The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 59

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986

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Jorgen P. Myra, a well-to-do and influential citizen of Wang township, was born in Roek Prairie, Wisconsin, Angust 23, 1868, son of Peder Jorgen Myra and his wife, Christina, who brought him to Wang township in 1872. Here he was reared and educated and here he learned farming pursuits from his father. He now carries on general farming on an extensive scale, owns 300 aeres of valuable land, and makes a specialty of breeding good stock. Jorgen P. Myra was married November 17, 1893, to Sophia Nel- son, who was born in Norway, November 19, 1866, daughter of Ole and Mary (Hangen) Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Myra have four children: Peder, Henry, Olena and Melvin.

Ole Hendrekson Oppegaard, one of the substantial pioneers, was born in Sweden, in 1837, there attended school, and there grew to sturdy manhood. In 1867 at the age of thirty years he came to America, and after something like a year's sojourn in Carver county, this state, came to this county accompanied by his mother. He secured a homestead of forty aeres in section 24, Ilawk Creek, and she a homestead of eighty aeres adjoining. Her homestead passed into the possession of Ole Oppegaard at her death, and he later acquired another eighty by purchase, so that he in the possessed a splendid farm of 200 aeres. In the early days he experienced all the hardships of pioneer life, but he made the best of the conditions and in time became a prominent and influential citizen. First he lived in a log cabin and kept his

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ASIDR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

ENOCH O. OPPEGAARD

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stock in straw sheds. Later a frame house and frame barns were erected and the place assumed a thrifty and prosperous air. Mr. Oppegaard died September 15, 1894, Ole Ilendrekson Oppegaard was married in Hawk Creek in 1872 to Bertha Eriekson, who was born in Sweden in April, 1848, came to America in 1869 when not quite twenty-one years of age, worked for a year in Minne- apolis for a Murphy family, and then came to Hawk Creek where she met and married Mr. Oppegaard. Mr. and Mrs. Oppegaard were the parents of eight children: Enoch, of Hawk Creek : Ole (deceased) ; Emma, now Mrs. Ernest Fischer, of Minneapolis; Bertha, now Mrs. Rasmmis Halseth, of Madison, South Dakota ; Martha, now Mrs. Harokl Romnes, of Hawk Creek township : Theoline, of Hawk Creek : Henry is a dentist at Hills, Minnesota ; and Julia M., a student at the University of Minnesota.

Enoch O. Oppegaard, a progressive farmer of Ilawk Creek township, and one whose efficient service as township clerk has deserved wide praise, was born on his father's homestead in section 24, this township, July 7, 1875, son of Ole and Bertha (Eriekson) Oppegaard. He seenred his early education in the distriet school of which he is now the elerk. Later he took agricultural courses in the University of Minnesota and com- mercial courses in the Curtiss Business College of Minneapolis. Since then he has remained on the place where he was born. In 1900 he rented the home place of 200 acres and by frugality, hard work, and careful management, he was enabled three years later to purchase it. He has greatly improved the farm, has remodeled the house and barn, has built new poultry and swine houses, purchased modern equipment and has, in fact, taken every means possible to make the place a eredit to the neighborhood. lle fol- lows general farming, and the early training which he received is of great value to him in taking advantage of all the latest discoveries and experiments in scientific agriculture. He is a stockholder in the Sacred Heart Hotel Co., the Sacred Heart Garage Co., and in the Sacred Heart Farmers Elevator Co. Mr. Oppegaard is a splendid penman and has an unusual mastery of details and therefore it is natural that his ability should be called into service by various organizations needing a clerk or secretary. Hle is serving his thirteenth year as clerk of his school district and his fifth year as elerk of the township and he is also secretary of the Hawk Creek Telephone Co., and of the Sacred Heart Co- operative Shipping Association. Ile attends the Hauge Norwe- gian Lutheran church. Mr. Oppegaard was for several years engaged in the raising of pure-blooded Poland China swine which he marketed exclusively for breeding purposes. But during the ravages of the cholera he lost his valuable herd and discontinued their breeding. Now, however, he is starting again. Mr. Oppe- gaard is one of the oldest alfalfa seed growers in Minnesota and

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the only one in Renville county that raises the seed for market. In 1915 he took the blue ribbon or first prize for alfalfa seed at the Corn and Alfalfa Exposition held at Ortonville, Minnesota.

