USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 97
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In 1899, Michael Dertinger was united in marriage to Barbara Weis, the daughter of Joseph Weis. Sr., a native of Ohio, who came to Rush Lake in the year 1866 as a young man and married Magtlana Doll, in August. 1865. and died March 4, 1916, age seventy-three. To this union the fol- lowing children have been born: Gregory, Loretta. Rufina, Sylvester and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Dertinger are members of the St. Henry Catholic church. In his political activities Mr. Dertinger is a member of the Repub- lican party. He has membership in the Eagles lodge, the Knights of Colum- bus and the St. Henry Society of Minnesota.
ALBERT C. TOMHAVE.
Albert C. Tomhave was born on December 16, 1878, in Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, the son of John and Anna M. (Mier) Tomhave, both natives of Germany. Albert C. Tomhave received his education in the schools of Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and upon the completion of same, assisted his father with the work on the home place until twenty-five years of age. At the age of twenty-three his father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, in Buse township, Otter Tail county, with the intention of selling it to Albert when he should reach twenty-five years of age. Upon reaching that age Albert C. Tomhave purchased the place but immediately re-sold it and rented a farm, which he operated for one year. He then purchased eighty acres of land of his father, located in Fergus Falls township, and has increased his holdings until he now has one hundred and sixty acres, all well improved. His original purchase was made in 1905 and the entire farm is devoted to general agriculture and stock raising. The barn was built in 1907 and the home in 1912. Beside the general line of production, a herd of fifteen dairy cows is kept.
In December. 1909. Albert C. Tomhave was united in marriage to Myrtle Raprager and they are the parents of two children: Erma, who was born on October 23, 1910, and Roland, who was born on June 22.
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1912. Myrtle ( Raprager ) Tomhave is the daughter of William and Nina .A. ( Blodget ) Raprager, and her birth occurred on December 18, 1887. Albert C. Tomhave and his wife attend the German Evangelical church. Politically, he is independent, and is at present overseer of roads for dis- trict No. 5. In partnership with his brother he owns and operates a thresh- ing outfit and feed grinder.
CORNELIUS HUSEBY.
Cornelius Huseby was born in Douglas county, Minnesota, May 22, 1858, the son of Ole H. and Kari Huseby, who were natives of Norway, in which country Ole H. Huseby was a farmer until the year 1864, when he came to America, and located in Winneshiek county, lowa, where he lived for about two years, then going to Douglas county, Minnesota, he lived there about one year, after which he came to Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in Eagle Lake township, a place where at that time few people lived, it being located one hundred and thirty miles from the nearest mill to which the farmers might take their grain. With a determined spirit and with hardy perseverance this pioneer farmer cleared his land and broke up the sod, cultivating his land and improving his place until it was among the desirable farms of the community, on which to pursue his general agricultural pursuits. Ole H. Huseby was twice married and to each marriage were born six children, Cornelius Huseby, the subject of this sketch, being a son of his first wife. '
Cornelius Huseby was educated in the common schools of Eagle Lake township, Otter Tail county, attending the first school to be conducted in the district, the classes of which were taught in a log cabin which was located near where the home of Mr. Huseby now stands. Following his school days Cornelius Huseby worked on the farm of his father, afterward taking possession of the farm where he now lives engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and in the raising of good grade live stock.
Cornelius Huseby was first married to Emma Hernes, of this union twins, Mervin and Mabel, being born. Afterward Cornelius Huseby was married to Martha Kulberinson, to this marriage two children, Cora and Josephine, being born. At a later time Cornelius Huseby was married to Raghnild Gulliksen, a marriage to which were born the following children : Elmer, Matilda, Hildor. Myrtle, Evline and Walton. Mr. Huseby and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, they taking an active and leading part in the work and worship of that congregation. Politically, Cornelius Huseby is an ardent Republican and although he has taken no especial part in the political or official life of the community he is
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known as a citizen whose efforts, and whose counsel and judgment in party and official matters, is of value in the solution of local problems and in the promotion of township and county interests.
