Wright County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1915 (part 8 of 9)

M. W. A. The family faith is that of the Baptist church. On May 4, 1881, Mr. Gee married Helen Canfield, a native of Minnesota. They have three children: Claire J., an undertaker, of Brookings, S. D. ; Gertrude L., principal of the high school at Grand view. Wash., and Howard C, of Wiuuefred, Mont., an attorney.

Joseph Merz, Civil war veteran, prominent musician, and estimable citizen, was born in Baden, Germany, September 9, 1830, and there received his education, paying especial attention to music, for which he had a particular talent. In 1848 he came to America, and in 1856 found his way to Minnesota and located at Afton, in Washington county, where he worked in a mill. There he organized the first band and remained as its leader until 18G1. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Thii-d Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as musician, and served throughout the conflict. At Chattanooga he was captured. He was discharged at Ft. Snelling, and found his way to Wright county, where he bought a farm of 160 acres in Monticello township. After a long and useful agricultural career he sold his farm in 1902 and moved to the village of Monticello, where he died February 21, 1906. During all the years of his residence here he continued to be an enthusiastic nnisician. He organized the first band in Monticello and became its leader, a position in which he continued for many years. He was also much interested in the G. A. R., of which he was a prominent member. Joseph Merz was married, September 26, 1855, to Caroline Mast, who was born in Germany, December 25, 1838, came to America in 1847, and located in Illinois. She now resides in Monticello village, where she is highly respected and greatly admired for her many desirable qualities. Mr. and Mrs. Merz had four children : Amelia L., Elizabeth, William 0. and Augusta. Amelia L. died at four years of age. Elizabeth is the wife of C. B. Maue, of Monticello, and they have seven children : Roy, Gussie, Florence, Daniel, George, Amelia and Leo. William 0. lives in North Dakota. He married Helen Hortonbach, and they have four children : Joseph, Leo, Caroline and Hazel. Augusta died at the age of twelve years.

Charles F. Merz, auctioneer and contractor, Monticello, was born in Will county, Illinois, October 22, 1855, son of Frank J. and Elizabeth (Mast) Merz, natives respectively of Baden, Germany, and New Bavaria. The father came to America in 1844, located in Chicago, and lived to be ninety years of age. The mother still lives in Chicago at the age of eighty-five years. The children in the family were : Peter, Louisa, Frank (deceased), Charles F., August, Fredericka, Edward E., Elizabeth, Caroline, Rieliard, and George. Three died in infancy. Charles F. took up the burdens of life at the age of twelve years. For five years he was on his grandfather's farm. Later he worked in a rolling mill at Joliet, 111., and subsequently was employed four years as foreman on a stoek farm in Franklin eounty, Iowa. In 1879 he eame to Montieello, and farmed for three years. Then he went to Chicago, and was associated in the drug business with his brother for three years, after which he returned to Montieello where he has since been a successful auctioneer for some thirty years. He also does considerable business as a dredging and house-moving contractor. He is a Re]niblicau in politics, has served on the city council, and has been justice of the peace for some seven years. He belongs to the I. 0. 0. F. and the B. P. 0. E. Mr. Merz was married February 16, 1881, to Florence M. McCord, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Evan B. and Sarah M. (Clark) McCord, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Maple Lake township, Wright county, in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Merz have two sons, Edward H., born August 26, 1883, and Evan F., born October 11, 1889. These sons have a garage and automobile agency at Montieello.

Allan Hale Pike, station agent, Montieello, was born in Franklin county, Maine, April 7, 1852, son of Joshua and Dorothy (Houghton) Pike, both natives of Maine, who came to Minnesota in 1862, and located in Steele county, where they ended their days, the father, October 25, 1896, and the mother April 17, 1870. In the family there were eight children : Elias Gardner, of Glenwood, Minn. ; Mary A., deceased ; Judith E., wife of A. Haskill, of North Dakota ; Thomas H., deceased ; Allan Hale, of Montieello; Chai'les (deceased) ; Edgar, of Steele county, Minn. ; and Sarah, wife of John L. Houghton, of North Dakota. Allan Hale Pike graduated from the high school at Owatonna, in 1871, and taught school for three years. Then he learned railroad telegraphy which he followed in various places for several years. In 1882 he came to Montieello as station agent, and here he has since made his home. He is one of the respected men in the community, belongs to the Masonic order, and votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Pike was married, August 26, 1884. to Mary A. Lewis, daughter of J. F. and Martha (Steele) Lewis, the pioneers. Mrs. Pike comes of a distinguished family, and is herself a well-known educator. She began teaching when she was fourteen years of age, graduated from the St. Cloud State Normal School, and has taught several terms in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Pike have one daughter, Hazel Torrey, now head of the Domestic Science department in the high school at Ontario, California. The family faith is that of the Methodi.st Episcopal church.

Josiah F. Lewis, a pioneer, Montieello, was born in Massachusetts, and came to Wright county, from Jlississippi, about 1856. Later he returned to Mississippi, where for many years he was a professor in a ladies' seminary. Ilis wife, Martha Steele, a native of that state, was a teacher in the same institution. In 1865 they again came to Wright county and secured a farm. Although he devoted the remainder of his life to farming, he still maintained his interest in educational work. He taught in the Monticello High school, was principal of that institution, and for twelve years served as county superintendent of schools. He and his wife are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had six children: J. H., Mattie J., R. S., Adelia Torrey, W. W. and Mary. John H. was born in Holly Springs, Miss., came to Minnesota in 1864, entered the University of Minnesota in 1872 ; was graduated in 1878, tavight village schools in Wright and Hennepin counties for four years : was elected superintendent of schools of Hastings, Minn., in 1878, and served in that capacity until elected state superintendent of public instruction on tlie Democrat-People's ticket in 1899. He now owns and operates a ranch of 320 acres in California. Mattie J. is the wife of E. B. Preble, a judge on the supreme bench in the state of Washington. R. S., for eight years lieutenant-governor of North Dakota, is now a retired banker of Fargo. Adelia Torrey is the wife of W. 0. Dobsen, mayor and Great Northern agent at Snohomish, Washington. W. W., formerly cashier of the Red River Valley Bank at Fargo is dead. Mary is the wife of Allan Hale Pike, station agent at Monticello.

William A. Lippy, harness-maker, Monticello, was born in Fulton county. 111., November 10, 1860, son of John and Sarah (Zepp) Lippy, both now deceased. Of the thirteen children in the family, ten are now living. At the age of nineteen, Mr. Lippy became interested in the harness business, an occupation to which he has since devoted his life. In 1890 he came to Monticello, and entered the harness shop of Edward H. Sherwin, January 1, 1914, he took over the entire business. He is an excellent workman and has a good trade. He has a full line of harness and horse furnishing goods, trunks, suit cases and hand bags. Everything is of the best, and modern in every respect. He is an independent voter, and belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the M. W. A. Mr. Lippy was married, November 28, 1892, to Julia Bower, a native of Germany, and they have three children : Orrie, wife of Lawrence Carr, of St. Paul ; William A., who works with his father, and George J., who is at home.

John A. Brasie, insurance agent and real estate dealer, Monticello, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, June 29, 1847, son of Rowe and Hulda Ann (Bettis) Brasie, the pioneers, both natives of New York state. From Illinois he was taken to Ripon, Wis., and fi'om there in 1854 he was brought to a farm near Monticello, where he spent his youth. As a boy he was associated with his brother, Henry S., in the mercantile business in Monticello.

In 1869 he and Henry S. started a hotel in the Lower Town. In 1870 he sold to his brother and went to Princeton, Minn., where he engaged in the mercantile bnsiness for two years. In 1872 he moved to Delano, Minn., and engaged in the mercantile bnsiness there for several years. Then he sold ont to his brother, C. A. Brasie, and engaged in the insurance business. In May, 1894, he returned to Mouticello, and here engaged in the insurance business. He also owns farm lands and does some dealing therein. The home which he has built in Mouticello is one of the sightliest residences in the city. Mr. Brasie is a Democrat in politics, and attends the Episcopal church. On October 18, 1870, Mr. Brasie married Fannie Berry, a native of England, who after her father's death was brought to Wright county with the rest of the family by the mother. Mr. and Mrs. Brasie have two sons, Frank R. and Albert S. Frank R. is engaged in the auto-truck business in Minneapolis. He married Minnie McDonald, who died March 26, 1895, leaving a daughter, Muriel M., who is attending Stout's School of Domestic Science, at Menominee, Wis. Albert S. is a student in the University of Minnesota.

Rowe Brasie, pioneer, Mouticello, was born in New York state in 1806, and served eight years in the regular army under General William Worth. In 1844 he went to Peoria county, Illinois, and farmed there for a few years, after which he went to Ripon, Wis., where he farmed and kept a hotel. In the fall of 1853 he came to Mouticello, looked over the land, went back to Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1854 brouglit his family and located on a farm a mile west of Mouticello. Later he went to Big Lake, in Sherburne county. Then he returned to Mouticello, and remained until 1872, when he moved to Delano, in this county. Then he went to Litchfield, in Meeker county. He was a prominent man, and served as county commissioner and county treasurer in Sherburne county, and county commissioner of Wright county. Mr. Brasie died in 1896, his wife liaving passed away ten years earlier. They had four children: Henry S. (deceased); Worth W., of Denver. Colo. ; John A., of Mouticello ; and Charles A., of Litchfield.

