USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 17
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LEONARD PETERSON.
From Sweden has come to America many of this country's most desir- able and successful men of foreign birth. Industrious, resourceful, serving their adopted country honestly and faithfully, and men who in the material things of life have achieved great results, as they have in the matters of good lives and citizenship, they have won a conspicuous place in the hearts of the American people. Of this type of manhood and citizenship is Leon- ard Peterson, the subject of this sketch, who is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Otter Tail county.
Leonard Peterson was born in Sweden on June 17, 1876, the son of C. J. and Christine (Johnson) Peterson, both of whom were born in Sweden, in which country they lived until the year 1878, when they came to America and settled in Kossuth county, Iowa, where they invested in some railroad land, on which they lived until the year 1903, and then they moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, living there until, during the year 1905. they went to the town of Fergus Falls, where C. J. Peterson has since lived in retirement. C. J. and Christine Peterson are active and devout members of the Swedish Baptist church. a congregation in which they are highly respected and worthy communicants. To the marriage of C. J. and Christine Peterson have been born two sons, Elmer and Leonard.
Leonard Peterson was educated in the public schools of the state of lowa, and afterward was employed as a farmer until the year 1903, when he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he worked as a farmer. In the year 1005 he took charge of the farm of his father-in-law, a place located in Western township, on which he lived for ten years. In the year 1911 Leonard Peterson bought a farm of two hundred and ten acres, and
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moved to that place in the spring of the year 1915, and has since been located there, where he engages in general farming and in the feeding and the breeding of high-class Guernsey cattle, this together with the raising of Chester White hogs.
During the year 1004 Leonard Peterson was married to Caroline Rul- land, the daughter of lver Olson Rulland and wife, people who were among the early settlers and homesteaders of Western township, Otter Tail county. To the marriage of Leonard and Caroline Peterson were born the following children : Clifford, Birdie, Leonora and Carl.
Leonard Peterson is among the best known of the farmers of the com- munity and is known as a man of public spirit and a man who is at all times willing to do his duty in matters having for their object the betterment of the community life. Mrs. Peterson is known as an active member of Our Savior's Norwegian Lutheran church, being prominent and conspicuous in the worship and work of that organization.
ERWIN FRED NEWMANN.
One of the best known of the farmers who have made a success of agricultural pursuits, while yet men young in years, is Erwin Fred New- mann, who on taking over the farm of his father, on the death of the elder Newmann, has so conducted the farm and has so tilled the soil that the place is among the most productive and most desirable farms of the community. Erwin F. Newmann, as a young citizen of Otter Tail county, has con- ducted himself in such a manner that he is one of the respected and appre- ciated men of Western township. to whom the people of the community are looking for the proper and intelligent management of the affairs of public life in the near future.
Erwin Fred Newman was born on the Newmann homestead in West- ern township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on October 6. 1892, the son of Frederick and Tilda (Fabian) Newmann, both of whom were born in Germany. Frederick Newmann was educated in Germany and after serving in the German army for three years he came, at the age of twenty-two years. to America and located at Blue Earth, Minnesota, where he was employed at railroad work until the year 1882, when he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded a farm in Western township, on which Erwin Fred Newmann now lives. Some time after acquiring his original farm Frederick Newmann added by purchase a large acreage, until he was the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of valuable and desirable land in this county. Progressive and modern farmer that he was, Frederick New- mann placed extensive improvements on his farm and lived at this place.
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with his wife, for some years, after which, on their death, the farm was turned over to Erwin Fred Newmann, the subject of this sketch.
Frederick Newmann and his family were all interested and devoted members of the German Evangelical church, where they attended regularly, and took an active part in the worship and works of the congregation.
Frederick and Tilda Newmann were the parents of ten children, as follow : William, Edith, Amelia, Emma, Adolph, John, Charles, Minnie, Rudolph and Erwin F. Minnie married Emil Vollbrecht, who died on June 30, 1914, and she is now keeping house for her brother, Erwin F.
