USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 15
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Peter J. Mobraaten was born in the kingdom of Norway on December 2, 1839, and there spent his youth and early manhood. In 1869 he decided to try his fortune in the promising land across the Atlantic. He came alone. landing at New York, proceeding thence to this state, where for one year he conducted a boarding house in Fillmore county. The next winter he spent in Alexandria, this state, and in the spring of 1871 he came to this county, entering one hundred and sixty acres of government land in sec- tions 26 and 27, in Oscar township, which he proceeded to clear and make habitable. It was in that year, simultaneous to his coming to Otter Tail county, that Mr. Mobraaten married Bertha Spaberg, who was born in Nor- way on December 5, 1845, daughter of Peter P. and Carrie (Torjet) Spa- berg, and who, during the years they were engaged laboriously in making a home in the then wilderness, proved a most valuable and competent help- mate. Their home presently was made and as the years went by they accom- plished the full task of bringing to a high state of cultivation their excellent farm. at the same time making themselves useful in many neighborly ways
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in that community, so that they came to be regarded as among the leaders in their particular locality, their influence ever being for good.
To Peter J. and Bertha (Spaberg) Mobraaten were born nine children, Peter P., Mary, Carrie, Julia, Minnie Bessie, Julius, Oscar and Petrine, of whom Mary, Julia, Minnie and Oscar are married. Mr. and Mrs. Mobraaten ever were active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith, all growing up to be useful members of the community. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Mobraaten has continued to make her home on the homestead farm, which is now cultivated under the active management of her eldest son, Peter P. Mobraaten, who was born on the homestead on December 20, 1871, and who is doing well his part in the community life of Oscar township and the Fergus Falls locality generally, he being held in high regard by all who know him. as are all members of the family of the late Peter J. Mobraaten. The Mobraaten farm was enlarged during the occupancy of the late owner by the addition of eighty acres adjoining, which Mr. Mobraaten purchased, the present farm of two hundred and forty acres being well kept and improved in a substantial manner.
O. R. SHONBLOM.
O. R. Shonblom, farmer of Buse township, Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, is a native of Sweden, born in the northern portion of that country on July 16. 1867, son of Ole and Martha ( Lindblum) Shonblom, both natives of the same section of Sweden. They were there married and were of the farmer class, coming to this country in 1884 at the time the immediate sub- ject of this sketch was a young man of eighteen years. The family first located in Des Moines, Iowa, where father and son secured employment in the mines of that vicinity and also at work on a railroad. After a few years spent in Iowa, the parents came to the state of Minnesota and located in Martin county, where the father purchased a farm and made his home until the time of his death in 1897. The mother is still active at the age of seventy-two years, wonderfully well preserved for one of her age. Both were reared in the Lutheran faith and Ole throughout his life was a faithful member of that church, as is his widow today.
O. R. Shonblom was the eldest of a family of four children. two of whom are deceased. The youngest of the family also survives and is engaged in farming in Saskatchewan, Canada. O. R. Shonblom received his educa- tion in his native land. attending the public schools, and after coming to this country, has always earned his own way. He moved with his parents to Martin county, where he assisted the father in the work of the home. and then in 1004 he came to Otter Tail county and purchased one hundred
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and sixty acres of land in Buse township. There was a residence on the farm and that he repaired, as well as other buildings, and erected a new barn better suited to his needs. He has succeeded well in his undertaking and is uniformly successful with his crops as well as with his live stock, to the raising of which he devotes considerable time and attention. Mr. Shonblom is a member of the Lutheran church, in which faith he was reared, and in politics he votes independently. He has been a director of his local school district several times and takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community.
O. R. Shonblom was married on January 1, 1889, to Anna Lorena Poulson. a native of Orleans, Norway, and a daughter of Hilgate and Lorena Poulson. To this union have been born four children, namely : Lily, wife of Arthur Larson, a farmer of the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, and the mother of four children; Ruby, Harvey ( deceased), Harvey and Irene ; Hjelmer died at the age of five years: Hjelmer, at home, and the youngest of the family is Almeda, who is at home with her parents.
