USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
Christian C. Knudson was born in Norway, February 15, 1869, the son of Christian and Engebor (Ostrus) Knudson, who were born in Norway and lived in that country until the year 1872, when they came to America and located in Webster county, Iowa, where they rented a farm on which they lived for some time and then bought the place where they made their home for the next eighteen years. Later they moved to Palo Alto county, Iowa, where Christian Knudson, Sr., purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land which he now owns, though he and his wife live in retirement at the town of Emmittsburg, Palo Alto county, Iowa. To the marriage of Christian and Engebor Knudson were born the following children : Christian, the subject of this sketch; Anna, Carrie, Thomas, Carl, Herbert, Hannah, Oscar, Ida, Emma and Elmer.
Christian Knudson, father of the subject of this sketch, is the son of Knudt and Ann Moon, who were natives of Norway, a country where Knudt Moon spent his entire life. After his death his wife, Ann, came to America with a son, some time after Christian Knudson, Sr., had emigrated to this country. On reaching America .Ann Moon, with her son, located in Web- ster county, Iowa, where she died some time later.
Engebor Knudson, mother of the subject of this sketch. is the daugh- ter of Toley and Christian Ostrus, both of whom were born in Norway, in which country they made their home until the year 1877, when they came to America and settled in Webster county, Iowa, where Toley Ostrus was engaged in general farming until his death. Christina Ostrus, following
100
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the death of her husband, went to the state of South Dakota, in which state she died.
Christian Knudson, father of the subject of this sketch, was married to Christina Ostrus, who was the mother of one son, Knud, who died at the age of twenty-four years, while a resident of the state of Michigan. Shortly following the birth of her son, Christina ( Ostrus) Knudson died, and after some time Christian Knudson was married to a sister of his deceased wife.
Christian C. Knudson was educated in the public schools of Webster county, lowa, after which he farmed for one year in that locality and then went to Palo Alto county, lowa, where he rented a farm until the year 1912, at which time he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Aastad township, a place where he has since lived.
On April 22, 1896, Christian C. Knudson was married to Jennie Jacob- son, who was born in Marshall county, lowa, October 14, 1879, the daugh- ter of Serenius H. Jacobson and wife, who were natives of Norway. To the marriage of Christian and Jennie Knudson were born the following children : Clarence. Silas, Clara, Cornelia, Charlotte, Alice, Kilridge, Thresa. Chester and Hjelmer.
Christian C. Knudson is a member of the Lutheran church, in which congregation he takes an active part in the work and where he is among the most appreciated communicants.
In all works or movements for the general welfare of the farmer, or for the various walks of life in Otter Tail county, Christian C. Knudson is a force in the direction of progress and is one of the important elements of citizenship in the community.
AMUND JOHNSON.
One of the most successful farmers and a heavy landowner of Otter Tail county, a man who from a modest beginning has grown to be prominent in the ranks of agricultural life and a man who as a citizen has taken no small part in the advancement of the community and the development of its resources, is Amund Johnson, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Norway, October 11. 1859. the son of John Gunderson and Ingeborg ( Runigen ) Ler, both of whom were natives of Norway.
Following his marriage in the land of his birth, John Gunderson with his wife, during the year 1868, came to America, and located at Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin, where he was engaged as a farmer for the remainder of his life. His wife, Ingeborg, survives her husband and now lives near the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To the marriage of John Gunderson and his wife Ingeborg, were born the following children: Gunder, who lives in the state of South Dakota: Amund. the subject of this sketch; Martin,
IQI
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOT.I.
who lives in Grant county, Minnesota, and Gunder, who lives near Mil- waukee, Wisconsin.
Amund Johnson was educated in the public schools of the state of Wisconsin, after which he worked for some time at general farm work, and then he went to Pelican Lake, Grant county, Minnesota, about the year 1877. working on the farms of that region for the greater part of two years, and then he went to the state of South Dakota, and pre-empted land, which after two years he sold and moved to Ashby, Grant county, Minnesota, where he farmed for three years, and followed the butcher business at the town of Ashby for six years.