Erwin Fred Newmann was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, and afterward worked on the Newmann home place until, on the death of his father, Frederick Newmann, Erwin F. became the possessor of two hundred and eighty-six acres of land, on which he now lives and does general farming. Erwin Fred Newmann, in addition to the general farin work, keeps a number of fine grade cattle, and has twenty cows for dairy purposes.
CHARLES YOUNGBERG.
A farmer who has been a thorough success, both in the pursuit of agricultural life, and as a citizen of worth to the community is Charles Youngberg, who was born in Sweden, October 10, 1870, the son of Isaac and Sarah Youngberg, both of whom were born in Sweden, where they now live Isaac Youngberg is now a farmer in his native land, he previously having served as a soldier for his country, although he was not actively engaged in war. Isaac and Sarah Youngberg were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living.
Charles Youngberg was educated in the public schools, where he attended classes until fifteen years of age and then came to America with his brother, Algot, who now lives at Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, Minne- sota. ()n reaching America, Charles Youngberg immediately came to Otter Tail county, where he worked generally on farms for some time and then rented a farm which he operated. after which, in 1905, he bought one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Western township, where he has since lived. Charles Youngberg, as a progressive and modern farmer, has greatly improved his farm and has secured the best equipment for agricultural pur- suits, this with highly cultivated land makes Mr. Youngberg a farmer of the first rank in Western township and in Otter Tail county.
During the year 1913 Charles Youngberg was married to Nanna Nel- son, who was born in Norway and at an early age came to this country, making the journey alone. To this marriage has been born one son. Carl Minart.
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Charles Youngberg and his wife are members of the Swedish Luth- eran church at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mr. Youngberg has taken no especial part in the political life of the community, but has preferred to serve as a good citizen in the more commonplace walks of life represented in the township. Charles Youngberg has been ever ready to serve his county in any way possible, and has been of that company of men who are of great valne to the locality as citizens capable of doing many things for the advance of material and moral interests in the community.
HERMAN C. FABIAN.
A successful farmer, a heavy landowner, an extensive breeder and dealer in live stock and a man who, in the pursuit of agricultural life, has adopted the most approved and scientific methods, both as to equipment and as to processes, Herman C. Fabian has shown himself to he a citizen whose progressiveness and whose advanced ideas in farm effort are the pride of the community and are things which not only add to the convenience of the owner, but are important elements in the instruction and advancement of agricultural interests.
Herman C. Fabian is a native of Otter Tail county, having been born in Western township on April 15, 1873. the son of William and Augusta ( Roloff ) Fabian, both of whom were born in Germany and later came to America and made their home in Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
Herman C. Fabian was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, after which he immediately engaged in agricultural pursuits, secur- ing two hundred acres of land in Grant county, Minnesota, where he lived for some time and then purchased his present farm of six hundred and forty acres in Aastad township, where he has lived the greater part of a quarter of a century.
Of those farmers engaged in all branches of farm activity, probably no one is better or more widely known for their extensive dealings and for the scope of their work than is Herman C. Fabian, who not only farms on a large scale but is a breeder of purebred Brown Swiss cattle, animals which are recognized as among the finest to be found in the entire state or its vicinity. Mr. Fabian also engages as a breeder of Percheron and Belgian horses, this together with the feeding and the breeding of Poland and China and Duroc hogs.
During the year 1908 Herman C. Fabian designed and constructed what is known to the community as a model house for the care of dairy products and for the grinding of feed and grain. On the first floor of a well built and neatly-arranged house has been placed a gasoline engine, to which power has been attached the cream separator, the churn and the wash-
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ing machine, while above on the second floor has been arranged a feed grinder so placed and connected as to automatically operate for the grind- ing of grain whenever any of the processes of the first floor equipment are in action. In the basement of this building has been arranged a cream cellar, a place that is at all times cool and well ventilated. A portion of this model building has also been set off as a garage, where Mr. Fabian stores and cares for his automobile.
