USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 16
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Ole Swenson was married in January of 1878 to Margaret Johnson, a native of Norway, born on June 11, 1848, a daughter of John Ingelson. The father died when Mrs. Swenson was but fourteen years old and when nineteen years of age she emigrated to this country. Mrs. Swenson was one of a family of nine children, three of whom died in infancy and but one other came to this country. There is but one remaining member of her
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family across the water, a brother. Ever Johnson, who lives in Sweden. The one who came to America is Ellen Sophia, wife of Hans Mertren, of North Dakota. Twelve years after Mrs. Swenson came to this country, the mother also crossed and went to her daughter, Ellen Sophia, who at that time lived in Wisconsin. She later came to live with Mrs. Swenson and was with her at the time death claimed her.
There are four children in the Swenson family, of whom John, the eldest, remains at the home with the mother and manages the farm. The second child, Mary, died in infancy, and Carrie, the third, is the wife of Carl Johan Johnson, who also make their home on the Swenson farm. Carrie is the mother of three children : Orville A., Clarence and Myron Y. Serena, the youngest of the Swenson children, and wife of Ole Stinerson, is also deceased. Mrs. Swenson is a faithful member of the Parkdale Lutheran church, as was also her husband, and she has a large number of friends who esteem her for her kind and sympathetic nature and many womanly traits.
E. T. RISBRUDT.
A career of general usefulness in many directions has been that of E. T. Risbrudt, who on account of the various activities in which he has been engaged is a man of broad understanding of problems of business and a keen student of human nature. E. T. Risbrudt is a native of the county in which he still resides, having been born in St. Olaf. Otter Tail county. Minnesota, on the 31st of January, 1874, the son of Torkel and Gurine (Soliah) Risbrudt.
The early educational advantages received by the subject of this sketch were obtained in the common schools of St. Olaf. He received more than the average school has to offer and from 1801 until 1892, attended the Lutheran College in Decorah. His ambition to complete a college course was realized in 1803, when he was graduated from the Park Region Col- lege. He was one of the first graduates of that institution. Throughout his school course, E. T. Risbrudt showed more than ordinary ability and it was only a natural consequence that after completing his education he should have chosen the teaching profession which at that time he was most capable of carrying on. Mr. Risbrudt taught school for five years after finishing college and at the end of that time, which was in 1899, bought a farm of two hundred acres in Tumuli township, section 32. He remained on the farm following the occupation as a farmer until 1907. when he came to Dalton as grain buyer for the Dalton Co-operative Warehouse Associa- tion He remained with the grain association for three years and in the fall of 1010 entered the employment of the First State Bank of Ashby.
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Minnesota, where for a year he served as assistant cashier. Owing to failing health, Mr. Risbrudt decided to return to farm life on the land which he still owned and where he remained until 1912. Mr. Risbrudt, after the two years spent in regaining his health, was appointed general manager of the Dalton Grain and Lumber Company and has served in that capacity up to the present time.
The marriage of E. T. Risbrudt to Helen Engebretson was solemnized in 1800. Mrs. Risbrudt was born on the 5th of March, 1875, and is the daughter of Erick Engebretson, one of the pioneer settlers of Tumuli town- ship. The children born to Mrs. and Mrs. Risbrudt are: Clifford, who was born in 1907: Russell, who was born in 191; Truman and Henry. Mr and Mrs. Risbrudt are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
In his political interests Mr. Risbrudt votes independently. He has done everything in his power to advance the business conditions in the com- munity in which he lives and as a member of a number of organizations has made a large acquaintance among the residents of the county. He is a member of the Eik's lodge and of the Woodman's lodge.
JOSEPH P. BRENDAL.
