Sioux Falls City (part 5 of 6)

Brandon Co-operative Creamery Company. - This company was org-anized in May, 1878. C. Dillon was elected president, A. O. Ristv vice president, M. Brusveen secretary, A. T. Ode treasurer, and John T. Lee director. The building- was erected a little west of the villag-e of Brandon during the summer and fall of 1897, and opened for business on the 15th day of November of that year. At first it received only 800 pounds of milk a day, but it has been constantly increasing-, and some days it has received as hig-h as 5,500 pounds. This creamery is w^ell conducted, and its products are shipped to New York, where the hig-hest price is obtained for creamery butter. The manufacture of the butter is in charg-e of Peter Anderson, who has had several years of experience in the creamery business.

The first g-eneral election was held November 16, 1880, when the following- persons were elected for the year 1881: Supervisors, Nels N. Graff, Lewis Peterson, Jacob Keeler; clerk, Austin G. Ristv; treasurer, T. I. Lathrop; assessor, J. E. Dug-anne; constables. Cash Crittenden, August Nelson; justices, N. Griffith, N. J. Ronlund; poundmaster, E. Erikson; overseers of hig-hways, John Eg-ge, Thomas Thorstenson, Albert Nelson. January 17, 1881, board met at the house of Lewis Peterson, chairman of the board. Bonds of officers were approved, and the township divided into four road districts. The first warrant was issued to Wm. J. Jones in the sum of S30.

1883. Supervisors, John Eg-g-e, chairman, N. Griffith, Edg-ar Poster; clerk, Austin G. Risty; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; assessor, J. E. Dug-anne; justices, Andrew A. Grinde, John Callender; constables, Tom Christopherson, John Anderson; poundmaster, E. Erikson. Fifty-three votes were cast.

1884. March 4, the annual town meeting- was held in the village of Brandon, and the following- officers were elected: Supervisors, Edgar Foster, chairman, Nels Griffith, Tom Olson; clerk, A. G. Risty; assessor, J. E. Dug-anne; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; justices,

1885. Supervisors, J. W. Callender, chairman, N. N. GralT, Tom Olson; clerk, L. M. Estabrook; treasurer, N. J. Ronlund; assessor, J. E. Gorman. June 16, board met in joint session with the town board of Edison, and ag-reed upon the division of the work on the town line road. Brandon township was assig-ned the second, fourth and sixth miles, commencing- at the east end.

1888. Supervisors, I. N. Griffith, chairman, Ole J. Hegge, Tom Redwing-; clerk, A. G. Rist\'; treasurer, J. A. Eg-g-e; assessor, J. E. CTorman; justices, L. M. Estabrook, J. E. Gorman; constables, Tom Christopherson, H. H. Barron. March 6, it was voted by acclamation to raise the supervisor's fee to S2 per day, and to have all town business moved to Corson as soon as a post office should be estal)- lished at that place. March 16, road overseers were ordered to open all roads in their districts on the lines where located as shown by the public records of the county and township. July 12, a special town meeting was held for the purpose of voting- on the question: "Shall Brandon township be resurveyed?" Fifty-six votes were cast, of which seventeen were in the affirmative, and thirty-nine in the neg-- ative.

1889. Supervisors, Fred Messner, chairman, Tom Christopherson, I. X. Griffith; clerk, A. G. Risty; treasurer, John Egge; assessor, Nels Ellefson; constable, Nels Wahlstrom. October 2(), Jonas Carlson acted as chairman of the board, to which office he had been appointed.

1891. Supervisors, N. N. Graif, chairman, John Carlson, Tom Olson; clerk, L. M. Estabrook; treasurer, John Eg-ge; assessor, Nels Ellefson, The reports of the auditors and treasurer showed that the township was entirely out of debt, and there was a balance in the treasury of S349.59.

1892. Supervisors, N. N. (xralf, chairman, A. Cx. Risty, Nels Swenson; clerk, John T. Lee; treasurer, T. T. Redwing-; assessor, Thomas Olson; justices, A. R. Griffith, L. M. Estabrook; constables, Chris. Christopherson, John Uhley. June 28, a special town meeting was held to consider the question of resurvey. A vote was taken which resulted in 57 for, and 14 ag-ai)ist the resurvey. September 24, a special town meeting was held to determine bv ballot whether a

Special tax should be levied to defrciy the expenses of resurveyinothe township, the sum required beino- ^400. The vote was 32 for, and 6 affai)ist special tax. February 28, 1893, the business of the fiscal vear was settled, and the treasurer's report showed that SI, 054.77 had been recei\ed, and S438.27 expended, leaving- a balance on hand of S616.50.

1893. Supervisors, John Eg-g-e, chairman, N. N. Graff, Nels Swenson; clerk, Ole Fauske; treasurer, Tom T. Redwing-; assessor, A. G. Risty; justices, L. M. Estabrook, I.N. Griffith;" constables, John Uhley, C. Christopherson. At the annual town meeting- March 7, it was resolved that "uniform stones be put on section and quarter section corners, the size to be that of the larg-er paving blocks, when the resurvey is made." June 17, the board procured the services of John Lang-ness for resurveying- the township, and Nels (Traff was awarded the contract for hauling- stone to be used as corner marks. September 8, Jonas Carlson was appointed supervisor to fill vacancy caused by the death of Nels Sw-enson. September 15, a motion was carried for changing- the lines according to the new survey as far as practicable during the fall.

Anderson, John L., is a native of Halland, Sweden, and was born March 26, 1840. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and lived in Iowa tw^o years; came from there to Dakota in 1873, and bought the northeast quarter of section 24 in Brandon, where he still resides, and has a good farm.

Anderson, Peter, was born on a farm in Denmark, on the 2()th day of December, 1864, and spent his early vears on the farm. In 1890, he emigrated to this country, and resided in Cleveland, Ohio, one year. He went from there to Minnesota, and engaged in the creamery business for two years, and then removed to South Dakota, where he has since been in charge of creameries at different places. He is now the manager of the creamerv at Brandon, and gives excellent satisfaction to his emplovers.

Barron, Hiram H., was born in the town of Locke, Cayuo-a county, New York, October 21, 1849. When only five years of a^j-e icmoved with his parents to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1S74, when he ciime to Dakota and settled in this county on his ])resrnt place the southeast quarter of section 5 in Brandon which is now a o()od farm. He served in Company K, 46th Wisconsin during- the war of the rebellion, and has filled various town offices. In 1892, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the leg-islature. He is an enterprising farmer and a g-ood citizen.

Brusveen, Martin, was born at Toten, Norway, on the 23d dav of September, 1867, and received a hig-h school education. In 1886, he emio-rated to the United States, and worked on the railroads in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, for several years. In 1894, he settled at Brandon villag-e, and eng-ag-ed in the mercantile business with John T, Lee, under the firm name of Lee & Brusveen, and they continued doing- business until 1896, since which time Mr. Brusveen has conducted the business alone. He was appointed postmaster in July, 18*)6, which position he still holds, and has been justice of the peace ever since he came to Brandon. He is a g-ood citizen and is well liked.

Carlson, John, was born in Umea, Sweden, Aug-ust 6, 1844. He came to the United States in 1868, and lived in Illinois until 1873, when he removed to Dakota, arriving in this county on the 18th day of April, of that vear. He took up a homestead in section 17 in Brandon, and purchased considerable land in the same township. He resided on his homestead until his decease, ^vhich occurred on the 2d dav of March, 1895. He was a zealous Republican, and took gfreat interest in the welfare of his town; was one of the supervisors of the town board for several years, and was a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.

Christopherson, Ole, is a venerable old settler of Minnehaha countv. He was born in Norway on the 19th day of June, 1828, and came to the United States in 1872. He arrived in Dakota on the 25th dav of May of that year, and during- the following- fall took up a homestead on the northeast quarter of section 26, and a tree claim in the the same section, in Brandon, where he still resides. He is a g-ood farmer, and a g-ood citizen.

Christopherson, Tom, was born near Christiania, Norway, on the 3d day of January, 1860. In 1872 he emig-rated with his parents to Dakota', and remained a few months in Canton, but during- the fall of that year his father Ole located on section 26, in Brandon. The subject of this sketch has now a g-ood farm in the same section, and is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen. He has held school district and town offices.

Dillon Cornelius S., was born in Delaware county, Iowa, Februarv 11, 1846, and remained on the farm on which he was born for twenty-six years. He then removed to Sac City, Iowa, and engaged in farming- for one year; then eng-ag-ed in the hardware business at Newell, Buena Vista county, four years, and then eng-ag-ed in the same business at Alton, Sioux county, Iowa, until he removed to

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the fall of 1888, and eng-ag-ed in the shipping- of live stock in addition to the hardware business. He was a resident of Valley Spring- two years where he was connected with the flour mills. In 1895 he returned to his first occupation, and eno"Lg-ed in farming- and stock raising- about one mile from the villag-e of Brandon, where he has a fine farm, and resides at this writing*. He is an energ-etic business man, and to him more than all others, the people of Brandon are indebted for their creamery, of which corporation he is the president. He is a gfood citizen and well liked by his neighbors.

