USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 65
USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 65
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As noted above. it was in 1894 that L. J. Derby was united in marriage to Anna Brown, who was born at Sterling, Illinois, daughter of George Brown and wife, and to this union five children were born, namely: Ruby, who married William Hedlund and lives in Delaware township; Frank, who is at home; Mabel, who is a graduate of the high school at Wheaton and lives near that place; Raymond C. and George L., the latter of whom is mak- ing his home with his Grandfather Brown. The mother of these children died in 1902 and in 1914 Mr. Derby married Josephine Johnson, who was born at Albert Lea, this state, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Leland A. The Derbys have a very pleasant home and take a proper part in the various social activities of the community in which they live.
PEDER JENSEN.
Peder Jensen, a well-known retired farmer of Nelson, was born in Denmark on December 8, 1851, the son of Jens and Kirsten (Nelsen) Jorgensen, natives of Denmark, where they spent their lives, they having died some years ago. The father served in the war with Germany in 1850 and was a worthy soldier. He and his wife were the parents of five chil- dren, namely: Karen, who is living in Denmark; Peder, the subject of this sketch; Sedse, the wife of Nels Olson of Nelson, and Nels and Maria. deceased.
Peder Jensen was educated in Denmark and there grew to manhood. He remained in his native country until he was thirty years of age, employed there as a laborer. He realized that the opportunities were better in America and in 1882 he left his native country and came to the United States, pro- ceeding directly to Minnesota and locating in Alexandria township, Douglas county, where for four years he worked as a farm hand, much of his time being employed in clearing land and gathering crops. In 1882, the year in
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which he came to America, Mr. Jensen purchased forty acres of school land in Alexandria township, and after some years he cleared and developed the farm and erected substantial buildings. There he made his home for four- teen years. He then purchased eighty acres south of Nelson, which he improved and developed, and there he made his home until 1910, when he sold the place and moved to Nelson where he has since lived a retired life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jensen four children were born, Anna Christenia, Mary, Jens Frederick and Henrietta, all of whom are living.
OLAF J. DAHLGREN.
Olaf J. Dahlgren, one of the well-known and successful farmers of Land township, Grant county, was born in Sweden on January 2, 1860, the son of John and Karen ( Paulsdatter) Johnson, also natives of Sweden, who. spent their lives in the land of their birth, where they died some years ago. The father was a farmer and devoted his life to that work. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters.
Olaf J. Dahlgren received his schooling in the public schools of his native land and resided there until he was twenty-three years of age, when, in 1883, he sailed for the United States. On his arrival in this country he came direct to Minnesota and for one year resided in Clay county, after which he removed to Douglas county, where he lived with his brother for a short time and then returned to Clay county, where he remained until 1889. During these years he worked at various things and was a part of the time in the Dakotas. In 1889 he settled in Grant county and located on his present farm in Land township in 1890. That farm he has developed into one of the finest farms in the township and has a set of substantial and modern buildings.
Olaf J. Dahlgren was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Randin) Lindstrom, who was born in Sweden on April 14, 1852, and who came to America with her parents at the age of sixteen years. On their arrival in the United States the family located for a time at McGregory, Iowa, and later came to Minnesota, where the father homesteaded in Land township, Grant county, just south of where Olaf J. Dahlgren now lives. There Hans Randin engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he was quite successful, becoming the owner of four hundred and forty acres of land, and was recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the community.
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Peter Lindstrom, the first husband of Mrs. Dahlgren, was one of the early settlers of the township, having homesteaded the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren now live, about 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrom were born three children, Ole, who died some years ago; Hans, who was born on January 2, 1870, and Margaret, December 19, 1880. Peter Lindstrom was born in Sweden. On his arrival in this country he first located in Iowa, where he resided until 1870, when he came to Minne- sota and settled on a homestead in Land township, Grant county, where he was engaged in general farming and stock raising until the time of his death on December 24, 1883. He and his wife were among the number who assisted in the organization of the Venersborg Lutheran church. Hans Randin, the father of Mrs. Dahlgren, took much interest in the civic life of the township and being a man of much experience was often consulted in matters relating to the affairs of the community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren one child has been born, a daughter, Caroline, who was born on June 26, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren have long been prominent in the social and religious life of the community, have taken much interest in the work of the Venersborg Swedish Lutheran church, of which they are members, and are held in the highest regard. Mr. Dahlgren has served the public as a road overseer and as a member of the school board.
WILLIAM BROWN.
William Brown, a well-known merchant at Osakis, member of the firm of Brown Brothers, was born in Stearns county, this state, February 22, 1883, son of John and Johannah (Dunn) Brown, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1862 and located at Waterloo, Iowa, where John Brown was employed as roadmaster for the Illinois Central Railroad for several years. About 1870 he came to Minnesota and bought a farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres in Stearns county, where he engaged in farming, and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on March 27, 1900. His widow is still living. They were the parents of ten children, Samuel J., Nellie (who married M. J. Clarity), Thomas, Anna, Hannah (who married Frank Quinn), John, William, Michael, Edward and Katherine.
