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Trails to the Past
Traill County North Dakota
Biographies
OLUF HAGEN. County auditor of Traill County, is one of the rising young men of North Dakota. He is a gentleman of exemplary character, and the people repose confidence in him. He is ably discharging the duties of his position as a public officer, and is among the public-spirited men of the County. Our subject was born near Lillihammer. Norway, August 24. 1867. and was the fourth in a family of six children, born to Ole and Anna (Hagen) Hagen. His parents died in Norway and our subject and two older brothers are the only surviving members of the family. His father was a land owner of comfortable circumstances, and our subject remained at home until seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to America, and at once went to Wisconsin, where an uncle lived. He engaged in farm work and also in the mills in St. Croix County, and in the spring of 1885 went to Dakota and worked at farm labor, making his home at Clifford Traill County. He entered Bruflat Academy at Portland, in 1888, and spent two winters in the business course, completing the same in Curtiss Commercial College, graduating with the class of 1891. He returned to Traill County and taught school one term, and then went to Grand Forks University to perfect himself in the English language. His education was obtained by his own efforts, and he has acquired a thorough business training since taking up his residence in North Dakota.
Mr. Hagen is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen of America. He was appointed deputy treasurer of Traill County in 1894, and served one year, followed by four years as deputy County auditor, and in 1898 he was elected to his present office as County auditor. He was well qualified for the position, having become familiar with the duties while deputy auditor, and is recognized as a gentleman of true citizenship.
 ESTEN HALVORSEN, deceased, who, in the later years of his life, lived in retirement in the city of Hillsboro, was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and owned eight hundred acres of choice land in Traill county. He was also interested in other farming property with others and in a feed and sale stable in Hillsboro. Every enterprise to which he directed his attention met with success and he was one of the wealthy and highly-esteemed pioneer settlers of Eldorado township.
Our subject was born in Christiana Stift, Norway, April 28, 1851, and was the oldest son and third child born to Halvor and his second wife, Oline Halvorson. When he was about four years of age his mother died and when sixteen years of age he came to America and went direct to Clayton county, Iowa, where his half-brother resided, and made his home there for about ten years, working at farm labor and dealing in horses. He attended the English schools for some time and became thoroughly acquainted with the American ways and the English language. He invested in draft horses in Iowa, in the spring of 1877 he drove them overland to Caledonia, Traill county. North Dakota, and made a profitable sale. He went to Dakota again in the spring of 1878 and filed claim to land in section 10, of Eldorado township, and erected a small frame building on his farm and therein established his first home. He soon afterward purchased an additional eighty acres of land and began raising wheat and met with remarkable success in that line. His farm was equipped with modern appliances and improvements and his outbuildings include an elevator of twelve thousand bushels capacity. He leased his farm in 1899 and removed to Hillsboro in order to provide educational advantages for his children. He owned a half interest in the Halvorsen & Howard wheat farm, comprising about eleven hundred acres of land, and devoted his attention chiefly to overseeing the work of the place, while his individual interests covered eight hundred acres of land. He was instrumental in inducing many settlers to locate near his farm from Iowa and has assisted in developing a fine agricultural district in Eldorado and surrounding townships.
Our subject was married, in 1878, to Miss Inga Olson, and with his bride emigrated to Dakota overland. Mrs. Halvorsen died in 1884. Three children were born to this union, as follows: May, Henry and Lena. Mr. Halvorsen was married to Miss Annie Grandin in 1890. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen, as follows: Ida, Josie. Lillie and Esther. Our subject took an active interest in matters of local importance since residing in Traill county and was widely and favorably known. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he was a Republican. Mr. Halvorsen's death occurred March 16, 1900, after a brief illness.
HON. ANDREW HANSON. The farming community of Mayville township. Traill County, has an able representative in the person of Andrew Hanson. He resides on section 10. and cultivates nine hundred and twenty acres of choice land.
