USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 66
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ANDREW A. WICKLUND.
A fine example of native shrewdness has been displayed in the life of Andrew A. Wickhind. in connection with the ownership of one hundred and sixty acres of land to which he now owns a clear title, and on which he has resided since 1882. Andrew A. Wicklund was born on December 8, 1875. in Sweden, and is the son of Andrew Johnson and Kigsa (Allison ) Wicklund, both natives of Sweden. Andrew Johnson Wicklund immi- grated to America in 1881 and secured one hundred sixty acres of land. under the homestead law. in Eagle Lake township, this county. He improved this land and put it under cultivation, in preparation for the resi- dence of his family who followed him one year later. In 1882, Kigsa (Allison ) Wicklund immigrated to America, accompanied by her three children, Magnus, Mathilda and Andrew A. Their eldest child, John, died in Sweden.
Andrew A. Wicklund assisted his father with the management and cultivation of the home place until his father's death, after which he assumed full charge and ownership. A dispute arose as to the validity of the claim and in order to make the title clear. Kigsa ( Allison) Wicklund, mother of Andrew A. Wicklund, entered the homestead as her own, transferring it to her son at the proper time.
Andrew A. Wickhind was united in marriage to Christina Nelson, in 1004. and they are the parents of four children: Alice. Arthur, Myrtle and Wallace. Christina ( Nelson) Wicklund is a native of Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and a daughter of Louis and Ingle- borg ( Olson) Nelson, natives of Sweden and Norway, respectively. Louis Nelson immigrated to America in 1875. locating in Iowa for a short time and later removing to Otter Tail county, where his marriage occurred. Ingleborg ( Olsen) Nelson, immigrated to America in 1882. She was the daughter of Henry and Rangen ( Harelsdatter) Olsen who immigrated to America in 1880, purchasing a homestead right in Fagle Lake township. this county. They cultivated this property until their death.
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The father of Andrew A. Wicklund. Andrew Johnson Wicklund, is deceased, but his widow still lives and shares the home of her son. Andrew .A. Wickhind and family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are actively engaged in the support of the same. For the past eleven years Andrew A. Wicklund has served as school director and was recently re-elected for another three-year term. This fact is surely the best recom- mendation for his sterling worth to the community and the respect and esteem in which he is held.
ERNST LUEBBERMANN.
Ernst Luebbermann, one of the well-known and highly-respected farm- ers and stock raisers, and a citizen who has been active in the political and official life of Dora township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Germany, October 30, 1845, a son of Everhardt and Sophia ( Burer ) Lueb- bermann, natives of Germany, in which country they lived their entire lives, the elder Luebbermann having been a successful farmer. Everhardt and Sophia Luebbermann were the parents of seven children.
Ernst Luebbermann received his education in the public schools of his native country and after the completion of his studies became a farmer working on the home place for some years. When twenty years of age, in 1865, he left the land where he had grown to maturity and came to America, locating in the state of Ohio where he made his home for about thirteen years. During the year 1878, Mr. Luebbermann moved to Minnesota and located in Dora township. this county, where he became one of the colony of homesteaders who were numerous in this locality at that time. Secur- ing the rights to one hundred and sixty acres of uncleared and unimproved land. Ernst Luebbermann proceeded to improve his place and prepare the land for cultivation, from time to time adding more improvements and securing more acreage until now Mr. Luebbermann is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of the best improved and most highly cultivated land of the community. For many years Ernst Luebbermann has lived on his present farm, his success as a general farmer and as a stock raiser giv- ing him a place of note among the leading agriculturists of Dora town- ship and the vicinity.
During the year 1882, Ernst Luebbermann was married to Minnie Hoffmann, a native of Germany, and to this marriage have been born six children : Fred. Herman. Otto, Rudolph, Ernst and Tena. Mr. Luebber- mann and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, the activity of Mr. Luebhermann and his wife in this congregation being well known in the community.
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Ernst Luebbermann has taken a prominent place in the official life of Dora township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, for about eight years hav- ing served as an active and influential member of the township board of supervisors.
As a citizen and as a leader in agricultural circles Mr. Luebbermann has demonstrated his value to the community and he is a man who takes a place of honor and prominence in the various affairs of Dora township and of Otter Tail county.
