Stearns County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 11 of 12)

Herzog has the following brothers and sisters : Joseph A., who is the cashier of the Sleepy Eye State Bank; Ben A., teacher and organist at St. Rosa; John, who farms in section 34, township 127, Millwood; Rose, now Mrs. Frank Meyer; and Agnes, Willie, Leo, Christine, Hildegard, and Bertha, who all still live at the parental home. Frank Herzog, the subject of this sketch received his primary education at the St. Rosa school, finishing the grades under Henry Stoetzel who was his teacher for many years. Being exceptionally talented for music he early acquired ability on the organ sufficiently to be able to play for church services when only eleven years of age. He, at the age of fourteen, began attending the St. Cloud Normal School, fitting himself for his chosen vocation as a teacher. He taught his first school in district No. 73, township of Melrose; thereafter he filled the position as principal and organist at St. Anthony, Stearns county, for two terms. He afterwards taught three years in District 164, town of Melrose, becoming principal of the village school at Rockville in the fall of 1913. As principal cf this village school he has one assistant.

Michael Hansen, Sr., an early resident of Rockville, and for five years a soldier in the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte, was born in Luxemburg in 1784, there spent nearly all his life, came to America in 1857 with his good wife, and spent the remainder of his days with their son, Michael, Jr., of section 16, Rockville township this county, dying January 23, 1872. He married llarie Molitor, who was born in 1796, and died at the home of her son, Michael, Jr., November 1, 1858, not long after her arrival in this country.

Michael Hansen, Jr., one of the pioneers of Stearns county, now deceased, was born in the Province of the Rhine, Prussia, Germany, December 16, 1811. He attended the schools of his native land, and was employed on his x'ather's farm until about thirty-two years of age. In 1852 he came to America, and located in Illinois, where he remained for three years. In 1855 he came to Minnesota, and located on 160 acres in section 16, Rockville township. A thrilling volume could be written of this hegira. Packing his goods on a wagon at Rockville, 111., and bidding good-bye to his friends there, he started with his family for the Northwest. The wagon was drawn by a yoke of oxen. Aside from the oxen and the household goods, his earthly possessions consisted of a herd of twenty cattle, possibly the largest herd brought into Stearns county in the pioneer days. In these days it is hard to picture that trip over the trackless wastes. Forests must be traveled, swamps traversed, rivers forded, and hills climbed. Part of the way there were no trails. Often the members of the family were up to their necks in water, often it seemed impossible to get the wagon out of the mire, and the feeding and managing of the herd became at times a serious problem. The family slept in the wagons, and did their cooking along the way. At last, five weeks after leaving Rockville, 111., they arrived, as noted in Rockville, Minnesota. They erected a log cabin, broke and cleared the land, and experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. Indians were plentiful and unfriendly, and times were hard. But as the years passed, the family prospered. Mr. Hansen built a fine home and other buildings, and added to his holdings until he owned 240 acres. He was chairman of the first town board of his township, and subsequently, at different times, held nearly all the local town and school offices. For eighteen years he did excellent service as county commissioner. He died April 18, 1882.

Michael Hansen was married February 11, 1840, to Mary J. Borman, who was born in Prussia, March 1, 1817, and died in Rockville, this county, October 1, 1887. They had four children : Susanna (now deceased) ; Pierre, better known as Peter, of Rockville township ; Mary (deceased) ; and Hubert, of St. Cloud.

Pierre Hansen, better known as Peter Hansen, one of the pioneer settlers of Stearns county, was born in the Province of the Rhine, Prussia, July 9, 1847, son of Michael, Jr., and Mary J. (Borman) Hansen. Pierre, as a boy, came to America in 1852, with his parents, and in 1855 accompanied them on their now-historic trip through the wilderness from Rockville, 111., to Rockville township, this county, where they secured a farm of 160 acres in section 16. It was on this farm that Pierre spent his later boyhood, receiving such education as the pioneer schools of the day aft'orded. As he matured in years he became associated with his father in agricultural pursuits. After his father's death in 1882, he purchased the home farm of 240 acres. He worked early and late, made many improvements on the farm, and has added to his holdings from time to time until the home place now consists of 840 acres. Aside from this he has another farm of 220 acres in section 35, in the same township. Both farms are fully equipped with buildings, stock and implements, and speak in themselves as to the thrift and good judgment of their proud possessor. Mr. Hansen has taken an active part and interest in the affairs of the town and county, and for six years served as a member of the school board of his district. On June 1, 1874, he was united in marriage to Marie Classen, who was born in Luxemburg, December 26, 1853, and came to America in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen eleven children have been born. Mamie was born June 22, 1875, and died November 11, 1883. Leo H. R. was born October 1, 1878, and lives in St. Paul. Charles was born August 5, 1877, and died July 25, 1907, Jennie was born January 11, 1880, and died November 11, 1883. John Pierre was born October 10, 1881, and died December 3, 1883. Mary J. was born December 10, 1883, and is now Sister Bernadette, 0. S. B. Leona was born September 1, 1886. Harry was born July 15, 1888, and is associated with his father on the farm. He is president of the Farmers' Club, of Rockville. Pierre, Jr., born June 13, 1890, is now Rev. Father Leo, at St. Martin's College, Lacy, "Washington. Aloysius, born April 5, 1892, and Secunda, born October 19, 1893, are at home. Pierre and Susanna (Wengler) Classen, parents of Mrs. Pierre Hansen, were both born in Luxemburg, he in 1807 and she in 1817. Both died in their native country, he, July 16, 1878, and she, January 23, 1893. They were the parents of three children : Marie, now Mrs. Pierre Hansen, of Rockville ; Mary, now Mrs. John Gregory, of Rockville ; and Mathias, who still resides in the old country.

John Krebsbach, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Germany, November 15, 1827, and died in Rockville township, in 1900. About 1847 he came to the United States, and with a party of several people made a trip through the Northwest. St. Anthony (now a part of Minneapolis) and St. Paul were then frontier hamlets, and St. Cloud had not been thought of. After taking this trip, Mr. Krebsbaeh located near New York city. In 1854 he again came to the Northwest, this time in company with John Thelen. The two men came as far as possible by rail, and part of the way by boat, but made a considerable part of the trip on foot. They crossed the Mississippi river at St. Cloud, and found their way to what is now Rockville, where Mr. Krebsbaeh took a preemption of 160 acres. He built a log house and barn, and started pioneer life in the new country. With the aid of Michael Fuchs he broke some land, and got some seed in the first year. When he finally secured good crops, he had to cart his wheat to St. Paul with oxen, and there purchase supplies. Several times he was driven out by the Indians. The country later began to be thickly settled, and in time it became a prosperous community. Mr. Krebsbaeh married Theresa Bahner, daughter of Peter Bahner, a pioneer. She now makes her home in McLean county, North Dakota. There were in the family eleven children: Rose, Theodore, Mary, Josephine, Martha, Nicholas, Joseph, Aloysius, Helen, Kate and John.

Aloysius Krebsbaeh, one of the sons of this family, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township, and spent his early youth there. As a young man he homesteaded a claim in McLean county, North Dakota, where he spent some five years. Since 1907 he has been in the refreshment business in Rockville. Aloysius Krebsbaeh married Mary TJlrich, the daughter of Max Ulrich, of Belgrade, this county, and they have six children: Julia, Walter, Jerome, Genevieve, Florence and Euphrosiue.

The Lakeview Stock Farm, owned by the Hodgson Brothers, represents everything that is ideal in a country estate. Six hundred acres, on which the hand of man has brought Nature to its highest perfection, stretch away in pastures, meadows, tilled land and forests, and here and there herds of blooded stock of the purest breeds give an enlivening touch of pastoral beauty to the slumbering landscape. Amid all this beauty, and surrounded by park-like grounds beautified with picturesque drives, neat walks, velvety lawns, flowering gardens, sightly shrubbery and stately trees are set the comfortable residence and the modern farm buildings, while like a greenset gem. Pearl lake stretches to the southward. About the lake are many cottages owned by city people who here seek rest and quiet during the warm weather, and the view from the wave-lapped shore of the Lakeview Farm is as beautiful a one as a person could desire to look upon. But while the scene ravishes the eye, and delights all the senses, the utilitarian purpose has not been forgotten, and the brothers have been more than usually successful in their farming operations. The excellence of their stock is known in many states, and commands the highest prices, and all the products of their large farm are noted for their excellence and find a ready market. Their work, their surroundings and their achievements represent the culmination of the purpose toward which leading agriculturists have for so many years been striving.

Victor A. Hodgson, general manager of the firm of Hodgson Brothers, of the Lakeview Stock Farm, Rockville township, was born in Ottawa, 111., June 3, 1882, son of L. G. and Lelia (Ebersol) Hodgson, who in 1883 brought him to Rock county, Minn. He attended the graded and high schools of Luverne,

Minn., and also the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. In 1903 he associated himself with his father in the business of stock raising, and this partnership continued until the father's death in 1911. As administrator of his father's estate, he sold the home farm in Rock county, and purchased the Lakeview Farm, of 600 acres, in Rockville township, Stearns county. Then he and his mother and two brothers, Ray W. and Robert, took up their home here. They have made a specialty of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, and their exhibits at numerous state and county fairs have won many blue ribbons.

Mr. Hodgson was married December 4, 1907, to Margaret Peteler, and to them have been born two children, Alice and Lewis. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

Ray W. Hodgson, second member of the firm of Hodgson Brothers, of the Lakeview Stock Farm, Rockville township, was born in Luverne, Minn., son of L. C. and Lelia (Ebersol) Hodgson. He received his education in the graded and high schools of Luverne. He came to Rockville with the other members of the family in 1912.

