Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1218

 1056 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUXTY retired, she takes an active interest in everything that tends to the betterment of city, county or nation, and her newspaper com- munications, in which she champions the cause of righteousness, a square deal and the working people, have now, as in the past, an important influence on local affairs. Ralph Waldo Holmes, the talented editor of the Pine Island "Record," has made an excellent reputation for himself during his period of service at the head of that paper. He combines business with literary ability, and is well suited by nature for the post he occupies. His paper exerts considerable influence on the affairs of the community and his opinions on all questions of the day are listened to with respect. Born in Roscoe town- ship, November 1, 1870. he was educated in the common schools of Big Stone county, later studied for three years at the Upper Iowa University at Payette, Iowa, completing his education with a year at Hamline University. After finishing his studies he re- turned home and assisted his father on the farm in the summer and taughl school in the winter. In 1895 he leased a large farm in Big Stone county, which he conducted for a time. After sell- ing out he moved to Pine Island and in March, 1901, boughl the Pine Island "Record," which he still publishes. He has been a member of Company D, Third Regimenl M. X. G., since March, 1905, and holds the office of sergeant. During his residence in Big Stone county he held the office of constable and was jus- tice of the peace ami clerk of the school board at different times, and is now clerk of Pine Island village, having served three years. Fraternally, he affiliates with the I. 0. O. F., the M. W. A.. U. 0. F. and E. F. U. Mr. Holmes has been twice married. Octo- ber 23, 1895, he was married to Emma B. Hartkopf, who died August 20, 1900 leaving him two children, Estelle, born Novem- ber 10, 1896, and Alice, born April 2, 1898. On December 28, 1902, he was again married to Myrta B. Jewell, by whom he has one child, George Henry, born August 29, 1901. John Henry L. Holmes, father of R. W. Holmes, was the son of John Holmes, a Methodist circuit rider in Ohio, and came to Illinois with the family in the early fifties, settling on a farm in Pine Island in 1857. He served for three years during the war in Company H. Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The mother, Emmeline E. Holmes, daughter of James Parker, was also born in Ohio, came with her parents to Minnesota in the late fifties, lived on a farm near Pine Island and afterwards moved to the village. The father died in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1907. Andrew Ellingson, retired merchant, living at 828 East ave- nue, Red Wing, is one of the men who were instrumental in hav- ing the Red "Wing Seminary located in this city. He was born in Norway, January 9, 1840, son of Lasse and Jerrine (Nelson)