Andrew A. Dahlgren, who successfully operates a farm in sec- tions 2 and 11, Hawk Creek township, was born in Skane, Sweden, June 14. 1869, son of Andrew and Sissa (Anderson) Dahlgren, the former of whom, at one time a Swedish soldier. died in 1899, at the age of sixty years, and the latter of whom is still living. Andrew A. Dahlgren was reared in his native land, and in July, 1888, came to America, locating for a time at Hopkins, Minnesota. For several years he was employed by John I. Johnson, in Wang township, this county, and later rented the place. He came to his present farm in 1900. At first he rented it. Then in 1902 he purchased a forty-acre piece of it, and in 1909 acquired the re- mainder so that he now owns a 200-acre farm of well-improved Jand. Mr. Dahlgren is a modern farmer in every respect. He has good buildings and good equipment, and carries on general farm- ing along the latest approved lines. llis grove is well kept, and his orchard is in excellent bearing condition. The house and buildings are ample and sightly and in the best of repair. The fields are splendidly tilled and two and a half acres are planted to alfalfa. Among his llolstein cattle are two which are regis- tered, his Duroc-Jersey hogs are of the best, and his Rhode Island Red fowls are yielding him a good income. A thorough believer in agricultural co-operation, he has become a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator at Sacred Heart. Mr. Dahlgren was married March 25, 1897, to Mary H. Anderson, daughter of Hendrick and Carrie Anderson. This union has been blessed with seven children : Selma, born JJannary 2, 1898; Alma born Janu- ary 23, 1900; Henry, born February 27. 1902; Mabel, born Janu- ary 31, 1904: Albert, born May 6, 1906; Viola, born July 1, 1908: and Hilding L., born July 18. 1913. With the family lives Hilda Nelson, who was born in Copenhagen. Denmark. December 28, 1892, and came to America in 1909. Mr. Dahlgren has been a Sunday school teacher in the Swedish Lutheran church at Sacred Heart.

Ole C. Sparstad, photographer and art dealer, and for many years president of the village of Sacred Heart, was born in Good- Ime county, this state, April 23, 1869, son of Christhofer and Emma (Leine) Sparstad. He attended the district schools and in 1888 started out to make his fortune, arriving in Granite Falls, March 23. There he learned the trade of carpenter with N. N. Rudy, contractor and builder. His first work was in helping to build a large addition to the Westside schoolhouse in Granite Falls. Later in the summer Mr. Rudy's force, including Mr. Sparstad, erected a Norwegian Lutheran church at Cottonwood, finishing everything complete. In 1890 they erected a store

ANDREW A. DAHLGREN & FAMILY

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building in Granite Falls. Then they went to Watson, where they finished another large church. From there they went to Olivia where they erected a large briek-veneered school building. In 1891 they did considerable building in Granite Falls, and later in the summer erected a home at Sacred Heart for Hans Field, former county sheriff. It was on January 1, 1892, that he took np photography by becoming a student of O. S. Myhre, Saered Heart photographer. A month later he purchased his preceptor's studio, and took possession May 1, 1892, so that he has now been in the photograph business for some twenty-four years. In 1901 he erected his pleasant home, doing all the planning, and most of the carpenter work himself. Mr. Sparstad's public career has been a most interesting one. January 2, 1899, he was elected chief of the Sacred Heart Fire Department. In March, 1901, he was elected president of the village conneil and is now serving his fifteenth term. In May, 1903, he was elected president of the Farmers Milling Co .; May 18, 1908, he was elected secretary of the Sacred Heart Telephone Co .; May 15, 1913, he was elected secretary and director of the Sacred Heart Telephone Co. In these positions he has since served continuously. In Jannary, 1915, he was elected a trustee of the Free Church congregation. He is serving on the building committee of this church, and did all the architectural work on the church edifice. Mr. Sparstad was married October 15, 1895, to Olina T. IJamre, born in this county, December 22, 1873, daughter of Tosten O. and Mary (Stende) Hamre, who were born and married in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Sparstad have had six children. Clarence Odean was born December 5, 1896, and died February 13, 1898; Florence Marion was born February 19, 1899; Thomas Sylvester, February 18, 1902; Kennette Berdell, June 15, 1905; Odella Elenor, April 7, 1911 : and Doethey Elmira, September 29, 1915. The children are all at home. Christhofer Sparstad was born Angust 13, 1840, in Vang, Valders, Norway, came to Ameriea in 1860, and settled in the town of Warsaw, Goodhue county, this state, where he bought eighty acres of land. It was in that township that he was married in 1861 to Emma Leine, who was born in Vang, Valders, Norway, December 21, 1828, died August 15, 1879, and is buried in Vang Cemetery, Holden township, Goodhne county, this state. In 1891, Mr. Sparstad sold his farm to his oldest son, Thom, who now lives there, married Annie Gjivere, and moved onto her farm which is located near Vang's church in Holden township, Goodhue county. In October, 1915, they sold this farm, and on March 1, 1916. will occupy a residence which they have purchased in Kenyon. Christhofer Sparstad is the father of five children : Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Berge, of Kenyon; Thom, re- siding on the home farm ; Andrew, of Detroit, Minnesota : Ole C., of Sacred Heart, and Lena, now Mrs. Ole Rustad, of Kenyon.

