History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 36

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Osmond Brevig, a general farmer on 240 acres of land in section 5, Yucatan township, was born in this township, Sept. 15, 1876, son of Christ and Julia (Trondvent) Brevig. He was the youngest of his parents' three children and attended school on Oak Ridge, this township. When a lad of 16 years he began working out and was thus engaged for seven years, at the end of which time he bought his present farm, which is well im- proved. He is a stockholder in the Rushford Creamery and the Farmers' Telephone Company and has attained a well recognized place among the prosperous citizens of his township. Politically an independent, he is at present serving as school clerk, and is a member of the Lutheran church on Oak Ridge. Mr. Brevig was first married, in November, 1902, to Clara Bratland, who was born in Yucatan township, Houston county, daughter of Ostim and Mary (Olson) Bratland, who are now retired farmers in Rush- ford. Mrs. Clara Brevig died Aug. 1, 1912, leaving two children, Melvin and Odine. On Oct. 2, 1914, Mr. Brevig married Anna Clave, also a native of Yucatan township, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Targe Clave, who are still residing here. Of this marriage there has been one child born, Ber- nice.

Sigurd Anderson, one of the few original pioneers of Houston county who are yet living, and who in his day has been an active factor in the growth and development of the county, was born near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 15, 1833, son of Andrew Skar and his wife, Serena Swenson. The parents were farmers who died in their native land, the father being a man of some importance in the township or village of Marydahlen, where for many years he served frequently in public office. Sigurd, who was the second born in a family of six children, attended school both in Marydahlen and Christiania. In 1853, a young man of 20 years, he resolved to seek his fortune in the United States, and even at that early day, realizing that the West or Northwest presented the best fields of opportunity for those who sought to gain a living from the soil, he made his way directly to Chicago, where he stopped for a while to seek work and earn a little money. For a few months he worked for the city tending the Lake street bridge. He was the better able to find employment as he had some knowledge of English, which he had acquired in Norway. In 1854 he joined two other

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men who were bound as homeseekers to the Northwest. Heading straight for Dubuque, they reached that place after a journey accomplished partly by stage and partly on foot. Then they took boat to La Crosse, and after reaching that village crossed over the Mississippi river in a canoe and, as night came on, found shelter in the attic of a log house. It was cold weather in early March and in the morning they found themselves covered with snow which had sifted through the chinks. Thence they walked to Houston, the walking being bad, as the ground was covered with snow and water. On his arrival at Houston Mr. Anderson claimed 160 acres of land in section 36 west, which was the nucleus of his present farm. To secure the land he had to borrow money at forty per cent interest, and also had to sign a petition circulated by the settlers, promising to aid in throwing into the river any speculators who tried to outbid them for their lands, which were sold by auction. When the auction started a speculator began bidding, but was promptly seized and dragged to the river, when he agreed to bid no more, and soon after a boat pulled out with all the speculators on board. On reaching his land Mr. Anderson found it occupied by a camp of 300 Indians, who, however, gave him no trouble, as both then and subse- quently they proved peaceable. The woods abounded with various sorts of game, including deer, partridges and turkeys, with wild geese near the river and sloughs. For eight or ten years he resided in a log house, after which he built a frame structure. For a number of years he worked hard in breaking and developing his land, adding to its original amount until he owned 425 acres; and besides this he developed a considerable amount of land for other settlers, operating a breaking team. He also for a while in those early days conducted a general store and trading post and was a well known and popular character in the northern part of the county. In later years he became one of the first stockholders of the local creamery. He is still engaged in the management of his farm in section 36 west, it now con- taining 240 acres, and is also the owner of a resort at Long Lake, Wis., where he spends his summers. For over forty years he took an active part in the management of town affairs, first becoming a town official at the age of 21, soon after his arrival in the township. At the time the court house was built he was a county commissioner, serving one term. He is a member of the Lutheran church and, politically, of the Republican party. Mr. Anderson was first married in 1856 to Christina Hendrickson, who bore him five children: Eliza (deceased) ; Henry, now residing in Canada ; Mary (deceased) ; Barnhard, now living in Alaska; and Martha (deceased). Mrs. Christina (Hendrickson) Anderson died in 1868. In 1869, Mr. Anderson married Jorene Egland, and this union resulted in eight children : Serena, at home; Adolph, a farmer of Houston township; Clare, wife of Prof. Theo- dore Running, of Ann Arbor, Mich .; Dr. William, of Grand Forks; Bertha (deceased), and Evelyn, now Mrs. Ole Tonning, of Moorhead, Minn. Mrs. Jorene (Egland) Anderson died Sept. 13, 1914.

