USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 40
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By her union with Mr. Larson, the subject of this sketch became the mother of the two children. Louis, who lives on the home place, which he
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manages most successfully, is interested in the breeding of Holstein cattle and Poland China hogs. His brother, Clarence, assists him in the farm work.
Mrs. Martha ( Hilden ) Larson passed away on the 18th of August, 1913, and is buried in the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery.
JENS NELSON.
One of the venerable citizens and successful farmers of Clitherall town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Jens Nelson, who was born at Skane, Sweden. July 21, 1831. He is the son of Nels and Elsie Okeson, who spent their entire lives in Sweden. The father was a farmer and land- owner, and was born in 1804. his death occurring in 1851. His wife was born in 1808 and died in 1869. They were earnest and devoted members. of the Lutheran church and were the parents of a family of eight children.
Of the children born to Nels and Elsie Okeson, Oke was born in 1826; Nels in 1827; John, who was born in 1830, is a farmer of Clitherall town- ship: Peter born in 1833, was also a farmer in Clitherall township until his- death in 1913: Burnet was born in 1836; Anna, who was born in 1839. married Nels Matheson, and died in Denmark: Louis, born in 1842, died at the age of seventeen years; Frank, the youngest, was born in 1845.
Jens Nelson was educated in the public schools of his native country, and after his marriage and the birth of four children, and the death of one, emigrated to America in 1870, making the voyage on a steamship. Upon the arrival of the Nelson family in the United States, they settled at Litch- field, Minnesota, where they lived for one year, when they moved to Otter- Tail county, where they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in ('litherall township. The land was largely covered with timber. Mr. Nel- son started life in the new country by constructing a dugout, but in 1878 built a log house, which is still standing, and which is still used as a residence.
Jens Nelson was married in his native land to Elna Anderson and to. this union have been born ten children: Nels, who died at the age of three- in Sweden; Andrew, who died at Moorhead, Minnesota, at the age of six- teen : Johanna, the wife of Charles Larson, lives at Liberty, Canada; Emma. the wife of William Curinger, lives at Cass Lake, Minnesota; John, who died at the age of eleven ; Frank A., who is referred to later on in this sketch. lives at home and operates the home farm; Ella, who died at the age of nineteen : August, a resident of Lunds Valley, is a wheat buyer; Ida, the wife of William McCormick, lives at Minot, North Dakota; Amanda, the wife of Anton Morrau, lives at Delaware, North Dakota.
Of these children, Frank A., who was born on the farmi where he now
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lives, and which he now operates, was educated in the public schools of his home township, and reared to the life of a farmer. Since he was old enough he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and during the past eight or ten years, has rented the farm of his father. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a constable in Clitherall township.
Jens Nelson was one of the founders of the Swedish Lutheran church in ('litherall township, of which his family are devoted and earnest members.
FRITZ LUEDERS.
'It means much for the young man to sever the ties of home, to leave his native land for the uncertainties of a new world, here to establish a new home and meet the requirements of a new condition. To make a suc- cess of his work, means much hard work and good judgment. Many of the Old World boys and young men have succeeded in America, but only by strict application and hard work. The German coming to this country. comes with the desire and determination to meet with success and make a home worthy of his efforts.
Fritz Lueders, son of John and Margretta ( Thalman) Lueders, was born in Germany on June 24. 1850. John and Margretta Lueders were life-long residents of Hanover, Germany. The family were members of the German Lutheran church. John and Margretta Lueders were the par- ents of the following children : Herman, Mary. Dora and Fritz. Herman, Mary and Fritz came to this country, while Dora remained in the home- land.
Fritz Lueders was educated in the schools of Germany. As a young man he came to America on March 22, 1881, and landed in New York, but soon resumed his journey to Brown county, Minnesota. Here he worked for others for a year and, later, he worked in Sibley county, Minnesota, for seven months. After this, he visited the home in his native land, for two months. On returning to America he located in Otter Tail county. purchasing three hundred and eighty acres of land one-half mile northwest of Otter Tail.
