History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

MATT A. RUED, who is engaged in agriculture on a farm of eighty acres in section 25, and forty acres in section 24, and he has eighty acres of woodland in section 27, Hoard Township, doing a profitable business, was born in Norway, Jan. 22, 1858, his father's name being Andres Kankarud and his mother's, before marriage, Martha Amanson. Both parents are now dead, the father, who was a farmer, dying in 1912, and his wife previously in 1904. They had spent their lives in their native land, never coming to America. Matt A. Rued came to this country in 1880, locating in Vernon County, Wis., where he worked out for others. In the fall of that year he came to Dorchester, Clark County, and in the spring of 1882 bought the land that constitutes his present farm from the railroad company. It was a wild tract and his first necessary work was to build a log cabin, in which he lived for some nine years. He then erected a frame dwelling, which he has since enlarged and improved.

By 1905 Mr. Reud had made good progress, his farm being well developed and well supplied with buildings, when in that year a cyclone destroyed three thousand dollars worth of his property, carrying away One-half the roof of his house and completely wrecking a large barn, another barn of smaller size, and a granary. He has since recovered from this loss, however, and has a good barn, 44 by 76 feet in size, erected in 1907, a concrete hog-house and other necessary buildings, also a concrete silo 14 by 36 feet capacity of go tons. He raises Chester-White hogs and graded Guernsey cattle, milking twelve cows. He also keeps a few Lincolnshire sheep. Fifty acres of his land is under the plow, his crops being Mostly oats, hay and rye.

Mr. Rued has served as supervisor of Hoard Township and was elected township treasurer in 1902, holding that office four years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Hoard Township, Which was organized in 1884. After living a bachelor's life on his farm for six years, Mr. Rued was married Mar. 25, 1889, to Rande Peterson, who was born in Norway, April 10, 1860, her father being a farmer.

He went to Norway for his bride, the marriage taking place in that country, where later her parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Rued have four children: Axel, of Hoard Township Mary, who resides in North Dakota Paul, who is in the United State's service, now stationed at Camp Grant, Company A, 341st Infantry, and Agnes, who lives at home with her parents. The family are well known and respected throughout this part of Clark County, Mr. Rued having conquered success by means of industry and perseverance, in spite of early discouragernents. He and his wife have proved themselves good neighbors and have numerous friends.