USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 105
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P. O. BOTTEM.
P. O. Bottem was born in Lesse Gudbransdalen, Norway, August 31, 1855, the son of Ole Olson and Ragny Ralson. The parents of Mr. Bottem were born, grew up and married in Norway. The father was a landed farmer and died in the country of his birth. He was also a soldier. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Olsen were Christian, who lives in Michigan and is foreman of a mine; Annie, also a resident of Michigan ; P. O., the subject of this sketch, and Ragny who lives in Norway.
P. O. Bottem was educated in the schools of Norway, and came to America with his wife and three children when he was twenty-five years of age. They located in Michigan, where he was employed in the mines from June until April. They then went to Mankato, Minnesota, where he worked for three or four months, then taking up farming in Brown county, of the same state, he bought and lived on his own farm until 1900. They then came to Otter Tail county, where he had already purchased two hundred acres, in section 20. Elmo township. This property was only partially improved and Mr. Bottem proceeded to erect new buildings and fences and cultivate the land. He added to the value of the place in 1913 by erecting a modern silo. Since that time he has become a well-known breeder of general stock and dairy farmer, owning between fifteen and twenty cows. He has also other interests, being a stockholder and director of the Ahnora Co-operative Creamery Company.
In 1877 P. O. Bottem was married to Mary Jacobson, a native of Nor- way and daughter of Jacob Jacobson. To them have been born four chil-
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dren, Jacob, Olsen, a North Dakota farmer; Rena, who lives at home; Ragny, who married Paul Midby and lives in Grand Forks, Minnesota, and Oscar, a farmer of North Dakota. Mr. Bottem is a Democrat and for five years filled the office of supervisor. He and his wife have many friends in the vicinity of their home.
EVER JOHNSON.
Ever Johnson has the distinction of having been one of the first em- ployees of the Northern Pacific railroad who is still in the service of that company. He began as a section hand when the track was a single one and the trains were combination affairs, and has watched the transportation ser- vice evolve into a wonderful organization. He is also one of the few fore- men who have remained in the service of that company covering a period of so many years.
Ever Johnson is a native of Norway and was born near Trondhjem, February 26, 1869. He is one of ten children born to John and Martha Johnson, both natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1873. Their first location was in Ashland, Wisconsin, where they remained for a period of one year, removing to Wadena county, Minnesota, and there settled on an eighty-acre homestead. This place was cleared and improved and became their permanent residence until the death of John Johnson in 1895. The first buildings erected on this place were crude affairs built of logs. After the death of John Johnson, his widow, Martha Johnson, removed to Wash- ington state, where she joined her children, and one year later, in 1906, passed to her eternal rest. In life they were both members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church. The names of their children follow: Ever, Mary, Swan, John, Nels, Charles, Maria, Helmar, and two who died in infancy. Mary became the wife of Andrew Ostrom and died in Wadena county. Swan is a farmer and lives near Leaf River station, Wadena county. Wisconsin. John was a millwright, of Bellingham, Washington, and his death occurred in that place. Nels Johnson is a blacksmith and resides in Bellingham, Washington. Charles is a farmer living near Leaf River station, Wadena county, Minnesota. Maria became the wife of John Thompson, and also resides at Leaf River station. Helmar is a farmer living at Leaf River station.
Ever Johnson received his education in the public schools of Norway and in Ashland, Wisconsin. This education was very poor, as he was the son of pioneer parents and forced to become the arbiter of his own destiny at an early age. His early youth was spent on the old home place, where he assisted his father in the cultivation of his land. At the age of eighteen years he entered the service of the Northern Pacific railroad as a section
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laborer. His service in this capacity was of such value to the company that he was soon promoted to section foreman, a position which he still retains. This service has covered a period of thirty-seven years of honest and sincere endeavor in behalf of the company. In 1887 he removed to Bluffton and two years later erected the home in which he now lives.
