Mound Prairie Township (part 3 of 3)

Gjermund Johnson was unquestionably the first Norwegian to enter the town, which he did in the summer of 1853, taking a claim on section sixteen, putting up a shanty and making some improvements, but be soon changed to sections seven and eighteen, where he now lives on a good farm. Ole Bye, who bought the claim as above related, afterwards, in 1856, moved to the east line of section thirty-three, where he resided until the time of his death. During the season of 1854, many permanent settlers located on Portland prairie. Among the more prominent Americans who came were C. F. Albee, Dr. Alexander Batchellor, John McNelly, Jeremiah Shumway, J. G. Cook, James and Duty Paines and others.

In the part of the town where the Norwegians reside, the early settlers were Halver Peterson, Knudt Severson, Knnd Olson, and Ole O. Hefte, besides several others.

The Americans came from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, arriving by the river, at Lansing, without having any specific knowledge of where they were going except "to Minnesota." The land office was located at Brownsville, and some of the party having examined the location, they all concluded not to look any further. This party bought out John Edger, and it is said that for a time' the cabin had sixteen inmates.

Settlers now begun to come in quite rapidly. Asa Sherman, it is claimed, built the first frame house on the prairie. He was afterwards, as it was supposed, drowned in the Mississippi. The house he built is the old one now on the Metcalf place.

George Shumway, R E. Shumway, John Albee, and Horace Arnold arrived together in 1855, and about the same time Arnold Stone, James Emerson, and Amos Lapham arrived. All these must be regarded as the first comers, and down to the spring of 1856, there were built about eight dwellings, and most of these were small and rude log cabins. Further arrivals of well known parties subsequently took place in about the following order: Cornelius Metcalf, jr.,in 1857; his father and family, William Cass and Leonard Albee, with their respective families, in 1858; H. W. Pease, from Maine, the same year; D. P. Temple in 1859; L. L. Lapham in 1860; E. C. Arnold in 1861; H. P. Kelly in 1862; C. F. Wright in 1863; and Amos Arnold and Joel S. Yeaton in 1864. Quite a number of others are remembered as transient residents, while many, arriving soon after, still remain.

The First Birth. - A few days after the arrival of Mr. Charles Kelley and his wife Margaret, in the fall of 1852, while they still lived in their wagon, the premonitions appearing, Mrs. Kelly was taken into the house or cabin of Mr. Edger, near by, where a son was born and his name called James, who is now a man nearly thirty years of age, and a resident of Northern Iowa, where he is in business in New Albin.

The Fibst Death. - Soon after Ole Bye bought bis place, his wife was taken sick and died in August, 1853, and was buried in Winneshiek county, Iowa.

The First Marriage. - The initial event of this character to vary the monotony of pioneer life, was the union of Ole A. Quarle and Sarah Everson, which was celebrated by the Rev. Mr. Carson, of Decorah, at the house of Gjermund Johnson, on section seven, in 1855. They lived in the town, raising a family of children, of whom four i are still living. Mr. Quarle died in 1877, and his widow still manages the farm.

Portland Prairie was the first part of the town settled, and as that lies partly in Wilmington, partly in Winnebago, and partly in Iowa, all making one neighborhood, little attempt will be made in a description of the locality, to regard the town or State line. The county records show that the ownership of the prairie farms, for a dozen years or so from the first settlement, frequently changed hands. The Germans and Scandinavians were appearing to take up the remaining vacant lands, or purchase of the Americans who desired to sell their improvements. Like most frontier places the first residences were not commodious, but comfortable log cabins, requiring little except a few days' hard labor to erect. Many families had to bear their inconveniences many years before the luxury of a frame house could be enjoyed. The farming at first was of a rude character, with appliances such as were in vogue before the era of machinery, and while there was an abiding faith in the ability of the soil to produce root crops, com and oats, there was many a dubious shake of the head when wheat was mentioned.

But like many ? mother question, practical experiment soon solved the problem in the affirmative, although most of the flour at first used came from outside of the county. Wheat, oats, and corn soon began to be established crops. The trouble of getting it ground, at first very serious, was in a few years rendered satisfatory by Messrs. Harney & Edward Bell, who built a log mill and set it to running in Dorchester.

The first reaper was a McCormick, which, although an improvement upon the sickle and the cradle, must be regarded as the progenitor of the present self-binder, developed by the law of selection and the survival of the fittest. It was introduced by Samuel Evans about the year 1857, and

At first there was absolutely no market for anything outside of the settlement, so the people devoted their time to making themselves comfortable, and to do this, what was regarded as a recreation, hunting and fishing, was a part of the employment. The amount of money in circulation, especially during the panic of 1857, would require but a few figures to represent.