Albert N. Mitchell, retired farmer, Mouticello, was born in Monroe, Waldo couuty, Maine, July 3, 1846, son of Alexander and Jerusha (Webber) Mitchell, natives of Maine, now deceased, who came to Monticello township, Wright couuty, and settled on a claim in 1856. In the family there were nine children : Frank (deceased), a veteran of the Civil war; Louise (deceased) ; Henry (deceased) ; Albert N. ; Augiistus (deceased) ; Laura, wife of William Chafit'ee, of Portland, Ore. ; Freemont, of Monticello township, this county; Dora (deceased); and Edwin, of Monticello. Albert N. Mitchell was reared in Maine and in Minnesota.

As a boy lie worked with a threshing outfit in the Black Hills of the Dakotas. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and did garrison duty to the end of the war, being mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. Then he took up farming. In 1866 he bought eighty acres of land in Monticello township, but soon sold this and for two years engaged in the milling business in Monticello. Then he went with a threshing outfit to the Black Hills once more and was there at the time of the Custer Massacre. Subsequently he worked in the pineries in northei-n Minnesota, and afterward took up farming in Monticello township, devoting every autumn to threshing. In 1900 he retired and moved to the village. Mr. Mitchell is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Mitchell was married in June, 1884, to Freda G. Geiser, who died February 2, 1899. They have had five children : Grace, wife of James Mast, of Portland, Ore. ; Lillian May, wife of Everett Walton, of Monticello ; Frank, of Monticello ; Laura, who keeps house for her father, and Gladys, who lives with her uncle, John Geiser, Jr.

David N. Davis was one of the honored pioneers of Wright county. With undaunted courage he brought his family into a thinly settled country where comforts were few, and by hard work, intelligent effort, and perseverance and integrity, he won for himself a competence, and achieved a place of honor, respect and leadership in the community where he lived for so many years. He reared a large family, which is a credit to the community, and to it he left the heritage of a blameless life and an luisullied name. Mr. Davis was born in England, and married Helen Bailey, a native of Canada. As a young man he located in Canada, and in 1858 he came to the United States and located in Monticello township, this county. He died in December, 1898, and since then, his widow, who has proved herself a devoted wife and loyal and affectionate mother, has made her home in Monticello village with Mr. and Mrs. Roy Starmer. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of fourteen children. Martha is dead. David W., a retired farmer of Monticello village, is the father of three children, Mortimer, Mary and Hazel, and the grandfather of one, David. Sadie is dead. Jennie is the wife of Charles Lord, of Monticello, and they have two children, Clarice and Efiie, and three grandchildren, Etheleen, Babe and Erma. George Alfred is a Monticello farmer, and has two children, Freeman and Echo. Walter Isaac lives in Dundm'n, Saskatchewan, Canada, and has one child, Wallace. Freeman is dead. Bert V. is a Monticello blacksmith, and has nine children, Violia, Lyle, Clifford, Brighton, Vera, Vernetta, Evelyn, David and Merrill. Ruby is the wife of Frank Drake of Minneapolis, and they have three children, Gei'ald, Helen and Ruth. Franklin W. lives in Hancock, Mich. Fredrick is a Mouticello farmer. Irving S., of Long Beach, Cal., has one child, Melvin. Chester is dead. Dora E. is the wife of Roy Stariuer, and they have one child, Marjorie.

George Alfred Davis, fanner, Monticello township, was born in the township where he still resides, March 21, 1864, son of David and Helen (Bailey) Davis, the former a native of England and the latter of Canada. The father died in 1900 and the mother still lives in Monticello. George Alfred Davis remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age. Then he bought eighty acres in Monticello, section 6. In 1911 he bought 144 acres in the same township, section 1^6, where he has erected a new house and made many improvements. He also owns 192 acres in sections 5 and 6, where he likewise has made many improvements. He is one of the best known dairymen in this part of the county, and in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Davis was married January 17, 1893, to Ina Rawn, a native of Denmark, and they have two children : Freeman E. and Echo V. The family faith is that of the Advent Church.

Frank J. Shierts, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, February 19, 1864, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rolen) Shierts, natives respectively of Bohemia and Germany, who came to America in 1854, located in Glasgow township, Wabasha county, this state, and there farmed until 1900, when they retired. They have lived to celebrate the Golden anniversary of their marriage, and are among the most respected people in their neighborhood. In their family there were eight children: Frank J.; Mary (deceased); Annie, wife of Henry Tushaus, of Wabasha county; Kate, wife of Theodore Peters, of Wabasha county; John and Joseph, of Wabasha county; Peter, of Helena, Mont. ; and George, a postal clerk with headquarters at St. Paul. Prank J. remained with his parents until his marriage. Then he purchased 120 acres in Glasgow township, Wabasha county. In 1900 he purchased 120 acres in Monticello township, this county. He now owns 200 acres in sections 21 and 28, Monticello township. He has made many improvements and carries on general farming on a successful scale. He also does considerable threshing. He is a Republican in politics, is now town supervisor and has served for some years as clerk of the school board of his district. He is secretary of the Greenw^ood Telephone Company. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Catholic Order of Foresters and with the St. Joseph Society. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Shierts was married October 1, 1885, to Catherine Ziemetz, daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Webber) Ziemetz, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Shierts have had seven children : Nicholas

F., uow assessor of Mouticello township; Joseph (deceased); Elizabeth, wife of Octave Dechaine, of Otsego township, this county; and William, Thomas, Mary and Joseph, at home. Nicholas Ziemetz came to America as a young man, and after living for a while in Illinois, came to Minnesota in 1867 and located in Wabasha county, where he engaged in farming. He died in September, 1907, his wife having died in Februai-y of the same year. In the Ziemetz family there were eleven children : Mary, wife of William Meyer, of Wabaslia county ; John, of Salt Lake City ; Thomas, of Wabasha county ; Catherine, wife of Frank J. Shierts, of Wright county; Elizabeth (deceased); Charles (deceased); Elizabeth (deceased); Emma, of Wabasha county: George (deceased") ; Lucy, now Sister M. Boniface, of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Seminary at St. Paul ; and Margaret, wife of Joseph C. Schmidt, of Wabasha county.

Conrad S. Stengelin, farmer, Monticello township, was born in the township where he now resides, December 20, 1880, son of Jacob J. Stengelin and Bertha (Heydeck) Stengelin. He was reared to farm pursuits, attended the public schools, and has spent his whole life, thus far, on the farm. He is a Republican in polities, and has served as clerk of the school board of his district. Mr. Stengelin was married May 3, 1911, to Telle Lilja, a native of Iowa. They have one child, Eleanor Constance, born March 1, 1914. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jacob J. Stengelin, Jr., proprietor of Fair View Farm, Monticello township, was born in the township where he now resides, September 17, 1876, son of Jacob J. and Bertha (Heydeck) Stengelin, natives of Germany, who came to America in the early si.xties, and to Wright county about 1874, locating on a farm in Monticello. In the family there were five children : Louise, wife of Gustave Schmidt, of Irons, Mich.; Bertha (deceased); and Jacob J., Jr., Augusta and Conrad, of Mouticello. Jacob J. Stengelin, Jr., remained on his father's farm until about thirtythree years of age. Then he bought eighty acres in sections 24 and 25, Monticello, where he carries on general farming and stockraising. The place is well improved and is modern in every respect. Mr. Stengelin is a Republican in polities. December 15, 1909, Mr. Stengelin married Elizabeth Hanson, daughter of Peter and Hannah Hanson. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Frank A. Townsend, farmer and stockraiser, Monticello townshi[), was born in Lake county, Illinois, December 27, 1857, son of John K. and Fidelia (Tower) Townsend, natives of New York state, who came to Wright county in 1902, and ended their days in Monticello. In their family there were six children : Frank A.; Carrie, wife of John Frost, of Mouticello; Cora (deceased);

Ada (deceased) ; Wilber, of Monticello; and Emory, of St. Paul. Frank A. Townsend was taken from Illinois to Wisconsin and there lived about twenty-five years. Then he spent about five years in South Dakota, and some fifteen years in Martin county, Minnesota. In 1902 he bought 160 acres in section 6, Monticello township, where he has made some splendid improvements, and where he now carries on general farming and stock raising. He votes the Republican ticket, and the family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Townsend was married March 29, 1877. to Mary Meyers, a native of Pennsylvania. She was born July 14, 1857, daughter of Prank and Martha (Cole) Meyers. His father died November 19, 1898, and her mother now makes her home with her son, Frank A.

Ernest Oby, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in Switzerland, April 29, 1875, son of Ulrich and Eliza (Marty) Oby, both natives of Switzerland, who came to America in 1889, lived in Green county, Wisconsin, for about seven years, then went to Mower county, Minnesota, for six years, and subsequently came to Wright county and located in section 22, Monticello township. The father died May 29, 1911, and the mother is now living in Monticello. In the family there were six children : Ernest ; Eliza, the wife of George Lukens, of Taopi, Minn. ; Herman, of LeRoy, Minn. ; Walter, of Stratford, Wis. ; Lena, wife of Roy Wetherbee, of Annandale ; and Charles, a farmer of Maple Lake township. Ernest followed the wanderings of his family, and has remained on the home farm which he now conducts. He was educated in the public schools, learned farming from his father, and now takes excellent care of the 226 acres which comprise the family estate. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of thoroughbred Holstein-Presian cattle and full-blooded Chester White swine. He is a Republican in politics, and has done excellent service on the town board, a position in which he is now serving. The family faith is that of the Dutch Reformed church. Mr. Oby was married February 25, 1903, to Emma Wolf, and this union has been blessed with three children: Irene, born April 8, 1904; Roy Ernest, born December 6, 1906 ; and Lois, born September 10, 1909.

