The Anderson Families of Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Andrew Anderson, who is well known in the vicinity of Henning, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, as a grain buyer, was born near Battle Lake, in Clitherall township, March 31. 1874. and is the son of Nels and Frederika Anderson.

Mr. Anderson's father was born in Sweden and in 1868 came to Litchfield, Minnesota. In 1870 he emigrated to Clitherall township and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. Both he and his wife are still living and reside on the old homestead farm in Clitherall township. They had a family of fourteen children, of whom Ida, Gustav, Amanda, John and two unnamed infants are deceased. The living children are Elof, Andrew, Martin, Oscar, Alfred, Selma, Ida and Augusta.

Andrew Anderson was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools and at Park Region College. After finishing his education, he clerked in a store for A. S. Paulsen at Henning for a number of years. During the past fourteen years, Mr. Anderson has been engaged in the grain business at Henning and has been very successful in business

In 1901 Andrew Anderson was married to Alice Mollerstrom, the daughter of Lars Mollerstrom. of Henning, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two children. Arvie Willard and Kenneth Wendall.

Mr. Anderson has served as a member of the Henning village council and also as a member of the school hoard. He was formerly clerk of the village and is at present one of the trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and family are members " the Swedish Lutheran church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANDREW J. ANDERSON.

Born in Moore county, Minnesota, January 30, 1868, Andrew J. Anderson is the son of Johanna and Synneve (Olsen) Anderson, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 183 1 and the latter in 1842.

Mr. Anderson's parents came to America in 1867 and settled in Moore county, Minnesota. The next year they emigrated to Otter Tail county, making the journey from1 Moore to Otter Tail county with an ox-team. After homesteading one hundred and sixty acres in Aurdal township, where their son, Andrew now lives, they set to work to clear the land and to improve it. At the time the land was obtained it was covered with heavy timber. Here Mr. Anderson's father died in 191 1. His mother had died fifteen years previously, in 1806. They had three children, of whom Andrew J. was the eldest, Gustina and Hannah being the other two children. Mr. Anderson's parents were prominent in the Lutheran church of this community.

Andrew J. Anderson was reared on the old homestead farm and educated in the public schools of this county. His first teacher was Haldor Boen. Mr. anderson attended school in pioneer times, when the educational facilities were considerably more limited than they are at the present time. When the Andersons came to Otter Tail county. Minnesota. Mr. Anderson's father had only two cows, two calves and a half interest in a wagon.

Some years ago.Mr. Anderson purchased his father's farm. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres of land. Tn tqo8 he built a new barn and. after it lias been destroyed by a tornado in ion. it was replaced by another barn.

On October _('. [8q8, Andrew J. Anderson was married tn Louisa Fossen, who was born in Goodhue county in 1867, and who is the daughter of Jens.ind Christina Fossen, who settled in Goodhue county in 1864. after emigrating to this country from Norway. They moved to Otter Tail county about 1870 and took a homestead farm in Dane Prairie township. Both are still living. Mrs. Anderson's father is now eighty-three years old and her mother is eighty-five. They had a large family of children, of whom three. Lawrence, Louise and Hans are deceased. The living children are < He, Louisa, John, Gurena and Mikkel.

-Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Anderson have three children. Julius, horn on October 30. [899; Sophia. October 29, 1901, and Arthur, April 25,

Mr. Anderson has never been active in politics, but he lias always been interested in educational affairs and has been, for a number of years, a member of the local school board.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Born in Carver county. Minnesota, January 9, 1870, Richard Anderson, a well-known farmer of Compton township, this county, is the son of Olaus and Anna Anderson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Olaus Anderson came to America in 1871, after his marriage, and upon landing in New York City, he moved to Carver county, Minnesota. Seven months later he was joined by his wife and children, and there rented land for seven years, when they came to Compton township. Otter Tail county. Here they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section 20, Compton township, and here Olaus Anderson lived until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church and had been a farmer in his native country.

