Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-01-12
GONE TO HIS
FINAL REST.

Prominent Early Settler Passes
Away AT His Lake Elizabeth
Home Biography.
Friday, January 7th, occurred
the death Of one of the old pio.
neers of this county, Mr.. Nels Ro-
senquist. He answered to the
summons of death at the age of II
years, having been born June %,
1889, in Fjerlof parish. Skane, Swe-
den. He was confirmed in Storby
church July 80, 1854. He came to
this country in the spring of 1866.
spending part Of his time as COM
mon laborer in Illinois and part of
the time in Michigan, until some
time in 1865, when he came to Wis
consin and settled in Mans Valley
where he for several years occupied
his time with farming. On Sep
tember 4th. 1866, he married Mrs.
Helen Church at St. Paul, contin-
uing his residence in Wisconsin un-
til in the fall of 1869 when he
moved to Lake Elizabeth, this coun-
ty. Here he purchased some two
hundred acres of land in section
Is, and with a good many other
pioneers, proceeded to establish for
himself and family a permanent
home, meeting with all the vicissi-
tudes and hardships of the earlier
days. He learned through expert
ence the lesson of perseverance, and
his determination. coupled with his
rugged constitution, his frugality
and thoughtfulness won for him
success, and in time he was able to
equip his farm with all the modern
buildings that insured the comfort
of not only his family, but the
dumb animals in his care. His
every thought was for the comfort
of his family, liberal to afheir
needs and wants, he showed to
them his kindness in his bountiful
providing and his thoughtfulness, as
far as it was possible, in their ac-
quiring an education. In local
matters he was always interested.
He had served officially in town.
ship affairs continuously in differ
ent capacities ever since he came
here, and was at the time of his
death town andwschool treasurer.
His word and his honesty were un-
impeachable. Although of a silent
and retiring disposition he was pos
sessed Of a strong and determined
mind and on account of this. and
his strong rugged constitution he
was we'll equipped to fight life's
battles. He may at times have
been misjudged by those not know
ing HIM intimately but those know
ing him best knew that he possessed
many noble traits interviewer in
his character. His sympathy espe-
cially was always touched for the
sick and destitute. AS his last ill.,
ness came upon him he seemed to
have a presentiment that this would
be the last one, for turning to his
son one day as he stood by his bed
side he said he longed to go as his
day of usefulness was over, and at
his age he could not expect to in
terest himself in the Welfare of his
family and he feared he might be-
come burden to others. AS the
days passed and his illness in
creased, and his suffering at times
must have been intense he uttered
not a word or murmur of COM
plant. He was thankful that up
to this time his health and strength
had carried him through a long life
time. Silently and humbly he com
muned with his Creator. Without
creed or form, he turned his face to
the only one who can give solace
and comfort. HIS thoughts went
out to those who had SO tenderly
ministered to his wants, and he
thanked them for the cup of colo
water pressed to his parched lips,
His family humbly and reverently
gathered at his bedside; they rea
lized that a father and a husband
was about to depart from them
Bravely, patiently and with gooe
will stamped upon his countenance
he went down into the valley O!
death and passed over the river ant
his weary journey ended; the fina
rest was his. Monday. January 1OtD
his remains were inferred in tn,
Union cemetery at Atwater. Til,
funeral services were conducted b,
Rev. A. Frost of St. Paul. Beside
the sorrowing widow, he leaves t,
mourn his departure the follow
ing SONS and daughters, all o
whom were in attendance at the fu
neral: A.. H. Rosenquist of Ray
mond, J. 0. Rosenqiust, of Mime
apolis, Minnie E. now Mrs. J. A
Bloom, of Chisago City, MINI, Mel
lie E. now Mrs. George Hedtke o
Willmar, France Rosenquist, o
Litchfeld, Emile now Mrs. 7. R
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