Stearns County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 1 of 12)

Biographical sketches

Pioneers and Later Comers Whose Industry Has Built up the County - Early Experiences in an Unsettled Country - Leaders in Country, City and Village - Family History of Well Known Men.

Very Rev. Alfred Mayer, 0. S. B., prior of St. Mary's Priory and pastor of the Church of Immaculate Conception, St. Cloud, was born June 12, 1858, in Cayuga, Province of Ontario, Canada. His parents, Joseph Mayer and Anna Hinger, emigrated from Germany in 1854 and located on a farm near Cayuga, Canada. After residing there for eleven years they moved to Jordan, Scott county, Minnesota. They had ten children, the eighth in number being Alfred, or as he was called in the world, Anthony. As a boy he first visited a district school in the country, his father having been a farmer, but later on he attended the parish school at Jordan. In the year 1873 he entered St. John's College, at CoUegeville, Minn., completed his classical course in 1878, made his novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey, Beatty, Pa., in 1879, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1882. After his ordination he was for five years professor in the commercial course at St. John's College, master of novices, and pastor of the Abbey Church. On account of failing health he was relieved of his onerous duties at the college and monastery and sent out on missions, attending for one year the parishes of Farming and Logering. In the fall of 1888 he was appointel assistant pastor at the Assumption Church, St. Paul, Minn, After nine months he became pastor of St. Mary's Church, Bismarck, N. D. Having labored there for one year and a half, he was appointed in the year 1890 pastor of the Church of the Assumption at St. Paul, Minn. He held that position for nearly nine years, when he was transferred to St. Clement's church, Duluth, Minn. In 1902 he was appointed by Pope Leo XIII Canonical Prior of the Monastery of Cluny, near Wetang, 111. The community of Cluny having abandoned its field of labor in southern Illinois and located in Saskatchewan, Canada, Prior Alfred in 1894 established in Canada a most flourishing colony of mostly German Catholics who located there from different parts of the United States. After enduring in that new missionary field for three years all the hardships of pioneer life, he was transferred as pastor to the Immaculate Conception Church, St. Cloud, in which capacity he has now labored for the past seven years. This parish was organized in 1856 and is one of the largest and most flourishing parishes of the Northwest. His assistants are Rev. Eugene WoerdehotT, 0. S. B., and Rev. Hildebrand EiehhofP, 0. S. B.

Right Rev. Monsignor Bernard Richter, of Melrose, was born in the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, September 28, 1863, and after attending the common schools passed through the high school into the University of Muenster. In December, 1884, he came to America, and continued his studies at St. Francis' Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wis. Here he was ordained to the priest hood, June 24, 1887. His first parish was at White Lake, South Dakota. His pious devotion and energetic work attracted the attention of the Right Rev. Bishop Otto Zardetti who made him pastor of the Cathedral at St. Cloud. On June 7, 1894, he came to Melrose as pastor of the Church of St. Boniface. His work here has been notable, and has resulted, by the grace of God, in the largest Catholic Church in Stearns county. The parish consists of 300 families, all Germans, and all devoted to the cause of the church. Under the direction of Father Richter, the magnificent church edifice was erected in 1899, at a cost including fixtures, of $75,000; the rectory in 1907 at a cost of $18,000 ; the convent in 1908 at a cost of about $7,000 ; and a sightly parochial school in 1910 at a cost of $50,000. In 1912, Father Richter was elevated by His Holiness, Pope Pius X, to the dignity of Domestic Prelate, thus investing him with the title of Right Reverend Monsiguor.

Rev. Anthony Arzt, 0. S. B., pastor of St. Paul's Parish, Sauk Centre, was born in Nister, Hackenburg, Germany, September 11, 1870. He received his early education in the public schools of his home town and completed his studies at the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. He came to America in September, 1893. He was ordained April 25, 1894, at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn., by Right Rev. Bishop Otto Zardetti, Bishop of St. Cloud. For nine months he was pastor of the Church of St. Francis, at Belgrade, Minn., with a mission in Lake George township, this county. Then he was . transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas, in St. Nicholas, Luxemburg township, this county. For nearly three years he was in charge of the Church of St. Otto, at Fergus Falls, Minn. January 1, 1899, he was assigned to his present parish, which has prospered greatly under his charge. A man of devout piety, he combines keen business judgment with high scholarship, and commands the love of his people and the respect of the people of other denominations. His opinion on all subjects is highly valued by all the people, and in a quiet unostentatious way he exerts a powerful influence for good and for progress. His church has 140 families, and under his direction, by the grace of God, this band of people erected a splendid church in 1904, and a parish house in 1910, while the school, which has 137 pupils in charge of the devout Sisters of St. Benedict, was enlarged and remodeled in 1912.

Rev. Luke Fink, 0. S. B., pastor of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, R. C, New Munich, was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 24, 1871, son of Thomas and Francesca (Miller) Fink. The earnest boy who afterward became the reverend father received a good education in Germany, and came to the United States in 1885, while still a young lad. He took his classical and theological work at St. John's University, Collegeville, this county.

In 1894 he took the solemn vows which united him with the Benedictine Order, and in 1895 he was ordained to the holy priesthood at St. John's by the Right Reverend Bishop Martin Marty. His first parish was at Minneapolis. Subsequently he filled various pastorates in southern and eastern Minnesota and one in Brooklyn, New York. In 1909 he was assigned to his present parish. Under his leadership by the grace of God, a church and parish house have been erected at a cost of $71,000. The piety of the people has deepened, and the parish is nobly fulfilling its mission.

Rev. Leonard Kapsner, pastor of the parish of St. Benedict, Avon, was born in Silesia, Prussia, Germany, February 18, 1871, son of Frank and Therese (Thielsch) Kapsner, who in 1874 brought him to Pierz, Minn,, where they still live. The boy Leonard, who afterward became the devout reverend father, was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools, attending to such simple duties as his years permitted. He passed through the preparatory, classical and theological courses at St. John's University, Collegeville, this county, and was graduated in 1897. He was ordained in June, 1897, at Collegeville by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McGolrick, of Duluth, and was assigned to duty as assistant in the Parish of St. Joseph, Minneapolis. Subsequently he served a year as pastor of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, St. Cloud, and a year as pastor of the Parish of St. James, near Cold Spring, in this county. In 1900 he became professor of German and treasurer, at St. John's University. To years later, in 1902, he became rector of the college, and at the expiration of three more years, in 1905, he again assumed a professorship. In 1906 he was assigned to the College of St. Martin four miles from Olympia, Washington, as professor of Latin and German. In 1908 he was recalled and assigned to his present parish. He is beloved by his people and makes an ideal village priest. Father Kapsner comes of a churehly family. Four of his sisters are devout sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, at the Convent of St. Benedict, at St. Joseph, while one of his brothers is a priest in New York City.

Rev. Leo Gans, J. C. D., rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Guardian Angels, St. Cloud, was born in the city where he still makes his home, September 11, 1879, son of Mathias and Marie P. (Pung) Gans. He prepared himself in the district and parochial schools, and graduated from St. Lawrence College, Mt. Calvary, Wis., in 1894; from St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana, in 1897 ; and from St, Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1901. Then he went to Rome, Italy, where, after a course of two years' study in the Papal Appolinare University, he achieved the high distinction of being granted a Doctorate in Canon Law. While in Rome, he was ordained, February 15, 1903. Dr. Gans has had parishes at Tintah, Minn,, and at Alexandria, Minn,, and taught Canon Law at the St, Paul Seminary for two years. In 1907 he became rector of the cathedral at St, Cloud,

Mathias Gans was born in Prussia, Germany, December 8, 1829, and landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1856, He reached St, Cloud in 1857. Then for several years his interests and occupations were varied, and included several of St. Cloud's pioneer enterprises. During the war he was employed in the copper mines in the Superior regions. Finally he became a teacher at

Wakefield, Minn. In 1870 he was elected treasurer of Stearns county, a position he held with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens until 1878. In December, 1879, he purchased a farm of 340 acres in sections 5 and 8, St. Cloud township. The family moved onto this farm in March, 1880. In 1905, Mathias Gans retired, and once more moved to St. Cloud, where he died April 26, 1906. Mr. Gans had a musical temperament, and was much interested in the vocal music clubs of the city. In June, 1863, Mr. Gans married Marie E. Pung, and they had children as follows: John, Hubert, Joseph, Peter, Michael, Mary, Edward, Leo P., Nestor, Norbert, Anna, Minnie and Rose. Mary married Leslie Morton ; Minnie married Ernest Treischel; Rose married Joseph Schroeder.

Rev. Meinrad Seifermann, beloved pastor of the Parish of the Sacred Heart, Freeport, was born in Baden, Germany, August 20, 1867, one of the family of four girls and two boys born to Ignatius and Agnes (Kohler) Seifermann. The boy who afterward became the reverend father learned the trade of shoemaking in Germany. By diligent application to his studies he also managed to acquire a good education, coning over his lessons while working at the last. In 1888 he came to America and located in Spring Hill township, this county. In 1889, Meinrad Seifermann registered at St. John's University, Collegeville. He there took his classical and theological studies, and was graduated in the spring of 1899. He was ordained June 24, 1899, at St. John's, by the Right Rev. Bishop James Trobec. For three years he was assistant rector of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Cloud. In 1902 he went to Minneapolis, and subsequently spent several years in Mission work in Canada. In 1908 he returned to Roscoe, in this county, and after a short service with the Parish of St. Agnes, there, was assigned to the Parish of St. Catherine, in Farming township. In 1912 he was assigned to his present parish. Father Meinrad is most admirably fitted for his work. He has known hard work and privation as a layman, and as a priest his devotion and piety has been marked. He is truly the father of his people, and his pastorate, by the grace of God, has resulted in much deeping of spiritual grace in the parish and community.

