History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 30

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 30

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Ole Guttormson, who operates the home farm of 174 acres of good land in section 7, Sheldon township, which farm was established by his father in 1852, was born in this township June 9, 1871, son of Guttorm and Belle A. (Lee) Guttormson. He attended district school in both Sheldon and Yucatan townships and when only eight years old began to make himself useful on his parents' farm. Later, when his father became an invalid, more work devolved upon him, and the management of the place finally came into his hands. He continued in agriculture here until 1913, at which time he rented the farm and moved to Houston village, where he resided for four years working for others. In 1917 he returned to his farm, which he is now operating as a general stock farin, raising cattle, horses and swine. His sisters, Libbe, Anna and Gelena live on the farm and keep house for him. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is independent.

George O. Alstad, who for thirty years was a well known farmer of Caledonia township, was born in Norway and came to America in 1873. He had married in Norway Ellen Anna Logtu, who followed him with the children in 1877. Settling in Iowa, Mr. Alstad worked out there for several years, and then formed a partnership in the purchase of a farm, Later he sold his share and rented a farm, subsequently buying one. This he afterwards sold and moved to another seven miles away. After some time spent on the last mentioned property, he moved with his family to Mabel, in Fillmore county, Minn., where he resided for some years, renting in succession several farms. He next moved to a farm in Black Hammer township, Houston county, which he sold about 1887, moving to a farm in section 18, Caledonia township, which was his final home, as he died

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GUTTORM GUTTORMSON AND FAMILY

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there Jan. 16, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. George O. Alstad had five children, two of whom died in infancy. The other three were Ole, who is now living; Karen, who died Aug. 6, 1912, and Jonas G., who died Jan. 16, 1919.

Jonas G. Alstad, for many years prosperously engaged in mixed farm. ing and stock raising in section 18, Caledonia township, was born in Norway, July 20, 1869, son of George O. and Ellen Anna (Logtu) Alstad. In 1877 he accompanied his mother to the United States, and the rest of his boyhood was spent on his parents' farms in Iowa and Minnesota. During this time he attended district school in various locations, and when old enough assisted his father on the farm. He was about eighteen years old when they settled on a farm in Caledonia township. On March 13, 1902, when in his twenty-third year, he was united in marriage with Anna Johnson, who was born July 1, 1882, daughter of Soren Johnson. She was one of eight children-Ben, Carl, Anna, Christ, Simon, Eline and Olive-her parents being natives of Norway. At the time of his marriage Mr. Alstad purchased the home farm, which he continued to cultivate, doing mixed farming, including the raising of cattle and swine. The farm con- tains 154 acres, about half its area being cleared and the rest being in timber. Mr. Alstad rebuilt the house and erected ali the other buildings now in use, including the barn, granary and chicken coop. The barn measures 38 by 38 feet, having an addition 17 by 22 feet. Mr. Alstad was also a shareholder in the Beaver Ridge Telephone Company, in which he held the office of treasurer; also a shareholder in the Peoples Co-operative Elevator in Caledonia, and the Co-operative Creamery in Spring Grove. He attends the Black Hammer Norwegian Lutheran church, of which he was trustee for three years. His public service included twelve years as school clerk and some time as road commissioner. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alstad are: Gerhard Sigurd, Feb. 8, 1905; Alma Regina, Dec. 8, 1906; Clara Mathilde, Sept. 16, 1908, and Mabel Belinde, April 30, 1912, the three eldest of whom are attending school. Mr. Alstad was an experienced farmer and for many years pursued a prosperous career. He was, moreover, a man taking an active interest in whatever concerns the good of the community in which he resided. Since his death, January 16, 1919, Mrs. Alstad still carries on the farm.

Johanes Johnson Klongerbo, who was formerly engaged in farming in Caledonia township, was born in Norway, wher ehe married Bergete Dahl. In 1870 he came to the United States alone, being followed in the next year by the rest of the family, who left Norway May 9, and arrived in Caledonia township, Houston county, Minn., July 15, the voyage across the ocean having been made in a sailing vessel. Three years after his arrival here the subject of this sketch bought a farm, which he operated until 1879, his further career being cut short by an accident from the effects of which he died. He and his wife had five children: Christina, now living in Hillsboro, N. D .; Soren, residing in Caledonia township, this county ; Hans, who lives in Clearwater county, Minn .; John, a resident of Hillsboro, N. D .; and Nels J., the present owner of the old homestead.