Our subject was born near Christiana, Norway, in 1852. and was the second in a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, born to Hans and Christiana (Anderson) Hanson. He came to America in 1867 and settled in Columbia County, Wisconsin, where he followed farming work four years and then removed to Dakota in 1871. He worked on the boats on the Red river and at railroad work to earn his livelihood, and was twenty-five miles from a post office. He began farming in 1871, living in a log cabin 12x14 feet, and has met with unbounded success in his calling. He has a good residence and other farm buildings on his land, and possesses an extensive farm of nine hundred and twenty acres.
Our subject was married in 1878 to Miss Bertha Skogstad. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, as follows: Carrie, deceased; Nels now attending Lutheran College in Iowa; Annie, attending Normal School in Mayville; Carrie; Hilda; Hilman, deceased; Tunetta; Arthur and Bertha. Mr. Hanson was elected county commissioner in 1898. and he served as a member of the general assembly in the session of 1890-91. He is one of the leading men of the county, and every enterprise which tends to up build his community is heartily supported by him, and as a man of exemplary character he stands high in the minds of his associates. He has gained his possessions single handed and is enjoying the result of a well-spent career. He holds membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church.
OLIVER S. HANSON. As an all around prominent man of Traill county, there is probably no one of its citizens who more justly deserves the title than Mr. Hanson. He is the leading spirit in the financial and social growth of Buxton and its surrounding country, and is enjoying the result of a well-spent career. He resides on his pleasantly situated farm near that city, and his home is one of elegance and comfort, being fitted with all modern improvements, heated by furnace and finished in hard wood. He is president of the State Bank of Buxton, and is also extensively interested in farming.
Our subject was born in Iowa, June 3, 1862, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, born to Hans and Moren (Simonson) Hanson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His parents emigrated to America in 1851, and became early settlers of Allamakee county, Iowa, where their marriage occurred, and where the father now resides.
Our subject went to Hillsboro in November, 1881, and spent three years in the position of bookkeeper for the Hillsboro National Bank. He went to Buxton in January, 1884, at the age of twenty-one years, and established the bank of Buxton and became cashier. He purchased the business within a few months and conducted it as a private bank, and in 1890 reorganized as the State Bank of Buxton, and has since been president of the institution. The bank conducts a general banking business, and occupies a quaint structure in design, built of native stone. Mr. Hanson has a valuable farm about one mile north of Buxton, where he has erected his handsome residence and makes his home.
Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Anna Scully, who died in 1889. Mr. Hanson married Miss Louise Sorlie, in 1892. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Harley, Merwyn and Verdine. Mr. Hanson is a supporter of the Republican party, and is well known as a temperance worker. He is a member of the Republican state central committee and has been absent from few state conventions. He served as a delegate to the St. Louis convention, and has been thoroughly identified with the movements of his party, but has not allowed his name to be brought forward as a candidate for office. He devotes most of his time to the duties of his position and business affairs, and his success is well merited.
 HON. OLE C. HAUAN, of whom a portrait is presented on another page, is successfully pursuing farming on the fertile soil of North Mayville township, Traill county. He has a well cultivated and improved estate and is incidentally laying aside a competence for future years, and gaining the esteem of his fellowmen.
Our subject was born in Overhalden Nordre Throndhjenis Amt, Norway, January 25, 1844, and was the third in a family of four children, born to Christen L. and Johanna (Melhus) Hauan. The father died when our subject was three years of age. Mr. Hauan remained in his native land until after he attained his majority, and at the age of twenty-two years emigrated to America and settled in Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, in 1866.
He worked the first two years on a farm and at carpenter work, and remained in Minnesota until the summer of 1878, when he located in Traill county, North Dakota, and took government land in North Mayville township on section 24, where he now resides. He now owns five hundred and twenty acres of land and has a commodious and convenient dwelling, finished in natural wood, oak, and the furnishings bespeak the refinement and good taste of its occupants. Two large barns furnish shelter for forty-six head of stock and other outbuildings of the place are built with an idea to comfort and convenience in the operation of the farm.