Borr at Starbuck, Minnesota. March 12. 1883. Joseph P. Brendal. cashier of the First State Bank, of Dalton, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Peter J. and Pauline ( Olson) Brendal, who were born in Nor- way, the former in 1854 and the latter in 1856. Both are living. Mr. Brendal's father was educated in the common schools of Norway and in 1872 came to America. locating at La Crosse, Wisconsin. After living at La Crosse until 1881. during which time he was employed in a saw-mill as a sawyer and as foreman of another mill, the family came to Pope county. Minnesota, where Mr. Brendal's father farmed until 1913. On coming 10. Pope county, the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres In 191, he retired from active farming and moved to Starbuck, where he now lives. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Brendal, namely : John, Anna. Ole, Joseph P., Petra, Julius, Lena (deceased), Edwin, Nettie and Pauline ( deceased ). Mr. Brendal's parents are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church and his father votes the Republican ticket.
Joseph P. Brendal was educated in the common schools of Starbuck, Minnesota, and later attended Glenwood Academy. Still later he was a student in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. from 1903 to 1905. inclusive. Finishing his college education, he taught one year in Pope county, Minnesota, and, in 1907. was employed in the I.irst National Bank at Elbow Lake and the Douglas County Bank at Alev- andria. Two years later he came to Dalton as cashier of the First State
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Bank and has held this position ever since. The growth and prosperity of this institution is one, in no small measure, to the worthy service per- formed by its cashier. Mr. Brendal.
In 1911 Joseph P. Brendal was married to Ella Reierson, who was born on February 22, 1878, and who is the daughter of G. Reierson. Mr. and Mrs. Brendal have no children. Mr. Brendal is an intelligent young citizen and banker and prominent in all public affairs in his home town. Mr. and Mrs. Brendal are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In politics, Joseph P. Brendal is identified with the Republican party.
EMIL HAGEN.
Born in Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, September 0. 1885. Emil Hagen, a prosperous young business man and farmer of Dalton, is the son of Ole E. Hagen and his second wife, who was Lena Sim. Mr. Hagen's parents were both natives of Norway and came to America in 1883, locating shortly in Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
Mr. Hagen's father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land m this county and has lived here ever since. He is a general farmer and stockman and has reared a family of fourteen children.
Emil Hagen received his education in the common schools of Otter Tail county. In 19II Mr. Hagen began farming in St. Olaf township on his own responsibility. About this time, in partnership with his brother, Ingvold. he purchased one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land in Otter Tail county and, in 1914, also in partnership with his brother, Ing- vold. he purchased the meat market at Dalton. The brothers enjoy a good business at Dalton and, besides this, own and operate the farm together.
In 1911 Emil Hagen was married to Ella J. Randahl, the daughter of John Randahl, and to them have been born two children, Evelyn, born in 1912, and Charlotte, born in 1914.
Mr. Hagen, who lives in Dalton, is a man of large business ability and has already made a substantial start on the road to success. He has a host of friends in Dalton and vicinity who admire him for his industry, his thrift and his careful. honest business management.
ERICK F. NELSON.
Erick F. Nelson, a well-known farmer of AAurdal township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on December 20, 1858, in Norway. Mr. Nel- son moved to Moore county, Minnesota, with his parents in 1862 and immi- grated with them to Otter Tail county. Minnesota, in 1868. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Otter Tail county and has been engaged in
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farming all of his life. Mr. Nelson has two hundred and thirty-three acres of land, a part of which belongs to the old homestead. He began farming on this land and has made most of the improvements which are to be found on the land today. The farm is equipped with very good buildings. Mr. Nelson carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Nelson is the son of Ingebret and Aaste Nelson, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1819 and the latter in 1820. They moved to Moore county, Minnesota, in 1862, and to Otter Tail county in 1868, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in this township in sections 23 and 25. Later they added sixty acres to their homestead farm by purchase and improved the land. Mr. Nelson's father died in 1906 and his mother in 1902. They were the parents of five children. Sarah, Nels, Haldi, Erick and Anton.
Erick E. Nelson was married in 1882 to Ingeborg K. Jorstad, who was born in Norway on September 28, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have five children, Edwin, Althea, Conrad, Samuel and Maybelle, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson and family are members of the Lutheran church of this township.
HAAVEĻ GRINAGER.
The largest department store in Fergus Falls is the "Golden Rule" department store, of which Haaval K. Grinager is the proprietor. Like most commercial undertakings, this store has grown to its present extensive proportions from a general store opened in Fergus Falls on March 23, 1896. The "Golden Rule" department store has occupied its present location since 1002. the store, by that time, having outgrown its former quarters. Behind the success of this splendid institution is the personality of its proprietor.
