USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 91
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By his marriage to Marie Hansen two children were born to Jorgen Jensen-Soren and Marie. The mother of these children died in 1882, and the following year Mr. Jensen was married to Johanna Hansen, a sister of his first wife, and to this union two children were born. Jens, Jr., and Carrie. Of these children, Jens was born in 1884, and received his educa- tion in the public schools, and is now engaged in the real estate business at Henning, Minnesota. Carrie was born in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. on February 1. 1887, and was educated in the public schools and also in
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the normal school at Moorhead. She taught in the public schools for some time, and on September 25, 1910, was married to Willie Jensen, of Tordenskjold township, and to this union have been born three children, Rudolph, Erwin and Evelyn.
The late Jorgen Jensen was never active in politics, but voted inde- pendently and supported measures and men rather than parties and party emblems. He was a faithful and earnest member of the Lutheran church and was a regular attendant of religious services. His widow and family are also members of the same denomination.
BERNHARD MATTSON.
Bernhard Mattson, a well-known and popular young farmer of Dane Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of the township where he lives and was born on January 5. 1874. Mr. Mattson is the son of Peter and Anna ( Arneson) Mattson, the former of whom was born on November 3, 1820, in Sweden, and the latter was born on March 6, 1842, in Norway. They came to America before their marriage, the father in 1865 and the mother in 1867. They were married in Minneapolis, although the father, for a time, had lived in Milwaukee. Mrs. Peter Mattson had come directly to Minneapolis after her arrival in this country. In 1869 they moved to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and seventy- six acres of land in Dane Prarie township, which was, at that time, a wilderness. Here he built a log house east of his present home and began clearing the home place.
In the summer of 1870, Peter Mattson returned to Minneapolis and worked in a saw-mill, but in the fall came back again and that winter engaged in clearing his land. Later he sold forty-seven acres, but kept the re- mainder of the farm until his death in 1900, when he was eighty years old. He was an ardent Republican and a member of the Swan Lake Lutheran church, of which he was a founder. He is buried in the cemetery near that church. His widow is still living and has been a devout church worker all of her life. They were the parents of seven children: Matilda, who is unmarried and lives at home; Amelia, who died in 1900; Bernhard, the subject of this sketch; Pauline, who is unmarried and lives at home ; August, who was a farmer near Ryder, North Dakota, until 1915, is now employed in an elevator: Albert, who died in infancy in 1880, and Albert, who is a carpenter of Fergus Falls.
Bernhard Mattson was educated in the common schools of this county and at the Fergus Falls high school, as well as the Park Region Lutheran College and at the United Church Seminary. After completing his edu- cation, Mr. Mattson returned to the farm and assisted his father in its
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management until his death. Since that time, he has been operating the farm alone.
Mr. Mattson is unmarried. He is a member of the Swan Lake Luth- eran church and is independent in politics. He served one year as assessor and has served as clerk of Dane Prairie township since 1908. He has given to the people of this township a most creditable administration and today enjoys the confidence and esteem of a host of friends.
ANTON CHRISTIANSON.
One of the most widely and favorably known citizens of Otter Tail county and of the town of Vining, is Anton Christianson, who as a man affiliated with some of the important business enterprises and as the occu- pant of various public offices, together with the fulfilling of a prominent place in the ranks of common citizenship, has long been recognized as a conspicuous element in local circles.