A notable feature of the farm of Herman C. Fabian is the barn, a structure which, though forty by one hundred feet in dimensions and one of the largest barns to be found in the entire county, was erected in the record time of one hundred and forty-six hours. In keeping with the other improvements of this modern farmer, this barn is well equipped and well arranged for the care of extensive holdings of horses, hogs and some fifteen head of cows used for dairy purposes.
On March 24, 1898, Herman C. Fabian was married to Emma Smith, who was born in Friburg township, the daughter of Ferdinand and Amanda ( Zuehlselorff) Smith. To this marriage were born three children, Alfred, Earl and William.
Herman C. Fabian and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, a congregation in which they are highly respected, and a church which Mr. and Mrs. Fabian, with their children, support in a most hearty manner.
In political life, Herman C. Fabian has taken no especial part, but has served well as an individual citizen and is known as a man who will sup- port all movements and measures for the good of the community or its people. A man who is friendly and of pleasing personality and a citizen who makes of "South Central Grove Stock Farm" a hospitable and cordial place in the township, Herman C. Fabian is a man with a host of friends and admiring fellow citizens.
TOBIAS SIMONSON LIEN.
Of those men who of earlier days were an important part of the com- munity life, citizens who supported all things for public good, and men who were willing to give of their time and energies, even to the point of sacri- fice, that conditions might be better for those who follow, the name of Tobias Simonson Lien, who has gone to his reward, stands out conspicu- ously as one whose unselfishness and public-spirited nature accomplished great things for Otter Tail county and for Tumuli township.
Tobias Simonson Lien was born in Norway on March 26, 1857, the son of Simon Lien, who was born in Norway and lived in that country during his entire life, Simon Lien being a farmer.
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Tobias Simonson Lien received his education in the public schools of his native land, after which he worked as a farmer for some time and then marrying, he came with his wife to America, in the year 1882, and located in Aastad township, this county, where for a time he rented a farm and then later bought the place where he lived for the remainder of his life and there his widow now lives. The farm of Tobias Simonson Lien was well improved by this worthy farmer and citizen, who left no thing undone that his home place might be attractive and convenient for residence and for agricultural purposes.
The wife of Tobias S. Lien was Ann Burg, daughter of well-known and highly-respected people in Norway, who are now deceased. To the marriage of Tobias and Ann Lien were born the following children : Amund, Mary, Martha, Thea, Sophia, Sigvert, Thoralf, Alfred, Adolph, Emma, Emilia, Oscar, Amanda and Edwin.
Tobias Simonson Lien was an active member of the Norwegian Luth- eran church at Dalton, Minnesota, a congregation in which his death has caused much of the sense of the loss of a good and worthy man.
Tobias Simonson Lien did not aspire to public office but was a man of quiet and retiring disposition, one who preferred to serve well and con- scientiously from the ranks of common citizenship.
Tobias Simonson Lien died on July 13, 1913, mourned by many friends and fellow citizens.
CHRISTIAN JORGENSEN.
A man who has taken a leading place in the circles of his activity, whether in business, trade or in public office, and a man who by the trend of his life has won a host of friends, is Christian Jorgensen, who was born in Denmark, February 11. 1863, the son of Jorgen and Anna (Rasmussen) Christiansen, who were natives of Denmark and lived in that country dur- ing their entire lives. Jorgen Christiansen was a farmer of his native land, and was the son of Jorgen Jorgensen, who also followed agricultural pur- suits, until his death.
Christian Jorgensen received his education in the public schools of Denmark, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a time in his native country. In the year 1887 Christian Jorgensen came to America and located at Sioux City, Iowa, where he continued at his trade for some years and then moved to Rock county, Minnesota, where he engaged in general blacksmith work until the year 1908, when he retired from trade and rented a farm for three years. after which he came to Western township, where he now lives on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved and well-cultivated land.
