The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 61

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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Hans Gronnerud, the pioneer banker of Renville county and for many years a leader in political life. was born in Norway, May 23. 1840. and there received a college and military education. lle came to Renville county in 1872. and at once took an active part in public affairs. lle was married in 1864 to R. Eiseth, and they had six chikiren.

David Carrothers settled in Beaver Falls before the Indian Massacre, escaped on the first day, and afterward returned and became a prominent man in the county. He was one of the orig- inal proprietors of Beaver Falls village, he built the first court- house, and was an early sheriff.

Rev. Johannes Ellefson Bergh, a pioneer preacher of western Renville county, was born near the village of Vossevanger. Nor- way, May 5, 1842, and at the age of fifteen came to Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1861 he entered Lutheran College, then located at Half Way Creek, Wisconsin, and was one of the first graduates of that school in 1866. In that year he entered the Divinity school of the German Missouri Lutheran Synod, of St. Louis, Mo .. and was ordained to the ministry Sept. 3. 1869. His first call at Muskegon.

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Mich., he served for two years. Nov. 12, 1871, he became pioneer pastor of all of the Norwegian Lutheran churches of Renville, Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties. For nine successive years all public services were held in dugouts, log cabins, school houses or during the summer ju the open air. Up to 1874 he served five congregations located within a radius of 120 miles. To reach the various meeting places across the wild and pathless plains in those old dreaded winters there was no available means of con- veyance other than that of walking. Exposed to many hazards and dangers, but always cheerfully sharing the trials and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Rev. Bergh, by his gentle and unas- suming mamer soon won for himself the good will and confidence of all, and before long this early pastor presided over one of the largest parishes in the Northwest. Mr. Bergh was not a talented speaker but much thought of as an educator. People delighted especially in hearing him catechise the children at Sunday services. In fact as catechetical instructor, Rev. Bergh was exceptionally gifted. and some elann that they have never heard his equal. Through his pastorate here of thirty-three years, he dwelt twenty- five years south of. and eight years in. the village of Sacred Heart. For reason of failing health he resigned in 1904 and died Ang. 21, 1905. lle is survived by his wife, nee Marie Stub, and six children.

Carl Carlson, a pioneer, was born in the Parish of Tynset, Nor- way, one of the four children ( Inger. Ole. Semming and Carl) of Carl and Mattie (Semmingsen) Olson. He was reared in his na- tive land, engaged in farming and lumbering, and served five years in the National military organization, the last six months of which in 1>64) he was ordered out for active service in the trouble be- tween Denmark and Germany. In that year he married Andrea Halvorsen Hornseth, of the Parish of Rendalen, Norway. He came to America in 1868 with his wife and two daughters. Marit, three years of age (who died on the farm at the age of fourteen), and Caroline, now the wife of County Auditor J. L. Johnson. They landed at New York, and from thence eame to Fillmore county, this state, where he lived three years. From there he went to Yel- low Medieine county, where he lived for a year. Then he eame to Renville county, and took an eighty-acre homestead in seetion 4, Emmet township. He added another eighty by preemption, and increased the farm to 280 acres. Mr. Carlson is considered one of the most progressive farmers in the township. He was one of the founders of the first Norwegian Lutheran church preeted in the city of Renville in 1888. This was destroyed by the evelone of 1893. When the second church was replaced by the present mod- ern structure, Mr. Carlson contributed generously in money and labor. He had the misfortune while working in the church on a high scaffold to fall and break his left arm, which had to be ampu- tated leaving him a sufferer for many years. His eyesight had

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also been failing for some years and he is now totally blind. After building up and improving his farm, located a mile east from Reu- ville, he moved to the city where he had already erected a large and comfortable home. In a business way he was one of the stock- holders and directors of the Security Bank of Renville and a share- holder in the Farmers' elevator.

