USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 38
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ANDREW JOHNSEN.
As a result of domestic circumstances to be compelled, with little educa- tion or training, to seek employment as a means of support and to aid in the betterment of home conditions, and from this humble position to rise to a place of recognized success in the agricultural and business world, as well as to attain a place of prominence and influence in the public and official life of the township and community, is the record of Andrew Johnsen, well known and honored citizen of Eastern township, Otter Tail county, Minne- sota. From days of hardship to those of comfort as a farmer and land- owner, with limited schooling to become a man of knowledge and judgment in the conduct of public affairs, and as a result of his own efforts and resourceful ways to reach a place in the life of the community which has given him a place of honor and esteem, he is worthy of a notable position among the men of achievement and accomplishment in Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
Andrew Johnsen was born in Smaland, Sweden, on March 1, 1859, the son of Peter and Sarah (Person) Johnsen, both of whom were born in Smaland, Sweden, during the year 1836. Peter Johnsen was a farmer in his native land, where he lived until the year 1868, at that time coming, with his family, to America and stopping at the city of Chicago, Illinois, where, as a result of insufficient means, the elder Johnsen found it necessary to leave his family while he journeyed to Washington county, Minnesota, at which place he secured funds with which to bring his wife and children to Washington county. Minnesota, a place where this hardy pioneer lived until the year 1871, when he moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, living for the first summer in a granary, after which Peter Johnsen homesteaded a farm which he improved from time to time, at the same time engaging in general agricultural pursuits, a line of endeavor in which he has prospered to the point of comfort and independence. Peter and Sarah Johnsen are the parents of the following children: Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Gust : Swan J. ; Ida C., who is deceased ; Emma E., who is deceased ; Sophia, who lives at Webster. South Dakota: William A., who lives at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Frank E., who lives at Fargo, North Dakota. Peter John- sen and his family are well known and prominent members of the Swedish Lutheran church, the elder Johnsen being known especially for his great interest and efforts in the church of his choice.
Andrew Johnsen was able to secure but little education, at the age of twelve years leaving his classes and working in a pinery until he was about sixteen years of age, after which he became a helper with a party of sur- veyors who were planning the state road between the towns of Wadena and
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Long Prairie, Minnesota. Mr. Johnsen relates that while with this party at one time the food supply became exhausted and it was necessary to make a journey of thirty-six miles on foot before more food could be obtained. The early days of Andrew Johnsen from the days when he with his brothers were trappers seeking to aid in the support of the family, until at the time when he became twenty-one years of age and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Eastern township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has since become an extensive and well-to-do farmer, are full of interest and are illustrative of the spirit and manner of this estimable citizen. Since acquiring the land of his homestead, Andrew Johnsen has added twenty adjoining acres to his farm, has cleared many acres of uncleared land and has improved and equipped his farm until it is among the most desirable of the county for the general agricultural life which Mr. Johnsen follows.
During the year 1885 Andrew Johnsen was married to Jennie Nuttson, who, in the year 1890, died, being the mother of three children: Rudolph, Amelia and Elsie. Mr. Johnsen married, secondly, Anna Sjodin, to whom were born the following children: Merton and Myrtle, twins; Anna and Vivian. Andrew Johnsen is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, a congregation which he has served as trustee. In politics, Mr. Johnsen is a Democrat. Andrew Johnsen has been county commissioner since 1910 and at one time served a term of five years as township assessor; he also served on the township board from 1890 to 1910, and as treasurer of the school board for six years.
For nearly thirty years Mr. Johnsen has been the agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and he is now president of the Parkers Prairie Co-operative Creamery Company.
JAMES H. SHEA.
To attain a position of trust in the financial world requires mental faculties of a superior order and great strength of character. These ele- ments of high citizenship have been combined in such a way in the character of James H. Shea as to make him a constant recipient of public confidence. He whose name initiates this sketch was born in Otter Tail county, in Rush Lake township, on the 21st of May, 1876. He is the son of Martin Shea, whose life history is presented elsewhere in this volume.