Rev. Andrew Straub, 0. S. B., pastor of the Church of the Seven Daughters, R. C, at Albany, Minn., has been one of the powerful influences for good in the community. A man of broad learning and wide culture and experience, he is an ideal village priest, a true father to his people, stern and uncompromising toward wrongdoing, but merciful and sympathetic toward the wrongdoer. He is a friend of education and progress, and his voice is ever raised in support of whatever is best in the life of the village and its people. Father Straub was born in Ashford, "Wis., in 1855, son of Joseph and Ursula (Beigelmeyer) Straub. He was reared in his native county of Fond du Lac, Wis., and passed his youth on his father's farm. He attended the district and parochial schools at Ashford. His religious training was obtained at St. Francis, in Milwaukee, St. John's in St. Cloud, and at Duluth and Crookston, and was twenty-two years in Minneapolis. In 1881 he joined the Order of St. Benedict. In September, 1904, Father Straub came to Albany, and here, later, he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his first mass. Much of successful work and worthy accomplishment has been perfected in the few years that have passed since his arrival. The congregation numbers about 1,500 souls, and the church property consists of a brick church, a large brick parochial school, and a pastoral residence of brick, as well as a well-kept cemetery where the pioneers lie at rest. The church was originally a frame structure, but it has been enlarged and changed to a brick edifice. Joseph Straub, the worthy father of Father Andrew Straub, was born in Wiirttemburg, Germany, and came to America about 1832. After operating a farm at Gratzburg, Pennsylvania, for a number of years, he moved to Fond du Lac, Wis. Of his six children, only two are living. Jacob lives on the home farm in Wisconsin.

Rev. Alexius Hoflfman, 0. S. B., was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, January 31, 1863. Both parents were natives of Germany and had settled in St. Paul about the year 1855. After attending the parochial school connected with the Church of the Assumption in that city, he entered St. John's College in Stearns county in September, 1875, and pursued the classical course of study for five years. In 1880 he became a member of the Benedictine Order ; then spent four years in the study of philosophy and theology and was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1885. Ever since that time he has been connected with the faculty of St. John's University. From January, 1891, to July, 1899, he was director of the institution. Since 1905 he has been librarian of the Abbey Library. He has written a history of St. John's University, published in 1907. At present he is professor of theology and of English literature in that institution.

Rev. Martin Schmitt, 0. S. B., beloved pastor of the Parish of St. John, at Meire Grove, was born near Cologne, Germany, January 24, 1858, son of Joseph and Margaretha (Unkel) Schmitt, who started for America with their family in 1866. The mother died during the voyage, and the father and the four young children located at St. Louis, Missouri. After having secured a good home with a family for the older girl of 11 years and placed the three younger children, a boy and two girls, under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in charge of the St. Vincent's German Catholic Orphan Asylum the paternal parent secured work and after four years he went to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he died some two years later, amid the comforts of religion. The youth who was afterward to become the reverend father entered the University of St. Louis at St. Louis, in the fall of 1871. In 1872 he entered St. John's University at Collegeville, this county, and there finished the classical course. Having become a scholastic for St. John's he entered the novitiate at St. Vincent's Abbey, Beatty, Pennsylvania, where he made his simple vows. The following year he returned to St. John's, finished the philosophical and theological courses, and made solemn vows July 11, 1879. July 25, 1882, he was ordained by the Right Reverend Bishop Rupert Seidenbusch, of St. Cloud. His first assignment was to the Parish of St. Benedict, at Avon. While there he served missions at Alexandria and Belle River, and acted as a professor at St. John's University. In 1884 he went to Mandan, North Dakota, where he served missions in an area covering some 300 square miles, bringing the comforts of the church to people who had long been without spiritual benefits. In 1887 he returned to St. John's

University, was a professor in several branches, and also attended several missions in the neighborhood. In the fall of 1888 he became pastor of the Parish of St. Boniface, at East Minneapolis, and in the following summer became assistant pastor of the Parish of the Assumption, at St. Paul. In 1890 he was ordered by his superiors to take charge of the Parish of St. Mary at Bismarck, North Dakota, where he revived religions interest, reopened a parochial school that had been closed, and attended missions to the north, northeast and south, covering a radius of from 50 to 75 miles. After six years of hard labor there, he was recalled in 1896 to Minnesota, to become pastor of the Parish of St. Boniface at Cold Spring, during the absence of the regular pastor who was abroad. In the fall of 1896 he became assistant to the pastor of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, at St. Cloud. In May, 1897 he was sent by his superiors to start a parish at Roscoe. St. Agnes was selected as the patron, a church and parsonage were erected, and a thriving parish inaugurated. After three years of faithful work there, Father Schmitt was sent to the Parish of St. Martin, in St. Martin township, this county. In May, 1906, he came to his present parish at Meire Grove. He has merited and won the love of his large parish of 125 families, and the respect and confidence of the entire community. He has ever been a faithful, able and energetic worker for the True Cause of Right, and through his untiring work, by the Grace of God, the parish is in a flourishing condition and the people are now contemplating the erection of a substantial parish school.

Rev. Father Ludger Ehrens, 0. S. B., pastor of the parish of St. Joseph, in St. Joseph village, was born in Walchum, Province Hanover, Germany, July 14, 1853, son of Herman and Elizabeth (Heyen) Ehrens. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and in November, 1872, he came to America. At once upon his arrival he entered St. John's University, in Collegeville, this county. He took his novitiate in 1874 and was ordained at St. Cloud by the Right Rev. Bishop Rupert Seidenbusch, 0. S. B., on December 15, 1878. His first pastorate was the station of St. James, Stearns county, this state. In 1880 he was assigned to the parish of St. Martin, this county, where he remained six years. In the year 1886 he was stationed in the Parish of the Assumption, at St. Paul, for a short time, and in the parish of Cold Spring, in this county, till September 1892. In 1892 he became pastor of his present parish in St. Joseph and remained till August, 1900. From the latter year he was with the parishes of St. Joseph, Minneapolis, Richmond, Minn., New Munich, Minn, and Avon, Minn. In October, 1907, again transferred to his present charge.

Rev. Father Meinulph Stuckenkemper, 0. S. B., beloved pastor of the Church of St. Martin, St. Martin township, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, January 17, 1837, a son of Casper Stuckenkemper, who brought the family to America in 1847. Father Meinulph prepared for college and then pursued his classical and theological studies at St. Vincent's College, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was ordained July 20, 1861, and was assigned to the parish of the Church of the Assumption at St. Paul. Two years later he came to St. Cloud where he organized a parish and erected the Church of the Immaculate Conception, also the parish house. Then he served various mission parishes in southern Minnesota. In 1872 he took charge of the Immaculate Conception Church at New Munich, in this county. Subsequently he was again attached to the Church of the Assumption at St. Paul, and after that he organized the parish and built the house of worship of the Church of St. Joseph, Minneapolis. Later he served the Church of St. "Wendelin in St. Wendel, after which he did his memorable quarter of a century's work with the Church of St. John, at Myer Grove, in this county, beginning his service there in February, 1881. In 1906 he was assigned to his present parish. He has been one of the foremost church builders in Minnesota, suffering privations, going without food and comforts, working in poor parishes, sacrificing every pleasure in order that the Church of God should flourish in this part of the world. The years have taught him that gentleness which is a man's greatest strength and his devout life is an example to the people of all denominations. His work has meant something to the community, and the world, by the grace of God, is the better for his having lived in it. On July 20, 1911, Father Meinulph celebrated the golden anniversary of his ordination, and many were the felicitations he secured upon his half century of faithful service.

Mathias A. Bussen, postmaster, journalist and business man, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1851, son of Henry and Anna Margaret (Horren) Bussen who spent the span of their years in Germany. The children in the family were : Herman, Elizabeth, Bernhard, Henry, Joseph, Mathias A., Gerhard, Christina and William. Of these children, Henry was the first to come to this country. He left Germany and reached St. Louis, Mo., in 1866, just after the close of the Civil War. It was in 1870 that Mathias A. came. He secured employment for a while as a clerk in St. Cloud, this county. Then he entered St. John's University at College ville, where he took a three years' course, finishing in 1875. Subsequently he went to Quincy, 111., where he clerked in a store, and then to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed as a traveling salesman. In 1876 he returned to St. Cloud, where he once more secured work as a clerk. After his marriage in 1877 he came to Richmond, where he entered a store as bookkeeper and clerk. In 1880 he engaged in the general mercantile business at Richmond, with a partner. In 1892 this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Bussen entered the real estate and general investment business. On July 4, 1902, he issued the first number of the "Richmond Standard," one of the most popular papers of this vicinity. This paper is still published, J. M. Bussen being his father's partner in the venture. From 1885 to 1893, Mathias A. Bussen was postmaster of Richmond, and since 1898 he has been in that office continuously. He has also served two years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Munson township, and for many years was town clerk and justice of the peace. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Bussen married Anna Lieser and they have eleven children : L, H., J. A., B. L., J. M. ; Anna W., wife of H. Woolsey ; Sister Mary Alesia, O. S. B. ; Sister Mary Alice, 0. S. B. ; Sarophine, Ulric, Aloysius and Hilda.