Fritz Lueders was united in marriage to Dora Dunkers, the daughter of Henry Dunkers, and to this union has been born the following children, Henry, Fred, Ella, Herman, George, Olga and Martha. Henry, Fred and Ella are married and have homes of their own.
Mr. Lueders has reclaimed his farm from a wild state to a beautiful country home. He has a large and modern house, two large barns, silo, and other buildings and sheds necessary to a well-kept farm estate. Mr. Lueders has held the important office of school treasurer for twenty years, and treas- urer of the township for ten years. He and his family are active members of the German Lutheran church at Otter Tail.
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OLE O. HOVLAND.
For over a half century, Minnesota and her agricultural opportunities have been extolled in other lands, and to her farms have come people of every country. The industrious, thrifty Norwegian has been among the settlers, and in almost every instance he has come fully prepared for self- support and for assuming the responsibilities of citizenship. One who represents most broadly this strong element in American citizenship, is Ole O. Hovland, who after many years of a busy life is able to look back upon his accomplishments with satisfaction. He was born in Hadeland, Nor- way, on December 17. 1837. and is the son of Ole Hanson and Joran Oles- datter.
The parents of Ole Hovland were born in Norway and spent most of their married life in the country of their nativity. Their last days, how- ever, were spent in America, on the farm owned by their son, Nels Hov- land. in Trondhjem township, where the father died in 1888, and the mother passed away in 1803. They reared a large family, of whom the following information is given : Gilbert, a farmer, is now residing in Wert county, lowa; Hans, who died in Iowa, was also a farmer: Ole is the subject of this sketch; Syver lives in Trondhjem township, where he has a farm; Nels lives near Lawndale, in Wilkin county, and Otto is a farmer in Trondh- jem township.
The educational advantages received by Ole Hovland were, according to the customs of that locality and period, extremely meager. The prin- cipal lessons of his life were gained in the early years during his boyhood on the farm in Norway. The remarkable fact of his career is that with so small a fund of educational resources, he was able to cope with the problems of an independent life in this country and win success. In 1867 he came to America, a journey that covered a period of over seven weeks. He set- tled in Winisheik county, Iowa, where he lived for four years, working as a farmer. In 1871 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. in a covered wagon drawn by a team of oxen. In this county. he began the task of homesteading one hundred and twenty acres of land located in section 26 of Trondhjem township. The land was wild prairie and the task of break- ing up the soil and cutting the timber was the first to be considered. A log house was built by Mr. Hovland during his first months of residence on the place and there he lived until 1883, when he purchased two hundred acres in section 25 of the same township. He moved upon this land where he now resides. The farm represents a large investment of modern improve- ments and is devoted exclusively to general farming. Mr. Hovland sold the homestead a few years ago to his son Olans, and after his retirement i11 1907. rented part of the land to his son, Lewis.
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Mr. Hovland has not been content to work in just one field of enter- prise, but has reached out into broader interests where his influence has been lasting for the welfare of the community. For a number of years he acted as school treasurer and was active as road supervisor for some time. He has always been an ardent member of the Synod Lutheran church, in which congregation his wife is also a valuable assistant.
On November 14, 1863, the marriage of Ole Hovland to Anna Teslo. a native of Norway, took place. She is a daughter of Arne and Annie ( Wika) Teslo, Norwegians by birth, who died in their native land. Mrs. Hovland was born on September 14. 1840, in the same community where her husband spent his childhood. In 1913, fifty years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Holland celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, amid mich rejoicing and among a group of old and intimate acquaintances. The celebration was a fitting climax to fifty years of patient toil, devotion to duty and true home building. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hovland: Julia married O. J. AAamodt and later died in Barnes- ville, Minnesota; Mary, who lives near Barnesville, became the wife of A. P. Stadum, and after his death married Ole Stone: Olans lives on his father's homestead; Anton, a farmer, resides in North Dakota; Thea, the wife of O. S. Osten, lives in Norwegian Grove township; Lewis manages part of his father's estate and has never married; Sophia, the widow of A. H. Kittelson, lives in Norwegian Grove township: John, who follows farm- ing resides near Stampede, North Dakota: Minnie, the wife of O. B. Ulsrud, lives in Columbus, North Dakota; C. Edwin, a banker, lives in Cotone. North Dakota: Ida ( Mrs. A. O. Sommerness), is residing in Columbus. North Dakota; Ida Caroline died at the age of four years, and Oliver died at the age of seven.
