USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 28
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Knut N. Sonmor received his education in the common schools of St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, after which he helped his father on the home farm for some time. In the year 1891 he went to Polk county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the restaurant business for three years, following which he returned to St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county. and rented a farm on which he lived for about two years. In the year 1895, after his marriage, Knut N. Sonmor went to Wadena county, Minne- sota, where he homesteaded eighty acres of land, where he farmed until the
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year 1898, at which time he came back to Tordenskjold township, this county, and bought cighty acres of land, farming there until the year 1900, when he bought the old home farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres. where he now lives, engaged in general farming and stock raising.
During the year 1895 Knut N. Sonmor was married to Mary Johnson, who was born on November 27, 1860. the daughter of Ole Jensen and wife, and to this marriage have been born the following children: Mae, Julia. Ruth, Oscar, Clare, Johnnie and Nellie. Knut N. Sonmor and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
In the public and official life of St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, Knut N. Sonmor has taken his part willingly, and he is a citizen who for seven years served the office of township assessor and for six years served as treasurer of the school board, with well-known ability and tact. Politically, Mr. Sonmor is independent of party in local affairs, preferring to be of use and service to his community wherever he can, without regard to party or creed.
CLAES ALFRED LUNDBERG.
Far away Sweden has contributed many a thrifty farmer and good citizen to this county, none of whom stands higher than Claes Lundberg. who came here with his parents when he was only fifteen years old. He was born in Sweden, February 17, 1856, and is the son of Johanas and Mary ( Anderson ) Lundberg, both natives of Sweden. The mother of Claes Lundberg was the second wife of his father, with whom she came to America in 1871. They journeyed from St. Cloud to Parkers Prairie in a primitive wagon drawn by two faithful oxen. It was July 25 or 27 when they arrived in the littl town which for many years has been their home and that of their children. Mr. Lundberg, while a carpenter, also acquired one hundred and sixty-acres in Eastern township as a hometsead, and here he died on March 21, 1873, leaving a widow and two children, the eldest being the subject of this sketch and the youngest being Fred, who is now a farmer in Plentywood, Montana. The mother lived until October 15. 1882. By a previous marriage, Mr. Lundberg was the father of six children, all of whom are deceased.
Claes A. Lundberg, who was educated in the common schools of Swe- den, came to this country in his youth and on March 7, 1877, took up a homestead of a quarter section where he now lives, in section 20, Eastern township. Here he cleared the land and built a home and other equipment.
In 1884 Claes .A. Lundberg was married to Tilda Anderson, who was born in Sweden, where her father, Andres Anderson, lived and died. Only one child, a son, August Alfred, is at home. the other child. a daughter.
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named Mary Alfield, being deceased. Mrs. Tilda Lundberg died on Decem- ber 26. 1914. Mr. Lundberg has been prominent in this community and has served as supervisor and member of the school board. He is an enter- prising and painstaking workman, a loyal citizen, upholding always the good. a devoted husband and father, and a man whose conduct and career have been guided by principles of right and justice.
LAWRENCE P. STENSTROM.
Lawrence P. Stenstrom, who for more than thirty-six years has been an active minister of the Swedish Lutheran church, in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden on June 18. 1843, he being the son of Jacob Peter Stenstrom and Gustava Elizabeth Martinson, both of whom were born in Sweden. Jacob Peter Stenstrom died in 1845. His widow, Gustava Elizabeth Stenstrom, were the parents of two children, John J. and Law- rence Peter. J. P. Stenstrom and his family were active members of the Swedish Lutheran church in their native country.
Lawrence Peter Stenstrom was educated in the public schools of his native country, and after his marriage, in Sweden, he came to America in 1872 and located in the state of Pennsylvania, near the city of Warren, where Mr. Stenstrom made his home for seven years and then moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. On reaching Otter Tail county, Lawrence Peter Stenstrom became the minister of the Elizabeth, Minnesota, Swedish Lutheran church. he since having been in charge of the church at Fergus Falls. Pelican Rapids, Erhardt and Amor. The Reverend Stenstrom is now the minister to the churches at Elizabeth and at Erhardt, Minnesota. Law- rence Peter Stenstrom has been a minister of the Swedish Lutheran church during a term of thirty-six years. In addition to his ministerial work. the Reverend Stenstrom cares for the activities on his farm of one hundred and two acres, located in Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county. Lawrence P. Stenstrom, on January 21, 1866. was married to Julia Charlotte Stenstrom, and to this marriage have been born nine children, Svan, Gothold. Samuel, Joseph. Gabriel, Bina. Ruth, Miriam and Nina.
