Cottonwood County, Minnesota Biographies

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Cottonwood County Minnesota
Genealogy and History

Biographies

Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota
Their People, Industries and Institutions
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
John A. Brown
Volume II : 1916: B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.

Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by Vicki Hartman

Iverson, Iver O.
Page 234-235
Iver O. Iverson, town clerk in and for Highwater township, Cotton- wood county, and one of the well-known and substantial farmers of that township, owner of ""Eureka Farm"" of three hundred and twenty acres and actively identified with the civic and other interests of his home community, is a native of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was seventeen years old. He was born on a farm in the amt, or province, of Nordland on November 29, 1875, son of Iver and Pernelia (Hogensen) Iverson, the former of whom died in 1886, and who were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having two sisters, Anna and Jennie.

Iver O. Iverson received his schooling in the public schools of his native land and in 1892, when seventeen years of age, came to Minnesota and for two years made his home with his paternal uncle, Jacob O. Iverson, of Fillmore county, and then moved over into Cottonwood county to live with his mother's brother, Rasmus Hogenson, a prominent farmer of High- water township, and upon the latter's death, in 1899, inherited the farm of three hundred and twenty acres on which he now lives and which he has greatly improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. He rebuilt the house and has added largely to the other buildings on the place and now has one of the best-kept farms in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Iverson gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. Mr. Iverson also gives thoughtful attention to the various local business interests of his home community and is deeply interested in the various movements having to do with the advancement of the common cause thereabout. He was one of the organizers of the Westbrook Telephone Company and in other ways has done his part to build up the best interests of that part of the county. For about eleven years he has been township clerk and formerly served as justice of the peace and supervisor for the township.

In April, 1900, Iver O. Iverson was united in marriage to Martha Hofstad, and to this union five children have been born, Vivian L., Iver N., Raymond M., Agnes J. and Pearl H. The Iversons have a very pleasant home, and Mr. and Mrs. Iverson give proper attention to the various social and cultural activities of the community in which they live, being helpful in the promotion of all good movements thereabout.

Janzen, Abraham
Page 54-55
In these days of large commercial transactions, when credits cut a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the present compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men first- class security for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to develop their buiness, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in no other way. Abraham Janzen, of Mountain Lake, is one of the enterprising bankers of Cottonwood county.

Mr. Janzen was born in Germany, May 2, 1862, and is a son of Johan and Anna (Thiessen) Janzen, both natives of Germany, in which country they grew to maturity, were married and spent their lives on a farm. Mr. Janzen grew up on the home place, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1884, locating at Mountain Lake, Minnesota, where he has since resided. He first worked in a store and the postoffice, later ran a lumber yard, then became cashier of the First National Bank, soon after its organization and this position he still holds.

Mr. Janzen was married in 1889, to Margaret Nickel, of Mountain Lake, and to their union the following children have been born: Abram A., John Alfred, William Henry, Hilda, Rudolf, Erna, Victor, Margaret and Kuno.

Mr. Janzen is a Republican and he has been village recorder and for many years a member of the school board. He belongs to the Mennonite church. He has been one of Mountain Lake's best citizens.

Janzen, David C.
Page 480
Of the farmers of Mountain Lake township, Cottonwood county, who not only raises big crops, but who keeps his farm in an attractive condition, everything well cared for, thus presenting to the visitor a pleasing appearance, is David C. Janzen. He was born in Russia, October 8, 1864, and is a son of Cornelius and Sarah (Nickel) Janzen, both born in Russia, from which country they removed to America with their family in 1878, landing at Mountain Lake, Minnesota, on July 6 of that year, the father buying the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives, lying immediately south of the village. He first purchased eighty acres, on which the farm buildings now stand, later added one hundred and sixty acres. He began improving the place and erected the present building. However, the subject of this sketch has remodeled the dwelling and put up a new barn, he having purchased the place of his father in 1901, the latter living retired in the village until his death, in 1914, and here his widow still resides. Five children, who grew up, were born to these parents, namely: David C., of this sketch; Sarah and Augunita are twins; Cornelius and Helen.

David C. Janzen spent his boyhood in Russia, where he attended school, finishing his education after coming to Minnesota. He grew up on the home farm, and started out as a farmer for himself in Midway township, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres, which he operated five years, then moved to the homestead which he owns and which he has kept tilled and well improved. He is one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of his township.

Mr. Janzen was married in 1894, to Agnes Geortzen, who was born in Russia, and is a daughter of William Geortzen, who brought his family to Mountain Lake, Minnesota, in 1876, where he established the future home of the family. He and his wife are now deceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Janzen, namely: David, William, Esther, deceased; Cornelius, deceased; Alfred, Esther, the second; Lydia and Ferdinand. Mr. Janzen was township treasurer for a number of years.

Jencks, Perry M.
Page 382
Farmers as a class are intelligent, industrious and economical, and many of them are men of good business judgment. Perry M. Jencks, one of the successful farmers of Great Bend township, Cottonwood county, was born at Evansville, Wisconsin, November 5, 1873. He is a son of Monroe and Ella (Martin) Jencks, natives of New York state and Wisconsin, respectively. The father came to Wisconsin when young, married there and spent the rest of his life on a farm in that state and in Iowa, dying in the latter state. His widow now resides in Windom, Minnesota. Eleven children were born to these parents, named as follow: Eva, Sidney, who died when young; Ida, Perry, Orlo, Warren, Rosa, who died young; Ira, Louis, Cyril and Florence.

Perry M. Jencks grew up on the home farm in Wisconsin and there he received a common-school education. He began farming for himself in Iowa, to which state he moved with his parents. In the fall of 1900 he came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and purchased his present farm in Great Bend township, and here he has since made his home. The place consists' of eighty acres. He has made many improvements here, putting up all the buildings, except the dwelling. The place is known as ""Rose Bud Dairy Farm."" In connection with general farming he conducts a dairy, milking on an average, ten cows; also, he raises full-blood Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Jencks was married in October, 1894, to Nettie Wheaton, of Iowa, a daughter of George A. Wheaton and wife. To this union four children have been born, namely: Maude, Hazel, an infant, who died, and Opal. Politically, Mr. Jencks is a Republican. He has served as a member of the district school board for some time, being still a member of the same, and he was formerly road overseer here. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his wife are both members of the Rebekahs and the Royal Neighbors. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jensen, Soren P.
Page 181-183
Soren P. Jensen, a well-known and substantial farmer of Storden township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm in the vicinity of Storden, chairman of the board of supervisors of his home township, a director of the Farmers Elevator Company at Storden and fpr years looked upon as one of the leaders in that community, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was eighteen years old. He was born on September 8, 1868, son of Johann Peder and Marian (Sorenson) Jensen, natives of Denmark, farming people, who came to Minnesota about 1882 and settled in Cottonwood county. Upon his arrival here, Johann P. Jensen bought a farm in Storden township, established his home there and there spent the rest of his life, an industrious and thrifty farmer, who did much for the general upbuilding of that community. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Celia, who married Hans M. Hanson; Carolina, who married Carl Ruhl- berg, and Ingerjenis, Ole, Peter, Tillapater and Tora.