During the year 1892, Amund Johnson bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Aastad township, a place which on taking possession he found uneleared and unbroken, but which this progressive farmer soon con- verted into a modern farm with good buildings, and which now is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Johnson now owns four hundred acres of first- class land in Otter Tail county, all of which is well cared for and improved with necessary buildings and equipment.
Amund Johnson, during the year 1882, was married to Lena Johnson who is the daughter of Lage Johnson and wife, natives of Norway. To the marriage of Amund and Lena Johnson have been born the following children : Lage, Gerhard, Nora and Myrtle.
Amund Johnson has been a good citizen of Otter Tail county, serving his township at one time on the township board and at all times being will- ing to aid in all moves for the advancement of local interests. In religious affiliation Amund Johnson and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
ANDREW PETERSON.
It has been truly said that "It is not by sleeping, but by working, wak- ing and laboring continually, that proficiency is attained and reputation acquired." Were this test to be applied to him whose life record is briefly sketched here, he might be considered an exemplification for the statement. for from his early manhood, ambition, industry and honesty have been marked characteristics. Andrew Peterson, for thirty-three years, a resi- dent of Pelican Rapids, is a native of Sweden, having been born there on September 22, 1853. Hle is the son of Peter and Christine ( Haugland ) Arinson, both of whom were born in Sweden, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Peterson operated a foundry. Their children were ten in num- ber, three of whom are dead, and one of these was named Sabina. The others are Orin, Eva, John, Aleas, Eric, Carl and Andrew.
Andrew attended school in Sweden and also became proficient there in the carpenter's trade. In April. 1880, he immigrated to America and
192
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
followed his trade first in Ishpeming, Michigan. He later followed the same trade in Chicago, Wisconsin and Fergus Falls. From the latter place he removed to Pelican Rapids in 1882. As the railroad was then in con- struction he rode only as far as its terminus and was compelled to walk the rest of the way, a distance of two miles. Here he was a carpenter for many years, in fact until he went into the furniture and undertaking business about the year 1895. He has succeded in this undertaking and today is well known in his present line of work.
Rockel Norhan became Mrs. Andrew Peterson in 1888. Although a native of Norway, she was then living in Pelican Rapids with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Norhan, who afterward took up a homestead claim in North Dakota. The children born of this union are five in number, namely : Inger Christinia, Oscar P., Alma Christinia, Carl Johan and Ruth Meria. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are devoted members of the Lutheran church, to which they have been generous both with their time and means.
With faith in himself and in the universal good, Mr. Peterson has made his life one of influence and usefulness, and has had the reward of knowing that he has made many warm friends in this locality.
WILLIAM LINCOLN.
The Lincoln family have been prominent in the official life of Otter Tail county for more than a quarter of a century. William Lincoln, the well-known auditor of Otter Tail county, who succeeded his father to this office, not only is well known in the political life of the county, but is a highly respected citizen in private circles.
William Lincoln is a native of Albert Lee, Minnesota, where he was born on May 23. 1877, a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Gates) Lincoln, the former of whom was engaged in the mercantile business for some time. and later in clerical work. He served seventeen years as a deputy in vari- ous county offices, and was nine years auditor of Otter Tail county.
In the spring of 1882 the Lincoln family removed to Fergus Falls, and it was there that William Lincoln received his early education. He was graduated from the Fergus Falls high school, after which he was employed on Wheelock's Weekly for three years. He then became a clerk in the office of the county auditor, under his father, William C. Lincoln, and on February 20, 1908, was appointed county auditor to fill out the unexpired term of his father, whose untimely death occurred in that month. In the fall of 1008, Mr. Lincoln was triumphantly elected to the office which his father had so capably filled. and to which he had succeeded after his father's death. He was again elected in 1910, and was re-elected in 1912 and in IO1.1. . Altogether he has filled the office of county auditor a little more than
WILLIAM C. LINCOLN.
WILLIAM LINCOLN.
193
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
eight years, and has given to the people of Otter Tail county not only con- scientious, but efficient service.
In 1903 William Lincoln was married to Perle Czeskleba, and to this union have ben born four children, Mildred, William C., Helen Leone and Donald.