Hans Forsyth, who settled in Houston in 1868 and later became a land owner and farmer, was born in Gubrensdahl, Norway, Sept. 8, 1826. He grew to manhood in his native land and was there married to Eli Swenson, who was born May 25, 1834. It was in August, 1868, that they emigrated

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to the United States, coming directly to Houston county. That fall and winter Mr. Forsyth worked in a warehouse at Houston, and in the follow- ing year engaged in farming, becoming owner of the homestead in section 30, Money Creek township, that is now in possession of his son Anthon. There he continued to reside, developing and improving the place until his death in 1900. His wife passed away eight years later in 1908. They were the parents of a family of ten children: Nels, Mattie, Ole, John (deceased), Carrie A., Anna, who died in infancy ; Herman, Emma, Anthon and Tena.

Anthon Forsyth, one of the leading stock farmers of Money Creek township, proprietor of a fine farm of 410 acres, was born in Houston township, this county, Jan. 14, 1875, son of Hans and Eli (Swenson) For- syth. He was the ninth born in a family of ten children and was educated in District School No. 9, Money Creek township. Brought up on his par- ents' farm, he early learned the science of agriculture in its practical bear- ings and for a number of years was his father's assistant. Some years before his father's death he took over the management of the farm, be- coming its owner in the year 1900. He had built it up to its present area of 410 acres, well supplied with good buildings, and is operating it as a general stock farm with profitable results. Aside from this he has addi- tional business interests, being president of the Farmers' Elevator Com- pany and a stockholder in the Creamery and the Houston State Bank. A Republican in politics, he has served as a member of the board of super- visors for the last 15 years, being now its chairman. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Houston and also of the Modern Wood- men of America. A man of enterprise and activity, he has made good progress on the road to fortune and is today numbered among the most prosperous citizens of his township. Mr. Forsyth was married Nov. 21, 1906, to Emma Peterson, a daughter of Swan and Caroline (Swenson) Peterson, her parents being natives of Norway, who were married in Houston county, and are now living retired in Houston, being well advanced in years. To Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth five children have been born: Harley Sylvester, Carl Edward, Eva Karen, Allan Peterson and Herman Martin.

David J. Halliday, who owns and operates an excellent farm of 160 acres in section 5, Money Creek township, and is numbered among the pros- perous and respected citizens of this township, was born near Portage, Wis., May 7, 1869, son of John and Margaret (Wright) Halliday. The father was born in New York state, March 13, 1879, and was always a farmer by occupation. With his wife Margaret, who was a native of Ire- land, and their family, he moved in 1872 from Wisconsin to Minnesota, locating near Nodine, Winona county. There his wife died in 1873, and a year later he settled on land in Looney Valley, Houston county. His resi- dence here, however, lasted but three years, as at the end of that time he returned to his farm at Nodine. Not long afterwards he retired and for the rest of his life he resided with his children. During his active career he served at times in local office. By his wife Margaret he had three. children, she having five others by a previous marriage. David J. Halliday, who was the second born child of his father's marriage, attended district school for a somewhat limited period in Winona and Houston counties.

