USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 94
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Skarsbo. Truls Ellingson is a son of Elling Olson and Leva Trulson, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1819, and the latter in 1816. They came to Houston county in 1861, and in 1864 the grandmother of Mrs. Skarsbo died in that county, and in 1870 her grandfather removed to Grant county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. About 1876 he removed to Nidaros township, Otter Tail county, and here lived with his son, Jens Ellingson, until his death in 1912. Elling Olson and wife were the parents of four children, Carrie, Truls, Ole and Jens. Mrs. Skarsbo's mother died in 1908. There were eight children in the Ellingson family, as follow: Edding, Tolena, Helmer, Lizzie, Clara, Helma, Ole B. and Sarah Matilda, all of whom are living with the excep- tion of Ole B.
Mr. Skarsbo and family are active members of the Lutheran church, in which denomination the parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Skarsbo were also very active and prominent during their lives.
AUGUSTUS ROSELL BULLOCK.
Augustus Rosell Bullock, well-known farmer and prominent citizen of Dead Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, on February 26,. 1877, the son of Samuel Lewis and Sarah Ann Bullock, natives of Oswego county, New York, and Lake county, Illinois, respectively.
Samuel Lewis Bullock went to the state of Illinois with his parents, Tyler and Wealthy Maria (Cook) Bullock, who settled in Chicago, Illinois, and who later moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where Wealthy Maria Bullock died, after which Tyler Bullock came to Otter Tail county, where he died about the year 1893. Sarah Ann Bullock was the daughter of Joel and Mary Ann (Chope) Bullock, who settled in Lake county, Illinois, and then came to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they lived for a time after which they moved to Otter Tail county, and in 1879, located in Dead Lake township, where Joel Bullock secured a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he cultivated until his death in 1895. Mary Ann, the wife of Joel Bullock, died at Battle Lake, Minnesota, in 1913. Samnel Lewis Bullock, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Chicago, Illinois, after which he moved, with his parents, to Freeborn county, Min- nesota, and later to Otter Tail county, where he took up a pre-empted claim of seventy acres of land, which he later sold and then Mr. Bullock bought twenty acres of land in section 36, Dead Lake township, where he lived until his death in June, 1913. Samuel Lewis and Sarah Ann Bullock were the parents of six children, Wealthy Maria. Alice, Augustus R .. Elizabeth Ann, Charles Edward, and Marion, all of whom are now living.
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Augustus Rosell Bullock was educated in the schools of Amor town- ship, Otter Tail county, after which he became a farmer, buying forty acres of land, and later adding to his original purchase until he now owns one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land in sections 15 and 16, in Dead Lake township, where he engages in general agricultural pursuits.
On July 3, 1894, Augustus Rosell Bullock was married to Bertha Eck- ert, who was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, on September 8, 1878, the daughter of James H. and Ida Ellen (Thompson) Eckert, natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. To the marriage of Augustus Rosell and Bertha Bullock have been born two children, Elmer Owen and Loran Douglas.
Augustus Rosell Bullock has served his township as school director for seven years, is now chairman of the board of supervisors, and is a man who is recognized as a leading citizen and one who has done no little in the development of his community and its various interests.
OLE A. CHRISTENSON.
Ole A. Christenson, a prosperous farmer of Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, is a native of Norway, born there February 28, 1861. Mr. Christen- son is a son of Christian and Johanna ( Yergenson ) Severson, who were natives of Norway, and who, in 1881, settled in Chippewa county, Minne- sota, where they purchased forty acres of land. Here Mr. Christenson's father died on January 17, 1900, at the age of seventy years; his mother died in 1888, at the age of sixty-one. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, all of whom are living, and whose names in the order of their birth are as follow: Sever, George, Martin, Lizzie, Ole A., Carl and John.
