USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 36
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JACOB ERKKILA.
Jacob Erkkila. well-known and prominent farmer of Otto township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Finland, in the year 1847, the son of Michael and Elsie Erkkila, both of whom were natives of Finland. Michael Erkkila was a farmer of his native country, where he died in 1893. at the age of seventy-one years. His widow, Elsie, after the death of her husband, came to America and located in Otto township, where she lived until her death in 1908, aged eighty years. Michael and Elsie Erkkila were the parents of four children, Jacob, Matthew, Kate and Erica.
Jacob Erkkila received his education in the schools of Finland, after which he came to America, in the year 1871, and following a short resi- dence in the state of Michigan, he came, in 1881, to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 22, Otto township. where he now lives engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits.
In 1881, Jacob Erkkila was married, while a resident of Michigan, to Lizzie Rusanen, who was born in Finland in 1857. To this marriage have been born the following children: Emanuel, Jacob (deceased), Ulivia, Leo ( deceased), Matthew ( deceased), Annie, John, Albert, William (deceased). Natha, Joseph, Mannie, Martha (deceased) and Peter.
NELS EDHOLM.
Born in Sweden on August 10, 1850, Nels Edholm, a prosperous farmer of Inman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Erick Erickson and Martha Edholm, both of whom were born in Sweden, where Mr. Edholm's father died in 1881. His mother had died previously in 1880. They had a family of nine children. of whom Anna, the second born, and Engle, the seventh, are deceased. The living children are, Nathaniel. Bertha, Nels, Peter, Martha, Erick and Ingrid.
Nels Edholm was educated in the public schools of his native land and came to America, settling in Otter Tail county, in 1893. Shortly after coming to Otter Tail county. Mr. Edholm purchased eighty acres of land in section 11, of Inman township. Mr. Edholm's two sons, Erick and John. have added one hundred and twenty acres to the original farm so that it now consists of two hundred acres, all situated in section II. Mr. Edholm has cleared his farm and erected good buildings upon the land.
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Many years ago, Nels Edholm was married in Sweden to Sophia Ander- son, who was born in 1861 and who is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Anderson. both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Edholm's father died in 1894 and her mother in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Nels Edholm have been the parents of fourteen children. of whom three are deceased. Ingrid, the eldest, died many years ago. Othiala died on April 3, 1912, and Lillian died on April 4, 1912. The living children are Erick, John, Otto, Ingrid, Alma, Hilma, Clara, Evelyn, Elna, Arthur and Elvin.
Mr. and Mrs. Nels Edholm are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Compton township. They have always taken a very active interest in religious affairs and are among the prominent farmers and citizens of Inman township.
FREDRICK DUNKER.
Fredrick Dunker, successful farmer and well-known citizen of Otter Tail township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, on February 9. 1876, the son of Henry and Dorothy ( Blume) Dunker, natives of Hanover, Germany. Henry Dunker was a brick-layer in his native country, an occupation which, together with farming, he followed for some years and then came to America, where he lived with his son for some time. Henry and Dorothy ( Blume) Dunker were the parents of one child, Fredrick, the subject of this sketch. By a former marriage, Henry Dunker was the father of three children. Dick, Mary and Dorothy. The elder Dunker died on December 24. 1903.
Frederick Dunker was educated in the public schools of his native country, after which he came to America in 1800, and worked as a farm helper for ten years and then, in 1900, he secured two hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 33 and 34, of Otter Tail township, a place which Mr. Dunker has greatly improved and a farm, one hundred acres of which he has cleared of timber and has prepared for cultivation. Mr. Dunker now engages in general agricultural pursuits on his land in Otter Tail town- ship.
On November 10, 1906, Fredrick Dunker was married to Catherine Luhning, the dayghter of Henry Luhning and wife, well-known people of the community. "Fo the marriage of Fredrick and Catherine Dunker have been born four children, Henry, Wilma, Olga and Arthur. Fredrick Dunker and his family are active and appreciated members of the German Lutheran church, of Otter Tail township.
