Alden City

Chapter Lv

This lies in the western tier ot Freeborn county's towns, and is separated from Iowa by one town. Its contiguous stirronndings are, Carlston on the north; Pickerel Lake on the east; Mansfield on the south, and Faribault county on the webt. It is constituted as originally surveyed by the United States officers, of thirty-six square miles, and contains 23,040 acres, of which the greater portion is under a high state of cultivation, being one of the richest farming towns in this part of the State, and containing as much real value.

It is a prairie town, containing little if any timber of any kind within its borders. In the central and southeastern part we find some marsh land, but this is all valuable, if not for tillage purposes, for hay and grazing, while it is all most valuable meadow land. The farmers are so advanced in their modes and procedures of agriculture that those lands, formerly too wet for raising grain, has, by the use of drains and ditches, all been brought under the plow, and is now among the best of farming laud. There are but few streams in the town, and no lakes.

The soil, as a rule, and in fact almost throughout the entire town, is a rich dark loam, of from three to tour feet deep, which is underlaid with a subsoil of clay. It is very rich and well adapted to the crops of this latitude, such as wheat, corn, oats, barley, and all cereals. The abundant growth ot indigneous grasses which covers the broad expanse of prairie, makes stock raising not only an inexpensive but very profitable business, and already many of the farmers are turning their attention from grain, and making stock their principal industry. The creameries, which are spring ing into existence all through this part of the State, serve to encourage and make this change more universal. It has already been demonstrated, as an article published elsewhere will show, that the hopes and expectations of those who thus change from grain to stock are not unfounded; but that there is a great deal more money made with less risk of capital, and one-half the work in taking care of stock, (ban is required to raise grain at customary price?.

The early development of this sub-division of Freeborn county commenced a little later than the average of towns in this part of Minnesota, but the changes wrought have been equal to any and surpassed by none; for, we find the township, by a glance at the statistical returns, as productive and rich, agriculturally, as the best.

As to who the first settlers were, there is some dispute here, and the means are not easy of access with which to prove any of the statements. A short sketch, purporting to be the history of the township, was published in 1877, which we herewith present. It is as follows :

"John Hauek entered this town in the spring of 1858, and is supposed to have been the first settler. He also erected the first house in the summer of that year. John Tirrel was the first merchant, and commenced business in the winter of 1869-70. Mr. Miller, a blacksmith, was the first mechanic; M. W. Green, the first lawyer, and a Mr. Barber, the first doctor. The first school was taught in the Russell district, but when, or by whom, I have been unable to ascertain. The first religious service is said to have been held at the house of William Humes, but authorities differ regarding the officiating clergyman; the conflict laying between Rev. D. P. Curtis and Rev. A. P. Wolcott. The first schoolhouse was erected in

1867, and in the same year the Free Will Baptists effected tlie first church organization. A. G. Hall served as Chairman of the first board of Supervisors, and E. P. Clark acted as Clerk."

The above, it is said, was gathered by correspondence, and as stated, errors are liable to creep in, so we do not vouch for it, but give it just as received by us through the newspapers.

It is pretty certain that the first farm settled upon in the town was in section two, by Walter Scott Russell, in the spring of 1858. HewasTi young man, coming from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen, and the same summer broke three acres of land and "erected" a dug-out in the side of a hill, in which he took up his abode. In a short time he returned to Wisconsin for his father and family, whom he had left there, and brought them back with him. He remained upon his second trip only a short time, when he sold his claim and removed to parts unknown.

John Hauek (or Houck | was the next arrival, making his appearance in the summer of the same year, and taking a farm in the northern part of the township, in section one, where, it is said, he erected the first house, and opened a farm. He remained a few years and then removed, his whereabouts at present being a mystery, to us at least. Mr. A. G. Hall purchased and still owns the farm.

With this the settlement of the town remained rather quiescent for a time, and the next pioneer to make a claim was James Rundel, in October, 1860, in section two, but we cannot find where he came from, as he died not long after his arrival. The place he took is now owned by a Mr. Dunning, of Chicago, 111.

Elisha Davis came by team from Wisconsin, and arrived here in 1862, building a sod house on the claim which he selected in section five. He remained here until the year 1877, when he sold out and went to Valley county, Nebraska.

Joseph W. Harrington, a native of lUinois, came to Alden in 186.3, and in the spring of that year took a homestead in section twelve, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to the village and remained there until the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. He was among the prominent men of this locality.