Ole A. Christenson received his educational training in the schools of his native land, attending school from the age of seven until he was sixteen. In 1881 he came to America and settled in Chippewa county, Minnesota, with his parents. Here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and purchased eighty acres of school land. He also purchased another eighty- acre tract of land which he subsequently sold. In 1902 he sold all his hold- ings in Chippewa county, and moved to the state of Washington, purchasing eighty acres of land in that state. Finally, he disposed of his land in Wash- ington, and in 1905 settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Here he pur- chased fifty-five acres of land in Henning township, but three years later sold the farm and bought one hundred and thirty-two and a half acres, all within the corporation limits of Henning, except forty acres. Mr. Chris- tenson is a farmer and stockman, but has been engaged in other vocations at various times. He operated a restaurant at one time, and he now owns the building on the corner occupied by William Johnson. While a resident
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
of Chippewa county, he was supervisor of the township where he lived for five years, and chairman of the board for one year. He was also clerk of the school board for several years. While a resident of that county, he not only had a store on his farm, but was postmaster at Gletner for some years.
In 1891 Mr. Christenson was married in Chippewa county to Bertha Rear, who was born May 17, 1868, in Iowa, and is a daughter of Ole and Martha (Christoferson) Rear. Mrs. Christenson's father was born in Nor- way in 1830, and her mother in the same country in 1847. The latter was brought to America by her parents in 1850, and after living for a time in Iowa, the family finally settled in Lyon county, Minnesota, and here both her -parents died, her father in 1883. Mrs. . Christenson's father came to America when a young man and after his marriage in Iowa, emigrated to Lyon county, Minnesota, and in 1902, removed to the state of Washington, where his death occurred in 1912. His widow is still living in Washing- ton, and is a resident of Ferndale. Ole and Martha Rear were the parents of seven children, of whom, Edward, the second born, Esten A., Anna A. and Mary, the last born, are deceased. The living children are Anna Bertha, who is now Mrs. Christenson, and Marie Christena.
Mr. and Mrs. Ole A. Christenson are the parents of five children, all of whom are living, as follow: Matilda Josephine, Carl Oscar, Axel Mon- roe, Edward Andreas and Melvin Ernest.
Mr. Christenson is known in Otter Tail county, not only as a prosperous and enterprising farmer, but as a generous-minded man and citizen.
JULIUS SHIRLEY.
Julius Shirley, a well-known farmer and prominent citizen of Trondhjem township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway, on January 26, 1856, the son of Lars and Jennie Shirley, who were natives of Norway. Lars Shirley came to America, in 1869, and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he lived until 1879, and then moved to Otter Tail county, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 30, Trondhjem township, a place where Lars Shirley spent the remainder of his days.
Julius Shirley was educated in the schools of Norway, after which he came to America and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, living there until 1879, when he went with his parents to Minnesota and located in Otter Tail county, where he bought two hundred acres of land in section 29, Trondhjem township. Mr. Shirley improved his place with substantial buildings and has since lived on his farm as a general farmer and stock raiser.
On May 9. 1884. Julius Shirley was married to Anna Wee, a native of Norway, who was born on June 2, 1861, the daughter of Erick and Mary Wee, who were born in Norway, where they lived until 1880, when they
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
came to America and located in Iowa, later moving to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and settling in Trondhjem township, where they spent their last days. To Julius and Anna Shirley have been born five children, Louis, John, Milla (deceased ), Alfred and Alma.
Julius Shirley has been active and prominently affiliated in the public and official life of Trondhjem township, he having served as clerk of the school district for some time and for more than seventeen years Mr. Shirley has been a leading member of the board of supervisors, he at the present time being the chairman of that board. In political creed Julius Shirley is independent of party.
SYVRIN PEDERSON.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Trondhjem town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Syvrin Pederson, who was born on the old Pederson homestead in Trondhjem township, Otter Tail county, on January 12, 1879, the son of A. G. and Johanna ( Opegard) Pederson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former born in 1840, and the latter born in the same year. A. G. and Johanna came to America with their par- ents and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where A. G. and Johanna Pederson were married, after which they came to Otter Tail county, and settled on three hundred acres of school land in section 35, Trondhjem town- ship, where the elder Pederson lived as a farmer for some time and then went to the states of Minnesota and North Dakota, where A. G. Pederson acquired considerable land, he at the time of his death being the owner of more than eight hundred acres of land. A. G. Pederson died in the year 1911, survived by his widow, who now lives on the home farm in Trondhjem township. A. G. and Johanna Pederson were the parents of the following children : Kari, Julia Augusta, Mollie, and Hannah, who are deceased, and Ole, Syvrin, Edwin, Thora, Henry and Melvin, who are living.