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Tosten OIson Hamre, one of the sturdy old pioneers of Wang township, was born in Norway, September 16. 1837, and was there married to Mary A. Stende, who was born February 1. 1838. They came to America in 1869. They farmed in Wang township until May, 1912, when they moved to Sacred Heart where they now reside. They are the parents of six children: Betsey, now Mrs. P. E. Synes: Mary, now Mrs. C. E. Hagen: Olina, now Mrs. O. C. Sparstad, all of Sacred Heart; Andrew, who is married and lives on the home farm, and Annie and Ole who are dead.

Johannes Jacobson, a venerable pioneer, whose name will long be preserved in the annals of Renville county, was born in Swe- den, December 2, 1846, and there attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded. In 1871 he left the land of his birth and crossed the ocean to America, intent on making the most of the opportunities which the United States afforded. For a while he was employed in Chicago. Then He went to Rock county. Wisconsin, and worked about among the farmers there. It was in that county also that he was married. In 1873 he brought his bride to Renville county to establish his future home. Ile acquired 160 acres on section 17, Hawk Creek township, and started life as a pioneer. For many years he and his wife lived in a log cabin. Times were hard, privations were many. food was scarce and there was little money. Grasshoppers spoiled the crops for two years, and even for several after that the soil showed the effects of their ravages. But with undaunted courage Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson toiled ahead. When Mr. Jacobson started farming he bought a yoke of oxen From Nels Bakke. father of John Bakke. The nearest market was at Willmar. Often Mr. Jacobson walked the entire distance, sometimes having nothing to eat on the journey but dried and frozen bread. But as the years passed by prosperity came in full measure. Frame addi- tions were built to the log cabin making it commodious and com- Tortable. A good set of barns and outbuildings was erected and the farm was increased to 255 acres. Implements were purchased, fences were erected, trees set ont, and the farm assumed a highly improved aspect. Mr. Jacobson became one of the leading men in his township. He served with credit on the town board and for nearly a quarter of a century did good work as elerk of school distriet 21. Hle helped to build the first schoolhouse in the dis- triet. He was also one of the founders of the Norwegian Inth- eran church of Hawk Creek of which the members of his family are still ardent members. Mr. Jacobson was married May 8, 1872, at Beloit, Rock county. Wisconsin, to Anna Marie Ilegna, who was born in Norway, JJune 24. 1852, came to America in 1869 and located in Beloit. Mr. Jacobson, after a busy life filled with successful endeavor. died May 6, 1912. His good wife died May 7, 1914. They were the parents of eight children:

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Johanna Marie, Knute, Laura, Josephine, Marthea, Minnie, Othea and Albert. Johanna Marie was born Feb. 21, 1875, mar- ried W. Il. Hastings of Kittson county, Minnesota, and has four children, Kenneth, Mildred, Frances and Gladys. Kunte, born Nov. 30, 1876. is on the home farm. banra, born humne 6, 1879. is also on the home farm. Josephine, born Nov. 22, 1881, died Feb. 26, 1908. Marthea, born Feb. 9, 1884, is on the home farm. Min- nie, born March 29, 1886, married Albert K. Agre, a farmer of Clearwater county, this state, and they have four children, Millie Adeline, Phoebe Irene and Harvey Odean. Albert, born Ang. 19, 1899, died at the age of three weeks. Othea, born Dec. 21. 1891, died Dee. 16, 1910. J. Albert, born Jan. 23, 1895, is on the home farm in which he owns a quarter interest.

Knute Jacobson, a progressive larmer of Hawk Greek town- ship, was born in township where he now resides, Nov. 30, 1876. He was reared on the home farm, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Ile and his brother, I. Albert, assisted by their sisters Laura and Marthia, successfully conduct the old homestead. They have replaced the log cabin with a cement block structure, making, with the additons formerly constructed on the log cabin, a comfortable and sightly home. Cement walks are laid in front of the house and in the rear, and the outbuild- ings are suitable and commodious. In addition to his interest in the home farm, Mr. Jacobson has 120 acres in section 17, and an interest in 45 acres in section 16. He has been assessor of his township for nine years.

