USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 55
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In 1874 Ole Kron entered the general mercantile business in Holmes City, Minnesota, thence removing to Alexandria and later to Evansville. In 1906 he removed to Alel and became part owner and manager of the Eagle Lake Mercantile Company, in which company he still occupies the same position.
In 1875 Ole Kron was united in marriage to Caroline Myhr, a native of Norway, and they are the parents of the following children: Louise Alel. Minnie Stella. Jennie. John Finil. Othelia, Irene, Ora and Gustave Adolph.
While a resident of Evansville, Minnesota, Ole Kron was elected as postmaster of that town and served in that capacity for a period of eight
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years. He was a resident of Evansville at the time of its incorporation and served as president of the first and second councils.
Among the different papers for which he has written are: Svenska Tribunen Nyheter, Svenska Amerikanska Posten, Arvika Nyheter, a paper published in Arvika, Sweden; the Park Region Echo, Minneapolis Daily News, the Battle Lake Review, Fergus Falls Journal, and Reform, a Nor- wegian paper published at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Truly, Ole Kron has not hidden his talents under a bushel, nor has he forgotten the commands of his Creator that he improve the talents bestowed upon him, that his storehouse of knowledge be constantly supplied with the things needful to his best development.
ALFRED B. ROSENQUIST.
Alfred B. Rosenquist, farmer, Eagle Bend, Eastern township, this county, was born on January 15, 1865, in Sweden, and is a son of Andrew P. and Sissela Rosenquist. He came to America with his parents when about one year old, and received his education at the public schools of Wis- consin and Eastern township, Otter Tail county, and afterward attended school at Alexandria, Minnesota, for one year. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years at St. Paul, Minne- sota. In 1891 he located on his present farm, in section 35, Eastern town- ship, which he bought in 1885, and now owns one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has put all the improvements, and where he follows general farming and stock raising. Mr. Rosenquist makes a specialty of blooded Jersey cattle, and keeps about fifteen head of dairy cows. His place is equipped with a silo and a milking machine, which facilitates the labor. Politically, he is an independent voter, and takes an active interest in the public welfare of the community. He is at present serving his second term on the school board. Religiously, he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Rosenquist possesses a good capacity for business, and in addi- tion to his agricultural interests, is filling the office of president of the Rose Co-operative Creamery Company, in the township of Spruce Hill, Douglas county.
Andrew P. Rosenquist was born on January 25, 1836, in Sweden, and his wife, Sissela Rosenquist, was born on October 16, 1838, in Sweden. Mr. Rosenquist learned the carpenter's trade in his native country, and came to America in 1866, locating in Washington county, Minnesota, where he lived on a farm for about six years, and from there he moved to Pierce county. Wisconsin, and farmed for eight years. In May, 1881, he moved to East- ern township, section 34. Otter Tail county, where he spent the remainder
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of his life, following agricultural pursuits. At the time of his death he owned one hundred and forty acres of land. Seven children were born to Andrew P. and Sissela Rosenquist : Alfred B., Lizzie (deceased), Anna E., Adolph C., Joseph, Nels T. and Matilda, all of whom became members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Alfred B. Rosenquist was united in marriage in 1893 with Lydia John- son, who was born on June 13, 1872, and died on March 14, 1900, leaving surviving her husband and two children, Hilding B. and Edwin W.
Mr. Rosenquist is admirably filling his place in the rank and file of agricultural enterprises, and is considered one of the leading men in his line in Eastern township.
GEORGE E. TOMHAVE.
George E. Tomhave was born in Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on April 21, 1883, and is one of the younger generation who have chosen agriculture as his life work. He is the son of John Tom- have and his wife, Anna H. ( Mier) Tomhave, both natives of Germany. John Tomhave was born on January 13, 1834, and died on February 9. 1907. His wife was born on August 4, 1839. They emigrated to America in 1868 and effected a temporary location of two years in Fontenac, Wis- consin, removing at that time to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they lived for six months.