When his parents came to this country, Soren P. Jensen was about sixteen years old. He had received his schooling in his native land and came with the family to Cottonwood county. He became a farmer and not long after coming here began farming on his own account. After his marriage he established his home where he is now living and quickly came to be regarded as one of the most progressive farmers in that part of the county. Mr. Jensen is an excellent farmer and as he prospered in his operations enlarged his holdings until now he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in section 29, of Storden township, and eighty acres in section 27, of that same township. He has a comfortable home and lie and his family are very pleasantly situated. The farm is well improved and the character of the buildings and general improvements bespeak the enterprise and progressive methods of the owner. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Jensen has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well. He has given thoughtful attention to local political affairs and for above fifteen years has served as a member of the board of supervisors, now serving as chairman of the same. He also has served as a member of the local school board and in other ways has done his part in advancing the general interests of his community. He was one of the promoters in the organization of the Farmers Elevator Company at Storden and is a member o{ the board of directors of the same.

Mr. Jensen has been married twice. By his first wife, who was Inger Pederson, he has four children, Minnie, who married Walter Cowan; Myrtle, who married Clarence Miller, and Peter and Hans. Following the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Jensen married, secondly, Hannah Halverson and to this union two children have been born, Cleo and Bruce. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are members of the Lutheran church and give proper attention to the various beneficences of the same, as well as to all local good works. Mr. Jensen is a member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America and in the affairs of that organization takes a warm interest. In his political views, he is inclined to be independent along local lines, preferring to reserve his vote for the best men on the several tickets under consideration rather than to commit himself unreservedly to the cause of one party, regardless of the possible unfitness of candidates thus indorsed.

Johnson, Gunder
Page 314-315
No history of Cottonwood county would be complete without fitting mention of the venerable Gunder Johnson, an honored veteran of the Civil War and the first settler of Highwater township, who has been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful development that has marked this part of the state within the past generation and who is still living, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-two, on the farm in Highwater township, where he homesteaded in 1869.

Gunder Johnson is a native of Norway, born on October 12, 1833, son of Ole and Hedwick (Gunder) Johnson, and grew to manhood in his native country, being twenty-two years of age when the family came to this country in 1855. Ol£ Johnson located with his family in Portage county, Wisconsin, established his home on a homestead farm there and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1872. He and his wife were the parents of three children, of whom Gunder was the last-torn, the others being Mary and John. Upon settling in Portage county, Gunder Johnson was occupied with his father in the work of developing the homestead farm and was thus engaged until 1863, in which year he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil War and served with that command until mustered out at the close of the war. Mr. Johnson saw much active service with his regiment, participating in the battles in the Wilderness, through the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, Cherry Creek, the battles around Petersburg and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, later participating in the Grand Review at Washington. Through all these battles and engagements he never was wounded, though on several occasions bullet holes in his hat attested the imminence of death.

Upon the completion of his military service, Mr. Johnson returned to his home in Wisconsin. He married there in 1867 and in 1869 he and his wife drove through by ""prairie schooner"" to this part of Minnesota and settled in Highwater township, Cottonwood county, being the earliest arrivals in that township, Mr. Johnson later becoming an active factor in the organization of the township when it was organized to one of the civil units of the county. He homesteaded a quarter of a section of land there and has ever since made his home on the original homestead, thus being one of the oldest pioneers in point of continuous residence in this part of the state. When Mr. Johnson settled here, his nearest market was New Ulm, fifty-five miles away, for he then was on the frontier, indeed. He had a struggle before him for several years and during the years of the grasshopper scourge left his wife and children on the homestead and went over into Fillmore county to work in the harvest fields. After awhile, however, he began to see his way clear and presently became established on his farm, from the very first being looked upon as one of the leading farmers of that part of the county. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and ever since locating in Cottonwood county has taken a warm interest in civic affairs, though not being included in the office-seeking class. For many years he has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and continues to take a warm interest in the affairs of that patriotic organization. Despite the weight of his eighty- two years, Mr. Johnson still retains the erect carriage of his military days and is in vigorous physical condition, never having been ill for even a single day during all the years of his residence in Minnesota.

In 1867, back in Wisconsin, Gunder Johnson was united in marriage to Marie Staindahlen and to this union nine children have been born, Martin, Jacob, Peter, Aaron, Gilbert, Hannah, Gerina, Toline and Anna, all of whom are living in Minnesota save the first born, Martin Johnson, who is living in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and were prominent figures in the work of organizing that church in this locality in early days and have ever been held as among the leaders in all good works hereabout, the influence of their lives in the formative period of this now well-established and prosperous community having been of far-reaching benefit hereabout.

Johnson, J. E.
Page 52-53
HON. J. E. JOHNSON
The Hon. J. E. Johnson, former member of the Legislature from the Windom district, a former member of the Windom city council, a former merchant of that city and for years a well-known general dealer in real- estate in that city, is a native of Norway, but has been a resident of the United States since he was two years old and a resident of this section of Minnesota since he was six years old, consequently has become as deeply imbued with the spirit of the great Northwest as one native born here.

He was born on March 25, 1865, son of Erick and Ingeborg (Grine) Johnson, both natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1867 and located on a farm in the vicinity of Staughton, Wisconsin, where they remained until 1871, in which year they came to Minnesota and located in Cottonwood county. Upon coming here, Erick Johnson homesteaded a tract of eighty acres, four and one-half miles south of Windom' and there he and his wife spent their last days, becoming useful and influential pioneers of this section. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Lena, Bennie E., Martha, Arthur E., Ida and Emma. Erick Johnson was a Republican and took an active part in political affairs in the early days here. J. E.

Johnson was about two years old when his parents came to this country and was about six years old when they moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota. He grew up on the home farm, completed his schooling in the schools at Windom and when about seventeen years old began clerking in the store of John Hutton in that city, being thus engaged for nine years, at the end of which time, in 1891, he embarked in the general merchandise business for himself at Windom and was for eleven years regarded as one of the leading merchants of Windom. At the end of that time, in 1902, Mr. Johnson entered the real-estate business at Windom and has since then been engaged in that business, senior member of the Johnson & Lund Land Company, one of the foremost general dealers in realty hereabout. Mr. Johnson, even from the days of his boyhood, has given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs and has been active therein. In 1897 ne was elected representative from his home district to the lower house of the Minnesota General Assembly, on the Independent ticket, and served in -that capacity for one term. He also has given his time to the public service as a member of the Windom city council.

In 1894 J. E. Johnson was united in marriage to Louise Thompson, daughter of Jens Thompson and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Ellsworth and Irene. The Johnsons are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take an earnest interest in the affairs of the same, as well as in the general good works of the community at large.

Johnson, John F.
Page 148-149
John F. Johnson, assessor of Amo township, Cottonwood county, and proprietor of a well-kept farm of eighty acres in that township, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, born on June 25, 1866, son of P. C. and Caroline (Anderson) Johnson, both natives of that same country, who came to the United States with their family in 1874 and located at Minneapolis.

Six years later, in 1880, P. C. Johnson came to this part of the state and homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Amo township, Cotton- wood county, where he established his home and where he spent the rest of his life. He was an excellent farmer and as his affairs prospered added to his original homestead a quarter of a section adjoining, thus becoming the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Andrew M., John F., A. W., Christian, Charles and Emma.

