Torkel E. Risbrudt

As printed in 1916

TORKEL E. RISBRUDT.

Torkel K. Risbrudt is generally known throughout this section as a leader in public affairs, and as a citizen he is highly respected. He is the s. m of Engebret and Kari (Ellefson) Tarkelson, both natives of Norway, where his birth occurred on November 6, 1845. Engebret Tarkelson was born on April _'o. [825, and emigrated to America in 1861. Immediately upon his arrival in this country, he located in Spring Grove Houston county. Minnesota, and the following year removed to Winneshiek county. Iowa. where he remained until [867. lie then removed to Douglas count)', Minnesota where he remained until May -'4. 1868, at which time he squatted mi land which was nut surveyed at the time, located in Si Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and continued to reside on that place until his death, on October. 1907. This home was purchased under the homestead law and consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Kari Ellefson was born on September 24, 1 count v. Iowa-

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

1 Winneshiek lie must of his education i

11 the Schools s' attendance at the schools in Iowa. As hundred and sixty acres of land in St.

sack of flour, which he purchased at Alexandria, Minnesota, and for which he borrowed the money. During the first years of his farming operations he did teaming in connection with his agricultural work and gradually added to his holdings until he owned four hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land. Before he began selling this property to his sons it was devoted to general farming and stock raising.

Torkel E. Risbrudt has seen many changes in this section, his first memory of Fergus Falls being but a lone log cabin in which he spent the night upon his first trip to that town. Among the many offices which he has held are those of constable, assessor, chairman of township supervisors, township clerk and director. lie also served as treasurer of the township for sixteen years. Politically, he votes independently, and his religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church.

On March [8. [873, Torkel E. Risbrudt was united in marriage to Geuine Ellfson, and they are the parents of six children, whose names follow: Edward, Clara. Theodore, Christopher and Helena.

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.