THE FRED G. GASS FAMILY

        Fred G. Gass was born June 18, 1883 at Alta, Iowa, and came to Murray County with his parents in 1902. They settled on December 18 in Lowville township. Mr. Gass started farming for himself in 1905 and made a success not only in farming but in his activities in governmental affairs. He has served as town clerk of Leeds township for 20 years, is a director of the Murray County Mutual Fire Ins. Co., was a member of the Murray County Selective Service board for six years, and was a director of PCA of SW Minnesota eight years. He was married to Elvira A. Burke, November 25, 1909. Mrs. Gass was born July 24, 1886, in Slayton, Minn. To this union were born Kenneth, August 29, 1910; Chloris, July 24, 1912; Clinton B., January 9, 1920. Kenneth died in infancy.

        Chloris, a graduate of Mankato Normal, taught school eight years, married Lucas Harmsen, June 22, 1939; to this union two girls were born: Gretchen L., August 9, 1940; and Kathryn, January 5, 1945. Mrs. Harmsen is teaching in Detroit, Michigan.

        Clinton married Myrtle E. Brewer, October 18, 1941. They have two children: Frederick S., April 21, 1943; Kenneth B., June 13, 1946.

        Clinton was graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1941. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Nebraska for two years, then to the Nebraska Wesleyan College where he is now professor of Mathematics. He entered the army September 15, 1944. Finally landed at Los Almos, N. M. where he was attached to the Manhattan Engineering project (the Atomic Bomb). He was with the static bomb project for over a year, working in Mathematics and Theoretical physics. He also has a master degree from the University of Nebraska.


THE OTTO K. HEIMNESS FAMILY

        Otto K. Heimness was born in Norway and came to this country in 1883 settling first in Fillmore county. He moved to Murray county in 1884 settling on a farm in Leeds township. He was one of the most successful farmers in that township. He was married to Miss Jetta Jonette Mickelson, November 18,


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1886. A daughter, Elsie Bendine, was born to this union June 4, 1903. She was united in marriage to Louis Ostergaard on June 28, 1922. To this union three children were born: Jeanette Marie, April 25, 1929; Elsie Lorraine, September 1,1930; and Marion Louise, October 14, 1938. Mr. Heimness died November 1, 1928. Mr. Ostergaard who was born in Denmark was a Lt. in the Danish army. He is a veteran of World War I, serving as a Sgt. in the Inf. The Ostergaards farmed from 1928 to 1942 when they moved to Lake Wilson.


THE L. J. HEIMNESS FAMILY

        L. J. Heimness was born in Norway and came to this country in 1869, landing at Decorah, Iowa. He was married to Johanna S. Engebretson in 1870. They moved to Fillmore county, where they lived until 1872 when they moved to Murray county, settling on section 8 in Leeds.

        Mr. Heimness was a substantial citizen and served as assessor and supervisor for Leeds township which he helped organize in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Heimness had three daughters: Anna, Ellen and Isabel. Anna was united in marriage to Iver Erdahl of Lake Wilson in 1910. They have one daughter, Ivey, who attended Mankato Commercial School and now has a fine position with Griggs Cooper Co. of St. Paul. Isabel married Knut Mostrom in 1896. The Mostroms had three children: Arnold, Julia and Gladys.

        Julia married Ole Strand of McHenry, North Dakota. They had four children. Ellen married Henry Bruns. She died in 1943. Mr. Bruns died in 1940.


THE WILLIAM HELMKE FAMILY

        Wm. Helmke was born in Germany January 5, 1870. He came to America in 1884, settling near Avoca, Nebraska. He came to Minnesota in 1891, settling on a farm in Cameron township. He was united in marriage to Lena Dettmer in 1895.

        They had eleven children: Sophia (who died in 1923); Margaret, March 23, 1897; Minnie, August 30, 1898; Henry, July 23, 1900; Fred; Lena, July 24, 1903; Elizabeth, October


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