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

George A. Miller, scientific dairyman, was born in Faribault, Minn., March 125, 1876, son of Charles T. and Catherine (Finlayson) Miller, grandson of George W. Miller, and great-grandson of William Miller. Charles T. Miller was a railroad engineer for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. In 1879 he lost both his hands as the result of a railroad accident. George W. Miller was state evangelist for the First Day Advent Christian church. He died about 1874 as the result of injuries received iu a runaway accident at Montieello. William Miller was the founder of the "Millerites, " the sect which developed into the Advent church. He was also a colonel in the War of 1812, and took part in the Battle of Lundy's Lane. As a boy George A. Miller became interested in dairying, and in 1894 he spent the winter as a student in the dairy department of the University of Minnesota. Then he became agent at the skimming station at Millersburg, Rice county, Minnesota, for the Crescent Creamery Company, of St. Paul. In 1897 he went into the creamery business in Millersburg. From 1899 to 1901 he couducted a grocery store in Dundas, Minn. Then from 1901 to 1907 he was in the creamery business at Lakeville, Miun. It was in 1907 that he came to Chatham township, in this county, and became secretary, manager and buttermaker for the Chatham Co-operative Dairy Association. May 1, 1911, he became farm dairy inspector for the Minnesota State Dairy and Food Department. In connection with traveling over the state investigating farm dairy conditions, this position also involved responsibilities as a teacher in the State Dairy school, which as a boy he had many years before attended. April 1, 1914, Mr. Miller became buttermaker for the Maple Lake Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, in which capacity he is meeting with great success. Aside from being so thorough a master of his profession, Mr. Miller is also an inventor of note. He has perfected a farm cream cooler that has been endorsed by the State Food and Dairy Department, and by the leading dairy authorities of the Northwest. Mr. Miller was married, June 27, 1906, to Maude Amidon, daughter of Charles F. and Martha (Thompson) Amidon, pioneers of Lakeville, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children: Kenneth, born May 5, 1907; Jay, born Ajn-il 28, 1909 ; and Rex, born June 15, 1912. The family belongs to the

Fifth Christian Scientist Church, of ]\Iinneapolis. Mr. Miller belongs to the blue lodge and the chapter of the Masonic body, and the M. W. A. and the M. B. A.

Steven J. Ertel, farmer, Maple Lake township, was born in Indiana, May 29, 1879, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Enxel) Ertel, natives of Indiana, now living near Batesville, in that state. In the family there were seven children : Mary, wife of John Schwegmann, of Indiana ; Clara, of Batesville, Ind. ; Steven J.; and Clemence, Emma, Anna and Joseph, of Batesville, Ind. Steven J. has devoted his life to farming. In 1902 he came to Wright county, and settled on 160 acres in section 22. Maple Lake township. The tract at that time was heavily wooded. Mr. Ertel cut down the timber, broke the land and erected buildings, and brought the place to a high degree of improvement. He carries on general farming and is one of the prosperous men of the township. Mr. Ertel is a Democrat in politics, and has served as assessor of the township for three years. He has also been assistant road overseer. Fraternally he associates with the Catholic Order of Foresters. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Ertel was married, May 12, 1903, to Jane McAlpine, and they have one son, Henry Steven, born November 7, 1906. Mrs. Ertel was the daughter of John and Ellen (Halalan) McAlpine, pioneers of Wright county, both now deceased. In the McAlpine family there were ten children : John (deceased) ; Thomas, of Summerlands, British Columbia; Mamie, wife of W. D. Young, of Princeton, British Columbia; Agnes (deceased) ; Jane, wife of Steven J. Ertel ; George, of Maple Lake township ; Rosauna, wife of John O. Laughlin, of Minneapolis ; Paul (deceased); Francis, of Chisholm, Miini. ; and Irene, who lives with Rosanna.

James McAlpine, farmer and stock raiser. Maple Lake township, was born in Ireland, in 1842, son of Patrick and Bridget (McKeown) McAlpine. The family started for America in 1843. The father and two children died on shipboard. The mother, with John (now deceased), Michael (now of Iowa) and James, continued the trip and settled in Canada. For her second husband the mother married Michael Donohue, and this union has been blessed with five children: Thomas (deceased) ; Michael, of Canada; Bridget, wife of William Kennedy, of Canada; Maria (deceased), and Annie, the wife of Patrick Evans, of Canada. James McAlpine remained with his mother in Canada until twenty years old. He devoted his youth to farming, logging and river driving. It Avas in 1865 that he came to Wright county, and located in section 34, Maple Lake township, where he secured eighty acres. He now owns 114 acres of good land and carries on general farming. Mr. McAlpine was married, September 29, 1874, to Mary McDonald, a native of the Province of Ontario,

Canada, daughter of John and Mary (Nicholson) McDonald. The father died in Canada, and the mother came to "Wright county in 1897 and died two years later. In the McDonald family there were nine children: Patrick, of Stuart, Minn.; James (deceased) ; John, of Grand Rapids, Minn. ; Thomas (deceased) ; Peter, of Hibbing, Minn.; Margaret, the wife of William Carral, of Hibbing, Minn. ; Bridget, the wife of Thomas Mooney ; and Julia, the wife of John Doran, of Grand Rapids, Minn. The oldest in the family is Mary, the wife of James McAlpine. Mr. and Mrs. McAlpine have had ten children: James (deceased); John (deceased) ; Michael, at home; Mary, of Grand Rapids, Minn.; Nellie, a teacher ; Alfred, chief of the fire department at Chisholm, Minn. ; Blanche, a teacher; Margaret and Lillian, at home; and Cora, who is attending the St. Cloud State Normal School.

George L. Katilinek, farmer, Maple Lake township, was born in the township where he still resides, February 15, 1887, son of Thomas and Mary (Meier) Katilinek, natives of Germany, who came to America and settled in section 22, Maple Lake township. In the family there were ten children: Henry (deceased) ; Alma, wife of Walter Obey; George L. ; Genevieve, wife of Leo Rohenbeck, of Onamia, Minn. ; Walter, of Maple Lake township ; Alice, attending the St. Cloud State Normal School; Nettie, at home ; Lester, of Maple Lake township ; and Florence and Roger, at home. George L. Katilinek attended the public schools, was reared to agricultural pursuits, has always lived at home, and in 1913 took charge of the home place. He has 160 acres in section 22, and successfully carries on general farming. Mr. Katilinek was married, October 16, 1912, to Lilly Pavlick, of Maple Lake township, and they have one son, Mark, born July 8, 1913. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Thomas Hudek, extensive farmer. Maple Lake township, was born on the Atlantic ocean, August 14, 1859, son of Mathias and Barbara (Cech) Hudek, both natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1859, lived in Chicago a year aud a half, and then moved into the rural districts of Cook county, where they lived about eight years and a half. In the fall of 1869 they came to Wright county and located in section 27, Maple Lake township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died April 16, 1888, and the mother August 30, 1899. In the family there were ten children: Mary (deceased); Anna (deceased); John, of St. Paul ; Katherine, wife of Robert Campbell, of Clear Lake, Minn.; William (deceased) ; Thomas; Helen, wife of Harry Camp])ell, of Sioux City, Iowa, and three who died in infancy. Thomas Hudek lived with his parents until their death, when he came into possession of the home farm. To this he has since added until he now owns 365 acres, all in sections 22 and 27. Here he carries on diversified farnnng in a successful manner.

In politics he is a Republican. He was county treasurer from 1900 to 1905, and county couiniissioner from 1894 to 1900, and has served efficiently as town clerk, town treasurer and treasurer of his school district twenty years. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A. and the A. 6. U. W. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Iludek was married, August 8, 1882, to Josephine Kotilinek, who died January 19, 1900. To this union seven children were born: Sophia (deceased) ; George W., of Maple Lake township; Rosa Lyda, wife of Frank Piram, of St. Paul ; Josephine, born May 29, 1890, and died November 30, 1905; Laura M., born November 30, 1892, and married to William Opat, of Maple Lake ; Thomas Lawrence, born April 9, 1895 ; and Benjamin Chester, born July 6, 1898. For his second wife Mr. Hudek married Annie Piram, June 26, 1901. She was born in Bohemia, daughter of William and Barbara (Pribyl) Piram, natives of Bohemia. By this union Mr. Hudek has four children : Frances IMary, born October 27, 1902 ; Theresa Amia, born September 14, 1904; Evelyn Myrtle, born April 9, 1906; and Paul Frank, born October 17, 1908.