James H. Shea began his educational training in the common schools of Perham and completed his education in St. John's University at College- ville, Minnesota. Upon leaving school he became assistant postmaster at Perham from 1893 until 1897. The following year he became interested in the hardware business and was employed by A. Marckel. for whose hard- ware firm he worked until 1902. He gained a wide experience in this line
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of work from January, 1902, until February, 1904, when he traveled for the Marshall-Wells Hardware Company, through North Dakota. In 1904 Mr. Shea entered in the employment of the bank at Perham and is now acting as cashier of the State Bank of Perham, where his ability has received marked recognition.
On the 12th of April, 1910, the marriage of James H. Shea and Anna L. Flynn was solemnized. Anna (Flynn) Shea is the daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Macmara) Flynn, who are well known in Meeker county. Mr. and Mrs. Shea are members of the St. Henry's Catholic church, where they attend regularly.
Mr. Shea is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and lives up to the highest ideals of the organization. In the social and business life of the community in which he lives, Mr. Shea is looked upon as a man of engaging personality, and he has a spirit of good fellowship which has won for him many friends. Mr. Shea is a member of the Democratic party, and is treas- urer of the city of Perham.
HANS N. ARVIDSON.
Hans N. Arvidson, a prominent farmer of Parkers Prairie, should be included among the men who represent that industry in this part of the county. Born in Sweden on May 22, 1872, he is the son of Nels Olsen and Margaret Jenson, both of whom were born in Sweden and came to America in 1892, bringing with them all of their children excepting Christe, who is deceased. Nels Olsen, who was a forester in Sweden, settled with his fam- ily in Eastern township, near the present home of the subject of this .sketch. He and his wife, both of whom are dead, were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, namely : Bengta, Ingar, Ole, James (deceased), Botilda, Nils, Ellen, Andrew, Hans, Charles, Mary, Christe (deceased) and another child, who died in infancy. Of the living children only three are residents of localities other than Eastern township.
Hans Arvidson was a school boy in Sweden up to his fifteenth year. when he came with one brother and three sisters to live in this township. Accustomed to hard work, he soon found employment as a farm laborer. and in 1898 purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he now lives. On this he has placed modern improvements and has become successful as a raiser of Shorthorn cattle. In 1902 he added to his property by the purchase of cighty acres in section 29, also in Eastern township. After his arrival in this country he lived continuously in Otter Tail county with the exception of two seasons in North Dakota, during his nineteenth and twentieth years.
The ceremony which made Hans N. Arvidson and Sophia Anderson
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man and wife took place on September 18, 1898. Mrs. Arvidson, who is a native of Sweden, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tuve Anderson, who lived thirty years in America and from whom Mr. Arvidson purchased the land which he added to his farm. Mr. Anderson later returned to Sweden, where he now lives.
A large and interesting family grew up about Mr. and Mrs. Arvidson. and the mother took pains to instruct them in the tenets of the Swedish Lutheran denomination, to which she and her husband belong. The children born in this home are Clifford, Ruben, Gertrude. Henry, Rhinhart, Signa. Alvin and Edna.
Mr. Arvidson is at present chairman of the supervisors of this township and has held this office for ten years. He is also a stockholder in the Joy Creamery Company. A man who can hold a public office acceptably to him- self and to the community for ten years is a man worthy of respect and commendation. No public duty has ever been neglected by Mr. Arvidson. who has also led an exemplary life, as is attested by the respect in which he is held.
WILLIAM F. SMITH.
One of the largest landowners of Inman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is William F. Smith, who owns five hundred and twenty acres in Inman township, besides one hundred and twenty acres in Oak Valley town- ship. Mr. Smith has been a resident of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, since 1902, a period of fourteen years, and his present large holdings of farm real estate are a splendid testimony, not only of his industry, but of his knowl- edge of farming and his careful business management.
William F. Smith was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, July 22, 1862. His parents were William and Laura C. (Bulles) Smith, the former of whom was born in 1818, and the latter in 1822, in Massachusetts. They cante to Wisconsin about 1845, and in 1873 moved to Buchanan, Iowa. where Mr. Smith's father engaged in farming and where he died in 1901. His wife had died seven years prior to her husband's death, in 1894.
