USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 48
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Wilhelm Luhning, after his education, which he received in the schools of Germany, came to America, in 1897, and located at Perham, Minnesota, near where he became a farm employee for two years, and then, his father having arrived. Wilhelm Luhning, together with his father, engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits, on three hundred and thirty-three acres of land which the elder Luhning acquired. On his farm in Otter Tail township Wilhelm Luhning is now successfully engaged in general farming and in stock raising. The farm of Mr. Luhning is one of the best improved and most thoroughly equipped of the community. this progressive farmer not only having the best of buildings, but excellent equipment. among which is a complete threshing outfit, which he uses for his own grain.
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During the year 1906. Wilhelm Luhning was married to Gusta Ohl- rogge, a native of Germany, and to this marriage have been born five chil- dren : Louise, Arthur, Ernest, Emma and Henry. Mr. Luhning and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.
William Luhning has been active in the public life of Otter Tail town- ship, being prominent in all public movements. He has served his town- ship as treasurer for ten years.
MRS. EMILIE SPIES.
Mrs."Emilie . Spies, of. Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a daughter of George and Caroline ( Meyer) Koch. She came to America in 1867, with friends, and was united in mar- riage after her arrival. After the death of her husband, she took over the management of the home place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and is still in charge.
George and Caroline ( Meyer ) Koch were both born in Germany. They came to America in 1853. locating at Georgetown. Virginia, where Mr. Koch followed the brewery business. His wife died in 1849. leaving sur- viving. her husband and three children, Mary, Emilie and Charles. Mary Koch came to America in 1857, and Emilie came in 1867.
Emilie Koch was united in marriage on June 10, 1871. at Alexandria, Virginia, with Christian Spies, son of Henry and Anna ( Dickup) Spies. He was born on November 20, 1832, at Dernbach, Germany, coming to America in 1867, and landing at New York. From there he went to Wash- ington, D. C., where he engaged in the brewery business for three years, at the end of which time he went to Duluth. Minnesota. following the same vocation. The next year he returned to Washington for a short time, and then came to Otter Tail county and bought the homestead where the subject of this sketch now resides, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. This place was originally entered by Jacob Frey, to whom Mr. Spies paid the purchase price of five hundred and fifty dollars. He put valuable improve- ments on the place At the time of his death, which occurred on May 2. 1896, Mr. Spies owned two hundred acres of fine agricultural land. He was an earnest member of the Catholic church. A substantial house was rebuilt in 1897. a machine shop, and a granary, which was built three years later.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Spies were the parents of seven children : Caro- line. Albert, Henry. Emily, Charles, Rose and Frank. Henry Spies was united in marriage with Clara Wedell, and resides in Elizabeth township. this county. They have one child. Cyril. Emily Spies became the wife of Charles F. Johnson, and is also a resident of Elizabeth township. They have two children, Rose and Caroline. Charles Spies was united in mar-
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riage with Catherine Sha, and lives in Oscar township. No children have been born to this marriage. The other children of Christian and Emilie ( Kcch) Spies are living at home.
Henry Spies, father of Christian Spies, was a native of Germany, as was also his wife, Anna ( Dickup) Spies. He was engaged in the crockery business, and spent his entire life in his native country, with the exception of the last fifteen years, which were spent in Belgium, where he was engaged in the same business. He traveled all over Germany and Belgium in the sale of his wares. Both Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spies were members of the Catholic church. They were the parents of four children: Peter, Christian, Henry and John Adam. Peter. the eldest son, was born in Holland; Chris- tian and Heury were born in Germany, and John Adams was a native of Belgium. Peter, Henry and John were the first to come.to America"; Henry and Christian coming later, at different periods.
Mrs. Emilie Spies is a woman who is sympathetic and loving in her disposition, and is kind and considerate of those in distress. She has many warm and admiring friends in Elizabeth township, where she is known and respected by all.
RICHARD ANDERSON.