Randall C. McEachem, farmer. Maple Lake township, was born in section 1, in the township where he still resides, March 25, 1861, son of Angus and Eliza (Hopkins) McEachern, the former a native of Nova Scotia and the mother of another part of Canada. They came to Wright county in the fifties and located in Maple Lake township, where Angus lake is named in his honor. The father is still living at the good old age of eighty-five, while the mother died some years ago. In the family there were eight children: Mary, wife of John McEachern, of Monticello township; Randall C. ; Angus, of Delano, this county; John, of Buffalo, this county; Hugh, of Monticello, this county; Archie, of Montreal, Canada; and Alexander and George, of Minneapolis. Randall C. McEachern remained with his father until he was twentytwo years old. Previous to that time, however, he had worked several years in the timber forests. At the age of twenty he bought forty acres of land. To this he has added tracts of 22, 49 and 51 acres each, until he now has a profitable, well-improved farm. In addition to his general farm work he has followed threshing to a considerable extent. In 1910 he went to South Dakota and took a claim. He now owns 480 acres in Perkins county, that state, while his son Walter has 160 and the daughter Eliza Ann has 160. Mr. McEachern is a Republican in polities. He belongs to the I. O. 0. F., the M. W. A. and the B. A. Y. Mr. McEachern was married, July 6, 1885, to Mary Ida Shefchick, and this union has been blessed with four children : Eliza Ann, Walter, Margaret and Malcolm. Eliza Ann was born March 28, 1887. Walter was born July 2, 1888. He married Rose Ryan, of Maple Lake, and they live in Bufl:'alo. Margaret was born May

Timothy Desmond, retired, Maple Lake, was born in Montpelier, Vt., May 26, 1835, son of Timothy and Mary Quinn, natives of Ireland. The father came to America as a young man, lived in Vermont for a time, then went to Maine, and in 1856 came to Wright county, and located in Monticello township, where he and his wife both died. In the family there were twelve children : Eliza, Timothy, Lucy (deceased), James (deceased), Margaret (deceased), Daniel, of Minneapolis; William (deceased), Frank, of Superior, Wis.; Ellen (deceased), Zaehariah (deceased), George, of Monticello township, and Maria. Timothy Desmond was reared in his native state and as a young man engaged in the lumber business in Maine with his father. He came to Wright county with his parents, and in 1862 enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After his discharge in 1865 he took up farming in Wright county. He was unusually successful, and at one time owned half a section of land. In 1903 he retired and moved to Maple Lake village, where he now resides. In addition to his farm holdings, he is interested in the First State Bank of Maple Lake. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. post at Buffalo. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Desmond married Nancy Blakely, who died January 1, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Desmond were blessed with six children: John married Agnes Connis. They live in Duluth and have one son, Connis. Grace married Thomas Madigan, banker, of Maple Lake. They have two sons: Timothy Irving and Paul James. Timothy Irving is a champion lightweight amateur wrestler. Blanche married J. E. Madigan, attorney and statesman, of Maple Lake. They have five children: Mark, Frances, Harriett, Russell and Faith. Vivian married Patrick O'Laughlin. They live at Northome, Minn., and have five children : Pearl, Grace, Daniel, Patrick and Nancy. Mabel married John Connole. Their home is at Sherwood, N. D. They have a daughter, Catherine. Maude married Raymond Kelley. They live at St. Paul and have four sons: Harold, Gerald, Regis and Morris. (Mabel and Maude are twins).

John Tuberty, a business man of Maple Lake, was born in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, November 27, 1856, son of Thomas and Catherine (Mullen) Tuberty. Tlioinas Tuberty brought his family From Canada to Minnesota, and bought a farm of eighty acres one-half mile north of the village of Maple Lake. There he lived until 1892. Then he and his wife took up their home with their son John in the village and there both ended their days, he in 1894 and she in 1896. John Tuberty remained with his parents until he was twenty years old. Then he and his brother William Tuberty farmed in partnership until 1885. For the next three years John Tuberty spent his time in the livery, dray and implement business, part of the time in St. Paul and part of the time in Minneapolis. Then he returned to I\Iaple Lake, where he has since conducted a livery and dray line. He has an excellent business, and is well thought of throughout the entire community. His services as village councilman and constable have been highly commended. Mr. Tuberty was married March 1, 1883, to Catherine Sullivan, daughter of James and Catherine Sullivan, of Maple Lake township. Mrs. Catherine Tuberty died June 1, 1884, leaving one child, Julia. Julia is the wife of Benjamin Klaus, general manager for the International Harvester Company at Mannheim, Germany, antl they have two children : Margaret, born March 17, 1903, and Caroline, born in 1907. In 1894, Mr. Tuberty married Mrs. Annie Ralles, daughter of James Connelly, a retired farmer of Minneapolis. Mr. Tuberty is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the family faith is that of the Catholic church.

Thomas Prove, a retired farmer living in Maple Lake, was born near Montreal, Canada, October 15, 1852, son of David and Fleneys (Javeu) Provo, both natives of eastern Canada. The other children in the family were : Joseph, Oliver, Unphery, John, an unnamed infant, Amelia, Rose, Emma, Margaret and Flemima. Of this family Joseph was the first to come to Minnesota. In 1876 came Margaret and Thomas. Thomas secured forty acres in Albion township, this county, and cleared off enough timber to build a shanty twelve feet square. He lived alone the first winter and a part of the next summer. Living thus in the wilderness, he endured many hardships. He had to go to Albrecht's mill in Middleville township when he wanted flour. He hauled wood out with the aid of an ox team. In the summer of 1878 he started working out as a farm hand and sold his place. Two years later he returned to Canada. After remaining there three years he brought his father and mother and sister Emma to the United States, and he and his father secured 120 acres together in French Lake township. Two shacks were standing on the place. The father and mother stayed seven or eight years, and then went back to Canada, living in Alberta the remainder of their lives. Thomas Provo remained on his farm for eighteen years. He did much breaking and developing, and finally had a splendid farm. Eighty acres lay in French Lake and eighty in Albion. The splendid buildings which he erected stood on the French Lake half. In 1901 he sold this place and moved to Corinna tovraship, where he lived in section 36 for some twelve years. In 1913 he retired and moved to Maple Lake village and built him a home, where he has since resided. His farm is now conducted by his sons, John and Jule. Mr. Provo was married, January 24, 1885, to Lotene Logiaar, born in St. Martin, France, iu October 16, 1866, daughter of Eugene and Harriett (Chevalier) Logiaar. Mr. and Mrs. Logiaar brought their children to America in the early seventies, spending six weeks aboard the old sailing vessel that brought them over. They located on the homestead of Mrs. Logiaar 's father, John Chevalier, in section 8, Albion township, tills county. John Chevalier had come from France some years before and secured this location. Later he returned to his native country, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Provo have had ten children : John, born November 14, 1885 ; Jule, born February 26, 1887 ; Mary, born August 17, 1888 ; Jennie, born March 24, 1890; Rose, born January 21, 1892; Emma, born February 13, 1897; Napoleon, born February 20, 1900; Margaret and Joseph, twins, born July 7, 1904; Willfred, April 6, 1906. Joseph and Willfred both died in infancy.

Louis Demars, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Hassen, Hennepin county, Minnesota, April 29, 1870, son of McGuire and Amelia (Gregneir) Demars, natives of Canada. The father came to the United States when eighteen years of age, and was employed three years by the government in handling produce between St. Paul and Ft. Snelling. Then he returned to Canada for about seven years. Subsequently he worked in the forests about Lake Superior. In 1865 he came to Sherburne county; then to Hassen in Hennepin county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1888 he retired to Dayton, in Hennepin county, where he now resides. His wife died in May, 1912. In the family there were eleven children: Brazil, of North Dakota; Richard, of North Dakota ; Celia, of Benson, Minnesota ; Delvane, of Dayton, Hennepin county; George, of Minneapolis; Caroline, of Hennepin county, this state; Adeline, of Minneapolis; Thomas, of Anoka; Henry (deceased): Louis, and Prosper (deceased). Louis Demars was reared in Hennepin county. At the age of eighteen he secured employment as a teamster in Minneapolis. Then he went to North Dakota with his brothers. Later he attended school at Dayton, Hennepin county. At tlie age of twenty-two he came to Otsego township, and purchased eighty acres in section 24. He now owns 200 acres, has made some excellent improvements and carries on general farming. He is a Republican in politics, and Indongs to the Catholic order of Foresters. The family faith is tliat of the Roman Catholic church.

Mr. Demars was married April 25, 1892, to Annie Reiche, born in Canada, July 26, 1874, and to this union eleven children have been born. Delvina, born April 25, 1893, is now Mrs. Leopold Talbott, of St. Michaels, this county. Delima was born September 15, 1894, is now Mrs. Thomas Zimmer, of Otsego township, this county. Emil J. was born September 22, 1896 ; Elizzie M., April 25, 1900; Lucy M. A., August 15. 1901. Louis M. was born December 18, 1903, and died February 14, 1904.

