USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 49
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Mr. Lieder has not limited his activities to agriculture for he is the present secretary of the Wrightstown Telephone Company. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Odd Fellows lodge. He votes with the Republican party. Mr. Lieder is a progressive farmer, a wide- awake man and a public-spirited citizen. He has won his present place by his own efforts and because of his consideration of others and his square dealing he has won the respect of all who know him; a respect which is well merited.
ANDREW EKSTAM.
Andrew Ekstam began his industrial career as a farmer in his native country of Sweden, where he was born in 1847, on the 15th of April. While employed on the farm, he spent some time in learning the carpenter's trade. which he mastered and used to a great advantage as a means of earning a living. The parents of the subject of this sketch, Anders Aaronson and Johanna Johnson, were both born in Sweden, in the year 1822. The father, who was a landowner, devoted his time to farming and to the trades of the blacksmith and carpenter. He worked at these occupations until his death, which occurred after he had reached the age of sixty years. The mother, who died at the age of seventy years, reared the following chil- dren ; Andrew, to whom reference has already been made: Ulrika, who mar- ried C. Carlson, and who is living in Sweden; Aaron, a farmer, who died in Grant county, Minnesota ; Matilda, who died in Sweden; Adolph, who is a farmer in Sweden; Hannah, the wife of August Anderson, who lives in Sweden ; August, who lived in Chicago, and Victor, who died in Wisconsin, where he was employed in a saw-mill. Three of the children died in child- hood.
At the age of twenty-three years Andrew Ekstam left his native country and came to America, where he settled in Ishpeming, Michigan, and for four years worked in the mines of that locality. . At the end of that time, which was in 1874, he left for Dakota county, Minnesota, and worked on the farms of that section and also on the railroads which were being put through in that part of the state. He came to Otter Tail county in 1879 and bought eighty acres of land in section 28, of Scambler township. He spent the first few years clearing the land of underbrush and timber and during that time put up a log cabin which is still standing; part of this time was also spent in the Dakotas, where there was opportunity offered for making money. Mr. Ekstam has continued to add to his possessions until now he is the owner of one-half section in Scambler township. In 1909 he erected a modern residence designed with every convenience and has a barn of large proportions and perfect construction. Since realizing his ambi-
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tion of building up a thoroughly modern farm, Mr. Ekstam has retired from active work on the place, and rents the land to his sons.
Andrew Ekstam was married, in 1876. to Mrs. Ida ( Johnson ) Ander- son, a native of Norway and the daughter of Johan Hanson and Maren Brynildson, also natives of Norway. To this union the following children have been born: Anna, who resides at home; Carl. who married Esther Beckman, is employed in a store in Pelican Rapids: Emil and Albert, who are living on the home farm; Thea, the wife of Edward Elefson, who is living in North Dakota: Emma, who married Adolph Erickson and resides in North Dakota: Henry, who remains at home; Hilda. the wife of Alfred Peckham, of Roseau county, Minnesota: Alma, who resides on the home place.
By her first marriage, Mrs. Ekstam reared two sons: Gabriel, a farmer in Scambler township, who married Olena Hanson, and Julius, who married Eldora Cowles, and who resides in Canada, where he follows the occupation of farming.
FRANK W. DANIELSON.
From far-away Sweden Frank W. Danielson came when a young man of twenty-six, to seek prosperity in a wider field than that afforded by his native land. The fact that here he has established himself and family in a good substantial home surrounded by valuable land which he has acquired. is evidence that when he disembarked on the American shores he was possessed of the dauntless courage, the eager industry and the faith that go to make up the admirable qualities of a self-made man. Mr. Danielson was born in the southern part of Sweden on December 6, 1862.
Daniel Gunderson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sweden in the year 1837, and his mother, Mary Johnson, was born three years later. and in that country they grew up and were married. The father, a farmer and landowner, is still living. His wife died in 1911. Their eight children are as follow : Charles, a section boss living in Sweden : Frank W., whose name heads this article: John, a section boss residing in Stockholm: Edward. a Minneapolis blacksmith: Sammel, a farmer living about four miles west of Wadena. Minnesota: Olricha, who married a Swedish farmer: Emma, who married a soldier and lives in Sweden, and Annie, the wife of a Swedish farmer.