William F. Smith was reared in the village of Avon, Rock county. Wisconsin, until he was eleven years old, when the family moved to Iowa, where he lived on a farm until he was twenty-eight years old. At this time the family moved to Hazelton, Iowa, and Mr. Smith was engaged in the well business until 1902, when he moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 10 and 3, of Inman township. He has since added three hundred and twenty acres, and now owns altogether six hundred and forty acres, all of which, except one hundred and twenty acres, is situated in Inman township. The
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other is situated in Oak Valley township. Mr. Smith is a general farmer and stockman and one of the most extensive farmers of this township.
In 1903 William F. Smith was married to Vinnie E. Tuffs, who was born near Mason City, lowa, and to them have been born six children, Vera, William Glenn, Vernon Clifford, Lester Lowell, Inez and Theodore Mars- don.
It can hardly be expected that a man who has been so busily engaged as William F. Smith in farming, has had very much time for other things. Nevertheless, he has taken an interest in educational affairs and is at present a member of the local school board. His prominence in this community rests more on his success as a farmer than on anything else. He has a host of friends in Inman and Oak Valley townships, where he has come to be well known.
GOTTLIEB MENGE.
Gottlieb Menge, prominent farmer and stock raiser of Oak Valley town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Winona county, Minnesota, on April 3, 1877, the son of Fred and Fredericka (Lentz) Menge, natives of Germany. Fred Menge came to America when eighteen years of age and following his marriage in the state of Wisconsin, where he first located, he settled in Winona county, Minnesota, on eighty acres of land which he pur- chased in that county. In the year 1902, the elder Menge moved to Otter Tail county, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of land in section 8, Oak Valley township, and lived there until his death, in 1906. Fred and Fredericka Menge were the parents of the following children: Herman, John, Gottlieb, Amelia, Gusta, Minnie and Louise.
Gottlieb Menge was educated in the schools of his native county, after which he went to the state of North Dakota and homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land. where he lived for three years and then returned to Oak Valley township. In 1903 Gottlieb Menge bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inman and Oak Valley townships, where he lived for some time and then sold his land and bought the one-hundred- and-sixty-acre farm of his father. a place which he greatly improved and to which he added eighty acres of land, making the farm, where he now engages in farming and stock raising, one of the best farms of the com- munity.
In business and political circles Gottlieb Menge has taken an important part. Mr. Menge is a stockholder of the Oak Valley Co-operative Creamery Company, and in official life has served his community as treasurer of Oak Valley township and for six years served as clerk of the school board. He
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has also served as secretary of the Oak Valley Creamery Association since the same started.
On November 24, 1904, Gottlieb Menge was married to Anna Wacholz, who was born in Germany, the daughter of John and Caroline (Wahrmas- ter) Wacholz. To the marriage of Gottlieb and Anna Menge have been born four children, Florence, Elsie (deceased), Arnold and Erwin.
John Wacholz was born in Germany, November 8, 1846, and his wife, Caroline, was born in Germany, December 11, 1846. Following their mar- riage, in 1872, John and Caroline came to America and settled in Winona county, where they lived until 1905 and then moved to Otter Tail county. On coming to Oak Valley township, where Mr. Wacholz had secured a farm of eighty acres, at an earlier date, the family established a home on their farm and after many improvements had one of the best farms of the locality, where John Wacholz has since lived, his wife, Caroline, dying on July 7, 1915. John and Caroline Wacholz are the parents of six children.
ALBERT R. KNUTSON.
Among the well-known farmers and prominent stock raisers of Erhards Grove township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Albert R. Knutson, who was born on the old Knutson homestead in Erhards Grove township, on June 25, 1884, the son of August and Amanda (Anderson) Knutson, natives of Sweden, the former born on September 28. 1854, and the latter born on July 2, 1861.
August Knutson was the son of Knut and Botilda Nelson, who were born in Sweden, where they lived until coming to America and settling, as pioneers, in Erhards Grove township, where Knut Nelson homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated for some time, selling the land later to his son-in-law, B. A. Bengtson, but continued living on the farm until his death, on October 6. 1895. Botilda, the widow of Knut Nelson, died on October 5, 1900. Amanda Knutson was the daughter of Samnel and Lizzie (Swanson) Anderson, the former of whom lived and died in Sweden. His wife, Lizzie, after Mr. Anderson's death, emigrated, with the rest of her family, to the United States in the spring of 1876, coming to Otter Tail. She married Carl Fogelberg there and died in the year 1879. August Knutson came to Otter Tail county from Sweden in the fall of 1875 and homesteaded eighty acres of land in section 14. Erhards Grove township, where he lived as a farmer, adding to his land until he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land at the time of his death, in 1887. August and Amanda Knutson were the parents of three children, Jennie. Ahna and Albert, all of whom are living. Amanda Knut-
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son, after the death of her husband, August Knutson, was married to Noah Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came to America and now cultivates eighty acres of land in sections 10 and 15. of Erhards Grove township.