Jefferson Benner was born at Honieworth, Ohio, October 12, 1832. He came to Minnesota in 1858 and was attending the Haniline University at Red Wing, when he enlisted in the army, April 29, 1861. He reenlisted August 24, 1864, in llatchs Independent Battalion of Cavalry. He served in all, four and onehalf years as soldier. From the close of the war until 1867 he sold goods for a Minneapolis wholesale house. He came to Rockford, Minn., in 1867, where he went into business as a merchant, which he continued up to the time of his death. He married Martha Northrop, June 17, 1870. In 1872 lie and Parker and Warren started the woolen mill at Rockford. After a few years he bought Parker & Warren's share, and owned the woolen mill at the time of his death. Martha (Northrop) Benner, wife of Jeiferson Benner, was born March 18, 1847, at Orgile, New York. She came with her family to Minnesota the year 1856. They lived on a farm three miles west of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Benner belonged to the Episcopal church. Mr. Benner was a G. A. R. man. Mrs. Benner was a W. R. C. and a Eastern Star lady. They were active workers in all society and public work, always ready to help the poor. Mrs. Benner died May 11, 1914, and Mr. Benner died September 9, 1900. He was a Republican in politics.

Oliver L. Perrault, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Hennepin county, this state, July 19, 1858, son of John B. and Marguerite (Bouley) Perrault, natives of Canada, of French descent. They came to Michigan about 1849, and located on a government claim in Hennepin county, in 1855. The original claim is still in the possession of the family. There were six children: John B., of Hennepin county; Mary O. (deceased); Florence, the wife of Peter Burke, of the state of Washington ; Oliver L. ; Alfred A., of the state of Washington : and William, of Cass Lake, Minn. Oliver L. purchased 138 acres in section 14, Otsego township, put in a full line of improvements and carries on general farming. He is a Republican in jiolitics and has been supervisor of the township for three years. Mr. Perrault was married August 23, 1893, to Florence Benner, and this union has been blessed with eight children : Clifton O., a graduate of the agricultural department, of the University of Minnesota ; Margaret, who is attending the St. Cloud State Normal school ; Fletcher, at the Agricultural school, St. Paul ; Maleohn, who attends the Monticello high school; Bernice, Gertrude, Cora (deceased), and Albert, the younger children, are attending the common schools. Mrs. Oliver L. Perrault was the daughter of Jefferson and Martha Northrop Benner.

James W. Morrell, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Robbinstown, Maine, October 24, 1853, son of John and Mary (Lahey) Morrell, natives of New Brunswick, Canada, who came from Maine to Minnesota in 1857, and located in Otsego township, where they ended their days. In the family there were six children: Irene (deceased); Maria; Jane; John; Rachael (deceased) : and James W. James W. Morrell grew to manhood in this county, and spent several years working in the lumber woods and on the river. Then he bought 160 acres of wild land, which he cleared, broke, improved, and sold. Then he bought another tract of 160 acres which he operated some five years and then sold. Later he bought 100 acres on section 23, where he now lives, and where he has a splendid place. He does general farming and dairying and makes a specialty of fruit growing. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Masons. By his first wife, Henrietta, Mr. Morrell had three children: William J., of Otsego township; Lee R. (deceased); and Ellis J., of Chicago. The present Mrs. Morrell was Emma Thorp, a native of Wright county. They have three children : Clayton, Lester and James W., Jr.

William J. Morrell, farmer, Otsego township, was born in the township wlicre he still resides. May 11, 1879, son of James W. and Henrietta Morrell. He remained at home until he was about twenty-two years of age, and then rented the home place for a while. Later he rented eighty acres on section 22, Otsego township, which he now owns. He also rents 120 acres in Monticello township, which he operates in connection with the home place. He carries on general farming and has been very successful. He is an independent voter, and has been supervisor of the township, in which capacity he has done good service. Mr. Morrell was married November 1, 1905, to Jennie Crozier, and they have four children : Harold William, Vernon, Beruice and Floyd. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Edson D. Washburn, a pioneer of Otsego township, was born in Essex county, New York, January 19, 1842, son of John W. and Mahetable (Lawrence) Washburn, who brought him to Wright county in September, 1856, and located on section 23, Otsego township. He spent his youth there, and on August 14, 1862, enlisted mulcr Captain Edward Hartley, in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He followed the fortunes of that regiment in the Northwest against the Indians and in the South against the Confederates, and was mustered out at Ft. Snelling after about three years' of hard service, having in 1864, been promoted to corporal. Then he farmed on section 13, Otsego township for some five years, after which he came to the farm which he now owns. He has been very successful and has about 300 acres of excellent land, on which is eondneted general farming and stock raising. Mr. Washburn has served in practically all the town offices. He was chairman of the town board two years and justice of tlie peace for twenty years, as well as a member of tlie school board for many terms. He is patriotic instructor of Sedgwick Post, No. 52, G. A. R., of ]\IonticelIo; and a member of Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal churcli. Mr. Washburn was married May 26, 1866, to Amelia Wells, a native of New York state. This union was blessed with seven children. Orson M. lives at Seappoose, Oregon. D. Cuyler lives in Otsego township. He is a civil engineer and present county surveyor. Helen is dead. Robert M. is professor of dairy husbandry in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. R. J. is a dentist at Hope, North Dakota. He served eighteen months in the Philippines as a private in Company F, Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Lura M. is the wife of C. A. Rowley, of Nortonville, North Dakota. Edson lives in Otsego.

Edson Washburn, farmer and dairyman, owner of "Woodland Farm," Otsego township, was born in the township where he now resides. May 5, 1886, son of Edson D. and Amelia (Wells) Wasliburn. He passed through the grades of the common schools, and took under-graduate and post-graduate courses in the School of Agriculture, University of Minnesota. Ever since 1906, he has been in charge of the home farm of 300 acres. It is called the "Woodlawn Farm," and is regarded as the finest place in the township. The improvements are especially notable, and include a silo with a capacity of 100 tons. Mr. Washburn makes a specialty of dairying and has a splendid herd of fullblooded Guernsey cattle. Mr. Washburn is a Republican in politics, and is serving the town as justice of the peace. In farmers' organizations he has been especially active. He is one of the directors of the Farmers' Club of Otsego, a member of the Farmers' Shipping Association, and agent for the Farmers' Home ilutual Tornado Insurance Co., and of the Patrons' Cooperative Insurance Co. He belongs to Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., at Monticello, and the family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Washburn was married June 8, 1910, to Edna Wooley, of Buffalo, this county, and they have two children, Ennid G., born June 12, 1911, and Annis Leola, born March 11, 1913.

