USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
Mathias Monson was united in marriage in 1870 with Karen Onsum. daughter of Ole Onsum, to which union eleven children have been born : Ole. Otto, Rudolph, Otthelia, Carl. Emma. Edwin. Albert, Martin, Laura and Lauritz. Laura died when eight months old.
Mr. Monson has won the reputation of being one of the most thrifty and prosperous farmers of Pelican township, his neat and well-cared-for place being one of the most attractive in that community.
MARTIN SHEA.
Martin Shea, popularly known as "Colonel" Shea, is one of the prom- inent and progressive business men of this locality, and has done much for the betterment of civic conditions. He is a native of Ireland and his birth occurred on October 12, 1844. He is the son of James and Honora ( Spaesy ) Shea, both natives of Ireland. They were the parents of nine boys and remained residents of their native country until their deaths.
Martin Shea received his education in the common schools of Ireland and after completing same engaged in farming. He emigrated to America in 1865, arriving in the month of June, and located in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in railroad work for three years. He then removed to Des Moines, lowa, where he was employed as a foreman for a railroad com- pany and was instrumental in building the track from Des Moines, lowa, to Fort Dodge, lowa. In the spring of 1871. he accepted a position with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and traveled by stage from St. Cloud to Brainerd. Minnesota, arriving on April 19. 1871. He assisted in laying the first track from Brainerd to Moorhead. Minnesota. In 1872 he was put in charge of a construction train and continued to operate same for three years. In the fall of 1874 he decided to quit the railroad work and pur- chased a farm in Rush Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, con- sisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate for three years. In 1878 he engaged in the hotel business in the town of Per- ham, Minnesota, building the present hostelry in 1808, and is still operating
443
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
one of the best hotels in the county. The building is one hundred by fifty- six feet in dimensions.
One June 13, 1875, Martin Shea was united in marriage to Maria Bridgemann, and to them have been born these children: James, George, William, Edward, Isabell and Irene. Martin Shea and his wife are stanch members of St. Henry's Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Politically, he is a Democrat and served as postmaster during Grover Cleveland's first administration.
HENRY WILSHUSEN.
Henry Wilshusen, well-to-do farmer and one of the prominent men of public life, in Friberg township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Hanover, Germany, on September 5, 1858, the son of John and Meta ( Hink) Wilshusen, natives of Hanover, Germany. John Wilshusen was the son of John Wilshusen, Sr., who spent his entire life as a farmer in Germany. John Wilshusen came to America in 1884, and located in Friberg township. this county, where he lived with his son. Henry, until February, 1895, when the elder Wilshusen died. Meta, the widow of John Wilshusen, survived her husband by only two months, she dying in April, 1895. John and Meta Wilshusen were the parents of the following children: John, Charles, Henry, Fred, Carsten, Katherine and George.
Henry Wilshusen received his education in the public schools of his native country, after which he became a school teacher in the schools of Germany, a work which he followed until 1880, when he came to America. After spending more than a year at the city of Brooklyn, New York, where he visited with a brother, Henry Wilshusen went to St. Louis, Missouri, and made his home in that city for six months, after which he came to Friberg township, this county, in July. 1882, and worked as a farm helper for two years. In 1884. Henry Wilshusen bought eighty acres of land in Friberg township, where he established a home, and after some time he bought eighty additional acres, making one hundred and sixty acres of well- improved and highly-cultivated land which Mr. Wilshusen now owns.
During the year 1891, Henry Wilshusen was married to Adelheid Muller, and to this marriage have been born ten children, namely: John D .. Herman C., Henry G., Adele M., Margaret E., May C .. Frieda M .. Walter F., Regina W. and Reinhold T.
As a public man and office holder. Henry Wilshusen is one of the best and most favorably known citizens of Friberg township. Mr. Wilshusen has served his community for many years as road overseer, for two years he has served as township assessor, has heen clerk of the school district
444
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
since 1903 and holds that office today, for twelve years was school district treasurer and for some years he was constable. Mr. Wilshusen is now sery- ing as justice of the peace, an office which he has occupied for some years. Henry Wilshusen is one of the highly-respected and esteemed citizens of Friberg township. Otter Tail county.
