USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 51
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Olaus E. Olsen, who as a general farmer is successfully operating 253 acres of land in Root River valley, section 31, south, Houston township, was born in Yucatan township, this county, Jan. 12, 1880, son of Evan and Tilda (Kittelson) Olsen. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the school of his district and remained at home until reaching the age of 17 years, after which he began working out, turning over the greater part of his wages to his parents. After he was 21 he kept what he earned and continued to work out for three years more, at the end of which time he returned home and resumed work on the home farm as his father's assistant, which he con- tinued to be for a number of years. He then rented his father's farm for four years, and at the end of that time bought the farm on which he now resides, a well improved piece of property of the most modern type, with full equipment of implements, tools and machinery. . His buildings are sightly and commodious. The home is comfortable and well located. The new barn is 36 by 80 feet, with full basement, admirably fitted for its pur- pose in every way. The silo is a large structure, 12 by 36 feet, built of vitri- fied glazed tile. Thus admirably equipped, the farm is successfully con- ducted by its owner, and everywhere bespeaks his energy and thrift. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Houston and the Farmers Tele- phone Co., and is one of the leading representatives of the agricultural in- terests in Houston township. Mr. Olsen was married Nov. 13, 1909, to Mina Lee, who was born in Clay county, Minnesota, daughter of Andrew and
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Jane (Juve) Lee. She was the ninth born in a family of ten children, and was educated in the local schools and also at the agricultural school at Fargo, N. D. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have three children, Judith, Irwin and Luverne. Mrs. Olsen's parents were both natives of Telemarken, Norway, the father, Andrew Lee, comnig to the United States with his parents when nine years of age. He became a farmer in Houston county, later went to Clay county, where he resided for a while, but returned finally to Houston county. He and his wife are now living on a farm southeast of Houston.
Carl J. Halvorson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old Halvorson homestead of 120 acres in section 16, Houston township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Sept. 2, 1875, son of John J. Egland and his wife, Tillie Carlson. The parents were born and married in Nor- way, and located on a farm in Sheldon township in 1870. A few years later they bought the farm on which their son Carl J. now lives, and on which the father died in 1885. In the family there were seven children: Mary, Halvor; Anna, first (deceased) ; Carl J., Anna, second (deceased) ; Tillie, and John. After the death of John J. Egland, his widow married Even Ben- son, now deceased, and to this union was born one son, Ed. E., now of Hous- ton. Carl J. was early thrown on his own resources, and has educated him- self by wide reading and observation. He began working out at the age of fourteen, and so continued until 1897, when he returned to the family home- stead and took charge of it, since which time he has taken care of his mother, who resides with him. He has been successful as a farmer and has advanced gradually in prosperity until he is now well to do. His politics are those of the Republican party and he is a member of the Lutheran church.
Thomas Tennison, a prominent stock raiser of Houston township, whose well equipped farm of 200 acres is situated in section 21, was born in Eggersund, Norway, March 22, 1871, son of Tennes and Amalia (Tosten- son) Tennison. The father dying in 1883, his widow came to this country five years later and subsequently married Gunder Halvorson. She became a second time widowed and is now residing in Paradise Valley, Houston township at the age of 73 years. Thomas Tennison first attended school in Norway and afterwards a district school in Houston township, this county, being a boy of 13 when he arrived in America. He began industrial life working on his parents' farm, and afterwards worked on farms for others. Still later he was engaged in agricultural work in North Dakota. On his return home he married and then rented land and farmed on his own account. He finally bought 80 acres of the farm on which he now lives, to which tract he has added from time to time, building up the place to its present area of 200 acres. He has made good improvements and has. a complete equipment of everything necessary for modern stock farming. He is also a shareholder in the Money Creek Creamery, the Co-operative Ele- vator, and the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill., and is num- bered among the enterprising and prosperous citizens of Houston Township. Religiously a Lutheran, he is a member of the "Stone Church" in this vicinity ; also of the order of Yeomen, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Tennison was united in marriage, May 1, 1900, with Anna Thompson, who was born in Money Creek township, Houston county, daughter of Mathias
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and Nellie (Johnson) Thompson. She was the second born of their three children and was educated in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Tennison have three children, all residing at home, namely : Mae, Myrtle Fern and Arnold Thomas. Mrs. Tennison's father, who was a farmer, was born in Norway, and came to Houston county at an early date. He died when she was about two years old. Her mother is now living in Houston.
