USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 21
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Eben E. Corliss remained at home in his native state, receiving his edu- cation in the common schools. His early training was received while still living with his parents upon the old home farm. At the breaking out of the Civil War. he enlisted in Company K. First Regiment, Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, and, after a period, enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years. Mr. Corliss passed through a very trying period of service. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, being struck by a bullet in the back of the head and, for
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two months, was confined in the hospital, known as No. 5, at Nashville, Tennessee. On May 26. 1864. he was discharged from the service and in April, 1865, enlisted in Company A, Ninth Regiment, United States Veteran Volunteers, serving as sergeant until the close of the war. Mr. Corliss was in a great many severe engagements. Among them may be named the fol- lowing: Mill Springs, Kentucky; Pittsburg Landing, Siege of Corinth, Perryville, Chickamauga, and others of lesser importance. He was, for a time, with Sherman before Atlanta and, for forty days, was engaged in weary marching toward that city, being under fire the greater part of the time. After returning from the war, he settled in Saratoga township, Winona county, Minnesota, where he remained on the farm for one year. From Saratoga township, he moved to Chatfield, Fillmore county, Minne- sota, where he studied law with Judge Ripley. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar.
After coming to Otter Tail county Eben E. Corliss settled at Battle Lake, Minnesota, where he built the first frame house in the county. Its dimensions were sixteen by twenty feet, with twelve foot posts. He settled on three hundred and twenty acres of land, one-half of which was pre- empted and the other half homesteaded. He continued on the farm, improv- ing it until 1874, at which time he moved to Fergus Falls and opened a law office, engaging actively in the practice of his profession. Mr. Corliss's property interests in the city of Fergus Falls consist of several houses, much business property, besides his fine residence with all modern improvements, situated on Lincoln avenue. He also has a summer residence at Clitherall lake.
Mr. Corliss has held many offices of trust and responsibility within the gift of the people of Otter Tail county. He was elected county attorney in 1870 and held that office during the greater part of the time until 1884. serving ten years in all. For one year he served as a member of the lower house of the state Legislature in 1872. He was a member of the state capi- tol commission. He has also served as deputy register of deeds, as deputy treasure of Otter Tail county and as superintendent of the county schools, filling out the unexpired term occasioned by his brother's death. The brother, William M. Corliss, was the first superintendent of schools in Otter Tail county.
In 1864 Eben E. Corliss was married to Elizabeth Tucker, the dangh- ter of John Tucker, of Saratoga township, Winona county, Minnesota. Six children were born to them, as follow: Charles W., who is an attorney-at- law, who was married in 1887 to Alice Stanton, of Fergus Falls; John H., a graduate of Rush Medical College and now a resident of Summer, Wash- ington : Florence, Jennie, Mary and Roy J.
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In politics, Mr. Corliss defends the principles propounded by the Repub- lican party. He has attained considerable prominence in the councils of the Republican party and is one of the leaders of the party in Otter Tail county. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
AMUND NELSON HAUGEN.
Well known in the business and commercial life of Fergus Falls, Min- nesota, is Amund Nelson Haugen, who was for many years a prominent business man of Otter Tail county.
Mr. Nelson was born on March 1, 1846, in Hollindahl, Norway. He is the son of Nells E. and Carrie ( Nelson) Haugen. The entire Haugen family crossed the Atlantic ocean in 1846 and was sixteen weeks on the voyage. They emigrated to Quebec, Canada, and from Quebec to the United States, settling at Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin, where the father purchased land and built a stone house. Amund Nelson remained on the old homestead until 1862. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in Company E. Altogether he was engaged in seventeen bat- tles. He received an honorable discharge in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1865. and after his return home, in Rock county, he remained a year and then moved to Highland Prairie, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he estab- lished a general store, which he operated for one year.
After one year at Highland Prairie, Mr. Nelson removed to Spring Grove, in Houston county, where he opened a store, which he sold at the end of one year. In 1868 Mr. Nelson came by team all the way to St. Olaf, Otter Tail county, but he remained only long enough to purchase eight hundred acres of land in Fergus Falls township.