Syvrin Pederson received his early education in the common schools of Trondhjem township, after which he attended Park Region Lutheran Col- lege, and then he became a farmer, he renting one hundred and sixty acres of the home place, where he now is successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of good grade live stock.
Syvrin Pederson is one of the most active and progressive farmers of Trondhjem township, not only conducting his place after the most approved scientific methods, but he is equipped with the best of machinery and imple- ments for the conduct of his agricultural life. Although Syvrin Pederson is a public spirited citizen interested in the public welfare, he has not aspired to public office, but has preferred to serve his community as a private citizen. Mr. Pederson is unmarried.
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
BRADY BREDESON.
Brady Bredeson, a prosperous farmer of Nidaros township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway, October 18, 1865, and is the son . of Knut and Reka Bredeson, who spent all of their lives in Norway, never having come to America. They were the parents of five children, Brady, Chester, Amon, Tora and Gilbert, who is deceased.
Brady Bredeson was educated in the public schools of Norway. In 1882 he came to America and settled in Nidaros township, Otter Tail county, where he has since lived.
In 1886 Mr. Bredeson was married to Mrs. Anna Bordson, who was born in Norway and whose parents died in that country. Mrs. Bredeson was the widow of Anton Bordson, who immigrated from Norway to Amer- ica. During his life, he took a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres in Nidaros township and also purchased one hundred and twenty acres, .. which now belong to Mrs. Bredeson. By her first union, Mrs. Bredeson had two sons, Edwin, deceased, and Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Brady Bredeson have been the parents of one daughter, Clara, who died in infancy.
Mr. Bredeson has been more or less prominent in local politics and especially in educational affairs. He served as clerk of the Nidaros town- ship school board and has held other positions of trust and responsibility. He is a well-known and successful farmer, an enterprising citizen and is well liked by all of his neighbors.
CHRIST KITTELSON.
Christ Kittelson, well-known farmer of Erhards Grove township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Norway, on February 9, 1862, the son of Hans and Bertha Kittelson, both of whom were natives of Norway. In 1870, Hans Kittelson came to America and located in Waseca county, Min- nesota, where he lived for one year and then came to Otter Tail county, and homesteaded a farm in section 8, Erhards Grove township, a place which the elder Kittelson improved and to which he added eighty acres at a later time, and where he now lives. Hans and Bertha Kittelson are the parents of four children, Christ, Sophia, Mary (deceased), Anton ( deceased) and Ragena.
Following his education in the public schools of Erhards Grove town- ship, Christ Kittelson became a farmer, acquiring land from time to time until he now is the owner of four hundred acres of land, which he cultivates as a general farmer and where he engages in the raising of considerable good grade live stock.
In 1882, Christ Kittelson was married to Tilla Teringson, and to this
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marriage have been born the following children, Helmer, Albert, Hannah and Clara, all of whom are now living. In 1900 the wife of Christ Kittel- son died, and in the year 1902, Mr. Kittelson was married to Ottelia Lund. To this marriage have been born eight children, Carl, Olga, Henry, Alice, Emma, Arnold, Evalyn and Addela, all of whom are now living.
Christ Kittelson is not only successful as a farmer but he takes an active part in the public matters and general welfare of the community, now hold- ing the office of township assessor and also the office of treasurer of the school board. Mr. Kittelson has been a member of the board of supervisors for a number of years and is recognized as one of the leading citizens in the life of the township and county.
CORNELIUS GRANT CHESBOROUGH.
Cornelius G. Chesborough, a self-made man and highly respected citi- zen of Gerard township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Calu- met county, Wisconsin, where he was born on April 20, 1865. Mr. Ches- borough is a son of Cornelius and Hannah Minerva ( Aldrich ) Chesborough, both of whom were natives of New York state. Mr. Chesborough's parents emigrated from New York to Calumet county, Wisconsin, in 1848, and from there to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1891. The father died in Otter Tail county, October 28, 1898, and the mother at Bemidji, Minnesota, in 1905. They were the parents of three children, of whom Cornelius Grant was the eldest. The other two children were Mattie and Sadie.
