USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 51
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MICHAEL H. FROSLEE.
Among the men of large and various interests in Otter Tail county and in the town of Vining. is Michael H. Froslee, successful farmer and leading business man. A citizen of conspicuous ancestry, a man of splendid intel- lectual attainments, one who in the affairs of community life has been a leader of thought and a director of public opinion, no work of this kind would be complete without reference to and a proper review of the life and activities of this man.
Michael H. Froslee was born six miles north of Christiana, Norway, on July 25, 1868, the son of Hans and Ingeborg (Gjefsen) Froslee, both of whom lived in Norway all their lives, and where Hans Froslee looked after his extensive interests until he died, at the age of sixty-eight years, on December 9. 1894. his wife, Ingeborg, surviving him until the year 1913. when she died at the age of seventy-seven years.
Ilans Froslee was the son of Mons Svinning and Maria Froslee, who, after their marriage, moved to the farm of the Froslee family, where Mons Svinning assumed the name of his wife, and where they lived for the remainder of their days, Mons Svinning Froslee dying in the year 1868. his wife, Maria, having died previously. Mons Froslee was engaged exten- sively as a farmer in his native land, conducting his farm in a progressive and scientific manner, and being a man of important rank in his home dis- trict. To the marriage of Mons and Maria were born four children : Hans, father of the subject of this sketch; Lars, who lived and died on a part of his father's farm, his death occurring during the year 1914: Ingeborg, who married Paul Rakstad, and who died in Norway in the year 1904: and Mary, who married Paul Dahlen, and who died in Norway in the year 1903.
Ingeborg Froslee was the daughter of Andrew and Kari (Klastad) Gjefsen, who lived and died in the same community as the Froslee family. Andrew Gjefsen was interested in three or four feed mills and a distillery in
MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL H. PROSLEE.
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his native land, as well as having been the owner of a nail and spike fac- torv. He also was the owner of great land interests, on which land he was a raiser of cattle, as well as an extensive follower of general agricultural pursuits. Andrew Gjefsen died in the year 1882, his wife, Kari, surviving him until the year 1885. To the marriage of Andrew and Kari Gjefsen were born the following children: Margaret, who married Brede Gjefsen, and who lived and died in Norway; Kjersti, who married Bent Horn, and who died in Norway: Ingeborg, mother of the subject of this sketch; and Martha, who married Iver Svinning, and who died at Sundbakken.
Andrew Gjefsen, maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the son of Ivor Stadstad, a well-known farmer in his community. He was the father of four children : Andrew, grandfather of Michael Froslee; Lars, who assumed the name of Rustad; Ingeborg, who married Thorsten Svinning ; and Margaret, who married Lars Hvalby.
Maria Froslee, the paternal grandmother of the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm in Flatla and was married to Lars Froslee, who was "wakmaster." a local government officer of Norway, having to do with the military and postal service of his locality. Maria Froslee was one of fifteen children. Hans Froslee, father of Michael Froslee, was one of the leading farmers of the district in which he lived, being the producer of many superior products, for which he received from his government many awards and prizes in recognition of his success, and especially for fine horses and cattle. Hans Froslee conducted a creamery on his own land, was a keeper of records dealing with his cream and milk and was generally known as a farmer who in the conduct of his agricultural life followed closely along scientific lines.
Michael H. Froslee was educated in the academic course of his native land. a course similar to that taught in the high schools of America, and after finishing his schooling, during which time he studied four different languages, he became a clerk in a store for three years. In the year 1892 he came to America and landed at New York city, and from there went to Vining. Minnesota, reaching this place on January II. At Vining, Michael Froslee entered the general merchandise store of Froslee Brothers, as a partner with Thorwald H. Froslee, his brother, until the spring of the year 1001, when Michael Froslee purchased the interest of Thorwald Froslee and conducted the store as sole proprietor until 1910. He then disposed of his interests and for the next three years devoted his time to the care of his. wife, whose poor health resulted in Mr. Froslee going with his wife to Nor- way and there placing her in the hands of specialists, but without avail, for Mrs. Froslee died on June 5, 1912.
