Wright County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1915 (part 7 of 9)

Martin Bland, representative farmer of Marysville township, was born in Pine Grove, in what is now Wetzel county. West Virginia, September 20, 1851, son of Joseph and Castilda (Wyatt) Bland, who brought him to Wright county in 1865. He received a district school education and remained at home until 1886. Then he moved onto his own farm, of eight acres, which he had previously acquired in section 23, Marysville. He broke and developed the land, and built a house and other buildings. In 1888 his wife died and for two years he lived on the home place, but in 1890 he again moved back to his own farm. A year later he once more took up his home on his father's place. Since 1912 he had lived on his own place. He rents the land and is practically retired from the more strenuous duties of life. Aside from tlie original eighty he purchased forty acres in section 14, and forty in section 23. He also owns 100 acres of his father's home place. Mr. Bland has traveled extensively. In the winter of 1884 he spent several months in Wetzel county, West Virginia, and in the winter of 1900 he spent several months in visiting points of interest on the Pacific coast. He has taken an interest in the affairs of his community, and was road supervisor for some twenty years. In every way he is a desirable citizen, and few people in the community are more highly respected than he. He and his sister, Phoebe, live together, and their home is well known for its comfort and good cheer. Mr. Bland was married January 1, 1886, to Anna Laura Baker, of Bayfield, Wis., who died March 13, 1888. October 14, 1890, he was married to Emma R. McCardell, of Montrose, who died October 23, 1891.

Henry Bremer, an early settler, was born in Germany, and came to America as a young man. For a time he worked in New York state. Then he came west to Minnesota. In the summer time he worked on the steamboats plying between St. Louis and St. Paul. In the winter he worked on a claim which he took in 1855, on the south shore of Waverly lake, in section 32, Marysville township. Tliis tract was all wild woods. He cut down the trees and with a yoke of oxen started to break the land. The log cabin which he erected is still standing. He was married, about 1862, to Fredericka Schultz, also a native of Germany. He cleared forty acres of land, and was planning to build a new house, when he was stricken with a sun-stroke and died suddenly. He was a man of great strength, and was just at the height of a successful career wheu he died in 1868, at the age of thirty-four. He was also a devout man, and often walked many miles to attend service at tlie home of different early settlers. The children in the family were Minnie, Henry, Ijouis and Fredericka.

Louis W. Bremer, noted far and wide as the breeder of the finest horses in the eoiuity, was born on his father's liomestead, in Marysville township, Ma.y 17, 1867, son of Henry and Frederieka (Schultz) Bremer. Left fatherless as an infant, he early learned tlie responsibilities of life. He attended the district schools to a certain extent, but spent most of his j'onth working on the lionie farm. At the age of eighteen he started out to see tlie world. He saw much of life, traveled in various states, and worked at many occupations. In 1891 he returned, and worked on the homestead for three years as a helpei'. Then he rented the place. Finally he purchased it. To the original eighty acres he has added one tract of fifty-three acres, and one tract of forty acres. He has erected a modern home and sightly barns. An attractive feature of the place is a new barn. by 80 feet, with a cement fioor, patent stanchions, scientific ventilator system, and the most modern sanitary improvements. He takes particular pride in his full blooded Percheron horses, and during the past three years has taken many prizes for his stallions, mares and colts. He also raises a high grade of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Bremer is a natural leader among his fellows. He has been president of the school board of his district for several terms, president of the Waverly Farmers' Co-operative Creamery for twelve years; and president of the Waverly Farmers' Elevator for the past eight years. He has .joined the Masonic order and the United Workmen. Mr. Bremer was married November 28, 1893, to Ida Stuhr, born in Germany, daugliter of Herman and Wilhelmina (Mica) Stuhr. They have four children: Wilhelmina, Fredericka, Henry and Sylvia. Herman Stuhr was a cai-penter by trade. He came to America in 1873, and worked his way to Stillwater, in this state. The following year his wife, and his eight children, Henry, Herman, Emil, Otto, Emma, Ida, Charles and Rudolph, joined liim. Later they secured a farm in section 32, Chatham township, Wright county. They moved into the cabin of Herman Erath, which was so small that tliey had to hang the table from the ceiling in order to give the children an opportunity to play on the fioor. Herman Stuhr died in 1891, at the age of seventy-three. Beginning pioneer life with nothing but a small tract of land and an ox team, he so prospered that at the time of his death he owned a half section of good land. His wife died in 1911, at the age of seventy-three.

Charles H. Ferrell, a retired and respected farmer of Montrose, was born in West Virginia, February 19, 1850, son of Elisha Ferrell, the pioneer, who brought him to this county in 1865. He attended the district schools and grew to manhood on the farm. When he was twenty-one, he bought forty acres adjoining his father's homestead in Woodland township. On this tract of land he erected a log cabin, and started developing the farm.

Ten years later he replaced the cabin with a modern dwelling. He also added forty more acres to his farm and still later ten more acres. There he farmed for many years, attaining material success and the respect of the community. In 1912 he moved to the village of Montrose, where he now makes his home, and where he has some good property. While in the country, Mr. Ferrell served six years as a member of the school board of his district. Formerly he was a member of the Montrose Co-operative Creamery Company, and he is still a director of the Montrose Mercantile Company. He belongs to the lodge, the Canton and the Encampment of the I. 0. O. F., and his wife is a member of the Degree of Rebekah. Mr. Ferrell was married in 1872 to Mrs. Lorana Stacy, daughter of Henry and Catherine Hainor and widow of Ezra Stacy. Two children, Arthur and Anna V., were born. Mrs. Lorana Ferrell died in 1891, and in 1893 Mr. Ferrell married Mary H. Swarthout, born in Saratoga county. New York, May 5, 1852, daughter of Kramer and Charlotte (Burch) Swarthout, the pioneers.

Kramer Swarthout, one of the pioneers, was born in Saratoga county. New York, in 1823, and there married Charlotte Burch. They came to Minnesota in 1856, and located on the west side of the Mississippi river, ten miles below St. Paul. In 1857 they came to Wright county, driving a yoke of cows. They settled in Woodland township, to which they afterward added until they owned 160 acres. When they arrived in the coimty they were $2.50 in debt. For the first six months they lived in a shanty roofed with hay. Mr. Swarthout several times walked to St. Anthony, bringing from there a fifty-pound sack of flour on his back. Two days before the Indian outbreak he took his family to Roekford and enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in which he served, first against the Indians in the Northwest and then against the Confederates in the South. His only injury was a slight scratch from a bullet. After the war he returned home and resumed farm work. He was prominent in the Methodist Episcopal church and was the first class leader of that denomination in this vicinitj'. He was also a prominent member of the G. A. R. Mr. Swarthout died August 30, 1909. His wife died in May, 1903. In the Swarthout family there were six children : Marie, Sibyl, Julia, Mary H., Charlotte Ophelia and John (deceased).

Oscar A. Denzel, miller, proprietor of the Montrose Roller Mills, is one of the most substantial men of the village. He was born in Waconia, Minn., November 14, 1875, sou of Xavier and Augusta (Vallroth) Denzel, natives of Germany. The father was a miller by trade, and after locating in this country took up the milling business in Carver county, this state. He died in 1902 at the age of fifty-five. His wife is stlil living at Watertown.

In the family there were two boys and five girls. Oscar A. Denzel attended the public schools of Carver county, and learned the milling business from his father. For fourteen years he worked at this trade in Watertown, in his native county. In 1899 he came to Montrose, and in partnership with L. C. St. John, J. P. Thornquist and Herman Schultz, erected the Montrose Roller Mills. lu time L. C. St. John withdrew and the other three partners continued the business. Now Messrs. Thornquist and Schultz are out of the concern and Mr. Denzel is the sole owner and proprietor. The Montrose Roller Mills have a daily capacity of seventy-five barrels. The mills have been in operation fifteen years, and in addition to apparatus for manufacturing household flour, feed, graham, cornmeal and whole wheat flour, a sawmill for custom sawing has also been maintained. The main building is 30 by 44 feet, and a basement with a brick engine room, 26 by 34 feet. Steam power is furnished by a sixty horse-power engine. The principal brand manufactured here is the "Happy Home," a flour that because of its sterling worth has met with wide favor from the housewives throughout a large area. Mr. Denzel has done most efficient sei-vice as a member of the village council. Fraternally he is a member of Montrose Lodge, No. 185, I. O. 0. F. He was married in 1900 to Adaline Malsed, born in Watertown, Carver county, this state, daughter of John and Sarah Malsed, pioneers who in the early days settled near Howard Lake in Wright county, from which place they later moved to Carver count}'. Mrs. Malsed assisted in binding up the wounds of Mrs. Dustin, one of the victims of the Dustin massacre. Mr. and Mrs. Denzel have one child, Arlys.