L. C. Hodgson, one of the leading stock raisers in Minnesota, now deceased, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, December 21, 1852, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Robinson) Hodgson, and there attended school, grew to manhood and was married. In 1883 he took up his residence in Luverne, Rock county, Minn., and purchased 320 acres, which he developed into the widely-known Hodgson Stock Farm. His farm was considered the best in Rock county and one of the best in the state, while his thoroughbred Aberdeen-Angus cattle, his Percheron horses, and Chester White swine were the very best that choice selection and careful breeding could produce. His success was marked, and his reputation as a stock raiser was only exceeded by his reputation as a man of integrity, force, character and honor.

Mr. Hodgson was married February 14, 1873, to Lelia Ebersol, daughter of Amos and Calista (Whittlesey) Ebersol, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. To this union were born nine children: Lewis (deceased) ; Ernest (deceased) ; Nellie C, now Mrs. C. S. Olds, of St. Cloud, and the mother of four children : George, Charles, Dorothy and Lewis E. ; Carl W. (deceased) ; Victor A., of Rockville ; Laura C, now Mrs. R. A. Morrison, of Portland, Oregon; Stanley (deceased) ; and Ray W. and Robert, of Rockville.

Michael Molitor, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 17, 1838, son of Martin and Mary (Hammerding) Molitor. The other children were : Michael (deceased), Peter, Matthew, Mary and Margaret. In 1856 the family set sail for America. After fifty-six days on the water they landed in New York, and at once made their way to Lockport, 111., where they lived for four years. About 1860 they started out for St. Paul, driving a horse and bringing their goods with them. From St. Paul they went to St. Cloud, and from there came to Rockville. Their nearest neighbor was Pierre Thomy, who had arrived some two years previous. The family set to work to improve the home- stead of 160 acres. They built a log cabin 16 by 20, and a log barn thatched with straw. The father died in 1882 and the mother in 1891. Michael Molitor has continued to live on the old homestead. The land, which was originally broken with the aid of a pair of oxen is now well developed and highly improved. The farm now consists of 260 acres. A modern home with commodious out buildings has replaced the rude log cabin originally erected. The community from which the citizens fled during the Indian troubles is now a neighborhood of settled peace and tranquillity. Mr. Molitor has developed with the community. During the Civil war he served in Company E, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the famous ' ' March to the Sea," as well as in the Grand Review at Washington. He was one of the first supervisors of the township and has served in other town and school district offices. He was one of tlie original members of the old log church on Jacob's Prairie, and had a part in building the present splendid edifice in which the congregation now worships.

Michael Molitor was married January 27, 1870, to Elizabeth Schmit, a native of Germany, and this union was blessed with two children, Martin and Mary. Martin, of Roscoe Village, married Elizabeth Eich. Mary, of Rockville township, married Michael Kneip. Elizabeth (Schmit) Molitor died March 19, 1872. On February 3, 1875, Mr. Molitor married Elizabeth Neidhardt, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 22, 1851, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Seifert) Neidhardt. This second union has resulted in the birth of ten children: Peter, of Eden Valley, married Mary B. Westman. George, of Wakefield township, married Elizabeth Theis. Elizabeth, of Ottertail county, Minn., married Peter Jungles. Mary Ann, of Wakefield township, married Jacob Theis. Barbara, of Rockville township, married Albert Meyer. Agatha, of Rockville township, married Frank Bauer. John and Joseph are at home. Lena and Agatha, first, are deceased.

Peter Neidhardt and his wife were born in Germany, came to Ohio as children, and there married. In 1853 they came to what is now Stearns county, and located five miles south of what is now St. Cloud. They took a claim of 160 acres, built a log cabin, broke the land with the aid of oxen, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Like the other pioneers, they carted their wheat to St. Paul and there obtained provisions. Peter Neidhardt died September 8, 1900, his wife in 1896. Of their eight children, three, George, Mary and Elizabeth, lived to adult years.

Peter Meinz was born in Germany, January 22, 1833, and came to America in 1854. Upon reaching Minnesota, he was favorably impressed with the possibilities in Stearns county, and finally took up 160 acres of land in section 4, Rockville township. He built a log cabin, and started in to improve the land. With the help of his faithful oxen he carried on farming during the pioneer days, and as the years passed he kept pace with the trend of the times, until he had the most modern farm equipment. He increased his holdings to 412 acres, all in one tract, except forty acres which is in St. Joseph township. Though busy with his work, he was not unmindful of his duties as a citizen. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that regi- ment throughout the conflict, both in the Northwest against the Indians and in the South against the Confederates. In December, 1899, after a long and useful life he retired to St. Cloud, where he died April 18, 1901. Peter Meinz was married July 4, 1865, to Theresia Pohl, who was born in Germany June 6, 1847, and came to America in 1856 ; for seven years lived in Calumet county, Wisconsin, and in July, 1863, came to Stearns county and located in Jacob's Prairie in Rockville township. His widow still resides in St. Cloud. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meinz reared a family of twelve children, all of whom have attained success in life and occupy honorable positions in their respective communities. Joseph is a farmer in Rockville township. John is a blacksmith in Rockville village. Henry lives on the old homestead. Frank is a traveling man with St. Paul as his headquarters. Michael is a public school teacher, of Cold Spring. William is a Roman Catholic priest, known as Father Pius, O. S. B., located at St. Paul. Peter is a tinner at the Great Northern car shops at Waite Park. Kate is a sister of the Order of St. Benedict, and teacher at Browerville, Minn., where she is known as Sister Mary Celina. George is the assistant cashier of the Zapp State Bank, of St. Cloud. Aloysius aiid Theodore are merchants in Rockville. Josephine is the wife of John Hollenhorst, a barber of St. Cloud.

John Meinz, blacksmith of Rockville, was born in Rockville township, this county, September 29, 1868, son of Peter and Theresia (Pohl) Meinz. He received a good common school education, and learned the blacksmith trade from John Thelen, at Rockville. After working at Lake Henry and Freeport for several years he returned to Rockville and purchased the shop in which he had learned his trade. He was very successful, and out of his success he has contributed materially to the upbuilding of the village of Rockville. He built a stone blacksmith shop, a general store building and three good residences. When the village of Rockville was incorporated he was elected mayor, a position which he still retains. He belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the D. R. K. V. G., of Minnesota, is secretary of two German Catholic orders, is now serving his sixth year as treasurer of school district No. 44. John Meinz was married, September 24, 1894, to Catherine, the daughter of Nicholas Hansen, Sr., and they have one son, Leo Nicholas, and a daughter, Ida Cilinda.

Aloysius B. Meinz, of the firm of Meinz Bros., general merchants, of Rockville, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township April 30, 1884. He received a thorough common school education and remained home on the farm with his father, Peter, until 1899 when the senior Meinz retired. Henry, brother of Aloysius B., then took charge of the farm and Aloysius B. remained with him for four years. He then went to St. Cloud where for two years he was employed in the St. Cloud Grocery Co. Subsequently he was at the Great Northern Shops one year. He then went to Richmond, where he worked for five years in the general store of Lang & Utecht. At the expiration of this time he returned to Rockville and the firm of Meinz Brothers was formed. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was married July 25, 1907, to Anna Theisen, and they have two children, Norbert and Celina.

Theodore Meinz, of the firm of Meinz Brothers, general merchants, located at Rockville, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township, June 7, 1886, son of Peter Meinz, the pioneer. He attended the district schools on Jacob's Prairie. Then after two years in the graded schools of St. Cloud, he entered the St. Cloud State Normal School. Subsequently he spent six months in a business college. For something over a j^ear he was employed in the Ballard-Trimbell lumber yard at St. Cloud. Then he entered the employ of the Central Lumber Co., first as manager at Jana, South Dakota, and then in the same capacity at Kimball Prairie, in this county. December 31, 1910, he and his brother Aloysius B. Meinz, organized the firm of Meinz Brothers, and opened a general store at Rockville. The company carries a large stock of everything needed in a store of this kind, and in addition to this conducts a creamery station, handling about 1,500 pounds of cream daily. Theodore Meinz votes the Democratic ticket. He has been recorder of Rockville for some three years, and is often spoken of for higher honors. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the D. R. K. U. G., of Minnesota.

Homer Tenney, apiarist and orchardist, of Rockville, was born in Onondaga county. New York, June 12, 1846, son of Amos Thompson and Phoebe L. (Elms) Tenney, both descended from old New England families. As a young man. Homer Tenney went to Missouri, and purchased land near Sedalia. He lived in that neighborhood until 1903 when he came to Rockville township, and located on land which his brother, Orlando, the pioneer, had taken in 1866. Homer Tenney has made many improvements, and erected a comfortable home. His attention is now turned largely to bees and fruit trees. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Tenney was married in Missouri to Mary Etta Jones, who was born in Indiana February 13, 1850. They have ten children : Oscar Anson, born October 21, 1871, died January 17, 1897 ; Charlotte Elvira, born March 17, 1874, died August 20, 1875; Cora Elnora, born August 20, 1876, died October 9, 1876; Le Grand, born June 24, 1878; Clarence Homer, born February 7, 1881, died January 10, 1882; Ernest "Warren, February 16, 1883; Charles Orlando, March 4, 1885; Nathan Amos, February 1, 1887 ; Henry Cyrus, April 30, 1890 ; Earl Elms, March 2, 1895.

