USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 26
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North Dakota, where he is a farmer; Bolletta married Sam Huseby and lives in Fergus Falls.
John S. Torgersen was educated in the public schools of Norway and spent about one month in the schools of America, after which he engaged in farming. In 1871 Mr. Torgersen homesteaded one hundred and forty- nine acres in Tordenskjold township, adjoining his father's farm. Here he erected a shanty and began clearing the land. After a time, he bought forty acres from the railroad just north of his first farm. He now has a good modern house, barn and other outbuildings, all of which are kept in a splendid state of repair. Mr. Torgersen is a general farmer and stock- man and is a stockholder in the local telephone company and in the Dalton elevator.
In 1874 John S. Torgersen was married to Johanna Nelson, a native of Norway and the daughter of Nels Langrjovold, who died in his native land. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John S. Torgersen. Kari, who married Olaf Tue and lives in Carlton county, Minnesota; Annie, who married Spencer Folkedal and lives in Dalton; Martin, who lives in Moose Jaw, Canada ; Emma, who died in infancy ; Nels. John and Christine, who live at home; Emma, who married Andrew Utne and lives in Dane Prairie township, and Olga, who married Richard Sjordal and lives in Montana.
Mr. Torgersen is a Republican in politics and both he and his wife are members of the Free Lutheran church.
JOHN DOLL.
John Doll, farmer and widely known citizen of Rush Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Mercer county, Ohio, on May 26, 1839, the son of Anton and Mary Ann ( Harter) Doll, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, the former born in 18to, the latter in 1819. Anton Doll was the son of Joseph Doll and wife, Joseph Doll. after the death of his wife, in Germany, coming to America in 1830. and settling in Perry county, Ohio, where he lived for five years and then moved to Mercer county, where he died in 1838. Joseph Doll and wife were the parents of the following children; Anton, father of the subject of this sketch. John. Wentler, Francis and Mary Ann. Anton Doll received his education in Germany and then came to America, with his father. in 1830, and located in Ohio, where he lived until 1867. and then moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, buying four hundred and seventy acres of land in Rush Lake township, a place which he cultivated and improved and made his home until his death in 1881. Mary Ann, the wife of Anton Dol, died on the home place, in the year 1912, aged ninety-three years. Anton and Mary
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Ann Doll were the parents of five children, John, the subject of this sketch, Joseph A., Anton, Mary Magdalena and Thresa (deceased).
John Doll was educated in the public schools of Mercer county, Ohio, after which, in 1866, he moved to Rush Lake township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 12. Later, Mr. Doll added to his original farm until he is now the owner of five hundred and forty acres of well improved and highly culti- vated land, where he lived as an active farmer until 1890, when he retired.
On January 30, 1866, John Doll was married, in Mercer county, Ohio. to Catherine Weis, who was born in Mercer county, on March 31. 1841. the daughter of Joachim and Barbara (Studer) Weis, natives of Baden, Germany. John and Katherine Doll are active members of St. Lawrence church, of Otto township.
Joachim Weis was the son of John and Mary Ann (Algeier ) Weis. who came to Ohio, from their home in Germany, during the year 1823. and located in Mercer county, where John Weis died in 1867, his wife, Mary Ann, having died in 1868. Barbara Weis was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Studer, who after a short residence in Columbus, Ohio, follow- ing their arrival in America, moved to Mercer county, where Joseph Studer ched about 1860, his wife surviving him untilsome years later.
JACOB JUNG.
Jacob Jung, well-known farmer of Rush Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, on March 27, 1849, the son of John and Katherine (Silbernagel) Jung, the former born in Germany in 1826, and the latter in the same country in 1824. John Jung came to America in 1847, with his parents, John Jung, Sr .. and wife, and located in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where John Jung, Sr., died in 1851 : his wife died in 1847. Katherine Silbernagel came to America and located at Racine, Wisconsin, where she was married to John Jung, Jr., after which they moved to Sheboygan county, and in 1881 came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. After living in Perham, Minnesota, until 1899. John Jung moved to Macon, Georgia, where he lived until his death in January, 1902, he being survived by his wife, who died on March 25, 1915. John and Katherine Jung were the parents of the following children, Jacob, John, Peter, Christ. Richard. Blandina and Anna Marie, all of whom are now living.
