The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1914-01-13
.FLORSHEIM MAKES
GOOD AS FARMER.
Young Harvard Graduate Has Model
Farm North Of This City Turned
Farmer For Health's Sake
AT FIRST LAUGHED AT
Bringing Blooded Stock Into Pine
Forests Appeared Foolish To Many
Results Proved Otherwise

L. !. Florsheim, Harvard graduate
son of the millionaire shoe manufac-
turer, has transformed several hun
dred acres Of cut-over land north of
Bemidji into rich and model farm
and is blazing the trail of advanced
farm methods for his hardy neigh
bors. I'LL I'd
r. The young Harvard graduate, came
to Northern Minnesota principally for
his health and now has one of the
best model farms in this state.
Mr.. Florsheim, Harvard '9S, train
ed for the professional and business
world, but broke down shortly after
leaving his college. : He had been
brought up in Chicago, where he at
tended public schools, later prepara-
tory college and was finally gradual
ed from the law department of Har-
ward. He tried for months to regain
his health at Wisconsin sanitarium,
but was considered too weak to again
return to Chicago and enter the busi-
ness world. -
While at the hospital the young
millionaire fell in love with his nurse,
Miss Clara Priebe, and after a short
romance, they were married. They
are now living on the farm, which
lies on the shores Of Clearwater lake,
about twenty miles north of Bemidji.
Becomes a Farmer
After leaving the hospital Mr. Flor
sheim was told to work in the open
and he resolved to become a farmer
He took short course at the Wiscon-
sin agricultural school and then he
and his bride came to Northern Min
nesota. On the shores of the Lake Mr..
Florsheim purchased 500 acres of cut
over land. The small house was en-
larged to contain fifteen rooms, mod
ern plumbing and other conveniences
of the city were installed, and then
came an engine which cleared the
land Of the stumps. The homestead
ers watched this young farmer and
some laughed at the new methods
But Florsheim replied that it cost but
$12 an acre to clear his land, and he
went on regardless of the criticism.
Blooded Cattle
Next came blooded cattle, followed
by swine and horses. That was three
years ago. The homesteaders laughed
again, this time declaring that it was
a joke to bring blooded Guernseys in
to pine woods. But Mr.. Florsheim
laughed also and answered these
jibes by tearing down the old barn
and erecting a modern structure
with cement floors and running wa
ter in front of each animal. He then
purchased two fast horses and with
these Mr.. and Mrs. Florsheim make
occasional visits to Bemidji for sup
plies
The second year the homesteaders
dropped into ask questions and now
they are getting their swine, their
cattle and their horses for breeding
from Mr. .Florsheim. Also they are
gradually installing modern con-
veniences for the farm and for the
women folks. A homesteader said
yesterday that the coming of this
Eastern young man revolutionized
farm life in this section of the state.
So from a joke this Harvard grad
uate has become a leader. He recent
ly organized the Neving Dam Co.
oerative Creamery company. He is
clerk of the school board and last
fall succeeded in having a new school
house erected. The farm has quad
rupled in value and now, his health
returned, Mr.. Florsheim is content
with the farm life, and but a few
weeks ago purchased several hundred
acres adjacent to his land, which he
plans to clear next spring.
pnsfnone Action