Albert R. Knutson received his education in the common schools and in the high school of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, after which he became a student at the University of Minnesota, graduating from the school of agri- culture in 1012. Mr. Knutson was then appointed assistant agricultural agent for the Great Northern agricultural extension division, an office which he occupied for one year. Later, Mr. Knutson went to Polk county, Minne- sota, where he served as county agricultural agent for six months, after which he returned to the home farm, and, in partnership with his step- father, he established a firm known as Johnson & Knutson, stock breeders and dealers. As a stock dealer and raiser Mr. Knutson has been thoroughly successful, the firm of which he is a member being the owners of some of the finest cattle to be found in the state, the herd consisting of purebred Holsteins, as well as many high-grade animals of the same breed. Johnson & Knutson are also breeders of Duroc-Jersey hogs. they making a specialty of this stock, together with Holstein cattle.
ANDREW T. VIGEN.
Andrew T. Vigen, farmer, prominent citizen, man of affairs and legis- lator, of Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway on March 2, 1854. the son of Thrond E. and Lizzie A. ( Stadum), natives of Norway. Thrond E. Vigen came to America in 1870. and located in Fillmore county, where he lived for two years and then moved to Otter Tail county, where he homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 18. Erhards Grove township, a place which he cultivated until his death, on June 7, 1807. Lizzie A., the widow of Thrond E. Vigen, now lives with Mrs. Strinden, in Pelican Rapids, at the age of ninety years. Thrond E. and Lizzie A. Vigen were the parents of the following children : Maren, who married Isaac Strinden, of Pelican Rapids; Andrew T., the subject of this sketch, and Ingebret T., a hardware and machinery dealer. Lake Park.
Andrew T. Vigen was educated in the public schools of his native coun- try and in the common schools of Fillmore county, Minnesota, after which he came to Otter Tail county with his parents and homesteaded eighty acres in section 18, Erhards Grove township, a place to which he later added one hundred and sixty acres, in Trondhjem township, and then bought forty acres in Erhards Grove township and ten acres of timber land in the same region. On this land Andrew T. Vigen placed extensive improvements and has since engaged in general farming and stock raising.
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On October 20, 1877, Andrew T. Vigen was married to Jorgina P. Mitbo, who was born in Norway, November 29, 1857, the daughter of Peter and Christina Mitbo, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Fayette county, Iowa, where they lived for four years and then, in 1870, came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where Peter Mitbo homesteaded a farm of two hundred acres, on which he lived until his death, in 1904. To the marriage of Andrew T. and Jorgina P. Vigen have been born the fol- lowing children : Theodore, Anton, Lizzie Christena, Hilda, Edward, Anna, Syvirin, Ottelia, Severine, James, Elmer and Wilhelm George. Mr. Vigen and his family are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Andrew T. Vigen is one of the best-known and honored citizens of Otter Tail county. he having taken a conspicuous part in the public life and official circles of township, county and state. Mr. Vigen has served his township as supervisor, as clerk of the township. as clerk of the school board and for many years as a member of the school board. In 1888 Andrew T. Vigen was appointed to fill a vacancy as county commissioner, he later, in 1907. being elected to the office, which he occupied for eight years. In 1894 Andrew T. Vigen was elected to a seat in the state Legislature, taking office in 1895 and serving two terms, being re-elected to that office in 1897. Mr. Vigen is a stanch Progressive.
As a business man, Andrew T. Vigen is prominently affiliated, he being a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company, a company which he was instrumental in organizing.
OLAF ISAKSON.
Born in Sweden, March 8, 1876, Olaf Isakson, a successful farmer of Inman township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a son of Isaac and Betsey ( Johnson) Isakson.
