes in the new world. After a long voyage and a difficult trip overland he reached Fillmore county, this state, where he was contented to remain three years. In 1S69, with an ox team, he started for Renville county, and after looking about for a time took a homestead of eighty acres in section S, Hawk Creek township. For a year he lived with Peter Simonson. During that period he erected his log cabin and a sod stable and started breaking his land. The family moved into the cabin and there remained for seventeen years. Like the other pioneers, he and his family underwent many hardships and privations. Times were hard, money was scarce, provisions were high, the blackbirds and the grasshoppers devoured the crops, the blizzards often kept them confined in their cabin for weeks at a time, the nearest market for their grain was at Willmar, and that also was the nearest place where they could secure supplies. But they toiled ahead, .year after year, made many improvements on the place, set out groves, erected a frame house, a good barn and suitable outbuildings, and there found prosperity and happiness, ill'. Docken took an interest in the progress of the community, served for a number of years on the school board. After his death, in 190"). his widow continued to conduct the home place until 1911. when she rented it to her suns. Albert and Otto.

Engebret Hanson Docken was married June 3, 1869, at Winona, to Anne Stavne, who was born in Norway, Oct. 27, 1840, came to America in 1867 and located in Fillmore county, this state. Mr. and .Mrs. Docken had nine children: Hans, Olena, Hannah, Martin, Clara. Albert. Emma, Otto and an unnamed infant. Hans was born Sept. 13, 1870, and died May 9, 1872. Olena was born Sept. 20, 1871. Hannah was born Dec. 28, 1873, married C. H. Romo. of Hawk Creek township, and has three children : Alice, Harold and Esther. Martin was born Feb. 16, 1876. Clara was born (Kt. 21. 1878, married John Romo, of Wang township, and has two children. Gladys and Eveline. Albert was born May 29. 1881. Emma was born Feb. 28, 1884. Otto was born May 29. 1885. The youngest was born July 19. 1888. and died the same day. Olena and Emma keep house for their mother and brothers. The family faith is that of Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran church at Sacred Heart.

Einar Nelson was bom at the Hunsager Farm, Hoff Solar, Norway, on Sept. 8, 1829, and died April IS, 1915. At the age of fifteen he was confirmed in Hoff church, Norway, and he remained a true Christian all his life, attending services whenever his health permitted. July, 1865, he immigrated to this country, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained for only a short while, going from there to Preston, Fillmore county, Minnesota. Here he took up the trade of blacksmith, working at same for about three years, and then went to St. Paul and worked as foreman on the Ames Farm near there for about one year. During the early days in this section Mr. Nelson followed the occupation of blacksmith, as well as that of farming, and until Fairfax became a village, large enough to support a blacksmith shop, he worked at his trade and enjoyed a good business, being looked upon as the best workman of his kind in this section. Mr. Nelson was of a kind and unassuming nature, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. Being a pioneer, he suffered many of the hardships of the early days. Mr. Nelson was married July 13, 1868, to Thea Johnson. Shortly after their marriage they moved to a homestead in Ridgely township, Nicollet county. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson had the following children : Eliza, Mrs. Simon Hougly, of Camp township; Nellie, Mrs. Peter Hornseth, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota ; Nels E., a farmer of Cairo township ; Palma, Mrs. Andrew G. Loftness, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Einar, died in infancy in 1878; Einar E., member of Nelson Brothers at Fairfax ; Peter, on the old home farm in Nicollet county ; and Ole E., member of the Nelson Brothers firm at Fairfax.

Einar E. Nelson, a successful young man of this county, was born in Nicollet county on June 2, 1878, son of Einar and Thea (Johnson) Nelson. At the age of twenty-five he bought the home farm in Ridgely township, section 8, Nicollet county, and, with his brother, Peter, engaged in the buying and feeding of cattle and hogs, and getting them ready for the market. They have been very successful in this work and are still engaged in it. Mr. Nelson is also a member of the firm of Nelson Brothers, who conduct a large garage in Fairfax. June 6, 1912, he was married to Ella Hagestad. Her parents, Mathias and Martha (Berg) Hagestad, live on a farm in Camp township. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one child, Eldred Merrell, born Aug. 7, 1913.

Ole E. Nelson was born in Ridgely township, Nicollet county, July 12, 1882, son of Einar and Thea (Johnson) Nelson. He grew up on the home farm and later attended the Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, for three years. From 1902 to 1904 he remained at home. June 20, 1904, he secured a homestead in Marshall county, near Thief River Falls, where he remained for five years. Then hi' spent four years at Highland Park College, at Des Moines, taking up the civil and electrical engineering courses. For three months he worked in a garage at Minneapolis and now is in a garage with his brother, Einar E., at Fairfax, under the name of Nelson Brothers. During 1914-1915 a fine brick building, 44 by 130 feet, was erected. It is a one-story building with part basement, and costs about $17,000. They handle Studebaker cars and all accessories, and have a well-equipped repairing shop.

Nels E. Nelson, a successful farmer of Cairo township, was born in Nicollet county, this state, May 21, 1871. son of Einar and Thea (Johnson) Nelson. He attended the district schools and the Mankato Business College, and farmed at home until 1902, when he bought 160 acres in section 33, in Melville township, this county, where he lived for nine years. Then he sold this farm and, in 1911, bought 200 acres in section 20, in Cairo township, where he is still living, having just completed a fine modern residence and all new outbuildings.