Bernard Bruening, retired farmer of Richmond, and brave veteran of the Civil War, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 22, 1839, son of Henry and Angelica Bruening, who brought their family to America in 1846 and settled in Missouri. In 1855, one of the sons, Gerhard, the brother of

Bernard, came to Stearns county. After looking about he returned to Missouri to get his widowed mother and his brothers and sisters. With four yoke of oxen they started out for their new location, the trip consuming seven weeks. The quarter section of land which they obtained embraced the present site of Richmond. Bernard secured 160 acres two miles east of St. Martin. He was on the pleasant road to prosperity when the Civil War broke out. Believing thoroughly in the cause of the Union, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, in all a period of three years and five days. He saw strenuous work on many a bloody battle field. Much of the time he was in the hospital corps. After the war he returned to his farm. He was very successful in his operations, and increased his holding until he owned 200 acres. In 1899 he retired and moved to the village of Richmond. Mr. Bruening was married in 1868 to Margaret Schlener, a daughter of George Schlener, who was one of the early settlers of Munson township. She died in 1911 at the age of sixty-one. Mr. and Mrs. Bruening adopted two children, Joseph Larmer and Maud Lugneatte.

George Engelhard, a leading citizen of Richmond, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 26, 1844, son of Valentine and Catherine (Busch) Engelhard, who brought him to Ohio in 1846, and to Munson township in 1859. George Engelhard lived on the home place in Munson township about fiftythree years. As a farmer he has been very successful. The home place has been increased to 240 acres, and brought to a high stage of development and improvement, and under his diligent care its operation has been very profitable. But in building up his own interests, Mr. Engelhard has not forgotten the welfare of the community. He has been a school officer for a considerable period, he has given satisfaction as township supervisor, treasurer and assessor, he sat with dignity in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and his twelve years as county commissioner will not soon be forgotten. In a private capacity he has also aided in the growth and development of the county, Mr. Engelhard was married June 11, 1867, at Richmond, to Angeline Korte, and they have ten children : Valentine, Catherine, Mary, Henry, Barbara, Therese, Jacob, Gertrude, Elizabeth and Barney. Angeline Korte, now Mrs. George Engelhard, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1846, daughter of Barney and Anna (Schle) Korte, who in 1860 came to America and settled in Farming township, Stearns county, bringing their five children: William, Catherine, Henry, John and Angeline.

Jacob Engelhard, a retired farmer of Munson township, was bom in Germany, January 6, 1837, son of Valentine and Catherine (Busch) Engelhard. The parents came to America in 1846, bringing with them the six children : Stephen, Valentine, Jacob, Catherine, George and Martin, the latter of whom died in St. Cloud after their arrival here. The family lived in Ohio some thirteen years, and there the father worked at his trade as a shoemaker. Then they started out for Minnesota, making the trip up the Mississippi by boat to St. Paul, and then by means of a team of horses to Richmond, in Stearns county, arriving April 28, 1859. They located on a claim of 160 acres three miles west of Richmond, and erected the second frame house built in this vicinity. During the Indian troubles they remained on the farm, but thoroughly forti- fied themselves. During the height of the trouble they never locked up for the night without collecting all their axes, pitchforks, guns and the like, in order to be prepared against sudden attack Amid surroundings, Jacob, the subject of this mention, spent his young manhood. He married, and after the Indian uprising was over, he and his good wife located on 160 acres of land near his father's home. He built a log cabin, 18 by 28, and started farming . with an ox team and two cows. Later he added 120 acres to his original farm. In time he erected new buildings and added modern equipment. After more than thirty-five years on this farm he retired and moved to the village of Richmond. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in school office. He and his family attend the Catholic Church. Mr. Engelhard married Thracie "Wilber, and they had the following children: Valentine (deceased), Elizabeth, Catherine, William, John (deceased), Eva (deceased), George, Joseph (deceased), Mary, Glasesus (deceased), and Rose.

Thracie Wilber, now Mrs. Engelhard, was born in Germany, October 15, 1842, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Coch) Wilber, who came from Germany to Westphalia, Clinton county, Mich., bringing their children : John, William, Henry, Joseph, Elizabeth, Marian, Catherine and Thracie. In 1858 Thracie came to Jacob's Prairie in Stearns county to join her brother, John, and here she met Mr. Engelhard.

John Kost, village marshal of Richmond, was born in Johnstown, Penn., in 1856, son of Clemens and Theresia (Schaiber) Kost, who brought him to Stearns county in 1860. He was reared on the farm, and after his marriage settled on what was known as the "disputed" land, near Morris, in Swift county, Minn. Since 1882 he has lived continuously in Richmond. He has been constable twenty-five years and marshal twenty years, and makes a most excellent guardian of the peace. Mr. Kost has many interesting recollections of life in the early days, and has many thrilling and amusing stories to tell of his experiences in driving an ox team which freighted goods between St. Cloud and Winnipeg.

John Kost was married in 1878 to Anna Kesler, a native of Chilicothe, Ohio, daughter of Frank and Cecelia (Riley) Kesler both born in Baden, Germany. Frank Kesler was born in 1819, came to the United States in 1848 and settled in Ohio. Cecelia Riley was born in 1829, the daughter of Bartholomew Riley, and was brought to Ohio by her parents in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Kost have seven children: Paul (deceased), Frank (deceased), Benjamin, Edward, Lydia, Clara (deceased) and Stella.

John Lang, a prominent merchant of Richmond, was born November 3, 1867, three miles southwest of that village in Munson township, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Lang. He was reared on the home farm and received such meagre education as the schools of his time and neighborhood afforded. At the age of seventeen he abandoned the farm for commercial pursuits by opening a general store with Jacob Schlener as a partner. By strict attention to business they have built up a good trade, and now have the leading store in the village. In addition to this, Mr. Lang deals extensively in real estate. He has been president of the village and has served on other public offices. Mr. Lang married Mary Kost, daughter of Clemens Kost, a pioneer. She died in 1906 at the age of thirty-three, leaving five children : Albert, Aloysius, Sylvester, Benjamin and Lavretta. The present Mrs. Lang was Elizabeth Reoder, born in Roscoe, this county, daughter of Nicholas Reoder. The children are Leona and Lucille. Joseph Lang was born in Iowa, the son of Conrad and Barbara Lang, His wife, Elizabeth, was brought to America by her parents as an infant of nine weeks. In 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lang came to Stearns county and located in Munson township, with the early pioneers. They erected a log cabin, and with a yoke of oxen started to break the land. They constructed a primitive wagon, making the axles out of wood, and furnishing it with wheels hy cutting round slices out of logs. In this wagon they drove to St. Paul for supplies. ' During the Indian uprising they sought refuge at Richmond. Through hard times they passed to prosperity, and became substantial members of the community. Joseph Lang died at the age of sixty-five and his wife is still living. They had seven children, two boys and five girls.

P. A. N. Vreyens, vice-president of the Richmond State Bank, was born in France, August 5, 1842, son of Peter and Mary Adaline Pauline Vreyens, who spent the span of their years in France. The father, Peter, was one of thirty-six children, and was the father of sixteen. The subject of this brief mention lost his mother at the age of two years, and his father at three years of age. He came to America in 1868, at 26 years of age, and located in Philadelphia. Two years later he came to Minnesota. He taught school in Hennepin and Carver counties, and was county superintendent of schools in the latter county for five years. Subsequently he came to Richmond as an accountant. It was in 1902 that he entered the Richmond State Bank, as cashier. In 1907 he became the vice-president. He is a member of the Bankers' Association. Mr. Vreyens was married in 1890 to Mary Heffaley, who was born in Alsace, France, and died in Richmond, Stearns county, at the age of sixty-three. Their one child died at birth.

John P. Myers, respected pioneer and honored veteran of the Indian campaigns, was born in Prussia, Germany, October 20, 1842, son of John and Barbara (Engle) Myers, the pioneers. The parents came to Iowa in an early day, bringing their children, Barbara, John P., Elizabeth and Jacob. After remaining in Iowa some ten or twelve years, the family came to Stearns county and located on a quarter section four miles west of Richmond, in Munson township. They began life in a log cabin and gradually achieved prosperity. On this farm both parents ended their days. John P. started out for himself at about the age of eighteen. During the Indian troubles in 1862 he took a most active part in the measures for defense. He joined the Home Guards, a military organization organized to protect the settlers. The Guards patroled the vicinity of Richmond, and gave a sense of security to the pioneers. In October, 1862, the subject of this mention was in the home of Henry Thein, a mile west of Richmond, when at about 5 o'clock one morning the place was surprised by Indians. The cabin was crowded to its utmost capacity, many of the inmates being women and young children. All were sleeping on the floor. Twenty or thirty shots entered the cabin, and kitchen utensils and crockery were smashed, but the shots were too high to injure the sleeping settlers on the floor, Mr. Myers was one of the detachment that pursued the Indians beyond Paynesville toward Norway lake. During the next winter, Mr, Myers worked for Austin, Freeman & Richardson, co-partners in operating a hotel at Richmond. In October, 1863, as a teamster for Henry Burbank, the famous stage man, he accompanied Hatch's Independent Battalion to Pembina, He returned in the spring of 1864. He and Claudius Weiber established a brewery in Richmond, this being the first in the county outside of St. Cloud, This partnership continued for three years. Then Mr, Myers sold out, and engaged in farming in Eden Lake township. Like so many of the pioneers, he started farm life in a log cabin and with a yoke of oxen. He became a very prosperous man. He was respected by his fellow townsmen, and his opinions on public questions were highly valued. He was supervisor for eighteen years and also served in other town and school positions. For a time he conducted the Washington Hotel, in St, Cloud, but with this exception he remained on the farm from the time he purchased it, until 1903 when he retired and moved to Richmond where he now makes his home. Mr. Myers was married in 1866 to Kate Lemm, a native of Luxemburg, a daughter of Henry Lemm, of St. Augusta township, this county. There are seven children : John, Henry, Kate, Peter, Jacob, Lizzie and Mary.

