Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1084

 936 HISTOEY OF GOODHUE COUNTY June 26, 1906. Lars received his education in the common schools and worked on the farm until 1882, when he went to North Dakota, later returning and purchasing the old homestead, where he has made many improvements. He now follows general farm- ing. Mr. Walsvik was married in July, 1875, to Inga M. Gjesme, daughter of Lars and Anna (Mayland) Gjesme. The mother died several years ago, but the father is still living. Mrs. Walsvik died April 13, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Walsvik have had nine children : Sarah, who lives at home ; Anna, now Mrs. Anders Turk, of Minne- apolis ; Alma, of Minneapolis ; Leonard, living at home ; Louisa, married to 0. Lee, of Wanamingo ; Hattie, married to C. M. Nes- seth ; Bertha, Inger, and Mary, who live at home. Mr. Walsvik is a Republican in politics, and has held the offices of supervisor and town treasurer, for several years. He is now treasurer of school district No. 61, which office he has held for the past five years. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator of Kenyon. Senkpiehl Brothers. Among the prosperous and progressive farmers of Goodhue county, G. F. and H. W. Senkpiehl are well entitled to prominent mention. Their large farm is brought to a high degree of cultivation, and the brothers take pride in keeping everything in the best of condition. In the spring, when tlie black earth is plowed in deep furrows ; in the summer, when the crops wave in beauty on the rolling land, and in the fall, when the ripened grains stand in shocks or stacks awaiting the thresher, the farm presents a pleasing picture of intelligent and successful effort along agricultural lines. To the property left them by their father the brothers and their sister, who keeps house for them, have added from time to time until they now own 620 acres of as good land as is found in the county. They carry on general farming with great success and also raise considerable stock, their barns being arranged with a view to the best housing of their cattle. All the stock is well looked after, with the result the dairying operations on the place have proven most profitable. Christian and Mary Senkpiehl, parents of the Senkpiehl brothers, were born in Germany and came to Hay Creek township in 1858 with the early pioneers, taking up a homestead of 160 acres, erecting the necessary buildings and carrying on general farming. In the family were seven children : Charles, Hinnarika, Gustaf, Christine, William, Henry and Christian. The mother died in 1896 and the father in 1901. At the time of the father's death he left 400 acres to his children. This has since been increased to 620 acres and some fine buildings have been erected thereupon. H. J. Kells, of Hay Creek township, was born in Columbia county, New York, October 3, 1833, son of Henry H. and Caroline (Avery) Kells, natives of New York, who moved to Wisconsin late in life and spent the remainder of their days there. H. J.