USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 88
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
GEORGE W. SMITH.
George W. Smith was born in Holden, Massachusetts, December 27, 1831, a son of Jonas H. and Anna E. ( Rogers) Smith, both of whom were natives of Holden, Massachusetts.
Jonas H. Smith lived in the state of Massachusetts until 1836, when he moved, with his family, to the state of Vermont, living there for the remainder of his days. Jonas H. and Anna E. Smith were the parents of six children, four daughters and two sons.
George W. Smith received his education in the common schools of Stratton, Vermont, after which he became a farmer; working on the home farm until 1855, when, at twenty-four years of age, he moved to the state of Minnesota and located in Carver township, Carver county, where he lived as a farmer until September, 1861. At this time Mr. Smith enlisted for service in the Civil War with Company A, Fourth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for three years. During that time he was stationed at Ft. Ridgely, among the Indians, for six months, later being transferred to Corinth, Mississippi, from which place he was moved as a part of the army fighting in the battles at Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg. During the last year of his military service George W. Smith was a part of the Veteran Reserve Corps stationed at Rock Island arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois.
After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Smith returned to Minnesota and made his home in Carver county, where he was active as a farmer and as a public official, until 1878, when he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dora township. On taking possession of his land George W. Smith cleared the place, added the necessary improvements and after some years as a pioneer farmer he improved his farm more substantially and has since made his home on this farm, now being accorded a place among the leading farmers of this com-
828
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
munity in which he has proved such a worthy and useful element of citizen- ship.
Some time after moving to Minnesota. Mr. Smith was married to Sarah DeMerse, who was a native of Minnesota. George W. and Sarah Smith became the parents of four children: Frank H., who was born on June 16, 1860; Ida R., September 16, 1865; Lula E .. February 21, 1868, and Marion E., March 23, 1872. After the death of his wife, Sarah, George W. Smith was married, secondly, in 1875, to Hannah Nelson, who was born on Novem- ber 19. 1851, in Sweden. George W. and Hannah Smith became the par- ents of six children: Artmas, born on February 6, 1878; Evaline T., December 4, 1880; Zelpha N., December 22, 1882; Herbert W., July 18, 1885: Matilda, February 21, 1888, and George L., August 5, 1890.
.As a citizen who has been prominent in the public and official life of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and of other communities where he has made his home, George W. Smith is known as one who has made an enviable record and as one who has done no little in bringing about the present high develop- ment of the community life. While a resident of Carver county, Mr. Smith was known as a most trustworthy and faithful deputy sheriff and after mov- ing to this county his ability was soon demonstrated in his successful efforts to establish and maintain a township organization with efficient schools and educational facilities. For many years Mr. Smith was a faithful and influen- tial member of the school board in Dora township, this county, and during several terms of office he was chairman of the township board of supervisors, as well as having served in his usual able manner as township treasurer, for many years. Politically, Mr. Smith is an ardent Republican. In church circles George W. Smith is well known, his activity as a member and as an official of the Presbyterian church of this community being an important part in the religious life of Dora township.
PETER HANSEN.
Born in Sweden on February 24. 1855. Peter Hansen, a successful farmer of Nidaros township, this county, is the son of Hans and Mary Anderson, who spent their entire lives in their native land. Hans Anderson (lied in 1870 and his wife in 1901. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom two, Andrew and Johanna, the eldest and youngest, are deceased. The living children are Peter, the subject of this sketch, Ole, Magnus, Nels and Anna.
Peter Hansen was educated in Sweden and in 1892 came to America and, for five years, or until 1897, worked on a farm in Otter Tail county. In 1897 Mr. Ilansen purchased one hundred and fifty-five acres of land in section 25, of Clitherall township. There he erected a house and barn and
829
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
erected all of the buildings which are now standing on the farm. These buildings include a good house and barn. Mr. Hansen is a progressive farmer in every respect. He has made a splendid success of general farm- ing and stock raising.
