Wright County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1915 (part 6 of 9)

Thomas P. O'Loughlia, a wideawake farmer of French Lake township, was born on the homestead in the township where he still resides, March 11, 1873, son of Thomas and Susan (Mooney) O 'Loughlin, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools and has devoted the greater part of his life, thus far, to agricultural pursuits. From 1903 to 1907 lie rented a farm near his father's. Fi-om 1907 to 1910 he was employed iu the railroads yards at Fargo, N. D. It was in January, 1910, that he purchased his present farm of 140 acres in section 10. He moved onto the place in October of that year. Mr. O'Loughlin carries on general farming and has been most successful in his operations. Mr. O'Loughlin was married October 7, 1903, to Anna Cavanaugh, daughter of James and Anna (Russell) Cavanaugh, pioneers of Corinna township in tliis county. Mr. Cavanaugh died on October 11, 1908. Mrs. Cavanaugh makes her home with Mr. O'Loughlin. Mr. and Mrs. O'Loughlin have three children: Gerald, born January 16, 1907; Mary, born ]\Iay 8, 1910, and Catherine, born January 7, 1914. Charles J. Mabus, a prosperous farmers of French Lake township, was born in Monticello, this county, January 6, 1877, son of August and Josephine Mary (Chamberlain) Mabus. August Mabus was born in Berlin, Germany, and was there reared. It was in 1858 that he came to America and found employment in the lumber regious about Menominee, Wis. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the famous Second Wisconsin Cavalry. In after years he stated that of the 250 men who went to the Civil War at about that same time, from the Menominee saw mills, only he and one other ever came back, the rest having been killed or having died in the service. August Mabus proved a most valiant soldier. He took part in thirty-two battles, in addition to many raids and skirmishes, and was present at the surrender of Lee. He was never wounded in battle, tliough exposed to shot, shell and sabre so many times. After his return from the war he again worked in the lumber regions. Later he came to Minnesota. He died in the Soldiers' Home at St. Paul, at the age of about seventy years. He was a member of the G. A. R. His wife died in nortliern Minnesota in 1879. Charles J. Mabus was adopted at the age of two years by Mr. and Mrs. Michael O'Donohue. Michael C. O'Donohue was born in Ireland and there married Bridget O'Loughlin. In 1858 they came to Wright county, and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 10, French Lake township, which was at that time covered with timber. They made a clearing, erected a log cabin and started farming in the wilderness. Gradually they cleared the land and developed a good farm. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. O'Donohue enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the conflict. While in the South he contracted a fever from which he never fully recovered. In 1884 the cabin was burned and a frame house was erected in its place. As time passed suitable barns and sheds were also constructed. Mr. and Mrs. O'Donohue were among the most prominent and respected people in the community. They gave their adopted son a good home and parental affection and their name will ever be revered. For several years Mr. O'Donohue was county commissioner. For twenty years he was township clerk, and served as justice of the peace about the same period. He also served for a time on the township board. He died August 11, 1896, at the age of sixty-two. Mrs. O'Donohue now lives at Maple Lake at the age of seventy-eight. Charles J. Mabus has always remained on the farm of his foster parents. He was educated in the district schools and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1896 he came into possession of the home place. His farm consists of 120 acres of good land in section 10, where he successfully carries on general farming. He makes a specialty of raising Durham cattle, Pereheron horses and Chester White swine. Mr. Mabus was married October 20, 1903, to Helen Cassidy, who was born in Clearwater township, April 16, 1884, daughter of John and Catherine (Connolly) Cassidy, of Clearwater township. Mr. and Mrs. Mabus have six children : Irene, born July 24, 1904; Catherine, born October 16, 1905; Mildred, born June 17, 1907; Theresa, born March 26, 1909; Lila, born February 19, 1911; Ruth, born November 5, 1912.

Nels A. HiUman, the prosperous general merchant of French Lake village, was born in Sweden, February 24, 1866, son of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Ilillman. Andrew Ilillman was born in Sweden, there married, and there spent his early manhood. In 1881 he brought his wife and four children, Anna, Elizabeth, Mary and Nels A., to America and located on forty acres in section 16, French Lake township. This tract was covered with timber. They made a clearing, erected a house 16 by 24 of hewed logs with a shingled roof and a board floor, and started to develop a farm. Gradually the place was improved, frame buildings were erected and the gromid was cleared. Andrew Hillman died at Shell Lake, Wis., September 6, 1906, at the age of seventy years. His wife, who was seventy-eight on January 15, 1914, lives with her son, Nels A. Nels A. Hillman remained at home until he was seventeen .years of age. Then he M'as employed by various farmers iintil 1889, when he bought a grocery store at 1551 East Franklin avenue, Minneapolis, and later sold it to P. M. Burg, who moved the goods to Shell Lake, Wis. Mr. Ilillman then worked in the west some three years. Later he entered the employ of II. C. Peterson, grocer, at 116 Bridge square, Minneapolis. He then bought a grocery at 824 Hennepin avenue, in the same city. His next venture was when he took a homestead at Clam Lake, Wis., where he operated a farm, store and sawmill. Subsequently he sold out there and bouglit a general store at Wintou, in this state. He opened July ;i, 1901, and was burned out July 23 of the same year, losing practically everything. He at once rebuilt and again opened his store. Later he sold out there and entered the employ of a planing mill at Winton. At the same time he bought an interest in the Shell Lake Boat Co., Shell Lake, Wis. After a year he sold out. In 1908 he opened his present store in French Lake village. This store has grown in size and popularity. Mr. Hillman is known far and wide for the excellence of his goods, the courtesy of his treatment. He has built a large trade and well deserves his unusual success. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of French Lake. While in Burnett county. Wis., he was chairman of the town board of La Follett township, and treasurer of the school district and of the township. At Winton, Miini., he was justice of the peace five years. He has passed through the chairs of the I. 0. 0. F. at Shell Lake, Wis., and of the M. W. A. at Clam Lake, Wis. Mr. Ilillman was married September 13, 1895, to Selma Carlson, daughter of Erland and Anna (Anderson) Carlson, who still live in Frederick, Polk county. Wis., the father being seventy-three years of age and the mother sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Hillman have three children: Violet Elizabeth, born July 13, 1896 ; Aima Harriet, born September 29, 1898, and Philip Nels, born July 9, 1906. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Anthony Guintire, Jr., an energetic farmer of French Lake township, was born on the home farm in section 15, March 2, 1876, sou of Anthony Guintire, Sr., and Elizabeth '(Nelson) Guintire. The father was a Belgian by birth, who came to Wright county, and here met the young lady who afterward became his wife. Her parents were also a pioneer family. It is interesting to note that during the courtship Anthony Guintire, Sr., was unable to speak or understand the Swedish language, the young lady whom he was courting was unable to speak anything but Swedish, and the friendship progressed with some difficulty. After they were married, Mrs. Guintire, Sr., went to scliool and learned English. Anthony Guintire, Jr.. the sub.iect of this mention, grew up on the home place, attended the district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. Wlien he was al)out thirty he started working in the lumbering regions in the winter, still, however, laboring on the home farm in sinnmer. In 1900 he purchased his present farm of forty acres in section 4, French Lake township. He remodeled tlie house and in 1907 erected a new barn. The structure is 22 by 32 feet and is provided for the shelter of eleven cattle, two horses and fifteen tons of hay. Mr. Guintire carries on general farming and stock raising. Anthony Guintire, Jr., was married October 26, 1904, to Lena Mattson, daughter of Lars and Christine (Mattson) Jlattson, of French Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Guintire have three children : Helen Christine Elizabeth was born August 30, 1908.

Florence Ethel Elenore was born July 25, 1912. Another died in infancy. Lena Mattson, now Mrs. Anthony Giiintire, Jr., was born June 18, 1883, the second of a family of seven boys and six girls. Her father, Lars Mattson, was born in Sweden, and at the age of nine years came to America. He is now a prosperous farmer, owning 60 acres of good land in section 21, French Lake township.

Anthony Guintire, an honored and respected early settler of French Lake township, now deceased, was born in Belgium, December 17, 1833, and died in Wright county, January 24, 1892. The years between these dates spanned a useful life of honorable hard work and earnest toil. He helped to develop the county and developing a good farm, and he reared a large family to revere his memory. His parents, Anthony and Mary Josephine Guintire, died in the old country. He was reared on a farm in Belgium, attended school, and there grew to manhood. April 14, 1865, the sad day when Abraham Lincobi was assassinated, he arrived in America. He found his way to French Lake township, this county, and in 1868 bought eighty acres in section 15. He hired the land cleared, built a log house 16 by 20 feet, of unhewed logs, shake roof and plank floor, and this started his career as a farm owner. The furniture was home made and he owned a yoke of oxen. Fortunately the family larder was always full, but there were still many rigors to be endured and much hard work before the farm was developed and improved. On this place he reared his family, on this place he continued to carry on his farming operations and on this place he died. Anthony Guintire was married October 13, 1870, to Elizabeth Nelson, born Febriiary 20, 1854, the youngest of tlie family of two sons and two daughters born to Nels and Elizabeth (Matson) Nelson. Nels Nelson came to America in 1869 and on -June 24 of that year settled in French Lake township. He died in March, 1897, and bis wife died July 1, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Guintire were blessed with eight children : Paul, Peter, Anthony, Emily, Albert, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. Paul was born April 17, 1872, and died in January, 1886. Peter was born February 23, 1874, and has always remained on the liome farm. Anthony was born March 3, 1876, and is now a successful farmer of French Lake. Emily was born July 12, 1878, and died July 10, 1901. Albert was born September 11, 1880, and died July 4, 1900. Elizabeth was born January 23, 1882. and was married November 27, 1908, to August Matson, of Minneapolis. Mary was born July 9, 1885, and died May 12, 1914. She was married July 7, 1908, to John Becklund. Anna was born March 6, 1891, and was married June 23, 1913, to Joseph De Cheney, of South Haven, this county. They have one son, Donald William, born March 21, 1914. Mrs. Elizabeth (Nelson) Guintire, widow of

Anthony Guintire, was married December 11, 1894, to Eli Joseph, and by that marriage had two children : Emma, born June 26, 1896, and William, bom November 27, 1898, who are living at home.