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In August, 1912, Mr. Froslee returned to America and cared for his land interests until 1913. when he erected a new store building, which, with a general stock of merchandise, he opened on February 5. 1914, where he has been engaged in business ever since. In addition to his merchandise business. Michael H. Froslee is the owner of two farms, on which land he is the overseer of general farming and stock raising pursuits. Since coming to America, Mr. Froslee has visited his home land on four occasions, at one time journeying as far north as Trondhjem and Nortcap, the farthest point north in Norway. He was present at the coronation of King Haakon, and during the same summer he became acquainted with Ranghild Rustad, a second cousin, to whom, after returning to America, he was married, on November 29. 1906, in Rousseau, Minnesota, at the home of Dr. Christian Jelsrup, with whom she lived previously. Subsequently, Michael H. Froslee made a trip to Norway in the interest of his wife's' health and after return- ing to America to care for business interests, Mr. Froslee again, in 1912. went to Norway, at which time he was called on to bear the death of his wife. To Michael H. and Ranghild Froslee were born two children: Hans M .. who was born on September 16, 1907, and Raunaug Margaret, April 26. 1909.
Michael H. Froslee, as one of the leading citizens of Vining, has served his town and county well, both in private life and in the office of chairman of the town board. Mr. Froslee has been active in all those things for the promotion of town and county interests, and has given much in the way of time and means to the community affairs. In politics, Michael H. Froslee is a Republican. He has been president for two years of the local society of the Sons of Norway and has held all the offices of this organization. Mr. Froslee is a member of the Lutheran church at Vining.
OSCAR F. WILSON.
Oscar F. Wilson, a prosperous farmer of Tordenskjold township. this county, was born on November 25, 1861. near Aalborg, Jutland. in Den- mark, and is the son of Jens II. and Christine ( Graveson) Wilson, both of whom were natives of Denmark. Jens H. Wilson, who is still living at the age of ninety years, was a farmer during his active life and, by his marriage to Christine Graveson, who died in Denmark, had eight children, five of whom are living.
Oscar F. Wilson was educated in the public schools of his native land and in the high school. He learned the gardener's trade and in 1882 came to America alone, settling in Wisconsin. Afterward he moved to Minnea- polis and followed his trade until he came to Otter Tail county with his brother. Christ. After coming to Otter Tail county, Mr. Wilson purchased
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a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in section 16, of Tordenskjold township. There were no improvements upon the land and it was necessary to clear the land before a crop could be raised. Mr. Wilson erected build- ings on the farm and lived upon it until 1897, when he sold out and moved to Underwood, where he operated a feed store for six years, a part of the time for his brother, Nils, and later for himself. In 1903 he moved to the Nelson farm, owned by his mother-in-law, in Tordenskjold township, and has managed this farm ever since. In 1912 Mr. Wilson purchased lot 7, in section II, of Tordenskjold township, a tract of thirty-five acres, which land is now cultivated by a tenant. Mr. Wilson is engaged in general farming and stock raising and has made a specialty of raising Chester White hogs.
On March 26, 1900, Oscar F. Wilson was married to Mary Jensen, who died on July 15, 1900, without issue. Mr. Wilson was married, sec- ondly, on September 2, 1902, to Jensena Maria Henriksen, the daughter of Jens Peter and Anna Marie ( Nelsen) Henriksen and the granddaughter of Anders and Annie Jens ( Datter) Nelsen. Mrs. Jensena Maria Wilson died on June 13, 1903. To them was born one son, Jens Frederick, who was born on May 29. 1903, and who died on October 4, 1909.