Frank Danielson, as a preparation for his after life, like many other boys born in that locality, had only limited educational advantages, but of these he made the most. His early days were spent in the school and on the farm, and in 1888 he joined some friends in Minneapolis and lived there for three years. His next home was in Montana, where he worked
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in a copper smelter for seven years. Desiring to become more settled in his habits and life, in 1898 he returned to Minnesota, and in July bought one hundred and twenty acres in Elmo township, Otter Tail county, and this has been his home ever since. Taking what was practically unimproved land, its only building being a log house, the owner remodeled this, adding bedrooms and kitchen as well as clearing the farm of timber until now he has forty or fifty acres cleared. the remainder consisting of pastures and hay meadows. Besides this he has rented land in the neighborhood, in which he is recognized as a capable and successful general farmer.
In 1895 Frank W. Danielson was united in marriage to Annie Sher- blum, a native of Finland, but born of Swedish parents. The children born of this union are: Beda: Lorency, who lives at Moorhead; Axel Alovick : Grace, who died in 1914: Harry and Everett.
Mrs. Danielson has had the qualities necessary for a hard-working pioneer farmer's wife. and has shared her husband's hardships and work. as well as his joys and sorrows. Both are members of the Presbyterian church at Elmora. In politics, Mr. Danielson is a Republican. His toil and virile energy have brought him the success for which he planned, and because of his kindly disposition and upright life he is among the most highly respected farmers of the vicinity in which his home is situated.
FRANK NELSON.
Frank Nelson, a well-known farmer of Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, was born in the southern part of Sweden, November 27, 1845. and is a son of Nels and Elsie ( Okeson) Nelson. Mr. Nelson's parents spent their entire lives in their native land of Sweden. Mr. Nelson's father was a farmer and landowner. He was born in 1804 and died in 1851. Mr. Nelson's mother was born in 1808 and died in 1869. Both were members of the Lutheran church, and reared a family of eight children, as follow : Oke, born in 1826: Nels, born in 1827; John, a farmer of Clitherall town- ship, was born in 1831: Peter, who died in Clitherall township in 1913. was born in 1833: Bernt, born in 1836; Hahhan, who was the wife of Nels Madis, was born in 1839, and died in Denmark; Lewis, who died at the age of seventeen, was born in 1842.
Frank Nelson was educated in the public schools of his native land and was reared on his father's farm. When he was old enough he engaged in farming, and in 1869 came to America on a steamship. Upon his arrival in the United States, he settled first at Litchfield, Minnesota, where for a time he worked on a railroad. Frank was the first member of the Nelson family who came to America. In 1871 he removed to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 29. of
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Clitherall township. The farm was heavily timbered at the time Mr. Nelson purchased it, and it was necessary to clear this land before crops could he raised. In the meantime he erected a log house, which has since been destroyed. For about twenty years after coming to America, Mr. Nelson was engaged in clearing and improving his land, and his farm is now in good condition, and he has occupied it ever since his removal to this county. He is a general farmer and stockman, and has been most successful in his operations.
In 1875 Frank Nelson was married to Annie Peterson, who died in 1886. leaving four children: Leonard, who is a clerk in a hardware store in ('litherall; Joseph, a farmer living in Dakota; Oscar, who lives at home, works on neighboring farms: Emily, who died in 1905.
In 1887 Mr. Nelson was married to Hannah Peterson, and to this union have been born eight children: Agnes, the wife of Richard L. Gilles ; George, who is a telegraph operator at Black River Falls, Wisconsin; while five children, Eddie, Harry, Arthur, Esther and Ernest, are living at home with their parents. John, another child, died in infancy.
Mr. Nelson has always voted the Republican ticket since coming to the United States. He and his family are earnest and devoted members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Eagle Lake township, and take an active interest in religious affairs. and contribute liberally to the support of the church.
OLE J. SLETTEDE.
Ole J. Slettede, an upholsterer by trade, is well known to the people of Fergus Falls, this county, where he enjoys the confidence of a host of friends and a large patronage He was born in Norway on November 28. 1850. the son of John and Kari ( Horten ) Slettede, members of two good old Norwegian families.
