Hans Dalager: A Brief History by his granddaughter

The following essay was written by Lavinia (Dalager ) Martinson Larson in 1942 for a college course. Lavinia is the daughter of Herman Dalager from the second family (younger brother of Karl).  She is therefore the granddaughter of Hans. The essay was found in the archives of Lavinia’s aunt, Lavilla (Dalager) Peterson, Herman’s younger sister.

When Hans came to his homestead he built a log house, a stable and cleared and broke up some land. He left the place in care of someone and went to work in Goodhue county. While he was gone a prairie fire broke out and burned the buildings and 2 mules. He became real discouraged and went to a lumber camp near St. Cloud to work. But when spring came he came back to the homestead and started over again. He had speedy oxen and neighbors helped each other with work. Mosquitoes were real bad at times but tired people slept anyway.

The first two years he was here the nearest town was St. Cloud. Some times this trip was made by foot or with oxen to get supplies. Going to town meant a trip of 4 or 5 days. One time on their way home it began to rain. They turned the wagon box up-side-down and sat under it until the rain stopped.

About 1870 Benson was established so that was closer and it was easier to haul grain to this railroad.

Hans bought horses as soon as they were available. He was one of the first farmers to have a barn with a hay mow. It was said people came for miles to see this. In 1888 he bought a team of horses in Goodhue County and went to get them. On the way back they became frightened and ran away. This happened near Willmar. The wagon tipped over and Hans broke his leg. It was never set right. As a result, this leg was shorter and had a bump on it. He had to have a built up heal on his shoe but he still walked with a limp.

Hans liked to sing when he drove along. The neighbors said they could hear him singing, mostly hymns.

He built an elegant brick house on the homestead place in about 1899.

Hans Dalager was always a hard worker and by persistent effort he forced his way ahead until he became what was considered the richest farmer in the county. At the time of his death he owned nearly 2 sections of land. He was married in 1871. Sixteen years later his wife passed away and 2 years later he married again. He had 6 children by his first marriage and 10 children by his second marriage.