Xavier Braun was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, April 16, 1813. He was reared in his native province, and as a young man served in the German army. In 1846, with his wife, Magdalena Lindel, and his two children, Mary and Theofiel, he came to America, and took up farming in Missouri, In 1853 he came to Stearns county, and took up a claim of 120 acres in sections 25 and 26, St, Cloud township, A year later he secured this land from the government at $1,25 an acre. He erected a log cabin, and went through many interesting experiences incident to pioneer life. In 1866 the log cabin was replaced with a frame structure, Mr, Braun was respected by all who knew him. He died February 29, 1904, His wife died June 12, 1912, Mr, and Mrs, Braun had eight children, four of whom are living, Mary married Andrew Fritz, Both are dead. They left nine children, Theofiel was killed by the falling of a tree, Lena, and her husband, Henry Herschbach, had four sons and are both dead, Elizabeth has nine children. Her husband, Julius Kuck is dead. Frank died in 1912, He was twice married and by his first wife had nine children, Barbara married Edward Doerner, for many years a schoolteacher in this county. They live in St, Cloud and have eight children, John P. is mentioned elsewhere, Gertrude married William Ernst, a St, Cloud business man. They have five children,

John P. Braun, a leading citizen of St, Cloud township, and for many years a progressive and scientific farmer, was born within a short distance of the house where he now resides, August 15, 1861, son of Xavier and Magdalena (Lindel) Braun, He received a good education and has devoted his life to farming. He remained on the home farm until 1891, when he removed to Mayhew Lake, in Benton county, and purchased 200 acres of land on which he opened up a fine farm. He grubbed and broke the land, erected a good home and suitable set of outbuildings, and there farmed until 1904, when he sold out and came back to St, Cloud township, where he purchased the "Old

Braun Homestead," in section 25. Here he successfully farmed until 1913 when he retired and turned the place over to his son, Alphonse Braun, and his step-son, Bernard Landwehr. The homestead is well-equipped with everything that makes farming and dairying successful. One of the show features of the place is a large silo, constructed of white brick. The owners have extensive milk routes in St. Cloud, and are noted for the excellence of the products of their dairies. John P. Braun is one of the best known men in this part of the country, and is justly respected for his worth as a man and his success as a farmer. He followed in the footsteps of a worthy father and his sons are worthily following in his. In 1912, the year before he retired, he purchased twenty acres of "old college land," adjoining his farm on the north, and in 1913 he built the modern home where he now lives. The house is splendidly furnished throughout, and is equipped with a hot air furnace, the Pitner gasoline lights, running hot and cold water, bath room, cesspool and the like, making an ideal country residence in every respect. Mr. Braun was married, October 23, 1883, to Susan Rabischung, and to this union were born five children : Celia, Alphonse, Clara, Lena and Roman. Alphonse lives on the home farm. He married Theresa Landwehr, and has one son, Donald. Roman is a bookkeeper for the First National Bank, of St. Cloud. Celia lives in Clear Lake, Minn.; Clara lives at home and Lena lives in Chicago. Mrs. Susan (Rabischung) Braun died February 4, 1896. On November 16, 1897, Mr. Braun married Mrs. Margaret (Voigt) Landwehr, and this union has been blessed with three children: Rose, Arthur and Raymond, all in their 'teens. The family are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Cloud. Mr. Braun is connected with the German Roman Catholic Relief Association of Minnesota and with the St. Joseph Society.

Margaret (Voigt) Landwehr Braun, wife of J. P. Braun, was born in Germany, June 2, 1863, daughter of William and Theresa (Meyer) Voigt, who came to America in 1879 and located in St. Augusta township, where they purchased 200 acres of land in sections 11 and 12. William Voigt lived only about a year and a half after coming to America. He died December 27, 1881. The farm was conducted by Mrs. Voigt and her children until 1892, when she sold it to her son, Andrew. Mrs. Voigt died February 19, 1912. Margaret Voigt was married May 5, 1884, to John Landwehr, who was born in St. Augusta township this county, June 12, 1863, and died in Sauk Rapids township December 12, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Landwehr had five children: Bernard, Andrew, Theresa, Adolph and Eleanor. Bernard married Magdalene Metz. He and his stepbrother, Alphonse Braun, conduct the "Old Braun Dairy Farm." Andrew lives in Los Angeles. Theresa is the wife of Alphonse Braun. Adolph assists his brother on the farm. Eleanor is in the convent at St. Joseph in this county.

Arthur Cooper, scientific farmer, stockraiser, and dairyman of St. Cloud township, was reared in the home of his foster-parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper, and now conducts the famous Lynden Grove farm, just outside the limits of the city. In 1911 he erected his present beautiful home. It is roomy and comfortable, and furnished with every improvement and convenience, making one of the "show places" of the neighborhood.

Lynden Grove is an ideal farm just outside the city limits of St. Cloud. It contains 400 acres that would make glad the heart of any farmer, because of its rich soil, and nearness to the city. John Cooper, several years ago, decided to make it the home of one of the finest herds of Shorthorns to be found in the Northwest. Being a man of excellent judgment and business ability, and intensely interested in the development of the state, he selected a type of animal that in his opinion would be best suited to the needs of the farmers of Minnesota. That he succeeded in this is proven by the wide demand for stock from his herd. For several years prior to the death of John Cooper, the farm was under the management of Arthur C. Cooper, who is now the proprietor of this splendid property.

Arthur C. Cooper is a practical stockman, and takes personal supervision of the farm and the care of his herd. Whenever the Cooper Shorthorns are exhibited, they make an excellent showing, and many are the prizes won by them in state and national contests. In addition to Shorthorns of the best full blood, and good Jersey stock, considerable attention is paid to the raising of full blood Berkshire hogs, and Mr. Cooper's success in this direction has been as marked as in the cattle line. The swine have proved to be hardy and productive and easily fattened, the three qualities that win in the making of pork. Arthur C. Cooper is not only a successful stockman and farmer, but he is possessed with an ambition to help his town and county. He has placed the citizens of the entire county under obligations to him for five annual exhibits at the Minnesota State Fair, all of which have been most creditable and a most desirable advertisement for this section of the country. He is an advocate of good roads, and was the first man in this county to make use of the split-log drag. Like his predecessor he is a member of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, and he is also a member of the executive committee of the Minnesota Live Stock Association and the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, in the last named of which he has been particularly active. In St. Cloud he affiliates with the Elks and the Commercial Club. Since 1905, Mr. Cooper has operated a cream route in St. Cloud, supplying the people of that city with pure unadulterated cream fresh on alternate days.

Arthur Cooper was married June 24, 1896, and they have five children: Agnes M., George C, John C, and Robert and Randall, twins. The members of the family are loyal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church at St. Cloud.

John Cooper, for four years president of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, was born in Canton, in the mountain districts of Pennsylvania, in 1836. In 1856 he came to Minnesota, and settled near the present village of Bethel, in Anoka county. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and followed the fortunes of that company as commissary sergeant until the close of the war, serving against the Indians of the Northwest and against the Confederates of the South. It was with this company that Mr. Cooper first came to St. Cloud. After the war he returned to St. Cloud, and entered the employ of Josiah E. Hayward, as manager of the Grand Central Hotel. After some years in this employ, he married Malinda, the widow of John Hayward, and moved to the Hayward homestead on Second street and

Eighth avenue south. After that time, the interests of Mr. Cooper were diversified. At various periods he had extensive lumber interests and in this way placed himself in comfortable circumstances. His hobby, however, was farming. "Lynden Grove Farm" just outside of St. Cloud, was his especial pride and it was here that his famous pure-blooded Shorthorns were raised. From county and district, his reputation spread throughout the state, and he became president of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society which has the state fair in charge. He was a member of the board of managers of this society for twenty-four years. He and N. P. Clarke were among those who worked for the abolishment of the sale of liquor on the state fair grounds. Many of the policies which he advocated have since been put in force, and his administration marked years of great progress and improvement. He was prominent in the politics of the state and county, but did not seek office for himself. He did the city of St. Cloud excellent service as coucilman, and served on various important temporary committees from time to time. For many years he was deputy collector of internal revenue for this district. He died at Riverside, California, January 7, 1907.

In addition to his connection with the Agricultural Society, Mr. Cooper will long be remembered for his work on the Minnesota State Board of Forestry, and for his part in bringing the Minnesota State Reformatory to St. Cloud. As a member of the Forestry Board he showed his true love of nature. He was farsighted, and saw the evil consequences of denuding the state of its valuable forests. He was one of the forerunners of that movement that is now known under the head of "Conservation." He, together with D. H. Freeman and D. E. Meyer, were active in securing the legislation which located the State Reformatory at St. Cloud, and appropriated $100,000 for preliminary expenses. He was one of the original board of directors and served continuously until the Reformatory passed under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Control. Mr. Cooper was noted for his sterling honesty and distinctive personality. His word was never to be impeached, and throughout his life he lived up to the last iota of what he professed. He was successful in whatever he undertook, and in the early days did much for the community, sacrificing himself and his own interests that the neighborhood might be benefited. Personally he was a man of high principles, of pure life and of genial disposition, and his death was a severe loss to the community. Aside from the society of which he was president, and the numerous boards on which he served, he belonged to the Masonic Order, the Old Settlers' Association, and the Grand Army.

Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper adopted two sons, whom they reared from boyhood. Charles A. married Hattie Russell and lives in Idaho. Arthur lives on the home farm in St. Cloud township. Mrs. John Cooper resides at Riverside, California.

Henry Hess, of the firm of Hess & Son, brickmakers, township of St. Cloud, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, March 1, 1861, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Scharer) Hess. Peter Hess was born in Prussia, and upon coming to America, located in Burlington, Wisconsin, settling in Carver county, Minnesota, about 1855. In 1865 he moved to St. Paul where he died three weeks later. Henry Hess was taken to St. Paul as a child, and he supported the family by blacking shoes and selling papers after the death of his father. The family moved back to Carver county in 1872. Mr, Hess learned the trade of brick making, worked in his native county for a while, and in 1877 went to :^rainerd, Minn., where he also worked at his trade, finally taking charge of a yard. In 1881 he conducted a yard at Moorhead, Minn. In 1882 he came to St. Cloud, and after working a month for William Kreugel, he formed a partnership with Michael Bandel. Later Mr. Bandel sold his interests to John Moog. In 1906, Mr. Moog retired from the business, and Mr. Hesse 's son, John J., was received as a partner. The concern has a large trade, employs a large number of men, and ships extensively to western points. The company has also furnished brick for some of the best blocks that have been erected in Minneapolis in the past few years. Aside from the brick business they own and operate a large farm of 271 acres on quite an extensive scale. Henry Hess is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has done good service as a member of the board of supervisors of St. Cloud township as well as director of the school board of District No. 3. Mr. Hess's mother died at Gray Eagle, Minn., about ten years ago. On April 3, 1883, Henry Hess married Berdina Laudenbach, a native of St. Cloud township. They have had four children: John J., Carrie, Mary and Alma. John J., who is his father's partner, is one of the rising young men of the township. He married Adeline Neiser, and has four children. He is at present clerk of St. Cloud township.

Jacob Jansky, a leading farmer of St. Cloud township, was born in Kreis, Breislauf, Ault Lyarrael, Germany, in 1855. He came to America in 1874, and worked for farmers in St. Cloud township, this county. A year later his parents arrived, and purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 21, St. Cloud township. In 1886 the parents and one of their sons moved to North Prairie, in Morrison county, and since then, Jacob, the subject of this sketch, has operated the home farm. He has remodeled the home and made many other improvements. Mr. Jansky is one of the progressive men of the neighborhood, and has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare of the township. He is now treasurer of the town and has occupied that position at various times for eleven years. He has been on the school board of district 47 for fifteen years. He and his family attend the church of the Immaculate Conception. Mr. Jansky married Caroline Zekala, who was born in Grindorf, Kris, Oppel, Germany, in 1859, and was brought to North Prairie this county, by her parents in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Jansky have been blessed with eleven children : Mary, Paul, Rose, John, Annie, Catherine, Joseph, Peter, Francis, Matilda and Theresa. Mary was born June 25, 1880, and is now Sister Mary Ernestine, living in a convent at White Earth, Minn., and teaching in the parochial school there. Paul was born December 29, 1881, and married Mary Goike. Rose was born September 4, 1883, married Frank Sobkowiak, and has four children : Stephen, Alphonse, Oliva and Joseph. John was born February 9, 1885, married Tillie Langer, and has three children: Richard, Alvina and Urban (deceased). Annie was born February 10, 1887. Catherine was born March 11, 1889, and died January 8, 1890. Joseph was

Henry Krebs was born in Eichsfeld, Germany, June 12, 1826. After graduating from the common schools in his home town, he entered the University of "Heiligen Staat," and later the University of Gottingen, where he graduated with high honors. He came to St. Louis in 1846 where he studied the English language and from there moved to West Point, Iowa, where he taught school for a number of years. It was at this place that he was married to Mary Anna Vossberg. In 1858 they moved to St. Augusta township in Stearns county, where he was the first teacher, and where he continually made his home until the time of his death, teaching this school for nearly twenty-five years with the exception of the two terms which he served in the legislature. He also served two terms as county school superintendent, and many years as town clerk, an office he still held at the time of his death, which occurred on May 1, 1906, having nearly reached the age of 80 years. He was likewise prominent in church affairs, having served as organist and leader of the choir for twenty-five years. His wife had preceded him in death, having died April 18, 1904. He was a man of scholarly attainments and had the respect of the entire community and being of noble character his death was greatly mourned. He had at various times been offered inducements to go to larger places to teach, but he preferred to live among his friends and relatives. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Krebs, of whom Hubard and Catherine died in infancy, and Theresa Goenner, nee Krebs, died in 1906. Those surviving are Mrs. Mary Goenner, of Clear Lake, Sherburn county ; Mrs. Beata Wildenborg, of St. Cloud ; Mrs. Josephina Kilian, of St. Cloud township ; Richard Krebs, residing on the old homestead at St. Augusta, and George Krebs, of St. Cloud.

Henry Kilian was born in Hessen, near the city of Cassel, June 24, 1820. He attended the school of his native land, where he received a thorough education. After he graduated from school he learned the trade of weaver, which trade he followed until he emigrated to America. In 1849 he was married to Anna Elizabeth Veihmann. To this union there were born eight children, five of whom died in infancy. The remaining three, Elizabeth, Theresia and Henry, are still living in Stearns county. In 1851 he decided to cast his lot with the many thousand emigrants who found it impossible to better their financial circumstances in the old country, and he and his wife took passage on a sailboat for America. After leaving the city of Hamburg, it took them nine weeks and four days to cross the Atlantic and reach the city of New Orleans, from whence they came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and from there up the Missouri to a little station in the state of Missouri, called Boomville, where they disembarked and selected a place about five miles from Jefferson City, in the state of Missouri. Here they lived for two years, but on account of the unhealthy climate, both having been ill most of the time during the two years with fever, he determined to find a more suitable location. This was the time when reports of the great country called Minnesota were being spread across the southern and eastern states. Mr. Kilian and his wife again took passage on a river boat and came in this way as far as St. Paul. There they hired a team and a wagon, paying $70 for transportation for themselves and their few hundred pounds of baggage, to Sauk Rapids, at which point they arrived April 28, 1854. They were ferried across the Mississippi in a small boat by the late Abbott Alexius Edelbrock, who was then a mere lad. Mr. Kilian then wended his way down the Mississippi river about five miles and selected a place at the foot of what is known as the ' ' Thousand Islands." He preempted this land as the state had not been organized yet and no homestead law was in effect. This place later was made the steamboat landing during the seasons of low water, and thereby became the gateway through which many hundreds of the old settlers passed to their future welfare and happiness. Here Mr. Kilian erected a warehouse and conducted a boarding house. It was here that his true character revealed itself through the assistance which he gave to many new comers in this great wilderness. He was also a friend to the early missionaries whom he many times accompanied through the wilderness to the distant missions, carrying their baggage and otherwise assisting them. This part of the country at that time was really the home of the Indians, an Indian village being located on his land only a few rods from the house. But Mr. Kilian was so friendly with them that he could leave his family for a week at a time while he was helping to erect many of the first buildings in the city of St. Cloud. The Indians never molested them in any way, and actually showed their willingness to assist him wherever they could, bringing them game and fish and some of their handwork, such as moccasins ornamented with beads and the like. This friendship was not forgotten by a family of Indians who made a trip down the Mississippi river as late as 1880, when they stopped at his place to renew the old friendship. By thrift and good management, Mr. Kilian became quite prosperous, and the orginal farm of one hundred and eleven acres was increased by him, and later by his son, Henry, until today it comprises 320 acres of the finest farm land in this part of the country, all in a high state of cultivation, with many thousands of dollars worth of improvements thereon. He died October 10, 1912, having almost reached the age of ninety-three years. His wife preceded him in death a little over two years, having died September 18, 1910. They were honored and respected by everyone who knew them. Both being very religious they materially assisted in the organization and erection of every church in their community from the very beginning to the time of their death. The surviving children are : Elizabeth Toenyes, who now resides in the town of St. Augusta, where she owns a fine farm of 240 acres ; Theresia Kloeppner, also of the town of St. Augusta, where she owns a very fine farm of 280 acres ; and Henry, who resides on the old homestead in St. Cloud township. In 1888, Henry Kilian married Josephina W. Krebs. To this union eight children were born. Two died in infancy. Those living are : Elizabeth Marie Grossmeyer, who lives in the township of St. Augusta; Henry Robert, Henrietta Josephina, George Andrew, Lidvina, Mary Helen, and Julitta Beata, all of whom live at home with their parents. Mr. Kilian is engaged in the breeding of pure-blooded stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Poland- China swine, and Pereheron horses. He is highly respected in his home township where he holds office as chairman of the town board.

section 5, in the same township, December 10, 1865, son of Michael and Mary (Schmit) Lahr. He received a good district school education, and remained on his father's place until he married, at which time he purchased an adjoining farm on which he still resides. He has a well cultivated farm, suitable buildings, and a full supply of the necessary tools and machinery. He is supervisor of the township, and has been on the school board for many years. Jacob N. Lahr was married June 14, 1892, to Barbara Heafner, who was born in Austria, came to America with her parents about 1878, lived with them in St. Joseph township, this county, for a while, and then moved with them to St. Wendel, in this county, where they engaged in farming. Her father died in 1890, and her mother in 1891. Mr. -and Mrs. Lahr have six children : Ida M., Arthur P., Edwin D., Florence A., Verena M., and Elmer A. L.