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During the year 1884 Christian Jorgensen was married to Sophia Carlson, who was born in Sweden, and who at an early age went to the country of Denmark, where she was married to Mr. Jorgensen. After thir- teen years of happy married life Sophia (Carlson) Jorgensen died. Christ- ian Jorgensen, during the year 1898. was married, secondly, to Juliane M. Olson, who was born in Norway, came to America alone and settled in the state of Minnesota. The following children were born to Christian and Juliane Jorgensen: Sophia. Anna, Sigvard, Marie, Dagmar, Ove, Hans, Elmer and Vera.
Christian Jorgensen has served this and other communities as an occu- pant of the office of school director and during the term of his office has done many things for the advancement and promotion of the interests of the public schools. Mr. Jorgensen is now one of the influential members of the school board of Western township. In church circles Christian Jor- gensen is a member of the local Presbyterian church.
HANS S. BERGERUD.
A well-known and prosperous farmer of Otter Tail county and of Aastad township, one who has been loyal to the community in matters of citizenship, and one who because of his unselfish nature and on account of his sense of duty to the welfare and progress of life and affairs of the locality, has won for himself a place of respect and esteem in the hearts of the local people, is Hans S. Bergerud, who was born on the family home- stead in Western township, Otter Tail county, on September 5, 1873, the son of Stengrim and Mary (Olson) Hansen, whose lives are reviewed elsewhere in this volume.
Hans S. Bergerud was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, after which he became a farmer, purchasing two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Aastad township, where he now lives and pursues general agricultural life, producing excellent crops on his well-tilled soil, and also keeping some purebred cattle, which are used for breeding purposes. The farm of Hans S. Bergerud is well improved, has first-class equipment and is conducted on modern and approved methods.
During the year 1904 Hans S. Bergerud was married to Helen B. Ryden, who was born in Doring, Minnesota, the daughter of Peter O. and Ragnild (Iverson) Ryden. To the marriage of Hans S. and Helen Berge- rud have been born six children: Roy, Ernest, Palmer, Linden and Lila, twins, and Harry.
In the political and public life of Aastad township. Otter Tail county. Minnesota, Hans S. Bergerud is well and favorably known as a man of tact and of special ability in the matters which have come before him as an
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official in the capacity of clerk of the school district, an office with which this worthy citizen has been honored for more than six years.
Hans S. Bergerud and his wife are earnest and devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are people whose efforts in support of the policies and activities of this congregation are greatly appreciated.
STENGRIM HANSEN.
A veteran of the Civil War, one who took part in many of its most important engagements, a citizen who in local life has proved himself of great value to the community, and who has been a most important part of the development of those things which have done much for the moral and physical betterment of the township and county, and a man who has made a host of admiring friends as the result of his useful and unselfish life, is Stengrim Hansen, who was born in Norway, October 22, 1843, the son of Hans S. and Martha (Kupsing) Bergerud.
Hans S. Bergerud, following the death of his wife, Martha, came to America and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in the year 1872. living with his sons, Erik and Christian, for a time. Hans S. Bergerud then took up a homestead of eighty acres of land in Aastad township, land which his son, Stengrim, the subject of this sketch; had pre-empted at an earlier time, it being what was known as "double-priced" land. Some time later Hans S. Bergerud was married, secondly, to Mary Olson, who was born in Norway, and who came to this country about the same time as Mr. Bergerud. Hans S. Bergerud suffered the loss of his second wife in death after some time and then went to live with his son, Christian, dying at that place. Hans S. and Martha (Kupsing) Bergerud were the parents of the following children: Gumnell, Thorston, Stengrim, Erik, Christian and Chris- topher. To the marriage of Hans and Mary (Olson) Bergerud were born four children, as follow: Martin, Olena, Andrena and Gunell.