John B. Peters, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Germany, August 18, 1858, son of Peter and Eliza (Howe) Peters, who spent the span of their years in Germany. In the family there were seven children: Anthony and Mary (deceased) ; Barbara, of Germany; Mathias and John, of Wabasha county, Minnesota ; John B., of Monticello ; and John W., of the state of Washington. John B. Peters came to America in 1872, and located in the county of Wabasha, this state. In 1896 he came to Monticello township, and purchased 160 acres in section 21, where he has since continued to live. He has a full line of im- provements, sightly house, good barns, and well-kept stock. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Peters married Mary Leisen, a native of Germany, and they have seven children : Eliza and George P. are at home ; Edward A. is a druggist at International Falls, Minn. ; Eva is the wife of Edward Kleine, of Mouticello ; Agnes is a milliner at St. Thomas, N. D. ; John and Frank are at home.

Ira C. Murray, dairyman, Monticello township, was born in section 6, on his father's homestead, where he still resides, January 28, 1888, son of William and Cynthia (Merrel) Murray. Ira C, the youngest of the family, showed unusual aptitude for farm work at a very early age. He attended the district schools and at the age of twelve took charge of the home place. At the age of nineteen he and his mother went west, and spent some seven months ranching in Colorado and California. Then, after a short trip to South Dakota, he returned to West Prairie, Monticello, and again took charge of the home place. He makes a specialty of dairying, and is the owner of the prize registered Holstein bull named Prince Aalje Sals Butter Boy. Mr. Murray is a Republican in politics and the family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Murray, one of tiie early settlers of Wright county, was born in New IJrunswick in 1836. In 1869 he came to Wright county, where he took a homestead of eighty-nine acres on West Prairie, section 6, Monticello township. He broke and cleared the land, erected his home and outbuildings and became one of the leading representative farmers of the county. On this farm he toiled early and late and thus acquired success. He took an active interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the community and his death, April 30, 1907, was greatly mourned. On July 4, 1867, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Merrel, who was born in New York state in 1847 and came to Wright county with her husband in 1869. She has proved a faithful helpmate to her cherished husband and is loyal to her friends and church. She still resides on the old home farm with her son, Ira C. In the family there were eight children : Lester W., of Monticello ; Edith, now Mrs. Edward D. Kemp, of Paonia, Cal. ; Anna May (deceased) ; Sarah (deceased) ; Lottie (deceased) ; Nettie, now Mrs. Sherman Van Nest, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Robert (deceased) ; and Ira C.

Asa M. Perkins, stockraiser and farmer, Monticello township, was born in Morris, 111., September 16, 1852, son of Joseph and Roxana (Baldwin) Perkins, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Wright county in 1854, brought their family in 1855, and located in Monticello township. The father died September 6j 1906, and the mother March 4, 1894. In the family there were four children: Waldo (deceased) ; Asa M. ; Eda, widow of J. S. Day, of Raymond, Minn. ; and Abbie, the wife of A. D. Lewis, of Everett, Wash. Asa M. Perkins spent his youth on the home farm, passeil through the district schools, and took courses at the University of Minnesota. In 1874 he went to Kandiyohi county and took a claim, where he remained four years. In 1882 he bought eighty acres in section 35, Monticello township. He now owns 295 acres, has put in a full line of improvements, carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of swine raising. He is well known as a successful educator, having taught school some twenty winters in the schools of this county. He is independent in politics, and has been town supervisor, as well as serving in minor offices, and has been a member of the school board for many years. He is a popular member of the M. W. A. Mr. Perkins was married, July 10, 1879, to Florence Bucklin, a native of Rockford township, this county, daughter of Alby and Rebecca (Leeper) Bucklin, natives respectively of Michigan and Indiana, who located in Rockford townsliip in the early fifties and were there during the Wright County war. Mr. Bucklin died in 1895 and his wife in 1861. In their family there were five children : George, of Minneapolis ; Charles, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Udoris (deceased); Ernest (deceased); and Florence, the wife of Asa M. Perkins. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have had eleven children: Eda (deceased); Alby, of North Dakota ; Bert, at home ; Lottie, wife of John Larson, of Minneapolis ; Frank, at home; Charles (deceased) ; Carrie, Viola and Delia, at home; and Florence and Edward (deceased).

John A. Lindgren, general merchant, Monticello, was born in Sweden, April 14, 1873, son of John A. and Bertha Lindgren, who brought tlieir family to America in 1879, and located in Silver Creek, this county, where they took a claim and followed general farming. After the death of the father, the mother married A. Hero. The children in the Lindgren family were : John A. ; Andrew G., a school professor at Echo, Minn. ; Christina (deceased) ; Bertha, wife of C. P. Weston, of Silver Creek ; Hilma, of Portland, Ore.; Helen, now Mrs. Harry Klemz; and Albert, of Stanton, Minn. John A. Lindgren, the subject of this mention, remained on the home farm until he was about twenty years of age. For two years he clerked in a store in Minneapolis. Then for four years he traveled for the Jewell Nursery, of Lake City, Minn. At the end of this period he took a course in the St. Cloud State Normal school. Subsequently he became interested in the mercantile business in Monticello. In June, 1901, he entered into partnership with Joseph and John Roman, under the firm name of Lindgren & Roman Bros., in a general mercantile store. January 1, 1910, Mr. Lindgren took over the entire business. He has been successful and is one of the substantial men of the community. He is a Republican in politics, and a merabei' of the I. O. 0. F. Mr. Lindgren was married December 28, 1899, to Mary Louise Roman, a native of Big Lake, Minn.

John Geiser, farmer, Monticello, was born in Switzerland, December 14, 1868, son of John and Albertine (Ambuhl) Geiser, natives of Switzerland who came to America in 1870, and located in section 20, Monticello township, where in time they acquired 100 acres. The father died in August, 1906, and the mother in February, 1908. They were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. John Geiser, by his first wife, had four children : Eliza, wife of Charles Boerner, of Duluth, Minn. ; Rosa, wife of Andrew J. Covart (deceased) ; Robert, of Seattle, Wash., married to Nettie M. Mitchell; and Mary, wife of William Campbell, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. By his second wife he had nine children ; Freda, deceased wife of Albert N. Mitchell; John; Anna, wife of William Cooley, of Morris, Minn. ; Emma, wife of F. N. Wilson, of Mountain Top, Ark. ; Matilda, who is at home ; Rudolph, superintendent of schools, Cannon Falls, Minn. ; Janette, wife of P. C. Deming, of Mimieapolis, Minn. ; Helen, wife of M. S. Mallough, of Wimbledon, N. D. ; and Albert, of Winnipeg. John Geiser attended the public schools, learned agricultural pursuits from his father, and as he grew to manhood took charge of the home place, which he still conducts. He has made many improvements, and has been very successful in carrying on general farming and stockraising. He is interested in the progress of the community and has done good service on the school board for some five years. In politics he is a Republican. A niece, Gladys E. Mitchell, makes her home with her relatives on the home place.

Archie H. Moores, farmer, Monticello, was born at Big Lake, Sherburne county, Minnesota, October 24, 1880, son of William and Lillian (Robinson) Moores, both natives of Minnesota, and still residents of Big Lake. In the family there were nine children : George, of Big Lake ; Eva, wife of John Pearson, of Big Lake ; Archie H. ; William, of North Dakota ; Cora, wife of Roy Gulliford, of Big Lake; David (deceased) ; Hattie, wife of Alfred Benson, of Minneapolis; Allan (deceased), and Guy (deceased). Archie H. remained at home until attaining his majority, having in the meantime attained a good public school education, and worked on the farm with liis father. For a while he worked in the northern forests and for a time engaged in the ice business at Big Lake. In 1903 he came to Wright county, and bought eighty acres on section 30. Later he added twenty acres more. He now has a good place, and carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is independent. Fraternally he associates with the Maccabees. Mr. Moores was married May 31, 1903, to Emma Norrell, born in Minnesota, daughter of John and Emma (Wall) Norrell, the latter of whom died in 1891 and the former of whom lives with the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Moores have four ehiklren : Harvey C, Dorothy J. E., Melvin N. and a boy who died in infancy.

Alexander Mitchell, pioneer, Monticello township, was born in Maine, November 16, 1808. In the fall of 1854 he went to Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1855, when he came to Monticello township and located on section 16, Monticello township. In 1862 he sold this farm and bought another in section 10, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was married November 2, 1856, to Jeruslia Webber, and they liad nine children : Frank, Henry A. and Anna, who are dead ; Albert N., of Monticello ; Augustus, who is dead ; Laura, wife of F. J. Wakefield, of Washington ; Dora, who is dead ; Edwin, of Monticello ; and Cliarles Fremont, of Monticello.

Charles Fremont Mitchell, farmer, Monticello townslii]>. was born in the township where he still resides, January 9, 1858, son of Alexander and Jerusha (Webber) Mitchell, the pioneers. He was reared to farm pursuits, and in 1886 purchased his present farm of 160 acres in sections 18 and 19. He has brought the place to a high degree of cultivation and carries on general farming, having a fine dwelling and a good set of outbuildings. During the past ten seasons he has devoted considerable attention to threshing. Mr. Mitchell is a Republican in politics. He has been supervisor for five years and assessor for two years and has also served in minor offices. He belongs to the M. W. A. Mr. Mitchell was married, November 17, 1872, to Adelhietd Geherenbeck, a native of Germany, and they have had eight children : Fremont, of Monticello; William, of Todd county, Minnesota; Bertha, at home ; Lottie, at home ; Alice Le Roy (deceased) ; Fred (deceased) and James (deceased).

