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

Biographical sketches

Pioneers and Later Comers Whose Industry Has Helped to Build up the County - Early Experiences in an Unsettled Country - Leaders in Urban and Rural Life - Family Histories of Well- Known Men - Amusing Stories of the Frontier Days.

Thor Helgeson, the pioneer, is one of the most influential citizens in the western part of Renville county. For nearly fifty years he has taken a part in its growth and progress, and his voice has ever been raised in defense of whatever he believes to be just and right. His memory of the early days is very clear and much of the information for the early history of this part of the- county has been gathered from him. Thor Helgeson was born in Brandsgaarden, Opdal, Xnmmedal, Norway, May -">. 1841, son of Henry and Birget Helgeson, being one of seventeen children. He was reared in the old country and, in 1861, started for America, reaching Quebec after a voyage of eleven weeks and three days aboard a sailing vessel. By boat and railroad he finally reached Winona, in this state, from which point he went to Rushford, in Fillmore county. He landed without a cent, and the first money he earned went to pay the money he had borrowed for his fair. Wages were small, and he received only a dollar a day during haying season and a dollar and a quarter during harvest season. At other seasons of the year labor was worth still less. In 1863, when the Civil war was raging, Thor Helgeson planned to go to the defense of his adopted country. His name was drawn for the draft and he went to Le wist on, in Winona county, every Saturday to drill with a military company there, but it was found that he did not have his citizen's papers and he was not mustered in. In 1866 he came to Renville county and settled in Sacred Heart township among the very first settlers after the massacre. The story of his coming, the names of the people who accompanied him, and many of his stories of the early days appear elsewhere. The surveys had not then been made. When the surveys were made, it was found that Mr. Helgeson 's farm was in four sections, sections 5, 6, 7 and 8. He is probably the only man in the Northwest who secured a preemption in four different sections. He paid for this preemption in soldiers' script at the rate of ten shillings an acre. It is interesting to note that when Mr. Helgeson landed on the site of his future home the first thing he did was to take the stove from the wagon' and have his good wife make some coffee.

For a home, Mr. Helgeson took the covered box from the wagon and fixed it in some crotches to make a shelter. There the family lived until Mr. Helgeson could haul logs from the bottoms and make a log cabin. It is interesting to note that he owned the wagon in which he came, a pair of oxen, two cows, a heifer, and two sheep. These were the first sheep brought into the township. The family owned a spinning wheel which had been brought from Norway by Groe Helgeson, a sister of Thor Helgeson. She died on the ocean coming over, and her belongings were sent to Iowa, where Mr. Helgeson went to get them. With this wheel, Mrs. Helgeson spun thread for the first wool cloth made in Sacred Heart township. The family in the early days underwent numerous hardships. Many of their experiences are related elsewhere and some of their adventures have been widely published in the Norwegian language. Mr. Helgeson was the first man in the township to plant apple trees, and as time passed he received many awards for his fruit at county and state exhibits. He also set out other trees on his land and a fine grove now results from the saplings he set out in those early days. There is on the place a cottonwood tree six feet in diameter, which he himself planted when it was scarcely an inch in diameter. As time passed, .Mr. Helgeson achieved prosperity. He increased his holdings to 214 acres, erected a good frame house and suitable outbuildings, and became one of the leading men of his vicinity. It was in 1906 that he retired from farming and moved to Sacred Heart where he now resides in a comfortable home, surrounded by the honor and esteem of all who know him. He has been cheered throughout his married life by the sympathy, love and encouragement of his good wife, a woman of unusual qualities, who is looked up to by all who know her. The influence of this couple has been one for good for many years and their home is noted for its good cheer and hospitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Helgeson are prominent members of the TJpdal Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Helgeson helped to haul the stone for the church. He also has been a member of the board of his district and helped to haul the logs for the first schoolhouse in the district. Mr. Helgeson was married in Fillmore county in 1864 to Helge Halvorsdotter, whose father and mother came to Fillmore county in 1857 and to Renville county in 1868.

Mr. and Mrs. Helgeson have been blessed with thirteen children: Berget Andrea was born Oct. 20, 1864. Halvor Astenius was born Jan. 17, 1867. Anna is dead. Helgr was born Nov. 12, 1870. Ole was born July 23, 1872. Gina is dead. Gina Helene was born April 31, 1876. Endre was born Nov. 28, 1877. Stener was born Jan. IS, 1880. Turi, twin of Stener, is dead. Hanna Gunhilda was born April 18, 1882. Theodor was born Oct. 13, 1884. An unnamed infant is deceased.

Charles H. Hopkins, father of the Fort Ridgely National Park project, veteran of the Civil war, prominent G. A. R. man and leading citizen, now residing in Fairfax, was born in Norwich, \'<w York, Oct. 6, 1844, son of Maturin and Mary M. (Hainer) Hopkins. The father was born in New York in 1822, located in Otsego county, Wis., in 1861, came to Renville county in 1869, and secured 160 acres in the southwest quarter of section 34, Cairo township, where he remained until his death in 1893. The mother was born in 1822 and died in 1899. Charles H. Hopkins came to Wisconsin with his parents and enlisted Nov. 23, 1863 in the 13th Wisconsin Light Artillery. The battery patrolled the Mississippi river from Memphis to Vicksburg, was stationed at Ft. Williams Baton Rouge and participated in raids after Forrest through Mississippi and Louisiana. He was discharged June 21, 1865. In 1869 he came to Cairo township, Renville county, and squatted on the southwest quarter of section 33, on the military reservation. He preempted this farm under the law of 1871 and homesteaded it under the soldiers' act of 1886, a law that he was instrumental in getting passed by Congress. After operating this farm for many years he retired in 1898 to Fairfax, where he engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. Mr. Hopkins was one of the seven commissioners appointed by the governor to purchase the first tract of land and erect the monument that stands on the same place where the flagstaff stood in the center of the parade ground at old Fort Ridgely.

In public affairs, Mr. Hopkins has taken a most prominent part. His connection with the monument and park at Ft. Ridgely is noted elsewhere. His father and himself hewed out the logs and built the first school house for District No. 17, which is now the Fairfax high school. The teacher could not call the school to order in the spring of 1870, the first day of the spring term, until 11 A. M. waiting for the school house to be finished. He was the first president of the school board of Fairfax, after District No. 17 became an independent district. He has been justice of the peace forty years, and school clerk of District No. 32 twenty-eight years. In 1894 he was candidate for the office of state auditor on the Populist ticket. In 1914-15 he was department commander of the Minnesota Department G. A. R. In 1911-12 he was senior vice-commander. He assisted in organizing the Ben Franklin Post No. 116, of Morton. Franklin and Fairfax, of which post he has been commander. He has also served the public in many other positions of public honor and private trust.

Mr. Hopkins was married Dec. 15, 1872, to Susan M. Christ man, born May 7, 1848, daughter of Nicholas Christman, a farmer of Nicollet county, who died in 1891 at the age of seventy-six, and of Catherine (Schafer) Christman, who died in 1884, at the age of seventy-six. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are

Charles Ii Hopkins

Thus briefly is told the story of the man whose work will bless unborn generations for uncounted years to come. His dream of a park at Ft. Ridgely to honor the past and inspire the future and furnish a recreation place for all has been realized. In the face of discouragement, at great personal sacrifice, he has gone his wray since the earliest days, working for this great project. He is the friend of all, his unselfish zeal and devotion is given to every good cause which attracts his sympathies, and the full inspiration of his life on those with whom he comes in contact can never be measured. As soldier, citizen, parent, husband and friend he has ever been an example for good throughout the community.

Adam Rieke, a defender of Ft. Ridgely, was bom in Hanover, Germany, June. 1840, being one of a family of thirteen children, nine boys and four girls. His father was a miller by trade and rented a mill run by water power. Ada'm had but little chance for attending school. At the age of fourteen he began work for a farmer, receiving $6.00 per year and his board. Fred was the first one of the family to come to America in 1853 and George came in 1855. The two boys saved their money and sent it home so that the rest of the family could come to the United States. In 1856 the rest of the family came by sailing vessel and were seven weeks and two days on the water, arriving at Baltimore Sept. 2, 1856. From there they went to Ohio, locating in Jackson county where Adam worked three and a half years as a teamster for the iron furnace. Then he left Ohio and went by boat to St. Louis, going from there to St. Paul by way of tin- Mississippi river. From St. Paul he went up the Minnesota river to St. Peter and, leaving his goods there, drove to Ft. Ridgely, going on to Mud Lake, where Victor and George Rieke had settled the year before. A house was built on the bank of Mud Lake. It was of logs, 16 by 24, Victor and George having prepared and hauled up the logs previously. All lived in that one house. In 1861 Adam took a 160-acre homestead which is now in Cairo township in section 35. He had no tools, but went to work with a good will. He broke up part of the prairie land with four yoke of oxen, the plow cutting a twenty-four inch slice. Then he seeded the land by hand to small grain, but had no crop on account of the blackbirds eating the seed. He learned to trap miid'; and muskrat and sold their pelts at New Ulm, this side line bringing in a little money. His nearest neighbor on the south, three miles away, was William Mills, and three-quarters of a mile to tlie northwest was John Buehro. In 1862 the Indian massacre broke out and all fled to Ft. Ridgely, where Adam and his brothers took part in the defense. After the massacre he returned to his farm. In 1863-64 the grasshoppers destroyed everything, even the grass on the prairie and the leaves on the trees, so trapping again had to be the means of livelihood. In 1865 he harvested a small crop of rye. In 1869 he and his brother, August, bought a ten-horse power threshing machine and engaged in threshing, which they continued for the next twentyfive years. From 1873 to 1876 the grasshoppers again destroyed all the crops. In 1872 he bought a tract of 120 acres land from the Winona & St. Peter Railway Co. in section 35 and, in 1886, a tract of 120 acres in section 27, this latter piece now being owned by his son, Louis. Then he bought another piece of eighty acres in section 35, which is now owned by his second son, Edward. At present he owns 240 acres valued at $125 per acre, and is still farming at the old age of seventy-five years.