Haavel K. Grinager was born in Gran Hadeland, Norway, October 2.1. 1863. He is the son of Knut and Kjerti Grinager, the former of whom was a farmer during his active career, but who is now living retired with his daughter at Krogstadelven, Norway.
Reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and at the Gran Amt Skole, of his mitive land, Haavel K. Grinager immigrated to America with his sister, Siri, when eighteen years oldl. They arrived in America in May. 1882, and a little later established themselves at Albert Lea, Minne- sota, where Mr. Grinager endeavored to obtain employment. The only encouragement he received came from a large merchant at Albert Lea, who offered him a position without pay for a period of six months. Mr. Grin- ager naturally refused this offer and from Albert Lea went to Hartland, fourteen miles away, where he was employed by Simon & Hoffland for eighteen dollars a month. After remaining with Simon & Hoffland for
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about one year. in the fall of 1883, he went to Mayville, North Dakota, where he worked for a machine firm for eighteen months. He was next employed in the general store of Chantland Brothers and, after having been employed by them for three years, established a small general store of his own in Mayville, where he remained until the fall of 1895, when he sold out to Grinager & Springer.
During the spring of 1896, Mr. Grinager came to Fergus Falls and on March 23. 1896. established a general store on the present site of the Fergus Falls National Bank. In this location he remained for six years and at the end of that time, moved to his present location on Lincoln avenue, west The present store has been greatly increased, not only the stock of merchandise. but the floor space as well. It is now a handsome department store with a splendid front and is widely patronized by the people of Fergus Falls and vicinity.
By his marriage to Isabelle Martin, a native of Canada, Haavel K. Grinager has a family of seven children: Clinton F., who is employed in his father's store. Rachel M., Paul A., Haavel A., Emmett F., Katherine M. and Stanley .A.
Mr. Grinager has the largest and most thoroughly equipped store in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
ANTON E. NELSON.
Born in Moore county, Minnesota, July 8, 1863. Anton E. Nelson is the son of Ingebret and Aaste Nelson, both of whom were born in Norway. the former in 1819 and the latter in 1820.
Mr. Nelson's parents immigrated to America and settled in Moore county, Minnesota, in 1862. Six years later they moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded land where their son. Anton E., now lives. They homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and later bought sixty acres, making in all two hundred and twenty acres. They lived upon this farm from year to year, gradually improving their valuable farm. until their deaths. Mr. Nelson's father died in 1906 and his mother in 1002. They were the parents of five children, Sarah, Nels. Haldor, Erick and Anton F
Anton E. Nelson was reared on the old homestead farm and was edu- cated in the public schools. Mr. Nelson has always been engaged in farm- ing. Ile owns one hundred and forty acres of land in Aurdal township and. since his father's death, has erected the present buildings and has made other improvements upon the farm.
On November 22, 1805. Anton E. Nelson was married to Magne .Bye. who was born on March 22. 1878, in Dane Prairie township, a daughter of
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Stephen H. and Betsy ( Randall) Bye. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have eight children, Alice, Lillian, Hazel, Sanford, Kathleen, Clarice, Vernon and Blaine
Mr. Nelson has been a member of the school board and has been, for many years, prominent in the affairs of the Lutheran church. All of the members of the Nelson family are identified with this church. Mr. Nelson is a highly respected citizen and is known as a successful farmer in the community where he lives.
OLE O. EGGUM.
A successful farmer and a citizen who has taken no small part in the conduct of public affairs and in the regulation of church affairs in Otter Tail county, is Ole O. Eggum, the subject of this sketch, who as one of the esteemed and respected men of the community is entitled to a place among the leading citizens of the county.