Anton Christianson was born in Bendalen, Nordland, Norway, on March 5, 1863, the son of Christian Olson and Gunhild Anderson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the father being born in Gudbransdalen, during the year 1827, and the mother born in Valders, during the year 1826. Christian and Gunhild Olson were married in the district of Ben- dalen and about the year 1870 they moved to Folden in the district of Nam- dalen, where they lived until the year 1883, on a farm owned by Christian Olson, after which Christian Olson provided for his wife in Norway, and came to America, settling in section 23, of Nidoras township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he bought eighty acres of railroad land, which he improved and on which he built necessary buildings and then, in the year 1884, sent for his family, who were in their native land. On this farm Christian Olson lived until his death in the year 1909, he being eighty-two years of age at that time. His wife, Gunhild Olson, preceded her husband in death about ten years. Christian Olson was one of Nidaros county's best citizens, a man who, though of a quiet and retiring disposition, none the less filled his place in life well and in such a manner that his memory is today revered as one of those men who did no small part in the develop- ment and promotion of the county and its interests. Mr. Olson and his good wife were faithful members of the West Nidaros Lutheran church. The remains of Christian and Gunhild Olson were laid to rest in the town cemetery of Vining. To the marriage of Christian Olson and Gunhild Anderson were born the following children: Iver, a sailor, who was drowned at sea when twenty-four years of age: Anton, the subject of this sketch, who has a half brother, Halvorson, who now lives two miles south-
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east of Vining, where he is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivates.
Anton Christianson was educated in the public schools of Norway. after which he worked on the home farm for a time and then became a sailor, cruising along the northern coast of Norway, on various fishing vessels, until the year 1884, when being twenty-one years of age, he came to America and helped his father on the farm, which he had established in Nidaros township, Otter Tail county, and then, in the year 1887, Anton Christianson bought a farm of eighty acres in section 5, Foklen township. where he lived for ten years, during which time he cleared his land and placed thereon many improvements, making the farm one of the modern and convenient places for the following of agricultural pursuits in the local- ity. Later Anton Christianson sold his farm to the firm of Nyhus & Lund, of Vining, and returned to the farm of his father where he farmed until the death of Christian Olson and then Anton Christianson purchased the interest of the heirs to his father's estate and secured the home farm, on which he lived until the year 1914, having in the meantime added to the home place forty acres of land located nearby. During the year 1914, Anton Christianson invested in seven acres of land, a part of which was within the town limits of Vining, and here erected a good house and barn, a place where he now lives.
On December 9. 1908, Anton Christianson was appointed United States rural mail carrier for route No. 2, now No. 1, which operates from the town of Vining, a position which he now occupies, giving to his patrons prompt and efficient service at all times. While engaged in the mail service. Anton Christianson has found time to care for other business interests, among which is the office of a director with the Rural Telephone Company. a corporation in the conduct of whose affairs he has taken an important and valuable part.
During the year 1887. Anton Christianson was married to Mala H. Spiten, who was born in Norway, and who died in the year 1896, being the mother of the following children, who with her husband, survived : Gina, who died at the age of two years: Herbert, of the home farm, who married Clara Sandal, and to whom were born, Myrtle, aged two years, and Ethel, aged seven months; Conrad, who lives in the state of North Dakota : Mable, who died at the age of six months, and Malfred.
On October 21, 1897. Anton Christianson, was married, secondly, to Caroline Rosenlund, who was born in Denmark and when seven years of age came to America, with her parents. To the marriage of Anton and . Caroline Christianson were born the following children: Jennie, Mabel, Melvin, Harry, George, Annie, Clifford and Adeline.
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Anton Christianson has been the occupant of several important offices in the township, among which was that of clerk of the school district, direc- tor of the affairs of the school district. and road overseer. Mr. Christian- son has taken a leading part in the work and worship of the Norwegian Lutheran church, at Vining, giving of his time and interest to the teaching of a Sunday-school class and to the other activities of the congregation. Anton Christianson is affiliated with the society of the Sons of Norway and has been active in the conduct of the affairs of this organization.
JACOB THOMPSON.
Although the immediate subject of this sketch has passed from the land of the living, he is still remembered by friends and neighbors near his home in Tordenskjold township. where his widow still resides. He was a man of kindly nature, who easily made friends, and was possessed of such integrity and industry as won for him the respect of all who knew him. By his labors he made for his family a comfortable home, practically hewing it out of the wilderness.