JOHN ERIKSON.
On that roll of honored citizens, the memory of whom the people of Otter Tail county delight in perpetuating, is the name of John Erikson, who as a good citizen in the community in the more commonplace life, as well as having been a valued citizen of the nation, who in the days of the great Rebellion served through the perils of the most severe days of the most extensive campaigns, has won for himself a place in the hearts of his countrymen that will not soon be effaced. Successful as a farmer, efficient in business, public spirited as a citizen and forceful of personality as a man, his death was a distinct loss to the county.
John Erikson was born in Norway, November 14, 1843, the son of Erik and Berit ( Johnson) Helgeson, who were natives of Norway, where they lived until the year 1852, when they came to America and located in Racine county, Wisconsin, where they lived for some time and then went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where Erik Helgeson bought eighty acres of land, on which he put extensive improvements, and where he lived for the remainder of his life. Erik and Berit (Johnson) Helgeson were the parents of seven children.
John Erikson was educated in the public schools of the state of Wis- consin and Minnesota, after which he worked for some time at general farm employment. During the year 1865 John Erikson enlisted for service with Company E, Eleventh Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, serving until the close of the war, during which time he was a sufferer with typhoid fever contracted while on duty.
Some time after leaving the service of his country John Erikson came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Aastad township, establishing a home here, where he lived for the remainder of his life. After improving his original farm until it was in first-class condition, John Erikson, added by purchase forty acres adjoining and at another time bought thirty-eight acres of timber land, on all of which that enterprising farmer placed a number of improve- ments.
On October 19, 1868, John Erikson was married to Berit Boeye, who was a native of Norway, the daughter of Boeye Almunson and Berit Ostend-
(13b)
194
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
son, who came to America in the year 1864, going to the state of Iowa, where they remained two weeks and then coming to the state of Minnesota, where they established a home in Goodhne county, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Berit, the wife of John Erikson, is one of four children. To the marriage of John and Berit Erikson were born the fol- lowing children: Erik. Osten. Henry, Berit, John, Berner and Anna. Of these children, Henry lives on the home farm.
John Erikson was a faithful and devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, giving freely of his time and his interests for the promo- tion of the welfare of that organization. John Erikson was a good man, a kind father and loving husband, and a man and citizen of whom, and of whose record, the people of Aastad township are justly appreciative.
John Erikson died on September 4, 1895, mourned by hosts of friends and fellow citizens.
JOHN M. JOHNSON.
John M. Johnson, as present mayor of Pelican Rapids, as well as the first settler of Pelican township, is deserving of more than casual mention in the present publication. A resident of this township for forty-six years. his life and character have had a strong influence upon the community in which he has been a leader. Mr. Johnson, who was born in Sweden on April 6, 1843, came to this country when he was twenty-three years of age. He is the son of John and Johanna ( Ness) Johnson, both of whom were born in his native land.
Mrs. Johnson died when the subject of this sketch was a lad of five years and her husband came to America in 1869 and made his home with his son, John, until he was over ninety years of age. In Sweden he was engaged in the farming industry and served in the Swedish army. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are John M. whose life history is here pre- sented; Alese, who died in this country, and Inger, a resident of Detroit. Michigan.
After receiving his education in his native country, John Johnson farmed there and in Norway, to which country he went in 1863. Three years later he came to the United States and located in White Water, Wis- consin, but the same year he became a citizen of Winship county, Iowa. Returning to Wisconsin, he worked in the pineries for Knapp, Stout & Com- pany, one of the largest lumber companies in the state. In the spring of 1860 he braved the wilderness of the north and became the first settler of what is now known as Pelican township. . As a "squatter" he pre-empted the land and later homesteaded and has now made this tract one of the most productive farms in the county. It is three hundred and sixty acres
195
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
in extent and to this estate may be added three hundred and twenty acres which he owns in Canada. On this homestead, where besides farming he raised Guernsey cattle, he lived until 1910 when he built a home in Pelican Rapids.