Nels Johnson Klongerbo, an enterprising farmer and prominent citizen of Caledonia township, of which he is now chairman, was born in Norway

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Aug. 12, 1861, son of Johanes Johnson Klongerbo, by his wife Bergete Dahl. He was ten years old when he accompanied his mother to the United States, his father having come to this country in the previous year, 1870, and settled in Caledonia township, this county. Here Nels attended school for three terms, which, with two winters of school attendance in Norway, constituted his education. After the death of his father, which occurred in 1879, he and his brother took charge of the farm and worked it together for thirteen years, or until 1892, when Nels purchased it and has since been the proprietor. It has an area of 200 acres, of which about 110 acres are clear, the balance being in woodland. Mr. Klongerbo is engaged in mixed farming, raising cattle and hogs for the market, and keeping a fine herd of milch cows. He has good outbuidlings, which he is engaged in still further improving. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Creamery and in the Peoples' Co-operative Elevator at Caledonia. Ever since he attained his majority, except for six years, he has served as school treasurer, and he has been a member of the town board for nine years, being elected chairman in the spring of 1919. On Aug. 29, 1891, Mr. Klongerbo was united in marriage with Carrie Alstad, who was born in Norway, Nov. 14, 1866, daughter of George O. and Anna (Logtu) Alstad. She died Aug. 16, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Klongerbo were the parents of eleven children: Bedine, now deceased; Julius, residing on the home farm; Anna, wife of Carl Hanson, and Nelvin Nettie, Selma, Celia, Clara, Bernhard, Teman and Elmer, all of whom are residing at home, the younger members attending school. The family attend the Black Hammer Norwegian Lutheran church.

Osmond Larson, a pioneer of Houston county, and in early days a surveyor but later a farmer, was born near Christiana, Norway, and came to America when a young man, locating at Madison, Wis., where for six years he followed the trade of bricklayer. He then came to Houston county and was here employed as a surveyor, at times being engaged in agricul- tural work. He took part in the Civil War, serving for a short time in a Minnesota regiment. Finally he located on the farm in section 17, Sheldon township that is now owned and operated by his son Lawrence Weom. Here he died in 1882, being survived several years by his wife, whose death occurred in 1904. They were the parents of thirteen children.

Lawrence Weom, one of the leading citizens of Sheldon township, where he owns a fine farm of 260 acres, was born on this farm June 9, 1859, son of Osmond Larson and his wife, Elizabeth Vraa. He was the third born in a family of thirteen children, and was educated in Houston and in a district school in Sheldon township. Trained to agriculture on the paren- tal farm, at the age of twenty-one he went to South Dakota, where he took a homestead. On his father's death in 1882 he returned to Houston county, and has since been engaged in operating the home farm, except for a period of three years during which he rented it and resided in Houston village, working for others. On his 260 acres of valuable land he has erected good buildings and fences, and generally improved the property until it is now one of the best equipped and most profitable farms in the valley. His present fine residence was built in 1906. He is a stockholder in the local creamery and in the Farmers' Telephone Company, as well as other business

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LAWRENCE WEOM AND FAMILY

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enterprises and is ranked among the successful men of his township. In politics a Prohibitionist, he served as town treasurer for eleven years, at the end of which time he resigned. He was also for one term a director on the school board, and is a trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Weom was married Dec. 12, 1899, to Hilda (Johnson) Abrahamson, and they have two children, Bernice Aaronnette and Laurel Allen. Mrs. Weom was born in Norway, the oldest child of Andrew P. and Christine Johnson, who brought her to this country when she was an infant. She was educated in the Houston schools, and as a young woman married Aaron Abrahamson, now deceased, by whom she has five children, Elmer, Lillian, Helen, Henry and Myrtle. Elmer is clerk in a general store at Houston; Lillian lives at home; Helen is the wife of W. R. Anderson of Houston township; Henry and Myrtle are deceased.

