History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 73

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 73

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OTTER TAIL. COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

Minnesota. The names of the children born to the second union of Jacob S. Bixby are: John L., Jacob W., Lottie A., Abraham V., Isaac and Gertrude N. John L. follows the vocations of farming and school teaching and lives in Dead Lake township; Jacob W. is engaged in the same interests ; Lottie died at the age of fourteen years; Abraham V. died at the age of thirteen; Isaac and Gertrude are at home. The parents of the second wife of Jacob S. Bixby, Live and Sophia Liveson, immigrated to America in 1872 and settled in Dodge county, where they remained until their deaths. Gertrude Liveson was born on March 3, 1856, in Norway.

.At the age of twenty-one, Jacob S. Bixby became a licensed class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has always been a ment- ber and active supporter, and for the past twelve years has been a licensed pastor for that denomination and has served the local congregation. Jacob S. Bixby is an "Abraham Lincoln Republican" and has been honored with nearly every office in the township, also serving his section of the country by acting as a delegate to the county conventions. He is interested in the creamery and the telephone companies of Richville, in which companies he is a stockholder.

John L. Bixby was born on December 26, 1882, in Steele county, Minnesota, the son of Jacob S. and Gertrude (Liveson) Bixby. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native town and later be- came a student in the Moorhead Normal School, for two years. After com- pleting his education he engaged in teaching school, which he followed for a period of six years. About 1905 he purchased one hundred and six acres of land in section 34, in Dead Lake township, which he has improved with buildings and other things needful for the proper cultivation of same. He pursues general farming and stock-raising. Politically, John L. Bixby is an independent voter. He has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of jus- tice of the peace and is at present serving as county assessor.

On June 1, 1910, John L. Bixby was united in marriage to Cora E. Davis, daughter of James and Eliza ( Epler ) Davis, and they are the parents of one child, Paul W., who was born on December 22, 1913.

Jacob W. Bixby, second son of Jacob S. Bixby, has also followed his father's example and taken up farming as his vocation in life. He was born on August 16, 1885, in Steele county, Minnesota, and received his education in the schools of Otter Tail county. He also attended the Moor- head Normal School, as did his brother, John L. Bixby, and began teaching school in 1910. In 1915 he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, located in Amor township, this county, and has spent much of the time since in clearing and improving it.

For three years past. Jacob W. Bixby has acted as an agent of the

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Waterman-Waterbury Supply Company, covering territory in Minnesota. Very active for the furtherance of all educational improvements he has served those interests as principal of the graded schools for a period of two years, and has discharged the duties connected with that office in a very able manner. He is a member and actively engaged in the work of the Consolidated School Principals Organization. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is much interested in all church affairs and lends his generous support to that denomination.

IVER O. GRINA.

Iver O. Grina, who has been a resident of Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, for over forty years, has played a prominent part in the agricultural development of the state in which he resides. He was born in Hadeland, Norway, on the Ist of April, 1851, and is the son of Ole H. and Martha O. (Vloger ) Grina, natives of the same country. The parents of Iver O. Grina came to America in 1854, only a few years after their marriage. After crossing the Atlantic, a journey that covered a period of fifteen weeks, the couple took up their residence in Clayton county, lowa, where for a short time Mr. Grina worked on the farms in that locality. He pos- sessed a character which was eager to seize opportunities for advancement, and had only resided in lowa a short while when he was able to buy a farm containing one hundred and sixty acres. On this farm he lived with his family twenty years and at the expiration of that time came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he joined his son, Iver, who is the subject of this sketch.