PEDER P. HARRANG.
Near Underwood, Minnesota, in section 8, Sverdrup township, is the farm of one hundred and twenty acres belonging to Peder P. Harrang, an enterprising farmers of this township, who is a native of Norway, born in that country on April 6, 1860.
Mr. Harrang is a son of P. M. and Brit Harrang, both of whom were born in Norway, and who, after their marriage, came to America in 1880. They settled in Otter Tail county and homesteaded a farm in section 12, Sverdrup township, and both spent the remainder of their lives on this farm. They were the parents of five children, of whom Peder P. was the second in order of birth. The eldest child was Ole, who died in Norway at the age of twenty. Inga I is now Mrs. P. Sande. Inga II is the wife of William Stine, who is superintendent of the car service of the Missouri Pacific railroad at St. Louis, Missouri. John lives in Idaho, where he is rimming a general merchandise store.
.Peder P. Harrang was educated in the public schools of his native land, and in 1881 emigrated to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and for a time worked as a painter in Fergus Falls. In 1888, Mr. Harrang was married to .Anna Sholberg, who is a native of Norway, born in 1866, the daughter of Martin and Mary Sholberg. Mrs. Harrang's parents came from Nor- way to the United States in the early seventies, and upon their arrival in this country worked at Porter's mill, near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1875 the family came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded eighty acres of land, to which they later added forty acres, and it is this farm which Mr. Harrang now owns. Mr. Harrang has made most of the improvements on this farm, and now lives in one of the most substantial farm houses in Sverdrup township. He also has a fine barn and other outbuildings necessary for the equipment of a well conducted farm.
Mr. Harrang and wife are the parents of eight children, as follow : Palmer, Monrad. Minda, Helen, Ida, Clara, Bertha and Agnes, all of whom are living.
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Mr. Harrang is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery Company, of Underwood, Minnesota, and also in the co-operative store at that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrang and family are earnest and devout members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Harrang formerly served as a member of the town board of supervisors, and at one time was chairman of this board. He has worthily discharged all the duties, both private and public, which has fallen to him as a citizen of the republic.
OLE A. BERG.
Ole .A. Berg is a native of Norway, born on September 5, 1860. Mr. Berg is a son of Arne Christensen Berg and Marie Olson Hol, both of whom were born, reared, married, and died in Norway.
Ole A. Berg, after emigrating from Norway to the United States in 1886 settled near Battle Lake, in Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
In 1800 Ole A. Berg was married to Carolina Vidness, who was born in Norway in 1875, and who is a daughter of Johannes Vidness and wife. Mrs. Berg's parents emigrated from their native land to America about 1880 locating near Battle Lake, Minnesota, where they still live.
In 1902 Mr. Berg purchased the farm in Sverdrup township where they now live.
Mr and Mrs. Berg are the parents of ten children, as follow: Jose- phine, Mabel, Karen, Christian, Florence, Johannes, Arne ( deceased), Arne, Else and Laura.
Mr. Berg and family are members of the Lutheran church.
CHARLES STENDER.
Charles Stender, one of the successful farmers and stock raisers, and a man who has taken an important part in the official life of Dora town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Germany, November 13. 1857, a son of John and Henrietta ( Priebe) Stender, natives of Germany.
John Stender lived in his native land until 1866 when he came to America, with his family, and located in Carver county, Minnesota, where he made his home as a pioneer farmer for the remainder of his active life. The elder Stender and his wife were the parents of four children.
Charles Stender received his education in the common schools of Ger- many and then, with his parents, came to America and with them settled in Carver county, Minnesota, where Charles Stender engaged in farming and in the work of clearing the land of the community.
During the year 1889, when thirty-one years of age, Charles Stender moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and located in Dora township,
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where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which he improved and supplied with the necessary equipment and where he has since lived as a general farmer and stock raiser, he now owning two hundred and fifty acres of land, his success in these lines, being well known throughout the locality.