HANS LARSON.
Hans Larson, well-known farmer and highly-respected citizen of Amor township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, was born in Sweden, on August 19, 1864, the son of Lars and Hannah (Olson) Hanson, both of whom were born in Sweden. Lars Hanson came to America in 1889, and located in Otter Tail county, where he joined his son, Hans, who had preceded him a short time. Lars Hanson now lives at Battle Lake, having retired from more active life. Lars and Hannah Hanson were the parents of four chil- dren, Lewis, Nels. Olef and Hans. Hannah, the wife of Lars Hanson died on September 7. 1914. Hans Hanson is one of the well and favorably known citizens of his community, taking an active interest in all useful matters for the promotion of the life and interests of his locality. The
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elder Hanson is especially interested in the Swedish Lutheran church, of Amor, of which he is a leading member.
Hans Larson was educated in the common schools of Sweden, after which he came to America, in 1888, and located in Otter Tail county, fol- lowing a short time in St. Paul, Minnesota. In the year 1891, Mr. Larson bought a farm in Amor township, a place to which he later added forty acres of land, and a farm on which he now lives as a general farmer.
On July 12, 1893, Hans Larson was married to Emily Lundstrom, who was born in Otter Tail county, on August 8, 1874, the daughter of A. O. Lundstrom and wife, natives of Sweden, who came to America and homesteaded a farm in Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, where they now live. To the marriage of Hans and Emily Larson have been born three children, Amy, Lawrence and Edith, the former of whom is married to Rex H. Sanders, of Bismarck, North Dakota. Hans Larson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he is a prominent member, he for many years having been teacher of the Sunday school of this church.
JOHN J. TOMHAVE.
John J. Tomhave is one of the representative agriculturists of Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and his life is typical of the pro- gressive spirit of the community. He is a native of Germany, where his birth occurred on July 27, 1858. He is the son of John Tomhave and a brother of George E. Tomhave, of Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county. John J. Tomhave received his education in the schools of Germany, Fonte- nac. Wisconsin and in Fergus Falls. As a young man his time was devoted to the vocation of masonry, which trade was also followed by his father.
In 1884 Mr. Tomhave became interested in agriculture and purchased a farm in Carlisle township on which he has since remained. With the exception of one winter, he has lived his entire life in this locality since his arrival in America. His first farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. located in section 27, Carlisle township. but he has increased his holdings until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, all in this township. Tle also owns eighty acres in section 30, Fergus Falls township, about twenty-one acres in the city of Fergus Falls, located in the third ward and twelve and one-half acres of timber land in section 28, Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county. His agricultural operations consists in general farming and the place is well improved.
John J. Tomhave was united in marriage to Carlena Schmidt, daughter of Ludwig Schmidt, and they are the parents of seven children whose names follow : Louis A., Mary, Emelia, Clara. John, Bertha and Albert. John
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J. Tomhave and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church, of which denomination he is the treasurer. Politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party and has served as clerk of the school board. He is also a member of the Sons of Herman and is at present supervisor of Carlisle township. Otter Tail county.
NELS M. NELSON.