John Schwarz, the pioneer, was born in Trimbs, Germany, in 1824. He was reared in his native land and served in the German army. In 1852 he came to America. He lived for a time in Buffalo, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. In 1854 he came to St. Cloud and purchased 160 acres of government land in section 15. Here he erected a log cabin, and started in to cultivate the land. In 1862 he purchased a frame house in Sauk Rapids and moved it near the site of the log cabin. Mr. Schwarz conducted farming operations on this farm until his death, April 30, 1892. John Schwarz married Catherina Rengel, who was born in Germany, in 1832, the daughter of Peter and Anna Catherina (Schwab) Rengel. The family came to America in 1847 and located in Chicago. Mrs. Schwarz is now in her eighty-second year. She is a wonderfully well preserved woman and in the full possession of all her faculties. Her experience ranges over nearly sixty years' of Stearns county life. She is thoroughly informed in regard to the early history of the county, and is an interesting and instructive talker on that subject. Her stories of the early days would make a valuable volume in themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz had twelve children, of whom five are living. They are : Mary, Peter, Annie, Lidwina and Andrew. Mary is now Mrs. Peter Irmiter, and has one child, Hubert. They live in Chicago. Peter married Susan Schindler. They have eight children : Celia, Leo, Rosa, Raymond, Ezelda, Lidwina, Arthur and Marcellus, and live in Watkins, Minn. Annie lives in St. Cloud, Lidwina lives home. Andrew lives in St. Paul. He married Mary Jackale and they have three children: Evelyn, Roman and Adeline. The deceased children were : Joseph, George, Rosa (first), Rosa (second), Sebastian, Mathias and Anton. Rosa (second) was married to Conrad Fuchs, and left five children : Catherine, Amelia, Peter, Lidwina and Clara. The oldest of these children, Catherine, married Michael Warnert, and they have a son, Herman.

Henry Storkamp, dairyman of St. Cloud township, was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 2, 1848, son of Barney and Elizabeth (Corhoue) Storkamp. He brought his wife and four children to America, in 1881, landed at Baltimore, Md., and came directly to St. Augusta township, Stearns county, where he rented a farm for a year. Then they moved to Minden township, Benton county, purchased a farm of 180 acres, erected a fine brick residence and a good set of out buildings and became prosperous farmers. In 1908, Mr. Storkamp came to St. Cloud township, and purchased a farm of forty acres in section 23. He has dairy routes in St. Cloud, and although he has been here but five years, is already highly regarded in city and township. Mr. Storkamp served one year as a member of the board of supervisors of Minden township in Benton county. Mr. Storkamp married Elizabeth Eversmann, a native of Germany. They have nine children: Barney, Ferdinand, Henry, Fritz, Martin, George, Frances, Elizabeth, and John T. Barney married Mary Kiffmeyer, and they have nine children. Ferdinand married Otilia Neeser and lives in Sherburne county, this state. Henry married Anna Sand and lives in St. Cloud. Fritz married Julia Walz, and lives in St. Cloud. Martin lives in St. Cloud and is married to Frances Schmit. George lives in Minneapolis. He is married to Bertha Sand. Frances married Toby Gertken, and they live in St. Cloud. Elizabeth lives at home.

John T. Storkamp, who is in partnership with his father in the dairy business, was born in Benton county, and received a good education in the public schools and in the business college at St. Cloud. He has charge of his father's dairy route in St. Cloud. He and his father are both intelligent and progressive men, and are rapidly forging to the front.

Benedict Aschenbrenner, one of the leading citizens of St. Joseph village, was born on the home farm, sections 15 and 16, this township, September 1, 1865, son of George and Leopaldina (Kost) Aschenbrenner. He attended the schools of his vicinity, and remained on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. At that age he came to the village of St. Joseph, and operated the steam plant at the convent of St. Benedict for two years. Then, with Mass, Pallanch & Aschenbrenner, he operated the St. Joseph Rolling Mill at St. Joseph for some seven years. In May, 1897, in company with Martin Loso and Joseph M. Linneman, he started the St. Joseph Creamery. Later Louis Romdenne was admitted to the firm, but his interests are now owned by Mr. Aschbrenner. The business of this creamery is constantly growing. During the six warm months of the year, the average weekly output is 4,160 pounds. During the winter months it is 1,600 pounds. While Mr. Aschenbrenner has been unusually successful in his business, he has also found time for public service, and his work as president of the village of St. Joseph for many years past has been highly appreciated. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Benedict Aschenbrenner married Catherine Loso, and they have nine children.

George Aschenbrenner was born in Munich, Bavaria, in August, 1818, and was reared by his grandfather and grandmother, his mother having died when he was very young. In 1840, shortly after he attained his majority, he came to America, and located at Johnstown, Penn,, and it was there that he was married. In 1854 he and his wife came to Minnesota. They selected a claim in sections 15 and 16, but did not then locate here. Instead they went on to Little Falls, where he worked as a lumberman. It was about a year later when they came back to Stearns county and took up their residence on their claim. They first lived in a log house, but a short time later replaced this with a larger structure of logs, which in turn gave way in 1869 to a commodious frame structure. Mr. Aschenbrenner died in 1874. His widow survived until September 11, 1911. Mr. Aschenbrenner, by trade, was a bread maker and candle maker, and during his life time in St. Joseph, made all the candles used in the Catholic church here. By his wife, Leopaldina Kost, whom he married in 1849, Mr. Aschenbrenner has ten children, of whom eight are now living: Mary, Anthony, Susan, Theresa, Monica, Benedict, John and Anna. Mary is now Sister Mary Ida, of the Order of St. Benedict. She is located at St. Joseph. Anthony married Christina Burggraff. They have three sons, and have adopted two girls. Susan married Gerhard Ablen, and they have nine children living. Therese and Monica live on the home place. Benedict is one of the leading citizens of St. Joseph. John is a farmer of St. Joseph township. He married Anna Friederich, and they have seven children. Anna is the wife of Carl Remley, and they have five children.

Frank X. Bechtold. a leading farmer, of St. Joseph township, was born in St. Paul, this state, on May 12, 1862, son of John George and Therese (Vogle) Bechtold. John G. and his parents came to America in 1852, making_the voyage in company with a family friend, Franz Sigel, who afterward became the famous Civil War general, and the distinguished victor of Pea Ridge. The family settled in Ramsey county, near St. Paul, and secured 400 acres of land. In 1864 John George Bechtold, and his family, came to St. Joseph township, and secured land in section 22, part of which had previously been owned by John Payne and part by Moses Morrison. John George Bechtold died in 1901 at the age of seventy-two. His wife died in 1911 at the age of seventy-nine. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Charles, Theresa, Rosa, Frank X., Ignatius, Anna (deceased), and Joseph. Charles married Mary Hoffman, of St. Joseph, and they have five children. Theresa married J. Barney Nilling, of St. Cloud, and they have four children. Rosa is Sister Mary Paul, of the Order of St. Benedict, and is stationed at New Munich. Ignatius married Kathrina Frederich, and they have five children. Anna married John Michalik, and has two sons. Joseph is married and a jeweler in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Frank X. was reared on the home farm and attended school in his neighborhood district. When he was nineteen years he started to learn the carpenters' trade, and after he had mastered it he worked at this occupation for several years. In time he bought 269 acres in sections 22 and 23, and started farming. This tract he has since increased to 340 acres. His farm is one of the "show farms" of the township. His buildings are commodious and sightly and in a perfect condition of repair. Mr. Bechtold being a carpenter, has taken the deepest pride in his buildings and fences, and his skilful hand is at once apparent. In addition to carrying on diversified farming along the latest approved lines, Mr. Bechtold makes a specialty of Guernsey cattle, in the breeding of which he is an enthusiast. He is in every way an enterprising man, and is a leader in his community. Mr. Bechtold married Lena Lauermann, daughter of Nicholas Lauermann, an early resident of St. Joseph. They have twelve children: Rosa (a trained nurse), Abalonia, Peter, Albert, Kate, Cecelia, Joseph, Martin, Cornelia, Frank, John and Hildegaard.

Ignatius Bechtold, a modern farmer of St. Joseph township, was born on the home farm in section 22, this township, October 5, 1865, son of John G. and Therese (Vogle) Bechtold, the pioneers. He attended the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He is one of the active men of the community, and has a comfortable home and commodious outbuildings. His farm is one of the best in the township. He married Katrina Frederich, and they have five children : Helena, Alois, Beno, Lawrence and Theresa.