During the year 1877, Charles Stender was married to Maria Mielke and to this marriage have been born the following children: Louisa, Anna, Bertha, Ida, Otto, Emma, Martha, Bennie, Olga, Alma ( deceased ), Paul, Charles, Marie Erwin ( deceased ). Lottie and Henry (deceased). Mr. Stender and his family are active members of the German Lutheran church, Mr. and Mrs. Stender being affiliated with the South Dora church, in which congregation they are well known and highly respected workers.
Charles Stender has been active in the official life of Dora township for many years, during which time he has served as clerk of the township since first coming to the locality and for many years served as clerk of the Dora township school board. Politically, Mr. Stender is a Republican. As a citizen and as a friend Charles Stender holds the respect and esteem of all in his community and is one without whom Dora township would be less one of its progressive influences for the upbuilding of community life.
DANIEL W. HIXSON.
The Union soldier in the great war between the states builded wiser than he knew. Through four years of suffering and wasting hardships, through the horrors of prison pens and amid the shadows of death, he laid the foundation of the greatest temple ever erected and dedicated to human freedom. Today we call those soldiers sublime and in art and sculpture we have preserved their unselfish deeds. It remains, however, for the children of generations yet unborn to accord the full measure of appreciation for their immortal characters. Among the valiant veterans of the great Civil War now living in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Hon. Daniel W. Hix- son, who enlisted as a soldier in the Union army before he was eighteen years old. Mr. Hixson has been repeatedly honored by the people of this state and has served nobly and efficiently in the Minnesota state Senate. He is the scion of a distinguished family, his grandfather having fought valiantly by the side of Washington in the Revolutionary War.
Daniel W. Hixson, a retired citizen of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is a native of Burlington, Iowa, where he was born on December 23. 1843. He is the son of John and Mary ( Burnett ) Hixson and the grandson of David Hixson, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. John Hixson spent his early vears in the mercantile business, but finally took up farming and in 1821
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moved to Ohio, where he engaged in the milling business. In 1837 he took up land in lowa and in 1843 moved to near Burlington, where he was a farmer the remainder of his life.
Daniel W. Hixson received his early education in the public schools of Burlington and vicinity and on August 4, 1862, enlisted from Kossuth, Iowa, in Company C, Thirtieth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. Mr. Hixson was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg and was thereafter honorably discharged on account of wounds.
After his return home, Mr. Hixson finally engaged in farming and in the live stock business, shipping his stock to Chicago, Illinois. In 1883 Mr. Hixson moved to Grant county, Minnesota, where he purchased six hundred and forty acres of land. This large tract of land was located in Delaware township and there Mr. Hixson was engaged in farming on a large scale.
Three years after his removal to Grant county he was nominated for the Senate by the Republican party and, having been endorsed by the Farm- ers' Alliance, was triumphantly elected and served during the legislative sessions of 1887 and 1880. As a member of the Senate he had a conspicuous part in the framing and passage of important legislation and was considered, during the two sessions in which he served, as one of the leaders on the Republican side.
In 1899 Mr. Hixson purchased a farm near Fergus Falls, but never lived on it. His daughter being a student in the schools of Fergus Falls, Mr. Hixson finally purchased a home in the city, a house on Lincoln avenue, west, formerly owned by Doctor Cole. Here he has lived ever since.
By his marriage on March 7, 1866, to Helen Orr, a native of Ohio and a descendant on her paternal side from one of the most historic families of New England, there were born three children, Edwin S., Elma C. and Alice Capitola. Mrs. Hixson's father came originally from Goffstown, New Hampshire. Of the Hixson children, Edwin S., an only son, is a president of Blaine county, Montana, where he is engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. He married Flora Goodell and has three children, Helen S., Ned B. and Charles D. Elma C. is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and is now the teacher of history in the Fergus Falls high school. She is the widow of the late Professor Benton, who was a well-known linguist of this state and who was an instructor in the University of Minnesota. Professor Benton died several years ago, leaving two children, William B. and Daniel H. Alice Capitola is a well-known musician of this section of Minnesota. She has so willingly contributed her services as a musician on so many occasions that there is perhaps no young woman in this section better known
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than she. She married Jesse O. Billings, a native of Rutland, Vermont, and a man of sound business ability, who, before his untimely death in 1910, was engaged as an importer of purebred stock and who also owned a large ranchi in North Dakota. His death was a severe shock not only to his wife, but to the Hixson family and to a host of friends. He left two children, Ida and Cecil.
