My g-grandfather Sjur Markuson Dyrdal had a brother by the name of Lars that emigrated with him from Norway in 1854. In 1859 they each bought 160 acre farms in Goodhue County, Minnesota. Whether Lars was aware of it or not I don't know but he was carrying the bacteria that caused leprosy. The only health problems he was having was pain in his right shoulder and left hip which caused him to limp at times. It wasn't until the mid-1860's that the leprosy, which was brought on by a severe cold that he had caught while on a trip to St. Paul during the winter, started showing itself. I am assuming with the onset of his leprosy owning his own farm became to much a drain on his health and he sold it. In both the 1865 and 1870 census he is working as farm laborer on the Elling Olson farm in Wanamingo Township and in the 1875 state census he is working on the Hans Sande Marcuson farm also in Wanamingo Township. He died in 1878. He and Sjur were among the founding members of the Hauge Lutheran Church which was formed in 1861. The picture gives some addition information about Lars and the Hauge Church.  ¶ 10:40 AM