There were born to Olaus and Anna Anderson eight children: Mary, Alfred, Beda, Augusta. August, Ida. Richard and John. Of these children. Mary resides at Grantsburg, in Burnett county, Wisconsin. John lives at Wadena, Minnesota. August is deceased, The remainder of the children live in Otter Tail county.

When the family settled m Otter Tail county their homestead farm was all wild land, but il has been cleared of its timber The Anderson home farm included, al the time of Mr. Anderson's death, two hundred and forty acres, which had been very greatly improved.

Since his father's death, Richard Anderson has had charge of the home farm. Mr. Anderson himself owns one hundred and twenty acres of land

, MINNESOl in section,y_'. of Compton township, and has owned this farm for the past thirteen years. There are, however, no buildings on the farm. With Mr. Anderson are his sister. Augusta, and his mother, and they all live together on the home place Mr. Anderson lias made a very great success in raising Polled Angus cattle The Anderson family are all members of the Lutheran church and take an active interest in religious matters in their home community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Born in Sweden. March 31, [854, Daniel Anderson, a prosperous farmer of Compton township, is the son of A. I Sutter and Christina Nelson, who were natives of Sweden. Mr. Anderson's paternal grandfather was also Daniel Anderson by name, who died in Sweden, where be was a farmer 1>\ occupation and where he owned a large tract of land, lie was a member of the Lutheran church.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Educated in the public schools of the old country, Daniel Anderson came to America in 1881 and, after landing at Philadelphia, came direct to Minnesota. Two years later he purchased land in Compton township, this county

Mr. Anderson began his career as a tanner in Compton township with eighty acres in section 21, which Iksubsequently increased to two hundred acres. but-dine of it lias been divided among his suns, lie gave eighty acres of his farm to his son. A. 1). Anderson, and eighty acreto his sun. W. 1'. Anderson.

On March jo. [880, Daniel Anderson was married to Christine Xorden, a native of Sweden, and to them have been horn seven children, Andrew. John, William, Benjamin (deceased), Ella, Manna and Amanda.

Air. and Mrs. Daniel Anderson are members of the Mission church. Mr. Anderson has served as supervisor of Compton township fur six years, but is no longer serving in this office. He also served as school treasurer for one term in Compton township. Daniel Anderson is a prosperous farmer, a useful citizen and is popular among all of the people in the community where he resides and by whom he is well known.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

A. M. ANDERSON.

Jt is a difficult task to do justice to any individual within the limited space accorded in a volume of this character, where so many must be given the credit which they have honestly and deservedly earned. To Mr. Anderson, however, especial honor is due because of the struggle through many hardships through which he has passed, and the eminent financial success which he has achieved, thus enabling him to pass the remaining years of his life in comfort.

A. M. Anderson, farmer, Fergus Falls, Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, was born on January 8, 1856, in Norway, and is a son of Michael and Julia (Olson). Anderson. He came with his parents to America in 1 86 1, locating in Allamakee county. Iowa. His opportunities for receiving an education were limited, attending for a short period at the public schools in Iowa, and about the same length of time in Minnesota. As a young man ii was always necessary for him to work very hard, and in 1885 he began farming for himself on his father's farm in Martin county, Minnesota, which he afterward bought, and which he sold in 1902, coming to Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, where he bought a tract of two hundred and eighty acres, eighty of which he sold in 1913, and now owns two hundred acres, on which he has put all the buildings and other improvements. In addition to following general farming, Mr. Anderson conducts a dairy, and is a stockholder in the Fergus Falls Creamery. Politically, he is a strong Democrat, while his religious views are in accordance with those of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he takes a deep interest. He has put out a new orchard, and is considered a progressive farmer.

