Renville County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1916 (part 8 of 10)

The first year of our stay here everything was high priced and no crop was raised. This was the second year of the settlement. A barrel of flour cost $16 and had to be hauled 35 miles, the driver receiving $2 for every barrel hauled for the neighbors. But we were in good health and time passed fast. Although we had no minister we had good books to read and we used to gather in each others' houses Sundays, where Lars Rudi from Opdal Numedal (who had been a lay preacher in the old country) would lead in prayer. He then read a sermon in "Luther's Postille," and we sang out of "Guldbergs" hymn book. Mr. Rudi died in 1913, 86 years old, but his wife is living. During these first years the balance of Mr. Enestvedt's book supply was sold, or given away to those in poor circumstances. The fall of 1875 was a time of trouble and accidents for our family. Our horses ran away and tipped the wagon and broke my Left arm at the wrist, and about a month later when the doctor was ready to remove the bandage from my arm, he had to administer to Mr. Enestvedt who in another runaway had broken his leg above the knee. The trips of the doctor these 20 miles and other expenses amounted to some $350. But through these hard times the Lord helped us out, so that we never suffered any privation. But deeper sorrow settled on us in the early eighties when my husband through exposure on long trips in winter and during threshing life in early days, contracted the disease which after seven years of battle, laid him in an early grave. He died in 1887 at the age of 52 years. A loving husband and a Christian, helpful neighbor passed away and left me a widow with nine children, the youngest barely one year old. Still even through these, the darkest days of my life, the Lord was with us. and I have been able since then, to give all my children a good education and seen most of them start a home of their own and in good circumstances.

Our eldest son, Ole 0., who came with us from Norway, attended "Willmar Seminary two winters, but was obliged to leave on account of his father "s death. He managed later to take up a course at the Minnesota School of Agriculture, graduating from this institution in March, 1894. He married Anna Johnson in 1895 and is a farmer in South Sacred Heart near the old homestead. His children are: Ole, Alfred, Richard, Carl, Agnes, Inga. He is at present secretary of the Numedalslag of America.

Jorgine Caroline, graduate of Willmar Seminary, taught common school for several years, was twelve years teacher at Martin Luther Orphans' Home, Stoughton, Wis. Then she followed the missionaries to Teller, Alaska, where she was employed as a teacher at the Escpiimaux Mission Station there for seven years. She is at present teaching in Santa Barbara, ( 'alifomia.

Sophia llelene attended Willmar Seminary, taught common school and Norwegian school, worked at the Orphans' Home. Stoughton, Wis., attended Palmer School of Chiropractice, Davenport. Iowa, from which institution she graduated in 1909, and on January 15, 1911, took the State Board examination and received license to practice in Chicago, 111. She is at present practicing physician at 2321 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago, 111.

Carl Christian attended Willmar Seminary, then located in Belleview, Minn., as grain buyer, afterwards going in company with Belleview Mercantile Company, and is at present cashier in

Theodore attended Luther College two winters but had to discontinue his studies on account of poor health. He visited Norway in company with his sister Jorgine, where he stayed one year. On coming back he settled down as a farmer near the old homestead. The three brothers' land joins, amounting to 802 acres. He is married and his children are: Oliver, John, Louis, Marie, Janette, Anna, Valborg.

Anna Regine graduated from Willmar Seminary, taught common school several years, maxried G. H. Kravik, now of Everett, Washington. They have six children, Viola. Harold, Sylvia, Knut, Mildred and Gerald.

Engehret German, a graduate from the Minnesota School of Agriculture, is operating the old home farm. He makes a specialty in fullblooded Holsteins and seed corn. He is married and has three children: Odin. Alberta and Johannes.

Louise Marie graduated in 1906 from the Lutheran Normal School, Sioux Falls, S. D., taught English and Norwegian school near home and died Sept. 13, 1908.

As for myself I visited Norway a few years ago and found my aged mother living (she is dead now), and renewed old acquaintances and saw the places where my happy childhood was spent. Later I visited my daughter, Mrs. G. H. Kravik, on the coast and am at this writing staying with my daughter in Chicago. I am usually in good health, and have only this to say when I think of the past. "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant." Gen. 32:10.

Further Remarks on the Enestvedt Family. - The immediate cause of Ole O. Enestvedt, Sr., leaving the old country was that in order to buy the old home farm he would have to go in debt for a large sum of money and the process of getting ahead in a material way was very slow in that country in those days. He once thought of moving farther out of the valley, where the country was more adapted to agriculture, but then his father-inlaw uttered these brave words: "If you have to move any way, go to a country where it seems to be decidedly easier to make your way in the world than here." Brave words, indeed, because he knew what it meant to have his dear ones go away where he might never see them again in this world. Acting on his advice, they bid their friends good-bye and took leave of the dear old places where their "fathers had worked and their mothers had wept" and went to the unknown country with harely enough of worldly possessions to give them a start.

Mr. Enestvedt was a devoutly religious man and therefore provided for spiritual as well as material needs by buying religious books to the value of $150 to take with him and sell or give away to his countrymen in the distant land. His bosom friend, Lars Rudi, who emigrated the same spring was perhaps instrumental in his going to America. They both stayed for a while in Clayton county and in the spring of 1867 (although not in the same company) they came to Renville county and chose claims about a mile apart. Mr. Enestvedt accompanied by his brother Tollef made the journey afoot from Clayton county. Iowa, up here, some 800 odd miles in the spring about April 1, with only their coarse leather boots and their homemade clothes to protect them. Rubber clothes and boots were not dreamed of in those days and while journeying up they were compelled to go for days with wet feet and clothing. Luckily they came from a country where hardships were not unknown, and they never stopped until their purpose was. accomplished. Mr. Enestvedt took a claim under the hill in the river bottom on section 15, township of Sacred Heart, and Tollef located on adjoining land on the hill. Lars Rudi, who came a little later located a mile farther down the bottom in section 22.

How these three neighbors kept together through good and bad, for their spiritual as well as material betterment is known to all here. Being of the same religious belief they were instrumental in getting the neighbors together fin Sundays for reading and singing their old church songs and later in getting missionaries out into the new country to preach the word of God. Mr. Enestvedt 's log house was for a number of years used as a meeting house in winter, while in summer when the attendance was larger, the temple of nature was resorted to as a place of worship. On a level place in the grove below the house, under some magnificent basswood trees a space was raked off clean, and provided with boards to sit on. and a platform far the minister between four large trees, ami here in communion with Nature and their Creator the settlers worshipped their Cod as devoutly as in the most magnificent cathedral.

Having acquired a fair knowledge of the English language. Mr. Enestvedt was a useful man in the community, not only in church and school matters but in town and county affairs. He was chosen treasurer at the first town meeting and afterward held several town offices. He was also a very generous man. helping those who were in n 1 with money or otherwise, whether they could repay him or not. The trips to Willmar with oxen always taxed the strength and ingenuity of the settlers, and Mr. Enestvedt used to tell of how he, being a tall and strong man. had to help his neighbors to carry their wheat sacks across Hawk (or Mud creek) when the spring water made it too deep and the bottom too soft to cross except with the empty wagon. Fancy the task of wading across a stream waist deep in mud and water 20 or 30 odd times with a bag of wheat on the back and then starting out on a 25-mile ride. Or in winter with only scant clothing to drive across the treeless prairie when a snowstorm is raging, obliterating the track. The only way to keep warm is to travel, by the side of the oxen holding on to the rope or horn with one hand and shading his eyes with the other. Mile after mile is passed this way and the track is distinguished only by the lumps thrown up by the roadside or if this fails the last resort is to feel the way with the feet. In one case when father had gone to Willmar in the morning and mother to a sick neighbor woman the great three-day snowstorm came up in which father and others of his party came near losing their lives but finally came to a settler's cabin, and mother had to stay for three days at neighbor Rudi's only a mile away. But to the children at home, although two grown persons were present, it seemed an age before old man Rudi on the third day made his way to our house and told us that mother was at his place and would come home the next morning.

Running the threshing machine in those days was also a hard job. exposure, cold and hard manual labor trying the stamina of the pioneers. Feeding the machine was a hard and dusty job, while to "stand in the strawpile" was still worse. At the age of 45 years Mr. Enestvedt contracted the disease (dropsy) which seven years later laid him in an untimely grave.

The first cellar house of the family was dug half way into the ground with three or four rounds or tiers of logs and an earth roof and earth floor and walls. These were soon sheeted over with boards from logs from our own grove hauled to the saw-mill. But the roof remained the same for many years and the narrator of these pages had his farm up there out of reach of chickens and other marauders. Here he would plow with the the corner of the hoe, put his wheat and oats in with a spikeharrow and cut his crops, if the shallow bottom should not in dry seasons make it a total failure. When the. shingle roof chased him off there was an end to this and the building was afterwards changed so that the lower half was made a full cellar and the upper half added to in height for dwelling house, and a store house added to the back end. The year of Mr. Enestvedt 's death (1887) a new square house thirty-four feet square with eighteen-foot posts was built and the old building torn down, sad to relate, without a single picture of it to show later generations how the home of their first ancestors in the country looked! Where the forebears of the Enestvedt family in America lived in their cellar less than half a century ago, there now stands an imposing dwelling house into which water is piped from a spring to furnish power and electric light and then returned to the barn to go through pipes watering all the stock in their mangers. A silo completes the outfit. The old and the new! May the latter fill its place as well as the former did !