Hiram Orville Harrington, one of the leading and progressive farmers of Otsego township, was born in Martin county, this state, January 15, 1870, son of Johiel and Julia (Felt) Harrington, who took him as an infant to Hennepin county, and in 1878 brought him to Wright county. He here attended the district schools aucl grew to manhood on his father's farm. He lived with his parents till twenty-two years old, then started out for himself, working in lumber camps and on drives about six years. Then he took up structural iron bridge work, which he followed with success till he married. In 1906 he settled on his present farm of 120 acres in sections 18 and 19, Otsego township. He has made extensive improvements, erected a good home, and developed a splendid farm. He is a good citizen, a good farmer, a good companion and a good family man, a desirable member of the community in every way. For the past six years he has been town constable, and for three years he has served as director of school district No. 10. On April 26, 1906, Mr. Harrington married May L. Hayward, daughter of John W. and Mary (Lowell) Hayward. Mrs. Harrington was born in Maine, and came to Minnesota with the family in 1882. She helped to care for her parents in their last illness, and her own health was seriously impaired thereby. Consequently she went to the hospital and underwent an operation. Since then she has been something of an invalid, but through it all she has been cheerful and helpful, and no one in the community better deserves the title of "well beloved" than does "Aunt May," as she is affectionately called. After the death of her parents she made her home with her brother Frank and was a great help to him in his pastoral duties. She was active in church and social affairs and a most useful member of the community. After she left her brother she took up her home with her sister, Mrs. J. E. Fulton, of Anoka, this state. There she was as active as before in church and social matters, and also in the Rebekah lodge. She was a friend to the old and young, and her influence in that city will never be eradicated. Her marriage, April 26, 1906, took place at high noon at the home of her sister. After the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served, followed by an informal reception for her friends. She received many valuable and useful presents, all the gifts being prompted by real love. After the reception she and her husband drove to his place in Otsego. There they have worked together to establish a home. The residence is ever filled with happiness and good cheer, and its hospitality is widely known. The school teachers and the young people call the place their home, and there goes out from its cheery atmosphere a beueficient influence that is far-reaching. Since she has been in Wright county Mrs. Harrington has continued to be active in church, social and fraternity work, and here as in previous places she is known by the loving title of "Aunt May." In every walk of life she has done her duty. She was a good daughter and has been a good wife and sister, a good neighbor and faithful friend. John W. Hayward was born in Wesley. Washington county, Maine, April 26, 1835, and was there educated and reared to manhood. On February 23, 1856, he married Mary Lowell. She came of a long line of scholars and teachers, and had herself been a snecessfiil educator, in fact, she was teaching when she met her future husband. Together they established a little farm home, and the family was well on the road to prosperity when the Civil War broke out. Faithful to the call of duty, he enlisted in the Union army, leaving his wife and three sons on the home farm. During his absence she taught school, using one of the rooms of the small house as a schoolroom. Mr. Hayward was wounded and came home on a furlough, but soon returned to the service. He was mustered out, with the rank of sergeant, at the close of the war. For several years thereafter he lived on the farm in Maine. All the eight children were born there. He was a good citizen and a good nmn. Ilis wife was a good wife and mother, a real influence for righteousness throughout the community. They were both highly respected and always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. Mr. Hayward served several years as a town official and as a member of the school board. His health was never very good after his services in the army, but he was a brave, cheerful man, and always did all and the best he could for his large family. It was in 1883 that he sold out and bi'ought his wife and five of the children to Minnesota. They lived at Spencer Brook, Isanti county, for a while, and in 1885 located in Otsego, in Wright county. Here he farmed and worked in a lumber camp. Two years later, however, he was taken ill, and he and his wife, with their children, ]\Iay and Perlie, went to Glenwood, Iowa, and took up their home with the son, Frank, who was preaching there. The change did not benefit Mr. Hayward, however, and he died November 27, 1893. His wife died the following August, 1894. They are both laid at rest in the cemetery in Glenwood, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hayward had eight children : Frank L., Fred L., Allen B., Lottie H., May L., Melvina A., George C, John Perlie. Frank L. lives at Stevens Point, Wis. He is clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, and holds the degree of D. D. Fred L. is dead. Allen B. is married, and is engaged in lumbering in Maine. Lottie is the wife of Prentice Williams, and lives in Old Mystic, Conn. May L. is married to Hiram Orville Harrington, and lives on a farm at Otsego, Minn. Melvina is the wife of J. E. Fulton, and lives at Anoka, Minn. George C. is married and lives at Mildred, Mont. John Perlie is a farmer, is married, and lives at Topsham, Me.

Johiel Harrington, farmer and stockraiser, is one of the most honored and respected citizens of Otsego township. He was born in Ottawa, Canada, March 29, 1838, son of William and Mary (Wood) Harrington, both of whom died in northern Michigan. William Harrington was a farmer and lumberman. In the family there were ten children: Sarah E. (deceased) ; Johiel, of Otsego;

Hiram (deceased); Nathaniel, of Michigan; John (deceased); William, Rachael, Leonard and Mary, of Michigan ; and Nancy, of Milaca, this state. Johiel Harrington moved with his parents from Canada to northern Michigan, and remained with his father until 1868. It was in that year that he came to this state, and located in Martin county. Some five years later, just as he was on the dawn of success, the grasshoppers devastated his farm, so he moved to Hennepin county. lu 1878 he came to Wright county and bought seventy-two acres in section 30, Otsego township. He has wrought many improvements, has a well-developed farm, and carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr. Harrington is an independent voter. For some eight years he has served as a member of the school board. Mr. Harrington was married, April 13, 1863, to Julia Felt, born in St. Lawrence county. New York, April 24, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have had five children : Mary Jane, Hattie, Hiram Orville, Capitola and Alberta. Mary Jane was born February 19, 1864, and died April 11, 1866. Hattie was born April 21, 1867, and married Burton Broughtou, of Spokane, Wash. Hiram Orville was born January 15, 1870, and farms in Otsego township. Capitola was born June 24, 1872, and is the wife of George Hayes, of Everett, Wash. Alberta was born April 21, 1874, and is now the wife of Frank McKee, of Seattle, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Johiel Harrington were entertained on their Golden wedding anniversary by their son, Hiram 0. and his good wife, the date being April 13, 1913. About fifty guests were present. The reception committee consisted of six sturdy lads and a like number of dainty lasses. They sang "Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet," and then the wedding march was played, after which Rev. Norman Butdorf performed the marriage ceremony, at the conclusion of which Mr. Harrington, to the surprise of the clergyman and the merriment of the guests, paid the wedding fee. The j'oung people sang "Silver Threads Among tlie Gold," and then Rev. Butdorf, with appropriate ceremony and fitting remarks, presented the liappy couple with a gold and silver table set, with the date of the wedding and the date of the anniversary engraved on each piece. The personal gift from the clergyman consisted of a wedding booklet, with the dates, and with space left for the signatures of the witnesses and the guests. Refreshments of ice cream, wedding cake and bride cake were served, and all had a most enjoyable afternoon. Pictures were taken, good wishes exchanged, and the worthy couple then drove to their home two and a half miles away.

Milton T. Hamlet, farmer, Otsego township, was born in the township where he still resides, April 19, 1858, son of Dana R. and Elizabeth P. (Snow) Hamlet, natives of IMaine, who arrived ill Wiight county April 12, 1856, pre-empted 160 acres in section

15, Otsego township, and here spent the remainder of their days, the father dying January 17, 1S99, and tlie mother April 21, 1908, the latter having reached the age of ninety-one years. In the family there were five children: Anna E. (deceased); Helen A. (deceased); Clarence A. (deceased); Elmer A., of Monticello ; and Milton T., of Otsego. Milton T. began life for himself at the age of sixteen years, and has devoted his time to farming, to rafting on tlie river, and to carpenter work. He now carries on general farming and stock raising on sixty acres of the old homestead. He is a Republican in polities and has served as town assessor. Mr. Hamlet was married December 11, 1880, to Emma L. Perry, a native of Maine, and to this union there have been born three children : William R., of Monticello ; Guy M., of Drain, Ore. ; and Nellie E., who is attending the high school at Monticello. The parents of Mrs. Milton T. Hamlet were William and Sarah J. (Seavey) Perry, both natives of Maine. The mother died in that state, but the father came to Wright county in 1870, and located in Otsego township, where he died in September, 1882. His business was that of a merchant. In the Perry family there were five children: Mary (deceased); Emma L. ; Fanney (deceased) ; Fred; and Alice, the wife of Lincoln Davis, of Otsego. Orion L. Davis, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Elk River township, Sherburne county, April 23, 1857, son of Joseph and Emeline (Spencer) Davis, natives of Maine, who came to Minnesota in 1851, located in Sherburne county for several years, came to Otsego township in 1864, and secured 110 acres on which they spent the remainder of their days. The mother died January 15, 1914, the father having passed away a few years before. In the family there were thirteen children : Salvina, wife of Samuel Bobo, of Milaca, Minn.; Lowell (deceased) ; Orion L., of Otsego; Susan, wife of August Hagan, of Superior; Lincoln, of Otsego; Albert (deceased) ; Hannah (deceased) ; Melissie, wife of William Kay, of Chicago ; Arthur, of Monticello ; Sumner, who is with Orion L. ; Nora, wife of Albert Williams, of Rochester, Minn.; and Arthur and Richard, both of whom died in infancy. Orion L. Davis remained with his parents until fifteen years of age. He devoted several years of his young manhood to farming in Otsego township, to river driving, and to farming in Morrison county. In 1894 he returned to the home farm, and operated the farm and looked after his parents until their death, when he inherited their place. He owns 157 acres, well improved, and carries on general farming, located in section 18. Mr. Davis was married November 29, 1883, to Sarah Kay, a native of Cook county, Illinois, and of English descent, daughter of Richard and Mary (Lofthouse) Kay, who settled in 1880 in Morrison county, this state, where the father now lives, and where the mother died. In the family there were seven children : William, of

Chicago ; Elleu, wife of Lee Osgood, of Little Palls, Miiiu. ; John, of Washington ; George, of Little Falls, Miun. ; Samuel (deceased) ; Sarah, wife of Orion L. Davis; and an unnamed boy, twin of Ellen, now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Orion L. Davis are : Edna, now Mrs. Orin Peary, of Otsego ; Jessie, now Mrs. Roy Pipin, of Otsego ; Andrew, at home ; Sadie, now on a homestead in North Dakota; and Minnie, Gertrude, Lewis and Lucy (twins), at home.