LAURITS M. HEGGEN.
Laurits M. Heggen, the son of Martin L. and Ann Heggen, was born in Fillmore county, this state, on March 28, 1872. The parents were natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1860, landed in the New York and moved direct to Fillmore county, where the father worked for others for some four years. After deciding to seek a new location, he walked to Otter Tail county, where he purchased eighty acres of land and then returned
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afoot to his home for his family. Having them established in their new home he returned with an ox team for the family supplies. He later bought more land. He lived for seven or eight years in Fergus Falls, but returned to the home farm two years ago, where he now lives, the wife having died in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Heggen were the parents of the following children : Ingaborg. Christine, Laurits, Adolph (deceased), Anton, Julia, Samuel and Martin.
Laurits M. Heggen received his education in the common schools of Otter Tail county, where he has lived the greater part of his life. On March 9, 1898, he was married to Carrie Rude, who was a native of Nor- way. They are the parents of five children: Arthur, Myrtle, Mauris, Clar- ence and Arnold, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Heggen purchased his farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres in Oscar township in 1898. He has improved and developed the place and erected most of the buildings.
The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which they take an active interest.
Mr. Heggen, besides owning his most excellent farm, is the owner of stock in the Farmers Elevator Company at Rothsay and in the Farmers Telephone Company. He is a successful farmer and business man, and one of much influence in his community.
JOHN G. HAGGSTROM.
The present age demands of men who are to attain a position of prom- inence in the world, self-reliance, industry and an unswerving devotion to duty. All of these elements of character have been exemplified in the life of John G. Haggstrom, who has gained more than ordinary recognition in the agricultural field. He who is the subject of this sketch was born on January 1, 1853, in Sweden, and is the son of Gustav Pearson and Mary M. (Greta) Pearson, both of whom were born in Sweden. The parents of John G Haggstrom never left their native land, where they lived on an old homestead, to come to America as most of their neighbors were doing at that time. They were devout members of the Lutheran church.
John G. Haggstrom came to this country in 1869, at the age of sixteen years. He landed at Quebec, Canada, practically alone and without friends upon whom he could rely until he was started in the business world. He went first to Detroit, Michigan, and then to Chicago. In Lockport, Illinois, where the subject of this sketch finally took up his residence, he worked for fourteen years in the stone quarries and as a carpenter of that community. The initial appearance of John G. Haggstrom in Otter Tail county was made in December, of the year 1882. After remaining at Pelican Rapids
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four months he moved. in 1883. to the town of Maine, where he bought forty acres of land. In 1884 he bought thirty-two acres of land and three years later added twenty-seven acres to his possessions. In 1900 he bought twenty-seven acres and seven years later added forty acres to his farm. which now extends over an area of one hundred and sixty acres. The farm is in an excellent state of improvement and the owner continues to keep it supplied with all modern conveniences.
John G Haggstrom was twice married, first to Mary Johnson, the daughter of Jonas Johnson, on the 27th of June, 1882. To this union were born Amanda, who is a nurse in Moscow, Idaho; five children who died in childhood. and one son, who died at the age of twenty-two years. His first wife passed away on the 3rd of August. 1896. On the 4th of June, 1898, he was united in matrimony to Hannah Honson, the daughter of Hans Pearson. a native of Sweden, who never emigrated to this country. Mr. and Mrs. John G. Haggstrom have two sons, Conrad and Gustaf Adolph, and are members of the Lutheran church, which they attend regularly. In political affairs, the subject of this sketch has never taken a prominent part. but has been content to devote his time to his agricultural interests. In traveling over the rural sections of the county, Mr. Haggstrom finds an automobile an indispensable convenience.
TORKEL E. RISBRUDT.