Mrs. Anne Enestvedt died of pneumonia, Jan. 1, 1913, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Opdahl church cemetery, where so many of their former friends and neighbors are buried, notably Tollef Enestvedt, Lars Rudi and Erik Nilsen. The youngest of the Enestvedt family. Louise Marie, is buried beside her parents.

Engebret German Enestvedt is living on the "Double Deck" Farm, the Enestvedt homestead, situated in Section 15-16-10 in the fraction township of Sacred Heart, along the Minnesota River valley where he was born and raised in a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. His father, Ole 0. Enestvedt, ' Sr., died when Engebret was five years old. His father bought the lumber and plans for a good large house before he died. The widow, Mrs. Anne Enestvedt, hired men to build the house the following spring of 1885. The house is as good today as when it was built, in fact, it is just as it was built, except for the addition of a kitchen and full basement and the installing of modern equipments such as bathroom, running water system, electric light system and a hot water heating plant. Engebret G. attended the common school and later the School of Agriculture at the University Farm, where he graduated in 1902, after which he worked the home farm for his mother for four years. In 1906 he bought the home farm comprising 270 acres, assuming heavy obligations empty-handed. In 1913 he bought another 80 acres adjoining the old farm on the south, making the farm 350 acres. In the fall of 1906 Mr. Enestvedt took first prize on corn for Minnesota at the -'International Corn Show," at Chicago, and since then has specialized in the breeding of a large strain of the Number 13 com. He has captured almost countless ribbons at the different corn shows and fairs. He also raises white corn to meet the demands for a white seed corn. The improvements on the farm since he bought it are as follows : The low spots of the fields have been tiled, a good private road has been built up the hill to the fields of the "Upper Deck." Tins road is fenced on both sides and has two cattle ways in the form of cement culverts running under the road. One at the foot of the bluff, the other at the top. The cattle go through these culverts so the road is always open to the fields.

A concrete root cellar has been built to store stock beets and potatoes in. A good double corn crib has been built; a cement 150 ton silo; cement addition to the barn for the young stock; this addition is 20x54 feet and is made of double wall concrete. Both mangers, floor, ceiling and roof are of concrete; the parti- tions arc detachable. It has large doors to drive through with manure spreader; also a swinging door where cattle and hogs can go through at will. The upstairs is used for haled straw for bedding. The. barn proper has also been remodeled with cement floors and mangers, .James stanchions and individual watering cups for horses, cows and water cups for each calf pen, for bull and for the young cattle. The cattle soon learn to open the covers and drink of the nice spring water thai supplies the cups automatically.

The improvements of the house are a double wall basement, containing a furnace room, a coal room, a seed corn room, holding 500 bushels, a laundry room and dairy and power plant room. The power plant consists of an enclosed water wheel which discharges into the sewer. This water wheel runs a dynamo that charges a set of storage batteries; it also runs a line shaft so that the separator churn, ice cream freezer, washing machine, emery wheel, drill press, seed corn sheller and seed corn grader can be run either by direct power from the water wheel or by electric power or both. The laundry room is also equipped with laundry stove, laundry chute, a three-room stone laundry tub. a cistern lift that automatically feeds the soft water cistern that supplies each room of the laundry tub with hot and cold water, and the sinks and lavatories in the house are also supplied with hot and cold soft water in addition to spring water. The spring water system is very complete. The source of supply is 120 rods up a ravine at a spring. It is 46 feet higher than the level of the water wheel in the basement. A three-inch galvanized pipe connects the two. This same water main supplies the water fountains of the barns, the hydrants for fire protection, the cooling tank ami the running spring wate<- system throughout the house.

The heating plant consists of a large hot water furnace and eleven large radiators. The lighting system is also very complete, with electric lights in every room, in every building, including a porch lamp, chandeliers in parlor and dining room and two street lights that light up the yard (50 JigJits in all). The basement of the dwelling house also contains a small greenhouse under the bay window. It is heated by a ceiling radiator. The outer entrance to the basement is through a concreted tunnel, through the terrace below the house. The floor of the tunnel is level with the floor of the basement and the road past the house to the orchard, so that the apple boxes can be wheeled in for storage. also the milk cans wheeled in and ashes wheeled out. The seed corn is taken into the basement in a ten-bushel truck, then racked up and dried by electric fans. There is a work bench along one side of the seed corn room with anvil, vice, drill press and other tools. The sewer system consists of a six-inch soil pipe leaded together; it empties back into the stream 250 feet down from the house. The heating, lighting, water and sewer systems of the farm are second to none in the state. Mrs. Enestvedt washes and irons by electricity. Mr. Enestvedt has an ore-hard of several hundred fruit trees. He has also planted an extra wind break of several hundred evergreens to the northwest of the natural wind break of oak. In addition, he has planted evergreens on both sides of the bottom road, two rods apart, one beta grapevine between each evergreen. These beta grapes along the public road have borne very luxuriantly for several years.

Mr. Enestvedt is a firm believer in diversified farming. He is not afraid of feeding his stock too liberally. He believes that whatever the animals waste is returned to the soil providing the barn yard is taken care of. He grows a large amount of alfalfa and red clover. His hobby is watermelons, yellow corn, pure bred Holstein cattle and red hogs. His general farm work is done by horses, though he has a Rumeley five-plow gas tractor outfit to do plowing and other heavy work. His auto is a Hamiltonian driving team.

The above improvements were made in the following order : In 1906 built the combination corn crib and wagon shed ; also root cellar. In 1907 tiled farm. In 1908 fenced with woven wire some of the fields in the bottom. In 1909 built cement addition to barn. In 1911 built a cement feeding floor for hogs; also cement porches and sidewalks by dwelling house. In 1912 built 150-ton cement silo. In 1913 built cement cattle ways through private road ; also built basement under house, put in furnace, water system and sewer system and bathroom in the house. In 1914 put in electric lights. In 1915 put in stalls, stanchions, water cups, floors in barn and tunneled into the basement of the house.

Engebret Enestvedt was born June 14, 1880. On September 5, 1909, he married Clara Ovidia Haug who was born in South Sacred Heart, July 9, 1880, daughter of Johannes and Bertia Haug. She went to the common school and later to the public schools of Sacred Heart and Olivia, after which she engaged in clerking at stores, dressmaking, learning the profession of nursing, studied music in Minneapolis a year, and stayed a few years at home in South Sacred Heart helping to take care of the children left by the death of her oldest sister, Mina. Engebret G. and Clara Enestvedt have three children, viz.. Odin Fredolph, born June 21, 1910; Alberta Jorgine, born October 6, 1911; and Johannes Haug, born January 11, 1915.

Theodore Enestvedt, who conducts a successful farm on section 10, South Sacred Heart, Avas born on the home farm, not far from his present home, June 14, 1875, son of Ole O. Enestvedt, Sr., the pioneer. He attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded and also had the advantages afforded by two winters' studies in the Lutheran College at Deeorah, Iowa. As a young man he visited the home of his ancestors in Norway. Upon his return he settled down to farming on his present place. For a time he rented it. but in 1905 bought 120 acres. To this he has since added another 120 acres so that he now has a splendid place of 240 acres on which he successfully conducts general farming. He lias a good home and model buildings and the farm everywhere shows the thrift, industry and ability of its owner. Mr. Enestvedt makes a specialty of Duroc-Jersey swine, Aberdeen-Angus cattle and White Orpington poultry. Another feature of his farm is fifty acres of clover which he raises for hay and seed and pasture..

Ole Kravik, for some years a resident of Renville county, was born in Nore, Nummedahl, Norway, and there grew to manhood. There also in 1880 he married Joran Kjontvedt. That year they set sail from Norway, landed in America, found their way westward to South Sacred Heart, and here lived until 1887, when they moved to North Dakota and settled on a farm near Minot. In 1892 they returned to South Sacred Heart, but in 1895 once more left here and settled near Madison, this state, where they are now engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Kravik are the parents of thirteen children: Maria, Ole, Lena, Josephine, Hannah, Emil. Clara, Herbran, Carrie, Ella, Charlotte, Inga and Regimt. Ole married Elizabeth Henningsgaard, lives in Madison, this state, and has three children. Josephine is the wife of Lars Sunde, of Hankinson, North Dakota. Hannah is the wife of Oscar Olson, of Lostine, Oregon, and they have two children. The others are all at home.