David C. Kriedler, an enterprising farmer of Marysville township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1846, son of Daniel and Mary M. (McColough) Kriedler. He lost his mother when a very small boy. In 1859 he was brought to Wright county by his father and stepmother, and helped in clearing up and developing the homestead. He received his early education in Stillwater, Minn. As a youth he enlisted in Company A, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was under arms at Ft. Snelling. While he and the others were away from home there were still many Indians, but they were at that time friendly to those who had been left behind. After a service of three months and ten days, David C. Kriedler was discharged on account of illness. He then returned to the home farm, and there remained until his marriage in 1866. In 1867 he secured his present place of eighty acres in section 24. The tract was entirely covered with woods, and no buildings had been erected thereon. He erected a log cabin, 16 by 22 feet, and started with no farm equipment to establish for himself a home in the wilderness. His first fences were of i-ails. Often he had to walk to St. Paul for supplies. For some time he was compelled to do his breaking with oxen that he hired by paying $4 a day and board. Later he bought a yoke of oxen. He had no wagon, but used a Yankee Jumper sled the first summer. He still tells with delight of the times that he swam the oxen and sled across Crow river to get to Rockford. But in time circumstances improved, and he is now a successful man, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of life. He has erected a modern home and commodious barns, and has an excellent equipment of farm implements. For many years he carried on general farming and made a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. Now he has practically retired from active life. He delights to tell of the old days, and is a most interesting talker. One of his stories is of the trip he took to rescue the surviving members of the Dustin family after tlie famous massacre. David C. Kriedler was married November 1, 1866, to Rachel Bland, who was born in West Virginia November 9, 1845, and came to Wright county with her parents in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Kriedler adopted a bright boy, Fred Hurley, now deceased. Their religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

George W. Kriedler, a prosperous farmer of Marysville townshii:), was boiu in Butler, Pa., February 6, 1843, son of Daniel and Mary M. (McColough) Kriedler. He lost his mother when a very small boy. In 1859 he was brought to Wright county by his father and stepmother, and helped in clearing up and developing the homestead. His education was meagre, but this he has supplemented with wide reading and close observation. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged at Charlotte, N. C, July 11, 1865, After his return from the war he located on eighty acres in section 30, Franklin township. This was all wild land. He cleared the land, erected a log cabin and established for himself a home in the wilderness. In time he bought land until he owned 1781/2 acres. He erected a brick veneered home and roomy barns, and equipped his farm with the best tools and implements. Mr. Kriedler is a prominent man in the community. For some years he has been a member of the school board. He is a charter member of Montrose Lodge, No. 185, I. 0. O. F., and also a member of the G. A. R. On October 29, 1911, Mr. and filrs. Kriedler retired and moved to Montrose, where they now reside. George W. Kriedler was married, November 1, 1866, to Margaretha Stoltz, born in Bavaria, Germany, February 10, 1847, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Stephanie) Kriedler. Mr. and ]\Irs. Kriedler have had five children : Wilhelmina, born September 13, 1867; Lettie May, born March 12, 1870 (died January 8, 1879); Arthur Stoltz, born January 20, 1872; Gertrude Agatha, born June 19, 1874 (died March 24, 1901) ; and Lydia, born June

13, 1877. Joseph Stoltz was born in Bavaria, Germany, and there married Catherine Stephanie. In 1852 he brought his family to America and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1855 they came to St. Paul, and in 1861 settled on eighty acres of woodland on the shores of Fountain lake, in Franklin township, this county. Mrs. Stoltz died June 23, 1857, and is buried in Calvary cemetery, St. Paul. In the Stoltz family there were nine children : Martin was born October 24, 1841, and died in April, 1843; Frank was born in 1844; Margaretha was born February 10, 1847; Valentine was born August 9, 1848 ; Agatha was born November 26, 1849 ; Caroline was born September 7, 1851, and died on the Atlantic ocean en route for the United States in July, 1852; Adam was born January 6, 1853 and died August 4 of the same year; Veronica was born April 7, 1854, and died July 9 the same year; Philip was born May 28, 1857, and died July 6 of the same year. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stoltz married Mary Stumpf, a widow, and to this union there was born one child, Eloisa, born August 18, 1858, and died July 23, 1860. Joseph Stoltz died Ajiril 30, 1885, and is buried at Watertown, Minn.

Daniel Kriedler, a pioneer, was born in Hanover, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1803, and was there reared. In 1825 he married J\lary Magdalene McColough, who died May 2, 1850. Their children were : John, born May 2, 1826 ; Elizabeth, born June 15, 1828; James A., born in August, 1830; William Henry, born April 31, 1832 ; Maria, born October 15, 1833 ; Samuel G., born February 27, 1836; Mary Ann, born January 27, 1839; Daniel Webster, born December 25, 1841; George W., born February 6, 1843 ; David Conrad, born March 10, 1846 ; Joseph D., born September 25, 1849. For his second wife, Daniel Kriedler was married, May 1, 1851, to Elizabeth Row, born July 2, 1821. They had one daughter, Harriet, born October 20, 1856. In the family there was also an adopted daughtei', Jennette Moon, born July 12, 1862. Daniel Kriedler brought his family to Wright county in 1859, and located on 160 acres in Marysville township. He erected a log house, and got in his first crops without the aid of horses or oxen. Later he secured a yoke of oxen. Gradually he prospered and became a successful farmer. He died August 15, 1871, well beloved and deeply mourned. He was a devout Methodist in faith, and the first services in this vicinity were held under a maple tree in his yard.

William E. Redman, buttermaker of the ilontrose Co-operative Creamery, is one of the rising young men of the county. Thoroughly competent in his own line of business, he is pleasant and aft'able, and has made himself a general favorite among those who do business at his creamery. He was born April 1, 1889, at Albee, S. D., son of ^Michael Redman. He was educated in the district schools, graduated from the grammar grades, and at once started to learn the art of buttermaking. May 14, 1904, he became assistant buttermaker at the Albee Creamery, and was in that position two years. Then he went to Revello, S. D., for one and a half years as buttermaker at the co-operative creamery there. From January to May, 1907, he was at Mylo, S. D. In April, 1907, he went to Wist, S. D. It was in the spring of 1910 that he came to Montrose to become buttermaker for the Montrose Creamery. In this capacity he has more than made good. Fraternally he belongs to the Montrose Lodge, No. 185, I. 0. O. F. His wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Redman has won high honors and several diplomas during his charge of buttermaking. At the contest held in St. Paul by the Food and Dairy Department in July, 1913, he received the highest score of 96. At the May contest held by the Pood and Dairy Department he scored 96 also. At the Northwestern Fair, held at Crookston, Minn., he secured first prize and sweepstakes, seoi'ing 951/2- This fair was held July 16, 17 and 18, 1914. Mr. Redman was married October 6, 1910, to Kate Schneider, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Schneider, of South Dakota. They have two children : Raymond, born May 12, 1912, and Olive, born November 8, 1913. Joel Newton Haven, one of the founders of Montrose, was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson county. New York, December 16, 1837, third youngest child of Cyrus and Irene (Otis) Haven. The family came to Illinois in 1844, and here Joel N. grew to manhood. December 31, 1862, he married Eunice L. Hinsdell, and in 1870, they came to Iowa. In 1872 they located in what is now Montrose in Wright county. With his brother, J. Otis Haven, he engaged in the sawmill business. The partnership terminated when the brother went to Charles City, Iowa, and Joel N. then continued the business until his declining years when he sold out. When he came here there was no station at Montrose. The railroad had been built, but it had not then been determined whether there should be a station at Quiun's Corners or at Haven's Sawmill. The presence of the sawmill decided the question in favor of the latter location, and Mr. Haven was one of those who contributed for the location. He acquired forty acres at the edge of the corporate limits, and there his widow now lives in a sightly residence well in keeping with her honored standing in the community. Mr. Haven was a prominent and generous man. His private benefactions were many, and he never failed to assist in any move that had for its object the progress and betterment of the community. He was clerk of his school district for eighteen years, and supervisor of Marysville township for several terms. At one time he ran for a seat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and was defeated by a narrow margin. Though not a communicant of any church body, he was a sincere Christian, and labored earnestlj^ for the advance of the churches in this community. He died February 2-4, 1911, after a useful life filled with worthy endeavor. Mr. Haven was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company I, 52ud Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the Battle of Shiloh he was shot through the mouth, and being thus incapacitated for service was honorably discharged. As the result of this service he joined the G. A. R., first in Illinois, and later in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Haven had four children : Frank, Nora, Stella and Kittie. Frank was born May 12, 1865, and died March 12, 1891. He took up literary pursuits, was editor of the Litchfield Saturday Review for about five years, and then moved to Sauk Centre, where he planned to publish the Sauk Centre Herald. Just as the first issues were out, he died suddenly March 12, 1891. Nora was born November 7, 1867, and married William G. Michael, station agent at Montrose, by whom slie has four children : Esther, Miltou, Gerald and George. Stella was born August 26, 1869, and was married July 27, 1892, to H. J. Crooks, editor and publisher of the Swift County Review, at Benson, Minnesota. They have a daughter, Ethel. Kittie was born September 9, 1871, and now teaches school at Minneapolis. Eunice L. Ilinsdell was born in Dundee, Kane county, Illinois, June 15, 1840, daughter of Jonathan and Levyne (Hamilton) Ilinsdell. Jonathan Ilinsdell was born in Saratoga county. New York, March 13, 1791. He married Levyna Hamilton, born August SO, 1807, daughter of David and Jerusha Hamilton, the former of whom was a veteran of the War of 1812.

