The present efficient and popular register of deeds of Cottonwood county, Severt Fering was born in Cottonwood county on December 2, 1869. He is a son of John and Ragna (Neshien) Fering, the father a native of Norway and the mother of Iowa. The father was brought by his parents to Wisconsin when six years old, the father, Lars Fering, later taking his family to Winnesheik county, Iowa, thence came to Cottonwood county, but went on west to Washington territory, but returned to Cottonwood county, where his death occurred in Highwater township.

John Fering, mentioned above, was educated in the public schools of Iowa. He married in Decorah, that state, and came to Cottonwood county in 1869 and took up a homestead in Highwater township and here his death occurred in 1895. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1887. They spent their lives on a farm. He was a Republican. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, in 1861, and was in the Union army three years, he saw much hard service, being in many engagements, and was wounded at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His family consisted of the following children: Lewis is the eldest; Severt J.; Caroline is deceased; Laura is deceased; Julia, Iver, Christ, Otto are all living; Caroline and Robert are deceased; Gertie E. is the youngest of the family.

Severt J. Fering was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy and he received a public school education, later attended the Valley Business College at Decorah, Iowa. He began life for himself as a farmer. He came to Windom, Cottonwood county, in January, 1905, and later he was selected as deputy county register of deeds and later as register of deeds for two years. In 1907 he was elected to this office which he still holds, having been re-elected at the expiration of each term since. His term of office expires January 1, 1919. He has discharged his duties as a public servant in an able, faithful and highly satisfactory manner. Politically, he is a Republican. He also served as town clerk for about ten years in Highwater township. He belongs to the Lutheran church, and is a member of Windom Lodge No. 108, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Sons of Norway.

Mr. Fering owns forty acres of the old homestead in Highwater township, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres being sold eventually. Two uncles, Andrew and Charley Fering, both came from Winnesheik county, Iowa, to Cottonwood county in 1868, taking up homesteads in Highwater township, section 26. Later, Andrew moved to Redwood county, Minnesota, where he still lives, making his home in Lamberton. He was a successful farmer, but is now retired from active life. Charley Fering moved to the state of Washington, where he lived several years, but now lives on a farm at the edge of the town of Alvarado, Marshall county, Minnesota. The town was built on his land.

� 2005 Cottonwood County Minnesota AHGP