History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 103

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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Bernt Swenson, of Warsaw township. was born in Norway, September 4, 1849, son of Sven and Maran (Holst) Swensen, natives of Norway, who were content to remain in their native land. where the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1892. Bernt Swensen received his education in the schools of Norway, and after leaving school worked at farming and carpentering, and was also a sailor. IIe came to America in 1883 and located in Wesley, Iowa, where the worked for three years, after which he purchased eighty acres of land and later added eighty more, and carried on farming. In 1903 he sold out and came with his family to Minnesota, settling in Warsaw township, where he bought 336 acres of land and later sold all but 170 acres, which he has improved and where he carries on general farming and dairying, also raising fine horses and cattle. Ile also owns 213 acres of improved land in Canada. Mr. Swensen was married May 12. 1876. to Maran Helen Gronseth, daughter of Martin and Anna Gronseth, natives of Norway. who came to America in 1887, settling in Duluth, where the mother still lives, the father having died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have six children : Martin, a farmer in Iowa; Swany, a farmer in Canada; Carl, a farmer in Canada ; Annetta, married to J. Roisum, living in Rice county ;

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Arthur and William B., living at home. Mr. Swensen is a Repub- liean and is interested in the Farmers' Elevator at Dennison, also the Farmers' Telephone Company. He and his family are com- munieants of Vang's United Lutheran church, of which Mr. Swen- sen is a trustee.

Christopher T. Lykken was born in Warsaw township on the farm where he now lives, January 15, 1867, son of Torger and Gertrude (Williams) Lykken, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1854, the mother in 1864. The father located in Wisconsin, where he worked at farming and in the pineries for eight years. In 1862 he came to Minnesota, and settled in Holden township, purchasing eighty acres of wild land, which he broke and improved, carrying on farming until 1867, when he sold this land and bought 160 acres in Warsaw township, which he cleared and built a home and ontbuildings, carrying on gen- eral farming. In 1884 he added eighty acres, and in 1904 he retired, placing the charge of the farm in the hands of his son. Christopher received his education in the public schools of War- saw, and attended public school at Northfield for one year, after which he returned to the farm and in 1904 took charge of the old homestead. Since that date he has carried on general farm- ing, stock raising and dairying. Mr. Lykken has four sisters and two brothers: The sisters are: Jennie, married to A. Huseby, of North Dakota; Annie, who is in the millinery business of North Dakota ; Mary, married to Christ Haugen, of Warsaw; and Dena, living at home. The brothers are: Anton, who is living at home, and Gilbert, who died in 1902. In polities, Mr. Lykken is a Democrat, being treasurer of school district No. 51, which office he has held for twelve years. He is vice president of the elevator company at Dennison, and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Fraternally he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen, in which organization he has held the office of clerk.

Jens H. Otterness, of Warsaw township, was born in Holden township, June 11, 1864. son of H. R. and Bertha (Berkvan) Otterness, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1857, locating in Wisconsin, where they lived seven years. after which they came to Warsaw township, purchased ninety-five acres of improved land and engaged in farming. The father now rents the farm, but still lives in the old home. The mother died April 20, 1907. Jens II. received his education in the Warsaw public schools, and worked at farming until 1895. He then entered the employ of the International Harvesting Machine Company, as salesman for Polk, Norman and Clay counties, remaining with them for eight years. He then engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, with H. A. Huseth, at Fertile, Minn., which he continued for four years. after which he sold out and entered the employ