William Brown received his early schooling in the public schools of Stearns county and afterward attended the commercial college at Sauk Cen- ter for four years. In 1899 he began working on the railroad, and for about
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eight months was section boss on the Great Northern at Fergus Falls. He then was employed by the state in laying the track connecting the main line with the state hospital at Fergus Falls. After that work was completed he took a position, in 1899, with the Red River Lumber Company and was placed in charge of that concern's manufacturing plant. In 1900 he moved to Osakis and engaged there with his brothers in the general merchandise business. He began business in a small building on Main street, with prac- tically no capital. In 1903 the postoffice building was burned and a store building was erected on the site. The Brown Brothers moved into that build- ing and increased their stock considerably. In August, 1907, that building also was destroyed by fire, including the stock of merchandise contained therein, on which there was practically no insurance. In December of that year the Browns opened up again in the building which they now occupy. They have increased their stock from time to time and now carry a complete line of general merchandise in their store on Second street. They also handle farm implements, machinery and automobiles in their store on Main street. They also operate a branch implement business at Alexandria. under the firm name of Brown Brothers & Chapin. They have a potato warehouse oppo- site the Great Northern depot in Osakis, and are large buyers and shippers of potatoes, hay, poultry and farm produce.
The home of the Brown Brothers is located on Main street and is one of the finest and most modern homes in the town. There are five of these brothers, all live, hustling business men, a fact which is evidenced by the remarkable growth of their business.
SIVER DYRUD.
Among the substantial citizens and enterprising farmers of Osakis town- ship, Douglas county, is Siver Dyrud, who was born in Norway on January 10, 1865, the son of Jolin Holverson and Anna Dyrud, both of whom were natives also of Norway. The father was a farmer and carpenter in that country and lived there all of his life. John Dyrud and wife were the par- ents of ten children, all of whom are living except Ole, the eldest. The others are Mary, Helmer, John, Lena. Carrie, Mena, Anna. Emma and Ole.
Siver Dyrud received his education in the public schools of his native land, and in 1881 came to America. He located first in Wilkins county, Minnesota, where he lived for two years, at the end of which time he came
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to Douglas county and purchased one hundred and twenty-two acres of land in Osakis township. This he began at once to cultivate and improve, gradu- ally adding to his land holdings until he is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres. On this place he carries on a general sys- tem of diversified farming and stock raising and has met with success in his farming operations.
Siver Dyrud was married to Anna Englund and to this union three chil- dren have been born, John E., Willie and Emil.
ALFRED NELSON.
Alfred Nelson, a well-known and successful farmer of Roseville town- ship, Grant county. was born in Skone, Sweden, July 25, 1876, the son of Nions and Elna ( Sanders) Nelson, natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1880 and located at Manistee, Michigan, where they lived for two years, at the end of which time they came to Minnesota and home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 22 of Roseville town- ship, Grant county, where Mr. Nelson died shortly after his arrival. His widow, who was left on the homestead, with her two sons, Alfred and Anton. She showed her determination and ability, for she proved up on the home- stead. In 1887 she married Jonas Larson, a native of Sweden, who came to Grant county in 1880, and to this union was born one child, a son, Albert, who, with his half-brother, Anton, is living on the old home place.
Alfred Nelson was four years of age when he came to this country with his parents and for two years he lived in Michigan, coming to Grant county, at the age of six years. He received his education in the public schools and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when, in 1899, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 12 of Roseville township, and is there engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Nelson has always taken an active interest in local affairs. He is a Democrat and is now serving as clerk of his township. He is a stockholder in the creamery at Hoffman, in the Hoffman Mercantile Company and in the local telephone company at Hoffman. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and take much interest in churchi work. They are prominent in the social and the religious life of the community and are held in the highest regard. Mr. Nelson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1902 Mr. Nelson went to Pierce county, North
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Dakota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he sold after proving his claim.
In 1905 .Alfred Nelson was united in marriage to Agnes Wallstrom, who was born in Sweden, the daughter of Andrew Wallstrom, who came to America late in life and still lives here. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of three children, Myrtice, Morris and Irene.
ANDREW HAWKINSON.
Andrew Hawkinson. a successful farmer of Elbow township, Grant county, was born in Norway, on December 9, 1867, the son of Hawkin and Christie ( Traslem) Mohagen, who spent all their lives in their native country and who were the parents of ten children, Elof. Ole, Rachael ( deceased), Iver, Andrew, Hulgren ( deceased), Annie, Rachael, Christie, and one who died in infancy.
