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4
Story of an Emigrant.
the village school until I had learned all that was taught
there. During the vacations I worked on my father’s farm
at such light work as was suited to my age and strength. I
had a decided fanev for horses, of which my father raised a
large number, and was always happy for a chance to ride or
drive in company with the hired men, and after my twelfth
year 1 used to break the young colts to the saddle. At the
same time I had a great taste for reading and never intended
to remain long on the farm, but was always meditating on
getting a higher education, which would prepare me for a
larger field of action than a country farm could offer. At
the age of fourteen I was sent to another school, located
about three miles from my home. Here I was instructed in
the common branches, and in a short time passed through
the whole course of studies. I also received instruction from
Rev. S. X. Ilasselquist, who has played such a prominent
part in the Swedish Lutheran Church of America, and took
private lessons in arithmetic and writing of Mr. S. J.
Will-ard, a bright young teacher, who afterwards married my
only sister, and finally became my companion during our
pioneer life in Minnesota.
Our last home offered many conveniences; the house was
well furnished, and so large that the second story could be
rented most of the time, and it was occupied alternately by
a clergyman with his family, and a captain of the army.
These people, and our numerous city friends, exerted a
refining and elevating influence on the farm surroundings, and
our home was widely noted for its hospitality. My father
was a kind-hearted, noble-minded man, and was liked by all
who knew him. My mother was a woman of strong
character, and wielded a great influence over her surroundings.
She managed a household of forty to fifty persons, and on
Sundays there was always an extra table set for friends and
visitors. Her good-will, however, extended not only to our
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