CARL L. WALSETH.
Carl L. Walseth was born on May 3, 1869, in Norway, and was reared in that country and also received his education there. He is the son of Inge- bret and Maren ( Nosum) Walseth, both natives of Norway, who lived and died in that country. Ingebret Walseth was a carpenter and followed that vocation until his death in 1874. Two children were born to the union of Ingebret Walseth and his wife and their names follow : Carl L. and Bennie, who live in St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, and Minneapolis, respectively.
Carl Walseth is indebted to the schools of his native land for the edu- cation, which he received, following which he was engaged in various kinds of employment but principally as a farm hand and sailor. He immigrated to America in 1889, and immediately located in St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased the farm on which he still lives. This place is devoted to general farming and stock raising and is well improved. In March, 1906, Carl L. Walseth was united in marriage to Anna Ronningen, who was born in 1875 and is the daughter of Ole Ron- ningen, and to them have been born these children: Geneva O., Ernest M., Olga M., Carl U., and twins who have not yet been christened.
TORKEL OLSON.
Torkel Olson is a native of Norway and his birth occurred on September 29, 1845. He is the son of Ole Torkelson and Betsey Olson, both natives of Norway, who immigrated to America in 1856. Ole Torkelson was employed as a day laborer while a resident of his native land but engaged in agricul- tural pursuits during his residence in the United States. For one year he was located in Houston county, Minnesota, but removed from there to Win- neshiek county, Iowa, and thence to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, on which he established a home where he still resides.
. Torkel Olson is indebted to the schools of his native country and, also, to the schools of Iowa, for the education which he received. He was eleven years of age when he immigrated to America with his parents and only about seventeen, when he enlisted in Company D, Sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was in many skirmishes with the Indi-
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ans, notable of which was the battle at White Stone hills, in South Dakota, in which he was severely injured. After the close of the Civil War, Torkel Olson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Douglas county, Minnesota, under the homestead law, which he held for three years and then removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Soon after his arrival in this county he was given a farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, by Jacob Torkelson, and he still resides on this place which he has since improved and put in the best of condition. He was united in marriage to Carrie Ingebret- son and they are the parents of nine children, whose names follow: Ole, Ingebret, Clara, Bennie, Tilda, Henry, Thelma, Sarerno and Dena. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are active in its support. In his political faith, Torkel Olson is a stanch Republican.
CARL HANSON.
Carl Hanson is the son of Andrew and Martha ( Elius) Hanson, both natives of Norway. Andrew Hanson was born on August 11, 1832, and the birth of his wife occured on July 4. 1839. They were united in marriage on October 11, 1860, and immigrated to America in 1863, locating in Fill- more county, Minnesota, until 1865. They then removed to Grant county, Minnesota, where they remained one year, in 1866 choosing St. Olaf town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, as their permanent home and removing to that place. It was here that their son, Carl, was born on November 24. 1873, and here he has since remained. Andrew Hanson was the first to locate in this neighborhood and the roads consisted only of Indian trails. There were also elk in abundance and to witness them traveling in droves was almost an everyday occurence. During the first three years of their sojourn in St. Olaf township, Cold Springs, Minnesota, was the nearest trading point and flour was twenty dollars per barrel and potatoes were five dollars per bushel. The place was soon cleared and under cultivation, for no time could be wasted with facilities so poor and provisions so high. Andrew Hanson not only cleared the farm but put on all of the improve- ments and added to his holdings, until the farm was increased to one hun- dred and sixty acres. The names of the children born to Andrew and Martha Hanson are: Jeh, Matilda, Fred, Lewis, Anna, John F. and Carl. The family are all members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Andrew Hanson is a stanch Republican.