JOHN HOLT.
Among the well-known farmers of Elizabeth township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, is John Holt, who was born in Sweden, on June 10. 1850, the son of John and Christine ( Jones) Hanson, natives of Sweden. John Hanson, with his family, came to America in 1871, and located at Jamestown, New York, near where he bought a farm of fifty-five acres. a place which the elder Hanson cultivated until his death, on August 31, 1900. Christine, the widow of John Hanson, now lives with her son, August Han- son, at Gerry, New York. John and Christine Hanson were the parents of seven children : John. August, Anna, Charles, Alfred, Mathilda and Lores.
John Holt received his education in the common schools of his native country, after which he came to America, in 1871. and located at James- town, New York, where he lived for two years and then moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, during the year 1873, and homesteaded eighty acres of land in section 22, Elizabeth township. a place which Mr. Holt has improved and to which he has added land. until now he is the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of desirable land in Elizabeth township.
On July 2. 1872. John Holt was married to Lena Peterson; to this marriage no children have been born. Lena. the wife of John Holt. died on April 8, 1911.
LOUIS RUD.
Louis Rud is a native of Norway and his birth occurred on June 13, 1865. He is the son of Martin and Sigerid (Olson ) Rud, both natives of Norway. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom emi- grated to America. Martin Rud and his wife remained in their native land until their deaths.
Louis Rud received his education in the schools of Norway and immi- grated to America in June, 1887, locating in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, almost immediately During the first year of his residence in this locality. he was employed near Pelican Rapids, but the following spring he removed to the state of Washington where he remained for eleven years. While a resident of that state, he was employed in the timber and as a farm hand. Ile also purchased eighty acres of land. He returned to Norway, where he
445
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
remained for a period of eighteen months, and then returned to Pelican Rapids. Shortly after his return, he purchased one hundred and seventeen acres of unimproved land from Knute Stevenson, in Lida township, section 27, on which he has since remained and which he devotes to general farming. He has improved this place completely, with the exception of the house which was built previous to his tenancy of the farm.
In 1900, Louis Rud was united in marriage to Laura Peterson and they are the parents of seven children whose names follow : Mary, Alga, Martin, Eleda, Fredrick, Lena and Melvin. Louis Rud and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Politically, Louis Rud is independent of party.
HANS NELSON.
Hans Nelson, well-known retired farmer of Friberg township, this connty, was born in Denmark, May 6, 1850, the son of Hans and Mary Nelson, both of whom were natives of Denmark. Hans Nelson, Sr., was a farmer of his native country, an occupation which he followed there for his entire life, with the exception of a few years as a soldier of Denmark. Hans and Mary Nelson were the parents of four children, Henry, Hans. Mary and Katherine. Hans Nelson and his family were devout members of the Danish Lutheran church.
Hans Nelson was educated in the public schools of his native land, after which he married and shortly afterward came to America, in 1875, and went to Denison, lowa, where he lived for ten years and then moved to the state of Nebraska, there becoming a farmer for about twenty years. In 1800, Hans Nelson came to Otter Tail county, and located in Fergus Falls township, where he lived as a farmer until 1905 and then came to Friberg township, where he bought one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land, which Mr. Nelson improved and to which he added, later, eighty acres. Hans Nelson, on his well-improved farm, now lives a retired life, the agricultural pursuits of his place being conducted by his children.
Hans Nelson has not only been successful as a farmer and of use to his community as one who has aided in the development of the township and its resources, but he has been of service to the country of his adoption as a soldier. Mr. Nelson having for six years served in the United States army. He was engaged in battle with the Sioux Indians in 1888. Hans Nelson rose to the rank of a sergeant, and served as such for three years, receiving an honorable discharge on November 4, 1893.
During the year 1874 Hans Nelson was married to Minnie Clever, of Denmark, in which country they were married, and to this marriage have
776
HITTING TAH COUNTY MINNESOTA.
been born the following children Charles, Hans, Anna. Katherine, Emma Henry and Christian Hans Nelson and his family are prominent members and active workers in the Danish Lutheran church, of Fergus Falls. As a fraternal man, Mr. Nelson is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
PEDER A. MOE.
