in matters of vital interest to the locality. Mr. Burney, judging by what he has accomplished, made no mistake in selecting Iowa as his adopted state, and it is doubtful whether a more patriotic citizen is to be found within its borders than the gentleman whose sketch is here given.
B. C. DUELAND.
Few men deserve the credit that belongs to B. C. Dueland, now in the milling business at Slater, who from a water boy on a railroad has become one of the substantial business men of Story county. His career is a practical demonstration of what may be accomplished by one who is actuated by right principles and who bravely faces every difficulty, being fully determined that it must give way. He is a native of Norway, born August 25, 1866, and is a son of Christ C. and Mary Dueland. The family left that country for America in 1882, coming direct to Iowa and locating in Sheldahl. The father is by trade a painter but for sometime after arriving in this country he worked on the railroad or at any honorable labor he could find to do. Finally he secured employment at his trade. He is still living and makes his home with the subject of this review.
B. C. Dueland was educated in his native country, receiving advantage of only two or three months attendance in American schools after arriving in Iowa. It was necessary for him to assist in the maintenance of the family and at sixteen years of age he was employed as a farm hand by T. T. Ryan, of Palestine township. The following summer he secured a position as water boy for a railway construction gang and for four years followed this work and also engaged as a farm hand. In 1888, having decided to learn a trade, he became an apprentice in the grist mill at Sheldahl, in which he spent three and one-half years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the trade. In 1891 he formed a partnership with John Nielson and rented the mill from his former employer, operating it under the firm name of Nielson & Dueland. In the fall of 1894 they purchased a two-thirds interest in the mill at Slater and seven months later acquired the remaining interest, becoming sole owners. The mill up to this time had produced nothing but feed, and desiring to meet the demands of a growing community, the partners enlarged the building and put in a modern roller process, thus making the mill one of the leading business enterprises of that section. However, in April, 1910, the town was visited by a conflagration, which destroyed the mill, the depot and two freight houses. Messrs. Nielson and Dueland were not to be easily discouraged, and they immediately purchased the elevator building of Oley Nelson, in which they made many alterations, fitting the structure with mill machinery and entering upon a new era of prosperity. In connection with their milling business they deal extensively in coal and feed and are now enjoying the largest patronage they have ever known.