William Hudson Wright, postmaster of Montrose, was born on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, in Hennepin county, this state, September 8, 1857, son of George M. Wright. He was reared on the home farm, and attended school in an old log building, that stood on a part of his father's homestead, section 35, Marysville township, now a part of the village of Montrose, where the family located in 1858. As a young man he went to Lake Minnetonka for a while, and remained there until 1884, when he returned to Montrose, purchased the store and was appointed postmaster. He has since continued to be postmaster, with the exception of eight years. While he was out of the office he conducted a hotel and barber shop. He still owns the hotel building and still conducts the barber shop. He is a popular man in the community, and his administration of postal affairs has met with general satisfaction. Wliile at Lake Minnetonka, Mr. Wright was a member of the Grange. He now belongs to the lodge, the Encampment and the Rebekah degree of the Odd Fellows. George M. Wright was married. May 27, 1855, to Sophia M. Hainor, who was born February 2, 1834. Their children were: Herbert, born March 13, 1856; William

George M. Wright, a pioneer, was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1835, and as a youth became a ship's carpenter. He was married. May 27, 1855, to Sophia M. Hainor, who was born February 2, 1834. Shortly afterward he brought her to Minnesota, and settled on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, in Hennepin county. In 1858 he brought his family to Wright county, and located on eighty acres in section 35, in what is now Marysville township. A part of this tract later became the village of Montrose. He built a cabin of square hewed logs, the best to be found in the county at that time. There were no roads leading to the place, but nearby was a trail to Minneapolis. He began farming with the assistance of a pair of oxen. First he used a sled for a vehicle, later he got a two-wheeled wagon. He owned one cow. They saw many hard times, and there were many days wlien the only food they had was corn bread, made from corn ground in the coffee mill. During the Indian troubles he put his wife and children in the two-wheeled cart and took them to the stockade at Rockford, but he himself returned to look after the stock. A little later he enlisted in the Third Battery. At his cabin, the first postoffice was established, and it was he who gave it the name of Montrose, after a town in his home county in Pennsylvania. After holding the office for some years he resigned in favor of W. P. Ilolbrook, who held the office until the appointment of William II. Wright, son of George M. Wright, the fir.st postmaster. Mr. Wright was married in September, 1877, to Ida May Cowan, of Lake Minnetonka, daughter of W. S. and Mary (Frear) Cowan. Tliis union lias been blessed with three children : William Linn, who assists liis father; Lois Clare, wife of Roy Gibb, of C'ottonwood, Minn.; and Bernice, a schoolteacher. The Cowan family came from Pennsylvania in the early days, and settled on the east shore of Lake Minnetonka. Mr. Cowan was master of the State Grange, twelve years county commissioner of Hennepin county, one of the building committee at the time of the erection of the Hennepin County Coui't House, and a member of tlie state legislature. James Christopher Nolan, a scientific fai-mer of Marysville township, was born on the old homestead where he still resides, April 25, 186!t, son of James and Catherine (Cramsie) Nolan. He was reared on the home place, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his relatives. He now carries on genei'al farming, and nuikes a specialty of raising good stock, principally hogs and cattle. He is town clerk of Marysville, and a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery and the Co-operative Store, at Montrose. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. James Nolan, a pioneer cooper, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, came to the United States and settled near Biny;haiiiton, New York. There he married Catherine Cramsie, and there the two oldest children, Mary and John, were born. In 1860, he brought his family West, first designing to work in Minneapolis. Changing his mind, however, he continued on his way, and selected a claim in section 34, Marysville township. He took this place because it was covered with a heavy growth of white oak. Prom this white oak he split open staves, making pork barrels, butter firkins and butter churns, which he sold in various neighborhoods. The family still has in its possession a churn made by him. He erected a log cabin, and against one of its sides constructed a lean-to, in which he did his cooper work. The sight of Mr. Nolan, driving along his oxen, with a wagon filled with barrels, became a familiar sight throughout the neighborhood. During the Indian troubles he and his family fled to St. Paul. Upon his return he still continued at his trade, breaking only such land as he needed for the raising of supplies for his family. He died in 1878. He was a good man, and helped to build the early Catholic church in this vicinity. His wife, Catherine Cramsie, was born near Belfast, in the north of Ireland, and came to the United States about 1827. She died in .1897, aged about seventy-two. They had four children : Kate, who died at the age of about twelve years; William, Anna and James Christopher.

Augfust Zeidler, a prominent farmer of Middleville township, was born in Prussia, Germany, August 24, 1858, son of John Frederick and Rosine (Brandt) Zeidler, who brought him to Wright county in 1872. Previous to his coming here he had received a good education in the schools of his native land. The family settled in section 23, and here August Zeidler grew to manhood. He drove the old ox team, helped to clear the land, lived in the log cabin and experienced all the rigors of pioneer life. While still a boy he earned considerable money digging ginseng, sometimes receiving as much as thirty cents a poinid for the green root. Wlien he was twenty-six years of age, he bought a tract of 120 acres in section 3, Middleville township, where he has since continued to reside. The tract was covered with timber, and the roads were new and rough. He erected a log house, 16 by 24, and a log barn, a part of which is still standing. He began his farming operations with a pair of steers and two cows. It was the second year before he was able to get a pair of horses. He cut down trees, dug out the stumps, and as the years passed developed a splendid farm. He has erected a modern home, and a barn 34 by 72 feet, and to his original tract has added sixty acres in section 10. This barn with its scientific equipment is in decided contrast to the old log barn 20 by 26, which he first erected, and his automobile is in striking contrast to the yoke of oxen and old wagon with which he originally went to market. He has watched the county grow into a prosperous farming community, and has taken his part in its progress. Mr. Zeidler was married February 12, 1885, to Louise Bobrowske, born in Germany, October 17, 1866, daughter of Andrew and Josephine (Zeidler) Bobrowske, who brought her to Wright county in 1871, when she was five years of age, and located in section 2, Middleville township, where she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Zeidler have had seven children : Martha, Augusta, Minnie, Clara, Alvina, Ida and Leonard. Martha is now Mrs. William Krauel, of Woodland township. Augusta is Mrs. Arthur Schwartz, of Texas.

John M. Rhodin, farmer and contractor, of Middleville township, was born on the homestead where he still resides, January 25, 1883, son of C. J. and Christena (Westeberg) Rhodin. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools, aiid had the advantages of a short course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He has a fertile farm of eighty acres, and raises the usual crops, making a specialty of a good grade of stock, and of thoroughbred Plymouth Rock fowl. In addition to this he is a general contractor, doing cement work and building. He is a prominent man, and has been on the school board of his district for some years. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

C. J. Rhodin, a worthy pioneer, was born in Sweden, in 1834, and came to America in 1869, located first in Carver county, and later coming to Wright county, and settling on the present homestead in Middleville township, in 1879. In 1881 he married Christena Westeberg. Together they underwent many trials and privations, worked hard, and in time achieved prosperity. For many years they lived in a small log house, and Mr. Rhodin used a yoke of oxen to help with the farm work. Mr. Rhodin died January 14, 1900. Mrs. Rhodin lives on the homestead with her son, John M. Rhodin.

S. D. McVeety, a prosperous farmer of Middleville township, was born in North Augusta, province of Ontario, Canada, January 1, 1871, son of David McVeety. In 1877 he came with his parents to the United States and located with them on the farm where he has since continued to reside. He attended the district schools, learned farming from his father, and after his fatlier's death took charge of the home farm. He has been very successful, has made many improvements, and is one of the leading farmers of the community. With him lives his honord mother. S. D. McVeety was married February 15, 1893, to Clara

King, a native of Middleville. They liave seven cliildren -. Gladys Elizabeth was born February 10, 1894; Mary Lucinda was born August 14, 1895 ; Sarah Evelyn was born October 7, 1898 ; David E. was born January 16, 1900; Thomas and Edwin, twins, died in infaney ; Robert A. was born April 2, 1907.

David McVeety, an honored pioneer of Middleville township, now deceased, was born in Lanark county. Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1825, son of Thomas and Catharine (McLean) McVeety. The parents were born, reared and married in the north of Ireland, came to Canada as young people, located in Ontario province, and devoted the remainder of their lives to farming. In their family there were three children: Thomas, James and David. David was the youngest. He was reared on the farm in Canada, and after his marriage in 1853 continued in the same occupation. In Canada their ten children were born. They were: Thomas W., born July 24, 1854; Alexander, born June 21, 1856 ; James Henry, born June 27, 1858 ; Sarah Jane, born June 30, 1860; John A., born November 3, 1862; Catherine Isabella, born September 16, 1864; Charles Edwin, born November 17, 1866 ; Jane, born March 12, 1868 ; S. D., born January 1, 1871; Mary Elizabeth, born March 12, 1873. In 1875 the son, Alexander, came to the United States and bought eighty acres in section 9, Middleville township. A small frame house had been built, aud eighteen or twenty acres had been cleared. To this place, in 1877, came David McVeety, his wife and the other children. They purchased the land from Alexander, and there spent the remainder of their years. The farm is now occupied by the son, S. D., who has greatly developed the farm, and is considered one of the leading men in the township. Mr. McVeety died March 15, 1889. Mrs. McVeety still resides on the old home farm.

David McVeety was married, as noted, in 1853, to Elizabeth Frasier, born in Drummond, Lanark county, Province of Ontario, Canada, March 26, 1834, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Howell) Frasier. Alexander Frasier was a soldier in the English war. He was born in Scotland, married a native of Essex, England, and came to Canada. Of their fourteen children, twelve grew to adult years.

