Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1159

 HISTORY 01 G00DH1 I. C01 TY 1007 of a fine grade of sweet corn. The corn chosen for canning by Mr. Agnew is of the sweetesl and best, and the process insures absolute cleanliness. Mr. Agnew has associated himself with the .Masonic order, and iii politics h<' is an independent voter. By I. aura Watson, whom he married September 16, 1897, he has one daughter, Dorothy, born March 24, 1907. The family faith is that of the Congregational church. William and Minnie (Leahy) € Agnew. parents of Thomas A., were both natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in l.sTT. and the father still lives in his native state, where lie is engaged as a railroad engineer. Andrew J. Vangsness, of Belle Creek township, was born in Wisconsin, .January 8, L858, son of Iver and Una Vangsness natives of Norway, who came to America in 185-4 and located in "Wisconsin, where the father engaged in general labor until 1862, when they came to Belle Creels township and purchased 130 acres of wild land on Section 31, which the lather broke ami cleared, improved the Land and buill a home and other buildings necessary to carry on successful farming. Here he died on May 2, 1905, the mother having passed away in 1868. Andrew re- ceived his education in Belle Creek township, and worked with his father on the farm until 1905, when he and his brother came into possession of the farm, which they have continued to im- prove, and are now among the leading farmers in the township. Mr. Vangsness was married November, 1885, to Anna Johnson, a native of Norway. They have been blessed with three chil- dren : Una, born March 20, 1887, married to Carl Nerison, now of Minneola township ; Julius, born December 1, 1891, lives at home; Ingvald, born October 7, 1888, died June 2, 1904. Mr. Vangsness is a Republican in politics and has taken an active in- terest in the affairs of his community. He has served as super- visor for five years, is now treasurer of school district No. 92, and has been road overseer several times. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Lewis L. Agrey, of Minneola township, son of Erick and Bertha Agrey, was born June 8, 1854, in Norway. His parents both being natives of that country, immigrating to America in the year 1856 when Lewis was two years old. They settled in "Winneshiek county, Iowa, engaging in farming until 1864, when they moved to Fillmore county, purchased a farm, re- maining here for one year. In the spring of 1865 they removed to Minneola township, purchasing a farm of 166 acres, mostly wild land, which they cultivated and improved. The father died No- vember 1, 1865. The mother continued to live on the homestead until she died, May 1, 1895. Lewis was educated in the public schools of Minneola, and after finishing his education he re- mained on the home farm, building a new house and other build-