William T. Brinkman, a farmer of St. Joseph, was born in Rockville, Stearns conuty, January 11, 1864, son of George Henry and Susan L. (Taylor) Brinkman. George Henry Brinkman was born in Brunswick, Germany, January 15, 1829, and came to America in 1849. He located at Hunter, New York, in the Catskill region, and there followed his trade as a cabinet maker. From there he went to Massachusetts, where he remained some five years. He was there married, April 15, 1855, to Susan L. Taylor, a native of South Worthington, Hampden county, Mass. In the same month they came west and settled at St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis. In 1856 he came to Rockville, in Stearns county, and selected a claim. He left his wife, and his two brothers, to hold the claim, while he worked for another year in St. Anthony. Then he came to Rockville, and started his farming operations. In 1864 he served several months in Company A, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. After his discharge he went to St. Cloud, where his family had previously moved. However, about a year later he once more took up his residence on the farm. While in Rockville he served in several offices, including that of treasurer, a position he held for some fifteen years. In 1895 he moved to California, where he died April 6, 1910. His wife passed away February 10, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. George Henry Brinkman had five children. Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob Staples; George H. died in 1882 ; William T. is a farmer of St. Joseph ; Ida M. is the wife of H. E. Davis ; Minna S. is the wife of C. M. Templin. William T. Brinkman attended the district schools, and also received a part of his education at home. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. It was in 1903 that he moved to his present place in section 34. He has erected a good house, roomy barns, and other suitable outbuildings. He is one of the progressive men of the township, and has been very successful in his life work. Mr. Brinkman married Ada A., daughter of Ivory and Rosetta (Alden) Staples, and a native of Maine. They have three promising children: Henry S., born February 9, 1902 ; Leslie T., born September 24, 1903 ; and Arthur W., born April 1, 1906.

Peter Loso was born in Prussia, Germany, February 24, 1824, and came to America as a young man. He worked in various places in the United States, and came to Stearns county in 1854. He took a claim in sections 9 and 10, St. Joseph township, and upon a part of his land, the village of St. Joseph was afterward platted. He took an active part in the growth of the village. He built a flouring mill and operated a saw mill, and after a time erected the Washington House, the first hotel in the village. This hotel he conducted until his death, October 27, 1877. His wife died in 1913. Peter Loso married Margaret Fiedler, whose parents were early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Loso had ten children, of whom there are living seven : Margaret, Martin, Mary, Michael, Katherine, Frank and Peter. Margaret married W. J. Lewis. Martin is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mary is the wife of J. W. Koop. JVEichael married Madaline Kramer and they have six children : Leona, Clarence, Cornelia, Melba, Lewis and Peter. Katherine is the wife of Benjamin Aschen-

John Herzberger was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January 18, 1826, and was there married to Isabeth Dressier, a daughter of John Dressier, who became one of the early pioneers of Stearns county. Mr. and Mrs. Herzberger came to America in 1855, and found their way westward to Minnesota, and eventually located in section 25, St. Joseph township, where they erected a log cabin, started breaking the land with the assistance of a pair of oxen, and lived true pioneer lives. As time passed they prospered. When they came here, they brought with them their oldest son, John, Jr., born in Germany. Three more children, Mary, Katherine and Margaret, were born here. Katherine is Mrs. Adam Yager. Mary is Mrs. Frederick Wendt. Margaret died at the age of six years.

Katherine (Herzberger) Yager, who supplies the information for this family record, was born May 17, 1862, and was reared in St. Joseph township. One of the teachers who made the greatest impression on her life was Fred Schilplin, Sr., now deceased. In 1883, she was married to Adam Yager. Theirs was a long and happy life together, and the fruit thereof was twelve splendid children. But their happiness was brought to a sudden close, March 16, 1907, when Mr. Yager, and the daughter, Edith, were killed by a railroad train. While Mrs. Yager has never fully recovered from the shock of these sudden deaths, she feels that she still has much to be thankful for in the possession of her admirable family. She has borne up under her sorrow, keeping herself young in mind and heart, and has made an ideal companion for her children. The family lives on the well-improved farm of 360 acres, originally owned by Mrs. Yager's grandfather, John Dressier. The place is operated by Mrs. Yager's sons. This splendid farm, with its many comforts, its good crops, and its well-kept live stock, makes a home well worth having, and one of which the family is justly proud. The twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Yager are as follows : John is a veterinary surgeon. He is married, and has one daughter, Edna A. Edward married Beckey West. Edith, the twin sister of Edward, was killed at the age of twenty-one, in the sad accident above referred to. George is a veterinary surgeon. Emma L. died at the age of three months. William, Robert and Arthur operate the home farm. Benjamin A. is dead. The three youngest are triplets. They are : Ethel Emma Josephine, Elma Michael Theodore, and Ellen Eva Luratie. Of these Elma Michael Theodore died at the age of two years and seven months.

John Henry Linnemann, one of the first settlers in the vicinity of St. Joseph village, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 11, 1825, and was there reared. As a youth he learned the stone masons' trade. In 1852 he came to America, and found employment at his trade in Lafayette, Indiana. There his mother joined him. There also he was married. In 1854 he and his wife started for Stearns county. They drove to Rock Island, 111., and there took a boat to St. Paul. From that city they came by ox team to St. Joseph, arriving in September, 1854, and settling in section 3. Quite a German colony arrived at about the same time. Mr. Linnemann erected first a log house and then a log store, which was a great convenience to the early settlers. This store was a primitive affair, with no flooring, and its supplies consisted only of the necessities. As time went on, he opened his log house as an inn for the accommodation of travelers. He also kept the barns at which the stage horses were accommodated. In 1862 Mr. Linnemann erected a mill on the present site of the village of St. Joseph. First he used a windmill for power, or when that failed a patient horse was used. Later he purchased an old engine, which was duly installed. The mill had three run of stones and a capacity of about thirty barrels daily. Mr. Linnemann conducted this mill for some twenty-two years. Mr. Linnemann was married about 1853 to Margaret DeHahan, who was bom December 23, 1833, and died May 7, 1883. There were eleven children born to this union : Anna C. (deceased), Jennie A., Mary M., Regena M. (deceased), Joseph M., Rebecca M., Henry W., Nicholas L., Herman J., Margaret B., and Alphonse M. By her first husband, Charles J. De- Meules, now deceased, Jennie A. had two children, one of whom is now living. By her present husband, Herbert N. Richardson, she has three children. The family lives in Minneapolis. Lena M. married John Henry Koop, and they have three children. Regena M. died shortly after her marriage to Wiliam J. Koop. Joseph M. is a prominent business man of St. Joseph. Rebecca M. married Daniel E. Regan. They live in Twin Falls, Idaho. Henry W. married Emelie Murphy, and has four children. He lives in Brainerd, Minn. Nicholas L. is a practicing physician, in Duluth, Minn. Herman J. married Sarah Canan. Margaret B. teaches school in Minneapolis. Alphonse lives in Duluth. For his second wife, John Henry Linnemann married Angeline Kraemer, November 7, 1885. She is still living, and is in the possession of knowledge such as few people command regarding the beginning and growth of this county. She is considered an authority on all subjects pertaining to the early history of this part of the state, and in all such matters she is deeply interested.

Joseph M. Linnemann, a successful merchant of St. Joseph, was born in St. Joseph, this county, March 5, 1862, son of John Henry and Margaret (De- Hahan) Linnemann, the pioneers. He attended the schools of his neighborhood, and also had the advantages of the commercial course at St. John's University, Collegeville, this county. Even as a boy he had been interested in the mercantile business, and upon his return from college he gradually began to assume the responsibilities of his father's store. Since his father's death he has been sole manager. He carries a good line of stock, and enjoys the confidence of the community. He is a popular man, and is a member of the St. Joseph Society. Joseph M. Linnemann was married May 20, 1884, to Elizabeth Blommer. Of their ten children, there are living, six: Martin, Edward, Marguerite, Alois, Edmund and Herman.

George Adam Marshall, one of the oldest living pioneers of St. Joseph township, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 19, 1838, son of Conrad and Margaret (Sehmitt) Marshall, the former of whom was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, in 1808, and the latter on February 7, 1805. It was on November 11, 1853, that the family set sail for America, arriving in February, 1854. The five, father and mother, George A., Kunigunda and Conrad, landed at New York, and then went to Utica, in the same state. Later they found their way to Galena, 111., there took a boat to St. Paul, and from thence came by team to St. Joseph, arriving June 19, 1855. They secured 160 acres in section 15, and built a shanty. This was later replaced with a frame house. Other buildings were erected from time to time as necessity required, and the farm was gradually developed and improved. The father died May 10, 1881, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother in 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. George A. has continued to live on the home farm, and has attained prominence in the community, as well as success in his personal endeavors. While he has not cared to mingle prominently in public affairs, he did good service for ten years as clerk of the township, also as clerk of School District No. 9, for many years. At the age of fifty he was considered one of the finest looking men in the county, and he. is still wonderfully well preserved. He keeps well abreast of the times, and is a member of the Stearns County Old Settlers' Association.

Mr. Marshall was married on November 9, 1866, to Anna Mary Guck, a native of Bavaria, Germany. She died September 21, 1905. To this union were born ten children, of whom eight are living. Anna teaches school in Ottertail county. Mary married Carl Hearung, and they have thirteen children. Otilia married Richard Nathe, and they have eight children. Theresa, of Minneapolis. Josepha married Albert Litzinger, and they have five children. They live at Waite Park, this county. Rose lives at home. Cecelia married Frank Dreawoes, and they have four children. They also live at Waite Park. Joseph lives at home. He married Helena Schulte. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hearung are: Mary (deceased), Otilia (now Sister Verona, 0. S. B.), Anna (now Mrs. Joseph Hoesch), Bernadena (now Mrs. William Schoen), John, Aloysius, Romana, Rosa, Edelbert, Caroline, Angelbert, Fred and George. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nathe are : Emelia, Alma, Peter, Reinert, Stella, Evelyn, Otto and George. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Litzinger are : Conrad, Fred, Helen, Isabel and James. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dreawoes are: Adolph (deceased), Loretta (deceased), Lorina and Cjrrill.