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of the Reeves Threshing Machine Company, of Chicago, as sales- man and expert, until 1908, when he engaged in farming in War- saw township, renting 400 acres of land. He raises horses and cattle and sheep and does general farming. Mr. Otterness was married March 14, 1887, to Thora Melhouse, daughter of Ole and Annie Melhouse, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1866, locating in Warsaw, and engaged in farming. The father is dead and the mother lives with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Otterness have had ten children : Nettie, married to Nels Flom; Henry Robert Evans, Oscar. Myrtle, Edward, Effie. Lillian, Stew- art, and Clifford, living at home. Mr. Otterness is a Prohibition- ist in his political views. He was assessor in Norman county for eight years, is president of the Sogn Dairy Co-operative Associa- tion, and a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Bombay. Fraternally, he affiliates with the United Workmen and I. O. G. T. He and his family attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ole J. Underdahl, a well known farmer of Warsaw township, now deceased, was born in Norway in February, 1832, and there received his education in the public schools, coming to America in 1866, locating first in Wisconsin, where he remained two years, subsequently living in Wanamingo township, this county, one year. In 1869 he purchased 160 acres in Warsaw township and farmed until his death, March 5, 1909. He was married, January, 1863, to Martha Ellingson, daughter of Elling and Anna (Alfson) Ellingson, the former of whom died in Norway in 1850; long years after which, in 1896, the latter came to America and took up her home with her daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Underdahl were born eight children, six of whom are living. Roy J. Under- dahl, the oldest son, lives on the home farm. He was born in Aurland, Norway, September 29, 1864, and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. In September, 1896, he pur- chased 160 acres in Trail county, North Dakota, and lived there two years, after which he homesteaded a quarter section in Itasca county. this state. He next represented the Charlson Brothers. the Underdahl and the Otterness families in buying 800 acres in Me- Lean county, North Dakota. All these purchases were disposed of, and for ten months Mr. Underdahl was employed as a salesman for the Marion Manufacturing Company, of Fargo. N. D. In 1908 he made a trip to Montana and purchased 160 acres which he now owns. Since his return to this township, September 29, 1908, he has been associated with his brother, John O., in the management of the home farm. and in addition to this is interested in the elevator at Cannon Falls and the Sogn Dairy Association. He has also taken an interest in church affairs and, like his father before him, is a trustee in the Norwegian Lutheran church. Elling, the second child of Ole J. Underdahl, is dead. John O.

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is married, lives on the home farm, and in 1900 assisted in taking the government census. He was the first postmaster in Sogn, the postoffice being located in his father's house. He also kept a general store at Sogn for one year. In addition to his farm work he writes considerable life insurance, and aside from his interest in the home farm he owns 160 acres of land in Minot, N. D., where he lived three years. Ingerborg, the fourth child of Ole J. Underdahl, is deceased. Anna married John Ohnstad, a elothier of Cannon Falls. Marie was a teacher for several years in the public schools of this county, and for two years taught short- hand and typewriting at the Eclectic Business College, Minne- apolis. For the past three years she has worked for the Viavi Company of Minneapolis as office manager and traveling repre- sentative. Lizzie married Sever Charlson, of Warsaw township. Sena lives at home. All are well regarded by the people of the respective communities wherein they reside.

Iver Iverson Rolfseng, of Wanamingo township, was born in Norway, August 29, 1840, son of Iver and Mareth Rolfseng, na- tives of Norway, who were farmers. The father died in the spring of 1859 and the mother in the fall of 1901. Iver I. re- ceived his education in Norway and came to America in 1858, locating in Wanamingo township, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Section 13, which he broke and cleared. Later he bought another eighty acres, adjoining, and built a comfortable home and all other outbuildings and followed general farming .. He also has eighty acres in Section 34. Mr. Rolfseng was mar- ried in the spring of 1863 to Elizabeth Swenson, native of Nor- way. They had one child, Mattie, born March 28, 1864. Mrs. Rolfseng died in 1865 and Mr. Rolfseng was married the second time, October 28, 1868, to Bereth Romo, native of Norway, by whom he had thirteen children : Elizabeth, born July 25, 1869, married to Carl Vangsness, of Belle Creek; Iver L., who died in infancy; Iver L., born December 17, 1871, living at home; Carl G., born October 26, 1893, living at home; Gurina S., born October 20, 1875, married to Rev. O. J. Nesheim, of Lisbon, N. D .; Gure- nius, born October 17, 1877, now of North Dakota; Julia, born December 5, 1879, now of Minot, N. D .; Theodore, born October 22, 1887, now of Minot N. D .; Andrew, born March 1, 1884, now of Marmouth, Brown county, North Dakota; Louise E., born June 23, 1887; Benjamin, born September 17, 1889; Martin, born Sep- tember 22, 1891; and Gunhild, born July 26, 1893; the last four named are living at home. Mr. Rolfseng is a Republican in polities and has served as road overseer and director of the school board for District 99 for many years. The family attends the Hauge Lutheran church.