Amund N. Haugen returned to Fillmore county and in 1876 married Christina Halverson. They have a family of seven children, as follow : Henry, who resides at Rugby, North Dakota: Clara: Albert, of Duluth ; Nellie, who teaches in Minot, North Dakota; Charles, Emma and Hannah, who live at home with their parents.
Mr. Nelson returned to Otter Tail county and located in Elizabeth. He engaged in the farm implement business, which he followed for twenty- one years. In 1807, with his family, he removed to Fergus Falls and after that time was practically retired from active life.
Mr. Nelson occupies himself by loaning money and by occasionally buying and selling real estate. He is the former president of the First State Bank, of Fergus Falls. He has a beautiful and spacious residence on North
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Union street. Mr. Nelson is a familiar figure on the streets of Fergu- Falls and is popular among all classes of people. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ONON TORGERSON.
Born on the farm which he now owns in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, May 2, 1878, Onon Torgerson is the son of Gunder and Christina Torgerson, who were natives of Norway and Sweden, respect- ively.
Mr. Torgerson's father was born on March 13, 1830, and his mother was born in Sweden in 1840. The former moved to Faribault, Rice county. Minnesota, in 1867, and three years later to Otter Tail county, where he took a homestead of one hundred and forty acres. He added to this farm until he had one hundred and sixty-nine acres, where his son, Onon, now lives. He cleared most of the land. He died in 1802 and his wife in 1894. They had a family of seven children, Emma, Christian ( deceased), Onon, Augusta, Oscar, Esther and Anton. They were members of the Swedish Baptist church. Gunder Torgerson served as township treasurer for a num- ber of years, in all about twelve.
Onon Torgerson was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He has always been engaged in farming and, at the present time owns ninety-one acres of the old homestead. Mr. Torgerson has erected a magnificent new barn and a very fine residence. These buildings were con- structed in 1915.
On May 28, 1901, Onon Torgerson was married to Ella Wessberg. who was born in Sweden in 1883. Her father was born in Sweden and is now deceased. Her mother lives in Warren, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson have five children, Lorimer, Ruth, Chester, Eunice and Thelma.
Mr. Torgerson's paternal grandparents were Torgus and Ose Olson, both of whom were natives of Norway and who came to Rice county, Min- nesota, in 1856. They purchased forty acres of land in Rice county and spent their last days there. They were the parents of six children, of whom Ole, Bertha, Gunder and Anne are deceased. The living children are Ash- ley and Torgus. Ashley is a farmer in Aurdal township and a veteran of the Civil War. Torgus is also a farmer in Aurdal township and a veteran of the Civil War.
There is no family in Aurdal township which is more favorably known than the Torgersons. They have worthily discharged every duty of life, both public and private, and today Onon Torgerson, a representative of the present generation of the family, enjoys the confidence and esteem of all of the people of this township.
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EVEN MATHIASON.
"The good citizen is a person who habitually conducts himself with proper regard for the welfare of the community of which he is a member, and is active and intelligent in his co-operation with his fellow members to that end." Even Mathiason, who was born in Norway. September 3, 1855. was twenty-seven years old when he came to this country. His parents, O. and Bertha ( Erikson ) Mathiason, lived and died in his native land.
Even Mathiason received his education in Norway and located in Peli- can Rapids in 1882 immediately after arriving in the United States. It was necessary to travel from Roxie, Minnesota, to this township in a wagon drawn by oxen. After working on a farm for nine years he returned to Norway and brought back his bride whom he married in St. Paul in 1891.
Mrs. Mathiason was Olena, daughter of Ole Mathiason, and was born in Norway. Her father died in that country. After his marriage, Mr. Mathiason located in the present building and operated a hotel for the fol- lowing six years. He then laid in a stock of groceries and has been a grocery merchant ever since. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mathiason are Ole: Elmer, aged twenty-two years: Beney Louis, aged eighteen years ; Ethel Meria, aged twelve years, and Lawrence William, aged seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Mathiason are members of the Synodical church.
Mr. Mathiason was for some time a member of the local school board and to its work gave his best thought and attention. A residence of thirty- three years in one town, during which time Mr. Mathiason has built up a reputation for honor in business and loyalty and uprightness in private life, make him one of the esteemed citizens of this township.
NELS GERHARDSON.
One of the successful farmers of Aurdal township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, who is a native of Norway, is Nels Gerhardson, who was born in Norway, April 8, 1861.