Mr. Nelson was assessor in Melville township for two years and supervisor in Cairo township for three years; ami is still serving. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Fairfax and also in the Renville Rural Telephone Company of Fairfax. May 22, 1902, Mr. Nelson was married to Alma Bergley, born Jan. 31, 1879. Her father, Andrew Bergley, a farmer on section 23, Camp township, came to Renville county in 1873. Her mother's maiden name was Lena Johannasen. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two children, Arthur, born July 12, 1903, and Tillie, born March 5, 1905. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Michael Holden, a pioneer, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, Jan. 25, 1849, son of James and Catherine (McGinley) Holden. James Holden was a farmer, who came to Minnesota in 1868 and homesteaded eighty acres of land in section 26, Henryville township, and lived there until 1892. Then he moved to Morton, where he died March 10, 1905, at the age of seventyeight. He served on the township board for three years and on the school board four years. His wife died in 1907, at the age of eighty-one years. Michael Holden homesteaded eighty acres in section 6, Henryville township, in 1868, and moved there from St. Peter, Minnesota. He built a log cabin and then worked on the railway and in the pineries for four years. He remained on the farm until 1900, when he moved to Olivia. After eight years he moved to Morton. He served as chairman of the township board for eleven years; was assessor nine years and school clerk twenty-six years. For four years he was a member of the village council of Morton and served on the school board six years. He buys and ships stock in Olivia and Morton. He also owns 240 acres of land. He is a member of the K. of < '. Mr. Holden was married June 29, 1872, to Bridget Barkey, born March 18, 1850, and died Dec. 10, 1888. She was the daughter of Patrick and Mary Barkey. Eleven children were born : Mary A., born March 22, 1873, and died Oct. 6, 1881 ; Thomas M., born Sept. 29, 1874, at Montevideo; James P., bom Jan. 6, 1876. of Spokane, Wash.; John C, born Nov. 30, 1877, and died Oct. 4. 1881; Catherine born Dec. 1, 1879, wife of John Hannaher, of Fargo, North Dakota; Francis J., born Oct. 28, 1881, of Minneapolis; Anna J., bom Oct. 2, 1883, wife of Albert Banner, of Fargo, North Dakota ; William PL, born Nov. 8, 1884, of Colorado Springs; Agnes, born Nov. 3, 1885, and died the same day; Bridget M., born Feb. 6, 1887, wife of John Ivers, of Minneapolis; and Agnes M., born Dec. 5, 1888, wife of John Hopman, a farmer of Henryville. He was married a second time to Marv A.

Williams, on July 15, 1889. She was born July 15, 1859, and was the (laughter of Michael Williams, a farmer of Norfolk, and his wife, Margaret (Foley) Williams. By this marriage there was one child, Mary Angela Margaret, born May 16, 1891, now of Minneapolis. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Henry A. Peterson, one of the influential farmers of Sacred Heart township, was born in Sweden, March 1, 1861. His stepfather, .John Peterson, came to Goodhue county in the early sixties and in 1868 located in section 20, in Sacred Heart township, where he secured a preemption right to 160 acres, later relinquishing it for a homestead of 80 acres. Here he built a log cabin and began breaking the land with an ox team. He used to bring his produce to New Ulm and later to Willmar. Coffee, tea and such luxuries were dispensed with, and in their place were substituted ground wheat for coffee, or toasted bread crumbs and berries were used in making tea. He had two cows which he had brought with him from Goodhue county. He improved his farm, bought more land, increasing it to 280 acres and built new buildings.

Mr. Peterson was interested in the public affairs of the township and held the position of supervisor several terms. He also served on the school board. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and the first services of that church Avere held in his cabin. Johu Peterson died in 18S3, at the age of fortysix years, and his wife died at the age of sixty-six years. Henry Peterson grew to manhood in the township of Sacred Heart, and received his early education in the country school held in the old log school house. He remained on the home farm and, after his father's death, took upon himself the responsibility of the home. After his marriage he moved to his present location, which he had purchased in 1891, moving the next year. It was a tract of 240 acres. It has since been increased to 300 acres and is a well-kept and fine looking farm, known as the "Altamont Farm.'' He raises a good grade of stock and carries on general farming, using the most modern machinery. Mr. Peterson has held several township offices and has served on the school board. He has been greatly interested in all the co-operative movements of his county and is a member of the Co-operative Milling Company, the Co-operative Elevator, and the Co-operative Creamery. He was the secretary and manager of the creamery when it was organized. In 1881 he represented his district in the State Legislature on the Alliance ticket. He came before the people on the People's ticket later, but was not then elected. Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Bertha Kringsberg. born in Sweden. She came to America in 1869 with her parents, who located in Hawk Creek township, becoming pioneers of that section. Five children were born to this marriage: Mabel, a graduate of the

Sacred Heart high school and now studying music; Spencer, who is attending high school; Ethel C, who is attending the state university; Bertram, a student at high school, and Thelma, who attends the rural schools.

Olof Kringsberg, deceased, an early pioneer of Hawk Creek township, was born in Vermeland, Sweden, Sept. 9, 1836. He came to America in 1869, locating at Hawk Creek the same year, where he took a homestead in section 2, of eighty acres. He first lived in a dugout and later built a log cabin which, in time, was replaced by a frame house. He planted groves, erected buildings and became one of the representative farmers. At the time of his death he had 360 acres. He died Sept. 29, 1901. He was married iu Sweden, Aug. 9, 1865, to Martha Peterson, born in Vermeland, Sweden, March 20, 1847, and died in Sacred Heart village, Nov. 1, 1913. Twelve children were born to these parents: Bertha, Matilda, Ole, Albert, Emelia, Ida, Hilmer, Emil, Peter, Peter, Mathilda and Ludvig.

Johannes Haug\ better known as John Haug, was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1844, son of Johannes and Bertha (Gjerdrum) Haug, who were farmers in Norway. There were eight children in the family : Severen, Martin, Arne, Karnelius, Johannes, Johan, Bertha and Lena. John was the only one of the family who came to America, coming to Quebec in 1866 and going immediately to Minnesota. He located at Northfield and for three years worked around among the farmers. In 1868 he secured a homestead in Renville county, in section 28, in Sacred Heart township. He did not move upon his claim until 1869, after his marriage. He built a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet, and, with one cow and an ox team, began farming upon this tract of SO acres. All supplies were hauled from New Ulm. The land was wild prairie land without a tree on the place, no roads, but in time Mr. Haug set out groves of trees, built modern buildings and barns and increased his farm to 450 acres. Mr. Haug has held the township offices of supervisor and treasurer, having held the latter position for twenty-five years. He is also a member of the church iu his neighborhood and helped organize the first church and was one of its first trustees.

