John J. Lee

John J. Lee, of Cannon Falls village, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Leon township December 19, 1863, son of John, Jr., and Ingeborg (Rislov) Lee, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in the forties, settling in Boone

92,2 county, Illinois, where they farmer for tsonie years, afterward coming to Leon township. Being true pioneers, they made the trip by ox team, and in addition to this the father also made a return trip to Illinois by the same means. At once upon his arrival here the father pre-empted a quarter-section of land and began farming operations, erecting a shack for the shelter of himself and family until better quarters could be provided. During.these early days the pioneers had to depend upon Red AYing for lumber and provisions and as a market for their grain. The father of the subject of this sketch often made this trip, sometimes taking his son John, camping on the prairie by night and spending three weary days in making the distance which is now made in a few hours. For many years the father followed farming in Leon township, but in 1897 moved to AYanamingo, where he now resides. Of his five children, only two survive, the other besides J. J. being a son who makes his home with his father. J. J. Lee was brought up on the old homestead, attended the public schools and the Red AYing Seminary, and then took up farming operations, which he has since continued. He is a Republican in politics and was at one time supervisor of Leon township, also serving on the school board. He now owns the home place of 160 acres and fifteen acres of woodland adjoining but since 1905 he has lived in a new residence which he erected in Cannon Falls village. Mr. Lee is now engaged in the farm implement business in partnership with John Ritchie. Mr. Lee was married in 1896 to Bertha Quale, whose parents were early settlers of AYanamingo who now live in South Dakota. The Lee home has been blessed with three children, AY alter J., Edna S. and Irene L.

J. F. Larson resides on the place in Cannon Falls township where his father lived before him. He was born in Sweden October 21, 1864, son of Gustav and Anna (Carlson) Larson, who came to America in 1869, and settled first in Belle Creek township, this county. In 1874 they came to Cannon Falls township and purchased a farm of 200 acres, which they at once set about improving and developing and where they continued to live. The father died at his home in Cannon Falls in 1904 and the mother still makes her home in Cannon Falls. In the family there were six children, four of whom are living. J. F. Larson was blit five years old when he started life in America. He was brought up on the farm and lived at home until twenty-seven years of age. Desiring to see something of the, world before settling down for life, he went to St. Paul and Minneapolis and worked several years on the street cars, in a saw mill and as a milk dealer. He then returned to the old homestead, which he now is working for his mother. A larger part of the farm is plowed land, but much of it is also pasture, affording plenty of grazing for his herds of cattle, which furnish him with cream for extensive shipments to St. Paul. Mr. Larson votes independently. In 1894, two years after he started life for himself, he was married to Anna Bergquist, by whom he has four children, Margaret, Evelyn, Elvera and Paul S., all of whom are at home. The Larsons are ardent supporters of the Swedish Congregational church.

J. G. Nelson, who has several times served his fellow citizens as supervisor of the township of Cannon Falls, was born in Sweden December 14, 1851, son of Ole and Anna Nelson, early settlers in Chisago county, this state, Avliere they lived from 1856 to 1862. In the latter year they came to this township and after renting a farm for some years, purchased in 1870 the land upon which the subject of this sketch still lives. The father died in 1887 and the mother.in 1899. Their three children are all living. J. G. Nelson received his education in the public schools, experienced the rigors of pioneer life, and lias followed in his father’s footsteps as a farmer. He has 160 acres of land, 130 of which is plowed. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, selling milk to the Cannon Falls creamery. His place is about four miles from the village, and the buildings, all of which have been erected either by himself or his father, are neat and well kept. Mr. Nelson is a Republican in politics, and being a thorough believe in education, has served with credit on the school board. He was married in 1876 to Ellen Pearson, by whom he has five children, Adeline, Alfred, Henry, Leonard and Bennett. After the death of his first wife he was married to Jennie Holm, by whom he has two children, Bertrice and Everett.

As printed in History of Dakota and Goodhue counties, Minnesota / (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.