Egge, John A., is a native of Norway, and was born April 22, 1855. In 1869 he emig-rated to the United States, and lived in Wisconsin until the fall of 1871, when he became a resident of this county. His father, Andrew Johnson, took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 11, in Brandon, and at his death in 1878 Mr. Eg-g-e became the owner of the place, and now resides there and has one of the finest farms in the county. In the spring- of 1892 he boug-ht some land in section 36, in Edison, and he also owns considerable land in section 2, in Brandon. He is a brig-ht and enterprisingfarmer, and takes great interest in public affairs; he has been chairman and clerk of the town board, treasurer four years, and school clerk ten years. He was elected to the house of representatives in 1894, and is a first-class citizen.

Erickson, Erick, is a native of Sweden, and was born September 27, 1849. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and lived in Illinois until 1873, when he removed to this county. He took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 21, in Brandon, where he still resides and has a well improved farm. He also owns 40 acres of section 16, in the same town. He has frequently been a delegate to political conventions, has held several town offices, and is an active promoter of the interests of his town.

Erickson, John, a son-in-law^ of Erik Swenson, is the owner of the west half of section 4, in Brandon. He resides on the southeast quarter and has a fine farm and is a good citizen.

Erickson, Jonas, was born in Sweden, October 24, 1854. He emigrated to England, where he remained one year, and then came to this country and settled in Ohio for a short time. In April, 1873, he came to this county and settled on section 20 in Brandon. He has added to his original quarter section, forty acres of section 16. He is an industrious, honest farmer, and a good citizen.

Pauske, Ole E., was born in Norway, February 21, 1861. He emigrated to this country with his parents in 1862, and lived in Iowa until 1873, when they removed to Dakota and settled in this countv. After having become of age the subject of this sketch purchased a ([uarter section of land in section 10, in Edison, but sold it in April, 1893, to W. M. Boyle. Mr. Fauske is now engaged in the mercantile business at Corson, where he is the postmaster. He is clerk of the town board and is a good business man and a respected citizen.

CrRAP^F, Nels Nelson, was born in Sweden, Deceml^er 21, 1842. and emio-rated to the United States in 1869. He resided in Iowa a little less than a year, and settled in Brandon, in May, 1870. He was the hrst actual settler of that township, and has resided there lonjj-er than any other person. He took up as a homestead the north half and the southeast quarter of the north west quarter, and the southwest ([uarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, and as a timber claim the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section, and has since boutrht several hundred acres of land in sections 25, 26 and 36. He lived with his family in a duo-out the first three years, and then built a log house, the first buildino- in Brandon, which is still in a good state of preservation, and make^ a part of his present residence. Since the organization of the township he has held some prominent town office nearly every year, and during the years 1891-2-3 was chairman of the town board of supervisors. He has also held offices in his school district, has frecjuently been sent as a delegate to the county conventions, and was a delegate to the Republican state convention at Chamberlain in 1892. Mr. Graif is a prosperous farmer, a good neighbor, and an enterprising, upright citizen. His son Martin lives on a fine farm in the northeast quarter of section 25, and Adolph, another- son, is engaged in farming on the southeast quarter of section 26, and both are industrious farmers and good citizens. The younger sons, NeElian and EnNelus, who are twin brothers, reside with their father.

(tRIFFITH, I. N., was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 2<>. 1841. When fifteen years of ag-e he removed to Iowa, and lived there until 1873, when he settled in this county. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 6, where he still resides and has a good farm. He has always taken an active part in town affairs, has been a member of the town board several terms, one year as chairman, and a member of the school board for about twenty years. He says he has a pretty good family of children, there l:)eing one boy and six girls, one of them weighing two hundred and eighteen pounds. Mr. Griffith is an enterprising farmer, and a good citizen.

GusARSON, Peter A., was born in the southern part of Sweden, July 14, 1841. He emigrated to the United States and resided in Illinois for some time before coming to this county in March, 1883. He bought the north half of the northeast quarter, and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 17 in Brandon for SI, <>(»(), where he still resides and has a well improved farm. He is an industrious good farmer, and has held the office of school district director three years.

Hakanson, Nathaniel, is a native of Wester botten, Sweden, and was born January 30, 1853. He came to the United States in 1872, and engaged in farming five years in Illinois, and from there removed to Dakota in 1877, and located in this county. He took u]) the northeast quarter of section 21 in Brandon, where he still resides, and has a good farm. He has been school director threeyears, and treasurer seven years, and is one of the enterprising citizens of Brandon.

Halstedt, C. p., is a native of Sweden, and was born September 18, 1830. He emigrated to the United States in 1868, and resided in Iowa until 1873, when he removed to this county. He took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 12, in Brandon, where he still resides, and has a fine farm, under a hig-h state of cultivation. He also secured bv pre-emption the southeast quarter of section 2, in the same town, but disposed of it. He has held the office of constable for two years, is a g-ood citizen and a g-ood farmer.

Hanson, Carl Predrik, was born in Lapland, Sweden, in 1837, and lived there until he was thirty years old. At Yuletide the}^ had only two hours of daylig"ht in the twenty-four, while at midsummer it was never dark, only an hour or two of twiligfht, and the midnight sun could be seen. He thinks Dakota is as superior to Lapland as day is to nig-ht, and after having- been three years in England and two in Ohio, he came to Dakota and to this county in the spring- of 1873, and found that this was just the place for him. He entered as a homestead the northwest quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 18, in Brandon, where he still lives. He is a good farmer and a good citizen.

Hedstrom, Jacob, was born in Sweden, August 17, 1833. He emigrated to the United States and lived in Illinois until he removed to Dakota in March, 1874, arriving in this county on the 15th of that month. He secured a homestead in sections 10 and 15 in Brandon, where he has since resided. He has been elected to school offices, and is a good citizen. His son Eddie is a promising young man and an efficient teacher and esteemed citizen.

Heggen, Halvor J., was born near Christiania, Norway, February 23, 1855. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1868 he emigrated with his parents to the United States and located in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they remained until in 1872, when they removed to Dakota. His father, J. O. Heggen, took up a homestead in sections 11 and 14, in Brandon, and a few years later the subject of this sketch took up a homestead adjoining his father's on the east, in the same sections, to which he has added by purchase, and now has a good farm of 200 acres of his own. He is at the present time one of the supervisors of the town board. His two brothers, Ole and Gilbert, are also engaged in farming - Ole, the old homestead and a quarter section adjoining on the west side, and Gilbert, a farm about a mile farther north. They are all enterprising- farmers and good citizens.

HoFP\ Gilbert Hanson, was born in Norway, September 14, 1827, and came to the United States in 1868, and lived in Wisconsin two years. In 1870 he removed to Dakota and resided in Lincoln county until 1872, when he moved to this county and took up as a homestead 40 acres of section 7, in Red Rock, and 120 acres of section 12, in Brandon, and a tree claim in section 7, in Red Rock. He resided on his farm engaged in farming until 1892, when he moved Hito the city of Sioux Palls, leaving his farms in charge of his sons, Nels, John and Jens. While residing in Brandon, Mr. Hanson was school treasurer for about live vears. He was a''"good farmer and a good citizen. He died at Sioux Falls, March 14,1897.

HoKENSTAD, Thomas Olson, of Brandon, has been livin^- in Dakota since 1871, but did not settle in this coiintv until 1873, when he took up a homestead in sections 1 and 12 in Brandon, where he still resides and has a line farm. He also secured a tree claim in the same section, and has since purchased 160 acres in section 36, in lOdison. He built some of the iirst houses in Sioux Prills and also the Norde Split Rock Lutheran church in Brandon. He is an enterprising- citizen, and has held several township ollices; was one of the orcranizers of school district No. 7, director of the school board six years, and afterwards clerk of the same six years. He was born in Norway July 20, 1842, emio-rated to the United States in 18()8, and lived in Wisconsin until he settled in this state. His family consists of his wife, seven boys and one girl.

HoKENSTAD, O. T., the oldest son of T. O. Hokenstad w^as born in Green county, Wisconsin, April 12, 1870; came to this county with liis parents, and received his early education in the district schools of Brandon, and later took a course in the Normal school and Business coUeg-e at Sioux Palls. He is traveling- salesman for several machine companies, is an enterprising- young- man, and a good citizen.

HuLBURT, Henderson, was born in Mercer county. Pa., June 17, 1844, and lived on a farm until he enlisted in the war of the rebellion in 1861. He w^as a member of Company G, 100th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, four years and one month. During- the second hgfht at Bull Run he was quite seriously wounded. After the war he went to Kansas and eng-ag-ed in farming- for a few years. In 1883, he removed to Worthing-ton, Minnesota, and since then has been in the employ of the Omaha Railroad Company, and is now located at Brandon. He is a g-ood citizen.

Johnson, Charles, is a native of Sweden and was born in 1851. He emig-rated to the United States and lived in Illinois till 1873, ^^ hen he came to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has since remained. He took up a homestead and tree claim in section 17, in Brandon, and has a good farm. He was constable in 1800-1 and clerk of the school board in district No. 11, in 1891-2, and is an enterprising-, gfood citizen.

Jones, William J., is a native of Wales, Great Britain, and was born December 14, 1838. When only four years of ag-e he became a resident of the United States, and lived in Wisconsin fifteen years; from there he went to Iowa. In September, 18()1, he mustered in as volunteer of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry and remained in active service until July 1, 1866. His career since coming-, to Dakota is best shown by his own words, copied from the Valley Spring's Vidette March 4, 1893, where he says: "I came to this section in the spring- of 1873. I homesteaded 160 acres, and took up a tree claim of 160; and later obtained by purchase 720 acres more - 1040 acres in all. Have 700 acres under fence, with three g-ood dwelling- houses, barns and outbuilding-s on the same. With the exception of the g-rasshopper year, I have always had g-ood crops. What I own, I have accumulated rig-ht here in Minnehaha county." In 1878. he was elected county commissioner and served in that capacity for three years. He resides on the northeast quarter of section 34, in Brandon, and is an enterprising- and hig-hly respected citizen. His son Elbert O. Jones is one of the promising- young- lawyers of Sioux Palls, and is practicing- law in partnership with B. C. Matthews.