Moses Cheesebrough, late of Wisconsin, made his appearance in this township in the fall of 1864. He came with teams, driving several head of stock, and went to the big woods, thirty miles away, to get lumber with which to erect a frame dwelling. He remained on the homestead, which he took in section seven, for a number of years, but finally went to Nebraska.

William B. Humes came to Minnesota in 1864, locating first in Pleasant Grove, where he remained for five years; then came to Alden to^vn8hip and homesteaded a place in section one. He was the first Justice of the Peace elected in the township.

James Whitehead was another arrival in 1864, coming from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen and locating in section three, whore, m the spring of that year he erected a sod habitation. He remained until 1866, when he left the county.

George W. Sanders also came in the sjjring of 1864, from Wisconsin, with a team of horses, and settling in section nine erected a house of two logs and a pile of sod. He remained here for about seventeen years, when he removed to other fields.

A. G. Hall arrived in 1865, in the spring, coming from McGregor, Iowa, to Alden, with horse teams, and being twenty -four days on the road. Shortly after his arrival he bought out the claim of John Houck, in section one, where he remained until the village of Alden was projected, and then went to that jjlaoe and erected the first building there. He was the first chairman of Suj)(Tvisors of the to\\-n, and is now a prominent man in publie affairs.

In 1865, the Rev. O. P. Hull made his arrival from Wisconsin, and secured a home in sections eight and seventeen, where he erected a house and barn and remained a number of years, then returned to Wisconsin, where he lived until within a few years, when the grim messenger of death called him hence.

Russell Maxson, a native of New York, who had for a time been stopping in Wisconsin, came in about 1863, and secured a claim, which he held for several years, when he left.

Til earlier days the township of Alden was connected with adjoining townships for local governmental purposes, and therefore, as a separate organization, its era does not commence until late in the sixties.

came to order by the selection o£ A. G. Hall, chairman, and proceeded to business. It was then resolved, by unanimous consent, that $100 be raised by tax to defray town expenses for the ensuing year. It was also resolved that the sum of $30 be appropriated for the purpose of building a pound, and George W. Sanders was elected poundmaster.

Balloting for town officers came next in the program, and the following officers were declared elected: Supervisors, Albert G. Hall, Chairman, Nathan L. Bassett, and Washington Sanders; Clerk, Edwin P. Clark; Assessor, Russell Maxson; Treasurer, Charles H. Clark ; Justices of the Peace, Elisha R. Davis and William B. Humes; Constables, Ebenezer Brown and Henry S. Davis. The number of votes cast was twenty-two.

The official business of the township has been conducted in a frugal and business-like manner, with no jars to disturb the usual tranquility of snch matters, and uo useless waste or expenditure of public funds. The officers elected and serving _in 1882 are as follows: Supervisors, Thomas Dunn, chairman, S. S. Skiff, and A. H. Stevens; Clerk, J. T. Johnson; Assessor, J. W. Peck; Treasurer, T. W.Wilson; Justices of the Peace, H. Babbitt and A. G. Hall; Constables, O. M. Woodruff and W. A. Hart.

Statistical

We have here grouped together, from various sources, a complete crop cultivation and production report of Alden, together with various other items that will be of interest and value to those who wish to know the extent to which the rich and productive soil of the prairies is utilized; and while it will be undoubtedly dry to those who are reading for pastime rather than information, we hope it will interest a majority sufficient to repay us for the labor incident to collecting such matter.

For the tear 1882. - It being at this writing too early to get returns as to the amount of productions, we are only able to give the acreage for 1882, with other information, as follows:

Population. - The census taken in 1870 gives the township a population of 381. At the last census, taken in 1880, the village of Alden is reported as having a population of 235, and the town 475; total 710.

Post-Offices

The first Post-office established in the township was called Buckeye. It was originally in the township of Manchester, with James E. Smith as Postmaster, and named in honor of the pet cognomen of the native State of the Postmaster, at whose house, in section thirty, in Manchester, the office was kept. In 1860, S. B. Smith was appointed Postmaster, and the mail came by way of the Maukato and Otronto, Iowa, route, under the supervision of A. L. Davis, who carried the mail by team. In 1866, the office was removed from Manchester to Alden towushij], and A. G. Hall was made mail handler. In 1870 the office was

In 1867 Ahlen Post-ofiice was established with E. P. Clark as Postmaster, and office upon his farm. When the village of Alden commenced building up it was removed to that point, and in 1870, A. G. Hall, who had removed from his farm to the village, was ajjpoiuted to handle the mails, and continued in this capacity for about four years, when L. S. Crandall was commissioned and held it until 1877, when L. T. Walkrr received the appointment and is still the incumbent, with the office at -'Walker's Store."