In 1882, several years before coming to America, Peter Hansen was married in Sweden to Anna Hansen, who was born in Sweden in 1862, the daughter of Matthias and Anna Swensen, who never came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hansen have seven children, Albin, Hilda, Selma, Ellen, Fred, Esther and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen are members of the Swedish Lutheran church at Eagle Lake. Mr. Hansen has never taken any special part in politics, but is interested in local affairs and has given his time and energy to the promotion of public improvements and to matters affecting the general welfare. He is a well-known and popular citizen and is well liked by all who know him.
MARTIN MORTENSON.
Born on the farm where he now resides in Tordenskjold township, August 26, 1886, Martin Mortenson, a successful young farmer of Otter Tail county is the son of Jeppe and Marie (Larson) Mortensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. The father came to this county in 1863 and the mother in 1869.
Jeppe Mortenson came immediately to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, after arriving in America. Here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tordenskjold township. After clearing a place for a home he erected a small log cabin with a sod roof, and there lived as a bachelor for six years. He was then married and continued living on the farm. Gradually he cleared different parts of the farm and in the meantime mar- keted all his produce and bought all of his supplies at St. Cloud. During this period of his life the Indians were plentiful in the vicinity, but were entirely friendly. Here he lived until his death in 1910, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife died in the spring of 1914, at the age of about seventy years. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and Jeppe Mortenson was one of the founders of the church in Tordenskjold township. Prior to coming to this country he had served in the Danish army. To Jeppe and Marie Mortenson were born two children, Martin and Christena, the latter of whom is the wife of Emil Holbeck, of Dane Prairie township.
Martin Mortenson received his education in the common schools of Otter Tail county, and was reared on his father's farm. Being the only son he naturally took up farming and during his father's declining years oper- ated the farm, and finally he purchased the interests of his sister in the home
830
OTTER TAIL COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
farm and erected modern farm buildings and made other substantial improvements on the home place. Mr. Mortenson has made a splendid suc- cess as a breeder of pure-blood Holstein and Shorthorn cattle, as well as Chester White hogs. He is a prominent stockholder and director of the Underwood Creamery Company.
In July, 1910, Martin Mortenson was married to Carrie Nygaard, a native of Norway and the daughter of Rasmus Rusmussen, but the adopted daughter of Nils Olson Nygaard. Both of Mrs. Mortenson's parents died when she was a small girl, and she was brought to America by her adopted parents. Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson are the parents of two children, Joseph, born on February 21, 1911, and Carter, born on September 16, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson are members of the Lutheran church, in which they take an active and interested part. Fraternally. Mr. Mortenson is a member of the Danish Brotherhood. He is independent in politics.
LEWIS HANSON.
Born on March 20, 1867, the late Lewis Hanson, who was a well-to-do farmer of Everts township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was a son of Andrew and Martha ( Erickson ) Hanson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Andrew Hanson was born in Norway in 1834, and Martha Erick- son was born in the same country on July 4. 1839. They were married in Norway, and in pioneer times emigrated to America and settled in Grant county, Minnesota. They were also pioneer settlers in Otter Tail county, where they removed from Grant county. They took a homestead in St. Olaf township, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and bought three hundred and twenty acres in sections 8 and 9, about 1880. Lewis Hanson's parents are still living on the old homestead in St. Olaf township. Andrew Hanson broke up his land from the raw prairie, and made many substantial improvements on the place and is now living retired. He and his good wife are members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Lewis was the fourth child. The others are John Edward, Tilda, Fred, Anne, John, Carl and Anton.
Lewis Hanson was educated principally in the schools of Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He came to Everts township with his parents, and located on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he purchased of his father, and here he lived until his death in 1913.
On January 21, 1893, Lewis Hanson was married to Nettie Dahl, who was born in Everts township on May 22, 1872, and who is a daughter of Ole 11. and Karen ( Glende ) Dahl, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1847 and the latter in 1848. Ole Dahl and Karen Glende
831
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
hoth came to America and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1871, and were married in this county. After their marriage, Mrs. Hanson's father purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in section 17, in Everts township. He died on this farm in 1882. His widow is now living, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of three chil- dren, Nettie, Andrew, and Sophia, who is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hanson are the parents of four children: Ole A., born on November 27, 1893, lives at home on the farm; Clarence M., June 7, 1897, also lives at home; Clara, December 9, 1899; Mathilda, February II, 1904.