John Albert Stenberg, an influential farmer of Middleville township, was born in Dahlgren township. Carver county, this state, son of Carl J. aud Mary Stenburg, natives of Sweden. In 1851 the parents, with their three children, Fred, Augusta and Matilda, set out for the United States. After a long and tedious voyage aboard a sailing vessel, they reached New York City. Their funds were entirely exhausted, and for three years they remained in New York state. Then they started westward, and by boat, rail and horse team reached Carver county, in this state, where they secured 120 acres in the heart of the woods. They erected a log building in which to live, and started to clear thd land. They had no means, and it was several years before they could get an ox team. A little money was earned by digging ginseng root at five cents a pound. Supplies came up the river from St. Paul in boats. After a time a frame house was erected. Carl J. Stenburg was a devout Lutheran, and helped to build the early church of that faith in this locality. He died in 1878 at the age of seventy -two. His wife died twenty years later, at the age of eighty-five years. Three children were born in Carver county. They were John Albert, William and Anna. John Albert attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm until his mari-iage in 1880, when he came to Middleville township and bought seventy acres of woodland in section 7. He erected a log building, which is still standing, and with an ox team began to clear the land. To the original tract he added another forty which he also cleared. He has brought the place to a high stage of development, has erected modern barns and a good residence and carries on general farming and raises high-grade stock. He has been a stockholder of the Farmers' Elevator at Howard Lake and the Co-operative Creamery in Middleville, has served as town assessor and supervisor, and as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Masonic order and to the Episcopal church. In 1880 Mr. Stenberg married Ella Errickson, born in Norway October 27, 1855, a daughter of Erick Errickson, of Middleville township. The children born to this union were : Alice, born September 15, 1880 ; Ida, born March 13, 1882 ; Mary, born August 19, 1883 ; Frank, born February 25, 1885 ; Edwin, born May 28, 1887. For his second wife he married Julia Errickson, a sister of his fii-st wife, born July 17, 1864. The children born to this marriage are : George, born May 6, 1891; Effie, born October 17, 1894; Nettie, born February 17, 1896; Addie, born July 12, 1897; and John and Charles, twins, born May 12, 1902.

John A. Johnson, an enterprising citizen of Middleville township, was born in Sweden, son of Jonas and Anne (Peterson) Johnson, who brought him and the rest of the family to Wisconsin in 1868 and to Minnesota in 1870. He attended the district schools, and helped with the farm work. He took his share in clearing and developing the place, and remembers driving the oxen hitched to the reaper and binder. As a boy he was interested in the flour industry and enjoyed playing about the Carver mill at Kingston. As a young man he went to Cokato, in this county, where he bought grain for eight years, part of the time for himself and part of the time as a representative of outside concerns. Later he became a mercantile clerk in Cokato, and in this employment he remained three years. Then he went to Dell

Grove township, in Pine county, this state, and opened a store. Wliile there he served as township assessor. After nine years in Pine county he came to Middleville township, in this county, and bought out the store of August Pearson, at Knapp. Six years later he located at Albrechts' Corners, and purchased the general store and the Crow River Roller Mills. After two years he sold out the store, and has since given his entire attention to the mills. He manufactures the Riverside brand of tloui', which enjoys a steady sale and is widely known for its excellence. Mr. Johnson married Ellen Sundberg, a native of Cokato township and descended from an early pioneer family. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Nora, a graduate of the Cokato high school.

Jonas Johnson, a pioneer, was born in Sweden in 1823, and there spent the early half of his life. He married Anne Peterson, also a native of Sweden, and they had four children : Anna, Andrew, John and Lewis. The family came to America in August, 1868, and located in Wisconsin. The daughter, Anna, remained in Wisconsin, but in April, 1870, the rest of the family came to Wright county. Jonas Johnson secured eighty acres of wild land in section 28, buying out the rights of a homesteader. A small log house, 14 by 12, stood on the place. The cabin was six feet high. Split logs were used for flooring. The first corn was planted with a grub hoe in between the stumps. In return for breaking wild steers the men of the family secured for a short time the use of the animals that they tamed. After three years Mr. Johnson erected a barn and purchased a cow. Soon a pair of oxen was bought. Another eighty acres was purchased, and this was cleared with the assistance of the sons. Good buildings were erected and the family assumed a leading position in the community. They went through privations and hardships and in time reaped the reward of their hard work. Mr. Johnson was a prominent member of the North Crow River Lutheran Church at Knapp. He helped build the first church, served as trustee many years, and before the days of the organ led the singing. He died in 1891. His wife died in 1889.

Herman J. Prigge, an influential farmer of Middleville township, was born in Germany, June 30, 1869, son of Henry and Dorothy (Prohl) Prigge, who brought him to Victor township in 1870. He attended the district schools to a limited extent, and was reared to farm pursuits by his father. He remained at home until his marriage, and then purchased 120 acres in section 27, Middleville township, where he still lives. The tract had been partly cleared, and a frame house had been erected on it. Mr. Prigge continued to improve and develop the land, and in 1909 he erected a splendid barn, 32 by 80 feet, with cement floor, patent stanchions and a modern ventilator system. He carries on general farming, but makes a specialty of stockraisiug. Being a believer in co-operation among farmers, he has taken shares in the Howard Lake Creamery, the Howard Lake Telephone Company and the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Middleville. Mr. Prigge was married in 1898 to Minnie Mueller, born in Woodland township, the daughter of Henry and Augusta (Barth) Mueller, and they have four children: Walter, Lauretta, Alene and Evelyn. Walter was born October 20, 1899, Lauretta June 11, 1903, Alene December 24, 1907, and Evelyn November 14, 1913.

Henry Prigge, a pioneer, was born in Hamburg, Germany, son of John Henry Prigge. He was reared and educated in Germany, and was there married. In 1870, with his wife and son, Herman J., he started for the United States. The voyage was made aboard an old sailing vessel, and it was six weeks from the time they embarked until they landed. They came across the country to St. Paul and from there to Victor township, where they secured sixty acres in section 14, on the banks of Lake Ann. This tract was mostly woods, though a clearing had been made, a few apple trees planted, and a log cabin and log barn erected. Mr. Prigge started farming witli an ox team and two cows. He was well on the road to success when one night in the coldest part of the winter the buildings were burned to the ground. But he reconstructed the buildings, and continued to live there for a short time. Later he moved to a tract of 120 acres in section 1.5, Middleville. A road led past the place but the tract itself was covered with woods and no buildings had been erected. He erected a house of hewed logs, which is still a part of the present residence, and put up a barn large enough for two horses and two cows. He added forty acres in section 16, cleared up the place, added a frame house to the log cabin, enlarged the barn, erected sheds and made other improvements. He raised general crops and went extensively into stock raising. When the first Lutheran meeting in this vicinity was held in the first house erected on the shores of Dutch lake, he attended, and he later became an officer of the Lutheran church at Howard Lake. Being active in all progressive moves, he was a stockholder in the Howard Lake Co-operative Creamery and in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Middleville. He was also the first man to erect a silo in the county, in 1900. Mr. Prigge died August 10, 1910. Henry Prigge married Dorothy Prohl, also a native of Germany. They had seven children : Herman J., Charlotte, Theodore, Bernard, Ella, Pauline and Henry.

Frank T. Prohl, an estimable farmer of Middleville township, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 21, 1855, son of C. and Maria (Marquard) Prohl, who spent the span of their j-ears in Germany. C. Prohl was a man of some importance in his native village, and served for many years as supervisor of roads. In the family there were eight children : William, Dora, Helen, Frank, Herman, Mariah, Anna and Frederick. Of these, Helen was the tirst to reach the United States. She came in 1869. Frank T. came in 1870. He located in Carver eonnty, this state, and worked as a farm hand until 1885, when he came to Wright county and became a clerk at Howard Lake. He was married two years later, and settled on his present place in section 17, Middleville township. The tract then consisted of eighty acres, partly improved. He has cleared and developed it, erected suitable buildings, and added forty acres more. He now carries on general farming and stock raising in a very successful manner. Mr. Prohl is a vei\y important nmn in the community. He has been town clerk for the past dozen or so years, and has been a member of the school board for many terms. For eighteen years he has been manager of the Howard Lake Co-operative Creamery, and for a long period he was secretary of the Middleville Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was secretary of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Howard Lake, for a long period of time, and in the early days he was secretary of the Farmers' Alliance. He is likewise a leader in the German Lutheran church and has been its secretary and treasurer for twenty-five years past. His favorite breeds of stock are the fvill-blooded Holsteins of which he has a nice drove, and Poland-China swine, which he likewise raises in goodly numbers. Mr. Prohl was married, in 1887, to Anna Miller, born in Hanover, Germany, July 23, 1857, daughter of Peter and Magdalena Miller, who came to the United States in 1868, lived in New York state until 1871, then came to Woodland township, and in the eighties located in Middleville township, cleared up the land, erected a good home, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Prohl have had eight children : Frank, born June 25, 1888 ; Marie, born February 1, 1889; Dora, born March 14, 1891; Emma, born September 19, 1892; Paul, born December 14, 1893; Albert, born June 3, 1895; Ella, born August 21, 1896; Delia, born March 9, 1901. By her previous marriage to Claus Mahlstedt, Mrs. Prohl had four cliildren: Augusta, born September 30, 1878; Heinrich, born January 30, 1880; Wilhelm, born October 8, 1881; Gustave, born May 16, 1883.