Daniel W. Hixson has been prominent not only in the political and civic life of this state, but he is likewise well known in fraternal circles, being a Mason. He is a member of the Knights Templar and also of the Chippewa Club.
OLE NYGAARD.
Ole Nygaard, a prosperous farmer of Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Norway, where he was born on March 27, 1849.
Mr. Nygaard is the son of Ole G. and Ingebor ( Aune) Nygaard, both of whom were born in Norway and who, about 1882, immigrated to Amer- ica and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Mr. Nygaard's father died in 1901 at the age of eighty-three years, and his mother in 1907 at the age of ninety-four. They were the parents of eleven children.
Ole Nygaard was educated in the public schools of Norway and in 1870 came to America, settling at St. Peter, Minnesota. Later he moved to. Mankato, Minnesota, in September. 1870, and the following winter moved to St. Paul. In 1872 he came to Otter Tail county and took a homestead of one hundred and thirty-one acres of land, which he has cleared and improved. He is a general farmer and stock raiser and has been success- ful in this county.
On January 10, 1882, Ole Nygaard was married to Gertrude Sande. who was born on February 17, 1862, in Norway, and who is the daughter of Ole and Betsy Sande. They came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1882. Mrs. Nygaard's father died here in 1905 and her mother in 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Ole Nygaard have been the parents of eleven children, of whom Inga is the wife of Thomas Petersen and has four children, Susie, Olive, Clifford and Raymond: Berntene is the wife of Hans Mortonson and has one daughter, Irene: Odin, lives at home: Lena is the wife of Edwin Gilbertson and has three children, George, Robert and Melvin: Johanna is the wife of Clayton Seffins and has two children, Leona and Beatrice: Alfred, Daniel, Henry, Ingvald. Mary and Clarence are all at home.
Ole Nygaard started life in this country with forty dollars and he is now a well-to-do farmer. A wonderful change has taken place in this
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county since Mr. Nygaard moved here, and Fergus Falls, the county seat, is a vastly different city in appearance from what it was thirty-five years ago, when there were only two or three stores in the town.
Although Mr. Nygaard is nominally identified with the Republican party, he takes no interest in political affairs.
GILBERT L. ANTONSEN.
Gilbert L. Antonsen, well-known farmer of Edna township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in LeSueur county, Minnesota, July 14, 1877, the son of Christian and Henrietta E. (Wassman) Antonsen, the former born in Denmark, the latter born in New York state. Christian Antonsen was the son of Peter and Sarah Antonsen, natives of Denmark.
Christian Antonsen came to America about 1859 and located in Le- Sueur county. Minnesota, where he secured one hundred and eighty acres of land and engaged in farm life for the remainder of his days. Christian and Henrietta Antonsen were the parents of nine children : Henry, Allen, Walter, Fred, John, Elick, Otis, Gilbert and Sarah.
Gilbert L. Antonsen received his education in the common schools of LeSueur county, after which he became a farmer, working generally on the farms of his native county for two years. He came to Otter Tail county in 1890 and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Edna township, at the same time dealing to a small extent as a land agent, in partnership with his brother, Otis. As a farmer, Gilbert L. Antonsen has been thor- oughly successful, having improved his land, equipped his farm with approved machinery and now engages in general farming on two hundred and ten acres of highly productive soil. In addition to his general farm activity, Mr. Antonsen operates a threshing outfit throughout the township and vicinity.
OLE ANDERSON.
Born in Norway, May 22, 1875. Ole Anderson, a prosperous farmer of Everts township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a son of Andreas and Maren Anderson, who were both born in Norway. Mr. Anderson's father was born in 1846, and after the death of his wife in her native land, came with his children to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1892. Here he purchased eighty acres of land located in section 14. of Everts township. and on this farm Andreas Anderson has resided most of the time since coming to the county. Of his three children, Anna and Ole are living, while an infant is deceased. Andreas Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church, in whose welfare he is deeply interested.
