Renville County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1916 (part 9 of 10)

Andrew A. Dahlgren, who successfully operates a farm in sections 2 and 11, Hawk ('reek township, was born in Skane, Sweden, -Tune 14, 1869, son of Andrew and Sissa (Anderson) Dahlgren, the former of whom, at one time a Swedish soldier, died in 1899, at the age of sixty years, and the latter of whom is still living. Andrew A. Dahlgren was reared in his native land, and in July, 1888. came to America, locating for a time at Hopkins, Minnesota. For several years he was employed by John I. Johnson, in Wang township, this county, and later rented the place. He came to his present farm in 1900. At first he rented it. Then in 1902 he purchased a forty-acre piece of it, and in 1909 acquired the remainder so that he now owns a 200-acre farm of well-improved land. Mr. Dahlgren is a modern farmer in every respect. He has good buildings and good equipment, and carries on general farming along the latest approved lines. His grove is well kept, and his orchard is in excellent bearing condition. The house and buildings are ample and sightly and in the best of repair. The fields are splendidly tilled and two and a half acres are planted to alfalfa. Among his Holstein cattle are two which are registered, his Duroc-Jersey hogs are of the best, and his Rhode Island Red fowls are yielding him a good income. A thorough believer in agricultural co-operation, he has become a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Sacred Heart. Mi-. Dahlgren was married March 25, 1897. to Mary H. Anderson, daughter of Hendrick and Carrie Anderson. This union has been blessed with seven children: Selma, born January 2, 1898; Alma born January 23, 1900; Henry, born February 27, 1902; Mabel, born January 31, 1904; Albert, born May 6, 1906; Viola, born July 1, 1908; and Hilding L., born July 18. 1913. With the family lives Hilda Nelson, who was born in Copenhagen. Denmark. December 28, 1892. and came to America in 1909. Mr. Dahlgren has been a Sunday school teacher in the Swedish Lutheran church at Sacred Beart.

Ole C. Sparstad, photographer and art dealer, and for many years president of the village of Sacred Heart, was born in Goodhue county, this state, April 23, 1869, son of Christhofer and Emma (Leine) Sparstad. He attended the district schools and in 1888 started out to make his fortune, arriving in Granite Falls, March 23. There lie learned the trade of carpenter with N. N. Rudy, contractor and builder. His first work was in helping to build a large addition to the Westside sehoolhouse in Granite Falls. Later in the summer Mr. Rudy's force, including Mr. Sparstad, erected a Norwegian Lutheran church at Cottonwood, finishing everything complete. In 1890 they erected a store building in Granite Falls. Then they went to Watson, where they finished another large church. From there they went to Olivia where they erected a large brick-veneered school building. In 1891 they did considerable building in Granite Falls, and later in the summer erected a home at Sacred Heart for Hans Field, former county sheriff. It was on January 1, 1892, that lie took up photography by becoming a student of 0. S. Myhre, Sacred Heart photographer. A month later he purchased his preceptor's studio, and took possession May 1, 1892, so that he has now been in the photograph business for some twenty-four years. In 1901 he erected his pleasant home, doing all the planning, and most of the carpenter work himself. Mr. Sparstad's public career has been a most interesting one. January 2, 1899, he was elected chief of the Sacred Heart Fire Department. In March, 1901, ho was elect I'd president of the village council and is now serving his fifteenth term. In May, 1903, he was elected president of the Farmers Milling Co. ; May IS, 1908, he was elected secretary of the Sacred Heart Telephone Co. ; May 15, 1913, he was elected secretary and director of the Sacred Heart Telephone Co. In these positions he has since served continuously. In January, 1915, he was elected a trustee of the Free Church congregation. He is serving on the building committee of this church, and did all the architectural work on the church edifice. Mr. Sparstad was married October 15, 1895, to Olina T. Hamre, born in this county, December 22, 1873, daughter of Tosten O. and Mary (Stende) Hamre, who were born and married in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Sparstad have had six children. Clarence Odean was born December 5, 1896, and died February 13, 1898; Florence Marion was born February 19, 1899 ; Thomas Sylvester, February 18, 1902; Kennette Berdell, June 15, 1905; Odella Elenor, April 7, 1911; and Doethey Elmira, September 29, 1915. The children are all at home. Christhofer Sparstad was bom August 13, 1840, in Yang, Yalders, Norway, came to America in 1860, and settled in the town of Warsaw, Goodhue county, this state, where he bought eighty acres of land. It was in that township that he was married in 1861 to Emma Leine, who was born in Yang, Yalders, Norway, December 21, 1828, died August 15, 1879, and is buried in Yang Cemetery, Holden township, Goodhue county, this state. In 1891, Mr. Sparstad sold his farm to his oldest son, Thorn, who now lives there, married Annie Gjivere. and moved onto her farm which is located near Yang's church in Holden township, Goodhue county. In October, 1915, they sold this farm, and on March 1, 1916, will occupy a residence which they have purchased in Kenyon. Christhofer Sparstad is the father of five children : Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Berge, of Kenyon ; Thorn, residing on the home farm ; Andrew, of Detroit, Minnesota ; Ole C, of Sacred Heart, and Lena, now Mrs. Ole Rustad, of Kenyon.

Tosten Olson Hamre, one of the sturdy old pioneers of Wang township, was born in Norway. September 16, 1837, and was there married to Mary A. Stende, who was born February 1, 1S3S. They came to America in 1869. They farmed in Wang township until May, 1912, when they moved to Sacred Heart where they now reside They are the parents of six children: Betsey, now Mrs. P. E. Synnes; Alary, now Mrs. C. E. Hagen; Olina, now Mrs. 0. C. Sparstad, all of Sacred Heart; Andrew, who is married and lives on the home farm, and Annie and Ole who are dead.

Johannes Jacobson, a venerable pioneer, whose name will long he preserved in the annals of Renville county, was born in Sweden, December 2. 1S4i>, and there attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded. In 1871 he left the land of his birth and crossed the ocean to America, intent on making the most of the opportunities which the United States afforded. For a while he was employed in Chicago. Then he went to Rock county, Wisconsin, and worked about among the farmers there. It was in that county also that he was married. In 1873 he brought his bride to Renville county to establish his future home. He acquired 160 acres on section 17, Hawk Creek township, and started life as a pioneer. For many years he and his wife lived in a log cabin. Times were hard, privations were many, food was scarce and there was little money. Grasshoppers spoiled the crops for two years, and even for several after that the soil showed, the effects of their ravages. But with undaunted courage Air. and Mrs. Jacobson toiled ahead. When ,\lr. Jacobson started farming he bought a yoke of oxen from Nels Bakke, father of John Bakke. The nearest market was at Willmar. Often Mr. Jacobson walked the entire distance, sometimes having nothing to cat on the journey but dried and frozen bread But as the ears passed by prosperity came in full measure. Frame additions were built to the loo- cabin making- it commodious and comfortable. A good set of barns and outbuildings was erected and the farm was increased to 255 acres. Implements were purchased, in his township. lie served with credit on tie' town board and for nearly a quarter of a century did good work as clerk id' school district 21. He helped to build the first schoolhouse in the district. He was also one of the founders of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Hawk Creek of which the members of his family are still ardent members. Mr. Jacobson was married .May 8, 1872, at Beloit, Rock county, Wisconsin, to Anna Marie Hegna, who was born in Norway, June 24, 1852, came to America in 1869 and located in Beloit. Air. .Jacobson. after a busy life tilled with successful endeavor, died May 6, 1912. His good wife died May 7, 1914. They were the parents of eight children:

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Johanna Marie, Knute, Laura, Josephine, Marthea, Minnie, Othea and Albert. Johanna Marie was born Feb. 21, 1875, married \V. II. Hastings of Kitts ounty, Minnesota, ami has four

26, 1908. Marthea, born Feb. 9, 1884, is mi the home farm. Minnie, born March 29, 1886, married Albert K. Agre, a tanner of Clearwater county, this state, ami they have four children, Millie Adeline, Phoebe Irene and Harvey Odean. Albert, born Aug. 19, 1899, died at the age of three weeks, othea, born Dee, 21, 1891, died Dee. 16, Did. J. Albert, born Jan. 23, 1895, is on the home farm in which he owns a quarter interest.

Knute Jacobson, a progressive tanner of Hawk Creek township, was burn in township where he now resides, Nov. 30, 1876. lie was reared on the home farm, ami has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He and his brother. .1. Albert, assisted by i heir sisters Laura and Martina, successfully conduct the old homestead. They have replaced the log cabin with a cement block structure, making, with the additons formerly constructed mi the log cabin, a comfortable and sightly Inline. Cement walks are laid in front of the house and in the rear, and the outbuildings are suitable and commodious. In addition to his interest in the home farm, Mr. Jacobson has 120 acres in section 17. and an interest in 45 acres in section 1(i. He has been assessor of his township for nine years.