Orlando Tenney was one of the notable pioneers of Stearns county. As just mentioned, he was born September 17, 1822, the son of Amos Thompson Tenney. He became a millwright, carpenter, and general woodworker, and following these trades traveled extensively. He was a man of striking per- sonality, an artisan of much skill in his work, and his services commanded high compensation wherever he went. It was in 1866 that he came to Stearns county and settled in Rockville township and took land. Much of his life in this county, however, was spent in St. Cloud. He died October 27, 1904.

Mathew A. Schmit, a farmer of section 21, Rockville township, was born in Kenosha county. Wis., January 11, 1860, son of Bernard and Margaret (Streit) Schmit, the pioneers, the former born in Germany in 1831 and the latter in 1833. The parents came from Germany as young people and were married in Wisconsin. In 1861 they came to Stearns county bringing their only son, Mathew A., then a mere infant. They secured eighty acres of land in Rockville township, and lived the life of pioneers. On the place was an old log cabin, and some ten or fifteen acres had been broken. The father began with an ox team, and gradually prospered until he had acquired 280 acres of good land. Here he farmed for many years. In his later life he retired, and moved to Cold Spring where he died June 8, 1904. He was well known in his township, and served a term as assessor. Margaret (Streit) Schmit now makes her home with her daughter Mary, wife of Dominick Schloeder of Luxemburg township. Mathew A. Schmit, the subject of this mention, has always remained on the home place. Like his father he has been assessor of Rockville township, now serving his second term, and is clerk of school district No. 44, and has taken his part in the affairs of the community. He owns 200 acres of land in sections 16 and 21, and has been very successful. Mr. Schmit was married February 7, 1888, to Mary Ahles, who was born March 24, 1869, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth (Fischbach) Ahles. There were fourteen other children in the Ahles family. Mathias, the father, was a true pioneer, and a veteran of the Civil war. Upon coming to Rockville he lived in the tamarack bush and slept in the woods until his cabin was erected. He secured 160 acres of government land, and before his death increased this to 300 acres. He did good service in the war, was injured in the leg, and received an honorable discharge for disability. Mr. and Mrs. Schmit have eleven children: Mathew, Michael, Edwin (deceased), Benjamin, Susan, Lawrence, Anna, Christopher, Marie and Tracy. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Andrew Weisman was born in Wisconsin, October 21, 1867, son of Michael Weisman. At the age of five years he was brought to Rockville by his parents, and here received his early education. His trade is that of carpenter and builder. He has also been a clerk, a grain dealer, and the operator of a machine shop. Since the early part of 1913 he has been in the refreshment business. He takes much pride in the fact that he was a good carpenter, and such structures as the Granite Company Hotel, the John Weisman residence, his own residence and place of business, stand as monuments to his skill and abilty. For five years he was secretary of Carpenter's Union, No. 930, of St. Cloud. He was one of the organizers of the Cold Spring Lodge of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The St. Joseph Society also numbers him as a member. Mr. Weisman married Elizabeth Wedel, daughter of August Wedel, a pioneer, who came to Munson township, this county, from Wisconsin, and took an active part in the preparations for defense against the Indians

Jacob Weisman, general merchant at Rockville, was born July 8, 1865, in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, son of Michael and Kate "Weisman. Jacob received his early education in the public schools, after which he had the advantages of a course in a business college, and in the St. Cloud State Normal School. With this preparation he became a teacher. Later he engaged in commercial pursuits. In 1893, he formed a partnership with Peter Hengel and Anton Lommel in a general store at Rockville. In 1895, Mr. Lommel withdrew from the firm. In 1900, John Weisman purchased Mr. Hengel's interest. Since that date the store has been conducted by Jacob and John Weisman, under the firm name of Weisman Brothers. The company has erected a large building, and handles a good line of general merchandise. Jacob Weisman has been postmaster at Rockville since 1900. He is a director in the Rockville State Bank, and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Jacob Weisman was married to Mary Lutgen, November 25, 1895, a daughter of Nicholas Lutgen, a Stearns county pioneer. They have two children: Ruth C. and Veronica.

Michael Weisman came from Germany to Wisconsin. It was about the year 1873 when he came to Minnesota, and secured 200 acres of land in Rockville township, near Grand lake. He erected a log cabin 16 by 20 feet, and experienced all the accompaniments of pioneer life. In time he added forty acres to his original holdings. The cabin was replaced with modern buildings, and the family became prosperous. He and his wife are both dead. They left nine children : Michael, Joseph, George, John, Jacob, Andrew, Catherine, Barbara and Mary.

Johan Frederick Liebrenz was born in Pomerania, Germany, the son of John and Gusta Liebrenz. In 1874 he started for America with his mother (Gusta Liebrenz), his sisters, Amelia (later Mrs. Lewis Schwartz), and Augusta (afterward Mrs. Chris Wendlandt), and his future wife (Caroline Wolter). He worked out for a while as a farm hand, but finally bought a place in section 3, Roseville township, Kandiyohi county. This place consisted of 200 acres of wild land. Mr. Liebrenz erected a log house and log barn, and commenced farming on a small scale, gradually increasing his operations until he was one of the leading farmers in this vicinity. He now owns 900 acres of good farm land and operates 480 acres himself. On his first place he has a beautiful orchard and many other good improvements.

Charles Liebrenz, a successful farmer of Roseville township, Kandiyohi county, was born in the township where he still resides, November 27, 1879, son of Johan Frederick and Caroline (Wolter) Liebrenz. He received a fair education in the district schools, and for several years farmed with his father. Charles Liebrenz and his wife Augusta (Hein) Liebrenz have one son a bright boy, Harry, born June 20, 1902. As a young man he farmed the homestead of John Brown, the pioneer, which his father had purchased for him in 1891. This property consisted of 160 acres. On it stood a log house and a small frame barn. In the development of this farm, Mr. Liebrenz has been especially successful, and takes much pride in its appearance. He now owns 320 acres of good farm land, and operates 240 acres himself. He also has city property in the west part of Paynesville. All the usual crops flourish on his farm and orchard. He is especially interested in his thoroughbred Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. Like all the most progressive of his neighbors he owns stock in the local telephone company. It is interesting to note that Mr. Liebrenz's father used to start out for town with an ox cart, prepared for an all-day trip, while Mr. Liebrenz jumps into his automobile and makes the journey in a very short time, and he owned the first car in the neighborhood.

Johan Frederick Liebrenz married Caroline Wolter, and their children are as follows: Augusta married Herman Gruetzmacher. They live in Zion township. Charles married Augusta Hein and is a prosperous farmer of Eoseville township. Fred died at the age of about three years. Herman married Lena Kingsriter, and they live on a farm in Lake Henry township. Lena married Carl Rien and they live on the old Rien homestead in Zion township. Ida and "William are at home. Minnie is now Mrs. William Bast, of Lintonville. Emmett and John are at home. The family faith is that of the Grove Evangelical Church.

John Adelbert Roach was born on the family homestead, section 12, Roseville township, Kandiyohi county, near the township line of Paynesville, Stearns county, September 22, 1866. He received a good education in the common schools. For several years he lived in Watab township, Benton county, where he took an active part in public affairs, as a member of the school board of his district nine years. He was also constable six years and town clerk one year. He has lived on his present place on the town line between Roseville and Paynesville townships, since 1903. A part of this farm is the old family homestead. It consists of 160 acres; in all he owns 2191/2 acres, and Mr. Roach has been most successful in his operations. He takes a particular interest in his thoroughbred swine. Mr. Roach is one of the most active men in this vicinity. He is president of the local lodge of the American Society of Equity, and was president of the Farmers' Elevator Company three years. He is vice-president of the Farmers' Zion Rural Telephone Company, also lineman for one of the circuits. Mr. Roach married Anna L. Woolhart, born in Benton county, Minn., daughter of Jacob Woolhart who was born in Holland, settled in New York, and then came to Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Roach have four children : Charles H., Howard E., Letty A. and George L.

Richard Nehring, an active farmer of Kandiyohi county, just across the line from Paynesville township, in Stearns county, was born on the family homestead in Zion township, December 25, 1870, son of Ludwig Ferdinand and Virginia (Helmar) Nehring, the pioneers. He received a good education in the district schools, and after his marriage, rented land for a while in Zion township. Then he purchased two tracts of land that now constitute his farm, one of 120 acres, and one of eighty acres across the river to the westward. Here he successfully carries on general farming.

Mr. Nehring married Ida Ruenger, and they have five children : Milton, Arley, Ada, Chester and Viola. Mr, Nehring is an official and an active worker in the Evangelical Church.

Ludwig Ferdinand Nehring was born in Pomerania, Germany, July 23, 1842, and lost his father when he was two years old. At the age of eighteen he came to America and, after spending four years in Wisconsin, settled on eighty acres in Zion township, Stearns county, where he built a log house. He married Virginia Helmer.

William E. Glenz was born in Zion township, Stearns county, March 21, 1883, the son of William F. and Matilda Glenz. He attended the district schools, and remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age. Then he started out for himself by buying a farm of 160 acres in Roseville township. On it stood a shack. In the comparatively few years that he has owned the place he has been wonderfully successful. He has increased his holdings to 253 acres, has erected a modern eight-room house, and a barn 32 by 58, and also made many other improvements, including the purchasing of a full supply of farm implements and machinery. He raises full blooded imported pedigreed Belgian horses, and good grade horses and swine. Mr. Glenz is a member of the Roseville town board.