Torkel E. Risbrudt is generally known throughout this section as a leader in public affairs, and as a citizen he is highly respected. He is the son of Engebret and Kari (Ellefson) Tarkelson, both natives of Norway, where his birth occurred on November 6, 1845. Engebret Tarkelson was born on April 20, 1825, and emigrated to America in 1861. Immediately upon his arrival in this country, he located in Spring Grove Houston county. Minnesota, and the following year removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa. where he remained until 1867. He then removed to Douglas county, Min- nesota where he remained until May 24. 1868, at which time he squatted on land which was not surveyed at the time, located in St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and continued to reside on that place until his death, on October ;. 1907. This home was purchased under the home- stead law and consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Kari Ellefson was born on September 244. 1824, and died on October 4. 1864, in Winneshiek county, lowa.
Torkel E. Risbrudt received the most of his education in the schools of his native land and three months' attendance at the schools in Iowa. As a young man he squatted on one hundred and sixty acres of land in St. Olaf township, adjoining his father's farm, and paid ten dollars for his first
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sack of flour, which he purchased at Alexandria, Minnesota, and for which he borrowed the money. During the first years of his farming operations he did teaming in connection with his agricultural work and gradually added to his holdings until he owned four hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land. Before he began selling this property to his sons it was devoted to general farming and stock raising.
Torkel E. Risbrudt has seen many changes in this section, his first memory of Fergus Falls being but a lone log cabin in which he spent the night upon his first trip to that town. Among the many offices which he has held are those of constable, assessor, chairman of township supervisors, township clerk and director. He also served as treasurer of the township for sixteen years. Politically, he votes independently, and his religions affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church.
On March 18. 1873. Torkel E. Risbrudt was united in marriage to Genine Ellison, and they are the parents of six children, whose names fol- low: Edward, Clara. Theodore, Christopher and Helena.
OLE M. RUDE.
Successful and prosperous as a farmer, after some years of determined and persevering effort to reach a position of independence in the agricul- tural circles of Pelican township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, Ole M. Rude is a man who has shown his desirability as a citizen and has demon- strated his possession of those qualities which, used in matters of public welfare and progress for the community, have given him a rank among the appreciated men of Otter Tail county and Pelican township.
Ole M. Rude was born in Norway. December 20, 1856, the son of Martin O. and Sigeri (Olson) Rude, both of whom spent their entire lives in Norway, where Martin O. Rude was a man engaged in general work.
Ole M. Rude, the subject of this sketch was educated in Norway, after which he came, in the year 1883. to America, landed at Quebec, Canada, and from there came to Otter Tail county, settling at Pelican Rapids, near where he worked for some years as a farm hand, engaged in clearing the land of the early settlers in Pelican township. In the year 1887 Ole M. Rude bought forty acres of land in Pelican township, a place which he cleared of timber and brush, and where he erected the necessary buildings, on land which as yet was bare of any improvement. Since his first invest- ment, Ole M. Rude has added to his land holdings until he now owns one hundred acres of land in Pelican township, and sixty-three acres of valuable land on the east side of Lake Luda, on this land engaging in general farm- ing, together with some stock raising.
During the year 1884 Ole M. Rude was married to Carrie Martinson,
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who was born in Norway, the daughter of Martin Broughten and wife, who were natives of Norway. To the marriage of Ole and Carrie ( Martinson) Rude was born one son, Martin. In the year 1885 Ole M. Rude was mar- ried, secondly, to Carrie Jacobson, who was a native of Norway, the daugh- ter of Jacob Haakensen and wife, who were among the early comers to Pelican township. Ole M. and Carrie ( Jacobson) Rude are the parents of the following children : Jacob, Simon Henry, Minnie, Amalia, Carl Oscar, Lawrence George, Agnes Sophie, Clara Otthilia and Eddie Norman. Mr. Rude and his family are well-known and respected members of the United Lutheran church of Pelican township.
Politically. Ole M. Rude has taken no especial part as an office holder or public man, but has served as a good citizen in the ranks, one who is known to be willing to do all in his power for the interests of his commun- ity.
ENGEBRET L. KVERNSTOEN.