Michael and Julia (Olson1) Anderson, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both born in Norway, the former coming to America as a day laborer, arriving at New York City in 1861, and going from there to Allamakee county. Iowa, where he bought a farm of eighty acres and lived until 1882, when he moved to Martin county. Minnesota, taking a homestead of eighty acres, where his wife died. Mr. Anderson then moved to Pine county, where he lived for a few years and then sold out. moving to

Wheeler, Wisconsin, where he died. This union was best with but one son, A. M. Anderson. Politically, Mr. Anderson was a Republican, and in religion he belonged to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

A. M. Anderson was united in marriage, in 1880, with Elizabeth Knoff, daughter of Peter and Melena (Berg) Knoff. She was born on May 23, 1861, in Norway. Eleven children have been born to this union: Julia M., who became the wife of Edward Thompson, and is the mother of six children, Janice E., Marion E., Ruby E., Lila I., Palma V. and George Edwin; Christian, the second child of A. M. and Elizabeth Anderson, was united in marriage with Emma Paulson, which marriage has been best with two children. Carlyle E. and Mario: Albert T.: Emma P.. who became the wife of Augustus Siems. and ik; the mother of two children, Delna L. and Arvid H.; Melvin O., Helmar, Carl L., Hazel M., Alma E., Howard E. and George D.

Mr. Anderson enjoys the reputation of being one of the industrious and thrifty agriculturists in his community, where he holds the high regard of all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PETER A. ANDERSON.

Well known to the people of Otter Tail county and long prominent in the official life of the county, Peter A. Anderson, the register of deeds at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is a nate of Rice county, where he was born on July 8, 1868, the son of Lars and Johanna ( Peterson) Anderson, the former of whom was engaged in farming in Rice county, but who late in life removed to Leaf Lake township, this county, where he purchased land and carried on farming until his death, m January, [912. His widow is now living in Henning, this county.

Peter A. Anderson has served as register of deeds in Otter Tail county for eight years and has been connected with this office for almost twenty-one years, a very striking testimonial of his standing in the community and the high regard bestowed upon him by the people of the county where he lives and where he is best known. Mr. Anderson's early education was obtained in Rice and Otter Tail counties. He attended the Wilrnar Seminary, and afterwards taught school in Otter Tail county for two years, after which he became a clerk in the office of the register of deeds, and in 1800 himself was elected to that office. Now, after more than twenty years of continuous service in this office, he is still the genial, capable and efficient public servant who has long been so popular with the people of this county.

By his marriage to Fliza Hanson, a native of Norway, Mr. Anderson has two children, Jennie and Irene, who live at home with their parents: Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are prominent in the social life of Fergus Falls. Fraternally, Mr. Anderson is a member of Corner St. me Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, lie also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, tin Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order id Elks.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES M. ANDERSON.

Charles M. Anderson, residing on his farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Buse township, near the city of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, is accounted one of the most progressive farmers of his section He carries on general farming and meets with excellent success with his crops, while with live stock he is also uniformly successful.

Mr. Anderson was born in Norway on September 15, 1861, a son of Martimus and Martha Anderson, both natives of that same place. The father was a goldsmith by trade and his death occurred in 187 1. The mother never remarried and passed from this life in 1805. Both parents were devout members of the Lutheran church and in that faith reared their children. There were five in the family, all coming to this country but two. These arc Petra, the eldest, who married Christina Gunness, and Emma, who is located near the childhood home. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child in order of birth and together with his sisters, Mary and Edwarda, emigrated to this country. Mary met death by drowning in Lake Harriett, this state, while still a girl, and Edwarda is the wife of a Mr. Johnson, of Spokane, Washington.

Mr. Anderson received a fair education in the common schools of his native land and from the time he was ten years old, he made his own wain the world. While a boy he did all sorts of odd jobs and finally became quite proficient as a clerk in various stores. He came to America in 1878 and settled in Minneapolis, in which city he did odd jobs of work and later worked on farms nearby. About 1886 he came to Otter Tail county and near Fergus Falls worked on the farm owned by Blake Brothers, where he was employed for three years. Then for the following seven or eight years, he worked on the farm owned by J. S. Billings & Company, after which he engaged in farming for himself. He rented for six or eight years the farm which is now his own, purchasing it about the year 1900. After securing possession of the place, he set about improving the buildings and now has a comfortable residence and good outbuildings, the entire place appearing well-kept and prosperous.