Mr. Gerhardson is the son of Andrew and Kare ( Nels ) Gerhardson, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1823 and the latter in 1830. After their marriage, in their native land, they started for America on April 11. 1861, and, upon arrival in the United States, settled in the state of Iowa. Later, however, they emigrated to Freeborn county, Minne- sota, and. subsequently, to Otter Tail county, before the city of Fergus Falls was thought of and at a time when there was only one grocery store on the present site of Fergus Falls. About three months later, Mr. Ger- hardson's grandfather came to America and took a homestead in .Aurdal township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Gerhardson's
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father inherited this farm and died upon it in 1907. His wife died about four years previously, in 1903. Mr. Gerhardson's parents had ten children, of whom one. Lena, died early in life. The others were Gulena, Nels, Christine, Gilbert, Karl, Anne, Ole, Otto and Tilla. Mr. Gerhardson's par- ents were members of the Lutheran church.
Nels Gerhardson was a mere lad when his parents settled in Aurdal township. He was educated in the public schools of the township, reared on the farm and has always been engaged in farming. In partnership with his sons, Mr. Gerhardson owns two hundred and ten acres of land three miles out of Fergus Falls, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Since he acquired this farm. Mr. Gerhardson has made many improvements. He has erected substantial buildings, fenced the land and installed adequate drainage, all of which has contributed to make the farm a most desirable tract and most productive.
In 1887 Nels Gerhardson was married to Mattie Vegin, who is a native of Minnesota, born in 1866. Mrs. Gerhardson's father was Knut Vegin, who was an early settler in Grant county, Minnesota, where he spent his last days. Mr. and Mrs. Nels Gerhardson have been the parents of five children : Eva, who is deceased; Eva, who married Gunder Mjesth and has two children, Jenette and Norman: Anton, who lives at home; Eddie, who also lives at home, and Martha, who is deceased. The mother of these chil- dren died on March 12. 1806. Nels Gerhardson is a highly-respected citi- zen in the township and county where he has lived for several years and where he is well known.
LOUIS HALVORSON.
Louis Halvorson, a native of Fergus Falls township. Otter Tail county, Minesota, was born a mile and a half from Elizabeth, November 13, 1881. is one of the successful young farmers of Aurdal township. Mr. Halvor- son is the son of Mathias and . Mary ( Holte) Halvorson, the former of whom was born in Norway in 1839 and the latter born in that country in 1851. Mathias Halvorson moved to southern Minnesota, and later to Otter Tail county, settling on a homestead one and one-half miles south of Eliza- beth, where he lived until 1901. He now lives retired in Fergus Falls. Mrs. Mathias Halvorson, who was married to Mathias Halvorson in Otter Tail county, is the daughter of Johannes and Bertha ( Holler) Holte, who were early settlers in Otter Tail county, but who are now hoth deceased. Mr. Halvorson's parents were members of the Lutheran church. They had alto- gether a family of fourteen children, seven of whom are as follow : Henry. Louis, Mollie, Hannah, Emma, Eddie and Alfred; the others are deceased.
Reared on the old homestead farm in Fergus Falls township, Louis
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Halvorson was educated in the public schools and as soon as he was old enough took up farmning as a life vocation. In 1910 Mr. Halvorson moved to the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he now owns, in Aurdal township. He is engaged in farming and stock raising and has made a success of his chosen vocation.
In 1906 Louis Halvorson was married to Emma Brekke, the daughter of Halvor G. Brekke, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson have five children, Eleanor, Morris, Bertha, Harry and Ida.
Mr. Halvorson has been more or less active in local politics and is now serving as clerk of Aurdal township. He and his wife and family are members of the Lutheran church.
JACOB CLARENCE EVELAND.
Among the well-known farmers of Aurdal township is Jacob Clarence Eveland, who owns two hundred and forty acres of magnificent farmning land. three and one-half miles northeast of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and who was born in Bremer county, lowa, September 7, 1873.