Cornelius Chesborough, Sr., had been previously married to Isabel Aldrich, who was a sister of his second wife, and by his first marriage had two children, both of whom are deceased. One died in infancy, and the other, Inez, died at the age of three years. Cornelius Chesborough, Sr .. was a piano-maker by trade, and was employed for fourteen years in one factory in New York state, after which he engaged in farming. Early in life he was identified with the Republican party, but in later years became a member of the Prohibition party.
Cornelius G. Chesborough was reared in Wisconsin, and educated in the public schools of that state, and in the Stockbridge high school. Mr. Chesborough has always been engaged in farming. He came to Otter Tail county many years ago, arriving at Clitherall, February 1, 1887. For some time he worked as a laborer and made his home with C. J. Aldrich, a cousin, working at that time for E. E. Corliss, and later for his father-in-law, John A. Aldrich. He also worked for James H. Allen, of Gerard township. In 1898 Mr. Chesborough purchased eighty acres of land, to which he subse- quently added another eighty acres, and these two tracts of land comprise his present farm, and here Mr. Chesborough has erected a comfortable
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
home and other farm buildings and here he lives at the present time, carry- ing on a general system of farming and stock raising.
In 1892 Cornelius G. Chesborough was married to Amanda Aldrich, who was born in Rice county, Minnesota, in 1883, and who is a daughter of John A. and Amelia ( Eddy ) Aldrich, early settlers of Rice county. Cor- nelius G. Chesborough and wife are the parents of six children, Florence, Leroy, Jessie, Alice, Lawrence and Ruby, all of whom are living.
Mr. Chesborough is independent in politics. He has served as clerk of the township board, and has been otherwise prominent in local politics. He is a member of the Sverdrup Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and a stockholder in the Henning Co-operative Farmers Shipping Associa- tion. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has been a member of this order for seventeen years.
SIMON OLSON.
Simon Olson, one of the younger and most successful farmers and business men of Otter Tail county, was born on June 10, 1875, in Becker county, Minnesota, the son of Ole E. and Olena ( Hovelson ) Olson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Ole Olson was an extensive traveler before his marriage, having made the circuit of the globe. After his mar- riage he and his wife came to Otter Tail county, settling later in Becker county where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. He later sold this farm and purchased a smaller one in Cormorant township, Becker county, where he lives a retired life. They were the parents of the following children: Isabel, Edward (deceased ), Simon, Henry, Olavus (deceased ) and Sarah.
Simon Olson was reared on the old homestead and educated in the pub- lic schools of his home county, and at the Park Region Luther College at Fergus Falls. He is a successful farmer and an extensive landowner, having purchased his original farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in 1910, to which he added forty acres in 1911. He practices general farming and is an extensive stock raiser.
Simon Olson was united in marriage on June 7, 1899, to Betsey Nelsen, who was born on August 1, 1880, in Otter Tail county, and on the farm Mr. Olson now owns. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Nelsen.
Simon Olson has led an active and useful life, having served for thirteen years as a member of the school board, three years as assessor and is at present time township treasurer, which position he has held for several years. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Peli- can Rapids Telephone Company. He is also a member of the Pelican Rapids Shipping Association.
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Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of the following children: Edward Andman, born on June 5. 1900: Nester Simon, February 4, 1902; Clifford Tedmon, July 25, 1903 ; Bessie Olena, April 28, 1909, and Inez Jeneta, May 16. 1914, all of whom are living and at home. Mr. Olson and his family are active members of the Lutheran church.
JOHN H. OLSON.
John H. Olson, well-known farmer and respected citizen of Scambler township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden, on November 7, 1873, the son of Ole and Nellie (Johnson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where Ole Nelson died in 1879, after which his widow, Nellie, came to America and now lives with her son John, of this sketch. Ole and Nellie Nelson were the parents of the following children, Ellen, Peter, Nels, John H. and Charles, all of whom are living.