Peder A. Moe, prominent farmer and citizen of Oscar township, this county, was born in Norway. November 26. 1855. the son of Andes and Martha Amenson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Andes Amen- son was a farmer of his native country, an occupation which he followed the whole of his life.
Peder A. Moe came to America in 1886, and after his landing at Bos- ton, Massachusetts, came to the state of Minnesota, and located at the town of Rothsay, in Oscar township. In his new location Peder A. Moe, secured one hundred and fifty acres of land, a place which Mr. Moe improved with a new house, a good barn and other buildings, which together make the farm of Peder A. Moe, one of the desirable places for agricultural pursuits, in. Oscar township.
During the year 1886, Peder A. Moc was married to Thea Otteson. and to this marriage have been born four children. Alfred, Martha, Mag- mus and Oscar. Mr. Moe and his family are active members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church, of Rothsay.
As a business man Peder \. Moe takes rank among the more prom- inent of Oscar township. he being a stockholder of the Rothsay Elevator Company, of Rothsay, Minnesota. In politics, Peder .A. Moe has taken no especial part although he is known as a man and citizen who is interested in general welfare and public improvement.
GEORGE H. MILLER.
Of the farmers and stock raisers throughout Otter Tail county, prob ably no one is more prominently connected or more widely known for his part in the life and activities of the community, than is George II. Miller, the subject of this sketch. Extensively engaged in scientific farming. a bre der of fine stock, the quality of which is second to none in the locality, a man who in business and financial circles is conspicuously affiliated, and a citizen who in the matters of community life and as a holder of public office Is a leader and is one With an enviable record of achievement and accom- pichment no review of Ffe or event in this county would be complete with- cont reference to the world and activities of this worthy citizen.
George 11 Miller was born in New York City, June 28, 1870. the son
447
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
of John F. Miller, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on October 31. 1842, and Meta ( Shumacher ) Miller, who was born in Hanover, Germany. on January 20, 1838, both of whom came to America in the year 1864. and landed in New York City, where they lived for nineteen years, the elder Miller being a storekeeper there. During the year 1883 John F. and Meta Miller, with their family, came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and settled in Leaf Lake township, where John F. Miller purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, later adding one hun- (red and sixty-eight acres of land, making a farm of two hundred and eighty-eight acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated farm land which he owned at his death on November 12. 1911. Meta Miller, the widow of John F. Miller, now lives with her son, George, on the home place.
John F. Miller was one of the best-known and most highly-respected men of Otter Tail county, being a man known for his unselfish interest in the development of the community and for his support of church work and activities, more particularly the German Lutheran church, of which he was a prominent member. The elder Miller was one of the most progressive of the earlier farmers in this locality, finding great interest in the improve- ment and equipment of his farm with modern buildings and structures, together with the supplying of his place with the most approved implements and conveniences for the pursuit of general agricultural life.
George H. Miller was educated in the public schools of Leaf Lake town- ship. attending district school No. 185, near his home, after which he engaged in farming, having inherited a portion of his father's farm; and after having purchased the interests of the other heirs he established on his place a stock farm, where he is now engaged in the breeding of fine quality Duroc-Jersey hogs, and in the breeding of Guernsey cattle. In addition to his general farm work. George H. Miller conducts a dairy, keeping for this purpose fifteen head of purebred and good grade cows.
George H. Miller is one of the best-known stockmen of the county, his counsel and judgment in matters affiliated with this pursuit being conceded to be of the best and of the greatest value for the development of this busi- ness, a testimony of which is his occupancy of the office as president of the Guernsey Breeders' Association of Otter Tail county.
On June 1, 1905. George H. Miller was married to Mary Buerge, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, March 30, 1879, and to this mar- riage were born two daughters, Inella and Viola. George H. Miller and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, a congregation in which they are respected and esteemed communicants.