Alfred E. Borthwick, farmer, Otsego township, was born in the township where he still lives, June 13, 1867, son of Aleck and Lydia (Hicks) Borthwick, the former a native of Prince Edward Island, and the latter a native of Illinois. The father came to America as a young man, and located in Hennepin county, near Dayton. In 1867 he settled in section 30, Otsego township, where he secured 100 acres. The father and mother are both dead. In the family there were eight children: Mary (deceased), James (deceased), Alfred, Clara (deceased), an unnamed infant who died the day of its birth, Charles, Electa (deceased), and Lucy. Alfred E. received his education in the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He received the home place by deed from his father. In 1892 he went to Idaho and remained two years, in the meantime renting his farm. He returned in 1894 and since then has successfully carried on general farming. Mr. Borthwick was married January 25, 1897, to Estella Humphrey, daughter of John and Addie (Regester) Humphrey, and to this union has been born one son, Harry Alfred, who was born January 7, 1898.

Angus P. Fraught, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada, March 26, 1847, son of Daniel and Catherine (Campbell) Praught, natives of Prince Edward Island, both now deceased. In their family there were nine children : John, Mary, Emma and Sarah (deceased) ; Catherine, of Prince Edward Island; Angus P.; Frank, of Prince Edward Island; Margaret, wife of Philip Curley, of Prince Edward Island ; and Joseph, who is on the old home place in Prince Edward Island. Angus P. Praught came to Minnesota at the age of twenty-one years. After working in the woods some eight years he came to Silver Creek township and ])urchased 40 acres in section 31. This lie has increased until he now owns 240 acres of highly improved land, on which he conducts general farming on an extensive scale. He is a Democrat, and the family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Praught was married June 14, 1876, to Sarah Walker, born in Chemung county. New York, daughter of Thomas and Marian Walker, natives of Ireland, who in the early fifties settled in Rockford township, this county, where both ended their days. In their famly there were six children : John, of Minneapolis; William (deceased); Sarah, wife of Angus P.

Fraught ; Thomas, of Minneapolis ; Mary ; and James, who died in infancy. Mrs. Fraught taught school in Wright county seven years before her marriage. Mr. and Mr.s. Fraught have ten children: Donald J., born July 1, 1877; Raymond, born December 9, 1879; Marian C, born July 12, 1881, wife of John Talbot, of Hennepin county; Frank J., born ilarch 11, 1883; Mark E., born April 2, 1885; James H., born April 21, 1887; Amelia J., born April 27, 1889; William, born March 21, 1891; Victor A., born March 23, 1893; and Bertha D., born July 4, 1895. Raymond Fraught married Clara Bean, and by this union there are two children: Clarence Harold, born August 1, 1908; and Francis Joseph, born May 13, 1910.

Conrad N. Nellis, farmer, Otsego township, was boru October 1, 1881, son of John and Margaret (Stenglein) Nellis, natives of Germany, who came to America in the early sixties and located in Hennepin county, this state. In the family there were twelve children. Conrad A. Nellis left home at the age of fifteen, and supported himself doing railroad work summers while he went to school winters. In this way he passed through the high school and the State Normal School. Later he took courses in the Minnesota School of Business at Minneapolis. Thus equipped, he took a position as a bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house. Some two and a half years later he took a similar position with a dry goods house for some two years. Then for four years he farmed near Anoka. In 1908 he came to Wright county and purchased 80 acres in section 20, Otsego township. Here he devotes his time largely to berry culture and stock raising, making a specialty of full-blooded Holstein cattle. He is a Democrat in polities, and belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the St. Joseph Society, and the American Federation of Musicians. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Nellis have had five children : Hazel, born March 13, 1904; Louis, born April 12, 1906; Grace, born July 23, 1908; Verna, born August 29, 1910; and Leo, born March 20, 1912.

Jerry Bouley, farmer, Otsego township, was born in Hennepin county June 14, 1870, son of Tales and Clementine Bouley, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Quebec, Canada. In 1876 they came to Wright county and located in Otsego township. The mother died in May, 1910. The father is on a claim at Wilston, N. D. In the family there were eleven children : Jerry; Laura (deceased) ; Clara (deceased) ; George and Edward (twins), who died in infancy; Feter, of Dayton; George, of Virginia, Minn. ; Joseph, of Dayton ; Vina, wife of C. Haley, of Dayton ; Leo, of Virginia, Minn., and a girl who died in infancy. Jerry Bouley was reared to agricultural pursuits. Even as a small boy he did a man's work on the farm and rafted logs on the river. At the age of sixteen he started work for a boom company on the river, and was thus employed for thirteen seasons. Later lie purchased ten acres of land. At various times he has added tracts of twenty-five, eighty and forty acres, all in section .36, Otsego township, and he now has a well-improved farm with a sightly home and good barns. He successfully carries on general farming, aiid occupies an enviable place in the community. He is a Democrat in politics, and is now serving the township as supervisoi*. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. By his first wife Mr. Bouley had five children: J. A., of International Falls, Minn. ; Olive, of Dayton ; Clara, wife of Victor Blanchett, of Otsego ; and Frank and Albert, at home. For his second wife, Mr. Bouley married Mary Rabsheand, and they have one child, Obeline. A daugliter, unnamed, and Elmer, Leona and Arnold died in infancy.

John 0. Braun, stock raiser and farmer, Otsego township, was born in Germany, February 8, 1857, son of John A. and Margareta (Neu) Braun, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1879, and located in Glencoe, Minn., where the father died and where the mother still makes her home. In the family there were eight children: Mary, wife of Peter Rech, of Gleucoe ; John 0.; Matthew (deceased) ; Margaret (deceased) ; Michael (deceased) ; Jacob, of Glencoe ; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Seifert, of Glencoe ; and Peter, also of Glencoe. John O. Braun remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. After his marriage, he was assisted by his father in buying eighty acres. After operating this farm eighteen years he purchased 222 acres in section 32, Otsego township, and section 5, Frankfort township. He has a fine farm, an excellent line of improvements, and a full equipment of tools and machinery. His specialty is the raising of pure-blooded stock of the Holsteiu breed. Mr. Braun has been treasurer of the school board of his district for ten years. He belongs to the German Catholic Benevolent Society, and the family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Braun married Mary Agnes Donnay, born in Holland, October 24, 1861, daughter of Ileury and Cecelia (Kolen) Donnay. Mr. and Mrs. Braun have had ten children : John A., of Frankfort township, this county; Margaret (deceased); Henry (at home); William, of Anoka county; Michael (deceased) ; Peter (deceased) ; Matilda, wife of Homer Gimau, of Anoka county; Cecelia, Catherine and Fritz, at home.

Nathaniel Mooers, pioneer, was born in Candia, N. H., January 26, 1816, and was married October 2, 1844, at Buftalo, N. Y., to Maria A^an Evra, a native of Montgomery county, New York. In early manliood lie was a stone cutter, but ill health compelled him to give up that trade. At the time of his marriage he operated two passenger packets between Albany and Buffalo on the Erie canal. He carried the governor of the state of New York from Buffalo to Albany, 365 miles, iu twenty hours and had a congratulatory letter from the governor on the occasion, as it was at the time the quickest trip made over the length of the canal, with horses as the motive power. The trip was made in the summer of 1843. He afterward engaged in the meat business and in farming. It was in 1855 that he came to Llinnesota, and after reaching Wright coxuity, staked out a claim on what afterward became known as Mooers' Prairie, near what is now Cokato. He then returned to New York state. In 1856 he again came to Minnesota, and located for a year at St. Anthony, a part of what is now Minneapolis. In 1857 he took up his residence on his claim in Wriglit county. He erected a log cabin, cleared and broke the laud, and there made his home until the Indian outbreak of 1862, when he took his family to Rockford village and rented a farm in the township of Rockford. In 1866 he purchased a farm over the line in Hennepin county, where he died February 24, 1874. After his death his wife remained on the farm about three years. Then she sold out and moved to Rockford village. She died at Monango, Dickie county. North Dakota, September 7, 1897.

Calvin Mooers, Sr., retired, now living at 305 Fifteenth avenue. North, Minneapolis, was born in the village of Root, Montgomery county. New York, July 7, 1845, son of Nathaniel and Maria (Van Evra) Mooers. He received his education in the state of his birth, and in 1857 was brought to St. Anthony in this state. A year later he came to Wright county with his parents, and assisted them in developing their claim near Cokato. On this farm he remained a year after the family went to Rockford. July 27, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Co. B, Hatch's Independent Cavalry, and served three years on the frontier against the Indians. June 10, 1866, he was mustered out with the rank of sergeant, and joined his parents in Hennepin county, where, in the meantime, they had moved. It was in 1872 that he became associated with the St. Paul & Pacific Elevator Company. As agent for this concern he was one year at Howard Lake, three years at St. Joseph, and two and a half years at Cokato, near which he had spent the days of his youth, and where he had known the rigors of pioneer endeavor. After leaving the employ of the elevator company, he erected an elevator of his own at Howard Lake, and engaged in business for himself as grain buyer and dealer in lime, lumber and building material. After three years he sold out to the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Company, went to Minneapolis, and associated himself with the Northwestern Elevator Company, owning a chain of elevators along several lines of railroad. With this company he worked in Minneapolis a year, and then for three years acted as traveling superintendent. Then he engaged in farming at Crary, N. D.

