Ole J. Running
Trondhjem, Norway

Excerpted from the History of Dunn County Wisconsin, H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co, Minneapolis, 1925, p. 284

Ole J. Running, in his day a prominent representative of one of the best known families in Dunn County, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, Dec. 8, 1848.  He was educated in his native land and there learned the tailor's trade.  It was in 1871 that he came to the United States, locating at Menomonie, Wis., and entering the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company as tailor, which trade he continued to follow until 1884.  On April 20, 1875, he was united in marriage to Margaret Wagnild, who was born in Soknedal, Norway, June 30, 1855, and came to this country with her parents, Anders and Ingri (Swenson) Wagnild, in 1868, settling with them on a farm in the town of Dunn.

In 1884 Mr. Running bought his father-in-laws' farm of 80 acres in Section 32, town of Dunn, and entered upon a new career as a farmer.  He was well adapted to the work, being industrious and persevering, and he greatly improved the place, breaking more of the land and building or rebuilding according to his necessities or to keep up with the times. He also bought another tract adjoining of 83 acres, which gave him a farm of 183 acres and he continued to improve the entire property, in 1904 erecting a fine residence.  Here he continued to reside until his death in March, 1892 [sic]. 

He and his wife were the parents of eight children, George A., Alfred S., Carl O., Inga M., Sever E., Caroline, Ole (first), and Ole R., of whom Ole (first) died in infancy. George A., who was born Jan. 10, 1877 in Menomonie, is a carpenter by trade, single, and resides with his mother on the home farm. Alfred S., born in Menomonie, Feb. 27, 1879, is now  Lutheran minister located at Sand Point , Ida. He married Julia Olson and has five children: Orville, Cyrus, Arnold, Joseph and David.  Carl O., born March 28, 1881, and who is now with the Lavelle Cream Separator Co. at Fargo, N.D. married Clara Knoppe and has four children: Viola, Albert, Charles and Clinton, the two last mentioned being twins.  Inga M., born Aug. 26, 1883, died Oct 18, 1917.  Sever E., born March 5, 1885, is separately mentioned in this volume. Caroline, born June 28, 1888, is the wife of Fred B. Rasmussen of Long Beach, Calif., and has one child, Erma Marie.  Ole R., born May 17, 1892, is unmarried and resides on the home farm, which he is conducting for his mother, it having been previously managed after the father's death by the son, George A. The family are members of the Elk Creek Lutheran church.