Lars L. Rudi was bora Jan. 26, 1827, on the home place of Rudi in. Opdal, Numedal. Norway, son of Lars Endreson Rudi and Bergit Sebjornsen, born on the Hvammen place. There was but little schooling to be had in those days, but Lars learned to read and write. After his confirmation he started out as an itinerate peddler in the eastern part of the country, but was not very successful. When he was about twenty-four years of age he happened to attend some revival meetings conducted by adherents of Hans Nilsen Hauge, Ole Naeset, Andres Kjome, both from Rollag, Lars Paulgaarden, Thor Hatrem and others. He was converted and cast his lot in with this group of lay preachers, going to Eker and Drammen. then eastward to Hallingdal, west- ward to Telemarken and northward along the western part to Lyster in Sogn and many other places. Lars often spoke with great enthusiasm of these journeys and meetings, which he took part in. and told how glad the people were to lislen to them. Mr. Rudi was married Jan. 26, 1866, to Vighild Snnde, from Nore, the strainer "Laurdal" and landed at Quebec, June 3. Prom there they went by rail to Xenia, Ohio, going from there by boat to Milwaukee. Their first stopping place in this country was with 0. E. Lien, Clayton county, Iowa, where they both worked during the harvest season. Here they met and renewed acquaintance with Ole Enestvedt and his family, who had come to Lars Oset a short time before but who also now worked for Ole Lien. In the fall Mr. Rudi and his wife went to Rushford. Minn., and the next spring, 1867. to Renville county, Minn. Here Mr. Rudi took a homestead on the Minnesota river near that of Ole Enestvedt. so the two friends from the old country became neighbors in the northwest and lived there till their death. During the first year there was no other church service than the occasional gatherings on Sundays in the houses. Lars Rudi acted as lay preacher and would lead in prayer, read the sermon from "Luther's Postille," and direct the singing. When later, missionaries N. Brandt, N. Ylvisaker, Thor Hattrem and Th. Johnson came, Mr. Rudi met them and helped them arrange the services and guided them around the settlement. Many a pioneer minister has stayed with him and though the house and rooms were small there was no lack shown in hospitality and comfort. When, in 1868, Rev. Johnson organized Our Saviour's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Renville county, Mr. Rudi was one of the first trustees of the congregation and was appointed to perform the duties of lay preacher, catechise the children, and conduct parochial school, duties which he had already performed. In time the congregation joined the Norwegian Synod of America and J. E. Bergh was called as pastor. Mr. Rudi died in 1913.

Peder 0. Kittilsland, one of the prosperous and successful farmers of this county was born on the old farm, North Kittilsland, Nore parish, Numedal, Norway, on February 15, 1850. His parents were Ole T. Kittilsland and wife. Live Pedersdatter Vedhus, and were peasants or farmers. The father died in Norway at the age of 82. After his death the wife came to America, staying with several of her children, and died at her son Torbjorns home in Mellette, S. D., at the ripe old age of 92 years on June 26, 1912. There were seven children of which the subject of this sketch was the second. He attended school for Ole S. Holte, and was confirmed by Pastor Stang. who was so small that he reached only to the shoulders of Peder. The young people of those days always practiced some athletic sports, chief among these were wrestling of some form and ski running. This was good exercise to harden and develop the muscles. Peder O. stayed at home on his father's farm and helped with the lumbering work in the woods where the land was so broken by rooks and hills that the logs had to be skidded out by one horse and in some places only human beings could go. He had a pair of fills that he coupled to the Logs and pulled them out of the woods and once in passing the edge of a precipice the logs gained speed so that only by using his herculean strength he managed to turn the fills on the upper side of a standing tree. This broke the fastening of the fills, and the logs shot past him over the edge into the abyss below. His strength had saved him from a fearful death.

In 1870, at the age of 19. he came to America, the first one of the family. The name of the ship was "Hero," of the Allan line, and he landed at Quebec, and went by railroad to St. Peter where he joined another Norwegian, Peder Osli, who afterward settled in Sacred Heart township, on the west line id' the Minnesota river. They walked to Renville county to Ole Enestvedt's place where he made his home for a number of years when not out working. From here he went east again to Olmsted county, where he worked during harvest. In the fall he came back to Renville county and got employment on the Minnesota river in the winter, where the Government was mining and blasting rocks to make the river navigable. A large crew worked at this job. During the spring he worked for Ole Enestvedt, grubbing several acres. In July he went east to St. Peter on railroad work on the track from the last named place to New Ulm. In this camp he was in company with 60 Swedes and they nearly always passed the Sundays wrestling to find out which one was the strongest. He was "boss" in this crowd but in another cam)) there was a giant, "Frondhjemmer, " who was wrestling "boss" from the old country. While serving as soldier over there he had been "boss" wrestler among 1,400 men. He heard that Mr. Kittilsland was "boss" in his camp and came over to tease him for a fight. He started to jostle and snub Mr. Kittilsland and, although he is very peaceable, the crowd challenged and the Trondbjemmer teased him until they finally got them together. They kept on a good half hour, kicking up the earth like a pair of steers, when Mr. Kittilsland finally got the giant and threw him down. But the rascal tried to take hold of his legs and tip him too, and this got Mr. Kittilsland angry so that he grabbed the giant around the waist with his head under his chest and flopped him over in the air where he went around several times before be lost his speed. He did not come back as he wTas sick for three days and afterwards left the camp.

started to school again the Kolien sehoolhouse with G. P. Greene for teacher. The next spring again found him at work on the railroad from New Ulm to Watertown. The land from Sleepy Eye and westward was then unsettled and the Indians were riding in flocks on their hunting grounds. When the railroad work closed in November there came up a snow storm which lasted for three days when they were snowed in in their tents. On the fourth day they managed to dig the horses out of their sheds and everything else was drifted down, so that when they went from there the camp looked like a huge snowdrift with holes in it where horses and men had been dug out. Toward evening the first day of their trip back, they came to Gary where there was one store, and put up their tents. They had their blankets wrapped around them day and night for three days and three nights as they were provided with too little clothing. The railroad company had sent out six trains to take their worn-out crew back again and when they had marched three days through the snowdrifts and bitter cold weather, they met these trains at Marshall. Minn. They hoped to reach New Ulm the next evening, but the- storm started up again and although 60 men shoveled snow every time the trains were stalled, it took them all day and the following night and until 12 o'clock next day to cover the 60 miles to New Ulm. There were 1.400 men on these six trains, and they had to remain standing, packed together, without food or rest on the whole trip.

Mr. Kittilsland now returned to Renville county and bought a homestead right of SO acres and went to school in the winter and after that he worked at common farm work a couple of summers. He made a half log, half earth cellar and hired a breaking team even though it was grasshopper time. Afterwards he bought an ox team and a cow. On Dec. 28, 1876, he was married to Nellie (Gunild) Enestvedt, who had taught school for a number of years and had also homesteaded 80 acres adjoining Kittilsland "s land. He now moved into his cellar and began proving up his land. After a time he built a log house on his wife's land and lived there about eight years. Then he purchased SO acres of his brother-in-law, Tollef Enestvedt, and moved to his house in the timber on the bluff, where they have since resided, the old gentleman staying with them till the time of his death a few years ago. His old house is still standing. In 1898 Mr. Kittilsland built a modern dwelling house and in 190.") built a round barn, the only one of its kind in tins part of the country, with round hay carrier and litter carrier. It is 66 feet in diameter and about 200 feet in circumference. During these years of farming .Mr. Kittilsland has been very prosperous and owns 260 acres of land in the township, with perhaps some money laid by for a rainy day. Besides holding different town offices he has been a trusted member of Opdal Norwegian Evangelical Lutbern church, having served as trustee for Opdal congregation and helping build their nice church and chapel. Mr. and Mrs. Kittilsland have one son, Olaf John K., born Dec. 19, 1877, who stays at home with his parents. Mr. Kittilsland has five brothers and sisters, viz., Ole Kittilsland. single, Belview, Minn.; Johanne Storli, Nore, Numedal, Norway ; Knut Kittilsland, Gertrude Tolstad and Gunder Kittilsland, Mollette, Spenk county, South Dakota. They are all farmer's and all belong to the Lutheran church.

Mathias Johnson, a pioneer ot Renville county, now living at Franklin, was born in Norway, Nov. 26, 1845, son of Mathias Johnson and his wife, Marie K. Johnson, natives of Finland. His father was born in Finland and came to St. Peter, Minn., in 1864, and then homesteaded 160 acres of land in section 5, Camp township, where lie lived until his death in 1888 at the age of seventy-two. His wife died in 1890 at the age of sixty-four. Mathias Johnson, Jr., enlisted in Company A, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in April, 1865, and was discharged in August, 1865. He homesteaded 160 acres of land in section 20. Camp township, where he remained until 1905, with the exception of five years which were spent at Forest City, California, 1875-1880, working in the gold mines. In 1905 he moved to Franklin where he has erected a nice home and expects to spend the remainder of his days.