Still later he erected and conducted elevators at Crary, Grand Forks, Hamilton and Neehe, all in North Dakota. In time he disposed of these, but still continued farming. In 1897 he returned to Wright county and purchased the creamery at Rockford. After conducting this for three years he sold out to the farmers. Then he moved to Monticello, where, after conducting a creamery two j^ears, he retired. In August, 1914, he rented his property at Monticello, and moved to his present residence in Minneapolis. Mr. Mooers has been a prominent man in all the places in which he has resided. In Monticello he was justice of the peace. At Crary, N. D., he was justice of the peace and town clerk. While on the farm at Crary he superintended the building of the School for the Deaf, situated at Devil's Lake, N. D., and under appointment by Gov. Eli C. D. Shortridge, served four years as one of its trustees. He is now a member of Chase Post, No. 22, G. A. R., Minneapolis; he and his wife are members of the Territorial Pioneers' Association, and his wife is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. He has also been connected with the Masonic fraternity forty-one years. Both himself and wife have been members of the Order of the Eastern Star for nearly twenty years. Mr. Mooers was first married, May 1, 1868, to Elvira V. Ferrell and to this union were born four children : Reginald Grant, born May 24, 1869, is now a traveling salesman living in Chicago. Elsie Maria, born September 16, 1870, is now wife of Albert M. Powell, a real estate and insurance agent of Devil's Lake, N. D. Charles Everett, born Jul}' 3, 1872, is now a physician at Seattle, Wash. ; George William, who was born February 27, 1874, and died June 21, 1913, at Devil's Lake, N. D. He was a bonanza farmer and in the real estate, loans and insurance business. At his death he was president of the Board of Education and head of the Order of United Workmen of North Dakota and the district comprising two other states in the northwest. Mrs. Elvira V. (Ferrell) Mooers died March 10, 1874. Mr. Mooers was married May 1, 1877, to Mary Jane Northrup, born in Granville, Washington county. New York, March 17, 1847. By this union there were born five children: Alida Elvira, born September 2, 1880, is the wife of William J. Drew, of Hasty, Minn. Calvin, Jr., born February 11, 1883, is manager of the Mooers Butter Company, located at 1.507 Washington avenue, North, Minneapolis. Florin Jefferson, born IMarch 29, 1885, is butter maker for the Mooers Butter Company. Frank Burt, born August 12, 1887, is salesman for the same concern. Martha Elizabeth, born August 8, 1892, is secretary and treasurer of the company. Collectively they form the Mooers Butter Company.

in Hennepin county, for about a year and a half. Later they came to Wright county and located in Rockford township, where they became prominent and successful citizens. Mr. Northrop died January 24, 1883, and Mrs. Northrop March 25, 1899. In the Northrop family there were six children : Mary Jane and Martha Jane were born at Granville, N. Y., ilarch 18, 1847. Mary Jane is the wife of Calvin Mooers, Sr., of Minneapolis, and Martha Jane died in May, 1914. John Henry was born October 15, 1850, and is now in Utah. George C. was born January 24, 1853, and died August 18, 1911. Frank Burt was born July 14, 1861, and died May 12, 1884. Sidney A. was born May 16, 1870, and died August 31, 1870.

William J. Dixon, a well-to-do and influential farmer of Rockford township, where he owns a large tract of land, was born in Frankfort township. May 28, 1868, son of James Dixon, the pioneer. He was educated in the district schools and has devoted his life to farming, starting out for himself at the age of twentyone. In 1889 he and his brother, Thomas Dixon, started farming on a tract of 2911/2 acres in Rockford township. Both Avere good farmers and good managers, willing to toil early and late, and by judicious purchases they were enabled to increase their tract to about 700 acres, beautifully situated on the banks of Dean lake. In 1912 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent and the land divided, but it is still operated practically as one farm. Good crops and a high grade of live stock are raised. William J. Dixon has been unusually active in township affairs, and has won much credit for the efificient manner in which he has served the neighborhood. He was on the first board of the Buffalo Co-Operative Creamery, and is now its president. He is one of the directors of the Farmers' Co-Operative Store at Buffalo. For nine years he has been a supervisor of Rockford township, and for a long period he has been a member of the school board. His home is a modern brick building, and his barns and other buildings are of the best. He is a useful citizen, and is highly esteemed throughout the county. His success has been merited, and in bringing his own place to so high a degree of perfection he has also assisted in the general development of the county. In addition to the tract of 400 acres which constitutes his home farm, he is the owner of a tract of eighty acres on section 14. William J. Dixon married Anna Leerssen, daughter of George Leerssen, and they have seven children : Sarah, Ethel, Julius, Barbara, George, Edith and Arthur. All are being given an excellent education, and the oldest daughter is attending Hamline University.

Rollin 0. Crawford, a substantial and respected citizen of Rockford township, was born in Orleans county, New York, September 7, 1844, son of Oshea and Marietta (Standish) Crawford.

Oshea Crawford was a Free Will Baptist clergyman. From New York he came west to Ohio, and there died at the age of thirtytwo. His wife was a descendant of the Massachusetts Standishes. In the family there were five children, Hiram, Oscar, RoUin 0., Oshea, Jr., and Viola. After the death of the father, the noble mother, desiring to secure a homestead for her children, came to Wright county in 1857, and located on eighty acres in Rockford township, purchasing the claim rights of a Mr. Hamilton. She moved with her small children into the log cabin which stood on the place, and started to rear her family in the wilderness. Times were hard and provisions were few, and her strength and I'esources were taxed to the utmost. For a time her brother, Florentine Standish, was with her, but he was soon called away and she was left alone with the children. She farmed with the aid of a yoke of yearling steei-s and two cows, and got in what crops she could. Fortunately, when times were the worst, the ginseng buyers came into the county, and the family were enabled to gather ginseng and raise a little ready cash. Later the mother married Alby Bucklin, a native of Michigan, and moved onto his farm, leaving the homestead to Rollin 0. She died in Rockford, February 1, 1913, at the age of ninety-two years. She has been a faithful mother and a true woman, and held the respect and esteem of all who knew her. Rollin 0. Crawford came west with the rest of the family, and has lived on the same place since 1857. When the war broke out three of the sons enlisted. Hiram went into Co. H, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and died at Louisville, Ky., as the result of illness contracted in the army. Oshea, Jr., enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. Rollin 0. went into Co. H, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and eleven months. He was captured at Murfreesboro, was imprisoned about two months, was parolled, went to the Northwest against the Indians, and was later again sent South. At the Battle of Fitz Hugh Woods, Arkansas, he was wounded in the arm. After the war he returned home and resumed work on the home place. He has been very successful, has increased the original acreage until he now owns 157 acres of good land, and has erected comfortable and substantial buildings. In spite of his years he is hale and hearty, a vigorous, energetic and popular citizen. While he has carried on general farming and raised diversified crops, he has in recent years made a specialty of thoroughbred Jersey stock. As a friend of education he has served on the school board for many years. He has always stood for the best things in the community, and no one is more highly regarded than he. Mr. Crawford was married February 22, 1868, to Maria Swartout, born in Saratoga county, New York, July 11, 1846, daughter of Kramer and Charlotte (Birch) Swartout. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have ten children :

Lottie, RoUie H., Lavina, Alonzo, Howard, Robert, Estlier, Viola, Richard aud an iinnained infant (deceased). Kramer Swartout brought his family from Saratoga county, New York, the place of his nativity, and settled in St. Paul in 1856, moving to section 18, Rockford township, in 1858. He was a true pioneer, helped to bring the wilderness under control, aud did his early farming with a pair of cows. After the Civil war broke out, he enlisted in Co. E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served against the Indians. He led a useful, busy life and was much respected.

Richard Crawford, a progressive farmer of Rockford township, was born on the family homestead in section 20, Rockford township, October 3, 1881, sou of Rollin O. Crawford, the pioneer. He attended the district school of his neighborhood, the village school at Montrose, and the St. Cloud State Normal School. He has a decided mechanical taste, and from his earliest boyhood has done more or less in the way of repairing machinery of various kinds. He has, however, devoted his life to farming. He has a tract of fiftj'-nine acres of good land, aud successfully carries on general farming and stock raising. He has built a modern house of cement blocks, aud has other sightly buildings. His fraternal associations are with the Modern Brotherhood of America, at Rockford. Mr. Crawford was married in 1906, to Lucretia Walker, daughter of Robert and Evelyn Walker, and they have five children, Wellington, Lawrence, May, Roberta and Rollin.