John F. Johnson was about eight years old when he came to this country with his parents and he was about fourteen when the family moved from Minneapolis to Cottonwood county. He received his schooling in the public schools of Minneapolis and early learned the carpenter trade, which trade he followed at Windom and elsewhere hereabout for four or five years after coming to this part of the state. He later equipped himself with a threshing outfit and during the threshing season made a specialty of threshing throughout the neighborhood. For years his chief interest has been farming. He has a well-kept and profitably cultivated farm of eighty acres in the Storden neighborhood and is one of the best-known residents of that part of the county. He has ever taken an active interest in local civic affairs and for fifteen years has served the public as assessor of Amo township, a position he now holds. For many years Mr. Johnson conducted the store and postoffke known as the Amo postoffice and store. This business was conducted until the town of Storden was established at the time the railroad was built through this section. Later the postoffice was also transferred to Storden.

In 1892 John F. Johnson was united in marriage to Augusta Grenager, who was born in Norway and came to America with her parents when quite small, settling in Wisconsin. To this union three children have been born, Chester, Mabel and Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper part in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general good works of the neighborhood.

Judd, Frank E. (D.V.S.)
Page 197-199
One of the most successful and highly skilled veterinarians of Cotton- wood and adjoining counties is Dr. Frank E. Judd, who maintains his office and residence at Windom. He was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, January 10, 1875. He is a son of Lewis S. and Fannie (Smith) Judd. The father was born in Georgetown, New York, in 1841, and the mother was born in Connecticut. Lewis S. Judd came to Minnesota in 1856, locating in Wabasha county, with his parents, George Washington Judd and Amanda (Emmons) Judd. The elder Judd took a pre-emption claim in Goodhue county, this state, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring in 1900, at an advanced age, he having been born in New York state in 1816. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1891. To these parents three children were born, namely: Lewis S. was the eldest; Pemelia, who died about 1896, and Rosella, who is still living in Goodhue county, Minnesota.

Lewis S. Judd, father of the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood in the state of New York, where he was educated. He was fifteen years of age when he came to Minnesota, and here he was married, first, to a Miss Russell, by which union one child was born, Nora E., who is the wife of Louis Schofield, of Goodhue county. His second marriage was to Fannie Smith, and to their union four children were born, namely: George W., who died on January 9, 1916, at the age of forty-seven years; Kittie M., who was the wife of Charles D. Reifsneider, of Oronoco, Omstead county, died in 1906, at the age of thirty-five years; Frank E., the subject of this sketch; Harry G., born in 1877, lives in Jasper, Minnesota. The mother of the above-named children died in 1882. For his third wife, Lewis S. Judd married Mrs. Ann Allen, in 1887, Dut this union was without issue. Her death occurred in 1900, and in 1901 he married again, and he and his last wife are living at this writing at Mora, Kanabec county, Minnesota, whither he moved in 1899. He was a blacksmith by trade, as was also his father before him. He moved to a farm in 1899, and in 1912 located in the town of Mora, where he has since lived retired. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company G, Third Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was injured while in camp at Ft. Snelling and was honorably discharged.

Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian church.

Frank S. Judd went to live with his paternal grandparents upon the death of his mother until he was fourteen years old, then began working on a farm, and he educated himself. He continued farm work until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he took up his studies at the Western Veterinary College, at Kansas City, Missouri, where he made an excellent record and was graduated in 1901. However, he had previously been a student in the schools at Mazeppa, Wabasha county, Minnesota. In July, 1901, he located in Perham, Otter Tail county, this state, for the practice of his profession, where he soon had a good start and remained until February 23, 1906, when he came to Windom, Cottonwood county, where he has remained to the present time, enjoying a large and satisfactory practice all the while. He has a well-equipped office and owns a pleasant home.

Politically, Doctor Judd is a Republican. He was made a Mason at Perham, Minnesota, in 1904. He is now a member of Perham Lodge No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Windom.

Doctor Judd was married on December 8, 1908, to Isabel Fawcett, a native of Cottonwood county, born here on May 6, 1871. She is a daughter of Thomas Fawcett, an early settler in this county, he having taken up a homestead here in the spring of 1869. His wife, Elizabeth Colquhoun, was born in Perth county, Ontario, Canada, May 5, 1838. Thomas Fawcett was born in England, August 7, 1838. He came to Canada with his parents in 1845. His death occurred July 28, 1886, and his wife died on March 27, 1906. To these parents the following children were born: James, deceased; Arthur, Mary, Isabel, wife of Doctor Judd; John, deceased; William is the youngest. Mr. Fawcett was an Episcopalian and his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Juhnke, William
Page 337-338
William Juhnke, a well-known and progressive farmer of Germantown township, Cottonwood county, member of the board of supervisors of that township and otherwise actively identified with the civic life of his home community, is a native of Germany, but has lived in Minnesota since he was about a year old. He was born on October 5, 1869, son of Fred and Augusta (Bader) Juhnke, natives of Germany, pioneers of Cottonwood county. Fred Juhnke is still living on his homestead farm in Germantown township, but his wife is dead.

Fred Juhnke was a tailor in his native land. In 1870 he and his family came to the United States and proceeded directly to the Northwest. For a year or two they made their home in Wisconsin and then came to Minnesota and settled in Cottonwood county. Fred Juhnke homesteaded eighty acres of land in Germantown township and there established his home, early becoming recognized as one of the substantial and influential farmers of that section of the county. He is still living on the old homestead farm. They were members of the German Evangelical church and their children were reared in that faith. There were ten of these children, of whom William was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Charles, Minnie, Flora, Fred, Emil, Anna, Edward, Herman and Mary.

William Juhnke was but a baby when his parents came to this country and his youth and early manhood were spent on the old homestead farm in Germantown township. He received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home there and grew up to the life of the farm, becoming an excellent farmer. As a young man he started farming on the place on which he now lives and in 1891, when twenty-two years old, bought the place, a full quarter of a section, and proceeded to improve the same.

After his marriage, in 1897, he established his home on that farm and has ever since lived there, he and his family being pleasantly situated. Mr. Juhnke has made all the improvements on the place and his farm is looked upon as one of the best-kept places in that part of the county. In addition to general fanning, he has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well. Mr. Juhnke has for years given close attention to local political affairs and has been a member of the board of supervisors of Ger- mantown township since the year 1900. He also has served for some years as a member of the school board.

On July 23, 1897, William Juhnke was united in marriage to Martha Utecht, and to this union four children have been born, Levi, Fred, Everett and Adell. Mr. and Mrs. Juhnke are members of the German Evangelical church and take a proper interest in the general beneficences of the same, as well as in all local good works.

Kintzi, Theodore
Page 90-91
Among the many Austrians who have cast their lot with the people of Cottonwood county is Theodore Kintzi, a successful merchant of the town of Westbrook. He was born in Austria, October 10, 1868, and is a son of John and Katherine (Bergthold) Kintzi, both natives of Austria, where they grew up and were married, remaining in their native land until 1883, when they removed with their family to Minnesota, spending a few years at Rose Hill and Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county, then returned to their native land, where they spent the rest of their lives, both being now deceased. Three of their children remained in this country, including Theodore, R. J. of Mountain Lake and Margaret, wife of H. K. Rupp, of Westbrook.

Theodore Kintzi spent his boyhood in Austria, where he received a public school education. After coming here he clerked at Mountain Lake for some time. After spending three years here he returned to his native land where he remained until 1890, when he again came to Mountain Lake, where he again secured a position in a local store as ' clerk, later went to Canada and followed the same line of work, where he engaged in the mercantile business, with a partner, for two years. The last year he lived in Manitoba he was secretary and treasurer of the municipality of Rhineland.