Mr. Dunker is a man well known in the public life of Otter Tail town- ship, he for many years having been actively engaged in the support of the progressive measures and movements of the community. At the present
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time Mr. Dunker is serving his township as assessor, an office which he has occupied for seven years, and he is also acting as the chairman of the town- ship board.
GILBERT G. MOEN.
Gilbert G. Moen, a well-to-do farmer of Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway on June 23, 1855. Mr. Moen is a son of Gulbrand G. Moen and Rangdi Erickson (Skatebo) Moen, both of whom were born in Norway, and both of whom died in that country.
In 1883 Gilbert G. Moen came to America, and settled in Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, where he subsequently purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and it is upon this farm that Mr. Moen now lives. He has erected all of the buildings which now stand on the farm, and which are now used, including the house in which the Moen family now live. Mr. Moen has also clearcd the land of trees and stumps, and has put it under cultivation. It is a very fertile farm, and Mr. Moen raises crops equal to any raised in this part of the county.
In 1876, before coming to America, Mr. Moen was married to Berit Haldorson, who was born in Norway, June 10, 1854. Mrs. Moen's parents died in their native land. Gilbert G. Moen and wife are the parents of eight children, as follow : Gilbert, Haldor, Edwin. Martin, Olaf, Carl, May and Ida, all of whom are living. Gilbert and Haldor live in Underwood; Edwin, in Duluth; Martin lives on a farm in Sverdrup; the others live at home.
The Moen family are all members of the Unitarian church at Under- wood, Minnesota. Mr. Moen is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery Company, and in the co-operative store at Underwood. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of Sverdrup township, and one of its most highly respected and substantial citizens.
PETER LINDER.
Peter Linder, a prosperous farmer of Nidaros township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden, July 7, 1846, and is a son of Erick and Betsey Olson, both of whom were also natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives.
Peter Linder received his educational training in the public schools of his native country, and in 1867 emigrated to America, working first in Anoka county, Minnesota. Later he spent sixteen months in Rice county, Minnesota, working on a farm. after which he lived in Minneapolis for :1 time. In 1871 Mr. Linder came to Nidaros township, Otter Tail county. and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in section 34, and here
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he has since lived. In 1893 he erected a magnificent barn, fifty by twenty- four feet in dimensions. Seven years later he built a substantial and com- fortable residence, and in many other ways has improved his farm, always keeping his buildings and fences in good repair and well painted. Mr. Linder is an up-to-date and progressive farmer, and has been successful since coming to this county.
On October 4, 1872, about five years after coming to the United States, Peter Linder was married to Sarah Johnson, a native of Sweden, born in that country in 1844. Mrs. Linder came to Otter Tail county, in 1867, and five years later was married to Mr. Linder. To this union have been born eight children, of whom six are deceased, Alexander, Emma, Bessie, Ada, Josephine and Bettsy. The living children are Charles and Oscar, both of whom are farmers in North Dakota. The mother of these children died on May 17, 1902, and two years later, on June 21, 1904, Mr. Linder was mar- ried to Matilda Johnson, who had two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Mrs. Brunsell, is now living at Ashland. Wisconsin ; the son. John. is staying at home.
Mr. Linder and family are members of the Eagle Lake Swedish Luth- eran church, in which they take an active and interested part.
JOHN HAGLUND.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Scambler town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is John Haglund, who was born in Sweden, on September 16, 1864, the son of Erick and Anna Haglund, natives of Sweden. Erick Haglund died in the year 1868. after which his widow. Anna, was married, secondly, to Hans Berglund. John and Anna Hag- lund were the parents of the following children, Nels, John, and August. twins; Abraham and Anna.
John Haglund was educated in the public schools of Sweden, after which he came to America, in the year 1893, and settled in Otter Tail county. where he bought sixty acres of land in Pelican township, on which he lived for a short time and then disposing of his land. Mr. Haglund purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mahnomen county. He disposed of his land in Mahnomen and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in sec- tions 13 and 14, Scambler township, a place which he improved with new buildings and equipment and a farm on which he now lives as a general farmer and stock raiser.