Nicholas Burges, a pioneer of Frankfort township, was born in Germany and was there reared. He married Mary Lambert, also a native of that country, and reared a family. He came to America, bringing his family with him. First they settled in Michigan and then in Wisconsin. It was in the late fifties when they came to Frankfort township and located in section 28, in the deep woods. He erected a log cabin and provided for the needs of his family as best he could. His first crops were planted between the stumps with a grub hoe. It was several years before he could get horses or oxen. In the early days he would often give three daj's of his o\\ni time in exchange for a yoke of oxen for one day. Sometimes lie brought flour and other provisions on his back from IMinneapolis. During the Indian scare he refused to be frightened, b\it stuck to his little cabin. Tlie Indians did not come and no evil befell him. After a while he built a second log cabin. In this he was helped by Mathias Barthel, who married his daughter, Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Burges reared a large family. One of the sons, William, served in the Civil War, and was killed at the Battle of Tennessee. Nicholas Burges and his wife are both now dead, and are laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at St. Michaels.

Mathias Barthel, for many years a farmer of section 28, Frankfort township, was born in Germany, one of the family of five boys and two girls born to Bernard and Elizabeth Barthel, who spent the span of their years in the old country. Mathias came to this eountr.y on a sailing vessel, the trip taking 68 days. He and his brother Jacob came to Ft. Snelling at about the time of the close of the Civil War. Mathias was at that time twentyfour years of age. For a while he drove a government team in various parts of the country. Then he came to Wright county and located on the farm of Nicholas Burges, whose daughter Barbara he married. He heljied Mr. Burges erect his second log cabin, and also erected a part of the present brick residence. He became a prominent man and served as town supervisor. Among other good work he assisted in erecting the three successive churches that have been built in St. Michael's. Mr. and Mrs. Barthel had eleven children : Nicholas, Mary, Christina, Margaret, Barbara, Mathias, Kate, Anna, Joseph, Alouise and Clara.

Nicholas Barthel, an enterprising farmer of Frankfort township, was born on his grandfather's homestead in section 28, where he still resides. lie is the son of Mathias and Barbara (Burges) Barthel, and grandson of Nicholas and Mary (Lam- bert) Burges. He was reared on the old homestead, attended the public schools and has devoted his mature years to agricultural pursuits. He has a splendid farm, with substantial buildings and ample equipment. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and sells cream to the St. Michael's Co-Operative Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. In 1899 Mr. Bartel purchased the old homestead and has made extensive improvements. Erected a fine modern brick residence, a large sanitary barn 40 by 76 and a number of otlier buildings. He is a progressive member of St. Joseph's Society and of the Catholic church. Mr. Barthel married Mary Dehn, born in Otsego, this county, daughter of Peter and Theresa Dehn, pioneers. Their children are: Agnes, Amelia, Rosa, Mathias, Leo, Veronica, Alvina, Norbert, Harold and Veronica (deceased).

George Meyer, an influential farmer and pioneer of Frankfort township, now living in retirement after so many years of hard work and earnest toil, was born on the old homestead in section 22, December 18, 1861, son of Conrad and Anna (Hochleiter) Meyer, who came to the United States in 1848. On their long voyage of sixty days their one child, Cresence, died, and was buried at sea. Upon landing they located at Alleghenj% Penn., where Conrad Meyer worked on the railroad for ninety cents a day. There they remained about eight years, and there one child, Mary, was born. It was in 1856 that they came to Minnesota and located in section 22, Frankfort, this county. The tract was covered with woods, no roads had been built to it and all the country was wild. His first house was built of rails and was located where the woodshed now stands. First he cut down the heavy timber and then with a yoke of oxen and a .jumping plow he broke the land. From his original tract he sold forty acres, but he later bought enough to make a tract of 182 acres. Pioneer life was beset with many diffculties, and he often had to haul flour and provisions from St. Paul. Gradually the place was developed and became a good farm. Conrad Meyer died at the age of 76. His wife had passed away at the age of 48. George Meyer was reared on the home farm, attended the public schools, learned farming from his father, and with the exception of a period of time he spent in the west he has always remained on the place until a few months ago. He erected a new house, and a round barn sixty-four feet in diameter and sixty feet high, said to be the most completely equipped and handsomest barn of its kind in the whole county. Other important improvements were also made. In the summer of 1914 the farm was sold for $18,000. The place was originally secured for almost nothing, and tiie phenomenal rise in price, represents the result of the hard work done on the place by Mr. Meyer and his family. Mr. Meyer is a stockholder in the cream- ery at St. Michael's and a member of the St. Michael's Shipping Association. Mr. Meyer was married September 4, 1888. to Margaret Irman, born in Minneapolis, January 22, 1868, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Gales) Irman, and this union has been blessed with fourteen children: Margaret, Nicholas, Peter, Mary, Josephine, Louisa, Lena, Rosa and Clara (twins) (deceased), Anklin, George, Laura (deceased), Rose and Lorena.

Frank T. Aydt, a retired resident of St. Michael village, a pioneer, and a member of the Minnesota Pioneer Association, was born near Baden, Germany, December 18, 1840, son of Theodore and Theresa (Vogel) Aydt, likewise pioneers. In the family there were four children, Augusta, Caroline, Frank T. and Theckla. The parents and these children came to the United States in 1851, and settled on what is now Como park between Minneapolis and St. Paul. They erected a log cabin and with a team of horses brought from St. Louis started to clear the land. In his latter years the father sold out and moved to St. Paul, where he ended his days. Frank T. Aydt was eleven years old when he came to this country. He was reared at what is now Como park, and learned farming pursuits from his father. In 1865 he came to Wright county and settled in Frankfort township, where Albertville is now located. Later he came to St. Michael and bought out the first store that had been started in the village. Henry Invie was the original proprietor. Soon after Mr. Aydt purchased the store a postoffice was established in it, and he became the first resident postmaster in tlie village. He operated the store until 1894, when he retired. He has a pretty and comfortable residence in the suburbs of the village and is spending his retiring years in rest and ease, enjoying the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Aydt was married in 1861 to Mary Ann Igel. She died in 1891 at the age of fifty-one, leaving nine children : Theresa, Theadore, Emily, Lena, William, Edith, Theckle, Ernest and Ignatz. For his second wife he married Mary L. Robertson, daughter of Joshua Robertson, who came from Maryland in the early days and located on the west side of what is now Como park, in 1853. By this union Mr. Aydt has one child, Veronica. The family attend St. Michael's Roman Catholic church.

Louis R. Faue, capable and efficient butter maker of Sunflower Creamery at St. Michael's for some sixteen years past, was born in Hennepin county, this state, February 19, 1879, son of Louis and Mary (Shultz) Faue. both natives of New York state, who came west and located in Medicine township, Hennepin county. Louis R. was the second of a family of six boys and four girls. He was reared in his native county and attended school in Burns township. As a youth he chose butter making as his trade, though he has most decided mechanical and constructional abilities, and would doubtless have made a great success as a designer and builder. As an evidence of his talent in this line there may be seen in his home a dining table with an inlaid top, a beautiful and valuable piece of furniture, all of which he has made in his spare time. In 1897 he came to St. Michael, where, with the exception of a term spent in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota, he has since remained, winning wide favor among the patrons and among the general public. He is one of the active "boosters" in the St. Michael Commercial club, and he has done good service on the village council, a position in which he is now serving. Mr. Pane married Lillie Hoehstine, a daughter of Adam Hoehstine, of Hennepin county. The grandparents were pioneers, having come from Germany to Hennepin county in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Pane have five children, Irene, Mildred, "Wilford, Hattie and Lambert.