In 1868 Mr. Haug was married in Rice county to Bertha Hoff, born in Norway, Feb. 13, 1851, daughter of Christopher Hoff. She came to Minnesota with her uncle when she was fourteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Haug have had twelve children: Idan, born Sept. 24, 1869, is now in the machinery business at Winnipeg, Canada. He married Selena Johnson and has four children, .Jesse, Esther, Florence and Winfield. Minnie, born May 3, 1871. and died Jan. 30, 1904, was the wife of John Listerud, and left the following children: Hjelmer, Morris, Edna, Eva and Ruth. Barbara, born Jan. 9, 1873, is the wife of Hans Braun, of Minneapolis, and lias three children : Blanchard, Edgar and Cyril. Kaia, born Nov. 6, 1875, now Mrs. Nels Nellermoe, of Winnipeg, Canada, has three children : Blanche, Alpha and Noel. Lauritz, born June 23, 1878, is in the machinery business with Idan, in Canada, with headquarters at Regina. He married Josepha Thornby. Clara, born July 9, 1880, was married to Engebret Enestvedt, a farmer of Sacred Heart township. Their children are Odin, Albertha and Johannes. Sigvart, born May 27, 1882, is now on a homestead in Alberta, Canada. Bertha, born Aug. 20, 1884, is now Mrs. Joseph Jacobson, of Sacred Heart village. Harold, born Dec. 5, 1886, is at home. Conrad, born Feb. 19, 1889, is on a homestead in Alberta, Canada. Laura, born May 9, 1891, is at home. Odin, born Dec. 23, 1893, is at home Mrs. John Hang died May 26, 1912.

William Henry Tillisch, one of the pioneer farmers of Sacred Heart township, was born April 21, 1840, in Norway, son of Ditlev and Ann Elizabeth (Furstenberg) Tillisch, and grandson of William Henry and Sophia Tillisch. William Henry Tillisch. the grandfather, Avas born in Denmark, moved Sept. 19, 1811, to Norway, became a keeper of the State forest, and died at the age of seventy-five years. His children were : Ditlev, Christian, Rudolph, Paul, William H., Ludwig, Hedrick, Edna and Louisa. The oldest son, Ditlev, entered the military service of Norway, became a captain, and continued until he was eighty-one years of age, when he was honorably retired. He died in 1906 at the age of ninety-four years. His wife was born in 1806 and died in 1899. They were the parents of five children : Frederick, William Henry. Jacob and two who died in infancy. William Henry Tillisch, the subject of this sketch, came to the United States in 1864, locating in Chicago, where he remained one year, and then coming to St. Peter, Minnesota, where he worked in whatever employment he could secure. In the fall of 1870 he came to Renville county. He had owned a homestead near St. Peter, but gave this up for a preemption claim of 80 acres in section 26, in Sacred Heart township. A log building was on the place, and here he started farming with two cows and a team of oxen. The nearest market was Willmar. He suffered many hardships in those early days from the storms and grasshoppers. When he started farming he borrowed money and had to pay an interest of 25 per cent. In 1881 he moved to section 36, where he secured 80 acres, later adding 40 acres more. There were no buildings on the land and he erected frame buildings and improved the land.

Mr. Tillisch has been school clerk for several years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has been the secretary for many years, and also helped build the churches at Renville, Sacred Heart and Updahl.

Mr. Tillisch was married to Sophia Matilda Peterson, who was born July 5, 1853, daughter of Andrew J. and Ann Sophia Peterson. Her father died in Sweden and her mother came to the United States in 1871. Mrs. Tillisch died Sept. 24, 1904, and, in 1910, Mr. Tillisch decided to live with his sons in section 36. Five children were horn to these parents: Johan Frederick, born Aug. 30, 1871, farms with his brother, Jacob, in sec tion 36, Sacred Heart township. They raise a good grade of stock, having full blooded Poland-China hogs, full-blooded Pereheron horses, and Holstein cattle. Johan Frederick is a member of the Farmers' Elevator at Renville and of the Sacred Heart Consolidated Telephone Company. He also is a member of the Horse Breeders' Association. He has served as the clerk of School District No. 11 . Jacob Sophus was born Dee. 30, 1873; Amelia, May 22, 1876; Julius, July 6, 1878, who died in infancy; Nanna, May 11, 1880.

Joseph Anderson, deceased, was born in Sweden, near Wenersborg, Dee. 13, 1842. In 1866 he came to the United States on a sailing vessel, the trip taking eighteen days, and landed at New York. He traveled on to Indiana, where lie remained for one year, then he went to St. Peter, Minnesota, where there was a Swedish sett lenient. He worked on the railroad between Mankato and Janesville for two years, being foreman of a crew of men. However, he had always desired to have a farm of his own, and, in 1870, he moved to Beaver Falls, where he secured a homestead. He and his wife drove from St. Peter with an ox team and a covered wagon, and lived in the wagon until he could build a log cabin. After a year they decided to move to Sacred Heart township and located on section 24, where they obtained 80 acres. No improvements had been made on this land and they moved the log cabin up from Beaver Falls. The land was broken with the ox team and all supplies and material had to be hauled from Willmar, which was the nearest market. At first he had only one cow, but as time passed he improved his farm, bought 80 acres more, built good buildings and erected one of the most modern houses in the county. Mr. Anderson never aspired to any township offices. He was a great lover of trees and flowers and became the pioneer horticulturist of the county and of this part of the state. He not only beautified his own home with shrubs, trees and flowers, but inspired others to do likewise. He believed that fruits of many varieties would thrive in Minnesota and propagated a seedling apple called the ''Victoria." During the last years of his life he made a specialty of top-working on hardy trees, thereby growing many choice varieties that could not be grown otherwise. During the time of his early plantings of apple trees, neighbors and others told him he never could grow apples in Minnesota, but he lived to see the day when his orchards fruited by the hundreds of bushels, and also to see his neighbors following his example by planting trees. He grew during his time more apples and strawberries for market than any man in Renville county.

In 1870 he was married at St. Peter to Anna Louise Holmberg, born in Smoland, Sweden, Jan. 20, 1841, and died June 11, 1914. Mrs. Anderson was a kind and loving wife and mother, and, as other pioneers, had to work very hard during early days of the county. Mr. Anderson died Sept. 12, 1914. There were seven children, three deceased : Victoria, a graduate of the Renville high school and also of the University of Washington, at Seattle, Wash., and now a teacher in high school at Stanwood, Wash.; Bertha, a graduate of the Central high school in Minneapolis, and now a student at the Bellingham State Normal school at Washington; Eva, who is married, and lives at Seattle, Wash., and Gustaf A., who lives on part of the old homestead.