Lathrop, W. I., was born in Illinois, October 18, 1863. He removed with his parents to Michig-an, where he resided for about four years, and in the spring- of 1873, located in this county. His father, T. I. Lathrop, secured 240 acres of land by homestead and tree-claim filing-s in sections 31 in Brandon, on which he erected fine farm building's, and eng-ag-ed in extensive farming- until his death, which occurred a few years ag-o, when the subject of this sketch took charg-e of the farm. He is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen,

Lee, John T., was born in Christiania, Norway, February 11, 1855, and came to the United States with his parents in 1867. They resided in Iowa three years, and removed to this county in June, 1870. When twenty-one years of ag-e the subject of this sketch purchased a farm of 160 acres in sections 2 and 3, and also 80 acres in section 1, in Split Rock, and eng-ag-ed in farming- until 1890, when he removed to Brandon, where he eng-ag-ed in the mercantile business until 18%. While a resident of Split Rock he was town clerk two years and assessor seven years. After coming- to Brandon he was appointed postmaster, which position he held while eng-ag-ed in trade. In 1891 he was elected county commissioner from his district, and re-elected in 1894-7, and has been chairman of the countv board since January, 1893. He is at this writing- eng-ag-ed in buyingg-rain at Brandon, and carrying- on his farm in Split Rock. He is quite active in political matters, and an energ-etic, public-spirited citizen. He is true to his friends and a companionable, all-around g-ood fellow.

LiLLiHAVEN, GuNDER Olson, one of the first settlers of Brandon, was born in Norway in 1835. He lived in Illinois and Iowa l)efore he came to this county in June, 1870, when he took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 29 in Brandon, where he and his wife still reside and have a g-ood farm.

Nelson, Ole, was born in Wermland, Sweden, December 29, 1861, and came to this country with his parents, stopping- with them in Illinois; and after their coming- to this county has assisted his father, Nels Olson, in taking- care of the farm in sections 26 and 27, in Brandon, where he still resides with his famil3\ He has been director of the school board several years, and was one of the supervisors of the town l:>oard in 1897; is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.

Neeson, Engebret, was born in Bergen, Norway, April 12, 1835. He emigrated to the United States in 1864, lived in Wisconsin four years, in Iowa six years, and came to Dakota in 1874, when he took up his present homestead in sections 33 and 34 in Brandon, which is now a g-ood farm. He is an industrious farmer and a good citizen.

Nordstrom, John S., has been a well-known resident of this county since 1874, when he came here from Illinois, where he had lived since coming- to the United States in 1871. He was born Octol)er 19, 1845, in Sweden. He lives on his homestead, the northeast ([iiarter of section 19 in Brandon, and has a (Jfood farm. He has been a member of the school board, is a thrifty farmer and a o-ood citizen.

Olson, Allen, was born in Norway, September 24, 1843. He came to the United States July 3, 1869, and located in Iowa. Six years later he removed to Dakota, and settled in this county on the 2()th of October, 1875, taking up as a homestead the south half of the northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of section 24 in Brandon, where he still resides, and has a well improved farm and a large live stock. He has been director of the school board.

Olson, Nels, was born in Wermland, Sweden, December 15, 1812. He emigrated to the United States in 1870, and lived in Illinois two years. In 1872 he removed to Dakota and settled in this county, taking- up a homestead in sections 26 and 27 in Brandon, where he still resides. He also took up a tree claim, but disposed of it to one of his sons. He has several well-to-do sons in this county who have g-ood farms and are enterprising-, g-ood citizens; one of them, Nels Nelson Graff, being- the first permanent settler in Brandon township.

Olson, O. D. J., was born in Mora, Sweden, October 7, 1834. He lived in Illinois and Iowa before he settled in Dakota in 1872. He came first to Sioux Falls, then a small villag-e, but shortly after took up as a homestead the south half of the southeast quarter of section 2, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 11, in Brandon, where he now lives. He has a g-ood farm and is a g-ood citizen.

Peterson, Lewis, is a native of Sweden, and was born December 16, 1841. He emigrrated to the United States in 1871, lived in Michig-an a short time, then at Lockport, 111., and came to Sioux Falls on the 23d day of April, 1873, tog-ether wnth sixteen other ])ersons, also from Lockport, who all settled in Brandon. On the first day of May, following-, he made a homestead filing- on the northeast ([uarter of section 10, and in March, 1874, he took up as a tree claim the northwest quarter of the same section. In 1874 he built a stone house on his homestead, which was the first in the county outside of the city of Sioux Falls, and can still be seen on the farm, althoug-h it is no long-er used as a residence, there being- now a large two-story frame house for that purpose. Mr. Peterson has been a very industrious man, and has one of the best improved farms in the county, having- not less than thirty acres of trees, all set out by himself, a very fine orchard, and substantial building-s. In addition to caringforhis farm he has done considerable work as a stone mason. He was foreman of the stone work when the penitentiary w^as erected, has built three stone dams across the Sioux river, and the abutments and piers for the Tenth street bridge in Sioux Falls, and several other large jobs of work in this line. Mr. Peterson has been chair-

Peterson, Nels, is another Swedish farmer who has lived in the county since 1883. He has a good farm on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 36, where he resides eng-aged in farming. He was born in 1836.

RiSTY, GuLLiCK O., one of the hrst settlers of Brandon, is a native of Norway, and was born October 14, 1832. He emigrated to the United States, lived in Iowa for some time, and came to Dakota in 1870. At that time he took up a homestead and pre-emption in sections 32 and 33 in Brandon, to which he has since added by purchase several hundred acres of land, and has a verv fine farm. Mr. Ristv is one of the prosperous, reliable farmers of the county, and is a good citizen.

RiSTY, A. Ct., was born in Norway, in 1855, and emigrated to this country with his father Gullick O. Risty, and settled in Brandon. He owns several hundred acres of land, and resides on the southwest quarter of section 33, and has a good farm with more than ordinary improvements. He has held various town oifices, and in November, 1896, was elected to the House of Representatives, and re-elected in 1898. He is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.

Sorenson, Iver, was born in Norway, December 18, 1843. He came to the United States in 1869 and lived in Wisconsin until 1874, when he came to this county and filed a pre-emption on the north half of the southwest quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 1, in Brandon. It is now a well cultivated farm, and he is still living there with his family.

Studeen, Peter, a native of Sweden, was born in 1835. He emigrated to the United States and lived in Missouri until he came to Dakota and settled in this county in 1877. He filed a homestead on the southeast quarter and the southwest quarter of the northeast ([uarter of section 12, in Brandon, where he has since resided. He is an industrious and contented farmer, and a good citizen.

SwENSON, Erik, is a native of Sweden, and was born June 8. 1819. He emigrated to the United States in 1862, and lived in California, Mississippi and Illinois until in 1876, when he settled down in Dakota, and has been a well known resident of this county ever since. He took up the southwest quarter of section 4, in Brandon, where he resides. He also owns lots and houses on First and Second avenues in the city of Sioux Palls.

SwENSON, Charles, a son of Erik Swenson, was born June 20, 1856. He took up as a homestead the west half of the southwest (juarter of section 15, in Brandon, but at the present writing lives with his father on section 4.

Swenson, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and was born in 1845. He emigrated to the United States, and lived in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas before he came to Dakota in 1873. At that time he entered a homestead and pre-emption on the south half of section 9, in Brandon, where he resided until in 1893, when he was accidentally killed. He held the office of town supervisor, and was a good citizen,'

SwENSON, Peter J., was born in Sweden, June 4, 1847. After his C()min,£»- to this country in 1869 he lived in Illinois and Mississip])!, ;in(l came to Minnehaha county March 28, 1874. He took u]) as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 5. where he still resides, rind l)ouo-ht the northwest quarter of section 4 in Brandon, and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 33 in Edison. He was OIK' of the supervisors of the town board in Brandon in 18*)5, is a Ihriftv, industrious farmer, and a g'ood citizen.

Thoreson, Borger, w^as born in Norway, Auo-ust 24, 18()1, and came to the United States with his parents in 1868, and located in b^illmore countv, Minnesota. In 1873 thev removed from there to Dakota, and took upas a homestead the southeast quarter of section 14 in Brandon, to which the subject of this sketch has added bv purchase forty acres adjoining-, and has a g-ood farm. He has held the offije of school treasurer, is an enterprising-, intellig'ent farmer, and a g-ood citizen.

Valgren, Hans Peter, is a native of Halland, Sweden, and was born on the 28th day of May, 1843. He eng-ag-ed in farming- for ten years in his native country, and emigrated to the United States in 1882, and settled in Minnehaha county. He boug-ht a farm, on whicli he resided until 1892, when he sold it, and boug-ht the southeast (|uarterof section 13 in Brandon, where he has since resided, and has a g-ood farm. He has been one of the trustees of the Swedish Lutheran church for three years, and has been a director of the school board for the same lengfth of time. His son is one of the com- ])etent teachers in Brandon township, and a young- man of g-ood address and promising- future. They are both public-spirited men, and good and respected citizens.