Mr. Rieke was married in 1871 to Ernestina Sander, daughter of a farmer near Henderson. Four children were born to this "union : Louis, Edward, Anna, who died when twelve years of age, of diphtheria, and Adolph.

The George and Allied Families. William Wallace George was born Oct. 12, 1853, at New Alexandria, Pennsylvania. He lived with his father until 1882. At the age of 29 he went to Mc- Pherson county, South Dakota, which at that time was the frontier east of the Rockies. In 1884 he was married to Josephine Kribs. Five children were born to this union on the homestead in South Dakota. The family removed to Renville, Minnesota, in 1896. Josephine (Kribs) George was born at Mantorville, Minn., Feb. 28, 1865. Prior to her marriage she taught school and music in Minnesota and South Dakota. William and Josephine (Kribs) George an- the parents of six children, all living.

Jess Ruth, born October 2, 1886, graduated from Renville public schools and Winona State Normal School; married Oscar A. Berg, Jan. 1, 1910, at Renville, Minn., and has one daughter, Jean Shirley.

James McBride, born Feb. 7, 1888; graduated from Renville public schools and the University of Minnesota, 1910; now practicing law at Winona, Minn.: member of Phi Kappa Sigma, Delta Theta Phi (law fraternity), Arlington Club (Winona1*, Meadowbrook Golf Club (Winona), Y. M. C. A. (Winona). Sons American Revolution, Order of Washington and Minnesota Historical Society.

Eugene Sherman, born July 11, 1889; graduated from Renville public schools, attended University of Minnesota, and was graduated from St. Paul College of Law 1915; now practicing law at Glenwood, Minn.; member of the college fraternities named above.

Oscar A. Berg, born at Christiania, Norway, in 1885, is the son of Ole Berg and Marie (Hanson) Berg. Ole Berg was born in Christiania in 1845, and was a civil government officer until he retired and purchased an estate of 1,000 acres on Lake Sjarvangen. His grandfather and great-grandfather were lumbermen. Marie (Hanson) Berg, born in 1852 at Kronswinger, married in 1873, was a graduate nurse. Her father was a farmer.

James George, of Scotch ancestry, was born in Ireland in 1760. He came to America in 1778 and made his home in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. He married Mary McClure, also of Scotch- Irish descent, in 1790, and crossed the Alleglianies, where he possessed himself of 240 acres of land in Loyalhannah township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He died Jan. 18, 1854. The home place descended to William, the youngest son, and remained in his possession to the date of his death. He was born May 28, 1816, married Nancy MeBride in December, 1844, and died Jan. 21, 1891. On the death of William, the old home was left to his wife for life with remainder over to the two youngest sons. It is still in her possession (1916). William was the father of William Wallace, mentioned above.

Nancy MeBride, born July 29, 1827, the wife of William George, Sr., was the daughter of Hon. Henry McClure MeBride and Elizabeth (Kerr) MeBride. Henry McClure MeBride was born Aug. 16, 1800, on the old MeBride homestead adjoining that of the Georges. His marriage took place Sept. 20, 1824. He served two terms as state senator and filled other local public offices and died Jan. 7, 1875. He is buried with his father, grandfather and great-grandfather in the family cemetery. The home descended to his son, James, who left it to his daughter, Lulu, now the wife of William Beatty. The parents of Henry were James MeBride and Martha (Young) MeBride. James was born March 15, 1758, in New Jersey. He was a soldier of the Revolution, serving in Captain James Moore's company, of Westmoreland County Rangers. His father was a member of the same company. He died Dec. 21, 1837, at the age of eighty, after a life of many hardships. One of his daughters was killed in an Indian raid during the war. His pension papers for services in the Revolution are on record at the United States Pension Office, Book C, Vol. 5, page 84. He was the son of James MeBride, Sr., and Mary, his wife. James, Sr., was born in 1717 and died in 1812. His will was probated June 17, 1812, and was dated March 2, 1805, and is recorded in Will Book I, page 285, Westmoreland county.

Elizabeth Kerr, the wife of Henry MeClure McBride, born March 4, 1804, died March 28, 1874, was the daughter of David Kerr and Nancy (Huey) Kerr. David was born Jan. 30, 1783, and fought in the war of 1812. He died Sept, 27, 1866. His parents were William Kerr and Margaret (Young) Kerr. He also was a member of Captain James Moore's company of rangers.

Martha Young, the wife of James McBride, Jr., born in 1759, died April 15, 1828, was the daughter of Alexander Young and Anna, his wife. Alexander died in 1798. The county records show that letters of administration of his estate were granted Sept. 26, 1798. He is buried on the old farm. The will of his father, Alexander, was probated in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1751. Alexander, Sr., was the son of James Young, who was the son of Captain Thomas Young, of London, who settled in Jamestown, Virginia.

The Youngs, through two lines, are descended from Kings of Wales. Tudor Trevor, the son of the heiress of William le Yonge, was the grandfather of Henry Tudor, who slew Richard III of England at Bosworth field and became Henry VII of England, fulfilling the prophecy that a Welchman would some day rule over Great Britain.

Joseph Shafer Kribs, the father of Josephine (Kribs) George, was born near Hamilton, Ontario, March 18, 1836, and died Nov. 24, 1864. His health prevented him from taking part in the Civil war. consequently he furnished the government with a substitute. He was married to Anna W. Remington at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Jan. 11. 1859. They had besides Josephine one other daughter, Ruth, who married Simon Hanson, late of Renville. Her two sons, Roslyn Joseph and Rodney S.. born and educated in Renville, are living in North Dakota, the former engaged in a bank and the latter practicing law. Joseph was a jeweler at Trempealeau, Wisconsin, at the time of his death, Nov. 24. 1S64. He was the son of Paid Kribs and Ruth (Sherman) Kribs. Paul was born near Hamilton, Ontario, Jan. 1. 1797, and died in Trempealeau, Oct. 16, 1866. He was married in Barton township, Ontario, Jan. IS, 1816, by Rev. Daniel Eastman. His father was Afwon Kribs. who came to New York in 1776.

The Kribs familj- began preparations to emigrate from Germany, their native land, in 1774, to a large tract of land which they had acquired in Canada. They came from a settlement near Berlin. The boundaries of their Canadian lands are roughly described as "Commencing at the Niagara Falls, running west about sixty miles and lying north of Grand River and south of Lake Ontario." But when the colony arrived, in 1776, they found the Revolutionary war in progress, and, being unable to settle upon their ( lanadian possessions, they located temporarily in New York and New Jersey. Some of the family served in the war, and it was not until 1786 that Aaron Kribs and some of his relatives made their way northward into Canada.

Anna W. Remington, the wife of Joseph Kribs, was born Jan. 20, 1844, at Granger, Alleghany county, New York. After the death of her first husband she married James Hart, and removed to Meeker county, Minnesota, thence to McPherson county, South Dakota, where she now lives. Her parents were Abner Remington and Nancy Elizabeth (Reynolds) Remington, of Alleghany county, New York, and later of Kasson, Minnesota. They were married Feb. 6, 1842. Abner was horn at Genoa, New York, Aug. 31, 1819, and died April 4. 1898. He was commissary-sergeant of Company A, Fifth Minnesota Volunteers, during four years of the Civil war. and later postmaster and justice of the peace at Kasson. He was the son of Salmon Remington and Thankful (Kemp) Remington. Salmon was born Sept. 2. 1794. and was killed May 17. 1857. while driving a team of colts. His father was Moses Remington, a wealthy Quaker of Genoa. Cayuga county, New York, born May 21. 1768 (3); died Feb. 24, 1836. He married Rebecca - - . by whom he had ten children.

March 30, 1820. They were married Oct. 14. 1792. Moses, originally of Vermont, purchased of an English company (KM) acres of forest in Cayuga county. New York. Upon arriving at his property overland from Vermont, he found located thereon a tract of about 100 acres which had for years since been swept clear of trees by a '-hurricane," the name at that time given to destructive wind storms of every description. It was only necessary for him to burn the sumac ami other shrubbery before the virgin soil was ready for cultivation. Upon finding this tract.

Nancy Elizabeth (Reynolds) Remington was born Feb. 5, 1825, in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, New York, and died Feb. 14, 1888, at Kasson, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Aziza Reynolds and Phoebe (Piatt) Reynolds, of Onondaga and Al- leghany counties, New York. Aziza had five brothers and six sisters, all of them peculiarly named, each name reading the same when spelled forward or backward as, for example: Harrah, Iri, Numun, Alila, Hannah, Alia, Appa, Ada and Anna. Aziza received a land warrant for services in the war of 1812. His father, according to tradition, served in the Revolution. Phoebe (Piatt) Reynolds was the daughter of Dr. Piatt, a direct descendant of the founder of Plattsburg, New York.

Ruth (Sherman) Kribs, born in Buffalo Creek, New York, Dec. 11, 1797, died Nov. 9, 1871 at Trempealeau, Wisconsin, was the daughter of William Sherman and Ruth (Bateman) Sherman. She married Paul Kribs in Barton township, Ontario, Jan. 18, 1816. Her parents both died at Dundas, Ontario, in 1813 (14), during an epidemic of typhoid fever, and the duty of raising the family fell upon her. Her father was a cooper and. in 1812, was engaged to make snare drums for the British at Hamilton. At the outbreak of the war with England he was visiting in New York and had great difficulty in returning to Canada. He and his wife. Ruth Bateman, were natives of Massachusetts, probably Rochester. His father was named William, or "Billy," and is supposed to have been a sea captain sailing between New York and Liverpool and was killed on one of his voyages. Records of Rochester show that a William Sherman married Abigail Handy, June 4, 1752, and had 14 children, among them William, Jonathan, Alice, Sally and Jane. William and Jonathan were twins, baptized Nov. 9, 176(5, and the former is believed to be the one who married Ruth Bateman and named five of his children after the five named above.