William F. Glenz was born in Germany, and was brought to America by his step-father, Kiend Glenz, and his mother. William F. was the oldest child in the family. The other children brought at the same time were Gustave, Augusta, Amelia, Henrietta and Bertha. After reaching America in 1864, the family came to Paynesville, and secured eighty acres in the locality known as Salem, in Zion township. They began under very adverse circumstances. Their primitive cabin was built of logs and thatched with rushes. Provisions were hauled from St. Cloud with an ox team. Finally they secured a cow. In the seventies, the family sold out their farm at Salem, and came to the tract on the borderline between Stearns and Kandiyohi counties, which has since remained in the possession of some member of the family. There the mother and step-father died, and there William F. spent the remainder of his days. He became one of the leading men of his community. After his marriage, he started life in a log cabin, his farm buildings consisting of a granary covered with hay, and an old log barn. He was supervisor of Roseville township, a member of the school board, and an official in the Evangelical Church. Starting as he did under crude conditions, he lived to see his splendid farm of 220 acres fully cultivated and bearing heavy crops, while his original log cabin gave place to a modern home, commodious barns, and ample outbuildings. The ox team and one cow were replaced by a splendid array of cows, horses, swine and poultry. William F. Glenz died in 1902.

By his first wife William F. Glenz had four children : Gustave (deceased), William, Rachael and Helena., In 1884, Mr. Glenz married Wilhelmina Patetzniek. This union has been blessed with five children: Matilda, Helmut, Emmet, Arthur and Martha. Wilheimina Patetzniek was born in

Germany, November 25, 1860, daughter of Ferdinand and Caroline (Angle) Patetzniek, who came from Germany to Stearns county in 1882. The children in their family were : William, Carl, Herman, August, Gustave and "Wilhelmina.

John Fred William Amdt, usually known as William Arndt, was one of the early settlers of Zion township. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, June 2, 1824, a son of Frederick and Dorathea (Koehn) Arndt. On June 1, 1854, he started for America. After landing he found his way to Monroe, Green county, where he was married. There too, his parents joined him. For a time he worked as a farm hand, later he rented farms in various localities. In 1867 he set out for Minnesota, with one horse team and one ox team. With him were his father and mother, his wife, and his five children. They brought their household goods, a supply of provisions and clothing, some crude farm implements and tools, two cows and some calves. Upon reaching Zion township, the family settled on section 21, where they started to wrestle with the problem of living in a pioneer country. They erected a log cabin, and a straw-thatched log barn. As the family prospered, they added two eighty-acre tracts of tillable land, and a twenty-acre tract of timber land. In 1880 they erected a modern dwelling. Other buildings were also added as needed. The family was prominent in the Evangelical Church, in which Mr. Arndt was a class leader. Mr. Arndt died in 1907, having survived his wife for many years. Mr. Arndt was married in 1856, to Wilhelmina Holtz, a native of Pomerania, Germany. She was born April 16, 1834, and died January 20, 1886. Five children were : Lovina Louisa and Frank Ferdinand, twins, born April 1, 1859; Albert, born December 20, I860: Augusta Phillipina, born January 11, 1863; Matilda, December 13, 1865. There were two children born in Minnesota ; William who was born January 31, 1868, and August Frederick, who was born August 28, 1872, and died June 26, 1876.

William Arndt, a successful farmer of section 21, Zion township, was born on the farm where he still resides, January 31, 1868, son of Fred William Arndt and Wilhelmina (Holtz), his wife. He received a good common school education, and learned farming from his father, gradually assuming entire charge of the home farm. He is now one of the most prominent and progressive farmers of the county. His farm is a model one in every respect, and aside from the usual crops and stock of a general farm, he has made a specialty of graded Holstein cattle, and Percheron and Hamilton horses. He was the first in this vicinity to advocate the establishment of the telephone, and was first secretary of tlie Zion and Paynesville Farmers' Telephone Co.; was president of the Paynesville Farmers' Elevator Co., and secretary of the Paynesville Farmers' Insurance Co., which latter position he has occupied for the past fifteen years. From 1897 to 1912 he was treasurer of the Roscoe Farmers' Creamery Co. For twenty-two years he has been assessor of Zion township and is still serving. He is one of the trustees of the Evangelical Church, and was Sunday School superintendent for six years. Mr. Arndt was married, February 14, 1889, to Helena Rosalia Helmer, daughter of Frederick Helmer, a pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Arndt have two children:

Albert Amdt, a modern farmer of section 27, Zion township, was born December 20, 1860, in Monroe, Green county, "Wis., son of John Fred William Arndt and Wilhelmina Holtz, his wife, who brought him to Stearns county in 1867. As a young man he started out for himself in life and purchased 160 acres in section 27, Zion township. On this farm, to which he has added another small tract of twenty-three acres, he has since continued to live. When he located on the place, no buildings had been erected. He erected a frame building, and about the same time constructed a barn. A year later he built a log barn thatched with straw. As time passed, new and modern buildings were built. In his early years of farming Mr. Amdt devoted his time largely to grain raising. More recently he has become interested in stock breeding.

Mr. Arndt has served in several town offices, holding such positions as supervisor for three years and constable for twelve years. He was married to Augustine Sack. They have six children living: Herman, Rheuben, Ellwin, Alice, Emma and Lorene. Minnie is dead.

Gotthard Blonigen, a leading farmer of section 2, Zion township, was born in township of Zion on the seventeenth day of January, 1865, son of John and Elisabeth Blonigen. He was educated in the district schools, and worked for his parents until twenty-eight years of age. Then in partnership with his brother, Chris., now deceased, he took over the management of the home place for several years. In 1898 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres. At that time there were no buildings on the place. He has, however, developed it into one of the model farms of the township. Everything about the whole place is kept in neat condition, the crops are plentiful and the stock good, the barns and other outbuildings are commodious and well equipped, while the house is a comfortable structure of brick, containing seven rooms.

Mr. Blonigen was married in 1899 to Thekla Vogt, born in Munson township, this county, daughter of Herman Vogt. Their children are : Regina, Herman, Aloysius Mathias, Monica, Agnes and Rosa Elizabeth. Mr. Blonigen is a friend of education, is taking much interest in the schooling of his children, and is one of the school officers of his district.

George Ehresmann, who owns a large farm in section 3, Zion township, was born in Illinois, February 5, 1864, son of Peter and Katie (Reugemer) Ehresmann, who brought him to Stearns county, in 1866. He was reared in this county, attended the public schools, and finally, when circumstances permitted, purchased the home place where he now resides. He has 320 acres of good land, and operates it to the best advantage. The farm has unusual features for a country place. The farm house is built of red brick, and contains ten large rooms, in addition to the usual closets and the like. The house is modern, among the conveniences being running hot water. The grounds are well kept, and cement walks lead about the yard. A new barn 36 by 78 increases the efficiency of the farm work. The crops are abundant, and the stock is of a good grade.

Mr. Ehresmann is an officer in the Sauk Valley Creamery. He married Elizabeth Blonigen, and they have twelve children : Peter, John, Kate, Johanna, Mathew, Therese, Thaler, Martin and Paul (twins), Mary, Lena and Elizabeth. All the children live at home, and constitute a pleasant and contented family. The household is known for its hospitality and good cheer.

Peter Ehresmann was born in Germany, and came to America at about twenty years of age. For a time he lived in Illinois, and there he met Katie Reugemer, also a native of Germany, who had come to America at the age of eighteen. In 1866, the family, which then consisted of Peter Ehresmann, his wife, and three children, started out for Minnesota, driving a horse team, and bringing their household goods. Upon reaching Stearns county, they located on a tract of 160 acres, three miles west of Richmond, and moved into a log cabin which they found on the place. They lived in this house eighteen years, and then purchased another quarter section and erected a new house. Still later they moved to the large farm in Zion township, which was later turned over to the son, George Ehresmann. Later, Peter Ehresmann secured a farm of 320 acres in Spring Hill township. After disposing of his place there, he entered into partnership with his son, Martin, and opened a general store at New Munich, in this county. Subsequently he sold out his interest, and retired. He now lives in New Munich. A Catholic in religion, he has assisted in building the churches at Richmond, St. Martin and New Munich.

August C. Hein, a retired farmer living in Payuesville, was born in Prussia, Germany, November 25, 1845, son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Elke) Hein. In the family there were six children: Amelia, Henrietta, Adolph, Otelia, William and August. The mother died in Germany, and the father in 1872 came to America, bringing William, August C. and Otelia (afterward wife of Herman Schultz). August C. had been reared in Germany, and had fought in the war between France and Germany in 1870-71. As a young man he had also learned the tailors' trade. Upon coming to America, he found his way west, and worked at his trade at Hastings, Austin, and other points in Minnesota and elsewhere. Finally he secured eighty acres of land in Zion township, this county. There were no buildings on the tract at that time. He erected a log cabin and began life here under primitive conditions. Later he added eighty acres to his farm, and in time erected modern buildings. In 1911 he retired and moved to Paynesville, where he now resides. Mr. Hein was married in 1874, to Henrietta Glenz, a native of Prussia, Germany. They have had seven children : Amelia, Bertha, Otelia, Ida, Herbert A., Adelia (deceased), and Edwin.

Herbert A. Hein, proprietor of the Hill View Farm, section 20, Zion township, was born in the township where he still resides, April 18, 1888, son of August C. and Henrietta (Glenz) Hein. He received a thorough education in the public schools, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. By hard work, wide reading, close observation, and shrewd judgment he has become one of the most prominent and progressive farmers in the county. His farm, appropriately named, consists of 180 acres. On it he profitably raises the usual crops. His orchard of apple trees has been an interesting and successful experiment. He has paid particular attention to the Wealthy, the Hibernal and the Wolf River varieties, and his displays of the latter variety have won many prizes at various horticultural exhibits. Mr. Hein was married in 1912 to Marie Robertson, a native of Iowa.