Mr. Shonblom is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, for he is a man of good characteristics, devoted to home and its interests and is worthy of being numbered among the representative citizens of Otter Tail county.
OLAF TH. SHERPING, M.D.
Dr. Olaf Th. Sherping, so well and favorably known as a physician of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, enjoys an extensive practice not only in Fergus Falls, but throughout Otter Tail county, and is ranked among the leading physicians and surgeons in this part of Minnesota.
Olaf Th. Sherping was born in Hallingdal, Norway, on August 6. 1864. He is a son of Thorstein and Margaret (Opheim) Sherping. the former of whom was a farmer in Norway, and who died there in 1898, while the latter died in 1880.
Olaf Th. Sherping received his early educational training in the schools of his native land, and was graduated from the Latin school at Christiania, Norway. After leaving school he immigrated to America, landing in New York city on May 20, 1884. He came west to Canton, South Dakota, where he remained for three years, and in 1888 went to Green Bay, Wis- consin, where he studied medicine in the office of Dr. U. F. M. Poppe for two years. Upon finishing his preliminary study, he entered the medical department of Keokuk College. at Keokuk, Iowa, and was graduated from that excellent institution with the class of 1894, since which time he has taken post-graduate work at Chicago. New York, Vienna, and London.
Immediately after his graduation from the medical department of the Keokuk College, Doctor Sherping located at Enderlin, North Dakota,
OLAF TH. SHERPING. M. D.
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where he pursued the active practice of his profession until 1902. In the latter year he removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he still resides, and where he is actively engaged in the practice of his profession, being widely known and recognized in medical circles throughout this section of the country. He is a member of the Park Region Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the American Medical Associa- tion, and has taken a prominent part in the official proceedings of these various associations and societies. Doctor Sherping is practically the founder of St. Luke's hospital, of Fergus Falls, and is now the acting sur- geon of this institution.
Dr. Olaf Th. Sherping was married in 1895 to May M. Sollin, the daughter of C. A. Sollin, and to this union has been born one son, Ralph Victor, who is a graduate of St. John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wisconsin.
Doctor Sherping is the owner of a beautiful country estate located in Dane Prairie township, this county, about eight miles from Fergus Falls, which is one of the most attractive places in the county.
Norway has given to America many of its most successful citizens, and Otter Tail county and the state of Minnesota have been fortunate to receive within their borders many of these splendid young men, among whom is Doctor Sherping.
CARL MILLER.
Carl Miller, residing on his farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Buse township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a German by birth, born in the province of Pomerania, Prussia, on May 20, 1857, being the only child of Carl and Bertha (Miller) Miller. Both parents were natives of the same province and spent their entire lives in that place. The father was engaged in farming throughout all the active years of his life, and in that way Carl became versed in agriculture while still a boy.
Carl Miller was educated in the public schools near his home and trained by his devout parents in the faith of the Lutheran church. While still a youth he learned the miller's trade and followed that trade in his native land for fourteen years, but has never followed that occupation in this country. He emigrated to America in 1882 and settled in Faribault, this state, where for two years he worked part of the time at farm labor and the balance of the time on the railroad. He was ambitious to succeed, and near Faribault secured a farm, which he rented and farmed for one year. In 1886 he came to Otter Tail county and secured a farm in Fergus Falls township, which he rented and farmed for twelve and one-half years. He
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then moved into Buse township and rented for three years, purchasing his present farm near that location. When he secured the farm it was only partially improved and Mr. Miller has finished clearing the land, repaired the buildings and brought a general note of prosperity to the place. He engages in general farming and stock raising, such as practiced throughout this section, and is uniformly successful in his undertaking.