Emil Gutzvdller, a higlily respected citizen now living in retirement in St. Michael's village, has undergone the experiences of pioneer life, has served in the Civil war, has developed a splendid farm, and now, in the afternoon of life, is reaping the fruits of his many years of toil and sacrifice. He is a jovial, companionable man, a general favorite, and is greatly liked and esteemed by all wlio know hiui. Emil Gutzwiller was bom in Switzerland, March 1, 1841, son of Ignatius and Anna (Cumdora) Gutzwiller. In the family there were seven children, Barbara, Celia, Ignatius, Emil, Ferdinand and Cassimer, born in Switzerland, and Mary, born in Indiana. In 1845 the family came to America and located in Indiana. In 1856 they came to Wright county and took a claim of 160 acres of wild land in section 11, one half a mile north of the present village of St. Michael's. The land was covered with wild woods and no roads led to it. They built a log cabin, and started to clear the ground. Corn and potatoes were planted with a grub hoe between the stumps in the clearings. The father often walked to St. Anthony, which was then the most convenient postoffice. It was three years before they had any cattle. When they were finally enabled to obtain a yoke of oxen and a cow they felt as though they had acquired wealth. B\it their prosperity continued to increase, and before he died the father had built a frame house which is still standing. Ignatius Gutzwiller was one of those who helped start the early Catholic clnu-cli at St. Michael's. lie died at the age of seventy-five. His wife lived to be eighty-seven. Emil was reared on this pioneer farm, and learned what hunger and hard work meant. Twice he fled with the rest of the family when the news came that the savage Sioux were ravaging the neighborhood. The rumors proved fnlse, but the panic whs very real. In 1864, he enlisted in

Co. G, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infautr.y, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to the home farm. He was married in 1873, and he and his wife remained on the farm four years more, M'hen he purchased 160 acres in section 10. On this place in the woods he built a small one-story frame house, and, like his father before him, started to wrest the farm from its wild state. For the first two years he used oxen to assist in the clearing. With the laud cleared he settled down to steady farming. Year by year the crops were good, and year by year he and his good wife were able to lay a little money aside for their old age. About 1907 they retired from active life, and moved to St. Michael's village, where they now live. For twenty years or more, Mr. Gutzwiller was a supervisor in his township. In politics he is a Democrat. He is one of the stockholders in the St. Michael's Creamery and has interests in other ventures. Emil Gutzwiller was married in 1873, to Mary Duerr, who was born in Ohio, daughter of Anthony and Otelia (Hilt) Duerr. Mr. and Mrs. Gutzwiller have two children : Mary married Joseph Andrus, and by him has four children. After his death she married Henry Schmidt and by him has one child. Isador operates the home farm. He married Lena Zachman and has four children. Anthony Duerr was born in the Province of Alsace, then a part of France, and married Otelia Hilt, a native of the same place. He brought his family to Ohio, lived there many years, and in 1861 came to Wright county and located three miles south of St. Michaels. Some land had been cleared and a log house erected. They moved into the house and started pioneer life. Anthony Duerr died at the age of sixty-six. His wife died at the age of ninety. They had eleven children, Anthony, Peter, Elizabeth, Kate, Louisa, Louis, John, Mary, and three who died as infants.

Joseph Zachmann, a respected farmer and extensive landowner of section 28, Frankfort township, is a native son of this county, having first seen the light of day on the homestead where he still resides, June 8, 1862, son of John and Emily (Aydt) Zachmann. John Zachmann was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade. He came from his birthplace in Germany to the United States, and for a time he lived in Illinois. He was there married, and there two children, Edward and John, were born. In 1855 he came to Wright county and selected 160 acres in section 28, Frankfort township. The woods covered the land, and no roads had then been broken. He erected a log cabin in which a stump was used for a table, moved his family into it, and started clearing the land. He put in his first crops with a "grub" hoe. Later he purchased some oxen and this was of much assistance to him. As years passed he prospered greatly, and by adding to his possessions from time to time finally acquired eight hundred acres of as good land as was to be found in the county. John Zaehmann was a devout Catholic, and assisted in building some of the early Catholic churches in this vicinity. He died in 1889 at the age of sixty-three. His wife, who was born May 9, 1834 died November 20, 1899. They had eleven children born in Wright county : Mary (said to be the first white child born in the township), Felix (deceased), Thomas, Kate, Joseph, Louisa (deceased), Albert, Emily and Victor (twins). Otto and Rudolph. Joseph Zaehmann has always remained on the home farm. He owns 500 acres of the best land in the township, including 270 acres of the old homestead, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has erected a splendid brick house and commodious barns, and everything about the place bespeaks the thrift and industry of the owner. Everything is well kept, and Mr. Zaehmann may truly be considered a successful man in every way. Mr. Zaehmann married Kate Ebben, a native of Wright county, daughter of Gerhard and Margaret Ebben, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Zaehmann have nine children : Gerhardt, Elizabeth, Antionette, Alfonse, Leonard, Apolonia, Annie, Alouise and Mary.

Louis Haefer, one of the founders of the village of Hanover, now deceased, was born in Saxony, Germany, son of William and Henrietta Haefer. The family came to the United States in 1840 and located on a farm in Sheboygan, Wis. It was on this farm that Louis was reared. After attaining the years of manhood he became manager of a general store at Houghton, Mich. From there he brought his family to what is now Hanover, in this county. The town was then all woods or stumps, and the streets were merely a series of mud holes. With great faith, however, in this village, Mr. Haefer built a large store and hotel, and opened for business. His place became known far and near, and was noted for its hospitality, good cheer, and business advantages. Mr. Haefer was the friend of all his customers, he became an important influence in the community, and his advice was eagerly sought on all important matters. While he never cared to run for public office, his fellow citizens persuaded him to serve as county commissioner and as towTiship treasurer for several terms. He died at the age of fifty-four in 1894. Louis Ilaefer was married at Houghton, Wis., in 1866, to Louise Kaufman, born in Alsace, France, August 4, 1847, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Kaufman. Mr. and Mrs. Haefer had seven children, Clara, Amelia (deceased), Otelia, Alice, William L., Oscar (deceased) and Louis, Jr. (deceased). Clara married J. E. Borsch, and they have three children, Adeline, Claranee and Louisa (deceased). Otelia married Fred Lindsey, and they have one son, Louis Haefer. Alice married H. A. Fetter and they have two children, Bernice Louise and Coall. William L. is a business man of Hanover.

William L. Haefer, a business man of Hanovt-r village, was born in Houghton, Mich., December 19, 1873, son of Louis and Louise (Kaufman) Haefer. He was brought to Hanover as a small child, and when he reached a suitable age entered the district schools. Next he went to the Dr. Martin Luther College, at New Ulm, and from there he entered the agricultural department of the University of IMinnesota. He had been there about a year and a half when his father's death cut short his studies and he returned to look after the numerous family interests. He conducts a popular hotel, and manages a prosperous store, and also has real estate interests. Like his father before him, he is a popular man and has been a member of the village council as well as village treasurer. For the past twentj' years he has been secretary of Hanover Lodge, No. 162, I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Haefer married Josephine Duerr, daughter of John Duerr, of St. Michael, this coTuity. They have two children, Leona and Clara (deceased).

James Dixon, of honored memory, was one of the real pioneers of the county. He and his good wife moved into the county in the days of the savages and the wolves. They experienced hardship, privation and exposure, bnt with undaunted courage they persevered and became leading people in the community. The>; founded a large family and their descendants will ever hold dear their memory and honor their name. Mr. Dixon has gone to his rest, but his wife is still living, hale and hearty and in the full possession of her faculties. Her early experiences would make an interesting volume in themselves. James Dixon was born in Ireland, a son of Andrew Dixon. At the age of fourteen he started out for himself and went to England. From there he went to Scotland. When he was twenty he returned to Ireland. His twenty-first birthday saw him en route for America. After landing he went to Westchester county. New York. For some three months he was sick there, after which he remained there and worked some five years, his employers being Jonathan Hatfield and Joseph Stevens. He was married on Christmas day, 1854, to Sarah Cochran, who was born in Armagh county, Ireland, October 5, 1833, coming to the United States with her parents, Mary and Thomas Cochran, when she was thirteen or fourteen years old. In the Cochran family there were nine children, William, Soloman, Sarah, Arnold, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Rachael, Mary Ann and John. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon lived a while in New York state. April 8, 1855, they landed in St. Paul, having gone from New York overland to Galena, and thence up the Mississippi river. When they reached St. Paul, Mr. Dixon had $1 and Mrs. Dixon $5. For a time Mr. Dixon worked in that city. Then leaving his wife there he came to Frankfort township and took a claim in section 32. He built a crude cabin with no floor but the trampled earth, and in the fall of 1856 his wife joined him. Thus they started life in the wilderness. Their claim of 160 acres lay midway between Lake Charlotte and Lake Martha, as wild a tract as could be imagined. The timbers were full of wolves and other wild animals, and often when her husband was away, Mrs. Dixon heard them howling near the cabin. She still remembers the nights when she lay in her cabin, looking up at the stars which shone through the holes in the roof while the wild sounds of the forest came to her ears. It was four years before they succeeded in getting a cow. At one time Mrs. Dixon was so anxious to get some buttermilk that she knit a pair of stockings for Thomas Steele in return for a pail of buttermilk. The Dixons were friendly to the Indians, and the Indians treated them with respect. Often the wandering braves stopped at the cabin for food, and in appreciation thereof they sometimes left there a side of wild meat or a valuable fur skin. White travelers also received there a warm welcome, and the place became noted for its hospitality. In after years, following the custom they established in the early times, the Dixons entertained many summer guests, and their place finally developed into something of a summer resort. During the days of the ginseng diggers, Mrs. Dixon earned money digging the valuable roots. Often, with the roots selling at 5 cents a pound, Mrs. Dixon earned twenty shillings a day. But the years passed swiftly, the country was settled up, the land was prepared for crops, and the family prospered. Instead of planting corn and potatoes in the virgin sod with a "grub" hoe, they had modern implements and machinery. A comfortable house and sightly barns took the place of the original log cabin, and their holdings were increased to 360 acres. It is interesting to note that Mr. Dixon was the youngest of seven sons. He had but one sister. He was born March 22, 1830, and died January 31, 1910. He and his good wife had eleven children. Four died in infancy. Those living are John, Thomas, William, James, Andrew and Elizabeth. Robert died June 1, 1910. Mary Louise died December 31, 1910.