Frank L. Hanson, farmer, IMontieello township, was born in the township where he still lives, February 22, 1882, son of Peter and Hannah (Silk) Hanson, natives of Denmark, who came to America about 1872, lived awhile in Steele county, in this state, and then came to Wright county. The father died in April, 1892, and the mother now lives in Monticello. In the family there were six children: Sophia (deceased) ; Frank (deceased) ; Mary, wife of Albert James, of Monticello ; Frank L. ; Rose, at home ; and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Stengelin, of Monticello. Mr. Hanson has devoted his life to farming. He operates the home place in section 32, which he has named "Meadow Lawn," and in addition to this he owns and operates seventy-one acres in section 24. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Hanson was married, June 18, 1903, to Elizabeth Sutherland, daughter of Edwin and Margaret Sutherland, and they have one son, Albert Clayton. The family faith is that of the ^lethodist Episcopal church.

Albert B. James, farmer, Montieello township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, April 12, 1862, son of Edward and Jane (Kineh) James, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ireland, who came to Minnesota in 1869, located at St. Paul, came to Wright county in 1871 and located near Howard Lake, came to Montieello township about 1875, and here lived until the death of the mother in October, 1909, after which the father moved to the village of Montieello, where he died October 13, 1913. In their family there were seven children : Sarah, wife of Gilbert Middah, of Buffalo; William, of North Dakota; Albert, Elizabeth (deceased); Mary of Montieello; Isaac, of Annandale ; and Henry, of Buffalo township. Albert B. James remained with his parents until about thirty years of age. At that time he bought 192 acres in sections 25 and 36, Montieello township, where he now lias one of the best farms in the town. He successfully carries on general farming and stock raising, and is one of the leading men of his community. He is an independent voter and the family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. James was married, January 1, 1896, to Mary Hanson, daughter of Peter Hanson, a sketch of whose family appears elsewhere in this work.

Albert Katilinek, farmer and veteran of the Civil war, Montieello, was born in Bohemia, April 23, 1836, son of John and Lydia Katilinek, also natives of Bohemia, who came to America about 1846, and located in Cook county, Illinois, where they spent nearly all the remainder of their lives, dying, however, at the home of their son in Wright county. They were the parents of four children: Mary (deceased); John (deceased); Joseph, of Cook county, Illinois, and Albei't. Albert Katilinek remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Then he went to Iowa for about a year, and then to Pike's Peak, Colo., after which he returned to Illinois. There he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving four years and eight months. To recapitulate the story of the campaigns, skirmishes, marches and battles in which he engaged would be to repeat the well-known story of that famous regiment. It is sufficient to say that he was a good soldier and never failed in his duties. He was wounded in South Carolina. After he was mustered out at Springfield, he worked in Chicago about two years. Then he came to Wright county, and located at Maple Lake. Later he sold this and purchased 314 acres in sections 28 and 29, Montieello township, wliere he now carries on general farming and stockraising. The place is well improved and constitutes one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Katilinek is an active member of the G. A. R. He has been town supervisor at various times and lias also served in minor offices. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Katilinek was married, for his first wife, to Mary Hudek, and by this union there were five children : Edward, of Monticello township ; William, at home ; Emma, wife of J. F. Hammer, of Angel Island, Cal. ; and twins, who died in infancy. For his second wife he married Rosa Cech, a native of Bohemia, who came to America in 1861 and settled in Woodland township. The service took place November 21, 1882. To this union there were born four children : Frank, of Monticello township ; George, Mary and Clarence, at home.

Augnst Klatt, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Germany, July 10, 1860, son of Carl and Augusta Klatt, who spent the span of their years in Germany. In the family there were six children : Minnie, August, Franz, Matilda, Carl and Julius. August Klatt started life for himself at the age of fourteen, and has devoted his years to farming. He came to America in 1893 and located on a farm near Buffalo, in this county. In 1897 he came to Monticello and purchased 140 acres in sections 28 and 29. He has made many improvements and has an excellent place. He is a Republican in politics and has served five years on the school board. Mr. Klatt was mari-ied, October 4, 1885, to Augusta Martweick, a native of Germany, and they have had nine children : Otto, of Monticello ; Martha, wife of August Grelling, of Buftalo township, this county; and Fred, Leone, Gladys, Holbert, Leo, Henry, at home; and Lena (deceased). The family faitli is that of the Lutheran church.

William H. Fyten, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Holland, October 20, 1861, son of John H. and Marguerite (Mer-, tens) Fyten, natives of Holland, who came to America in 1872 and located in Minneapolis, where the former, who was a stonemason, died May 10, 1877, and the latter in 1904. In their family there were eight children : Anna, wife of L. Geris, of Douglas county; John (deceased); William H. ; Catherine (deceased); Theodore (deceased) ; Nellie (deceased) ; Lena, wife of William Smith, of Minneapolis; Christian (deceased). As a young man, William H. was interested in the mercantile business in Minneapolis, which he followed until 1893. Then he came to Wright county and purchased the following year eighty acres in section 33, Monticello township, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. The place is well improved and the home is a sightly one. Mr. Fyten is an independent voter. He is a member of the German Catholic Benevolent Society. Mr. Fyten was married, February 13, 1884, to Mary Jasper, a native of Carver county, Minnesota. To this union have been born twelve children: Frank and John, of Minneapolis; Mary, wife of Martin Robeck, of Monticello; and William, Anna, Matilda, Rudolph, Marguerite, George, Walter, Clarence and Mary Inez, at home. The familv faith is that of the German Catholic church.

Lindsay C. Goetzke, farmer and stock raiser, of Montieello township, was born in St. Paul, Minn., September 3, 1869, son of Fred G. and Emily (Ganger) Goetzke, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1864 and located on a farm near St. Paul, where the mother died in 1875, and the father January 14, 1912. In the family there were six children : August, of Dakota county, Minnesota; a boy and girl who died in infancy; William, of St. Paul ; Annie, widow of William Boesel, of White Bear Lake, Minn., and Lindsay C. For second wife the father married Johanna Post, and to that union there was born one child, Mary, wife of Otto Keihl, of New Canada, Minn. After attaining his majority, Lindsay C. operated his father's farm for a while and then went to the city of St. Paul. Then he farmed in Wisconsin three years and on a place near St. Paul two years. In 1902 he came to Wright county and bought 162 acres in section 34, Montieello township, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. He has an unusually fine herd of cattle and is one of the successful dairymen of the community. He is an independent voter, and the family faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Goetzke was married, November 16, 1892, to Louisa M. Bahls, a native of Minnesota, of German descent. They have five children: Harry J., Leroy A., Elsie M., Wesley F. and Hazel N.

William M. Johnson, farmer, Montieello, was born in Illinois, October 7, 1871, son of Peter X. and Bettie (Swanson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who came to America about 1870, lived a while in Illinois, then went to Iowa, and in 1901 came to Wright county, where they purchased 120 acres in section 21, Montieello township. The father died in February 28, 1908, and the mother still makes her home on the farm. In the family there were six children: Swan (deceased); William M. ; Emily, of Montieello; Minnie, the wife of Fred Edquist, of Minneapolis ; Amanda, wife of Charles J. Anderson, who works on the home place ; and Luther E. William M. Johnson remained with his parents until about twenty-one years of age. Then he bought 100 acres near the village of Stanton, Iowa. Later he sold this and followed his trade as a painter. Subsequently, however, in 1903, he bought eighty acres near the home place. Near the village of Montieello. He has made many improvements, and carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Repviblican, and the family faith is that of the Swedish Mission church. Mr. Johnson was married, in Stanton, Iowa, October 13, 1899, to Amanda Larson, a native of Sweden. Their only child, a son. Earl William, died in infancy. He was born June 26, 1901. Amanda Larson was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, May 21, 1880, and came to America in 1896.

Luther A. Johnson, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello, was boru in Montgomery eounty, Iowa, July 16, 1880, son of Peter X. and Bettie (Swansou) Jolinson, wlio are appropriately mentioned elsewhere in this work. After learning the harness-making trade, he opened a shop in Braham, Minn. In 1905 he took up a homestead in Midland, S. D. In 1907 he returned to Wright eounty and operated the home place in Monticello three years. Then he bought forty acres. Later he bought another forty. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and the land is well improved. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics. He attends the Swedish Lutheran church.

Peter Lindbom, farmer, Monticello, was born in Sweden, July 29, 1855, son of Carl and Brita (Peterson) Lindbom, both natives of Sweden, where both ended their days. In the family there were three children : Peter, Erick and Anna. Erick lives in Sweden. Anna is dead. Peter Lindbom came to America at the age of twenty-four, and with headquarters at Tracy, Minn., worked on the railroad. In 1882 he took up his residence in Minneapolis, and the next twenty years were spent in railroad work and in following his trade as a carpenter. In 1902 he came to Wright county, and secured forty acres in section 19, where he has since continued to live. He cleared the land, erected the buildings, and now has a good, comfortable place in every respect. He carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is an independent voter. Mr. Lindbom was married. May 30, 1891, to Augusta J. Nelson, a native of Sweden, now deceased. They have two children : Carl Albert, born May 7, 1892, and Ellen Josephine, born May 22, 1895.

