History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 76

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 76

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These early pioneers were not unacquainted with fears occasioned by their Indian neighbors but nothing serious happened from this source. Mr. and Mrs. Lindall were members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mrs. Lindall gave birth to nine children of whom the eldest was Jonas, who became a soldier in Company D, Third Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and later joined Company H, m which he became first lieutenant. Peter is the subject of the present article. Gustave and John, who became ill on the boat en route to America from Sweden, died and were buried at sea. Mary, the first daughter, was born on the boat coming over, and died shortly after in Illinois. The other children are Gustave William, Frank John. Emma Marie and Oscar. Jonas, the eldest son, remained near Moline for one and one-half years after his parents left there in order to attend school. He was well educated and in after life became a state senator, being the first Swedish-born senator in the state of Minnesota. He lived in Chi- sago county.

Peter Lindall attended school in Sweden about three months, when at the age of eight he started for America with his parents. He attended school in this country, but being in the far North among pioneer settlements his educational advantages were meager and because of his large family of brothers and sister it became necessary for him early in life to care for him- self. Therefore, when still a youth, he became a "lumber-jack," working in the pine woods of Minnesota and becoming an expert as a log-driver on the rivers. He worked as a river-man all the way from the northern part of Minnesota to Fergus Falls, as well as on the Mississippi and other rivers. He followed this line of work for fourteen years. After investigating lands in Minnesota for one year, especially in Meeker county, he finally took a homestead claim in Otter Tail county and located in Parker's Prairie town- ship about the year 1868. Beginning with eighty acres he has been able to accumulate land until he now owns three hundred and fifty-seven acres. well cultivated and equipped with good buildings.

After he located on this farm in the early days, Mr. Lindall joined an engineering party and helped survey the Great Northern railroad from Mel- rose to Fergus Falls. About this time he had many interesting experiences as a pioneer. When he first traveled from Chisago county to this county he was hauled in an ox team. About two years later he returned on a plea- sure trip traveling on the same prairie schooner. Wishing to see again the pinery in which he had spent so many days he retraced his steps during the bitter cold weather of midwinter. Reaching the camp, he found that the rest of the party had not arrived and he was compelled to ask for shelter for the night at the door of an Indian tepee. As he could talk the Chippewa language he was welcomed to the Indian tent. When bed-time came his

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Indian host took his place on one side of the fire while his guest reclined on the other. Suddenly the Indian woke up and erawled on all fours toward the white man, who, not being asleep, saw with consternation the stealthy movements of the redskin. His blood ran cold as the Indian leaned silently over him and suddenly jerked from under his head the blanket on which he rested. Jumping up, the white man found that his blanket, which was made partly of cotton, had come in contact with the coals and had. caught on fire. The Indian was only trying to save his life. It was during this period of his life that Mr. Lindall took part in a council which was held between the officials of Otter Tail county and the Indians at Ottertail, the council being called to discuss the plaeing of the Indians in what was called White Earth reservation.

In 1882 Peter Lindall became the husband of Ida Charlotte Linquist, daughter of John and Augusta (Olson) Linquist of Sweden. Her grand- father on the paternal side was Johannes Peterson, who lived and died in Sweden. The grandparents on the maternal side were Ole Olson and Inger ( Lesa) Olson, both of whom lived and died in their native country of Sweden. John Linquist came to America about 1860 and engaged in his trade of blacksmith at Hastings, Minnesota. After five years residence in this country he returned to his native country and there died. During his lifetime, however, he managed to accumulate sufficient funds to live in ease the latter years of his life and to send all of his children to America. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Linquist were four in number: Ida, who became Mrs. Lindhall; Carl, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Wilhelmina. who remained in Sweden, and Matilda.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lindall are the parents of eight children. Walter Jonas Alphonso, who studied law in the University of Minnesota, was taken sick during his senior year and died on December 25, 1915. Carl Oscar Regner is a graduate of the college of agriculture in the University of Minne- sota. Junetta Eugenia Hildegarde is deceased. Albin Lothard Lefler is a student of the medical department of the University of Minnesota and will graduate in the class of 1916. He has completed the necessary course in less than the schedule time, receiving credit for two and one-half years of high school work, having graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College before entering the State University. Clifford Joseph Fayton is a carpenter living in Minneapolis. Inez Geneva Elizabeth is a student in the agricultural col- lege at St. Paul, Minnesota. The remaining two children are living at home. They are Ernest Herbert Elsworth and Lawrence Ruben John.