In 1897, John Haglund was married to Frances Davis, who was born in Rock Elm, Pierce county, Minnesota. in 1879. She is the daughter of Robert and Adella Davis, natives of Ohio and Wisconsin, respectively. To the marriage of John and Frances Haglund have been born the following
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children, Annetta, Robert ( deceased). Albertina, Hazel, Harold, Melvin, Mary and Earl.
John Haglund has taken a prominent place in the business life of Scambler township and the vicinity; he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Pelican Rapids, as well as being a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.
ALVA L. SHAW.
Alva L. Shaw, farmer and prominent citizen of Otter Tail township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Mower county, Minnesota, on August 11. 1865, the son of Darious N. and Sylvia (Wood) Shaw, natives of New York state.
Darious N. Shaw came to the state of Minnesota, from his native state of New York, in 1852, and settled in Mower county, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he made his home for two years and then disposing of his land, the elder Shaw moved to Otter Tail county, and purchased one hundred and two acres of land in section 24. Otter Tail township, a farm which he cultivated for some time and then traded his land for "Sandy Beach," making his home there for a time, after which he moved to the town of Otter Tail, where he now lives.
Alva L. Shaw received his education in the public schools of Otter Tail township, after which he became a farmer. He rented a farm for some time and then in 1900 purchased eighty acres of land, a place which Mr. Shaw has greatly improved and on which he now makes his home, as a gen- eral farmer.
On May 22, 1895, Alva L. Shaw was married to May Taylor, and to this marriage were born four children, Marvin, Ruth, Eleanor and Flora. By a former marriage to Bessie Hemstreet, on July 11, 1891, Mr. Shaw is the father of one daughter, Bessie. Mr. Shaw's first wife died on February 23. 1894.
As a public man, Mr. Shaw has served his township as clerk for four- teen years and for ten years has been chairman of the township board.
EMANUEL, M. JOHNSON.
Emanuel M. Johnson, a native of Sweden, was born on February 21. 1844, and was the son of John and Christena Johnson, both of whom lived and died in their native country.
John Johnson was a day laborer and for twenty-five years served as a soldier in the army of his country. He was an active member of the Swedish Lutheran church and took much interest in all church work. Mrs. Johnson
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previous to her marriage to Mr. Johnson was the wife of Solomon Larson and to this union four children were born; Solomon, N. N., Miestine and Sarah.
Emanuel M. Johnson, the only child of John and Christena Johnson, received his education in Sweden, having come to. America at the age of twenty-five, in 1870. After landing in New York City he came direct to Chicago where he remained for three years working on the street cars, being one of the first men to engage in that occupation in that city. Later he was employed by a railroad company where he remained for some time.
In 1873 Mr. Johnson homesteaded eighty acres of land in Otter Tail county and worked for others for a time. Later he bought more land and now owns two hundred and eighty acres which he has improved and developed, all the buildings having been built by him. The house was built in 1895 and the present barn was erected to replace one that burned some time ago. Mr. Johnson practices general farming and stock raising, having some of the finest Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs in the county.
In 1878 Emanuel M. Johnson was married to Mary Anderson, a native of Sweden and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. . \. Anderson, who had located in Minnesota. They are the parents of the following children : Theodore, Gottfred, Oscar, Olga and Lilly. Mrs. Johnson died on July 9, 1914. Olga is the wife of John Pearson and they have two children. Theo- dore, the eldest of the family, a young man of much force and ability, is still at home. Gottfred and Oscar are operating the home farm. Gottfred Johnson was married on September 14, 1915, to Marie E. Johnson, a dangh- ter of Jolm Johnson, and a native of Sweden. Marie E. Johnson came to America in IQUI and located in Fergus Falls.
JOHN LIEN.
In the financial history of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, particular mention is but the just right of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Mr. Lien is one of the self-made men of this county, having won his way to achievements to which many aspire, but few reach. He has set an example of industry and thrift that could well be followed to advantage by the rising generation.