Gustav Adolph Anderson, a well-known farmer of Sacred Heart township, was born April 8, 1878, on his father's farm in Sacred Heart township. Mr. Anderson has always remained on the home farm, except two years spent in clerking. He now owns 40 acres of the old homestead, where he specializes in fruitraising. He has erected a fine, all modern cottage home across the road from the old home and there he now resides. He makes a specialty of apples, plums and strawberries, and this season (1915) put on the market over 1.200 bushels of apples. At this writing he owns the largest apple orchard in Renville county. He received his early education at the district schools and completed his studies at the Renville high school. He learned the art of horticulture from his father. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the school board for fifteen years and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Renville. He is a life member of the State Horticultural Society, where much information is gathered pertaining to fruit growing.

Gunder Borstad was bom in Norway, Nov. 18, 1840, came to America in 1866, located in Goodhue county, remained there for three years, and. in 1869, came to Renville county and located on a homestead in Camp township, where he died Jan. 2, 1894. He was married Feb. 6, 1864, to Annie Kvaal, who was bom in Norway, Dec. 27, 1842. and who lived on the home place until September, 1915. In the family there were seven children: Andrew, who was drowned at the age of nine years; Nels, who died at the age of two years; Inga, who married Olaus Dahl, a farmer of Camp township; Sarah, who married Louis Dahl, a blacksmith of Dawson, Minn.; Andrew, who operated the home farm until September, 1915; Gurina, who married A. II. Peterson; and Louisa, who married A. C. Wells.

Andrew Borstad, successful farmer and thresher, was born on his father's farm in the southeast quarter of section 16, Camp township, July 31, 1875, son of Guilder and Annie (Kvaal) Borstad. He was reared on the home farm, educated in the public schools, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. In September, 1915, he and his mother left the home farm and moved to Franklin, where they purchased a pleasant home in which they now reside. For several years he has devoted his attention every fall to threshing. He has a complete outfit and has been very successful in this line. He is a well-known man and is widely respected. While on the farm, Andrew Borstad and his mother made a home for the mother's sister, whose maiden name was Nickolina Kvaal. She was born Feb. 27, 1848, and was married May 15, 1881, to Hans Peterson, who settled in section 10, Camp township, in 1860, and died there in 1910 at the age of eighty. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Edward M. Kelly, a prosperous and energetic farmer of Camp township, was born on section 30, Bandon township, April 20, 1882, son of Mathias E. and Ranghild (Jordet) Kelly, and grandson of Erland Kille, whose name was later changed to Brland Kelly. Erland Kelly was born in Norway, May 10, 1810, and brought his family to America in 1868, locating in section 30, Bandon township, in 1869. Mathias E. Kelly was born Oct.

1, 1853, came to America with his parents, became a prominent farmer in Bandon township, and died Feb. 26, 1915. In 1881 he married Ranghild Jordet, who was born April 25, 1881, and still lives on the farm in Bandon. Edward M. Kelly was reared on the farm, passed through the district schools, entered the Red Wing Seminary and graduated in 1899. A year later he graduated from the Mankato Commercial College. Then he clerked two years for Kelly & Johnson, in Franklin, and was manager of his father's store in Franklin until 1910. During the two next years he was engaged in the real estate business at Mankato and then engaged in farming, purchasing 280 acres of land in seetion 5, Camp township, in partnership with his brother, Sivert M., in 1912. He raises Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine, feeding one carload per year for the market, and has one acre of fruit, two of alfalfa, and 200 acres of land under cultivation. He is a stockholder in the creamery and telephone companies at Franklin and is a member of the Hauge's Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Kelly was united in marriage Jan.

ter of Ole Gunderson. born April 1, 1839, in Norway, now a tailor in Mankato, and his wife, Ingeborg Gunderson. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly : Inez Ruth, born April 21, 190."); Marlow Osmond, bom Dee. 9, 1908; Kenneth Edgar, born May 18, 1911; and Vincent Herbert, bom April 26. 1914.

John W. Donahue, a well-known farmer in the county, was born in Le Sueur county, Nov. 17, 1860. His father, also a farmer, came to Minnesota in 1858, and died in 1890, at the age of seventy-five. His mother, Honora Sullivan, died in 1898, at the age of sixty-three. Mr. Donahue remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age, then he rented the home farm for about two years. In 1887 he came to Renville county, where lie rented a farm for one year. He drove into the county with a team, also driving a few head of cattle. He underwent the hardships of pioneer life and had his share in the upbuilding of the county. In July of the next year he bought 80 acres in section 5, Cairo township, where he is still living, now owning 160 acres. He has improved his farm, in 1913 he built a barn, 32 by 40 feet, with 12-foot posts, hip roof, which holds 30 tons of hay. In 1915 he built a cement stone silo for his dairy herd. He has considerable stock, 10 horses of Belgian breed, 20 cattle of the Shorthorn and Red Pole breed, and also a large flock of Plymouth Rock chickens. In 1910 Mr. Donahue took a trip to Texas, where he bought a farm near St. Paul. San Patricia county, in that state, which he still owns.

Dr. Donahue has served on the school board for two years, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company and also secretary of the Fairfax Co-operative Creamery. He was married March 8, 1886, to Antonia Hirsch. who was born June 8, 1860. Her parents, Francis and Frances Hirsch, live on a farm in Le Sueur county. Six children were born to this marriage, only one of whom is still living. Two died in 1891 of diphtheria, John Henry, aged 4, and Rogers Joseph, aged 2. James Patrick, who is still living, was born Dec. 31, 1891. Sept. 30, 1900, two died, Honora Antonia, aged 5. and George William, aged 2. Andrew Edward was killed in 1910 by a team running away with him.

William A. Schummers, of Olivia, was born in Caledonia, Houston county, Minnesota, Nov. 21, 1884. His father was a cabinet maker of Luxemberg, Germany, and came to this state about forty years ago. William A. received his early schooling in the schools of his locality and attended the University of Minnesota, receiving the degree of B. A. in 1907. During the years 1907-1910, he served as principal of the graded school at Buffalo Lake. From 1910 to 1913 he was superintendent of the high school at Heron Lake. Then he became the district agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and has held this

Stephen Abbot Greenslit was born on a farm near Warren, Washington county, state of Vermont, Jan. 28, 1833. He is the son of Stephen and Zuriah Shaw Greenslit. who, at the time of the birth of the subject of this sketch, were putting forth strenuous efforts to wrest a living and some profit from their stubborn broad acres among the Green Mountains of that New England state. Stephen A. Greenslit was one of the eldest of six children, as they grew up around the family fireside there was help enough on the farm to allow some of the older ones, at times, to work out at various undertakings, thus earn something for themselves, and help out the family in many ways, and so we find him as he grew up to young manhood, working away from home much of the time, but attending school at every opportunity presented to him, which consisted mostly of only three months' country school in the winter-time ; being a true type of old New England Yankee, he followed the traditions of that day and stood by, helping his parents, until he was "one-and-twenty" years of age.