Carl Hanson received his education in the schools of St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and upon completion of his studies assisted his father with the work on the home place and has continued to do so until the present time, although he owns eighty acres, independently, on which he does general farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of breeding
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thoroughbred Percheron horses. His farm of eighty acres was purchased in 1895. On March 29, 1915, Carl Hanson was united in marriage to Caro- lina B. Holt, daughter of Iver Holt.
CARL LARSON RYG.
Carl Larson Ryg was born on June 23, 1868, in Norway, and is the son of Martin Larson Ryg and Matea Christenson (Olson ) Ryg, both natives of Norway. They immigrated to America in September, 1879, and located on the farm which is now the property of their son, Carl Larson Ryg, on April 24, 1880. The homestead was covered with heavy timber and entirely unimproved and the struggle for an existence was a difficult propo- sition indeed, but with thrift and the endurance, which only the pioneers knew, the place was cleared and put under cultivation and a comfortable home made. Martin Larson Ryg did general farming and stock raising until his death on January 5, 1908, at which time Carl Larson Ryg assumed full charge of the place and has farmed it on an independent basis. Matea Christenson ( Olson ) Ryg now lives with her son Carl. The names of the children born to the union of Martin Larson Ryg and his wife follow: Carl, Amie, Anna, Hannah who died at the age of four years; Inga, Ovedia, Ranga. Both parents were devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Carl Larson Ryg received a meager education in the schools of St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, following which he assisted his father with the work on the home place, where he has since remained. In 1906, he purchased forty acres of land for himself, located in St. Olaf town- ship, on which he follows general agriculture and stock raising. Religiously, he is a devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in his political affiliations is allied with the Republican party.
OLE E. BUSKRUD.
Ole E. Buskrud is a native of Norway and was born on March 16, 1857. He is the son of Elof and Emma M. Buskrud, both natives of Norway. Elof Buskrud was a farmer and followed that vocation until his death. He was the father of eight children, three of whom are residents of the United States.
Ole E. Buskrud is indebted to the schools of his native land for the education which he received. After the completion of his student days, he followed farming for a short time, later serving as an employee of a rail- road company and then he became a laborer in the nickel mines, where he worked until his immigration to America in the spring of 1879. Upon his arrival in the United States, he immediately located in St. Olaf township,
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Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he remained for a period of five years, finally removing to Clay county, Minnesota. While a resident of Clay county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the home- stead law, and cultivated that place for twelve years. He was also united in marriage, while a resdent of that county, to Gunil Jacobson and they became the parents of seven children whose names follow: Helmar, Edwin, Emma (deceased), Minnie, Olauas, Edwin ( deceased ) and Emma.
During the family's sojourn in Clay county, the mother of these child- ren passed away, after which Mr. Bruckrud returned to St. Olaf township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, where he has since remained. Some time after the death of his first wife, Ole E. Buskrud was united in marriage to Betsey Hola and they are both members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The farm consists of one hundred and eighty acres which he devotes to general agriculture and stock raising and keeps a dairy herd of ten cows. Politically, Ole E. Buskrud is affiliated with the Republican party.
SEVERT H. GULDSETH.
Severt H. Guldseth is the son of Huldor Guldseth who led a very inter- esting life, in spite of the fact that he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and was the father of a large family. Huldor Guldseth was born in Norway and had the true spirit of the hardy Norsemen. His marriage to Segred Garberg was solemnized in his native land and shortly afterward they immi- grated to America and effected a temporary residence in Spring Grove. Minnesota. In 1863, Huldor Guldseth enlisted in the Civil War and served his adopted country until the close of the conflict. In 1867 he removed to St. Olaf township Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, and farmed this land until his death. When he first located in this township, St. Cloud, Minnesota, was the nearest trading point. Mr. Guldseth made two trips back to his native country and several journeys to the state of Washington. On one of these trips to the Northwest, the return was made with a team from the state of Montana. He also made a trip to Canada with a team and upon his return was for two days without water, while crossing a desert in Montana. He was the father of these children whose names follow: Ed. Severt H., Gus- tav, Emil, who died at the age of thirteen; Joseph, Henry, who died at the age of twelve; Isabelle and Hilda. Huldor Guldseth and his wife were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and active in its support. Hul- dor Guldseth was a stanch follower of the Republican party.