William Sherman, the sea captain, supposed to be the William who lived in Rochester and married Abigail Handy was, if the supposition is correct, the son of John Sherman, Jr., the grandson of John Sherman, Sr., and the great-grand son of William Sherman. "The Pilgrim," who settled at Plymouth and Marshfield. Mass.. and whose descendants are, therefore, of Mayflower ancestry.

Thankful (Kemp) Remington who at the age of fourteen, married Salmon Remington, died Feb. 14, 1888, was the daughter of John Kemp and Rachel (Guthrie) Kemp and was born in Scipio, New York. Her father died in 1809. He came originally from Massachusetts and, according to the "History of Tioga County" (Pa.1), was a member of the New York State Militia and fought in the Revolution. His father was Silas Kemp who married Tammerson , and wTas a native of Massachusetts. Silas fought in the Revolution as a private in Captain Nehemiah Curtis' company of Colonel Jonathan Mitchel's (Mass.) regiment, in which he enlisted July 7, 1779, and was mustered out Sept. 25. 1779, taking part in the Penobscot expedition. His enlistment roll was

Rachel (Guthrie) Kemp is the descendant of an old Scotch family whose record runs back to the time when Robert Bruce and Sir William Wallace were fighting for Scotch freedom in the thirteenth century. The first Guthrie, of whom there is any record, was Squire Guthrie, of Forfairshire. Scotland, horn in 1299. He was sent to France to procure the return of the patriot Wallace. Alexander Guthrie, of Guthrie, a grandson, obtained the Barony of Guthrie from King David II of Scotland. He was granted the Estate of Kinkoldrum by charter, dated April 10, 1457. His wife was named Margorie, and they had Sir David, James and William. Rev. James Guthrie, of Edinborough, a descendant and son of the Laird of Guthrie, was minister at Sterling, where he was executed for his religious beliefs and writings, June 1, 1661. He was the father of John Guthrie, Sr., who died in 1730 and who was an iron worker of Edinborough. He migrated to Ulster, Ireland, in 1680, thence to Boston in 1700, and from there to Litchfield county. Connecticut. His son, John, married Abigail Coe at Stratford, Connecticut, June 1. 1727, and they had ten children. He died in 1756. Their son, Ephraim, born at Durham, Connecticut, March 1, 1737. died in Auburn, New York. He married Thankful Stone and lived in Kent for some time. He enlisted in Captain Wooster's company of King's foot soldiers for an invasion of Canada in 1758. His enlistment papers are on record at Boston. Tradition says that he fought against the King when the colonies later obtained their freedom. Rachel, his daughter, referred to above, was born October 27, 1779, died April 21, 1S65. She married first, John Kemp, second Moses Remington.

Thankful Stone, the wife of Ephraim Guthrie, was the daughter of Josiah Stone, born April 10, 1710. who married Hannah Barnes, September 14, 1738, and died November 10, 1777. He was the son of Josiah Stone, of Guilford. Connecticut, born May 22, 1685, who married Temperance Osborn, of East Hampton, Long Island. -Tune 29, 1705. Josiah Sr.. was descended from William, born in 1642, who married Hannah Wolfe. February 20, 1674 and later Mary - -; died Sept. 28. 1730. His father. William Sr.. whose second wife was Mary Hughes, married in 1659, came to America in 1639, died November, 1683. His father was Rev. Samuel Stone, of Hertford. County Surrey, England.

Abigail Coe was born Nov. 11, 1702. at Stratford, Connecticut, was married to John Guthrie June 1, 1727, and removed to Durham, Connecticut in 1735, thence to Southbury, Connecticut, in 1743, where she died in March, 1747. She was the daughter of Captain John Coe, born May 10, 1658, at Stratford, Connecticut. He succeeded to the real estate of his father in Stratford and in addition acquired extensive holdings and became a leading man in public affairs. He was, in addition to holding many town offices, deputy for Stratford in the Connecticut Assembly. He was successively commissioned ensign, lieutenant and captain and served in the French and Indian war during 1708. On Dec. 20, 1682, he married Mary Hawley, died April 19, 1741, and is interred with her in the Congregational churchyard at Stratford. His father, Robert Coe, Jr., was born at Boxford, Suffolk county, England, and baptized there Sept. 19, 1626. When seven years of age, he came to America with his father. About 1650 he married Hannah Mitchell, who was baptized at Halifax, Yorkshire, England, June 26, 1631, the daughter of Mathew and Susan (Butterfield) Mitchell, who. came to New England in the spring of 1635, settling at Wethersfield, Connecticut. She died April 2, 1702. Robert died in 1659 and was buried at Stratford. Robert Coe, Sr., the founder of the New England family, was born (baptized October 26) 1596 at Thorp-Morieux in Suffolk county. England. His father, Henry Coe, was a substantial yeoman, probably a cloth maker and a man of character and standing, holding for several years at Thorp-Morieux the honorable position of church warden. Robert, Sr., was elected overseer of cloth at Boxford in lii'J.'i and was chosen "questman"' of the church in 1629. On April 20, 1634. he and his family sailed from Ipswich among the 83 passengers on the ship "Francis/" commanded by Captain John Cutting. He resided at Watertown, Massachusetts, and founded, with others. Wethersfield, Connecticut; Stamford, Connecticut (1641) ; Hempstead, Long Island (1644) ; Newtowu. New York (1652) ; and Jamaica. Long Island (1656). He married Mary - in England about 1623 ; she was the mother of all his children. Robert Coe, Sr., died in 1689 and his wife, Mary, Oct. 27, 1628. He was married twice in America. He is descended through the following line from John Coo (Coe), of Gestingthorpe, England : John1. John", John3, Thomas', John5, John0, John7, Henry8. John1 Coo was born in Gestingthorpe. Essex county, in 1340, during the reign of Edward III. and died in 1415. He served against France under Sir John Hawkwood. Knight, and about 1360 he went to Italy as a captain, under Sir John, who took with him one thousand picked Englishmen, afterward tamed throughout Italy as the "Compagnia Bianca" (White Company), concerning which Conan Doyle wrote the romantic novel of that name.

Mary (Hawley) Coe, born July 16, 1663, died Sept. 9, 1731, was the daughter of Joseph Hawley. a shipbuilder born at Parwick, Derbyshire, England, in 1603, died in Stratford. Connecticut, May 20, 1690, and Cathrine (Birdseye) Hawley. He was deacon and treasurer of the First Congregational church of Stratford, Connecticut, town clerk and recorder for sixteen years, and

Public Lu

The Sherman Coat of Arms: Or a lion rampant, sable, between three leaves vert. The Crest: On a wreath a sea lion sejeant or. By right of the Leicester grant of 1619.

At the Visitation of Essex in 1612, Edward Coe entered a pedigree of his family, claiming for arms:- Argent, three piles wavy meeting near the base gules between twelve martlets sable. His claim was based on the seals appearing on two deeds over two centuries old at that time, bearing the names of John1 Coo and John- Coo. The heralds acknowledged his descent and rigid to the coat of arms.

The Hawley Coat of Arms: Vert a saltier, or a St. Andrews' cross, engrailed argent. Crest: A dexter arm in armour proper, garnished, holding in the hand a spear, in bent sinister, pointed downward proper. Motto: "Suivez Moi."

The arms of the Youngs, who are descended from Tudor Trevor, are shown iu various detail, the most common being a plain shield with a lion rampant or; and the crest: a greyhound passant proper. It also appears this wise with the same crest: Ermine and counter of the same per bend sinister, a lion rampant or.

Nathaniel J. Holmberg, state senator, was born July 24, 1878, in a log house erected by his father on his homestead in section 24, Sacred Heart township. He was the second son and fifth child of John M. and Mary C. Holmberg. His father, John M. Holmberg. was born in Smoland, Sweden, Dee. 23, 1838, and came to America in 1869, locating at St. Peter. Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for a while. While at St. Peter, he was married to Mary C. Wallin, who came from Stockholm. Sweden. Their romance commenced years prior to coming to America. They had heard about the opportunities in the "new world" and ventured to marry and make their way in the then undeveloped country. In 1871. they took up a homestead of 80 acres in section 24, Sacred Heart township. With very little property and penniless, they started to develop their new possessions, which the kind "Uncle Sam'" had so generously given them. The "dugout" or sod house served as a home for a few years. Then came the log house, 16 by 20 feet, a straw barn and other buildings in keeping with the times. Here a family of eight children was born and raised to maturity, Rudolph, Esther, Emma, Ellen, Nathaniel, Ruth, Edith and David, all of whom are living.

The city of Willmar was the nearest market, being a distance of thirty-five miles. Regular trips were made to haul the grain and bring supplies for the farm and family in return. It was not an uncommon occurrence when streams were forded to have to unload the load, drive the oxen and wagon across, then carry the sacks, one by one, in four and five feet of water, and reload on the other side. It would take several days to make the trip to Willmar. When they reached the city, there would be long strings of teams waiting to unload and everyone had to wait his turn. Meanwhile, the family had to get along as best they could at home.

John M. Holmberg took pride and interest in the social, religious and political life of the community. He helped to organize and served for many years as a director on the board of his home school district. He was a charter member of the Swedish Lutheran church at Sacred Heart. He took a deep interest in politics and was a stanch Republican. John M. Holmberg died in 1910, but his wife is still living and at the age of 74 is enjoying good health and marvels at the great changes taken place since they filed on their homestead.

Nathaniel Holmberg struggled along on the farm, going to country school when he could be spared from the farm work. He attended the school at Renville for three winters, and in the fall of 1899 enrolled at the Minnesota School of Agriculture of the University of Minnesota, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1902.

Returning to the home farm, which he purchased from John M. Holmberg, and which he still owns and operates, the farm having been substantially increased in size, modern buildings have been erected and a herd of Shorthorn cattle is being developed.