Andrew Hawkinson received the greater part of his education in the public schools of his native land, but attended school for a short time in Grant county. His early life and young manhood was spent in the land of his nativity, where he lived until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 1885, he came to Minnesota and began working as a farm hand and at the car- penter trade in Grant county. In 1889 he purchased forty acres of land in section 3 of Elbow Lake township, but later sold it and in 1890 bought forty acres in section 16. In 1891 he bought an additional forty acres in the same section and in 1892, one hundred and sixty acres in section 22. In 1896 he traded the one hundred and sixty acres for eighty acres in section 16, and now has one hundred and sixty acres in that section. He set out a beautiful grove and has improved his farm with substantial buildings. For the past seventeen years Mr. Hawkinson has operated a threshing machine. His life has been a most active one and he has missed but two days work in seven- teen years. Mr. Hawkinson is a Republican and is now a member of the school board. He has also served his township as a member of the board of supervisors. He and his family are members of the United Lutheran church.
On November 22, 1891, Andrew Hawkinson was united in marriage to Lena Ferguson, who was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 1871, daughter of Halvor and Thona Ferguson, who came to Minnesota in 1870
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and now live in Elbow Lake township, Grant county. To this union seven children have been born, Henry, Laura, Mary, Dora, Sophia, Arthur and Florence, the latter of whom died in infancy.
F. F. QUAST.
F. F. Quast, one of the well-known citizens of Alexandria township. Douglas county, was born in Germany on February 11, 1872, the son of Fred and Henrietta (Ihlenfeldt ) Quast, who also were born in Germany, the former on May 17, 1847, and the latter on June 7, 1849. In 1874 they came to America and located at Delafield, Wisconsin, where they resided for a few years, after which they removed to Mapleton, Wisconsin, and were residents of that place for fourteen years. Upon leaving Mapleton they located at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and remained there for two years or more, at the end of which time, in 1892, they came to Minnesota with their family and purchased the Alex Olson farm of eighty acres in Hudson town- ship, Douglas county. Mr. Quast made that place his home for eight years and engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1910 he and his wife removed to Alexandria, where they now live. Mr. Quast and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church. They were the parents of the following children: Ernest (deceased), F. F., Emma, Lena, Charles, Anna ( deceased), Matilda and Henrietta.
F. F. Quast received his early education in the public schools of Wis- consin and attended the Union Lake school one year after coming to Douglas county. Upon completing his schooling he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has been engaged ever since, and also does some contract work. In 1898 Mr. Quast purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 33 of Alex- andria township, where he has since lived. He later added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of one hundred and ninety-three and one- third acres of land, which he has developed and improved with good and substantial buildings. In addition to his carpenter work, he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
In 1897 F. F. Quast was united in marriage to Josephine Thurke, daughter of August Thurke and wife, and to this union four children have been born, Walter, Arthur (who died in 1913), Esther and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Quast are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Quast is "independent".
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ANDREW H. ANDERSON.
Among the many well-known and successful farmers of Elk Lake town- ship, Grant county, who were born in Norway, is Andrew H. Anderson, who was born on June 15, 1860, the son of Halvor and Tilda ( Olson) Ander- son, also natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1861, locat- ing in Allamakee county, Iowa, where they remained for three years. They then came to Minnesota and lived in Houston county for three years, at the end of which time, in 1867, they moved over to Grant county, making the journey to their new home with an ox team and wagon. It required over a month to make the three-hundred-mile trip. They were accompanied by four other families, early settlers in this part of the state, and all settled in Elk Lake township but one, which located in Urness township, Douglas county.
Halvor Anderson homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section II of Elk Lake township and before his death had added to his original farm until he was the owner of seven hundred and thirteen acres of excel- lent land. The families that located there at the time Mr. Anderson came, were the first to settle in the township, with the exception of one family, of which Mrs. Anna Goodmanson, of Barrett, is now the oldest survivor. Halvor Anderson spent the rest of his life on his farm in Elk Lake town- ship, his death occurring in 1908. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-five years. Their children, besides Andrew H., are, Henry H., Betsy, Olaus, Albert. Anna, Hilda, Hannah and John. Hilda is the wife of Augustus Setterlund. The family early became prominent in the social and civic life of the community, active members of the Lutheran church, even from the days when the meetings were held in the school house.
Andrew H. Anderson had the advantage of but two weeks in the Nor- wegian school and one month in the English school, and was confirmed in the first school building in Grant county, November 10, 1874. Since com- ing to the county he has always lived in the township of Elk Lake and has for the past nineteen years lived on his present farm, where he is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land. When he bought the place there was but a shed on the place, but since that time Mr. Anderson has planted a beautiful grove and erected substantial buildings. He has an orchard of seventy-five trees and on the place there is a wooded tract of six acres.