Wahlstrom, Nels, is a native of Sweden, and was born September 21, 1853. In 1878 he came to the United States, and settled in Minnehaha county. He has a gfood farm on the northeast (quarter of section 9 in Brandon, where he resides with his family, eng-ag-ed in farming-. He formerly had a pre-emption consistinof of eig-hty acres in Edison, but sold it. He is an industrious, thrifty farnuT, and a respected citizen.

Wilson, Lars, came to the United States in 1868, and resided in Illinois and Iowa until 1883, when he came to Dakota and settled in this, county. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 13 in Brandon, where he has since resided and has a g-ood farm. He also owns about 400 acres of land in sections 11, 14, and 23, in the same township. He is an industrious farmer, an enterprising citizen, and is a native of Sweden where he was born Ma\- 30, 1833.

Mapleton Tom Nship

The boundary lines of Mapleton township were surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision was made by Carl C. P. Meyer in September, 1864. According- to the g-overnment survey the township contains 23,024.50 acres of land. It is well watered by the Big- Sioux river, Slipup creek and their tributaries, and has considerable bottom land, making- it as a whole one of the best townships in the county. The first settlements were made in the northwestern portion of the township, the south half at that time beingwithin the boundaries of the Military Reservation and not subject to settlement. The first settler was John Nelson, who took up land in section 25 in 1866. A post ofiice, called Republican, was established in Mapleton township soon after the mail route opened between Sioux Falls and- Dell Rapids. It was located on section 5, and John Nelson was its first postmaster. In 1882, Ole Gunderson was appointed postmaster and he moved the office to the northwest corner of section 8 where it remained for about twelve years, when Ole O. Gilseth was appointed postmaster and removed the office to his home on section 5 where it is located at this writing-. Owing to its proximity to the city of Sioux Falls the inhabitants of Mapleton avail themselves of the advantag-es offered by the metropolis. The township has no churches, public building-s or stores. The Milwaukee railroad runs throug-h its entire leng-th north and south, and until a station called Renner was established in 1898, on the southwest quarter of section 9, there was no railroad station within its borders. The proper records show there is a boundar}- line between Sioux Falls and Mapleton townships, but so far as g-eneral business transactions of the inhabitants of the tw^o townships are concerned its existence is not recog-nized.

The records of Mapleton beg-in March 5, 1881, at which date there was a meeting- of the township board at Ole Thompson's house. C. G. Coats was chairman and associated with him as supervisors were Iver Nelson and W. J. Crittenden. At this meeting- John Fortune was appointed constable, L. Renner assessor, and C. Moen was the first clerk.

1883. Iver Nelson, Thomas Paulson and H. B. Caldw^ell composed the board of supervisors; Ole Gunderson assessor and justice of the peace. On the 26th day of May, O. P. Schjodt was appointed clerk.

1885. Supervisors, Thomas Paulson chairman, Ivor Nelson, \.. Renner; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, (t. (). Dalemoe; assessor. K. J. Kino-sbury.

1887. Supervisors, L. Renner chairman, John Fortune, Thomas Paulson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; assessor, Ole Gunderson; justices, H. Tabor, E. J. Kino-sbury; constable, E. E. Moen. June 27, S150 was appropriated and turned over to Iver Nelson to aid in building" a bridg-e across the Sioux river.

1889. Supervisors, L. Renner chairman, Thomas Paulson, Iver Nelson; clerk, O. P. Schjodt; treasurer, Jonas Olson; assessor, Ole Gunderson; justice, H. Tabor; constable, A. J. Aspaas. It was resolved "that every taxpayer in the township shall be his own ])oiin(lm aster."

1891. Supervisors, J. L. Ing-alls chairman, T. I. Sweeting-, H. Tabor; clerk, R. M. Seag-er; treasurer, R. B. Sealer; assessor, John Fortune; justices, J. Smith Kirk, M. Caldwell; constables, David Dickey, H. Hackett. April 4, a township meeting was held at the Ing-alls school house for the purpose of considering- the question of a resurvey of the township, and the following- resolution was introduced and voted upon by ballot: "Resolved that the township be resurveyed in accordance with the orig-inal plat, and each section be resurveyed; that the county surveyor be employed to do the work and that the money be raised to cover the expenses." The vote was in the affirmative. Another meeting- was held June 24, when it was determined that the section corners upon the higfhways should be located and landmarks erected at such corners as provided in sections 2 and 3 of chapter 35 of the session laws of 18%; that the surveyor make a leg-al survey in accordance with the provisions of said chapter 35, and relocate and establish the section and quarter section co^rners throug-hout the township as orig-inally established by the United States survey, and that cedar posts be used in marking said corners. Julv 7, the board resolved that the noxious weed law should be enforced and that all Russian thistle, cockle burr and Canada_ thistle within the township should be destroyed before Augfust 15, 18*)1, and that notices of the action of the board should be published as required by law.

Berg, Jens S., a native of Norway, was born May 29, 1837. He emig-rated to the United States in 1865, and settled in Minnesota. On the 26th day of July, 1869, he arrived in this county and settled in Mapleton. He took up the southeast quarter of section 30, where he has since resided. He has a g-ood farm, and is a respected citizen and w^ell liked by his neig-hbors.

Berg, Sivert, is a native of Norway, and was born March 3, 1823. He emig-rated to the United States in 1867, and settled in Minnesota for a short time. From there he removed to Mapleton, this county, and took up the west tier of forties in section 29, where he has since resided. He has a g-ood farm and is an industrious, g-ood citizen.

Dickey, David, was born at White Pig-eon, Michig-an, December 5, 1843. He resided in the Pennsylvania oil reg-ions several years, then went to Iowa where he resided four years and removed from there to this county in 1879. He owns a farm of 200 acres in sections 18, 19 and 20, in Mapleton, where he has resided several years. He has held school and township offices, and is a hig-hly respected citizen.

Dowdle, William, was born in Ireland, in October, 1828, and emig-rated to the United States in 1845. He resided for awhile in Pennsylvania, and then came to Minnesota where he remained twentviive years. In March, 1878, he removed to McCook county, this state, and took up a pre-emption and homestead. In 1883 came to this county and settled in Mapleton, where he soon became the owner of a large farm, and at the present writing there is nothing- to indicate that he will not be able to care for himself for a long- time to come.

Ole Gundkrson

Eggen, Esten E., a native of Norway, was born in 1830. He emio-rated with his family to Goodhue county, Minnesota, in 18()5, and resided there until in 1871, when they decided to remove to Dakota. Thev started out across the prairie with an ox-team, and it took them sixteen days before they reached this county. They located in Mapleton on their present homestead in sections 31 and 32, which is now a well improved farm, with a lar^-e residence and Liood outbuilding-s. Mr. Eg-g-e is a good farmer and a g-ood citizen.

Erickson, Erick, was born in Sweden, but emigrated to the United States, and located in Mapleton, July 6, 1871. He secured considerable land in sections 19, 20 and 30, and resided on his farm until his decease. On the 12th day of January, 1888, he went to a havstack in his field to g-et a load of hay, but was overtaken by the terrible blizzard that occurred on that day, and was frozen to death. His body was not found for several days. He was a g-ood citizen and well liked by his neig-hbors. At the time of his decease he was about 70 years of ag-e.

GiLSETH, Ole Olson, one of the pioneer farmers of this county, was born in Norway, November 18, 1844. He emig-rated to the Ignited States and lived in Goodhue county, Minnesota, until the fall of 1866, when he and John J. Aasen, Jr., concluded to join their friends John Thompson and John Nelson, who had settled in the Sioux Vallev in Dakota, during^ the spring- of that year. An account of their perilous trip appears in the chapter devoted to reminiscences. Mr. Gilseth took up land in section 5, in Mapleton, and in section 31, in Sverdrup, to which he has since added by purchase, and now has a g-ood farm of nearly 300 acres, with substantial building-s and improvements. He has been postmaster of the Republican post ollice for several years, and has also held the office of school district treasurer. He is an industrious farmer and a respected citizen.

GuNDERSON, Ole, is a native of Norway, and was born July 22, 1852. He emig-rated to Minnesota in 1866,"'and in July the followingyear came to Mapleton, and took up a homestead of 160 acres in sections 7 and 8, and eng-ag-ed in farming-. He has added to his orig^inal farm nearly 300 acres in section 8, and also owns 200 acres elsewhere in the county. In 1882 he was appointed postmaster of the Republican post office, which position he held until 1894. He has been justice of the peace, assessor, and supervisor and clerk of the town board, and held some of these offices for several successive years. He has also been a director in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company located in this county. Few farmers have been more industrious than Ole Gunderson," and his intercourse with his neig-hbors has been of such a clmracter that no one of them would envy his prosperity, and all would reg-ret any adversity that migfht overtake him. It IS not too much to say that he is one of the most sturdy, reliable citizens in the county.