Carl Miller was united in marriage in 1884, with Paulina Friederich, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Frederick Friederich, being brought to this country by her parents when a child of two years. The family settled in Wisconsin, where they lived a number of years, later com- ing to Faribault, this state, where both parents closed their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a family of eight children, the eldest of whom is William, who still remains at home. Carl is a farmer near Wimmer, North Dakota. Eric is at home, while Richard is engaged in farming near Faribault. The others of the family, Robert, Agnes, Arthur and August, still remain under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both devout members of the Lutheran church, and have carefully reared their family in that faith. They are counted among the leading members of their local congregation and have a large number of friends outside of church circles as well. Mr. Miller votes inde- pendently in politics, but in view of his many duties, has never given any time to that phase of citizenship. Throughout the years of his residence here he has proven himself a man of honor and integrity, well worthy of the esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
CHARLES M. ANDERSON.
Charles M. Anderson, residing on his farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Buse township, near the city of Fergus Falls. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is accounted one of the most progressive farmers of his section. He carries on general farming and meets with excellent success with his crops, while with live stock he is also uniformly successful.
Mr. Anderson was born in Norway on September 15, 1861, a son of Martimus and Martha Anderson, both natives of that same place. The father was a goldsmith by trade and his death occurred in 1871. The mother never remarried and passed from this life in 1895. Both parents were devout members of the Lutheran church and in that faith reared their children. There were five in the family, all coming to this country but two. These are Petra, the eldest. who married Christina Gunness, and Emma, who is located near the childhood home. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child in order of birth and together with his sisters, Mary and Edwarda, emigrated to this country. Mary met death by drowning
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in Lake Harriett, this state, while still a girl, and Edwarda is the wife of a Mr. Johnson, of Spokane, Washington.
Mr. Anderson received a fair education in the common schools of his native land and from the time he was ten years old, he made his own way in the world. While a boy he did all sorts of odd jobs and finally became quite proficient as a clerk in various stores. He came to America in 1878 and settled in Minneapolis, in which city he did odd jobs of work and later worked on farms nearby. About 1886 he came to Otter Tail county and near Fergus Falls worked on the farm owned by Blake Brothers, where he was employed for three years. Then for the following seven or eight years, he worked on the farm owned by J. S. Billings & Company, after which he engaged in farming for himself. He rented for six or eight years the farm which is now his own, purchasing it about the year 1900. After securing possession of the place, he set about improving the buildings and now has a comfortable residence and good outbuildings, the entire place appearing well-kept and prosperous.
On February 22, 1894, Charles M. Anderson was united in marriage with Sarah Erickson, born at Orrdale in this county, daughter of Arno and Carrie Erickson, who were among the very earliest settlers of this county. To this union has been born a family of six, namely: Leonard, George, Clarence, Selma, living in South Dakota and the wife of Albert Edmundson; Florence and Myrtle. Mr. Anderson takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of community life and gives his influence to any project working toward that end. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is much interested in the work of that order. He is honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellow men and is entitled to the respect in which he is generally held.
ANDREW ANDERSEN.
Andrew Andersen, of Buse township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Denmark, born in that country on February 20, 1865, son of Jens and Karen (Rasmusen) Andersen. Both parents were also natives of Denmark and spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a blacksmith and also a small farmer and was at one time a soldier. The last time he saw active service was in 1860 in the war with Germany, but owing to the state of his health, most of his time was spent in the hos- pital. Both parents were members of the Danish Baptist church. There were thirteen children in their family, nine of whom grew to maturity, and most of them are now citizens of the United States. Hans J., the eldest, was the first to come to America. He settled in Otter Tail county, where he married and where his death occurred. Stenne died in her native land
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of Denmark. The third child in order of birth is the immediate subject of this sketch. Rasmus, the fourth child, died in Denmark, where Meta, wife of Jergen Petersen, also lives. Karen (Mrs. Christ. Larson) and Marie (Mrs. Jens Johnson) both live in Otter Tail county, while Peter and Maren have remained in Denmark and have not married. The children who have come to this country have met with a pleasing degree of material success and make worthy citizens of their adopted country.