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When a lad of 13 or 14 he began working out at intervals, and was thus entirely occupied after reaching the age of 18. When he married in 1895 he took up his residence in Money Creek village, but two years later moved to his present farm, on which he has made valuable improvements, his place being now well equipped for general farming. He raises both stock and grain for the market, and is a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery and the Farmers' Exchange in Houston. On December 31, 1895, Mr. Halli- day married Anna Tenberg, who was born in Money Creek township, June 6, 1873, daughter of Garrett and Antonia Tenberg. She was the fourth born in a family of eight children, and after attending the district school, pur- sued more advanced studies in the Rushford High School and the Winona Normal School. For some years thereafter she followed the profession of a teacher, both in Houston county and in North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Halliday are the parents of one child, Morris Donald, born April 25, 1906. Mr. Halliday is independent in politics, with a leaning toward the Prohibi- tion party. He is a past forester in the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Houston, his wife belonging to the Royal Neighbors. Their religious affiliations are with the Baptist church. The parents of Mrs. Halliday, Garret and Antonia Tenberg, were natives of Holland, and early settlers in Houston county, Mr. Tenberg becoming a land owner and farmer in Money Creek township. They subsequently moved to a farm in Fillmore county, on which they resided for the remainder of their lives, both being now deceased.

C. A. Anderson, a general farmer operating 160 acres in section 25, Houston township, was born in the northern part of Sweden, Feb. 4, 1853, son of Andrew Johnson and his wife, Anna Leise Peterson. He was edu- cated in his native land, where he lived at home until he was 16 years old, at which time he began working out. In 1873 he came directly to Houston county, Minnesota, and began working out on farms. He had at that time no knowledge of English, but gradually acquired it through contact with English speaking people. After a number of years he rented a tract of land east of Houston, on which he farmed for two years, at the end of that time renting his present farm. Three years later he bought it and has since been sole proprietor. The land is rich and fertile and the buildings substantial. As a general farmer he has made a success and is now one of the thriving and well to do citizens of his township. His parents, who came to America in 1881, resided with him until they died, the father March 15, 1891, and the mother, Feb. 24, 1900. They had three children, of whom he was the second born, and Mr. Johnson had another child by a former marriage. Mr. Anderson's sister, Augusta, who is unmarried, re- sides with him, and takes care of the household. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Republican with Prohibition tendencies.

Ole Eliasen, a retired farmer now residing in Houston village, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 22, 1842. When a young man he emi- grated to Houston county, Minnesota, and taking land in Yucatan town- ship, there engaged in farming, which was his occupation until 1903, when he retired. He was first married to Heggie Muhle, who, like himself, was a native of Telemarken, Norway, though somewhat younger. She became

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C. A. ANDERSON

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the mother of two children, Helen and Ole Theodore, but died when the younger, Ole Theodore, was a babe in arms. By his second wife, Inga Denstad, he has had three children: Martha, Eli (deceased) and Petra.

Ole Theodore Eliasen, a well known general farmer residing in section 13, Yucatan township, was born in this township, near the Sheldon town- ship line, March 16, 1892, son of Ole and Heggie (Muhle) Eliasen. He was educated in the school of his district and in the Houston high school and acquired a knowledge of agriculture on his parents' farm. When about 15 years old he began working out and so continued until 1912, when he engaged in farming on his own account. Three years later, however, he again began working for others, but returned to independent farming in 1916. He is now operating a farm of 80 acres, raising both crops and stock with profitable results. He is a member of St. Peters church at Houston, and in politics is independent. Mr. Eliasen was married Feb. 6, 1918, to Lena Scattum, who was born in Money Creek township, Houston county, daughter of Andrew Scattum. Her mother died when she was a child, and her father is now residing with his son near Rushford, Minn. Though among the younger members of the farming community Mr. and Mrs. Eliasen have already made a good start on the road to prosperity, and with youth and health and the favorable conditions which now prevail in the demand for all farm products, their continued success seems well assured. They have one child, Odin Elmer, born Dec. 29, 1918.