John Lien, farmer, Battle Lake, Amor township. Otter Tail county, was born on July 28, 1864. in Faribault county, Minnesota, and is a son of J. J. and Sigri ( Nordskog) Lien. His education was obtained at the public schools of the district, after which he took a normal course at Mankato, Minnesota, graduating at the end of three and one-half years. After com- pleting his education, Mr. Lien taught school for five years in Otter Tail county, and one year at Battle Lake, where he occupied the position of
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principal, and had entire charge of all the classes. After he took charge of the work, the school was rebuilt, and three teachers added to the educational staff. After his marriage, he located on a farm of eighty acres, which he had bought in the fall of 1889, where he has since resided, and to which he has continued to add, until he now owns a fine tract of five hundred and twenty-four acres of good agricultural land, all situated in Amor township. He has put extensive and valuable improvements on his place, including a substantial modern house and a new barn, erected in 1915.
The land at the time of purchase was mostly covered with timber, which Mr. Lien has cleared, and put in good agricultural condition. Politically. he has long been a loyal Republican, and has been active in local politics for many years, having held the office of town clerk for twenty-six years, and a member of the school board for twenty-one years. Religiously, he belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church of Amor township, while his fraternal alliance is with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a director in the Sverdrup Insurance Com- pany, with which he has been associated for the past nineteen years, and has held the office of president in the Otter Tail Co-operative Company for six years. He is president of the Telephone Company of Amor township. His particular interest on the farm is confined to the breeding and raising of Shorthorn cattle, of which he sells a great many. each year.
J. J. Lien was born in Norway, and was united in marriage with Sigri Nordskog. He was educated in the old country, and came to America when about twenty-one years of age, landing at New York City, and moving direct to Iowa, where he was engaged as a day laborer at Spirit Lake, after which he squatted some land and did trapping and hunting until driven away by the Indians, after which he took up a homestead of one hundred and forty-three acres on the border of Lake Lura, near Delavan, Minnesota, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in June, 1889. His wife still lives on the home place, which is under the management of her son, Thomas J. Lien. The children born to J. J. and Sigri (Nords- kog) Lien are as follow: John, Ole, Thomas J., Elias, Elizabeth ( who died at the age of twenty-seven years), Peter, Alfred, Halvor, Eva, Caro- line and Arnold. Of these children, Alfred and Halvor are in Canada: Arnold is teaching at Boulder, Colorado, in the State University. J. J. Lien was a member of the Lutheran church, in which he was a leader, always taking an active part in church work.
Joseph Lien, the paternal grandfather, was a farmer in Norway, where he lived and died.
John Lien was united in marriage, March 22, 1800, with Hannah John- son, daughter of John Johnson. She was born on August 2, 1867, in
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Sweden, and came with her parents to America, locating in Amor township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Eleven children have been born to this union : Clarence T .. Sarah, Mabel, Bert, Anton, Arne, Halvor, Marvin, Rhoda, Kenneth and Forest. Of this family of children, those married are : Sarah, who became the wife of Andrew Larson, and Mabel, who was mar- ried to Gilbert Murk and lives in Amor township.
Mr. Lien occupies a position of prominence in Amor township, where he has trained his children to become honored and useful citizens and where he has many warm and admiring friends.
JOHN HANECAM.
.A drive through the outskirts of Elizabeth, Minnesota, will take one past the prosperous and attractive looking farm of Mr. Hanecam, the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch, and whose name is well and prom- inently known in the agricultural district in which he resides. Nothing is more convincing of the prosperity of a farmer than the condition in which he keeps his building and fences, and in this direction Mr. Hanecam takes particular pride.
John Hanecam. farmer, Elizabeth township, Otter Tail county, was born on January 15. 1864, in Wisconsin, and is a son of Peter and Alice ( Moe) Hanecam. He received his education at the public schools and has always followed farming, being the present manager of his father's farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty aeres. Mr. Hanecam belongs to the Lutheran church.
Peter Hanecam, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on November 26, 1824. in Norway. His wife was Alice Moe, daughter of Lars Moe. She was born in Norway, and came with her parents to America, settling on a farm in Minnesota. Mr. Hanecam has followed farming nearly all his life. On his arrival in Minnesota, Mr. Hanecam selected Rochester for his home. in 1864, where he followed his trade of stone-mason until 1871. Both Mr. Hanecam and his wife are still living, and he is doubtless the oldest man in Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county. Their children were as follow : John, Hannah. Bertha. Louis (deceased), and Lena { deceased ). . Mr. Hanceam's farm is located in Elizabeth and Oscar town- ships, and consists of two hundred and forty aeres. Politically, he has always given his support to the Democratic party, while his religious mem- bership is with the Lutheran church. During his active agricultural pur- suits, Mr. Hanecam gave considerable of his time and attention to stock raising, in which direction he was also very successful.