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Ole Anderson was educated in the public schools of his native land. and when seventeen years of age came to Everts township with his father. He now owns one hundred and fifty-nine acres of land in sections 13 and 14, and not only operates this farm, but also eighty acres belonging to his father.
Mr. Anderson lives with his father, who has been married since com- ing to America, to Olene Broteng who is the mother of two children by her first husband. Ole Anderson's sister, Anna, is the wife of Ole Widnes, of Battle Lake, Minnesota. and they are the parents of six children, Marvin, Dora, Hilda, Ruth, Imer and Roy.
Ole Anderson is a devout member of the Lutheran church, in which he takes an active interest, and to the support of which he is a liberal contributor.
WALTER C. ANTONSEN.
Walter C. Antonsen, successful farmer and well-known citizen of Edna township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, was born in LeSueur county, Minne- sota, May 16, 1865, a son of Christian and Henrietta E. (Wassman) Anton- sen, the father a native of Denmark, and the mother a native of New York state. Christian Antonsen was the son of Peter and Sarah Antonsen, natives of Denmark.
About 1859 Christian Antonsen came to America and settled in LeSueur county, Minnesota, where he took up the duties of farm life. As a farmer, Christian Antonsen was notably successful, he having acquired one hundred and eighty acres of land, all of which he cultivated in his able manner, for the remainder of his days.
Christian and Henrietta Antonsen were the parents of nine children : Henry, Allen, Walter, Fred. John, Elick. Otis, Gilbert and Sarah, all of whom are now living. The elder Antonsen and his wife were members of the Methodist church.
Walter C. Antonsen received his education in the public schools of LeSueur county. Minnesota, after which he became a farmer, working on the home farm for his father. During the year 1887, Walter C. Antonsen came to Otter Tail county, and located in Edna township, where he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, which he improved and to which he added land until now he is the owner and successful cultivator of two hundred and forty acres. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Antonsen engages in the raising of considerable live stock.
During the year 1890. Walter C. Antonse nwas married to Sophia Sunderman, and to this marriage has been born one child. Pearl, who was born in June. 1903. Mr. Antonsen and his family are active members of
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the Methodist Episcopal church, in Edna township, they being highly respected people of this church. Politically, Walter C. Antonsen is au ardent Republican.
HENRY ANTONSEN.
Among the men of Hobart township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who not only take a leading place among the farmers and stock raisers of the community, but who also are active and influential in the business and official circles, is Henry Antonsen, who was born in LeSueur county, Minne- ยท sota, March 27, 1861, a son of Christian and Henrietta E. (Wassman) Antonsen, the former of whom was born in Denmark, and the latter, in New York state. Christian Antonsen was the son of Peter and Sarah Antonsen, natives of Denmark.
Christian Antonsen came to America about 1859, and located in LeSueur county, Minnesota, where he secured one hundred and eighty acres of land and engaged in farm life for the remainder of his days. Christian and Henrietta Antonsen were the parents of nine children: Henry, Allen, Walter, Fred, John, Elick, Otis. Gilbert and Sarah.
Henry Antonsen received his education in the common schools of LeSueur county, Minnesota, and after his school days became a farmer, working on the farms of his native community. When twenty-two years of age, in 1883, Mr. Antonsen moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and located in Hobart township, where he purchased eighty acres of uncleared and unimproved land. On taking possession of his land, Henry Antonsen built the necessary buildings, supplied his farm with the proper equipment and fourteen years later, in 1898, having prospered as a farmer, he added eighty acres of land to his original farm, all of which has since been highly improved and now is in a thorough state of scientific cultivation. On his excellent farm Henry Antonsen now is engaged in general farming, together with the specializing in the raising of purebred Poland-China hogs and of Red Polled cattle, the product of this progressive farmer in this line being of the choicest to be found in the community.
Henry Antonsen, in addition to his success as a farmer and stock raiser is well known and prominently connected with the business activities of the township, he now serving in the capacity as secretary of the Vergas Co-operative Creamery Company.
During the year 1887. Henry Antonsen was married to Sarah L. Pengra, a daughter of Rush Pengra and wife, and to this marriage have been born eight children: William H .. John H .. Charles H., Frank H .. Sarah H .. Mary H., Margaret H. and Elnora H.
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