Born in Carver county. Minnesota, January 9, 1876, Richard Ander- son, a well-known farmer of Compton township, this county, is the son of Olans and Anna Anderson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Olaus Anderson came to America in 1871, after his marriage, and upon landing in New York City, he moved to Carver county, Minnesota. Seven months later he was joined by his wife and children, and there rented land for seven years, when they came to Compton township, Otter Tail county. Here they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section 20, Compton township. and here Olaus Anderson lived until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church and had been a farmer in his native country.
There were born to Olaus and Anna Anderson eight children : Mary, Alfred, Beda, Augusta, August, Ida, Richard and John. Of these children, Mary resides at Grantsburg. in Burnett county, Wisconsin. John lives at Wadena, Minnesota. August is deceased. The remainder of the children live in Otter Tail county.
When the family settled in Otter Tail county their homestead farm was all wild land, but it has been cleared of its timber. The Anderson home farm included, at the time of Mr. Anderson's death, two hundred and forty acres, which had been very greatly improved.
Since his father's death, Richard Anderson has had charge of the home farm. Mr. Anderson himself owns one hundred and twenty acres of land
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in section 32, of Compton township, and has owned this farm for the past thirteen years. There are, however, no buildings on the farm. With Mr. Anderson are his sister, Augusta, and his mother, and they all live together on the home place Mr. Anderson has made a very great success in raising Polled Angus cattle. The Anderson family are all members of the Lutheran church and take an active interest in religious matters in their home com- munity.
PETER G. LAUGEN.
Peter G. Laugen, farmer. Elizabeth township. Otter Tail county, was born on October 18. 1852. in Wisconsin, and is a son of Gullick Laugen. His early education was received at the public schools of Rushford. Fill- more county, Minnesota, after which he attended high school for three years. and then began the vocation of an agriculturist, in which he has continued to prosper from the start. In 1889. Mr. Laugen bought one hundred and fifty-three and one-half acres. to which he afterward added forty acres more. This property is located three miles north of Elizabeth, where he follows general farming. He has put all the improvements on the place. including a substantial house and barn. Politically, he has always given his support to the Republican party, in the politics of which he has taken an active local interest, having served as assessor for one term and township supervisor for sixteen years. He has been school clerk of the district since the office was originated in 1892. Religiously, Mr. Laugen belongs to the Lutheran church at Elizabeth, Minnesota.
Gullick Laugen, father of the subject of this sketch. was born in Nor- way, and received his education there, but he acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the language and customs of this country. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and was at one time representative for Fillmore county. His eyesight became impaired, and he was obliged to discontinue his political life. Religiously, he was a member of the Lutheran church. He was united in marriage with Rachild Hasbrud, also a native of Norway. They came to America in 1845. going directly to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they lived for about fourteen years, at the end of which time they moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, spending their last days at La Crosse, where Mr. Laugen suddenly dropped dead in February. 1878, at which time he was a mail agent. He made several business changes during his life, and had acquired two hundred acres of valuable land, which was located at New- burg. His wife died in November, 1894.
The paternal grandfather is supposed to have been Ole Laugen, a farmer in Norway, where he lived and died, and was a member of the Lutheran church. After his death, his widow came to America, bringing
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with her their son, Ole. The children born to this union were: Ole, Ole, Gunder, Anna, Gullick and Holver, all of whom, with the exception of Hol- ver, came to America at a later date.
Peter G. Laugen was united in marriage on September 1, 1883, with Kate Sletvold, who was born in Norway. This marriage has been blest with ten children: Mary, John, Inga, Oscar, Peter, Anna, George. Alice, Clarence and Florence. Mary Laugen became the wife of Oscar Norgren. and lives in Elizabeth township.
Mr. Laugen is a modest, unassuming man, and holds a high place among the enterprising men of his county, where his honesty is above question, and where his genuine personal worth is thoroughly appreciated.
OSCAR JOHNSON.
The subject of the following sketch has been a resident here for almost sixty years, his financial achievement being sufficient answer or explanation of his appreciation of his adopted home. His splendid tract of over two hundred acres is considered one of the most valuable farms in Otter Tail county. He has always been a thrifty, saving man, and can now reap the benefit of his agricultural efforts.