Ole O. Eggum was born in Norway on March 26, 1853, the son of Ole and Martha (Olson) Eggum, who were born in Norway, where they lived until the year 1873, when they came to America, and settled at St. Olaf, Minnesota, where they lived for a time and then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where Ole Eggum farmed until his death. Ole and Martha Eggum were the parents of eight children, Ole O., Knudt, Emma, Anna, Ole, Ergreen, Knudt and Anfant. Ole Eggum and his wife, Martha, were faithful and loyal members of the Lutheran church, taking an active part in the affairs of the congregation and lending their aid to its works.
Ole O. Eggum was educated in the schools of his native country and for a short time he attended school after reaching America with his parents. At an early age Ole O. Eggum was compelled to leave his classes and he worked on farmis for some time and then he homesteaded a farm in Aastad township, where he broke up the sod and on which he built necessary build- ings and otherwise improved into one of the best farms of the locality. Mr. Eggum now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is well cultivated and improved, and completely equipped for modern farming pursuits.
During the year 1880, Ole O. Eggum was married to Renda M. Ohn- stad and to this marriage were born ten children, Olaf, Joseph, Martin, Christina. Albert. Andrew, Emil, Randolph, Emma and Elvin.
Ole O. Eggum has been prominent in the public life of Otter Tail county and of Aastad township, both as an occupant of public office and as a man of influence in the community affairs. Mr. Eggum has served his township as a supervisor, has been a member of the school board and accom- plished great work for his locality as overseer of roads. Few men of the
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Lutheran church at Rock Prairie are so well known or have proved such a worthy part of the congregation as has Ole O. Eggum, who during a period of more than fifteen years has served with tact and with unusual ability as one of the board of trustees. Whatever the matter or whenever of possible service to the township Ole (. Eggum has been willing to do his part and has won for himself a position of prominence in the community.
IVER IVERSON.
A well-known merchant of Western township. Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, a man who by his unaided efforts has risen from a modest beginning to that of one of the leading business men of the community. and one who has, as the result of intelligent endeavor, attained a conspicuous place in the public works of his locality, and who has made a host of friends because of his pleasing personality and unselfish nature, is Iver Iverson, the subject of this sketch.
Iver Iverson was born in Norway on May 1, 1864, the son of Stoner and Gertrude ( Paulsdatter ) Iverson, both of whom were born in Norway and lived in that country until August, 1870, when they came to America and located in Racine county. Wisconsin, where Stoner Iverson secured employment in a pinery, a place where he worked for about one year. Dur- ing the spring of 1871 he and his family moved to Otter Tail county. where he homesteaded a farm in Western township. In taking possession of his claim, Stoner Iverson found the land to be raw prairie and without improvement ; he therefore proceeded to break up the soil and after gather- ing logs built a log house to replace the dug-out, in which he was compelled to live during the first days on his newly-acquired land. Later this hardy pioneer of Otter Tail county built new and modern buildings for his farm, set out trees which have now grown to be three feet in diameter, and equipped his farm with those things necessary to pursue the most approved methods of farming. For the past fifteen years Mr. Iverson has lived in retirement with his son, his wife, Gertrude, having died during the year 1895.
Stoner and Gertrude Iverson were the parents of the following chil- dren : N. A. Nelson, deceased; Iver, the subject of this sketch, and Bertha. who died at the age of three years, shortly after reaching America.
Iver Iverson was educated in the public schools of Racine county, Wis- consin, and in the common schools of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, after which he became a farmer and lived on the home place, to which he added, by purchase, one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he followed gen- eral agricultural pursuits until the year 1910, when, desiring to retire from the farm. Iver Iverson bought the mercantile business of J. H. Rice, a place
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located near his farm, and a business which he now conducts in a most enterprising manner.
On January 25, 1802, Iver Iverson was married to .Anna M. Engebret- son, who was born in the state of Iowa, July 16, 1867, and with her parents came to Otter Tail county in the year 1871. To the marriage of Iver and Anna Iverson were born the following children: Blonda, born on June 10. 1893: Claris, January 19, 1895; Edna, November 7. 1806; Ida and Agnes, twins, February 1, 1898; Horace, February 1. 1901, and Normand, Septem- ber 23, 1905
Iver Iverson and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are people who take an interested and prominent part in the work and worship of that congregation.