Sylvester Fyle, farmer, Monticello township, was born in France, March 30, 1855, son of Brazile and Mary (Barber) Fyle, natives of France, who came to America in 1856, lived in New York state a while, and then went to Michigan for five years. In the meantime Brazile Fyle had served three years as a private during the Civil war. In 1870 they came to Minnesota, and in 1872 located on a farm in Monticello, where he farmed and carried on his trade as a stonemason. In the family there were seven children: A boy who died in infancy; Joseph (deceased), for several years an engineer on the Great Northern; Mary (deceased), the wife of Frank Monti'euil ; Sylvester; Rrasile (deceased) ; Jamy, wife of John Criniholtz, of Medicine Lake, Minn., and Josephine (deceased). Sylvester Fyle lived at home with his parents until twenty-three years of age. Then he rented a farm for a while. Subsequently he went to Shakopee for two years. Later he returned to Monticello and purchased eighty acres. He was successful in his operations, and in time acquired 190 acres. Of late years, however, he has presented various tracts to his children, so that he now owns seventy-five acres on section 28, Montieello, where he conducts general farming. He has made many improvements and has a good place. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Fyle was married, January 20, 1876, to Kate Miller, a native of Illinois, but of German descent. To this union have been born seven children : Sylvester B. (deceased) ; John, of St. Michael, this state ; Thomas, of Monticello township; Rose (deceased) ; Jacob, of Albert ville, this state; and Mary and Kate, who are at home. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

William D. Hamlet, farmer, Montieello township, was born in Brownville, Me., August 8, 1857, son of Joseph B. and Charlotte M. (Snow) Hamlet. Joseph B. Hamlet was born in Maine, was there reared, and during the Civil war enlisted in the Eleventh Maine Pioneer Corps. He served a year and a half, and was then discharged, having been injured while engaged in building bridges. He brought his family to Wright county in 1864 and took up farming in Otsego township. lie was postmaster at Lily Pond for some years. He was also justice of the peace. Having gained a considerable knowledge of medicine, he ministered to the ailments of the children in the neighborhood, and was very successful in his treatments. He died in 1900. His wife died in 1911. In the family there were six children: Flora (deceased) ; Lewis B. ; Aroline F., wife of Luther Davis, of Drain, Ore.; Flarilla, who died in childhood ; William D. ; and Helen Amanda, wife of William W. Heath, of Snohomish, Wash. William D. Hamlet remained on the home place until about twenty-six years of age. Then he bought forty acres in Montieello township and started farming on his own account. In 1881 he bought forty acres in section 16, in the same township. He has brought the place to a high stage of cultivation, and successfully carries on general farming. He is a Republican in politics, and has served the town as supervisor some twelve years. It is interesting to note that Tilston Snow, grandfather of William D. Hamlet, was one of the first settlers to cross the Mississippi river into Wright county. He came in 1858 from Maine and settled in Otsego township. Mr. Hamlet was married August 30, 1884, to Delia Baker, a native of Iowa, daughter of Caleb Fulton and Emeline (Stevens) Baker, who brought her to Wright county when she was one year of age, and settled in Otsego township, where Baker's Ferry is named for them. In the Baker family there were six children: William Hovey, of Washington; Newell (deceased), Nettie, wife of Frank Heath, of Beach, N. 1). ; Nathan, of Otsego towiisliip ; Delia, wife of William D. Hamlet.

Henry N. James, fanner, Alonticello, was born in St. Paul, Minn., August 28, 1871, sou of Edward and Jane (Kinch) James, who brought him to Howard Lake, this county, as an infant, and to Montieello township as a small boy. He remained on the home farm as a young man and thoroughly mastered the arts of agriculture. In 1901 he purchased 160 acres in sections 32 and 33, Mouticello township, and to this he has added until he now owns and cultivates 360 acres, lying in Montieello township. He has one of the best farms in the community, equipped with excellent improvements and conducted in a modern way. On this place he successfully carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics Mr. James is an independent voter, and he has been too busy with his farm work to mingle to any extent in public affairs. Mr. James was married, September 29, 1896, to Eva Schultz, who was born in Wright county, August 11, 1879, and to this union six children have been born: Enfred Robert, born March 5, 1898; Amy Jane, born December 8, 1899; Edward Nathaniel, born January 29, 1903 ; Archie Ray, born July 14, 1904; Ada May, born May 31, 1908; Mark Henry, born August 24, 1914.

George E. Desmond, stock raiser, Montieello township, was born in Maine, December 12, 1852, son of Timothy and Mary (Finn) Desmond, who are elsewhere appropriately mentioned in this work. George E. Desmond was brought to Wright county by his parents in 1856 and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1889 he went to Bayfield county, Wisconsin, and secured a timber claim of 160 acres, which he developed until 1904, when he returned to his home place. This place of 160 acres, in section 30, Montieello township, was deeded to him upon the death of his parents, and here he is engaged in stock raising on an extensive scale. He has added to the original tract until he owns 480 acres of well improved land, his farm being one of the best in the township. Mr. Desmond has been too busy to seek public offices. He votes the Democratic ticket. He has made a decided success of life, and stands very high in the community as a man of ability and worth. He belongs to the Catholic church.

Matt Dechane, farmer, Montieello township, was born near St. John, Canada, November 24, 1867, son of Severe and Bridget (Maurier) Dechane, natives of Canada, who came to Otsego township, Wright county, in 1872, and here devoted their years to farming. The father died in August, 1908, and the mother still makes her home in Otsego township. In the family there were sixteen children: Alice, wife of Joseph Cowett, of Dayton; George, of Rush City, Minn.; Matt, of Montieello; Alfred (deceased) ; Lyda, wife of George Menard, of Albertville, Minn. ; Joseph, of Anoka, Minn.; Louis (deceased) ; Mary, wife of George DeMars, of Otsego township; an infant daughter (deceased); Lucy, wife of Frank Zahler, of St. Michaels, Wright county; Octave, of Otsego; Emile (deceased) ; Edmund, Albert and Louis, of Otsego township ; and Flora, the wife of Alphonse Chroinard. Matt Dechane remained with his father until he was twenty-eight years of age. Then he married and in 1895 purchased forty acres in section 33, Mouticello township. He has made some excellent improvements and carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Dechane married Queenie Mary Montreuil, a native of Wright county, daughter of Frank and Mary (Fyle) Montreuil, natives of Canada, who came to Monticello about 1874. Mr. Montreuil now lives in Olivia, Minn. He was assessor of Monticello township for three years. His wife died August 10, 1908. In the family there were five children : Mary Louise (deceased), Queenie Mary, Elmer Francis, Francis Xavier and Haydee Catherine, wife of Edward Lindquist, of Olivia, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Dechane have two daughters : Hazel Mary, born June 9, 1908 ; and Blanche Florence, born October 5, 1910.

Fred Ekberg, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Sweden, June 12, 1854, son of John and Caroline Ekberg, both natives of Sweden. He came to America in 1887 and located in North Dakota. Later he went to Washington. There, in 1889, he was in a serious railroad wreck on the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1892 he bought forty acres in section 17, Monticello township, where he now carries on general farming. He has a well-improved place, and the condition of the biiildings and fences bespeaks the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Ekberg was married in Sweden, in 1879, to Charlotte Olson, and to this union there have been born six children : Gustaf E., of Wisconsin; Hilda, wife of Godfrey Hawkinson, of Minneapolis; Esther, of Minneapolis ; and Fred, Helga and Herbert, who are at home. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Herman Blume, one of the most substantial and respected citizens of Monticello, was born in Westphalia, Germany, November 16, 1833. He there received a splendid training, passing through the lower and the high schools, mastering the trades of machinist and engineer, and serving three years in the First Horse Battery, Garde Corps, Berlin, of the Prussian army. It was in 1858 that he came to America, located in Cincinnati, and secured employment in his uncle's factory across the river in Covington, Ky. In 1861 he enlisted from C'incinnati as sergeant in the Fourth Ohio Independent Battery, and by reenlistment at Woodville, Ala., in 1863, served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. His war career was an heroic and tlirilling one. At tlie Battle of Lookout Mountain lie liad the misfortune to lose his left eye. At the Battle of Jouesboro, his horse, being shot dead beneath him, fell in such a manner as to inflict permanent injury to the gallant warrior's left knee, causing a life-long lameness. After the war the young lieutenant went to St. Louis and became engineer in a candle factory. It was in 1868 that he came to Wright county and secured employment as engineer in the sawmill of Fred Hitten, at Monticello. Two years later he moved onto a farm of eighty acres in Maple Lake township which he had bouglit about a year earlier. This tract was at that time covered with heavy timber. He erected a frame house, broke, grubbed and cleared the land, developed a splendid place, and continued as a prosperous farmer until 1905, when he sold out and retired to Monticello, where he now lives, honored and esteemed for his useful life and sterling character. Mr. Blume was married at Indianapolis, Ind., March 1, 1865, to Matilda Gehrenbeck, born in Germany, January 5, 1842, daughter of sturdy German parents who brought her to America in 1852, and located with them in Indiana. A pretty romance surrounds the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blume. Mr. Blume had met and wooed the then Matilda Gehrenbeck before he enlisted in the army. Early in February, being then a brave young lieutenant in the midst of a hard military campaign, he received a letter telling him that owing to the unsettled conditions in America, the Gehrenbeck family was about to return to Germany. Lieutenant Blume at once obtained a short leave of absence, went to Indianapolis, married the lady of his choice and saved her from a trip to Germany, then returning to his duties, a married and happy man. Mr. and Mrs. Blume have had ten children : Herman, Matilda (deceased), Minnie (deceased), Charles, Gottlieb, Nella, Theresa, Anthony, Frank (deceased) and Julia (deceased). Herman lives in Nevis, Minn. He married Eva Goeltz and they have seven children : Margaret, Matilda, Lulu, Walter, Arthur, Herman and John. Matilda married Robert Bredt, and had five children : Titus, George, Marie and Helen (twins), and Theresa (deceased). Minnie married John Lovell, and they had two children : Leona and Newell. Charles lives in Monticello township. He married Emma Lempe and they have two children : Irene and Clarence. Gottlieb lives in Cambridge, Minn. He married Lueinda King and they have two children: Oallah and Dora. Nella is the wife of Gustav Eggena, of Monticello village, and they have two children : Alice and Karl. Theresa is the wife of James Gorman, of Maple Lake village, and they have three children : Viola, Beatrice and Paul. Anthony lives in McGregor, N. D. He married Nettie Truax, and they have a daughter, Gertrude. An important event in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Blume was the celebration, on March 1, 1915, of their golden wedding anniversary. Six children, twent3'-one grandchildren and a hundred and thirty guests were present. A banquet and dance were given, speeches were made, the wedding ceremony was reenacted by Rev. Holland, and many gifts received, including a purse of $60 in gold from the family. Mrs.