The late Lewis Hanson made many improvements upon his farm in Everts township. In 1898 he built a magnificent residence, and in addition to the erection of many good farm buildings he also fenced his farm and installed a good system of drainage. Mr. Hanson was well known in the community where he spent a great deal of his life. His widow is still living on the farm, and is a highly respected and refined woman.
ANDREW DIETLEIN.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Dead Lake town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Andrew Dietlein, who was born in Edna township, this county, on May 30, 1878, the son of Philip and Chris- tiana (Eixtine) Dietlein, natives of Germany, the former born in 1856, the latter in 1858. Philip Dietlein came to America when a young man and following his marriage at New York City, came to Otter Tail county and settled in Edna township, where he homesteaded forty acres of land, a place which he later sold and then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Edna township, where he now lives. Philip and Christiana Dietlein are the parents of the following children: Mary, Andrew, Peter, Maggie (deceased ), Ignatius, Nicholas, Matilda, Barbara. Dora, Sophia, Annie and Robert.
Andrew Dietlein was educated in the public schools of Perham town- ship, Otter Tail county, and in the schools of Edna township, after which he worked as a farmi helper for some time and then, in 1903. he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 8, Dead Lake township, where he is now engaged in general farming and in stock raising, together with the operating of a threshing machine throughout the community.
During the year 1903, Andrew Dietlein was married to Johanna Sinelz. who was born in Rush Lake township, in 1879, the daughter of Henry and Katherina Smelz, of Perham township. To the marriage of Andrew and Johanna Dietlein have been horn five children: Maggie, Rosie, Mary, Henry
832
OTIER TMIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
( deceased ), and Tillie. Mr. Dietlein and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. Johanna, the wife of Andrew Dietlein died on May 24, 1912.
NIELS THYGESEN.
Niels Thygesen, who has been a prominent citizen of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, ever since coming to this county nearly fifty years ago, was born in Denmark on August 29, 1841. His old home was a part of Denmark and is now a German possession.
Mr. Thygesen's parents, l'eter Jessen and Inger ( Hansen) Thygesen, spent their entire lives in their native land and were farmers by occupation. They had seven children, of whom Niels was the fifth born. The other chil- dren, in the order of their birth, were Maren, who married Hans Nissen and who died in Denmark ; Thomas, who was a soldier in the War of 1864 and who died in Denmark about 1895; Hans, also a soldier in the Danish- German War of 1864, died in Denmark a few years after the war; Maria, who married Hans Nelson and died in Denmark; Anders, when last heard from, was a resident of New Zealand, and Christian, whose residence is unknown.
Niels Thygesen was educated in the common schools of his native land and, when he had reached his majority, entered the Danish army, serving in the war between Denmark and Germany in 1864 and 1865. He served as a marine in the coast defense at Mellemfort, and, after the war, returned home and worked as a laborer. He did not prosper, however, under Ger- man rule, since that country had captured the part of Denmark where he had previously lived. In 1866 Mr. Thygesen came to America and, for a time, lived at Carson, a small town west of Rochester, Minnesota, on the terminus of the railroad at that time. Afterward he spent two years at Winona.
It was in 1866 that Mr. Thygesen came to America. He spent eleven weeks and three days on a sailing vessel, sailing from Hamburg and landing in New York City on February 3, of the same year. During the voyage he suffered a great many hardships. The rudder of the ship was broken and the ship was torn almost to pieces by a storm. The ship drifted south to the equator and forty-six people died of the heat at Christmas time. Although Mr. Thygesen himself was very sick, he recovered. From New York City he went by rail as far west as he could travel and at that time the extreme western terminal of the railroad was Carson, Minnesota. At Carson Mr. Thygesen was employed on a farm. At Winona, Minnesota, he worked as a fireman on a steamboat.
In April, 1868, Mr. Thygesen came to Otter Tail county, bringing with
EARLY HOME OF NIELS THYGESEN. One of the First Houses in Dane Prairie Township.
MR. AND MRS. NIELS THYGESEN.