Christof Evanson, one of the pioneer settlers of Sheldon township, where he made extensive farm improvements, and became a prominent citizen, was born in Norway, which country he left in 1851 for the United States. Locating first in Koshonog, Wis., he later went to Goodhue county, Minn., where he took a claim which he subsequently relinquished. Then coming to Houston county, he took some unimproved land in Sheldon town- ship on which he commenced improvements by building a small log house. This, however, he resided in for but a short time, as he soon put up better buildings, and as time went on he made more extensive improvements until he was the owner of a fine estate. He was a man of much force of char- acter, and also possessed some legal knowledge, which led to his becoming the general advisor of the community, and the manager of estates other than his own. For 22 years he took an active part in local affairs, serving as assessor and in all the other town offices successively, and in 1878 he was a member of the legislature. His death occurred Jan. 30, 1914, when he had attained the venerable age of 91 years. His wife, who survives him, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ole Nelson, in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Evanson were the parents of seven children: Edwin, Andrew, Gilbert, Tilda, Julia, Christopher and Anna.

Andrew C. Evanson, who is now living retired in Houston, after a suc- cessful career in the drug business, was born in Sheldon township, this county, Jan. 31, 1864, son of Christof and Birget (Anderson) Evanson. His education was acquired in the common schools of Sheldon township, which he attended until about 15 years old, at which time he sought and found employment in Houston. Here he learned the drug business, work- ing twenty years for others, after which, in 1899, he engaged in the

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business for himself and so continued until his retirement in the fall of 1916. He has since remained practically unoccupied except for the per- formance of his duties as vice president of the Security Bank of Houston, in which institution he is a stockholder. His home is one of the most mod- ern residences in the village. During his active career Mr. Evanson ren- dered efficient public service, serving nine years on the board of education, as mayor of Houston for a number of years, and also as village clerk. Prominent in the affairs of the Republican party in this region, he was chairman for some years of the Republican State Central Committee and for eight years was a member of the Republican Congressional Committee. His record as a business man and public spirited citizen stands high in the county. He has been for many years a member of the Masonic lodge in Houston and was the first member of Scandinavian birth to belong to it. He also belongs to the order of Yeomen and was the first foreman of the order here. Mr. Evanson was married November 26, 1888, to Clara Abra- hamson, who was born in Houston, Minn., daughter of Isaac and Isabel (Anderson) Abrahamson. He and his wife have two children: Georgia Evangeline and Horton Kjerulf, both residing at home. Isaac Abraham- son, father of Mrs. Evanson, was born in Norway, as was also his wife, Isabel Anderson. He came to this county at an early date and was prac- tically the first merchant in Houston, and served efficiently as a member of the village council. He is now living retired in Houston at the age of 86 years. Mrs. Abrahamson died in November, 1893.

Otto Wager, a general farmer operating 420 acres of land in section 11, Houston township, was born in Looney Valley, this township, Dec. 17, 1862, son of Peter and Mary (Stensrud) Wager. The parents were both born in Norway, the mother being first married there to John Johnson, who died after they had had one child, Andrew C. With this child she came to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1861, and here married Peter Wager, who had arrived here from Norway as a young man and engaged in farming, in which occupation he still continues. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wager had eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first born. The mother died in January, 1910. Otto Wager was brought up in Houston township and here attended school. He remained at home until he was 21 years of age and then went to Nebraska, where he spent 13 years of his life, chiefly working farms. From there he went to Missouri, where he remained two years, at the end of that time returning to Houston county. Here he worked two years for others and then engaged in farming on his own account. In 1913 he settled on his present farm of 420 acres, which has a productive soil and is well provided with substantial buildings. As a general farmer he is meeting with good success and increasing steadily in prosperity. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Wager was married in March, 1883, to Christina Jacob- son, who was born in this township and valley, daughter of Hans and Caroline (Stensrud) Jaccoson. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wager, namely: Louis, who is a farmer in Houston township, and who married Selma Mark; and Myrtle, Ella, Marvin, Pearl and Irwin, who are residing at home. The parents of Mrs. Wager, who were both born in

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OTTO WAGER AND FAMILY

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Norway, came to the United States a year or two later than the Wagers, locating on a farm in Looney Valley, Houston township, where the father died some years later. The mother subsequently went to Nebraska, where she spent a number of years, but finally returned to Houston county and spent the rest of her life with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Wager, the latter of whom was the fifth born in her family of eight children.