Andrew Erickson, an active farmer of Middleville township, was born in section 18, where he still lives, January 29, 1874, son of Erick and Ella (Gustrud) Erickson. Erick Erickson was born February 10, 1821, in Kongs, Vinger, Sogten, Norway, and was married, March 3, 1851, to Ella Gustrud, who was born in Gustrud, Eskog, Sogten, Norway, February 2, 1829, and died September 8, 1911. The children in the family were: Erick, born May 13, 1857; Andrew, born July 17, 1853 (died in Norway); Ella, born October 27, 1855; Hans, born January 2, 1857; Ole, born November 14, 1859 (died in Norway) ; Ole, born January 7, 1861; Julia, born July 17, 1863; Annie, born November 15, 1865; Andrew, born January 29, 1874 ; Mary, born March 8, 1887. The two youngest were born in the United States, the rest in Norway. Erick Erickson, the father, came to America in the spring of 1868, and in the fall arrived in Cai'ver county, Minnesota. In 1871 he reached Wright county, and purchased sixty-eight acres in section 18, Middleville township. This tract, situated on the banks of the Crow river, was entirely wild and covered with woods. He erected a log cabin, and with the assistance of a yoke of oxen started to clear tlie land. He worked on the railroad from Smith's Lake, then the end of the line, westward through Wright county, and was thus enabled to secure sufficient funds to send for his wife and family. On this place in Middleville township Andrew Erickson was born and reared and here he has since continued to reside. He manages the place in a* capable manner and carries on general farming. He is highly regarded, he is a useful citizen, and his worth is fully appreciated throughout the community. Erick Erickson, now nearly ninetythree years of age, is still living on the old home farm with his son Andrew, and despite his advanced years is still quite active.

Edward Gilmer, a prosperous business man of Smith's Lake, Middleville township, was born May 6, 1866, in Ontario, Canada, son of Archibald and Susan (Christie) Gilmer, natives respectively of Ireland and Scotland, who were brought to Canada by their parents when they were children. They were married in Canada, and after their marriage continued to live there about twenty-two years. The children born there were : William J., Jane, Mary Ann, David, Burley, Tessa, Archibald, Allen and Edward. Another child, Christie, was born in Minnesota. The family came to Minnesota in 1872 and secured a tract of 136 acres in section 6, Victor township. To this they added forty acres more the following spring. Some eight or ten acres had been cut over by the process of girdling the trees. A log house, 12 by 16 feet, had been erected, and into this the family moved, taxing its capacity to the utmost. Soon a larger log house was built. With the help of a team of horses the land was cleared, and as time passed a modern home and comfortable barns and outbuildings were erected. Archibald Gilmer assisted in erecting the first sehoolhouse in district 87, and he also helped to erect and support the Presbyterian church at Howard Lake. After a useful and succe.ssful career he died in 1902 at the age of seventy-seven. His wife died two years later at the age of seventy-six. Edward Gilmer was brought to Minnesota by his parents, and was reared on the home farm, attending the district school. At the age of twenty-one he started for himself on a farm of forty acres in

Victor township. This tract was partly improved. He erected the buildings and lived on the place until 1900, when he gave up his farm pursuits. He now owns land in Canada which he bought in 1900, and also eighty acres in section 2, Victor township, which he bought in 1911. From 1900 to 1906 he dealt in livestock. Since 1906 he has been grain buyer for the Thorpe Elevator Company, at Smith's Lake, Middleville township. He is an expert at his business, and is widely known for his honor and fair dealing. His fraternal associations are with the Woodmen at Howard Lake. Mr. Gilmer was married in 1896 to Mrs. Sadie Lyren, daughter of John Johnson, now deceased, a resident of Middleville township. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmer have two children : Anna, now Mrs. R. C. Mealey, and Andrew, now of Minneapolis. August H. Birkholz. Frederick Birkholz, the founder of the family of that name in Wright county, was born in Germany. As a young man he married Amelia Wentlund, and they had seven children : Fred, William, Charles, August, Ritka, Minnie and Mai-y. These young people, except Mary and August, came to the LTnited States and settled in Wright county before 1879. In 1879 came Frederick Birkholz, his wife and his daughter, Mary, now Mi's. William Koutz, of Delano. They took up their residence with the son, Fred Birkholz, in Victor township. Frederick Birkholz died at the age of eighty-four, his wife at the age of seventy-seven. August Birkholz was born December 14, 1844, was reared in Germany, and there married, in 1865, to Albertina Schmaltz, who was born December 23, 1847. In 1880 he came to the United States with his three children, August H., William and Mary. He settled on eighty acres in section 19, Victor township, and started to develop the farm. For three years he used a yoke of oxen in clearing the land. He built first a log house and a log barn, and as the time passed he erected a modern house and barns. When he arrived, no road led past the house, but later one was built, thus placing him in better connection with the outside world. August Birkholz died in 1897. August II. Birkholz is one of the most substantial farmers of Middleville township. He was born in Germany, April 24, 1870, son of August Birkholz and grandson of Frederick Birkholz, both mentioned above. He was brought to Victor township, this coi;nty, wlien about ten years of age, and here grew to manhood. His opportunities for schooling were somewhat limited, but he has made up for this with sturdy intelligence and sound common sense. He was reared to farm pursuits, and remained at home until his marriage. He bought a place of eighty acres in section 29, Victor township, started developing it, and erected a log cabin. Into this cabin he brought his bride. They toiled together and achieved prosperity, one of their improvements on the place consisting of a frame house which they built onto their log house.

Iiil899 they sold this place and moved to their present farm of 120 acres in section 20, Middleville township. Forty acres has since been added. At the time of the purchase a small frame house and barn had been erected. Mr. Birkholz has erected a splendid modern home, a sanitary barn 36 by 100 feet, equipped with a ventilator system, cement floor and running water, and other necessary outbuildings, and carries on general farming and stoekraising. August 11. Birkholz was married, September 24, 1891, to Augusta Browske, born March 4, 1872, in Woodland township, this county, daughter of Andrew and Gustina (Ziedler) Browske. Andrew Browske was born in Germany, and was there married. In 1872 he brought his wife and children to America, and located in Woodland township, in this county. Later he moved to Albion townsliip. He died in 1882 at the age of fifty-five. She died in 1907 at the age of seventy-two. They had eight children: Caroline, Anna, Henrietta, Elizabeth, Wilhelmina and Christina, were born in Germany. Augusta and Charles were born in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. August H. Birkholz have ten children : Otelia, Alice, Paulina, Charles, Amelia, Emil, Eva, Arthur, Frances and lone. All the children are at home except the oldest, Otelia. She married Emil Fiedler, of Albion township, and they have one child, Arnold. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Joseph R. Tomlinson, for many years an honored and useful citizen of Middleville township, was born in what is now West Virginia, and was there reared and educated. In early life he came to Minnesota and took up farming in Carver county. It was in 1867 that he came to Wright county and bought forty acres in section 7, Middleville township. He cleared up this land, erected some good buildings, and became a representative citizen. In time he added forty acres to the east of his original tract, and on the farm of eighty acres thus created, he followed general farming and stock raising until his death, March 21, 1907. Joseph R. Tomlinson was married in Wright county. May 15, 1870, to Anna Dix, who was born in Illinois, November 20, 1848, and came to Wright county in 1867. She lives on the home farm, and is highly regarded throughout the community. The family faith is that of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson have had nine children : Lucy, now Mrs. Edward Ferrell, of Middleville township ; Mary Berniee, who lives with her mother; Cliffie May, now Mrs. James M. Battles, of Clear River, Minn. ; Samantha Belle, now Mrs. Robert McClay. of Middleville townshi]) ; Henry M., who died in infancy ; Friend E., of Cokato; James D., of Middleville township; Marion D., of Middleville township; Joseph C. (deceased).

on his father's homestead in Middleville township, Wright county, July 27, 1885, son of Joseph and Anna (Dix) Toralinson. He attended school in Maple Grove district. No. 51, and at the age of nineteen took up creamery work at Pleasant Hill in Mc- Leod county. On October 1, 1907, he took charge of the Highland Creamery in section 12, Middleville township, then owned by his brother, F. E. Tomlinson. Prom there he wyjnt to Minneapolis, and became a clerk in the department store of the Leader Mercantile Co. May 1, 1911, he came back to Middleville township, bought the Highland Creamery from his brother, and took over the sole management. He has greatly increased its output, his business methods have appealed strongly to the farmers, and he is making an unusually strong success of the proposition. He is a high class butter-maker, and belongs to the Wright County Dairy Association. Mr. Tomlinson was married September 22. 1910, to Sophia Lind, born in Middletown township, daughter of Nels and Anna Lind, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson have two bright sons, Kenneth and Wesley.

Nels Lind, the pioneer, was born in Kjattbo, Sweden, December 22. 1861, son of Stor Per Nelson, a real estate dealer in Sweden. Nels Lind was reared in Sweden, and was there married December 22, 1886, to Anna Peterson, who was born July 9, 1867. Their oldest child, Gustave, was bom in Sweden, July 25, 1887. In May, 1888, they arrived with this child, in Ironwood, Mich. In April, 1889, they located on forty acres in Middleville township. An old barn, and part of a frame house stood on the place, and two or three acres had been cleared. With a yoke of oxen, Nels Lind started clearing the place. He added two tracts of forty acres each, and by gradual improvements, brought his place to a high degree of development. He was on the town and school boards, and a director in the Farmers' Elevator at Waverly. Ilis fraternal associations were with the Modern Brotherhood of America. He died July 5, 1905, and his wife January 26, 1910. The children born in America were : Sophia, born January 29, 1890; Oscar, born October 29, 1891; Signie, boi'n September 25, 1893 ; Wallace and William, twins, born June 5, 1895 ; Amanda, born April 12, 1897 ; and August, born November 21, 1899.

Bernard H. Prigge, a wide-awake farmer of Middleville toAvnship, was born in Victor township, March 27, 1875, son of Henry and Dorothy ((Prohl) Prigge, who brought him to section 15, Middleville township, as a boy. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits, and has remained on the old homestead of 120 acres, which he now owns. He has made excellent improvements, among which may be mentioned a sightly barn, 32 by 80 feet, with cement tloor, patent stanchions, and a modern ventilator system. He successfully carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of raising good stock. He has always favored every move that has for its object the betterment of farm conditions, and has taken shares in the Howard Lake Creamery, the Howard Lake Telephone Co., and the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co., of Middleville.