By their heroic example Mr. and Mrs. Lindall have handed down to their children an inheritance perhaps more valuable than landed estates. Undaunted, Mr. Lindall and his young wife braved the toil, the danger and

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the poverty incident to pioneer life and they were victors over all adverse conditions. Mr. Lindall is esteemed by his many friends, both personal and business associates, for his strong personality and his genial nature and his wife is known as a woman devoted to the welfare of her home and loved ones.

JOHN J. NESSA.

Among the well-known and prosperous farmers of Otter Tail county is John J. Nessa, of Pelican township.

John J. Nessa was born in Norway, June 13, 1861, the son of John Olson and Susana Chentlang, both of whom were natives of Norway, in which country they lived their entire lives, John Olson being a farmer in that country. John Olson and wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Ole and Peter, who live in Norway; Susan, who came to America and lives in the state of Illinois: Malinda, Christinia and Mary, who live in Norway: John J., the subject of this sketch: Johnan and Ludwig, who live in Norway, and William, who came to America and lives in the state of California.

John J. Nessa received his education in the schools of Norway, after which, in the year 1881, he came to America and went to Kendall county, Illinois, where he worked for nine years and then moved to Palo Alto county, Iowa, working there for ten years on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1902 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pelican township, a farm which he now owns, and where his son, John, now lives. After four years on his first farm in Otter Tail county, John J. Nessa bought a second farm of one hundred and forty acres, this also located in Pelican township, where he now lives, and engages in general farming and in the breeding of Short- horn cattle. The farm is among the best improved of the locality, having a good house, a modern barn and other buildings to make the place con- venient and well equipped for agricultural life.

During the year 1896 John J. Nessa was married to Christinia Peter- son, who was born in Norway, the daughter of Knut and Christinia ( Ostrus) Peterson, who came to America when their daughter, Christinia, was nine years of age, and located in the state of Illinois, later moving to Badger, Iowa, where they died. To the marriage of John and Christinia Nessa were born ten children : John. Martin, Knut. Susan, Dortha, Carl, Gladys, Clara, Mary and Willie. John J. Nessa and his family are members of the United Lutheran church at Pelican Rapids, a church in which they are well known and appreciated for their activity in the work of the congregation.

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In the public life of Pelcain township, Otter Tail county, John J. Nessa has served with notable ability and efficiency as school treasurer, and as a private citizen Mr. Nessa is known as one ready at all times to give of his effort and his time in order that the interests of the locality may be advanced.

OTTO UMLAND.

A well-known and prosperous farmer, who is a native of Otter Tail county, where he has lived until the present time and during which time he has been a high type of citizen, serving well and unselfishly in all possible ways and aiding in the development of the life and interests of the town- ship and county, is Otto Umland, who was born on the Umland homestead in Western township, during the year 1880, the son of Richard and Augusta (Mittlestad) Umland, both of whom were natives of Germany, where the father lived until the year 1869, when he came to America, and during the year 1873 the mother came to America and settled in the state of Wisconsin, where they were married. Richard Umland was employed in a saw-mill of the state of Wisconsin for some years, and then in the year 1879 he came to the state of Minnesota and homesteaded a claim in Western township, a place which he improved with buildings and by the setting out of trees in a country which previously was void of such. Later, Richard Umland bought one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his original farm, in Wilkin county, Minnesota. The elder Umland now lives a retired life on his farm, a son managing the place. To the marriage of Richard and Augusta Umland were born the following children: Anna, Otto, the subject of this sketch; Ida and Lena.