Robert W. Crawford, one of the young representative farmers of Wright county, was born on the old Rollin 0. Crawford homestead in Rockford township. He attended the rural schools of his neighborhood, and completed his studies at the Montrose school. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has always remained on the home farm, which he now owns and operates. He has served on the school board of his district and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Montrose. He was united in marriage December 25, 1906, to Bessie Thompson, and to them have been born a daughter, Eva May, born May 19, 1908.

James E. Darrow, after undergoing unusual experiences in the far Northwest, is now cultivating a Wright count.y farm, and is putting into its work the same amount of strength and energy which he formerly exercised in seeking gold in the mountains of Alaska and British Columbia. Mr. Darrow was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, August 11, 1875, son of George and Hattie (Collard) Darrow, who in 1876 brought him to Wright county and settled on section 19, Rockford township. He was reared in Rockford, and was educated in the district schools of Rockford, as well as in the public and commercial schools of Minneapolis. For four years he worked in the baggage room of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, at Minneapolis. Later he worked awhile at Seattle. There he heard many stories of the great wealth to be gained in Alaska. Accordingly he started out for the far Northwest, and before he came back to the States had worked in Alaska and in British Columbia. Later he was employed for six years with the Union Iron & Ship Building Works at San Francisco. But he still kept Wright county in his thoughts, and in 1909 he returned to Rockford township and purchased 105 acres of good ground. He and the brother, Guy, have purchased the old homestead of eighty acres. They raise good stock and Percheron horses and carry on general farming in a successful manner.

Kit Carson Crandall, a well known farmer of Rockford township, named after Christopher (Kit) Carson, the famous Indian fighter and guide to Charles C. Fremont, was born in a log house one mile south of Delano, March 28, 1862. He is the son of James D. Crandall and Frances L. Crandall, the pioneers. James D. Crandall was born near Jamestown, in western New York, in 1822. He was the son of Jenks Crandall, and is believed to be a lineal descendant of the emigrant, John Crandall, who with Roger Williams and three others settled Rhode Island, and were the founders of the Baptist Church in America. Francis L. (Steward) Crandall was born at Saybrooke, Ohio, in 1832, the daughter of Oliver Steward and Caroline Talcott. Her ancestors, like the Crandalls, came to New England with the colonists, and on her mother's side the line runs back to the Dean, Lawrence and Warren families. James Crandall came from New York state to Ohio, and was there married. In 1861, with his wife and three small children, George O., Clint and Henry, he started with a horse team from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Wright county, Minnesota. They stopped in Delano for a short time, and after looking about secured land in section 12, Rockford. On the top of a rise of land which has since been called Crandall "s hill, they erected a log cabin. From the door of this cabin, there was visible a beautiful stretch of valley, covered with heavy timber as far as the eye could reach. From the lawn of the modern house that now occupies the hill, the same country can still be seen. But the timber has been cut off, and the rich and picturesque valley now contains some of the best farms in the county. Like the other pioneers, the Crandall family started work clearing off the timber, breaking the land and getting in the seed. Acre by acre they wrested the rich land from the grip of the wilderness. During the Indian outbreak, they fled to Rockford village, but soon returned and again took up their work. Times were hard, provisions were sometimes scarce, no one in the county had much ready cash, all were on an equal, and all working together for the development of the communitJ^ James Crandall became a pi-ominent man, served on the town and school boards, and acted for some years as assessor. He died in 1896. His wife died a year earlier. George 0. Crandall, the eldest son, died in 1909. The three are buried in beautiful Evergreen cemetery at Rockford. Kit Carson Crandall was taken to the cabin on Crandall hill as an infant and was there reared. He attended .school in the neighborhood, and by working on the home place became proficient as a farmer. He also learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed for some years. After his marriage he went south, and followed his trade in Henry county, Missouri. Then he returned to the old homestead, where he now lives. He has a well-kept place, and is an estimable citizen in every respect. Mr. Crandall nmrried Lonie Reader, a native of Germany, and they have live children, Helen, Marguerite, Oliver, Leo and Forest.

Gottlieb Biegert, one of the progressive farmers of Rockford township, was born in Baden, Germany, July 16, 1860, son of George and Mary (Ilerster) Biegert. The mother died in Ger many in 1873, at the age of forty-two, leaving five children, Mary, Carrie, George, Gottlieb and Minnie. In 1882 the father brought the motherless family to America. They landed at New York City and came west to Charles City, Iowa, where they lived until the spring of 1883. Then they came to Rockford township, where the father purchased 100 acres of the old Dixon place, where he lived until the family was scattered. He died in 1898 at the age of seventy-three. Gottlieb Biegert lived the same kind of life as other boys of his jieriod and neighborhood, and at a suitable age entered the German army. He had just completed his service in the army when he came to America with the rest of the family. When the family reached Rockford he purchased 100 acres in Rockford township, where he has since resided. He has greatly improved the place, erected new buildings, bought a full equipment of tools and machinery, and become a modern farmer in every respect. In addition to the home farm, he owns sixty acres in the same township, where his son Robert lives. Mr. Biegert is a representative citizen, has done jury service several times, and has served as a member of the school boar'd of his district for some fourteen years. Mr. Biegert married Mary Kettenaker, daughter of Jacob Kettenaker, who came over on the same ship with the Biegerts. Mr. and Mrs. Biegert have four children: Charles, Robert, Emma (now Mrs. Peiper) and Susan.

Andrew Borngesser, one of the pioneers of Rockford township, was boi'ii in llesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 22, 1831, son of Valentine and Elizabeth Borngesser. There was also a daughter, Elizabeth, in the family. Valentine Borngesser died, and his widow married George Grevema. By this union there were born four children, Anna, Margaret, Christina and George. Andrew Borngesser was reared in his native land, attended the schools of his neighborhood and there grew to manhood. February 3, 1856, he married Anna, and on June 6, of the same year, arrived in New York city. From there they c^me to Milwaukee, Wis., and by September 1, 1856, he was in Wright county, his wife remaining in Milwaukee until fall. He had reached this county by coming by boat to St. Paul, and then walking the remainder of the distance. He located in the wild woods, on section 3, in range 24, Rockford township. Some twenty rods east of the present residence he erected a log cabin, and there they started housekeeping. The first crops were planted with a "grub" hoe, in the virgin sod. He secured two good cows soon after his arrival, but it was the second year before they were able to buy a yoke of oxen. For a vehicle they used a sled. To make corn bread they ground corn in the coffee-mill, and for coffee they used roasted barley, rye and wheat. Times were hard, provisions were scarce, difficulties were many. Fortunately the sale of ginseng brought the family a little ready cash, and the acreage of the crops increased from year to year. When news came of the Indian uprising, the whole family, consisting of Andrew Borngesser and liis three children, Andrew, Anna and Kate, walked to Minneapolis, where they found shelter until the danger was past. In religion, Mr. Borngesser adhered to the German Evangelical church, and he was one of those who assisted in building the church near St. Michael. His prosperity increased with the years, and it was not long before he became a leading citizen. His wife, Anna Ruppelius, who was born April 21, 1836, died in 1880. Their children were: Andrew (deceased), Anna (deceased), Kate (deceased), Christina, Fred, Elizabeth, Andrew E. and George (deceased). For his second wife he married Anna Marie Wettreau, a widow, who died June 11, 1913, at the age of eighty-two.

Andrew E. Borngesser, a wide-awake, active farmer of Rockford township, was born on the old homestead where he still resides, July 20, 1873, son of Andrew and Anna Borngesser, the pioneers. With the exception of two years in Minneapolis and one year in Hanover, he has spent his life on the home place. He attended the district schools, helped with the farm work, and led the life customary for boys of his age and time. Since taking charge of the place he has made many improvements, erected modern farm buildings and developed the land. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising good stock. He has been clerk of the school district No. 54 for the past three years. Mr. Borngesser was married May 28, 1896, to Elizabeth Roloff, daughter of Charles and Minnie (Berrans) Roloff, and they have one son, Edward. Three of their children, Nora, Walter and an unnamed infant, are dead. The family attend the Lutheran church at Hanover.