Hans H. Sagnes (Sensdeby), one of the pioneer Scandinavians of the western part of Renville county, was born in Norway, Nov. 22, 1826, of a long line of Norwegian ancestry. There he attended the parish schools, grew to manhood, and engaged in the timber and lumber business until 1867, when he brought his wife and four children to America, and located in Waseca county, Minnesota. There for a year he worked out as a laborer on various farms in the neighborhood. In 1868 he started overland for Renville county, bringing his family and his household goods on an old ox-cart, drawn by a yoke of three-year-old steers. People of the present day can hardly picture this trip through the wilderness. Trails were few, the way was rough, there were many swamps, and in addition to these difficulties there were many real dangers. They took a homestead of 80 acres in section 22, Hawk Creek township, and a pre-emption claim of eighty acres in the same section. This was the only family in that neighborhood that secured more than eighty acres until the railroad land came into the market, Mr. Sagnes being shrewd enough to take advantage of both the homestead and pre-emption laws. With their steers and their two cows the Sagnes family started farming. For a time they lived in their covered wagon, then they moved into a dugout. The first spring one of their steers died, and this was a serious handicap in breaking their land. But a neighbor, Ole Skalback by name, had two yoke of oxen, and he broke a fewacres for them. Practically all this breaking they planted to potatoes. Consequently about all they lived on daring the first winter was the potatoes they raised and the milk from their cows. The nearest market for the Hawk Creek settlers at that time was at New Ulm and there they had to drive for supplies. Another point was New London, to which point they also occasionally made trips. For three years the family lived in the original dugout. Then they constructed a larger dug-out, making the sides of logs, and the gable roof of rails covered with straw and sod. In this structure they lived for several years. Their next home was" a log house, in which the minister, the Rev. John Bergh, lived with them for some two years. Finally they erected one of the first frame houses in the township, which is now a part of the present home. The lumber for this early frame house was hauled by ox team from Willmar. The family experienced all the rigors of pioneer life. The winters were cold, the mosquitoes were plentiful, blackbirds were a menace to the crops, food was scarce, prairie fires came, and the pioneers had to toil early and late to keep their families from starvation. For a time prosperity was delayed by the grasshoppers, and even after they were gone, the wheat crop was poor for several years. But as the years passed, the hardships diminished and success came in abundant measure. To the 160 acres, eighty acres of railroad land was added. Land was broken a little at a time, fences were constructed, buildings were erected as necessary, farm equipment was purchased, and in time the farm became a highly improved and modern place in every particular. Hans II. Sagnes became one of the leading men of the community. He Mas highly esteemed, his judgment Mas always good, and his advice was sought by his neighbors on many subjects. He believed in progress and in education, and took Ins part worthily in the upbuilding of the community. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran chureh of the Norwegian Synod. He never aspired to public office, though he was often urged to serve in township positions. In 1890 he retired from farm work and moved to the village of Sacred Heart where he purchased a pleasant home in which he lived the remainder of his days. His death. October Li, 1911. was sincerely mourned throughout the entire community and his remains were followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of sorrowing mourners. Mr. Sagnes was married in 1849 in Norway to Bertha Sagnes, born Nov. 22, 1824. Mrs. Sagnes was a Locifearing woman, who proved a faithful hard-working wife and a loyal mother. Amid the discomforts and privations of pioneer life she worked by her husband's side and though her days were filled with busy cares, found the time to instill in her children the staunch principles which she had inherited from her sturdy ancestors. After a useful life, well spent she died October 22. 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Sagnes were the parents of four children. all born in Norway. Hans was born October 30, 1850, and now resides at- Granite Falls. Minn. Elisa Maria was born April 24. 1854, and married Ole H. Agre, of Sacred Heart township. Dena was born May 24, 1862, and is now Mrs. A. II. Anderson, of Sacred Heart township. John II. was born April 17, 1866, and is now a prominent farmer of Hawk Creek township. When Hans H. Sagnes was a boy he bore the name of Hans H. Sensdeby, from the estate upon which he resided. But when he moved to the vicinity of Sagnes, where his wife was born, he took that name, and was ever thereafter known as Hans H. Sagnes. In the Sagnes family there are many interesting stories that will lie treasured for generations to come regarding the experiences of the father and others in the early days. Two especially interesting ones are told regarding trips to New London and to Redwood Falls in the pioneer times. Late in November, 1869, Hans II. Sagnes and Andrew Tomte, a neighbor, started for New London, north of Willmar, with a load of wheat to be ground in the mill there. The trail was rough, and though they left their home in Hawk Creek at three o'clock in the morning, it was late at night when they were still only a short distance north of Willmar. In order that the oxen might eat, they stopped for a while. While they were thus lingering a terrific rain and thunder storm broke upon them, and the two men rolled up in their blankets under the wagon box and went to sleep. While they were sleeping the rain turned to sleet, the weather grew suddenly cold, and covered the ground with a glare of ice. When they awoke, it was found that Tomte's long hair was frozen solid to the ground, and it took Sagnes quite a while to cut him loose with a hatchet. People who remember Mr. Sagnes will never forget the gusto with which he told this amusing tale and his laugh as he told id' the difficulties he encountered in trying to avoid hitting Tomte's head with the hatchet while trying to sever the hair. In 1S74 Hans II. Sagnes, with his wife and four children, and a friend. Halsten Otos, started with an ox team for Redwood Falls to get a family photograph taken. In going over they crossed the river ford in safety, but upon their return trip the passage was not so easy. They planned to make the crossing at a ford near the home of (iunhild Rude, where they had, crossed many times before, and with this object in view they followed along the west bank of the river. When they reached the spot the river was unusually high, and when they got in the middle of the river the water was so deep that the wagon box began to float from the wagon frame. It looked for a moment as though the wagon box was to float down the river, in which case it seemed sure that some if not all of the party would be drowned in the raging torrent. But Mr. Sagnes was equal to the emergency. Groping with his feet down under the water he fastened his legs in a firm lock around the wagon tongue, and by holding his body firmly on the edge of the seat he kept the wagon box on the frame by sheer strength of will and muscle. Oxen, wagon and all were carried down the stream, but finally the deep water was passed. Even then the danger was not over, for the banks were too steep to make a landing. So the oxen had to be turned up the river, and went for many rods with the water nearly up to the wagon box, before safety was finally reached. Wet, cold, excited, there was still a long trip ahead id' the family before they reached their home. But the picture came out clearly and is still preserved in the family as a precious heirloom, its value and interest increased by the story which is connected with its taking.

Hans H. Sagnes, Jr., for many years a leading farmer of Renville county, now living in retirement at Granite Falls, was born in Totan, Norway, ( let. 30, 1850, sou of Hans H. and Bertha Marie (Sagnes) Sagnes, the pioneers. He received his education in Norway, came with his parents to America in 1867 and to Renville county in 1868. He remained with his parents until twentyone years of age, and then took a homestead of eighty acres in section 18, Ericson township. The tract was at that time in the midst of a wild prairie. He put up a small log shack for himself and a straw shed for his animals, and started breaking the land preparatory to farming. He started with an ox team and with but meagre equipment, and experienced all the hardships and privations id' pioneer life. He took a special interest in the planting of trees, setting out something like six acres all together. These trees still stand as a monument to his faith in the future. It is interesting to note that in 1875, he set out three acres of trees, between Christmas and New Years day. Although this was a most unusual time of the year to be setting out trees, the grove flourished, and is now a sturdy collection of noble trees. As the years passed. Mr. Sagnes achieved success. He added to his original farm until he owned 325 acres, and in addition bought another farm of 140 acres in sections 17 and 20 in the same township. His own farm he developed into one of the best in the county. In 1889 he erected a sightly frame house, and from time to time he constructed the necessary outbuildings. In 1910 he erected one of the best barns in his community. It is 48 by 65 feet, modern and sanitary in every respect. In 1912 he built a panel silo, with a capacity id' ninety tons. He fenced and equipped the farm in good shape, and by working early and late won for himself a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens. He kept full-bred sires, and made a specialty of breed- in<,' high grade stock. lie was knows for liis good judgment, and his opinions on various subjects were eagerly soughl by his neighbors. He served as supervisor several terms, and was road overseer for a considerable period. lie was also a member of the school board of district 98 for many years, both as director and treasurer. In addition to bringing his original farm to so high a degree of development he also improved his other- farm by building a silo and making general developments. In the fall of 191 I after a busy life of hard work he rented his home farm to his sons, and moved to Granite Palls, where he erected a splendid bungalow in which be and his wife are spending the afternoon of life surrounded by the comforts they so richly deserve and made happy by the esteem in which they are held by neighbors and friends. Mr. Sagnes was married March 28, L875, to .Maria Mutta, born in Norway, Oct. 26, 1856, daughter of Halvor Mutta, and this union has been blessed with eleven children: Helmer, Anna Helen, John II., Bertha .Marie, Gina Matilda, Lena Helmina, Melvin II.. Berl II.. Hans X., Salvor II. and Edwin II. Helmer was born Sept. d. 1876, farms in Ericson township, married Hilda Walstad, and has two children, Ella and Thelma. Anna Helen was born .May 31, 1878, married Ole II. Engclsgaard, of Kosston, Minn., and has sis children Henrj M.. Rikka, Arthur, Hazel. Bertha and Ella. John II.. was horn Aug. 18, 1880, lives on the Old homestead, and married -Julia Tostenson. Bertha Marie was born Sept. 1882, married ( '. M. Nelson, of (iranite Falls, and has two children, Morris and Herbert. Gina Matilda was born Nov. 23, 1884, married Edward Thompson, of Sacred Heart and they have four children, Harvey, Jerome, Elsie and Daniel. Lena Helmina was born July 8, 1887, married Henry Tostenson. of Ericson township, and has one child, Marcella. Melvin II. was born Aug. ">. 1**9, married Ida Paglie, and farms in Ericson township. Berl II.. born Oct. 31, 1891, is at home. Hans X. was born .Ian. 4. 1*94, and lives on the home farm. Halvor H. was born Jan. 7, 1896, and lives on the home farm. Edwin II. was born June 19, 1901, and lives with his parents.