Mr. Prigge was married February 6, 1900, to Mary Mueller, born in Woodland township, the daughter of Henry and Augusta (Barth) Mueller. They have two daughters, Luella, born February 21, 1901; Dorothy, born February 14, 1909.

Leander Watson, a prominent citizen of Middleville township, was born in Marion, in what is now West Virginia, June 11, 1842, son of John C. and Orilla (Mason) Watson, grandson of William Watson, and grand-nephew of David Watson, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. John C. Watson was born in Marion county, Virginia, was there educated, reared and married, earning his livelihood as a stonemason and shoemaker. Three of his children, Elizabeth, Lucinda and Malissa died in what is now West Virginia. In 1865, with his wife, and his other children, Leander, Augustus, Jane, Susannah, John C, William, Alexander, Thornton and Rhoda he came by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to St. Paul. From there they came to Minneapolis, and then by horse-team they came on to Montrose, in Wright county, where they remained for about a year. In 1866 he secured a tract of eighty acres in section 26, Cokato township. A trail led past the place. He erected a cabin of unhewed logs, and began to clear the place. He fortunately had a pair of oxen and three cows. In April, 1867, he moved his family onto the place. St. Anthony was then the trading point, and members of the family sometimes walked there after supplies. John C. Watson died in 1868, in the faith of the Baptist church. His wife died in 1866. From the old home the family has scattered far and wide, and the only one that remains there is John C, Jr., who successfully carries on general farming. Leander was reared in what is now West Virginia, and in December, 1862, when his part of the state refused to follow the rest of Virginia into tlie Confederacy, he enlisted in Company B, in a regiment of West Virginia Infantry, and served two years. He came to Wright county with other members of the family in 1865. In 1867 lie acquired a tract of eighty acres in section 32, Middleville, just on the edge of the townsite of Smith Lake. Nothing had been cleared, and only a crude track led to the place. He erected a log cabin, and secured work on the railroad. In this capacity he helped to clear the right of way for the Great Northern from Delano to Montrose. This work gave him ready cash, and thus enabled him to pursue his farm operations. He cleared up the eighty acres, erected modern buildings, and developed a good farm.

A sightly feature of his place are the rows of maple and cottonwood trees, some of them three feet in diameter. These trees he set out as saplings in 1873. Mr. Watson has served as constable and as a member of the school board, and has been a member of a number of committees and delegations. Leauder Watson was married July 22, 1864, to Minnie King, a native of Virginia, daughter of John King. She died in 1865 at the age of twenty, leaving one child, Raymond William, now living in Ohio. For his second wife he married Julia Martin, of Indiana, daughter of William Martin. This union resulted in three children, Mary, Hattie and Judson. The present Mrs. Watson was Lulu Stiles, a native of Wisconsin. Their happy marriage has been blessed with three cliildren, Sidley, Gladys and Kenneth.

Albert Zeidler, an enterprising farmer of Middleville township, was born in Prussia, Germany, February 2-1, 1867, son of John Frederick and Rosine (Brandt) Zeidler, who brought him to Wright county in the summer of 1872. He was reared on the homestead in Middleville township, attended the district school, and thoroughly mastered farming. About 1899 he came into possession of the home place which he has since conducted. He successfully carries on general farming and stockraising, and is a very prominent man in the community. He has been eliairman of the township board of supervisors seven years and township treasurer three years. For eighteen years he has been school officer of his district. He has taken an interest in the Howard Lake Co-operative Creamery and holds shares in that institution. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Zeidler was married in 1901 to Mollie Drawert, who was born in Germany, and was brought to Victor townsliip, at the age of one and a half years, by John and Gotlieba Drawert. Mr. and Mrs. Zeidler have five children, Hilda, Arthur, Esther, Florence and Agnes.

John Frederick Zeidler, an early settler of Middleville township, was born in Prussia, Germany, January 28, 1828, and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young man he married Rosine Brandt, who was born October 4, 1831. Eleven children, Charles, Carrie, August, Minnie, Albert, Otto and John were born. Two died in infancy and Henrietta, aged twenty, died in Germany. After reaching the United States, Otto died, and another son, Richard, was born. In 1872 the family set out for the United States and reached Howard Lake, in this county, August 16, 1872. For a year they rented land and then bought a tract of 107 acres in Middleville township. They moved into a log cabin that stood on the place. John F. Zeidler started to clear the land with the assistance of a yoke of oxen. In time he erected a modern dwelling, barn and other buildings, and brought the farm to a good stage of cultivation. He was espe- eially active as a church member. When the first German Lutheran church in this locality was erected he helped haul the first timbers and assisted in constructing the building. Later he helped to organize the German Methodist church. He was one of the trustees, and in the absence of the regular preacher, helped to conduct the services. He died in 1909. His wife died October 7, 1883.

Lewis Reimnuth, now deceased, was one of the most respected citizens of Middleville, highly esteemed and honored, and his untimely death has not yet ceased to be mourned. He was born in Baden, Germany, January 20, 1852, son of George and Barbara (Banchbach) Reiumuth. George Reinmuth was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815. He married Barbara Banchbach, and in 1853, started with her and the children for the United States. The voyage across the ocean aboard the old sailing vessel consumed three months. For a time they livd at Pittsburgh, where George Reinmuth worked on a steamboat. In 1857 he set out with his family for Minnesota, going down the Ohio, and coming up the Missis.sippi by boat. At St. Paul he hired an ox team to take him and his family to Middleville township in Wright county. Here he located a homestead of 160 acres on the north banks of Howard lake, where he built his first log cabin, and started to clear the land. Fortunately he owned a yoke of oxen, but the roads were so bad that it was difficult to use them away from home, and he often brought flour from St. Paul on his shoulder. Money was scarce and he dug ginseng to get the money with which to pay the government price of $1.25 for his land. After a few years, a second log cabin replaced the first, and in time a frame house in which members of the family still live, was erected. Mr. Reinmuth was a prominent man in his community and served several years as a member of the school board. He died at the age of eightytwo. His wife bad died in 1868 at the age of forty-four. Lewis Reinmuth was brought to America by his parents in 1853, lived with them in Pittsburgh, and in 1857 was brought by them to Wright county. He assisted his father in clearing the land and early in life became widely noted as an expert wood-chopper. Even as a small boy he was regarded as a wonder with an axe, and the feats of strength and skill which he performed in this line were little short of marvelous. He grew to manhood on the home place, and always remained there. After he came into possession of it he made many improvements, and made it a modern farm in every particular. He was a very hard worker, took great pride in keeping the best of stock, and deliglited in having everything in splendid order about the place. He did not mingle in public life, but was a faithful member of the German Lutheran churcli of Howard Lake. He was killed May 29,

1913. While he was unloading milk at the Howard Lake Creamery, his team of horses took fright aud rau away. lie was caught in the wheel and turned over aud over, receiving injuries from which he died soon afterward in the office of Dr. E. Y. Chilton. Lewis Reiumuth was married in 1881, to Bertha Uecker, a native of Pomerania, Germany, born September 29, 1861, daughter of Otto and Caroline Uecker, who came from Germany in 1867 and located in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Reinmuth had eight children: Allen, Hilda, now Mrs. Prank Westphal, of Howard Lake ; Mattie, wife of Claude Nissen, of South Shore, South Dakota; George, Otto (deceased), Helen, Marie aud Lewis. Allen Reinmuth, the oldest son, was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools, and in 1913 was graduated from the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He is a thorough believer in modern methods in farming and in co-operation among the farmers. He organized the North Howard Farmers' Club, and is its secretary. He is a member of the Farmers' Stock-Shipping Association. The farm consists of 128 acres conducted along the most scientifie lines.

William Lee Brumfield, a leading farmer of Middleville township, was born on his father's homestead in section 10, November 11, 1875, son of William Henry aud Nancy (Jordon) Brumfield. William Henry Brumfield was born in Carver county, Kentucky, March 3, 1821, and as a boy received but meagre opportunities. He married Nancy Jordon (born July 1, 1828), and located on a farm in his native state, where the children. Green, Hattie, Allie, James, George and Nan, were born. There were also three more children in the family, Mary, born in St. Paul, and Noah and William Lee born in Wright county. In 1871 the family set out for Minnesota. They reached St. Paul by steamboat, aud came to Middleville township, where by trading a good pair of horses they obtained the homestead-rights to eighty acres of land. An old shack and a straw barn stood on the place, and about an acre had been broken. With tlie aid of an ox team the family cleared the land, and in time ercted suitable buildings. Mr. Brumfield was a member of the Christian church and helped to build the church at Sylvan, in Middleville township. He died December 28, 1888. His wife died October 29, 1899, aged about seventy-one. William Lee Brunfield was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. After the death of his father, he and his brother, James, took over the home place. Later William Lee bought his brother's interest. A few years later he sold out, and bought the place of liis father-in-law, W. H. Hutchinson. This tract consisted of eighty acres. Four years afterward he bought the old Levi VanNorden place of 160 acres. This was in 1905.

The place was but partly improved, and the only residence on it was the homestead log cabin. Mr. Brumfield has developed the farm, and has erected a new nine-room house, a new silo, and several roomy sheds. He carries on general farming and raises good stock, marketing his cattle through the Stock Shippers' Association of which he is a member. At the present time he is supervisor of the township and clerk of the school board. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America and to the Odd Fellows. Mr. Brumfield was married March 27, 1901, to Effie M. Hutchinson, daughter of W. H. Hutchinson and Helen A. (Dean) Hutchinson. Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield have three children: Russell, born March 24, 1904; Dorris, born September 8, 1908 ; and Evelyn, born September 22, 1911. W. H. Hutchinson came from Canada to the United States and then to Middleville township.