James M. Powkes And William Sleight

James Melville Powers, deceased, was born in Berlin, Ohio, May 8, 1836. lie attended the public schools there and received a good education. At the age of nineteen he came to Minnesota with his parents and located with them on a farm at Greenwood, Hennepin county, in 1855. He became interested in agriculture and in 1867 purchased a farm of 160 acres in Rockford townsliip, Wright county, of wild uncultivated land. He began clearing the land, grubbing up trees and breaking the soil. In time he built buildings anil developed this tract into a tine farm. In 1891 he sold the farm and retired to Minneapolis, but in 1907 he returned to Wright county and purchased the John Woo<lward liorae in Rockford village, where he made his honu^ duiing the summers for tliree years, until January 22, 1911, wlien he died at the home of his son in Winona, where lu' was visiting. Mrs. Powers still owns the home at Rockford, this place being originally the property of Mrs. Powers' maternal grandfather. Mr. Powers enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry at the first call by Lincoln. At the end of nine months he re-enlisted for three years in the Berdan Sharp Shooters and went south. After serving nearly three years he became sick with typhoid fever and was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Hennepin county. He was a member of the G. A. R. at Rockford and also a member of the Masons. Mr. Powers was married in 1865 to Lucinda Weston, who died in March, 1882, leaving three children : Lulu, now Mrs. Charles Walters, of St. Paul, who has three children, Margaret, Russell and Robert ; Nellie, now Mrs. Edward Darrow of Big Lake, Minn, who has two children, Earl and Lulu ; and Fletcher M. D., at Barrett, Minn., who married Belle Lewis and has three children, Pearl, Ruth and Esther. Mr. Powers married a second time, June 20, 1884, Mrs. Sarah (Sleight) Atwood, who siu-vives him. They had no children. Mrs. Sarah Powers was born at Belvidere, 111., December 18, 1852, and came with her parents, ilr. and Mrs. William Sleight, to Rockford township, Wright county, in 1856. Mr. William Sleight and his good wife Lydia (Woodard) Sleight came from Illinois in the territorial days and pre-empted a tract of 160 acres of wild land in Rockford township. They worked hard and prospered, and were nundjered among Wright county's most prominent citizens. Mr. Sleight farmed there until his death, December 7, 1884, having one of the finest fruit farms of the section. He was an ardent worker and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church and served as Sunday school superintendent for many years. He was one of the founders of the Wright County Agricultural Society and also of the Old Settlers' Association, in both of which societies he held the office of president for several years. Mrs. Sleight died May 26, 1889. There were five children: Mary, who was born at Belvidere, 111., 1850, and died at Minneapolis in 1869, being at the time of her death a student at the University of Minnesota ; Sarah and John, twins, Sarah becoming Mrs. James M. Powers, John conducting the farm in Rockford until his death, October 26, 1909, his wife, Laura (Workman) Sleight, surviving him with four children; Hettie, who died July 6, 1871 ; and William, a contractor and decorator of Crookston, who married Pearl Lawton, and has one child, William, Jr. The children of John Sleight are : Fred, a railroad man at Harvey, married to Esther Frederick ; and Lottie, Hettie and Lydia, living with their mother at Delano. Previous to her marriage with Mr. Powers, Mrs. Sarah Powers was married, in 1872, at Delano, Minn., to Isaac Atwood, who died December 22, 1881. By this marriage she had two children: Harry, now wire chief for the Northwestern Telephone Exchange at Austin, married to Delia Theil and having two children : Janet and Gilford ; and Nellie, now Mrs. Frank Gold, of 2004 James avenue, south, Minneapolis, having one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. Gold is connected with the Northwestern Knitting Company, of Minneapolis. Mrs. Powers is living with her daughter in Minneapolis, and is a member of the 0. E. S. and the W. R. C. at Rockford.

Nels Beng^son, a sturdy pioneer, was one of the men who, by undergoing all the hardships and privations of frontier life, won for him.self a position as one of the makers of the county, and left to his family a splendid heritage of honor. He was born in Sweden, October 6, 182.5, and died October 16, 1911. In 1851 he married Mary Larson, wlio was born October 26, 1826, and died May 3, 1913. In 1866, they set out for America, with their six children, Christine, Carrie, Bengt (deceased), Louis, Jlary and Nels August. The voyage was made on the sailing vessel "Superior,'' and occupied a period of four weeks. Upon landing, they made their way westward to Minnesota, and came as far as Big Lake, in Sherboiirne county, where the railroad ended. Then with friends they came with an ox team to Wright county. For a month tliey lived in Marysville township. About the first of August they filed on a claim of eighty acres in Rockford township, section 8. This was the only claim left in the neighborhood, and the last one to be taken. The tract was entirely covered with trees, and no roads led to the place. The first log cabin was erected with but three walls, the fourth side being left open for light and air. Later a log house with two windows and a door was erected. It stood about twenty rods south of the present home. For a time, having no money, Nels Bengtson worked about among the neighbors. He put in his first potatoes by planting tlu'in with a "grub" hoe among the stumps. Sometimes the flour was made by pounding grain between two stones. Sometimes he walked to Rockford and Minneapolis and brought a small sack of flour home on his back. In time he was enabled to purchase two calves, which he raised for oxen. In the course of time he had the eighty acres under cultivation, and added twenty more. A modern honse and barn also replaced the original log structure. Mr. Bengstrom held various offices and was a prominent member of the Lutheran church. In fact, he was the one who proposed the erection of a church of that denomination in this vicinity. Aside from the children brought here, there were two more in the fanuly, both born in the old log cabin, Frank and Elmira. Elmira died at the age of eight yeai's. Nels August was born May 1, 1865. Frank was born July 2, 1868. Both attended the district schools, and together they now operate the home farm. They are prosperous and successful men, and occupy a most admirable place in the community. Frank married Mary Marie Norene, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States and to Minnesota in 1898. She was the daughter of Peter and Anna Norene, both born in Sweden. Frank Bengstrom and his wife have three children : Victor, born March 10, 1903; Mabel, born May 20, 1901, and died February 24, 1902; and Mabel Victoria, born June 6, 1913.

William Sock, one of Wright county's early pioneers, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1827 and was one of seven sons of John and Rosalia Stein Sook. He came to New York in 1848 and in 1851 was united in marriage to Mary T. MuUins. They resided in New York state until 1857, when they came west to Rockford, in this county, and settled on a homestead, where he resided until his death in 1887. He was a man of sound integrity, honest and straightforward in his dealings with his fellowmen and loved and respected by his neighbors. Eight children were born, five of whom are living: George, Anna S., Ellen, Homer, Emma, Rosella died in infancy, and John N. and Joseph in maturity. Mrs. Mary T. Sook, whose maiden name was Mary T. Mullins, was born in Wexford, Ireland, April 30, 1829. At the age of sixteen years she came to Canada with a married sister, who was then living in Quebec, Canada, and later came to New York to visit another married sister. In 1851 she was united in marriage to William Sook, then a resident of New York state. Mrs. Sook still resides on the homestead and, despite her advanced age, is quite hale and hearty and can tell many interesting stories of the early pioneer days.

John C. Swanson, an influential farmer residing in section 14, Rockford, has taken more than usual interest in the development of the township and county. He was the first man in the township to raise full-blooded swine, and the first to bring here a corn binder, hay loader, and side-delivery rake. He thoroughly believes in the development of the rural districts of the state, and is an earnest advocate of scientific farming, pure breeds of stock, and the use of the latest approved machinery. John C. Swanson was born in the southern part of Sweden, October 5, 1864, son of Sven and Elsie (Nelson) Johnson. Elsie Nelson Johnson was born April 8, 1836, and died in 1891. Sven Johnson was born September 21, 1834, came to America, and died April, 1914, at Chicago. The children in the family were Planuah, Nels, John C, Nellie, Annie, Carl B. and Marie. John C. and his sistec Nellie came to the United States in 1886. After a year in Tampico, 111., Mr. Swanson came to Wright county. For two years he worked on farms, and then for four seasons did carpenter work in Minneapolis. After his marriage, he rented land in Wright county. Later he bought eighty acres in Rockford township. Only fifteen acres of this had at that time been cleared. He cleared up the land, erected a farm residence, a barn 34 by 86, and other buildings, and made many improvements. He now farms a tract of 160 acres, and is making the most of every acre. He raises Red Poll cattle, Poland China swine and Percherou and Belgian horses. He is a member of the school board of his district, and assists in every movement which has for its object the betterment of the community. In addition to his Wright county property he owns 160 acres near Duluth. Mr. Swanson married Anna Sook, a native of Wright county, a daughter of William Sook, the pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have had eight children : Nellie Ruth, Rosella, John Howard, Elsie Luella, Maurice M., Mary Theresa, William Harold (deceased) and Edith (deceased). All the children are receiving a splendid education. The oldest is a student at Carleton College, at Northfield, Minn. The family worship at the Presbyterian church.