Ole J. Slettede emigrated to America in 1880, when he was twenty-one ocars old, in company with his brother, Ole. They came West, first locating att Chicago, where they remained for a time, doing odd jobs, but in 1883 Ole J. Slettede came to Minnesota, settling in Fergus Falls, where for eigh- teen months he was employed in the furniture store owned by 11. Butturi. Afterwards Mr. Slettede established a furniture repair shop on his own account. This shop was located on Lincoln avenue, west, and there he remained until the casket factory was established and started business. Mr. Slettede accepted a position as cloth coverer with the casket company, and this occupation he followed for six years, after which he returned to his trade of upholstering and repairing. His business was then located in his
OLE J. SLETTEDE.
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storage rooms at 201 Bismark avenne, west, and it is there that he has built up his present prosperous business.
Mr. Slettede married Mathilda Thoreson, who has borne him two chil- dren, Hilma, a teacher at Underwood, and James H., who is associated with his father in the furniture repair business. James H. Slettede married Ver- detta M. Waller, a native of Illinois, and they have one child, Cessarine June.
Of Mr. Slettede it may be said truthfully that he is one of the best- known men in Otter Tail county. He is known for his kindness, his gen- iality and his admirable intelligence. Being a great reader and a deep thinker, he is a most interesting conversationalist and no one may leave him, after having spent an hour or two, without feeling that he has learned something. Mr. Slettede's religious views are tolerant in the extreme. He believes that all religious organizations perform a good purpose, and he unqualifiedly gives his support to all of them.
FERDINAND ZUEHLKE.
Ferdinand Zuehlke, a native of Prussia, Germany, was born on October 4. 1851. The parents of the subject of this sketch, Frederick and Caroline (Pomerenke) Zuehlke, were also natives of Prussia, where they were mar- ried, and from which country they and their six children came to America in 1866, and made their home in Pittsburgh. There Mr. Zuehlke was engaged in the blacksmith trade for thirteen years. In 1879 he took his family to Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he farmed until 1881. They then took up a homestead claim in this county, becoming possessors of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Stony creek, the place being thickly covered with brush and timber. Living in a log house, hastily and rudely constructed, he began to clear his land, but was not able to finish his task, for in 1884 he died. Five years later his wife passed away. Both were devoted members of the Lutheran church. Their children, all of whom were born in Germany, were six in number. Florentine became the wife of Fred Voos, of Philadelphia. and later died in Chicago. Theresa married William Redeman, and died in Washington state. The third child is the subject of this sketch. Adolph is employed in a cracker factory in Minne- apolis. Bertha is Mrs. George Rochm, of Parkers Prairie. Gustav, the youngest, is a laborer in Milwaukee.
Ferdinand Zuehlke attended school in his native land and in Pitts- burgh, and engaged in bridge work in this city for eleven and one-half years. Desiring to return to the country and its healthful pursuits, he homesteaded a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, in section 24. Elmo
( 30b)
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township, this county, first building a crude log cabin on the thickly tim- bered land. A later addition, also built of logs, was added, this being four- teen by sixteen feet in dimensions. While this structure is still standing. it is not used as a residence, for in 1905 Mr. Zuehlke built a modern frame house. He now has forty-one acres of land cleared and is successful as a general farnier.
Ferdinand Zuehlke's marriage to Caroline Schneider took place in 1872. His wife is a Prussian by birth and a daughter of Frederick and Eleanora ( Dilg ) Schneider. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider came to America in 1869 and made their home in Pittsburgh and Mr. Schneider was employed as a laborer in Pittsburgh, where they settled. They later lived in Roches- ter, Pennsylvania, where he died in June, 1885, and his wife died two years later while living with her son-in-law, Ferdinand, in this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Zuehlke were born nine children, as follow : Fred. the first born, died at the age of seven; Louis lived in Buffalo, New York : Herman is a farmer in Elmo township: Hattie became the wife of John Cameron, who lives in Calgary, Canada : Christopher lives at home; Elnora died in infancy ; a child, who followed her, died unmarried: Albert operates the home farm and other rented land: Florentine is a clerk employed in a store in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Zuehlke has been painstaking and persistent in his work, undaunted by the problems presented to every pioneer, and sturdy and faithful in every duty. He has made for himself and his family a place in the community. which it will be an honor for his children to retain and hand down. He and his wife have many friends here.
GILBERT MOEN.