John I. Wangen was born in Warsaw township, where he still

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lives, August 16, 1869, son of Iver Wangen and Ingeborg (Loven) Wangen, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1864 and settled first at Stoughton, Wis., remaining one year, subse- quently locating in Red Wing and later in Leon township, where the father farmed and worked at masonry. Again they moved, this time settling in Warsaw township, where they purchased eighty acres of land which the father broke and improved, and built a log house, in which they lived for a time. Later he built a more comfortable house, with barns and other outbuildings, and continued to improve the land, carrying on a general line of farming, adding to his land, as he was able, until he owned 200 acres in all. In 1899 they retired from active life, but continue to live on the homestead. John I. received his education in the common schools of the township and worked on the farm until in 1899, when he and his brother assumed the management of the homestead, improving and carrying on general farming and dairying. They also rent forty-six acres. In the family there were seven children, six boys and one girl. The boys are : Andrew I., who is a farmer in Becker county ; Hans I., John I., Christian I., Elias I., and Martin I. The girl, Betsy I., died in 1889. Mr. Wangen is a Republican, having served as supervisor for one year, and treasurer of school district 147. He is also interested in the Farmers' Elevator at Dennison.

John T. Wangen, formerly known as Johannes Tostenson, enjoys the distinction of having been chairman of Warsaw town- ship twenty-two years. He was born in Aurlands Vangen, Ber- gens Stift, Norway, September 26. 1839, son of Tosten and Breta Wangen, the former of whom died in 1874 and the latter in 1864. Ile received his education in the public schools and clerked in a store in Bergen until coming to America in 1858. The voyage was long and dangerous, and the ship was disabled, making it doubt- ful at one time whether the passengers would ever reach the shore in safety. After working in Dane county, Wisconsin, and work- ing in a sawmill in the city of Winona, Minn., he came to Warsaw township in 1866 and bought 160 acres of land, which he broke. cultivated and improved. Previous to this, however, he enlisted in the Civil War and served honorably from April 22, 1862, to April 22, 1865. Mr. Wangen now owns 270 acres of highly culti- vated land, and until 1906, when he retired, conducted general farming and stock raising on a large scale. April 9, 1869, he was married to Carrie J. Buene, daughter of Jens and Ragnald Buene, the former of whom died in 1895 and the latter in 1897. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wangen has been blessed with seven children : Thomas; Betsy M., wife of William Dunn; Roggine, wife of Anton Daniels; Joseph, wife of John Owoumb ; and John, Jensine and Carl, who live on the farm. The family faith is

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that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, Mr. Wangen having been trustee of the Erland church. Aside from his rich farm, Mr. Wangen owns an interest in the cheese factory and elevator at Stanton, and in the elevator at Dennison. For many years past he has been an honored member of the G. A. R. Post at Cannon Falls. Highly esteemed and honored, he is one of those citizens who go to make up the rank and file of the substantial, law-abiding and God-fearing citizens of Goodhue county.

James L. Crump, of Warsaw township, was born in Canada, September 2, 1860, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Brownell) Crump, natives of Canada. The father, a farmer, came to Min- nesota in 1863, and located in Warsaw township, where he worked until in 1867, after which he purchased 160 acres of prairie land, which he broke and cleared, built a home and barn and carried on general farming until he retired from active life in 1893. Four brothers arrived here from Canada a few years previous to James, and the youngest brother eame here eight years later, in 1871. James Crump died October 27, 1899, but the mother is still living near Dennison, at the old homestead, at the old age of 83. James received his education in the public schools of War- saw and the Northfield high school. After leaving school, he took up farming at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he purchased eighty acres'of improved land and carried on dairy farming and stoek raising. He also owns a half interest in the homestead, a farm of 160 acres. James is one of a family of six children : Hannah, married Martin Olson, farmer and lum- berman, now of Hubbard county, Minnesota; Emma, married Charles Saxe, now of Morris, Minn .; Georgie, married Bradford Saxe, of Morris, Minn .; Elizabeth lives at home; Alice lives at home, and James is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Crump is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He has served as clerk of the school district No. 51 for twelve years.

Charles Monson, of Vasa township, was born in Sweden, April 27, 1853. His parents were Andrew and Nancy (Swanson) Mon- son, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1856 and located in Vasa township, where they pre-empted government land, con- sisting of 160 acres which the father broke and cleared, living in a dugout for a year. Later the father built a log house, and ear- ried on general farming inereasing his land until he had 240 aeres, and also improving by ereeting a more comfortable home and other outbuildings. Three years before his death he retired from active life. He died in the month of July, 1899. The mother perished in a snow storm on December 13, 1856, being lost on the prairie. The body was found by a searching party a few days later. Charles received his education in the district schools of

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Vasa, and worked on the farm with his father until 1875, when he bought 160 acres of land in Murray county, which he broke and improved. In 1879 he sold this land, returned home and located in Belle Creek township, where he purchased 120 acres of land in Section 21. Here he built a home and other buildings, and has since carried on general and diversified farming, also raising horses, cattle and sheep.