While Mr. Johnson was the first pioneer to brave life in Pelican town- ship, three other families came to this county at the same time and located in Norwegian Grove township. Mr. Johnson was at this time unmarried. With the four families that traveled together he camped the first night (Thursday) on the west bank of Prairie lake. Their peaceful slumbers were disturbed by the stealthy tread of eight Indian braves. Fortunately, Mr. Johnson had learned to talk Chippewa during his service as cook in the northern pineries, and also when he took part in government surveys at LeVern, Minnesota, and along the South Dakota line and when he worked along Red river. So he acted as spokesman for the little group of fright- ened pioneers, and a council was held at which it was agreed that the whites should farm and the Indians should be allowed to hunt and that they would be friendly in their relations.
On Saturday night of the same week, while Mr. Johnson was away, . the women of the camping party were terrorized by seeing ten Indians scantily clad approaching the camp The women fled panic-stricken to the woods, but the Indians made no further attempt to enter the camp. The fright of this event, however, caused the four families to pack up their few . household goods and to move westward within the present boundaries of Norwegian Grove township. Some time after this episode Mr. Johnson inquired of the Indians why they had molested the camp after their agree- ment to be peaceful. The red men were surprised at the question and said that they wanted only to trade some game for cornmeal. Mr. Johnson then explained to them that in their almost undressed condition, they had fright- ened the settlers away. There was no further interruption to the peace of the campers though they still insisted upon moving away.
Myra Berg became the wife of Mr. Johnson in 1873. She was born in Norway and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Berg. Her father came to America and made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson until his death at the age of ninety-four. The children born in this household are H. M., a physician of Dawson, Minnesota; Matilda, the deceased wife of Otto Crookstad; Caroline, who is Mrs. Adolph Arneson, of Pelican town- ship; Alga, who lives at home; Emma, who is Mrs. Oscar Sillerod, of Peli- can township; Carl M., a physician living at Montevideo, Minnesota. The Johnson family are members of the United Lutheran church. Mrs. John- son died on June 15. 1913.
Mr. Johnson. besides having farming interests, is a director of the
.
106
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
First National Bank. For fifteen years, he was on the board of township trustees and was chairman most of the time, and has held other offices. In the spring of 1915 he was elected mayor of the village. John M. Johnson is a progressive farmer, a loyal citizen, a true friend, a devoted husband and father, and a man of generous impulses and unimpeachable character.
LOUIS ARNOLD.
Louis Arnold, a successful farmer of Aurdal township, is a native of Sweden, where he was born on January 12, 1858. Mr. Arnold is the son of John and Maja ( Olson ) Larson, both of whom were born in Sweden and who spent their entire lives in their native country.
Louis Arnold was educated in his native land. and in 1878 came to America and settled at St. Peter, Minnesota. Four years later he emi- grated to Otter Tail county and purchased eighty acres of land from his father-in-law, Osul Halverson. When Mr. Arnold obtained possession of this farm there were only ten acres cleared. He has been compelled to clear the land and to fence it.
On September 24, 1882, Louis Arnold was married to Osena Halver- son, who was born in Norway on November 4. 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have no children. Mrs. Arnold's father, Osul Halverson, was born in Nor- way in 1827. His wife, who before her marriage was Anne Torgusdaugh- ter, was born in Norway in 1832 and moved to Rice county, Minnesota, in 1862. Two of Mrs. Arnold's maternal uncles, Ashley and Torgus Torgen- son, served in the Civil War. In 1870 Mrs. Arnold's father and mother came to Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land where Mr. and Mrs. Arnold now live. Later they purchased one hundred and ten acres east of the first tract. They were the parents of eight children : Helena and Hans died in infancy: Torena and Torgus died in this country. The living children are Osena. who is now Mirs. Arnold: Jacob, Halver and Mary.
Mrs. Arnold's mother was the daughter of Torgus and Ose Olson, who were born in Norway and who, in 1856, emigrated to Rice county, Minne- sota, and purchased forty acres of school land. They spent their last days in Rice county. They had a family of six children. of whom Ole. Bertha, Gunder and Anne are deceased. Ashley is now living in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county. He was born in Norway on July 29, 1837. and moved to Rice county, Minnesota, with his parents. He attended a writing school at Faribault, Minnesota, and, in 1860, homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county. Later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives. Ile has held most of the township offices and served as a soldier in the Civil War. By his marriage to Anne Johnson.