Knute T. Rude, a sturdy pioneer now deceased, was born in Norway, April 25, 1838. Ile was originally known as Knute Rund, and came from the old family of Rund, taking the name Rude after he came to this country. He was married in Norway, in May, 1862, to Marie Hanson, who was born March 4, 1840. For some years after obtaining his education, Mr. Rude was employed in a flour mill with his father. It was in 1865, when with his wife and son, Theodore, he embarked for the Land of Opportunity. After a trip of five weeks and four days aboard an old fashioned sailing vessel, they reached the port of Quebec, in Canada. From Quebec, they went by rail to Milwaukee, Wis .. thenee to La Crosse, and thence up the Mississippi river to St. Paul, and from there up the Minnesota to St. Peter. After stop- ping in Nicollet county for a year and a half and then set out with an ox team and covered wagon overland to Hawk Creek township, Mr. Rude driving the oxen, and Mrs. Rude walking. They took a homestead of eighty acres in section 20. This being in 1868 they were among the first settlers in the township, and among the very first to settle on the prairie. They reached their future home Aug. 29, and lived in their covered wagon five weeks until Mr. Rude could ereet a log cabin. They also se- enred eighty aeres of school land in section 16, and there con- structed a dugout. They lived in this dugout five winters, spend- ing the rest of their time in their log cabin.

Like the other pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Rude started life in Renville county on the most primitive scale. Conveniences and comforts were unknown. All were strangers in a strange coun- try. The trading points were far away, provisions were scarce and money was scareer. There were many difficulties with which to contend, and sometimes it seemed that the privations were too deep to be borne. But with courage they forged ahead, they endured much in order that their children might start life in better circumstances than their parents. They were frugal and saving, and as eireumstanees permitted they erected buildings and fences, broke more land, purchased equipment, and became in time prosperous farmers. After a useful life filled with hard work, Knute T. Rude died May 22, 1880. His widow was married in June 1884, to Ole E. Deason, who took the name of Ole E. Rude. They continued to reside on the home farm and snecess- fully carry on general farming until 1902, when they moved to Granite Falls, where they now reside in a comfortable home.

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Mrs. Rude has many interesting stories to tell of pioneer life. One of the most interesting is of the arrival of K. O., II. O., and M. O. Agre and Tollef and Simon Johnson in the fall of 1868. She was out in her yard when the five men approached her home to inquire the way. They were arrayed in blankets in which holes had been ent for the heads, and she mistook them for Indians. Rushing into the cabin she sat on the bed clasping her son Theodore to her breast, resolving to proteet him with her last breath. But she soon found that the men were fellow eom- trymen, and her joy and relief were great. The young men all settled in the neighborhood, and were her neighbors for many years. Knute T. and Marie (Hanson) Rude were the parents of five children : Theodore, Helen, Gustie, Henry and Clara. Theo- dore was born in Norway, Ang. 19, 1863, was brought to this country by his parents, and is in the service of the United States government at Brownsville, Texas. For eight years he was a private in the United States Cavalry. Helen was born Jan. 7, 1869, in the log cabin on the old homestead. She has been twiee married. Her first husband whom she married in 1889 was Bennie Wollan, who died in 1892. Her present husband, whom she mar- ried June 2, 1896, is Ole P. Flatten, a leading resident of Granite Falls, county commissioner of Chippewa county, and secretary of the board of directors of the New Sanitarium in Chip- pewa county. By a former marriage, Mr. Flatten had two chil- dren: Hilda, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Melvin, who resides at home. Gusta was born Aug. 17, 1874. She mar- ried Carl Johnson, of Yellow Medicine county, and has five sons, Kenneth, Earl. Oliver, Tyler and Arnold. Henry was born Sept. 6, 1876. He is county auditor of Clearwater county, and resides at Bagley, in that county. this state. He married Martha Agre, and they have two sons, Melvin and Archie. Clara was born Feb. 26. 1878. She married M. T. Skrukrud of Hawk Creek township and they have eight children: Theodore, Myrtle, Alice, Erwin, Mabel, Kenneth, Melvin and Viola.

Ole O. Sveiven, now deceased, one of the sturdy pioneers of Renville county who will be long remembered, was born in Nor- way, Nov. 16, 1823, and there received a good education. Wishing to better his future conditions he emigrated from Norway in 1866 and set sail for the United States with his family. He first located in Dakota county, this state, where he remained for three years, working out among the farmers. In the fall of 1869 he came to Renville county and located a homestead of eighty acres in section 30, Sacred Heart township. This was all wild prairie land. In the spring of 1870 the family came and for a time lived in the covered wagon in which they had traveled until Mr. Sveiven could build a log cabin. They then moved into the log cabin and later Mr. Sveiven built a larger cabin and still