Hayward, Reuben W., was born at Washing-ton, Washing-ton county, Vermont, in 1844; was raised on a farm, and attended district schools. On the 8th dav of Otcober, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, First Vermont Cavalry, and served until November 10, 18(o; was wounded in the battle of Winchester, and also in the battle of Gettysburtjf; was taken prisoner twice but g-ot away both t'imes, after beingin captivity two days on the first occasion, and one week the second time. After the war he boug-ht a farm in Vermont and eng-ag-ed in farming- five years; then sold out and went to Colorado, and worked at the mason's trade four years in Denver, and at freig-hting- and mining- four years; then left Colorado, and went to San Francisco, where he remained six months, and then took a trip to Boston for a few months; in 1882 he returned to the West, reaching- Sioux Palls on the 7th day of April that year, where he decided to locate. He eng-ag-ed in farming- on section 16 in Mapleton, and when the school land was opened up for sale he boug-ht a quarter section from the county and resides there at the present time. He is a thrifty, enterprising farmer, has a g-ood farm, and is a g-ood citizen.

HuNTEMER, John, was born in Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, March 15, 1850. At the ag-e of fourteen years and seven months he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, and w^as one of those who helped capture Jeff Davis, and was paid S300 of the reward offered for his capture. He came to Sioux Palls with his brother William on the 16th day of April, 1871, and took up the southwest quarter of section 15 in Mapleton, where he resided for about five years when he sold out. He then went to Dell Rapids and built a hotel of which he was the landlord for about three years, when he sold out and removed to Madison, Lake county, this state, where he still resides. He enjoys the honor of being- the young-est person who enlisted and served during- the war of the rebellion from the State of Wisconsin.

Ingalls, James L., was born at Alleg-any, New York, May 9,1838. He received a common school education, and engag-ed in farming- in his native state, Illinois, and Iowa until 1878, when he removed to this county and located in Mapleton in May of that year. He took up a homestead in section 23, where he has since resided. In addition to his homestead of 160 acres he has purchased adjoining- land and his home farm now comprises about 700 acres. He has other farms and farm lands in the county, so that in the ag-greg-ate he owns upwards of 1,500 acres. For the last few years he has been engaged on quite an extensive scale in the manufacture of cheese, and has made a success of the business. He is a very industrious, hardworking man, and has been honored by his fellow townsmen by his election to important town offices. During the time of the resurvey of the township, he was chairman of the board of supervisors, and made a good official. He is a g-ood neighbor and a good citizen.

Krogstad, Iver J., was born in Norw\ay January 12, 1831. He emigrated to Goodhue county, Minnesota, resided there for two years and came to Dakota and"^ settled in this county June 28, 1868, at which time his neigbors were few and far between. He made a homestead entry upon the southwest quarter of section 5, in Mapleton, where he still resides. He has a good farm and is a respected citizen.

MoEN, EsTEN E., was born in Norway Noveinl)er 2^\ 1857. He emig-rated to this country with his father Esten E. Egg-en, and lived with him in Minnesota and Dakota until he took up as a homestead the east half of the northwest quarter of section 10, in Mapleton. He is also the owner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 20, in the same town. He has held the ofllice of road supervisor and has been school district treasurer ten years. He is a respected citizen.

Myrick, Lucius O., is a native of Canada, and was born March 15, 1833. The following- year he came to the United States with his parents, who located in Illinois. In 1873 he became a resident of Minnehaha count}', securing- as a homestead 120 acres of section 26, and 40 acres of section 25, in Mapleton, where he still resides and has ag-ood farm. He enlisted in the First Wisconsin artillery, in the fall of 1862, and was honorably discharg-ed in July, 1864. He has held the office of clerk of the town board of Mapleton, and is a g-ood and respected citizen.

Nelson, Iver, is a native of Norway, and was born August 6, 1835. He emig-rated to this country and lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota prior to his coming- to Minnehaha county in June, "1872. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 7, in Mapleton, where he resides at the present time, and has a first-class farm, with substantial buildings and improvements. At the death of his father, Nels Iverson, which occurred a few years ago, he inherited 320 acres of land in sections 17 and 18 in the same town; he has also purchased considerable land, and owns about 600 acres in all. He is a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen. Has been town supervisor and school director, and was postmaster of the Republican post office a number of years.

Nelson, John, the pioneer farmer of Mapleton, was born in Norway in 1839, and came to the United States in 1854. He resided in Wisconsin and Minnesota until 1866, when he and his wife in com- ])anv with John Thompson and wife started out for Dakota, and arrived in Minnehaha county June 29, of that year. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 5 in Mapleton, and preempted land in sections 17 and 20 in the same township. He has many interesting incidents to relate of his pioneer days, and one appears in the chapter of reminiscences. He was postmaster of the Republican post office eleven years, and resided on his farm in Mapleton until a few years ago, when he removed to Arlington, King-sbury county, this state. Mr. Nelson is kind and obliging, and is an enterprising and respected citizen.

O'Grady, John, was born in Ireland April 16, 1848, and emigrated to the United States in 1864. About the lOth day of June, 1866, he came to Sioux Falls with Company D, 22d U. S. Infantry. :Mr. O'Gradv says that ''at that time the company was under the command of Colonel" Knox, and had been ordered to Sioux Falls to relieve Company E., 6th Iowa Cavalry. There were then about twenty-five or thirty cavalry men in Sioux Falls, and they left the same day the infantry arrived. Dr. Nisley and Mr. Pratt, the hospital steward, who had been with the cavalry company, remained. A commissary buildino- was constructed by our company just below where the west end of the Eig-hth street bridg-e is now located, and a building for officers quarters was erected where E. J. Daniels' store now is. An addition to the sutler's store in the block southeast of the Cataract hotel was also built, and a guardhouse north and west of the barracks near Seventh street. There was a large log house north of the barracks, with only a wag-on road between the two buildings. It was about thirty feet square and built of heavy logs, with a dirt roof; there was no floor, except overhead, which was made of Cottonwood boards, intended as a last resort from which to shoot in case of attack. This building, which had been erected before our company arrived, was used bv us as an armory. In 1868 Colonel Knox went to Philadelphia, and Captain John Duffy succeeded him in command. In April, 1869, I was discharged, my term of enlistment having expired. During the summer of 1869 the company left for Fort Randall." Soon after, when the military reservation was opened for settlers, Mr. O'Grady secured 120 acres of land in section 20 in Mapleton, to which he has since added 120 acres, located on each of the banks of the Sioux river, which divides his farm into nearly two equal parts. He has been an industrious man, and is a good citizen.

Olson, Jonas, one of the pioneers of Mapleton township, was born in Norway February 8, 1845; came to the United States in 1867, and located in this county in 1868, where he has since resided. He secured a pre-emption and a homestead when he first came here, the former of which he sold, the latter he still retains, comprising the southeast quarter of section 9, in the town of Mapleton. He has a splendid farm with good buildings and improvements, one barn alone costing about S2,000. He has added to his land by purchase so that now he owns about 400 acres, and is well-to-do. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his town, has held the office of town treasurer several years, and since 1893, has been one of the supervisors of the town board. He is highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen.

Peterson, Robert, was born at Merager, in the province of Trondhjem, Norway, on the 11th day of December, 1822. Emigrated to the United States with his family in 1858, and settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming for ten years. In September, 1868, came to Dakota, and located about nine miles up the river from Sioux Falls, which at that time was a military post. The first winter they lived with John Nelson, a nephew of Mrs. Peterson, who had a cabin about tw^o miles farther north. The following year Mr. Peterson commenced building a log house which is shown in accompanying illustration, on the northwest quarter of section 17, in Mapleton, which was then within the boundaries of the military reservation. He had not more than done so, when one day he was called upon by a squad of soldiers, who fired their guns in order to frighten the sturdy poineer, and threatened him with arrest if he did not immediately vacate. But John Nelson happened to be there, and remonstrated saving thev were not to be so easilv fright- ened away, and Mr. Peterson decided to remain. The soldiers then arrested Mr. Peterson, broug-ht him to Sioux Palls, and kept him in the o-uardhouse over nigdit. The next day Mr, Nelson went to see the colonel, and showed the following- letter from Cong-ressman Spink, written at Yankton June 19, 1869: "John Nelson, Esq. Dear Friend: The Adjutant General of the United States, in replv to inquiries, informs me that the Commissioner of the General tyand Office had been notified by the War Department, on the 9th day of June, that the military reservation at Sioux Falls had been abandoned. This, of course, opens up the land to settlement. Please inform the people of your vicinity. Your friend, S. L. Spink." This had the effect of immediately releasing- Mr. Peterson. The colonel, however, made a long- report of the occurrence, which was forwarded to the proper authorities. Mr. Peterson secured the east half of the northeast quarter of section 18, and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 17, as a pre-emption, and later took up a homestead comprising- the east half of the northwest quarter, and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 17, in Mapleton, and afterwards boug-ht 160 acres in section 18. He resided on his farm until his death, which occurred on the 29th day of August, 1887, survived by his wife, two sons and a daugfhter. Mr. Peterson was one of those sturdy settlers, who in honesty of purpose, and perseverance and endurance in hardship will never be surpassed.

Peterson, Peter R., a son of Robert Peterson, was born in (joodhue county, Minnesota, July 8, 1861. He came with his parents to this county in the fall of 1868, and when the settlement was larg-e enoug-h to have a school he received his education there. He worked on his father's farm and g-rew up with the country. At the time of his father's death he took charg-e of the home farm in section 17, where he still resides with his mother. He is well-to-do, is a g-ood farmer, energ-etic and enterprising-, and is a respected citizen.

Peterson, Iver R., a brother of Peter R. Peterson, was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, March 21, 1867, but came with his parents to this county the following- year, where he received his education, and worked on his father's farm. At the death of his father, in 1887, he inherited 106 acres of land in section 18 in Mapleton, where he is now eng-ag-ed in farming-, and has a good farm. He is a g-ood citizen.