On June 28, 1891, Ever Johnson was united in marriage to Mabel Howes, daughter of James and Lucinda Howes, a native of Hancock county, Iowa. Ever Johnson and his wife are the parents of seven children : Clay- ton, who lives in Bluffton; Even, Albert, Charley, Chauncy, Ever and Irene. The parents of Mabel ( Howes) Johnson came to Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, about 1879 and settled on a homestead in Bluffton township, which they later sold, retiring to the town of Bluffton. Lucinda Howes, the mother, passed away in 1913. James Howes, the father, was born in 1840, in Clinton county, Iowa, and removed to Ft. Howard, Wisconsin, in 1866. In 1873 he removed to Hancock county, Iowa, removing five years later to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he still resides. He served his coun- try as a soldier during the Civil War, and has served his community as postmaster for some years. After the death of his first wife he married Clara Hoppes, who is still living.
Ever Johnson was for many years a stanch Republican, but now lends his support to the Democratic party. He was elected and served as a mem- ber of the town council some time. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is sincerely respected and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
BERNARD KLUENENBERG.
Bernard Kluenenberg was born in Hanover, Germany, Jannary 6, 1875. the son of Henry and Eliabeth ( Woebkenberg) Klnenenberg, both of whom were natives of Hanover. In 1887 the Klutenenberg family left their native land and emigrated to the United States, settling at Albany, Stearns county, Minnesota. The family here entered land and became actively engaged in husbandry, at which industry and on which land the father and mother spent their entire time, living quiet and retired lives until their deaths. Henry Kluenenberg died on January 25, 1915, at the age of about seventy- three years, and his wife died in 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. Kluenenberg were born six children, as follow : Elizabeth, who died at the age of five years; Bernard, the subject of this sketch; Dena, who married Bernard Wenning; Agnes, who married August Stueve and who lives at St. Anthony, and two children who died in infancy.
Reared on his father's farm at Albany and educated in the public schools of Stearns county, Bernard Kluenenberg grew to manhood. Upon reaching
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his majority he left his father's farm and started out in life on his own responsibility, and for two years engaged in the mercantile business at Richdale. He then removed to Bluffton in 1902 and engaged in the mer- cantile business there for a period of three years, after which he traded his business in Bluffton for a farm. Upon retiring from the mercantile busi- ness, Mr. Khuienenberg entered into the saloon business and for the next eight years was engaged in this business at Bluffton. Finally, however, he gave up the saloon business and entered into the soft drink business. Aside from his other business interests, Mr. Kluenenberg is secretary and treas- urer of the Bluffton Elevator and Produce Company, which company is at the present time erecting a new and strictly modern elevator, and also a shareholder in both the bank and creamery of Bluffton.
On October 20, 1903, Bernard Kluenenberg was married to Mary Vor- derbruggen, who has borne her husband six children, Mary, Joe, Annie, Barbara, Rosa and Bertha.
As a Republican, Mr. Kluenenberg has served as councilman and school clerk of Bluffton. He is a member of St. John's Society and is at the present time serving as secretary of the society. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
JOHN W. BARR.
John W. Barr was born in Jackson county, Iowa, October 9, 1859, the son of Alexander and Mary ( Soash) Barr, both natives of Pennsylvania. The parents were reared in the Keystone state and were married in that state. Alexander Barr was a cabinet-maker by trade and followed his trade in his native state. Later he removed to Wisconsin, settling on the Whitewater river, and still later removed to Jackson county, Iowa, where he died in 1862. His wife was soon thereafter married to Charles Knipe and moved with her husband to Shell Rock, Butler county, Jowa, where she died on April 25, 1875. Alexander and Mary Barr were the parents of seven children, as follow : David, who was killed by lightning in 1886, lived in Kimball, South Dakota; Jane, who married Charles Marquand, died in Wisconsin: Henry is a farmer residing at Ord, Nebraska: Mary, the wife of M. Williams, lives in Shell Rock, Iowa; Will, a farmer and well driller, also lives in Shell Rock; John W. is the subject of this sketch, and Nora, who married James Jenks, lives in Mount Auburn, Iowa.
John W. Barr received his elementary education in the public schools of Jackson county, Iowa, and, after being left an orphan at the early age of fourteen, was raised by an elder brother for several years. Early in life he began working on neighboring farms and continued as a farm hand until he was thirty years of age. In 1882 he removed to South Dakota, where
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he lived for four years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Shell Rock, Iowa, and was employed until 1890 on the neighboring farms and on the railroad. In 1890 he rented a farm in Iowa and there lived during the next ten years, or until 1900, when he moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 32, of Bluffton township. The land being wild and unimproved, John W. Barr began the breaking of the soil and the improving of the farm by the erection of buildings and fences. He has continued this process of improvement until he now enjoys the ownership of a highly improved farm. He engages in general farming and stock raising and is especially interested in Durham cattle.