Richard Umland and his wife are prominent and active members of the Evangelical church of the township, being highly respected and honored people for their long life of service to the congregation. Richard Umland has had no small part in the development of Otter Tail county from its early days to the present time, with its enterprising and prosperous farmers and farms. The elder Umland among other things introduced the first stone well in the county, digging the well with a spade in the year 1879.

Richard Umland, father of the subject of this sketch, is the son of Augusta (Rodtke) Umland, who were natives of Germany, where August Richard was employed as a woodsman on a large estate of his country. Richard Umland was one of the following children: Albert, who lives in the state of Wisconsin: Henry, who lives in Germany: Otto, a soldier of Germany, and Emilia, who came to America, where she died.

Augusta Uniland. mother of Otto Umland, is the daughter of John and Louisa (Galer) Mittlestad, who were natives of Germany, where John

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Mittlestad was engaged in general work. Augusta Umland was one of four children, the others being Minnie, Bertha and August.

Otto Umland, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, after which for nine years he rented a farm near the home place. In the year 1913 Otto Umland succeeded his father as owner of the family homestead. a place where he has lived and a farm which he has operated in an efficient and successful manner since that time. Mr. U'mland gives his efforts to general farming and to the raising of good grade stock.

On November 3, 1904, Otto Umland was married to Margaret Mann, the daughter of William Mann and wife, who came to Western township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, from the state of Iowa. To the marriage of Otto and Margaret Umland have been born five children : Alma, Arthur, Macie, Addie and Elvin.

Otto Umland is recognized as one of Otter Tail county's leading and most progressive citizens, being a man who is a leader for action in the advancement of the county interests, and a man who has spread the fame of Otter Tail county in other localities in public addresses on the life and advantages of this community. In political life, though Mr. Umland has not aspired to public office, he is known as a man of value to the locality in matters of counsel and advice.

Otto Umland and his wife are esteemed and appreciated members of the German Lutheran church in Western township.

OLA K. HANSON.

Ola K. Hanson, a Swede by birth, was born on April 20, 1862, but the process of naturalization in his case was a very rapid one. His parents, Hans Johnson and Buel Arvidson, both of Sweden, gave their children all the education which they could afford and as a result Mr. Hanson received but a very limited education.

Mr. Hanson came to America at the age of nineteen, and at the solicita- tion of friends came to Minnesota and first located in St. Paul. He worked for a time in a saw-mill in that city. Shortly afterward he left Minnea- polis in company with three others for Fergus Falls for which place they had purchased what they supposed were through tickets. However, instead of reaching Fergus Falls they landed at Wadena and found, to their dismay, that this was the terminus of the road. They had little or no money, but managed to hire a man to take them in his wagon toward Fergus Falls. After journeying twenty or thirty miles they informed their driver that they had no money and that he might as well return to Wadena. This he did without remmeration for his services.

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Undaunted, Mr. Hanson and his two companions started out to walk the rest of the way. Upon reaching Clitherall a kind farmer's wife allowed them to sleep in the woodshed, but sleep refused to come to their eyelids that night. They could see from the shed door the Indians dancing on the shore of the lake in the distance. The boys, of course, thought that their aboriginal neighbors were preparing to go on the warpath, but fortunately for them such was not the case.

The next day the trio started out on foot for Fergus Falls. Becoming very hungry when within one mile of their destination they found welcome in a rude hut, whose inhabitant offered them, in their famished condition, what they considered a splendid repast. It was, in fact, nothing more than boiled potatoes.

The surroundings were so new and strange that Mr. Hanson was almost constantly in a state of fear, so he made up his mind to return to Sweden as soon as he could earn enough money for the return journey. His hopes, however, brightened, when he was employed at two dollars a day the follow- ing spring, grading on the Northern Pacific railroad. Later he went to North Dakota and pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. This was in 1884, but after holding the claim for a short time he sold it and bought a tree claim, which he also sold after holding a short time. His next ven- ture was to homestead a tract.