Bhime wore the same wreath and flowers that her mother had worn on a similar occasion twenty-five years before. The entire community united in its felicitations and congratulations.

Emil C. Arnold, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in the township where he still lives, June 4, 1876, son of John and Tena (Salden) Arnold, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Belgium. Both are still living. In the family there were eight children: two who died in infancy; Lena, wife of William Rose, of Vernal, Utah; Annie (deceased); Emil C. ; Alice (deceased) ; Adelia, wife of Willis Knight, of Monticello; and Henry George, of Monticello. Emil C. Arnold farmed with his father until about thirty years of age. Then he and his brother, Henry George, took charge of the home place. To the original 120 acres in section 24 they have added until they now own about 179 acres, on which they conduct general farming and stockraisiug. Mr. Arnold is an independent voter. He was married, June 8, 1910, to Edna Harbel, daughter of Conrad and Charlotte (Haefer) Harbel, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. Mr. Harbel is dead. Mrs. Harbel still lives in Monticello township. In the Harbel family there were three children : Laura, wife of Don McCormick, of Monticello ; a girl who died in infancy, and Edna, the wife of Emil C. Arnold. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two children i Evelyn Charlotte, born July 19, 1911 ; and Vernon Emil, born June 12, 1913.

Henry George Arnold, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in the township where he still lives. May 16, 1885, son of John and Tena (Salden) Arnold. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools, and worked for his father until 1906, when he and his brother, Emil C. Arnold, took over the home place of 120 acres, to which they have since added until they now own about 179 acres, on which they conduct general farming and stock raising. Mr. Arnold is a Republican in politics. Mr. Arnold was married December 29, 1909, to Marie M. Bredt, and they have four children : Evan Henry, Helen Alice, Clyde Berton, Leoua.

Charles L. Southerland, farmer and stock raiser of Monticello township, was born in Logansport, Cass county, Indiana, November 14, 1867, son of Edwin John and Margaret (Neville) Southerland, who brought him to Wright county in 1875. He attended the district schools, helped his father grab and clear the land, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Aside from one season's farming in Washington and sixteen months' mining in Idaho, he has spent his life since his early arrival, on the home farm. He now owns the place, and in addition to this has purchased 96 acres from his father, so that now he has 214 acres of excellent land in sections 20 and 29. He has achieved success in life by hard labor, close application to duty and temperate habits, and is now one of the leading and representative farmers of the community. He carries on general farming and pays especial attention to stock raising.

Edwin John Southerland, for many years one of Wright county's respected farmers, was born in Cass county, Indiana, there received his education, and there grew to manhood. As a young man he married Margaret Neville, a native of Edgar county, Illinois. In the fall of 1875 they came to Monticello township, this county, and purchased 160 acres in section 20, as well as 240 acres over the river in Sherburne county. The land in Monticello township, on which they settled, was all wild and heavily wooded. Mr. Southerland erected a log cabin, and began his preparations for establishing his home in the wilderness. He grubbed and cleared the land and became one of the leading citizens of his township. In time he developed a splendid farm, erected a sightly frame house, and other buildings, and followed farming for many years. In his later years he moved to the village of Monticello. In 1911 Mrs. Southerland died, and soon afterward Mr. Southerland sold his village property and moved back to the farm, making his home with his son, Charles, until his death, December 13, 1913. Mr. Southerland was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years and three months in Company E, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, going in as a private and coming out as a sergeant. During this period he took part in all the important battles, and skirmislies of his regiment. His twin brother Edward, who was a first lieutenant, was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Southerland were the parents of seven children : Edward, now of Douglas county, Oregon ; Charles L., of Monticello township; Nettie, wife of M. E. Freeman, of Alberta, Canada; Elizabeth, wife of Frank L. Hanson, of Monticello township; and Frank (deceased), Mattie (deceased), and Alice.

Charles Anderson, farmer and dairyman, Monticello, was born in Sweden, January 11, 1858, son of Andrew and Kate (Johnson) Anderson, who spent the span of their years in Sweden. In the family there were three children, Peter and Matilda, both deceased, and Charles. Charles Anderson started for himself at the age of ten years. In 1881 he came to America, and located in Marquette county, Michigan, for about four years. Then he lived in Minneapolis for about ten years. In 1894 he purchased eighty acres on section 19, Monticello township, where he has made improvements, and where he carries on general farming and dairying. In politics, I\Ir. Anderson is independent. His family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson was married November 21, 1888 to Hannah Carlson, who died December 21, 1897. There were two

John Eastlick, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello, was born in Olmsted county, Minn., May 15, 1861, son of John and Lavina (Day) Eastlick, natives of Ohio, who came to Minnesota in 1860. The father and the other five sons, Merton, Frank, Giles, Fred and William, were killed at Lake Shattuck, during the Indian massacre. Later the mother married Soloman Pettibone, and now lives in Monticello township. By this marriage there is one child, Laura, the wife of Angiis McDonald, of Alberta, Canada.

John Eastlick has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1901 he came to Wright county, and purchased 83 acres in section 16, Monticello township, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Eastlick married Margaret McKee, a native of Minnesota, and they have six children: John, Theodore, William, Harry H., Merton M., Luke (deceased), and Cora. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Amon H. Buckmaster, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., August 21, 1859. son of George and Mary Ann (Boyer) Buckmaster, the former of whom was a native of Germany, and the latter of Ohio, of Scottish descent. The father was a carpenter by trade, and died in Wisconsin. The mother died in Red Wing, Minn. In the family there were four children: Hayman (deceased); Amon H. ; an unnamed boy (deceased) ; and Leander, of Oregon. Almon II. was brought to Dakota county, Minn., by his widowed mother at the age of ten years, and was with his grandfather in Sherburne county until seventeen years of age. Subsequently he devoted several years to lumbering in the pineries, to sawmill work and to threshing. He located in Monticello in 1884. In 1905 he purchased sixty acres in section 16, Monticello township. He now owns 118 acres and carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a substantial citizen and has served on the city council of Monticello. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Buckmaster married Beatrice Rand, of Elk River, Minn., and they have had seven children : Ina, wife of H. D. Hoblet, of Montana; Julian, George, Harry, Maria, Louis and Nettie May, at home.

William Kiebel, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Germany, May 10, 1853, son of Jacob and Louise Kiebel. who spent the span of their years in Germany. In the family there were six children. William Kiebel came to America at the age of nineteen, and located in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. In 1902 he came to Wright county and purchased 28 acres in section 8, Monticello township. He has made some excellent im- provements, and devotes his attention to general farming and stoekraising. Mr. Kiebel votes independently. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Kiebel maried Frances Tuddy, a native of Germany, and this union has been blessed with nine children : Ida, wife of Ed Muske, of Monticello ; Helen, wife of A. Swafford, of Monticello : Rose, wife of Ed M. Jordan, of Minneapolis; RoUa, of Monticello; Adeline, wife of Fred Hunt, of St. Cloud, Minn. ; Oscar, at hoin(> ; Laura, at home ; and two boys who died in infancy.

Joseph R. Wren, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in Buffalo, this county, March 17, 1869, son of Thomas and Virginia (Prime) Wren, natives respectively of Canada and New York state, who came to Wright county in the sixties and located near Buffalo. Thomas Wren was a private for three years in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that regiment in its various campaigns, battles and skirmishes. He died February 23, 1904. His wife lives in Monticello. They had three children : Etta, wife of W. S. Barney, of Buffalo; Joseph R., and Fred, who was killed in a railroad wreck. Joseph R. stayed with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Then after working for a time as a thresher in North Dakota, he purchased 123 acres in section 14, Monticello township. Although he has been burned out once he has made a success of his undertakings, and his place is modern in every particular, from the new house to the well-tilled acres. Mr. Wren carries on general farming and stock raising. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the Eastern Star, the I. 0. 0. F., the Rebekah Degree, and the M. W. A. He is a Republican in polities, and the family faith is that of the Congregational church. Mr. Wren was married February 22, 1899, to Hattie Bryant, daughter of Alonzo and Clara (Mallette) Bryant, both now deceased, natives of Maine, who came to Wright county in the late fifties and located in Monticello township. In their family there were nine children : Leroy, Louise (deceased); Hattie, wife of Joseph R. Wren; Frank, of Monticello; Maude, wife of Howard Cleveland; George, of Monticello; Archie (deceased) ; Eva, wife of Oscar Swanson, of Monticello; and Chester, of Monticello. Mr. and Mrs. Wren have one daughter, Mildred Esther, born December 10, 1900.

James Madigan, pioneer of Maple Lake, and for many years a conspicuous figure in the life of the community, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America as a boy. In 1857 he took up land in Maple Lake township, tliis county, and in 1860 moved thereon with his wife. He became a successful farmer, and attained a position of importance and influence among his neighbors. A devout Catholic, he took an interest in church affairs, and was one of the charter members of St.