Renner, Leonard, is a prosperous farmer residing- in Mapleton township, where he bought and now owns about 960 acres of land in sections 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 and 22. He has a comfortable and attractive residence, and good outbuildings and barns for stock and machinery. He was born in Germany June 9, 1840, emigrated to the United States in 1848, lived in New York two years and in Wisconsin from 1850 to 1878, when he removed to Dakota and has been a well-known resident of this county ever since. He has been assessor and a member of the town board of Mapleton for several years. During the war of the rebellion he served in Battery B, 1st Illinojs Lig-jit Artillery, and was a noncommissioned officer two years. The C M. & Sf. Paul Railroad Company has recently established a stati(Mi,

Seager, Richard M., was born in Virg-il, Cortland county, New York, July 31, 1860. His early years were spent on a farm and in attending- the public schools. He completed his education at Dryden, New York, and was g-raduated from the Dryden academy. He commenced teaching- school when sixteen years of ag-e and was thus employed for two years. His next business was farming- in Iowa; then he spent a short time in Minnesota and from there went to work upon the famous Dwig-ht farm in North Dakota; then drifted into Montana and was at Miles City when the Northern Pacific railroad first reached that place. He then went back to New York and was em- ])loyed for three years in woolen mills, and in 1887 came from there to this county, where he has since been engag-ed in farming- in Mapleton. He is clerk of school district No. 17, and has been town clerk of Mapleton since 1891. He is a g-ood neig-hbor and hig-hly respected citizen.

Tabor, Holmes, was born in Greenwich, Washing-ton countv. New York, March 7, 1837. At the ag-e of eleven years he removed to Living-ston county. New York, where he received a g-ood education. Prom there removed to Detroit. Michig-an, where he taugfht school ten years, and was school inspector the same leng-th of time. Was in the postal service for ten years, and held the office of justice of the peace four years where he resided, and also the office of supervisor. He resided for about three years in Kansas and Nevada. In 1885 came to this county, and settled in Mapleton, where he eng-agfed in farming- in sections 30 and 31. While a resident of Mapleton he was one of the supervisors of the town board for two years. A few years ag-o he removed to the city of Sioux Palls and more recently to Kansas City where he now resides. He is a well informed man, and always took an active part in public matters, and he would feel that his record was not complete if it. failed to state that he was always a zealous Republican.

The township of Benton is one of the finest townships in the county. It is convenient!}' located for business purposes, has a rich, ])ro(luctive soil, with very little waste land and is dotted over with not only comfortable farm residences, but several of them indicate that the owners have succeeded in a short time in securing- for themselves and families more than a mere competence. The northeastern portion of the township is settled principally by people of Norweofian descent, and they have some very fine farms. The northwestern portion of the township has several families of Swedish descent, and here too industry and thrift have changed the raw prairie into profitable farms. Owing- to its proximity to Sioux Palls it was settled quite early. Lars Olson Ulvilden took up a homestead in 1870, in section 12, and from this time the land was rapidly taken up b\' actual settlers. The township lines were surveyed by Wm. J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision of the township was made by Carl C. P. Meyer in September, 1864, and contains 22,976.40 acres of land. At the time of its subdivision there were several small streams of water running- throug-h the township, which for the past few years have been dry the g-reater portion of the time. Skunk creek flows throug-h the southwestern portion, and the Willow creek throug-h the centre of the township, branching- out east and west, affording- channels for the escape of surplus water during- heavy rains, and also marking- the places where in former years runningwater was the rule and not the exception.

Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was org-anized in Benton on the 14th day of Augfust, 1873, with thirteen charter members. Prom that time services were held with more or less regularity until a very neat and commodious church buildingwas erected in 1887, on the southeast corner of section 28, at a cost of SI, 200, which was dedicated on Sunday, September 4, of that year. A g-ood many ministers have acted as pastors of this church since its org-anization. The first one was the Rev. Pielder, but during- the past few years the Reverends Redfield, Jenkins, Brown and Pawell have had charge. In connection with the church there is a prosperous Sunday school numbering- about forty scholars, and also an Epworth League with a membership of twenty-three.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This church \vas organized May 4, 1878, with a membership of twenty-six. A church building was erected in 1885, on the southeast quarter of section 5 in Benton, at a cost of $2,000, which was paid for by the members of the church. It is commodious and well furnished, and in August, 1894, a new bell was placed in the church tower. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. J. H. Randahl, who was succeeded by the Rev. G. A. Ekeberg, and he in turn was succeeded bv the Rev\ J. Pranzen. Services are held every other Sunday. There is a prosperous Sunday school in connection w^ith the church, with about thirty scholars, also a Ladies' Aid society.

Good Templars. - The Bethel Lodge No. 303 of the I. O. G. T., was organized in Benton during the spring of 1893, with about fourteen charter members. The present membership (1895) is thirtytwo, and the Lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a very large attendance at its meetings, which are held every Monday evening at the Bethel church.

New Hope Creamery. - In the spring of 1895, a creamery was built on the southwest quarter of section two, in Benton township. Prank H. Ployd was the moving spirit in the enterprise. It commenced doing business the 1st day of June, 1895, but on the 22d day of August, following, it was destroyed by fire. The next year Mr. Ployd and the farmers living in the vicinity rebuilt it, although it did not commence doing business until January, 1897. During the summer following, Mr. Ployd suddenly took his"^ departure from the state, and it became necessary to reorganize the companv. On the 24th day of September, 1897, "articles were filed bv D. O. Crooks, T. E. Safer and P. M. Peterson, for the incorporation of the

New Hope Co-operative Creamery Company, with a capital stock of $5,000. It is well equipped for the business, and is receiving- on an averag-e 18,000 pounds of milk a week. This creamery enjoys the distinction of being- awarded a premium at the National Creamery Buttermakers meeting- held in Sioux Palls in Januar\-, ISOO. The butter manufactured at this creamery is shii)ped to New York, where it bring-s a g-ilt-edged price, (ieorg-e Crooks, a son of \V. A. Crooks, has had charg-e of the creamery during- the past year.

The first meeting- of the board was held at the house of Sever Wilkinson, January 3, 1881. The lirst town officers were: Supervisors, Wm. Alg-uire chairman, N. B. Nelson, H. H. Moore; clerk, Sever Wilkinson; assessor, Knut Iverson. At this meeting- the town was divided into four road districts. June 13, the board authorized Wm. Alg-uire to purchase two road scrapers. At the July meeting- S106 was appropriated b}' the board for building- bridg-es across Skunk and Spring- creeks.

1885. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridg-e chairman, J. P. Johnson, P. C. Prebel; clerk, S. Helg-eson; assessor, Wm, Alg-uire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton, who reported at the end of the fiscal year in Pebruarv, 1886, that he had collected during- the year S780.50, and paid out S276.06.

1887. Supervisors, J. C. Eldridg-e chairman, J. P, Johnson, C. Christianson; clerk, S.Wilkinson; treasurer, K. Iverson; assessor, W, A. Crooks; justices, K. Iverson, P. D. Wilson; constables, W. Crippin, August Johnson. The board met March V), and appointed Thomas Stapleton treasurer, Alexander Mitchell justice and E H. Darrow constable, to fill vacancies occasioned by the persons elected to these offices having- failed to qualify. April 30, the board entered into an ag-reement with the town board of Mapleton "that Mapleton should care for the south 2}4 miles of hig-hway between the two townships, and Benton for the north Syz miles for ever." Anagfreement was also entered into with the town board of Hartford for the division of the hig-hway between the townships.

1889. Supervisors, P. C. Frebel chairman, J.P.Johnson, L. A. Newkirk; clerk, Henry Alg-uire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton; assessor, P. D. Wilson; justices, Wm. Alg-uire, G. Rathburn; constables, Daniel Poster, E. H. Darrow. The vote on the resurvey question was 44 /or and 11 ag-ainst. July 31, P. C. Prebel reported that he had eng-ag'ed "a surve3'or and assistants to establish section lines and locate and establish hig-hways." August 23, at a town meetingit was declared by a vote of 18 to 5, "that all corners be established in the resurvey." September 2, the bill of E. H. Van Antwerp for surveying the township amounting to S407, was allowed. At a special town meeting- held September 16, a resolution was passed instructing the road overseers "to take possession of the newly established highways by ploughing a furrow two rods from the centre on each side of such line." At a special meeting- held October 1, the question of establishing all the corners in the resurvey was again submitted to the vote of the electors, and resulted in 65 for and none against. Por this work Mr. Van Antwerp subsequently presented a bill to the town board for $145, which was allowed October 21, at $135.

1890. Supervisors, P. C. Prebel chairman, J. P. Johnson, L. A. Newkirk; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton; assessor, P. D. Wilson. A resolution was passed fixing the compensation of oilicers as follows: Supervisors and clerk $2 per day, assessor $3 per day, and the treasurer four per cent of all money paid into the treasury. Pebruary 24, 1891, the treasurer reported havingreceived $543.43, which had been paid out, and that there were outstanding town orders in the sum of $267.29, but that the unpaid taxes when collected would be sufficient to pay this indebtedness.