There was a single heavy old time made rifle, brought here by Charles Albee, and this was brought into frequent requisition to kill deer at long range, which were found along the river bluffs. The prairie chickens also had a peculiar fascination for the New Englanders, while the enormous catfish of the Mississippi were a never ending source of astonishment, in comparison with the diminutive namesake in eastern waters. About the first marketing of wheat realized the munificent amount of thirty -eight cents a bushel, in Lansing ; which was also the nearest Post-office for some time.

In 1856, a mail route was established between Brownsville and Dorchester, and Dr. Batchellor was appointed Postmaster, and Con. Metcalf was deputy. John Cook was the next Postmaster, and during President Lincoln's administration R. E. Shumway was appointed.

The residents in the northern part of the town, as a rule, came by way of Brownsville, while those in the south generally came through Lansing or McGregor. There were then two settlements of Norwegians, those who were in the vicinity of Ole Bye, in the southern part, and those who rallied around Gjermund Johnson, in the northern portion of the township.

Another important settlement at an early day, as well as at present, is known as the American Settlement, the personnel of which has already been given. The predominating element is still American on what is called the prairie; there are a few of Irish extraction, but the rest of the town was settled by people from Norway.

Four years after the general settlement of the community the first schoolhouse was built. Before this time it was hardly required, as most of the settlers were young men whose children were not yet of a school age. The mail facilities were so slow and imperfect, that few newspapers were taken. Letters or papers mailed in the East were ten to fifteen days on the road, and news on reach- ing the settlement would be so old as to lose its quality as news, and the settlers had recourse each winter to the debating club, which met in the house of Dr. Batchellor, and afterwards in the schoolhouse, where the relative gratitude due by Americans to Columbus or Washington was most vehemently argued; with questions as to the beauties of nature and art, and whether capital punishment should be abolished. Thus the tedium of the long winter evenings was bridged over.

The war of 1861, of course created the usual excitement, and enlistments were the order of the hour. The names of those who enlisted from this town, as far as ascertained, will be found in the county history.

The Sioux massacre of 1862 caused the most alarming panic throughout the whole Northwest, extending to Lake Michigan. The roads were filled with panic stricken settlers fleeing from the imaginary tomahawk and scalping knife.

The people of Wilmington, like the rest, became thoroughly frightened, and while some remained on their farms, most of them started with their families and what few valuables they could carry, for Lansing. When near the southeastern part of the town, in the vicinity of Mr. 0. F. Albee' s farm, the American residents succeeded in halting the fugitives, and to assure them that there was no danger, C. F. Albee and A. Sherman started on horseback for Spring Grove, to learn whether the Indians were really there, as all comers reported, murdering the people and burning all before them. Everything having been reported as quiet asthe conventional Potomac, the people slowly went back to their recently forsaken homes, but as many of them had turned their cattle into the grain, the losses were quite heavy.

The Crops Raised. - In relation to the agricultural products, it may be said that after the first efforts to procure a subsistence, the farming gradually drifted into wheat as a staple crop to be raised for market,but for various reasons, which are underlaid by the pecuniary one, there has been another change going on,and corn is now extensively raised and transmuted into pork, which has for several years been bringing remunerative prices. There has been some hog cholera, as it is called, due to a di8remembranoe of the fact, that a hog is not exclusively a granivorous animal, but is omnivorous, feeding, in a natural state, on animal and vegetable food as well. So that a prevention of this dread disease oan be effected by feeding a variety of food until the animal is well grown, when corn can be used to complete the fattening, without danger of an attack from this fatal malady.

The town of Wilmington has many fine houses, barns, and out-buildings, and well cultivated farms scattered over the hills and valleys. The citizens are certainly entitled to credit for what has been done to produce homes for themselves and their families; for the amount of labor required in a new country to make the permanent improvements, in addition to the every day work and the annual crop-raising, is most enormous. And when we remember that the settlers in a new and untried country had to feel their way as to the crops that could be successfully raised, we can appreciate what has been accomplished by these sturdy pioneers.