Knute Osmundson, deceased, was born in Norway, July 18. 1824. His parents did not come to America but died in Norway. Mr. Osmundson and his family located in Renville county in 1870 and settled in section 4. where he boughl a homestead of SO acres, ami moved into a log cabin with a sod roof ami earthen floor. IL1 had nothing to begin with and worked among the farmers. Soon he was able to afford an ox team and a COW. Later he located in section 4. in the same township, on the home stead of his brothel- Aslak. receiving SO acres, hater he bought the whole tract of 120 acres and moved his family into one of the first frame houses of this section. About SO acres of this land was under water but it has been drained ami now is very valuable. He increased his farm until, at the time of his death. he owned 200 acres and had built many fine buildings. Mr. Osmundson was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In 1867 he was married in Waseca county, to Gunhild Osmundson, born June IS, 1832, in Norway, who came to this country when a young girl. Three children were born to this marriage, Osmund, born May 13, 1868; Aslack, born June 14, 1869 (deceased); Richard, born Feb. 2, 1871. The father died August 17. 189s. The son Richard now farms the old homestead. He grew to hood in Renville county and took part in the public affairs of the township, holding various positions. For three years he was the marshal of Sacred Heart village. He was clerk of his school district for twelve years and has served on the school board. For the last three years he has been township supervisor. In 1898 Richard Osinundson was married to Hermina Larson, burn in Erieson township, Renville county, daughter of Albert Larson of Sacred Heart. Four children have been born to these parents: Lloyd, Roylard, Odell, and Mabel. The family are all members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ole Johnson, originally known as Ole Johanneson, was one of the worthy pioneers of Renville county. He was born in Gotenburg, Yermland. Sweden, Aug. 21, 1840, and was there reared. In 1867 he came to America, and in 1869 to Sacred Heart township, where he homesteaded the north half of the southwest quarter of section 28. Here he and his good wife experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. The land was all wild prairie, the first home was a dugout, there wTere many difficulties with which to contend. They had no team and almost no tools and thus their labor was doubly hard. For a time, Mr. Johnson lived alone. After his marriage his wife took up the burden with him. Fortunately, Mr. Johnson owned a wood-lot in the Minnesota bottoms which he had purchased for $90. This furnished fuel and building material. Together this good couple planned for the future. They planted a grove, they tilled their soil, they improved their home and as time passed erected buildings. In time their hard work reaped its reward, they increased their holdings to 360 acres, their home and barns were as good as any in the neighborhood, and they became prosperous and substantial members of the community. Mr. Johnson took a deep interest in the progress of the county, he was a believer in education, and religion for the advancement of mankind. His death in September, 1893, was sincerely mourned. His wife remained on the home place until her death, Feb. 8, 1913. Mr. Johnson was married in 1872, to Lisa Hendrickson, who was born in Yermland, Sweden, Aug. 11, 1840, came to America with her parents in 1869, lived in Minneapolis for a while and then came to Renville county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of five children: Frederick O.. Henry O., August. O., Julius O. and Mary. Frederick 0. is inspector to the State Food and Dairy Commission. He and Henry 0. (twins) were born July 7, 1873. Henry 0. is a farmer in Gall, Morton county, North Dakota. August 0. was born Aug. 15, 1875, and lives on the home place. Mary was born Dec. 28, 1876. and died in infancy. Julius was born Dec. 21, 1877, and is a practicing physician in Minneapolis.

section 28, Sacred Heart township, July 7, 1873, son of Ole and Lisa (Hendrickson) Johnson. He attended the schools of his neighborhood, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. When he entered the University of Minnesota he first took a three years' course in agriculture. In 1895 he graduated from the Agricultural school of the University and in 1896 took the dairy course in the same institution. While still a student he had the distinction of winning the gold prize as judge of the dairy stock at the National Dairy Show held at Milwaukee in competition with students from the agricultural colleges of seven states. After leaving college he worked ten years as a buttermaker. Then he entered the employ of the State Dairy ami Food Commission. beginning his duties in 1910 as secretary and in January, 1911, was appointed Inspector in which position he now serves. Mr. Johnson was married Feb. 20, 1897, to Ida Kringsberg, who was born in Sacred Heart, in 1875, daughter of Ole and Martha Kringsberg. This union has been blessed with one daughter. Grace Violet, born March 25, 1903. The family residence is at 2117 Commonwealth avenue, St. Paul.

Julius Johnson, M. D., physician and surgeon of Minneapolis, with offices at 60S Physicians and Surgeons Building, was born on the home place, section 28, Sacred Heart township. Dec. 21, ls77, son of Ole and Lisa (Hendrickson) Johnson. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools, entered the Minnesota State Normal school at St. Cloud, taught in the public schools of Renville county two years, and in 1906 was graduated from the medical department of Hamline University. After the usual hospital practice as interne he opened his present offices where he maintains a large practice. He was married, in 1910, to Mary Mills, daughter of John and Anna (Bakken) Mills, and they have a child, Loraine born March 21. 1915.

Andrew H. Anderson is one of Renville county's most representative citizens. In school office, in township office, as county commissioner, and as a member of the legislature, he has done good service, has stood for the best interests of his fellow man. and has won for himself an enviable position in Minnesota public life. He was horn in Yermland, Sweden, Dec. 28, 1855, son of Hendrick and Kari (Larson) Anderson, the pioneers. He came to America with his parents, reaching Carver county, this state. May 10. 1869. A year or more later, in the fall of 1870, he came with them to section 2, Hawk Creek township, in this county. Here for a short time he attended district school and here he was reared to farm pursuits. In 1874 he and Ole Clausen took a contract to construct two miles of the Pembina-Winnipeg branch of the Manitoba (Canada) Railroad. When this was completed they took the contract for an additional mile. After this work was done, Mr. Anderson went to Minneapolis and became foreman for the William King Stock Farm near Lake Calhoun, now within the city limits. Then he returned to his father's farm and successfully carried on general diversified farming until 1890 when he purchased his present farm of 200 acres in section 6, Sacred Heart township. With characteristic energy he set to work to make this farm one of the best in the western part of Renville county. How well he lias succeeded in this endeavor is shown by the fact that lie now has an ideal country estate. He Las enlarged the house and erected a commodious barn, as well as repairing the other buildings: and the house and barns with the spreading lawn and stately shade trees are a sight well worth seeing. He has planted several acres of timber and has a plentiful supply of small fruit and berries for home consumption. Aside from carrying- on general farming he makes a specialty of breed ing Poland China swine. Being a believer in farm improvements he has become a stockholder in the Ericson Rural Telephone Co. His public life has been most interesting. While in Hawk Creek township he was supervisor two years and constable twelve years. He was school treasurer of school district 128 for ten years and when that district was consolidated with the Sacred Heart village schools as district 40. he was elected one of the trustees. When Peter P. Dustrud resigned as county commissioner in 1886 to go to the Dakotas, Mr. Anderson was appointed to fill the unexpired term. He was elected to succeed himself in 1888 and again in 1892, and thus served the county as commissioner for ten years. In 1902 he was elected to a scat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, a position he tilled with satisfaction to his people and with credit to himself. .Mr. Anderson was married. Nov. 25, 1881, to Bertha Dina Sagnes. daughter of Hans Sagnes, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. This union has been blessed with ten children: Clara. Henry.

named Hans who died in infancy. Henry is a liveryman at Renville. He was born March 15. 1886, married Minnie Jacobson, and has one child. Madeline. Clara was born Aug. 3. 1882. and is the mother of four children, Sandy. Dora. Mae. Bernice. Her husband. Mathew Jordet, is the partner of her brother. Henry Anderson. Mary was horn Nov. 3, 1890. She married W. L. John Van Fleet, a merchant of Montevideo, this state, and they have one child, Marcella. Bennie was born Nov. 9. 1887, and farms in North Dakota. He married Rosa Fletcher and they have four children: Arline. Deline, Wentworth. Fay. Louise was born March 14. 1893, i^ the wife of Elvin Synnes. of Sacred Heart, and has one child, Edgar Lewellyn. Joseph was horn Nov. 4. 1S94. Hannah was born Jan. 4. 1900. Theodora was horn Dec. 31. 1901. These three youngest children are at home.

ami there married Kari Larson. They came to America in 1869, located in Carver county, this state, and there lived for a Little over a year. In the fall of 1869. Hendrick Anderson came to Renville county, and located a homestead of eighty acres in section 2, Hawk Creek township. He built a shack and made preparation for the future. Then he returned to his family in Carver county. In the fall of 1870 the family moved here. They at once began improving and developing the farm, undergoing many hardships and privations. The grasshoppers ruined the crops for several seasons, the trips to Willmar after provisions were long and tiresome, money was scarce and the food was of the simplest. But by hard work and frugality, together with good judgment and untiring energy, Hendrick Anderson became a prosperous citizen and Avon for himself a place as one of the Leading men in the community. To his original tract he added 120 acres of railroad land in section 11, and on this tract of 200 acres he carried on general farming for many years. After a dozen or so years the original shack was replaced with a loghouse A few years later this gave place to a splendid frame house. Good barns and substantial outbuildings were also erected.

died a week earlier. In the family there were ten children. Five boys and one girl are dead. Henry lives in Sacred Heart village. Kari is Mrs. John Farnhof. of Santa Rosa. California. Andrew H. lives in Sacred Heart. Mary is now the wife of Andrew Dahlgren and they live on the old homestead in Hawk Creek township.