Oscar Johnson, farmer, Elizabeth township. Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, was born on December 1, 1842, in Sweden, and is a son of John Johnson and his wife, Marie M. Johnson. He was educated in his native country, and came to America in 1868, landing at New York City, from where he went direct to Michigan and was employed in an iron mine in Marquette county until 1870, and a few years later went to the gold fields of the West. In 1881, he came to Minnesota. settling in Otter Tail county. where he bought his present farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres. Politically, Mr. Johnson has long been a stanch Republican, while in religion, both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, taking a great interest in the work.
John Johnson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sweden, as was also his wife, Marie M. (Johnson) Johnson, between whom there was no blood kinship. Mr. Johnson was a trained soldier in his native land. but never participated in battle. He was a great church man, and took an active interest in the work of the Lutheran church. His death occurred in 1849. The children born to this union were: John. Peter. Oscar. Frank. Gusta, Elizabeth and Sara.
Oscar Johnson was united in marriage on November 26. 1882, with Carrie Jenson, daughter of Amen Jenson, of Norway. The children born to this union are as follow : Charles, William, Clara, Ella. Susan, Edwin, Clarence and Inga : only two of whom are married. William, who was mar-
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ried to Laura Gabriel, and lives in Otter Tail county, and Clara, who became the wife of John Jacobson, and is also a resident of this county.
Mr. Johnson lives quietly on his home place near Fergus Falls, where he has done his part as one of the substantial men, and where he has added his pro rata amount of wealth to the community.
JENS TORGERSON.
Jens Torgerson, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Tordenskjold township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born at Sopnes, near Talvake, Norway, July 18, 1857, and is the son of Michael and Kari (Thompson ) Torgerson.
Michael Torgerson was born at Raroaas, Norway, and his wife at Tap- luft, near Talvake, Norway, the former in 1815 and the latter about 1825. They were married in Norway and lived near Sopnes, where, for twenty- five years, Michael Torgerson taught school. After the death of his wife. in April. 1866, Michael Torgerson came to America with his family. The voyage to America was made on a steamship and, on their arrival in America. the family spent one winter in Winneshiek county, Iowa. After moving to St. Paul, Minnesota, Michael Torgerson left three daughters in that city. and, with three sons and two daughters, came to Otter Tail county. The journey from St. Paul to St. Cloud was made by rail and from St. Cloud to Otter Tail county by wagon. Upon arriving in Otter Tail county, Mr. Torgerson homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tordenskjold township on the west shores of Stalker lake. \ cabin built on the shore of the lake was destroyed by fire in 1870. For some time Mr. Torgerson had no herses and only two cows. Subsequently, he built another log house on a hill just north of the first and there lived until late in life, when he built a little house near the home of his son, Jens. He died there in 1808.
After coming to Otter Tail county, Michael Torgerson was married. secondly, to Ellen Haldorson. He taught school here for some years and. for some time, sang in the choir of his church. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Synod Lutheran church. Of his twelve children, four died early in life in Norway; Salvine married Robert Karsman and, having returned to Sweden, lives in Stockholm: Magdalena married Thomas Dwyer and lives in Minneapolis: John S. is a well-known farmer of Tordenskjold town- ship; Lena married Andrew Burg and lives in Grand Island, Nebraska: Dora is the widow of Knut Foss and lives in Butte, Montana: Jens is the subject of this sketch; Bert lives at Temple, North Dakota, where he is a farmer : Bolletta married Samuel Huseby and lives in Fergus Falls.
Jens Torgerson was educated in Norway and in America, having come
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to this country at the age of ten or twelve years. He attended the common schools of lowa and Minnesota and assisted his father on the farm until 1883. when he went to Thirteen Towns and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Polk county, Minnesota. After two years he moved to Grant county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of "tree claim" land, which his father had taken as a "tree claim" for his son, before he had reached his majority. After owning that farm for some years and living there during the summers, Mr. Torgerson sold out and settled per- manently on the old homestead in Tordenskjold township, which he has now owned for some years. He has a thoroughly modern house which is well furnished, a magnificent barn and a large silo made of cement blocks. Mr. Torgerson is an extensive breeder of Percheron horses and owns a third interest in two very fine stallions. He is also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. At the present time, he keeps about twenty or thirty head of cattle and some fifty or sixty head of hogs.