Returning to Minnesota in 1900, he engaged in mercantile pursuits for himself at Darfur, operating a general store for a period of ten years, selling out his stock of goods in 1910, but retained the building for some time thereafter. In that year he bought land near the town of Butterfield, where he built a fine home in which he resided three years. He moved to the farm very largely to change his mode of life at the request of the family; after his long years of indoor work; but not having been reared to husbandry he found the labor too hard and returned to general mercantile pursuits in 1913, at his present location in Westbrook. He carries a large and well-selected stock and does a large and growing business with the town and surrounding country. While he lived in Darfur he was vice-president of the State Bank, in which he was a stockholder; in fact, he assisted in organizing that institution. He was for some time recorder of the town of Darfur, also a member of the council. Politically, he is Independent, and he belongs to the Mennonite church.

Mr. Kintzi was married about 1898 to Minnie Linscheid of near Butterfield, but she was born in Austria, from which country she came to Minnesota, when a child, with her parents who located on a farm two miles from Butterfield. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kintzi. namely: Emilia, Louisa, Leona, Ewald, Erna, Martha (deceased) and Viola.

Kleven, Helge O.
Page 259-260
Helge O. Kleven, a well-to-do farmer of Ann township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a well-kept farm of three hundred and twenty acres on rural route No. 2, out of Walnut Grove, is a native of Norway, born on January 28, 1852, son of Ole O. and Anna (Helges) Bather Kleven, both natives of that same country, who came to the United States in 1865, proceeding directly to Minnesota, settling in Fillmore county, where Mrs. Kleven died about two years later, and where Ole O. Kleven continued to make his home the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1892. He was thrice married and was the father of eight children.

Helge O. Kleven came to America with his parents, but it was not until 1878 that he located in Cottonwood county, where he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Ann township. Two years later he married and established his home on that homestead tract and has ever since resided there,1 long having been regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of that part of the county. As he prospered in his farming operations, Mr. Kleven gradually added to his land holdings until he now is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He has improved the place in good shape, has a comfortable residence, well-kept farm buildings and is very pleasantly situated. Mr. Kleven has given close attention to local civic affairs and for years has been a member of the school board of his home township. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and he is one of the trustees of his church, to the affairs of which he has ever given his earnest attention.

In 1880 Helge O. Kleven was united in marriage to Christine Thorson, also a native of Norway, whose father lived to be eighty-eight years of age, and to this union have been born four sons, Ole, Thor, Albert and Martin, all of whom are well-known and progressive young farmers of Ann township, who are doing well their respective parts in the common life of that community.

Knudson, Carl S.
Page 392-393
One of the busy and widely known men of Cottonwood county is Carl S. Knudson of Westbrook. Unlike many of his contemporaries he has found opportunities right at home good enough and has not sought his fortune in distant climes. He was born on the old homestead, one mile north of Westbrook, August 3, 1877. He is a son of Erick and Mary (Sampson) Knudson, both natives of Norway, from which county they came to America in about 1870, locating in Jackson county, Minnesota, where they spent a few years; then moved to Cottonwood county and took up a homestead near Westbrook, on which they located permanently. The father broke and improved this one-fourth section into a valuable farm, experiencing the usual hardships and privations of life on the frontier. Erick Knudson helped shovel snow many times from the front of stalled trains near Win- dom, in the early days. He finally retired from active life and located in Westbrook, where he and his wife both died about two years later.

At the time of his death Erick Knudson owned about three hundred and twenty acres in his home place and in all, six hundred and forty acres. His family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: Hilda, who married Adolph Peterson, Carl S., the subject of this sketch; Elmer E., Melvin, Selma, who married Bert Johnson; Emma, who married Albert Kleven; Clarence, William and Arthur, all of whom are living. The paternal grandparents lived and died in Norway, the grandfather owning a saw-mill, also probably engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents, Samuel Sampson and wife, also natives of Norway, came to America with the parents of the subject of this sketch, living in Jackson county, later moving to Westbrook township, Cottonwood county and made their home near Erick Knudson and wife, building a house on the farm there. Their children were named as follow: Mary, John and Samuel, all now deceased. Samuel Sampson is still living, but his wife is deceased.

Carl S. Knudson grew up on the home farm and attended the early-day district schools. About 1904 he took charge of the ""Rose Hill"" farm, which he operated until one year after his father's death. Upon the death of the father he bought out the other heirs, but sold the place one year later, in March, 1914, and located in the village of Westbrook, becoming manager of the Westbrook Shipping Association, which position he still holds. He has also been president of the Farmers' elevator and is now director of the same ; also a director of the Farmers' Co-operative store, and the Citizens State Bank. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the enterprising citizens of Westbrook. He is an active member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Knudson was married in 1904, to Julia Hanson, a daughter of H. C. Hanson and wife, natives of Norway. This union resulted in the birth of one child, Irene Knudson, born on March 28, 1905. The wife and mother passed away on March n, 1908. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, a devoted and loyal wife and a loving mother, and was mourned by her many friends and relatives.

Mr. Knudson was married for the second time on January 9, 1912, to Lena Rupp. daughter of Fred Rupp, and wife, of Rose Hill township, and to this union have been born two girls and one boy, Lila, born on November 9, 1912; Frances, November 6, 1913, and Eric, June 4, 1915.

Knudson, Elmer E.
Page 179-180
Elmer E. Knudson, one of the best-known and most substantial young farmers of Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Westbrook and actively identified with the general activities of that community, is a native son of Cottonwood county and has lived there all his life. He was born on the old homestead farm where he now makes his home, August 14, 1879, son of Erick and Mary (Sampson) Knudson, natives of Norway and pioneers of Minnesota, whose last days were spent in comfortable retirement at Westbrook.

Erick Knudson was the son of a saw-mill owner in Norway and was reared to an active, out-door life. He married in his native land and in 1870 he and his wife, accompanying the latter 's parents, Samuel Samson and wife, who, with their other two children, John and Samuel, came to this country in that year, emigrated to the United States, proceeding directly to Minnesota and settling in Jackson county. A few years later they moved up into Cottonwood county and both the Knudsons and the Samsons established their permanent homes there. Samuel Samson settled on a homestead farm in Westbrook township and there he and his wife spent the rest of their days, living not far from the home of their daughter, Mrs. Knudson.

Erick Knudson homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in West- brook township and there established his home. He and his wife were among the pioneers of that settlement and did much in the early days to help in the work of bringing about proper social and economic conditions thereabout. Erick Knudson was a good farmer and as he prospered in his affairs bought more land, until he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine land, three hundred and twenty acres of which surrounded his home. In their old age he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to Westbrook, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : Hilda, who married Adolph Peterson ; Carl S., a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Melvin, Selma, who married Bert Johnson; Emma, who married Albert Kleven, and Clarence, William and Arthur.

Elmer E. Knudson has lived all his life on the homestead farm on which he was born. He received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and even in early boyhood took an active part in the labor of developing and improving the home farm and in the eventual division of his father's considerable estate came into possession of the old original quarter-section homestead, where he now makes his home and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Knudson's farm is well improved and his farming operations are carried on in accordance with modern methods of agriculture. In addition to his general farming, he has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well.

In 1909 Elmer E. Knudson was united in marriage to Cora Hanson, daughter of Hans Hanson, and to this union four children have been bom, Arvid, Myron, Evelyn and Oren. Mr. and Mrs. Knudson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Knudson is a Republican and takes a proper interest in local political affairs, but is not included in the office-seeking class.