Ole T. Ramsland, one of the leading and influential citizens of Renville county is the oldest merchant in Sacred Heart village, and for nearly a half a century has been actively identified with the progress and growth of the western part of the county. He was born in Norway, Oct. 16. 1853, the son of Tonnes and Torborg Ramsland, and descended from a long line of sturdy Scandinavian ancestry. When he was seventeen years of age he asked his father if he could go to America. His father answered, "I have blamed myself many times for not going to America when I was a young man and if you really wish to go I will not say no." So in 1871 he came alone to America and located in Houston county, Minn. After working on a farm in Houston county for a year and a half he worked in lumber camps id' northern Wisconsin two winters and one summer. Next he went to Eau Claire, Wis., attended school seven weeks, and then clerked in a store for Ingraham. Kennedy & Mason of that city for two years. In 1876 he settled in Renville county and purchased eighty acres of land in Wang township, lie also rented eighty acres near by. He planted all his broken land in wheat, hut the grasshoppers came and he realized only 185 bushels. He at- tended the public school in Granite Falls the following winter, and in the spring of 1877 accepted a position as clerk in the general store of Neste Bros, in that place. With the exception of three months, spent at the Folsoni Business College in Minneapolis during the winter of 1878, he remained with this firm until June, 1880. Since June 8, 1880, Mr. Ramsland has been engaged in the general mercantile business in Sacred Heart. When he came here he bought the interest of Christian Evenson in the store of Evenson & Stenson. Later he bought out Henry Stenson and has since continued in business alone on practically the same site. He has built up a large trade, carries a good stock, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the people for miles around, his honesty and fair dealing being widely known. He has taken an active part in public life, and has assisted in the development of Renville county and the village of Sacred Heart in particular. Although boi-n and educated in a foreign country his sentiment is "America for me and my posterity." and it is only fair to say that he has done and is doing more than any other man in his community to Americanize the Scandinavian people and make them see the necessity of using the American language and customs in schools and churches. He has for many years served on the village council of Sacred Heart and he is now president of the school board, in which capacity he has served for many years. In 1904 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the legislature and served one term. He also helped to organize the American church of Sacred Heart, he and his wife and two daughters being four of the original seven members. Mr. Barnsland was married in November, 1879. to Julia Thompson, born in Houston county, this state, March 4. 1861. daughter of Martin and Gurina (Iverson) Thompson. She died April 20. 1896, leav ing seven children. Tyler, Magnus, Gertrude, Lenora, Rudolph, Odin and Mabel. Tyler married Birdie O'Connor and lives in Lemmon, South Dakota. Magnus married Sarah McEwen and lives in Kamsack, Canada. Gertrude is the wife of Dr. Henry Schealaben of Seward. Alaska. Lenora is the wife of Dr. T. II. Titus of Ontario, California. Rudolph married Miss Russell and lives in Kamsack. Canada. Odin married Ida Sailes and lives in Faith. South Dakota. Mabel is the wife of Olie Skjie of Madison, Minn. Mr. Ramsland was married May 15, 1898, to Lenora Arestead, who was born in Norway, October. 1870, daughter of Christ and Dorothe Arestad, who brought her to America when six months of age. They located in Houston county. Minn., and moved to Cooperstown, North Dakota when she was ten years of age. Mrs. Ramsland is one of the three first graduates of the Valley City State Normal school, Valley City, North Dakota. She is the mother of two children : Clement, born Oct. 3, 1905, and Dorothe. born Oct. 2, 1906.

Frederick Shaller, a pioneer of Crooks township, was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1834, son of Henry and Eva Shaller. He came to America with his mother at the age of seven years and lived a while in New Jersey where though still of tender years he helped support his mother by working in the woolen mills and doing such other labor as his strength would permit. At the age of twelve he started to learn the painter's trade but as this proved unfavorable to his health he became a blacksmith. Prom New Jersey he came to Racine, Wis., where he continued in the same line. In July, 1861. he enlisted as a blacksmith for three years in Co. A, Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. This was the first three-year regiment in Wisconsin. At the expiration of this period, Mr. Shaller returned to Racine, but at once re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Madison, Wis. His entire service embraced four years, eleven months, and twenty days. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Racine, and resumed his former occupation. It was in 1869 that he came to Renville county, bringing his family, and locating in Beaver Falls village, where he continued as a blacksmith. It is interesting to note that during his residence there he helped haul the stones for the old stone jail, the first courthouse of Renville county. In 1878 he took a homestead of wild prairie land in section 22, Crooks township. There he and his good wife underwent the hardships incident to pioneer life. The accommodations were crude and the discomforts were many. At first they lived in a frame shanty and sheltered their cattle in straw sheds. But as the years passed the place was developed and became as good as any in the township. A good frame house, barns and outbuildings were erected, groves were planted and flourished, fences were put up, the land was developed and tilled, and the family became one of the most prominent in the community. In 1893 after many years of strenuous farm labor, they sold the place, bought a pretty home in Renville and retired. Mrs. Shaller died May 18, 1915, and since then, though .Mr. Shaller still calls Renville his residence, he spends quite a little of his time with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Wilcken. at 1119 Irving Avenue, North, Minneapolis. Mr. Shaller has many pleasant and interesting memories of the past. He and Holstein Ottos were prominent in the organization of Crooks township, and .Mr. Shaller was a member of the first town board remaining in that position some twelve years. He also helped to build the first schoolhouse in the township and was a member of the school board for a considerable period. He is a loyal and patriotic member of Hazen Post, G. A. R., at Renville, also a charter member of Pop Wilson Lodge, I. 0. O. P. Mr. Shaller was married at Racine, Wis., May 14, 1864, to Christina Yantz, who was born in Erie county, New York. July 5, 1845. She proved a loyal companion, a faithful wife, and a loving mother, and her death is being long and sincerely mourned. To this worthy couple there were born five children: William. Mary, Matilda. Ida and John. William, born April 24. 1867. at Racine, Wis., is now living in Renville county. Mary was horn in Racine, Wis., March 28, 1869, is the wife of Martin Peterson, of Crooks township, and has eleven children: Murray, Amanda, Laura, Eva (who died at the age of seven months), Ruth, Edna, Dorthe, Gerald, Mary, Joel and l.ilah. Matilda was horn in Beaver Falls, this county, is the wife of Henry Wilcken, of Minneapolis, and has three children. Carl. Harry and Theodore. Ida was horn in Beaver Falls. March 30, 1875, married H. S. Pettis, of Crooks township, and has eleven children, Larressa. Edith, Fred. Adelia, Lloyd,. Jennie. Florence, Percilla, Ira, Wallace and Alden. John was born in Beaver Falls, Sept. 21, 1877, and now lives in Granite Falls. He married Laura Erickson, and they have six children: Lawrence. Fred. Lyle, Olga, Amanda and Eva. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Oscar Anderson, a well-to-do farmer of Hawk Creek township, was born in Sweden. April '24, 1851, son of Andres and Bertha (Olson) Johnson, who brought him to America in 1868 and to Hawk Creek township in 1*6!). For a year Oscar Anderson worked with his father. Then lie went to St. Peter and worked as a stone mason for some seven years. In 1878 he rented the home farm, and ten years later purchased it. In the years that have passed he has made extensive improvements. In 1910 he erected a unique home which is one of the sights of the county. The house is made of cement bricks manufactured on the place. The cement brick of which the body of the house is made are tinged with red, giving the appearance of ordinary brick. The cornices and trimmings are also made of cement bricks, gray in color, and finished to a high degree of smoothness and hardness. The bricks about the windows and doors neatly and artistically beveled. The interior of the house is finished in oak. and the appointments are modern in every parular. The picturesque house with its many gables and large front porch resembles a small castle such as one sees in the Old Country. The place is indeed a monument to the owner, not only from the fact of its beauty and oddness, hut also from the fact that he planned its construction himself, and carried out his own plans, all the material except the lumber and the cement originating on the place. Among the other comforts and conveniences may lie mentioned the gas lights. Mr. Anderson is a prominent man in the community, has served on the town board as chairman and on the school board as clerk and director, and has done public service in many other ways. He engages in gen- eral farming and has been very successful. Mr. Anderson had three children: Carl 0., born May 8, 1884; Emma, born Nov. 13, 1891, now the wife of Albert Olson, of section 12, Hawk Creek township; and Florence, born Aug. 23, 1904.

Carl 0. Anderson, an active young farmer of Hawk Creek township, was born on the farm where he still resides. May 8, 1884, son of Osc " Anderson, the pioneer. He passed through the public schools and lias spent his life on the home farm. He is progressive in his ideas, is energetic and hard working, makes a close study of the latest methods of farming and is regarded as one of the coming men of the community. He is doing good work as clerk of school district 41.

Ole Fugleskjel, the pioneer, was born in Norway. Dec. 7. 1827, and was there reared and educated. It was there also that he married Synnena Nortras, who was born in that country Jan. 5, 1837. There, too, two of their children. Mary and Marithe, were horn. In the summer of 1866, he set sail with his wife and these two children, and after a tedious and dangerous voyage df seven weeks reached Quebec. For a time they lived in .Milwaukee. Wis. Later they came to Freeborn county, this state. In 1869 they set out with an ox team, a cow. ami their household goods for Renville county. Here they started their life in a dugout on an eightj acre homestead in section 10, Hawk Creek township. Like the other pioneers they endured many hardships. The nearest market and null were far away. To earn money, Mr. Fugleskjel worked in St. Peter for several summers. Gradually his farm was developed and he attained prominence and prosperity. The dug-ou1 was replaced with a substantial log house sided over with hoards, suitable buildings were erected, and the farm was highly improved. Mr. Fugleskjel's merit was recognized by his fellow citizens, and he was elected to such offices as clerk, justice and assessor of the township, and treasurer of the school board. For a time he was deputy county treasurer. In church work he was especiall prominent, being one of those who helped to organize the Hawk Creek church, and serving on the building committee which went to St. Peter to get the lumber for the first edifice. For several years he lived in the village of Sacred Heart where he operated a lumber yard and served as postmaster, but he spent his declining days on the old homestead in Hawk Creek township, where he died Nov. 127. lst»2. His good wife died April 25, 1905.