On November 17, 1890, Jens Torgerson was married to Josephine Johnson, who is a native of St. Olaf township, where she was born on November 3, 1871. She is the daughter of Knut and Anna ( Olson) John- son, who immigrated from Norway to America, prior to the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson have been the parents of nine children, namely : Clifford, who lives at home, was educated in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota; Ada, who died at the age of nineteen months ; Ada, who is a graduate of the State Normal School at Moorhead and has been a teacher for three years; Leonora, who was educated in the Park Region Lutheran College and in the agricultural department of the Uni- versity of Minnesota; May, Raymond, Webster, who live at home; the eighth child died unnamed, and William Gordon, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Josephine ( Johnson) Torgerson is a sister of Edward K. John- son, a successful farmer and business man of Tordenskjold township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Mr. Johnson was born on February 3, 1877. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Torgerson and Edward K. Johnson were John and Walburg Evenson, who lived at Stavanger, Norway, before they immigrated to America. After coming to this country, they settled in Fill- more county, where the grandfather engaged in farming. Later he moved to St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, during the early seventies and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He died about 1878 and his wife survived him several years, passing away about 1886. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living in Otter Tail county. Mrs. Torgerson's father is one of the living children in this county and Andrew, a resident of Fergus Falls, is the other. The maternal grand- parents of Mrs. Torgerson and Mr. Johnson were Ole and Martha ( Gunder-
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son ) Torson, who spent their entire lives on a farm near Stavanger, Nor- way. They were the parents of nine children, Sigrid, who married Ole Vidvay and died in Norway; Joran, who married and died in Norway: Anna, who is the mother of Mrs Torgerson and Mr. Johnson: Hilga, who married Paul Knutson and died in Iowa; Thore, who is a farmer in Nor- way; Martha, who married Bjelst Rowalson and lives in Jowa: Annie, who died unmarried in Norway: Olena, who married Joseph Kjordal and lives in Norway: Gunder, who is a farmer and lives in Norway.
Knut John-on, the father of Mrs. Torgerson, was born on December 3. 1846. and the mother, Annie Oleson, October 5. 1836. She came to America alone about 1866 and lived in Fillmore county, Minnesota. Knut Johnson was brought to America in 1860 and settled in Fillmore county. Minnesota, where he was married. About 1869 he and his wife moved to Otter Tail county and settled in St. Olaf township, where they took up a homestead and lived until 1893. At that time they moved to Grant county, where they lived until 1909. At this time they moved to Otter Tail county and have since lived retired in Tordenskjold township. The father has been active in local politics and is identified with the Prohibition party. In 1864 Knut Johnson enlisted in Company B. First Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the Civil War.
To the marriage of Kunt Johnson and Annie Oleson there were born five children, of whom John died at the age of fourteen: Olena married John Holt and lives in Grant county, Minnesota: Josephine married Jens Torgerson, the subject of this sketch: Cena, who died at the age of seven ; and Edward K.
Edward K. Johnson was educated in the public schools of St. Olaf township and reared on a farm. He began farming for himself in Grant county. Later he purchased two hundred and eighty acres and lived there until the fall of 1000. when he sold out and moved to Otter Tail county. Ilere Mr. Johnson purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Fordenskjold township. He has since remodeled his house. erected a modern barn and built a silo. He is a general farmer and stockman. Mr. Johnson is a stockholder in the Mutual Telephone Company and in the Mutual Insurance Company.
In 1903 Edward K. Johnson was married to Gena Hoff, a native of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, the daughter of John P. Hoff, an old settler of this county. They have been the parents of four children, Margaret. Kenneth, Elmer and Halbert.
Mr. Johnson is independent in politics and has filled various school offices. Both he and his wife and family are members of the Free Lutheran church.
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DOMINIC J. ESTERMAN.
Dominic J. Esterman, a native of Switzerland, was born in the canton of Freyburg, September 6, 1874. and is the son of Eberhard and Veronica ( Hochstetter ) Esterman.