DisTBicT No. 40. - Effected an organization in 1867, and in 1868 erected a schoolhouse in the southeastern corner of section ten. The first officers were : William Townsend, Clerk ; George Larman, Treasurer; and Harrington Austin, Director. The first school was taught by Miss Maxson, for $15 per month, and boarding "round," with eleven scholars present. The last term of school was taught by Miss Lena Patrick, with about twentythree scholars to answer the roll call; her compensation was $2.5 per month, and board, the latter to be received among the scholars" parents.

District No. 70. - A meeting was held on the 28th of March, 1865, at the house of O. T. Hull, at which the organization of the district was effected by the election of the following officers: Director, N. L. Bassett; Treasurer, O. T. Hull; Clerk, E. F. Clark. The first school in the neighborhood was taught at the house of Mr. Kuasell Maxson in the fall of 1868, by Ada Bassett, with nine scholars present. The first instruction given in the schoolhouse was by Angelia Langdon, in the spring of 1869, with eighteen scholars present, and for SI 2 per month. The house was erected in the winter of 1868-69, size 18x26, at a cost of 8600, in the northwest corner of section seventeen. The last term of school was taught by Isabella Bickford; attendance, twenty-three pupils.

District No. 80. - Embraces as its territory the northeastern part of Alden, and extends over the town line into Carlaton. The first and organizing meeting was held at the residence of Ira Russell, on the 24th of August, 1866, and the following were the first officers elected: Director, Ira Rusgell; Treasurer, William B. Humes; Clerk, James

H. Whitehead. In 1869 their schoolhouse was erected at a cost of S600, in the northeastern corner of section two, being a neat frame building, 16x24, with patent seats. The first school in this house was taught by E. J. Russell, with nine scholars present; the last was taught by Emma Allen to an enrollment of twenty-three pupils, for $25 per month.

District No. 81. - The first meeting was held at the house of S. T. Brown, on the 26th of March, 1869, at which the district was organized and the following officers elected: A. H. Stevens. Director; I. A. Blackman, Clerk; F. F. Blackman, Treasurer. The sum of .|400 was voted for the purjjose of constructing a schoolhouse, and the following summer it was erected at a cost of .$500, size 22x28 feet, in the Bouthweatern part of section twentyseven, being etjuipped with patent seats and all necessary apparatus. The first school was taught in a sod hou.'<e in section twenty seven, in the summer of 1869, by Olivia Burdick, and after this there were three terms taught in the same primitive structure.

Di.sTKicT No. 89. - Embraces the territory in the southeastern part of the town, with its schoolhouse in the southwestern part of section twenty - five. The district effected an organization at a meeting held at the residence of H. Babbitt, in the winter of 1869-70. In the following spring a house was erected, size 16x20 feet, in which Dette Stillman taught the first term of school as soon as completed, to an attendance of twelve pupils, for .fl2 per month. In 1874, the school structure now in use was built, at a cost of S250. The last term was taught by Chester Maywood, for $2'd per month, and an average attendance of twentythree juveniles.

DiSTiuf'T No. 93. - This district embraces the territory known as the Alden District, with a schoolhouse in the village of Alden. The schoolhouse was ei'ected in the summer of 1875, size 20x40 feet, two stories high, with two rooms, and cost about $2,300. The first school was taught by George Miller in 1876, for .$45 per month, with fifty-seven scholars in attendance. The last term was taught by L. W. Bassett, with forty-one scholars present, and the teacher received !t!50 per month as compensation for his services.

Village Of Alden

is located in the northern part of the town whose name it bears, on the southern Minnesota branch of the C, M. & St. Paul railroad, about ten miles from Albert Lea, the county seat, and is surrounded by the most valuable farming land in the county. A small body of water covering about five acres of laud lies adjoining the town, but there is no stream or, in fact, any water, near the village, as the water mentioned is merely a pond.

Early Settlement. - In this line the village has not a history like the other villages in the county; no fighting or jobbery for the county seat; nor any squabbling for railway connection with the outer world, as it came into existence after the railroad had passed through.

It was laid out and platted by William Blorin and H. W. Holley; the former of Albert Lea and the latter of Winnebago City. After a short time Mr. Moriu purchased the interest of Mr. Holley, and still retains the greater part of the property. The firist business of any kind opened on the village site was the Post-office, which A. G. Hall moved from his place in section one. This was only continued for a short time, while the Post-master was waiting for his resignation to be acted upon by the department.