Richard A. Koepp is a native born son of Zion township, having first seen the light of day on the farm where he still resides, October 27, 1875, son of Ludwig and Sophia Koepp. The parents were born in Pomerania, Germany, were married there, and with their oldest son, Henry, came to America and took up their residence in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin. There, another child, William, was born. In 1866 the family came to Stearns county, and located in section 21, Zion township. They erected a log cabin a little northwest of where the present frame house stands, and built a log barn a little southwest of where the new modern barn is located. The land had already been improved to a certain degree. With an ox team they began their farming operations, and for a time were in very poor circumstances. But as the large crops began to be garnered, their affairs brightened. So prosperous did they become that they finally enlarged their farm to 340 acres, and erected some splendid new buildings. Ludwig Koepp died in 1900 at the age of sixty-eight. His wife died in 1910 at the age of sixty-seven. Ludwig Koepp had taken his part in the growth of the community, and has been town clerk, clerk of his school district and an official in the Evangelical Church. Richard A. Koepp attended the district schools and the St. Cloud State Normal School. Then he taught school for four years. His farm, with which he has been very successful, consists of 160 acres of the old homestead. He is a member of the Evangelical Church, and treasurer of School District No. 139. The subject of this mention married Elizabeth Reeck, born in Germany, the daughter of William Reeck, of Zion township. They have four children : Milton, Raymond, Adalaide and Bernice.

Frank Heitke, one of the progressive farmers of section 28, Zion township, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, November 29, 1858, son of Gotfried and Sophia (Nehring) Heitke. Gotfried Heitke and his wife were both born in Germany, and there their two oldest children, Fred and William, were born. Upon coming to America, the family settled in Green county. Wis., where three children, Frank, Augusta and Paulina, were born. It was in 1864 that the family reached Stearns county; a pair of horses drawing the household goods and the younger children, while the older members of the family trudged along beside. For a time they lived with M. F. Plantikow, a pioneer, at Paynesville. Then they located on 160 acres in section 28, Zion township, which has since remained in the possession of members of the family and is now owned by the son, Frank. The land was wild, and deer and bears and wolves abounded. They built a small log cabin and a log barn, and started farming with an ox team. Later they erected a larger log house. One hundred and twenty acres were also added to the farm. Gotfried Heitke died at the age of seventy-five and his wife at the age of seventy-four. In addition to the children already mentioned, another, Amelia, was born in Stearns county. She died at an early age. Frank Heitke has always re- mained at home, and is now the owner of his parents' farm. He has added several acres to the original farm, and has erected a modern home and a large barn. He has also greatly beautified the grounds. He raises good crops and live stock, making a specialty of Red Poll cattle. Plis interests are diversified. He is interested in the Paynesville-Zion Insurance and Telephone companies, and in the Paynesville Farmers' Elevator. For several years he has been treasurer of Zion township, and he is also one of the trustees of the Salem Evangelical Church. Frank Heitke was married in 1882, to Augusta Frank, daughter of Christ Frank, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Heitke have five children: Amandus, Frank, Charles, Bernhard and Zelma.

August Miller, a substantial farmer living in section 34, Zion township, was born in Paynesville, this county, March 24, 1866, son of Frederick and Sophia (Moede) Miller, natives of Germany. In 1864, Frederick Miller came to America, bringing his wife, and his daughter, Minnie. They came directly to Minnesota, and secured 160 acres of wild land in section 27, Zion township. This vicinity was then very thinly settled. The Millers erected a log house and a log barn, broke the wild land, and in time acquired a competence. One of the sons, Gustave, now lives on the home place. Frederick Miller died in 1890 at the age of fifty-six. His wife died in 1900 at the age of sixty-five. August Miller received a good education in the district schools and learned farming thoroughly from his father. In 1887 he located on his present place of 160 acres on section 34, Zion township. There were at that time no buildings on the place. He, however, has erected modern structures, and is in every way well equipped to carry on general farming. He is well known in the community, has been town treasurer for a long time, and a member of the school board for several years. He married Emma Nehring, who died October 21, 1906, at the age of thirty-three. There are four children: Francis, Arthur, Lucinda and Fred.

Gustave F. Miller, a well known citzen of Zion township, was born on the homestead in section 27, where he still resides, August 28, 1875, son of Frederick and Sophia (Moede) Miller, natives of Germany. He received a good education in the district schools and has always remained at home. To the original farm he has added enough to make a splendid place of 210 acres. He has still further developed the excellent farm which his father left, and has built a substantial, 32 by 80 barn, a tool shed and a granary. His stock is good, and his general farming operations have been very successful. He and his family attend the Evangelical Church.

William Carl Miller, for many years a respected resident of Zion township, was born in Germany, January 15, 1839, and died in Zion township, this county. May 5, 1911. In the old country the original form of the name was Mueller. Mr. Miller was married in Germany, to Christina Feibelkorn, who was born in 1839 and is still living. In 1866 they came to America, reaching this country after a voyage of thirteen weeks in a sailing vessel. They settled in Green county, "Wis., where they remained for seven years. In the spring of 1873 they drove through the mud to Stearns county, where for a short time they found a home with Frederick Miller, a brother of William C. Then, with his family, William C. moved into a log cabin 16 by 20 feet. Soon afterward a log barn was erected, and before many years a larger part of the homestead of 120 acres was under cultivation. In 1889, Mr. Miller replaced the log cabin with a modern frame dwelling. In 1900 he built a barn, B6 by 32 feet. To his original farm, Mr. Miller added an eighty acre tract of tillable land, and two wood lots of fifteen and fourteen acres respectively. Mr. Miller was a school officer, and a prominent worker in the Evangelical Church.

William Carl Miller, Jr., one of the influential young farmers of Zion township, operates the home place in section 22. He has added forty acres to the place, and has erected a large silo, as well as made other improvements in equipment and operation. While he carries on general farming, and breeds many varieties of farm animals, he takes special pride in his fine Holstein cattle. Like his father before him he is a member of the Evangelical church at and has served as secretary of its Sunday school for a considerable period. William Carl Miller, Jr., was married in 1896 to Ella Schultz, daughter of William Schultz, of Fair Haven township. They have four children : Esther, Alvin, Sadie and Harvey.

Herman J. Manz, a progressive farmer of Zion township, was born on the old homestead in section 30, where he still resides, July 22, 1876, son of Herman Ludwick and Amelia Manz, the pioneers. He passed through the district school of his neighborhood, and then took courses in the St. Cloud State Normal School. With this preparation he taught school in Stearns county for two years. Then desiring to increase his knowledge of the world before settling down, he went west, and saw life in that part of the country for a while. Subsequently he retiu*ned and took up his residence on the old homestead, where he still resides. The new modern house stands a few rods west of the location of the old log cabin. This house, with its hot and cold water, its many rooms, its convenient arrangement, its telephone, and its gas lights is in striking contrast to that old cabin of the early days, with its dingy interior and its tallow dip. Mr. Manz carries on general farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of registered Red Poll cattle, registered Red Duroc hogs, and good horses. Being a man of progress he holds stock in the local telephone, elevator and insurance companies. He is one of the officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Manz married Adelia Hein, and they have five children: Viola, Milo, Margra (deceased), Adela and Vernon.

Michael Nehring, one of the earliest pioneers of Zion township, was born in Germany, November 14, 1820. He lost his father in Germany, and was early in life compelled to shift for himself. Upon attaining the years of manhood, he learned the carpenters' trade. When circumstances permitted, he married Caroline Arndt. In 1856, he started for America with his wife, Caroline, and two children, August Ferdinand and William, the journey occupying eighteen weeks by water. Upon reaching America he located in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, where he operated a rented farm, and worked at his trade. In that state two more children were born : Frank, and an unnamed little girl, who died in infancy. It was in 1864 that the family came to Stearns county. They were somewhat better situated in a financial way than some of the other pioneers, for they brought with them to Paynesville, two yoke of oxen, a span of horses, and some cows and sheep. They secured 160 acres in Zion township, and erected a log cabin of substantial porportions. The cabin had a smooth board floor, an unusual luxury for the pioneer days. They also erected a log barn. The first wife died in 1868. In January, 1871, he married Julianna Kruger. The children by this union were: Fred Charles; Amelia, now Mrs. George Voss; and Bertha, now Mrs. Edward Kruger. The family prospered, and in time modern structures replaced the log buildings. Mr. Nehring was an officer in his school district, and an ardent member of the Evangelical Church. He died July 21, 1902. Julianna Kruger, now Mrs. Michael Nehring, was born in August, 1834, in Germany, daughter of Gotlieb Kruger, who spent the span of his years in Germany. She was married in 1860 to William Marquard. Several children died in Germany. In 1870 they came to America, bringing their daughter, Pauline. In the fall of the same year they came to Minnesota. Here, Mr. Marquard died, and the widow, as noted, afterward married Michael Nehring.

Fred 0. Nehring, a prominent agriculturist, was born on the place in section 32, Zion township, where he still resides, October 17, 1871, son of Michael and Julianna (Kruger) Nehring. He attended the district schools and also had the advantages of several courses in the St. Cloud State Normal School. To his father's 200 acres he has added forty more. On this extensive place he carries on general farming and stock raising. Since 1897 he has been clerk of Zion township. As a thorough believer in co-operative effort among the farmers, he has become a stock-holder in the local elevator, creamery and insurance companies, and has been president of the local telephone company since its organization.