Severt H. Guldseth was born on August 15, 1873. on the homestead in St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He is indebted to the schools of his native locality for the edu-
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cation which he received, following which he assisted his father with the work on the home place and has continued to devote his time and attention to general farming and stock raising. He has razed the old buildings and erected new ones and has improved the place to the best of his ability, con- sidering the many obstacles which he has had to overcome. In addition to the ardouus duties which devolve upon him in connection with the cultivation of his farm, he is engaged in house moving, in the adjoining towns, and has followed this vocation for a period of fifteen years. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1893 Severt H. Guldseth was united in marriage to Renda Olson, daughter of Ole A. Olson. They are devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are very active in the sup- port of this denomination. Severt H. Guldseth is a strong Democrat and has the courage of his convictions, whether political or religious.
ALFRED MALMGREN.
Alfred Malmgren, farmer and stock raiser of Eastern township, Ottcr Tail county, was born on November 10, 1872, at the place where he still resides, and is a son of Nels and Anna ( Monson) Malmgren. His education was obtained at the public schools of the district, and as a young man, he began farming for himself on the place which he now owns. In 1900 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Parker's Prairie township. In 1914, he bought and paid for his present home place, consisting of one hundred and seventy acres, and follows general farming and stock raising, and for the past fifteen years has made a specialty of buying and selling cattle, and for the past two years has done the shipping for the Farmers Equity Com- pany. Mr. Malmgren has put valuable improvements on his place, including a splendid barn, erected in 1915. Mr. Malmgren is a public spirited young farmer, and an earnest member of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally. Politically, he is an independent voter.
Nels and Anna ( Monson) Malmgren were both born in Sweden, where they followed farming until 1872, when they emigrated to America, stopping at Sauk Center, where they kept a boarding camp during their first summer in this country, in connection with which means of livelihood, Mr. Malm- gren was employed on the railroad, and in the fall of that year, they came to Otter Tail county, and settled in Eastern township, where they took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which place is now owned by their son. Mr. Malmgren improved his home place and followed general farming and stock raising, spending the remainder of his life here. To Nels and Anna ( Monson) Malmgren were born seven children, Johanna, Magnus, Alfred, Ida, Mary, Elof, and Selma M.
Alfred Malmgren was united in marriage, in 1905, with Jennie Spoden,
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which union has been blest with five children, Almer, Edwin (deceased ), Leonard, Edith and Fern. Mr. Malmgren has lived and labored to worthy ends, and is one of the sterling and substantial men of his community, where he is respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
JOHN AUGUST PETERSON.
John August Peterson, of Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden, March 21, 1849, the son of Peter and Mary (Carlson) Anderson. John August Peterson lived in that country where he received his education in the public schools, until the year 1869, when he came to America, going to the city of Duluth, Minnesota, where he was employed at railway work between the cities of Duluth and St. Paul, Minnesota, for about one year and a half. In 1872 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in Parkers Prairie township, a farm which he leased out while he worked at farm work through the states of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and then about the year 1880, returned to his land, which he improved extensively and where he has since lived as one engaged in general agricultural pursuits. After some years of unbroken success as a farmer, John August Peterson added forty acres of adjoining land to his farm, land which later he deeded to his son, Alfred, who is well known among the farmers of the township and county.
John August Peterson and his wife Charlotta (Johnson) Peterson are the parents of two children, Alfred and Edwin. Mr. Peterson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, they taking an important place in the work and worship of this congregation in the community. In politics John August Peterson is an ardent Republican.
WILLIS A. SMITH.
