MN AHGP Archives-Brown Co. 1882 Bios--Lake Hanska and Linden Twps.
Brown County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota
Lake Hanska Twp.
C. Ahlness, a native of Norway, was born in 1843, and came in 1863 to America. The first two years he spent in Wisconsin employed in the pineries during the winter seasons. In 1865 moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in 1867 to Lake Hanska. Mr. Ahlness has served his town as clerk, assessor, justice and chairman of the board. Married in 1866, Miss Nelson, who has borne him seven children.
Andrew M. Anderson was born in Norway in 1840. He spent his childhood on the farm and in school, after which learned the trade of tailor. In 1866 he came to America and soon after located a farm on secton 2 of Lake Hanska. After residing there eight years, he removed to his present farm on section 15. Married in 1874 Miss G. Christensen, and has four children.
Jacob Bakke was born in Norway in 1848. In 1871 he came to the United States. After being employed in different places in Minnesota for two years he settled on his farm here. He has held the office of town supervisor and is at present chairman of the board. Married in 1878, Carrie Henin. Two children have been born to them.
James Devine, a native of Ireland was born in 1828. In 1852 came to America and lived in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, where he was a teacher and superintendent of schools. Came to Minnesota in 1875 and has since lived in Lake Hanska. He owns a farm on sections 33, 34 and 27. His first visit to this township was in 1857, when he took the claim, which he returned to in 1875. Mr. Devine has held several town offices.
Nils Olson was born in 1828 in Norway, where he received an education, spending his youth principally on a farm. In 1869 came to America and
settled in Rapidan township, Blue Earth county, and in 1880 moved to Lake Hanska, Brown county and purchased his farm on section 36. Paul Olson was born in 1826 in Norway, and was there educated. He grew to manhood on a farm and remained in his native land until 1873, then emigrated to America; he soon after came to Brown county, Minnesota, and settled in Lake Hanska township. Married in 1844, a lady of Norwegian birth. They have six children.
Knudt C. Olstaad, a native of Norway, was born in 1824. His youth was spent on a farm and in school, after which he learned the trade of carpenter. On arriving in America in 1868 he made his home in Chicago six years, and worked at his trade. Coming thence to Minnesota he located on his present farm on section 16 of Lake Hanska.
Thore O. Roan was born in 1844, and is a native of Norway. After acquiring an education in his native language he, in 1862, came to America and settled in Wisconsin, where he was employed as a farmer until 1865; then came to this state and spent considerable time in hunting and trapping; since then he has been engaged in farming in Lake Hanska. He has held the offices of constable and justice of the peace.
T. E. Shelley was born in Norway in 1852, and there remained until the age of seventeen years, then came with his parents to America. His father, Erland Shelley, was born in Norway in 1817; lived eighteen months in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, then moved with his family to Lake Hanska. He married in 1842, and is the father of twelve children, of which seven are living: T. E. is the oldest; Iver is a graduate from the Normal school at Mankato; the rest have been well educated.
Ole Stone, a native of Norway, was born in 1851. There he was educated in his native language and in 1867 came to America. His father was a tailor by trade, and came with his family to this country in 1867, and in 1876 located on a farm on section 35 of Lake Hanska. His marriage took place in 1850. Iver, Ole, Anna, Mary and Gunehl are the children.
Ole Synsteby was born in Norway, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1872 he came to America and subsequently settled on his farm on section 34 of Lake Hanska. He is the present assessor of the town and has held the office some time.
Tore Tundewold was born in 1842 in Norway. In 1869 came to this country, and soon after came to Minnesota. He settled on a farm in Lake Hanska township, and in 1875 moved to his present home on section 33. He was married in 1875 and has a family of three children.
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Linden Twp.
P. H. Dahl was born in Norway, February 20, 1840. Came with his parents to America in 1856, and located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, lived in that state fourteen years and in 1866 came to his present home in Linden. Since his residence in this town has been justice of the peace, town clerk, and chairman of the board. Married in 1864, Miss Martha Hode, who was born in Norway. They are the parents of seven children.
Evan Evans, deceased, was born in South Wales in January, 1812. There he grew to manhood, and in 1838 married Miss Elizabeth Puch. In 1857 they moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and located on a farm. Mr. Evans' death occurred January 27, 1858. His widow and her family came to Minnesota in 1866, and located in Linden. There are eight sons and one daughter. David S. is a clerk in the store of Richard Thomas, of Mankato; Rees has a farm in Butternut Valley. He married in 1878 Ann Kern; has two children.
C. Halvorson was born in Norway, December 10, 1853. Came with his parents to America and located near Milwaukee, where he passed his youth and was educated. Accompanied his parents to Minnesota in 1869 and settled in Linden. His father's death occurred in April, 1878. Previous to this Mr. Halvorson had attended the State Normal school in Mankato two years, and had taught ten terms of school. In 1877 located on a farm of his own. Married in 1878 Annie Johani, who was born in Linden. They have two children.
H. Halvorson was born March 8, 1846, in Norway. When eight years of age he came with his parents to America, and for some time lived near Milwaukee; at the age of fifteen years was dependent upon his personal efforts for a livelihood, and engaged in lumbering until coming to Linden in 1868; he did not locate here permanently until 1870; moved to his present farm in 1877. Married in 1876 Caroline Olsen, who was born in Wisconsin. Oscar T. and Betsy J. are their children.
Lewis N. Halvorson was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, May 8,1860, and is of Norwegian parentage. He came with his parents to Linden in 1869, and has since resided here. Since his father's death, which occurred April 15, 1878, he has resided with his widowed mother and carried on the farm. His three brothers and two sisters are living on farms in this township.
K. H. Helling, ex-senator, was born in Norway, September 19, 1840. Came with his parents to Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1846. He was dependent upon his own exertions after his seventeenth year, when he came to Minnesota, and directly to his present farm. Enlisted in 1861 in Company H, Fourth Minnesota; was mustered out as second lieutenant in August, 1865. Was elected to the legislature in 1874, and to the state senate in 1878; has also held town offices. His first wife died December 19, 1869. Married Cornelia Knudson in 1871. They have three sons.
John E. Johnson was born in Norway, August 15, 1836. He learned the trade of tailor in his native place; also practiced military drill ten years. Came to America in 1857 and remained a short time in La Crosse, Wisconsin; removed in 1859 to Minnesota. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Second Minnesota infantry; served three years; he has been town treasurer three years and postmaster eight years. Married in 1866 Bertha M. Hansen. John M. and Hannah M. L. are their children.
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