Timothy's church. James Madigan originally owned the land where the present town of Maple Lake now stands. In December, 1886, when the town site of Maple Lake was platted, W. D. Washburn, president of the "Soo" railway at that time, became half owner in the original town site of Maple Lake. In September, 1887, W. D. Wasburn sold his interest in the town site of Maple Lake, to the Pacific Land Co., of Minneapolis. During the next two years the sale of lots was conducted under the management of the Pacific Land Co. and James Madigan. In February, 1889, James Madigan bought the interests of the Pacific Land Co. at Maple Lake, and the business was conducted under the management of Mr. Madigan ; more ground was platted, and the town continued to grow until it became one of the most prosperous and best towns in Wright county.

Of the circumstances of his deeply-mourned death, the Maple Lake Messenger said: "Saturday forenoon, July 31, 1909, the community was shocked to hear of the death of its oldest resident. James Madigan left his house about 8 o'clock to look over a meadow across the railroad from the station, and while returning a few minutes later was struck by a freight train. Both legs were cut off. Medical aid was summoned, but he died without regaining consciousness at 8 :45 in the evening. The exact manner in which the accident occurred is not known. The train which caused his death had been standing on the side track for some time and was just getting under headway at the time of the accident. The deceased was walking along the main track, evidently forgetting the switch between the passing track and the original side track." James Madigan was married at Stubenville, Ohio, April 12, 1857, to Mary O'Loughlin, who still lives on the old homestead. There are five children and twenty grandchildren. The children are : Thomas and James, of Maple Lake ; Mary, wife of J. W. Murray, of Rhame, North Dakota; Anna C, wife of R. M. Glynn, of Maple Lake; and Emma, wife of W. P. Strout, of Minneapolis.

Rev. Father F. C. O'Brien, pastor of St. Timothy's parish, Maple Lake, was born in Helena township, Scott county, Minnesota, November 22, 1872, son of John and Elizabeth (Delaney) O'Brien, natives respectively of Counties Tipperary and Queens, Ireland. As a young boy the subject of this mention entered the district schools of his neighborhood. At the age of fourteen he was taken to Rice county, and there he likewise attended the district schools, and also the Faribault high school. Witli this jireparation he became a teacher in the rural schools of Rice county. In the meantime he had determined to devote his life to the service of the Mother Church. Accordingly he entered St. Tliomas College, at St. Paul, took the academic course, and graduated in 1896. After completing his philosophical studies at the Catholic University of America, at Washington, D. C, he entered St. Paul Seminary, and there took his theological studies. It was in 1902 that he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Jolin Ireland, being at once appointed curate to Rev. James O'Riely, of St. Anthony Parish, Minneapolis, North East. Two years later he assumed his present work as rector of St. Timothy Church at Maple Lake and of the mission St. Charles in Chatham township. With enthusiasm and devotion he began his duties, and at once won his way to the hearts of the community. His first work was to erect a splendid parish house, which is all paid for. Exteusive improvements on the church building liave likewise been made and paid for. So much, indeed, has the parish prospered that a goodly amount toward the $40,000 required for a new church has already been subscribed. The parish of St. Timothy now has about 125 families; the mission at Chatham about fifty. Father O'Brien is a strong temperance advocate, and has done much to subdue the liquor business in this community. He is likewise a strong believer in county option. Having been a school teacher for many years, it is natural that he should take a deep interest in educational matters. His voice is ever raised in behalf of educating the children, and his views are thoroughly respected and heeded. In fact, in every move that has for its object the betterment of the community and the uplift of humanity, Father O'Brien takes his part. He is a man of noble character and wide activities, and the people of this community of all denominations declare that the world is better for his living in it.

In 1909, a new deanery was established in the Archdiocese of St. Paul, known as the Deanery of Maple Lake. It includes the parishes of Holy Name, Hamel, Loretto, Buffalo, Maple Lake, Annandale, Watkins, and Eden Valley. Over this Father O'Brien was appointed dean by Archbishop Ireland. He is now known by his friends as the "Dean of the 'Soo Line.' "

John O'Brien, the respected father of the Rev. Father F. C. O'Brien, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America at the age of eighteen. At Little Canada, Minn., he was married to Elizabeth Delaney, a native of Queens county, who had been brought to America as a young girl by her parents. The clergyman who performed the service was the Rev. Father Roberts, afterward pastor of the parish at Chatham, this county. It was about 1860 that John O'Brien took a homestead in Helena, Scott county, where he experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. The land was originally all heavily timbered. He cleared and broke the land, made improvements from time to time, and in time developed a splendid place. He also became one of the influential members of the community. In 1886 he sold this farm, and moved to a farm near Faribault, in Rice county, this state.

where he remained until his death October 24, 1894. His wife remained on the farm until 1911, then sold out and removed to Minneapolis, where she still resides. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien had nine children: Stanzy (deceased), John, Mary, Catherine (deceased), Martin (deceased), Joseph A., Rev. F. C, Annie and Emily. John lives in Minneapolis. Mary is now a sister of the Order of St. Joseph, and is stationed at the St. Joseph Orphan Asylum in St. Paul. Joseph A. is in the automobile and undertaking business at Minneapolis.

Alexander Payne, stock raiser. Maple Lake township, was born in the Province of Quebec, April 13, 1850, sou of Medard and Rosalie (Gregorie) Payne, who spent the span of their years in Canada. In the family there were twelve children : Nels (deceased) ; Joseph, a veteran of the Civil War (deceased) ; Moses (deceased) ; Rose (twin of Moses), of Vermont; Mary, of Vermont ; Alexander ; Louis, of Marysville towuship, this county ; Mary and Aurelia, of Massachusetts; Rose (deceased); Peter (deceased) ; and two who died in infancy. Alexander Payne left home at the age of fifteen and upon coming to the United States worked for some years in New York state. After his marriage in 1869 he came to Stillwater, this state, where he remained about fourteen years. In 1882 he bought eighty acres in Maple Lake township, section 1, where he has made some excellent improvements and where he now carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a Republican in politics and has been on the school board, either as director or clerk, for twenty-three years. Mr. Payne was married, September 6, 1869, to Matilda Judd, and to this union were born four children : Emma, wife of James Colwell, of Anoka; Ida (deceased); Ira (deceased), and one that died in infancy. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Labo, a native of Illinois, who died in 1889. To this union three children were born : Oscar (deceased) ; Laura, wife of George Veo, of Marysville, Miini. ; Delia, wife of Nils Persian, of Marysville, Minn.; and Rose (deceased). For his third wife he married Mattie Hamilton, a native of Maple Lake, this county. To this union have been born four children : Joseph A., Grace Mary, attending the normal department of the high school at Buffalo ; Emary, at home ; and Ezra, at home.

Joseph F. Baker, Maple Lake township, county counnissioner from the first district, was born in section 26, in the township where he still resides, August 7, 1873, son of Joseph and Christina (Elsenpeter) Baker, natives of Germany, who came to this country and located in Illinois, where they lived until 1867, when they came to Wright county and located on a farm in section 26, Maple Lake township. The father died there and the mother lives in Monticello. In the family there were six children: Mary, wife of William Bertram, of Monticello; Rose, of Monticello;

Joseph F. ; Anna, wife of Robert Brett, of Buffalo township, this county ; Josephine, wife of Ernest Holler, of International Falls, Minn.; and Catherine, wife of Mons Hawkins, of Montieello. Joseph F. Baker lost his father at the age of fourteen, and since that time has continued to operate the home farm of 160 acres on which he conducts general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle and breeding Poland-China swine. He is a Republican in politics, has served his town three years as assessor, and in 1908 was elected comity eoinmissioner. He is a member of the M. W. A., of Maple Lake. In 191-1 he erected a fine modern home. Mr. Baker was married, June 17, 1903, to Annastasia Veches, a native of Bohemia, and they liave four children : Llargaret Anna, Ethel Christina, Marvin Joseph and Earl Francis. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. John Ward, a retired farmer living in Maple Lake, was born in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, May 25, 1837, son of Michael and Margaret (Thornton) Ward. He came to America at the age of seventeen, and worked in New York for two years. In 1856 he took up farming in La Salle county, Illinois. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company D, Twenty- Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, being mustered out in West Virginia, with the rank of corporal. At Lexintgon, Mo., he was shot in the right forearm and captured. From September 19, 1861, to January 6, 1862, he was on parole. Then he was again back in the thick of the fighting. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg, South Mountain, Antietam and Chancellorsville, as well as in a dozen or more important Bkirmishes. It was in 1866 that he brought his wife to Wright county and settled in section 33, Maple Lake township, where he secured eighty acres of timbered land. He cleared this land, erected buildings, and here successfully conducted general farming for many years. In October, 1913, he retired and moved to the village of Maple Lake, where he now resides. He has always done his part toward the progress of the community and has served as school clerk of his district some thirty years. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. John Ward was married, December 27, 1864, to Mary Mack, daughter of John and Anne (Cantlion) Mack. John Mack was a mason by trade. He was born in England, and in 1856 settled in Earlville, 111. He was a thorough patriot and served three j'ears in the Fifty-Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, proving his valor in many engagements. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have had seven children : William E. lives in Portal, Minn.; Margaret is the wife of Daniel Scannell; Anne is the wife of William Ellis, of Maple Lake ; Michael lives in Minneapolis; Alice is the wife of Carl West, of Minneapolis; Mary and Robert live on the home farm.