Mrs. Wilson's grandfather, Anders Nelsen, was born in Denmark, in Skiby, near Raskilde, September 16, 1829, and died on May 5, 1909. He was the son of Nels and Annie Maria (Petersen) Petersen, who had four children, three of whom remained in Denmark. Anders Nelsen was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1871 came to America, bringing with him his . wife and three children. They landed in Portland, Maine, on July 15, 1871, and lived there for two years, where Mr. Nelsen worked at the blacksmith's trade for a company in Portland. In 1873 he emigrated to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, homesteading a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Tordenskjold township. This tract of land was located in section 12, on the shores of Fish lake, which Mr. Nelsen named. The land was not improved and Mr. Nelsen erected a log house and a log barn, living here until his death. As time passed he improved the farm and cleared it. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
By the marriage of Anders Nelsen, on August 4, 1853, to Annie Jens Datter, a native of Denmark, and the daughter of Jens Peter, who died on April 3, 1890, there were born three children. Of these three children, Nels Andersen, born on April 12. 1854, who lived in section II, of this township, married Elsie Christina Petersen, and to them was born one daughter, Anna Marie, who is now Mrs. Ole F. Johnson. Nels Andersen died on January II, 1900. The second child, Anna Marie, who was born on June 25, 1855, came to America in 1871 and in 1873 married Jens Peter
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Henriksen, who died on February 17, 1885, in Maine. Two years later she joined her father in Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Henriksen were born six children, of whom Henry Peter, the eldest, lives with his mother; Anna Christena married Martin Ambuehl on May 25, 1895, and lives near Fos- ton; Jensena Maria was the wife of Oscar F. Wilson; Dorothea Sophia married Olaf Christensen, of Bagley, Minnesota, and died on November I, 1914; Nelline Andrea died at the age of nine years, on March 2, 1890; Ole Jensen, born on November 10, 1883, died on September 25, 1884. The third child of Anders Nelsen, Anna Katrina, was born on November 25, 1861, married Jens Petersen and lived in Tordenskjold township for a time, but later moved to Wilkin county, where she died on June 23, 1890, leaving two sons, Hans and Henry.
Oscar F. Wilson is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and is identi- fied with the Democratic party in politics. He is a prominent citizen of this county and enjoys the confidence of a host of friends.
CHRISTIAN RODE.
Christian Rode, a retired farmer of Oak Valley township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of splendid farming land, is a native of Germany, born on January 10, 1846.
Mr. Rode's parents, Halmud and Lottie Rode, were natives of Ger- many. His mother died when he was still a small lad and his father some years later. Their six children are all deceased, except Christian. The deceased children are John, Henry, Fred, Jacob and Mary.
Christian Rode was educated in the public schools of Germany and, when he was eighteen years old, came to America. After landing in New York City he spent five weeks there and then moved to Dupage county, Illinois, where he worked at the mason's trade for a time. Subsequently, he engaged in farming and, for two years, rented land. In 1874 Mr. Rode purchased a farm of eighty acres in Lee county, Illinois, and there he lived for twenty years. In 1895, however, he emigrated to Otter Tail county. Minnesota, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of land in section I, of Oak Valley township. This has since been his home. Mr. Rode has erected comfortable and substantial buildings on this farm. These buildings are kept well painted at all times. For the past five years Mr. Rode has been living retired. During his active career he was a general farmer and stock- man.
Christian Rode was married on April 28. 1875. in Lee county, Illinois. to Catherine Meyer, who was born in Germany on December 6, 1854, and who is the daughter of John and Mary Meyer, the latter of whom died in Germany in 1862. The former came to Boone county, Illinois, in Decem-
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ber, 1867, and, for one year, worked at the trade of a cabinet-maker at Belvidere, Illinois. He died there in 1868, leaving a family of seven chil- dren, George, Jacob, Mary, Catherine, Lena, Charles and Caroline.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Rode have a family of seven children, all of whom are still living. Bertha, Winona, Minerva, John, Maud, Catherine and Gladys.
Although Mr. Rode has long been prominent as a farmer and citizen, he has never aspired to public office. Mr. and Mrs. Rode and their family are members of the Evangelical church and attend the church which stands on their farm. The building was erected in 1898, three years after Mr. and Mrs. Rode and family came to Otter Tail county.
FRED A. FEMLING.
Fred A. Femling, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Adams county, Wisconsin, where he was born on the 16th of June, 1868. His father, John Femling, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1831, and came to America as a young man and settled in Wisconsin. There he met Sophia Sommers, also a native of Germany, who was born in 1839 and whom he finally married at Whitewater, Wisconsin. The couple went to Wood county, after their marriage, where Mr. Femling bought government land at the rate of a dollar and a quarter an acre. From that locality he went to Worth county, Iowa, where he resided for six years. In 1881 he took a homestead claim on ninety-six acres of land in section 6, of Star Lake township, Otter Tail county. He lived on this farm until 1889, when he passed away. His wife, who is still living, makes her home with her son, Fred, who is the subject of this sketch. She attends the Lutheran church. Among the children reared by Mr. and Mrs. Femling are: Lydia. Mrs. Orlin Rood, who died at the age of fifty-five years; Lizzie, the wife of R. T. Cordes, of Iowa: Sarah, Mrs. William Sutton ; Flora, who married Mathew Champlin, of Star Lake township; Emma, Mrs. Henry Madee, who died in Star Lake township: Fred; George died at the age of two years. and Edward died in infancy.