In 1870 they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, in Fergus Falls township. Otter Tail county, and continued to live on this place for six years. The place was then sold and another farm was purchased in the same township, on which the family continued to reside for fifteen years, and then sold to the son, Louis. John Tomhave had a struggle in the early years of his residence in this township and fol- lowed his trade of mason, as well as his agricultural operations. He built the first brick block that was erected in Fergus Falls and did the first mason work in Elizabeth, Mr. Mason splitting out the boards on which he plastered. In 1880 he invested in the place on which his son, George, now lives, and in 1802 he erected the present buildings. To John Tomhave and his wife were born the following children: John J., Henry A., Louis, Catherine, who is the wife of C. J. Holzbaner; Anna, who is the wife of Ed Kemnitz; Peter WV. (deceased). Albert C .. Carl (deceased). and George E. John Tomhave was a member of the German Evangelical church and an officer of the same.
George E. Tomhave received his education in Fergus Falls, upon the completion of which he assisted his father with the work of the home place. In 1905 he purchased eighty acres of land, which he still owns. In 1906,
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together with his brother, Albert, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Carlisle township, which was sold in 1913. In 1910 they invested in one hundred and sixty acres more, which they divided equally, and this is devoted to general farming and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. In 1909 George E. Tomhave was united in marriage to Alma Baumgart, and they are the parents of two children, Beverly Muriel, who was born on May 18, 1912, and Dorothy Alma, who was born on December 2, 1915. Alma ( Baum- gart ) Tomhave was born on March 11, 1885, and is the daughter of G. J. and Hettie (Scovel) Baumgart. She is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In political matters, George E. Tomhave votes the Republican ticket in national affairs, but votes independently on local questions. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
EDWARD T. LUND.
A prominent and well-known man of Otter Tail county and of the town of Vining is Edward T. Lund, who as a man of business and as a citizen interested in the public welfare has been of valuable aid to the community in the development of its life and in the advancement of its measures. Edward T. Lund is a member of one of the most noted and highly-esteemed families of the entire district and has demonstrated himself to be a man capable of handling the more important matters presenting themselves for solution at the hands of the citizenship of the township and county.
Edward T. Lund was born at Lund, near Namsos, Norway, on May 11, 1853, and following his education in the public schools of his native land he was engaged as a sailor and fisherman until 1889, when he came to America and joined his brother, Andrew T. Lund, at Vining, Minnesota. with whom he lived until the death of Andrew T. Lund, in 1908. Edward T. Lund, following his emigration to this country, engaged in the business of a carpenter and a contractor, which vocation he has followed since. Edward T. Lund, during the early days of his residence in Otter Tail county. bought a farm, which he later sold and moved to the state of North Dakota, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he lived for some time and then sold his holdings and returned to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he invested in eighty acres of land in Folden township, a place which he now owns.
During the year 1966 Edward T. Lund purchased a house and lot in the town of Vining, where he now lives.
On July 26, 1900, Edward T. Lund was married to Isabella Olson. who was born in Norway, and when three years of age came, with her parents, Elaf Olson and wife, to America, where they settled in Folden
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD T. LUND.
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township, Otter Tail county, where Elaf Olson now lives. To the marriage of Edward T. and Isabella Lund was born one daughter, Boletta Margar- etta, whose birth occurred on October 15, 1910.
Edward T. Lund and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, where they take a leading part in the activities of that congregation. In political affiliation, Mr. Lund is a Republican.
By his pleasing ways and genial personality, Edward T. Lund has won a host of friends in Vining, and he is conceded to be one of the leaders in all moves for the betterment of life and general conditions in the locality. He is a man of various and broad experience in life, and from the benefit of these things he lends to the community a valuable element which is of appreciable value.
JOSEPH OLSON.
Joseph Olson was born on February 24, 1865, in Sweden and he is the son of Frederick and Christina ( Erickson) Olson, both natives of Sweden. Frederick Olson was a farmer and followed that vocation in Sweden until his emigration to America. He was the owner of all the land which he culti- vated in his native country, and after his arrival in this country, in 1871, he became an employee of a railroad company, and followed this line of work for several years, following which he located on an homestead in Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, where he remained until his death. He was the father of seven children.