Levi R. Bowman, a well known resident of Middleville township, was born in Greensborough, Indiana, March 7, 1841, sou of William W. and Elvira (Hunt) Bowman. William W. Bowman was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was of the Quaker faith. He was one of a family of six boys and two girls. About 1800 he moved from North Carolina to Indiana, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a Whig, an Abolitionist and a Republican, and was a prominent man in his township. He died in 1868. By his first wife he had three children, Milton, Edmund and Martha. By his second marriage he had eight children, Calvin W., William, Jabez H. (a veteran of Company D, 36th Indiana Infantry), Levi R., Thomas E., Sarah, Emeline, and Beulah. Levi R. Bowman was born in Indiana as noted, was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools. In 1861 he enlistd in Company F, 10th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Fourteenth Ainny Corps. He served in all three years, and was in many important skirmishes, battles, engagements, campaigns, marches and sieges. Among the battles may be mentioned those of Mills Spring, Corinth, Perrysville, Tellahoma, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Racaca, Big Slianty, Kennesaw and Peach Tree Creek. He received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis, September 19, 1864. Then he took up carpenter work, an occupation in which he engaged until 1870, when ill health caused him to seek a home in another climate. In 1871 he located in Middleville, Wright county, and purchased Fred Peasley's homestead right to eighty acres in section 4. An unfinished log house stood on the place and into this house he moved with his wife and son, Elmer C. One acre of the tract had been cleared. He cleared up the eighty acres and bought forty acres on the east line of the farm which he also cleared. He has replaced the log structure witli a substantial home, good barns has been erected.

and everything about the place bespeaks thrift and prosperity. Mr. Bowman carries on general farming and aside from this follows his trade as a builder, operating throughout the Northwest. He was married in Indiana to Clementine Nugent, born in that state in February, 1851, a daughter of Levi Nugent, a hotel man of Hamilton county, Indiana. She died in 1874, leaving him four children : Elmer C, William, Bert and Alvira. Elmer C. is assistant state wheat weigher, with headquarters in Minneapolis. Bert operates the home place. William and Alvira died in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Bowman married Kate Plomteaux, a native of Blue Earth county, this state. She died at the age of fifty. Her two children, Elizabeth and Mary died in infancy.

John R. Anderson, a leading citizen of Middleville township, was born in Sweden, August 29, 1857, son of Andi'ew and Beata (Larson) Anderson, both of whom died in the old country. John R. was reared and educated in Sweden, and there lived until over twenty-two years of age. In 1880 he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, and finding his way to Minnesota. For the first summer he worked on a farm in Meeker county. In the fall he came to Wright county, and worked in the woods near Waverly. The following summer he did farm work in Kandiyohi county. In the winter he again chopped wood near Waverly. The next spring, 1882, he went to Canada, and worked about a year for the Canadian Pacific. Since then he has been engaged in farming in Wright county. He owns a good place in section 13, Middleville, and successfully carries on general farming and stockraising. He is the assessor of the township, and has been on the school board for six years. He helped to organize the Co-operative Store at Waverly, and is a director in that as well as in the Waverly Farmers' Elevator. In the Swedish Lutheran church he is especially prominent. He has been janitor for fourteen years, Sunday school teacher for seven years, and trustee for a considerable period. Mr. Anderson was married June 7, 1885, to Augusta Person, who was born in Sweden in 1860. They have ten children : Oscar, of St. Paul ; Charles, of Waverly; Olga, wife of John Cochran, of Woodland township; August, at home; Ellen, now Mrs. Erick Erickson, of St. Paul ; William, Henry and Esther, at home ; and Arthur and Ruben, who died in infancy.

Martin E. Fellows, for many years an honored farmer of Montieello township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, May 2, 1852, son of William Stewart and Phoebe E. (Gifford) Fellows, the former a native of New York state, and the latter of Ohio, and both of Scottish descent. The mother died in Michigan. The father lived in Minnesota several years, and later moved to Kansas, where he died. In the family there were three children :

Martin E., Elnora, wife of Charles Harris, of Frazee, Minn. ; and Levi L., of Olmsted county, Minnesota. Martin F. Fellows came to Rochester, Miun., from La Grange county, Indiana, in September, 1873. In December, 1902, he brought his family to Wright county and located on Sugar lake, in Corinna township, where he purchased 175 acres of land. Six years later he traded this tract and secured 120 acres on section 4, Monticello township, where he carried on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Fellows was a substantial man, and was an influential member of the school board at High Forest for nineteen years. His death was widely mourned, and his memory will long remain in the hearts of all those with whom he came in contact. He belonged to Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., the Eastern Star, the M. W. A., and the Knights of Pythias. He was made a Mason in Pligh Forest Lodge, No. 85, in 1886, and was made master of Fair Haven Lodge, No. 182. His wife was a charter member of the Eastern Star, and was made worthy matron of Vesta Chapter, No. 99, 0. E. S., in 1897. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fellows was married, December 23, 1875, to Almeda E. Stillwell, a native of Wisconsin, daughter of Obediah and Mary E. (Faucett) Stillwell, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Indiana. The Stillwells came to Minnesota in 1857 and located in Mabel, Fillmore county, Minnesota. In the family there were four children: Americus V., who died November 10, 1912; Almeda, wife of Martin E. Fellows; Leslie H., of Stewartville, Minn.; and Eldevilla, wife of George Langton, of Browerville, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows had five children : Mary Elizabeth, wife of Charles Meyers, of Bradley, S. D. ; Blanche A., wife of Hiram Miller, of Park county, Mont. ; Etliel 0., wife of Richard Stryker, of Park county, Mont.; Elmer Leslie, of International Falls, Minn.; and Leonard A., at home. Martin E. Fellows died February 9, 1915, and Mrs. Fellows died February 26, 1915.

David F. Reid, business man, Monticello, was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, May 27, 1865, son of David and Annie (Hoag) Reid, natives respectively of Ireland and Vermont, who came to Minnesota in 1857 and spent the remainder of their lives in Fillmore county, the father dying on April 25, 1881, and the mother in 1871. In the family there are three children living and six dead : Jane, wife of J. D. Henry, of Portland, Ore. ; David F., and Annie M., wife of H. W. Sims, of Grand Forks, N. D., living; and James A., William E., Artluir, Judson, Lillie and one lumamed, deceased. David F. Reid received his education in the district schools, and devoted his early life to fanning. In October, 1908, he came to Wright county and engaged in the farming and nursery business in Monticello township until 1913. In that year he started his present business. He is local agent for the Standard Oil Company, does heavy draying, and deals in wood, coal, cement, brick and lime. Mr. Reid is a Republican in polities, and served for a time as town clerk. He belongs to the M. W. A. Mr. Reid was married, June 20, 1885, to Ella E. Rich, and they have six children : Floyd Albert, who is his father's partner; Grace, the wife of Albert Engel, of Todd county, Minnesota ; Florence, the wife of Louis Engel, of Monticello ; Nellie and Mildred, at home ; and an unnamed boy who died in infancy.

Andrew Thompson, a venerable pioneer, now deceased, was born in Ireland, August 31, 1825, attended school, grew to manhood, and became a millwright and engineer. Hannah Riley was born in Ireland, January 21, 1831. They both came to America about 1850, and located in Pennsylvania, where they were married, May 5, 1852. From Pennsylvania they moved to Virginia, where Mr. Thompson operated a sawmill. In 1854 they came to what is now Minneapolis, and here he worked in the government mills. It was in February, 1855, that they moved onto a homestead in Hennepin county, just across the line from Wright county. The land was all wild and wooded with heavy timber. He cleared the land, erected a home and outbuildings, and underwent all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. As the years passed he became one of the most prosperous and influential citizens in the community. Augiist 9, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was sent against the Indians, and on September 2, 1862, was wounded in the arm at the Battle of Birch Coixlie. After that he was in the hospital for a time, and was then sent home for a furlough of five weeks. Later he went with his regiment to the South. In September, 1864, he was pi'omoted to corporal, and on August 19, 1865, he received his honorable discharge. The I'emainder of his life was spent in developing and cultivating his farm in Hennepin county. He worked for the betterment of the community, and the world was the better for his having lived in it. He died November 4, 1903. His wife died August 24, 1908. The nine children of this venerable and honored couple were : Elizabeth, William James, Robert, Daniel R., Andrew, Samuel, John W., Julius A., and one, unnamed, that died in infancy. Elizabeth was born July 4, 1854, and died July 13 of the same year. William James, a business man of Monticello, was born October 31, 1855, was married March 25, 1879, to Etta Stimson, and has four children, Lethe, Celia, Raymond S. and Lydia. Robert was born December 2, 1857, and died August 29, 1864. Daniel R. was born May 26, 1860, and after being in business for some years, in Rockford, is now a wholesale dealer in undertakers' supplies in Minneapolis. He was married, December 16, 1884, to Kittie B. Beach, and they have three children: John B.,

