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


NORMANIA

John N. Bisseberg was born in 1839, and resided in Norway, the land of his birth, until 1867, at which date he removed to Michigan, and soon afterward to Minnesota. Until 1870 his home was in Dakota county, he then came to Normania. Married in 1874, Miss P. Bratberg; they have four children.

A. O. Dotseth, who was born in 1853, is a native of Norway. From 1868 to 1872 his home was in Steele county, Minnesota; he then removed to Normania and located at his present place, on section 6. Lizzie C. Fredrickson was married to him in 1879 and has borne two children; Anna C. is living.

Halvor Gullikson, born in 1844, lived in Norway, his birthplace, until 1861. Went to Chicago, thence to Wisconsin, where in January, 1862, he entered Company K, 15th infantry; was discharged in 1863 because of sickness. Came to Normania and has held town offices. Married in 1865, Christiana Martin: the children are Olous, Carl, Ola, Hannah, Clara, Emma, John and an infant.

John J. Kise, who was born in Norway in 1843, was reared to manhood in his native country. In 1870 he immigrated to Clayton county, Iowa, but removed in 1879 to the town of Normania. His marriage took place in 1878 vvith Stena Larson; the children are Eli, Loutis and Nellie.

Osmend Knutson, whose native state is Minnesota, was born in the year 1836 in Fillmore county. When only five years old he came to Normania and now lives on section 27.

I. Kolhei, born February 18, 1847, in Norway immigrated with his parents in 1860, to Fillmore county, Minnesota. Went to Iowa in 1866 but the next year settled in Sandnes, this county, and in 1870 came to Normania. From the organization of the town till 1881 he was clerk; has also been justice and county commissioner; is director of the Norwegian Mutual Fire Insurance Company and treasurer of of St. Lucus church. Married in 1872, Miss C. Hareldson; three living children: Noken, Hagbert and Carlina.

O. L. Lovsner, native of Norway, was born in January, 1843. At the age of thirteen removed to Illinois for one year, then lived until 1872 in Fillmore county, Minnesota; at that date he came to Normania. Mr. Lovsner has held some town offices. In 1871 he married Ranny Tolifson; Anna, Eliza, Louisa, Olof and Edward are their children.

M. T. Myhre, was born November 8, 1837 in Norway. In 1860 went to Michigan and to Chicago; until 1863 he was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad; his trade is that of boiler maker and engineer; he worked in several states and finally deafness compelled him to give up a position as railroad engineer. Bought a farm in this county, but sold and went to Dane county; since 1871 has lived at his place in Normania. In 1865 he married Maria Nelson; they have lost one child; the living are Martin T., Marte M., Caroline L., Albert B. and Fritof A.

Tobias K. Reishus was born May 10, 1843, in Norway. When eight years old he went with his mother to Dane county, Wisconsin, and three years later to Fillmore county, Minnesota. Enlisted in Company D, Eighth infantry and served from August, 1862, till war closed. In 1868 he removed to Sandnes, but now lives on his farm in Normania. He has held town offices and was the first county sheriff. Married February 5, 1867, Anna Kolhei; the children are Alata, Knut, Maria, Laures, Anna T. and Ametia E.

Reier Swendson, who was born in 1844, lived until until twelve years of age in Norway, the land of his birth, then immigrated to Iowa. He enlisted and served over two years in a regiment of Iowa cavalry. Mr. Swendson migrated to Fillmore county, and that was his home until 1874 when he came to Normania. He has held different town offices and is postmaster at Stavenger. Married in 1866, Julia Thompson.

John B. Brown was born in Yorkshire, England, December 20, 1818. He learned the trade of silk weaver and in 1855 came to this country and lived in Wisconsin until 1878, when he came to this town. In 1833 he married Harriet Speight and has ten children; his two eldest sons served in the war of the rebellion.


OMRO.

J. Abbott was born March 28, 1814, in the town of Ossipee, New Hampshire. At the age of ten removed to Machias, Maine, and in 1848 went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin; in 1878 he came to the town of Omro, Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota. In 1842 he married Margaret Coffin; his second wife was Jane Wilson, whom he married in 1878. His first wife bore him eight children; seven are living: James A., Elizabeth, Eldora, Anson, Edgar, Ida and Frankie.

G. Abraham, native of Germany, was born in 1843. In 1870 he came to this country and lived in Indiana until 1872, then came to Minnesota; his home was in Faribault county until 1878, when he came to Omro. In 1872 he married Wilhelmina Ziltter; they have had five children: four are living: Adelia, Bertha. Wilhelmina and Lydia.

Robert North was born in Essex county, New York, January 21, 1826. At the age of twelve he moved to Erie county, and in 1856 went to Winnebago county, Wisconsin; in 1878 he came to Omro; he has been chairman of town board since the organization of the town. His wife was Sarah Miranda Campbell, whom he married April 23, 1846; their living children are Eliza Jane, William H., George A. and Robert E.; one child died.

W. H. North was born July 6, 1850, in Erie county, New York. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin, and lived in Winnebago county until 1879, then came to Omro; he has been town clerk, treasurer and justice of the peace. Married, January 27, 1870, Nettie Drake, and has two children, Florence Elba and Sarah Agnes.

John G. Wheeler, native of Kentucky, was born November 5, 1852, in Kenton county. At the age of two he went with his parents to Ohio and two years later to Iowa; in 1858, went to Macon county, Missouri; at the age of fourteen his father died j and he then traveled through the southern and western states; returned to Missouri where he married, March 1877, Elizabeth C. Kimble, and returned to Minnesota.


FORTIER.

James A. Coombes, born in 1844, lived in his native city, Boston, excepting one year spent in Virginia, till twelve years of age, when he went to Michigan, and worked four years on a farm. Returned to Boston and enlisted in 1861, though but seventeen years old; served three years; participated in many very hard battles and has never entirely recovered from a wound in the knee. He was then employed in carpenter and farm work in Michigan, Boston and New York till 1879, the date of his settlement in Fortier. Married, March 12, 1880, Sophia Scheef; one child, Jacob H., died.

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