Being a young man of energy and some prudence, at this age he was a little to the good, financially; and, seeing no very brilliant prospects in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace, he did what many another New Englander has done, before and since his time, went West, with a fine physicial make-up, high hopes and a determination to win for himself an honorable name and a place worthy of note in the activities where he should dwell.

In the year 1854 he left Vermont with two other young men from his home town, and came to Reedsburg. Wisconsin. The trip from Vermont to Wisconsin, at that early day, was some undertaking, and these three young men could tell quite a story all about that same undertaking if drawn out in the right kind of way, for they are not as young as they used to be.

For two years, after coming to Wisconsin, lie followed lumbering as a vocation, in the woods, in the saw mills and driving rafts down the Wisconsin river. The work was some strenuous, but full of action, healthy, and giving muscles of steel.

Oct. 5, 1856, he was married to Manora E. Loomis, of Brookfield, Vermont, who had come to Reedsburg the year previous, to keep house for her brothers.

Immediately after their marriage they went to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he took up a claim of eighty acres of land, near the village of Kasso; a few years later he bought an adjoining eighty acres, giving him a 160-acre farm.

ful son, provided them a home, giving to them the small house in which he lived and 40 acres of land, building himself another house on the remaining land.

He later sold this farm and bought a farm of 120 acres near Mantorville, in the same state. This farm was in the timber, and after two years of clearing land, burning brush and logs, with plowing among the roots, he decided that a timber farm was not to his liking, so, having an opportunity, he sold the place, and, hearing of Renville county through Rufus F. Richardson, a neighbor who had, the fall before, bought land in Birch Cooley township, he accompanied Mr. Richardson when he moved to his land. in 1868, to spy out the country and see how he would like it. He was so well pleased with the looks of the country that, before he returned to his home in Dodge county, he had bought 320 acres of land from D. S. Hall, on sections 26 and 27, in Birch Cooley township, returning to his family mighty well pleased with his bargain, and with the country generally.

In the spring of 1869 he, with his wife and two children, with several ox teams, loaded all their worldly goods into wagons, driving quite a herd of stock, took up their trek from Dodge county to their new home to be, on the then wild prairie of Renville county. The trip was full of incidents worth relating, but exposure to the elements and hardships to the pioneer trail blazers was the expected portion, as they turned their faces to the west with determination and hope.

The family, with their stuck and all their belongings, arrived tit their destination on this new purchased Birch Cooley halfsection of land early in March, 1869; the day was cold, and they came to the place at night, after a hard day's drive with their ox teams and drove of stock. The good wife found a small board shanty which she would have to call home, for the time ; this was half-full of snow, which had to be shoveled out before formal possession could be taken, but that difficulty was soon overcome, ;is others hni I been, and they soon found themselves settled upon their new possessions, which took them no great length of time to put in shape for business farming, and some degree of comfort.

Stephen Abbot Greens! it was bound to make good in his farming operations; he was determined to get to the front; his keen foresight saw a future for land in Renville county, so he kept buying more land, and, year by year, adding to his increasing acres, until now, with his son, John Fremont, owns over 1,400 acres in Birch Cooley township), valued at the least at $100 an acre. In 1868 he paid D. S. Hall $2,000 for 320 acres. This shows that Stephen was looking ahead all the time.

selled together on all matters, and he took her advice and leaned on her greatly for suggestions in important business matters. So greal was her loss to him, and so much was lie broken up by her death, that he soon retired, and turned the entire management of his farming business over to his son, John Fremont, who 'is something of a "chip off the old block," and then some.

Stephen Abbot Greenslit, while making no great noise about it, is one of those old-time Vermont Republicans, politically, as noted b}T naming his son John Fremont, after the first Republican candidate for President of the United States. He is strong on the temperance question and believes in a "dry town." He is a supporter of the church, a clean, upright man, an honor to his children, and they can lie proud of him. At 83 years of age, he is still enjoying life in his large modern house, with his son's family at Morton, with the good will of all the people among whom he lives.

John Fremont Greenslit, an eminently prosperous and progressive farmer of Morton, was born at Kasson, Minnesota, Aug. 24, 1863, son of Stephen A. and Manora E. (Loomis) Greenslit. At the age of twenty, John Fremont Greenslit became the manager of his father's farm in Birch Cooley township, and since then he has handled all the business pertaining to it. He has been a heavy feeder of cattle and hogs for twenty years, lbfeeds about 100 cattle per year and 200 hogs and prepares them for the market. He also keeps about 300 cattle on hand all the time. He now owns 1,400 acres of land, all in Birch Cooley township and nearly all in one body. About 1.100 acres are under the plow,' 400 acres are in corn, 500 acres are in wheat, and 200 acres are in oats. There are four complete sets of buildings, besides the home in the edge of Morton. He employs four married men all the time, who live on these farms, and several men besides He sells about $10,000 worth of cattle and $10,000 worth of gram each year. In 1900 he built a new home on the outskirts of Morton. It is a large, modern, fifteen-room house, 32 by 52 feet, with 20-foot posts, and has a full basement. It is equipped with hot water heat, electric lights, electric power also being used for washing, sweeping, and so forth. There is water throughout the house, with pressure tanks in the basement. The house is finished in oak downstairs and has hard maple floors. There is a two-story sleeping porch at the rear. The house cost $10,000. Mr. Greenslit was married to Ethel Morse, Jan. 31, 1891. She was born Oct. 21, 1871, daughter of Lewis E. and Elizabeth (Adams) Morse. Eleven children were born to this union; Gladys, Irvin, Elva, Lloyd, Harold, Bernice, Elsie, Berton, Vernon. Glen and Kenneth.

county, for about three years. In 1880 he secured a homestead in section 47, in Beaver Falls township, Renville county, but returned to Massachusetts and engaged in carpenter work for about five years, coining back to Beaver Falls township in 1865 and locating on section 2, where he secured timber laud by "laying"' some half-breed script. Here he farmed until his death, July 12, 1896. He was married May 21, 1863, to Elizabeth Adams, of Massachusetts, who died June 1, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. Three children were born: Sarah A., of Redwood Falls. Minnesota, widow of Edwin A. Morse, who died June 29, 1904; Ethel and Berton, who died Aug. 3, 1906.