John H. Sagnes, a prosperous farmer of Hawk Creek township, was horn in Norway. April 17. 1866, son of Hans II. and I'.ertha 'Sagnes) Sagnes, who brought him to America in 1867 anil to Hawk Creek township in 1*G*. He attended tin- district schools of his neighborhood, completing his education with a course in the Willmar Seminary. With his father he farmed until his own responsibility. In 1892 he purchased the place. To it he later added eighty acres which he purchased from Ole Lenby, a pioneer, in section 22, thus making him in all a splendid farm ing high grade stock. He was known for his good judgment, and his opinions on various subjects were eagerly sought by his neighbors. He served as supervisor several terms, and was road overseer for a considerable period. He was also a member of the school board of district 98 for many years, both as director and treasurer. In addition to bringing his original farm to so high a degree of development he also improved Ins other farm by building a silo and making general developments. In the fall of 1914 after a busy life of hard wrork he rented his home farm to his sons, and moved to Granite Falls, where he erected a splendid bungalow in which he and his wife are spending the afternoon of life surrounded by the comforts they so richly deserve and made happy by the esteem in which they are held by neighbors and friends. Mr. Sagnes was married March 28, 1875, to Maria Mutta, born in Norway, Oct. 26, 1856, daughter of Halvor Mutta, and this union has been blessed with eleven children: Helmer, Anna Helen, John H., Bertha Marie, Gina Matilda, Lena Helmina, Melvin II., Bert H., Hans N., Halvor H. and Edwin II. Helmer was born Sept. 6, 1876, farms in Ericson township, married Hilda Walstad, and has two children, Ella and Thelma. Anna Helen was born May 31, 1878, married Ole H. Engelsgaard, of Fosston, Minn., and has six children: Henry M., Rikka, Arthur, Hazel, Bertha and Ella. John H., was born Aug. 18, 1880, lives on the old homestead, and married Julia Tostenson. Bertha Marie was born Sept. 3, 1882, married C. M. Nelson, of Granite Falls, and has two children, Morris and Herbert. Gina Matilda was born Nov. 23, 1884, married Edward Thompson, of Sacred Heart and they have four children, Harvey, Jerome, Elsie and Daniel. Lena Helmina was born July 8, 1887, married Henry Tostenson, of Ericson township, and has one child, Mareella. Melvin H. was born Aug. 5, 1889, married Ida Faglie, and farms in Ericson township. Bert H., born Oct. 31, 1891, is at home. Hans N. was born Jan. 4, 1894, and lives on the home farm. Halvor H. was born Jan. 7, 1896, and lives on the home farm. Edwin H. was born June 19, 1901, and lives with his parents.

John H. Sagnes, a prosperous farmer of Hawk Creek township, was born in Norway, April 17, 1866, son of Hans H. and Bertha (Sagnes) Sagnes, who brought him to America in 1867 and to Hawk Creek township in 1868. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, completing his education with a course in the Willmar Seminary. With his father he farmed until 1887, when he rented the home farm, and started business on his own responsibility. In 1892 he purchased the place. To it he later added eighty acres which he purchased from Ole Lenby, a pioneer, in section 22, thus making him in all a splendid farm of 320 acres. Starting with the improvements that his father had made, he has made wonderful progress in its development.

He has remodeled the home into a modern residence replete with comforts and conveniences, he has built a model barn, he has erected a silo, he has built numerous outbuildings, and lie has shown his modern spirit prominently in the fencing he has done, having one of the best fenced farms in the neighborhood. His tools, implements and machinery are also of the best. In all he has 275 acres under cultivation. He carries on general diversified farming along the latest approved methods, and his place shows thrift and prosperity in every way. For many years Mr. Sagnes lias been extensively engaged in live stock dealing, buying, feeding and shipping to the markets. Part of the time he is on the road for a commission firm in South St. Paul. His son Hans Albert, is associated with him in conducting the farm, and a specialty is made of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, both Mr. Sagnes and his son being good buyers as well as good judges of cattle. Mr. Sagnes is one of the leading men of the community, and is a substantial, well-to-do member of the community. He has served for several years on the town board both as chairman and as supervisor, and for six years he was assessor. He has also done good service as a member of the school board. He is president and stockholder of the Sacred Heart Automobile Co. Mr. Sagnes has made one venture in real estate dealing. In 1S9S he bought a farm of SO acres from Andrew Ilegna, of Hawk Creek township. This place he conducted in connection with his own for three years, then selling out at a good profit.

Mr. Sagnes was married May 21, 1890. to Matilda Carolina Tolander, born in Renville county, Sept. 27. 1S70, daughter of Andrew and Maria Christina (Gustafson) Tolander, and this union has been blessed with one child, Hans Albert, burn March 21, 1891. now in partnership witli his father on the Sagnes farm. He married Hulda Christopher, and they have two children, Alvin and Jerome. The family faith is that of the Our Saviour's Church of Sacred Heart, of which John H. Sagnes has been a trustee.

Andrew Tolander, a pioneer, was born in Sweden, was there reared, and there married Maria Christina Gustafson. They came to America in 1867 to St. 1'eter. in this state. In 1869 they came to Hawk Creek, this county, and located on an eightyacre homestead in section 26. Like so many of the pioneers, they first lived in a du<_rout and then built a log cabin in which they lived until 1888, when they built a frame house. They went through all the privations of pioneer life and added to the place until they owned 200 acres, all which they developed into a splendid farm. Andrew Tolander died in the old log cabin in 1887. His widow is still living on the old farm at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Tolander had seven children. John lives on the old home farm and looks after the wants of his mother. Matilda Carolina is now Mrs. John H. Sagnes, of Hawk Creek township. Christina is the wife of .John Lund, who owns and conducts the old Tolander homestead. Emma married Albert Noland. She died two years after her marriage. Albertina, and two Alfreds are dead.

Halvor Mutta, a pioneer was born in Norway, Oct. 15, 1825. and was there married to Anna Larshus, who was born in that country, Sept. 15, 1830. They came to America in 1867 and after living a year in Freeborn county, this state, came to Renville county, in 1868, and took a homestead in section 22, Hawk Creek township. They lived for a while in a dugout but later erected a log cabin. They started farming with a yoke of oxen, and went through all the experiences of pioneer life. The nearest market was at New Ulm and there they had to go for all their supplies. They broke the land, set out a fine grove, and with the addition of sixty acres, developed a splendid farm. As the time passed they framed up their log cabin, and sided it, put on a summer kitchen, and made other improvements. They also erected other good buildings. In 1893 they sold the farm and moved to Sacred Heart village, where they lived a retired life. Mr. Mutta dying Oct. 22, 1914, and his wife Nov. 7, 1915. They were a fine old family and one of the first in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Mutta had eleven children. Of these seven are alive: Budbjor, Marie, Kari, Hilda, Berte, Paulina and Helen. Gudbjor, better known as Julia, was born April 11, 1853, married Joseph Sehafer, this being the first marriage in Hawk Creek township. Marie was born Oct. 26, 1856, and married Hans H. Sagnes, Jr., of Granite Palls. Kari was born Sept, 3, 1859. and married Elick Ilnsten, of Granite Falls. Hilda was born Oct. 19, 1863, married Ole Ness, and lives in Sacred Heart township. Berte was born Jan. 27, 1866. Paulina was born March IS, 1869, being the first child in the family born in America. She is now Mrs. Thomas McDonough, of Great Falls. Montana. Helen was born March 22, 1873, married D. 0. Wentworth, of Great Falls. Montana, and has two children, Gerald and Woodrow Wilson.

Ole 0. Melsness, one of the early pioneers of Renville county. was born in Norway Sept. 15, 1832, only child of Ole O. and Martha (Peterson) farmers, who lived and died in Norway. He came to America with his wife and two children in 1866, landing at Quebec, and then coming to Minnesota, where he stayed a year working for the farmers. In 1867 he moved to Renville county and located on section 31 where he secured a homestead of 160 acres of wild prairie and brush land. He built a log house 16 by 17 which is still standing and made a sod roof and used the ground as a floor. He began with an ox team and two cows. The nearest market was Willmar. He suffered much loss on account of the storms, but finally prospered and added more

He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has been its secretary for fifteen years and was oue of the organizers of this church. He has served as township supervisor for several years and also as assessor. For twenty-seven years he has been a school trustee of his district. Mr. Melsness was married in 1863 to Martha Mangerud, who was born September 12, 1834, in Norway, daughter of Martin Mangerud. She died in 1914. There were eight children born in this marriage : Martin, Peter 0., Otto, Toswold, Mina, Ole (deceased), Marie (deceased), and Knudt (deceased).

Peter 0. Melsness, was born on the homestead of his father, Ole 0. Melsness, in Sacred Heart township, May 11, 1872. He gaiued his education in the country log school house, and remained on his father's farm until 1897 when he was married. Then he located on his present place in section 31, south Sacred Heart on a tract of 320 acres. He is a prosperous farmer and raises good stock. He is a member of the Swinebreeders' Association and a stockholder in the Sacred Heart Consolidated Telephone Company and the Sacred Heart Farmers' Elevator Company. He has served as supervisor for the township and also as assessor. For nine years he was a member of the school board.