To record the personal career of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community. is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and who have impressed their indi- viduality upon the business development and agricultural life of their com- munity, have an important influence upon such institutions as have come within the sphere of their usefulness. Of such, we have the unquestionable right to say is Nels M. Nelson, a prosperous farmer of Aurdal township
Mr. Nelson was born on April 4, 1885, in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on his father's old homestead farm. He is the son of Nels E. and Methe ( Hallan ) Nelson, who came to America from Norway. Mr. Nelson's father was born in Norway on December 17. 1844, and his mother in the same country on January 6. 1850. Nels E. Nelson, who passed away in this township and county, in 1909, was the son of Ingebret and Vaste Nelson, both of whom were natives of Norway, who settled in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, in 1868. They took a homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township and here spent the balance of their lives. Before coming to Otter Tail county. Mr. Nelson's father had lived for a time in Goodhue county. He was a typical pioneer of this section, who took a great interest in public improvements. He had one of the best farms in this part of Otter Tail county. Many years before his death. he erected a magnificent brick house, made of bricks burned on the farm. His wife, now a widow, is still living on the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Nels F. Nelson were the parents of three children, Anna, Nels and Henry P. The Nelsons have always been identified with the Lutheran church and have always been prominent in religious affairs.
Nels M. Nelson, who was reared on his father's old home farm, was educated in the public schools of his home community and, during his boy- hood and youth, performed the tasks which generally fall to the lot of the average country boy. In 1914, Mr. Nelson bought the Martin Halverson farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land. He is a general farmer and stock man and has been very successful, although he is a young man and has many years before him in which to work out his life's success.
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On October 25, 1900, Nels M. Nelson was married to Anna Golberg, who was born in Olmstead county, Minnesota, in 1889, and who is the daughter of Endrew O. and Mary Golberg. After living for many years in Olmstead county, Minnesota, they came to Otter Tail county, about 1900 and are now residents of Sverdrup township. Mr and Mrs. Nels M. Nel- son have two children, Norris and Kenneth.
Mr. Nelson has always been independent in politics. He cares more for measures and men than he does for parties and party emblems. He has served in many positions of trust and responsibility, especially positions of local trust. For a number of years, he was a supervisor of Aurdal town- ship and, for three years, was chairman of the board. He has also served as a member of the school board and as clerk of the board. Mr. and Mrs. Nels M. Nelson are members of the Lutheran church.
GEORGE R. KAPLER.
George R. Kapler is one of the well-known and representative citizens of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and his influence has been a dominant factor in the development of the locality: He is one of ten chil- dren born to the union of O. and Barbara ( Bachel) Kapler, natives of Wittenburg, Germany, and Iowa, respectively.
O. Kapler was born in 1841 and immigrated to America in 1852. He immediately located on a farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and at the age of twenty years enlisted in Company C. Twenty-first lowa Regular Infantry. and served throughout the Civil War. He became commissary sergeant and was in the battle of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, as well as in many others. receiving many wounds, one of which caused his death in after years. At the close of the war he returned to Towa and shortly afterward married Barbara Bachel, who is still living. To them were born the following chil- dren, George, Caroline, Rose, .Anna, Louise, Regena. Frank, Gertrude, and two others who died in infancy. From the time of his marriage, O. Kapler resided in Spillville, Winneshiek county, Iowa, until his death on September 1, 1912. Most of the time he practiced law, but operated a hotel as well. Religionsly, he was a member of the Catholic church.
George R. Kapler was born on November 7. 1866, in Spillville, Winne- shiek county, Iowa, and received his education in the schools of that town. In the fall of 1885 he removed to North Dakota, where he was engaged in the capacity of dry-goods clerk until 1896, at which time he transferred his services to the firm of Wyman Partridge & Co., wholesale dry-goods mer- chants, as their traveling representative and has since remained in their employ. In April. 1896, he removed to Wadena. Minnesota, but in 1903 his location was changed to Perham, Minnesota, where he remained for
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two years, removing to Big Pine Lake, Minnesota, in 1905, and establishing a summer resort known as Grand View Heights. This resort is one of the finest in the state. In June, 1915. this place was sold and he has since devoted his time to the management of the Perham Land and Investment Company, which he organized in 1912. He is the president of this com- pany. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons and Zuhrah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Minneapolis. On October 29, 1890. Mr. Kapler was united in marriage to Frances E. Bell, who was born on August 20, 1866, and reared in Mansfield, Ohio.
EDWARD J. RUDH.