In Norwegian Grove township Ole H. Grina bought two hundred and fifty acres of school land, thirty-four acres of which was in timber. While employed at the occupation of clearing the new tract of land Mr. Grina became ill and died. The first wife of Mr. Grina died in 1874, and he was married, secondly, to Betsey O. Hougtvet, who has also passed away. By his first wife the following children were born into the Grina family : Hans, who before his death followed the occupation of a farmer in Trondhjem township: Ole, a retired farmer of Pelican Rapids; Iver O., the subject of this sketch: Peter, a retired farmer who resides in North Dakota: Martin, also a farmer of North Dakota: Ellen, who died in Iowa; Edward, who lives in North Dakota: Mary, who passed away in Iowa; Mary, who also died when young, in Iowa, and one who died when very small.

lver O. Grina was educated in the public schools in Iowa, and was reared to the sturdy discipline of the Jowa farm. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he settled in Trond- hjem township, after purchasing the homestead owned by the Hans Broth-

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ers. The land, which was only slightly improved, was located in section 21. After much time and labor spent in clearing and improving the land, Mr. Grina bought one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land adjoining the home place. In the fall of 1914 Mr. Grina sold his place in Trondhjem township and bought the homestead originally owned by his father in Nor- wegian Grove township. This farm has never been occupied by the sub- ject of this sketch, but he rents it to his son, Joseph. Mr. Grina retired from active farm work in March of 1914 and moved to Pelican Rapids, where he has erected a thoroughly modern residence.

Mr. Grina is a man of broad understanding who has given his atten- tion to civic affairs. In 1913 he helped in organizing the Erhard State Bank, in which he is a director. As an enthusiastic member of the Republi- can party he has served in the office of road supervisor and of clerk of the school district. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

On the 17th of July, 1872, the marriage of Iver (). Grina to Olena L. Ohe took place. She was the daughter of Lars and Ingebor ( Waterud ) Che, among the earliest settlers of Erhard Grove township. Mrs. Grina passed away on the 22nd of February, 1914. She was the mother of the following children: Ole, who has lumber interests in Halstad, Minnesota ; Lars, who is also interested in lumber, and who lives in Felton, Minnesota : Melvin, who deals in implements, hardware and lumber in Erhard; Conrad, who assists his brother. Melvin, at the Borup branch store: Joseph, who died in infancy; Joseph, who is a farmer on the place of his father; Inga and Theodore, who are occupied in the work for their brother, Melvin ; Emma, the youngest child, is at home with her father.

ANDREW O. QUAM.

Andrew O. Quam is one of the progressive agriculturists of Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who operate their holdings on a large scale, and his keen business ability and exceptionally pleasing per- sonality have been dominant factors in his success. He is a native of Nor- way and his birth occurred on October 6, 1855, in Tronjam, Norway. He is the son of Ole and Johanna Quam, both natives of Norway. Ole Quam was a farmer, cattle dealer and general trader. In 1871 he immigrated to America with the intention of locating here but after a temporary location in Chicago, Illinois, he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, investigated the county and returned to his native land, content to remain in the land of his birth.

Andrew O. Quam received his preliminary education in the common schools in the land of his nativity, and studied geometry, surveying, engin- eering and general studies, under the tutelage of a Norwegian army officer.

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MR. AND MRS. ANDREW O, QUAM

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He also studied English while in Norway and received a very good educa- tion. He immigrated to America in 1872 and engaged as a clerk in a grocery store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, attending school during the first winter. He then learned the painter's trade, under his uncle's instruction, and later was employed in the harvest fields. In 1874 he established a store, in partnership with his uncle, which he sold in the fall and removed to Chi- cago where he was employed as a dishwasher in a restaurant, for three dollars per week. Two months of this was night work. Soon after this experience, he established a small restaurant of his own which he operated on North Clark street, Chicago, Illinois, and later at 109 East Randolph street for five years. This place of business was on unclaimed property and was soon established after the famous Chicago fire. The undertaking proved to be a profitable one and he was soon doing business in a spacious building, which had been erected by the owner.

In 1880 Mr. Quam removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, after having made several thousand dollars, and purchased two hundred and seventy acres of land in Carlisle township. This was added to until he now owns eight hundred acres of well improved land in Fergus Falls and Cary- lisle townships.

Andrew O. Quam was united in marriage to Joanna Newhouse and they are the parents of the following children: Ole, Ingwall, James M., Julian E., Adeline, Josephine, Edith C., Mabel D. and Dwight L .; two infants are deceased. Andrew O. Quam is a trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal church which he attends and is also clerk of the school board. Politic- ally, he votes an independent ticket.