Mr. Monson was married August 28, 1878, to Mary Hobart, daughter of Peter and Inger Hobart, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1872 and located in St. Peter, Minn., later remov- ing to Vasa township, and again removed to Murray county, where they bought eighty acres of land and carried on general and diversified farming until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Monson have been blessed with ten children: Agnes, now of St. Paul ; Mrs. A. V. Anderson, of Belle ('reek; Hilman, Harry, Andrew, Esther, Edith and Mary X., and Elizabeth and Edgar (deceased). Mr. Monson is a Republican in his politics. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Swan G. Jackson, of Belle Creek township, was born in Sweden December 2, 1870, son of John and Anna L. Jacobson, natives of Sweden, who emigrated to America in the spring of 1871, located in Leon township, and after six months came to Belle Creek township and purchased eighty acres of land, of which fourteen aeres was improved and the rest all timber. This the father proceeded to clear, the family living in a dugout at first. As soon as they were able they built a home, barn and other build- ings, and carried on a general line of farming until the father died, in 1904. The mother still lives on the homestead with her son. Swan G. received his education in the public schools of Belle Creek and worked on the farm with his father, and in 1904, at the death of his father, he took charge of the farm, carrying on general farming and dairying. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Good Templar's lodge, of which he has been Chief Templar for three years. He is secretary of the Belle Creek Creamery and of the Belle Creek Co-operative Mercantile Company, which office he has beld since their organization. He is also a stockholder of the Farmers' Elevator at Goodhue. Mr. Jackson has one brother, who is a farmer in Vasa.

Ole O. Odden, of Belle Creek township, was born in Norway March 15, 1835, and came to America in 1854, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained six years. In 1860 he came to this county and purchased eighty acres in Belle Creek. To this he soon added eighty more, now owning a fine farm of 160 acres, and in addition a ten-acre timber tract. On this place he condnets general farming and raises horses and cattle. In

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1880 the family moved to Red Wood county, Minn., and lived five years, breaking and improving 160 acres and owning in addition forty acres of timber claim. Ile disposed of his Red Wood property in 1885 and returned to the home place in Belle Creek township, where he has since remained. He was mar- ried in the fall of 1861 to Anna Larson, by whom he has had twelve children, Ole, Mary, Ingeborg, Lizzie, Salvina E., Elling, John, Andrew, Laura, Lars O., Reinert J. and Elling.

Lars O. Odden, son of Ole O. and Anna (Larson) Odden, was born in Belle Creek township and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. He also had the advantages of a course in the Red Wing Business College. While the greater part of his life has been devoted to farming and thresh- ing, he has, nevertheless, found time to take an interest in public affairs. IIe was assessor in 1905. In 1900 he took the govern- ment census and in 1901 was elected justice of the peace of Belle Creek township, which office he held for four years. He has been chairman of the Republican town committee for the past five years. He is a member of the Sons of Norway and of the Red Men. Lars O. Odden was married April 21. 1906, to Ingerborg Stormoe, daughter of Rollang and Jonnetta Stormoe, natives of Norway. Two children have blessed this union, Ralph O., born March 31, 1907, and Alf J., horn February 22, 1908.

James O'Neill, Jr., of Belle Creek township, was born in New York state December 22. 1852. and was brought to this county by his parents while still an infant. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of his neighborhood and took up farm- ing with his father until 1871, when he purchased eighty acres of land and carried on general farming until 1908, when he took a vacation and made an extended visit to the West, taking in the principal points in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and the Dakotas. Since that time he has rented his farm and now lives with his brother. He is a Democrat in politics and has served on the school board a number of years. Fraternally he associates with the Modern Woodmen.