Kobs, Johann W.
Page 217-218
Johann W. Kobs, a well-known farmer of Rose Hill township, Cotton- wood county, proprietor of a well-kept farm of eighty acres in the vicinity of Westbrook, is a native of Germany, born on June 12, 1853, son of Michael and Eva (Stolz) Kobs, who spent all their lives in their native country and who were the parents of eight children, of whom Johann W. was the eldest, the others being Frederick, Hermine, Carl, Herman, Augusta, Emil and Gustav. The father of these children died in 1868, when the eldest son was about fifteen years old, and the mother in 1903, the direction of the home farm thus being early left to the eldest son. He married in 1881 and he and his wife came to the United States in 1881 and located in the state of Nebraska, where they remained for something more than seven years, at the end of which time they returned to Germany, but after a stay of eighteen months at their old home, they returned to America and came to Minnesota.

Upon arriving in this state, Mr. Kobs bought a farm of eighty acres in Rose Hill township, Cottonwood county, and there established his home, having lived there ever since. When he took possession of the farm it was wholly unimproved and he has made all the present improvements on the place, having now one of the best-kept farms in his neighborhood. It was in 1881, in his native land, that Johann W. Kobs was united in marriage to Emaline Yeschke, who was born in 1860, and to this union three children have been born, namely: Gustav, born in 1889; Marie, 1894, and Martha, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Kobs are members of the German Lutheran church and take a proper interest in neighborhood good works. Mr. Kobs is ""independent"" in his political views. In addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well in his operations.

Kopperud, John E.
Page 266-267
John E. Kopperud, a well-known and substantial farmer of Ann township, Cottonwood county, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the old Hudson farm, on rural route No. i, out of Revere, and actively identified with the work of developing the interests of that community, is a native of Norway, but has been a resident of this country since he was thirteen years old. He was born on December 23, 1879, son of Knute E. and Emma Kopperud, who later became residents of Cottonwood county, where the latter is still living.

Knute E. Kopperud was reared as a farmer in Norway and later moved to Christiana, where he was engaged in the milk business. In 1891 he came to the United States with his family and settled in Buena Vista county, Iowa, where he farmed for eight years, at the end of which time, in 1899, he came to Minnesota and located in Cottonwood county. He bought two hundred and forty acres of wild land in section 23, Ann township, and there established his home and was beginning to have the place well improved when death put a stop to his labors in the spring of 1904. His widow is still living on the home farm. They were the parents of ten children, of whom John E. was the first in order of birth, the others being as follow: Christina,- who died in infancy; Charlotte, who married J. Takle, a farmer of Ann township; Severn, who is farming south of Tracy, this state; Jorgen, who died at the age of four years in Iowa; Eimar, a farmer, of Ann township; Evald, whq is farming south of Walnut Grove; Elma, who is with her mother on the home farm, and Juel and Cora, also at home.

John E. Kopperud was about twelve years old when he came to this country with his parents in 1892. He continued his studies for awhile in Iowa and helped in the work of the farm there, remaining with his parents when they came to Minnesota about 1899. Four years after he came to this state, on December 29, 1903, he married Amelia Josephine Hanson, and started out for himself on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 23, Ann township, which he rented for a year, at the end of which time he went to North Dakota, where he bought a quarter of a section of wild prairie land in Ransom county, which he set about improving, but a year later traded that place for a farm of eighty acres in Ann township, Cotton- wood county, and returned to the latter place. In addition to farming that eighty he rented the old Hanson farm and operated both places, presently selling his own tract of eighty acres to his brother and buying the Hanson place of one hundred and sixty acres, where he since has made his home. He has built a new barn on the place and otherwise improved it and is now very well situated. He rents eighty acres of the old Kopperud farm, operating the same in addition to his own place, and gives some attention to the raising of live stock in addition to his general farming and is doing very well. Mr. Kopperud is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Revere.

In his political views he is an independent Socialist. For some time he was clerk of school district No. 4. Mr. and Mrs. Kopperud have an adopted son, Louis Arthur. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take a proper part in all neighborhood good works.

Krause, Herman C.
Page 443-445
Herman C. Krause, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Germantown township, Cottonwood county, owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on rural route No. 1, out of Sanborn, and for years identified with the work of developing the interests of that part of the county, is a native of Germany, but has lived in Minnesota ever since he was two years old. He was born on December 6, 1871, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Warm) Krause, both natives of Germany, the former born on October 2, 1833, the latter born on November 14, 1836, and who became pioneers of this section of Minnesota.

Edward Krause was the owner of a farm in Germany. He married on October 19, 1858, and continued living on that farm until the fall of 1873, when he sold out and with his family came to the United States, proceeding to Minnesota, locating at New Ulm, from which place, in the spring of 1874, he moved into Cottonwood county and homesteaded a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in section 32, Germantown township, where he established his home. The country thereabout at that time was all wild and there were no roads established. Edward Krause built a dug-out, covered the same with a sod roof and in that humble abode he and his family made their home until he was able to erect a more substantial dwelling in the spring of 1879. He suffered, as did all the pioneers in this section of the state, during the ""lean"" years of those early days, having no crop at all in the memorable grasshopper year, but presently began to prosper and eventually became a substantial farmer. He went in extensively for stock raising during the early years and did well. In 1899 he sold his farm to Nicholas Meyer and retired from active labor. In 1904 his wife died and he thereafter made his home with his son, Herman, the subject of this sketch, until 1913, when he died at his son's home. To Edward Krause and wife were born six children, of whom Herman C. was the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follows: Caroline, who married Rudolph Schmidt of Storden township; Minnie, who married William Matzke, of German- town township; Augusta, who married Albert Stern, of Springfield, upon whose death she married Edward Arnesdorf, of Lamberton; Anna, who is unmarried, and Mary, wife of Herman Senst, of Highwater township.

It was on this farm of Edward Krause that Frank and Jesse James stopped overnight about the I7th of September, 1876. Mr. Krause at that time had no house, only a dugout, and he had no horses, only oxen. Both Frank and Jesse James were wounded. Mr. Krause washed their wounds and put bandages around them ; they paid him for the work he had done, but Mr. Krause did not know that they were the James boys, nor of the bank robbery, till the day after they left.

Herman C. Krause was not three years old when his parents located in Germantown township and he grew up on the homestead farm there, receiving his schooling in the primitive school of that neighborhood. At the age of fifteen he began working on his own account and for five years was engaged working on farms in that locality, after which he began working for his father and was thus employed for three years, at the end of which time he began working on the railroad, but after two years of that form of employment, in 1890, returned to farming and two years later, in 1892, bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved prairie land in section 29, Germantown township, which he set about improving.

Following his marriage in 1896 he rented his father's farm and for four years operated that place as well as his own and began to do well in his operations. In the fall of 1899 he built a substantial barn on his own place and the next year erected a comfortable dwelling house, where he and his family ever since have been very pleasantly situated. Mr. Krause has his quarter section all under cultivation, well tiled and well improved, among the attractive features of the place being a fine grove of four acres. In addition to his farming, Mr. Krause has found time to devote a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs ; served for some time as a member of the board of supervisors and for the past ten years has been a member of the school board in district 35. He also is a stockholder in the Highwater Telephone Company and in the Farmers Elevator Company, the State Bank and the farmers store at Jeffers. He is at present a director of the Highwater Telephone Company and also a director of the Farmers Elevator Company.