LUDWIG PILGER.

Ludwig Pilger was born in Prussia, Germany, May 16, 1844, the son of Ernest Pilger and wife, who were born in that province, where Ernest Pilger followed his trade as a weaver until, during an epidemic of cholera, he and his wife succumbed to this pestilence. Ernest Pilger and wife were the parents of the following children: Wilhelmina, who died when a child; Amelia, who married Ferdinand Vitholm and lives in the state of Nebraska; William, who came to America and afterwards became lost to the knowledge of his relatives; Ludwig, the subject of this sketch.

Following his education in the public schools of his native land, Ludwig Pilger worked for a time on a farm and then was employed in a brewery until about the year 1872, when he came to America and went to the state of Iowa, where he settled near Grundy City and there worked on a farm during the next seven years, after which, in the year 1882, came to the

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state of Minnesota and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Otter Tail county, where he has since lived. On taking possession of his farm in Otter Tail county Ludwig Pilger found it necessary to clear the land of brush and timber and to replace an old log cabin with a more sub- stantial building. At a later time this progressive farmer added a modern barn and other buildings to his conveniences until now the farm of Mr. Pilger is among the best of the community for general farming purposes.

During the year 1871. Ludwig Pilger was married to Dora Effald, who was a native of Prussia. To this marriage were born the following children: Ernest, who is a railway worker of Bluffton, Minnesota; Wil- liam, who is a railroad worker of Bronson, Minnesota; Huldah, who mar- ried H. W. Kile, a farmer of North Dakota; France, a farmer of the state of North Dakota, and George and Otto, who live at home.

Ludwig Pilger in religious affiliation is of the Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Pilger is a Republican, one who serves his party well in those efforts which are put forth for the general good of Otter Tail county.

ALBERT WIESE.

Albert Wiese, farmer and stockman of Gorman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on January 3, 1874. in Germany, the son of Fredrick and Henrietta ( Flatau) Wiese, natives of Germany. Fredrick Wiese came to America in 1893. and located in this county, where he en- gaged in farming in Gorman township, where he now lives a retired life. Fredrick and Henrietta Wiese are the parents of seven children : Gusta, John, Albert, Minnie, Matilda, Amelia and Ida.

Following his education in the public schools of Germany, Albert Wiese came to America, in 1892, and located in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farm work for some time. In 1904 he bought a farmi in Gorman township, which he has greatly improved and to which he has added land until now he owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of land which he cultivates as a general farmer, together with the raising of con- siderable good grade live stock.

On May 13. 1898, Albert Wiese was married to Louise Flatau, a native of Germany, and to this marriage have been born the following children : Alma, Otto, Alfred, Herman, Theodore, Paul, Martha and Amanda. Albert Wiese and his family are active members of the German Lutheran church at Perham, Minnesota.

Albert Wiese has served as a trustee for the town of Luce, and has taken an important part in the business interests of the community, at the present time being a stockholder of the Luce Creamery Company, of Luce. Minnesota.

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CARL K. PEDERSON.

Carl K. Pederson is a native of this county, having been born in Sverdrup township, March 18, 1876, son of Knud and Marit (Gulbranstad Datter Onstad ) Pederson, the former born at Aaberg 'and the latter at Onstad, Valdris, Norway. They were friends from early life and were married in their native land, coming to this country in 1866. They located in Mower county, this state, where for some three years he worked at farm labor and other things, and in 1870 came to this county and settled on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Sverdrup township. His farm was mostly wild land and he set about clearing it and getting it ready for the plow and also erected most of the buildings which are standing on the tract today. He purchased additional land from time to time until at his death, in November of 1903, he owned three hundred and twenty-eight acres. The mother died some years previous-in July of 1896, and the father never remarried. Knud Pederson was a man who took a most active interest in political affairs. Originally a member of the Farmers Alliance, he later became a Populist and was filling one office or another over a goodly stretch of years. He served as county commissioner of the third district for thirteen years in succession and filled many other local offices. In addition to this, he served two terms as a member of the state Legislature ( 1807-1901), and was always actively interested in the political issues of the day. Both Knud Pederson and his wife embraced the Lutheran faith (members of the Norwegian church ) and were active in religious circles.