833
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
him an ox team. After arriving in this county he homesteaded one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land in Dane Prairie township and was one of the first homesteaders in the township. The land was covered partially with timber and Mr. Thygesen broke and cleared his land. His first log house had a sod roof. About fifteen years later this house was replaced by a frame house, a part of which is still standing. Mr. Thygesen lived on this farm for about thirty-five years and then sold out and purchased one hun- dred and ten acres one-half mile north of his original farm. He was engaged in general farming and stock raising. He sold the farm, however, in 1912, but remained upon it until 1913. when he moved to Underwood and pur- chased the home where he now lives retired.
About 1871 Niels Thygesen was married to Christine Jensen, a native of Denmark and the daughter of Ole Hansen, who died in Denmark. There were no children born to this marriage. In 1906, Mr. Thygesen was mar- ried to Olea Randine Olson, a native of Norway and the daughter of Ole Christian Olson, who died in his native land. Mrs. Thygesen came to America about 1899.
When Niels Thygesen first came to Minnesota, Indians were plentiful in this state and for some years afterward. Generally they were friendly, but on one April morning when Mr. Thygesen was working in the field with his oxen, his little dog came out barking and teasing his master to return to the house. Mr. Thygesen unhitched his oxen and went home. On reaching the house he overheard some Indians talking and found their guns standing by a tree. He went indoors and greeted them as though he was a stranger. There were two Indians who were busily engaged in helping themselves to the flour which he had purchased at Alexandria and for which he had paid fourteen dollars a barrel. Watching his opportunity he seized his revolver from the wall and ordered them to put the flour back. They obeyed and he ordered them to leave the premises. Fearing he had been too harsh, Mr. Thygesen gave them a half loaf of bread and they went away highly pleased, calling him a good man and never molested him any more. Bears were plentiful in the pioneer days of the state and were sometimes dangerous. When Mr. Thygesen was duck hunting one October evening, about twenty rods north of the house in a thicket, he met a bear and two cubs. He followed them for some distance with nothing but a shot gun and knew that he could not get another gun. Finally he shot one of the cubs and the old bear attacked him. Mr. Thygesen ran and the dog attacked the bear, during which time Mr. Thygesen escaped. The bear was pursued by Mr. Thygesen and a neighbor, but it was not found.
For many years Niels Thygesen was active in the councils of the Repub- (53b)
834
OTTER TAIL. COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
lican party in this township. It was in his house, in fact, that Dane Prairie township was organized. He was appointed by the county board as the first assessor of Buse, Aastad and Dane Prairie townships and was elected the first assessor of Dane Prairie. He has held all the township offices and was re-elected many times to the position of assessor of Dane Prairie town- ship. He also served several terms on the board of supervisors and in all of this period never sought office. Both Mr. Thygesen and his second wife are active in the Free Lutheran church of Tordenskjold township. The services were held in his house before the church was erected.
Niels Thygesen is a worthy citizen of this great state, a man who is most cordial in all of his relations with his neighbors and who enjoys the confidence of many friends made in the course of a long residence in this county.
FRANK B. SAUNDERS.
Frank B. Saunders is a son of one of the pioneers of Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and himself has undergone many hardships incidental to pioneer life. He was born on February 29, 1856, in Osceola, Wisconsin, and is the son of J. W. Saunders and Christina ( Peterson ) Saunders, natives of Massachusetts and Smoland, Sweden, respectively. J. W. Saunders was born on August 9, 1818, in South Gardner, Massachu- setts, and his wife was born in 1832.
J. W. Saunders received his education in the public schools of his native state and in 1848 he removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he remained for one year and then changed his location to Stillwater, Washington county, Minnesota. In 1853 he purchased eighty acres of land, under the home- stead law, near Osceola, Wisconsin, and, beside operating his little farin, he also ran a grist-mill at Osceola. In 1861, he removed to Marine Mills, Washington county, Minnesota, where he was employed as a cook on a steamboat which operated on the St. Croix river until May, 1868, at which time he started for the West with a friend and they traveled on horseback. Some place between Osakis and Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, they overtook a party of road cutters and assisted in completing the road to Parkers Prairie, which work lasted for three days only. Upon his arrival in Parkers Prairie, Mr. Saunders immediately settled on a squatter's claim and soon returned to Marine Mills preparatory to moving his family to their new home. They were compelled to travel overland with horses and covered wagon and to Frank B. Saunders, who was then a lad of twelve years, befell the task of following behind with the flock of sheep, thirteen cattle and one yoke of oxen. They followed the government trail from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and encountered many hardships by the way.