On June 3, 1908. lie was married to Hilda M. Peterson, daughter of P. J. Peterson who, like Mr. Holmberg 's father, came from Sweden and settled in the same section and township, and who went through the same experiences of pioneer life. Mr. Holmberg and his wife went to the same country school, the same church, and were attached to each other from childhood. They have one daughter named Edith, born Dec. 16, 1911.

Nathaniel Holmberg, like his father, attached himself to the Republican party in politics. He served on the school board of his home school as supervisor of Sacred Heart township for three years. In 1907 he became the Republican candidate for the State Legislature and was elected to the House. Re-elected in 1909-1911 and 1913, in the primaries, 1914, he became a candidate for the State Senate and, after a spirited campaign, was elected state senator, which office he now holds.

Mr. Holmberg takes advanced ground on political questions. His courage and honesty is unquestioned and he commands the respect of his la rye constituency.

of Haakon and Mathea (Hanson) Els'tad. He attended public school in Norway and came to America in 1870 with his parents, who located in Camp township, Renville county, where he attended district school and grew up on the farm. In 1880 he entered the Red Wing Seminary and was graduated in 1884. Then he taught there one and a half years. Next he taught for three terms in the public schools of Camp and Bandon. In 1887 he became instructor in the Red Wing Seminary and taught Norwegian, history and physics in the academic department. Later he became professor of physics, astronomy and chemistry, in the college department, and geometry in the academic department. For several years he was a member of the board of trustees of the Hauges Synod and from 1889 to 1893 was associate editor of the "Budbareren." a weekly paper. lie was on the board of publication for several years and was secretary and treasurer from 1899 to 1913, on the home mission board of the Hauges Synod. He also served for five years as secretary of the synod.

Sept. 26, 1889, Mr. Elstad was united in marriage to Anna Norum, of Minneapolis. They have the following children : Clarence, born July 13, 1890. a teacher at Ipswich. South Dakota, high school, a graduate of the Red Wing Seminary in 1910 and from the St. Olaf's College in 1912; Agnes, born July 11. 1892, a graduate of St. Olaf's College in 1914, and now a teacher in the high school at Cooperstown, North Dakota; and Alice, born June 19, 1902, a student at the Red Wing high school.

Hans H. Mangseth, a venerable citizen of Camp township, was born in Norway, May 31, 1811. son of Hans Muigseth. who died in 1850 at the age of fifty, and of Guro Torkel. who died in 1871 at the age of sixty-five. Hans H. Mangseth came to America in 1868, and located at Racine, Wis. In 1873 he came to Camp township, and purchased from Jens Skarness 130 acres in section 21, where he still resides. He still lives in the house built on the place in 1871, a true relic of pioneer times. When lie first came here he farmed with a pair of oxen. The county seat was at Beaver Falls. The trading point was at New Ulm. He now owns 260 acres of land, and his farm is well equipped with everything needed in carrying on general farming on an extensive scale. Mr. Mangseth has been town treasurer and school treasurer and has served in other positions of trust and responsibility.

Hans H. Mangseth was first married May 7. 1S74. to [nga Skarness, daughter of Jens and Marie (Gulbrand) Skarness. She died in 1879, leaving two children, Guring, born April 21, 1875, now Mrs. Ole Korsmo, of Bandon township, and Henry, now of .Minneapolis.

Hans H. Mangseth was married the second time to Indiana Skarness, a sister of his first wife, and to this union three children have been born: John, born March 1, 18S8, is on the home farm;

Mathilda, born April 6, 1892, is now Mrs. Elmer Erickson, of Minneapolis; Helen, born Sept. 22, 1896, lives at home. The family church is the Norwegian Lutheran.

Jens Skarness and family came to America in 1869 and, in 1871. bought 140 acres in section 21, Camp township, which, in 1873. he sold to Hans H. Mangseth, with whom he lived until his death in 1904, at the age of seventy-two. Mrs. Skarness died in 1907 at the age of seventy.

Gilbert Olson was horn in Norway Sept. 11, 1835, sou of Ole Christenson and Kersti (Isaacson), both natives of Norway. Gillint Olson grew to manhood in Norway, receiving his education there and came to America in 1869, locating in Milwaukee, where he remained for two months. Then he went to St. Paul, where he lived five months, and next came to Camp township, where he took a preemption claim of 160 acres in section 25. It was all wild land. He built a log house and straw barns, and engaged in farming. Later he built a good substantial house. He suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life. March 21, 1905, he rented his farm and moved to Fairfax, where he purchased a home, and has resided there ever since. He was married May 29, 1872, to Helen Arneson, born in Norway, Sept. 9, 1845, daughter of Arne Helgeson and Bertha Magnuson, natives of Norway, Mho lived and died there. Mrs. Olson came to America in 1866 and located at Beaver (.'reek. Wis., where she lived for two years and then removed to Camp township, this county. Mr. and .Mrs. Olson have had five children: Annie, born April 8, 1873, now Mrs. Peter Carlson, of Red Lake Reservation, Polk county, who has two children, Carl and Arthur; Clara, born Nov. 19, 1874, who keeps house for her brothei', a farmer; Ella, born Jan. 10. 1876, now Mrs. Henry Mangseth, of Minneapolis, who has three children. Etherl, Hilmar and Inga ; Amanda, born Sept. 3, 1879, now Mrs. Henry Anderson, of Minneapolis, who has three children, Gerhard, Carl and Ardes; and George, born July 2, 1885, who conducts the home farm in Camp township. The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.

Louis Zinne, a prominent farmer of Beaver Falls township, was born in Germany, July 27, 1859, son of Frederick and Charlotte (Meyer) Zinne. His father came to America in 1869 and seemed 160 acres in section 12, Beaver Falls township, where he remained until his death, in 1888. His mother died in 1907, at the age of seventy-three. Louis Zinne remained on the home farm until his marriage. He rented the home place for five years, then he bought 160 acres in section 12, southeast quarter of Beaver Falls township, in 1888. He now owns 426 acres, one of the other farms being in section 31, Norfolk, and one in Beaver Falls. He has improved his farms and erected good buildings. Mr. Zinne has been a stockholder in the Morton State Bank for several years and is a stockholder and president of the Morton Rural Telephone Company. He is a director in the Flora township Mutual Fire Insurance Co. He has been clerk of school district No. 135, for fourteen years, and has served as township treasurer for seventeen years and been a member of the township board for the past three years. He is a member of the German Lutheran church in Morton, and has been a trustee and treasurer of the church since its organization in 1889. Mr. Ziune was united in marriage June 1, 1883, to Bertha Schmidt, who was born Feb. 9, 1862. Her father, Christian Schmidt, was a farmer in Winfield township and died in 1889, at the age of eighty-six. Her mother, Willielmina (Keulm) died in 1877, at the age of forty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Zinne have had nine children : Anna, born April 12, 1884 ; now married to Albert Kline, a truck farmer, near Olivia ; George, born March 10, 1886, who is at home and has followed the threshing business for many years ; Louis H., born Feb. 20, 1888, a farmer of Beaver Falls township, who married Minnie Ewert, a school teacher, and has one child, Carl; William, born Dec. 23, 1889, and died Sept. IS, 1902; Lucy, born June 23, 1892, who is at home; Meta, born Jan. 23, 1895, and died June 27, 1913; Wilhelmina, born April 12, 1897, and died April 9, 1898; Ernest, born May 9, 1899, and Arthur, born Nov. 3, 1902, who are at home.

Ole E. Berge was born in Hardanger, in the bishopric of South Bergen, Feb. 9, ls26, where he secured a fair common school education, and grew to manhood. He learned the blacksmith trade and became a master in the manufacture of edge tools. At the age of twenty-six he married Cecelia Hanson in Granvin of Hardanger parish. In 1854 he immigrated with his family to the United States, coming on the "Condor" and landed at Quebec. From thence he came by steamboat and rail to Chicago and then moved to Stoughton, Wis. After he had found a home for his family he engaged in farm work among the farmers of Dane county. During the latter part of 1855 he secured work with the Mandt Wagon Manufacturing Company of Stoughton. In the spring of 1856 he and a few relatives concluded to move with their families to New Centerville, St. Croix county. Wis., where he purchased 60 acres of land and also started a blacksmith shop. He remained there two years. During that time his crops were killed by frost and times were hard. In the spring of 1859 he sold his little farm and immigrated to Trempeleau county, Wis., locating in Beaver Creek valley, or the township of Ettrick, where he took up a pre-emption claim of forty acres of government land, later securing eighty acres adjoining. Tn connection with his farming he also carried on the blacksmith work and times began to look brighter. In 1869 he sold his farm in Ettrick, Wis., and moved west to Ft. Ridgely, purchasing 160 acres in Camp township, Renville county, Minn., where he engaged in farming and stockraising. He died June 7, 1891. Mrs. Berge is still living and enjoying good health despite her old age of eighty-eight years and now makes her home with her youngest daughter, Mrs. P. J. Berg, of Madison, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Berge had six children : Nels 0., who is engaged in general farming and stockraising near Fairfax, Minn.; EHing 0., who is in the milling business at Madison, Lac qui Parle county, Minn., and also conducts a farm of over 1,900 acres ; Hans 0., who is engaged in hardware, harness, wood and coal business at Madison and also at Marietta, Lac qui Parle county, Minn. : Louis Cornelius, who died when two and a half years old; Mrs. M. 0. Hagestad. of Fairfax, and Mrs. P. J. Berg of Madison, Minn.