Of the men in Western township who have served their localities in public office, Iver Iverson is one of the best known and one who has made an enviable record as chairman of the township board, as an efficient town- ship treasurer, and as treasurer of the school district. In all local affairs Iver Iverson is a man whose counsel and judgment are sought and he is a citizen of the type which has done great things for the community life.
OTTO J. BRANDSLIEN.
Among the farmers of Otter Tail county who have made a notable success of their business, as well as being men well known in the community for their interest in public affairs and for their willingness to be of service in all matters for the promotion of general interests, is Otto J. Brandslien, of Tumuli township, who was born in Norway, July 7. 1856, the son of Iver and Mary ( Brandslien ) Brandslien, who were natives of Norway and lived and died in that country. Iver Brandslien was a farmer in his native land. a pursuit which he followed until later in life, when he was a country merchant. Iver and Mary Brandslien were the parents of thirteen children.
Otto J. Brandslien, the subject of this sketch, received the greater part of his education in Norway, where he lived until the year 1878, and then came to America and settled in Aastad township, this county, where he lived for some time and then he secured a farm of one hundred and thirty acres of land in Tumuli township where he now lives. Mr. Brandslien has one of the well-cultivated and well-improved farms of the community, a place which is cared for after the most approved methods and a farm on which the buildings and the equipment show the results of progressive farming.
During the year 1882 Otto J. Brandslien was married to Berit Nordal, who was born in Norway and who came to this country alone. To this marriage were born six children, Mary. Johanna. Enger, Albert, Louisa and Emma.
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Otto J. Brandslien and wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and as workers and well-known communicants they take a leading place in this congregation. Mr. Brandsiien has served his township in the important office of road overseer and during his term of office much advancement was made in the matter of improving the public highways.
As a citizen in public life and as a supporter of public measures, Otto J. Brandslien is a force in the county and township and is of an element of citizenship that has done no small part in the development and advancement of the community life and community interests.
EDWARD J. WEBBER.
The late Edward J. Webber, who was a well-known and successful banker and manufacturer of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was a native of Wheeling, Illinois, where he was born on April 2, 1858.
Mr. Webber's boyhood days were passed in Wheeling and Crown Point, Indiana. Later he moved to Niles, Michigan, and resided there for several years. In 1882 he was married in Niles to Emma Backmann, the daughter of Francis X. Backmann, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, then a province of France. To this marriage there were born two children, Her- bert E. and Marjory L.
After his marriage, Mr. Webber and his wife came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he engaged in the blacksmith's trade with E. Shaver, who was at that time operating a small blacksmith shop on Lincoln avenue, east. A short time afterward Mr. Webber engaged in the blacksmith busi- ness on his own account, his shop at that period being located on the present site of A. J. Fellows' shop. He occupied rooms over the shop and a few months afterwards moved into the building, which was destroyed by fire. Practically everything he had was lost, but with the energy which charac- terized his entire career he rebuilt and soon was able to claim a first-class business.
From the blacksmith's trade he gradually shifted into the machinery business. He first put in a few plows and later a general line of farm machinery. He was soon enjoying a splendid patronage and his business steadily increased beyond his expectations. He was still planning to extend his sphere of activity at the time of his death, which occurred on March 12, 1005. At the time of his death, Mr. Webber was president of the Fergus Falls National Bank, president of the Fergus Packing Company and presi- dent of the Fergus Casket Works, as well as one of the joint owners of the Manhattan building. He was also largely interested in other city property. Some years before his death, Mr. Webber was made president of the bank
EDWARD JJ. WEBBER.
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at Deer Creek. He was a director in the bank at Pelican Rapids and the owner of a number of farm properties in Otter Tail county.
MIr. Webber had a wonderful capacity for business and a wonderful talent for business details. His judgment was practically unerring and as fast as he accumulated money he invested it in new enterprises.
The late Edward J. Webber was one of the most genial of men. He was possessed of those admirable qualities of heart and head which made him respected in the city and county where the greatest measure of his suc- cess was obtained. Aside from the consideration and attention which he gave to his family he was interested in all good works, and gave his time ungrudgingly in the promotion of worthy public enterprises. At the time of his death he was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
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