Andrew Andersen received his education in the public schools of Den- mark and when a youth turned to farming as his life vocation. He came to this country alone at the age of nineteen years and joined his brother, Hans J., who had come over some time previous. It was in 1884 that Andrew set foot on American soil and he came at once to Fergus Falls and secured work on a farm in Western township. He passed the following five years in this manner and then bought a farm of forty acres, unim- proved, in Aurdal township, and also rented some adjoining land. He erected a small house on his land and lived there three years, when he sold sold out and moved to Buse township. For a year and a half he rented land near Horseshoe lake and then moved to Western township, where he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and made his home there for the following nine years. In 1901 or 1902 he sold his Western township farm and again came to Buse township, where he bought one hundred and forty-six acres, which has since been his home. In 1900 he purchased ninety- four additional acres, and in 1915 he sold eighty acres leaving his holdings at the present time one hundred and sixty acres. Since locating on his present site he has erected modern farm buildings, greatly remodeled the residence and has made extensive improvements to the farm in every way. He devotes his time and attention both to general farming and stock rais- ing and is uniformly successful in whatever he undertakes.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Andersen has served the local school board as clerk and is now acting as treasurer of that board. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Baptist church and contribute generously of their means toward the support of the local organization. Mrs. Andersen was Carrie Anderson, also a native of Denmark and a daughter of Nels and Johana Marie (Madsen), Andersen. The father passed his entire life in his native land, where the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Andersen have been born a family of seven children. Sadie is the wife of Halder Bergson, of Fergus Falls; William, a carpenter by trade, nominally lives at home but spends a great deal of time in Fergus Falls, where most of his work is. Axel died at the age of twenty-one, and Robert. also a carpenter, is away from home all the time. Those still remaining with the parents are Edwin, Harry and Esther. The Andersen family are well known
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throughout the community where they dwell and are highly esteemed. Mr. Andersen is well entitled to the success with which he has met, for it is but commensurate with the effort which he put into his undertaking.
ANDREW C. OLSON.
Andrew C. Olson, farmer of Buse township. Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, residing near the city of Fergus Falls, is a native of the state of Iowa, born in the town of McGregor on April 14. 1871, son of Christian and Rachel Olson. Mr. Olson's parents were both born in Norway, were mar- ried there in 1870 and came directly to the United States. They went to McGregor, Iowa, where they remained but a short time, and then came to the state of Minnesota, locating in Sherburne county. Here they perma- nently located. They purchased a farm, which they set about improving and on that homestead the children were all reared. The father's death occurred about the year 1892 and the mother had died a few years pre- viously. There were four children in the family, of whom Andrew C., the immediate subject of this sketch, is the youngest. Lottie married Hans Anderson and resides in Sherburne county, and in that same county Annie and Ole also make their homes, the latter engaged in farming. Mr. Olson's parents were both faithful lifelong members of the Lutheran church and ordered their lives in accordance with its teachings.
Andrew C. Olson received his education in the common schools of Sherburne county and from his earliest boyhood he was taught by his father to assist in the work of the farm home. He well understood the secrets of successful husbandry by the time he had attained manhood and when about twenty-one years of age he started out in life for himself. The following four years he hired out to farm labor in different places near his home and about 1896 or 1897 he came to Otter Tail county, where he located per- manently. For a time he was a renter in Carlisle township and then pur- chased a farm on the shores of Swan lake, where he resided for three years. In 1910 he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Buse town- ship, where he has since made his home, giving his attention to general farming such as is commonly practiced throughout this section.
Mr. Olson is one who takes a keen interest in all that affects com- munity life and as an organizer and promoter of the Horseshoe Lake Tele- phone Company he has rendered vahtable service. He has also acted as president of the company named since its organization. In politics, Mr. Olson prefers to vote independently, not being bound by any party lines. and as one sincerely seeking the best conditions possible he has served as a member of the local school board.