Nels 0. Berge, one of the pioneers of Renville county, was born in Norway, June 15, 1851, son of Ole E. and Cecelia (Hanson) Berge. Nels 0. Berge came to Renville county in the spring of 1868 and took up land but returned to Trempealeau county, Wis., in the fall and returned to Renville county in the spring of 1869 when he squatted on the northeast quarter section of 23, Camp township, which he secured by pre-emption in 1873. The land which he took in 1S68 was deeded to his father and consisted of 120 acres in sections 23, and 40 acres in section 22. Nels 0. Berge had many and varied experiences in those early days. When he first located on the claim, he had a yoke of oxen, a wagon and a breaking plow. His first habitation thereon was a log house, 12 by 14 feet. He cut hay with a scythe and cradled his wheat by hand. He was out in the storm of Jan. 7, 1S73, and suffered severely. As time passed, prosperity came to him and he owns 334 acres of good land, and the whole farm bespeaks the thrift, energy and intelligence of the owner. He carries on general farming and raises Duroc Jersey swine. Two acres of his land are set out in fruit trees. Mr. Berge makes a specialty of breeding Percheron horses and Shorthorn cattle. He owns two lots and two buildings in the city of Fairfax. For fourteen years he was postmaster of Camp, the office being in his own house. He has been justice of the peace for over thirty years, school clerk eighteen years, and township assessor four years. He also served in other positions of public trust and private honor.

Mr. Berge was married May 29, 1869, to Caroline Hagestad, who was born May 24, 1843, daughter of Ole O. and Martina Hagestad. Mr. and Mrs. Berge have had six children : Minnie, born Feb. 23, 1870, was the wife of E. J. Berg, a ranchman of Washington, and died Sept. 25, 1895; Clara, born Nov. 20, 1871, now lives at home; Otelia, born Jan. 31, 1S74, married N. H. Samuelson, of Minneapolis; Edward, born March 13, 1877, died June 26, 1905 ; Fred, born July 4, 1879, and Ole, born March 8, 1884, are at home.

Gustav A. Boemmels, a well-to-do farmer in Cairo township, was born July 27, 1879, in the township where he still resides. His father Gotthard Boemmels, died in 1904 at the age of 64, and his mother, Emma (Sell), died in 1914, at the age of 63. His parents owned a farm in section 36, Cairo township, which they bought in 1871. They were married in 1871 and had seven children, William, Edward (killed in a train wreck in 1909), Ernest, Gustav, Adolph, Lydia and Rhudy.

In 1907 Gustav A. Boemmels purchased the home place. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Duroc- Jersey hogs and Hereford and Hoi stein cattle. He has a barn 50 by 50, with room for fourteen horses and thirty-five cattle, and forty tons of hay. He has also a large hog barn 36 by 50, with concrete foundation with room for 150 hogs. The granary is 28 by 30 and has an elevator holding 4,000 bushels of grain. The chicken house is 16 by 43. The house is a large two story building, 18 by 34, with an ell, 18 by 26, with a basement under the main part ready to equip with steam heat. The farm is thoroughly tiled, four and a half cars of tile having been used at an expenditure of over $1,000. There are 340 acres of land of which 160 are in section 25. The land is all level, slightly rolling prairie land, the buildings being on the west side of the farm in a nice grove. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boemmels have attended the St. Paul Park College for two years, and Mrs. Boemmels graduated from the Music department in the spring of 1907. Mr. Boemmels has been the township treasurer for four years. Mr. Boemmels was married June 14, 1911, to Verna Bothe, daughter of Henry Bothe, aged 58, a farmer living near St. Paul Park, and Louisa (Bang) aged 49. They have one son, Cyrus, born December 5, 1!)12, and one daughter, Murlies, born March 26. 1915.

Martin D. Brown, postmaster of Fairfax, was born in Bullitt county, Kentucky, Jan. 7, 1857, second of the eight children of Michael and Katherine (Welsh) Brown. His parents were farmers, the father died in 1907 at the age of eighty years, and the mother in 1884 at the age of fifty years. Martin D. Brown attended the Taylorsville High school and St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, Kentucky, coining to Minnesota in 1879 and teaching country school in Renville county for three years. In 1882 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Fairfax and has continued in that business ever since. His wife's father, John Welsh, owned the farm on which Fairfax is now located and Mr. Brown bought 120 acres in section 5, Cairo township, which he platted into lots and called Brown's Addition to Fairfax. A part of these lots were sold and are now a part of the village. Mr. Brown has held several important positions in Fairfax, having been the justice of peace since 1890, village assessor for ten years and clerk of the school board for sixteen years. He was postmaster from 1894 to 1898 and on March 13, 1915, was again appointed to the position by President Woodrow Wilson.

Sept. 2, 1891, Mr. Brown was married to Bridget Welsh, daughter of John Welsh and Mary (Burke) Welsh. They have no children, but have raised the daughter of Mr. Brown's dead brother, Kathry L. Brown. She is now married to Ben. S. Kaufer, living in Sherman, near Los Angeles, California. Mr. Brown's wife was born Feb. 2. 1852. Her father, John Welsh, died in 1896 at the age of 84 years and her mother died in 1910 at the age of 70 years.

John Swendby, deceased, was born in Norway and died in Renville county in 188(5 at the age of forty-five years. He came to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and from there moved to Renville county where he located in section 34 of Crooks township, where his widow, Mrs. Simon Hanson, now lives. He secured 80 acres of wild prairie land and built a small frame house 14 by 16 feet. Here he and his wife moved after their marriage in 1878. He used a team of horses to clear up the land and began improving his farm. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. His wife, Mina, was born in Norway Oct. 24, 1859, daughter of Hans Gunderson and Anna (Jacobsen) Gunderson, who had eight children : Guilder, Martha, Johan, Mina, Hannah, Helena, Anna, and Hogan (deceased). Of these Mina, Johan, and Helena came to America in 1879, coming to Minnesota and settled in Renville county. Mr. and Mrs. Swendby had three children : Anna. Oscar and John. Anna is now Mrs. Guren Kurnes of Crooks township and lias five children, Alfred, Martin, Theodore, (iudi-uii and Inez. Oscar lives in Cavalier county, North Dakota, and married Mary Nelson. They have two children, Morris and Joel. John also lives in Cavalier county and married Anna Idlen. They have one child, Myrtle.

Simon Hanson, deceased, was born in Norway, March 10, 1852, son of Hans Stromenson and Randi Hanson, who came to America with their two sons Ole and Simon, in 1867, coming by sailing vessel. The father Hans took a homestead in section 34, Crooks township, Renville county, where lie secured 80 acres of wild prairie land. Here he built a log cabin which is still standing and which was the first in that section. Many of the early gatherings were held in this cabin. He had no money and worked out among the other farmers to earn enough to buy an ox team with which to begin improving his land. He bought 40 acres more and here he and his wife lived for the rest of their days. He died June 6, 1893, at the age of sixty-seven years and his wife died July 9, 1889, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and helped organize the church in that section of the county.

Simmi Ilaiismi was married to Mrs. John Swendby, November, 1888, and located in Day county, South Dakota, on a homestead of 160 acres. They remained here for nine and a half years and then moved back to Renville county, locating in Crooks township, on section 34, on the homestead of Mrs. Hanson's first husband, .John Swendby. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson: Henry, Randi, Sena, Anton, Gena ami Harry. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson died May 6, 1903.

Bryngel Anderson was born in Sweden, the son of Anders Nero Bryngelson, a Swedish farmer who had the distinction of having served in the Swedish army. Aside from Bryngel there were two sisters in the family, Catherine and Mary. Bryngel Anderson grew to manhood in Sweden, became a tenant farmer and was married in 1S64 to Lisa Olson, born July 13, 1838, daughter of Ole 0. and Stena (Johnson) Olson. In the Olson family there were five children: Johan; Anna M.. now Mrs. Gustave Chilstrom, of Ogden, Utah; Erick; Anders, and Lisa. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were blessed with seven children, all born in Sweden: Olof, John, Elizabeth (deceased). Carl (deceased); Anna, at home; Gustave who married Laura Hergren, has one child and lives in Mora, Kanabec county; and Tillie, who married Anton Holmar, has two children, and lives in Minneapolis. Bryngel Anderson and other members of the family came to the United States in 1893. He died in Crooks township. .Ian. 16, 1904. at the age of seventy-nine years. His widow makes her home with her sons Olof and John.

Olof and John Bryngelson, successful farmers of Crooks township, were born in Sweden, Olof, Aug. 17. 1865. and John. Jan. 14. 1868, sons of Bryngel and Lisa (Olson i Anderson, of the family. Olof was the first to start for the United States, coming in 1886, and locating in Sibley county, this state, where he began working on farms. He earned enough to pay back the money loaned for his fare to America and then sent money to his brother John so that he could come. John came in 1888 and in l>!t:t all the rest of the family came except Elizabeth, who came in 1903 Olof and John formed a partnership and rented land. In 1S93 they moved onto 160 acres of wild land in section 15, ('rooks township, which had been purchased in 18S9. At once they set about improving and developing the farm and it soon became one of the best in the neighborhood. In 1896 they built a barn and in the spring of 1897 a house, 16 by 16 feet and 12 feet high. The entire family moved into this house. It has since been remodeled and is now a modern eight-room home. The brothers also began planting fruit trees and set out a windbreak. They now carry on general farming and raise a good grade of stock, and have

John Bryngelson has been road overseer a few years and is the treasurer of School District No. 119. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Clover Line Farmers' Telephone

Elevator Company. The brothers are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and helped to establish the church built in 1897, known as the Freedsburg church. They both hold office in the church Olof being a trustee and John a deacon. Their sister Anna and their mother make their home with them.