Joseph Olson is indebted to the schools of Sweden and America for the education which he received. After the completion of his student days, he assisted his father in the work of the farm until the age of twenty-one, when he rented a farm and began agricultural operations on an independent basis. He rented the farm in St. Olaf township for a period of five years and in 1893 purchased the present farm of one hundred and forty acres, to which he has added until he now owns two hundred and fifteen acres in St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, and one hundred and sixty acres in Eagle Lake township, same county. Both farms are devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is also a breeder of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. A splendid barn was built in 1914 and adds very materially to the appear- ance of the place.
On March 24, 1900. Joseph Olson was united in marriage to Sophie Nycklemoc, and to their union have been born the following children : Franz Joseph, Anna T .. Gustaf Frederick and Arnold Alexander. In his religious views, Joseph Olson favors the creed of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and his political faith is in the Republican party.
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BJORN ULSAKER.
Bjorn Ulsaker, prominent farmer, leading citizen and man of influence in Amor township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway, April 2, 1866, the son of Nils and Ragnhild ( Jordheim ) Ulsaker, natives of Norway, where the former was born, August 22, 1827. Nils Ulsaker was the son of Nils Ulsaker, a farmer of Norway, an occupation which Nils Ulsaker followed his entire life, with the exception of the time he served as a soklier of the Norwegian army, in the war with Sweden, during the years 1806-14. Nils Ulsaker was a well-to-do farmer of his native country, he being the owner of one of the valued farms of his country, a place which Mr. Ulsaker cultivated actively until his death, at the age of ninety years. The elder Ulsaker was a prominent citizen of his community, being espe- cially prominent in the work of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Nils Ulsaker. father of the subject of this sketch, received a good edu- cation in the public schools of Norway, being especially well trained in mat- ters of law. After the completion of his class studies, Nils Ulsaker became a school teacher, following the duties of this profession, in his country, for about eight years. Later, Nils Ulsaker took up the work of agricultural life, being one of the successful farmers of his community. Mr. Ulsaker remained in his native country the whole of his life, he having been a man of prominence and influence as well as having been a citizen who was the occupant of various offices of his locality. Nils Ulsaker died during the month of April, 1804. survived by his widow, who now lives with a son in Norway, and by eight children, Nels, Marit. Einar. Gunvor, Ingeborg. Oline. Bjorn and Endre.
Bjorn Ulsaker received his education in the common schools and in the high school of his native locality, and in the public schools near Kindrid, North Dakota, a community to which he came from Norway when a young man in the year 1880. After some time with relatives near Kindrid, North Dakota, Bjorn Ulsaker engaged in the duties of farm life for five years. working generally on the farms of his locality. after which he became a salesman in a general store at Milnor, North Dakota. After one year in business life. Bjorn Ulsaker, in 1904. homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland county, North Dakota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres from the Northern Pacific Railway Company, a place which was located twelve miles from the town of Wyndmere, which was the nearest trading point. In political affairs, Mr. Ulsaker was a free Republican and was long a member of the Republican central committee. For five years Mr. Ulsaker cultivated his farm in North Dakota, and then, in 1900. he moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought three hundred and fifty-
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five acres of land in Amor township, a place which Bjorn Ulsaker has greatly improved and a farm on which Mr. Ulsaker is now successfully and extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 8, 1903, Bjorn Ulsaker was married to Sarah Lockstad, who was born near Dalton, Otter Tail county, the daughter of Peter Lock- stad and wife, well-known people of their locality. Bjorn and Sarah Ulsaker are the parents of one child. Norah, who was born on January 5, 1905. Sarah Lockstad received her education in the home and common school and the Northwestern College, at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and in her girl days was teaching school in Otter Tail county and Richland county, North Dakota. Sarah ( Lockstad) Ulsaker is known to be a faithful and kind teacher, an intelligent woman and true Christian.
