Theodore and Sophie (Dalager) Ogdahl: Raising a family in Pope County
Theodore and Sophia farmed in the Norway Lake area for a short time before returning to Barsness Township. In 1891 Sophia and Theodore purchased the place later known as the John Hagen farm where they lived and farmed for twelve years. In 1892, two years after they were married, lightening struck and killed one of their horses or the team. However, they could not afford to replace the horse or horses so Theodore bought a team of oxen that were much cheaper and slower. He used this team until he could afford a team of horses. Sophia served as Postmistress of Barsness post office until it was moved to an inland town in Barsness township called Cheesetown.
Following this they moved to the Hans Dalager farm where they resided for seven years.
Glenwood Herald
March 20, 1903
Hans Dalager of Barsness Township has leased his big farm to his son-in-law Theodore Ogdahl for a term of six years at an annual rental of $1,100.00. Mr. Dalager will most likely move into town. He feels that he has performed his share of hard labor on the farm and is therefore entitled to a few years of retirement and rest.
Hans Dalager died March 23, 1910.
Following Hans’s death, Theodore and Sophia decided to move onto another farm where they lived for about 28 years. In the fall of 1916 their residence burned down. Sophia and Theodore built a new home on this farm.
Theodore and Sophia had nine children. Following is a brief description of each.
- Henry Theodore, born June 7, 1891, Married Inez Smith in Minneapolis, Minn on Sept 20, 1916.
- Arthur William, born July 30, 1893, Married Helen Iverson in Weyburn Sask, Canada on June 18, 1917.
- Tillman Martinus, born April 21, 1895, married Irene Larson March 2, 1917 in Minneapolis, Minn.
- Ida Amanda, born July 28, 1897, married William Scrimgeour June 1925 in Glenwood, Minn.
- Solfest Oliver, born October 12, 1899, married Svea Myrtle Victoria Ronge November 21, 1924.
- Norman James, born September 29, 1902, Married Alice Jacobson in Farwell, Minnesota.
- Wallace Clifford, born November 11, 1907, Married Mabel Schillo in Glenwood. Minn.
- Julian Dalager, born May 16, 1910, lived 2 days.
- Leland Ellsworth, born September 9, 1913, Married Esther Glaspey in Iowa.
When the Ogdahl boys were young they lived on a farm that was near a small lake or slew. It was a good place for the boys to play and learn to swim. Highway 104 south of Glenwood now goes through the slew. The Bentrud farm was on the east side and the Ogdahl farm was on the west side.
Theodore & Sophia Ogdahl spent 47 years of their married life farming and had always been members of the Barsness Lutheran Congregation. Mr. Ogdahl served on the school board in district 40 for 12 years and as director of the Farmers Elevator for 22 years. He was also a director of the Federal Land Bank for 16 years and was the first shipper out of Glenwood for the Glenwood Shipping Association.
Mrs. Ogdahl served as treasurer for the Barsness Ladies Aid for 15 years and was the first woman to serve as chairperson of school district 40. Sophia also served as the historian for the Barsness Ladies Aid.