James O'Neill, Sr., one of the earliest settlers of Belle Creek, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and married Margaret Edwards. He came to America in 1848 and lived in New York state three or four years. Subsequently he resided a few years in Illinois, and in July, 1854, came to Belle Creek and purchased 160 acres of land, which he broke and improved. Later he purchased 160 acres more, and upon this large farm earried on general agricultural pursuits until his retirement, in 1894. Mr. O'Neill is still living, at the honored old age of eighty-eight years, being one of the very few actual pioneers of the county now alive. When he arrived many of the townships were still

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unsettled, and Red Wing was a tiny village. He has watched the county grow from a barren wilderness in which life at best was accompanied by all sorts of hardships, into a blossoming and fruitful land, with busy cities and thriving hamlets, and with all the luxuries within the reach of all, even those of the most modest means. In March, 1901, he was called upon to mourn the loss of the partner of his toil and wife of his youth. Three of his five children are still living to give him comfort in his old age., James, Jr., is a retired farmer; John lives in Washington county, Minnesota, and owns a large farm; Anna, born in 1856, was the third white child born in Belle Creek township, the other two being, according to the records, May Cook, born in August. 1855, to Jacob Cook, and John Cavanaugh, born in November, 1855, to Patrick Cavanaugh. Charles, the third sou of James O'Neill, Sr., is dead, and Henry lives on the old homestead with his father. The family faith of the O'Neills is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Erick O. Hagman, of Belle Creek township, was born in Vasa township October 1, 1864, son of Ole and Mary (Munson) Hag- man, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1861 and lo- cated in Vasa township. Here they bought forty acres of wild prairie land, which the father broke, cleared and improved, built a home, barn and other outbuildings and carried on general farming for twenty years, after which he removed to Belle Creek township and continued farming on a farm of 133 aeres, which he purchased in 1865. The father died in March, 1891, and the mother in February. 1908. Erick O. received his educa- tion in the public schools of Vasa and worked on the farm with his father until 1889, when he rented 133 aeres from his father in Belle Creek and started general farming and stock raising, which he has since successfully conducted. He has five brothers and four sisters. The brothers are: Andrew O., now of North Dakota; John R., and Ole R., living at home; Henry, now of C'annon Falls, and Peter, now of White Rock. The sisters are : Annie, married to Peter Holm. now of Douglass county; Betsy, married to Swan Waganeus, of Belle Creek; Carrie, married to Claus Lind, employed by the Chicago. Minneapolis & St. Paul railroad at Minneapolis; Christina, married to Peter Ferstad, of Belle Creek. Mr. Hagman is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Vasa.

Andrew M. Anderson, of Belle Creek township, was born in Sweden December 24, 1842, son of Andrew and Betsy (Olson) Anderson, natives of Sweden, where the father was a blacksmith and wagon maker. He died September 26, 1856, the mother having passed away in October, 1848. Andrew received his edu- cation in Sweden and worked at farming until June 1, 1864,

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when he left his native land and emigrated to America, landing at Quebec August 3. He went to Chicago, where he stopped two days, then went to Michigan and was employed in the copper mines for nine months, after which he came to Red Wing, where he was employed as stone mason from 1865 to 1867. Hle then removed to Leon township, and six months later purchased eighty acres of wild land in Belle Creek township, which he improved, erecting a house, barn and outbuildings. He now does general farming and raises Cylde horses and Shorthorn cattle, owning in addition to his farm seventeen acres of timber land in Vasa township. Mr. Anderson was married June 1, 1868, to Betsy Johnson, daughter of Olaf and Margaret (Paulson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1858, locating in St. Peter, Minn., where he pre-empted land, and in 1862 was forced by the Indians to leave, losing everything, and he and his family barely escaping with their lives. They then settled in Belle Creek township, where the father died in 1900, the mother having passed away in 1881. Andrew M. and Betsy Anderson had four children: Julia A., married to John Ander- son, a business man of Red Wing; Anton F .. of Red Wing; Lawrence G., living at home; Arthur A., of Red Wing. February 6, 1889, the mother of these children died, and in the fall of 1894 Mr. Anderson married Hilma Josephine Swanson, daughter of Swan and Lizzie (Larson) Swanson, natives of Sweden, where they were farmers. The father died April 22, 1909, and the mother died December 25, 1904. To this marriage three children were born : Hattie Josephine, Nancy Julia and Clarence Gerhard, all living at home. Mr. Anderson is an independent 'voter. He has served as town supervisor for nine years, also treasurer for school district 38 for the long period of eighteen years, and road overseer. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 103

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264