In public life George HI. Miller has served long and with a clean and honorable record, as an official in the offices of town clerk, which he served
118
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
for eleven years: as a member of the school board, on which he held a seat for six years, and now as president of the Society of Equity, an office in which he serves the community in a business capacity. He is recognized as a man with no little ability and as a citizen whose unselfish endeavor for the welfare of the locality has done great things for the advancement of living conditions.
George Il Miller is connected with some of the large concerns and business interests of the county, being president of the Otter Tail Henning Telephone Company, a stockholder in the Otter Tail Creamery Company. is the owner of considerable stock in the Security State Bank, and he also is a shareholder in the Farmer's Elevator Company, of Henning and a shareholder in the Farmer's Store, at the town of Heinokl. in Otter Tail county.
The life and activity of George H. Miller is one of the valuable assets of business and agricultural circles in this county, and he, by his progressive- ness and his intelligent effort has won a place of permanent appreciation in the hearts of the people of his county.
OLIVER OLSON.
Another prominent citizen in the commercial life of Fergus Falls, this county, is Oliver Olson, who is engaged in the fire, life and accident-insur- ance business and who is secretary and manager of St. Luke's hospital: secretary and treasurer of the Fergus Falls Ugeblad Newspaper Publishing Company. and president of the company operating the Fergus Falls woolen mills. He has served as secretary and manager of St. Luke's' hospital for the past ten years.
Oliver Olson was born near the city of Roros, Norway, May 1, 1852. the son of Esten and Ingerberg ( Olson ) Olson. The Olson family came to America in 1860, by way of Quebec, Canada, settling in Winnesheik county, Towa, where they remained for about one year. During this time, the father made a trip to Tordenskjoll township. Otter Tail county, where he home- steaded a quarter of a section of land. In the fall of 1870 the family moved from lowa to Otter Tail county, first living in a dug-out and later in a log house, part of which house later was used for a school house and is still standing. The first teacher was Alice Fitch. Mr. Olson was the first clerk of the district.
In 1875 Oliver Olson moved to Stony Brook, Grant county, this state, where he "squatted" on a piece of land, which he afterward pre-empted from the government. There he lived during the summers for several years and. Inring the winter months, worked as a clerk in various insurance offices in Vergus Falls.
OLIVER OLSON.
449
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
In 1883 Oliver Olson was married to Olin Story, and since his mar- riage has lived continuously in Fergus Falls. To this union there were born five children, Inga, Esther, Olive, Agnes and Oleen. Esther Olson married George Oberg, of Los Angeles, California, and has two children, Oliver and Georgia. Olive Olson married Alfred Aunan, of Fergus Falls, and has one child, Agnes. Mrs. Olin Olson died in 1895 and, five years later, Mr. Olson married, secondly, Mette Melby, a native of Norway.
Since coming to Otter Tail county, Mr. Olson has served as probate clerk of the county for fifteen years and also as judge of the probate for two years. He is the present city assessor of Fergus Falls and has held that office for the past ten years. Mr. Olson is also secretary of the Old Settlers' Association, a position which he has held for eleven years. This association was founded by the venerable George Cowing and Eli Dewey. Mr. and Mrs. Olson occupy a comfortable home in Fergus Falls, where they are well-known and highly-respected citizens.
JOHN HAGLUND.
John Haglund. a well-to-do farmer of Compton township, this county, who has a well-kept farm and a well-improved tract of land in section 30, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, was born in Sweden.
Mr. Haglund is a son of a native of Sweden, a farmer by occupation, who died in the old country. Mr. Haglund's parents were members of the Lutheran church and his father was trained in the military schools of Sweden. The father died on November 28, 1878, at the age of seventy- eight years, and the mother in 1893. Of their seven children, two, Erick and Peter, the two eldest. are deceased. The living children are, John, Martha, Inger, Christene and Maggie.
John Haglund came to America shortly after the death of his mother in 1803. He had received a liberal education in the public schools of his native land and, after arriving at Quebec, Canada, proceeded almost immedi- ately to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he remained one month. Afterward, Mr. Haglund moved to Wadena county, Minnesota, where he lived for two months and then came on to Otter Tail county, purchasing the farm which he now owns, and upon which he now lives.