Jacob Holzman, the butter nmker of the Hanover Co-Operative Creamery Association, was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., February 1, 1865, son of Peter J. and Barbara (Kramer) Holzman, who were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1843 and located in Pond du Lac. He was the second youngest of nine sons. He was educated in the schools of Wisconsin, and was there reared. In 1884 he came to Minneapolis as assistant sealer of weights and measures in the service of the state. In 1886 he started work in the planing mills in the same city. In 1888 he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific, and was with them at Minneapolis for four years. It was in 1892 that he came to St. Michael in this county, and secured employment in a cheese factory. A short time later he built a cheese factory at Albertville, also iu this county, and took charge of it one year. In 1893 he came to Hanover as manager of the cheese factory. In 1895 when the cheese factory was converted into a creamery, Emil Strunk became the manager and Mr. Holzman became the butter-maker, a position he occupied for seven years. In 1903, when the creamery was piu'chased by the former and became the Hanover Co-Operative Creamery Association, Mr. Holzman was retained as butter-maker, a position he still holds. For fourteen years he has been assessor of Hanover village, and he has also done distingiiished service as justice of the peace. In polities he is independent, voting for the man rather than for party. In fraternal association he is a Woodman. Jacob Holzman was married in 1888 to Mary Kramer, daughter of Mathias Kramer, of Fond du Lac, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Holzman have ten children : William H., Albert J., Eluora, Fred J., Barbara, Elaine, Alfred (deceased), Ernest (deceased), Arthur (deceased) and Luella (deceased).

Conrad Lutz, a venerable pioneer, now deceased, was born iu Germany, June 30, 1832, the second oldest of a family of three boys and one girl, Andrew, Conrad, John and Agnes. Conrad came from Germany to America, lived awhile in New Jersey, then in Chicago, and finally came up the Mississippi river to Minnesota. Conrad decided to locate in Wright county. For several years he made his home in Frankfort township on the banks of the Crow river. He there experienced all the rigors of pioneer life. The stove for his little cabin was brought on his back, piece by piece, from St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis. In 1863 he married, and shortly afterward he was drafted and served in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After his return from the war he and his wife continued to live on the banks of the Crow river for about a year. Then they moved to 160 acres on the shore of Beebe lake in section 29, Frankfort township. This claim they purchased from the railroad company. Something like eight acres had been cleared and in this clearing stood a log house from which the roof had been removed by the wind. They repaired the log house and moved into it. With a new foundation and roof, this historic old structure is still standing. Mr. Lutz cleared the land with the aid of an ox team and made such preparation as he could for the raising of crops. Provisions were scarce and there was little money in the county. At one time, Mr. Lutz carried a large snapping turtle fifteen miles in order that the family might have a feast. Sometimes all the food they had for a family of eleven consisted of corn. This was ground into meal in their little hand spice-grinder, dried in the oven, and then baked as corn bread or boiled as mush. In later years prosperity came. They built a large modern home and good barns, and developed a splendid farm. As the years passed they specialized more and more in dairy cattle, and their place was christened the Beebe Lake Dairy Farm, the name by which it is now widely known. Mr. Lntz did not care for political life and refused to accept township ofliee. He was, however, much interested in school affairs and of the Lutheran church of which he was a member. He died April 7, 1903, at the age of seventyone. His was a useful life and he was thoroughly respected throughout the community. Mrs. Lutz still lives on the old farm, although it is now owned by her son Andrew and her son-in-law, Ernest Mutterer, and conducted by them. Mr. Lutz was united in marriage, March 11, 1863, to Mary Jane Cochran, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, March 18, 1844, and came to America when a little child. To this venerable couple seven children have been born : Mary, now Mrs. Alfred Walters, of Forscythe, Mont. ; Eliza, now Mrs. William Scott, of Bradford, Pa.; Sadie, now Mrs. William T. Ziebarth, of Hermann, Minn.; Andrew, of Frankfort township, this county ; Rezeline, now Mrs. Albert Droneck, of Foley, Minn. ; Emma, now Mrs. George Bolduc, of Foley, Minn. ; Edith, now Mrs. Ernest Mutterer, of Frankfort township, this county.

Anthony HafFner, proprietor of the popular Haffner Summer Resort, on the banks of beautiful Lake Charlotte, Frankfort township, was born in the Rhine region, Germany, July 6, 1858, the son of Anthony Haffner, Sr., and his wife, Gertrude Haffner. The children in the family were Gertrude, Mathias, Kate, Anthony, Peter and Joseph. The mother died in 1864 and that same year the father and the children came to America and located in Hennepin county. Some fifteen years later the father came to St. Michaels in this county, and operated a sawmill and a threshing machine. Anthony Haffner, the subject of this sketch, attended the schools of Hennepin county, and at the age of twenty-three struck out for himself. After working in the vicinity of St. Michaels for a few years, he purchased forty acres of land in section 31, Rockford township, in 1889. To this he has since added thirty-three acres, so that he now has a good place of nearly seventy-five acres, with a splendid water line on the lake. When he an-ived the place was covered with trees. He cleared off the land and with a grub hoe put in his first crops. His first home was a board shanty covered with tar-paper. For two years he had no horses or oxen, but did what he could with one cow. About eleven years after he settled on the place he erected a large barn and a substantial residence. He raised general crops and good stock, and became a successful farmer. From time to time iiis friends came to his place to fish in tlie lake. Gradually he received requests from strangers for board. Finally, in 1907, he decided to go into the summer resort business. When his farm house became too small for his business he erected a cottage nearby. But tlie house and the cottage were several rods back from the lake. So, selecting a slope of land on the north bank of the lake, shaded with some sightl.y trees, and possessing all tlie necessary qualifications for a suunner camp, he moved the cottage to the new location, and started on a larger scale. The main hotel houses the dining room, which is cool and airy, and well furnished. The food is of the best and served in the best manner. Ten cottages give ample accommodations to a large number of guests, while the garage, the ice house, the dancing pavilion, the well of pure water and the large fleet of boats add to their comfort and pleasure. The lake itself is clear and sparkling, one mile and a half long and a half a mile wide, 100 feet deep in the deepest place. The bathing beach in front of the cottages is excellent, and the maple groves here and there make ideal spots for picnics. Year by year the place is increasing in jjopularity as a fishing, hunting and recreation resort, and the enterprise is assuming large proportions. Mr. Haffner still successfully carries on his general farming. Anthony Hatt'ner was married April 4, 1884, to Kate Dronech, a native of Hennepin county. Their children are : Gertrude, Anna, Clara, Theadore, Lena, Edith, Alvina and Albert, all living.

Mathias J. Barthel, a scientific farmer of section 22, Frankfort township, was born on the adjoining old homestead of his grandfather in section 28, sou of Mathias and Barbara (Burges) Barthel, and grandson of Nicholas and Mary (Lambert) Burges. He was reared on the old homestead, attended the public schools, and learned farming from his father. In 1900 he bought his present place of seventy-seven acres. He cleared nearly half the land for the plow, and made some splendid improvements, including a sightly house, roomy barns and suitable sheds. While he is interested in all branches of farming, his particular pride has been in the raising of Poland-China swine. He is well known at St. Michaels, where he is a stockholder in the creamery and a director in the shipping association. Mr. Barthel married Margaret Walesch, a native of Wright county, and they have six children : Edwin, Cragor, Cora, Lanbert, Monica and Roman.

Peter Duerr, a pioneer, now living in Frankfort township, was born in Germany, August .3, 1843, son of Antoine and Otelia Duerr. In the family there were five children : Anthony, Eliza, Kate, Peter and Louisa. Antoine Duerr brought his family to America in 1847 and located in Ohio. In 1862 they came to Wright county, where he died at the age of sixty-three. His wife lived to the good old age of ninety. After Peter Duerr grew to manhood he bought 114 acres in Frankfort township, near the present village of St. Michaels. Only two acres had been broken. He erected a shanty and with an ox team began to clear the laud. Year by year he made improvements until he now has as good a farm as is to be found in the neighborhood. A handsome brick residence took the place of the log house, and commodious barns replaced tlie pole shed which first sheltered his oxen. Mr. Duerr has now retired from active life, and has turned the farm over to his sons, Leo and Lawrence. Peter Duerr was married to Mary Fry, daughter of Frank and Kate (Zachman) Fry, pioneers of Frankfort township. Mr. and Mrs. Duerr have had thirteen children, as follows: Joseph, Lena, John, Katie, Rosa, Ambrose, Frances, Thomas, Anton, Lawrence, Leo, Regina and Philomena. Leo Duerr was born August 5, 1890. His brother Lawrence was born August 26, 1888. The two young men are active and wideawake citizens in every respect. Aside from operating the home farm of 114 acres they have purchased 60 acres adjoining, and are successfully carrying on general farming and dairying.