Louis C. Shanahan was born Feb. 28, 1876, in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, son of John and Johanna (Kelley ) Shanahan. His parents were of Irish ancestry, and the family were pioneers of Blue Earth county. Louis C. attended the district school and later became a farmer. Coming to Renville county in June, 1901, he bought his present farm in Crooks township in section 23 of 160 acres, locating on the same in spring of 1902. It was partly improved and here he began farming and has now one of the best improved farms in Renville county. Mr. Shanahan is also a stock raiser besides raising all kinds of grain, such as corn, oats, wheat and barley, and is a most successful farmer in every way. Mr. Shanahan was united in marriage to Emma Taylor, Sept. 17, 1902, daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth ( Williams) Taylor. She was born in Mankato, Minn., Dec. 29, 1879. Solomon Taylor was born in Massachusetts, son of William Taylor and was of English ancestry. His wife was born in Oak Hill, Ohio, daughter of Hon. Evan Williams, a native of Wales. They were married in Minnesota and were pioneers of Mankato. Mr. Taylor served in the army during the Sioux uprising. Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan have had two children, a boy, Adrian Williard, born June 22, 1913, and one child who died in infancy.

Henry Haen, a prosperous farmer of Crooks township, was born in Sheboygan county, Wis., June 18, 1856, son of John Henry and Barbara (Reise) Haen. He received his early education in the district schools of Lima and Wilson townships in his native state, and later attended the St. Francis Academy at Milwaukee, where he took up a short course of studies. He remained at home on the farm until he married and then he moved to Minnesota to look for a new home. He came to Renville county in 1887 and located in Emmet township in section 1, where he secured a tract of 200 acres, all wild prairie land with no improvements. Here he built a small frame house and remained on this place until 1896 when he became the manager of the Farmers' Elevator of Renville, renting his farm. It was then greatly improved and in a fair state of cultivation. He was one of the first stockholders of this organization which was established in 1890 and served for six years on the board of directors before becoming its manager. While manager of the elevator he purchased his present farm in Crooks township, section 31, a tract of 376 acres, and in section 32 a tract of 200 acres, which lies across the road from the rest of his farm. Here he moved on leaving the managership of the elevator. This farm was partly improved when he moved upon it and he has developed and put it into a fine condition. He was one of the first to enter the sugar beet industry in this section. He raises the best grade of stock and has a nice orchard. Mr. Haen is at present the president of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Renville. He has served on the Crooks township board ever since moving here and is at present the chairman of the board. He was also a member of the Emmet township board for a number of years. He is a member of the Catholic church and helped organize the Church of the Holy Redeemer of Renville. Mr. Haen was united in marriage Jan. 27, 1884, in St. George's parish, Wilson township, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, to Anna Wildgrube, born in Sheboygan county, July 31, 1860, daughter of Eidman and Christiana (Wachmuth) Wildgrube, both natives of Germany, where they were married and located in Sheboygan county in about 1851. They are now both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Haen have twelve children : Anna, Clara, Henry and Rosa (twins), Frank, Margaret, William, Joseph, Mary, Georgia, Leonard and Jerome. Anna was married to Jesse Smith and lives at Mandador, North Dakota. Their daughter, Lela Clara, a former teacher, married to Joseph R. Dvorsha and they live at Mandador, North Dakota. They have three children : Loraine, Erma and Arline.

John Henry and his brothers, Peter and Matthew, came to America in 1848 in a sailing vessel. It was a three-master and during a severe storm two of the masts were lost, the passengers finally landing at New York after ninety days on the water. These brothers made their way to Wisconsin and here worked out on the farms. John II. finally bought a tract of 80 acres in Lima township, Sheboygan county, all heavy timber land. Here he built a log house and began to clear the farm using an ox team. He and his family lived about twenty years on this place and made many improvements. They also operated a tavern four miles south of Sheboygan where they also had a farm. They made their home in Wisconsin through life. He was a member of the Catholic church and helped start the first church which was built of logs and was known as the St. George's Congregation, located on the township line of Wilson across the road from Lima township. He was for a number of years a township officer.

Barbara Reise. His wife had eome from Bavaria, Germany, with her parents and settled in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. He died in July, 1904, but his wife is still living at the age of eightyfour years. They had eleven children: Adeline (deceased), Mary, Henry, Dorethea, Sophia, Johanna, Emma, John, Frank, William and Rosa.

James C. Fullerton, one of the early settlers of Renville county, was born Aug. 8, 1859, in Fillmore county. His father, James T.. was born November 3, 1822, near St. Louis and moved to Renville county in 1871, where, wishing to engage in farming, he bought 200 acres in section 16, Cairo township. He died October, 1908. The mother, Mrs. Mary (Van Buren ) Fullerton, born in England, died in 1892 at the age of seventy. James T. Fullerton was one of the soldiers of the Civil war and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He enlisted witli Company K., Fourth Minnesota, in 1863, and served nine month. James ('. Fullerton left home at the age of twenty-two and worked out for three years. He learned the bottler's trade with Samuel Stone at Jordan, Minnesota, and started the firm of Stone & Fullerton in 1884 on his father's farm in Cairo township, keeping this in operation for two years. Then he moved to Fairfax and opened a bottling factory under the name of J. C. Fullerton, and supplied bottled goods to territory adjoining Fairfax within a radius of seventy-five miles. Mr. Fullerton is greatly interested in matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the village. He has been a member of the village council for ten years and has served on the school board for seven years. He owns several farms and is a stockholder in both the Farmers' Elevators in Fairfax. He is also a member of the State Fire Department. October 6, 18S7, Mr. Fullerton was married to Dora Voght. who was born Dec. 17, 1869, in Illinois. Her parents were Christian Voght a farmer on section 16, in Cairo township, who rami' to this county in 1870 and died in 1903 at the age of seventy-two. and Margaret (Vollertsen) Voght, who is still living in Fairfax. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fullerton have eleven children. Harry, born Jan. li. 1889; Steve J., born Dec. 13, 1890; Edith, born Dee. 21. 1892, who is now a teacher in Renville county: Harvey, born Sept. 2. 1894 : Clara, born May 9, 1896, also a teacher in Renville county: Carrie, born Dec. 20, 1898; Floyd, born Feb. 21, 1901; Roy. born Jan. 22, 1903: Ethel, born August 19, 1904; Mildred Eva. born Sept. 19, 1908. died Nov. 17, 1908; Leora, born Dec 5, 1909.

Daniel Herring was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 21, 1832, and died Nov. 20. 1865. He married in 1S49 Nancy Jane Dunbar, born July 5, 1832, in Clarion county, Penn. They drove by ox team from Pennsylvania with their two children, George and Sophia, coming in company with others who intended to settle in Minnesota. They located on a farm dose to Caledonia, in Houston county, where a cabin was built and a clearing started. At this time the Sioux Indians became hostile and Mr. Herring enlisted in the Tenth Minnesota Vol. Inf. He accompanied the Sibley expedition against the Indians and was present when the thirty-eight Sioux were hanged at Mankato. Later he was sent south and served throughout the Civil war until he received his honorable discharge in 1865. He died in 1865 in Houston county. In the fall of 1866 his widow and children moved to Faribault county and took a widow 's homestead of 80 acres in Laura township, section 14. It was all wild prairie land. The lumber for the house was hauled from Waseca, forty miles away, and the family lived in the wagon until it was completed. Daniel Herring's father had come with the family. The widow managed the farm and here the children grew up. She died Feb. 18, 1893. Sinwas a member of the Free Methodist church. Six children had been born to Mi-, and Mrs. Herring: George, born \)>t. 10. 1849; Sophia, born April S. 1852; Henry J., born August 8. 1854: Joseph M., born March 16. 1S57 ; Daniel W., born Sept. 28. 1859; and Melvin, born Sept. 2, 1862.

held in a frame building located on his mother's farm. < >n the home farm he grew to manhood, his mother making her home with him as long as she lived. In 1897 he moved to Brown county where he lived until 1900 when he moved to Crooks township, Renville county, and. located on 320 acres in section 28. He has made extensive improvements on this farm and built good buildings, barns and sheds, and carries on general farming. He raises full-blooded cattle, specializing in Shorthorn cattle. Be has also some fine fruit trees. He is a member of the Farmers' Elevator of Renville, lie is treasurer of his school district and In- was also a member of the school board when in Brown county. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Sept. 2. 1891. Mr. Herring was married to Effie Rosetta Baker, born in Faribault county, Feb. 2, 1866, daughter of Abijah and Laura Waite) Baker. Mrs. Baker was born in the state of Vermont, Washington county, town of Waren. . Mr. Baker was born in the state of drove to Fillmore county in 1855, locating there for a time ami then coming to Faribault county in 1863 where they secured a homestead and lived the remainder of their life. Mr. and Mrs. Eerring have seven children: Raymond M.. Ethel II.. Esther < '.. Guy ('., Ruth M., Hazel A.. Paul all living at home.

after his marriage to Mary Ohm, daughter of Joachim Ohm, he and Ins family and also his wife's father set out for America in 1864, coming by sailing vessel, the voyage taking three months. He came to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and located at Watertown, where he engaged in his trade as tailor. Alter a time he bought a farm in the township of Libbenon, Dodge county. In 1887 he came to Renville county locating in Crooks township in section 35 on a tract of 160 acres which he purchased. It was all wild prairie land. lie built a granary and here the family lived until a house could lie built. This house has since been remodeled by his sou William who now owns the place. He had six horses to start with but no other stock. He gradually increased his farm until he owned a whole section. Mr. Loock was an active member of the German Lutheran church and held the office of trustee for several years. He helped establish the church in Renville. His wife died duly 16, 1915, at the age of seventy-four. Mr. Loock died Dec. 16, 1911, at the age of seventy-two years. The following children were born to these parents: Emil. Anna, Julius, John. Emma, Louisa, William A., Rosetta, Mary and Carl.

William A. Loock was born Jan. 23, 1875, and received his early education in Wisconsin, being twelve years of age when the family came to Crooks township. As he grew to manhood he took charge of the old home tract farm of 240 acres. He remodeled the house and built a new barn 40 by 60 feet with a basement. He raises a good grade of stock, and also some fruit. lb- is a members of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Danube. He has also held several township offices, having been a member of the scdiool board and township supervisor for twelve years. Mr. Loock was married in 1899 to Louisa Bade, born in Waseca county, daughter of Frederick and Josephine (Wickworth) Bade, both natives of Germany. Her father was brought to this country when an infant and his parents settled in Wisconsin. He was born in Germany Oct. 24, 1858, and his wife was born Dec. 13, 1861. They had four children, Mr. and Mrs. Loock have five children : Regina, Anthony, Gerald, Adelheid and one child who died in infancy.