Jacob Jung was educated in the public schools of Sheboygan, Wiscon- sin. after which he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a short time and then to Brainard, Minnesota, where he lived until February, 1873, and then returned to Minneapolis. In November, 1873, Jacob Jung went to Wiscon-
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sin, where he lived two years and then he came to his farm in Rush Lake township, a place which he improved extensively and where he is now engaged in general farming and in the dairy business. The farm of Jacob Jung is known as "Rush Lake Dairy Farm."
On November 16, 18;6, Jacob Jung was married to Mary Ottilla Fuchs, who was born in Stearns county. Minnesota. the daughter of Balthasar and Ottillia ( Esser ) Fuchs, who came from the state of Ohio to Stearns county. Balthasar Fuchs died on December 22, 1914, in Saskatchewan, Canada; and his wife had preceded her husband in death by twenty-one years. To the marriage of Jacob and Mary Jung have been born the following children : John Arthur, who married Elizabeth Sheideker and to whom have been born four children, Robert, Louisa, Edward and Albert: Annie K., who mar- ried John L. Doll, of Rush Lake township, and to whom have been born eight children, Barbara. Raymond, Louisa, Alois, Arthur, Vincent, Robert and Christ. Jacob Jung and all of his family are active members of St. Joseph's church.
Jacob Jung has served his community in various public offices, among which are the offices of township clerk, assessor, supervisor and treasurer. For ten years Mr. Jung has been chairman of the board of supervisors. In business life Jacob Jung ¿s. no less prominently affiliated, he being presi- dent of the Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company, an office which he has occupied for fifteen years. Mr. Jung is president of the Farmer's Creamery Company, of Perham, and is a member of the Farmer's Shipping Associa- tion, an organization which he assisted in organizing. Jacob Jung is presi- dent of the Perham Rural Telephone Company, and has been a member of the school board for many years, having served for six years as clerk of the board and for five years as treasurer.
THORVALD L. JORUD.
Born in Norway, May 22, 1857, Thorvald L. Jorud, an enterprising farmer of Henning township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Lars and Chestena Jorud, who were natives of Norway. They came to Fillmore county, Minnesota, in 1869 and the next year moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, settling in Eagle Lake township, where they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. There Mr. Jorud's father died in 1906, at the age of eighty-four years. His mother died in 1910, also at the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of the following children : Amelia. Thorvald I ... Hans. Thea, Thea and Ole. The first child named Thea is deceased.
Thorvald L. Jorud was educated in the public schools of his native land. In 1860, when his parents came to America, he accompanied them
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to this country and settled with them in Fillmore county, Minnesota. When Mr. Jorud was old enough, he took up farming on the old homestead. In 1878 he took a homestead in Henning township. Having begun with one hundred and sixty acres of land, he has added to this original tract until he now owns four hundred acres in Henning township. He has made general farming and stock raising his business since coming to this county and has erected substantial buildings on his farm.
In January, 1891, Thorvald L. Jorud was married to Paulina Peterson, who was born in Norway. in 1873. the daughter of Peter and Chestena Peterson, who now live in South Dakota. Mrs. Jorud's father is eighty-five years old and her mother about the same age. By his marriage to Paulina Peterson, Thorvald L. Jorud is the father of seven children. Charles, Marlow, Palmer, Cornelius, Edgar, Joseph and Chester. These children all live at home with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Jorud and family are members of the United Lutheran church. Mr. Jorud has devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. He has never taken any considerable interest in politics, but is well known in the township and popular in the neighborhood where he resides.
GUSTAV HANSON.
Born in Norway, May 12, 1864. Gustav Hanson is a son of Hans and Sophia Hanson, both of whom were also natives of the same country, and who, in 1869, emigrated to Dane county. Wisconsin, and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land. There Mr. Hanson's father died in 1874. at the age of forty-three years. His mother died in 1875. Hans Hanson and wife were the parents of four children, of whom Martha, the youngest, is deceased. The living children are Gustav. Haldan and Hannah.