Oscar Brenk, a prosperous farmer of section 22, Frankfort township, was born March 30, 1865, in Pforzheim, Germany, son of Frank and Lena (Voegele) Brenk, who spent the span of their years in Germany. The children in the family were: Oscar, Edward, Clara, Francisco, Anna and Ellis. Of these, Oscar was the only one to come to America. He was reared in Germany and learned the miller's trade in his father's mills. In 1890 he came to the United States. He secured employment with Thomas Zachman in EVankfort township. Thomas Zachman was the true type of a pioneer. He had come to America from Germany, took a quarter section of land in section 22, Frankfort township, erected a log cabin, and cleared most of the land. He and his good wife, Teekler Aydt, toiled early and late and became substantial people in the community. In 1886 they erected what was then one of the best barns in the neighborhood. Into this home came Oscar Brenk, the subject of tliis sketcli. Tliis young stranger and Mary Zachman, the daughter of the family, became attached to each other, and in 1894 they were married. They have continued to reside on the Zachman farm. Mr. Brenk is a competent farmer, raises some excellent crops and makes a specialty of Red Poll cattle, Yorkshire swine and Percheron grade horses. He has erected a thoroughly modern house of nine rooms, with running water, heating plant and other conveniences. He has held school office and has served in the development of the community in various ways. Mr. and Mrs. Brenk have six children : Frank, Laurentia, P^Ua, Carola, Irene and Arabella. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Micliaels.

Joseph Reems, a pioneer of Frankfort township, was born in Fayette, in what is now West Virginia, September 30, 1849, son of Samuel and Nancy (Dorcy) Reenis, and descended from notable Colonial families on both sides of his house. He was brought here bj' his parents in 1854, lost his mother on the trip, and was reared by his father and sisters. He attended a log school house and rendered the family such assistance as he could about the litle clearing and in the home cabin. When the Civil War broke out he was so young that he was not allowed to enlist, but he served his country by acting as a goverament driver along difficult and dangerous routes. After the war he returned and again took iip farming. He has a good tract of land in section 1, and though he has suffered severe losses by fire he now has a comfortable home and a thoroughly modern barn, with fences, implements and machinery in keeping. Aside from his land here he owns land in Dunn county, North Dakota. All his farm land is rented and he is now practically retired. Pew men have been more active than he in public affairs. He has been town supervisor for many terms ; county commissioner, eight years ; assessor, fourteen years, and school director twelve years. Wherever he has found the opportunity for service he has not shirked but has ever been willing to assist in every good cause. He is a member of the Masonic body and his wife and two daughters are affiliated with the Eastern Star. Mr. Reems married Mary A. Richner, daughter of Frederick Richner, of Switzerland, who located in Otsego township, this county, in 1873. Mrs. Reems died in 1908 at the age of fifty-four, leaving eight children : Alfred J., Samuel, Emma, Elmilda, Etta May, Millie J., Le Roy M. and William.

Samuel Reems, a pioneer of Frankfort township, was born in Pennsylvania, son of George Reems. George Reems came of an early colonial family. He served in the Revolutionary War under George Washington and Anthony Wayne, often trudging barefooted and starving through the snow in order that liberty might reign throughout the colonies. He lived in the thirteenth house erected in the city of Philadelphia. From George Reems and his two brothers, Uriah and Benjamin, are supposed to have descended all the Reems families now found in the United States. Samuel Reems came from what is now West Virginia in 1854, and took a claim of 160 acres in Frankfort township, on the banks of the Crow river, several miles from where it empties into the Mississippi river. At that time the Indians ranged the country, and the first spring lie was here they made sugar from the sap of the maples on his place. He erected a log cabin, brought supplies from St. Paul on his back, put in his first corn and potatoes in the virgin sod with an ax, and gradually cleared the land. He died in 1892 at the age of 103 years, seven months and three days. The mother had died at Montrose, this county, in 1854, when the family was on its way here to settle. Samuel Reems was married in West Virginia to Nancy Dorcy, a native of Connecticut, and nine children were born: Samuel, Virginia, Catherine, George, James, William, Stephen, Sarah Ann and Joseph. Three of these sons were veterans of the Civil War. Joseph and Sarah Ann were twins.

Peter Schroder, of Marysville township, inventor, blacksmith, farmer, was born in the southern part of Sweden, December 2, 1844, son of Ole and Ingeborg Schroder. In the family there was one other son, Olaf, who died in the old country. As a youth Peter learned the blacksmith trade, following that line of industry in the winter and the lumber business in the summer. In 1873 he married Anna Nord, born in the northern part of Sweden, February 2, 1844, and four children were born : Anna, Elizabeth and Olaf (living) and Peter (deceased). May 22, 1888, they arrived in Buffalo, in this county. A few days later they located on section 1, Marysville townsliip. There Mr. Schroder erected a blaeksmitli shop, and carried on this business in connection with farming. As the result of many years of observation and experience he has perfected a little carrier for use in barns, and for several years past this device has enjoyed a wide sale. Mr. Schroder is an estimable citizen, well liked by all who know liim. His success has been well deserved. The three children are all substantial residents of the communities in which they live. Anna married Oscar Anderson. They live in Marysville township and have three children : Alfred, Carl and Ellen. Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Peterson. They live in Buffalo township and have three children: Ruby, Benner and Bertell. Olaf married Louisa Hanson and they have two children, William and Gladys. They live on the home place with the subject of this sketch.

Charles Jewett, now deceased, led a useful life, and his good deeds will long be remembered. He was born in Northfield, Vt., November 2, 1838, son of Aquila and Fanine (Houghton) Jewett, natives of Vermont, but of English descent. The founder of the Houghton family in America came over in the Mayflower. Aquila Jewett brought his family to Minnesota, in 1861, and in 1863 came to Wright county, and located in Marysville township. He and his two sons, Charles and Aaron, each secured eighty acres of wild land in section 8. In this enterprise Charles Jewett took the lead. He arrived on his claim with a yoke of oxen and a wagon, July 4, 1863, and started at once to erect two neighboring log cabins, one being on his father's claim and one on his own. He cleared up his eighty acres and added land from time to time until he owned 240 acres, including sixty acres of maple grove, which is regarded as tlie finest in the county. With each year that passed his prosperity increased, and he became a substantial and well-to-do citizen. He did not care to mingle in jiolitics, and often refused to run foi' office, his greatest delight being in his home life and in his farm. He died August 24, 1912, greatly beloved by all who knew him. Since his death his widow has looked after the interests of the farm. Mr. Jewett was married July 4, 1878, to Sarah Adelaide Washburn, daiighter of William W. Washburn. Their children are: Charles S., born May 28, 1879; William E., July 5, 1880; Forrest A., September 17, 1881 ; Henry A., born December 25, 1883; Emerist E., November 9, 1885; Bertha D., February 7, 1888; Daisy D., March 22, 1890; Joseph C, July 26, 1897; Fannie E., August 5, 1899 : Russell E., April 19, 1903.

William W. Washburn, a veteran of the Civil War, and an early settler of Wright county, was born in Plainville, N. Y., Februarj' 7, 1841, and was there reared. In 1860 he came to Wright county and located in Buffalo. November 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Brackett's Battalion, and participated in the Battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson and Corinth. He was transferred to the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and was wounded in the second battle of Ft. Donaldson. After his discharge he re-enlisted and came north. He accompanied the Sully expedition to the Northwest, and was actively engaged against the Indians in the Black Hills. After four and a half years of active service he was mustered out at Ft. Snelling May 26, 1866. In the meantime he had lost his claim in Rockford township, but in 1863, while home for a time, he secured a claim in Chatham township, where he returned after the war, and where he built up a splendid farm. Mr. Washburn has served as justice of the peace and as chairman of the town board. He was married December 23, 1859, to Emogene Matteson, who was born in New York state, March 18, 1844, and died June 17, 1909. Their children were: Sarah A., born May 2, 1861; William S., February 20, 1867 ; Myron A., February 11, 1869 ; Wallace E., November 3, 1873 ; Lorena, May 19, 1877 ; Emogene, April 8, 1879 ; Minnie A., February 6, 1881; Roscoe C, December 30, 1882; Norah E., August 30, 1885 ; Walter W., May 30, 1891. Roscoe died February 11, 1883; Walter W. died September 8, 1891, and John died October 27, 1898.

Levi Eckelberry, for many yeai-s a prominent and respected farmer of Marysville township, now deceased, was born in Wetzel county, in what is now West Virginia, March 5, 1842, son of George B. and Sarah (Wise) Eckelberry, who spent the span of their years in what is now West Virginia. The children in the family were : Richard, who served five years in the Civil War ; Valentine, who died under arms in the Civil War ; Levi, who served a short time in the Civil War; Abraham, Margaret, Elizabeth and Delilah. Levi was the third in the family. He was reared on the home farm. March 13, 1865, he enrolled as a private under Capt. John C. Felton, in Company F, Seventh West Vir- ginia Veterans, for one year or dm-ing the war. He was discharged from service July 1, 1865, at Munson's Hill, Virginia. In 1868 he came to Minnesota and bought school land in section 36, Marysville township. This tract covered eighty acres and was all wild woods. Mr. Eckelberry erected a cabin of unhewed logs and kept house for himself until 1872, when he went South and was married. Together the two started life in the wilderness. Mr. Eckelberry cleared the land and in time had a good acreage of tilled land. In time he was enabled to purchase a pair of oxen, and this helped him greatly with his farming. In time he added ninety acres more. This also was wild and had to be cleared. A sightly residence took the place of the log cabin and commodious barns were also reared. Fences were built, tools and implements purchased and many improvements made. Mr. Eckelberry served for many years as a member of the school board. Although a man of austere life, he did not belong to any church, though his sympathies were with the Christian church. He died September 28, 1890. Mr. Eckelberry was married March 4, 1872, to Sarah J. Wyatt, and they had eight children : Melissa A., born February 26, 1873; William N., September 10, 1874, Thornton R., December 20, 1878; Rachael M., October 7, 1880; Lucinda E., September 29, 1882; Goldie J., September 16, 1884; Addie F., September 24, 1886, and Levi C, July 20, 1888. Of these Addie F. died December 1, 1887, and Thornton R. died May 19, 1899. Sarah J. Wyatt was born in what is now Wetzel county, West Virginia, December 14, 1849, daughter of Augustus and Lucinda (Hostuttler) Wyatt, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hostuttler and of Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Wyatt. Augustus Wyatt was the son of Zachariah and Rachael (Willey) Wyatt, who spent the span of their years in what is now West Virginia. Augustus Wyatt was of Irish descent. He was married in Virginia to Lucinda Hostuttler, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Samuel Hostuttler, a veteran of the Civil War. They have eleven children : Sarah J., William Jackson, Rachael Ann, Waitman P., Jasper N., Adaline, Phoebe K., Louisa B., Melissa H., AlpluMis and Plesa Virginia.

