MN AHGP Archives-Yellow Medicine Co. 1882 Bios
Yellow Medicine County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota


SIOUX AGENCY

T. C. Ellingson was born in 1853 in Norway. He was sailing about a year and was once shipwrecked on the St. Lawrence river. After visiting Chicago and Milwaukee he came into Minnesota in 1872 and settled in Sioux Agency township. Mr. Ellingson has served his town in various offices. In 1864 his widow mother married Lars Haagenson who was born in 1840 in Norway. He and his step-son reside together.

Joseph Falkingham, born in 1819 in England, came to America in 1842. Remained about twenty-one years in Canada, three years in Winona county Minnesota, and finally settled in Sioux Agency; has been supervisor and justice. Married in 1844, Mary Wise; eight living children: Elizabeth, William, Mary. Ann, Jane, Joseph, Alfred and Alice.


STONY RUN

Gustave Anderson was born in Norway in 1848, and came with parents to America when six years old. In the spring of 1872 he came to this town; been assessor and supervisor. May 11, 1872, he married Mary Watson, in Wisconsin; Peter, Joseph, Gensina M., Gilbert and James M., are their children.

P. A. Anderson, native of Norway, was born October 6, 1848. At the age of four years he came with parents to this country; lived in Wisconsin and in Fillmore county, Minnesota, until June, 1872, when he came to Stony Run; has 200 acres and has filled town offices. In 1872 he married Caroline Johnson; children: Eliza, John, Anthony, Annie.

Henry Benson was born in 1840, in Norway, and came in 1866 to America; lived in Winneshiek county, Iowa, until he came to this town in June, 1871, and settled on 180 acres, sections 18 and 19; has been school treasurer. Married in Norway, in 1866, Jane Anderson; Lana, Bertha, Jane, Elert, Albert, Matilda and an infant are the children.

Judge Halvor S. Berg, native of Norway, was born March 16, 1843. At the age of ten years he came with parents to Minnesota and lived in Fillmore county. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the llth Minnesota, and served until the end of the war. In 1872 he came to Stony Run and owns 275 acres. In 1874 was member of legislature; has been county commissioner and is at present probate judge; has also held town offices. His wife was Torborg Rollefson, married in 1872; they have four children.

Erik Christenson, born in Norway in 1842, came to Dodge county, Minnesota, in 1866. In June, 1869, he came to this town; has 160 acres on section 31, and also the same amount in the town of Tyro. Married in Norway, in 1863, and has eight children.

John Christensen was born in Norway in 1860, and came with parents to Minnesota in 1863; lived in Dodge county six years then came to this town. Married Annie Tollefson in 1879 and has two children. His father, Christian Erickson, was born in Norway, and is one of the oldest settlers in this town, where he came, in 1869, with his family.

Torger Christensen, native of Norway, was born in 1845; came to Minnesota in 1863 and lived in Dodge county till June, 1869, then came to Stony Run. His wife was Anna Ellingson Baarnaas; Ranil, Elling, Mary and Christian are the children.

Ole L. Enstad was born in Norway in 1848 and came to Freeborn county, Minnesota in 1869; lived there three years then came to this town and took 160 acres on section 6. Married Julia Kvam in 1872: Louis, Ellen, Mary and Henry are the children.

Johannes A. Farse was born in Norway, in 1841, and in 1869 came to America; lived two years in Floyd county, Iowa, one year in Meeker county, Minnesota, and in 1873 made a claim of 160 acres in this town. He married Annie Johnson Stremmen in Norway, in 1869; six children: John Albert, Coren, Helmer, Annie and Berthina.

Ole Hansen, native of Norway, was born in 1845 and came to America in 1866; worked in Iowa and Wisconsin two years, and in the fall of 1869 came to Minnesota and worked two years in Chippewa county, then took a claim in Stony Run township: has been school treasurer and town supervisor. Married in St. Peter, in 1870, Mary Anderson; they have one child living: Hannah, born in 1881. Hannah, Louisa, Elizabeth, Martin and Knudt died of diphtheria.

L. M. Jensvold was born in Norway in 1843, and in 1866 came to Minnesota; lived in Fillmore county two years; in June, 1869, came to his present farm; was among the first settlers and the first of those now here, to bring his family; has been supervisor and school director. Annie Frederickson became his wife June 24, '62, in Norway; they have ten children living and have lost two.