In 1896 Herman C. Krause was united in marriage to Mary Stern, of Springfield, Brown county, Minnesota, and to this union six children have been born, Otto, Rudolph, Ella, Erhart, Lydia and Arthur, all of whom are living save Otto, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Krause for some time served as a member of the official board of the same.

Krueger, Kumbert
Page 63-64
KUMBERT KRUEGER was born in Germany, November 18, 1858, a son of Wilhelm and Emelia (Geisler) Krueger, who were also natives of Germany and life-long residents of that country. The father followed the occupation of a farmer. The children of this family were : Wilhelm, Reinhold, Kumbert, Powell, Max, Meta and Louis.

Kumbert Krueger was educated in the public schools of his native country, and also attended the high school. He made his first trip to America in 1874, at the age of sixteen years, and returned to his home in Germany after remaining here for about a year. Ten years later, in 1884, he came again to America, with a view of locating here permanently.

He found a location in Sheldon, Iowa, near which place he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and went to farming. He remained there for about six years. In 1890 he sold his Iowa farm and came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he bought three-quarters of a section of land, located in High Water township, and farmed this land for about ten years. In 1900 he came to Westbrook and built one of the first elevators in the town. He operated this elevator until 1906, when he sold the plant and became connected with a mill. This mill burned down in 1908, and then Mr. Krueger, soon after, bought the elevator and returned again to that business. He bought an elevator at Dovray, Minnesota, a few years later, and is still operating this. He still owns his farm in Cottonwood county, and also owns about six hundred acres of land in North Dakota.

Mr. Krueger was married, in 1889, to Agnes Spalding, and to this union twelve children have been born: William, Albert, Kurt, Walter, Paul, Veronka, Theresa, George, Carl, Victoria, Ernest and Dora. Mr. Krueger is independent in politics. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

Lande, O. C.
Page 389-390
The elevator at Storden, Cottonwood county, is a paying proposition under the able management of O. C. Lande, who was attracted to this locality on account of its large production of grain, and here he has been contented to remain, fully appreciating the opportunities to be found here. Mr. Lande was born in Storey county, Iowa, March 4, 1877. He is a son of O. A. and Karen T. (Olson) Lande, both natives of Norway, in which county they spent their earlier years, attended school and were married. They immigrated to America in 1870, and located in Storey county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming, later removing to Palo Alto county, Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life, dying some years ago. The mother is still living on the home place in that county. To these parents the following children were born: Olava, Andrew, Charles and subject, all of whom are. still living.

O. C. Lande grew to manhood in Iowa, and there he received his education in the public schools and when old enough assisted his father with the work on the home farm. He started out in life for himself as a farmer, but later became a grain buyer at Graettinger, Iowa, where he remained two years, then, in 1904, came to Storden, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and became a grain buyer for the St. John's elevator, continuing in that capacity for about two years, then became associated with the Storden Grain Company, and continued buyer for the same until April 1, 1916, with the exception of about a year, from the spring of 1912 to the spring of 1913, when he engaged in general mercantile pursuits at Storden, being a member of the firm of Lande & Jenson.

Mr. Lande was married in 1901, to Christina Paulson, of Graettinger, Iowa. She is a daughter of K. M. Paulson and wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Lande one child has been bom, Orval, now about two years old. Mr. Lande is a member of the Baptist church, and politically he is a Republican. About April 25, 1916, Mr. Lande acquired the ownership of an elevator, situated at the edge of Storden.

Langley, David P.
Page 112-113
David P. Langley was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1840, a son of James and Jane (Weston) Langley, who were both born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. James Langley spent the early part of his life as a farmer in Erie county, Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1867, when he retired from active work and removed to Carlinville, where he spent the rest of his days. There were nine children in this family : Wilson S. died at the age of sixteen; John W., James W., Andrew J., Eunice Mary, David F., Russell L., Franceina L. and Cynthia A.

David P. Langley was educated in the public schools of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and also attended school after the removal of his father to Illinois. During his younger years he worked with his father on the farm and started farming for himself while a young man. In 1880 he left his Illinois home and came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and located on a farm one mile south of Bingham lake. He began farming this land and continued until 1900, when he bought a small tract of land within the corporate limits of Bingham Lake, which he cultivated until 1912. At that time he sold this land and removed to the village, where he has since continued to live.

In April, 1870, David P. Langley and Nancy J. Jackson were united in marriage. Mrs. Langley is the daughter of Hiram and Ruth (Blasdel) Jackson, of Dearborn county, Indiana, who later settled in central Illinois in 1855, where they remained all their lives. To this union nine children have been born: Minnie E., James W. died at the age of five years; Jessie E., Charles H., William P., Ernest J., Harry L., Erma L. and Florence.

Mrs. Langley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On August 21, 1861, at the call of President Lincoln for volunteers for the suppression of the rebellion, Mr. Langley enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until December 6, 1865. This regiment was a part of the army under General Grant operating in western Tennessee and in Mississippi, in 1862 and 1863, an army that rendered a most distinguished service, and achieved some of the most noted victories in the history of the Civil War. Mr. Langley followed the fortunes of his regiment in all these campaigns and contributed a soldier's part in the battles and victories in which the regiment participated. Altogether, he participated in sixteen battles, and numerous minor engagements that were often sharp and exciting, but are not recorded among the great battles of the Civil War. Among the great battles in which Mr. Langley was engaged were the battles around Vicksburg, during the siege resulting in the capture of that stronghold ; the battles of Jackson and Champion's Hill, the battle of Mobile, and the many others in which that part of the army was engaged.

Mr. Langley's record as a soldier is one of which he has every reason to be proud, a heritage of honor conferred upon his children which cannot be too highly regarded, a service to his country which cannot be compensated by any pension allowance.

In view of this supreme manifestation of loyalty and patriotism in the hour of his country's need, it would seem superfluous to add that Mr. Langley is a Republican and an ardent advocate of the party principles to which Lincoln devoted his life service. As a citizen, Mr. Langley is held in the highest esteem by the people of the community in which he lives. He served as county commissioner from 1894 to 1902, eight years. In this official capacity, as in all other duties to which he has been called, he was faithful and efficient. His fraternal associations are with the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is an active and influential member. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Le Tourneau, George
Page 87-88
The present efficient and popular postmaster at Windom, Cottonwood county, is George Le Tourneau, a man who has proved to be a valuable citizen in the locality of which this history treats.

Mr. Le Tourneau was born at Fayette, Kennebec county, Maine, November 8, 1851, and is a son of Jacques and Mary E. (Keating) Le Tourneau, natives of Canada and Maine, respectively. The father spent his earlier years in Canada, then came to Maine, where he married and established his home, and there his wife died when the subject of this sketch was three years old.

George Le Tourneau grew to manhood in his native community in the Pine Tree state and received a common-school education. When nineteen years old he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he clerked in a grocery store a year, then engaged in the grocery business for himself in that city for a period of eight years. In 1878 he came to Windom, Minnesota, arriving here in July. He worked at various things in this locality until 1882, when he launched out in the feed and grain business in partnership with C. W. Gillam, which line they continued two years. In 1884 Mr. Le Tourneau opened up a meat market which he conducted alone until 1894, in which year he was appointed postmaster, during Cleveland's second administration. Soon thereafter he erected the substantial building in which the post office is now maintained. He served as postmaster for four years.

In 1886 he was elected a member of the school board, on which he served continuously until 1915. He has been a member of the village council for some time, and back in the eighties was village recorder.