Mr. Melsness was married June 9, 1897, to Minnie Rice, born October 21, 187"), daughter of August Rice, and early pioneer of Renville county. Mr. and Mrs. Melsness have had five children : Melvina. born April 3, 1898; Albert, born October 8, 1899; Myrtle, born October 6. 1901 and died December 5, 1905; George, born July 14, 1903; and Roy. born .May 30, 1908. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Nels Johnson Bakke, one of the honored and sturdy pioneers of Renville county, was born in Vermland, Sweden, March 1. 1826. the son of John and Maria Birkebakken. He spent his boyhood in his native place and as a young man moved to Veglid, Numedal. Norway. There he worked on the government roads, in the pine woods and on various farms. He also did considerable horse trading. It was in Norway that he met and in 1860 wed Christie Danielsrud, who was born in Veglid, Numedal, Norway, May 23, 1834, daughter of Sevre and Caro Danielsrud. In Norway they had two children: John and Maria. With these two children, they set out in the spring of 1867 fur the boundless opportunities of the new world. With them were many of their friends and neighbors. In their immediate party were Ole P. Sheggeby ami Ole Holtan and families, who afterward settled in Renville county. The trip was made aboard the wooden sailin? vessel, the "Amalia" in charge of Captain Peterson.

John Bakke And Family Public

After a long voyage of seven weeks the boat reached Quebec, and the pioneers made the trip by way of the Great Lakes to "Wisconsin. The Sheggebj and Holtan families located first in Edgerton, Wisconsin, and then in Stoughton, in the same state. and in 1868 came to Renville county. But the Bakke family kept on to Clayton county, Iowa, and there lived for two years. There the daughter, Maria, died. There also a son, Erik, was born. In the spring of 1869 the family set out for Renville county. The wife and the two suns were left at St. Peter while the father came to this county and took a claim in section 10. Then he went back to St. Peter after the family. From St. Peter, which point they had reached by an overland journey, they took a steamboat on the .Minnesota River to a point between Redwood Falls and Beaver Falls. After a few days spent at Beaver Falls they were met by Ole P. Sheggeby, and by him taken with his oxen to Hawk Creek. For a time they lived in a cabin on the claim of Ole Evanson Limbo. In the fall they moved into a dugout on their own claim. With this beginning they became prosperous farmers. Gradually buildings were erected, the farm was developed, 80 acres of railroad land were added to the original tract, and the comforts of a thickly settled community took the place of the privations and crudities of pioneer days. Mr. Bakke was a devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and was ever active in its' cause. He helped to erect the first church of that denomination built in this locality, and remained a devoted Christian until his death, March 18, 1914. Mrs. Bakke is still living and makes her home with her son, John Bakke, a prominent farmer of Hawk Creek township, who now lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Bakke had six children. John is appropriately mentioned elsewhere. Maria, as already noted, died in Iowa. Erick farmed with his father all his life and died April 3, 1899. Frederick farms in Chippewa county, not far from Granite Falls. Christina married Olaus Lende, who operates a machine shop and garage in Granite Falls. Anna married Jens L. Romo, a successful farmer of Wang township.

John Bakke, a progressive farmer of Hawk ('reck township, was born in Veglid. Numedal, Norway, October 17, 1861, son of Nels Johnson and Christie i Danielsrud) Bakke. the pioneers. He was brought to America in 1867, lived with his parents in Clayton county, Iowa, for two years, and in 1869 was by them brought to Hawk Creek township. Here he grew to manhood, attending the district schools, and helping his parents with the farm work. In 1881 he made his first venture in life by going to the Wisconsin pine forests where he worked in the pinery and on the river drive. In the summer of 1882 he went to Hillsboro, North Dakota, then Dakota territory and worked on the Grandin farm near that place. In the winter of 1882-83 he again worked in the

Wisconsin forests. In the summer of 1883 he joined the W. W. Cole circus and with that aggregation toured the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois. Missouri, Kansas and portions of Canada. lie left the circus in Kansas City, Missouri, where he spent two winters, being in Omaha, Nebraska, the intervening summer. During this period he was engaged in railroad work. In 1885 he again went to the Grandin farm in North Dakota, and became foreman of one of the sections of that vast farm. There he remained for some years, spending some of his winters, however, in the Wisconsin woods. In the fall of 1897 he started for the Pacific coast. After spending a short time in Montana he went on to Washington, where he helped cut the three-mile tunnel of the Great Northern railroad through the Cascade mountains. At Tacoma, Washington, July 2, 1898, he enrolled with the intention of joining a Tacoma company for service in the Spanish- American war. He passed the examinations and went with the company to Seattle. It was found, however, that there were too many men to make a full company and he was one of those laft out when the company went into service. The company with Mr.* Bakke as a member, was in Seattle, when on July 4, 1898, the news came of Sampsun's great naval victory, and Mr. Bakke will never forget the enthusiasm that prevailed there. After this, Mr. Bakke engaged in threshing in Washington and Idaho. The next winter he spent in Portland, Oregon, and the next summer took up threshing again. In the fall of 1899 he was called home by the death of his brother Erik. Since then he has successfully farmed in Hawk Creek township. He owns the old homestead and in addition to this farms an eighty owned by his mother, who makes her home with him. He is one of the progressive men of the township, ready to take his part in everything that has for its object the upbuilding and betterment of the community. As member and chairman of the town board and as director of the school board he has done efficient work for progress and education. He is also deeply interested in the Old Settlers* Association, of which he is one of the vice-presidents. John Bakke was married October 17, 1901, to Laura Sophia Lindquist, who was born in Dalsland, Sweden, February 18, 1869, daughter of Elias M. and Sarah Jonasdaughter Lindquist. This union has been blessed with seven children: Christine Evelyn, born August 4, 1902; Norman Lindquist, born December 5, 1903; Eric Daniel, born May 3, 1905; Alice Sophie, born October 27, 1906, died November 26, 1906; Sarah Alice, born February 5, 1908; Grace Marie, born June 16, 1909; and John Laurence, born June 23, 1911.

Elias M. Lindquist, a pioneer, was born in Dalsland, Sweden, January 3, 1841, there grew to manhood and married Sarah Jonasdaughter who was born September 9, 1842. He came to the

Tmk New Tori

United States in 1869, and lived for a short time in Wisconsin, then locating in Minnesota and working on farms near St. Peter. In 1870 he was joined by his wife and his daughter, Laura. That year he secured the rights of Christopher Anderson Setra to a homestead of eighty acres in section 6 Hawk Creek township, lie perfected the title to this property and there fanned for many years. Like the other pioneers they lived first in a dugout and later in a more pretensious dwelling. They underwent all the privations of pioneer life and in time were enabled to see all their children well established in life.

Erven J. Wilson, the Duroc-Jersey swine enthusiast, is one of the leading men in his line in the whole state, and his reputation as a breeder is nation-wide. Although he is comparatively a new comer in Renville county, he has already become one of the most prominent citizens in the township, has been elected to honorable and responsible office, and has done much to spread the fame of this part of the state as an ideal agricultural region. He was born in Ironton, Lawrence county, Ohio, February 13. 1884, son of Rev. Samuel and Sarah (Bruce) Wilson, and descended from sturdy Scotch ancestry. He attended the public schools of his native town as a boy, and at the age of fifteen went to Ransom, La Salle county, Illinois, where he completed his education. For a time he was employed by various farmers in La Salle county, and after a while he began renting farms. During this time he made a thorough study of swine breeding, and became convinced of the merits of the Duroc-Jersey variety. So in the spring of 1911, with a capital of but $1,600 he came to Renville county, purchased a farm of 160 acres in section 27, Crooks township, and started the venture which has since brought him fame and profit. He has made many improvements on the buildings and land. Among other things may be mentioned the fact that he has erected over 700 feet of woven wire fencing, extensively tiled the farm, and at a cost of over +2,000 erected a swine house constructed along the most modern lines and a model in every particular. Thorough student of his business as he is, Mr. Wilson's success has been phenomenal. He breeds from 150 to 200 registered pure blooded Duroe-Jerseys each year, exclusively for breeding purposes. His sales, which he holds in January and October of each year, have attracted nation-wide attention and drawn buyers from many states. Perhaps one of the most notable of these sales was the one he held January 7, 1915. For this sale he issued a splendid catalogue which was circulated throughout the country and did much to add to Renville county's fame. The forty-four hogs for sale were de- scribed in the catalogue in detail, with full pedigrees, while the sires of the herds were given elaborate write-ups. Purchasers flocked to the farm in large numbers, and were entertained both there and at a Renville hotel, at Mr. Wilson's expense. The hogs brought a total of $4,318.16, an average of $9S.14 and the bidding was spirited. At one time Mr. Wilson was the owner of the undefeated grand champion herd boar, Big Wonder 125,591, which he purchased for $1,500 and later sold at the same price. In addition to his busy farm duties, Mr. Wilson has found time to serve as town clerk of Crooks township, a position he is still most admirably filling. He is a member of Ransom Lodge, No. 741, I. 0. 0. F., of Ransom, Illinois. Mr. Wilson is a splendid type of the modern farmer, young, energetic, hard-working, a deep thinker, a wide reader, a pleasant conversationalist and ;i keen business man. Mr. Wilson was married at Ransom, Illinois, to Mary A. Weber, born near that city, February 17, 1885. They have two children, Yerle W., born October 14, 1907, and Dorris L., born January 18, 1913. The Rev. Samuel Wilson is a Baptist clergyman in Ironton, Lawrence county, Ohio. By his wife. Sarah Bruce, he has four children: Clarence is a contractor and builder at Poughkeepsie, New York; Victor is a lumberman at Raymond, Washington; Oscar owns an omnibus and dray line at West Point, New York. Erven J. is a swine breeder in Renville county.. Two children, Julia and Josie and two unnamed children died in infancy. By his present wife, Luvina Rice, the Reverend Wilson has one daughter, Lennie, who resides with her parents.