Knute Osmundson, deceased, was born in Norway, July 18. 1824. Ilis parents did not come to America but died in Norway. Mr. Osmundson and his family located in Renville county in 1870 and settled in section 4, where he bought a homestead of 80 acres, and moved into a log cabin with a sod roof and earthen floor. He had nothing to begin with and worked among the farmers. Soon he was able to afford an ox team and a cow. Later he located in section 4. in the same township, on the home. stead of his brother Aslak, receiving 80 acres. Later he bought the whole tract of 120 acres and moved his family into one of the first frame houses of this section. About 80 acres of this land was under water but it has been drained and now is very valuable. He increased his farm until, at the time of his death. he owned 200 acres and had built many fine buildings. Mr. Osmundson was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In 1867 he was married in Waseca county, to Gunhild Osnmindson. born June 18, 1832, in Norway, who came to this country when a young girl. Three children were born to this marriage, Osmund, born May 13, 1868; Aslack, born June 14, 1869 (dereased) : Richard, born Feb. 2, 1871. The father died August 17, 1895. The son Richard now farms the old homestead. He grew to man-

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hood in Renville county and took part in the public affairs of the township, holling various positions. For three years he was the marshal of Sacred Heart village. lle was elerk of his school district for twelve years and has served on the school board. For the last three years he has been township supervisor. In 1898 Richard Osmundson was married to Hermina Larson, born in Erieson township, Renville county, daughter of Albert Larson of Sacred Heart. Four children have been born to these parents: Lloyd. Roylard. Odell. and Mabel. The family are all members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ole Johnson, originally known as Ole Johanneson, was one of the worthy pioneers of Renville county. He was born in Goten- burg, Vermland, Sweden, Aug. 21, 1840, and was there reared. In 1867 he came to America, and in 1869 to Sacred Heart town- ship, where he homesteaded the north half of the southwest quarter of section 28. Here he and his good wife experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. The land was all wild prairie. the first home was a dugout, there were many difficulties with which to contend. They had no team and almost no tools and thus their labor was doubly hard. For a time, Mr. Johnson lived alone. After his marriage his wife took up the burden with him. Fortunately, Mr. Johnson owned a wood-lot in the Minne- sota bottoms which he had purchased for $90. This furnished fuel and building material. Together this good couple planned for the future. They planted a grove, they tilled their soil. they improved their home and as time passed erected buildings. In time their hard work reaped its reward, they increased their holdings to 360 acres, their home and barns were as good as any in the neighborhood, and they became prosperous and sub- stantial members of the community. Mr. Johnson took a deep interest in the progress of the county, he was a believer in edu- ration, and religion for the advancement of mankind. His death in September, 1893, was sincerely mourned. Ilis wife remained on the home place until her death, Feb. 8, 1913. Mr. Johnson was married in 1872, to Lisa Hendrickson, who was born in Verm- land, Sweden, Ang. 11, 1840, came to America with her parents in 1869, lived in Minneapolis for a while and then came to Ren- ville county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of five children : Frederick O .. Henry O., August O., Julius O. and Mary. Frederick O. is inspector to the State Food and Dairy Commission. He and Henry O. (twins) were born July 7, 1873. Henry O. is a farmer in Gall, Morton eounty, North Dakota. August O. was born Aug. 15, 1875, and lives on the home place. Mary was born Der. 28, 1876, and died in infaney. Julius was horn Dee. 21, 1877, and is a praetieing physician in Minneapolis.

Frederick O. Johnson, Inspector of the Minnesota State Dairy and Food Commission, was born on his father's homestead in

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section 28, Sacred Heart township, July 7, 1873, son of Ole and Lisa (Hendrickson) Johnson. He attended the schools of his neighborhood, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. When he entered the University of Minnesota he first took a three years' course in agriculture. In 1895 he graduated from the Agricul- tural school of the University and in 1896 took the dairy course in the same institution. While still a student he had the distine- tion of winning the gold prize as judge of the dairy stock at the National Dairy Show held at Milwaukee in competition with students from the agricultural colleges of seven states. After leaving college he worked ten years as a buttermaker. Then he entered the employ of the State Dairy and Food Commission. beginning his duties in 1910 as secretary and in January, 1911, was appointed Inspector in which position he now serves. Mr. Johnson was married Feb. 20, 1897, to Ida Kringsberg, who was born in Sacred Heart, in 1875, daughter of Ole and Martha Kringsberg. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Grace Violet, born March 25, 1903. The family residence is at 2117 Commonwealth avenne, St. Paul.