On September 3, 1803. John \. Haglund was married to Betty Swan- son, a native of Sweden, and to them have been born four children. Erick, Amanda. Albin and Herlof.
Since the purchase of his original farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Haglund has increased the acreage until he now owns altogether two hundred acres. In 1913 he built a splendid barn, thirty-two by fifty feet.
( 29b)
450
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
In 1914 he rebuilt his house. Mr. Haglund is especially a dairy farmer and has made a most praiseworthy success in this department of farming.
Mr. and Mrs. John Haglund are active members of the Lutheran church and are otherwise prominent in the neighborhood where they live.
SWAN JOHNSON.
One of the best-known farmers of Otter Tail county. Minnesota, a man who has been unusually successful in agricultural pursuits, as well as being a man who takes an important part in the business life of Compton township, is Swan Johnson. Public spirited, capable in those things to which he applies himself and a man whose value to the community has been demonstrated by his record in public life, he is a leading citizen of Otter Tail county.
Swan Johnson was born in Carver county, Minnesota, February 15. 1860. being one of twin sons born to Peter and Johanna ( .Anderson) John- son. Peter Johnson and his wife were natives of Sweden, who lived in that country until the year 1858, when they came to America and landed at Boston, Massachusetts, following a six-weeks voyage across the Atlantic ocean. Peter and Johanna Johnson went to Carver county, Minnesota. where they lived for three years and then moved to Washington county. Minnesota, living there for four years, after which they went to Dakota county, Minnesota, a place where they lived for eleven years and then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, locating in section 20, of Compton town- ship, where Peter Johnson took up a homestead of eighty acres of land on which he lived for the remainder of his days. Peter Johnson was one of the best-known and one of the most useful men of his community, taking an active interest in the development of the county and in the promotion of those things having for their object the betterment of living conditions, among which was his particular interest and effort in the building of the Swedish Lutheran church in Compton township. Peter Johnson finished his helpful and generous life during the year 1809.
Swan Johnson. the subject of this sketch, following his education in the public schools of the state of Minnesota, became a farmer on a farm of eighty acres of land which he received from the estate of his father, land which at that time being untilled. this sturdy farmer proceeded to cultivate. and in time he added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land in Compton and Oak Valley townships of Otter Tail county.
On December 26, 1889. Swan Johnson was married to Beda Anderson, who was born in Sweden, the daughter of Ole Anderson and wife, who came to America and located in Otter Tail county, where he purchased two
45I
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
hundred and forty acres of land in Compton township, a place on which he lived for the remainder of his life. To the marriage of Swan and Beda Johnson were born the following children: Theodore S., Fannie M., Oscar E., Ellen A., Fred W. and Emma E., the latter being a school teacher of Lancaster, Minnesota. Swan Johnson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church in Wadena, and are respected and esteemed as workers and strong supporters of the denomination.
In business circles Swan Johnson is notably affiliated, being president of the Deer Creek Creamery Company for six years, previously having been treasurer of the same company. The life of Swan Johnson has been of great value to the community, not only in business, agricultural, and church circles, but in all things for the promotion of the county and township and its various interests and enterprises.
WILHELM LUHNING.
Wilhelm Luhning, progressive farmer and leader in agricultural circles of Otter Tail township, this county, was born in Hanover, Germany, on May 26, 1879, the son of Henry and Doris (Crans) Luhning, natives of Germany. Henry Luhning, who was the son of Alor. Luhning, a farmer and shoemaker of Germany, received his education in the common schools of his native land, after which he came, in 1899, to America, and joined his son, Wilhelm, who had preceded him by about two years, and who was established as a farmer in Otter Tail township. On reaching Otter Tail county, Henry Luhning purchased three hundred and thirty acres of land in Otter Tail township, where he lived as a farmer, until his death in 1914. Doris, the wife of Henry Luhning, is now living in Otter Tail township. Henry and Doris Luhning were the parents of the following children : Fredrick, Carl. August, Catherine, Henry, William and Diedrick. The elder Luhning was a prominent member of the German Lutheran church, a denomination which is actively supported by his family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.