Michael Larson, early settler, was born in Norway, March 2, 1837, and on April 12, 1869. married Anna Hendrickson, who was born September 10. 1846. This young couple set sail a few days after their marriage and after a voyage of six weeks landed at Quebec. From there they reached St. Peter in this state, where they visited a week before setting out for Wang township, where they secured a homestead in section 34. Four years later they sold out and went back to Norway. But some six months later they came back to Wang township, and bought school land in section 36. Here, as on the previous homestead, they constructed a sod house, in which they lived until prosperity enabled them to construct better habitations for themselves and stock. They went through all the privations of pioneer life. Their mill was at New London. Mr. Larson often walked to the store of Louis Robert (pronounced Robaire or Ruber) near the Minnesota in the southern part of Hawk Creek township. He was one of the original members of the Hawrk Creek congregation and a member of the building committee when the church was erected. After a long and useful life he died in 1892. His widow is still living on the home place. In their family there were five chil-

John J. Skauge, an energetic and prosperous farmer of Wang township, was born in Norway, August 2, 18G8, son of Johan Johnson Skauge and of his good wife, Sigri Olsdatter, who spent the span of their years in Norway. The other children in the family were Randi, Ole, Marit, Johannah, and Berit. Of this family, John J. was the only one who came to America. He landed at New York, August 11, 1893, and three days later reached Minneapolis. For several reasons he alternated working in the saw-mills of Minneapolis and in the pine forests of the northern part of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Then he devoted several years to house building in Minneapolis, in the meantime working in the same line for a year in Charles City, Iowa. It was in 1903 that he decided to settle down on a farm, the life to which he had been reared in the old country. Accordingly he came to Wang township, and located on 140 acres in section 36, which he purchased the following year. Here he successfully carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising good grade stock. He has made many improvements on his farm and has reason to be proud of its well-developed condition. Mr. Skauge has taken an active part in the affairs of the community. He is director of his school district, as well as a director in the Hawk Creek Farmers Telephone Co., and the Sacred Heart Stock Shipping Association, and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Co. of Sacred Heart. Mr. Skauge was married December 20, 1903, to Laura Larson, who was born and reared on their present farm, October 15, 1878, daughter of Michael and Anna (Hendrickson) Larson, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Skauge have four children: Martin Julian, Lewis Jerome. Silas Archer and Edna Lenora, all at home.

Torger Olson Skrukrud, one of the early pioneers of the Hawk Creek valley, was born in Norway. December 9, 1842. ami at the age of sixteen came to Fillmore county, this state, where he joined his brothers, Ole and Knute, who had preceded him. For several years he was there employed as a farm hand. In 1868 he drove an ox team overland to Renville county, and selected a quarter section in section 5, Hawk Creek, buying eighty acres from Christina Olson. He broke a few acres, erected a log cabin, and then drove back to Fillmore county. In June 15, 1869, he again drove his oxen, bringing his family, and taking up his home in his cabin. He went through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, though he was somewhat better off than some of the settlers on the prairie, for there was plenty of timber on his claim along the creek. The nearest markets were at New Ulm, New London and Willmar, and the trips to those places were long and tedious. There were few settlers in the country.

and there were many drawback to farming-. The grasshoppers and the hail came, and the winters were long and cold. But with courage he worked early and late and developed a splendid farm. The log house was rebuilt into a sightly frame house. Barns -and outbuildings were erected, and the place developed into a modern ami successful farm. The situation is picturesque and comfortable, the creek adding much to the appearance of the surroundings. Mr. Skrukrud became a prominent man in the .-(immunity, and while lie did not seek public office, his opinion was highly valued by his Eriends, and his standing was very high. In 1905. Mr. Skrukrud retired from farm life and moved in Granite Falls, where he purchased a pretty home overlooking the Minnesota River, where he lived in comfort until his death. April 23, 1913. Mr. Skrukrud was married in Fillmore comity, this state. December, 1866, to Anna Ingebretson, who was bom in Norway. October 19, 1843. and came to America the year before her future husband. She now makes her home in Granite Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Skrukrud had eleven children, of whom eight are living. They are : Ellen. < He, Engebret, Mathias T.. Albert. < 'arl, Anna and Mabel, living; and Mary, and two unnamed infants, deceased. Ellen was born April 10, 1867, and married John Tandberg. of < lanada. Ole was born November 2, 1868, and lives in Montana. Engebret was born September 13, 1872, and is a hardware merchant of Maynard, Minnesota. He married Christine Lerohl. Mathias T. was born December 29. 1874. Albert was born February 18, 1877, and is a merchant in Canada. He married Clara Braum. Carl was born June 30, 1880. and farms in Wang township. lie married Sophia Berge. Anna, born October 16, 1884, and Mabel, born January 6. 1887, both live at home.

Mathias T. Skrukrud, a progressive farmer of Hawk Creek township, was born December 29. 1874. son of Torger O. and Anna Brettingen, on the sightly farm in section 5, Hawk Creek township, where he still resides. As a boy he played on the historic banks of Hawk creek, attended the neighborhood schools, and learned farming from his father, taking his part in the development of the home place. His education was completed with a year's course at Decorah College, at Decorah, Iowa. For three years he was second miller under his brother in the Maynard Flour Mill. With these exceptions he remained on the home farm until 190:"), when he went into Clearwater county, this state, where he purchased a farm, on which he remained for five years. Then he returned to the home farm, where he has since been actively identified witli the agricultural pursuits of Renville county. He has now sold his farm in Clearwater county and devoted his attention entirely to his place in Hawk Creek. He has continued the improvements started by his father, has repaired the buildings, painted the house, added porches, and made other developments in the way of fencing, and the purchase of stock, equipment and tools. The place shows his thrift and prosperity. While in Clearwater county, Mr. Skrukrud served as a member of the town board of Greenwood, Clearwater county. Mathias Skrukrud was married April 4, 1900, to Clara Rude, horn February 26, 1878, daughter of Knute T. and Marie (Hanson) Rude, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Skrukrud have eight children: Theodore, bom February 25, 1902; Myrtle, horn August 9, 1903; Alice, born March 1. 1905; Irwin, born February 1, 1907; .Mabel, born July 5, 1908; Kenneth, born September 17, 1910; Melvin, born December 7, 1912; and Viola, born May 15, 1915.

Harry E. Johnson, a prosperous yount;- farmer of Flora township, was born in Flora township, Renville county, April 29, 1887, son of William Johnson, a leading man of his community and for many years clerk of the township. Harry E. Johnson received his early education in the district school and later in the high school in Renville. He then remained at home until his father helped him get a farm of 200 acres in Crooks township. Later he sold this and purchased 160 acres in section 8, Flora township. He has improved the farm and keeps a good grade of stock. Mr. Johnson was married to Emma Wulf, born in Brownton, McLeod county, this state, and daughter of Herman and Christine (Boie) Wulf, natives of Germany and United States, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Helen Merle, bom .Line 23, 1912. The family are members of the Methodist church at Renville.

William Johnson, an estimable citizen of Flora township, was born in Indiana. March 1, 1861, son of George and Martha (Lawson) Johnson. George Johnson died about 1863, Leaving two children, William and Pleasant II.. now residing in Oregon. The widow married Henry Thompson, and in 1867 they came to Renville county and located on a homestead in section 18, Flora township. There they erected a log cabin and started farming, undergoing all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are both dead. Their son. Louis, lives in Montevideo. Minnesota, while their daughter. Emma, is deceased. William Johnson received his education in Flora township. He was about eighteen when he started out for himself by working as a farmhand. At the age of twenty-two he bought a tract of 120 acres of railroad land in section 5, Flora township. No improvements had then been made. Gradually he developed the place and in time put up a frame house and erected other suitable buildings. He has increased this farm to 200 acres and to it he has added a farm of 160 acres in section 8, Flora township. He has erected good buildings, set out a grove, and brought the place to a high stage of cultivation. He also has a fine fruit orchard. His farming operations have been successful and he lias been especially fortunate in the raising of good stock He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Renville and in the Flora Township Insurance Co. He has been supervisor of his township, and a member of the schoolboard and has served in many other positions of trust and responsibility. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen. William Johnson was married about 1885 to Ellen, the daughter of James Gaffney. and they have two sons, Harry E. and Ray. By a previous marriage Mrs. Johnson has one son, Arthur.