Marcus Leander Lee, who is engaged in general farming on the old Lee homestead of 220 acres in section 1, south, Houston township, was born on his present farm, Feb. 18, 1878, son of Thor T. and Bertha (Gunder- son) Lee. He was one of the older members in a family of twelve children, and was educated in the district school in Crystal Valley, Houston town- ship. Until the age of 19 years he acted as his father's assistant on the home farm, after which he operated it for one year on his own account. He then engaged in farming in Chippewa county, Wisconsin, and was there four years, at the end of which time he returned home and for seven years there- after was engaged in farming in Crystal Valley. After that he farmed four years in Caledonia township, and then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided. He is doing a good business as a general farmer and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. In politics he is independent, while, religiously, he is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Lee was married March 23, 1898, to Helena Hegland, who was born in Mound Prairie township, daughter of Knud H. and Carrie (Sanden) Hegland, and who in girlhood had been a schoolmate of his. They have seven children, all residing at home, namely: Delbert, Curtis, Thorie, Bur- dette, Myrtle, Fern and Carol.
Knud H. Hegland, formerly a respected citizen of Mound Prairie town- ship, where he spent many years in agricultural pursuits, was born in Tele- marken, Norway, and was 19 years of age when he came to the United States, settling in Michigan. There he resided for a number of years, and was married to Carrie Sanden, also a native of Telemarken, Norway. Then coming to Houston county, Minnesota, he and his wife settled in Mound Prairie township and engaged in farming. He became one of the promi- nent men of the township, serving for a number of years on the town board and in school office. He died on his farm in May, 1914, being survived by his wife, who is now living in Houston.
Tennes A. Tennison, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Houston township, his farm of 1681/2 acres lying in section 5, south, Houston town- ship, was born in Eggersund, Norway, Aug. 11, 1866, son of Tennes and Amalia (Tostenson) Tennison, the parents being natives of the same local- ity. The father, born in 1833, died in 1883, and his widow coming to this country five years later, made her home with her son, Tennes, until she married Gunder Halvorson, whom she survives. She is now living in Para- dise Valley, Houston township, at the age of 73 years, having been born in 1846. Tennes A. Tennison, who was the eldest of his parents' seven chil- dren, attended school in his native land. When 14 years of age he began industrial life, and in 1884, at the age of 18, he came to the United States, locating in Houston, this county. He was at that time unable to speak English, but he found employment, working for others for a number of
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years, during which time he saved what he could of his earnings. In 1900 he bought land and engaged in farming, and in the spring of 1908 he came to his present farm containing 1681/2 acres of good land, and provided with adequate buildings. Here he is raising both stock and grain with profitable results, and is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of his township. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in poli- tics is independent. On Aug. 25, 1892, Mr. Tennison married Elizabeth Nelson, who was born in Flekkefford, Norway, June 14, 1873, fourth of the six children of Emanuel Nelson, a shoemaker, and his wife, Martha Nelson, who brought her to America when she was a young child. Both parents died in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Tennison have two children : Gladys Made- line and Norman Emanuel. Gladys Madeline graduated from St. Olaf's College in 1917, and is now a teacher in the Houston High School. Norman Emanuel was born Dec. 22, 1899, and is residing at home.
John Halverson, one of the early settlers of Sheldon township, was born, like many of the successful farmers throughout this region, in Tele- marken, Norway. His wife, whose maiden name was Tilda Carrison, was a native of the same place or district. Their early career as farmers in Houston county was in Sheldon township, but they later moved to Houston township, where John Halverson died in 1882. His wife is still living on the old homestead. They were the parents of six children.