Strengrim Hansen, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Norway. With his sister, Gunell, and her husband, he came to America in the year 1861 and went to the state of Iowa, where they located in Winneshiek county, living there for a short time. Stengrim Hansen enlisted as a volunteer in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and served with that regiment for the remainder of the Civil War, after which he continued as a cavalryman and took part in many of the engagements while clearing the Indians from the states of North and South Dakota. Following his experience as a soldier, Stengrim Hansen returned to the state of Iowa and worked as a farmer on eighty acres of land which he owned until the year 1871, when he sold his land in Iowa and came to Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Western
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township, later adding, by purchase, one hundred and sixty acres more. On this land Stengrim Hansen placed many improvements and now lives at this place, engaging in general farming pursuits. Mr. Hansen has also "free claimed" fifty-five acres adjoining his farm and running along the lake.
During the year 1860 Stengrim Hansen was married to Mary Olson. who was born in Norway and came to America with her parents, who located in Winneshiek county, Iowa. To the marriage of Stengrim and Mary Hansen were born the following children: Martha, Ole, Hans, Gunell, Theodore, Gustav. Martin, Gilbert and Edward, who died at the age of twenty-seven years.
Few men have been more loyal to their faith and church than has Stengrim Hansen, who has aided in the construction of three churches of the Norwegian Lutheran denomination in Western township. As a mem- ber of his church Mr. Hansen is esteemed and honored, not only for the part that he has done for the people of his faith, but on account of his good and his unselfish life. Stengrim Hansen is no less honored in the town of Fergus Falls, where the St. Luke's hospital was made possible largely due to the efforts and sacrifices of this worthy man.
In political life Stengrim Hansen has taken no especial part but has preferred to serve his community in other ways, the results of which will long be to the good of the locality and its various life and interests.
IVER OLSON RULLAND.
One of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of Otter Tail county and of Western township, a man who has taken a notable place in the public life of the township, and one who as a result of progressive thought has done much for the advancement of the community interests, is Iver Olson Rulland, who was born in Norway, January 15, 1831, the son of Ole and Helga Rulland, who lived and died in their native land of Norway.
Iver Olson Rulland was educated in Norway, where he lived until after his marriage. In the year 1865 he came to America with his wife and settled in the state of Wisconsin, where they lived for about seven years and then moved to Western township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where Mr. Rulland homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, a place on which he has placed extensive improvements and where he now lives. From time to time Iver O. Rulland added to his original farm until he now is the owner of four hundred and six acres of land, all well improved and in a high state of cultivation.
During the year 1860 Iver Olson Rulland was married to Bertha Bred- eveien, daughter of a well-known farmer of Norway. To the marriage of
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Iver and Bertha Rulland have been born the following children: Caroline, who married Leo Peterson; Toneta and Ida.
Iver Olson Rulland, in the public life of Western township, has served efficiently and well as treasurer of the school board and has at all times held himself in readiness to be of any possible service to his community, either in public office, with its sacrifices, or as a private citizen prepared to throw his influence and his efforts towards a better and more advanced township and county.
Iver Olson Rulland is a prominent member of the Norwegian Luth- eran church, one who is highly respected and appreciated for his work in the congregation.
HALVOR P. LIGAARD.
Among those hard-working Norsemen who have fought for honor both in their native land and in the land of their adoption, is Halvor P. Ligaard, who emigrated to America in 1882 and came direct to Tumuli township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where his cousin, Erik Ingebictson, had a home. He is the son of Peter Halverson and Segri ( Olsdatter ) Ligaard, both natives of Norway and farmers in that country, their farm home being known as "Ligaard." Halvor P. Ligaard was born on March 27, 1859. and is one of six children born to the union of his parents. The names of the children follow : Maggie, Thora, Halvor P., Halga, Ann and Segrid. Segri (Olsdatter ) Ligaard emigrated to America after the death of her husband and spent the last fifteen years of her life in this country, with her children. Her death occurred on April 1, 1910.
Halvor P. Ligaard became the employee of James Woodward imme- diately after his arrival in the United States, and remained in his service for a period of seven years, but at the close of five years had saved the wherewithal to purchase a farm. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land of Ole Hendricks, which was entirely unimproved, but is, at the present time, very well improved with substantial buildings and has a barn seventy-eight by fifty-eight feet in dimensions. Eighty acres has been added to the original property, and it is all improved.
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