Herman Lindeman, for many years a resident of Renville county and later of Redwood county, was born in Le Sueur county, this state, Nov. 26, 1862, and came to Renville county with his parents in 1868, locating in Beaver Falls township. In 1885 he purchased a farm in Henryville township, and to the original 160 acres added until he owned 320 acres. Tn 1892 he moved to North Redwood, as agent for Nelson Tenny & Co. Later he became interested in the lumber and grain business at Danube. He died Aug. 1, 1901. His widow later returned to North Redwood, where she owns a pleasant home which she built in 1904.

Mr. Lindeman was married March 19, 1885, to Martha Shoemaker, who was born May 18, 1863. They had eight children: Otto. Esther, Ella. August. Arthur. Paul, Dewey and Minnie. Otto was born March 11, 1886, and now lives in New Avon township. Redwood county. He married Julia Ash. Esther was born June 15, 1888, and married Louis Garttner, a baker of Pueblo, Colorado. Ella was born Sept. 27, 1889, and is now principal of the Olivia High school. August was born April 26, 1890. and lives in Danube, this county. Arthur was born Sept. 29. 1893, and is now a student in the University of Minnesota. Paul, born Jan. 28. 1895; Dewey, born June 26, 1897. and Minnie, born Dec. 1, 1900, are at home. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Association.

Leo Claude Vader, a well-known Civil Engineer of Olivia, was born Dec. 13, 1881, in Scranton, Iowa, the son of John Wesley and Cynthia (Clopton) Yader. He received his early education in the schools of his locality and later graduated from the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, having taken a course in civil engineering. He had seven years' experience in drainage work in Iowa, both as contractor and engineer. In the fall of 1913, In- was appointed as assistant drainage engineer by the United States Department of Agriculture, but did not report for duty, after considering the unsanitary conditions of drainage engineering work in the South Atlantic States, where they expected to send him. In February. 1915, he located in Olivia, having been engaged in county drainage engineering work in Renville county since that time. Mr. Yader was married August 16. 1911. to Lizzie Harmon, born Sept. 9. 1882. in Tama. Iowa, daughter of Alpheus B. and Lillie (Jacobs) Harmon.

John Wesley Vader was born in Illinoi in 1859 and is now living in Iowa. He is a Republican in politics and took active interest in the affairs of that party, being county recorder of < 1-reeue county Iowa, for two terms. In 1879 he was married to Cynthia Clopton, born Jan. 29, 1856, in Jefferson, Iowa, the wedding taking place at that place. Five children were born to this union : Leo Claude ; John, a farmer in Iowa: Clara now Mrs. M. A. Cox, of Iowa; Asenath and Adelbert, who are at home.

Louis A. Matzdorf, hardware dealer, of Olivia, was born June 20. 1870, in Newton township, Marquette county. Wis., the son of William J. and Augusta (Klucus) Matzdorf. In 1888 he purchased 120 acres in the southeast quarter of section 19, and 160 acres in the northwest quarter of section 18, Preston Lake township, where he remained until 1904, when he entered the hardware business at Buffalo Lake. Five years later he sold this business and removed to Olivia in 1909, working in Heins & Byers hardware store three years. In 1912 he purchased an interest in the Olivia Hardware Company and is now devoting his time to this business. He was village treasurer of Buffalo Lake four years and constable six years. On Sept. 3, 1896, Mr. Matzdorf was married to Mrs. Mary A. (Wallner) Brigger, born Nov. 15, 1871, at .Minnesota Lake, Faribault county, the daughter of John and Anna (Tutz) Wallner. They have two children: Esther, born April 20, 1897; Irene, bom Aug. 26, 1903. John Wallner was born in Austria, came to this country and died Nov. 11, 1896, at the age of 54 years. He married Anna Tutz, who is now 70 years old. She lives at Buffalo Lake.

William J. Matzdorf, born in Germany, Dee. 25, 1826, came to America in 1848, settling in Wisconsin, where he bought eighty acres. He married Augusta Klucus, born in Germany, Sept. 11, 1831, the ceremony being performed in 1860. Mrs. Matzdorf came to America in 1855 with two brothers and is now living in Buffalo Lake at the ripe old age of 84 years. In 1861 Mr. Matzdorf enlisted in the Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, from which he received an honorable discharge after serving four years and nine months. In 1872 lie settled at Howard Lake, Wright county, Minn., where he bought 80 acres of land, remaining there until 1874, when lie went to Preston Lake township, Renville county, where he homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 20, on which he remained until his death Dee. 23, 1910, at the age of 84 years.

John W. Wordes was born in Holland Jan. 15. 1820. and was there reared. In 1847, both Ids parents being dead, he boarded a sailing vessel for America, landing in the new world after a long and tiresome voyage of seventy-two days. At Albany. New York, May 19, 1849, he was married to Johanna Bloomers, who was born in Holland July 20. 1827, daughter of Gerrit W. and Johanna Bloomers, who brought her. and the other five children in the family, Grace, Tobias, Gerrit, Cynthia and Jane, to America on the same sailing vessel that her husband came on. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wordes lived for some two years on a farm near Albany. N. V. There their home burned, entailing a heavy loss. But they had enough money to buy from the government at $2 an acre forty acres id' timberland in section 36. Lima township. Sheboygan county. Wisconsin, to which tract they moved with their two children .lane and Sena. .V large enough space was cleared to erect a cabin and in addition to developing this place, Mr. Wordes worked out among the fanners for about two years, to earn money with which to get a start on his farm. He cleared up the 40 acres and added more till he had 100 acres. In time he built a modern house. For a few years he served on the school board. He helped to organize the Baptist church in Lima township and was one of its officers, the early services of that denomination being held in his cabin. One of the many happy events in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Wordes was the cele-

John George Wordes, a thrifty farmer of Crooks township, was born Nov. 6, 1861, in Lima township, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, son of John W. and Johanna (Bloomers) Wordes. He was reared on the home farm and attended a primitive school in a small frame building with home-made seats in district 11 in his native township. In 1887, he left his father's farm and came to Minnesota, locating on section 7, Crooks township, where he had the previous year obtained 160 acres of railroad land at $9 an acre. On this wild prairie land he constructed a rude dugout and began farming with a team of oxen and a team of horses. He broke the land, gradually developed the place, in time erected suitable buildings, and added eighty acres more. Later, however, he sold this farm of 240 acres and moved to his present place in section I'll. < 'rooks township, where he purchased 160 acres of partly improved land to which he has since added 160 acres more. This place he has brought to a high stage of cultivation. He has built a modern home and commodious barns and outbuildings, has installed numerous improvements, and has beautified the place with trees and shrubbery. He successfully carried on general farming, raises a good grade of stock and specializes in Holstein eattle. lie also has attained good results in fruit culture. He is a prominent man in his township and carries on farming along the latest improved modern methods. Mr. Wordes has held the office of township clerk for twenty-six years and has been a member of the school board for twenty years. He is a director of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Renville. He is also a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church at Renville.

Mr. Wordes was united in marriage to Jane Christina Brummels. born in Holland. Nov. 15, 1867, daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Ongena) Brummels. This family came to America in 1869. coming to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, bringing with them their children, Jane and William. The father died about three years after they came to this country and the mother married Henry Steen. To this union were born the following children: Alzene (deceased), Elizabeth, Hattie and Mary. The mother died April 3, 1912, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. John Wordes have the following children: William Albert, born Feb. 4, 1888, is a farmer in section 27, Crooks town-

Oliver T. Sunde, the efficient and popular sheriff of Renville county, was born in Albion township. Brown county. Minnesota, Dec. 23, 1879, son of Torkel T. and Ragnhild (Hyne) Sunde. He attended the district schools, completed his studies at the St. Anthony school and in early life learned the buttermaking trade at Grandburg, Wis. For a time he was at the Albion Creamery in Brown county, but in 1892 he came to Renville county and became manager of the Renville. Creamery Companj-. He next interested himself in the hardware business at Renville, the firm being known as Sanders & Company. Five years later he sold his interests. In 1912 he was elected sheriff of Renville county and succeeded himself in 1914 for a four-year term. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Olivia. Sheriff Sunde has made a most admirable officer and his methods have won the highest commendation. Affable and approachable to his friends, sympathetic with all who are in trouble, and a courageous, active and busy officer, his popularity grows continually. Mr. Sunde was married Feb. 23, 1904, t<> Laura Barber, of Yellow Medicine county, daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah Barber, early settlers of Echo, Yellow Medicine county. Mr. and Mrs. Sunde have one child. Myron, born Dec. 13, 1906.

Torkel Sunde, born March 1, 1S37. and Ragnhild i Hyne) Sunde, born Sept. 1, 1845, parents of Sheriff O. T. Sunde, were natives of Norway, where they were married. They came to America with two children, Thora and Anna, in 1868. and settled in Albion township. Brown county, where they engaged in farming. Their nearest market was Mankato from which place the father carried home heavy flour sacks on his back. He endured all the hardships of the early pioneer and became a leading spirit in the community. He died Aug. 29, 1889. and his wife died Feb. S. 1886. Their children were Thora, who died Jan. 3, 1915: Anna, who died in 1882, Oliver. Theodore. Alfred, Thalia, Clara, and Karn. who died at the age of four years.

Warren H. Heins, a well-known business man of Olivia, was born in Olivia May 2. 1885. the son of Peter W. and Margaret Patterson Heins. He graduated from the Olivia High school and in 1909 from Hamline university, at Hamline, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. The next year he spent at Columbia university in New York City, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science. The next year, lie assumed management of Heins & Byers hardware business, of which firm he was a member.