Mr. Eveland is the son of Jacob M. and Angeline ( Stuffleben ) Eve- land, the former of whom was born in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1843, and the latter born in the same county. Jacob M. Eveland was the son of Henry and Irene (Miller) Eveland, the former of whom was born in Indiana, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Henry Eveland and wife emigrated to Fulton county, Illinois, and, after living there for twenty years, emigrated to Bremer county, lowa. It was Henry Eveland's brother, Mason Eveland, who was the first settler in Lafayette township, Bremer county, lowa. Henry Eveland himself was the second settler in that town- ship. Mr. Eveland's paternal grandfather died in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1870. His wife had died many years before.
Mr. Eveland's maternal grandparents were Joshua and Polly ( Alsbury ) Stuffleben, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and who, after their marriage in Pennsylvania, emigrated to Fulton county, Illinois, and later to Bremer county, lowa, settling in Lafayette township. Both died in Bremer county, the former in 1913. at the age of eighty-nine, and the latter in 1885, at the age of sixty-three years.
Mr. Eveland's father, the venerable Jacob M. Eveland, is now living in Lafayette township, Bremer county. He owns two hundred and seventy- one acres of the okl homestead, at one time owned a number of farms. He also owns land in Mississippi. By his marriage to Angeline Stuffleben there were born nine children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, Nellie. Jacob Clarence, Bertha, Glenn and Alvin.
Jacob Clarence Eveland was reared on the old homestead farm in
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Bremer county, lowa, and educated in the public schools. Mr. Eveland has always been engaged in farming. In 1904 he emigrated to South Dakota and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in that state, which, however, he sold in October, 1909, when he came to Aurdal township and purchased two hundred and forty acres, three and one-half miles northeast of Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
In 1892 Jacob C. Eveland was married to Fannie Chestnut, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, who was born on April 27, 1874. Mrs. Eveland's father and mother were John and Emma (Stuffleben) Chestnut, both of whom were natives of Fulton county, Illinois. Mrs. Eveland's mother died in 1885, and her father died on September 16, 1915, at Manito, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Eveland have six children, Tina, Melvin, Everett, Bessie, Ada and Merrill, all of whom are living.
Mr. and Mrs. Eveland and family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Nominally, Mr. Eveland is identified with the Democratic party, but he has never been especially interested in politics and has never aspired to office. He is known in the community where he lives as a success- ful farmer, a good man and a valuable citizen.
HALVOR G. BREKKE.
Halvor G. Brekke, a prosperous farmer of Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. is a native of Norway, where he was born on June 15. 1845. Mr. Brekke is the son of Gunder Olson and Sigred (Aslakson) Brekke, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. Brekke's father was born in March, 1808, and his mother in February, 1808.
The Brekkes emigrated to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1861, and to Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1870. They took up a homestead in section 9, and here both lived until their deaths. Mr. Brekke's father died in April, 1896, and his mother in September, 1901. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Ole, Julia, lasne, Aasne and Mar- garet are deceased. The living children are Aslak, Sandow, Torger, Hal- vor G., Julia, Ole and Margaret.
Halvor G. Brekke was educated in the public schools of Norway and. in 1865. four years after his parents had come to Wisconsin, the son also came to Dane county, Wisconsin, and settled in Deerfield township, where he worked on a farm. He accompanied his parents to Otter Tail county in 1870 and took a homestead farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres, where he now lives. This splendid farm is situated in section 9, of Aurdal township. Mr. Brekke cleared the land, which he had acquired by home- stead right, and in 1889 built a good residence. During the same year he also built a very commodious barn, which was destroyed by lightning and
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which was replaced in 1912 by a magnificent new barn, forty-eight by sixty-six by fourteen feet. Mr. Brekke is a general farmer and stockman and has been successful in his chosen vocation.
In 1877 Halvor G. Brekke was married to Betsey Evenson, who was born on August 25. 1845. in Norway and who is the daughter of Evan and Gunhild( Knutson ) Evenson. In 1861 MIrs. Brekke's parents came to Dane county, Wisconsin, and there both died. Mr. and Mrs. Halvor G. Brekke have been the parents of four children, Gustav Severin. Emma, Emma and Henry Benjamin. Gustav Severin, who was born on the farm where he now lives on April 28. 1878. married Huldah Johnson, who was born in Friberg township. Otter Tail county. Minnesota. December 7, 1889. They have no children. He is employed on the old homestead. Emma, the sec- ond child. is deceased. Emma, the third child, married Louis Halvorson and has five children, Eleanor, Morris, Bertha, Harry and Ida. Henry Benjamin lives at Dilworth, Minnesota.