The children in the family were Mary and Marithe. already mentioned, and Ole (born in Freeborn county), and Olina, Simon, Ola. Peter and Petra, the younger five all being born on the homestead. Mary became a teacher ami is now Mrs. T. H. Nygaard. Marithe became a teacher, went to China in 1897, and died in 1899. Olina is now Mrs. A. J. Deason, of North Dakota.

Peter died in infancy. Petra is now Mrs. Paul Nystuen. The story of Ole is a sad one. He passed through the public schools, graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., and taught there for one year. As orderly on the Hospital staff he served three years in the army. At Des Moines, Iowa, in 1909. lie was ordained a clergyman of the Lutheran church, and was assigned to Spooncr and Baudette, in Beltrami county, this state. Dee. 5, 1910, he lost his way in the woods and died from exposure. A monument has been erected at St. Olaf's in his memory by the students of the United Church Seminary.

Hans C. Listerud, for many years a notable figure in Renville county public life, was born in Norway, March 22, 1838, was there reared, served in the army five years and as a youth learned the trade of gunsmith. In 1869 he came to America, and for a year lived at New Sweden, not far from St. Peter in this state. It was in 1870 that he came to Renville county and took a homestead in Hawk Creek township. He was elected to many local offices, gradually won the esteem and confidence of the voters of the whole county, and was elected county treasurer, a position lie filled with honor and credit for fourteen years. In 1910 he left the county, and took a homestead near Wolf Point, Montana. He died there Jan. 8, 1916. and was brought back to Sacred Heart for burial. Mr. Listerud was survived by a wife and eight children: Mrs. A. C. Nedrud. of Minor. North Dakota ; Mrs. D. H. Schjoll, of Sacred Heart ; Peter Listerud, of Minneapolis; John Listerud, of Wolf Point, Montana; Bert Listerud, of Sacred Heart: Mrs. Henry Urban, of Wolf Point. Montana; Henry Listerud. of Sawyer. North Dakota; and Mrs. Morris Lund, of Wolf Point, Montana.

Eric Ericson was born on June 11. 1S44, in Palmyra township, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He spent his boyhood days on the farm doing general work during summer months and attending the public schools in the winter. Later he attended the Palmyra High school. He received a good general education which was the foundation for his life work. During the Civil war he served seventeen months with the Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Vol. Inf.. taking part in many of the severe battles in General Grant's campaign in 1S64 and 1865. He was in the terrible conflict at Petersburg where so many lives were lost, but he escaped injury and illness. At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin and resumed teaching. On July 4. 1867. he was married to Julia Gerald of Palmyra, Wis. They came to Minnesota in 1872. settling on a homestead in Palmyra township, this county. This same year Mr. Ericson was elected county auditor, in which capacity he served for five years. In 1873 the family moved to Beaver Falls. In 1878 he secured the position of railway mail clerk on the Northwestern Railway, which position he held until 1882, when he was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools of Renville county, serving until 1907, with the exception of two terms. During his superinteudency he was much interested in the work of the Minnesota Educational Association, at one time being elected President of the County Superintendent's Section. With his family he resided in Olivia from 1901 to 1908, when the removed to Minneapolis. In 1909 while engaged in school work at Moose Lake, Minn., Mr. Ericson was taken ill with pneumonia, and passed away at his home in Minneapolis, on April 17. He was buried at Palmyra, Minn., where a school children and teachers of Renville county. The surviving members of Mr. Ericson 's family are his widow, his sons Spencer. Newman L., and Clair (4., and his daughter Alice, all of Minneapolis, and his son Edward J., of Raymond, Minn. Eric Erieson's name is perpetuated in the name of Ericson township, which was designated in his honor.

Henry Kelsey, a pioneer editor of Renville county, was born in Danville. New York, in 1838. In 1842 he was taken by his parents to Ohio, and the next year to Wisconsin. In 1857 he reached Reed's Landing, in this state. From 1861 to June, 1864, he served in the Civil war. After a year's experience as a printer he took charge of a daily paper at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1867 he removed to Paxton, Illinois. Two years later he located at Chippewa Falls. Wis., where he was engaged as a printer and editor. In 1871 he was editor of a paper at Paxton. Illinois. Then he was editor of a paper at Lone Tree, Nebraska, for two years. In 1874 he bought the Renville County Times at Beaver Falls from Darwin S. Hall. In 1890 he moved the paper to Olivia, and ten years later sold to Wilson & Soule. In 1900 he moved his family to Woodburn, Oregon, where he died seven years later. In 1865, Mr. Kelsey married Leonore McMillen, and they had five children.

Henry Ahrens, one of the few settlers who lived in the county before the Massacre and returned afterwards, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 2, 1833, and came to this country in 1853. In 1854 he located in New York and the following year moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, going to Illinois in 1859. He was married in 1861 to Minnie Bobson, and that year they came to Minnesota and located in Nicollet county. The following spring they came to Beaver Falls, but were driven out that summer by the Massacre. The story of their thrilling escape, the destruction of their home, the loss of all their worldly possessions, their sojourn in Illinois, and their return to their former home is told at length elsewhere in this history in connection with the Wichman narratives. In addition it is interesting to note that when the family first came here they drove all the way from Will county with an ox team, a1 the Indian Outbreak drove all the way back to Will county, and afterward came to this country again in the same manner. Judge Ahrens and his good wife took an active part in forming the destinies of the new county. For almost fifty years Judge Ahrens earnestly and devotedly served his town, county, state and country in various official capacities, being the county's first treasurer, one of the earliest commissioners, and later being honored by being sent to the state senate, in which capacity he showed that same solid worth and good judgment which had previously been his distinguishing characteristics. In 1903 the family moved to Morton, and here died on duly 29, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight, she who through so many trying years had been his faithful wife and helpmate. Judge Ahrens continued to live in Morton, until, rich in honor, years, and the respect of his fellow men, he died Jan. 30, 1914, at the age of eightyone years. In the family there were nine children. Of these there are living six, Fritz, Reikie, Eliza, Henry, Frank and Charles.

P. H. Swift, for many years a leading newspaper man in the Northwest, was one of the remarkable characters of Beaver Falls in the early days and left his impress on the life of the county. He was born in Orange county. Vermont, Dec. 28, 1843, son of Henry S. and Diana C. Swift, and descended from early Colonial and heroic Revolutionary ancestry. He attended the common schools of Edgerton, Wisconsin, until 1857, and then entered the normal department of the Albion Academy, leaving in his Junior year in June, 1861. At that time he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. A little later he was promoted to be sergeant. Aug. 30, 1862, upon recommendation of the field officer "for merit." he was promoted to be second lieutenanl of Co. E, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. During the Siege of Vicksburg he -was promoted to be first lieutenant. June 24, 1864, and to captain Aug. 29, 1864. He was wounded at Tupelo, Miss., July 15, 1864, by a fragment of a shell, and resigned Sept. 27, 1864, at Little Rock, Arkansas. Of his five brothers who engaged in the war. two were killed in battle, two wounded, and one crippled for life. After his resignation, Captain Swift returned to Edgerton, Wis., and soon after entered upon the study of law. being admitted to the Rock county bar in June. 1867. Then he came to Beaver Falls and started practice. He was the first county attorney of Renville county and the first man from this county to sit in the legislature. While in flic legislature he was chairman of the committee on federal relations, and a member of the committees on judiciary, and towns and counties. In 1872 he removed to Wisconsin, and engaged in journalism, publishing papers at Clinton and Oconto, in that state. For six years he was editor and publisher of the Oconto County Reporter. In January, 1885, he went to Rice Lake. Wis., to take charge of the Barron County Chronotype. Some years later the Leader was launched at Rice Lake by Col. Swift and liis sons. In April, 1906, he disposed of his newspaper interests in Rice Lake and went to Watertown, Wis., where he purchased, with his two sons, the Watertown Republican, which a few months later he changed to a daily under the name of the Watertown Leader. He was prominent in public affairs, was city school superintendent, county supervisor, and was foremost in advancing all causes tending to the upbuilding of the city, county and state. For four years he was correspondence clerk in the Wisconsin state treasury.

May 25, 186"), Col. Swift married Mrs. Mary ( '. Swift, widow of his brother, Henry S. Swift, who was killed in battle April 19, 1863, leaving one child, Henry S., Jr. Colonel and Mrs. Swift had two children, Dean M. and Ward L. I). B. Swift lives in Winona, Minn., and travels for the Wright, Barry & Stilwell Co., St. Paul. W. L. Swift is connected with the Kan Claire (Wis.) Press Co.

Newton G. Poore was born at Columbus, Perm., May 28, 1838. At the age of four years he was taken to Ohio by his parents, and with the exception of one year in Kentucky he lived in various places in that state until lie came to Minnesota. For seventeen years he made his home near Hastings, in Dakota county. One of these years he devoted to steamboating on the Mississippi, and one to working for the government in the South. It was in 1872 that he came to Renville county and took up his home in Melville township. He was married, in November, I860, to Sarah J. Finney, and they had five children.

Hans Gronnerud, the pioneer banker of Renville county and for many years a leader in political life, was born in Norway, May 23, 1840, and there received a college and military education. He came to Renville county in 1872, and at once took an active part in public affairs. He was married in 1864 to R. Eiseth, and they had six children.

David Carrothers settled in Beaver Kails before the Indian Massacre, escaped on the first day, and afterward returned and became a prominent man in the county. lie was one of the original proprietors of Beaver Palls village, lie built the firsl courthouse, and was an early sheriff.