On February 22, 1894, Charles M. Anderson was united in marriage with Sarah Erickson. born at Orrdale in this county, daughter of Arno and Carrie Erickson, who were among the very earliest settlers of this county. To this union has been born a family of six, namely: Leonard, George, Clarence, Selma, living in South Dakota and the wife of Albert Edmundson; Florence and Myrtle. Mr. Anderson takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of community life and gives his influence to any project working toward that end. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is much interested in the work of that order.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Among those men of Swedish birth residing in Buse township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Andrew Anderson, the subject of this sketch, is well known. Mr. Anderson was born in the southern portion of that country on June 11. 1871, son of John and Hannah (Isaacson) Anderson. Both parents were born in the same locality, where they were engaged in farming until the father came to America in 1891. This was two years after his son, Andrew, had crossed the water. John Anderson located in Illinois, and three years after he had emigrated, his family joined him and all lived there until 1904, when they came to Otter Tail county and rented a farm in Western township. There they lived until the death of the father, on July 13, 191 1. at the age of sixty-six years. The mother died in the spring of 1014. at the age of sixty-seven years. Both were reared in the Lutheran faith and lived honest and useful lives.

Andrew Anderson is the eldest of a family of nine children, all (if whom are now citizens of the United States. Hannah is the wife of Carl Olson and lives in Millelacs county, this state. Carl lives in Montana, where he is engaged in farming. Emma is the wife of John Larson, of Vikind. this state, and Louisa, who is Mrs. Louie Hanson, resides in Martin county. John is a ranchman and farmer in Montana, and both August and Edward are farmers in Western township, of this county. Clara, the youngest of the family and the wife of Charles Hanson, also lives in the same township. Andrew was educated in the public schools of his native land and in [889 came to America and settled in Illinois, where be remained until 1804. when he came to this slate aid located in Martin county. He purchased a farm of eighty an-, and mad: I his home until [902, when he became a citizen of this county. Me purchased one hundred and si\t\ acres in Westem township, where he lived until the spring of [915, when he sold out and bought a tract of like size in Ruse township, intending to make that his permanent home.

Mr. Andersoi ed on November 3, toot, to Cecelia Johnson, also horn in Sweden daughter of John Peterson, -till living in his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson arc the parents of four children, namely: Allien, Oscar, Arthur and Hilda, and both are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, to the support of which they give generously of their mean. Mr. Anderson votes independently in politics, and inasmuch as he is interested in all that makes for the welfare of the community, he bids fair to become one of the highly esteemed citizens of his township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Carl Anderson, a farmer of Exerts township, who owns a splendid farm in section 16. three mile from Battle Lake. Minnesota, is a native of Norway, where his birth occurred on December 31, 1857.

Mr. Anderson is a son of Andreas Sakkariasen and Gunhild Marie Sakkariasen, both of whom were natives of Norway, and spent their entire lives in that country.

Car] Anderson received his education in the public schools of his native land, and after leaving school came to America and settled in Minnesota in 1881, working for the Northern Pacific Railway Company until iSS; In the latter year Mr. Anderson returned to Norway, hut came back to the United States in iooj. and in [908 purchased the farm which he now owns. This farm consists of eighty acres, and here Mr. Anderson carries mi a general system of farming and Mock raising, in which he has nut with commendable success.

In 1SS6 Carl Anderson was married to Gertie Christenson, a native of Norway, where her birth occurred in [853, and to this union have been born four children. Conrad Arthur. Bertha Marie, Thora Mathilde and John Henry

.Mr. Anderson has made practically all of the improvements which are now 'in his farm, and within recent years has built a new house. For ten years he rented land and after buying his farm in 1908 still continued to rent land for three years, lie moved to his own farm in 1913.

.Mr. and Mrs. Carl Anderson and family are active and devoted members of the Lutheran church of Everts township, and take an active interest in the affairs of that congregation. Mr. Anderson is one of the foremost advocates in Everts township of public improvements. He has a host of friends in the township and community where he lives.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.