Willis S. Pettis, an influential farmer of Marysville township, was born not far from Kasota, in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, May 18, 1879, son of Stephen W. and Fannie (French) Pettis. He attended school in the historic old stone schoolhouse at Kasota, and completed his early education in the Kasota High School, where he received a second-grade teacher's certificate. At the age of twenty he came to Wright county, and spent the autumn. In the spring he returned to Le Sueur county, but a few months later he came again to Wright county, and located on eighty acres in section 3, Marysville township. An old log building stood on the jilaee, and a small amount of clearing had been done.

Mr. Pettis set about developing the place, and there carried on general farming until 1908, when he sold out and purchased an adjoining farm of 106 acres. He does general farming, but makes a specialty of raising good blooded Shorthorn cattle and Poland China swine. He has been unfortunate in losing many cattle by disease and accident, but is slowly forging ahead, and, undaunted by disaster, is making himself one of the successful men of the county. On his farm he has made many improvements, including a tine flowing well, 200 feet deep. Mr. Pettis is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Encampment. In 1898 he enlisted in service for the Spanish-American war, but was rejected on account of the loss of an eye. In civil life he has served as chairman of his school board. Mr. Pettis was married at the age of twenty-two to Viola Hayes, daughter of A. J. Hayes. She died at the age of twenty-two, leaving two children : Edna, born April 10, 1902, and Esther, born September 15, 1904. Another child, Margaret, died as an infant. At the age of twentyseven, Mr. Pettis married Viola Preble, daughter of Andrew and Emma Preble, and widow of Benjamin Oliva, by whom she had two children, Mabel, born August 18, 1901, and Sylvester, born April 8, 1903. To Mr. Pettis she has borne three children: Francis, born December 20, 1908; Lillian, born March 27, 1912; and Frankie, who died at the age of two mouths and three days.

Jay W. Pettis, a leading farmer of Marysville township, was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, May 31, 1870, son of Stephen W. and Fannie (Fi-ench) Pettis. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young man he engaged for a while in railroad work. In December, 1890, he became a government teamster at Ft. Beauford, North Dakota, and served for about a year. In 1891 he came to Wright county and located on a farm of eighty acres in section 26. No buildings had been erected on the place, and only sixteen acres had been cleared. Mr. Pettis erected suitable buildings, cleared the remainder of the land, developed the place in many ways, and successfully conducted general farming. In 1911 he sold out, and located on the Robasse homestead of eighty acres in section 10, where he now resides. Mr. Pettis is a member of Buffalo Lodge, No. 144, I. 0. 0. F. He married Mary Hayes, daughter of Ellis Hayes, and they have six children: Gladys, Glen, Fairy, Floella. Ardis and Floyd.

Stephen Pettis, the pioneer, was born in Ohio, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pettis, both of whom are believed to have also been natives of Ohio. After Stephen was boi-n the family moved to Illinois, and there were boi'n eight children: John, Charles, Henry, Catherine, Olive, Melissa, Emily and Eliza. In 1853 the family came from Illinois to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, and secured a homestead ou the shores of Lake Emily. On tliis farm, Charles Pettis opened a store, bringing his goods with oxen from St. Paul. Ou this farm he continued to live until his death at the age of forty-eight. Stephen W. was nineteen years of age when the family came to Le Sueur county. He took a homestead a mile southeast of Kasota, a tract of timbered land lying on the edge of the prairie. With an ox team he cleared up the land, living in the meantime in a cabin which he had erected at the side near the prairie. He married Fannie French, a native of New York state. She died iu September, 1888, at the age of fifty-one. Their children were : Elmira (deceased), Harlow, Maritta, Helena, Carrie, Judd and Jay W. (twins), and Wells S. For his second wife, Mr. Pettis married Harriett Handley, of Indiana. There were born to them two children, Dora and Cecil. Steplien Pettis continued to live on his claim, gradually developing and improving it, until his death in April, 1910. He was born August 26, 1833.

George Lammers, a prominent farmer of Marysville township, was boi'n on liis father's homestead in section 19, this township, February 22, 1870, son of Henry and Anna (Dimer) Lammers. He was reared on the home farm, received his early education in the district schools, and later atteuded St. John's University, at Collegeville, this state. For some three years he and his father operated the home place in partnership. Then he conducted the place alone for some five years. At the end of this period he bought eighty acres of the homestead. He erected a modern home and suitable barns, and has brought the farm to a high stage of cultivation. He carries on general farming and breeds thoroughbred Poland China swine and good grade cattle. He was a director in the Waverly Co-Operative Creamery when it first started, and after an interval when he did not serve he was again elected in 1912. Fraternally he associates with the Modern Brotherhood of America of Waverly. Mr. Lammers was married March 2, 1892, to Elizabeth Borngesser, born in Rockford township, August 30, 1870, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Ruppelius) Borngesser. They have had six children: Anna Christina, born March IG, 1893 ; George E. H., born December 1, 1897; Roy Patrick, born March 17, 1900; Elmer Louis, born December 30, 1904; Walter, who died at the age of one year and eight months ; and Raymond, who died at the age of eight weeks.

Henry Lammers, an early settler, was born iu Westphalia, Prussia, January 4, 1827, son of Henry Lammers, Sr. For many generations the first-born son of the family has been named Henry. Henry Lammers, Sr., was a builder and contractor. He brought his wife and several of the children to America, and settled iu Mankato. Some of the older sons were already in this country. Henry Lammers, the subject of this sketch, came to

America in 1852. He remained in Chicago a year, following his trade as a carpenter. Two .years later he went to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and followed the same trade. In August, 1854, he came to ^Minnesota and located in St. Paul. In 1859 he came to Wright county and took a claim in section 6, Franklin township. He sold this claim in 1861, and went to Waverly, where he opened the second store in the village. In 1864 he disposed of his establishment and enlisted in Co. A, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, serving until the close of the war. Upon returning from the army, he purchased a farm in section 19, Marysville, which he improved until at one time it was considered one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Lammers took an active part in public affairs. He served a term as county commissioner of Wright couuty, and was on the school board of his district some three decades. He was an active member of the G. A. R. A devout Catholic, he was one of the principal factors in the building of the church and school of that denomination in Waverly. His death, September 14, 1911, was sincerely mourned. Mr. Lammers was married in Chicago, May 17, 1854, to Anna Gardner, who died in November, 1865, leaving four children, two of whom - Henry L. and Dora L. - lived to adult years. In December, 1865, he married Mrs. Anna (Dimer) Klein and to this union were born four children, of whom two, Matilda and George, lived to adult years. Anna Dimer was born in December, 1830, and came to this country with two girl companions. She married John Klein, and by him had two children, John and Michael. After his death she married Henry Lammers. She died in June, 1902.

Moses Perra, for many years a highly respected resident of Marysville township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, April 28, 1804, son of Coussent S. and Margaret Perra, both natives of Canada. In the family there were three boys and three girls : Thomas, Moses, Edmund, Margaret, Lena and Eliza. Moses Perra was reared on a Canadian farm, and was there married to Harriet St. Mary, born in the Province of Quebec, in August, 1809, daughter of Peter and Susan St. Mary, of Canada. The Perra and St. Mary families were of French origin. The founders of the American families settled in Maine, but during the French and Indian wars were driven out of that region, and took up their residence in Canada, where many of the family may still be found. The children born to Moses and Harriet Perra were Moses, Jr., Luger, Tonored, Medrick, Adrian, Benefield, Sophrina. Elmira, Alfonsene, Silevear and Oclavia. The family came to the United States in 1877. After remaining there two years they came to W^right couuty and located on eighty acres in section 8, Marysville township, where he remained until his death in 1901. His wife died in 1895.

