help, has become one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in the county. In the spring of 1861 he went to Kendall County, Ill., to seek employment, remaining there until the summer of 1862, and on March 17, 1863, was married to Miss Alice Nelson, a native of Norway, who was educated in Illinois. Fourteen children were the fruits of this union—eight sons and six daughters—twelve of whom are living: Knute A. [see sketch], Seward (resides in Story County, and is a public-school teacher; educated in Cambridge graded schools, Decorah, Iowa, and Adrian, Minn.; he is a very successful educator), Eli (resides at home and has fitted himself for a teacher, but is at present engaged in cultivating the soil), Carl (resides at home, and is engaged in merchandising), Randa (was educated in the Cambridge graded schools, and is now a school teacher, and a very successful one), Carrie (resides at home), Anna, Martha, Joseph, Aggie, Lewis and Arthur. Amos died at the age of two years, and an infant died unnamed. At Springfield, Ill., August 12, 1862, Mr. Ersland enlisted in Company E, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers, and was mustered into service at Camp Butler. He was assigned to the Army of the Gulf, and was in the following engagements: Elizabethtown (Ky.), where the most of his regiment was captured by the rebel Gen. Morgan, Chaffelia (La.), and from there went to Texas, where he remained fourteen months, and was engaged in several skirmishes; also in the bombardment of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley. He was honorably discharged at Mobile, Ala., and was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., July 14, 1865. He then returned to Kendall County, Ill., and, when twenty-five years of age, emigrated to Story County, Iowa, where he has remained ever since, engaged in the arduous duties of the farm. Mr. Ersland has always identified himself with the Republican party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, at his second election. He has served as trustee one term, and is now holding the position of county supervisor with credit to himself and to the people. He has held this position for nine years. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 234, which has about forty members in good standing, and he is quartermaster of the same. He and Mrs. Ersland are members of the Lutheran Fjeldberg Church, in Palestine Township, and are active workers in the same. Mr. Ersland is also deeply interested in educational matters; was district treasurer for ten years, and has held the position of secretary and director for many years. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, on which is a good farm– residence, out-buildings, etc., and here he and wife expect to make their home for the future.
Knute A. Ersland, farmer and stock-raiser, Cambridge, Iowa. Although a young man Mr. Ersland has risen to a position in agricultural affairs in Story County which many older in years and opportunities might envy. [For particulars of parents see sketch of Anfen Ersland.] He was born in Kendall County, Ill., December 10, 1863, and was reared principally in Iowa, receiving his primary education in the common schools. Later he attended the graded schools of Cambridge, Iowa, and there finished his education. He commenced life for himself at the age of twenty, and although his capital was not very large to begin with, he had the right spirit to succeed, and is acknowledged by all to be a young man of enterprise and ambition. He was married to Miss Ragnhild Apland June 20, 1886, a native of Iowa, born September 23, 1864-, and to them were born three children—two sons and a daughter: Olum Allen (died at the age of about eight months), Clara A. and Clarkson. Mrs. Ersland was educated first in the common schools and then