Gustav Hanson, who is a prosperous farmer of Gerard township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, was educated in the schools of Dane county, Wis- consin. He took up farming early in life, and after working as a farmer and thresherman for a number of years, came to Minnesota in 1888. Here he rented land in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota. Subsequently he purchased eighty acres of land, but in 1903 sold that farm and purchased two hundred and sixty-three acres in section 4, of Gerard township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. A lake near Mr. Hanson's farm is now known as Hanson's lake. Mr. Hanson has sold eighty acres of this farm to his son, Henry. He is now well known as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Ches- ter White hogs. In 1914 Mr. Hanson built a new and attractive residence. and all of his farm buildings are kept painted and in the best possible state of repair. Eighty acres of the farm have been cleared and are under culti-
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vation. Mr. Hanson's farm is the old MeIntyre homestead, and is one of the best in the township.
On November 20. 1888, Gustav Hanson was married in Yellow Medi- cine county, Minnesota. to Andrine Obrekke. who was born in Norway in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the parents of the eight children, Henry. Hannah, John, Julius. George, Anton, Julia and Gusta, all of whom are living with the exception of John.
Mr. Hanson has always been prominent in local politics. He has served as treasurer of the township for eight years, and as clerk of the school board for nine years, discharging well the duties of both offices. Mr. Han- son is well known and highly respected throughout the township where he lives.
J. HOWARD WALBRIDGE.
J. Howard Walbridge, a successful farmer of Oak Valley township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, Octo- ber 12. 1857, and is the son of Julius and Lucretia ( Bull) Walbridge. Mr. Walbridge's' father was a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1817. and his mother also a native of Vermont. born there in 1832.
In an early day, the Walbridge family immigrated to St. Lawrence county, New York, and after their marriage there, Julia and Lucretia (Bull) Walbridge immigrated to Wisconsin in 1854. Still later they moved to Dakota county, Minnesota, and, for a number of years, kept a hotel at Lewiston. In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Julia Walbridge moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where Mr. Walbridge died in September, 1900. His widow is still living and is now eighty-three years old. They were the parents of seven children, Elhanan, J. Howard, Alberta (deceased ), Judson, Irene, Lillian and Lionel.
Mr. Walbridge's paternal grandfather. Frank Walbridge, was a native of Vermont, who moved to St. Lawrence county, New York, and in 1854 located in the state of Wisconsin, where he died. His wife, who before her marriage was Temperence Anstin, was also a native of Vermont and she died at St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the age of ninety-two years.
Mr. Walbridge's father, the late Julius Walbridge, was a farmer by occupation and a hotel keeper. For a number of years he had a hotel on Bismarck avenue, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
J. Howard Walbridge was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1882 he settled in Oak Valley township, purchasing eighty acres of land in section 11, where he now lives. Since that time he has added one hundred and twenty acres in sections 2 and 10, and now owns altogether two hundred acres. Mr. Walbridge is a farmer and stockman
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and has made many improvements upon his farm. His buildings are all in good condition and are well painted.
On October 16, 1879, J. Howard Walbridge was married to Margaretta Branch, who was born on December 29, 1859, in Pennsylvania, and who is the daughter of Adam and Margaretta (May) Branch, both of whom were natives of Germany. They immigrated to America and settled first near Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1862 or 1863, they moved to Dakota county, Minnesota, and located on a farm near Hastings. About 1877 they came to Oak Valley township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where they subse- quently acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land. Mrs. Walbridge's father died in 1885 and her mother in 1889. There were nine children in the family, of whom five, Catherine, Lewis, Adam, Charles and Benjamin, are deceased. The living children are, George, Margaretta, Lena and Frank.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Howard have been the parents of seven children, Lloyd, Chester. Llewellyn, Zi, Mable and Lelah, all of whom are living, and Ray- miond, who died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Walbridge is identified with the Democratic party. He served three years on the township board and also served as assessor for many years. For twenty years he was treasurer of his school district and still holds this position. He is an enterprising farmer, a successful business man and popular among the people of Oak Valley township.
EDWARD PARKS.
One of the well-known farmers of Inman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who owns two hundred acres of land free of all encumbrances. and who is a progressive, up-to-date farmer, is Edward Parks, who was born on Big Creek, five miles west of Sparta, in Monroe county, Wisconsin, July 2, 1868.