MR. AND MRS. OLE O SVEIVEN

MR. AND MRS. OLE DEASON

T. M ., TORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LENOX ANE HILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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later this second eabin was sided over and made quite modern. He worked hard early and late, broke and developed his farm. Ile set out groves and erected good buildings. He endured many hardships ineident to the pioneer days. The nearest markets were at Willmar and New Ulm. By frugal habits and hard work he became one of the leading farmers of the community. He followed general farming and added to his possessions until he owned several hundred acres. In 1903 he moved to the Lars Johnson place where he lived for two years and then moved to Sacred Heart village where he remained two years. Then he and his wife took up their home with their daughter, Mrs. Paul Deason, where Mrs. Sveiven died Nov. 26, 1908, and he died Nov. 24, 1910. Mr. Sveiven was married in Norway to Mrs. Eline Larsgaard. Ole Larsgaard died in Norway. By that mar- riage there was one child, Martha, who died at the age of nine. Mr. and Mrs. Sveiven had five children: Otto, a farmer of Sacred Ileart township. Bilot, who died at the age of twenty- five years : Martin, a farmer of Sacred Heart township; Ole, who died in infancy ; and Martha, now Mrs. Paul Deason of Sacred Heart township.

Paul Deason, one of the leading farmers and an extensive land owner of Sacred Heart township, was born in Fillmore county, this state, May 9, 1866, son of Ole and Anna (Uldalen) Deason. Ile came to Renville eounty with his parents in 1871. He attended school in the log schoolhouse of his neighborhood and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He helped his father break up the prairie and establish their home. In 1888 he started in life for himself, purchasing 280 acres of land in section 1, South Sacred Heart township. There was an old shaek and a rude barn on this property. Mr. Deason at onee set at work to establish a home on the wild prairie for himself and family. By hard work and perseverance he has become one of the prosperous men of the county, having erected a fine dwell- ing house and various barns and outbuildings and has added to his holdings until the farm now contains 52214 acres. He also has three other farms in lawk Creek and Sacred Heart town- ship. Ilis farms are all improved with homes and outbuildings and his land all told is 1,2841% aeres. His place is well kept. drained and feneed and bespeaks great thrift to its owner. Mr. Deason keeps a good herd of cattle and follows general farming. He has never aspired to public offiee but has always shown a keen interest in all movements that have been advanced for the good and betterment of his town and county. He served on the school board of distriet No. 15. Mr. Deason was united in mar- riage Nov. 30. 1888. to Martha Sveiven, who was born March 25, 1867, daughter of Ole and Eline Sveiven. Mrs. Deason has taken an interest in the upbuilding of their home and has even

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been a most devoted wife and loving mother. Mr. and Mrs. Deason are the parents of seven children: Elvin, born August 5, 1889; Albert, born July 3, 1890, farming on one of his father's farms and married to Anna Alm, and they have one ehild, Martha Jean; Clara, born Oet. 18, 1892; Andrew, born Jan. 3, 1896; Addie, born Feb. 9, 1899; Joseph, born Jan. 3. 1903; Edwin, born April 28, 1907.

Ole Deason, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Renville county, was born in Norway, Sept. 23, 1830. Ile received his early education there and grew to manhood. He was of an am- bitions nature and so emigrated from Norway with his family in 1858 and came to America to establish a mark in the new world. They settled in Fillmore county, Minn., where he bought land and remained there a few years. Then he sold out and moved to Freeborn county, where he engaged in farming. In 1871 he came to Renville county and settled on forty acres of school land in section 16, Ilawk Creek township. The country then was all wild and there were no trees or wind breaks and the hardships were many. The long drives to Willmar, the nearest market. by ox team were very tedions, but by undaunted courage and hard work he prospered. The log cabin of the pioneer days was re- placed by an up-to-date house and good buildings were erected. The groves planted by Mr. Deason grew rapidly and after a time his future was assured. He added to his land until at one time he owned over 800 acres of land. He also owned a farm in Chip- pewa county, near Clara city. Mr. Deason always took a great interest in the development of his community and was a ready contributor to all publie movements. He was a good farmer, a shrewd business man and was well thought of by his neighbors. Mr. Deason was married in Norway to Anna Uldalen. Her life was a busy one and in bringing up her large family she left the impress of love and affection. Mr. and Mrs. Deason had the following children : Barbara, John, Amelia, Carl. Paul, Laura, Addie, Andrew, Christina (deceased), Christian. AAnfin and Chris- tina. Mr. Deason died in August, 1901, and Mrs. Deason died Dec. 27, 1893.