Rev. Johannes Ellefson Bergh, a pioneer preacher of western Renville county, was horn near the village of Vossevanger, Norway. May 5, 1S4'_\ and at the age of fifteen came to Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1861 he entered Lutheran College, then located at Half Way Creek. Wisconsin, and was one of the first e-r;uluates of that school in 1866. In that year lie entered the Divinity school of the German Missouri Lutheran Synod, of St. Louis. Mo., and was ordained to the ministry Sept. '!. 1869. His first call at Muskegon,

Mich., he served for two years. Nov. 12, 1871, he became pioneer pastor of all of the Norwegian Lutheran churches of Renville, Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties. For nine successive years all public services were held in dugouts, log cabins, school houses or during the summer in the open air. Up to 1874 he served five congregations located within a radius of 120 miles. To reach the various meeting places across the wild and pathless plains in those old dreaded winters there was no available means of conveyance other than that of walking. Exposed to many hazards and dangers, but always cheerfully sharing the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. Rev. Bergh, by his gentle and unassuming manner soon won for himself the good will and confidence of all. and before long this early pastor presided over one of the largest parishes in the Northwest. Mr. Bergh was not a talented speaker but much thought of as an educator. People delighted especially in hearing him catechise the children at Sunday services. In fact as catechetical instructor, Rev. Bergh was exceptionally gifted, and some claim that they have never heard his equal. Through his pastorate here of thirty-three years, he dwelt twentyfive years smith of. and eight yeai\s in, the village of Sacred Heart. For reason of failing health he resigned in 1904 and died Aug. 21, 1905. lie is survived by his wife, nee Marie Stub, and six children. Carl Carlson, a pioneer, was born in the Parish of Tynset, Norway, one of the four children (Inger, Ole, Semming ami Carl) of Carl and Mattie (Semmingsen) Olson. He was reared in his native land, engaged in farming and lumbering, and served five years in the National military organization, the last six months of which i in 1864) he was ordered out for active service in the trouble between Denmark ami Germany. In that year he married Andrea Halvorsen Hornseth, of the Parish of Rendalen. Norway. He came to America in 1868 with his wife and two daughters. Marit. three years of age (who died on the farm at the age of fourteen), and Caroline, now the wife of County Auditor J. L. Johnson. They landed at New York, and from thence came to Fillmore county, this state, where he lived three years. From there he went to Yellow Medicine county, where he lived for a year. Then he came to Renville county, and took an eighty-acre homestead in section 4, Emmet township. He added another eighty by preemption, and increased the farm to 280 acres. Mr. Carlson is considered one of the most progressive farmers in the township. He was one of the founders of the first Norwegian Lutheran church erected in the city of Renville in 1888. This was destroyed by the cyclone of 1893. When the second church was replaced by the present modern structure. Mr. Carlson contributed generously in money and labor. He had the misfortune while working in the church on a high scaffold to fall and break his left arm, which had to be amputated leaving him a sufferer for many years. His eyesight had also been failing for some years and he is now totally blind. After building up and improving bis farm, located a mile east from Renville, be moved to the city where he had already erected a large ami comfortable home. In a business way he was one of the stockholders and directors of the Security Bank of Renville and a shareholder in the Farmers' elevator.

Knute T. Rude, a sturdy pioneer now deceased, was born in Norway, April 25, 1838. He was originally known as Knute Ruud, and came from the old family of Ruud, taking the name Rude after be came to this country. He was married in Norway, in May, 1862, to Marie Hanson, who was born March 4, 1840. For some years after obtaining his education, Mr. Rude was employed in a flour mill with his father. It was in 186"), when with his wife and son, Theodore, he embarked for the Land of Opportunity. After a trip of five weeks and four days aboard an old fashioned sailing vessel, they reached the port of Quebec, in Canada. From Quebec, they went by rail to Milwaukee, "Wis., thence to La Crosse, and thence up the Mississippi river to St. Paul, and from there up the Minnesota to St. Peter. After stopping in Nicollet county for a year and a half and then set out with an ox team and covered wagon overland to Hawk ('reek township. Mr. Rude driving the oxen, and Mrs. Rude walking. They took a homestead of eighty acres in section 20. This being in 1S68 they were among the first settlers in the township, and among the very first to settle on the prairie. They reached their future home Aug. 29, and lived in their covered wagon five weeks until Mr. Rude could erect a log cabin. They also secured eighty acres of school land in section 16, and there constructed a dugout. They lived in this dugout five winters, spending the rest of their time in their log cabin.

Like the other pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Rude started life in Renville county on the most primitive scale. Conveniences and comforts were unknown. All were strangers in a strange country. The trading points were far away, provisions were scarce and money was scarcer. There were many difficulties with which to contend, and sometimes it seemed that the privations were too deep to be borne. But with courage they forged ahead, they endured much in order that their children might start life in better circumstances than their parents. They were frugal and saving, and as circumstances permitted they erected buildings and fences, broke more land, purchased equipment, and became in time prosperous farmers. After a useful life filled with hard work, Knute T. Rude died May 22, 1880. His widow was married in June 1884, to Ole E. Deason, who took the name of Ole E. Rude. They continued to reside on the home farm and successfully carry on general farming until 1902, when they moved to Granite Falls, where they now reside in a comfortable home.

Mrs. Rude has many interesting stories to tell of pioneer life. One of the most interesting is of the arrival of K. 0., H. 0., and M. O. Agre and Tollef and Simon Johnson in the fall of 1868. She was out in her yard when the five men approached her home to inquire the way. They were arrayed in blankets in which holes had been cut for the heads, and she mistook them for Indians. Rushing into the cabin she sat on the bed clasping her son Theodore to her breast, resolving to protect him with her last breath. But she soon found that the men were fellow countrymen, and her joy and relief were great. The young men all settled in the neighborhood, and were her neighbors for many years. Knute T. and Marie (Hanson) Rude were the parents of live children: Theodore, Helen, Gustie, Henry and Clara. Theodore was born in Norway, Aug. 19, 1863, was brought to this country by his parents, and is in the service of the United States government at Brownsville, Texas. For eight years he was a private in the United States Cavalry. Helen was born Jan. 7, 1869, in the log cabin on the old homestead. She has been twice married. Her first husband whom she married in 1889 was Bennie "Wollan, who died in 1892. Her present husband, whom she married June 2, 1896, is Ole P. Flatten, a leading resident of Granite Falls, county commissioner of Chippewa county, and secretary of the board of directors of the New Sanitarium in Chippewa county. By a former marriage, Mr. Flatten had two children: Hilda, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Melvin, who resides at home. Gusta was born Aug. 17, 1874. She married Carl Johnson, of Yellow Medicine county, and has five sons, Kenneth, Earl. Oliver. Tyler and Arnold. Henry was born Sept. 6, 1876. He is county auditor of Clearwater county, and resides at Bagley, in that county, this state. He married Martha Agre, and they have two sons, Melvin and Archie. Clara was born Feb. 26. 1878. She married M. T. Skrukrud of Hawk Creek township and they have eight children: Theodore, Myrtle, Alice, Erwin, Mabel, Kenneth, Melvin and Viola.

Ole 0. Sveiven, now deceased, one of the sturdy pioneers of Renville county who will he long remembered, was horn in Norway, Nov. 16, 1823, and there received a good education. Wishing to better his future conditions he emigrated from Norway in 1866 and set sail for the United States with his family. He first located in Dakota county, this state, where he remained for three years, working out among the farmers. In the fall of 1869 he came to Renville county ami located a homestead of eighty acres in section 30, Sacred Heart township. This was all wild prairie land. In the spring of 1870 the family came and for a time lived in the covered wagon in which they had traveled until Mr. Sveiven could build a log cabin. They then moved into the log cabin and later Mr. Sveiven built a larger cabin and still later this second cabin was sided over and made quite modern. He worked hard early and late, broke and developed his farm. He set out groves and erected good buildings. He endured many hardships incident to the pioneer days. Tbe nearest markets were at Willmar and New Ulm. By frugal habits and hard work he became one of the leading farmers of the community. He followed general farming and added to his possessions until he owned several hundred acres. In 1903 lie moved to the Lars Johnson place where he lived for two years and then moved to Sacred Heart village where he remained two years. Then he and Ins wife took up their home with their daughter, Mrs. Paul Deason, where Mrs. Sveiven died Nov. 26. 1908. and he died Nov. 24, 1910. Mr. Sveiven was married in Norway to Mrs. Eline Larsgaard. Ole Larsgaard died in Norway. By that marriage there was one child, Martha, who died at the age of nine. Mr. and Mrs. Sveiven had five children : Otto, a farmer of Sacred Heart township, Bilot, who died at the age of twentyfive years; Martin, a farmer of Sacred Heart township; Ole, who died in infancy ; and Martha, now Mrs. Paul Deason of Sacred Heart township.