Henry H. Neuenburg was born in Le Sueur county. Minnesota. Sept. 1, 1S67, son of Herman and Cecelia (Shoemaker) Neuenburg. (The father was born in Germany, came to America in 1848, homesteaded land in Le Sueur comity, this state, remained there until 1876, then bought land in Beaver Falls township this county, from which he retired in 1889, when he moved to North Redwood. Minnesota, where he died iu 1909. The mother died Dec. 19, 1913.) H. II. Neuenburg was educated in the public schools of this county and the high school at Redwood Falls, Minnesota, after which he took a business course, from which he graduated.

He stayed at home on the farm until 18 years of age, when he entered the hardware store of Heins & McClure, of Beaver Falls, in 1885, where he remained until the death of Mr. Mc- Clure, when the business was closed. In 1890 he entered the employ of P. W. Heins, of Olivia, as cashier of the People's Bank, which position he held until 1897; after this he devoted his time to the lumber business under the firm name of H. H. Neuenburg & Co., which had been established in 1892. He continued this work until 1906. when he was appointed postmaster of Olivia, which position he held until 1914. The lumber business of II. H. Neuenburg & Co. was sold in 1908. but he still owns stock in the lumber business under the same name and style at Danube, this county. He has been identified with the National Guard of Minnesota since 1898, when he enlisted in Co. H, 3rd regiment, M. N. G., and which was mustered into the 14th Minnesota Vol. Inf. for the Spanish-American war. He served with this organization until the end of the war. In 1889 he was elected second lieutenant of this company and, in 1900, was elected captain, which position he held until 1914, when he was elected as major in the 3rd regiment, M. N. G., which position he still holds. In polities, he is a Republican, and has always affiliated with that party. Has served for three years on the board of education of which he is still a member. H. H. Neuenburg was married Jan. 14, 1891, to Ida A. McClure, daughter of Gustavus McClure, who was a pioneer of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Neuenburg have

William D. Griffith, for many years a prominent citizen of Renville county, now living at Hutchinson, was born in New York City, Sept. 9, 1848, son of Lemuel and Eleanor Griffith. In 1853 he was brought by his parents to Chanhassen, Carver county, this state where they lived until 1859, when they returned to New York City. There, as a youth, William 1). worked in the lumber business. In 1866 he returned to Minnesota and located at Hutchinson, in McLeod county, where he worked as a carpenter. It was in 1878 that he came to Hector, opened a general store and became postmaster. In 1S80 he went out of the general mercantile business and engaged in the stationery line. In 1882 he again went in the general merchandise business hi company with C. H. Nixon, forming the firm of Nixon & Griffith, continued as such firm until the fall of 1895. Then, on account of his wife's ill health, he sold his interest to C. H. Nixon, and took his wife to Florida and stayed until August, 1896, then returning to Hector. When the Farmers' & Merchants' State Lank was started he took a position as assistant cashier and resigned in the fall of 1890, having been elected again to the office of county treasurer. He served until 1913. winning the approbation of an entire county by his splendid work and efficient service. LTpon his retirement he moved to Hutchinson, where he now lives. Mr. Griffith is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted at New York City when but thirteen years of age in Co. F, 12th New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until honorably discharged in the same city, March 10, 1863. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Olivia, in which he has several times served as adjutant. Among his business holdings may be mentioned stock in the Citizens' State Bank at Hutchinson; the Renville County State Bank, of Bird Island; the Farmers' State Bank, of Hector; the Chamberlain Road Grader Co., of Hutchinson: and the Twin City Fire Insurance Co., of Minneapolis. In the Bird Island and Hector institutions mentioned he is a director. Mr. Griffith was married Oct. 8, 1873, to Ruth A. Ells, and they have seven children: Harold. Ada and Ida (twins), Charles A., Stella, Edna and Eva, the six oldest of whom graduated from the Hector high school. Harold served as deputy treasurer under his father from 1901 to 1913, and is now assistant cashier of the Olivia State Bank. Ada is Mrs. J. B. Phillips, of Hutchinson, and Ida is Mrs. William A. Phillips, of the same city. Charles A. is teaching in the College of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, of which he is a graduate. Stella is at home. Edna is now Mrs. Chester A. Grow, of Burns, Montana. Eva is Mrs. H. L. Torbenson, of Hector.

2. 1878, son of Peter and Mary (Antonsen) Schumacher. He attended the district school of Flora township, making his home with his uncle, Henry Timms. One winter he attended the Henryville district school. At the age of fourteen years, he went to Redwood Falls, where he completed his studies, living with his widowed mother. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself, operating his mother's farm in Redwood county, in partnership with his brother Frank. Later he returned to Flora township and located on the tract his uncle, Henry Timms, had homesteaded in 1866, in sections 33 and 34. Here he has since resided. To the original tract, Mr. Schumacher has added forty acres. He has also developed the place in various other ways, including the erection of a fine basement barn. 40 by 64 feet. Here he successfully carries on general farming. He is a prominent man in the community, has increased his knowledge by wide reading, and his opinions on nil subjects are highly valued. A thorough believer in co-operative effort, he is a shareholder in the Redwood Rural Telephone Co. and in the Delhi Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Co. His interest in the higher life of the community is shown by the fact that he was treasurer and a member of the building committee when the Evangelical church was erected. Mr. Schumacher was united in marriage Sept. 10, 1903, to Anna A. Deglow, born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, Sept. 23, 1883, a daughter of William and Ida (Leisman) Deglow, both natives of Germany, who were married in Wisconsin and located in Columbia county, where they made their home until 1900, when they moved to Redwood county and engaged in farming. In 1908 they located on a farm near Magrath, Alberta, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher have three children: Dewayne, Rebecca, and Elmer. Dewayne was born May 2. 1906; Rebecca was born Feb. 26, 1909; and Elmer was born July 18, 1911.