835
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Money was scarce and J. W. Saunders was forced to return to Wash- ington county, Minnesota, in the winter that the family might not want the necessities of life. The farm was located a great distance from the railroad and in the Indian danger zone. Shortly after they began their residence in that locality Mr. Saunders made the journey to Sauk Center, Minnesota, for supplies. While returning home he heard the report that Indians were on the war-path and that the families were fleeing to the stockade at Sauk Center. Much excited for fear his family was in danger, he hurried home to find them all safe and determined to stay and protect their home. After a hasty consultation they decided this was the best policy and were delighted to discover that the report had been a false one. In 1882 Mr. Saunders received the deed from the government to the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and the family continued to reside on this place, in Eastern township, until his death. There were six children in the family and their names fol- low : Frank B., Lillie, Emma, Arthur, Eva and Charles. J. W. Saunders and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Politically, he was a member of the Prohibition party and an ardent supporter of same.
Frank B. Saunders received his education in the common schools of Washington county, Minnesota, and in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county. When a boy of fourteen he returned to Washington county, Minnesota, where he was employed in the lumber business and his earnings were given for the support of the family he had left in Otter Tail county, this support continuing for eight years. However, he continued in the lumber business until he was twenty-eight years of age and then returned to Otter Tail county, and purchased the old home, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and also purchased eighty acres more which was added to the original holdings, making a total of two hundred and forty acres with which to begin his agricultural operations. The farm now consists of four hundred acres. In February. 1889. he engaged in the hardware and implement busi- ness under the firm name of Saunders & Post, which partnership continued for five years. In 1894, Frank B. Saunders sold his interest in the business to Mr. Post and almost immediately entered into a partnership with J. A. Johnson under the firm nanie of Saunders & Johnson. In 1912 the part- nership was changed and became Saunders & Son. In connection with the general hardware and implement business which they conduct, they also do a prosperous automobile business.
On April 2, 1882, Frank B. Saunders was united in marriage to Vina Lamb and to their union four children have been born: Roy J., Lula .1., Benjamin H. and Winefred. Vina (Lamb) Saunders passed away in September, 1908. She was the daughter of Smith Lamb and her birth occurred on May 18. 1856. Frank B. Saunders is a member of the Baptist
836
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
church in which he serves the congregation as a director. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has served his community as county commissioner. He was elected in 1886 and served until 1890. He is very active on all ques- tions pertaining to the welfare of his fellow citizens and has many friends.
ED C. GRANRUD.
Ed C. Granrud was born on the Granrud homestead in Trondhjem township, December 21, 1889, the son of Christian and Dena (Quamme) Granrud. Christian Granrud was born in Norway, December 21, 1859, the son of Even and Kari Granrud, and Dena Quamme was born in Norway, February 12, 1870, the daughter of Rogland and Maria (Fraas) Quamme.
Even Granrud was a native of Norway, in which country he married, and about the year 1864 came to America and settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for about two years and then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 1, of Trondhjem township, a place which he cleared of the wild timber and the prairie soil of which he broke up, then built a log house in which he lived for some time, later building a frame house, which was the first house of the kind to be erected in the community, Even Granrud living in this house as a farmer until his death, in the fall of the year 1899. Kari Granrud died in the spring of the year 1893. Even and Kari Granrud were the parents of the following children: Ole, who lives in Erhards Grove township, where he is a farmer; Even, who is a farmer and music teacher, living in Erhards Grove township; Martin, a farmer who died in Pelican township; Christian, father of the subject of this sketch; John, who is a professor of languages at the University of Minnesota, and two children who died in Norway, while infants.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.