The first actual business establishment was started about the time of the arrival of the railroad, in 1869, by a Mr. Terrill, who opened a stock of general merchandise, together with hot drinks, beer, etc. He shortly after took into partnership J. H. Sherwood, who, in a few mouths, purchased the entire establishment, and continued it until he failed, about two years later.

Next came the business house of George Whitman. Holley & Morin erected a store building, which was rented to Mr. Whitman, and he moved a stock of general merchandise in the building and placed the same in charge of Joseph Green and Victor Gilrup. This store was finally moved to Delavau and succumbed to financial difficulties. Dell Miller fell into the line of progress, and erecting a suitable shop, commenced blowing the bellows and hammering the anvil. He ran the shop for about a year, when he was called away to the eternal shore. The shop has been used for various purposes, but is now in use as a dwelling house.

Arthur Grigg came about the same time and opened a blacksmith shop, which he continued for some time, and finally it became the property of the present manipulator of the iron, N. S. Cromett.

Soon afterward, L. T. Walker and a Mr. Kenyon started a general merchandise store under the firm name of Walker & Co. Mr. Kenyon died a few years afterward, and Mr. Walker for a time was in partnership with a Mr. Paulson, under the same firm name; but, financial difficulties, in the hard times, involved the firm, and business was finally discontinued. It was, however, afterwards re-opened, and now carries a light stock, with the Post-office in connection.

About the time that the above establishment originated, A. G. Hall, who is mentioned as really having been the first resident of tlie village, erected a store building in connection with his dwelling house, and opened up a large stock of general merchandise, which he still continues, with a large and increasing trade. A few years after this establishment was started, Mr. Hall took into partnership with him, his son, and in this manner the firm continued until 1877, when the sad death of the young man occurred, and the father continues it alone.

Shortly afterward, H. N. Burnham purchased the old Whitman building and opened a general merchandise store, which he run for two years and then closed out. Later on Charles Pfefl'er started a store in the same building which he still continues.

H. B. Collins was the first lawayer in the village and about one year ago opened a general merchandise store, which he still continues with a good trade add heavy stock.

At an early day a man named E. D. Barber, calling him.self a doctor, located in the village and commenced "peddling pills." He remained less than a year, as he was very unpopular, and then left, locating at some point in the southwestern part of the State, where he again made himself odious by transporting an own brother, whom he insisted was crazy, to the Insane Asylum, and then charged an enormous bill for the labor of so doing. The bill was paid but gave him the reputation he deserves. His whereabouts at pres-

Alden Flouring Mill. - This enterprise originated in 187.i, having been erected that year by Wm Wilson. The building is 28x50 feet,a story and half high, containing four sets of burrs, which are driven by sufficient force, by steam power, to grind lifty-five barrels of flour per day. The mill is located near the lake and cost about S12,000. The present proprietor is William Wilson, Jr., son of the original owner.

Patrons of Husbandry. - This Grange was instituted on the 28th of March, 1873. The initial officers were : A. H. Stearns, M. O. ; F. Peck, Tr. ; E. H. Clark, Sec; Mrs. S. P. Dromer, Ch.; Mrs. A. W. Clark, G. K.; Mrs. J. A. Burdick, Ceres; Mrs. O. 8. Peck, Flora; Mrs. E. A. Hall, Pomona; Mrs. A. W. Clark, L. S.

Eli B. Claek is a native of New York, born on the 12th of April, 1818. He resided at home until the age of twenty-one years, then carried on a fanu for two years. In 1840, he married Miss Joan A. Strope and in the autumn of that year they went to Ohio, where Mr. Clark was engaged at the blacksmith trade. In 1848, he moved to Portage county, Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1849, was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court; resigned the follomng year and engaged in the mercantile business at Plover in the same county. In 1858, he sold out and was chosen under Sheriff. In the fall of 1860, he moved to Ohio and engaged in mercantile j>ursuits until 1864, when he returned to Portage county. Mr. Clark came to Canton, in Fillmore county, in 1865, and while there established a Post-office called Prosper; was appointed its first Postmaster and also dealt in real estate. He subsequently bought and conducted a hotel in Hokah, Houston county, until 1869. In the latter year his wife died. He then sold his hotel and was traveling salesman for three years. In 1872, he married a second time and then purchased a hotel in Freeborn. He also owns an interest in the coal and gypsum mines and is secretary of the company. He has three daughters; Rosaline, the eldest, married L. Rossiter, a Captain in the late war: the second married W. S. Prentiss, now a passenger conductor on the C. K. I. & P. railroad; the youngest married H. L. MaGee, now train master on the central branch of the Missouri Pacific railroad in Kansas.