John Hanecam was united in marriage on June 1, 1888, with Christie Bjornnd, who was a native of the old country. The children born to this
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marriage are Louise and Theoline. Louise became the wife of Marvin Roghelt and is now living on the old homestead, and Theoline is a school teacher.
Mr. Hanecam is one of the substantial agriculturists of Otter Tail county, where he has built up a comfortable fortune for his declining years. Both he and his wife have won and retain the friendship of many warm friends in the community in which they reside.
EDWARD A. PECK, JR.
Edward A. Peck, Jr., is among those citizens who are entitled to a place of respect in the esteem of their fellowmen and whose efforts for the betterment of the community in which they live commend them. His birth occurred on May 19, 1880, on his father's homestead, located in section 24, Scambler township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is the son of Edward A. and Sarah (Sischo) Peck.
Edward A. Peck, Sr., was born in Jefferson county, New York, and at the age of eight years, owing to the death of his mother, was placed in the care of A. P. Clark, with whom he made his home until the age of twenty- one years. At that time he was given one dollar and his freedom and, thus equipped, he became the arbiter of his own destiny. He soon married and immediately after became an employee of a cheese factory, in which service he remained for a period of two years, removing to Iowa in 1876. During their three years' sojourn in that state the great plague of grasshoppers so destroyed their crops that they were forced to seek habitation elsewhere, and in a covered wagon. drawn by oxen, they started northward, stopping for one month in Alexandria and then on to Becker county, Minnesota. Edward A. Peck, Sr., became interested in the draying business and remained in that line for a period of two years, also engaging in the teaming business, which was a flourishing trade in those days. He finally removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, which was located in section 24. Scambler township, and which was partly cleared. The house was of logs but was soon remodeled into a very comfortable residence and the family remained in this home for two years, or until the place was entirely cleared prepara- tory to cultivation.
Shortly after this work was completed Mr. Peck accepted a position in Lake Park, as foreman for a Mr. Canfield, who owned large farming inter- ests, and he remained in Mr. Canfield's service for sixteen consecutive years. After the death of Mr. Canfield, Edward A. Peck, Sr., became an employee of the younger Mr. Canfield and remained in his service for one year. . At
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the beginning of this seventeen years service Sarah (Sischo) Peck remained on the homestead with the children, of whom there were six, but her death occurred and the problem of caring for the family was solved by two of the daughters removing to Lake Park, where they were under the direct super- vision of the father.
The Otter Tail county property was left in charge of the sons, whose efforts were so productive of results that the farm was gradually increased until it now contains six hundred and forty acres. The buildings are mod- ern and among the best in the county. A specialty is made of breeding and raising pure strain Durham cattle, of which a herd of twenty head are kept. An herd of thirty head of the same stock is kept, which are not as perfect in strain as are the others.
In 1898 Edward A. Peck, Sr., became interested in the livery business, which he continued for three years, in Lake Park. He was also engaged in the hardware business for two years. A residence was built in Lake Park and both Edward A. Peck, Sr., and his second wife, Hattie ( Randolph) Peck, made their home in this place. Hattie ( Randolph) Peck is a native of Kingston, Canada.
Both Edward A. Peck, Sr., and his first wife were members of the Presbyterian church but he now attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Republican party. The names of the children born to his first union follow : Lilly, who became the wife of Stewart McCoy. and died while a resident of Larimore, North Dakota; Nellie, who became the wife of Jay Rider, and now lives at Portland, Oregon; Harry J .. deceased, and who formerly had charge of the home place in Scambler town- ship, where his death occurred; Mattie married George Tucker, and they make their home in Watson, Canada; Florence married Adolph Norby, and they live in Moorhead, Minnesota, and Edward A., Jr.
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