Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/359

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 295 cember 7, 1871, son of Johannes and Ellen Boraas, who came from Stjordalen, near Trondhjem, Norway, directly to Goodhue county about forty years ago. He received his preliminary education in the schoolhouse of district 92, and from 1886 to 1890 attended the Red Wing Seminary, graduating with honors from the aca- demic course in the spring of 1890. After teaching school in the country for a year he entered the University of Minnesota, where he diligently pursued the college course from 1891 to 1895, gradu- ating in the latter year as valedictorian of his class. He received his degree of Master of Letters from the same institution in 1898. From 1895 to 1898 he was one of the popular instructors at the Red Wing Seminary and his appointment in the latter year as superintendent of county schools to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Engstrom met with popular approval. Since then Prof. Boraas has continued to serve in the same capacity, being elected successively in 1900, 1902, 1901, 1906 and 1908. Professor Boraas is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, an hon- orary college fraternity. He was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1897. at Kenyan, Minn., to Julia Rygh. and their happy home has been blessed with three children — Vivian, Harold and Nora. Prof. Boraas has placed the schools of Goodhue county on a high plane and his methods have been freely discussed and favorably commented upon by the educational journals. Among the causes of his success are these : He was thoroughly equipped by nature and education and has been absorbingly devoted to his work. He has a way of interesting the children in such a manner as to bring forth their best efforts and at the same time gain their love and respect. Besides being an educator he has the practical common sense of a business man, which has enabled him to enlist the co-operation of parents and school boards in bringing about the necessary improvements and reforms. A vein of kindly humor, of which Prof. Boraas is possessed, is a pleasing part of his per- sonality which impresses those he meets, whether in a business, educational or social way. As a writer Prof. Boraas' products are also in demand. He is the author of a useful book for teachers, entitled "Getting Along in Country Schools." This book, designed to furnish those lessons which, hitherto, teachers have learned only through years of ex- perience, has already had a wide circulation and is more than accomplishing its purpose. Its success has caused a demand for other books along the same line from his gifted pen. In addition to this. Prof. Boraas has written several serials for the "Young People's Friend," and has contributed extensively to the various school journals. Sarah E. Pettibone Hasler (Mrs. Samuel J.) is one of the prominent women of Red Wing and Goodhue county. She was