Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/808

 702 HISTORY OP GOODHUE COUNTY Lewis P. went to live with his grandmother, and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, near Cedar Rapid*, Iowa. He worked on a farm in the same locality until twenty- one years of age. His first railroad experience was as a tele- graph operator for the Chicago & Northwestern. In 1893 he accepted a similar position with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and was later promoted to the position of train dispatcher. In 1903 he was appointed chief train dispatcher at Red Wing, which position he efficiently and honorably filled. Mr. Alexander is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the AVoodmen and the Yeomen. He was married February 28, 1895, to Rilla Thompson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, daughter of James C. and Angeline (Fritz) Thompson. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander has been blessed with two children: Mervin L.. born April 13, 1896. and Firmin L.. born December 5, 1900. Both children atten*d the public schools. Mervin L., the elder son, is a clever musician, and plays firsl and second cornet in the Military band. The family worships at the Presbyterian church. Gisle J. Kyllingstad, manager of the Goodhue County Abstract Company. Red Wing, has seen life in three continents — Africa, Knrope and North America. He is one of the very few people now living in the United Stales who was born in Africa, his natal place having been ai the mission station in Eschowe, Zululand, where he firsl saw Hie light of day June. 13, 1870. His. parents. John L. and Anne M. (Hansen) Kyllingstad. were natives of Norway. They went to South Africa as missionaries in 1863, and pursued their labors of love and faith in thai country until 1879. They then returned to Norway, and in 1881 came to America, John L. Kyllingstad having received an appointment as a professor in the Red Wing Seminary. After a year's service there he again resumed his work as teacher and preacher, until 1890, when failing health caused him to retire. He died at Red Wing August 7, 1890, and his widow now makes her home with her son, Gisle -7. Gisle J. received his early education at the mission station in Zululand, and in Norway, also attend- ing the Red Wing public schools. In 1888 he graduated from the Red Wing Seminary, then engaged in bookkeeping until 1902. Subsequently, for four years, he engaged in the retail coal business in this city, and in 1906 sold out and accepted his present position. Mr. Kyllingstad is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. He also affili- ates with the Rod Men. He is unmarried. Of his two brothers and one sister, Bertha N. lives in Red Wing, John A. M. at Lexington, Miss., and Peter A. at Minneapolis. J. G. Derickson, retired farmer, living at 1324 Walnut street. Red Wing, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, November 12,