On March 24, 1802, John W. Barr was united in marriage with Agnes Newell. To this happy union there have been born four children, Vern, Zola, Vera and Clyde. Vern is a carpenter by trade.
Mr. Barr is more or less independent in politics, but notwithstanding the fact that he is not actively identified with either party, he is vitally inter- ested in the political life of his community. He served as school clerk of Bluffton township for a period of twelve years and filled this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of that township. He is also a shareholder in. the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company.
CHARLES O. OLSON.
Charles O. Olson, a native of Sweden, was born on January 1, 1850. The parents of Mr. Olson, Ole Carlson and Ellen Swenson were born, grew up and were married in Sweden where the father farmed on his own land until his death in 1895. being followed by the death of his wife in 1905. He never enlisted in military service. There nine children are as follow : Charles O .; Mary, who married and died in Sweden; Swen also passed away at the age of sixteen : Andrew, a butcher. living in St. Paul, Minne- sota; Ocke, a Swedish farmer; John, a bricklayer living in Chicago; Swen, a St. Paul merchant ; Hilda, who lives in Sweden, and Esther.
Charles O. Olson went to school in his native land and farmed and was thirty years old when he decided to seek his fortune in America. He came to this country and at once settled in Otter Tail county. In 1880 he pur- chased two hundred acres of land in section 29, of Elmo township. This land was practically a wilderness at that time and Mr. Olson was compelled, at first, to live in a dugout while he began to clear and improve the prop- erty which was to become his future home. On the site of his present home he later built a log cabin and began his career as general farmer.
In 1894 he and Amanda Anderson, a native of Sweden, were united in
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marriage, she being a daughter of Ander Swenson. To them five children were born. Adolph, Obert. Aldo, Esther and Ellen.
Besides being a successful farmer, Mr. Olson is a stockholder of the Almora Creamery Company and of the Farmers Elevator Company at Henning. He is a member of the Republican party and both he and his wife belong to the Elmo Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson has also served as school director.
ANDREW HANSON.
The proprietor of one hundred and sixty acres in section 2. of Bluffton township, is Andrew Hanson, a native of Sweden, born at Skane, December 21. 1856. He is the son of Hans Johnson and Kari Bengtson, both of whom were born in Skane, Sweden. Hans Johnson was a farmer in his native land and followed his occupation there until 1880, when he immigrated with his wife and two daughters to the United States in order to join his two sons, Peter and Andrew, who had preceded them a few years previously and had settled at Rockford, Illinois. Hans and Kari Johnson lived the remainder of their lives at Rockford with their children, the former passing away on March 31, 1894, and the latter in 1890. Both were devoted mem- bers of the Swedish Lutheran church. To these parents were born four children, as follow: Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Betsey, who mar- ried Andrew Nelson and lives at Rockford, Illinois; Peter, who immigrated to the United States in 1879 and is now a farmer living at Rockford, Illinois, and Anna, who married Peter Martinson and lives at Rockford, Illinois.
Reared to manhood on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Sweden, in 1878 Andrew Hanson left his native land and emi- grated alone to America, the first of his family to be an immigrant to for- eign shores. Arriving in the United States, Andrew Hanson removed to Rockford, Illinois, where for a number of years he worked as a farm hand on neighboring farms and later became a renter. After spending twenty- seven years in Illinois, in 1905. he removed to Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 2, of Bluffton town- ship. This tract of land was improved and suitable buildings had been erected upon the farm. Mr. Hanson has been engaged in general farming on this farm ever since his possession of it, and has been very successful in the operation of his agricultural interests.
In 1880 Andrew Hanson was united in marriage with Elza Johnson, a native of Skane, Sweden, and the daughter of John Johnson and Anna Nelson, both of whom were pioneer settlers in Illinois. To this happy minion there have been born nine children, as follow: Fannie, who mar- ried Charles Swenson and lives in Illinois; Ella, who married Oscar Jung-
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quist and also lives in Illinois; Alfred, who is a carpenter of Minneapolis; Anna, who married Earl Gregory and lives in Rockford, Illinois; Clara, who married Harry Osborn and lives in Los Angeles, California; Mabel and Hansie, who live at home with their parents, and two children, both named Alma, who died in infancy.