Fred A. Femling attended the common schools of Wisconsin and of Iowa. From the age of fourteen he has assumed the duties of farm life. He owns his farm in Star Lake township and keeps it in an advanced state of improvement. He gives special attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Femling is a shareholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company at Dent and was director of the concern for two years. He is an independent voter and takes an active interest in the affairs of the township. As chairman of the board of supervisors he has served for nine years, and has also acted as school director of the district in which he lives.
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On the 21st of March, 1894, the marriage of Fred Femling to Jessie M. Langley was solemnized. She is the daughter of Joseph and Caroline ( Nash) Langley, early settlers of Glencoe, Minnesota, where Mrs. Femling was born. Her parents came to Fergus Falls in 1881, where Mrs. Langley died seven years later. Mr. Langley married Mrs. Daisy (Lotton) Giant- valley after the death of his first wife, and moved to Canada, where he has lived since 1909.
George, the eldest son born to Mr. and Mrs. Femling, is a graduate in the 1915 class of the University of Minnesota, where he took the course in agriculture and where his sister, Caroline, is still a student. The other children born to this union are: John, Frank, William, Norman, Fred- ericka and Dorothy. Olive, who was born after Fredericka, died at the age of four months.
Mr. Femling, who recalls many interesting experiences of pioneer life in Otter Tail county, remembers the time when Fergus Falls was the only market reached by a passable road, and when the trip to that point and back required four days. In relating of the conditions of the roads he tells of one occasion when returning home with a load of wheat he was obliged to block all four wheels of the wagon to prevent the team from falling on the steep hills. Once during the early days of settlement, Fred Femling and his father camped out when the temperature was forty degrees below zero. One of the greatest hardships encountered by these two men was that of rowing across the lake to gather hay which in the winter had to be hauled to the farm on the ice. They threshed the first two crops of wheat with a flail. Game, such as deer, ducks, rabbits and partridges, was plentiful and was a large part of the living. They had to go fifteen miles for their mail. which they usually got about twice a month.
TEMAN A. LUND.
One of the well-known and prosperous farmers of Erhards Grove township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Teman A. Lund, who was born in Erhards Grove township, September 12, 1876, the son of AAnund and Olena Lund, both of whom were natives of Norway. Anund Lund came to America in 1869 and settled in Waseca county, Minnesota, where he lived until 1874, and then moved to Erhards Grove township, where he homesteaded eighty acres of land in sections 21 and 22, to which he added eighty acres and where the elder Lund lived until his death, in 1898, his widow, Olena, surviving him until 1915. Anund and Olena Lund were the parents of the following children: Christine, Mary ( deceased), Tora ( deceased), Andrena ( deceased), Peter (deceased), Emma (deceased), Jennie. Tilla, Teman A., Lena, John and Peter.
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Teman A. Lund received his education in the public schools of Erhards Grove township, after which he went to the state of North Dakota and homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pierce county, where he lived for seven years and then returned to Otter Tail county, Minne- sota. On his return to Erhards Grove township, Teman A. Lund bought one hundred and eighty-three acres of land in section 8, a place which he improved with a modern house, large barn and outbuildings, and where he now follows general agricultural pursuits, together with the raising of live stock.
During the year 1902 Teman A. Lund was married to Clara Christo- pherson, who was born in Erhards Grove township, February 3, 1878, the daughter of Andrew and Lise Christopherson, who were among the early settlers in Erhards Grove township. To the marriage of Teman A. and Clara Lund have been born three children, Orville, Linda and Myrtle.