Mr. Nehring was married November 26, 1895, to Sarah Frances Hilmer, born in Paynesville township, this county, March 1, 1876, daughter of Fred Hilmer, who was a friend of Michael Nehring in the old country, both being born in the same locality. Mr. and Mrs. Nehring have two children : Marvin D., born May 3, 1897 ; and Iris L., born March 17, 1905. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

August Ferdinand Nehring, a prosperous farmer, of section 31, Zion township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, August 10, 1849, son of Michael and Caroline (Arndt) Nehring. He was reared on the home farm, and received a good common school education. In 1872 he married Caroline Albright, daughter of Ernst Albright, who came from Germany, his native land, and located in Wisconsin. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Nehring located on a place of 160 acres, three miles north of the old Nehring homestead, in the same township. There were no buildings on the new farm. Mr. and Mrs. Nehring first lived in a rude shanty, eight by ten feet. This was soon replaced by a log cabin, 16 by 22 feet. A log barn, 16 by 20, was also erected, and provided with a straw roof. One child was born on this farm. After some five years here the family located on 160 acres in section 31, Zion township, where they now live. This farm was without buildings, and only eight acres had been broken. It was upon such foundations that the present prosperity of the family was built. First they erected a small frame house and a log barn. The site of these primitive buildings is now occupied by a modern dwelling, a sanitary barn, a large silo, and other buildings necessary to the carrying on of successful agricultural operations. Mr. Nehring has served on the township board of supervisors, and on the school board. In the Evangelical Church he has occupied several official positions and has looked after the ministerial duties at times also. At the present time, the son, Robert William, operates the home farm, while Mr. Nehring has retired from the more strenuous duties of heavy farm work.

Mr. and Mrs. August F, Nehring have three children. Emma H. is the wife of "William Gess, of Minneapolis, and the mother of one child, Cora. Robert William, one of the rising young farmers of the township, married Rachael Glenz, and they have two children, Alvina and Evelyn. Ida married Gustave Mode, of Zion township, and they have two children, Ira and Alden.

Clarence Milton Nehring", who still resides on the homestead where he was born, in section 32, Zion township, first saw the light of day, April 1, 1888, son of Ludwig Ferdinand Nehring. He received a good education in the public schools and has spent his entire life on the farm, which he purchased from his parents soon after attaining his majority. The place is well improved, and Mr. Nehring is well along the road to prosperity. It is interesting to note that he has preserved the log cabin in which his parents first lived, when they settled in this township. Mr. Nehring was married June 13, 1911, to Emma Weber, The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Robert B. Ruenger, one of the rising farmers of Zion township, was born on the homestead in section 31, where he still resides, April 17, 1886, a son of William Ruenger. He received a good education in the public schools, and has devoted his life to farming. To the original farm of 170 acres, he has added 120 acres, and on this good farm of nearly three hundred acres, he raises the usual general crops, and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Poland-China hogs. Being a progressive man he is interested in the Paynesville-Zion Telephone and Insurance companies. Mr. Ruenger was married September 13, 1906, to Malinda Manz, the daughter of William Manz.

Michael Fuchs, one of the influential men of Zion township, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, January 20, 1843, son of John and Kate Fuchs.

John Fuchs came to America from Germany, in the forties, bringing his wife with him. After forty-nine days on the water, they reached America, and then found their way overland to Wisconsin, where they secured forty acres of land in the woods. There they lived for about a decade. It was in 1852 that the family came to St. Paul, driving an ox team. They spent the winter in that city, and in the spring of 1853 came to Stearns county. During the Indian troubles the family took refuge in St. Cloud, while the father shouldered a gun in defense of the frontier. John Fuchs made his home on a farm near Cold Spring until his death.

Michael Fuchs, the subject of this mention, came to Stearns county with the family. In time he secured a claim of 160 acres in section 18, Zion township. He built a house of tamarack logs, and also constructed a strawroofed barn. He began his farming operations with two cows, a pig, and twelve chickens. The development of his farm, the construction of his buildings, and the success of his work, has kept pace with the progress of the years, and he now owns eight hundred acres of good land. His specialty is blooded horses and cattle. Mr. Fuchs has been chairman of the board of supervisors, and has served in other public capacities. Michael Fuchs married Margaret Molitor, who died in 1906, at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Fuchs had seven children: John, Martin, Michael, Orrin, Joseph, Paul and Margaret, all living.

Albert Wegener, who carries on farming operations in section 16, Zion township, was born in Germany, June 12, 1880, son of William and Bertha (Hass) Wegner, who still live in Germany. In 1902, Albert came to the United States, and started work for farmers in the vicinity of Paynesville. From February, 1903, till November, 1909, he worked for Fred C. Nehring, town of Zion. He was honest and frugal, and soon won the confidence of the people. In 1909 he made a trip to his old home in Germany, and upon his return to Stearns county married Minnie Marquardt. For a time after their marriage they farmed on rented property. Then they purchased an improved farm of 140 acres, where they now live. Mr. Wegner keeps the farm in the best of condition, and takes particular pride in his good stock. He and his wife have one child, Emmett, born March 8, 1912. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Minnie Marquardt, now Mrs. Albert Wegner, was born in Paynesville, in 1885, the daughter of Herman Marquardt. Herman Marquardt was born in Germany, July 16, 1859, the son of Christ, and Henrietta Marquardt, who spent the span of their years in Germany, and who, upon their death, left three children, August, Julius and Herman, Herman came to America in 1879, worked for a while in Zion township, and then purchased a place of 160 acres in section 6, Paynesville township, where, like the other pioneers, he first erected log buildings and then replaced them with more modern structures. His children were Minnie, Emmett (deceased), Alma, Elsie, Harry and Marvin. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Franz Winkels was born in Germany, March 27, 1827, son of Henry and Lena (Schippes) Winkels. In 1853, Franz came to America, and at Indianapolis met his brother, John, who had come to America the year previous and had lived for a time in Milwaukee. The two brothers came on to Dubuque, and there some two years later, Franz Winkels was married. About a year later, he and his wife located in Winona, Minn., where he conducted a furniture store about sixteen years. It was in 1870 that they came to Richmond. For three years they rented a farm. In 1873 they purchased a place of 160 acres in section 23, Zion township. They also bought forty acres of timber land in Eden Lake township. They took up their residence on the farm in Zion township. On it was a log building in which for many years they made their home. They had an ox team and two cows to start with. Their wagon was of the most primitive kind, the wheels being made of round slices cut from logs. Such conditions did not long continue, and they were soon numbered among the most successful people in their community. In the late eighties, they erected the splendid brick house which still adorns the place. Suitable barns were also erected. Franz Winkels was greatly respected, and became an influential man. For a while he was chairman of the township board of supervisors. He died September 16, 1911. Franz "Winkels was married August 20, 1855, to Marie Gertrude Rosamann, and they have eight children : Frank lives in Saskatchewan, Canada ; Anna is the wife of Joseph Kunstleben; Henry, Elizabeth and Emma are dead; George farms in Farming township ; Lena is at home ; John operates the home farm. He is one of the prominent and progressive farmers of the township. He married Josephine Brinkmann, daughter of John and Josephine (Kalthoff) Brinkmann, of Farming township.

Marie Gertrude Rosamann, who became the wife of Franz "Winkels, was born in Germany, March 5, 1836, daughter of John and Catherine (Sasson) Rosamann. There were eleven children in the family. John, Jr., was the first of the family to come to America. He arrived in 1851 and settled in Iowa. In 1852, the father and mother, with Elizabeth, Catherine and Marie Gertrude, came to Dubuque, Iowa. The parents came to Richmond, in this county, in 1862, and here spent the remainder of their days.

John G. Weber, the memory of whose sturdy integrity and solid worth will long be cherished in Stearns county, was born in Germany, a son of John and Gusta Weber, who came to America in 1863, bringing their children, John G., William, Wilhelmina (now Mrs. Fred Helmer), and August. John G., who thus arrived in Stearns county just after the Indian troubles were over, secured 160 acres in section 30, Zion township. He built a log cabin and a log barn, and started farming with a pair of oxen. As prosperity increased, he built a brick house, and this was in turn replaced at a later date by a brick veneer house. The early primitive barn was replaced by a structure 36 by 65 feet, and other buildings were erected as occasion required. Mr. Weber became one of the most extensive land owners in this part of the county. At the time of his death, in 1910, at the age of sixtynine, he owned 1,150 acres of good farm land, and also some valuable city property in Paynesville. This large farm is now ably operated by his five sons, who do business under the name of "Weber Brothers." They raise general crops and breed some good grade stock. They are worthy men, and occupy the honorable position in the community that their father occupied before them. Mr. Weber was a member of the school board for a time. He was a devout member of the Evangelical Church. Mrs, Weber is still living and is spending the declining years of life surrounded with the love and care of her children, Mr, and Mrs, Weber were the parents of Anna, Gustave, Albert, Ida, Emil, William, Adolph, Wilhelmina and Robert,

Frederick Wendlandt, a well-to-do farmer, of section 15, Zion township, was born in Germany, December 15, 1844, son of Christian and Mary (Stielow) Wendlandt, The parents came to Wisconsin from Germany, in 1856, bringing their six children : Charles, John, William, August, Frederick and

Augusta. The last named died in Wisconsin. In 1864, the parents came to Minnesota, driving an ox team, and bringing with them three of their sons: John, William and Frederick. In due time they secured a homestead of 160 acres, on which they built a log house. This farm was near the Salem Church. Christian Wendlandt was for a time an exhorter in the Evangelical Church. His last days were spent in the home of his son, William. Christian Wendlandt died in 1888 at the age of eighty-one. His wife died in 1881 at the age of seventy-two. Frederick secured a place of 160 acres in section 15, Zion township, the land at that time being wild. He built a small shanty of logs, and on this place, since their marriage, he and his wife have continued to live. A few years after locating on the place, he built a new log house. In 1900 he erected a splendid brick dwelling. The place is also well supplied with barns and outbuildings. Frederick Wendlandt has been treasurer of Zion township, and an officer in his school district, and he is also a class leader and exhorter in the Evangelical Church.