During this time he was also vice president of the Peoples' First National bank of Olivia. He was cashier of this bank during the year 1914. The next year he sold his holdings in this bank and purchased C. A. Heins' interest in the hardware business and in the two large farms owned by Heins & Byers. Mr. Heins also owns a hardware business and buildings in Renville. He and his brother C. A. Heins own a 560-acre farm just west of Olivia, where they specialize in Shorthorn cattle. In politics Mr. Heins is a Republican. His fraternal affiliation is with Olivia lodge, No. 220, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Heins was married Oct. 5, 1911, to Myrtle M. Prosser, a resident of Spring Valley, Minn., the daughter of L. Hobart Prosser and Emmeretta (Case) Prosser. They have one child, Hugh Prosser Heins, born. Aug. 19, 1913. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heins are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

James Hurley, a pioneer resident of Bandon township, was born in Ireland in 1833. He came to America in 1841, settling in Ne'w York state. Twenty-five years later he came to Minnesota and settled at Rochester and in 1872 came to Renville county. He still owns his farm in Bandon but for several years past he has resided in Bird Island, where three of his sons reside.

Herman C. Becker, popular and successful Olivia druggist, was born in Montgomery, Minn., Aug. 27, 1874, son of Frank and Josephine (Richter) Becker. He became thoroughly familiar in the dispensing of drugs while employed by his brother in his native town, and at the age of twenty-three came to Olivia, and engaged in his present business. He carries a good stock of goods and is widely known for his honorable dealing. A Republican in politics, he did good service as a member of the village council of Olivia in 1905-06. His fraternal affiliations are with A. 0. U. "W. All in all, Mr. Becker is a useful citizen and has had an important part in the upbuilding of the village. On July 3, 1901, Mr. Becker married Blanche Rocek, of Olivia, born Fell. 20, 1875, in New Prague, Minn., the daughter of Anton and Katherine (Petrichka) Rocek. They have one child, Katherine, born in July, 1905, now attending school at Olivia.

Frank Becker, born in 1845 in Germany, came to America with his parents in 1852 and went to Chicago, leaving there in a short time for Montgomery, Minn., where he opened a general store which he conducted for thirty-five years, retiring in 1912. He is still living in the town where the best years of his life were spent. He was married at Montgomery, in 1866, to Josephine Richter who was born in Germany in 1844, and came to America at an early age with her parents who settled on a farm in Le- Sueur county, this state. She died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Becker had four children, all living; William, druggist, of Montgomery; Herman, druggist, of Olivia ; Frank, druggist of Parker, South

Anton Rocek married Katherine Petriehka at New Prague, Minn. Both were born in Bohemia an<l came to America when quite young. Mr. Rocek spent some years farming and moved to Olivia in 189") when- he engaged in business, retiring in 1905. .Mis. Rocek died in the same year that he ended his business career. There were five children: Fred, John and Bessie, of Olivia: Henry, who is dead: Blanche, the wife of Herman C. Becker.

John E. Dennstedt, a popular retired farmer of Olivia, was born in Germany in 18:25. In 1847 he sailed for Canada, where he purchased land and lived until 1859 when he came to this country and settled in Fillmore county, Minn. There he bought 240 acres of land which he greatly improved. This property he sold in 1873, when he came to Renville county and bought 320 acres of raw land in Winiield township. This he improved, building barns and a six-room house. He added to his original holdings until he had 440 acres. He was a leading stock raiser and always possessed several fine mules. In 1908 he sold the farm and retired, moving to Olivia where he bought 32 acres on which he erected a fine nine-room house. Great improvements were made on the grounds and the place is now one of the finest in Olivia - in fact, it is in every sense of the word a little paradise. Mr. Dennstedt has always been very active and now at the age of 90 years is constantly busy around his home in which he and his wife take a keen interest. He is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political work so far as the holding of office is concerned, although he has had many opportunities had he chosen to take advantage of them. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. Mr. Dennstedt has been twice married. His first wife he wedded in Canada. She was Minnie Krusb and bore six children : Charles, now living in Fillmore county: John, of Spring Valley, Minn.; George, of Norwood; Eliza, the wife of Henry Fehr, of Olivia; Caroline, now Mrs. Isaac Wickerman, of Fillmore county; Kate, the wife of Gotlieb Beck, of Olivia. Mrs. Minnie Dennstedt died in 1866 at Jasper, Pipestone county, Minn. Mr. Dennstedt married again on Oct. 14, 1868, his second wife being Johanna Kleimenhagen of Fillmore county. She was born in Germany, Feb. 8, 1847, and came to this country in 1866, her father, brothers and sisters coming later, hei- mother having died in Germany. She bore twelve children: William, who lives in North Dakota: Amelia, now Mrs. Ole Emmen, of Minneapolis; Otto, of Albert Lea; Henry (deceased); Henrietta, who is dead; Chester, of North Dakota: Martha, now Mrs. Arthur O. Hilster. of St. Paul; Sarah, the wife of J. Mc- Corquodale, of Olivia; Adaline, now Mrs. Otto Gerde, of Minne-

Tildsn Foundations

Louis P. Mahler, the popular jeweler of Olivia, was born March 5, 1876, at Le Sueur, Minn., son of Dedrich and Charlotte (Wagner) Mahler. He received his education in the schools of Le Sueur and at the age of sixteen began learning the business in which he later engaged for himself. When eighteen years of age he entered the employ of E. R. Smith, a jeweler of Le Sueur, with whom lie remained for two years. Then he worked with T. G. Mahler for rive years. In 1S99 he came to Olivia and began the jewelry business in which he has been engaged ever since. His venture was a success from the start and from a small beginning he lias progressed steadily toward a prosperous business until he now conducts one of the leading jewelry stores in the county, carrying a full line of good goods. In 1914 he remodeled his store. It is now equipped with mahogany-finished wall cases, shelves and showcases with French plate mirrors, and every facility for showing the stock to the best advantages. An artistic cutglass room finished in mahogany facing with white enameled back ground, and heavy glass shelving with large mirrors in the sides and back, is found in the rear of the store for the display of the fine line of cut glass. He does all kinds of watch, clock and jewelry repairing and engraving, and is also a fine optician having a special department for this work. Mr. Mahler is a Republican in politics and is actively interested in the affairs of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic and the I. 0. 0. F. lodges of Olivia and has held all the chairs of the latter lodge. June 6, 1906, Mr. Mahler was married to Anna Mc- Corquodale, of Olivia, born Jan. 15, 1882, daughter of Augustus and Helen (Ross) McCorquodale.

Dedrich Mahler was born in Germany in 1841 and came to America in 1857, locating at Le Sueur, Minn., where he became very successful as a builder and contractor. He was revered and respected, and died in 1913, sincerely mourned. He was married in 1867 to Charlotte Wagner, born in 1847 at Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Mary Wagner. She died April 16, 1892, at Le Sueur. There were ten children in the family : Henry, who represents one of New York's business houses in Minneapolis; Theodore, who conducts a jewelry business at Le Sueur; William, who is engaged in newspaper work in Springfield. Minn. ; Louis, an Olivia jeweler; Emma, now Mrs. G. H. Probett, of St. Paul; Charles, of Pasco, Wash., who is in the lumber business; Ida, now Mrs. F. J. Linn, whose husband is associated with the Minneapolis Bedding Co.; Rollin, who is in the Jewelry business at Belle Plaine, Minn. ; Laura, a Minneapolis milliner ; and Oscar, of Pendleton, Oregon, who is in the lumber business.

William H. Cheney, for many years a prominent farmer of Beaver Falls township, was born in Attica, New York, Dec. 28, 1834, son of John and Analiza (Gray) Cheney. John Cheney was born in Vermont, in 1807, moved as a young man to New Yrork state, and in 1842 located near Prospect, Wisconsin, where he lived on one place for more than sixty years. He devoted his life to farming but was also a financier to a considerable extent, loaning money to his neighbors to help develop their farms. He died in 1904 at the age of eighty-seven years. Analiza (Gray) Cheney was born in eastern New York state, in pioneer days, having first seen the light of day in 1809. She lived through many stirring scenes and witnessed many interesting sights, including the launching of the first steamboat on the Great Lakes, at Black Rock, now a part of Buffalo, New York. Her aunt, Mrs. Lovejoy, perished when Buffalo was burned in 1812. Analiza (Gray) Cheney die. I Dee. 2S, 1842. In the family there were four children: Francis M., who died in 1907; Teressa C, who died in 1893: William H., the subject of this sketch; ami Cynthia M., the widow of Henry W. Draper, of Warsaw, Minn. William H. Cheney attended the public schools of Prospect, Wis., and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, devoting his time for several years to buying grain and milling. In 1855 he came tii Minnesota, located at Faribault, and farmed in Warsaw townships. During tin- war he was in the Quartermaster's department, engaged in detail work and carpentry. After the war he again took up farming in Warsaw township. In 1885 he came to Beaver Falls township, this county, and secured a farm of 592 acres bordering mi the village of Beaver Falls. He improved and developed this place ami built up a line farm. Here he successfully carried on general farming until 1900. when he turned the place over to his son John and moved to Olivia, where he purchased five acres of bind and erected a home. This home he still retains though he now lives at Boise, Idaho. While in the township he was a prominent citizen, ami served on the township board as supervisor and as chairman. At one time he was vice president of the Farmers' State Bank of Sacred Heart, in which he is still a stockholder. In addition to his property in Olivia, lie owns 72 acres in Beaver Falls township and 160 acres in Wright county.

Mr. Cheney was married dan. 1, 1866, to Isabelle Wood, who bore him three children, Mattie, John and Cynthia. Mattie is now Mrs. F. B. Kinyon, of Boise, Idaho. She and her husband have an adopted daughter. Margaret. John operates the farm in Beaver Falls township. Cynthia died at the age of twentyone. On May 16, 1887, Mr. Cheney married Margaret W. Clements, who died April 21, 1911.