Daniel Ames was born Jan. 27, 1833, near Sebattusville, Maine. He died October 9, 1915, at the age of 82 years. He came to Wiseonsin at the age of 21 and remained in Waupaca county until April 19, 1863, when he was married to Ida E. Witt of Plymouth, Wisconsin, and they came to Mower county, Minne- sota. in 1863. In 1866 they removed to Renville county, Minne- sota, and settled in the southwest corner of Sacred Heart town- ship, seetion 24. township 114, range 37, where their daughter, Sophina Ethel was born. They were among the first settlers who came into that part of the county after the Indian ontbreak.

Michael E. Sherin, for many years the efficient chairman of

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the board of county commissioners of Renville county, was born in Credit River township, Scott county, Minnesota, Feb. 26, 1858, son of Michael and Bridget (Snee) Sherin, the pioneers. The parents were natives of County Sligo, Ireland, came to America as children, were married in Dover, New Hampshire, in Novem- ber, 1853. In 1855 they came to Minnesota and located in Scott county. The father died in service at Macon, Georgia, while a private in Company I, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Michael E. was reared on the home farm. started work at an early age, and did what he could to contribute to the support of the family. In the fall of 1878 he came to Renville county. took a claim in section 18, Norfolk township, broke a little land, and returned to Scott county for the other members of the family, coming back to Renville county with his mother, his sister Mary, now Mrs. George Scott, of Dakota county, and his brothers, John. now of Walker, Minn., and James, of Olivia. The family set at work amid pioneer surroundings to clear and develop the land. In 1881 when the mother died, Michael went to Montana for a while. In 1884 he returned home. In 1886 he sold the farm and moved to Olivia, where he has been engaged in various lines of business. For a time he was in the real estate business in part- nership with William P. Christianson, the first store keeper in Olivia. lle has been county commissioner since Jan. 1, 1903, and chairman since Jan. 1, 1907. He was village constable and marshal of Olivia for many years. He has also served in other offices in the village.

Peter Gunderson, deceased, was born in Norway, Oet. 14, 1830, son of Gunder Gunderson. He was the only one of his family to come to America. With his wife and children he left in 1866 in a sailing vessel, the voyage taking ten weeks and landed at Que- bec. When he was in Norway he was a member of a reformers leagne, following the teachings of Voltaire, their wish being to uplift the poor people from the Danish rule. On account of his activities in this organization he was obliged to leave the country. He went to Dakota. Minnesota. Here he worked as a carpenter and blacksmith. After two years he moved to Renville county, where he secured a homestead in Sacred Heart township, section 4. a tract of 80 acres. There were no buildings on the place. He built a log dugout and broke the land with his ox team. He built a blacksmith shop and the people for miles around came to have repair work done. In 1882 he moved to Flora township, locating on seetion 6. on a tract of 75 acres. He made improve- ments and later bought 80 acres in Sacred Heart township. A blacksmith shop was ereeted here also. Mr. Gunderson has im- proved his farm and keeps a good grade of stock. Mr. Gunder- son has held the position of township assessor, has been on the township board for several years, and on the school board for

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many years. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, the early meetings being held in his house at the time when there was no church building. Mr. Gunderson was united in marriage to Anna Marie Olson, who was born Nov. 26, 1828. Nine children were born to these parents, Ole, Martha, Lena, Otto, Paulina, Anna, Arne, Martin and Julius. Mr. Gunderson died May 14, 1908, and is buried in the Updahl cemetery. Ilis wife is still living with her son, JJulius. Julius helped his father take care of the farm and is a member of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Renville. He also is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Olaf H. Eliason, an energetic and successful business man and progressive citizen, was born on his father's homestead in Ilawk Creek township, this county, Sept. 17, 1872, son of Hendrick and Lisa Eliason. the pioneers. He was reared on the home place, passed through the district schools, took a year's course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota, and spent two winters in taking commercial courses at the Minne- apolis Business College. For a while he was employed around Grand Forks, this state, as a carpenter. It was in 1900 that he came back to his native township and purchased 120 aeres in section 1 and 12, where he engaged in general farming. Ile began his career as a grain dealer in 1903 when he became buyer for the Farmers' Elevator at Sacred Heart. In 1908 he purchased the MeIntire & Ferich elevator and started in business for him- self. In 1909 he moved his family to the village. In 1911 he purchased the Minnesota Falls elevator in Wang township. In March, 1915, he traded his elevator at Sacred Heart for a farm, the elevator going to Ole Collin. Mr. Eliason still owns and conducts the Minnesota Falls elevator, employing a buyer while he himself looks after his numerous other interests. For some time he was interested in real estate, his office being at Saered Heart. In 1916 he bought out the livery, dray, and ice business of Anderson & Jordet at Renville, where he now lives. Ile has taken an active interest in the npbnikling of Sacred Heart, was. recorder in 1914-15, and is now a member of the village couneil. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Norwegian Intheran church of America.