He was married in 1868 to Ernestina Schultz, and they have ten children: Herman, Rebecca, Amelia, Augusta, Henry (deceased), John (who helps operate the home place), Eliza, Tillie, Lena and William. Ernestina Schultz, now Mrs. Frederick Wendlandt, was born in Germany, September 29, 1845, daughter of Gotfried and Louisa Schultz. The mother died when Ernestina was but three years of age, and her father married Wilhelmina Ernest. In 1864, with six children, Herman, William, August, Wilhelmina, Ernestine and Augusta, they came to America, found their way to Stearns county, and settled in Zion township, where they built a log cabin, and where they spent the remainder of their lives. Gotfried Schultz was born February 3, 1815, and died January 28, 1906.

Samuel Unger was born in Green county, Wisconsin, December 1, 1864, son of George and Rosena (Bruntner) Unger. The parents were born in Germany and were there married. In 1851 they started for the United States. After a long sailing voyage of many hardships, during which one child died and one was born, they reached the United States and found their way to Ohio. From there they moved to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1866, they came to Stearns county. While looking about for a location, they lived with the Miller family. In due time they secured 160 acres in section 15, Zion township. This was all wild land. They built a log house and a log cabin, and started farming with a pair of oxen and a few cows that they had brought with them from Wisconsin. Later they built a larger log house. They also added to their farm until they owned 240 acres located in sections 15 and 16. George Unger died at the age of seventy-two and his wife at the age of about sixty. Samuel Unger was educated in the district school, and since he was brought here as an infant has always made his home in Zion township. He still owns the family homestead of 240 acres in sections 15 and 16, which he has developed by erecting new barns and making other improvements. Some years ago, he purchased the farm of 240 acres in section 14 where he now resides. At the time of the purchase the land was in tillable condition, and a good barn had been erected. The granary and house, however, were of logs. Mr. Unger has erected a modern house and other buildings. Mr.

Unger raises good crops and stock, his special pride being his herd of Holstein cattle. He is well regarded in the community, and is one of the officials of the Zion Evangelical Church. He holds stock in the Paynesville Farmers' Elevator and in the Paynesville-Zion Farmers' Insurance Co. Mr. Unger was married, in December, 1888, to Elizabeth Schmidt, and they have eight children: Alga (now Mrs. Herman Arndt), Herbert, Walter, Rheuben, Weir, Ena, Hazel and Agnes. Elizabeth Schmidt, wife of Samuel Unger, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, daughter of Carl and Philaphenia (Holtz) Schmidt. Carl Schmidt was born in Germany, November 24, 1838, son of Carl, Sr., and Mary (Exstad) Schmidt, who lived and died in Germany. Of their four children, two died in Germany, and Sophia and Carl came to America. Carl was married in Germany, in 1862, to Philaphenia Holtz. In 1865 they came to America, with their child, Ferdinand, landing April 1, after a voyage of nineteen days. They came to Jefferson county, where for three years Carl combined his trade as a carpenter with work as a farmer. In Wisconsin, two more children, Eliza and Emma, were born. In 1868 the family came to Stearns county, making the trip from St. Cloud to William Arndt 's place by means of a team of horses and a wagon. They secured 160 acres of wild land in section 14, Zion township, and started farming under the most adverse conditions. Later in life the family became prosperous, added eighty acres to the original farm, and attained a high place in the community. The Schmidt farm is the one now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Unger. Carl Schmidt was at one time supervisor of Zion township, and for some years served as an officer of the Zion Evangelical Church. He died July 8, 1912. The children born in Stearns county were : Anna (deceased), Henry, of Canada; Rheinhard (deceased), Edith, of Washington; Carl (deceased), Anna (deceased), Frank, of Wisconsin; Benjamin, of St, Paul ; Charles, of Paynesville ; and Cecelia, of Texas.

George A. Bridges is the popular and genial proprietor of Lakeside farm, section 14, Eden Lake township. This farm, situated on picturesque Lake Brown, in the heart of an excellent fishing region, furnishes rural rest and quiet comforts with true old-fashioned hospitality for all those in search of summer recuperation and recreation. The home is an ideal farmhouse, modern throughout, and the buildings are equipped with an extensive water system. In addition to entertaining guests, he operates a farm of 320 acres, on which he raises good stock and crops. Mr. Bridges was born near Ft. Abercrombie, North Dakota, August 5, 1861, and was one of the first children born to white parents in that state. His father and mother were Mark M. and Eliza A. (Curtis) Bridges, who settled in St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis, in 1856. Mark M. devoted his life to the meat business. He went to Ft. Abercrombie as assistant to Captain Anderson, who had the contract for furnishing supplies to the garrison there. The family went through all the horrors of the Indian campaign. Mark M. Bridges acted as scout and escort for the mails, and at one time was shot through the mouth. After the Indain troubles were over, he enlisted in Company D, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged. Then he located on 160 acres in Albion township, Wright county, and re- mained there until 1894. But he was a typical pioneer, his spirit urged him to further adventures, and in that year he started westward, going to the Pacific coast, and then journeying to Alaska. He died at Seattle, Wash., in 1906, at the age of seventy-one. His wife lives in San Francisco, at the age of seventy-two. There were eight children in the family. George A. was the oldest of the family. He was reared in "Wright county, and attended the Lincoln School in Minneapolis. Later he determined to secure a mechanical education, and consequently attended the academy, at Mendota, 111. Having secured his training, he did not, however, take up that line of work. Instead he came back to Albion township, Wright county, married there, and farmed for a while. In 1900 he came to Eden Valley, engaged in the meat business about a year, and then located on the farm, where he now resides. He has served on the school board and is a respected member of the community. Mr. Bridges married Nettie Heaton, a native of Wright county, and a daughter of Frank Heaton. They have four children : Mills L., Lola, Cressie and Dessa.

John Driver was born September 14, 1861, in Randolph county, Indiana, son of John, Sr., and Elizabeth Driver. In the family there were four children: Mathew, Eliza, Sarah and John. At the age of six years, John was bound out until he should reach the age of twenty-one. In 1884 he located in Wisconsin, where he rented a farm for some seven years. Then he went back to Indiana, and rented a farm there for four years. Subsequently, after about a year and a half more in Wisconsin, he came to Minnesota in 1896 and located in section 29, Eden Lake township. Here he secured forty acres. Later he added another forty acres. His first home here was a log cabin. This he later replaced with a frame house in which he still resides. His outbuildings have seen a corresponding change and improvement. Mr. Driver is a member of the Church of God, in Eden Valley.

Mr. Driver was married in 1888 to Rachael Wilson, whose parents were Kentucky people. The children are: Morris (deceased), Harry, Roy, Orvillia, George, Lawrence, Mattie and Alva Mary.

Adolph Gustave Knebel, a farmer in section 6, Eden Lake township, was born in Munson township, this county, January 11, 1873. He attended the district schools, and was reared on the home farm in section 31, Munson township. For a time after attaining the years of manhood, he rented his parents' farm. He now owns a good farm of 170 acres, and has become one of the solid men of the community. His crops and live stock are all good, and he takes a special pride in his pedigreed Holstein cattle. He is treasurer of the Farmers' Insurance Co., and lineman for the Farmers Telephone Co. He is an officer in his school district and a member of the Evangelical Church.

Mr. Knebel was married in 1896 to Otilla Schultz, who was born May 23, 1875, the daughter of Michael Schultz, the pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Knebel have seven children: Esther, Elsie, Edwin, Alvina, Ruth (deceased), William and Lydia.

Gotfried Voss, a substantial farmer of section 7, Eden Lake township, was born in Varbam in Pommern, Germany, October 14, 1838, the son of George and Mary (Holtz) Voss. Gotfried attended the schools of his neigh- borhood and spent his young manhood as a farmer in Germany. He was also married in his native land. He was about thirty years of age when he first began to think seriously of coming to America. Finally in 1869 he bade farewell to his friends, and with his wife and children embarked for the new world. The voyage was a heart rending one of five weeks, during which there was much suffering on board the ship, owing to illness and the scarcity of food. At last, however, they landed, and in time found their way to Stearns county. For a time, Mr. Voss was employed by Charley Sehmit, the pioneer of Sehmit 's Grove, in Roseville township. Then he rented a farm in Eden Lake. Later he was enabled to purchase forty asres in section 7, Eden Lake. This forty is now a part of their large estate of many hundred acres. Mr. Voss, with the aid of his family, erected a log cabin, located on the rise of land just north of where the son, Fred, now lives. They built a stable by using crotched sticks to support a roof of clay, hay and straw. At first they had a pair of oxen. Later they bought a cow. One winter they had to care for the cow and calf in their cabin, for otherwise the creatures would have perished in the intense cold. As time passed, a larger cabin was built and finally a frame house was erected. Barns and other outbuildings were erected as occasion required. La the late eighties the management of the place was turned over to the son Fred. At that time the parents erected a house in which they have since led practically a retired life, though Mr. Voss still finds enough work to busy himself both summer and winter. The family faith is that of the Zion Evangelical Church, in the progress of which Mr. Voss has taken the greatest interest. "While he has been a farmer nearly all his life, he is also a mason and plasterer by trade, and it was his work that erected and plastered the walls of the Zion Church. For many years he has been an official in both church and Sunday-school.