Andrew P. Johnson, farmer and merchant, was born in Sweden, Oct. 21, 1834, and was married in his native land. With his wife Christine, who was a native of Norway, he came to the United States, settling in Winona, Minn., where for several years he was employed in a sawmill. He then came to Houston county, bought land and engaged in farming, also for a while operating a store as a general merchant. He died in Houston in 1893 some time after his retirement from business. During his active career he served in various local offices. He was twice married, having two children by his first wife and ten by the second.

Knudt Strand, who was one of the settlers in Sheldon township in the later seventies, now deceased, was a native of Telemarken, Norway, where he married Sarah Johnson, who was also born in that part of Norway. Their emigration to this country took place in 1878, and they came directly to Houston county, Minn. For a time Mr. Strand worked out for others, and then as soon as he had accumulated sufficient means he took land in Sheldon township and engaged in farming. After spending many years in that occupation he and his wife retired and came to live with their son, John K., on whose farm in section 26, Sheldon township, Knudt Strand died on Jan. 25, 1910. His wife still resides with her son, above mentioned, who was the youngest of their three children.

John K. Strand, who owns and operates a good modern farm of 119 acres in section 24, Sheldon township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Oct. 22, 1875, son of Knudt and Sarah (Johnson) Strand. He was but three years old when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents and accompanied them to Houston county. After a while they located on a farm in Sheldon township, and in that locality he attended district school. Being his parents' only son, he became his father's chief assistant on the farm, re- siding at home until twenty-one years old. He then worked out for a year, after which he engaged in agricultural work for himself, renting his present farm, which he bought a few years later. He has made all the noteworthy improvements on it, putting up the buildings and fences, and bringing the land into a high state of cultivation, and is breeding up in Durham cattle and other good stock. One of the enterprising and sub- stantial citizens of his township, he is widely known and respected. He has

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served on the school board for a number of years, in politics being inde- pendent, while he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, known throughout this part of the county as the "Stone Church." Mr. Strand was married Dec. 2, 1896, to Carrie Dahle, who was born in Sheldon township, this county, daughter of Hans and Ingeborg (Nelson) Dahle. He and his wife have had seven children: Clarence, who resides on the home farm ; Henry, who died Sept. 25, 1905, at the age of six years; and Orvin, Emma Sylvena, Louisa Nara, Lizzie Dorthea and Clara Bernice, who are residing at home. Hans Dahle, father of Mrs. John K. Strand, was born in Tele- marken, Norway, as was also his wife Ingeborg. They were early settlers in Sheldon township, where Mr. Dahle cleared and improved a farm, residing on it until his death about 1907. During his active career he was a prominent man in the township, serving for some time on the town board and taking a lively interest in school and church work. His wife, who sur- vives him, in now living in Houston. They had ten children, of which their daughter carrie (Mrs. Strand) was the fifth in order of birth. In her girlhood she attended school in the Badger district of Sheldon township.

Alfred E. Swenson, a well known farmer and stock breeder residing in section 23, Sheldon township, was born in Houston township, this county, Feb. 10, 1884, son of S. A. and Lena (Carlson) Swenson. In his boyhood he attended school in his native township and also in Houston village. His parents being farmers, he was brought up to agricultural pursuits and resided at home until his marriage, though at the age of seventeen years he rented and operated a farm independently. When twenty years old he purchased a farm in section 23, which he still owns and where he resided until Jan. 1, 1919. When he took the place there were practically no im- provements on the land, and the present appearance of the 160 acre farm with its good buildings, and well kept land, is due to his hard work and good judgment. After leaving this farm he rented it to a tenant, and himself moved to a 240-acre farm in section 10, which he is now conduct- ing. An important part of his business is the raising of pure-bred Ayrshire cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, he being a member of the Duroc-Jersey Breeders' Association. His operations have been conducted with good judgment and have resulted profitably, giving him an established position among the successful farmers and stock raisers of Sheldon township. He is a member of the Houston Shipping Association and a shareholder in the Telephone Company. His religious affiliations are with the Swedish Baptist church, while in politics he is independent. On April 10, 1913, Mr. Swenson was married to Julia Sheldon, who was born in Mound Prairie Township, Houston county, daughter of Sumner S. and Ada (Fairbanks) Sheldon. Two children have been born to them: Warren Sheldon, June 16, 1914; and Alfred Wayne, July 12, 1917. Sumner Sheldon, father of Mrs. Swenson, was born in Brownsville, this county, Aug. 19, 1855, and has always been a farmer, owning land, on which he made improvements, in Mound Prairie township. He is still in active life. His wife, who is also living, was born in Houston township, Nov. 6, 1868. Their daughter Julia, who was the second born in a family of six children, acquired her elementary education in a district school in Mound Prairie township, and also attended prepara-