Mr. Hanson, however, found it more profitable to work on the rail- road, and he was soon promoted to the position of a grading contractor, both on the main line and on the branches running out of Fergus Falls. For seven years he remained in the employ of the railroad company, and by this time all of the lines in the vicinity of Fergus Falls were completed. Ile had during this time been investing his money in land, and when he quit the contracting business he owned a farm of four hundred acres. He not only farmed this extensive tract, but also had charge of an additional two hundred and forty acres. He prospered from year to year and when the cyclone of 1896 struck Otter Tail county he was in a flourishing condi- tion. This disaster not only completely destroyed all of his fine buildings but also his extensive collection of farm machinery. He at once rebuilt on a larger scale.

After engaging in the transfer business in Oaks, North Dakota, for five years, Mr. Hanson returned to the farm for three years. In 1908 he purchased the land on which his present home is situated in Otter Tail county. His farm consists of nearly four hundred acres and is equipped with excellent farm buildings.

In January, 1885. Ola K. Hanson became the husband of Christiana Anderson, a native of Sweden and daughter of Andrew Larson. A family

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of five children grew up in the home thus established, these being in the order of their birth as follow : Selma, Henry, Einil, Andrew and Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are prominent members of the local Swedish Luth- eran church, of which Mr. Hanson is the treasurer.

Mr. Hanson has been a member of the township board of trustees for six years, and was formerly president of the creamery which he organized.

The blood of sturdy old ancestors flows in the veins of the man whose life record has been briefly presented here. Born of a strong, energetic and a pious, God-fearing mother. Mr. Hanson combines in his nature the ele- ments necessary for pioneer life. He has been, in the true sense of the word, a self-made man, and by his strong character and his honorable, upright living he has reflected credit upon that parenthood. Coming of sturdy old Swedish stock, which has settled many sections of this country with dauntless pioneers, he has made each community the better for having lived in it, and in every enterprise which he has undertaken he has met with marked success.

JAMES P. WALLACE.

He who has attained a high type of citizenship is worthy of a place among those whom the world likes to honor. James P. Wallace, organizer of the village in which he lives and for four years its first president. also a member of the board of education for thirty-two years, is practically a self- made man. While the conditions of his youth and early inanhood were such as to call out his physical strength and moral resolution, he overcame the difficulties and won the right later to be called a leading citizen and farmer. Mr. Wallace was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, January 6, 1844. and is the son of Daniel D. and Laura (Ripley ) Wallace, he being a native of Vermont and she of New York state.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Wallace were Daniel and Abigail (Plum) Wallace, both of whom were natives of Vermont. He was a farmer by occupation. They had sons who served in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace died in Michigan. The maternal grandparents of the subject were James and Susan Ripley, of New York state, he being a farmer. They lived and died in that state.

Daniel D. Wallace, father of the subject of this biography, was edu- cated in Vermont and took up the occupation of farming there but in 1830 acquired one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Washtenaw county, Michigan. He later moved to the village of Saline where he became a merchant, builder and contractor. He put up many buildings in that town which during its early days was plentifully supplied with Indians who lived nearby, and came there to trade. He and his wife died there as did

JAMES P. WALLACE.

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also his parents. He was an active member of the Baptist church and was an honest, God-fearing man. The children born to him and his wife were six in number, namely : Edwin, Lyman, Martin, Martha, Mary and James P.

After attending the common schools of Michigan, James P. Wallace went to a business college in Detroit where he studied banking. He accepted a position in a Detroit bank and later went to Chicago where he was employed by the Union Trust Company. In 1882 he moved to Pelican Rapids where, the same year, he organized the bank which was known as the State Bank .. After Mr. Wallace, in 1905, assumed the entire business the banking institu- tion was named J. P. Wallace State Bank.

James P. Wallace was united in marriage to Jennie Scott, of Kalama- zoo, Michigan, she being the daughter of John Scott. Mrs. Wallace passed away on March 26, 1914, leaving a son, a physician of Chattanooga, Tennes- see, and an adopted daughter, Clara C. Strand, who lives at home.