1891. Supervisors, Sever Helgeson chairman, L. A. Newkirk, August A. Johnson; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton; assessor, W. A. Crooks; justices, P. C. Prebel, Sever Wilkinson; constables, D. O. Crooks, John Kickland. At a special meeting of the board July 27, it was decided that all noxious weeds should be destroyed within the township on or before August 20, as provided by the statute. At the end of the fiscal vear the treasurer reported that he had on hand $467.76.

1892. Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P. Johnson, D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alguire; treasurer, Thomas Stapleton; assessor, S. Wilkinson; justices, Wm. Jackson and C. Christianson; constables, John Person and John Kickland.

1895. Supervisors, L. A. Newkirk chairman, J. P. Johnson, D. O. Crooks; clerk, Henry Alg-uire; treasurer, Thomas Sta])let()n; assessor. Sever Wilkinson.

1897. Supervisors, Sever Wilkinson chairman, 1). ( ). Croolcs, Carl Johnson; clerk, Henry Alg-uire; treasurer, Thomas StapK'ton; assessor, D. E. Alg-uire.

1898. Supervisors, Sever Wilkinson chairman, I). (). Crooks, Carl Johnson; clerk, Henry Alg-uire; treasurer, Thomas Sta])leton; assessor, P. D. Wilson.

Aldrich, Lorenze, was born in Oswego, New York, in 1828; lived there and in Michig-an and Iowa until 1873, when he came to Dakota and located in this county on his present farm, which comprises the northeast quarter of section 10 in Benton. He was postmaster of New Hope post office several years, but resigned in 187*). He is a g-ood neighbor and a respected citizen.

Alguire, Henry, is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, and was born February 20, 1868. In 1873 his parents removed to this county and settled in Benton, where the subject of this sketch has since resided upon the old homestead, which comprises the northwest quarter of section 35. He has held the office of town clerk several years, and is an enterprising and respected citizen.

Anderson Nels, a native of Sweden, was born December 1, 1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, lived in New Jersey and Pennsylvania five years and came to Dakota in the spring of 1876. He then filed a homestead upon 80 acres of section 6 and SO acres of section 5, in Benton, where he resided until his death, which occurred October 27, 1894, survived by wife and nine children.

Baker, Andrew A., was born in Norway, June 19, 1831. He emigrated to the United State's in the spring of 1865 and located in Wisconsin; removed from there to Iowa, and settled in Minnehaha county in the fall of 1874. He took up as a tree claim the northwest quarter of section 18, and as a homeslead the northeast quarter of the same section, where he resides. He has a good farm well improved, is a thrifty industrious farmer, and a respected citizen.

Baker, John A., was born in Norway July 28, 1861, and emig-rated to this country with his father, Andrew A. Baker. He lived with his parents in Wisconsin and Iowa, and came with them to this county in the fall of 1874. He now owns the southeast quarter of section 7 in Benton, and has a good farm. He has been school clerk in district No. 93, and is a good citizen.

Christianson,Chris, isa native of Den mark, and was born in 1844. He emig-aated to the United States and located in Michig-an, On the 12th day of Aug-ust, 1871, he came to Dakota, and took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 1 in Benton, and a pre-emption in section 6 in Mapleton, making- in all about 327 acres of land, which is now under g-ood cultivation. He resides with his family on the homestead, and, to use his own words, his improvements will show the following" "six boys and one g"irl, all born in Minnehaha county, a two-story dwelling- house with basement, barn and other building's necessary on a farm." He also said "the times were hard when we had to g-o to Nebraska for flour, Sioux City for groceries, and to Worthing-ton with what wheat the g-rasshoppers left." He has held township offices, and is an enterprising- and well-known citizen.

Clarkson, Charles Henry, was born in Iowa in 1871, and l)ecame a resident of this county in 1873. A few years ag-o he boug-ht 40 acres of land in section 3 in Benton, where he now resides, eng-ag-ed in farming-.

Crooks, D. O., a brother of W. A. Crooks, was born in Canada. November 30, 1855. The following- year he came with his parents to the United States and settled in Wisconsin. They removed from there to Iowa, and in 1873 the subject of this sketch came to this county. He filed a pre-emption on the southwest quarter of section 2, in Benton township. He also owns the northwest quarter of section 10, and has a g-ood farm. He has been treasurer of his school district for the last twelve years, and a member of the town board of supervisors since 1892. 'Recently he opened a general store at his

Crooks, W. xV., a native of Canada, was born October 22, 18-I-9. He came to the United States with his parents in 1856, and settled in Wisconsin. During- the civil war he enlisted in the army and served in Company K, 40th Wisconsin, and in Company A, 49th Wisconsin. After the war he located in Iowa, and came from there to this county in November, 1876. He took up a homestead and tree claim in section 3 in Benton, where he has since resided and has a good farm. He has been assessor of Benton township, and always takes an active part in town affairs; was postmaster of New Hope post office for several years; serg-eant at arms of the house of representatives of the leg-islature of South Dakota in 1893, and a member of the same body in 1895. He is an enterprising- citizen and higfhhrespected.

Darrow, Erastus H., was born at La Porte, Indiana, July 3, 1845. He removed to Wisconsin, and in November, 1861, enlisted at Ripon, Wis., in Company H, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. During- the service one of his arms was fractured, and he received several slight wounds, and in January, 1863, was discharg-ed for disability. In January, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company D, 3d Wisconsin Infantry, and remained until the close of the war. In June, 1872, he came to Dakota and located in this county upon his present homestead, the northeast quarter of section 23 in Benton township. Mrs. Darrow taug-ht school in the barracks at Sioux Palls in the early days, and later in Benton and Sioux Palls townships. Mr. Darrow has held several town offices, and he and his g-ood wife are now enjoying- life on their well improved farm, hig-hly respected by all who know them.

Eldridge, J. C, is a native of Pranklin county, New York, and was born October 28, 1844. He lived in Wisconsin for some time, and came to Dakota and located in this county May 26, 1872. He took up a homestead and tree claim in section 34 in Benton, and purchased the southwest quarter of section 32 in the same township. He has a comfortable home and a first-class farm, and is one of the most prominent and enterprising- farmers in the county. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his town, and has held several important town offices. He served as county commissioner of Minnehaha county three years, made a g-ood official, and is hig-hly esteemed as a neig-hbor and citizen.

Poster, John R., is a native of Upper Canada, and was born on the 23d day of January, 1851. He came with his parents to Wisc(msin in 1865, and lived there until in 1872, when they removed to Dakota, arriving- in Sioux Palls on the 3d da}^ of October of that year. His father, Robert Poster, took up the northwest quarter of section 33, in Benton, and lived there until his death in October, 188(.. The subject of this sketch took up a homestead in section 29, to which he has since added about 240 acres of land by purchase. Mr. Poster resides upon his father's old homestead. He is a g-ood farmer, an oblig-ing- neig-hbor and a good citizen. Elsewhere appears an account of the loss of a brother and sister of Mr. Poster in the terrible blizzard in Januarv, 1873,

Prebel, Frederick C, was born in Germany, October 27, 1836; emig-rated to the United States in 1853, remained three months in New York, and then went to Galena, 111., and worked in a wag-on shop two years and from there went to Hazel Green CoUeg-iate Institute, taking- a classical course, and was graduated; became a member of the faculty and taught German; in 1860, removed to Schullsburg-, Wis., and went into business for himself manufacturing- carriages; enlisted in Company C, 33d Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the close of the war; then resumed his business at Schullsburg-, and continued in it until 1879. In 1874, he bought the southeast quarter of section 26 in Benton township in this county, and moved on to it July 12, 1879, and farmed it until 1893, when he built a residence in West Sioux Palls, where he now resides and is renting- his farm. Mr. Prebel has held school offices, was a member of the town board of Benton for several years, and three years its chairman. He is a good neig-hbor and an esteemed citizen.

Predrickson, L. p., was born at Veile, Denmark, June 8, 1838. When he first came to this country he lived in Illinois and Iowa, but removed to this county March 17, 1884. He was the owner of 80 acres of section 16, and 80 acres of section 17, in the town of Benton, where he resided until his death, which occurred very suddenly, July 25, 1895. He was a good farmer and a respected citizen.

Helgeson, Syver, was born in Norway in 1844, and came to this country with his parents in 1849, and located in Wisconsin. In 1852 they removed to Iowa, where he worked on his father's farm until 1867, when he found employment as clerk in a store, which position he held five years. In 1872 he came to Dakota and pre-empted 160 acres of land, and then returned to Iowa and worked for Nielander & Brockhouse six years as clerk and grain buyer in the winter, and in the summer represented the firm as ag-ent of the Diamond Jo line of steamers. In 1878 he returned to Dakota and worked for C. K. Howard as clerk in his store. In 1880 he went onto his farm of 240 acres in sections 13 and 14 in Benton, where he eng-ag-ed in farming until the fall of 1892, when he rented his farm and removed to the city of Sioux Palls, where he has since resided. While a resident of Benton he was township clerk, and chairman of the town board one year, and since residing- in Sioux Palls was jailer and deputy sheriff under Sheriff Donahoe for nearly two years. He is a respected citizen.

HoLST, Christian, is a native of Germany and was born Mav 23, 1863. He emig-rated to the United States, arriving- in New York May 1, 1880, and immediately started for Dakota, where he arrived May 4. He settled in Benton township, this county, and owns the northwest quarter of section 7, where he resides, and has a good farm.