Halvor J. Halvorson, an esteemed resident of Houston township, now engaged for the most part in carpenter work, but who spent many years in agriculture, was born in Sheldon township, May 18, 1873, son of John and Tilda (Carrison) Halverson. He was the second born in a family of five children, and was educated in a Lutheran school in Looney Valley, his attendance at an English school being limited to three days. He began working out at the age of nine years and so continued in this county until he was twenty, at which time he went to South Dakota, where he worked one season on a farm. He then returned to Houston county and worked on a farm here for a year. After that he worked for Mr. Buell in Huston for eighteen months. Then going to Moorehead, Minn., he engaged in the carpenter's business, remaing there a year, and returning home for the winter. The next spring he went again to Moorehead and remained until Christmas. Again he spent the winter at home, but spent the next two threshing seasons at Moorehead. He then engaged in carpenter work and contracting at Houston, following that occupation until his marriage in 1905, when he took a farm in Money Creek township and was there two years, or until he moved to his present location in section 36 west, Houston township, where he owns a building lot of half an acre. He still follows carpenter work, occasionally engaging in other occupations, and attained to prosperous circumstances. He is a member of the Lutheran church known as the "Stone Church," and in politics is independent. Mr. Halvorson was married in March, 1905, to Tilda Jardshougen, who was born in Yucatan township, daughter of Tolef and Hage (Midboe) Jardshaugen, she being the eldest of their five children. Her parents, natives of Norway, settled in Yucatan township at a very early date and are still residing there. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson have three children, Tina, Hilda and Orvin, who are all
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attending school. Mrs. Halvorson takes an active part in charitable work and is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Knute T. Thompson, now deceased, cashier of Houston State Bank, treasurer of the Houston Co-Operative Creamery, prominent business man and leading citizen, was a commanding figure in Houston county life for many years. He was born in Norway, was brought to this country as a child, and was reared in Dodge county, Wisconsin. As a young man he found his way to this county, and for a while taught school in Badger Valley, making many friends and laying the foundations of his future success here. After teaching for a while he went back to Dodge county and clerked in a store. With this experience he returned to this county in 1883, and opened a store at Houston. This brought him in contact with the financial needs of the county, and after successfully conducting his store for many years he founded the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. In 1909 this bank was absorbed by the Houston State Bank and Mr. Thompson became cashier of the consolidated institution. During these years his popularity was constantly growing. He had the absolute confidence of the people. Citizens for miles around consulted him in regard to business and legal matters, and his judgment was invariably sound and good. He was probably advisor to more people than any other man in the county. Many people who thus consulted him made him the administrator of their estates. In the Norwegian Lutheran (Stone) church he was an active and untiring worker, and served the congregation for many years as a trustee. His business ability and personal friendships built up the Houston State Bank, and his presence on the official list of the Houston Co-Operative Creamery had much to do with its success. His death, at the Sanitorium in Onalaska, Wis., April 12, 1919, was a distinct loss to the community, and so highly was he regarded that all business in the village was suspended durin 3 funeral. Mr. Thompson was married in 1884 to Tilda Nelson, and this union resulted in a son. Both wife and son died many years ago.
Carl Carlson, who was formerly engaged in agricultural operations in the township of Houston, but is now deceased, was born in South Halland, Sweden, in 1846. He resided in his native land.until arriving at the age of thirty-six years and was there married to Anna Elengson, who was born in South Halland in the same year as himself. In 1882 he emigrated with his family to Houston county, Minnesota, locating on a rented farm two miles from Houston, but for some time in order to accumulate funds he worked out for others. Later he bought land in Winona county, where he resided for a number of years, but subsequently returned to Houston county, and taking a farm here engaged in its cultivation. His death occurred on the farm, Aug. 4, 1910. He was an active and enterprising man, and was one of the founders of the Money Creek Creamery, in which he was a stock- holder. His wife subsequently became a stockholder in the Houston Ele- vator. She survived him some seven years or more, dying in January, 1918. They were the parents of six children: Albert, Albin, Amanda, Jennie, John and Alfred.
Alfred Carlson, one of the leading farmers on Money Creek township, residing in section 2, was born on a farm near Houston, this county, Nov.
