Representative from Emmet county, was born on a farm in High Lake township, in said county, March 11, 1873, of Norwegian parentage. His parents were among the pioneers of the county and his father held many positions of trust. He performed the many duties incident to farm life in the early days of the county and attended the district school in the winters until thirteen years of age, when he moved to the county seat, Estherville, Iowa, with his parents, where he attended high school until the year 1890. From 1890 until July, 1891, he worked in a newspaper office and was employed as salesman in a general store. In July, 1891, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Capital City Commercial College for a few months and next was employed as dress goods salesman in the department store of Lang Bros. until May, 1893, when he engaged in the retail grocery business in Des Moines with Mr. N. H. Brookover under the firm style of Brookover & Lee until May, 1897. Entered Iowa College of Law January 1, 1895, and completed full law course and graduated May 18, 1896. Was admitted to the bar at the same time. Attended Drake University one year, beginning with fall term of 1897, taking special work. He was next employed in the law offices of Dudley & Coffin and Dunshee & Allen, Des Moines Iowa, until September, 1898, when he located at Estherville, where he has practiced continuously since. Elected city solicitor in March, 1899, and held that office one term. Elected county attorney of Emmet county in November, 1900, and reelected without opposition In 1902. Was married to Miss Maude Genevieve Deemer of Des Moines in May, 1902. Was the organizer and secretary of the Capital Park McKinley Club in Des Moines in 1896. Is a member of the State Bar Association and State Association of County Attorneys. Is a member of the M. W. A. and the Order of Elks, being exalted ruler of that order at Estherville. Elected Representative in 1906 and re-elected In 1908. A Republican in politics.

Representative from Emmet county. Born on a farm in High Lake township, in said county of Norwegian parentage. His parents were among the pioneers of the county and his father held many positions of trust. He performed the many duties incident to farm life in the early days of the county and attended the district school in the winters until thirteen years of age, when he moved to the county seat, Estherville, Iowa, with his parents, where he attended high school until the year 1890. From 1890 until July, 1891, he worked in a newspaper office and was employed as salesman in a general store. In July, 1891, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Capital City Commercial College for a few months and next was employed as dress goods salesman in the department store of Lang Bros until May, 1893, when he engaged in the retail grocery business in Des Moines with Mr. N. H. Brookover under the firm style of Brookover & Lee until May, 1897. He entered Iowa College of Law January 1, 1895, and completed full law course and graduated May 18, 1896. Was admitted to the bar at the same time. After disposing of his interest in the grocery business to his partner he moved back to Estherville, the old home. He attended Drake University one year, beginning with fall term of 1897, taking special work. He was next employed in the law offices of Dudley & Coffin and Dunshee & Allen, Des Moines, Iowa, until September, 1898, when he located at Estherville, where he has practiced continuously since. He was elected city solicitor in March, 1899, and held that office one term. He was elected county attorney of Emmet county in November, 1900, and was re-elected without opposition in 1902. Was married to Miss Maude Genevieve Deemer of Des Moines in May, 1902. He was the organizer and secretary of the Capital Park McKinley Club in Des Moines in 1896. He was nominated by the Republicans of Emmet county for representative in a direct primary in 1906 and elected by a satisfactory majority. He is a member of the State Bar Association and State Association of County Attorneys. He is a member of the M. W. A. and the Order of Elks, being exalted ruler of that order at Estherville. A Republican in politics.