K. A. KNUTSON, LYLE'S GRAND OLD MAN, ANSWERED HIS CALL, WEDNESDAY A M

Death is a Divine economy. It comes to rich and poor, it separates life long friends and is a leveler of all mankind.

It is our sad duty, this week to chronicle the death of one of this community's oldest and revered citizens. For the past sixty-three years he has been a familiar figure in this community, and his life was an open book. He appreciated friends and had many. He shunned publicity and the crowd, but his unassuming manner won friends who stood by him through his long career. Those who knew K. A. Knutson recognized in him a man of many noble qualities. He did not clamor for inches or a "place in the sun" but he had a noble trait--that of winning friends by being friendly. This was forcefully demonstrated during his last days, after it was learned that he was ill. Many came to see him and a score of others called daily to learn of his condition. It may well be said that Lyle and community has lost a grand old man, one that will long be missed by his friends.

K. A. Knutson was born in Voss, Norway. June 13, 1851. When a lad of 16 years, he emigrated from his native land, with his parents, in 1867, the family settling in Dane County, Wis., where his father had relatives. Events of the trip across the ocean were ever vivid to the young man, the eldest of the family of six children. He would relate those experiences in his later years, as though they had occurred but yesterday.

The voyage was made by sail boat from Bergen, Norway. After a rough passage of five long weeks, they landed at Quebec. Then began the westward move. When the family reached Chicago the father's earthly possessions consisted of $2. The trip from Chicago, to relatives in Wisconsin was a hard trek as the family walked the entire distance. After three years stay in Wisconsin, these hardy pioneers again pressed on, coming to Lyle, they purchased a farm three miles east of the village which continued to be the family home. There Mr. Knutson's mother and father resided until their death. The place has remained in the family circle and is now occupied by a grand son Walter J. Leidall.

As a young man K. A. work about the community, and for a time, in 1879 and 80 he clerked in Irgen's general store in Lyle. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Hattie Swenson. They had no children. Soon after his marriage he purchased a small farm two miles west of Lyle, on the state line, where he lived for 85 years, coming to Lyle in 1919 where he continued to live until his death. His wife died in 1918.

K. A. Knutson was the eldest of six children, four of whom preceded him in death. They were: Mrs Christianson, late of Zion City, Ill. Mrs Peterson of Fargo, N D.; Mrs K L Leidall of Lyle and John who lived at home; Erick A. of Hettinger is the last and sole survivor of the immediate family.

Mr. Knutson enjoyed comparatively good health, and altho he attained a ripe old age, his mind was keen and alert and he was privileged to enjoy his faculties until only a few days before his death. He passed away Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock. "Little Knute" is gone but he will long be held in remembrance by all who knew him.

The deceased was an honorary member of Lyle Lodge No. 59 K of P., and the oldest member of Alma Lodge 131, and at the time of his death was lodge tyler, a position he had held for many years.

Funeral services will be held in Six Mile Grove church, Friday afternoon at 2 P. M., Rev Langehough officiating. Interment will be made in the family lot in the church cemetery.

Walter, Clifford and Leonard Leidall, Melvin Anderson, Chris Olson and Lewis Jacobson will serve as pall bearers.