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16, 1888, son of Carl and Anna (Elengson) Carlson. His parents moving to Winona county when he was quite young, he attended school there, and also for one year in Money Creek township after their return to this county. Until attaining his majority he resided with his parents, and after that worked out for two years. After that for six years he farmed rented land in Money Creek township, and then bought his present farm of 145 acres, on which he is raising stock and grain with profitable results, finding a ready market for his products. He is also the owner of land in Winona county. He is a member of the Yeomen's lodge at Money Creek and is independent in politics. Mr. Carlson was married June 17, 1914, to Beulah Bradt, who was born at Almon, Minn., Aug. 8, 1891, daughter of John and Eva (Cain) Bradt. He and his wife have three children: Barbara Beth, born July 13, 1915; Lucille Bernice, born March 27, 1917; and Curtis Charles, born Oct. 28, 1918. John Bradt and his wife were born in New York State, and in 1856 settled in Winona county, Minesota. For the first few days they farmed amid pioneer conditions and then engaged in the general mercantile business at Almon, Winona county. They are now living retired in the village of Money Creek.
Thor T. Lee, who for many years was one of the leading and representa- tive farmers of Houston county, was born in Norway, April 26, 1846. He was four years old when he came to the United States with his parents, who settled first at Stoughton, Wis. From there, after a comparatively short interval, they removed to Houston county, Minnesota, becoming the first settlers in Crystal Valley, Houston township. There they took wild land, which they developed into a farm. On that farm young Thor was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the vicinity. In the course of time he became the owner of the property, and continued in agricultural pursuits there until his retirement in 1912. He then took up his residence in Houston village, where he spent his remaining years, passing away April 18, 1918. During his active career he served for a number of years on the board of education. Mr. Lee was first married in 1870 to Bertha Gunderson, a native of Norway. She died in 1880, after having been the mother of five children : Ida, now Mrs. G. G. Senness; Emma, deceased; Julius, Marcus and Bertha. In 1881 Mr. Lee married for his second wife, Mrs. Tilda (Johnson) Kettle- son. The children of this marriage were: Josephine, who married Ed. Senness, but is now deceased; John, of Ft. Ridgley; Galena, wife of Ed Runin, of Ft. Ridgley ; Emma, now Mrs. Paul Wheaton; Aaron, of Crystal Valley ; and Rose and Alma, who are residing at home.
Phillip Krick, a progressive farmer of Union township, who is operating the old family homestead in section 32, of which he is now the owner, was born in Houston county, Minnesota, June 19, 1876, son of Phillip and Augusta (Neujahr) Krick. Both parents were born in Germany, the father on Nov. 27, 1836. Phillip Krick, Sr., who was educated in his native land, was sixteen years old when he came to America, settling first in Canada, where for two years and a half he was engaged in farm work. Then in 1855 he removed to Houston county, being numbered among the pioneer settlers. He is still living on the old family homestead with his son, the subject of this sketch. His wife was born in 1846 and died July 13, 1897.
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They had five children: Walter, residing in North Dakota; David, of Cale- donia, Houston county; Edward, a resident of the State of Washington; Emma, wife of George Becket, and Phillip, Jr. The last mentioned attended the district school at intervals until nineteen years old, in the meanwhile assisting his father on the farm. He also went to school one winter in La Crosse. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself, renting his father's farm, which he operated under rental until 1916, when he purchased it. For a number of years he has been engaged in making im- provements, chiefly with respect to the buildings, which are now in good condition. Though he does mixed farming, he gives his main attention to stock raising and dairying, his cattle being of the Shorthorn breed. He also owns a threshing outfit and has engaged in threshing every fall for the last fifteen years. Among his other business interests are those of a shareholder in the co-operative elevator at Caledonia and in the telephone company. On April 5, 1904, Mr. Krick was united in marriage with Hulda Anderson, who was born in Norway, July 12, 1880, daughter of Ole and Lena (Olson) Anderson, and who came to Houston county, Minnesota, with her parents in 1892. The parents are now living on a farm in Mayville township. They have had four children: Hulda, now Mrs. Krick; Axel, living on the home farm; Canstance, who married Wallie Engwalson; and Carl, who died when four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Krick have one child: Florence Augusta, who was born Jan. 11, 1907, and is now attending school.
