Abraham B. Friesen, of Carson township, Cottonwood county, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers and stockmen of that part of the county, is a native of southern Russia, born on a farm there, August 18, 1871, son of Peter and Anna (Berg) Friesen, natives of that same country and early settlers in Cottonwood county, the former of whom is still living, a prosperous retired farmer at Mountain Lake.

Peter Friesen and his family left Russia in 1875 and came to Minnesota, locating at Mountain Lake, in Cottonwood county. A little later he bought a farm of eighty acres in Carson township and there established his home. He was a good farmer and a thrifty, energetic citizen and as he prospered in his farming operations added to his holdings until he became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres. About 1902 he retired from the active labors of the farm and he and his wife moved to Mountain Lake, where she died in 1910 and where he is still living. He is a member of the Men- nonite church, as was his wife, and their children were reared in that faith. There were ten of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Peter P., Anna, John, Jacob, Aaron, Catherine, Mary, Susanna and Sarah, all of whom are living.

Abraham B. Friesen was not quite four years old when his parents came to Minnesota from Russia in 1875 and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm in Carson township, receiving his education in the public schools of that township. He married when he was twenty-one years old and then began farming on the place on which he still lives, and on which he has made practically all the improvements that now go to make it one of the best farms in that part of the county. From the very beginning of his fanning operations, Mr. Friesen prospered and he gradually added to his holdings until he is now the owner of a fine farm of four hundred and four acres and is regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in Cottonwood county. In addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. He has long made a specialty of pure-bred Belgian draft horses and his breeding stables are known far and wide among the farmers of this part of the state. Mr. Friesen is a Republican and has long given careful attention to local political affairs, and for six years served as treasurer of Carson township.

It was on January 3, 1893, that Abraham B. Friesen was united in marriage to Helena Fast, daughter of John Fast, of Carson, and to this union twelve children have been born, John, Helena, Sarah, Abraham, Anna, Peter, Catherine, Henry, Jacob, Bernard, Aaron and Herman. Mr. and Mrs. Friesen are members of the Mennonite church and for years have been among the leaders in the work of that congregation, ever also exhibiting a proper concern in behalf of all other movements designed to advance the interests of the community in which they live.

Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota
Their People, Industries and Institutions
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
John A. Brown
Volume II : 1916: B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.