Chr. Lockrem was born in Norway in 1831; immigrated in 1849 and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, afterward worked at tinner's trade in Chicago, Cambridge and Janesville; moved to Independence, Iowa, and followed his trade three years. In 1856 he began farming in Rice county, Minnesota, and ten years later moved to Goodhue county; in 1873 he came to this town, and bought 160 acres on section 36. He has held various town offices in this and other counties. In 1858 he married Gertrude Lien, in Rice county; they have nine children living.

Charles Mooney was born in county Armagh, Ireland, about 1816. Came to New York in 1850, and from there moved to Virginia; after farming there about seventeen years he moved to Camp, Renville county, Minnesota, and early in the spring of 1869 came to this town. Married in Scotland, in 1850, Jane Ried: they have nine children living.

John G. Olson, born in Norway in 1837, came to America in 1868; spent one year in Iowa, and came to Stony Run, July, 1869. He has 139 acres on sections 33 and 5: has been school director and road overseer. Married in Chippewa county in 1871 Christina Blix; Annie, Louis, Georgina and Ellen are the living children.

Wentworth Paine was born in Ireland in 1855, and in 1877 came to Stony Run and bought 160 acres on section 26. In 1877 he married Mary Watson. Susanna and Mary Jane are the children. His father, Enoch Paine, died in Wicklow, Ireland, in 1871, aged about 76 years.

Knud Rollefson was born in Norway in 1826. Emigrated in 1861 and settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In June, 1876, he moved to Granite Falls and engaged in merchandise business, and continued four years. In the fall of 1879 he bought 320 acres in the town of Stony Run; has also 160 acres in Lisbon. In 1848 he married Susan Olson. Roleff, Ole, Tilda, Isaac, Susan and Charles are the living children; six are dead.

Joseph H. Watson was born in Ireland in 1858. When a child his parents moved to England, and from there to New Zealand, then returned to England. Came with parents to America in 1872 and settled in the town of Stony Run. In 1880 he married Anna Amelia Peterreins, and has one child, Isabella Anna.

Samuel Watson was born in Ireland in 1856 and with his parents went to England and New Zealand and finally settled in this town, when about fifteen years of age. In October, 1877, he married Inga Jenson; Samuel and Martha are their children. Samuel Watson Sr., was born in England in 1817; he died in this town, on the farm now occupied by Samuel, January 17, 1875.

O. C. Wilson was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin; at two years of age he moved with his parents to Columbia county and at the age of seventeen began clerking in a store at Columbus; worked in Rio and Ocononiowoc; in the spring of 1872 he came to this town; has been town clerk and county commissioner. In 1875 he married Carrie Jurgensen; Clarence E., Ella, George H. and Alfred J. are their children.


SANDNES

Henry Anderson was born in Norway in 1840, and in 1857 emigrated to Wisconsin, and from there to Freeborn county, Minnesota, the same year; moved to Fillmore county in 1861, and in February, 1862, enlisted in the Second Minnesota light artillery; was engaged in all principal battles, and discharged in 1864. He farmed near Winona till 1868, then came to Sandnes. In 1860 he married Anna Johnson; they have five children: Fred, Henrietta, Julius, Amandus, Milo.

Ole T. Anderson, native of Norway, born in 1840, came to America in 1861, and worked for farmers in Wisconsin two years, then moved to Goodhue, county, Minnesota, and in 1868 came to Sandnes; on section 14 he has 160 acres. In 1862 he married Miss Gunnellson Johnson. Christine, Susanna, John, Anton, and Mary are the children.

H. K. Beetlend was born in Norway in 1845. In 1860 he came to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in 1867 to Yellow Medicine county. In 1868 he married Liva Jacobson; six children: Julia, Knut, Lewis, Josephine, Sarah O., Henry O.

Ole J. Dahly born January 17, 1841, in Norway, came to America in 1859; lived in Illinois and Iowa; came to Minnesota, then returned to Iowa, and again moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1867 he came to Sandnes; has been chairman, assessor, justice and town clerk; was also county commissioner two terms. In 1865 he married Julia Olson, who bore three children: Betsey and Anna are living; his wife died in 1875, and in 1876 he married Thoma A.Trydal; Marget and John are the children.

Siver Helkson was born in Norway in 1855, and located in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1866. He learned the trade of blacksmith of his father, Helleik Siverson, who was born in Norway in 1828. He learned the trade of blacksmith, and in 1866 emigrated to Rock county. Wisconsin; came to Sandnes and lives on section 24. He married Isabel Kittleson in 1854, and has seven children.