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tory schools at Austin, Minn., and Onalaska, Wis. For two years before her marriage she followed the occupation of a teacher in Houston county.

Hans Stigen, proprietor of a farm in Black Hammer township, where he has resided for a number of years, was born in Norway, and was married in his native land to Olena Hanson. In 1881 they emigrated to the United States, locating about thirty miles southeast of La Crosse, Wis., where they resided for a while, Mr. Stigen working for others. Finally they moved to Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minn., where Mr. Stigen bought the farm on which he and his wife are still living, and on which he has made improvements. They have had a famliy of fourteen children.

Mathias H. Stigen, a well known farmer of Sheldon township, residing in section 33, was born in Norway, Oct. 24, 1876, son of Hans and Olena (Hanson) Stigen. In 1881, when a boy of seven years, he accompanied his parents to America, and later attended school in Black Hammer township, Houston county. His educational opportunities, however, were not great, as he had to begin industrial life at the early age of eight years, helping to support himself, which he did entirely at a somewhat later period, working out until his marriage. He then began farming on his own ac- count at Rushford, Fillmore county, where he remained for a year, sub- sequently removing to Wilmington township, Houston county, where he operated a farm for about six years. At the end of that time he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 33, Sheldon township, where he has good land and substantial buildings and is successfully raising both stock and grain. He is a member of the Lutheran church in Black Hammer township, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Stigen was married Oct. 8, 1900, to Clara Dahle, daughter of Andrew and Berget (Sames) Dahle, her parents, natives of Norway, being early settlers in Wilmington township, where they still reside on a farm. Mrs. Stigen was the third born in a family of eleven children, and was educated in Wilmington township, Houston county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stigen: Olga, wife of Edward Beck of Minneapolis; Arnold, Minerva, and Silvia and an infant unnamed residing at home.

Ole Halvorson Skree, the pioneer founder of a farm in section 16, Sheldon township, was born in Norway April 22, 1824. He was married in his native land to Sarah H. Michaelson, also a native of Norway, born Sept. 29, 1823. For a number of years after their marriage remained in Norway, for at least six of their nine children were born there. At last, in the hope of bettering their condition, they emigrated to the United States, locating first in Dane county, Wis., where they resided for one year. At the end of that time they removed to Houston county, securing land in section 16, where Mr. Skree began the work of developing a farm. He had made good progress on it when death cut short his labors on Nov. 20, 1864. During his career in the township he took active part in church and school work. His wife survived him many years, dying Jan. 18, 1892.

Tollef O. Skree, who is engaged in successfully operating the farm of 140 acres in section 16, Sheldon township, which was established by his father, was born in Telemarken, Norway, in January, 1849, son of Ole 15

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Halvorson Skree and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah H. Michael- son. After coming to this township in childhood with his parents, he attended district school, though his opportunities were limited, as at an early age he had to make himself useful on the farm. At the age of twenty years he took charge of the farm and looked after his mother's interests until her death. Here he has continued to reside, engaged in general farm- ing. The property is well improved and Mr. Skree receives good prices for his crops and stock. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in politics is an independent Republican.

Ole O. Sanden, the developer of a good farm in Sheldon township, but who is now deceased, was born in Telemarken, Norway, July 4, 1841. He was thirty-one years old when he came to the United States with his parents, the family settling first in Wisconsin, where they resided for a year or two. Then coming to Houston county, Minn., they located in Sheldon township and engaged in the work of farm development, in which Ole O. took an active part, finally becoming proprietor of a farm of his own. He also served as a member of the school board and was active in church work. He was married in this county to Katherine Nelson, who, like himself, was a native of Telemarken, Norway, and they were the parents of eleven children. Mr. Sanden died in 1901 and his wife on Dec. 3, 1904. They were worthy and industrious people who had played a useful part in the work of local improvement, and were widely known and respected.