Willis A. Smith, general farmer and stock raiser, Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, was born on May 3, 1881, in Steuben county, New York, a son of Azariah and Abbis ( Burlingame ) Smith. His early education was received at the public schools of his native state, and after coming with his parents to Otter Tail county, in 1869, continued his studies in the public school of of Parkers Prairie township, this school having a sod roof and earthen floor. After leaving school, he assisted his father with the farm work, taking entire charge of the place at the age of eighteen years. in 1878, and managing it from that time on, during the first year and a half of which time he worked out in order to obtain sufficient funds with which to keep things going during the famous grasshopper year. In 1893, Mr. Smith
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became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of his father's home- stead, which he has owned and farmed ever since. In the fall of 1895. he bought the farm where he now lives, consisting of eighty acres, adjoining the old homestead, and has lived here ever since. He has erected practically all the buildings, and follows general farming and stock raising, giving special attention to the breeding of purebred Shorthorn cattle, of the milk- ing strain, blooded Poland China hogs and brown Leghorn chickens. His farm is known as the "Cedarvale Farm," which is splendidly equipped with good buildings. Politically, Mr. Smith is a strong Republican, while in religion he is an earnest member of the Baptist church, in the work of which he takes an active interest, having long served as choir leader and trustee. Fraternally, he is allied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has served as chairman of the board of supervisors of Parkers Prairie township.
Azariah Smith, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on Jan- uary 16, 1829, at Deerfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Abbie ( Burlingame ) Smith, was born on March 17, 1833, and was a native of the same place. Mr. Smith was educated at the public schools of Deerfield, Pennsylvania, and as a young man went to Woodhull, Steuben county, New York, and settled on a timber farm, living there from 1857 to 1867, and while hauling lumber from a mill to the town, he and his team went through a bridge into the river, and he was so injured that he was unable to continue his farm work for two years. He had another misfortune in the loss of a flock of fine thoroughbred sheep, in which he had invested in 1867, caused by disease. This loss so crippled him financially that he left for the west, coming to Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, in 1869, spending the first winter here with his brother. Cyrus P. Smith. On this trip he brought with him his eldest son, the remainder of the family following in May of the next year. He took up a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occuring on August 7, 1889. Azariah and Abbie ( Burlingame) Smith were the parents of three children : Ellen, born on November 12, 1857; Sherman B., born on March 10, 1880, and died on December 23, 1908, and Willie A. His first wife died, and Mr. Smith was then married to Eliza M. Mariner. by whom he had one child, Herbert A., born on January 27, 1866, and died on January 21, 1903. Mr. Smith's second wife died on December 6, 1898. Politically, he was a Repub- lican, and in religion a member of the Baptist church, in the choir of which he was leader for many years in both New York state and Otter Tail town- ship, during which time he also officiated as deacon of the church.
Willis A. Smith was united in marriage, August 30. 1893, with Estella P. Bacon, by whom he has had the following children: . Asa .A., Beth, who
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died at the age of nine years; Fernie F., Rudy, Alten and Donna. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Smith is one of the busy men of Parkers Prairie township, but always manages to find time to be affable and agreeable to all with whom he comes in contact, and is a prominent citizen in the community honored by his residence.
NELS NELSON.
Nels Nelson, farmer, Eagle Bend, Eastern township, Otter Tail county, was born on February 15, 1866, in Sweden, and is a son of Nels and Ellen ( Nelson) Christianson. His education was received at the public schools of Sweden, where, as a young man, he learned the blacksmith trade, which vocation he followed until he came to America in 1887, at which time he located at Litchfield, Minnesota, where he did mason work for six years. Mr. Nelson then lived in Minneapolis for about twelve years, after which he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in sec- tion 13, Eastern township, Otter Tail county. He moved to this farm in 1904, which has since been his home. Mr. Nelson grubbed this farm and put all the improvements on it, including good buildings of every descrip- tion, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising, keeping ten dairy cows. He is a member of Swedish Lutheran church.
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