Mr. Eliason was married June 13, 1900, to Carrie Myra. She died Jan. 23, 1905, leaving a daughter, Constance Oliala, born Jan. 20, 1905. On June 2, 1909, Mr. Eliason married Veva Arnt- zen, born Sept. 6, 1878, daughter of Arnt and Hedvig (Hansen) Arntzen. To this union have been born four children: Alford Harry, born May 5, 1910: Ray Luverne, born April 5, 1912; Roy HIarvey, twin of Ray Inverne, died Jan. 3, 1913; and Stella Ruby, born May 8, 1914. Mrs. Eliason is a gracious lady of many ae- complishments. She attended the district schools of Hawk Creek

O. II. ELIASSON & FAMILY MR. & MRS. HENDRICK ELIASON

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LENOX AND MELDEN FONDATIONS

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township, and also the public schools of Minneapolis, and then entered the Willmar Seminary at Willmar. Min., where she completed the course in four terms. Then she became a success- ful teacher in Renville county, a vocation she followed for seven years. One of her feats of which her friends are the proudest is the fact that in 1906 she went to Williams county. North Da- kota, and proved up on a homestead which she still owns. Sub- sequently she taught another year in Renville county.

Gunerius Olaf Bergan, postmaster at Sacred Heart, was born in Sacred Heart township, son of Ole Kittleson Bergan and Petra Gunderson. Ole Kittelson Bergan was born in Norway, was brought to Stoughton, Wis., when seven years of age, and two years later, in the spring of 1868, to Renville county. Gunerins Olaf Bergan received his early education in the public schools of Sacred Heart. As a young man he attended the Agricultural College, University of Minnesota, and a year later attended the Minnesota School of Business. July 1, 1902, he became the first rural carrier from the Sacred Heart postoffice and retained this position until May 1, 1905. In 1905 and 1906 he homesteaded land in Divide county. North Dakota. From Oct. 1, 1906, to Nov 1. 1910. he was in the general mercantile business at Ambrose, North Dakota. In 1912 and 1913 he was assessor at Sacred Heart. Aug. 3, 1913, he became postmaster.

Erik Svenbalrud Gundersen, a pioneer postmaster, now a re- tired farmer of Sacred Heart village, was born in Halland, Nor- way, Sept. 17, 1841, son of Gunder Erikson Svenbalrud and Per- nile Ingvalsdatter, who died only three days apart in the latter part of December, 1866, the father at the age of sixty-six and the mother at the age of fifty. He attended school a few months in . Norway and after coming to this country learned to speak, read and write the English language with but little instruction. April 16, 1866, he left Norway, with his wife and one child, Petra, and arrived at Waseca, in this state, June 29, 1866, being ten weeks and four days on the trip eoming across the Atlantic ocean aboard the old-time sailing vessel called the "Olaf." After staying in Waseca three years he came to Sacred Heart township in the spring of 1869 and settled on a homestead of eighty acres one mile south of the present site of the village of Sacred Heart. Even as early as 1887 his farm was known as having one of the best orchards of apple and other fruit trees in the county. In 1895 he moved to the village of Sacred Heart. Here he has like- wise planted a splendid orchard. Taking care of trees and cul- tivating a good garden is his hobby. As related elsewhere, he was the first postmaster of Sacred Heart postoffice. He was township supervisor in 1871 and 1872: township treasurer in 1874 and 1875: and town clerk from 1878 to 1896. For three years he served in the army in Norway. He belongs to the Nor-

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wegian Synod Congregation of Sacred Heart, was one of its first members, and took an active part in having the church built. Mr. Gundersen was married Oct. 27, 1864, to Karen Olson. This union has been blessed with two children, Petra and Knute. Kunte is manager of the Sacred Heart Telephone Exchange. Petra is now Mrs. O. K. Bergan. Her children are Engene Leno- rad, attending the Sacred Heart High school : Knute Washington, a teacher in the high school at Marmarth. N. D .; Laura, a teacher in the high school at Canton, S. D .; Clara, wife of Peter Morten- son, of Sacred Heart ; Olga, a teacher in the High school at Lyle, Min., and Gunerius Olaf, postmaster at Sacred Heart.

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The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 61

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