Herman F. Manthei, one of the leading agriculturists of Troy township, has been a resident of this county for some thirty-five years. Coming to this region without resources, except his health, strength and sturdy character, he has gradually achieved prosperity, has become a prominent man in the community, has raised a large family of splendid children, and has more than taken his part in the growth, progress and development of the county. Herman F. Manthei was born in Germany, March 17. 1861', son of Charles and Wilhelmina (Wilke) Manthei, who brought him to the United States in 1875. For several years he lived with them in Nicollet county, this state. Early in 1881 lie came to Renville county, worked out as a farm hand for a while, rented a farm in Flora township for a few years, and in 1886, after having married, bought 160 acres in section 29, Troy township. To this, in time, he added tracts of forty, eighty, eighty and two hundred acres, thus making 560 acres in all. To his son, Herman II.. he lias given 80 acres in section 21, Troy township and he has sold an acre to the school district so that he now owns 519 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county. When made thereon. He at once set to work to bring it under cultivation. He erected a sightly house, commodious barns, and other outbuildings, constructed fences, purchased equipment ami machinery, and as time progressed achieved prosperity, success and comfort. lie raises good stuck, ami takes special pride in his herd of full-blooded Shorthorn cattle. His horses are of a good grade, mostly of Belgian breed. His swine are also of a good grade. His chickens are of the Plymouth Rock variety. Busy as he is with his extensive farm work, he has found time for public service, having been supervisor of the town four years as well as serving in other offices. A thorough believer in education he has given good service as treasurer of the school board for eighteen years. A faithful adherent of the Evangelical Association faith, he has been an officer of that church in Troy township. He has also served the community in other ways. Mr. Manthei's long residence in this county covers a period of many interesting memories. He has seen all the present villages of Renville county in their infancy and has watched their growth with interest. lie went through the great storm of 1880-81 which blocked traffic for weeks. He has experienced the hail and the droughts and on several occasions has barely escaped serious injury in winter storms. His knowledge of the past has made him a valued observer of present day conditions and his advice on all subjects is received with respectful attention. Mr. Manthei was married to Mathilda Rieck, born in Germany, February 17, 1863, daughter of William and Henrietta (Falc) Rieck, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Manthei have had eleven children: Herman, Clara, Esther, Olga, Rheuben, William ('..Oscar Otto, .Mathilda, Ralph, Marcella, and Glorine. Herman married Clara Pfeiffer and they have one child, Gordon. Clara married Herman A. Schendall, and they have two children, Ruth and Laurel. Esther married Henry Metz, and they have one child, Annette. Olga married Henry Albert, and they have one child, Lola. Rheuben married Grace Brietzkratz, and they have two children, Adaline and Joyce.

William Reick was born in Germany, married Henrietta Falc, and in 1873. came to America, bringing his wife and four children, Gustave, Herman, William and .Mathilda. They came to Troy township, located on section 20, bought out an earlier settler's homestead rights, and there spent the remainder of their days. Like many other pioneers, they lived in a sod house, farmed with oxen, and underwent many hardships. But in time they prospered and achieved comfort and happiness. Their son now lives on the place. William Rieck was one of the officials of the Evangelical church of Troy, of which he and his wife were among the charter members.

Peder J. Myra, the pioneer, was born in Kongsberg, Norway, and was there married. In 1867, he and his good wife, Christina, set sail for America, reaching this land of promise after a long and tedious voyage of thirteen weeks aboard an old-fashioned sailing vessel. For a time he lived in Wisconsin. In 1872 he again set out, leaving his wife and three children, Jorgen P., Lena and Helen, behind, and driving with a pair of horses to Renville county, this state, finally selecting a good claim in section 36, Wang township. For a time he lived with Olavas Rude. Then he erected a crude structure, a hole in the earth built up with logs and roofed with marsh hay, and into this moved with his family. The land was all wild, there were no comforts, hardships were many. He sold his horses and secured some oxen. He had brought his old wagon with him. but he had to make a drag out of the crudest materials. He brought a cow ami this furnished milk for the children. The nearest mill was at New London, and the trips to this point were always fraught with incidents and sometimes with dangers. Thus he labored ahead. Gradually he got his land cleared and broken, he added to the original tract until lie owned 220 acres, he erected a good frame house and some substantial buildings and became a prosperous and prominent man. In spite of the grasshoppers and the dry year he forged ahead and achieved success. While never a seeker for office he served for a while on the school board. He was one of the earliest members of the Hawk Creek church. After a useful, well-spent life, he died December 15, 1902, and his widow, who was born in October, 1840, is now living in Sacred Heart. In addition to the children mentioned there are seven more: Carrie, Anna, Tilla, Petra, Mary, Emma, and Sophia.

Ole Nelson, early settler of the town of Hoff, in Pope county, was born in Norway, and there married Mary Haugen. In 1868 he left her and the two children, Sophia and Martin, in the old country, and after <i voyage of seven weeks reached America. For a time he lived in Clayton county, Iowa, and there the family joined him in 1869. In 1870 he started out with a yoke of oxen, his wife, and his three children (Lena having been born in Iowa), for Hoff township, where he located on SO acres of wild land. For a time the family lived in the wagon in which they came. Then they lived in a dugout until they built a house. There Mrs. Nelson died. There Mr. Nelson still lives at the good old age of 78. In addition to the three children mentioned, there are three, Mary, Olive and Nels born in Hoff township.

Jorgen P. Myra, a wetl-lo-do and influential citizen of Wang township, was bora in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, August 2:!, 1868, son of Peder Jorgen Myra and his wife, Christina, who brought him to Wang township in 1872. Here he was reared and educated and here he learned farming pursuits from his father, lie now carries on general farming on an extensive scale, owns 300 acres of valuable land, and makes a specialty of breeding good stock. Jorgen P. Myra was married November 17, 1893, to Sophia Nelson, who was born in Norway, November 19, 1866, daughter of Ole and Mary (Haugen) Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Myra have four children: Peder, Henry, Olena and Melvin.

Ole Hendrekson Oppegaard, one of the substantial pioneers, was born in Sweden, in 1837, there attended school, and there grew to sturdy manhood. In 1867 at the age of thirty years he came to America, and after something like a year's sojourn in Carver county, this state, came to this county accompanied by his mother. He secured a homestead of forty acres in section 24, Hawk Creek, and she a homestead of eighty acres adjoining. Her homestead passed into the possession of Ole Oppegaard at her death, and he later acquired another eighty by purchase, so that lie in time possessed a splendid farm of 200 acres. In the early days he experienced all the hardships of pioneer life, but he made the best of the conditions and in time became a prominent and influential citizen. First he lived in a log cabin and kept his stock in straw sheds. Later a frame house and frame barns were erected and the place assumed a thrifty and prosperous air. Mr. Oppegaard died September 15, 1894, Ole Hendrekson Oppegaard was married in Hawk Creek in 1872 to Bertha Erickson, who was born in Sweden in April, 1848, came to America in 1869 when not quite twenty-one years of age, worked for a year in Minneapolis for a Murphy family, and then came to Hawk (reek where she met and married Mr. Oppegaard. Mr. and Mrs. Oppegaard were the parents of eight children: Enoch, of Hawk Creek; Ole (deceased) ; Emma, now Mrs. Ernest Fischer, of Minneapolis: Bertha, now Mrs. Rasmus Halseth, of Madison, South Dakota: Martha, now Mrs. Harold Romnes, of Hawk Creek township: Theoline, of Hawk Creek: Henry is a dentist at Hills, Minnesota ; and Julia M., a student at the University of Minnesota.

Enoch 0. Oppegaard, a progressive farmer of Hawk Creek township, and one whose efficient service as township clerk has deserved wide praise, was born on Ins father's homestead in section 24, this township, July 7, 1875, son of Ole and Bertha (Erickson) Oppegaard. He secured his early education in the district school of which he is now the clerk. Later he took agricultural courses in the University of Minnesota and commercial courses in the Curtiss Business College of Minneapolis. Since then he has remained on the place where he was born. In 1900 he rented the home place of 200 acres and by frugality, hard work, and careful management, he was enabled three years latei to purchase it. He has greatly improved the farm, has remodeled the house and barn, has built new poultry and swine houses. purchased modern equipment and has, in fact, taken every means possible to make the place a credit to the neighborh I. He follows general farming, and the early training which he received is of great value to him in taking advantage of all the latest discoveries and experiments in scientific agriculture. He is a stockholder in the Sacred Heart Hotel Co., the Sacred Heart Garage Co., and in the Sacred Heart Farmers Elevator Co. Mi-. Oppegaard is a splendid penman and has an unusual mastery of details and therefore it is natural that his ability should be called into service by various organizations needing a clerk or secretary. He is serving his thirteenth year as clerk of his school district and his fifth year as clerk of the township and he is also secretary of the Hawk Creek Telephone Co., and of the Sacred Heart Cooperative Shipping Association. lie attends the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Oppegaard was for several years engaged in the raising of pure-blooded Poland China swine which he marketed exclusively for breeding purposes. But during the ravages of the cholera he lost his valuable herd and discontinued their breeding. Now, however, he is starting again. Mr. Oppegaard is one of the oldest alfalfa seed growers in Minnesota and the only one in Renville county that raises the seed for market. In 1915 he took the blue ribbon or first prize for alfalfa seed at the Corn and Alfalfa Exposition held at Ortonville, Minnesota.