197
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
who was born in Norway in 1852 and who is the daughter of Andrew and Sarena Anderson, pioneer settlers of Rice county, there were born four children, Marie, Thomas, Sarah and Arthur. Mrs. Ashley Torgerson died in 1892. Torgus, the sixth child, is a farmer in Aurdal township and was a soldier in the Civil War.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Arnold are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Arnold is now clerk of the school board.
JOHN LYNG. M. D.
One of the most prominent men in Otter Tail county, not only in his professional capacity as a physician, but as a man of high intellectual attain- ments and strong personality, is Dr. John Lyng. He has always exemplified the highest ethical code of his chosen profession and his technical knowledge and skill are such as to give him a place among the representatives of his vocation in the state. Not content with merely doing his duty in the com- munity where he lived he gave his services in the Spanish-American War with a glad heart, and the story of self-sacrifice during this part of his life is but a shadow of what his later life has been.
Doctor Lyng is one of those men who believe that years of thoughtful preparation are essential to success in professional life, and his preparation for the practice of medicine has taken him to the best schools in Europe as well as in America. The success of Doctor Lyng as a physician in the com- munity in which he lives has not been a mere accident but is the natural result of a noble inheritance. He is a descendant of a high and honored family of Norway and has retained those traits of character which make the Norwegians among the most industrious in the world.
The birthplace of Doctor Lyng was in Namsos, Norway, where he was born on the 25th of December, 1865. He is the son of Martin and (Johanna) Lyng, both natives of Norway. His father followed the occupation of a merchant, and died in 1873.
The first trip of Doctor Lyng to America was made when he was nineteen years old, and since that time has been abroad six times. After his arrival in this country he began the study of medicine, which took him to the University of Minnesota, where he was graduated from the medical department in 1890. Two years later he went abroad in the interest of his profession and visited the greatest hospitals and medical schools in Edin- burg, Copenhagen, Berlin and Paris. He returned to America in 1897 and became surgeon for the Soo Line, in which capacity he gained a wide acquaintance among railroad men. After a period of practice as a surgeon he returned to Germany for a further study of medicine. Upon his return to America he found the country in a state of excitement over the Spanish-
108
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
American War, and as a consequence, gave his services to medical work in the war zone, where he gained a wide experience not only with members of his chosen profession but with humanity as a whole.
In 1890 Doctor Lyng returned to Minnesota, where he again entered the medieal world as physician in Alexandria. In 1904 he moved to Min- neapolis, where he practiced medicine for four years. At the end of that time Doctor Lyng sailed again for Vienna and Paris to study surgery, and returned in 1911. He took up his residence in Fergus Falls, where the members of the community still claim his services as a physician.
In 1900, Dr. John Lyng was united in marriage to Clara B. Chilson, a -native of South Dakota, daughter of O. A. and Marie Chilson, of Webster, South Dakota. To this union was born one son. John, who is now attending school at Minneapolis. Mrs. Lyng died on February 8, 1914.
Doctor Lyng holds membership in the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Society, and the Park Region Medical Society. He is also a member of the Thulanian Society at the University of Minne- sota ; a reserve member of the medical department. Seventh Army Corps, United States Regulars; a member of the Nordmands Farbundet, and Lodge No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
EBEN E. CORLISS.
Pioneer citizens of Otter Tail county who are now living remember very well Eben.E. Corliss, who is also a pioneer of this section, now living in St. Paul, where he has been custodian of the capitol building since 1911.
Eben E. Corliss was born on September 1. 1841, and is a native of Washington county, Vermont. He is the son of Timothy E. and Elvira ( Hutchins) Corliss, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The father was a farmer and a lumberman and moved to Winona county, Minne- sota, in 1856, settling in Saratoga township, where he pre-empted one hun- . dred and sixty acres of land. He improved his farm and remained there until after the close of the Civil War. Timothy E. and Elvira Corliss were the parents of eight children. The mother died in Saratoga township, Winona county, December 6, 1860.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.