Mathias T. Skrukrud, a progressive farmer of Hawk Creek township, was born December 29, 1874, son of Torger O. and Anna Brettingen, on the sightly farm in section 5, Hawk Creek township, where he still resides. As a boy he played on the historic banks of Hawk creek, attended the neighborhood schools, and learned farming from his father, taking his part in the development of the home place. His education was completed with a year's course at Decorah College, at Decorah, Iowa. For three years he was second miller under his brother in the Maynard Flour Mill. With these exceptions he remained on the home farm until 1905, when he went into Clearwater county, this state, where he purchased a farm, on which he remained for five years. Then he returned to the home farm, where he has since been actively identified with the agricultural pursuits of Renville county. He has now sold his farm in Clearwater county and devoted his attention entirely to his place in Hawk Creek. He has continued the improvements started by his father, has repaired the buildings, painted the house, added porches, and made other developments in the way of fencing, and the purchase of stock, equipment and tools. The place shows his thrift and prosperity. While in Clearwater county, Mr. Skrukrud served as a member of the town board of Greenwood, Clearwater county. Mathias Skrukrud was married April 4, 1900, to Clara Rude, born February 26, 1878, daughter of Knute T. and Marie (Hanson) Rude, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Skrukrud have eight children: Theodore, born February 25, 1902; Myrtle, born August 9, 1903; Alice, born March 1, 1905; Irwin, born February 1, 1907; Mabel, born July 5, 1908; Kenneth, born September 17, 1910; Melvin, born December 7, 1912; and Viola, born May 15, 1915.