The first town meeting was held on the 11th of May, 1858, in what was known as the Norwegian schoolhouse, the present district No. 58, located near the center of section twenty-eight. Mr. M. Glanville was chosen Moderator, and John G. Cook and Silas Perry, Clerks of election. The following officers were chosen : Supervisors, A. Batchellor, Chairman, Jeremiah Shumway,and Herman Peterson; Clerk, John Mo- Nelly; Assessor, Asley Swanson; Collector, G. Pope; Overseer of the Poor, C. F. Albee; Justices of the Peace, J. G. Cook and Silas C. Perry ; Constables, J. M. Paine and Peter O. Quarle.

At this meeting the town was subdivided into nine ward districts, with the following overseers: Mike McGinnis, G. Anderson, H. Peterson, G. Gilbertson, Knud Severson, Knud Anderson, Alex. Batchellor, A. Swanson, and T. Oleson.

And thus the town of Wilmington was started on its career as a municipality. The present town officers are: Supervisors, Ole Onsgard, Chairman, E. H. Ellestad, and Andrew Bye; Clerk, Ole O. Myhre; Treasurer, Swan Asleson; Assessor, John McNelly; Justices of the Peace, Jacob Johnson and Wm. McNelly; and Constable, Swan Asleson.

Early in the history of the town, an agent of the Sunday School Union opened a Sunday school, which was held from time to time in private houses on Portland Prairie, in the southeastern part of the town. These meetings were patronized from quite a distance, children and adults coming from Iowa and the neighboring towns, regardless of their religious belief.

Methodist. - Like all frontier towns this place was at first a missionary field, and itinerants from various denominations prospected here, but the Methodists seemed to secure a lead, and obtained a foothold, and in 1876, a church was erected just across the Winnebago line, and although, perhaps, a majority of the memb ?rs reside in this town, its complete history is given in the sketch of Winnebago.

Norwegian Lutheran Church. - Among the first meetings held in town were those of this denomination; they have the only church, and a very large congregation. The first service of this character was held by Rev. Mr. Koren, at the house of Gjermund Johnson, located on section seven. This was in 1855 or '56, and about that time occasional meetings were also held at various houses, and in 1857, after the completion of the old schoolhouse on section twenty-eight, a meeting was convened by him there, which was made an interesting occasion by a large attendance from miles around, and the baptising of fifteen children. As a general thing, the Norwegians in this locality are devout Christians and members of the Lutheran Church. After a few years Mr. Koren was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Clauson, who held not very regular service in the schoolhouse for several years. Finally, in 1868, the church now in use was erected near the old schoolhouse on section twenty -eight. Rev. S. T. Reque, of Spring Grove, is the pastor, and service is held every two or three weeks.

German Lutheran Churoh. - The meetings of this denomination are held across the line in Winnebago, where the churoh is located, and as there are but comparatively few of this class in town, there is no separate organization. Rev. Mr. Clauson used to preach in German for them as long ago as 1863, when the first efforts were made in this interest.

Roman Catholic. - As far as known, the only services ever held in town was at the house of Charles McGinnis, in February, 1864, by the priest from Caledonia. There are but few families in town with this faith, and no organization

District No. 58. - This was the first district in which a school was held, and it was in a private house, before a schoolhouse was erected. It was Norwegian in its attendance and teaching, and was sustained by subscription. It was migratory, being kept at the houses of Thomas Anderson, A. Swanson and others, until 1857, when the Norwegian schoolhouse was built, each settler having been put under contribution for two logs; all turning out to assist in putting it up, and it continued as a schoolhouse, church, and public hall until 1878, when the present building was constructed, on section twenty-seven, where the school now is kept.

District No. 59. - This is on Portland prairie, and is an American district. The first school was in the house of Mr. T. Aldrich, on section twenty - five, in 1857, where John McNelly now resides, and was taught by Mary Ann Cook, now Mrs. Amos Glanville. The first schoolhouse was erected, not unlike the one above described, on the community principle. This was in 1858, and on the farm of Mr. T. Aldrich, on section twenty-five. Schools were kept, and religious services held there. In 1868, the old schoolhouse was replaced by the present frame structure, which occupies the same site.

District No. 53. - This was also one of the original districts. The first school was taught in a building owned by Mr. A. Gilbertson, in 1857. In a year or two a stone schoolhouse was put on section six, which served for school purposes until 1872, when the present frame building went up.

District No. 66. - This was, in 1866, set off from district No. 59, a schoolhouse was soon erected on section twenty-four, and was first taught by Ellen H. Cass.