Jacob Thompson was born in Larwick, Norway, and when a boy of sixteen years, ran away to sea. He was on the sea during the years of the Civil War of this country and was on a vessel captured by the Confed- erates and held a prisoner for some time. Upon his release, after the close of the war, he came to Minnesota and settled in Otter Tail county, homesteading a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Tordenskjold town- ship. He later purchased twelve additional acres and was possessed of one hundred and seventy-two acres at the time of his death, which occurred on June 3. 1890. His land was all covered with forest when he obtained it and he cleared it all and made other great improvements, the house which he originally built still standing.
On August 6, 1871. Jacob Thompson was united in marriage with Martha Torstenson, who was born in Norway, June 24, 1847. a daughter of Torsten and Mallena Torstenson. The family came to America in 1860 and located in Otter Tail county, where they lived for a great many years. To Jacob Thompson and wife were born five children. Thom, the eldest, lives in Underwood, where he is a drayman : Matilda is the wife of William Mags of Sauk Center, this state; Annetta married Andrew Olson and lives in Fergus Falls; Theo is Mrs. John Lindeblo, of Raymon, Montana, and Julius, the youngest of the family, follows the trade of blacksmith and makes his home with his mother. Both Jacob Thompson and his wife were mem- bers of the Lutheran church and were active in the early years of that faith in this vicinity, as she still is. He was an excellent man and left to his children that richest of all heritages-a good name.
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JOHN G. NELSON.
It may be truthfully said that Otter Tail county has no citizen of whom she has more reason to be proud than John G. Nelson, who carries with him the distinction, now left to few men, of having served in the Federal army during the Civil War. The example furnished by his life is not only an enviable one, but of inspiring character. His influence during an emin- ently industrious life has made for the prosperity of the community whose business interests he has ever held close to his heart. John G. Nelson, who is known throughout the county in which he lives as Senator Nelson, was born on the 16th of March, 1844, in Fureby, Sweden, and is the sixth in order of birth of the children of N. D. Anderson and Martha Johnson, both of whom were born in Sweden between the years 1807 and 1808. The father of the subject of this sketch, who followed the occupation of a farmer in his native land, came to this country in 1854. bringing with him his wife and their seven children, one of the sons having died in Sweden before the family set sail. Upon arriving in this country the family located in Chiscago county, Minnesota, where the father bought two hundred acres of land for farming purposes, and where he lived until his death, which occurred in September, 1869. Two of the daughters, Helena and Char- lotta, died in 1855, aged seventeen and nineteen years respectively. Two other daughters, Christina and Josephine, married and lived in Chiscago county. Christina died in 1896. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Nelson, mother of John G. Nelson, the subject of this sketch, came to Otter Tail county and lived the remainder of her life with her three sons, Anders P., John G. and Peter ()., dying in 1889.
The early education received by John G. Nelson was obtained in the common schools of his native land and in the schools of Chiscago county, Minnesota. As a young man he worked on his father's farm and also at the lumber business whose interests carried him regularly on trips down the St. Croix river.
On August 15. 1862, the subject of this sketch unhesitatingly laid aside his business duties and offered his services to save the government. which at that time was in great danger. He enlisted in Company C. Sev- enth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and during the first four months of service was assigned to Ft. Ripley to guard against attacks by the Chippewa Indians at that point. The government man agreeable settle- ment at the Chippewa agency with the Indians and Hole-in-the-Day, their chief, after leaving Ft. Ripley, the regiment went to Ft. Snelling and then to Mankato, Minnesota, where the company guarded a number of Sioux Indian prisoners. During the months spent in this locality John G. Nelson had some of the most thrilling experiences of the war. During Christmas
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day and the day following the subject of this sketch was on duty for forty- eight hours, on account of trouble with thirty-eight of the Indians who were sentenced to be hanged on the 26th of December. The company had charge of building the scaffold where all of the thirty-eight Indians were put to death at the same time on that date. After the hanging had taken place the regiment guarded the remaining Indians until May of the follow- ing year when they took the prisoners by boat from Mankato to Daven- port, lowa, where they were stockaded in charge of Major Anderson. After the return of the company to Mankato they with the balance of the regi- mient started on what is known in history as the Indian Expedition of 1863. uncler General Sibley. They marched first to a point about forty miles southeast of Devils Lake, N. D., where they camped. From this camp a detail of two companies of infantry, one company of cavalry, and two field pieces went to Devils lake, where they expected to meet in battle Indians who were reported to be there. In the meantime the main part of the regi- mient proceeded on to the Missouri river where they fought the battle of Big Mound on July 24. Mr. Nelson was with the detail sent to Devils lake. On their arrival there, only the son of Little Crow was found, and the detail returned to the camp, where they were rejoined by the regiment. and camp was broken for the long march back to Ft. Snelling.