Eberhard Esterman was born in the Canton of Lucerne, and his wife. who was of French descent, was born near the boundary line. There they were married and he pursued the occupation of farming, being a landowner. He died in 1876, and his widow afterward married a Mr. Webber and lived until 1912, when she passed away while living in Switzerland. Her father had served the customary time in the army of his country. Both Mr. and Mrs. Esterman were members of the Roman Catholic church. Three chil- dren were born to them, the first born being Eberhard, who after coming to America, returned to his native country and farms there today. \lois, the second child, grew up and became a farmer in Switzerland and is deceased. Dominic, the subject of this article, is the youngest born of this union. After her marriage to Mr. Webber, their mother had three sons who have remained in Switzerland.
Mr. Esterman had more than the average education for after his public school course he attended the high school for one term. He followed the example of his father in regard to occupation and in 1892, when eighteen years of age, started out alone for the shores of America. Having friends in Martin county. Minnesota, he moved directly to that locality and began working on a farm. In 1900. he bought a farm in Kennebec county, but never lived there. Making his home in Martin county until 1908, in that year he began a residence in Todd county which lasted for two years. He then became interested in land across the line in Otter Tail county and here he moved on one hundred and twenty acres, in sections 1 and 12, in Wood- side township, which he purchased. As this land was unimproved, he immediately began to clear and cultivate it and to build the necessary struc- tures for farm work. Here he has lived ever since and besides general farming has been a successful breeder of full-blooded Duroc-Jersey hogs.
In 1903 D. J. Esterman and Mary Sahli were married, she being a native of Todd county, and daughter of Samuel Sahli, one of the old set- tlers, who is still living in that county. The children born to them are. Florence. Emma. Elsie and Maurice.
Mr. Esterman has long had the confidence of the community in which he lives as evidenced by the fact that he has served in the capacity of school clerk. He is an independent voter. In the struggles and privations of the early years, Mrs. Esterman has ably and unselfishly co-operated with her husband in his work and ambitions. She is active in her church member- ship and both she and her husband belong to the United Brethren church.
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The world is in need of such men as he whose career has only been touched upon here. In all the relations of life, Mr. Esterman has exhibited those traits of character best described by the word stalwart. Strong in mind and body. he has been true to the ideals inculcated in a home founded by pious parentage. and has become a type of man worthy of emulation and respect.
JOHN C. LIEDER.
As a man whose entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits, and this successfully, and also as one whose career and character are such as to command respect, John C. Lieder merits a place in the present publication. The family early became identified with the annals of this vicinity, and from the time of its appearance, to the present, there has been nothing to mar its honor. for both Mr. Lieder and his father have been eminently just and square in their dealings. Mr. Lieder, who is a native of LeSueur county. Minnesota, was born on March 1, 1881, and is the son of Christ and Johanna ( Groschke ) Lieder.
The parents of Mr. Lieder were born in Prussia. Germany. where they married and lived until the year 1872 or 1873, when they came to America. Living their first year in Faribault, Rice county, Minnesota, with friends, they then took up farming in LeSueur county on a farm which they rented for a couple of years. By the end of this time, Mr. Lieder had saved enough to buy a sixty-acre place, later adding another sixty acres and here he lived until his death which occurred in 1899. His wife continued to live on the farm with her sons until her death in 1907. Both were members of the German Evangelical church. They were parents of six children: Albert. who died an infant in Germany; Augusta, the widow of Lonney Sykes, lives with the subject of this sketch: Emil, who also lives with his brother John. but who also owns a farm in Oak Valley township: Otto G., who is in part- nership with his brother. John; William died at the age of two: John C., the youngest.
John C. Lieder was brought up on his father's farm and attended the local schools. Receiving his share of the home farm, he lived there until 1911, and in January of that year came with his brother. Otto, to this county where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres in sections 11 and 12, of Woodside township. This land was only partially improved. In 1913. they bought an adjoining forty, in section 12. making two hundred acres. Three years after the first purchase the owners built a fine modern barn thirty by sixty feet, having hip-roof and concrete foundation. They alsc erected a well-house. They then began giving their special attention to the raising of full-blooded Holstein cattle, and at present are especially inter- ested in the dairy business and are the owners of fourteen milch cows.
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