Paul Deason, one of the leading farmers and an extensive land owner of Sacred Heart township, was born in Fillmore county, this state, May 9, 1866, son of Ole and Anna (Uldalen) Deason. He came to Renville county with his parents in 1871. He attended school in the log schoolhouse of his neighborhood and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He helped his father break up the prairie and establish their home. In 1888 he started in life for himself, purchasing 280 acres of land in section 1, South Sacred Heart township. There was an old shack and a rude barn on this property. Mr. Deason at onee set at work to establish a home on the wild prairie for himself and family. By hard work and perseverance he has become one of the prosperous men of the county, having erected a fine dwelling house and various barns and outbuildings and has added to his holdings until the farm now contains 522*4 acres. He also has three other farms in Hawk Creek and Sacred Heart township. His farms are all improved with homes and outbuildings and his land all told is 1,284% acres. His place is well kept, drained and fenced and bespeaks great thrift to its owner. Mr. Deason keeps a good herd of cattle and follows general farming. He has never aspired to public office but has always shown a keen interest in all movements that have been advanced for the good and betterment of his town and county. He served on the school board of district No. 15. Mr. Deason was united in marriage Nov. 30, 1888, to Martha Sveiven, who was born March 25, 1867, daughter of Ole and Eline Sveiven. Mrs. Deason has taken an interest in the upbuilding of their home and has even been a most devoted wife and loving mother. Mr. and Mrs. Deason are the parents of seven children: Elvin, born August 5, 1889; Albert, born July 3, 1890, farming on one of his father's farms and married to Anna Aim, and they have one child, Martha Jean; Clara, born Oct. 18, 1892; Andrew, born Jan. 3, 1896; Addie, born Feb. 9, 1S99 ; Joseph, born Jan. 3, 1903; Edwin, born April 28, 1907.

Ole Deason, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Renville county, was bom in Norway, Sept. 23, 1830. He received his early education there and grew to manhood. He was of an ambitious nature and so emigrated from Norway with his family in 1858 and came to America to establish a mark in the new world. They settled in Fillmore county. Minn., where he bought land and remained there a few years. Then he sold out and moved to Freeborn county, where he engaged in farming. In 1871 he came to Renville county and settled on forty acres of school land in section 16, Hawk Creek township. The country then was all wild and there were no trees or wind breaks and the hardships were many. The long drives to Willmar, the nearest market, by ox team were very tedious, but by undaunted courage and hard work he prospered. The log cabin of the pioneer days was replaced by an up-to-date house and good buildings were erected. The groves planted by Mr. Deason grew rapidly and after a time his future was assured. He added to his land until at one time he owned over 800 acres of land. He also owned a farm in Chippewa county, near Clara city. Mr. Deason always took a great interest in the development of his community and was a ready contributor 1<> all public movements. He was a good farmer, a shrewd business man and was well thought of by his neighbors. Mr. Deason was married in Norway to Anna Uldalen. Her life was a busy one and in bringing up her large family she left the impress of love and affection. Mr. and Mrs. Deason had the following children: Barbara. John, Amelia. Carl. Paul, Laura, Addie. Andrew, Christina (deceased), Christian, Antin and Christina. Mr. Deason died in August. 1901, and Mrs. Deason died Dec. 27, 1893.

Daniel Ames was born Jan. 27. 1833, near Sebattusville, Maine. He died October 9, 1915, at the age of 82 years. He came to Wisconsin at the age of 21 and remained in Waupaca county until April 19, 1863, when he was married to Ida E. Witt of Plymouth, Wisconsin, and they came to Mower county, Minnesota, in 1863. In 1866 they removed to Renville county, Minnesota, and settled in the southwest corner of Sacred Heart township, section 24, township 114, range 37, where their daughter, Sophina Ethel was born. They were among the first settlers who came into that part of the county after the Indian outbreak.

the board of county commissioners of Renville county, was born in Credit River township, Scott county, Minnesota, Feb. 26, 1858, son of Michael and Bridget (Snee) Sherin. the pioneers. The parents were natives of County Sligo, Ireland, came to America as children, were married in Dover, New Hampshire, in November, 1853. In 1855 they came to Minnesota and located in Scott county. The father died in service at Macon, Georgia, while a private in Company I, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Michael E. was reared on the home farm, started work at an early age, and did what he could to contribute to the suppor! of the family. In the fall of 1878 he came to Renville county, took a claim in section 18, Norfolk township, broke a little Land, and returned to Scott county for the other members of the family, coming back to Renville county with his mother, his sister Mary. now Mrs. George Scott, of Dakota county, and his brothers. John, now of Walker, Minn., and James, of Olivia. The family set at work amid pioneer surroundings to clear and develop the land. In 1881 when the mother died, Michael went to Montana for a while. In 1884 he returned home. In 1886 he sold the farm and moved to Olivia, where he has been engaged in various lines of business. For a time he was in the real estate business in partnership with William P. Christianson, the first store keeper in Olivia. He has been county commissioner since -Ian. 1. 1903. and chairman since Jan. 1, 1907. He was village constable and marshal of Olivia for many years. He has also served in other offices in the village.

Peter Gunderson, deceased, was born in Norway, Oct. 14. 1830, son of Guilder Gunderson. He was the only one of his family to come to America. With his wife and children he left in 1866 in a sailing vessel, the voyage taking ten weeks and landed at Quebec. When he was in Norway he was a member of a reformers league, following the teachings of Voltaire, their wish being to uplift the poor people from the Danish rule. On account of his activities in this organization he was obliged to leave the country. He went to Dakota, Minnesota. Here he worked as a carpenter and blacksmith. After two years he moved to Renville comity, where he secured a homestead in Sacred Heart township, section 4. a tract of 80 acres. There were no buildings on the place. He built a log dugout and broke the land with his ox team. He built a blacksmith shop and the people for miles around came to have repair work done. In 1882 he moved to Flora township, locating on section 6, on a tract of 75 acres. He made improvements and later bought 80 acres in Sacred Heart township. A blacksmith shop was erected here also. Mr. Gunderson has improved his farm and keeps a good grade of stock. Mr. Gunderson has held the position of township assessor, has been on the township board for several years, and on the school board for many years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, the early meetings being held in his house at the time when there was no church building. Mr. Gunderson was united in marriage to Anna Marie Olson, who was born Nov. 26, 1S28. Nine children were born to these parents, Ole, Martha. Lena, Otto, Paulina. Anna, Arne. Martin and .Julius. Mr. Gunderson died May 14, 1908, and is buried in the Updahl cemetery. His wife is still living with her son. Julius. Julius helped his father take care of the farm and is a member of the Farmers* Elevator Company at Renville. lie also is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Olaf H. Eliason, an energetic and successful business man and progressive citizen, was born on his father's homestead in Hawk Creek township, this county. Sept. 17, 1872. son of tlendrick and Lisa Eliason. the pioneers. He was reared on the home place, passed through the district schools, took a year's course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota, and spent two winters in taking commercial courses at the Minneapolis Business College. For a while he was employed around Grand Forks, this state, as a carpenter. It was in 1900 that he came back to his native township and purchased 120 acres in section 1 and 12, where he engaged in general farming. He began his career as a -grain dealer in 1903 when he became buyer for the Farmers' Elevator at Sacred Heart. In 1908 he purchased the Mclntire & Ferich elevator and started in business for himself. In 1909 he moved his family to the village. In 1911 he purchased the Minnesota Falls elevator in Wang township. In March, 1915. he traded his elevator at Sacred Heart for a farm, the elevator going to Ole Collin. Mr. Eliason still owns and conducts the Minnesota Falls elevator, employing a buyer while he himself looks after his numerous other interests. For some time he was interested in real estate, his office being at Saered Heart. In 1916 he bought out the livery, dray, and ice business of Anderson & Jordet at Renville, where he now lives. He has taken an active interest in the upbuilding of Saered Heart, was. recorder in 1914-15, and is now a member of the village council. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Norwegian Lutheran church of America.

Mr. Eliason was married June 13, 1900, to Carrie Myra. She died Jan. 23, 1905, leaving a daughter, Constance Oliala, born Jan. 20, 1905. On June 2, 1909. Mr. Eliason married Veva A rut zen. born Sept. 6. 1878. daughter of Arnt and Hedvig (Hansen I Arntzen. To this union have been born four children : Alford Harry, born May 5, 1910; Ray Luverne, born April 5. 1912; Roy Harvey, twin of Ray Luverne. died Jan. 3, 1913; and Stella Ruby, born May 8, 1914. Mrs. Eliason is a gracious lady of many accomplishments. She attended the district schools of Hawk Creek township, and also the public schools of Minneapolis, and then entered the Willmar Seminary at Willmar, Minn., where she completed the course in four terms. Then she became a successful teacher in Renville county, a vocation she followed for seven years. One of her feats of which her friends are the proudest is the fact that in 1906 she went to Williams county, North Dakota, and proved up on a homestead which she still owns. Subsequently she taught another year in Renville county.

Gunerius Olaf Bergan, postmaster at Sacred Heart, was born in Sacred Heart township, son of Ole Kittleson Bergan and Petra Gunderson. Ole Kittelson Rergan was born in Norway, was brought to Sfoughton. Wis., when seven years of age, and two years later, in the spring of 1868, to Renville county. Gunerius Olaf Bergan received his early education in the public schools of Sacred Heart. As a young man he attended the Agricultural College, University of Minnesota, and a year later attended the Minnesota School of Business. July 1, 1902, he became the first rural carrier from the Sacred Heart postoffice and retained this position until May 1, 1905. In 1905 and 1906 he homesteaded land in Divide county. North Dakota. From Oct. 1, 1906, to Nov 1, 1910. he was in the general mercantile business at Ambrose, North Dakota. In 1912 and 191:! he was assessor at Sacred Heart. Aug. 3, 1913, he became postmaster.