Gilbert Moen, a well-known farmer of Sverdrup township. this county. is a native of Norway, where he was born on July 5. 1862. Mr. Moen is a son of Helge and Kari (Skatebo) Moen, both of whom died in Norway. Helge Moen and wife were the parents of a large family of children. among whom were Even, Erik, Kari, Gilbert, Christ, Halvor, Ole and Knut, besides two who died early in life.
Gilbert Moen received his education in the public schools of his native land, and when he was twenty years old, in 1882. made the voyage to America and settled eventually in Sverdrup township. this county. Five years after coming to the United States, Mr. Moen was able to purchase one hundred and twelve acres of land, and on this tract he has since lived. Hle has greatly increased the value of this place by the addition of many important and substantial improvements.
In 1887 Gilbert Moen was married to Marit J. Roble, who is a native
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of Norway, born in 1865, and to this union have been born five children, Henry, John, Clara, Minnie and Edward.
Mr. and Mrs. Moen and family are all earnest and faithful members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Moen is independent in politics. He has served as school treasurer in Sverdrup township, and here where he has lived for the past twenty-five years, is well known and is a highly-respected citizen of the township, and is especially popular in the neighborhood where he has lived for so many years.
ANDREW J. ANDERSON.
Born in Moore county, Minnesota, January 30, 1868, Andrew J. Anderson is the son of Johanna and Synneve ( Olsen) Anderson, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1831 and the latter in 1842.
Mr. Anderson's parents came to America in 1867 and settled in Moore county, Minnesota. The next year they emigrated to Otter Tail county, making the journey from Moore to Otter Tail county with an ox-team. After homesteading one hundred and sixty acres in Aurdal township, where their son, Andrew J., now lives, they set to work to clear the land and to improve it. At the time the land was obtained it was covered with heavy timber. Here Mr. Anderson's father died in 1911. His inother had died fifteen years previously, in 1806. They had three children, of whom Andrew J. was the eldest, Gustina and Hannah being the other two children. Mr. Anderson's parents were prominent in the Lutheran church of this community.
Andrew J. Anderson was reared on the old homestead farm and edu- cated in the public schools of this county. His first teacher was Haldor Been. Mr. Anderson attended school in pioneer times, when the educational facilities were considerably more limited than they are at the present time. When the Andersons came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, Mr. Ander- son's father had only two cows, two calves and a half interest in a wagon.
Some years ago Mr. Anderson purchased his father's farm. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1908 he built a new barn and, after it has been destroyed by a tornado in 1912, it was replaced by another barn.
On October 26. 1808, Andrew J. Anderson was married to Louisa Fossen, who was born in Goodhue county in 1867, and who is the daughter of Jens and Christina Fossen, who settled in Goodhue county in 1864. after emigrating to this country from Norway. They moved to Otter Tail county about 1870 and took a homestead farm in Dane Prairie township. Both are still living. Mrs. Anderson's father is now eighty-three years old and her
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mother is eighty-five. They had a large family of children, of whom three. Lawrence, Louise and Hans are deceased. The living children are Ole. Louisa, John, Gurena and Mikkel.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Anderson have three children, Julius, born on October 30, 1890: Sophia, October 29, 1901, and Arthur. April 25. 1903.
Mr. Anderson has never been active in politics, but he has always been interested in educational affairs and has been, for a number of years, a member of the local school board.
OLE O. VIDNESS.
Ole O. Vidness, who is a prosperous farmer of Everts township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on December 24, 1853, in Norway, and is the son of Ole Christiansen and Christina Johnson, both of whom were born in Norway and who spent their entire lives in their native land. They were the parents of four children : Julia, Ole O., Thea and Mena.
Ole O. Vidness was educated in the public schools of Norway. In 1880 he emigrated to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and took a homestead of ninety-two acres in section 30, of Everts township. Here he made many improvements and now has a commodious barn and a comfortable residence.
Ole O. Vidness was married, in Norway, to Anetta Sletner, the daugh- ter of Andrew Sletner, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this marriage there were born six children: Oscar. Caroline, Christ, Julia, John and Alfred. Mrs. Vidness died in 1888, and, two years later, Mr. Vidness was married to Lena Johnson, who was born in Wisconsin and who is the daughter of Johannes Johnson, who came from Norway to Wisconsin and later to Otter Tail county. Minnesota, where he spent his last days.