District No. 67. - The first school was held in a shed attached to the house of Mathew McGinnis, in 1865, and was taught by Miss Dora Quinland, now Mrs. Wm. Murphy, of Caledonia. The school was also held in Mike McGinnis1 house. In 1867, a schoolhouse was built on section thirty, and in 1880, it was moved to its present location on the south line of the same section.

District No. 70. - In 1867, this district was set off from No. 59, and the next year a house was built on section thirty-one. Ellen Healy was the first district teacher here, although a private school had previously been taught in settlers' houses by Norwegians in their own tongue, by the use of their own text books.

District No. 77. - This district was first organized and a building erected on section eighteen, about the year 1870, and a school has been held, there ever since.

District No. 85. - This district was instituted in the spring of 1873. A house was at once put up on section twenty-one, and David I. Vinge led off as the first teacher.

There is a mill and a store, a blacksmith shop and a Poet-office, just on the Iowa line, and if the citizens there were not required to vote in Iowa, they would not know that they are not Minnesotians. The mill and store were built in 1872, by Joseph Schwarzhoff, the present proprietor. He has a good stock of goods. The mill has two run of stones propelled by water from Waterloo Creek, which here flows between high bluffs. The place is called Bergen.

Gilbert Anderson, a native of Norway, dates his birth on the 14th of December, 1827. His younger days were spent in farming, and in 1852, he came to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed in the pineries one winter. Since 1854, Mr. Anderson has been a resident of Wilmington, where he owns a fine farm of four hundred acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Melinda Olson in 1856. She has borne him fourteen children, twelve of whom are living. Mr. Anderson was one of the first trustees when the Spring Grove Lutheran church was organized and has taken a prominent part in rearing the two church edifices there.

Andrew Bye has been a resident of this place since 1853, his parents coming in August of that year and locating in section thirty-two. His mother died the same summer, which was the first death in the place. The subject of this sketch wa3 born in Norway, on the 5th of January, 1839. He made his home with his father until coming to his present farm in section seventeen. In March, 1857, he married Mrs. Caroline Sennes, it being one of the first marriages in the town. In 1864, Mr. Bye enlisted in Company B, of the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and served till the close of the war. He has since held the offices of Town Clerk, and Supervisor, and in 1878, was elected to the House of Representatives. Mr. Bye's children number six, and Mrs. Bye has one by her former marriage.

John Enoebretson is also a native of Norway, and was born on the 1st of March, 1832. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and remained with his parents until coming to Pine Creek, Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1855. On the 5th of March, 1854, he was married to Miss Caroline Hanson. They came to this place in 1856, and have since made it their home. Eight children have been born to this union, all of whom are living.

Sven H. Ellestad, the founder of the "Spring Grove Poeten," the only newspaper ever published in Spring Grove, was born in Wilmington on the 20th of October, 1859. He received an education in the common schools, and attended the Caledonia Academy for one term. He has always lived with his parents assisting in the farm labor, and in 1879, taught one term of school. The "Posten" was a weekly folio sheet of small dimensions, pulished in the Norwegian language, the first issue appearing the 12th of April, 1880. It was received with general appreciation by the public, and especially by those personally acquainted with the editor. After about a year, during which time it made many friends, and was an extraordinary proof of the ability, enterprise, and genius of the young editor, Mr. Ellestad concluded to discontinue its publication. He has since worked at the printers' trade and taught school, besides working on his father's farm.

August Hanebuth was born in Hanover, on the 29th of December, 1844. When he was quite young his parents came to America and located in Illinois, where August remained till 1862, when he enlisted in the One hundred and fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, participating in the battles of Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek and others; in 1866, after being discharged, he came to Wilmington township, purchased his present farm and has since lived here. He married Miss Hannah Waskon on the 14th of February, 1868. They have three children; Laura, born on the 2d of May,

William Hartley was born in 1815, in Cambridgeshire, England, where he was reared on a farm and remained until 1848. He then came to America, locati ng in Evansville, Indiana, which was his home for seven years, devoting his time to various occupations. Then, after a residence of several years in Allamakee county, Iowa, first on a farm and afterwards in the hotel business, Mr. Hartley came to this place, arriving in April, 1864, and has since labored in the cultivation of his farm.

Anthony Huyck, a pioneer of Caledonia, and one of the most successful farmers of this region, is a native of Albany county, New York, his birth dating the 4th of January, 1828. His home was with his parents until he came to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, in 1848. After a residence of about four years in the latter place he removed to Caledonia, then to Mayville, and thence to Crooked Creek, remaining till 1858, when he came to his present farm, which contains two hundred and forty acres. On the 5th of June, 1859, he was united in marrriage with Miss Emily Colby of Freeborn county. They have had four children, three of whom died of scarlet fever during the year 1870. In 1877, Mr. Huyck was elected to the House of Representatives. He is one of those genial men, whom every one is glad to meet, and with whom it is pleasant to spend an evening, listening to his many incidents of the early settlement.