When he was operating the meat market he started an ice business which he did not take personal charge of until 1904, and continued to give it his close attention until 1911. He has also been interested in farming in this vicinity since he first came here, owning a valuable place of eighty acres. On July 1, 1915, he was again appointed postmaster, which office he is still in charge of.

Mr. Le Tourneau was married in 1880 to Mrs. Mary B. Smith of Windom, a daughter of J. W. Highleyman. She came to Windom in 1871 with her former husband, Doctor Smith, a pioneer physician in Cotton- wood county. To Mr. and Mrs. Le Tourneau two children have been born, namely: Daisy Lenore, born July 22, 1884, and Louis I., July 15, 1888. Mr. Le Tourneau has long been prominent in fraternal circles in this section of the state. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since 1879; he was master of the blue lodge three different years. He has been a member of the chapter since 1886, and was high priest for fifteen years. He has been a member of the commandery since 1891 and of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine since 1892. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Leffler, Lorenz
Page 288-289
Lorenz Leffler, a well-known and well-to-do stock farmer and large landowner, of Dale township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of four hundred acres on rural route No. 2, out of Windom, a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Carson and in the Delft Rural Telephone Company, is a native of Germany, born on July 16, 1864, son of Christ and Elizabeth Leffler, the former a carpenter, who were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the first-born, the others being John, Conrad and Elizabeth. Christ Leffler died in his native land years ago. His three sons came to the United States.

Lorenz Leffler grew to manhood in his native land, receiving his education in the government schools, and became an expert farmer. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Elizabeth Thomas and immediately thereafter he and his wife came to America, settling in LaSalle, Illinois, where for six years he worked in a factory. He then went to Iowa, where he rented a farm of one hundred and ninety acres and did well, increasing the extent of his operations until he was renting three hundred and twenty acres. In 1906 he came to this part of Minnesota and bought a partly improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Dale township, Cottonwood county, the farm on which he is now living, but did not occupy the same until 1913. In 1910 he erected a substantial dwelling on the place, but continued his farming operations in Iowa until 1912. A year later, in 1913, he and his family came to this state and occupied the Dale township farm, where they since have made their home and where 'they are very pleasantly situated. The year in which Mr. Leffler came out here to stay permanently he bought an additional quarter section in Dale township, which his son, Henry Leffler, now occupies. In that same year Mr. Leffler built a large barn, thirty-eight by sixty, on his place and an addition on the barn measuring sixteen by sixty. In addition to his general farming, he has gone in somewhat heavily for stock raising and has done very well. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. He has given proper attention to general local business enterprises and is a stockholder in the Carson Farmers Elevator Company and in the Delft Rural Telephone Company. He and his family are members of the German Reformed church and take a proper interest in all local good works.

To Lorenz and Elizabeth (Thomas) Leffler have been born six children, Christ, Henry, Elizabeth, John, Tony and Raymond. The eldest son, Christ Leffler, makes his home in Windom. Henry Leffler married Matilda Brandenburg and lives on his father's second farm, and John Leffler married Okkea Bonk and lives on a farm in Iowa. The remaining three children are at home with their parents.

Lien, Charles A.
Page 103-104
The ancestry of Charles A. Lien, the subject of this sketch, is of the sturdy German stock. His father, Valentine Lien, and his mother, Elisi ( Muller) Lien, were natives of Germany and spent their entire life in their native country. The elder Lien was a contractor by occupation. They were both members of the Lutheran church. The children of the family were : Charles A., Anna, Emma and Hugo.

Charles A. Lien was born in Germany, October 18, 1862. He received his education in the public schools of his native country, supplementing this by a four years course in Gotha college, which he attended after his elementary education. During his youthful years, when not attending school, he worked in the contracting business with his father. In 1883, at the age of twenty-one, he came to America with a view of seeking a greater opportunity for the application of his mental and industrial energy. He was the only one of the family that came to this country. After landing in New York, and making some observations and inquiries as to the opportunities afforded there, he decided to proceed further west. Following his inclination he found his way to Chicago, where he first secured employment. He worked for the first few years in Chicago, Milwaukee and in other parts of Wisconsin, at whatever he could find to do, and with his native-born energy and industry, it was no trouble for him to secure employment where energy and industry were essential qualifications. In 1885 he went to South Dakota and worked on a farm for about three years. In the fall of 1899 he came to Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and engaged in buying grain for the Anchor Grain Company, of Minneapolis. In 1905 he bought the Hubbard & Palmer elevator and has since continued to operate the same, handling grain, feed, flour, coal and farm machinery.

Mr. Lien was married, in 1886, to Laura Lowins, of Dodge county, Wisconsin. . The children born to this union are : Carl, born on July 4, 1900; Myrtle, Holden, Harry, Earl, Henry, Mae and Mildred. Mr. Lien is a member of the Baptist church. His political affiliation is with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Woodmen.

Loewen, Henry F.
Page 482-483
The business of farming comprises many points — the consideration of what crops to grow, how to grow them to the best advantage, whether for sale or for use on the farm. It brings out more than anything else the business acumen of the farmer, and is more or less the very keynote of success or failure. One of the energetic farmers of Mountain Lake township, Cotton- wood county, is Henry F. Loewen, who was born in the above named township and county on March 26, 1879. He is a son of Frank and Katherina ( Wall) Loewen, the mother a sister of J. H. Wall, who is mentioned elsewhere in this took. The parents of the subject of this sketch were both born in Russia, where they spent their earlier years, immigrating to America in 1876, locating one mile north of Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, becoming owners of about two hundred and forty acres of good land there, on which they spent the rest of their lives. Their family consisted of the following children : Frank, deceased ; Anna, deceased ; Henry F., of this review; Frank, the second; Jacob was next in order; Lizzie is the wife of Abe Wiebe; Nick and John are the two youngest. All these children are farmers and live near Mountain Lake. The father was for some time school director in his district. He and his family were always adherents of the Mennonite faith.

Henry F. Loewen grew up on the farm and he received his education in the district schools of Midway township and Mountain Lake village. He has always engaged in farming, and is now owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land in Mountain Lake township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Loewen was married in 1900, to Katie Niessen, a native of Russia and a sister of Jacob Niessen. She came to America when young. Six children, all living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Loewen, namely: Mary, Henry, Frank, Tina, Jennie and Jacob.

Loewen, Nic F.
Page 485-486
The man who produces double the customary crop of any one grain or grass, assumes a leadership in his community that brings responsibilities. His farm is an object of interest. When his work becomes known and his methods discussed, he is called a model farmer. Others want to see and learn and then do likewise. Nic F. Loevven, of Mountain Lake township, Cotton- wood county, does not raise twice the amount of crops that his neighbors do, but he is nevertheless, a very painstaking farmer. He was born in Midway township, this county, on October 9, 1890, and is a son of Frank Loewen, of Russia, who came to Cottonwood county with the colony that formed the Mennonite settlement, about 1876. He devoted his active life to farming, becoming owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Carson township and two hundred acres in Midway township, Cottonwood county, in fact, he became one of the leading farmers of this locality and was an influential citizen. His family consisted of six children, namely: Henry, Frank, Jacob, Lizzie, Nic C. and John.

Nic F. Loewen grew up on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his early education in the district schools of Midway township. He had a natural bent toward architecture, and when a boy turned his attention to tools instead of farming, learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed three years, but in 1913 he moved to his present excellent farm of one hundred and seven acres in Mountain Lake township, where he has since carried on general farming successfully.