Mr. and Mrs. Ole O. Vidness and family are well-known members of the Lutheran church in Everts township. They take a prominent part in all public matters and are among the leading citizens of this township.
JOHN M. VAGLO.
Among the leading farmers of Erhards Grove township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is John M. Vaglo, who was born in Norway on January 20, 1853, the son of Olaus L. and Nicolena Vaglo, both of whom were natives of Norway. Olaus Vaglo came to America in 1882, and located in Otter Tail county, where he lived until his death, in 1914. Nicolena, the wife of the elder Vaglo, died on February 17, 1893. Olaus and Nicolena V'aglo were the parents of five children. Ludwig, John M., Anna. Ellen and Johanna, all of whom are living.
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John M. Vaglo was educated in the schools of his native land, after which he came to America in 1880, and located in Fillmore county, Minne- sota, where he lived for two years and then moved to Fargo, North Dakota. One year later John M. Vaglo returned to Minnesota and came to Pelican Rapids, where he worked as a carpenter and also as a millwright, for some time. In 1885 Mr. Vaglo bought sixty acres of land in section 4, Erhards Grove township, a place which he has improved and to which he has added land until now he cultivates one hundred and twenty acres of choice land in the community.
During the year 1888 John M. Vaglo was married to Josefa Dahl, who was born in Norway in the year 1862, and to this marriage have been born two children, Katie Nemina and Alma Olina.
John M. Vaglo is well known in public life and in political circles, having served his township on the board of supervisors for a term of five years: has been a member of the school board for fifteen years, and has been a candidate for some of the higher offices of the community.
FREDERICK EUGENE BURLINGAME.
Born in Madison county, New York, August 15, 1865, Frederick Eugene Burlingame is the son of James Alden and Melvina (Palmiter) Burlingame, both of whom were born in New York state, and who came to Wisconsin in 1874. Some years later they emigrated to Otter Tail county. Minnesota, where Mr. Burlingame's father died on December 6, 1914. His mother had died many years previously, April 10, 1892. There were three children in the Burlingame family : Frederick E., the subject of this review. is the eldest; Franklin, the second born, and Minnie, the youngest child, who is the wife of S. M. Wright, of Deer Creek, Minnesota.
Frederick E. Burlingame was reared on a farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools of Markesan, Green Lake county, Wisconsin. After finishing his educational training, Mr. Burlingame worked as a painter and decorator for twelve years. He then engaged in farming and in 1899 purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Inman township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota. Here he carries on a general system of farming and stock raising, and has made many substantial improvements on this place since acquiring it. All but one acre of the farm he has cleared, and his buildings are modern and up-to-date and his farm is well equipped for stock raising.
On March 5. 1891. Frederick E. Burlingame was married to Lizzie Mattocks, a native of Iowa, who was born on August 13, 1871. She was a daughter of W. R. and Phoebe (Conner) Mattocks, both of whom died at Deer Creek. Minnesota, within one year. They had come to Otter Tail
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county, Minnesota, from lowa. They settled in Oak Valley township on two hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land, comprising one of the best farms of Oak Valley township.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick E. Burlingame were the parents of three chil- dren, Cecil, Clifford and Harland. The mother of these children died on May 29, 1906, and on June 1I, 1907, Mr. Burlingame was married, sec- ondly, to Jeanne Johnson, who was born in Deer Creek, Minnesota, in 1882, and who is a daughter of Jacob and Marion (Binnie) Johnson. of Deer Creek. By this second marriage there have been born three children. Gor- don, Marland and Gladys.
The Burlingame family are well-known, enterprising farmers. Mr. Burlingame has always been an industrious and hardworking man, and his success in life is due almost wholly to his own unaided efforts, and he has a host of friends in the neighborhood where he lives.
HANS STANER HANSON.
Hans Staner Hanson, a farmer of Henning. Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, is now a well-to-do man and is well known throughout the county where he has lived for many years.
Mr. Hanson was born on January 3. 1852. in Norway, and is the son of Staner and Rungnald ( Larsen) Hanson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. Hanson's parents came to America and settled at Madison. Wisconsin, in 1856. Four years later they moved to Albert Lea, Minne- sota, and there purchased a pre-emption of one hundred and sixty acres of land, where Mr. Hanson's father died. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom. Louis and an infant. are deceased. The living children are Mary. Hans Staner. Ole, Anna and Richard.
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