Gotfried Voss was married in Germany, November 11, 1862, to Amelia Thorn. Their children are : Anstena, Anna Amelia, William, Martha, Christ, Fred B., Gotfried, George, Marie Augusta, Amelia Helena and Ida L. Anstena was born in Germany, March 22, 1863, and died at the age of nine months. Anna Amelia was born in Germany, February 22, 1865. William was born in Germany, April 16, 1868, and died at the age of six months. Martha was born in Eden Lake township, Stearns county, April 15, 1870; Christ was born in Eden Lake township. May 9, 1872 ; Fred B. was born on the present homestead, November 13, 1873. Gotfried, George, Marie Augusta, Amelia Helena and Ida L. were all born on the old homestead, Gotfried, October 7, 1875; George, September 17, 1877; Marie Augusta, March 17, 1880; Amelia Helena, September 10, 1882; Ida L., June 5, 1884.

Amelia Thorn, who became the wife of Gotfried Voss, was the daughter of Henry and Reca (Spraman) Thom. Henry Thom died when his daughter, Amelia, was six months of age, and she was reared in the home of her stepfather, August Lestman.

Fred B. Voss, who operates 300 acres of good farm land in section 7, Eden Lake township, was born on the old homestead where he still resides, November 13, 1873. He has always remained on the home place, and has had it in charge for the past fifteen years. During these years he has erected a new barn, and also added more land. In addition to his Stearns county holdings he has a fruit farm in Washington. He is 9, stockholder in the Farmers' Telephone Co., and a director in the Roscoe Farmers' Creamery. He has also done efficient work as treasurer of the school district.

Mr. Voss was married in 1897 to Matilda Schonleben, daughter of John and Amelia Schonleben, of Munson township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Voss have five children : Roland, born April 3, 1899 ; Idela born May 2, 1900, Fred and John, born November 6, 1905 ; and Bennie, born October 21, 1913.

Wilson Thompson Mills, early merchant and agriculturalist of Eden Lake township, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, December 7, 1834, son of Morgan and Rebekah (Driver) Mills. He was married October 28, 1854, in his native county to Martha J. Driver, who was born in the same neighborhood, June 15, 1833. In the spring of 1865 they severed their ties in the county of their nativity, and came to Minnesota, bringing their three children, William Riley, Noah E. and Sarah Ellen. They located on 120 acres in section 14, Eden Lake township, and started in life anew as pioneers, erecting a log cabin, breaking the land, cutting roads, and bringing about general developments. In time he acquired 500 acres of land. He opened a store on his land, called the Eden Lake Store, and kept such a stock as is demanded by a rural population. In addition to prospering in business he took an interest in town affairs, and served at different times as township clerk and supervisor, and on the school board. He died October 11, 1905. His wife is still living. They had twelve children : William Riley, born November 18, 1852; Abigail J., born June 10, 1856 (died May 22, 1858); Harvey D., born March 17, 1858 (died June 28, 1864) ; Noah Ephraim, born June 7, 1859 ; Andrew J., born December 9, 1861 (died October 18, 1864) ; Sarah Ella, born June 3, 1864 (died June 4, 1867) ; Charles R., born October 9, 1866; Sherman W., born November 26, 1868; Doctor Franklin, born December 11, 1870 (died December 8, 1872) ; John Morgan, born July 20, 1872 (died November 24, 1872) ; Egbert L., born February 5, 1874 (died July 6, 1875) ; Alto S., born May 27, 1875.

Alto S. Mills, who keeps the rural store in section 14, Eden Lake township, was born on the home place. May 27, 1875, received a good education in the neighborhood school, became interested in the store as a young boy, and upon his father's death succeeded to the business. In addition to conducting the store, he operates eighty acres of land, upon which he raises the usual crops. He is a popular man in the community, and belongs to Court, No. 893, Court of Honor, at Eden Valley village. Mr. Mills was married in St. Cloud to Mary Wilson, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Marshall) Wilson, who were married in Kentucky, came to Minnesata in the fifties, and located in Meeker county, where they reared their twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have had five children: Ethel May, Eva Grace, Lester Alto, Marvin Leslie and Golda Margret.

Frank Marx, vice-president and treasurer of the Friedmann-Marx Co., Eden Valley, was born in Kosel, Germany, November 18, 1876, son of Joseph and Mary (Janetzko) Marx, both of whom are still living in Germany, he at the age of sixty-five and she at the age of sixty-one. In the family there were eight children: Mary, Anna, Francis, Matilda, Martha, Adolph, Ludwiek and Frank. Frank received an excellent education in Germany. In 1892 he came to America, and was employed for a while as a farm hand in Stearns county. Later he purchased 160 acres in Eden Lake township, to which he added until he owned 240 acres, on which he conducted general farming, with special attention to dairying. In 1906 he sold out and engaged in the mercantile business at Eden Valley. In 1913 when the Friedmann- Marx Co. was formed, he assumed his present position. They carry a good stock and do an excellent trade. In addition to this, Mr. Marx has considerable work as local agent for the National Casualty Co. Being interested in the progress of the village, he has been elected a member of the council for several years. He is also a faithful member of St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Marx married Anna K. Rothstein, a native of Stearns county, and they have seven children: Agheta, Hildegaard, Marcella, Vincent, Norbert, Albion (deceased), and Alouise.

John Mehr, Eden Valley, was born in Zion township, this county, August 19, 1872, son of Mathias L. and Regina (Spoerl) Mehr, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehr, and Mr. and Mrs. Simon Spoerl. The subject of this sketch was the oldest in his family. He was educated in the schools of his native township, and farmed for many years on the homestead of his grandfather Mehr, which he still owns. In 1906 he came to Eden Valley village and engaged in the refreshment business, in which he is still occupied. He married Kate Kotschevar, daughter of Peter Kotschevar, of Munson township, and they have seven children : Mathias A., John P. (died at the age of three and a half years), Veronica Theresa (deceased) Edward Christ, Leo Mathias, Ida Katherine, Clara Catherine and John Peter.

Mathias L. Mehr was born in Germany, September 6, 1844, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehr, who brought him to America in 1855, lived in Illinois until 1858, and then came to Stearns county and settled in section 17, Munson township, where they secured 160 acres, erected a log cabin, and underwent the usual experiences of pioneer life. Mathias L. grew to manhood on this farm, and married Regina Spoerl, who was born in Germany, March 4, 1845, daughter of Simon Spoerl, a pioneer, who at one time owned the land on which the village of Greenwald, this county, is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Mehr located on 160 acres in Zion township, in 1869. They prospered exceedingly, and in time acquired a splendid area of 700 acres, located in Zion, St. Martin and Munson townships. The members of the family were devout Catholics, and assisted in building early churches at Richmond and St. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias L. Mehr are now retired and live in Richmond village. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters.

James Jones, veteran of the Civil war, and for many years a respected farmer of Stearns county, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, March 3, 1838, son of Michael and Nancy Jones. He grew to manhood in Indiana, and was married, January 1, 1858,. to Elizabeth Driver, born in Randolph county, Indiana, daughter of James and Sarah (Rhoda) Driver. The secession of the Confederacy found them in Cooper county, Missouri. March 5, 1861, they returned to Randolph county, Indiana. January 1, 1864, he went to Wells county, and enlisted, being mustered in the same day at Indianapolis in Company I, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. M. Butler and Col. R. G. Morrison. He was honorably discharged February 23, 1866, at Brownsville, Texas. While on garrison duty, Mr. Jones, with no other implement than a case knife, whittled from a piece of black ebony a handsome cane which is still cherished in the family. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Jones brought his wife and two children, Sarah and Allena, to Stearns county, and settled on 160 acres in Eden Lake township, where they erected a log house and barns, started farming with an ox team, and endured all the hardships incident to life in this vicinity in those early days. Mr. Jones became a prominent member of the community, and served in both town and school office. He was a member of Litchfield Post, G. A. R., at Litchfield, Minn. March 23, 1899, he retired and moved with his wife to Eden Valley village, where he died August 21, 1907. His widow still makes her home in the village. Five children were born in Minnesota. They were: John W., Riley (deceased), James Michael, Oscar and Oliver P. (deceased).

Joseph Friedmann, president and general manager of the Friedmann- Marx Co., Eden Valley, was born at Cold Spring, this county, March 10, 1870, son of Jacob and Mary Ellen (Young) Friedmann. He was educated in the public schools of his neighborhood, and in the St. Cloud State Normal School. In March, 1891, he began his business career by forming a partnership with Mathias E. Weiler in the general mercantile trade at Eden Valley. They began in a small building, with a floor space 22 by 40. By hard work, honest dealing and attention to details, they increased the business until it was housed in a building 50 by 130 feet, two stories high, with a basement. In 1913, a co-operation called the Friedmann-Marx Co. was formed, with Joseph Friedmann as president; J. L. Friedmann as secretary; and Frank Marx as vice-president and treasurer. In addition to the mercantile business, Mr. Friedmann has operated a brick yard and dealt extensively in real estate. For many years he has been prominent in political affairs. He has been active as a member of the city council for many years, and in the sessions of 1907 and 1909 sat in the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature. Fraternally he associates with the Knights of Columbus at St. Cloud, and the Catholic Order of Foresters at Eden Valley. He is a broad-minded, pleasant gentleman, one whose personality and liberal views have had a distinctive influence in the community. Mr. Friedmann married Ann Eliza Fourniea, born near Minneapolis, daughter of William Fourniea, who was born in Canada and came to Minnesota in the forties. Mr. and Mrs. Friedmann have one daughter, Mary Irene; and are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Eden Valley.