Engebret L. Kvernstoen is of Norwegian parentage and was born in Norway, January 24, 1865. his parents being Lars O. and Ingri ( Embret- datter ) Kvernstoen, who emigrated to America in the spring of 1869. Upon their arrival in the United States they located in Iowa for one year, and then removed to Goodhue county, Minnesota. Their intentions were to eventually establish a home in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and after remaining in Goodhne county for one year they began their journey to Tumuli township, Ingri ( Embretdatter ) Kvernstoen traveling by team. accompanying Carl Steien and family, while the hsuband and children jour- neyed by rail as far as Benson, where they hired a team to take them to. Tumuli township, where they joined the mother. This was in the spring of 1871 and they at once entered a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, on which Engebret L. Kvernstoen now lives. Lars O. and Ingri ( Embretdatter ) Kvernstoen remained on this place until their deaths. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased with the excep- tion of Engebret L. Kvernstoen.
Engebret 1 .. Kvernstoen received his meager education in the district schools of Tumuli township, Otter Tail county, and after finishing same, assisted his father with the work on the home place and has always remained on the farm. This farm now consists of two hundred acres, eighty acres having been added to the original purchase. General farming is the mode of cultivation. also some stock raising. The names of the brother and sis- ters of Engebret L. Kvernstoen are as follow: Ole, Anne and Kirsti.
In the fall of 1800 Engebret I. Kvernstoen was united in marriage to Ingeborg Sageng, and to them have been born nine children: Inga, Ole.
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Otto ( deceased ), Carl, Marie, Laura, Ottelie, Ruth and Otto. Engebret L. Kvernstoen and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
The paternal grandparents of Engebret L. Kvernstoen, Ole and Anna Kvernstoen, were natives of Norway and lived and died in that country, she at the advanced age of more than ninety years.
LARS O. RONNING.
Lars O. Ronning is a highly-respected citizen of Dane Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He has been very successful in his ehosen calling, and his native ability, for honesty and worth, has won him many friends. Lars O. Ronning is one of nine children born to the union of Ole Larson Ronning and Ingeborg Anderson, both natives of Norway. The birth of Lars O. Ronning occurred on December 31, 1845, in Norway, where he was reared to manhood and where all but two weeks of his educa- tion was received.
Ole Larson Ronning emigrated to America in 1867. and located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he rented a farm for a period of two years, in the meantime sending for his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, who arrived in 1868. They then removed to Chippewa county, Minnesota, where the father and his son. Lars O. Ronning, each entered a claim or homestead. Five years later Ole Larson Ronning sold his land and removed to Dane Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and pur- chased a homestead, where both he and his wife died. The youngest daugh- ter still resides on the home place. The names of their children follow : Thor, Lars O., Anna, Mettie. Bertha, Julia, Ole, Christian and Sophia.
Lars O. Ronning is indebted to the schools of his native land for the education which he received. After his- arrival in this country he attended school for a period of two weeks, but discontinued his studies for the oppor- tunity of accepting a position as painter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained for six years following his trade. He was united in marriage to Oleva Erickson, while a resident of Minneapolis, the marriage having been solemnized in 1875. Three years later he removed to Dane Prairie township, Otter Tail county, and purchased eighty acres of homestead land, on which he now resides. While engaged in agricultural pursuits he has followed his trade most of the time and is now practically retired from active labor. Most of the improvements on the farm have been made by Lars O. Ronning, who has developed the place into a very productive piece of property. His wife, Oleva (Erickson) Ronning, was born in Norway and emigrated, alone, to the United States, her parents having remained in Norway all of their lives. To the union of Lars O. Ronning and his wife
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have been born eight children: John, Severt, Oleva, Laura, Phena, Ber- nard, Albert and Mary.
The members of this family are affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran church and are actively engaged in the advancement and support of same. Lars O. Ronning was elected to serve in the capacity of supervisor for Dane Prairie township and also as school director.
KNUD C. HANSEN.
Among the prosperous financial institutions of Otter Tail county men- tion must be made of the First National Bank, of Battle Lake, which is a reorganization of the old Otter Tail County State Bank, and of which Knud C. Hansen is the cashier.