Erik Svenbalrud Gundersen, a pioneer postmaster, now a retired farmer of Sacred Heart village, was born in Halland, Norway, Sept. 17, 1841, son of Guilder Erikson Svenbalrud and Pernile Ingvalsdatter, who died only three days apart in the latter part of December, 1866, the father at the age of sixty-six and the mother at the age of fifty. He attended school a few months in 'Norway and after coming to this country learned to speak, read and write the English language with but little instruction. April 16, 1866, he left Norway, with his wife and one child, Petra, and arrived at Waseca, in this state, June 29, 1866, being ten weeks and four days on the trip coming across the Atlantic ocean aboard the old-time sailing vessel called the "Olaf."" After staying in Waseca three years he came to Sacred Heart township in the spring of 1869 and settled on a homestead of eighty acres one mile south of the present site of the village of Sacred Heart. Even as early as 1887 his farm was known as having one of the best orchards of apple and other fruit trees in the county. In 1895 he moved to the village of Sacred Heart. Here he has likewise planted a splendid orchard. Taking care of trees and cultivating a good garden is his hobby. As related elsewhere, lie was the first postmaster of Sacred Heart postoffice. He was township supervisor in 1871 and 1872; township treasurer in 1874 and 1875; and town clerk from 1878 to 1896. For three years he served in the army in Norway. He belongs to the Nor- wegian Synod Congregation of Sacred Heart, was one of its first members, and took an active part in having the church built. Mr. Gundersen was married Oct. 27, 1864, to Karen Olson. This union has been blessed with two children, Petra and Knute. Kniitc is manager of the Sacred Heart Telephone Exchange. Petra is now Mrs. 0. K. Bergan. Her children are Eugene Lenorad, attending the Sacred Heart High school; Knute Washington, a teacher in the high school at Marmarth, N. D. ; Laura, a teacher in the high school at Canton, S. D. ; Clara, wife of Peter Mortenson, of Sacred Heart; Olga, a teacher in the High school at Lyle, Minn., and Gunerius Olaf, postmaster at Sacred Heart.

Alexander R. McCorquodale, captain of Company H, Third Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, and one of the leading merchants of Olivia, was horn in Ontario, Canada, Jan. 23, 1878, son of August and Helen (Ross) McCorquodale, born in Canada, of Scotch ancestry. The other children in the family were: .James, Nellie, Cornelia, Margaret ami Anna. The family came to Minnesota in 1885, and in 1897 located in Olivia. Here August Mc- Corquodale and liis two sons, .lames and Alexander R., opened a general store. August McCorquodale died in 1903, and that year the business was incorporated as the Olivia Mercantile Co., with -lames McCorquodale as president and Alexander R. McCorquodale as vice president, treasurer and secretary. The subject of this sketch identified himself with Company H many years ago. With this company, mustered in as Co. H, 14th Minn. Vol. Inf., he went smith during the Spanish-American war and served until duly mustered out. The company was reorganized in January. 1899, and in 1901 Alexander R. McCorquodale became second lieutenant. In due time he reached his present position. Captain .McCorquodale took an important part in the building of the present beautiful armory. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order. Captain McCorquodale married Helen Chambers, of Glencoe, Minn., daughter of George II. Chambers, and they have one son, Roderick. George II. Chambers is now in the lumber business at Mankato. He is a veteran of the Indian campaigns.

Gunder J. Lee, a leading citizen of Renville, was born in Sjorli, Yetere, Rendalen, Norway, April 24, 1847, oldest son of John and Kari (llalverson) Lee, the other children in the family being Martha, Regland, Helena, Johanna. Halver J. (for many years a prominent official of Renville county), and Kari. Guilder -T. left Norway in 1868, found his way to Madison, Wis., and for a time lived in Lodi, in Columbia county, this state. There his sister, Martha, joined him. When his parents and the rest of the family came to this country, in 1870. Gunder J. Lee bought an ox team at St. Peter and drove with a covered wagon to Renville county, bringing two cows, supplies, and various household utensils. The parents located on one claim and he on another in section 10, Emmet township not far from what is now the city nf Renville. The tract was all wild land and the family underwent many hardships in building up the splendid farm which was connected with their name in after years. The parents achieved prosperity, became honored members of the community and attained a good age, the mother dying in 1884 at the age of sixtytwo and the father in 1899 at the age of seventy-eight. Though owning a claim in Renville county, Guilder J. Lee was actively connected with the business life of Granite Palls for several years. For a time he worked in lumber camps. For a period he was a clerk in a Granite Falls store. Later he engaged in business for himself in that village. During this time he made frequent visits to his claim. Once when going from Emmet to Granite Palls afoot he lost his way, and finally after wandering about for a day and a half found himself at Atwater. In 1885 he made a visit to his old home and other points of interest in Norway. After a long and successful business career in Granite Falls he engaged in the mercantile business in Renville, where he erected the Lee block. In Renville, Mr. Lee still lives. lie lias served on the council here and as councilman and supervisor in Granite Palls and has helped in many ways to build up the community. He assisted in organizing the Security Bank, now merged in the First National Bank, and was elected one of its directors. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders. Like his father before him, who helped organize the first Lutheran church in this vicinity, he is an active church worker and deeply interested in its progress. Mr. Lee is married and has three children.

Henry J. Schafer was born in Hanover, Germany, July 6. 1828. In the spring of 1857 he came to America and located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked in the brass foundry until he with his family moved to Waymansville, Bartholomew county, Indiana, in 1S57. He enlisted in the army and served the last year in the Civil war. At the close of the Civil war and after his discharge from the army he moved from Indiana in the fall of 1865. He, with his family, drove, by team, in company with his neighbors in Indiana, Herman Koester, II. Hackman and Fred Stemkamp, to Northfield, Rice county, Minnesota, where he lived on a farm for three years until he came to Renville county, Flora township, in December, 1868. He was one of the pioneers of Flora township, Renville county. He took an active part in organizing Flora township and also served as one of its supervisors and assessor for a number of years, lie was one of the leading and most active politicians that the Republican party had in Flora township. He was county commissioner of Renville county for three terms, from 1880 to 1889. The last term of the office as county commissioner he did not complete, for he died on Oee. 25, 1888. He was father of eight sons and four daughters. He was a strong, fearless and outspoken man, and he was considered one of the best county commissioners that Renville county ever had.

Fred A. Schafer, ex-county superintendent of schools, and at present a retail furniture dealer at Renville, was born in Rice county, six miles southeast of Northfield, Minnesota, Dec. 19, 1865, and came, with his parents, Henry and Mary E. (Von Strobe i Schafer, to Renville county. Flora township in December. 1868. F. A. Schafer worked on the farm until he was 21 years old. His school days were very, very limited. He began to attend scl ] during his tenth year, in a log school house. During his twelfth year he attended school thirteen days during the entire school year and during his thirteenth year he attended only twelve days during the entire school year, which consisted of three months. When he quit attending the rural school in District 22, Flora township, at the age of 18, he had no knowledge of grammar and physiology, but he was a master of arithmetic, and had a fair knowledge, of the other common branches. At the age of 21 lie learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked during the summer months for twenty years. His desire for a better and higher education never ceased, and on Oct. 1, 1889. he was one of the first three students that entered and registered at St. Paul's College at St. Paul Park, Minnesota, where he attended for three years, during the fall and winter months, six school months each year. He began his first experience as a rural school teacher in District 8, Flora township, in the t'all of 1892. where he taught a term of four months. He taught school five years in Renville county, one year in District 8, two years in District 9, and two years in District 58, known as the Gunnert school. In June, 1900, he graduated at St. Paul's College, where he completed two courses, the normal and commercial course. He attended the Winona State Normal School during the fall term of 1900 and the spring term of 1901. During the summer of 1900 he was U. S. census enumerator of Flora township. He has also been assessor of Flora township for three consecutive years, 1897. 1898 and 1899. He taught school in Scott county, Minnesota, for four years, 1902 to 1906. two years near New Market and was principal of the Lydia school in Scott county. Minnesota. He was elected county superintendent of schools in Renville county on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1906. and served for eight years, from Jan. 1. 1907. to Jan. 1, 1915. When lie became county superintendent, there were only twenty-five rural districts receiving special state aid, but when he retired from the above position, on Jan. 1, 1915, Renville county had 105 rural districts drawing special state aid. At present Mr. Schafer is proprietor of a retail furniture store in the city of Renville, where he has resided since 1899. He is a self-made man, working for many years at the carpenter trade in summer in order to attend college in fall and winter.

Henry W. Leindecker, one of Renville county's most energetic and able workers in behalf of rural progress, was born at Keokuk, Iowa, Aug. 3, 1876, son of John and Katherina (Ederer) Leindecker. John Leindecker was born in (icneva, Prussia, Germany, and at the age of sixteen years came to Cheboygan, Michigan. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army for three months, and at the end of that period re-enlisted and served throughout the war. He was a brave soldier, and did efficient service in the Second Missouri Volunteer Infantry under General Franz Sigel. For many years, John Leindecker was foreman and stove moulder in the Comstock-Cassel foundry at Keokuk, Iowa. His wife was Katherina Ederer who was born in Berlin. Germany, and, when fourteen years of age, came to St. Louis, where she was married in 1862. Henry W. Leindecker was educated in the public schools of Keokuk, and as a young man learned the cigar-making trade. March 1. 1901, he came to Bird Island and operated a cigar factory for two years. For several terms he was town marshal. Since early youth he has been interested in farming, especially in stock-raising, and since early boyhood all his spare time has been spent with the farming people. In 1910 he purchased a farm of 200 acres six miles north of Bird Island in Osceola township. This he sold in 1914 and, in the spring of 1915, purchased 160 acres adjacent to the village of Bird Island, which farm he still owns. Mr. Leindecker is a breeder of pure-blood eel swine. He was instrumental in planning and holding the first sale of pure-bred swine at the county fair. He organized the farmers to fight hog cholera and was the first president of the Renville County Swine Breeders' Association, in which he has seen the membership grow from eleven members to over eight hundred, the largest organization of its kind in any one county in the United States. He has also organized similar associations in the counties of Meeker, Mc- Leod, Blue Earth and Watonwan. Mr. Leindecker is a collector of Indian curios and geologic specimens and has a most interesting collection, one of the best private collections in the Northwest. He is a lover of the out-of-doors, a marksman and hunter. All in all, he is regarded as one of the county's most useful citizens. At a meeting of the Swine Breeders' Association held at Buffalo Lake, March 18, 1916, he was presented with a beautiful gold watch as a slight token of appreciation for the work he has done. Mr. Leindecker was married June 29, 1903, to Martha Selle, of Bird Island, and they have four children: Hardin John, born Jan. 23, 1906; George Henry, May 14, 1909: Kath-