Johnson, August, was born in Sweden, June 26, 1859. He came to this country with his parents in 1875, and settled in this county. He worked on his father's farm until 1880, at which time he proved up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 9 in Benton, and resided there until his death, which occurred a few years ag-o. He

Johnson, August S., was born in Halland, Sweden, AutJ-ust 15, 18()6. In 1870 he and his mother emio-rated to the United States and joined his father, Samuel Johnson, who had located in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, two years previous. They resided there until the fall of 1874, when they removed to this county and located on the homestead which had been taken up during- the spring- of that year. The subject of this sketch now owns the south half of the southeast quarter of section 5, in Benton, where he resides and has a good home. He has been supervisor of the town board in Benton, and clerk four years of the Swedish Lutheran church, which is located on his farm. He is a g-ood farmer and an uprig-ht citizen.

Johnson, Ben, was born in Sweden, January 4, 1844, attended school and worked on a farm during- his minority, and then went to Denmark, where he worked on a railroad four years, after which he returned to Sweden for a short time. In 1870 he came to the United States, and worked on a farm in Wisconsin nearly three years. On the 20th day of April, 1873, he came to Sioux Falls, and very soon after took up a claim comprising- the northwest quarter of section 11 in Benton, where he has since resided. He has added eightv acres to his homestead, has a g-ood farm and is a g-ood citizen.

Johnson, Carl, was born in Sweden on the 28th dav of September, 1848. He received his education, and worked as a miller in his native country until 1870, when he emig-rated to the United States and located in Wisconsin. In 1873 he came to this county with his brother Ben, and took up the southwest quarter of section 11 in Benton, where he has since resided. He now owns 320 acres of farm land, and is a gfood farmer. He has been a member of the town board of supervisors since 1897, and is its present chairman. He is an enterprising- and respected citizen.

Johnson, John P., is a native of Sweden and was born July 5, 1854. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, lived in Wisconsin three years and settled in this county March 1, 1874. He took up as a tree claim 160 acres of section 5, and as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 6, in Benton, where he now lives and has a g-ood farm. He has been town supervisor for several years, has held various school offices, and is an active and g-ood citizen.

Johnson, Magnus, is a native of Sweden, and was born August 28,1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and lived in Pennsylvania until 1876, when he removed to Dakota, arriving in this county May 6, of that year. He took up as a homestead the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6 in Hartford, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 6 in Benton, and has since purchased 120 acres of farm land. He is a progressive farmer, and does not conhne his farming to grain raising only, but keeps about twenty cows and has quite a dairy business. His buildings are ample and well adapted for mixed farming. He is a thoroughly good citizen.

Johnson, Samuel, was born in the province of Halland, Sweden, on the 19th day of May, 1832. He emig-rated to the United States in 1868, and located in Wisconsin. He removed from there to Dakota in the spring- of 1874, and took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 5, and thew^est half of the southwest quarter of section 4 in Benton, and in the fall of the same year broug-ht his family here, and since then the}- have made their home on the homestead. He is a g-ood farmer and a respected citizen.

KiCKLAND, Theodore, has been a resident of this county since November, 1883. He was born in New York, October 6, 1839. ' When the civil war broke out he enlisted in the 41st Ohio Infantry and served four years and eleven months. He was taken prisoner, and after having- spent eig-hteen days in Libbey prison succeeded in making his escape, buying- the first g'uard's silence for fifteen dollars, and hiding- and running- by the others. He traveled eig-hteen nig-hts before he reached the Union lines. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamaug-a by a bar of iron six inches long- and an inch thick, which took off two iing-ers and entered his rig-ht breast; it was supposed to be from a shell. After the war he lived in Wisconsin until he removed to his present farm of 240 acres in sections 13 and 14 in Benton, and eng-ag-ed in farming-. He has held the office of school director in Benton, and is a g-ood and respected citizen.

Larson, Olaus, was born in Sweden in 1842, emig-rated to this country in 1870, and settled in Pennsylvania. In 1876 he came to Dakota and settled in this county on the northwest quarter of section 3, in the town of Benton, which he filed upon as a homestead, and where he still resides, and has a well improved farm. He is also the owner of forty acres of section 4, in the same town.

LiFTO, Andrew, is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and was born May 25, 1842. He worked in a saw mill at East Smith Palls in Canada five years; then in a shing-le mill in New York; then came West and lived in Grant county, Wisconsin, until 1872, when he settled in this county. He secured by pre-emption the southwest quarter of section 26 in Benton, where he has since resided eng-ag-ed in farming-. He was constable two years and roadmaster one year.

Miller, Olaf Anderson, is a native of Sweden, and was born April 18, 1840. He emig-rated to this country and settled in Pennsylvania until in 1879 when he removed to this county where he has since resided. He is the owner of the east half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 6, in Benton, and has a g-ood farm.

Newkirk, L. a., was born in New York, October 24, 1847. He lived in Michig-an and Wisconsin before he came to this countv in 1876. He then took up the northeast quarter of section 21, as a homestead, and the southeast quarter of the same section, in Benton, as a tree-claim and now has a g-ood farm. He is an active and well-known farmer; has held the office of supervisor and other town offices and is an influential citizen. He now rents his farm and resides in the city of Sioux Falls,

Nelson, Nels B., was born in Norway April 25, 1848, and emiorated to the United States with his parents in 1857. He resided tor sixteen years in Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1873 he came to this county, and secured as a homestead the northeast quarter of section *) in Benton, where he resided until 1885 when he sold the farm and removed to Sioux Palls. While residino- in Benton he was road supervisor and chairman of the town board, and held school district offices. In Aug-ust, 1894, he was appointed on the police ff)rce in the city of Sioux Palls, which position he still holds, and makes a _!L;"ood official.

Pe;arsc)N, John, is a native of Sweden, and was born July 28, 1857. He emigrated to the United States in 1876, and lived in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, until the summer of 1882, when he removed to Dakota and settled in this county, where he has since remained. He owns about 260 acres of land in section 8 in Benton, and also 40 acres of hay land in the northwest quarter of section 36, in Grand ]\Ieadow. He resides on the northwest quarter of section 8, in Benton, where he has a g-ood farm with substantial building-s and improvements. He is a g-ood farmer and a g-ood citizen.

Pearson, Nels, a native of Sweden, was born January 24, 1842. He emig-rated to this country in 1869 and located in Wisconsin. In August, 1878, he came to Dakota, and has been a permanent settler of this county ever since. He boug"ht and now owns the southwest quarter of section 15 and the northeast quarter of section 16. He has a g-ood farm and a comfortable home for himself and family, and is a g"ood citizen.

Peterson, Peter M., a native of Germany, was born in 1846. He emig-rated to New York and lived there for some time before coming to this county in 1876. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 8, in Benton, where he still resides. He also owns the southeast quarter of section 7, in the same town. He is a good farmer and a good citizen.

RosTEN, Amond, is a native of Norway, and was l)orn JVIay 15, 1834. He emigrated to the United States in 1870, and settled in Minnesota. In 1876 he removed from there to Dakota and located in this county, taking up as a homestead the northeast (piarter of section 11 in Benton, to which he has since added by purchasing the southwest quarter of section 12. He has a good farm and is a respected citizen.

Stapleton, Thomas, is a native of England, and was born July 24, 1849; emigrated to Wisconsin in 1871, and resided there ten years. He came to this county in 1876, and purchased a quarter section in Benton, and ag-ain, in 1880, visited the county and purchased another quarter section in the same township. In 1881 he removed to Benton, and has since resided on the southeast quarter of section 27. He has one of the largest farms in the county, having under cultivation upwards of 700 acres. He is a progressive farmer, has fine improvements, is energetic and enterprising-, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He was elected town treasurer in 1886, and again in 1888, since which time he has held this office by successive re-elections.

SwENSON, Henry, was born in Halmstad, Sweden, in 1S47. He came to Dakota March 2, 1882, and has lived in this county ever since. His homestead comprises 80 acres of section 4, and 80 acres of section 5, in Benton. He has a o;ood farm and is a good citizen.

TiDEMANN, Hemming, a native of Norway, was born February 18, 1850, He emio-rated in 1875 and came direct to this county where he still remains. He is the owner of the northeast quarter of section 2, in Benton. He was clerk of the school board from 1800 to 1803, is a ufood farmer and a good citizen,

TuTHiLL, John T., was born at Galena, Illinois, March 20, 1854. He removed from there to Dakota in 1881 and settled on his present farm, comprising 80 acres of section 27, and 80 acres of section 26, in Benton, which is now well improved. He is a good farmer and a respected citizen, and has held school district and township offices.

Ulvilden, Lars Olson, one of the first settlers of Benton, was born in Norway in 1840. After coming to the United States he lived in Michigan and Minnesota until 1870, when he removed to this county. He took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 12, in Benton, where he has since resided and has a well improved farm, with a fine residence and good outbuildings.

Wilkinson, Sever, is a native of Norway, and was born April 15, 1843. He came to the United States June 1, 1858, and lived in Wisconsin until 1872, when he removed to Dakota and located in Union countv. Three years later he removed to this county and took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 8, in Benton, and has a good farm, where he still resides. During the w^ar of the rebellion he enlisted in the I5th Wisconsin Infantry, and served two years. Since then he has been Captain of the state militia, and has held several civil offices; w^as assessor in Union county, and held the same office in this county before it was organized into townships; was clerk of the school and town boards, and a member of the house of representatives of the first legislature of the State of South Dakota. Mr. Wilkinson is a good neighbor, and a highh^ esteemed and influential citizen.