Seymour F. Gary was born in Michigan in 1850. In 1860, he removed to Vernon, Waushara county, Wisconsin, and remained ten years. He then came to Manchester, in this county, staked out a claim in section nineteen but soon moved ; to Alden, erected a wagon shop on Main street, and is now of the firm of Gary Bros. He was married in 1875, the ceremony taking place on the 24th of June. His younger brother, Frank R., was born on the 21st of April, 1860, and learned the wheelwright trade in 1879. The older brother has run a thresher in this State for many years.

Henry B. Collins was born in New York, on the 30th of March, 1832, and grew to manhood on a farm, He finished his education at Milton College, and after leaving school taught during the winter seasons. In 1843, the family removed to Kock county, Wisconsin, where our subject continued to teach school. In 1854, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Almeda L. Main, and in 1859, removed to Garlston, Freeborn county, pre-empting land m sections twenty-two and twenty -seven, and buying in section twentyeight. He commenced the study of law; was admitted to the bar in 1862, and has followed the practice of his profession ever since. He has been -Justice of the Peace for eighteen years; Town Clerk twelve years, and District Attorney in 1864, '66, and '68. He is now located in Alden, has a law office and conducts a dry goods store, in which he formerly kept drugs. He is a Notary Public and collection agent; has two hundred acres of laud in this State and four hundred in Nebraska. He was appointed Chairman of the Congressional convention held at Rochester in July, 1882.

N. S. Cromett was born in Sebec, Maine, on the Ist of January, 1823, and when nineteen years old learned the blacksmith trade of .John J. Lovejoy, with whom he worked four years. He then purchased the stock, and conducted the business twenty-five years. He was joined in marriage in 1845, with Miss Emily F. Gliden, who has borne him three children. In March, 1865, he removed to Davis, and in a short tinie to Bangor where lie conducted a music store; remaining in his native State until 1866, when he came to Iowa, and engaged at his trade. In 1870, he came to this State, located on a homestead of three hundred acres in Mansfield township, where he was a member of the board of Supervisors during his residence there. After farming there five years, he removed to this place, engaged at his trade on Main street, and in 1875, purchased a house and lot on Washington street, and now has a large shop connected with his business. He also owns a farm of one hundred end sixty acres in section six, the greater part of which is improved. He has been Chairman of the board of Supervisors, and is at present a prominent member of the village council.

Mbs. Floretta Davis was born in New York in 1845. She moved with her father to Illinois, where the family resided seven years, and in 1862, came to Carlston, in this county. Mrs. Davis married her husband, Elmer E. Davis, in 1864, and moved to his farm in section six, Alden township. He came to Wisconsin in an early day, and moved from there to this place in 1863. He died in 1873, of consumption, leaving a family of four small children, the youngest of whom died soon after. Mr. Davis was a member of the Baj^tist Church, to which she also belongs.

W. S. FosT was born in Germany on the 12th of April, 1852, and learned the blacksmith trade when sixteen years old. In 1870, he emigrated to America, came directly to Albert Lea, and in a short time removed to Mansfield. After working at his trade in that place one year, he went to Winnebago City, engaged' in farming and the next fall removed to Wells, working in the railroad sho]:)S one year. He then was employed at his trade in difl'erent jjarts of the State until 1874, coming to this village in that year. He has a blacksmith shop on Main street. Miss Mary E. Jonky became his wife on the 18th of May, 1877, and they have three children.

Henry C. Fkielt is a native of Germany, born in 1841, and when sixteen years old emigrated to America. He came directly to Chicago, Illinois; was conductor on a street car until 1862, when he enlisted in the One hundred and thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being Orderly Sergeant two years, then was promoted to First Lieutenant; served till the close of the war and returned to Chicago. He clerked in the retail store of Field,

Leiter k Co. eight years, an 1 later took charge of Mandell Bros', dry goods store one year, at the end of which time he went into business for himself, selling out in 1875 and coming to Alden. In 1876, Mr. Friely removed to Albert Lea, where he clerked for C. M. Hewitt; afterward rented a farm near Pickerel Lake, which he conducted three years and returned to this place. He was married in 1879, to Miss Clara Bethker, and built his present house, in connection with which he has a billiard hall.