Knud C. Hansen was born near Christiana, Norway, June 16, 1868, a son of Christopher Hansen Bye and Boel Skatvedt. After his marriage, Mr. Hansen's father dropped the "Bye." and used "Stovern" in its place. Both Mr. Hansen's parents were born in Norway and spent their entire lives in that country. The elder Hansen was a farmer and reared a family of seven children, two of whom came to America, Helga, who is unmarried and lives in San Francisco, California, and Knud C., the immediate subject of this sketch.
Knud C. Hansen received his education in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of nineteen years came to America. For seven years he was employed as clerk in a store in Sargent county, North Dakota, but in 1895 removed to Battle Lake, this county, and engaged in business with T. A. Ranstad, under the firm name of Ranstad & Hansen, and was thus engaged in the hardware and implement business until 1907, a period of twelve years. In 1907 Mr. Hansen reorganized the old Otter Tail County State Bank into the First National Bank of Battle Lake, and was elected cashier of the institution, a position which he now holds.
The First National Bank of Battle Lake has as its president, Charles Keith: vice-president, Henry Olson; cashier, K. C. Hansen and assistant cashier, E. J. Rudh. A condensed statement from the report made to the comptroller of the currency on May 1, 1915, shows the bank to have total resources of $283,078.17. divided as follows: Loans. $213,613.61 ; over- drafts, $138.02; United States bonds, $25,000; banking house, $8,000; stock federal reserve bank, $850.00; cash on hand and due from banks, $34.226.54: redemption fund with United States treasurer, $1,250.00. The liabilities of the bank, which amount to $228,078.17, are divided as follows : Capital stock, $25.000.00; surplus. $3,500.00; undivided profits, $1,263.03; circulation. $25,000.00; deposits, $228.315.14. The bank makes a specialty of farm loans at the lowest rates, and all matters entrusted to that institu-
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KNUD C. HANSEN.
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tion receive prompt, careful and confidential attention. The bank is in a most prosperous condition, due in a large measure to the efficient banking methods of its officers, and the cordial relations between the public and its cashier.
Knud C. Hansen, since coming to America, has been identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Modern Woodmen of America at Fergus Falls.
JOHAN A. MELBY.
Johan A. Melby is a native of Calmar. Winneshiek county, Iowa, and his birth occurred on February 2, 1860. He is the son of Andrew Johnson and Martha ( Osselson ) Melby. Andrew Johnson Melby was born in 1825, in Ida, Wermeland. Sweden. and emigrated to America when a young man, chosing Chicago as his location. While a resident of that city he was engaged in various occupations, and while there his first marriage was sol- emnized. During the great struggle of the Civil War, Andrew Johnson Melby was drafted for service, but was released because of disability. About this time the death of his first wife occurred, and he returned to his native country, where he was employed for a dredging concern. For eight years he was a resident of Norway and Sweden, at the end of which time he returned to America, locating in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Shortly after his arrival in Winneshiek county he rented land and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for some years, also operating a threshing outfit, of which he was the owner.
Andrew Johnson Melby was united in marriage to Martha Osselson, a native of Gran, Hadland, Norway, who was born in 1832. She was a widow and the mother of one daughter, who died when very young. To the union of Andrew Johnson and Martha ( Osselson) Melby were both these chil- dren : Johan, Mary, now Mrs. Gunder Hanson, died in Grant county ; Caroline, deceased : Olat, deceased, and Anna, also deceased. In the fall of 1871 the family moved to St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Eagle Lake township. Their home consisted of a "dugont," in which they lived for nine years, at the end of which time a log house was erected. and is still standing on the original site.
Johan A. Melby received his education in the local schools of Eagle Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and has always resided on the home place, which he now owns. General farming and the breeding and raising of Shorthorn cattle are the principal industries of this farm, which is well improved and well managed.
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MICHAEL WALZ.
Among the progressive and influential citizens of Otter Tail county. Minnesota, none are held in greater esteem than Michael Walz, who has been honored with many positions of trust. His birth occurred on October 13, 1852, in Illinois, and he is the son of Michael and Eva ( Schmidt ) Walz, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1848 and located in Illinois, where Michael Walz engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1860 they removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, where a farm was purchased and this became their home until their deaths. They were the parents of fifteen children.
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