Julius Johnson, M. D., physician and surgeon of Minneapolis, with offiees at 608 Physicians and Surgeons Building, was born on the home place, seetion 28. Sacred Heart township, Dec. 21, 1877, son of Ole and Lisa (Hendrickson) Johnson. He was reared on the home farm, attended the distriet schools, entered the Minne- sota State Normal school at St. Cloud, taught in the public schools of Renville county two years, and in 1906 was graduated from the medical department of Hamline University. After the usual hospital practice as interne he opened his present offices where he maintains a large practice. He was married, in 1910, to Mary Mills, daughter of John and Anna (Bakken) Mills, and they have a child, Loraine M., born March 21, 1915.

Andrew H. Anderson is one of Renville county s most repre- sentative citizens. In school office, in township office, as connty commissioner, and as a member of the legislature. he has done good service, has stood for the best interests of his fellow man, and has won for himself an enviable position in Minnesota public life. He was born in Vermland, Sweden, Dec. 28, 1855, son of Hendrick and Kari (Larson) Anderson, the pioneers. IIe came to America with his parents, reaching Carver county, this state, May 10. 1869. A year or more later, in the fall of 1870, he came with them to section 2. Hawk Creek township, in this county. Here for a short time he attended district school and here he was reared to farm pursuits. In 1874 he and Ole Clausen took a contract to construct two miles of the Pembina-Winnipeg branch of the Manitoba (Canada) Railroad. When this was com- pleted they took the contract for an additional mile. After this work was done, Mr. Anderson went to Minneapolis and became

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foreman for the William King Stoek Farm near Lake Calhoun, now within the city limits. Then he returned to his father's farm and successfully carried on general diversified farming until 1890 when he purchased his present farm of 200 acres in section 6, Sacred Heart township. With characteristic energy he set to work to make this farm one of the best in the western part of Renville county. How well he has succeeded in this endeavor is shown by the fact that he now has an ideal country estate. He has enlarged the house and ereeted a commodious barn. as well as repairing the other buildings; and the house and barns with the spreading lawn and stately shade trees are a sight well worth seeing. He has planted several acres of timber and has a plenti- ful supply of small fruit and berries for home consumption. Aside from carrying on general farming he makes a specialty of breed- ing Poland China swine. Being a believer in farm improvements he has become a stockholder in the Ericson Rural Telephone Co. His publie life has been most interesting. While in Hawk Creek township he was supervisor two years and constable twelve years. He was school treasurer of school district 128 for ten years and when that district was consolidated with the Sacred Heart village schools as distriet 40. he was elected one of the trustees. When Peter P. Dustrud resigned as county commis- sioner in 1886 to go to the Dakotas, Mr. Anderson was appointed to fill the unexpired term. He was elected to succeed himself in 1888 and again in 1892, and thus served the county as commis- sioner for ten years. In 1902 he was elected to a seat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. a position he filled with satisfaction to his people and with credit to himself. Mr. An- derson was married, Nov. 25. 1881. to Bertha Dina Sagnes, dangh- ter of Ilans Sagnes, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. This union has been blessed with ten children: Clara. Henry, Bennie. Mary. Lonise, JJoseph, Hannah. Theodora and two boys named Hans who died in infancy. Henry is a liveryman at Ren- ville. lle was born March 15. 1886. married Minnie Jacobson, and has one child. Madeline. Clara was born Ang. 3. 1882. and is the mother of four children, Sandy. Dora, Mae, Bernice. Her husband. Mathew Jordet, is the partner of her brother, Henry Anderson. Mary was born Nov. 3. 1890. She married W. L. John Van Fleet, a merchant of Montevideo, this state. and they have one child, Marcella. Bennie was born Nov. 9. 1887, and farms in North Dakota. Ile married Rosa Fletcher and they have four children: Arline. Deline. Wentworth, Fay. Louise was born March 14, 1893, is the wife of Elvin Synes, of Sacred Heart. and has one child. Edgar Lewellyn. Joseph was born Nov. 4. 1894. Ilannah was born JJan. 4. 1900. Theodora was born Dec. 31. 1901. These three youngest children are at home.

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The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 59

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 986

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986