Hans O. Sanden, one of the leading farmers of Sheldon township, residing in section 16, was born on his present farm, May 9, 1876, son of Ole O. and Katherine (Nelson) Sanden. He was the fifth born of his parents' eleven children, and was reared on the home farm, attending district school in this township. For a number of years he acted as his father's assistant, becoming the active manager of the farm a number of years before the father's death, and the property finally came into his possession. At the present time he has 378 acres in Badger Valley, besides a tract of woodland on the Ridge, and his buildings and fences are in good condition, the entire estate constituting a well improved modern farm. He is making a specialty of breeding Hereford cattle, of which he has a herd of between forty and fifty, and also raises other stock. He holds shares in the Houston Creamery the Houston Shipping Association, the Houston Telephone Co., and the Houston State Bank. In politics, independent, he is at present serving both as town and school treasurer. He is a member of the "Stone" Nor. wegian Lutheran church and of the Modern Woodmen of America at Houston. Mr. Sanden was married Sept. 23, 1904, to Lizzie Wilson, who was born in Mound Prairie township, daughter of Abraham and Gurc (Kittelson) Wilson. He and his wife are the parents of five children Nadine Katherine, Grace, Myrtle, Katherine and Olaf. Both the Sander and Wilson families have been long established in this part of Houstor county, their members being energetic and enterprising people widely respected.

John Carlson, who for the last twenty-one years has been operating & farm of 260 acres in section 15, Sheldon township, and has now a fine and well improved place, was born in Halland, Sweden, April 22, 1860, son of

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JOHN CARLSON AND FAMILY

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Carl John Larson and his wife, Anna Larson. The parents were natives of the same locality, and both died in Sweden, the mother in 1882. The father came to this country and resided for three years with his son John, the subject of this sketch, after which he returned to Sweden, where his death occurred 16 years after that of his wife. John Carlson, who was the eldest in a family of five children, attended school in Sweden. At the age of 16 years he began working out and so continued until he was 22. He then came to the United States, landing in this country without any knowledge of the English language. Locating in Houston county, he engaged in con- struction work on the St. Paul railroad. He also worked in the Houston Flour Mill at intervals until 1899, when he started farming. For the first four years he rented a farm in Sheldon township. After he operated a farm in Looney Valley for five years, at the end of which time he bought his pres- ent farm in section 15, Sheldon township. Here he has erected all the build- ings, built fences and roads and made various other improvements. He is also interested in the Farmers' Shipping Association and the Farmers' Telephone Company. His political principles are those of the Republican party. Mr. Carlson was married Aug. 8, 1883, to Anna Sophia Johnson, a native of Sweden, where she attended school, and the seventh born of the nine children of Johan Larson and his wife, Christie Johnson. Her par- ents never came to this country, both dying in their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have nine children as follows: Anna C. and Carl Alfred, resid- ing at home; Ida Josephena, wife of John Egland, a farmer in Looney Val- ley ; Ben Edwin, a farmer in Union township, who married Emma Schmidt; Elmer Julius, John Leonard, Charles William, Lillian Augusta and Emmett Nordeau. This family has the proud record of having given three sturdy sons for service in the United States Army, Elmer Julius and John Leonard serving with the Army of Occupation in Germany, and Charles William serving with the Ambulance Corps in France.

Gunder O. Skree, a well known and respected citizen of Sheldon town- ship, now retired, who won success as a general farmer, stockraiser and dairyman, for many years operating a farm of 153 acres in section 21, was born in Telemarken, Norway, June 11, 1851, son of Ole Halvorson and Sarah (Mickelson) Skree. His parents came to this country in the early fifties, settling first in Dane county, Wis., and then, about a year later, removing to Houston county, Minn., and settling on land in Sheldon township, where they developed a farm. Both are now deceased.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 30

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343