Gjermund Johnson Lommen, one of the first settlers of this town, is a native of Norway, born on the 2l8t of December, 1824. He was reared on a farm, and came to America, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1849. He remained there until coming to this place in 1853, first settling in section sixteen, but a few months later, removed to his present farm in section seven. On the 15th of November, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Olson. Of eight children born to them but three are living; Mary, Sarah, and Isabel G. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, at Spring Grove.

Ole P. Lansvebk was born in Wisconsin on the 18th of June, 1850, of Norwegian parents. When Ole was about six years o.d they came to this place, locating in section eighteen. The subject of this sketch assisted his father on the farm and attended school until 1872, when he, in company with his brother, purchased land in section nineteen. He was married to Miss Caroline Nelson on the 3d of July, 1873. They have had four children, three of whom are living. In 1875, Mr. Lansverk purchased his brother's interest in the farm, and has since made it his home.

Henby Luehb dates his birth the 4th of April, 1851, in Hanover, where his early days were spent, engaged in farming. He came to America when sixteen years of age, and located in Wisconsin, remaining one summer; then to Dorchester, Iowa, where his father resided. In 1874, he purchased his present farm, but still resided with his parents. On the 11th of July, 1878, Mr. Luehr was married to Miss Louisa Deters, who bore him one child, Otto, who died in infancy. They moved to their farm in this place in 1878, and have since made it their home.

John McNelly, a prominent man of this county, and also one of its pioneers, is a native of Down county, Ireland, born on the 25th of March, 1830. He came to America when about eighteen years of age, and located in Norwich, Connecticut, where he was employed as clerk in a store for a time, and afterward as traveling salesman. In 1855, he came to this place, and resided on a farm in section thirty -six about ten years before purchasing his present home. Mr. McNelly was elected Town Clerk on the organization of Wilmington, and has held the office of County Commissioner and various local positions. From 1874 to 1876, he was a member of the House of Representatives from thiB district, and then elected State Senator, which office he held two years. He now resides on his farm devoting his time to its cultivation.

Ole O. Myhre, a native of Bock Run, Stephenson county, Illinois, was born on the 26th of January, 1851. When he was quite young his parents moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, and two years later to this place where our subject has since resided. On the 24th of March, 1876, he was married to Miss Margaret O. Eugen. The same year he purchased his present farm which has since been their home. Mr. Myhre has held the office of Supervisor and Treasurer, and is at present Town Clerk.

where they remained two years, and then came to this place. He resided with his father until 1873, when he purchased the homestead and carried it on alone, his parents still making it their home. Mr. Olsen married Miss Julia Hefte, who has been a resident of this place since 1854. They have three children.

OLE Olson was born on the 29th of March, 1827, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. For eight years he spent a portion of each as fisherman on the coast of Norway. He came to America in 1860, and the same year purchased land in this town. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and also some timber land in Iowa. In March, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Knudson. Of ten children born to this union, six are living.

John Ostenson is also a native of Norway, and dates his birth the 22d of November, 1829. He learned the shoemaker trade in his native country, and in 1852, 'came to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged at farming. He came here in 1855, purchased a farm which contains one hundred and sixty acres and is well improved. On the 12th of July, 1857, Miss Maria Brown became his wife. They have had three children, only one of whom is living. Mr. Ostenson has held the office of Supervisor for about ten years.

Christian O. Ofstbdahl was born in Norway on the 15th of September, 1819. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and came to America in 1850, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained two years. Then, after living in Winneshiek county, Iowa, for a short time, he came to this place in 1851, purchased the farm of Ole Bye, one of the early settlers, and has since devoted his time to its cultivation. In July, 1860, Mr. Ofstedahl married Miss Torby Peterson, who has borne him eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Ofstedahl has filled the office of Supervisor for a year.