It may be said truthfully of Mr. Wallace that he has held every office which it is in the power of the village to bestow upon one of its citizens. In 1883 he helped to incorporate the town of Pelican Rapids and was hon- ored by being made its chief executive for the first four years of its incor- porated existence. The confidence in which Mr. Wallace is held by his townspeople is evidenced by the fact that for thirty-two years he was retained as a member of the school board. Mr. Wallace, in all of life's relation- ships, has measured up to the standard of excellence which he early set for himself. He can now look back upon a well-spent life, a life guided by the desire to be not only successful but useful as well and such opportunities he has never ignored.

WILLIAM PERSON.

William Person is one of five children born of the union of Andrew and Elma Person, both natives of Sweden, who immigrated to America in 1869 and 1871, respectively. Andrew immigrating first in order to prepare the home for the occupancy of the wife and children. The names of the children follow : Celia. William, Matilda, Axel and Lena. Andrew Per- son secured a homestead, shortly after his arrival in this country, located in Eagle Lake and Clitherall townships. Otter Tail county. Minnesota, which consisted of eighty acres. After preparing the soil for cultivation and mak- ing the improvements necessary for the proper housing of the family, Andrew Person sent for them and. upon their arrival, met them at St. Cloud, Minnesota, and transported them, by ox-team, to their destination. This team he had hired of Nels Morrow, who still resides in Clitherall. (46b)

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With the exception of two years spent near Henning, Minnesota, Andrew Person has lived for forty-six years on the homestead farm.

William Person was born on July 3, 1865, in Sweden, and immigrated to America, accompanied by his mother and other members of the family, when only a child of six years. His education was received in the schools of Otter Tail county, following which he engaged in agriculture and has continued in this vocation until the present time. He began his initial experiences in this line when a lad of nine years by hauling wheat to market at Perham, Minnesota, using an ox-team as the means of transportation and, on account of the severe winter weather, remained in the woods over night, reaching home some time the following day. In 1888, at the age of twenty-three years, he purchased his first farm, which consisted of one hun- dred and twenty acres of school land and eighty acres of railroad land, on which farm he still resides. A small portion of this land has been disposed of. his present holdings consisting of one hundred and sixty acres.

In 1880 William Person was united in marriage to Stena Lundy, a native of Sweden and daughter of Ole Lundy, and to them have been born ten children: Oscar, Esther ( deceased ), Esther, Minnie, Alfred, Carl, Robert, Otto, August and Eller.

Stena Lundy, the mother of these children, was born near Grant Lake, Minnesota, and her father was a pioneer of that township. William Per- son and his wife are devout members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are highly respected as good citizens of community.

HENRY W. JONES.

Henry W. Jones, farmer, Parkers Prairie township, this county, was born on June 30, 1871, on the old homestead in the township where he now resides, and is a son of John R. and Rachel ( Palmer) Jones. His early education was received at the public schools of the district, after which he attended high school at Alexandria. On completing his studies he began teaching school, and continued in that work for eight years. In 1895 he quit teaching and went to Roseau county, Minnesota, where he engaged in general merchandising for a period of about seven years. In 1904 he returned to Parkers Prairie and began farming. In 1912 he bought eighty acres, adjoining the old honicstead, on which he resides and does general farming and stock raising. Politically, Mr. Jones is a stanch Republican.

John R. Jones was born on April 16, 1844. in Nova Scotia, and his wife, Rachel ( Palmer ) Jones, was born on January 19. 1848, near Oil City, Pennsylvania, and died on July 16, 1904. He came to Otter Tail county in 1868, at which time he took up a homestead, consisting of one hundred and

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sixty acres. Prior to coming to Minnesota, Mr. Jones had located for a time in Wisconsin. He was a Civil War soldier, and served in the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, remaining out about two years and serving in Arkansas and the west. After the war was over Mr. Jones returned to Wisconsin, where he was married. In 1870 he brought his wife to the homestead which he had previously taken up, and on which he put all the improvements, fol- lowing general farming and stock raising, and lived there until 1913, when he sold his entire property. The children born to John R. and Rachel (Palmer ) Jones, were: Henry W., Harry R., Nellie H., Lucretia, Cora and L. Mae. Politically, Mr. Jones has always been a stanch Republican, taking an active interest in local politics and serving on the board of town- ship trustees for many years. He was for a time township assessor.

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History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 76

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