Carl K. Pederson is a member of a family of nine children, being the sixth child in order of birth. Peter, the eldest, is a farmer living on the old homestead: Edward died in 1902: Matilda lives in Seattle, Washington, the wife of Ferdinand De Flon; Dinah and Geline are both deceased; Gil- bert is a farmer of this county, living about five miles north of Underwood; Clara lives in Oregon, the wife of Ole Nygaard, and Ella, the youngest of the family, is the wife of a Mr. Larson, and lives in Seattle, Washington. Carl K. Pederson received his education in the public schools of this county. attending district No. 5. in the little old log school house located on his father's farm. He was raised on the farm and after school days were over he followed that vocation until 1902, when he became a stockholder in the Farmers Mercantile Corporation and at the same time took a clerkship in the company's store under its manager. C. J. Moen, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in the pages of this book. This relationship continues to the present time and Mr. Pederson now holds a responsible position. having long since demonstrated the fact that he possesses those qualities which especially fit him to cater to the needs of the public. With his

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brother, Peter, Mr. Pederson purchased the old homestead and together they do general farming and give especial attention to the raising of live stock for the market.

Mr. Pederson is independent in polities, but has never given the time to that phase of citizenship which his father gave. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife hold their religious membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mrs. Pederson, before her marriage in 1903, was Marie Nygaard, daughter of Lars and Ingeborg Nygaard, both natives of Norway, who came to this country in the early eighties, Marie being born not long after they settled in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have two children, Kenneth and Irvin. The family is considered among the representative families of this section and move in the best social circles. Mr. Pederson, because of his business connection, has a wide acquaintance throughout this part of the county and is universally liked.

NILS WILSON.

One of the citizens of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who has taken an active part in its civic life and is one of its leading business men, is Nils Wilson, the subject of this biographical sketch. Mr. Wilson was born in Denmark on January 15, 1866, son of Jens and Christina ( Graveson) Wilson. Both parents were born near Aalborg, Denmark, and were reared there. All of the father's active years were given to the voca- tion of farming, and he is still living at the old home, at an advanced age, having been born in 1827. The mother has been dead for a number of years, having passed from this life in 1876, when about forty-six years old. The father has never remarried. Both were from earliest childhood men- bers of the Lutheran church and so reared their family of five children. Nils is the fourth child in order of birth, the others being: Fredericka. wife of Jens C. Wesse. still living in Denmark, where Mr. Wesse is con- nected with the public schools, having the reputation of being an excellent teacher and active in school organization: Jens Christian, who emigrated to America in 1880 or 1881 and has never been heard from sinee the year 1808: Oscar, who followed Jens to this country about a year later and is living on his farm in Otter Tail county: and Anna, the youngest of the family, who is the widow of a Mr. Larson and still lives in her native land.

Nils Wilson came to America in 1888 and in the spring of that year located in Otter Tail county, where for some ten or twelve years he hired out to farin labor. He then became connected with the Andrews-Gates Grain Company, of Minneapolis, being their manager and local representa-

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tive for some fourteen years. In the meantime (about 1898) Mr. Wilson began to deal in feed on his own account. For thirty-four dollars he pur- chased a lot in Underwood with a house on it which cost him twenty-five dollars, and in that small building, size twelve by fourteen feet, he con- ducted his business for some time. He prospered in his undertaking and was forced to enlarge his building in 1900, 1901 and 1903, and now has a building twenty-four by one hundred and ten feet, and since 1912 has been forced to give his entire attention to his private business. He is interested in the general advancement of the community and was one of the-organizers of the Otter Tail County Co-operative Company, having served as director since its organization.

Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics and ever since the incorporation of the town of Underwood, December 23, 1912, he has served as president of the village. For the past five years he has been treasurer of the local school board and in other ways has given evidence of the wholesome inter- est he feels in the proper growth of the community. Mr. Wilson holds his fraternal affiliation with the Modern Woodmen of America and also with the Danish Brotherhood. Mr. Wilson has never married. An honorable man in all the affairs of life, he is well deserving of the esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

ERIC P. LING.

Eric P. Ling was born in Sweden on February 16, 1862, son of Eric Olson and Ingeborg Nelson. Both parents were also natives of Sweden and passed their entire lives there. They were landowners and farmers and lived quiet and retired lives. Both were members of the Swedish Lutheran church and highly esteemed in every particular. i

Mr. Ling is one of a family of five children : Nils, the eldest remain- ing in Sweden, where he is engaged in farming; John lives at Kelsey, this state, as does also Anna; Bertha died in her native land, the wife of Peter Newkvist. Mr. Ling was educated in the public schools near his home and emigrated to America in 1894, settling first in southern Minnesota. From there he went to Duluth, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for sonie tinte and in 1910 came to his farm of eighty acres in Dane Prairie town- ship, Otter Tail county, where he has since made his home. Since taking possession of the farm he has made many improvements. He has erected a seventy-two foot barn and has otherwise added to the general appearance of the place. In addition to his farming, he is a breeder of mixed stock for the market and is universally successful in whatever he undertakes. Mr. Ling endorses the principles of the Republican party. although he has never taken especial interest in such matters.

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Eric P. Ling was married in 1906 to Selma Haag, also a native of Sweden, and her death occurred in October of 1910. She left two young children, Nellie and Arthur, and these little ones Mr. Ling is worthily trying to properly guide through the perilous years of childhood. Mr. Ling has the respect of the entire community, a fitting tribute to his worthy character- istics.

F. E. SALOMONSEN.

F. E. Salomonsen, cashier of the First State Bank, of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is recognized as one of the leading business men of that locality. In 1907 Mr. Salomonsen first became connected with the bank in question, known at that time as the Bank of Underwood, and it was then capitalized at five thousand dollars. On reorganization it was given the name by which it is now known and the capital stock increased to ten thousand dollars. It has an average of six hundred depositors, placing within its keeping one hundred and seventy thousand dollars, with a capital and surplus of nineteen thousand dollars. Charles D. Wright is president of the organization; E. A. Jewett, vice-president, and Mr. Salomonsen is cashier. The banking business now occupies its own building, erected in 1914, and designed especially to meet the needs of the business.

Mr. Salomonsen is a native of Denmark, born in the city of Copenhagen on March 22, 1872, son of John A. and Bina Salomonsen, both of whom were born in Sweden. While Mr. Salomonsen's parents were yet children they were taken to Denmark by their respective parents, where they grew to maturity and were married. They made their first home in Copenhagen, where the father was engaged in managing a dray line, at which he con- tinued for a number of years. He was successful in his business and in later life purchased a farm near his old home in Sweden, where both are living at the present time. They are members of the Lutheran church and the parents of a family of four children, Mr. Salomonsen being the only one of the family who has come to America. He is the second child of the family, the first and third having died in infancy. The youngest is a sister, Amanda, who still remains at home with her parents.

Mr. Salomonsen received his education in the Burger pay schools of Copenhagen and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed to the car- penter trade. Ile mastered this and worked at it for a time in his old home previous to coming to America in 1802. He came directly to this state and settled for a time at Pelican Rapids and later at Fergus Falls, in both places following his trade. At the latter place he became foreman for John Lauritzen, which position he filled for some three and one-half years. In

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1899 he entered into a partnership with W. L. Winslow and engaged in the retail lumber business at Underwood. That relationship lasted for some eighteen months, when both sold out to M. T. McMahon, of Fergus Falls, and Mr. Salomonsen managed the business for that gentleman for some six and one-half years. Then, in 1907, followed his connection with the bank, as first stated, to which business he now gives his undivided attention.

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History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 73

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1156

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156