Henry Timms was born in Germany, March 17, 1832. and now lives at North Redwood, Minnesota. He left Germany in 1858 and came to Le Sueur county, this state. There he enlisted in Co. I, Third Minn. Vol. Inf. and served four years. After the war he went to Le Sueur, where lie remained for six months, and then to St. Peter, where he lived six months. At a land office there lie took a homestead in Flora township, Renville county, onto which he moved in September, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. John Kochendorfer, with their infant daughter, had been killed there, and their cabin burned by the Indians. A son, John, and two sisters escaped and made their way to Fort Ridgely. Mr. Timms lived in a log house a few years and then built a frame house, one of the first in the community, and added forty acres more land to the farm. Mr. Timms was the township treasurer and also the school treasurer. He was also the treasurer of the EvanfUfiLlC LIBRARY gelical church. Gesche Schumacher, who later became Mrs. Henry Timms, came to this country June 4, 1866. She spent nearly two months in coming across the ocean and went to Le Sueur to her sister, Margaret Bornholt. She married Henry Timms Sept. 13, 1866, and then came to Renville county, where they lived for twenty-seven years. May 25, 1893, they retired from active work and moved to North Redwood, where they still reside.

Peter Schumacher, an early .settler, was born in Holstein, Germany, June It). 1816. son of Jochim and Abelona (Mohr) Schumacher, whose seven children were: Rebecca, John, Margareta, Abelona, Anna, Gesche and Peter, all except Anna and Rebecca coming to the United States. Peter and his sister, Gesche, came to the United States in 1866, being seven weeks and two days on the water. They came to Minnesota and joined other members of the family who had come to Le Sueur county. Peter worked at his trade of wagon maker, later entering into partnership with a Mr. Zimmer, at Waseca, .Minnesota. In the spring of 187s le- came to Henryville township, Renville county, and located a tract of eighty acres of land to which he later added eighty acres more. Here he built a frame house. 10 by 16 feet, and improved the farm, later building good modern buildings and house. He spent a great part of his time doing carpenter work in the vicinity.

Peter Schumacher served as a member of the township and school boards. He was a trustee of the German Evangelical Association church, and was superintendent of its Sunday school. In 1888 he located at North Redwood, where he operated a furniture store and wagon shop. He was married in April, 1872. to Mary Antonsen. who was born in Missouri, Feb. 2. 1848, daughter of John and Louisa (Kahle) Antonsen. John Antonsen was a native of Denmark and brought the family to the United States. His children were: Mary, Minnie, John, Louisa, Rachel. Peter, Fred and Christine. He located in Le Sueur county, and was a mail carrier on the old Star route. Peter Schumacher died June 23, 1890.

Jerome P. Patten, Indian fighter, Civil war veteran, pioneer and early sheriff, now living in Morton, was born in the town of Richland, Oswego county, New York, Oct. 17, 1842. His parents were both natives of New York, the father, Silas W. Patten, having been born in 1808, and the mother, Elizabeth Vanschaick, in 1812. At the age of twelve years, Jerome P. Patten was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood, working on the farm and assisting his father, who was a carpenter. In October, 1861, he was brought by his parents to Olmsted county, this state. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army as a private in Co. H, Sixth Minn. Vol. Inf. He partici- pated in the Indian campaign and went South with his regiment, being assigned with that regiment to the Sixteenth Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. After his discharge at Ft. Snelling, Aug. 19, 1865, he returned to his home in Olmsted county. In 1869 he located in Renville county, where he has since made his home. He has occupied many local positions of trust and honor and, in 1872, was sheriff of Renville county.

Mr. Patten was married Nov. 14, 1870, to Mary E. Griffin, a native of New York, and their union has been an ideal one of trust and happiness. They have two children, Florence A. and Floyd J., both engaged in newspaper and magazine work in New York City. Florence A. is the wife of W. P. McGuire and has two young daughters.

Henry W. Homeier was born Dec. 28, 1874, on section 24, Beaver Falls township, son of Henry and Augustina (Scheffler) Homeier. Henry Homeier was born in Germany and came to Renville county in 1863, securing a homestead in section 24, where he remained until his death, in 1885, aged sixty-six years. His wife, aged sixty-eight years, is still living in Morton. Henry \V. Homeier remained on his father's farm, at first helping his father, in 1900 renting the farm and operating it for himself, and in 1913 becoming owner of it. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Grain Company at Morton and a member of the German Lutheran church at Morton. Mr. Homeier was iinited in marriage April 17, 1902, to Mathilda Thiem, born in Germany, March 20, 1877. daughter of Christ Thiem. born in 1834, and Rosa Brummond, born Feb. 16, 1842. They were married in Germany and came to Sibley county in 1878, when- they settled on a farm. Mr. Thiem died in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife is still living in Gibbon. Mr. and Mrs. Homeier have four children: Gertrude, born April 29, 1903: Harry, born Sept. 20, 1904: Mable, born Feb. 3, 1908; and Elvira, born July 15, 1910.

George M. Berry, a leading citizen of Hector, and a member of a family prominently identified with Minnesota milling, was born in .Ionian, Scott county. Minnesota, Jan. 10, 1873, son of Gustav and March < '. (Anderson) Berry. He spent his youth much as the other boys of his time and neighborhood, and graduated from the high school at Dundas, in Rice county, Minnesota, a point then widely known as a milling center. For some years he devoted his life to farming, as his father's manager. It was in 1899 that he came to Hector and engaged in the milling business. He and his brothers acquired a number of milling interests, and in 1909 the Berry Brothers' Milling Co. was incorporated, with Alfred Berry as president; Henry E. Berry as vicepresident: ami George M. Berry as secretary and treasurer. Oscar S. Berry is also a member of the firm. The company has a plant at St. Paul, and its mills are located at Hector, Norwood and Buffalo Lake. George M. Berry has remained in direct charge of the Hector mill, and h;is identified himself closely with village life here. While in Rice county he was treasurer of Forest Lake township and of his school district, as well as of the Swedish Lutheran church there. In Hector lie has been president of the village council and is now president of the school board. Busy though he is with his milling interests, he takes his greatest delight in church, Sunday school and uplift work, lb' is a thorough believer in temperance ami helped to close the saloons, first in Hector and then throughout Renville county. lb' is superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school of Hector, as he lias been for some thirteen years past, and he is also president of the Renville County Sunday School Association.