Targe Findreng, one of the early farmers in Sheldon township, was born in Norge Vaardal, Norway, where he grew up and was married, by that union, which was his first, having nine children. He was later mar- ried in Norway to his second wife, whose maiden name was Thone Kragnes, and who was a native of the same place as himself. In 1852 they emi- grated to the United States, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they remained two years. At the end of that time, in 1854, they came to Houston county, Minn., overland by ox team, and took land in Sheldon township, where Mr. Findreng was engaged in farming until his death in 1873. His wife survived him for many years, dying Sept. 3, 1909. They had seven children: Ole T., Anne, first (deceased), Anne, second (de- ceased), Tolley (deceased), Anne, third (deceased), Andrew, a farmer of Badger Creek; and Dagne, who lives with Ole T.

Ole T. Findreng, a well known and esteemed resident of the village of Houston, where he has made his home for the last 16 years, was born in Norge Vaardal, Norway, Aug. 13, 1845, son of Targe and Thone (Kragnes) Findreng. He was a child when his parents emigrated to America, and, after two years' residence in Dane County, Wis., when he was nine years old, settled on land in Sheldon township, Houston county, Minnesota, driv- ing an ox team all the way from Dane county. Here he attended district school and early began to make himself useful on his parents' farm. His agricultural training stood him in good stead, for, on account of his father's failing health, he had to take charge of the farm while still a lad. Subse- quently he became the owner of it and increased its size to 174 acres, also making other improvements, and cultivating it profitably until 1902, when he rented it and moved to Houston village. In 1908 he sold the property to his brother, Andrew T. Findreng. At Houston he engaged in selling monuments for the Jones Granite Works of St. Cloud, Minn., and acting as president of the Mound Prairie Insurance Company. He is also a stock- holder in the Houston State Bank. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics an independent Republican. While residing in Sheldon township he served as a member of the town board and at various times in all the other town offices, and for one term was a member of the board of county commissioners. Mr. Findreng was married March 14, 1869, to Thone Morken, who was born in Förstal, Norway, daughter of Ole and Groe (Nelson) Morken, who were natives of the same locality. The Morken family located in Sheldon township in 1865, the parents residing there until the father died in 1889 and the mother in 1890. Their daughter Thone was the eldest of their five children. Mr. and Mrs. Findreng have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Bernhard, who mar- ried Bertha Jensen and resides in Houston, his occupation being that of a

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rural route mail carrier. They have two children, Eunice Teolena and Olaf Torval.

Martin Westby, a settler in Yucatan township, who contributed to the agricultural resources of the county by developing a good farm from wild land, but who is now deceased, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Feb. 2, 1859, son of Evan and Marit Westby, who were natives of that locality. Coming to the United States in 1874, the parents settled in Norway, Fill- more county, Minn., where they spent the rest of their lives. Martin, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his native land, and at the age of 14 years began working out for others. In 1872, a lad of 13, he came to America, being at that time unable to speak English. Joining his parents in Fillmore county, he resided there for some years, working out as he had done in Norway and acquiring a practical knowledge of agriculture and American farm methods. At last, when able to begin an independent career, he came to Yucatan township, Houston county, and purchased land in section 15, where he developed what is now the family homestead, con- taining 340 acres of land with good buildings. Here he died Jan. 29, 1910. He was a stockholder in the Rushford elevator and in the Houston Cream- ery Company. Since his death the farm has been operated by his widow with the assistance of her children. Mr. and Mrs. Westby had 13 children: Mary, wife of Halvor Jore, a farmer on South Ridge, Yucatan township; Josie, wife of Alfred Martinson, a railroad man, and residing at Grand Meadow, Minn .; Stena, wife of Hans Fellows, a farmer of Looney Valley; Caroline, wife of Ray Nesbitt, residing near Ridgeway, Winona county; Edwin, a farmer of Yucatan township; Oscar, a farmer of Sheldon town- ship; Ole, who resides on the old homestead; Bennie and Gynther, who with Christ are operating the home farm; and Nettie, who is housekeeper at home; Christian, who married Sarah Houge and is also helping to operate the Westby farm; and Inga and Delia, residing at home.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 36

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

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