Andrew Hanson has taken a great interest in local political and social conditions, but has never aspired to hold public office. He is identified with the Republican party.
HELMER MYHRE.
The branch of the Myhre family of which Helmer Myhre is a descend- ant is traced back to Mons T. and Martha ( Sefrend) Myhre, natives of Norway, in the vicinity of city of Christiania. Mons Myhre, who was born on the 18th of May, 1817, and Martha Sefrend, whose birth occurred on the 12th of October, 1823, were married in the country of their nativity on the IIth of November, 1843, and after several years of residence in that country, where Mr. Myhre was engaged in the lumber business and in gen- eral farming, the couple left for America. They set sail in July, 1861, and were accompanied by their children. Upon arriving in this country they went directly to Winona county. Minnesota, where Mons Myhre bought a farm. He lived upon this land, which was unimproved, for six years. At the end of that time he bought a farm in Fillmore county, where he con- tinued to live for nine years. In 1876, accompanied by a son, he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where each started to farm independently. Before taking up his residence in Pelican Rapids, Mons Myhre bought a tract of railroad land in Clay county, where he lived for some time. His last days were spent in North Dakota, where he took up a homestead claim near Balfour. On this homestead he lived with his wife until he reached the age of ninety years. His death occurred in 1909 and his wife passed away in 1008. The couple attended the Lutheran church. They were the parents of the following children: Annie, who was born in 1844, and who died in Winona county, Minnesota, was the wife of Nels Haloorson; Tos- ten, to whom reference is made in the following paragraph: Martha, Lizzie, Gulbjor, Gulbrand. Martin and Mary. Mary is the only child who was born in America, her birthplace being Fillmore county.
Tosten Myhre was born in Norway on the IIth of January, 1846. He was educated in Norway and later in the public schools of Winona county. His career as a farmer may be said to have begun in 1876, when he came to Otter Tail county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, in section 31 of Scambler township. Here he lives a retired life and enjoys the satisfaction. of having produced a modern farm from an uncultivated tract
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of prairie land. Mr. Myhre is a member of the Republican party and has held the office of township treasurer for the last twenty-six years. He has also served as director of the school board and as township trustee.
The marriage of Tosten Myhre to Hannah Bartelson took place on the 7th of November, 1860. Hannah Bartelson is the daughter of Bartel Thor- son and Ragnild Anderson and was born in Norway. Her parents, who came to this country in 1860, settled in Fillmore county. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Myhre: Martin, who lives in Pelican Rapids, where he is proprietor of a restaurant; Regina, who lives at home with her parents; Matilda, the wife of Even Rossum, who owns a farm in North Dakota, but who resides in Otter Tail county; Thea, who lives on the home place ; Helmer, the subject of this sketch, and Clara, Mrs. Otto Kjos, who resides on her father's farm.
Helmer Myhre was born in Scambler township. Otter Tail county. on the 22d of April, 1881. He remained on the farm with his parents until 1007. when he went to McLean county, North Dakota, for the purpose of homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land. He remained on the farm two years and at the end of that time returned to Otter Tail county, where he came into possession of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land, which was part of his father's original farm. Here Mr. Myhre continues to reside. In 1912 he made some very extensive improvements on the place and. for the past few years has devoted his interests exclusively to stock raising and general farming.
The marriage of Helmer Myhre to Elma Arneson, the daughter of Syv- rin Arneson, a pioneer settler of Clay county, took place on the 11th of November, 1911. To this union two children have been born, Victor, who died in infancy, and Grace, who is at home with her parents.
CLINTON WHITNEY FISKE.
Clinton Whitney Fiske was born at Still Water, Minnesota, March 17, 1852, the son of David and Elmira ( Bragdon ) Fiske, who were born in the state of Maine and following their marriage moved to the city of Galena, Illinois, and then later to the state of Minnesota, where they settled at Still- water, living there until their death. David Fiske having died, his widow, Elmira, was married to a Mr. Atkinson. David and Elmira Fiske were the parents of the following children: George, Charles, Frank, Clinton, Mary, Anna. Caroline and Helen.