Bjorn Ulsaker has taken an active part in public matters and in the official life of the communities where he has been a resident. While a citizen of Richland county, North Dakota, Mr. Ulsaker served as township treasurer for twelve years, was assessor for three years, and during a period of ten years he was president of the board of education. He served as Sunday school teacher while in Richland county. North Dakota. As a citizen of Amor township, Otter Tail county. Bjorn Ulsaker has been a notable participant in all movements and measures having for their object the advancement of the community general interests, or the promotion of the general welfare. In religious affiliation Mr. Ulsaker is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, a congregation in which he is an appreciated and honored communicant for his part in the work and worship of this denomination.
CHRISTIAN A. HANSEL.
It is a difficult task to undertake to do justice to a prominent citizen in a limited space. In briefly presenting the facts contained below. it is hoped that a fair idea may be presented to the reader. concerning the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch.
Christian A. Hansel, farmer. Dalton, Tumuli township, Otter Tail county, was born on February 25, 1873. in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Anders C. and Randi ( Olson) Hansel. Anders Hansel was born on February 3, 1837. and died on August 15. 1906. His wife, Randi, was born on September 16. 1836, and died on April 1. 1895. Christian A. Hansel was educated at the district schools of the township. and as a young man he began farming for himself on the place which he has owned since 1896, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, where he follows general farming. Politically. Mr. Hansel has long been an indepen- dent voter. In religion, he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church.
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Ander- and Randi ( Olson ) Hansel were born in Norway, where Mr. Hansel was a day laborer. They came to America in 1867, locating on the farm now owned by Christian A., in Tumuli township. They had very little of the goods of this world, and struggled hard to get a start, but through industry and thrift they became quite prosperous. The children born to this union were: Surianna, Christian .A., Anna and Emma.
Christian A. Hansel was united in marriage in 1906 to Carrie Fossen, daughter of Simon Fossen. which union has been blest with three children, Arthur, born on December 15. 1907: Clara Bell, born on April 26, 1910, and Alice, born on April 13. 1914.
Mr. Hansel and his wife have long enjoyed a deserved popularity in the township where they reside. They are affable and genial in disposition and have won and retain the friendship of the entire community.
MRS. AUGUSTA (NORDBERG) SUNDBERG.
Mrs. Augusta ( Nordberg ) Sundberg is the widow of Olof Sundberg, deceased, who was a prominent resident of Otter Tail county for over thirty- five years. She is able to talk as an authority on the pioneer life in this section of the state, having played a useful part in the early agricultural development of the community in which she now resides. In a story of the life of her whose name initiates this sketch, it is consistent to give a brief account of Olof Sundberg, who was born in Sweden on the 4th of Decent- ber. 1842. He was the son of Matson Sundberg, a native of Sweden, who spent his whole life in the country of his nativity. The Sundberg family has always actively united with the affairs of the Lutheran church. Olof Sund- berg was educated in the common schools of Sweden and came to America in 1866. He located first at Lake City, Minnesota, and for a short time fol- lowed the occupation of tailor in Lake City. Three years after his arrival in Minnesota he went to Fergus Falls, where he took a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Buse township. After six years of untiring labor spent in developing this tract of land, which was in a wild state, Mr. Sundberg traded the farm for eighty acres of land in Amor township, this county, where his widow continues to reside.
On the 20th of February. 1870. Augusta Nordberg became the bride of Olof Sundberg. Augusta Nordberg, who was born in Sweden on the 30th of March. 1850, is the daughter of Lawrence Nordberg, who came to America after the death of his wife in Sweden. Although natives of the same country, Mr. and Mrs. Sundberg never met until they were established in residence in America. Mrs. Sundberg having come to this country alone in 1860. She became the mother of the following children: William,
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Alfred, Alfreda, Oscar; David, who married Christina Berglund, a native of Sweden, and who is the father of one child, Gladys; Osea, Hgelmer, Edward, Richard and Agnes.