Our subject was married, in 1868, to Kjersti A. Lund. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hauan, as follows: Julia, deceased; Albert S., Julia M., Christian I., John M., Ole K., deceased, and Ole K. Mr. Hauan served as the first assessor of Mayville township, and also as a member of the school board, and was appointed county commissioner in 1891. He was elected a representative in the state legislature in the fall of 1898, on the Republican ticket and served one term. While a member of that body he introduced house bill No. 28, relating to the meeting of the township board of supervisors, and also served on the joint committee of the state library, and on the following house committees : corporations other than municipal, agricultural of which he was chairman, irrigation, apportionment and supplies and expense. He has served as a delegate to state and county conventions, and takes a leading part in public affairs and enjoys the confidence of the people among whom he resides.
OLE. N. HEM, register of deeds of Traill County, is among the popular and influential public officials of that County. He has resided in Hillsboro for the past four years, but previous to that time was a well-known and prosperous business man of Portland. He attends strictly to the duties of his office, and is efficient, thorough, and a man in whom the people repose confidence.
Our subject was born in Christiansands Stift, Norway, June 16, 1857. and was the oldest in a family of eight children, born to Nels and Guro (Sundvall) Hem. both of whom are deceased. The mother died when our subject was twelve years of age. .
Mr. Hem worked at farm labor and attended the Military College, and at the age of twenty-two years, after completing his education, he came to America and worked a short time in Swift County, Minnesota, and later entered a hardware store in Benson. He went to Traill County, North Dakota, May 13, 1882, and worked in a hardware store in Portland, and in the early part of 1884, assumed the management of the lumber business now conducted under the firm name of the Beidler & Robinson Lumber Company. He was elected to his present office in 1896 and then removed his family to Hillsboro.
Our subject was married, in 1883,to Miss Amelia H. Engeland, a native of Norway. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hem, as follows: Nils, deceased, Hans, Gina, Ida, Otto, Effie, Alfha and William McK. Mr. Hem served as mayor of Portland and also treasurer while a resident of that place, and has participated in public affairs wherever he has resided. He is a man of the best of character, unassuming, and earnestly devoted to his work, and his popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he was returned to the office of register of deeds of Traill County by general vote. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, of America, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. In political faith he is a Republican and attends the County and state conventions of his party and is firm in his convictions.
HON. PETER HERBRANDSON. This gentleman is among the public-spirited and energetic citizens of Traill county who well deserve a place in the pages of Dakota's history. He is a gentleman of true worth and his labors are given with but one object, that of advancing and up building the better interests of the country in which he lives. He is the present postmaster of Caledonia, where he has resided since 1879, and is a well known and efficient officer.
Our subject was born in Norway August 9, 1847, and was the third in a family of five children born to Herbran and Bergret (Narvesen) Peterson. He emigrated to the United States in 1864 and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where he was employed at farming and lumbering until 1876, when he went to Ottertail county, Minnesota, and he soon afterward visited the Red river valley and took a pre-emption claim near Caledonia, in Traill county, and engaged in buying and shipping stock. lie took up his residence in Caledonia in 1877.
Our subject was married, in 1873, to Miss Carrie Nelson. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herbrandson: Emma, Nina, Harry, Clara and James N. Mr. Herbrandson was elected county commissioner in 1878 and served continuously eighteen years, and then after three years was again recently re-elected. This-fact alone suggests a popularity seldom enjoyed. He was sent to the fifth and seventh state legislature to represent the interests of his county, and in the fifth session four important bills which have become laws were introduced by him, one relating to paupers and their gaining residence, one relating to bridges and bridge building, one providing for the preservation of coroners' records, and during the seventh session a bill relating to the care of the blind. He is a gentleman of the highest character, possessed of excellent education and a wide knowledge of men and the world, and no man in the county has taken more interest in general matters than he and his influence is widely felt.
HON. SVEN N. HESKIN, one of the well-to-do and energetic farmers of North Roseville township, resides on section 26, in township 147, range 53. His farm consists of four hundred and eighty acres of land, is on the north fork of the Goose river, and is in a fine state of cultivation.