John Pederson, who contributed to the agricultural resources of Mound Prairie township by developing a farm from wild land in section 18, was born in Norway in 1830, and was there reared to manhood. He there mar- ried Inga Gulbrandson, who was born in Norway in 1832 and in 1870 they came to the United States, locating in Storer Valley, Houston county, Minn., where Mr. Pederson improved some land, subsequently removing to Hous- ton, where he resided for three years. He then returned to Storer Valley, Mound Prairie township, and bought the land which now constitutes the farm of his son Christian J., in section 18, which he improved, residing thereon until his death in 1913. His wife survived him several years, pass- ing away in 1916. They were the parents of two children, the son above mentioned and Dorothy, now Mrs. Byford Buckbee of Storer Valley, this county.
Christian J. Pederson, proprietor of a farm of 120 acres in section 18, Mound Prairie township, which is the old homestead established by his father, was born near Christiania, Norway, March 28, 1858, son of John and Inga (Gulbrandson) Pederson. He was twelve years old when he came to Houston county with his parents, and for a time attended school in Mound Prairie township and in Houston. His early industrial experience was gained on the home farm, but at the age of seventeen years he began working out for others at intervals, and after he was twenty his work was entirely away from home. In April, 1881, he was united in marriage with Lizzie Olson, who was born in Storer Valley, Mound Prairie township, daughter of Olaus and Dorothy (Gulbrandson) Olson. With his young wife he then went to Wadena county, in the northern part of Minnesota, where he engaged in farming, residing there thirteen years. After suffering
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some losses from a fire, he sold out and returning to Houston county, settled on the old home farm, where he has 120 acres of land, with good buildings and other improvements, and is doing a good business as a general farmer. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and has served on the board of education for a number of years, in politics being a Republican. He and his wife have had ten children of whom there are now living, Olga Genetta Blanche, Abraham and Clara Eveline, all residing at home. The parents of Mrs. Pederson, Olaus and Dorothy (Gulbrandson) Olson, were both born in Norway, and were pioneer settlers in Houston county, Minne- sota, taking land and improving a farm. Both died on their homestead, the mother in 1892 and the father in 1915. They had a family of ten children, of whom their daughter Lizzie (Mrs. Pederson) was the second in order of birth.
Jacob Happel, one of the pioneer settlers of Mound Prairie township, long since deceased, was born near Marens, in Hesse, Germany. Until the age of thirty years he resided in his native land, and while there served eleven years in the German army, during a part of that time as substitute for another man. With the money thus earned he paid his passage to the United States. After arriving here he made his home for a short time with his brother, who lived near Hartford, Wis. He then became engaged in railroad work and while thus occupied visited various localities, going as far as North Carolina. About 1858 or 1859 he came to Houston county, Minnesota, and secured forty acres of wild land in what is now section 20, Mound Prairie township, his residence being a small log house. On that land, which he developed into a good farm, he resided until his death in 1884. Mr. Happel married Martha Lena Siegler, who was born in Baden- Baden, Germany, their marriage taking place in this country. She survived him ten years, dying in 1894. They had a family of eight children : Barbara, William, Louis, Charles, Henry, Caroline, John and Peter.
Charles J. Happel, proprietor of the old Happel homestead in section 20, Mound Prairie township, the estate now containing 220 acres, was born on this farm, Jan. 18, 1865, son of Jacob and Martha Lena (Siegler) Happel. He was the fourth born of his parents' eight children. Brought up on the farm, he attended school in Day Valley, this township, though at an early age he was obliged to make himself useful assisting his father, and also, as he grew older he operated a threshing outfit, doing work for the neighbors. At the age of twenty-nine years he bought the home farm and has since operated it, making a specialty of breeding Durham cattle and Poland-China swine, besides other good stock. He is doing a successful business and is a shareholder in the Houston creamery and Houston elevator. His farm is well improved and fully equipped, being kept up to a high modern stan- dard. In October, 1913, he finished his present modern home, which is as fine a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. It is a sightly structure, beautified with a spreading lawn and pretty shrubbery, and is equipped with all the comforts and conveniences that modern life demands. In politics Mr. Happel is a Republican and is now serving his sixteenth year as a member of the school board of his district. He has also served three years on the town board. He is a member of the Evangelical Association
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