M. O. MADSON.
M. O. Madson, farmer and well-known citizen of Trondhjem town- ship, this county, was born in Norway, January 25, 1855, the son of Ole and Olea Madson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the for- mer born in 1822, the latter in 1830. Ole Madson, who was a painter by trade, was married in Norway in 1849 and in 1866, with his family, the elder Madson came to America and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he lived a short time and then moved to Otter Tail county in 1869, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 4, Trondhjem township, where Ole Madson lived until his death, in 1905, his wife surviving him until 1915. Ole and Olea Madson were the parents of the following children: Ole, Johanna, Anne, O. M., Serena, M. O., John, Severn and two children who died in infancy.
M. O. Madson received his education in the schools of Norway, and in the schools of Fillmore and Otter Tail counties, Minnesota, after which he became a farmer, securing the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, which M. O. Madson has improved and to which farm he has added land until now Mr. Madson cultivates two hundred and forty acres of choice land in Trondhjem township. In addition to his general farming, MI. O. Madson engages extensively in the raising of fine grade live stock. M. O. Madson has now retired from active farm work, but lives on the farm and supervises the conduct of the place.
On May 30. 1884. M. O. Madson was married to Julia Steffinsen, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, in the year 1865. the daughter of John and Hokine Steffinsen, early settlers in Fillmore county, where they lived for some time and then moved to Clay county, where they spent their
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last days. To the marriage of M. O. and Julia Madson have been born seven children: Melvin, Oscar, John, Henry, Eunice, Helen and Gustof, all of whom are living.
M. O. Madson has been active in the public and official life of the com- munity, having served as clerk of the school board for fifteen years and for an equal length of time Mr. Madson served with honor and with notable efficiency as a member of the board of supervisors.
HERMAN LARSON.
Herman Larson, successful farmer and stock raiser, highly-respected citizen and man of affairs in the life of Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden, March 20, 1875, the son of Andrew Larson, who was born in Sweden, July 6, 1841, and of Joanna Kjell, who was born in Sweden, May 31, 1851. Andrew Larson, who was a laborer in his native country, came to America in the year 1881, coming directly to Otter Tail county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Orwell township. a place on which he lived as a general farmer until his death on September 20, 1904, following his death, his widow going to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where she now lives.
Andrew Larson was one of the well-known and prosperous farmers of the community, at the time of his death being the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of well-tilled and highly-cultivated land, on which he had placed extensive improvements, making his farm one of the best in the township. Andrew Larson and wife were the parents of six children, Her- man, Anna, Elida, Albin, Elof and Marvin, all of whom are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. In politics Andrew Larson was an ardent Republican.
Following his education in the common schools of Orwell township. Otter Tail county, Herman Larson became a farmer. for a time operating a threshing machine with O. Sholberg, later moving, in the year 1900. to Eagle Lake township, where he ran his father-in-law's farm. He afterward bought forty acres and now owns two hundred and forty acres of land, which he has extensively improved and where he engages in general farming and stock raising.
During the year 1896, Herman Larson was married to Jennie Olson. who was born on December 20. 1873, the daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Nelson) Olson, the father born in Sweden, December 19. 1833, he living in his native country, where he was a railroad worker until the year 1871. then coming to America, working on the railroads of the state of Wisconsin for some time, after which he came to Eagle Lake township and after many privations and sacrifices became the owner of a farm of one hundred and
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sixty acres of land, a place on which Herman Larson, his son-in-law. now lives. Andrew Olson died on July 9, 1906, his wife. Hannah, having pre- ceded him in death many years, she dying on June 16, 1884. Andrew and Hannah Olson were faithful and devout members of the Swedish Lutheran church. To the marriage of Herman and Jennie ( Olson ) Larson were born the following children: Arvid HI., who was born on December 19, 1896; Harry F., September 20, 1898: Olof S., April 28, 1901 : Helen E., Decem- ber 21, 1903.
Herman Larson is one of the more prominent members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Eagle Lake, Minnesota, being a communicant who has served his church for three years as treasurer, as well as being a member who is an active worker and supporter of the efforts of this denomination.
In political affiliation Herman Larson supports the Republican party, although in local affairs he is independent of party. Mr. Larson has taken no especial part in the official or public circles of his township, but he is known as one of the leading citizens of the community, one who has done no little in the development and in the progress of the county and its various interests. Herman Larson and his family are among the esteemed and honored people of Eagle Lake township and of Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
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