Vernon A. and Gladys L. Andrew was born August 10, 1862, and died January 5, 1868. Samuel, a merchant of Rockford, was born June 28, 1866, and was married November 26, 1890, to Nellie M. Ewing. They have three children : Hector N., Gertrude and William E. John W. was born August 31, 1868, and now owns and conducts the home place of 160 acres. He is also in partnership with his brother in the store at Rockford. Julius A. was born October 25, 1870, and is now a prominent farmer of Buford, N. D. He was married, June 16, 1897, to Lettie M. Forsythe, and they have two children : Ruth W. and Kenneth. William J. Thompson, Monticello, machinist and metalworker, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., October 31, 1855, son of Andrew and Hannah (Ridley) Thompson, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1850 and located in Pennsylvania. Andrew Thompson was a millwright and engineer. From Pennsylvania he moved to Virginia, where he operated a sawmill. In 1854 he came to what is now Minneapolis to operate the government mill. In 1855 he moved onto a homestead in Hennepin county, and there he and his good wife spent the remainder of their days. He was a veteran of the Indian campaign, having been wounded at Birch Coulie. where he was serving as sergeant in Company B, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In the Thompson family there were nine children : An infant daughter (deceased), William J., Daniel R., of Minneapolis; John R. (deceased), Andrew (deceased), Samuel, of Rockford, this county; John, on the old home farm in Greenwood township, Hennepin county ; Julius, of North Dakota, and an infant son (deceased). William J. Thompson remained with his father until nineteen years of age, working summers and attending school winters. He came to Monticello in 1875, worked for seven and a half years as a blacksmith, then opened a shop of his own, subsequently went to Minneapolis and worked in a blacksmith shop for about a year, then went on his father-in-law's farm in Monticello township and remained three years, and then came to Monticello again. After operating a shop about a year, he formed a partnership with Christian Neuman, and bought out the blacksmith shop of L. L. Chaffin. Three years later Mr. Thompson purchased his partner's interest and subsequently operated the shop alone until 1908, when he took his son, Raymond S., as full jtartner, under the firm name of W. J. Thompson & Son. The company does wagon repairing, automobile repairing and operates a general machine and blacksmith shop. Mr. Thompson is a public-spirited man, and has done his part toward the development of the community. Many of the trees which add so much to the value of the streets were set out by him many .years ago. He was village recorder for some twenty years. Fraternally he associates with the A. F. & A. M., the I. 0. 0. F., the M. W. A., the C. of H. and the I. O. F. He is a Republican in politics. The family faith is that of the Metliodist Episcopal churcli. Mr. Thompson was married, March 25, 1879, to Etta Stimson, a native of Monticello, this county, and they have four children: Lettie, wife of Bert V. Davis, of Monticello ; Celia, bookkeeper and stenographer for her father and brother; Raymond S., his father's partner ; and Lydia, at home, a bookkeeper for S. J. Mealey & Company.

Raymond S. Thompson, mechanical engineer, Monticello, was born in Monticello, May 11, 1885, son of William J. and Etta (Stimson) Thompson. He passed through the public schools of Monticello, and was graduated from the Monticello high school in 1904. With the exception of a short interval during which he was a salesman, he studied nu^chanical engineering at the University of Minnesota from the fall of 1904 until early in 1907. In February, 1907, he went to Spokane, Wash., as engineer for the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. In June, 1908, he returned to Monticello and entered into partnership with his father in the general machine and repairing business under the firm name of W. J. Thompson & Son. Mr. Thompson has been unusually active in fraternal circles. He is a Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine Mason, and has been secretary of Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M. for two years. He has passed through the chairs of Garfield Lodge, No. 145, I. O. 0. F., and has been its secretary for several years. He is also serving his second year as secretary of the Monticello Commercial Club. He is likewise secretary of the Monticello band. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Republican. Mr. Thompson was married, September 7, 1910, to Julia Lee, born in Howard county, Iowa, daughter of Gulick and Marie Lee, natives of Norway, the former of whom died October 24, 1913, and the latter of whom now lives in Cresco, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child, Charles Leigh, born January 30, 1912. In the Lee family there were twelve children : Nellie, of Chicago ; Bessie, wife of Dr. Ahern, of Ravinia, S. D. ; Andrew, of Glasgow, Mont. ; Julia, wife of Raymond S. Thompson ; Gustave, of Cresco, Iowa ; Mary, wife of Charles Gray, of Roscoe, Minn. ; Olaf, of Alaska ; Theodore, of Cresco, Iowa ; and Ella, Anna, Emma and Arthur, at home.

David A. Gehrenbeck, business man, Monticello, was born in the city where he lives, August 12, 1880, son of Ellis' and Mary J. (Mueller) Gehrenbeck, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He remained with his father until about twenty years of age. After clerking in a general store for two years he entered the employ of J. W. Lindgren in a similar capacity. In 1910 he formed a partnership with John A. Roman. The firm has a hardware store and tinshop, installs heating systems, and does a general plumbing business. Mr. Gehrenbeck is a Rei^ub- liean in politics. He belongs to the I. 0. 0. F., the M. W. A., the Degree of Rebekah and the Court of Honor. Mr. Gehrenbeck was married, June 3, 1903, to Julia May Bertram, and they have two children : Gilbert B., born March 16, 1906, and Gladys, born August 29, 1907.

Ellis Gehrenbeck, cai-penter, Monticello, was born in Indiana, January 7, 1857, son of Gottlieb and Matilda (Koch) Gehrenbeck, natives of Saxony, Germany, who came to America in 1853, lived in Indiana twelve years, returned to Germany in 1865, and in 1870 came again to America, and took up their home on a farm in Wright county, Monticello township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in April, 1900, and the mother in November, 1892. In the family there were eleven children : Matilda, wife of Herman Blume, of Monticello ; Azalia (deceased), Paulina, wife of Conrad Schamberg, of Monticello; lives at St. Cloud, Minn. ; Hermine, who died at Waterville, Minn. ; Ada, wife of M. Mitchell, of Monticello; Ellis, of Monticello; Betty, married, of Monticello; Fred (deceased), and Amanda, wife of William Bailey, of Monticello. Mr. Gehrenbeck followed the fortunes of his family, and for many years operated the same home place with his brother. In 1901 he moved to the village of Monticello, where he has since devoted his time to his trade as a carpenter. He votes the Republican ticket and belongs to the I. O. 0. F. and the M. W. A. The family faith is tliat of the Congregational church. Mr. Gehrenbeck was married, December 23, 1879, to Mary J. Mueller, daughter of Christian David and Caroline (Smith) Mueller, natives of Germany, who came to America and located in Ohio, later inoving to Indiana. The father died at sea while en route to Germany for a visit, and the mother died at Cincinnati. In the family there were two children: William (deceased), and Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Gehrenback have two cliildren: David and Caroline.

Henry A. Taft, retired farmer, Monticello, was born in Howard county, Iowa, September 18, 1857, son of Alvin and Elizabeth (Lindsey) Taft, both natives of Michigan, who ended their days in Howard county, Iowa, the father on June 29, 1910, and the mother in July, 1912. There were two children in the family : Henry A. and Allie, the wife of J. J. House. Henry A. farmed with liis parents, and at the age of twenty-one went to North Dakota, where he proved up on two claims and spent a year and a half. Tlien he returned to his home county. In 1896 he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the International Harvester Company. In 1900 he again went back to Howard county. In 1906 lie came to Wright county and bought 166 acres of good land, on which he farmed until 1914, when he sold out and moved to the village of Monticello, where he now resides. He is a Repub- lican iu politics, aud wliile iu the township served in a number of local offices. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tat't was married, December 31, 1878, to Viola J. Webster, who died in 1912. By this union there is one son, Lyell W., of Monticello. For his second wife Mr. Taft married Mrs. Eveline Pasco, widow of S. M. Pasco, and daughter of Sheldon M. and Adelaide (Sales) Webster, natives of Indiana, who came to Iowa in 1896, and to Monticello township, Wright county, in 1906.

Harry S. Whipple, lawyer, Monticello, was born in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, July 19, 1877, son of Henry P. and Julia A. (Shadduck) Whijiple, natives respectively of New York aud Pennsylvania. The father, a veterinary surgeon, still makes his home in Wisconsin. The mother died June 23, 1902. In the family there were five children : Herbert A., of Waterloo, Wis., a salesman ; Edwin 0., of Waterloo ; Jeanette C, of St. Paul ; Harry S., of Monticello; and Laura G., wife of Charles R. Chadbourne, of St. Paul. Harry S. Whipple received his early education in the graded and high schools of his native town. He taught school four years, studied law in an office in Waterloo two years, and then came to Minnesota and entered the St. Paul College of Law, where, after a year's course he was graduated in June, 1904, and admitted to the bar. After two years' employment with the Great Northern Railway, he opened an office in Monticello in 1906, and has since been engaged in successful practice here. In politics he is an independent voter. His fraternal associations are with the Blue lodge of the Masons. He is now Worshipful Master of the local lodge. The family faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Whipple married May E. Harley, a native of Beaver Dam, Wis., September 18, 1901. Their two children died in infancy.

Fred Gee, merchant and undertaker, Monticello, was born in Cortland, N. Y., April 18, 1857, son of Josephus and Sally (Granger) Gee, both natives of New York state, and both now deceased. Of their twelve children there are now living five : Lavinia, Eliza, Ida, George B. and Fred. Fred Gee came to Lyon county, Minnesota, and located on a farm in 1878. Four years later he returned to New York state and worked on the home farm nine years. Then he returned to Lyon coiuity and operated a farm near Marshall for eight years. Then he came to Monticello and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. His business is housed in a sightly building which he erected. Mr. Gee enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He has served as president of the Minnesota State Funeral Directors' Association. A Republican in politics, he has been elected mayor of the village, and has given the people a good administration. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and of the