James G. Nugent, a retired resident of Maple Lake village, was born in Medford, Middlesex county, Mass., June 27, 1844, son of James Nugent, a native of Ireland, and Maria L. (Lamb) Nugent, a native of Massachusetts. The family moved from Massachusetts to Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and from there came to Minnesota in 1857 and located in St. Paul. In September, 1858, they came to Wright county and located on a claim of 160 acres in Chatham township. The tract was covered with heavy timber. They put up a log cabin, providing it first with a roof of hay, and later with a "shake" roof. They broke and grubbed the land, and as time passed became prominent people in the community. In 1870 they erected a frame house and a modern barn, and year by year the farm was developed and improved until it was one of the best in the neighborhood. There James Nugent followed farming until his death in 1877. His devoted wife died May 15, 1904. In the family there were three children: James G., of Maple Lake; John C. (deceased), and Lucy M., now Mrs. Michael Smith, of Chatham township. James G. Nugent received his early education in Massachusetts. He came with his parents from Medford, Massachusetts, to Sault Ste Marie, thence with them to St. Paul, and from there with them to Chatham township in September, 1858. With liis family he lived in a log cabin, assisted in developing the place, and underwent all the privations of pioneer life. At the opening of the Sioux troubles in August, 1862, he enlisted in Captain Nelson's company for three months. October 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and served until November 16, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. Then he returned home and remained until October 16, 1864, when he enlisted as a veteran in Company B, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict. He was discharged at Ft. Snelling and returned home. Then he remained on the farm with his father until October, 1866, when be took a homestead of eighty acres in section 32, Chatham township. He broke and cleared the land and continued in agricultural pursuits. In 1883 he sold this farm and purchased another one of eighty acres in Maple Lake township. For a time he engaged in the buying and selling of horses and became widely known as a breaker of colts. He was influential in creating two new school districts in Chatham township, and one in Maple Lake township. He was a member of the school board for many terms and was assessor of Chatham township for some twenty years. He now lives retired in Maple Lake village. Mr. Nugent was married in October, 1866, to Maggie A. Varner, who died October 14, 1873, leaving four children : Norman ; Ella, now Mrs. Horace Bohanon, of Minneapolis ; Lucy, now Mrs. Nelson Eccles, of Clearwater; and Ida, now Mrs. John Sture- wait, of Silver Creek. Mr. Nugent was married October 16, 1874, to Elizabeth Peters, and this union has been blessed with ten children: James W. (deceased); Minnie M., now Mrs. George Cohn, of Portland, Oregon; Elizabeth (deceased) ; Eunice (deceased) ; Laura (deceased) ; Hattie, now Mrs. Frank Tousle}', of Verona, N. D. ; Sadie (deceased); Clarence (deceased); Cecelia, now Mrs. William Fortwengler, of Kellogg, Minn. ; and Elsie, a capable teacher now in North Dakota.

Frederick John Peters, and his good wife, Anna Sophia, came to Wright county in 1865, and purchased 160 acres of land in Rockford township. A few acres of this land had been broken, and a log shanty stood on the place. They at once set at work to improve and develop the farm, and their hard work and thrift reaped its due reward. In due time, a sightly residence and good set of out buildings replaced the log structure, and Mr. Peters became identified with the active life of the community, following general farming on an extensive scale. In 1898 they sold their farm and moved to the village of Delano, where they continued to live until 1898, and then moved to Detroit, Michigan, where they spent their declining years, both dying in May, 1905, he on the third day, and she on the thirtieth. There are four children -. William, now of Chautauqua county, New York ; Rebecca, now Mrs. Charles Knoll, of Delano, Minn. ; John, of Canada ; and Elizabeth Julia, now Mrs. James G. Nugent, of Maple Lake.

John Goelz, for many years a substantial farmer of Corinna township, was born in Germany, July 24, 1858, sou of John Goelz, Sr., and Margaret (Schmidt) Goelz. John Goelz, Sr., was born in Germany, and learned the trade of weaving. As a young man he came to Iowa county, Wisconsin, and worked for his brother on a farm for one and a half years. In 1869 he came to Minnesota, and took a homestead on section 24, Maple Lake township. He cut off the timber, and broke the land and developed a good farm. His first structure on the place was a cabin of uidiewed logs, 16 by 22 feet. The house was somewhat better than the average at that period, there being a board floor and a shingled roof. The first wagon he had was home-made, the wheels being constructed of oak planks. For drawing this vehicle and for help in his farm work he used a cow and a steer hitched together. He was at first unable to clear more than four or five acres a year. Hard work and industry won the victory, and the place in time became as good a one as could be found in the neighborhood. John Goelz, the subject of this sketch, was brought to Maple Lake by his parents, and was reared on the home place, attending the public schools and learning farming from his father. At the age of twentv-eight he bought seventy-six acres in section 23, Corinna township, where he farmed uutil 1907. When he started he had two cows, two pigs, and a few chickens; a grub hoe, a plow, an axe, a scythe, and a cradle. He purchased in addition to these a yoke of oxen. He built a frame house, 16 by 26, a story and a half high, and later, from time to time, he erected barns and sheds. The second year he raised about 140 bushels of wheat, about half of which he marketed in Monticello and Clearwater at $1 a bushel. It was with a beginning that Mr. Goelz became a prominent and prosperous man. He built up a sightly place and became very successful and carried on general farming. He has been a member of both town and school boards. In 1907 he retired and moved to the village of Maple Lake, where he has a fine residence and is enjoying the afternoon of life in peace and plenty. The farm is now conducted by his son, Adam H. Mr. Goelz was married November 15, 1883, to ^Viina L. Schefehiek, daughter of John and Anna (Hudek) Schefchick, of Maple Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Goelz have had four children : Helen Rosa is the wife of W. J. Dircks, section 13, Corinna township ; Adam H. married Mary Cordell, and lives on the home place ; Lila May died at the age of fifteen ; another died in infancy. John and Anna Schefchick were of Bohemian blood. They came to Wright county in 1870 and became prosperous farmers of Maple Lake township.

John B. Roehrenbacli, one of the founders of Maple Lake village, and present manager of the Maple Lake Telephone Company, was born in Odessa, in Waseca county, this state, April 27, 1859, son of John and Lucille Roehrenbach. John Roelirenbach was a farmer and miller. From 1874 to 1879 he lived in Delano, in Wright county. He died in Stevens county, this state, in 1904. His wife died in the same county about 1898. John B. Roehrenbach was reared in the western part of this state. The Indian outbreak found him at Breckenridge. When that place was burned by the Sioux, he fied with a fourteen months old baby to Campbell, skulking through the tall grass, wet and chilled by rain and cold. In 1877 he entered the employ of the Great Northern railroad, and worked for that concern five years as a brakeman and four and a half years as a conductor. It was in 1886 that he became the pioneer in Maple Lake. He erected the first store in the village, and conducted a general mercantile establishment for five years. Then for some years he dealt in lumber, and engaged in general contracting and building. In 1909 he took charge of the Maple Lake Telephone Co., as general manager. In this capacity he has given the best of satisfaction. He is capable, courteous, a thorough believer in good service, and the line under his charge has reached the highest degree of efficiency. Mr. Roehrenbach is one of the active of popular men in the village and has been a member aiul president of the village eouiieil as well as a member of the sehool board. He attends the Catholie ehnreh at Maple Lake and belongs to the Catholie Order of Foresters there. John B. Roehrenbaeh was married August 7, 1883, to Regina Hahn, daughter of Joseph and Christina Ilahn, market gardeners near St. Paul. In the family there are two sons, Charles and Leo, Charles in St. Paul, employed by the Great Northern, and Leo in Onamia, employed by the "Soo" line.

Frank W. Enghauser, for many years a well-known citizen of this eounty, was a native born son of this region. Born in Middleville township, October 29, 1879, and died in Maple Lake village, May 13, 1914; this earaparatively brief life was filled with busy work and successful accomplishment. His career was a useful one, and his years were well-lived. Frank W. Enghauser was the son of Joseph and Matilda (Heaton) Enghauser, the pioneers. He was reared on the farm and attended the district sehool. At the age of eighteen he went to Buft'alo, and learned the barber trade with Walter Davis. Tlien he opened a shop of his own in Maple Lake. In 1902 and 1903 he was in the real estate business in the same village. For the next five years he again devoted his attention to barber work. In 1908 he spent the year in regaining his failing health. It was in April, 1909, that he bought the controlling interest in the Maple Lake Telephone Co., which had been organized in 1905. When Mr. Enghauser took hold of it, there were 125 subscribers. By hard work and energetic determination he increased this list to 320. Since his death, his wife has owned the company. Mr. Enghauser was married December 30, 1903, to Josephine E. Zimmerman, daughter of Frederick and Matilda (Nelson) Zimmerman. She was born May 16, 1882, the youngest of a family of three, and was educated in the Annandale schools. Mr. and Mrs. Enghauser have two children. Paul was born June 6, 1908. John Francis was born May 21, 1912. John P. Gorman, former postmaster. Maple Lake, was born August 18, 1869, in Port Hope, Canada, son of James and Bridget (Gearrie) Gorman, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of Ireland. In 1870 they came to Maple Lake and secured a farm. They are now retired. In the family there were seven children : Mary J., wife of A. J. Phillip, of Minneapolis; James F. ; John P. ; Margaret, wife of E. E. Connuch, of Gull Lake, Canada ; Anna, wife of J. D. Kennedy, of Maple Lake; Lucy (deceased) ; and Thomas, of Maple Lake. John P. Gorman remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. Then he went to Little Falls, Minn., and engaged in the manufacturing business. Later he took up farming. He purchased 137 acres in Maple Lake township, and farmed there for three years. He then operated a hotel and livery in Maple Lake. For three years he was postmaster at Maple Lake. He uovv owns a farm iii Albion township, and is interested to some extent in the real estate business. Mr. Gorman is one of the most prominent men in the community. He was village president four years and town treasurer five years, and has served in minor offices. He votes the Republican ticket, and belongs to the M. W. A. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Gorman is married, and has four children : Mildred Frances, Eloise Marion, Catherine Helen and Walter I.