Mr. Isakson's parents were both natives of Sweden, who emigrated to America, settling at Henning. Otter Tail county, in 1892. Mr. Isakson's father died at Henning, in 1896, at the age of fifty-six years, and his mother died in 1911, at the age of seventy-eight. They were the parents of six . children. as follow: John, Christine, who lives in Sweden; Berg, Nels ( deceased). Andrew and Olaf.
Olaf Isakson received his education in the public schools of his native land. and in 1893 came to America, settling at Henning, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Five years later he purchased eighty acres of land in section 12. of Inman township, and since that time has cleared the farm, drained the land and erected substantial and comfortable buildings on the place, all of which are kept in a very fine state of repair. Mr. Isakson is a general
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farmer and stockman, and has met with a very commendable degree of success in his chosen calling.
In 1901 Olaf Isakson was married to Anna Silverberg, who was born on November 11, 1880, in Sweden, and who is a daughter of Nels and Anne Silverberg. Mrs. Isakson's father died in 1885, at the age of forty-three, and his widow is now living in Sweden, at the age of seventy-three years. Olaf Isakson and wife are the parents of four children: Lillie, aged twelve; Ned, deceased ; Lloyd, six years old, and Irwin, aged four.
Mr. Isakson is a member of the Deer Creek Shipping Association. He has served as overseer of the roads of Inman township for several years, and still holds this position. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which they are deeply interested, and to the support of which they are liberal contributors. In the community where he lives Mr. Isakson is rated as one of the substantial and successful farmers of the township, and is a most desirable and popular citizen.
HANS CHRISTIAN CHRISTENSEN.
Otter Tail county has been favored with many desirable men from Scandinavian countries, men who, in the land of their adoption have taken an important part in its public life and who in private lines of endeavor have demonstrated their efficiency and their value as citizens of this country. Of this class and of this people is Hans Christian Christensen, who as a good man and as a true citizen has won a place of prominence among the masses of this county.
Hans Christian Christensen was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 27, 1871, the son of Lars and Karen ( Hansen) Christiansen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. Lars Christensen was born on Long Island, of the province of Fyn, an island only four miles in circumference, which was used as a game preserve for the royal family of Denmark and on which island Lars Christensen was employed as a fisherman for the Danish royalty, together with the privilege of farming on a few acres (Conder) of the place. as compensation for his services, a position which was held by his father. Christian Christensen, during his entire life, and who received his position from an annt, who had preceded him in the work. After some years living on Long Island, Lars Christensen, with two brothers, said good-by to seven married sisters who remained in Denmark, and came to America with the intention of joining a cousin at Cleveland, Ohio, an expectation which was not realized, as on reaching the city of Cleveland they found that the cousin had died. The three brothers then went to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where one brother followed his trade as a mason and where the other brother engaged
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in the trade of a cigar-maker, while Lars Christensen learned the trade of a carpenter, after which they returned to Cleveland, Ohio, and lived for a time, when Jergen, the younger brother, went to Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Tordensk- jold township, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Thos, the other brother, lived at the city of Cleveland until his death.
Lars Christensen, at this time, was married to Karen Hansen, who was born at Moen, Denmark, and while a young woman came to America on a sailboat, which as a result of cholera discovered on board, was held at quar- antine in the port of New York for seven weeks (after several weeks in crossing the ocean), during which time the passengers were not permitted to land. On her release Karen Hansen went to Cleveland, Ohio, where, after three years, she was married and then three years later Lars and Karen Christensen went to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in sections 17 and 20, of Tordenskjold township, land which was unimproved, and as a carpenter Lars Christensen built a small house and a log barn, structures which, greatly enlarged and improved, are standing today. On October 27, 1881, Lars Christensen died, a victim of tuberculosis, and later his widow married Jergen Christensen, the younger brother of her deceased husband. Karen Christensen lived on the Christen- sen farm until May 14, 1911, when she died, she having survived her hus- band, who was killed in a runaway, for twenty-one years. Lars Christen- sen was the father of seven children: Johanna, who married Jens Nelson, and who lives in Tordenskjold township; Hans Christian, the subject of this sketch : Jens Peter, who died when sixteen years of age; Carl E., who is a real-estate dealer of Underwood, Minnesota. and three children who died in infancy.
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