William J. Heaney, Olivia's popular postmaster, was born in Quebec, Canada, March 22, 1860, son of Owen and Margaret (Percy) Heaney. He attended the public schools of Rochester, this state, and also of Henryville township, this county. His early life was devoted to farming. Since coming to Olivia he has engaged in the hardware, machine, automobile and real estate business. He was appointed postmaster in 1914. In addition to this he has been treasurer of Olivia for many years. Among his business connections may be mentioned the fact that he is a director in the People's National Bank. His fraternal affiliations are with the M. W. A. and the C. 0. F. at Olivia, ami with the K. of C. at Montevideo. Mr. Heaney married Katie Kirwan, who was born in Columbus, Wisconsin, daughter of James and Margaret Kirwan, natives of Ireland. Seven children have been bom to this marriage: Luella (deceased); Frank, who is cashier of the First State Bank at Glenfield, North Dakota; Wilford, engaged in ranching in Montana; Percy, bookkeeper for a hardware and implement concern at Glenfield, North Dakota; Ralph, and Homer, attending the local high school; and Marguerite, who is attending the University of Minnesota. Mr. Heaney suffered considerable hardship as an early pioneer of the county. In January, 1873, he and his father was out in the big blizzard which swept the country at that time. They were on their way to Willmar with two ox teams when they were caught in the storm, but after about four hours they were fortunate enough to reach a farm house located on the north county line and which was owned at that time by one Erick Wippen, where they stayed until the storm had subsided. After driving about five miles towards Willmar they came to the place where the three O'Neills and one Holden were found frozen to death. Mr. Heaney 's father and Mr. Hagher took Charley O'Neill to Willmar, from there he was taken to Minneapolis for treatment, where both arms and leys were amputated, but he died a few days later.

In 1876 the grasshoppers destroyed all the crops and Win. J. Heaney left home and went to Rochester, Minnesota, where lie worked for three years, working in the summer and attending school in the winter months. The fall of 1879 he entered the employ of the ('. N. Nelson Lumber Co., of Stillwater, for whom he worked for five years, working in the woods in the winter ami 'in their farm in the summer months.

Owen Heaney, a pioneer of Renville county, was born in Ireland, son of Thomas and Mary Heaney, who, when he was eighl years old. brought him to a farm in the Province of Quebec, Canada, where he was reared, and where, when of suitable year, he took up farming and stock-raising. In the sixties he brought his family to Minnesota and located near Rochester. It was in 1869 that tie came to Renville county and located on a farm of 320 acres of wild prairie land, eight miles south of what is now Olivia. Eere lie built a Log cabin and started farming with an ox team. His market was at New Ulm and often he bought supplies at Beaver Falls. In time he improved the farm and built a modern house and barn. Mr. Heaney held several township offices and was one of the early county commissioners. He was a member of the Catholic church and helped organize the church at Henryville. Later lie helped build the fine church of Olivia. Mr. Heaney was married in 1866 to Margaret Percy. Nine children were born to these parents. Thomas. James. Frank and Henry are deceased. William. Alfred, Arthur, Anna and Marie are living. William is postmaster at Olivia, Minnesota. Alfred is at Olivia, North Dakota, farming and ranching. Arthur is in the automobile industry at Minneapolis. Anna is Mrs. J. C. Kirwan, of Great Palls, Montana. Marie is Mrs. Fred Zachor, of Olivia, North Dakota. Owen Heaney died at the age of seventyeight years, in 1902, and his wile died March 14, 1912, at the age of seventy-eight years. They are both buried in Olivia cemetery.

Peter Frederick Haan, a well-known real estate dealer of Renville, was born July 10, 1831, at Shumda, Province Groningen, Netherlands. His father was then in the grain business but in 1837 lie bought a 100-acre farm in Burta. same province, and moved there in the spring of 1838. Peter F. attended common school and high school until fourteen years of age. In 1859, when twenty-seven years of age, he went to the capital of the province, Groningen, and bought and sold grain of all kinds. In the summer of 1882 he came to America, where he remained for three months, traveling from New York to Chicago, and from St. Paul to Winnipeg and to San Antonio. Texas, stopping off in various states, to see what chance there was for going into the land business. The same year lie sold out his business in Groningen, and, witli his wife and six of the children, came to America in December. 1882, locating in Le Mars, Iowa, where lie engaged in the land business. Two years later the firm of Prins and Kuch. who had bought much prairie land in Minnesota, asked him to become their main agent and representative for selling their land. He accepted and moved with his family to Olivia and a few months later to Renville, Minnesota. He sold thousands of acres of land to many hundreds of now well-to-do farmers and is still in the business at the old age of eighty-four years. Mr. Haan was married in 1859 to Geerwina Oekelina Goeman, and this union resulted in fifteen children, of whom five died when very young. His wife died August 10, 1887. Seven of his children live in the United States, and two still in Holland.

1885, I came to Olivia, Minnesota, to be the main agent of the firm of Prins & Kuch, who had bought 11,000 acres of prairie hind from the railroad company at $4.00 per acre. Mr. Prins in former years had been my clerk when I was in the grain business at Groningen, Netherlands. Previous to this time I had been in the land business in northern Iowa for about three years. Tn the fall of 1885 I moved to Renville, as that village with about 150 people lay closer to the bulk of the company's land. The price of the land was set at $8.00 and a great deal of advertising was done, especially in Michigan and Chicago, where many of the people from Netherlands had settled. Soon we had many prospective buyers who wished to see the land. With the help of a surveyor the land had already been divided off into sections and quarter sections so that the buyer of a 160 or 320-tract could see exactly what kind of land he was getting. Our company bought all the school land to be had at $6.00 per acre. Between Renville and Willmar, over thirty miles distant, there were then only two or three farms, and only one in what is now called Holland township, where there are now more than 150 fine farms.

"The climate is much milder now than before the settlement north of Renville. In the winter of 1886 I was out with two young men as far as Clara City. When we drove back to Renville both men wanted to see an acquaintance and asked me to let them out and they would walk back to Renville. I did. Soon a snowstorm came up and I could not see anything. I did not even know in what direction the horses were going, but left it to them to find the way. which they did. I arrived at Renville almost frozen. The two boys who had visited their friend had left a short time before the storm came and were unable to find a place of shelter during the blizzard. They followed the storm from northwest to southeast for more than ten miles when they stumbled into a snowdrift and were buried. <> £ them managed to crawl out and, after a while, reached a house, where he was given shelter, though he was almost frozen to death. The other died in the snowbank and was found there a few days later by ten men from Renville who were out searching for him.

"We had some prairie tires which did some damage, but were only little troubled by the grasshoppers. In July, 1887, we had a terrible cyclone at Renville. I was at Clara City that day with some land buyers. We kept a sort of inn at Renville for the traveling public, as there was no other hotel in the village. We had a 14 by 14 kitchen behind our house in which my wife was working at the time. The storm lifted the kitchen up and set it over on end. This so frightened my wife that she died. In the fall of 1887 the company and some other gentlemen from Netherlands bought about 10,000 acres of land in Chippewa county around what is now Clara City. Their plan was to im- prove the land by breaking up at least forty acres of a 160-acre farm and also to build a house and barn on each 160 acres and rent the tract for one-third of the yearly crop. I was asked to come over there and superintend the undertaking. A house was built for me in the middle of the to-be-rented farms. So I laid out what is now Clara City. We built about fifty farm buildings and got renters for all in a short time. We also helped the people get churches in every one of the four townships, the company paying $500 to each church. More than 5.000 people now live in plenty where, thirty years ago, there was hardly a living being."

August O. Johnson, proprietor of the "Sunnyside Farm," Sacred Heart township, was born on the place where he still resides, April 15, 1875, son of Ole (Johanneson) Johnson and Lisa Hendrickson Johnson. He attended the district schools, learned agricultural pursuits from his father, and has devoted his life to farming on the home place. To the original eighty in the north half of the northwest quarter of section 28, he has added 120 acres in section 21, also belonging to his father's farm, so that he now owns a splendid place of 200 acres of well improved land. The sightly house was erected in 1895. and the barns and outbuildings have been built as necessity has required. There is an excellent grove, a good orchard, and a plentiful supply id' pure water. Three acres planted to alfalfa are doing unusually well. While devoting his attention to general farming, Mr. Johnson has paid especial attention to Poland-China swine and ten of his herd are of pure blood. Mr. Johnson was married June 3, 1907, to Christina Person, who was born in Koppomsberg, Sweden, Oct. 23, 1887, daughter of Per and Maria (Abrahamson) Johnson, who came to the United States in 1906. located in Montevideo. Minnesota, and now live in Wigdahl, .Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children : Edith, born March 29, 1910; Adella, born Oct. 20, 1911 ; Melvin. born May 2. 1913; and Dorris Linnea, born Sept. 14, 1914. The family faith is that of the Ilauge Norwegian Lutheran church.