They remained at the fort only a short time before leaving for St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained until spring. Upon leaving the West the regiment went to Paducah, Kentucky, where they were in camp three weeks and then attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps, at that time in com- mand of Gen. A. J. Smith. The next march was to Memphis, Tennessee, and from there to Tupelo, Mississippi, where the regiment fought in the battle of Tupelo, in which General Forrest, the until-then unconquered Con- federate general, was decisively defeated in a battle hard fought and last- ing three days. They then returned to Memphis for a few days and took part in the Oxford raid. After the Oxford raid, Smith's army started on what is known as Price's raid through Missouri and Arkansas. The army struck the Mississippi river at Cape Girardeau. From there transports were taken to St. Louis. This was in the latter part of November. From St. Louis the army went to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving there on the Ist of December, and there joined General Thomas in the defense of Nashville against General Hood. On the 15th day of December, 1864, General Thomas made the attack which lasted two days, General Hood being defeated both days. The Southern army under Hood was completely defeated and this was the turning point in the Western campaign. After this battle they marched to East Port, Mississippi, where they camped for two months. It the end of that time they left for Vicksburg and from there by boat to
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New Orleans. Here on Andrew Jackson's old battle ground they camped for two weeks. They spent two weeks on Dauphine Island, to which place they had been transported, and at the end of that time went to Fish River. Alabama.
Mr. Nelson had part in the siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, which lasted two weeks. After the siege the army marched to Blakely where they defeated a Confederate force in what was the last battle of the Civil War. being fought several days after the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomat- tox. From there they marched to Montgomery, Alabama, remaining there two weeks, and then to Selma where they stayed two months. While at Selma, the order was received by the Seventh Minnesota to return home. The return trip was by rail to Jackson. Mississippi, from where they marched to Vicksburg, and from there to Ft. Snelling the transportation was by boat. During all these perilous engagements, John G. Nelson escaped without injury, and remained with the regiment from the time they fired the first shot until he received his discharge in August, 1865. In the battle of Span- ish Fort, Mr. Nelson, who was with his company on the skirmish line when the fort opened fire, stepped behind a large tree from which place he began to return their shots. The fire of the fort so filled the air and swept the ground that when the company was relieved there was nothing left of the protecting tree but a ten foot snag. Mr. Nelson looks upon this incident as one of the most dangerous in his career as a soldier.
After the war the subject of this sketch returned to Chisago county, Minnesota, where for a time he was interested in farming and in the lum- ber business. In the summer of 1868, he came to Otter Tail county, and located on the place where he now resides in Parkers Prairie township. The farm is located in section 17. and since the time of its purchase has been extended over an area of two hundred and fifteen acres. The place in its original state was a tract of wilderness, and the owner is the only pioneer of that section now living, who had part in the development of the com- munity at that time.
On the 23rd of August, 1862, John G. Nelson was united in marriage to Caroline Lindquist, and to this union one son. Ernest P., was born on the 26th of August. 1863, who met his death on May 18, 1910, in an explo- sion from a gas engine in Carmangay, Alberta, Canada, where he had charge of a range of elevators. He was survived by his wife, Stella (DeMars) Nelson, and two children. Elise and Ernestine. The second marriage of the subject of this sketch took place when he was united to Alma M. Carlson, who became the mother of one son, Daniel E., who was born on the 15th day of July. 1904. just forty years after his father fired the first shot at the battle of Tupelo.