Mr. Loewen was married in the fall of 1912, to Katie Dick, a daughter of Claus Dick and wife, of Cottonwood county, where she was reared to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. To this union one child has been born, Wilmer Loewen.

Mr. Loewen was road overseer in 1915 and did good work on the roads of his district. He is a member of the Mennonite church.

Loughran, Barney
Page 424-425
The venerable agriculturist, Barney Loughran, of Great Bend township, Cottonwood county, was one of the earliest pioneers of this locality which he has seen transformed into one of the choice farming sections of the state, and he has performed well his part in the general upbuilding of the same. Although now eighty-six years of age he is hale and active, as a result of a well-spent life. He was born in Ireland in 1830, and is a son of Patrick and Alice (Quinn) Loughran, both of whom spent their lives in Ireland. The father was a carpenter by trade, also a small farmer. His family consisted of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, who came to America and died at the home of the subject of this sketch ; Patrick, who died in New York; John, who was very probably a Confederate soldier, was killed at the battle of Shilo; Michael, who died of cholera while on ship coming to America, arid Barney of this sketch. The latter spent his boyhood in Ireland and attended school there. In April, 1857 he landed in New York City, having previously been employed three years- in some iron works in England. He worked for a lumberman in New York for one year after his arrival there, then came west to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1858, where he remained until the spring of 1860, working as a freight weigher, for the city. From there he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and worked on steamboats on the Mississippi river during the Civil War, as fireman on mail packets, which hauled soldiers back and forth. He spent one winter in the Wisconsin pine woods with a lumber crew. In 1865 he came to Marquette county, on Lake Superior, where he worked for three years running a pump engine. In 1868 he came to Cottonwood county and pre-empted one hundred and sixty- seven acres, where he still lives, and later added eighty acres more, which he homesteaded. He and Robert Miller were the first two settlers in this community, and he has resided here ever since, a period of nearly half a century. He endured the usual hardships and privations of the pioneer settler and, by hard work and persistence, developed a good farm and a comfortable home and became one of the leading men of his township.

He hauled lumber for Mankato with which to build his first dwelling. He was here during the three memorial ""grasshopper years,"" when these insects destroyed all crops. He owns a valuable farm of two hundred fifty-three and three-fourths acres and has here carried on general farming and stock raising successfully. He has the deed signed by President Grant for preemption, which was the first deeded land in Cottonwood county; also has a deed signed by President Hayes for his homestead.

Mr. Loughran was married on December 16, 1872, to Mary Gallagher, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Drugan) Gallagher, both natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. The father came to America about 1850, when fourteen or fifteen years of age, making the voyage alone. The mother came with relatives when a girl. These parents were married in Cook county, Illinois. Mr. Gallagher was quite a dairyman, but followed various lines of endeavor. From Illinois he removed to Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming, and in 1869 came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, locating just across the lake from Mr. Loughran. He pre-empted and bought a homestead right, acquiring in all three hundred and fifty acres. Here the death of the mother occurred. In 1903 a tornado devastated the farm, destroying the buildings and killing Mr. Gallagher and two daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher eight children were 'born, six sons and two daughters, namely: Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Rose Ann, Cahrles, Henry, Ellen and Jeanette. To Mr. and Mrs. Loughran three children have been born, namely: John H., who is at home; Mary Alice, who is deceased; and T. Francis, who is at home. The daughter was the wife of Nick Jeffery.

Politically, Mr. Loughran is a Democrat. He has never taken an active interest in politics or sought office; however, he was at one time clerk of the local school board.

Ludemann, Johann D.
Page 471-473
Johann D. Ludemann, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Amboy and Delton townships, with a pleasant home on rural route No. 1, out of Jeffers, is a native of Iowa, born on a farm in Butler county, that state, September 20, 1877, son of Diedrich and Johanna (Brinkman) Ludemann, natives of Germany and substantial farming people in Iowa.

Diedrich Ludemann was reared on a farm in Germany and received his education in the government schools there. When twenty-three years of age he came to the United States and settled in Grundy county, Iowa, where for a year he was engaged at farm labor as a hired hand. He then married and for two years thereafter lived on a rented farm of eighty acres, after which he bought the farm and for two years more continued to make that place his home. During these two years his home was twice destroyed by fire. He then sold the place for twenty-four dollars an acre and went up into Butler county, where for eleven dollars and fifty cents an acre he bought five hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land and there he established his permanent home. He began farming on a large scale and presently became the owner of fourteen hundred and fifty acres of land, seven hundred acres of which was in one tract. There Diedrich Ludemann spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on January 24, 1890, he then being forty-four years of age. His widow later married C. Primus and is now living at Wellsburg, Iowa. Diedrich Ludemann and wife were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living and of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Bena, who married Henry Uenhoff, a farmer of Butler county, Iowa; Johanna, who married Jell Schuermann, of that same county; Sander, who married Lena Wirtz and is living at Fairmonnt, this state ; Gertie, who married Ralph Wesels and is living on a part of the old Ludemann farm in Iowa ; Harm, who married Lena Miller and is also living on the old home farm ; Ettie, who married Honno Burme and lives at Fairmount, this state; Mary, who married Dick Lindeman, of Buttler county, Iowa ; Lena, who married Jacob Bohlen and lives near Mason City, Iowa; George, who married Tina DeVries and lives at Aplington, Iowa; Jarena, widow of Luie Peters, now living at Aplington, and Diedrich, who married Ettie Schuerman and lives near Aplington.

Johann D. Ludemann was reared on the paternal farm where he was born in Iowa, receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of the same. He was about thirteen years old when his father died and he remained on the farm with his mother until his marriage in 1898, having charge, with his elder brother, Sander, of his mother's extensive farming operations. For a year after his marriage Mr. Ludemann rented a farm of three hundred and twenty acres from his father-in-law and then rented from his mother five hundred and forty acres of her big farm, including the old home place, and was engaged in farming the same for three years, at the end of which time he secured two hundred acres of the old home farm in his own right and for three years was engaged in farming that tract. He then, in the fall of 1901, rented his farm and came to Minnesota, locating in Cottonwood county, where he invested in land, and two years later sold his Iowa farm. Upon coming here, Mr. Ludemann bought three hundred and twenty acres on the range line between Amboy and Delton townships, in Cottonwood county, a quarter of a section in section 25 of the former township and a quarter in section 30 of the latter, and there he established his home and has maintained his residence ever since. The land was but partially improved and for four years after taking possession of the same, Mr. Ludemann and his wife lived in an old house that stood on the place. He then built a new house and he and his family are now Very comfortably situated. The house has a basement thirty-two by thirty-two feet, is heated by steam, lighted by acetylene gas, as is the barn, and is piped for hot and cold water. In addition to his extensive general farming, Mr. Ludemann has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well in that line. He has an automobile and manages his farm along up-to-date lines generally, long having been regarded as one of the leading farmers in that part of the county.

In March, 1898, in Butler county, Iowa, Johann D. Ludemann was united in marriage to Tilke Schuerman and to this union have been born six children, Hannah, Edward, Diedrich, Margaret, Clara and Nellie, all of whom are at home. Mr. Ludemann is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. He and his family are members of the Dutch Reformed church and take a general interest in all local good works, being willing promoters of whatever movements are designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.

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