Halvor G. Brekke has served as a member of the school board in Aurdal township and has also served as trustee of the township and as supervisor for fourteen years. He was assessor of the township for six- teen years. Mr. and Mrs. Brekke and family are active members of the Lutheran church.
ARNE ENGEBRETSON.
Arne Engebretson, a well-known farmer of Aurdal township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on November 4, 1850, in Norway, and is the son of Engebret Gunderson and Raghnild ( Olson) Engebretson, who spent their entire lives in Norway. Arne Engebretson was their only chikl.
Mr. Engebretson was educated in the public schools of his native land. and in 1882 came to America and settled at Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
.A short time after coming to this country he moved to Aurdal township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased eighty acres of land, where he now lives. This land has been subsequently increased to about one hundred and twelve acres and is located in sections 15. 10 and 9. Aurdal township. Mr. Engebretson is a farmer and stockman. His land is highly productive and he raises all crops common to this latitude.
In 1879 Arne Engebretson was married in Norway to Mary Olson, a native of Norway, born in 1851. She is the daughter of Ole Severson and Jennie Severson, who, in 1882, came to America and settled in Otter Tail county. Mrs. Engebretson's father died in 1914. and her mother died in the same year, both being eighty-eight years old at the time of their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Engebretson have seven children. Ole. Engebret. Richard. Anton, Gustav. Oscar and Hannah.
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Arne Engebretson is independent in politics. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Engebretson has served as super- visor of Aurdal township and has also served as a member of the school board. Likewise, he has been assessor of Aurdal township for seven years. It may be said of Arne Engebretson that he has worthily discharged all of the duties of life, both public and private, and that he has a host of friends in the township and county where he lives.
AUGUST AND WILLIAM TRENNE.
Among the prosperous farmers and successful stock raisers of Oscar township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. are August and William Trenne. the former born on August 25, 1883. the latter on January 15, 1880, in Oscar township, Otter Tail county, sous of Fritz and Charlotte (Druskey) Trenne, natives of Germany. Fritz Trenne was educated in the common schools of Germany. he later becoming a soldier of the German army and taking part in the war with Austria, in 1866. and in the Franco-Prussian War. during the years 1870-71. During the last year of his military career, Fritz Trenne served as an officer in the army of his native country. Shortly following his marriage, the elder Trenne, in 1872, came to America and located in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Oscar township, a place which Fritz Trenne cultivated until 1907. when he retired and moved to Fergus Falls, where he lived until his death. on October 12, 1912. Charlotte, the widow of Fritz Trenne. now lives at Fergus Falls. Fritz Trenne was not only a successful farmer, as one who acquired six hundred and fifty-three acres of land, but he was a man prominent in the affairs of his community, having been the occupant of several township school offices. Fritz and Charlotte Trenne were the par- ents of eleven children, Paul. Lena. William, Elizabeth, Tillie, August. Emily. Martin, Frencie, Minnie and Malvine.
William Trenne was educated in the schools of district No. III, Oscar township, Otter Tail county, after which he engaged in general farming and stock raising, an occupation which Mr. Trenne is now following on his well- improved farm of two hundred acres in Oscar township. In addition to his farm activity, William Trenne is prominently connected in business life, he being one of the organizers and a stockholder of the Elizabeth Creamery Company, as well as being an officer of the Cream of Barley Company, of Minneapolis.
On November 3, 1904, William Trenne was married to Ida Krause, a native of the state of Nebraska, and to this marriage have been born four children, Walter. Francis, Alfred and Inis.
August Trenne, after his school days, became a farmer, he taking
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charge of the old Trenne homestead, which Mr. Trenne has greatly improved and a farm of two hundred and forty acres which August Trenne has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Trenne now gives his time to general farming and the raising of large numbers of good grade live stock.
On June 24, 1915, August Trenne was married to Johannah Greenogle. the daughter of John Greenogle and wife, prominent people of their com- munity. The Trenne family are all prominent members of the Norwegian ! nitheran church, of Oscar township, they giving of their efforts and means for the support of the work of this congregation.
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