Our subject was born in Valders, Hamar stift, Norway, September 29, 1854, and was the tenth in a family of twelve children born to Nils N. and Anna (Hendrickson) Heskin. When he was twelve years of age the family emigrated to America and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, and later moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota. Our subject left home at the age of thirteen years, and when eighteen years of age started for Dakota with the determination to make a home for himself. He arrived penniless and the first few years met with many discouragements, and worked at railroading, boating on the Red river and on the government survey, and in 1873 began improvements on his farm. He put in his first crop the following year, and this was destroyed by grasshoppers, but the tide changed the following season, and about 1874 he erected a log house, which constitutes a part of his present comfortable and commodious residence. His barn is 54x80 feet, and has hay storage of one hundred tons, and all other outbuildings are substantial and complete. Sixty acres of native timber, and one of the finest artesian wells in the county complete a home of more than usual comforts.
Our subject was married, in 1874, to Miss Rachel O. Hougan. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heskins. as follows: Julia, now Mrs. Egan ; Mills, who is farming in Walsh county. North Dakota ; Ole, farming in Canada; Mary, John, Henry, Annie, Carl and Helmar. Mr. Heskin was elected state representative in 1890, and had previously served two terms as county sheriff and one term as deputy sheriff. He is a Republican in politics, but takes little part in political affairs, and devotes much time to church work. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of which denomination he is deacon, and during the past four years has done efficient work in conducting revivals and in the organization of churches. He is a man of broad ideas and exemplary character and his high standing is well merited.
REV. H. HJERTAAS, the present pastor of the Mayville Norwegian Lutheran congregation and the outlying churches, was born in Bergens Stift, Norway, September 24, 1857, and was the third of a family of nine children born to Martinus and Ingeborg (Hanson) Hjertaas, both of whom are deceased.
When fifteen years of age our subject left home and began gaining his own livelihood and in 1879 entered Askar Seminary and received a diploma in 1881 and in 1882, after teaching school one year, he came to America and taught school in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He began a course in theology at Red Wing Seminary in 1883. and was ordained a minister in June, 1885, and was given charge of two congregations in Dover, and four congregations in Vernon county, Wisconsin. He remained there nine years and was very successful in his work and was then called to his present charge.
Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Anna Olson, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hjertaas are the parents of six daughters and one son, deceased, as follows: Adelaide, Christian, deceased, Ella, Magdalena, Edith, Lydia and Ruth. Mr. Hjertaas is faithful in his labors and is deservedly loved by those among whom he works.
OLE A. HONG. The story of the wonderful resources of America, of the opportunities afforded honest industry to gain a footing in business and society, has attracted many natives of the Scandinavian peninsula. They are found wielding the implements of the trades, opening up unsettled regions and bringing the country into high cultivation. Traill county. North Dakota, is not without her share of these men and prominent among this class is the subject of this review. Mr. Hong is a leading business man of Buxton and is a hardware and furniture dealer of that thriving village and one of its oldest settlers.
Our subject was born in Guldbrandsdalen. Norway, March 8, 1861, and was the eldest of thirteen children born to Amund and Marie (Stalsberg) Hong, both of whom reside on the estate Hong, in Norway, where our subject was born. The family tree traces back hundreds of years and some of the early records are preserved on sheepskin.
At the age of fourteen years Mr. Hong began learning the tinsmith's trade and followed it in the city of Hammar until twenty years of age and then crossed the ocean to seek his fortunes in the New-World. He came alone to verify the reports of this country and the wonderful fertility of the Red river valley and finding a good business opening he established a hardware and furniture store at Buxton in 1887 and became one of the earliest residents of the village and has been identified with the up building of the same. He enjoys liberal patronage and is well known.
Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Gurene Larson, a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Hong have one adopted daughter, Agnes. Mr. Hong was deputy sheriff of Traill county four years and is one of the leading Republicans in the northeastern part of the county. He attends county and state conventions and takes an active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is deservedly held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact.
 HON. GUNDER HOWARD . In the person of the above named gentleman the city of Hillsboro has a worthy business man and citizen and the county and state has an able representative. Mr. Howard is popular, progressive and energetic, and his financial interests are of such amount as to allow generosity and liberality in public enterprises, while he lends an influence for good in the community in which he makes his home. He is engaged in the implement business in Hillsboro and has extensive agricultural interests in that locality.