John Rassier, a worthy, substantial and respected pioneer, was born in Losheim, Germany, in 1823, and was there reared and educated. It was in 1854 that he came to America to try his fortune in the new world. For a year he lived in Chicago. In 1855 he came to Minnesota, and located in section 35, St. Wendel township, this county, where he eventually secured 208 acres of rich land. He erected a small cabin, and started to break and cultivate the land. Starting under the most primitive conditions, he gradually worked his way to prosperity. He improved and developed his farm and in time replaced the original log structures with more modern frame buildings. After the country was settled up he still remembered with pleasure the events of the frontier days, he enjoyed the company of his old friends, and when the Old Settlers' Association was organized he was one of the first to enroll. He was an excellent husband and father, citizen and neighbor, a man of influence in his community and esteemed by all.

Stearns county, was born in Neidenbach, Kries, Bittburt, Trier, Germany. He grew up on liis father's farm, attended the neighborhood schools, and lived the usual life of boys of his time and station. As a young man he came to America.

Mr. Sehmallen was married November 30, 1893, to Elizabeth M. Rassier, the daughter of John and Lena (Warnert) Rassier, the pioneers, and they have one son, Gerhard J., born October 9, 1896, a graduate of the St. Cloud Business College. Mr. Sehmallen died July 14, 1908. Mrs. Sehmallen was born in the old log cabin on her parents' homestead in St. Wendel township, and was there reared. She now lives in her comfortable home in St. Cloud, and is well regarded by her neighbors.

Nicholas B. Rassier, a farmer of St. Wendel township, was born in a log house on the farm in section 35, where he still resides, May 10, 1868, son of John and Lena (Warnert) Rassier. He was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools. He worked nine years for Kotschever & Timmers, at St. Joseph, but aside from that has always remained on his present place. He has a splendid farm of 448 acres and carries on general farming on an extensive scale. He has been town clerk for ten years past, and has served for some time as a member of the school board of his district. In 1903 the house which his father had built was totally destroyed by fire, and in the fire his seven months old baby lost its life. Mr. Rassier at once erected a new and modern home.

Mr. Rassier was married to Julia Lauerman, daughter of Nicholas L. Lauerman, and they have five children : Lena, Barney, Norbert, Fritz and Roman.

Carl Yaeger was born in Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1848. After several years in Ohio, he came to Minnesota in 1855, and located in the town of St. Joseph, this county. Five years later he removed to Rockville, and took a homestead of 132 acres. Like all the early pioneers, he was attended by hardships and discouragements, but as time passed he prospered. He erected his home and other buildings, and became one of the leading men of his township, following general farming until about five years before his death, when he retired and moved to the city of St. Cloud. He died June 14, 1908. Mr. Yager married Rosa Enderlie, and to them there were born seven children, of whom there are still living five, John, Joseph, Rudolph and Rosa. Charles and Frank are dead. Mrs. Rosa (Enderle) Yaeger died September 14, 1910.

John L. Streitz, quarryman of St. Cloud township, was born in the township where he still resides, January 1, 1869, son of Nicholas and Mary (Weidert) Streitz. He first attended a log schoolhovise and later a frame one. He learned farming from his father, and in June, 1901, immediately after his marriage, moved onto a neighboring farm, where he now owns 147 acres, partly underlaid with valuable granite. He hires the farm work done, while he and his brother, Joseph, operate the quarry previously owned by their father. The quarry produces a very fine grade of gray monumental granite. John L. Streitz has taken an active part in current affairs. He has been on the board of supervisors of the township for seventeen years. He is vice-president of

On June 4, 1901, Mr. Streitz was united in marriage to Rosa Yaeger, born in Rockville, August 15, 1866, daughter of Carl and Rosa (Enderle) Yaeger. To Mr. and Mrs. Streitz there have been born four children : Carl, born October 11, 1902; George, born January 7, 1904, and died October 13, 1908; Frances, born December 21, 1904; and Gertrude, born March 4, 1906.

Nicholas Streitz came to America at the age of fourteen and spent his young manhood in Illinois. In the middle fifties he came to Minnesota and located in St. Cloud township. He first built a shack. This was later replaced with a modern dwelling. He broke and developed the land, and became a prosperous citizen. After granite was discovered on his land, he leased the quarry rights, and in his latter years received a considerable royalty from this source.

Nicholas Streitz married Mary Weidert, and they had nine children, of whom there are living eight ; John L., Margaret, William, Mary, Joseph, Lewis, Clara and Julius. John L. and Joseph are quarrymen. Lewis operates the home farm. Mary married John Yaeger and Clara married John Johannes. The members of the family attend the church of the Immaculate Conception. Nicholas Streitz died September 5, 1910. His widow still lives on the home farm with her son, Lewis.

Mat. Blonigen, progressive farmer, of section 34, St. Martin township, was born in Calvary, Wis., March 10, 1859, son of John and Elizabeth (Heinen) Blonigen, who brought him to Zion township with the rest of the family in 1860. He was reared on the home farm and at the age of twenty-six was married. Then he located on a farm of 160 acres in sections 6 and 7, Zion township, where he remained six years. After selling this place, he located on his present farm in section 34, St. Martin township, where he now owns 240 acres of good land. On this farm he has erected a modern home and a good barn 40 by 84 feet. In connection with his general farming he makes a specialty of raising good stock. He has been school treasurer, and has a share in the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery, at St. Martin.

Mr. Blonigen was married in 1885, to Katie Doll, daughter of John Doll. She died in 1900 at the age of thirty-nine, leaving eight children : John, Lizzie, Katie, Anna, Christof, Mattie, Mary and Lena. The present Mrs. Blonigen was Mary Niehaus. She has borne Mr. Blonigen six children, Nicholas, Peter, Teresa, Margaret, Sophia and Josie.

Joseph Blonigan, merchant, blacksmith and good citizen of St. Martin village, was born in Zion township, this county, March 18, 1862, son of John and Elizabeth (Heinen) Blonigan. The parents were born in Germany, were married at Calvary, Wis., and in 1860 brought their three children, John, Nicholas and Mat., to Zion township, where they secured 160 acres in section 2, and started farming under primitive conditions. They erected a lo[: building, and with an ox team started to improve the place. In time they owned 320 acres. They erected a splendid stone residence, and other buildings in keeping with this. They also helped to erect the Church of St. Martin, R. C. The father and mother died a year apart, each at the age of seventy-four.

Joseph Blonigan v/as educated in Zion township, and learned his trade in St. Joseph. For eleven years he worked in Villard, in Pope county. For many years past he has followed his trade in St. Martin village, where he owns in addition to his shop, a sightly nine-room house. He also owns a general store, where he does a good trade, and a tract of twenty acres of farm land which yields him some excellent crops. He has been president of the village for some time.

Mr. Blonigan was married at Sauk Centre to Theresa Aydt, born in Wright county, the daughter of Frank Aydt. She died March 10, 1913, at the age of forty-nine, leaving eleven children: Elizabeth, Joseph, Amanda, Leo, Alma, Hilda, Raymond, Clara, Marcella, Lorenzo and Alnisia.

Peter Haehn, a pioneer, was born in Germany, and came to Calvary, Wis., as a youth of nineteen. There he married Anna M. Schneider, also a native of Germany, who was brought to Wisconsin by her parents at the age of five years. In territorial days, Mr. Haehn assisted in surveying portions of Minnesota. Later he brought his wife here, and settled in St. Martin township, on 160 acres in section 36. He was a member of the small colony, which made up the list of the first settlers in the county. He erected a log building and started farming with an ox team. During the Indian troubles they lived in St. Cloud, but soon returned to the farm. As time passed his place assumed the appearance of a well-ordered, well-improved place, with suitable buildings, stock, crops, and equipment. He was a leader in politics, was town clerk thirty-five years and town assessor thirty-six years, and did good service for one term as county commissioner, during which term he assisted in distributing seed to those who had been impoverished by the grasshopper plague. Mr. Haehn died in 1893 at the age of sixty-eight. His widow now makes her home in the village of St. Martin. She has reached the age of seventy-four. In the family there were seventeen children.

Valentine Haehn, merchant of St. Martin village, was born in St. Martin township, September 2, 1868, son of Peter and Anna M. (Schneider) Haehn. He received his early education in the district schools, and attended the St. Cloud State Normal School two years. Thus prepared, he taught school for ten years. Then he engaged in the mercantile business in St. Martin village. For ten years he was in partnership with John Braun, for two years he was with Chris. Braun, and since that time he has been in business alone. He carries a large stock, and enjoys an extensive trade. He has been president of the village for several years, and a leader of the St. Martin Cornet Band for over two decades. He is an active member of the St. Joseph Society.

Mr. Haehn married Josephine Braun, the daughter of John Braun, and they have eight children: Edward (deceased). Alma, Rosa, Annie, Hilda, Litwina, Edmund and Ferdinand.

Henry B. Haehn, educator, of St. Martin, was born in the township where he still resides, May 15, 1886, son of Peter and Anna M. (Schneider) Haehn, the pioneers. He passed through the district schools and the St. Cloud State Normal School, and then began teaching. For two years he had charge of the school in District No. 72, Munson township, and since then he has taught in District No. 22, St. Martin. He also has a photographic studio. In 1911 he was elected recorder of St. Martin village, and for some years he has been an efficient officer of the Society of St. Aloysius.