Edward J. Rudh, a former teacher, merchant and salesman, who has been assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Battle Lake, this county, Minnesota, since its organization, is a native of Norway, born at Smaalene, near Christiana, April 6, 1869. the son of Jens A. and Maria ( Kasa) Rudh, farmers and landowners in their native land, who, in the latter part of that same month, sailed for America with their baby, spending six weeks on the voyage. Upon their arrival in America, they settled in Rice county, Minne- sota, where, for two years, Mr. Rudh worked on neighboring farms.
In 1871 the family moved to Otter Tail county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land in Dane Prairie township. There Mr. Rudh built a small log cabin, which has long since disappeared. and there he lived, improving his farm and adding to his possessions until his death, March 28, 1900. His widow afterward moved to Battle Lake and died at the home of her son, John. December 11, 1914. she then being eighty-six years old. Both were members of the Hauge Lutheran church.
To Jens A. and Maria ( Kasa ) Rudh were born eight children, namely : Ole, who is a veterinary surgeon of Portal, North Dakota; John, who is manager of the farmers elevator at Battle Lake: Andrew, who is a farmer in Dane Prairie township: Christine, who married Palmer Awenby and lives in Fergus Falls: Edward J .. the subject of this sketch: Thea, who married Charles Lacer and lives in Crookstown, Minnesota: Sophia, who married August Matson and lives at Rose Glen. North Dakota, and Helmer, who died at the age of thirteen years.
Edward J. Rudh received a liberal education in the common schools of Dane Prairie township, the seminary at Red Wing and in the high school at Fergus Falls, later becoming a student in the business college at Moorhead, Minnesota, now known as Concordia College.
After completing his schooling. Mr. Rudh taught school for three years in Norman county, Minnesota, and served four years as deputy county
EDWARD J. RUDH.
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treasurer of Otter Tail county. In 1895, he located at Battle Lake where he was engaged in the mercantile business until 1906. During 1906 and 1907, he was a traveling salesman. Upon the organization of the First National Bank, he was made assistant cashier, a position which he still holds.
In 1898 Edward J. Rudh was married to Dinah Peterson, who was born at Underwood, Minnesota, daughter of Knut Peterson, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Rudh died on April 5, 1905, and the next year, Mr. Rudh married, secondly, Eliza Mickelson, who was born in Otter Tail county, the daughter of Ole M. Mickelson, an old settler of Everts township, who is also mentioned else- where in this volume. By the first marriage, Mr. Rudh had three children, Evelyn, Maurine and Byron. There are no children by the second marriage.
Edward J. Rudh is well known in Otter Tail county for his cordial dis- position and for his friendly relations with the public. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the county's political affairs, having served as village recorder for twelve years. He and his wife are members of the United church. Fraternally, Mr. Rudh is a member of the Bene- volent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
OLE W. BERG.
Ole W. Berg, who is the owner of a fertile farm of eighty aeres in Everts township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and an interest in the old homestead farm of his parents, is a native of Norway, where his birth occurred on April 30, 1874.
Mr. Berg is a son of Anton C. and Anne (Glende) Berg, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. Berg's father was born in 1839 and his mother in 1845. They were married in Norway, and in the spring of 1880, came with their family to America, settling in Otter Tail county, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also homesteaded seventy-three acres. From the time of his eoming to Otter Tail county, until his death in 1807, Anton C. Berg made many and substantial improve- ments upon the homestead farm, and his widow is now living on this farm. She is an earnest and faithful member of the Lutheran church, as were all the family. Anton Berg and wife were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living with the exception of Annette, the eldest. The living children are as follow: Carl, Martin, Ole W., Anna, Inga, Emma, Sophia, Alfred and Karen.
.Of these children, Ole W., the fourth in order of birth, was reared on the farm in Everts township, receiving his education in the public schools
(25)))
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of the township. Mr. Berg has always been engaged in farming. He is a general farmer and stockman and has been very successful in his chosen calling. Like the other members of the family, he is a member of the Lutheran church. He has been a member of the township school board for the past three years, and has always been more or less prominent in local politics.
ROBSON C. ATKINSON.
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