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While the career of John G. Nelson as a soldier has been a notable one, it is probably as a politician and a member of the Republican party, that he has received his greatest distinction. In 1872 he was elected sena- tor, and is known throughout the state in which he lives as the "first sena- tor of Otter Tail county." He served in two sessions as senator, and in 1882 received additional honors by being chosen to serve as representative. He has held various offices of public trust in the township, and from 1871 to 1872 served as county commissioner. Senator Nelson is a man who stands out as a member of the "old school" and in his various activities has left an indelible influence upon those whose lives have been touched by his.
GUNERIUS LARSON.
Gunerius Larson, who is a prosperous farmer of Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and who owns a farm, maintained in a very high state of repair and cultivation, was born on July 24, 1868, in Norway.
Gunerius Larson is a son of Lars Sogge and Karen ( Lesseth) Larson. both of whom were also natives of Norway, the former born in 1830, and the latter on May 26, 1836. In 1881 Mr. Larson's parents came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where the father worked at his trade as a carpenter. He owned some eighty acres of school land for a time, but lived in Fergus Falls for about two years, after which he located in Sverdrup township, and spent his last days at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. His death occurred in 1897 at the latter place, while his wife passed away at Rainer, Oregon, in IQII. They were the parents of seven children, as follow : Anna, Hans Theodore, Gunerius, Ludwig, Julia, Inga and Helmer, all of whom are living.
Gunerius Larson received a liberal education in the public schools of his native country, and in 1885, came to America, locating in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. In 1892 he purchased the farm where he now lives. This farm is located in Sverdrup township, and here Mr. Larson carries on a general system of farming and stock raising with a very commendable degree of success.
On November 3. 1892, Gunerius Larson was married to Hausine John- son, who was born on July 9, 1876, in Calumet, Michigan, and who is a daughter of Hans and Gunhild ( Svenson) Johnson, both of whom were born in Norway. Mrs. Larson's father was born on June 26, 1844, and her mother on January 13, 1852. Hans Johnson and wife came from their native land to the United States in the early seventies, settling at Calumet, where he died in the spring of 1876, while his wife survived him several years, passing away in 1881. Previous to this, in 1880, Mrs. Lar- son's mother had come to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where her parents.
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Svend Jacobson and Anna ( Peterson ) Jacobson, both of whom were also natives of, Norway, had located in an early day, and were pioneers of Tor- denskjold township. Svend Jacobson died here in 1902, and his wife in 1893. They were the parents of one child, who was Mrs. Larson's mother. Mrs. Larson was one of three children born to her parents, the others being Anna and Hannah, the latter of whom is deceased. Mrs. Larson's mater- nal grandparents came from Norway to Calumet county, Michigan, in 1865. and to Otter Tail county in 1871.
Gunerius Larson and wife are the parents of eight children, one of whom, Dagny, is deceased. The living children in the order of their birth are as follow : Gladys, Lillian, Stella, Roy, Mildred, Doris and Alpha.
Mr. and Mrs. Larson are faithful and earnest members of the Luth- eran church, and take an active interest in religious work. They are highly respected citizens of Sverdrup township.
HON. ORRIS ALBERTSON.
Among the oldest citizens of Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and among the most prominent citizens of the county, is the Hon. Orris Albertson, former sheriff of Otter Tail county, who has been engaged in many lines of endeavor and who, for many years, was engaged in the mer- cantile business at Battle Lake.
Orris Albertson was born in Jefferson county, New York, near Theresa, January 5, 1850, and is the son of Josiah and Rhoda ( Riggins ) Albertson, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. Mr. Albertson's father was born on March 29, 1809, and his mother on May 6, 1813. The former was a glass- blower, who moved to Jefferson county, New York, but who, before that, lived in Oneida county, at Sand Lake, where he followed his trade. From Oneida he moved to Redwood, Jefferson county, where he also followed his trade. Subsequently, however, he bought a farm near Theresa and later another farm near the first farm. Both he and his wife died in that county. He was a Republican in politics and voted for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of nine children, of whom, Samuel, Josiah, Mary, William and Emma, are deceased. The living children are Margaret, Orris, Sarah and Lewis.
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