On November 13, 1897 Andrew C. Olson was united in marriage with
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Elsie Paulson, born on April 4, 1877, in Waseca county, this state, a daugh- ter of Paul and Annie (Knutson) Paulson. Mrs. Olson's parents were both born in Norway, the father at Telemarken and the mother at Siters- dalen. The mother was brought to this country about the year 1845, her parents bringing their entire family over. The family located in Wisconsin and to that place came Mrs. Olson's father direct from Norway, when a young man of twenty-one years. There they became acquainted and after marriage located in Waseca county. this state, where they lived for a num- ber of years. Later in life they moved to Grant county, this state, where the remainder of their days were spent. The father died in 1886 and the mother lived until 1900. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran church and highly respected by all who knew them.
Mrs. Olson is one of a family of eight children, the others being Halvor. a carpenter by trade and resident of North Dakota: Gilbert, also a carpenter and farmer, living on a homestead in Grant county: Carl, deceased: Mary. wife of Samuel Baker, of Tacoma, Washington: Theodore and Carl, deceased, and Johanna, wife of Axel Throndson, of Minneapolis.
To Mr. and Mrs. Olson has been born a family of seven children. namely : Alice, Gladys, Dorris, Ralph, Roland. Kenneth and Lucile. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are members of the Lutheran church and are rearing their family in that faith. Mr. Olson is regarded as one of the public-spirited men of the community, taking a commendable interest in all that affects the welfare of those about him.
JACOB LYNG.
Born in Norway. February 10, 1866. Jacob Lyng, a prosperous farmer of Aurdal township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Haldor and Martha Lyng, the former of whom was born in Norway in 1826 and the Jatter born in that country, June 26, 1830.
Haldor Lyng came to America and to the state of Minnesota in 1867 and. in 1873, settled in Otter Tail county, purchasing two hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Aurdal township. He died at his old home in this township in IOIT, and his widow is still living. They were the parents of five children: Christina, who was the wife of John Olson, of Fergus Falls, is deceased: Jacob, who is the subject of this sketch; Henry, who is a farmer of Aurdal township: Bernt, who died in 1897, and Kare, who was the wife of Henry Christenson, of West Superior, Wisconsin, is deceased.
Jacob Lyng was five years old when he came to America. He settled with his parents in Otter Tail county in 1873 and received a limited educa- tion in the pioneer schools of this county. From the time that he was old
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enough, Mr. Lyng assisted his father on the farm. In 1903 he purchased a farm of two hundred acres, which he now owns. He built a magnificent barn and residence in a beautiful grove and is today surrounded with all of the comforts and conveniences of rural life. Mr. Lyng is a general farmer and stockman.
In 1901, Jacob Lyng was married to Bena Hallon, the daughter of. Ole Hallen, of Aurdal township, whose life history is set forth elsewhere in this volume. Mr and Mrs. Lyng have been the parents of five children, Harold Oliva, Helen Margaret, Jean Bernard, Johannas Bernhoff and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Lyng died on February 27, 1914.
Mr. Lyng and his children are all members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Lyng was a member of this church at the time of her death.
OLE SWENSON.
The following is a short sketch of Ole Swenson, deceased, who passed from this life on August 30, 1913, death being caused by a fall from a buggy which broke his neck. Mr. Swenson had for many years been a resident of Buse township and was numbered among the best farmers of his com- munity. He was born in Norway on November 1, 1844, a son of Swen and Carrie Nielson, both natives of Norway, who passed their entire lives in their native land. The father was a farmer and there was a large family, four of the number emigrating to America. Of these, Niels, who lived in Fordenkjold, was killed by a falling tree a number of years ago; Marie, wife of Anders Rasmusen, lives in North Dakota; Ever died in Portland, Oregon, where he had made his home for some time.
Ole Swenson received his education in the schools of his native land and emigrated to America in 1868, when in the first flush of young man- hood. He first located in Minnesota, and then for a time lived in Wiscon- sin, returning to Minnesota in 1870, where he passed the remaining years of his life. He homesteaded a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Buse township. this county, and later purchased twenty-nine additional acres. He first built a log house and to this later added a frame portion and built other farm buildings, so that at the time of his death he had acquired a comfortable home. In politics he was a Republican and took a commenda- ble interest in the affairs of the community.
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