characteristic energy father and sons broke the prairie and planted crops. At first they raised only enough to supply the family needs. Everything used was made by hand upon the farm and the fare was principally cracked corn and pork. Within the boundaries of the farm were embraced one hundred and sixty acres of land and the soil, naturally rich and productive, responded readily to the efforts of the owners. The father continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until his later years. He reached the very advanced age of ninety-one and a half years, passing away in May, 1893, and his wife was also about ninety years of age at the time of her demise, which occurred in February, 1895?
Their family numbered seven children. Thor, the eldest, enlisted from Story county as a soldier of the Civil war and died in the service in Missouri. He and two others were the first Norwegians to enlist from this county. Lars is a retired farmer living in Roland. Inga is the wife of John Ritland, of Howard township, living about two and a half miles north of Roland. Ole O., who served in the Union army as a member of an Illinois regiment, is now a retired farmer living in Roland. Samuel O., who enlisted from Illinois with his brother, is likewise a resident of Roland. Ole, the second of the name, is a retired farmer of Roland.
The youngest member of the family is Michel Hegland, whose name introduces this review. He was a lad of twelve years when the family sailed for the new world and since that time he has continuously lived at the present place of his residence, which is now within the corporation limits. There was no town, however, at the time the family took up their abode here. Michel Hegland was formerly the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, a part of which has now been platted. He also added forty acres to his original holdings, becoming the owner of two hundred acres, but sold the farm to his son-in-law, T. C. Erickson. He retained about two acres and has erected thereon a fine residence, built in modern style of architecture 'and supplied with all comforts and conveniences. As a farmer he was enterprising, diligent and progressive, devoting many years of his life to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He did not confine his attention entirely to that business, however, for he became interested in commercial pursuits in Roland, being associated with his son Lewis in the hardware and implement business for a number of years. He ever displayed sound judgment in business affairs and keen discrimination, and the success which he has enjoyed has come to him as the merited reward of earnest labor.
On the 20th of August, 1870, Mr. Hegland was married to Miss Caroline Larson, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, November 27, 1853, and was brought to Story county in 1856 by her parents, Rasmus and Margaret (Sheldahl) Larson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former born in November, 1802, and the latter on the 20th of August, 1811. They came to the United States in 1845, settling first in Illinois, and on removing to Story county the father purchased a farm of two hundred