In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From 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)
TOBIAS SIMONSON LIEN.
Of those men who of earlier days were an important part of the community life, citizens who supported all things for public good, and men who were willing to give of their time and energies, even to the point of sacrifice, that conditions might be better for those who follow, the name of Tobias Simonson Lien, who has gone to his reward, stands out conspicuously as one whose unselfishness and public-spirited nature accomplished great things for Otter Tail county and for Tumuli township.
Tobias Simonson Lien was born in Norway on March 26, 1857. the sun of Simon Lien, who was born in Norway and lived in that country during his entire life, Simon Lien being a farmer.
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Tobias Simonson Lien received his education in the public schools of his native land, after which he worked as a farmer for some time and then marrying, he came with his wife to America, in the year 1882, and located in Aastad township, this county, where for a time he rented a farm and then later bought the place where he lived for the remainder of his life and there his widow now lives. The farm of Tobias Simonson Lien was well improved by this worthy farmer and citizen, who left no thing undone that his home place might be attractive and convenient for residence and for agricultural purposes.
The wife of Tobias S. Lien was Ann Burg, daughter of well-known and highly-respected people in Norway, who are now deceased. To the marriage of Tobias and Ann Lien were born the following children: Amund, Mary, Martha. Thea, Sophia, Sigvert, Thoralf, Alfred, Adolph, Emma, Emilia, Oscar, Amanda and Edwin.
Tobias Simonson Lien was an active member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Dalton, Minnesota, a congregation in which his death has caused much of the sense of the loss of a good and worthy man.
Tobias Simonson Lien did not aspire to public office but was a man of quiet and retiring disposition, one who preferred to serve well and conscientiously from the ranks of common citizenship.
Tobias Simonson Lien died on July 13, 1913, mourned by many friends and fellow citizens.
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.
The printed record stops around 1916. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.