C. H. Nellie, born in Norway in 1852, came to America in 1869; he landed at Quebec and went to Columbia county, Wisconsin; he lived also in Dunn and Chippewa counties, and in 1875 came to Yellow Medicine county. November 17, 1877, he married Jennie Bestland: two children; Dina and Anna.

Isaac Johnson was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, March 15,1853. He was raised on a farm and in 1879, came to Sandnes and lives on section 25. In 1878 he married Maria Nordgood; they have one child, Elmer G.

K. S. Kjemhus was born in Norway in 1838 and came to this country in 1854 and lived in Illinois till 1858: in 1859 he came to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and the next year returned to Norway, but came again in 1861. He enlisted in 1862 and was sick until his discharge in 1863; in 1864 he enlisted in the First Minnesota heavy artillery and served through the war. In 1867 he came to Sandnes. Married in 1868, Olnia G. Stevens; seven children.

Ole S. Kolhei was born in Norway in 1845. In 1860 he came to Fillmore county, Minnesota; was there five years, then moved to Iowa, and the next year came to this town; married Anna Simmondson in October, 1873; Annett, Laurits, Elizabeth, Ollai S. are the children.

Ed. Knudson, native of Norway, was born in 1848, and came to Fillmore county, Minnesota, in 1861; came to Yellow Medicine county in 1867 and located in Sandnes; is supervisor. His wife was Julia Olson, married in 1867; one child, Jane A.

O. G. Teldey was born in Norway in 1845 and came to this county in 1867; he lived in Fillmore county Minnesota until 1872,then came to this town, built a shop and worked at his trade, blacksmith, two years, and has kept the only store in the town since; has been postmaster since 1873: has also been justice and treasurer. In 1877 he married Dena Hanson; three children, Enoch G., Tidlef A., Laurets O.

Rev. K. Thorstensen, native of Norway, was born September 6. 1839; he received his education in a religious school and taught for two years; in 1860 he came to America and after teaching in Wisconsin and Minnesota, went to Lutheran College in Decorah, Iowa, and Concordia College in St. Louis. In 1866 he took charge of a Lutheran church in Wisconsin and in 1874 came to Sandnes and is pastor of the Yellow Medicine congregation. November 2,1866 he married Aasne Aslaksen; four children: Margaret, Thorsten, Thone, Anna.

O. E. Stevens was born in Norway in 1844. Came to America in 1860 and lived in Racine, Wisconsin, and then in Adams county. Came to Sandnes and has 200 acres on section 8; has been town clerk and justice. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company K. 50th Wisconsin, and was in the army of the Potomac; had a narrow escape, bullets passing through his clothing and grazing his ears. January 10, 1872, he married Helen Glairn. Children: Rodnia, Clara, Helena, and Petrina; his wife died April 9, 1880.

Andrew O. Lende, born in Norway in 1845, came to America in 1864 and to Fillmore county, Minnesota ; he lived there one year then went to Winona and kept saloon two years; went back to Fillmore county, then moved to this town and located on section 10. He deals in stock; has been chairman, supervisor and constable. In 1872 Mary Hanson became his wife: five children; Olai, Tennes, Mina A., Amanda and Mette.

J. J. Stevens, native of Norway, was born April 12,1846, and at the age of three came with parents to Wisconsin and lived near Milwaukee and in Adams county. In 1867 he came to Sandnes and located on section 10. January 29, 1871, he married Anna Barnson: their children are: Rebecca L., Peter C., John O., Ella, Benjamin, James A., Ida M.

Ole Simundson was born in 1844 and came to America in 1863; located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in 1865 enlisted in Company D, as a recruit: served four and a half months; in 1867 he came to Yellow Medicine county, and located 160 acres on section 10, Sandnes. Married Hannah M. Johnson, December 9, 1869: Simund, Julius, Arent O., Elizabeth S. and Amelia are the children.

S. L. Orwoll, native of Norway, was born in 1829. He learned the trade of tailor and came to America and worked at farming in Dane county, Wisconsin; in 1855 moved to Adams county; in 1868 he came to Sandnes. He has held nearly all the town offices and is now county commissioner. Married Martha Christianson in 1851; they have seven children living: Christian, Lasse, Emma, Sarah L., Esther, Martha, Sylvester M.

G. S. Reishus, native of Minnesota, was born in Rushford, Fillmore county, April 8, 1869. He attended the St. Olaf College, at Northfield, in 1876, then went to the Lutheran College at Decorah Iowa, three years, and is now engaged in teaching school; at present he is teaching in district number one, Sandnes township.

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