Clinton Whitney Fiske was the youngest child of David and Elmira Fiske, he being born but a short time before the death of his father. When a young man, following his school days, he remained on the home farm for a time and then became a traveling salesman for the Minnesota Chief
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Threshing Machine Company, a position which he occupied for some time and then resigned to accept a position as manager of a large farm owned by O. P. Whitcomb. After about six years at this work, Clinton W. Fiske, in the year 1881, came to New York Mills, which at that time was a mere settlement, and established himself in the livery business, erecting a building known as the "Old Red Barn," on a site now occupied by the Dower Lum- ber Company. Clinton W. Fiske remained in business at the original place until his death, on October 13, 1904, he being a pioneer in that line of busi- ness, and a man who was known throughout the surrounding territory as one of the most successful and commendable men of that work.
Clinton Whitney Fiske was prominent in the public life of the town and the county, he having served in the capacity of a member of the local school board and also on the village council. In politics, Mr. Fiske was an ardent Republican. Clinton Whitney Fiske was a member of the New York Mills lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an organization in which he took an active and important part.
On February 22, 1880, Clinton Whitney Fiske was married to Cora M. Tyler, who was born in Washington county, Minnesota, July 21, 1855, the daughter of John W. and Lydia Ann ( Dewey) Tyler, and a distant relative of Admiral Dewey. John W. Tyler was born in Potsdam, New York, and his wife, Lydia, was born in the state of Connecticut, and after their mar- riage in Canada, they came to the state of Minnesota, later returning to Brockville and to Toronto, Canada, after which they came again to the state of Minnesota, and located at Lakeland, where they died. John W. and Lydia Tyler were the parents of six children, three sons, all of whom died in infancy, and three daughters, Nina, Edith and Cora, who survive. To the marriage of Clinton and Cora Fiske were born two sons, David Dewey and Harry Taylor.
Harry Taylor Fiske was born at Redwood Falls, Minnesota, on Febru- ary 21, 1882, and was educated in the schools of New York Mills and in the schools of the city of Minneapolis. From boyhood having been associated with his father in the livery business, Harry Tyler Fiske determined to become a veterinary surgeon and therefore, in the year 1908, he entered the Chicago Veterinary College, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1911, and since that time has followed his profession as a member of the firm of Fiske Brothers, of New York Mills. The firm of Fiske Brothers is splendidly located in a building, forty by one hundred feet, have room for forty horses and for thirty tons of hay, as well as living quarters for one family, on the second floor. Harry Tyler Fiske has been one of the town's councilmen, and in fraternal affiliation is a member of Perham Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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On September 2, 1912, Harry Tyler Fiske was married to Elizabeth Hurst, who was born at Wadena, Minnesota. To this marriage no children have been born.
David Dewey Fiske was educated in the public schools of New York Mills, after which he was an assistant to his father in the livery business until the death of the father, when, with his brother, Harry Tyler Fiske, he entered the business as a partner.
On September 2, 1906, David Dewey Fiske was married to Mildred Reynolds, who was born in Otter Tail county, the daughter of Fred Rey- nolds and wife. David D. Fiske is a member of the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America, at New York Mills, an organization in which he takes an important part.
JACOB AMENT.
Jacob Ament was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 4, 1862, the son of John and Mary ( Reinman) Ament. both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents were married in their native land and con- tinued to live there until 1861, when they emigrated to the United States. Upon their arrival in America, they settled in Milwaukee, where John Ament obtained employment in a rope and twine factory. After living in Milwaukee for a period of ten years, he farmed in Milwaukee county for two years and then moved to Marathon county, Wisconsin, where he was actively engaged in husbandry until 1913, or until his retirement. In the meantime he had become a well-to-do and prosperous farmer and, as the result of his patient labor, had come in possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which upon his death, in 1914, was divided among his chil- dren. His faithful and beloved wife had died previously, in 1910, after bearing her husband eight children, namely: Jacob, the subject of this sketch; George, who is a contracting logger of Wisconsin: Anne, the wife of George Hoffman and who lives in Marathon county, Wisconsin; John, who lives in Merle, Wisconsin: Andrew, deceased, who was killed in 1910; Effie, who married ,Frank Lauder and who lives at Atkins, Wisconsin; Mary, who married and lives in Wisconsin, and Joseph, who died very young in life. Mr. and Mrs. John Ament took an active interest in the social life of Marathon county. They were devoted members of the Catholic church.
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