Adrian Perra, a leading farmer of Marysville township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, October 31, 1857, son of Moses and Harriet (St. Mary) Perra. He came to "Wright county with his parents about 1879, and soon thereafter struck out for himself. A short time afterward he maiTied Rose Gerrard, who was bom in New York state, and came to Wright county with her parents, Louis and Rose Gerrard, locating permanently in Marysville township. Mrs. Rose Perra died at the age of twenty-eight, leaving five children : Octavia, Adolph, Ellen, Henry and Amelia (deceased). Soon after his marriage Mr. Perra purchased forty acres in section 4 from Louis Gerrard, and here he has since resided, having in the interim made many improvements and added twenty more acres. For his second wife Mr. Perra married Lillie Clairmont, who upon her death left three children : Adaline, Albert and Harriet. On June 17, 1902, Mr. Perra married Martha Lebo, born at Genoa, Wallace county, Illinois, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (LaPlante) Lebo, and widow of Moses Payne. Joseph Lebo was born in Quebec. His wife was born in New York. In 1882 they came to Minnesota, and located in Maple Lake township, in this county. William Payne was born in Quebec and became a farmer, in Maple Lake township, this county. He died in 1901 at the age of fifty-eight, leaving besides his wife one daughter, Eleanor. Adrian Perra has taken a prominent part in public aifairs. For eight years he has been a director in the Montrose Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery, and he is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at that place. He has been school clerk for twelve years, and twice he has been called upon to serve as supervisor. He attends the Catholic church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen.

Peter S. Svenson, better known as Peter Errickson, is an influential farmer residing on forty acres of good land in section 12, Marysville township. He was born July 27, 1844, in Sweden, son of Swan Errickson and Anna (Peterson) Errickson, and grandson of Errick Bengston and Stina (Kajsa Bunstrum) Bengtson, and of Peter and Anna Anderson. In 1861. Swan Errickson, with his wife and three of his children, Swan, Nels and Mary, came to America. Peter S. and Kajsa were left in the old country. The family came to Iowa, and the father secured work for the summer. Here a child, Amuel, was born, August 1, 1861. They continued to engage in farming for two years in Iowa. In 1863 they came to Wright county, and here another daughter, Augusta, was born March 11, 1864. Upon their arrival they located on eighty acres of wood land in section 12. They erected a log cabin, which is still standing, and started farming in the wilderness. His first crops were planted with a hoe. His first harvest of wheat he sold at $2 a bushel for seed. Assisted by his sons and a yoke of oxen, he cleared the laud and in time became a prosperous man. Often when supplies were low he walked to St. Paul, bringing home salt and flour ou his back. Swan Erricksou died July 7, 1909, at the age of eighty-nine. His wife died in 1901 at the age of seventy-eight. They were of the Lutheran faith, and assisted in building two churches of that denomination in this locality. Peter S. Svenson came to the United States in 1866, and joined the rest of the family in Wright county, and filed on a tract of eighty acres in section 12. He here built a log cabin, and here, in 1872, he brought his bride. The first year he put in the potatoes among the stumps with a grub hoe. At times he had no salt to eat on the fish lie caught in the creek, and which were his only food for days at a time. In order to obtain oxen he purchased two calves and waited until they grew. He worked hard, night and day, and in time reaped the reward of his labor. He is prosperous and respected, and his opinion on all rural subjects is highly valued. He has helped to build three churches, is a Sunday school teacher, and has been church sexton for six years. Peter S. Svenson was married, November 13, 1870, to Mary Utterberg, and they have had eleven children : Anna was born April 28, 1871 ; Charlotte was born February 13, 1873 ; E. Albert was born August 18, 1874, and died April 4, 1895 ; Ida E. was born November 1, 1875, and died August 23, 1876 ; Caroline was born December 15, 1876; Albertina was born November 3, 1878, and died March 21, 1887; Axel was born March 22, 1880; Gottfried was born October 6, 1881 ; Beda was born May 11, 1883 ; and Tillie and Elden (twins) were born May 30, 1885. Mary Utterberg was the daughter of Johau and Mary Peterson, Utterberg being the name officially conferred upon Johan when he joined the Swedish army. In 1867 they came to America, bringing their seven children : Kajsa, Ole, Mary, Carrie, John, Nels and Charles. They first located on fifteen acres in Rockford township, this county. They built a log house that is still standing, erected other buildings, and in time added 160 acres. Johan was the sexton of the Lutheran church for a number of years. He died in 1900 at the age of eighty. His wife died in June at the age of seventy-eight. Beat Robasse, riie pioneer, was born in Switzerland, and there grew to manhood. In the early fifties he left his native land, with his wife, Maiy Bershal, and their two children, Edward and Rosina, and came to America. In Lewis county. New York, he found a farm, and there resided for thirteen years. Of the children born on this farm, three, Rosalie, Alfred and Mary, grew to adult years. In the fall of 1865 the family came to Minnesota and located on forty acres of railroad land in section 3, Marysville. They had brought one horse from New York. After reaching here they secured a yoke of oxen. They erected a log cabin and started clearing the land. The railroad not having then been built, the settlers found great difficulty in securing provisions. Consequently Mr. Robasse opened a small store on the shores of Birch lake. After living some three years on his original place, he sold out, and took a homestead of eighty acres in section 10, in the same township. Tliis tract was entirely wild, and only a trail led to it. Mr. Robasse cleared the land, erected a hewed log house, and developed a good farm. As time passed, frame buildings replaced the original log house. The frame barn which was built was the tirst erected in this locality. Some years later Mr. Robasse purchased eighty acres across the street. This tract is still in the family. One of liis benefactions was the presentation of an acre of land for the old Marysville Catholic Church, now out of existence. After a busy life. Beat Robasse died in 1902 at the age of eighty-seven. His wife died in 1900 at the age of seventy-six. In addition to the children whom they brought with them from New York state, two more, Lena and Charles, were born in this county.

Alfred Robasse, a substantial farmer of Marysville township, was born in Lewis county. New York, August 15, 1856, son of Beat and Mary (Bershal") Robasse, the pioneers. He was nine years old when his parents brought him to Marysville township, and here he was reared. He attended the neighborhood schools, and learned farming from his father. As a young man he started farming on his present place of eighty acres in section 9, across the street from the old homestead. The tract was covered with woods, and he set at work to develop and clear it. He erected a modern house and barn, put up fences, and made many other improvements. He carries on general farming and raises good Shorthorn cattle. A friend of the co-operative movement, he is a director in the Waverly Co-operative Creamery and a stockholder in the Waverly Co-operative Store. He has been supervisor of the township for sixteen years, and a member of the school board of his district for about the same time. Mr. Robasse was married in 1886, to Emnui Stuhr, born in Germany, November 2, 1867, daughter of Herman Stuhr. Mr. and Mrs. Robasse had two children: Minnie, born June 30, 1893, and Louis, born April 31, 1899.

Gottlieb Epple, a pioneer, was born in Wurttembei'g, Germany, the son of John Epple. The other children in the family were Mary, Richa, John, David, Gottlieb, Christena, Sophia, Jacob and Lena. About 1851 Mary and John came to the United States and located in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1852 they were followed by the father and mother, and the remainder of the family, with the exception of Richa, who remained in Germany. From Philadelphia the members of the family scattered to various parts of the countrv. Gottlieb came west in 1858 and took a homestead in section 32, Franklin township. This tract contained 160 acres, covered with dense woods. He put up a log sliack, with no floor but the trodden earth, and startetl farming. His first crops were put in witli a grub hoe. When he was out of provisions he walked to St. Paul, bringing the supplies home on his back. Sometimes he camped with the Indians. He imderstood their natures and was their friend. Often he was able to trade powder and shot with them for much-needed fresh meat. In 1861 he went to Dayton, Ohio, and was married. After the Indian troubles he brought his wife and his three children, Christ, Anna and Sophia, back to his claim in Wright county. He purchased a yoke of oxen, erected a second log house, and began to prosper. Later he erected a frame house and suitable barns. He died in December, 1911, at the age of eighty-three. His wife died in 1877 at the age of thirty-eight. Mr. Epple was an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was steward or trustee for twenty-five years, and helped build the old log structure of the Seibel church, now known as the Cassel church. Mr. Epple was married at Dayton, Ohio, in 1861, to Barbara Weiman, born in 1836, daughter of Christ Weiman. The other children in the family were : Christ, Michael and Jacob. Mr. and Mrs. Epple had eight children : Christ, Anna, Sophia, David, William, John, Minnie and Louis.

John Epple, a wide-awake farmer of Marysville township, was born on his father's homestead in Franklin township, July 24, 1872, son of Gottlieb and Barbara (Weiman) Epple. He was educated in the district schools of his neighborhood, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. For a time he and his brother operated the home place in partnership. It is now owned by William alone. In 1902 John Epple purchased sixty-five acres in section 36, Marysville township, where he now lives. At that time a small house stood on the land. Mr. Epple has added fortyfour acres, and has built a modern house and barns. He raises good stock, and is one of the leading dairymen of the county. He has been an active member of the board of directors of the Montrose Co-operative Creamery. The village of Montrose has found him a valued councilman. In the Methodist church he is especially active, having been a steward and the Sunday school superintendent for many years. Mr. Epple was married, April 23, 1892, to Carrie Cook, born on the homestead of her father in Franklin township, daughter of Joseph and Minnie (Herman) Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Epple have three children : Esther, born May 29, 1903 ; Viola, born April 4, 1907 ; Lydia, born August 25, 1910. Joseph Cook lives in Franklin township, to which locality he was brought by his parents. Minnie Herman, his wife, was brought here by her parents a short time before the Indian outbreak.

