every cause seeking to advance the permanent interests of the community. Mr. Wald possessed good business judgment and on account of his acknowledged reputation for integrity was a man of large influence whenever he was known.
Severen O. Wald was reared under favorable circumstances for a useful career. He acquired his education in the district schools and then took a course in the Iowa Business College of Des Moines. Subsequently he matriculated in the law department of Drake University, graduating with the degree of LL.B. in 1896. He was admitted to the bar January 22, of the same year, several months before his graduation from the university. Opening offices in Slater, he at once entered upon an active practice and has handled successfully some of the most important civil and land cases that have been tried in this section. Recently he won a land case at Clarion which involved twenty-five thousand dollars or more that had been unsuccessfully tried by some of the ablest lawyers in this part of the state. His clients are among the leading business men of the community and his opinions upon questions of law command respect as coming from one who has carefully considered the subject from all points of view.
In June, 1899, Mr. Wald was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Johnson, of Des Moines, and of this union six children were born, five of whom are now living, namely : Curtis M., Lowell M., Roscoe E., Bonnie V. and an infant daughter.
Mr. Wald gives his support to the republican party and has been frequently requested to allow his name to be proposed for the state legislature, but his extensive and growing practice has prevented his acceptance of this honor. He has served as a member of the town council and fraternally is connected with Slater Lodge, No. 384, I. O. O. F., and the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist church. Both as a pleader and counselor he has attained high standing in his profession, and as he is a man of studious habits who thoroughly prepares for every case in which he is interested, he apparently has before him many years of increasing responsibility and usefulness.
JOHN V. KALSEM.
John V. Kalsem, who has been living retired at Huxley for nine years past, and attained a competence through years of wisely applied labor, was born in Norway, May 26, 1839, He is a son of Valentine and Sarah Kalsem, both of whom were natives of Norway and continued in that country during their entire lives. Mr. Kalsem of this review was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of Norway, subsequently attending the schools of Mahaska county, Iowa, for a short time. In the spring of 1859, being then twenty years of age, he arrived in