A. G. Halt, was born in Clinton county. New York, on the 16th of August, 1824, and made his home in that county until 1865, when he came to this place; locating in section one. He was marin his native State in 1849 to Miss Susan A. Goodsell, and they have three children. In the autumn of 1869 they removed to what is now the village of Alden, building the first house in that vicinity, and two years after, an addition to it, which he uses for store purposes, having a stock of dry goods and groceries on Main street. He was chairman of the board of Supervisors three successive terms, and kept the first Post-oiBce in town, known as the Buckeye Post-office.

John A. Hazle was born in Canada on the 22d of February, 1847. His father was a merchant tailor, and John remained at home until 1859, when he came to Michigan. He was Captain of a boat on the lake for some time, then learned tha carpenter trade and moved to Missouri, returning to Michgan in four years. He was married in 1873 to Miss Ella M. Wilbur, and the next year they came to Alden, Mr. Hazle purchasing the Alden House, a large hotel on the corner of Main and Broadway streets, near the depot. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors two years and is at present village marshal. He has a livery stable near his hotel.

William B. Humes wasborj in New Jersey, on the 25th of May, 1839, and while young removed witii his parents to Illinois, and to Minnesota in the fall of 1854. In 1862 he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged the next year for disability. In 1864 he was joined in marriage with Miss Rachel M. Harrington, a native of Illinois, and they have two children. On the 25th of May, 1864, he removed from Pleasant Grove, where they had first located, to Alden, and erected a log house 14x16 feet. The next spring he assisted in the organization of the town, and was appointoil first Town Treasurer; has been Justice o£ the Peace, auJ a member of the board of Supervisors one year. He has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section one, seventy acres of which is improved, and a three acre grove.

Rev. F. M. Kristensen is a native of Denmark, born on the 31st of March, 1846, and graduated from Yelling Seminary, having been a student there three years. After teaching school seven years he attended a high school two years, then, in 1877, came to America. He remained in Michigan two years, and on the 5th of June, 1879, was married to Jliss .T. Nelson. They removed to Iowa and in the fall he came to Alden, and he preaches for the Danish Lutherans here and in Carlston, having about fifty followers. Mr. and Mrs. Kristensen have two children.

Mks. Clarisa Norton, deceased, the wife of Nelson R. Norton, and mother of Charles, William, and Adrian Norton, of this county, a lady who Wiis universally beloved and respected. Her maiden name was Derling, and she was born in Woodstock, Vermont. She afterwards lived in Hampton, New York, and there was married, remaining six years. In 1833, they got west as far as Chicago, and remained there six years, and then located in Burlington, Racine county, Wisconsin. In 1872, came to Minnesota and located near Alden, where the remainder of her life of varied ex[)eriences was passed. She had been married fifty-four years and had nine children. She was a woman of many virtues. After an experience of seventy- three years in this world, on the 17th of September, 1881, she quietly passed to the other shore.

county, New York, on the 26th of September, 1849. He moved with his parents to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and in 1859, came to Minnesota, where he learned the carpenter trade, and for eleven years was engaged in farming and at his trade. In 1870, he removed to Wells, where he was engaged in a machine shop, thence to Minneapolis, returning, in a short time, to Albert Lea, and was employed at his trade and wagcmmaking. He next located in Alden, where he has a wagon and paint shop in the business portion of the village and also a jewelry store. He was married in 1870, to Miss .Tennie Comstock. They have two children.

GrsTAV A. St'HWAUDKK was born in Prussia in 1854. His father kept a hotel and conducted a farm, and when fourteen years old our subject learned the butcher business. In 187(1, he came to America and directly to Owatonna, Minnesota, where for sixteen months he was engaged in a meat market, then removed to Minneapolis and eight months later to Alden. In 1879, he opened a meat market and packing house on Broadway, and is doing an excellent business. He was joined in marriage on the 26th of May, 1879, with Miss Matilda Hammell.

John N. Wiesner is a native of (Termany, born on the 25th of July, 1854, and when fifteen years old emigrated to America. In 1869, he came to New Ulm, Minnesota, worked on a farm eight years, then came to Alden and opened a saloon on Main Street. In 1881, he left his business in charge of a clerk and was agent for the John Gund brewery company one year. He now has a billiard hall and is doing a prosperous business. He was married on the 7th of January, 1880, to Miss Barbara Hoffman.