Mr. Parks is a son of George and Harriet ( Hodgskins) Parks, both of whom were natives of New York state. In pioneer times the family emigrated from New York and settled in Wisconsin, and on June 7. 1871. removed from the latter state to Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land. It was there that George Parks died in November, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow is still living and is now seventy-two years old.
Edward Parks was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools of Parkers Prairie. When old enough he engaged in farming for himself, in which he has been very successful, now owning two hundred acres of splendid farming land in Inman township. In 1883 he purchased eighty acres in section 16. and has gradually added to this original purchase from time to time until he now has the acreage above referred to.
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Mr. Parks has made many material and substantial improvements upon his farm, and keeps his farm buildings and fences in a good state of repair. Besides general farming, he is also engaged in the breeding of purebred stock, and has specialized in Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. He is an expert bee-keeper. and ordinarily keeps from thirty to forty hives of bees, and makes and sells quantities of bees-wax. He also raises sugar cane and engages in the manufacture of sorghum during the season. Mr. Parks is a stockholder in the Henning Shipping Association, and also in the Henning Creamery Company. He is a well-known sportsman of the county, and is an extensive breeder of fox hounds, and of Single Comb White Leghorn chickens.
In 1884, Edward Parks was married to Fannie Mason, who was born at Sparta, Wisconsin, April 17, 1866. and who is a daughter of William Talmage and Harriet Elizabeth ( Sessuns) Mason. Mrs. Parks' parents emigrated from Wisconsin to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1871, and settled at Parkers Prairie. William T. Mason died in North Dakota, in 1900, at the age of seventy-two years, while Harriet Elizabeth Mason died in Washington, September 13. 1912, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Parks are the parents of four children, Cleon, Glen, Eva and Dee, all of whom are living.
For more than twenty-five years Edward Parks has been treasurer of Inman township, and is now serving in this position. He is also treasurer of the school board, and has served as supervisor of Inman township. Mr. Parks' father, who began with one hundred and sixty acres of land, was the owner of two hundred acres at the time of his death. Other members of this family have been equally successful, and all are rated among the sub- stantial and influential citizens of this county.
CHARLES PEPPLING.
One of the well-to-do farmers of Henning township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, who has made a large success of his chosen vocation because he has followed modern methods in farming, is Charles Peppling, a native of Sweden, where he was born on October 13, 1862.
Mr. Peppling is the son of Andrew and Charlotte ( Rask) Peppling. both of whom were natives of Sweden. In 1883 they came to America and settled in Otter Tail county, where they lived with their son, Charles, until their deaths. Mr. Pepling's father died in July, 1913. at the age of eighty- two, and his mother in 1908, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are deceased. The names of the children, in the order of their births, are : Alfred, deceased : Charles, Hulda.
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Mary, deceased; Augusta, who died at the age of seven; Anna, and Selina, ‹leceased.
Charles Peppling was educated in the public schools of his native land and in 1881 came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mr. Peppling walked to Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, and, for some time, worked on neigh- boring farms. In 1887 he moved to Henning township and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of school land. Three years later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 25, where he now lives. All of the buildings which are now standing upon this farm Mr. Peppling erected. He built a good residence in 1908. Altogether he now owns four hundred and forty acres of land in Henning township and twenty acres of timber in Inman township. He is a general farmer and stockman.
Mr. Peppling has been prominent as a citizen for many years. He served as supervisor for fifteen years. He is a stockholder in the Henning Farmers' Shipping Association and in the Henning Creamery Association. He is also a stockholder in the farmers elevator at Henning. Mr. Peppling is a member of the Swedish Baptist church, of Henning. He is unmarried.
WILLIAM J. HENDERSON.
Born in Canada, April 13, 1864. William J. Henderson, a prosperous farmer of Inman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Frank and Sarah (McKnight ) Henderson. Mr. Henderson's father was a native of Ireland and his mother of New York state, born at Albany. The former came to Canada from Ireland and after his marriage in Canada, moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota, in 1865, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1879 he came to Otter Tail county and settled in Elmo township, taking a homestead in section 30. He died on this old homestead farm in 1904, at the age of sixty-five. His wife died about 1900, at the age of fifty-five. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, Jennie, William, Marietta and Marion (twins), Frank, Sarah, Anna and David.