Olof Sundberg passed away on the 23rd of June, 1904, and since his death his sons, Osea and David, have assumed full management of the farm. They have used every effort to make the farm stand for modern methods of improvement and, in addition to a number of repairs, have erected on the place a barn which is round in form and which stands as the only one of its kind in that section of the county. The land extends over an area of two hundred and seven acres, and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation.
In a brief summary of the life of Mrs. Sundberg only a few of her many accomplishments as a mother and a friend can be mentioned; suffice it to say that the influence she has had upon members of her family, as well as upon the community at large, has not only been inspiring but lasting. The rough ordeals of her life during the early pioneer days in this county, when her husband fought the obstacles of a life in the wilderness, only broadened her sympathy for human nature and strengthened her beauty of character. Mrs. Sundberg has always been a consistent member of the Baptist church and her husband before his death had membership in the Mission church.
JONAS NELSON.
In Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, few men have taken a more active part in general affairs and for the promotion of the general welfare than has Jonas Nelson, successful farmer and extensive stock raiser. Interested in these things which work for the material prog- ress of the community and giving of his time and effort in church work for the advancement of the moral life of the vicinity, and giving of his training and experience towards the instruction of the youth in the locality, this worthy citizen is one who has an important place in the social and official affairs of Otter Tail county.
Jonas Nelson was horn in Sweden on March 25, 1840, the son of Nels Martinson and Anna Hokinsdalter, who were natives of Sweden, in which country Nels Martinson was a farmer until his death, in 1873. In the family of Nels Martinson and Anna Hokinsdalter were nine children, three of whom came to America.
Jonas Nelson received his education in the public schools of Sweden. in which schools he served for a time as deputy schoolmaster. In 1869 he came to America, where he worked for about two years on the railroads and in the harvest fields, afterwards coming to Otter Tail county, in the year
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1870. In 1871 he took a homestead of eighty acres of land in Eagle Lake township. With the aid of a brother and a yoke of oxen, which were their joint possession, they broke up the soil, built a log house, twelve by four- teen feet, where they lived and engaged in general farming, their efforts meeting with success. Jonas Nelson prospered and he now is the owner of two hundred acres of well-tilled and well-improved land, on which he fol- lows a general agricultural life, together with dealings in live stock which he raises on his farm.
On December 31. 1880, Jonas Nelson was married to Celia Person, and to this marriage have been born the following children : Garfield (deceased ), Andrew S., Paulina, Joseph, Elemor Charlotte, Victor. Hilda M. and Carl Julius.
In church circles Jonas Nelson is known as a leader and as an active and successful worker in the Swedish Lutheran church, he having occupied nearly all of the offices of this church, and for more than seven years has been a popular and efficient teacher of the Sunday school. Politically and officially, Mr. Nelson also is prominently affiliated. For ten years he served satisfactorily and efficiently as justice of the peace, and for some years he has filled the office of township clerk. He has also served his township as assessor. In 1880 he was census enumerator : in 1890 he also filled the same office. Wherever called upon, or in whatever capacity. Mr. Nelson has been willing to serve, even to the point of sacrifice, as a result of which he has won the esteem and gratitude of the township and county.
JOHN C. WILL.
John C. Will, prosperous and well-known farmer of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has lived for many years and during that time has so lived and served his locality as to win the respect and esteem, as well as the appreciation of the community people, for the part that he has taken in the works and activities of the township and county, was born in the state of Wisconsin, July 11, 1872, the son of John and Albertine (Buss) Will, both of whom were born in Germany, where they lived until coming to America. On reaching America John Will located in the state of Wisconsin, where he worked in a saw-mill for some time. In the year 1878 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Western township. later adding to his possessions until he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in this county. John Will, Sr., now lives in retirement on the home place, which is now operated by his son, John Will, Jr., the subject of this sketch. Albertine, the wife of the elder Will, died during the spring of the year 1915. To the marriage of
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John and Albertine Will were born four sons, Richard, August, John and William.
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