On July 4, 1892, Andrew H. Anderson was tinited in marriage to Mar- garet Thompson, who was born in Price county, Minnesota, daughter of
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Ole T. Ring and wife, natives of Norway, who came to Grant county in 1870. To this union the following children were born: Henry, Arnold (who died at the age of three years), Thea, Myrtle and Maggie. The mother of these children died on January 30. 1900, and on November 17, 1902, Andrew H. Anderson married Anna Thorstenson, who was born in Elk Lake township, daughter of Ole Thorstenson, a native of Norway, who homesteaded in Elk Lake township in 1865, and to this union two children have been born, Lilian and Oliver.
In addition to his large farm interests, Andrew H. Anderson is the owner of stock in the Farmers Elevator Company at Barrett, in the Citizens State Bank and in the creamery of that place. He and his family are active members of the Lutheran church at Barrett and take much interest in church work. The family have long been identified with the social and the religious life of the community, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. Mr. Anderson has always taken an active interest in the local affairs, and is recognized as one of the prominent and successful men of the district ; his worth having been demonstrated in his services as a member of the town- ship board of supervisors, where he has served for many years.
JOSEPH PENNOCK.
Joseph Pennock, agent for the Standard Oil Company at Elbow Lake and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in the state of Missouri on December 3, 1846, the son of Elijah and Caroline (Tucker) Pennock, who were born in Pennsylvania and in Virginia, respectively, and who were married in Illinois, later moving to Missouri, where Mr. Pennock purchased land. After some years residence in that state they returned to Illinois and later moved to Kansas. In the latter state, they purchased land and there spent the rest of their lives, both dying in the same month in 1886, he at the age of sixty years and she at the age of seventy years.
Joseph Pennock received his education in the public schools of Illinois and there grew to manhood. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil War. He saw much active service and was captured on January 3, 1864, and confined in the Andersonville prison, where he remained for considerably more than a year, being released on April 29, 1865. At the close of the war Mr. Pennock returned to Illinois and in 1866 located in Minneapolis, where he remained
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for two years. He then came out to this part of the state and located in Grant county, where he built one of the first houses in this section. That was in Pomme de Terre township. Mr. Pennock later took a soldier's home- stead of a quarter section in Pelican Lake township, which he later sold and then located in Ashby, where he remained for two years. In 1891 he estab- lished a dray line at Elbow Lake and has remained in that business. A few years later he was appointed local agent for the Standard Oil Company at Elbow Lake and for twenty-one years has occupied that position. Mr. Pen- nock owns a fine home and as a business man he has been successful. He is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in local affairs, but has never aspired to office. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church and take much interest in church work.
Joseph Pennock was united in marriage in Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, to Loantha Heald, who was born in the state of Maine, daughter of Timothy Heald, further mention of whom may be found on another page of this work. To this union seven children have been born, Caroline (deceased). Lulu, Alica, Frank, Fred, Taylor and Agnes.
WENZL ADENSAM.
Another painstaking and ambitious young farmer of Carlos township, Douglas county, is Wenzl Adensam, who was born in Austria, September 8, 1876. He is a son of Lawrence and Mary (Hiss) Adensam, and a grand- son of Lawrence Adensam, who spent his life farming in Austria. The par- ents grew up in Austria where they married and lived until they came to this country in 1889 with their two children, Henry and Wenzl, and located at River Falls, this state, but soon thereafter came on to Douglas county, buying land in section 12 of Belle River township, where they established their home, Lawrence Adensam operating the place along general lines of farming until his death, which occurred on October 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died eleven days later.
Wenzl Adensam grew up on the farm and he was educated in the pub- lic schools. He assisted his father clear and develop the homestead in Belle River township, the land having been heavily timbered when the family took possession of it. He has always followed farming and now owns a valu- able and well-improved place of three hundred and sixty acres in section 12 of Belle River township and one hundred and twenty acres in the neighbor-
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ing county of Todd. He has been quite successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and has a comfortable home and substantial outbuildings. He also owns stock in the Belle River creamery.
In 1906 Wenzl Adensam was married to Kate Trisko, a daughter of Henry Trisko, one of the well-known pioneers of Douglas county, and to this union four children have been born, Christine, Wenzl, Mary and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Adensam are members of the Catholic church.
CLAUS P. ADRIANSON.
Claus P. Adrianson, a farmer of Ida township. Douglas county, was born in Sweden, July 7, 1864, and is a son of Adrianson Johnson and Sarah E. (Adrianson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who were the parents of four children. namely: Hannah, who remained in Sweden; John, next in order of birth ; Christine, deceased, and Claus P., the subject of this sketch. The family came to the United States and settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but soon thereafter came to Minnesota, arriving at Alexandria in July. 1879. The father bought land in section 15, Ida township, the place on which the subject of this sketch now resides, paying five dollars an acre for one hun- dred and sixty acres. There the death of the mother occurred a few years later, and the father was again married, his last wife being Karaline Danel- son, which union was without issue.
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