George M. Berry was married June 17. 1 1S94. to Gertrude M. Larson, born June 22, 1S72, in Goodhue county, this state, daughter of Simon and Christina Larson. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have six children: .Myrtle V., a teacher, born May 29, 1895; Frances H., born April 14, 1898; Lester L., born Nov. 3, 1899; Norman II., born April 2, 1903; Eveline M., born July 10. 190."); Charles M., born Oct. 8, 1911.

Gustaf Berry, a pioneer, was born in Sweden. May 21, 1832, and came to America as a youth. In St. Paul he met and married Mary C. Anderson, who was born in Sweden, Aug. 15, 1833. From 1858 to 1867, Mr. Berry lived in Carver county, this state. Then moving to Scott county he purchased 120 acres. In Lss4 he sold this and bought 211 acres in Forest township. Rice county, where he farmed for several years. In 1899 he and his good wife came to Hector, where he died Oct. 8, 1900. and where she is still living. In the family there were seven children : Charles J. ; William, of St. Paul; Alfred, of Hector: Oscar S., of Norwood; George M., of Hector; Henry E., of St. Paul, and Amanda C. of Hector.

Thomas Sloan Hewerdine, A. B., S. B.. C. E., now located in Olivia, has been actively identified with many important engineering projects in North and South America. He was born in < 'hampaign county, Illinois, July 16, 1870, only son of Thomas and Catherine (Miller) Hewerdine. After studying at the high school at Fisher, Illinois, he attended the Northern Illinois Normal College at Dixon, 111., for six months, going from there to the Western Normal College at Bushnell, 111., where he remained two terms. Next he attended Austin College at Effingham, Illinois, where he received the degree of A. B. He then entered the University of Illinois, where he received the degrees of S. B. in C. E. In the meantime, he had paid his way through college by working and teaching. He was superintendent of the Toledo.

Illinois, public- schools one year. He then went to Austin College as instructor in mathematics, remaining then- a year, when he. became professor of natural science at the Southern Indiana Normal School, of Mitchell, Indiana, remaining there one term. For a year and a half he taught chemistry and physics at the high school of Battle Creek, Michigan. Next he went to McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, as professor of mathematics and astronomy, remaining there a year. For two years he was professor at the Nova Scotia Technical College, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he organized and equipped the department of civil engineering. This new government institution is one of the highest classed schools of engineering in America. Next he was professor of civil engineering at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Ohio, resigning in 1913 and coming to Minnesota, lie was elected county surveyor of Renville county in 1914. While using his store of knowledge for practical purposes, Mr. Hewerdine has been chief engineer of the S. J. & S. C. Railway and Union Traction Company, of California, has worked on electric power development propositions in Canada, and Oregon; has worked on drainage and irrigation ; has also been consulting engineer for numerous cities in the United States and Canada, and has visited Peru, Chili, U. S. of Columbia, Panama, Ecuador, and Mexico, as well as Canada, in connection with his work. During the Spanish-American war, Mr. Hewerdine served in the First Illinois Cavalry. His standing is shown by the fact that he is a member of the Western Society of Engineers, associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, associate member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, member of Society for Promotion of Engineering Education, member of American Association for the Advancement of Science, member American Chemjc;d Society, member American Society for Psychical Research, and many other scientific and educational organizations. Mr. Hewerdine devotes much time to iddlosophical and scientific study and investigation, and has written and lectured upon these subjects.

Mr. Hewerdine is now a consulting Civil, Hydraulic, Municipal and Sanitary Engineer; and his office is in the Heins Block, in Olivia. At present he is engaged on extensive drainage propositions in this portion of the state

Mr. Hewerdine 's father. Thomas Hewerdine. was born May 28, 1826, in Lincolnshire, England, came to America in 1851 and spent four years in Indiana, removing to Illinois in 1855. He was a farmer, stock raiser and stock buyer. He made a success of his business. He died Aug. 30, 1915. at Fisher. Illinois.

Mr. Hewerdine 's ancestors on his mother's side were among the earliest settlers in America, having landed in Virginia nearly 300 years ago. Later they were in Kentucky with Daniel Boone, and still later generations were among the earliest settlers in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Mr. Hewerdine 's mother, Catherine Miller, was born in Mercer county, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1832, daughter of Sloan and Mary Miller. She died in 1873.

J. M. Bowler was born in Lee, Maine, July 10, 1838. Educated in common schools, Lee Academy and Westbrook Seminary. Worked on his father's farm, in his store and lumber camps. Taught country school in Lee in 1855 and Falmouth in 1856. Game west in March, 1857. Taught school in Hales Corners and Lynn. Wisconsin, and McGregor, Iowa. Came to St. Anthony Falls, Minnesota, in April, 1858. Worked in Croffut and Clark's printing office. Beginning in December, 1859, taught school several times in Nininger and Grey Cloud. Carried a Torch in the Wide Awakes, and voted for Abraham Lincoln for President in

1861, and was discharged upon the re-organization of the regiment for the three years service. Enlisted as private in Company F, Third Regiment Minnesota, Inf. Vols., Sept. 23, 1861; was promoted to corporal and sergeant, and in October, 1862, was commissioned Second Lieutenant and December 1, 1862, captain of the company and served as such until April 1, 1865; was commissioner Major of 113th U. S. C. T. and was mustered out with the regiment April 9, 1866. Was on detached service at different times as member of the General Court Martial, Military Commission and Post Adjutant on the staff of General C. C. Andrews at Little Rock, Ark. In the summer of 1865 was Post Commander at mouth of White River, Ark. ; September, 1865, was assigned to command of a sub-district with headquarters at Jacksonport, Ark., and was also appointed assistant general superintendent of Freedman's Bureau for the same district. Major General Reynolds offered to recommend him for a second lieutenant's commission in the regular army. He declined the offer, preferring to return to his home in Minnesota. November 30, 1862, married Lizzie S. Caleff at Nininger, Minnesota. She and their daughter, Victoria, were with him during his stay at Jacksonport, Ark. After leaving the army, he taught school several terms at Nininger and Hampton and followed farming until he moved to Minneapolis, October, 1901. Besides he was in the farm machinery business at Bird Island for a short time and for a few years traveling collection agent for the Northwestern Manufacturing and Car Company of Stillwater and Minneapolis. Harvester Company, Minneapolis.