Olof Peterson, a substantial farmer of Marysville township, was born in Sweden, May 31, 1856, son of Peter and Carrie (Anderson) Peterson. The mother died in January, 1865, at the age of forty-nine. Later the father married Anna Kelstrom. In 1870 they came to America, leaving the children in Sweden. They secured forty acres of land in Marysville township, erected a log cabin, cleared the land with the assistance of an ox team, and established for themselves a home in the wilderness. Peter Peterson was a devout member of the Swedish Lutheran church and served as secretary of the local congregation of that faith. He died December 15, 1897, at the age of seventy-five. His wife is still living at the good old age of eighty-three. Olof Peterson learned his trade as a painter in Sweden. In 1881 he married Hadda Borgstrura, and with her set out for the United States. For a time they lived in Waverly, in Wright county, but then moved to Minneapolis, where he followed his trade as a painter for several years. About 1887 he secured forty acres of wild brush land in section 7, Marysville township. He built a log house and started in a small way, gradually clearing the land and bringing it under cultivation. He now owns 110 acres, with good buildings and suitable equipment. He carries on general farming, and raises a good grade of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four children : Hjelmer, Arthur, Emma and Arvid. Hjelmer is a farmer in Atwater, Minn. He married Martha Berg. Their children are Algot, Verna and Adolph. Arthur and Arvid conduct the home farm and are both enterprising young men. Arthur has served two years as assessor of Marysville township and is now school clerk of District No. 103. Emma is now Mrs. John A. Dokken. Her husband is a merchant of McLeod county, Minnesota. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Nels A. Erickson, an active farmer of Marysville township, was born in Sweden, April 22, 1854, son of Swan and Anna (Peterson) Erickson. In 1861, two of the children having died, the parents and the remaining four children, Charles, Mary, Christine and Nels S., started for America, aboard a sailing vessel. The boat sprung a leak, and only by the most heroic measures was it kept from sinking. After landing, the family came to Waukon, Wis., and remained there luitil fall, when they set out for Waconia, this state, and located on the banks of Clearwater lake, where they rented a farm for many years. There a child, Manuel, was born. From this farm, the family came to Wright county in 1867, and secured a homestead of eighty acres in Marysville township. The tract was covered with wild woods, and no roads led to it. They erected a log cabin, and with the help of a yoke of oxen started to clear the land. The family was fortunate in owning two cows. As the years passed, the family prospered and the place became highly improved. Swan Eriukson was prominent in the Swedish Lutheran denomination, and helped to build the first church of that faith in this vicinity. He died in 1909, at the age of eightynine. His wife died in 1897 at the age of seventy-eight. In addition to the children already named, one, Augusta, was born in Wright county. Nels A. Erickson followed the varying fortunes of his family. He assisted his parents in developing the home farm, and as he grew up, secured a tract of forty acres on Tamarack lake, Rockford township. On this tract was a small log house, and two or three acres had been cleared. He cleared up the land, erected a splendid frame dwelling house and good barns, and remained there until 1910, when he came to Marysville township, and secured a tract of thirty-one and a half acres on the southwest shore of Mink lake. On this place, only a few acres had been cleared, and the present buildings and improvements are all his own work. Mr. Erickson was married in 1895 to Clara Anderson, and they have three children, Violet and Irene, born in Rockford township, and Carl, born in Marysville township. Clara Anderson is the daughter of Cornelius and Mary Anderson, who came from Sweden on the same boat with Nels A. Erickson. They settled in Marysville township, this county, where the daughter, Clara, was born. The family numbered thirteen children. When they came to America, the first wife of Cornelius Erickson was living, but Mary Anderson, who became his second wife, was on the same boat, being then unmarried.

Nels Carlson, a prominent citizen of sections 1 and 12, Marysville township, was born in Sweden, February 24, 1858. son of John and Helen (Johnson) Carlson. In 1866, the family, then consisting of the father and mother and four children, Peter, John, Anna and Nels, came to America, landed at New York, came west in a box car, and finally reached the end of the railroad line at Big Lake. From there they came on foot, and secured a tract of wild land in section 12, Marysville. They cut down trees, and thus made room for the erection of a small cabin. The first year they planted potatoes and corn among the stumps. Two years later they purchased a yoke of oxen foi- $180.00. Gradually they cleared the land and developed a good farm. Ten acres were added to the original tract, and a brick house was started. After a long and useful life, the father died in 1900, at the age of eighty-three. The mother died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six. The father was a Lutheran in faith, and assisted in organizing the first church of that faith in Rockford to-vvnship. Nels Carlson was but eight years of age, when his parents came to Wright county. He was educated in the district schools, and reared to farm pursuits. In 1882 he took charge of the home place, and has made many improvements thereon. He added eighty acres, and finished the brick house started by his father. He has been justice of the peace for about a dozen years past. He has been president three years and director two years, of the Scandinavian Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. Mr. Carlson has taken an active part in the progress of his community. He is especially interested in the agricultural development, and is ever ready to support with his influence and enthusiasm everything that is for the best interests of his town and county. Mr. Carlson married Lena Skoglund, who was born in Sweden, the daughter of John and Mary Skoglund. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have six children : Edward, born June 12, 1885; Anna, born November 27, 1888; Manda, born July 24, 1894; Ida, born August 6, 1900; Mabel, born July 24, 1903; and Florence, born July 26, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Skoglund came to America from Sweden in 1876, and located near Buffalo. Mr. Skoglund died in 1907, at the age of sixty-eight. Mrs. Skoglund is now living in Buffalo.

Louis Payne, Sr., a leading farmer of Marysville township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, May 1, 1852, son of Medard and Rose (Gregory) Payne, and nephew of Francis and Joseph Payne. The grandparents were from France, the original family name being Santoum. Medard Payne spent his life as a farmer in Canada, and died at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, Rose, died at about the age of sixty-eight. In the family there were ten children: Nels, Joseph, Mose and Rose (twins), Peter, Alexander, Louis, Mary, Orilla and Magdalena. All except Peter located in Minnesota. Louis was but fifteen when he and his brother, Alexander, went to New York state, and worked three years on a farm. Then they returned to Canada. Three .years later they went to Lake Superior. In that region, Louis Payne followed lumbering some fifteen years. Tlien he came to Maple Lake, and bought forty acres of land in section 1. About ten acres of this land had been cleared. Mr. Payne set at work clearing the remainder, and erected a small house. About two years later he was married. After many years he sold out and bought his present place in Marysville township. About fifteen acres had been cleared, and a part of a house and a swine barn had been erected. He cleared up the place, completed and added to the house, and erected various buildings, including a barn, 44 by 56 feet. Like the other pioneers he started with but little, and used an ox team to help him with his clearing. Now he is prosperous and well-to-do. He carries on general farming and raises full blood Ilolstein cattle and Chester White thoroughbred swine. For several years he has been road overseer. He is a stockholder in the Buffalo Co-operative Creamery and the Co-operative Store in Waverly. The family faith is that of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Buffalo.

Mr. Payne, Sr., was married July 26, 1886, to Leona Labo, and they have two children, Louis, Jr., who married Minnie Perisien, and Mary. Leona Labo was the daughter of Joseph Labo, a native of Canada. From Canada, Joseph Labo went to New York state, where he married Catherine La Plant, a native of that state. From New York state they moved to Illinois. In 1872, they came to Maple Lake, took up a farm, lived in a log cabin, cleared up the place with the assistance of a yoke of oxen, and gradually achieved prosperity. Mr. Labo was at one time chorister in his church. He was also sexton and bell ringer. He died at the age of eighty-four. His wife died at the age of sixty-five. In their family there were thirteen children: Joseph, Mary, Phelia, Phelix, Charles, Adeline, Peter, Rosa, Martha, Amelia, Elizabeth, Leonard and Leona.

Joseph Bland (deceased), a strong, upright character, who lived for many years in Wright county, was born in what is now Tyler county. West Virginia, near the Pennsylvania line, July 14, 1821, oldest son of Richard Bland, a Virginian farmer. He was reared on the home farm, and while still a youth began work on the Ohio river as pilot and engineer on different steamboats. He married Castilda Wyatt, in 1842, and the following children were born : Thornton, Rachael, Mary, Martin, Samuel, Sampson and Phoebe. Thornton died in 1910. Rachael is Mrs. David Kriedler, of Marysville, this county. Mary died in 1883. Martin is a successful farmer of Marysville. Samuel died in 1892, Sampson in 1882. Phoebe lives with Martin. In 1865 the family came to Wright county, and located on a tract of eighty acres in section 24, Marysville township. About twenty acres had been cleared and a shack had been erected. They moved into the shack, and with one horse and three cows started farming. They cleared the remainder of the tract, and added other pieces of land from time to time until Mr. Bland was the owner of 200 acres of excellent land, as good as any in the county. He carried on general farming and stock raising, and was an unusually successful man. When his prosperity became assured he erected a new house, and from year to year he constructed such barns, sheds and fences as were necessary. Everything around him bespoke his thrift and industry. Mr. Bland served in a number of local offices such as that of town treasurer for five years, and school treasurer for about twenty years, and for one term he was one of the commis-sioners of Wright county. Mr. Bland died October 9, 1911, at the age of ninety years. He was known far and wide for his droll jesting, and many of his jokes are still remembered. He was strong in his likes and dislikes, and very outspoken, always desiring, however, to do the thing that was right. His death was sincerely mourned. His wife had died in 1889 at the age of sixty-six.