NEW YORK MILLS, MINNESOTA

CENTENNIAL 1884-1984

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS IN NEW YORK MILLS

SECTION II - Page 1

OTTO AND IDA AMBERG

        Otto William Amberg  was born on August 16, 1870 in Pihtipudas , Finland. He came to the United States at 17 years of age. He spent his first year in Hancock, Michigan before coming to New York Mills in 1889. There is very little history on his family except that his father lived to be 101 years old. He was an uncle to the late William Puranen, Otto Jr. and Jalmer Amberg who all came from Finland to the Amberg farm and left families.

        He was married to Olga Loukinen and they were parents of five children. One and only son Bill (Hille) lived to be 42 years old, was well known in this community. After the death of his first wife he married Ida Walpuri Tumberg, daughter of the late Erick and Bieta Gustava Tumberg. She was born July 12, 1885 in Deer Creek Township. There were five girls and eight boys in her family. Bertha, Oscar, (Ida), Bill, Olga, John, Matt, Richard, Hjalmer, Eino, Hilja, Rudolph and Susan. They all lived in the New York Mills area.

        Otto and Ida had 13 children. Esther, husband Wallace Juntila, one daughter Joan Purcell. Oscar, wife Signe Fiskari, two sons Ray and Alvin, one daughter Mildred Matson. Hannah, late husband Henry Wirta, one son Henry, two daughters Arlene Matti and Janet Pesola.  Second marriage, Bruno Kujala, one daughter Margaret Wallgren and two stepchildren Melvin Kujala and Elaine Kujala Pernula. Edwin, wife Agnes, two daughters Barbara Wick and Steffie Mabbott. Lydia died in infancy. Arthur, wife Kay Moore, one son Patrick and one daughter Nancy Ferrari. Saima, late husband Oscar Wirta, two sons Jim and Tom. Second marriage, John Kauppi. Charley, wife Helen Fraki, three sons, David, Wayne and Paul. Nine daughters, Elaine Paavola, Aileen Maki, Marcy Helmeke, Lorraine Barthel, Linda deceased, Brenda Boyne, Becky Lohse, Sandra Speed and Ann Marie. Fanny Nelson Olerud, four sons, Clifford, Duane, Larry, Paul Nelson. Nelma died in infancy. Edward, wife Betty Freelind, one daughter Jean Schwartz. Reuben, wife Elsie Redunske Brown and stepdaughter Shirley. Verner died in infancy.

        Their farm was located four miles southeast of New York Mills. It is presently owned by Roger Tumberg.

        In this year of 1983, Ida has one brother living, Hjalmer Tumberg, age 85 and four children, Hannah, Saima, Fanny and Reuben, 31 grandchildren and 73 great-grandchildren.

        Otto passed away at the age of 52 in 1922. Ida passed away seven years later at the age of 44.

[Photo: Otto & Ida Amberg]

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EAST OTTER TAIL COUNTY 1977, VOL. I

OTTER TAIL COUNTY , MINNESOTA

Photo: Amberg Farmstead

Page 41

OTTO WILLIAM AMBERG FAMILY

        Otto William Amberg was born August 16, 1870 in Pihtipudas , Finland . He came to the United States in 1888. He settled in Hancock, Michigan for one year before coming to New York Mills in 1889. He was married to Olga Laukenin and they were parents of four children. Olga died in 1901 and all of the children have also passed away.

        After the death of his first wife, Otto married Ida Walborg Tumberg in 1902. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Erick Tumburg and was born July 12, 1885 in Deer Creek Township. They were the parents of thirteen children of whom five sons and two daughters are deceased. Otto Amberg died on November 7, 1922 and Ida Amberg died on April 30. 1929. Remaining children are: Mrs Esther Juntella, Mrs Bruno Kujala (Hanna), Mrs Saima Wirta, Carl and Rueben all of New York Mills, Minnesota , and Mrs Gayler Alerud (Fannie) of Moorhead, Minnesota .

        The descendants of Otto and Ida Amberg are as follows: 24 living grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. Four grandchildren are deceased. The majority of these families are still residing in the immediate area.

        The Ambergs purchased the farm in Newton Township in 1890 and it remained in the family until 1966.

        Otto and Ida were life long members of the Apostolic Lutheran Church .

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