Gunder Howard was born in Norway and was the eldest of a family of five children. His father died while Gunder was but a young boy and at the age of thirteen he assisted his mother in the support of the family. He and the mother and family came to America when he was but seventeen years of age and settled in Houston county, Minnesota, where relatives lived, and Mr. Howard worked at farm labor in that locality, and with the help of the younger children supplied the wants of the family. His uncle tendered him a loan of one hundred dollars in 1873 and with this he invested in a yoke of cattle, and the family drove about five hundred miles Westward to Minnesota. The mother entered land near Moorhead and our subject "squatted" on a quarter-section and farmed his and his mother's land, comprising one half-section, for two years. He worked for others in 1875 in the implement business in Fargo, and in 1880 went to Hillsboro and. with A. H. Morgan, established the first implement business of the city. The partnership was dissolved after one year, since which time Mr. Howard has conducted the business alone and his present large business is the outgrowth of that mall start. He erected the lower story of his building, 50x100 feet, in 1886, and a stock company added a story the same year to be used as an opera house. Mr. Howard, in company with Mr. Easton Halverson. owns a farm of over one thousand acres, situated in a most productive part of the Red river valley, and from his farming interests alone receives a comfortable income.
Mr. Howard was a member of the lower house in 1896 and introduced many of the measures which are now important laws. He served as a member of the following committees: Banks and banking, railroads, warehouse, grain grading and dealing and supplies and expenditures. He served as state boiler inspector for the third judicial district in 1891-92. He is a member of the United Lutheran church and is a thirty-second-degree Mason. Politically he is a Republican and strong in his convictions. His success is well merited and he is one of the men who are popular regardless of party affiliations and held in high esteem by all.
 HON. HARRY D. HURLEY , residing on section 33, in township 146, range 49, in Caledonia township, is one of the most extensive farmers and business men of North Dakota, and is widely and favorably known. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, and whatever enlists his assistance is sure of meeting with success. Careful and systematic in all details, the general outcome of all matters is assuredly desirable and profitable. He possesses twenty-three hundred acres of land, and is also president of the H. D. C. & S. Telephone Company. His home is a commodious and handsome structure and in all its appointments bespeaks the culture and refinement of its occupants.
Our subject was born in Fultonville, Montgomery County, New York, October 3, 1853, and was the elder of two children and only son born to John and Mary (Chamberlain) Hurley. His parents were natives of Ireland, but the mother is not of Irish descent. His father was a brick maker.
When our subject was but ten years of age he left home and began driving on the canal, and then was engaged as water boy on the train two years, and then became news agent on the train. Following railroad work, he began at the lowest position and worked himself up, becoming conductor of sleeping and drawing room cars on the Vanderbilt system. He heard of the wonderful resources of the Red river valley, and in the fall of 1879, in company with A. W. Russell, went to North Dakota and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and then resumed his work in the east, and in 1882 went again to North Dakota to engage in farming. In the meantime he had purchased an additional one hundred and sixty acres of land, and cultivated the first purchase. He took the first crop from the original purchase in 1881, and the yield was valued at $6,400. This determined his future, and he settled to farming in the West. He now has one of the best improved estates in the state, and during the working season fifteen men are kept busy, while seven private grain storehouses are put in each year. His buildings are of the best, and his residence is equipped with hot-water heat, telephone, all modern conveniences, and is a model in finish and furnishings.
The H. D. C. & S. Telephone Company, of which he is president, was organized in 1898. and has thirty miles of country line, and local exchange at Hillsboro of one hundred and thirty telephones.
Mr. Hurley was married, in 1893, to Miss Theodora Miller, a native of Philadelphia. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurley, named Alton B. Mr. Hurley is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has passed the degree of the .Mystic Shrine. He is venerable master of Hillsboro Lodge of Perfection, and in political sentiment is a Republican, and an earnest worker for party principles. He participated in the county seat fight, and has since taken an active part in public affairs, and served as a member of the state legislature during the third and fifth sessions of that body. During his first term in office he was a member of the appropriations committee, and during second term was a member of the judiciary committee, and chairman of the appropriation committee and taxes and tax laws. He was identified with the prohibition movement, and labors for reform in expenditures of public funds. He introduced the bill making Lincoln's birthday a state holiday.
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