John H. Olson was educated in the public schools of his native country, after which he came to America and located in the state of Nebraska, where he lived as a farmer for three years. In 1903 he moved to Otter Tail county and bought eighty acres of land in section 25, Scambler township, a place to which he added land until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, where Mr. Olson now engages in general farming and stock raising. In addition to his general farm work John H. Olson makes a specialty of breeding fine grade Holstein cattle.
On December 13, 1913, John H. Olson was married to Emma Olson, who was born in Sweden, on November 16, 1874, the daughter of Ole Person and wife, who lived their entire life in Sweden, the former dying in 1913. the latter one year later.
John H. Olson is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator and Co-oper- ative Creamery Company, of Pelican Rapids, and is a man who takes an active part and interest in the development of the community.
MICHAEL EICHMILLER.
Michael Eichmiller, one of the young farmers and successful. men of affairs in Otter Tail county, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, May 22. 1873. He is the son of Michael and Barbara Eichmiller, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former being born on March 20, 1846, and the latter on August 24, 1850. The two came to the United States in 1872, locating in Carver county, where they were married, soon after taking up their residence in the new country. In 1878 they came to Candor town- ship, Otter Tail county, and here they homesteaded in section 34, after which they added to their farm until at one time they had nine hundred and nine-
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teen acres. Much of the land was sold at various times during the life of Mr. Eichmiller.
The family consisted of four children, Michael, the subject of this sketch, Philip, Augustus and Mary, all of whom are living. The father. Michael, died on November 7, 1902, and the son, Michael, and the mother live on the old homestead. consisting of three hundred and eighty-seven acres of well improved land, with good buildings, fences and other improve- ments.
Michael Eichmiller, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the pub- lic schools near the home where he was born and still resides. He was always interested in threshing and followed that occupation for twenty years. He now owns a threshing outfit of his own. Mr. Eichmiller has devoted much time and attention to the development of his well improved and highly cultivated farm. He believes in keeping his fields in a high state of cultivation and his buildings in good repair.
The Eichmillers have never been office seekers, yet the father of Mr. Eichmiller was treasurer of the school board for some time. The family is a highly respected and influential one in the township.
KNUT HANSEN.
Knut Hansen was born in Norway on June 18, 1833, and was the son of Hans and Maret Hansen, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they lived and died, the former in 1849 and the latter 1863.
Knut Hansen was educated in his native country where he lived until 1881, when he came to the United States and settled in Otter Tail county. He and Andrew Seversen purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and later added one hundred and twenty acres to their original purchase. This they farmed together for six years, after which they divided the place, each taking one hundred and forty acres. In time, Mr. Hansen added to his farm until today he has seven hundred and sixty acres. This is divided into three tracts and has three sets of buildings. On the home farm Mr. Hansen has erected a most excellent set of buildings and the farm is well improved. He practices general farming and is an extensive stock raiser.
Knut Hansen was married in Norway to Ingeberg Jensen, who was born in 1830 and died in 1876. To this union one child was born, Hans, who still lives on the home place. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hansen was married to Petrine Brekke, of Otter Tail county, but who was a native of Norway, where her mother died. Her father, Peter Brekke, came to Otter Tail county where he died some years ago. To this union three children have been born, Peter, John and Ingram. all of whom are at
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home. Mr. Hansen and his family are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Hans Hansen was born on March 3, 1874. and was educated in the schools of his home county. He is a successful farmer, but devotes a part of his time to threshing. He was married in 1901 to Regnel Sanden, who was born in Norway in 1873. Her parents still reside in that country.
Mr. and Mrs. Hansen are the parents of the following children : Hilda, Knut. Peter, Edna, Agnes, Grace, Selma, James (deceased) and James. Mr. Hansen is a man of much prominence and influence in his home county. having served for twelve years as a member of the board of supervisors and is at present their chairman.
TAYLER R. HALVERSON.
Among the younger farmers of Otter Tail county and of Tumuli town- ship who have made a success of agricultural pursuits is Tayler R. Halver- son, who was born on the Halverson homestead in Tumuli township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, September 3, 1883, the son of Robert and Tore (Serenson) Halverson, who were natives of Norway.
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