Louis M. Quenntll is also a native of Norway, born on the 1st of March, 1836. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and when twenty- two years of age was employed in a blacksmith shop. In 1860, he came to America, locating in Hudson, Wisconsin, and the following year engaged in rafting on the Mississippi river. In 1862, he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. as ship carpenter, and also with the La Crosse Packet Company several years, and in 1866, came to this town. He has since been engaged in farming and stock raising, and has also given some attention to his trade, having a blacksmith shop on his farm. He was married to Miss Annie Quennill in January, 1867. They have had eight children, only two of whom are living, a boy and a girl. Mr. Quennill has served the town as Supervisor six terms, and is now President of the Wilmington Fire Insurance Company.

Henry Robinson, who made the first improvement in this town, is a son of James Robinson, who was born in 1797, in Antrim county, Ireland, which is also the native place of our subject. In 1840, the family came to America, and the following year his father died in New York City. Henry came to Wisconsin with his mother in 1845, and a few years later they located a farm on the boundary line between Minnesota and Iowa, the house being just south of the line. Mr. Robinson took a claim in Wilmington, in 1851, on which he erected a shanty, but made his home with his mother most of the time. They have resided on their present farm since 1861.

Jacob Johnson Ramstad, was born on the 8th of August, 1842, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. He came to America and directly to this place, in 1862, remaining here, however, only a few months. He resided in Lansing, Iowa, then La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and on the 11th of March, 1861, enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and on receiving his discharge returned to this town. In February, 1868, Miss Martha H. Sylling became his wife, and they have lived on this farm ever since. Since his residence in the town, Mr. Ramstad has been honored with the positions of County Commissioner and Town Supervisor, and is now Justice of the Peace. He was also President of the Wilmington Mutual Fire Insuraace Company, and is now serving his second term as its secretary.

Arnold Stone is a native of Rhode Island, where his birth occurred on the 25th of May, 1821. His father died when the subject of this sketch but four years old, and three years later he went to Douglas, Massachusetts, remaining until twenty-one years of age. Then, after residing in Connecticut a short time, he returned to his native State, and for two or three years lived on the old farm. His wife was Philinda Aldrich, whom he married on the 13th of November, 1844. After again living in Douglas for some years, Mr. Stone came west, settling in Winnebago, Houston county, in 1856. Two years later he came to Wilmington, and for a time lived on a rented farm, then,in 1860, came to his present place in section twenty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of seven children.

Joseph Schwabzhoff, one of the pioneers of this section, is a native of Westphalia, Germany, where he was born on the 5th of March, 1838. He came with his parents to America in 1853, and located in Waterloo, Allamakee county, Iowa. He was married in the latter place to Miss Elizabeth Pieper, the event dating the 21st of October, 1862. Mr. Schwarzhoff erected a brewery at Dorchester, in which he did a very successful business till 1868, when he rented it and moved to Highland, Winneshiek county, remaining until his removal to his present home, which is situated but a few feet south of theState line. When first coming here he erected a store and grist-mill, which he still operates. Bergen Post-office is located at his store, and he has always filled the office of Postmaster; has also been County Commissioner of Allamakee county for the past three years. In 1877, he opened a twelve hundred acre farm in Dakota, which he has since carried on in addition to his other business. He has two children.

Frederick Thies was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 19th of June, 1836. He leceived a limited education in his native city, and also obtained some experience in farming. In 1854, he came to America with his parents, they settling in Dupage county, Illinois. Mr. Thies came to Minnesota in 1861, and purchased land in this township. He enlisted in Company G, of the Second

Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, and served till the close of the war. Then returning to Wilmington, he purchased the farm on which he has ever since resided.

Peter H. Torounrud was born on the 19th of May, 1830, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. His mother died on then* voyage to this country, in 1852, and was buried at Quebec. The family came to Racine county, Wisconsin, remained about two years and moved to this town. In 1856, Mr. Torgunrud purchased a farm in section sixteen, and with the exception of two years spent upon one of his farms in Spring Grove, he has since resided here. In 1861, he was married to Miss Caroline Johnson, who has borne him five children.

Charles F. Wright, whose ancestors were among the pioneers of Vermont, was born in that State on the 7th of October, 1831. His parents removed to Massachusetts when Charles was quite young, and afterward to Providence, Rhode Island, where our subject received his education, graduating from the high school in about 1847. Two years later he entered a mercantile establishment in Blacks tone, Massachusetts, where he remained till 1858. During his residence in the latter place he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary M. Metcalf, the event taking place on the 7th of October, 1856. He opened a store in 1858, and continued in business until his removal to this place in 1863. He has since devoted most of the time to the cultivation of his farm. Mr. Wright is a great lover of music, to which he has given considerable study. Four children, three boys and one girl, gather around the family hearthstone.