William J. Henderson was reared on a farm in Blue Earth county. Minnesota. He was educated in the public schools of that county and accompanied his parents in 1879 to Otter Tail county, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1896 Mr. Henderson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 21, of Inman township. He is a general farmer and stockman and has been very successful.
In 1891 William J. Henderson was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, who was born in Wisconsin and who is the daughter of George and Harriet (Hodgson) Park. They came to Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, June 7, 1871. Mrs. Henderson's father died in 1900, but her mother is still living, at the
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age of seventy-two years. Mr and Mrs. Wiliam J. Henderson have nine children, all of whom are living, Alice, Frank, William, John, Sidney, Olando, Reuben. Nellie and Guy.
Mr. Henderson has served as township clerk of Inman township for nineteen years. He was also clerk of the school board for twenty years. The Hendersons are members of the Methodist church.
LARS OLSON TOMMERAAS.
The late Lars Olson Tommeraas, who was a prominent farmer and well-known educator of Trondhjem township. Otter Tail county. Minnesota. was born in Norway, in the year 1826, and following his education in the public schools of his native country, became a school teacher, a profession which he pursued until 1877. when, having married. Lars Olson Tommeraas came to America and located in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. For one year after reaching Otter Tail county. Lars Olson Tommeraas continued in his work as a school teacher and then preferring farm life, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 30, Trondhjem township. a place to which he added eighty acres, subsequently, and then followed general agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1906.
During the year 1876 Lars Olson Tommeraas was married to Julia Gunderson, who was born in Norway on July 31, 1849. the daughter of well-known people of her native locality. Lars Olson and Julia Tommeraas were the parents of the following children: Olaf, who married Matilda Rudh and now lives on the home farm with six children. Cyrus, Bernice. Bertram, Evelyn. Edna and Curtis; Gilbert and Gustov, who are deceased; Christina, who married Harry Ranger, to whom have been born four chil- dren. Elizabeth, Alois, Orpha and Joyce; Lewis, cashier of the Kent, Min- nesota, bank, who married Violet Ranger, and to whom has been born one child, Lois; Gilbert, who is a school teacher: Oscar and Enevold, who are twins, the former who was married to Mertice Stearns, of Detroit, Minne- sota, in 1812, is assistant cashier of the Kent, Minnesota, bank, and the latter proprietor of a pool room and candy store at MeVille. North Dakota ; Alma, who is a school teacher: Effie was married in 1915 to Benjamin A. Helland, assistant cashier of the bank at Perley, Minnesota; Minnie, who is a school teacher.
Lars Olson Tommeraas was a man who lived a most active and useful life, he, while a resident of his native country, having served his commun- ity not only as a notably efficient teacher in the public schools of that coun- try, but he was a leader in public and official circles of his locality, serving in various offices and as a member of organizations and societies having for their object the promotion of the general welfare. . As a pioneer school
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teacher in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, Lars Olson Tommeraas performed inestimable service to his locality and the county in general, giving of his time and experience for the upbuilding of the public school system and the training of the children of his township and the vicinity. In the death of Lars Olson Tommeraas, Trondhjem township and Otter Tail county lost one of its most valued citizens.
OLE LYKSETT.
The list of Otter Tail county agriculturists would be incomplete were the name of Ole Lyksett omitted from these pages. He has set an example of steadfast integrity, and stands today as one of the representative men in his line, holding the confidence of his community, and giving honest measure in return for all he receives.
Ole Lyksett, farmer, Elizabeth township, was born on February 28. 1861. in Wisconsin, and received his education at the public schools of that state. After his marriage he located first in Waseca county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres and followed farming until two years ago, when he moved to this township. In religion, Mr. Lyksett belongs to the Lutheran church, in the work of which he has always taken an active part and has been a Sunday school teacher for many years. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and has held some of the township offices, among them being that of school board trustee, and is the present school treasurer. Ile came to this county because of the encouraging prospects, and has done well in a financial way.
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