Henry Tomhave

As printed in 1916

HENRY TOMHAVE.

In a visit to the home of those of our pioneer settlers, who still make their homes in Minnesota, one would find many interesting facts concerning the experiences of ox team and other primitive modes of travel in the days when railroads were only anticipated luxury. It was during these trips from the East that some of the greatest hardships of pioneer life were experienced, and it is to those who were brave enough to face the many dangers of the wilderness period that much credit is due.

Henry Tomhave, farmer, Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, was born on September n, 1845, in the province of Hanover, Germany, and is a son of John and Katherine (Bungar) Tomhave. He was educated at the public schools of Germany, and as a young man, came to America in 1866, landing at New York City, where he was obliged to work for six months in order to secure money with which to reach Minnesota. On reaching La Crosse, Wisconsin, the river was full of ice, and he did not possess enough money to pay stage fare, thus necessitating his remaining at that place and working on the railroad, finally reaching Red Wing, where he remained two years. In 1869, he came to Otter Tail county and establishing his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the wilderness. He traveled from St. Paul to St. Cloud, walking all the way. There was not a building at Fergus Falls when he and his one companion arrived. They crossed the river at Fergus in a boat made of fence bark. This was in the spring, and they returned to Red Wing, coming back in the fall with an ox team, experiencing many struggles because of the lack of railroad facilities. They had no opportunity to market their grain without making long hauls, and all the buildings and improvements had to be put on the place.

Mr. Tomhave has become eminently prosperous, dividing his attention between general Farming and stock raising. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, in the politics of which he has for a ! been actively interested, and is the present town treasurer, and has been district supervisor. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the German Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally.

John and Katherine 1 Bungar) Tomhave, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both natives of Germany, from which country the father never departed. The mother came to America and homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres in Otter Tail county near her son, Henry. She died in this county.

Henry Tomhave was united in marriage on December 20, 1872, with Anna Bradahoeft, daughter of Jacob Bradahoeft, by whom he has had five children, John H., Anna, Carl, Claus and Henry.

Mr. Tomhave bears the distinction of being a real pioneer, and has gained many warm and admiring friends throughout Otter Tail county, where he is well and prominently known.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.