Theodore and Sophie (Dalager) Ogdahl: A History

Theodore Ogdahl was born in Dodge County, in south central Minnesota on December 8th 1868. He was the son of Thore (Ogdahl) Thoresen and Astri Olsdatter. Three years later his father and others, with their covered wagons and teams of oxen, started out for the northwest. They homesteaded in Kandiyohi County in the area of Sundberg and Norway Lake. They had not traveled far from Dodge County but travel in a covered wagon pulled by oxen was slow. Theodore grew to manhood in this area.

Sophia Oline Dalager was the second daughter of Ingeborg and Hans Dalager, a prominent farmer in the Glenwood, Minnesota area. Sophia was born March 10, 1874 on the farm in Barsness township where she grew to a adulthood. Pioneer life was hard and Sophia learned to work hard. She was sixteen years old when Theodore and Sophia were married.

The following letter was written before Sophia and Theodore were married. It was written to Julia Dalager, a cousin, who lived in Webster, S. D. Her sister Anna Sophia, had married John McCarlson July 28, 1888 and Sophia was anxious to get a picture of the couple. The letter was written in Norwegian and was translated into English by Estelle Grinde on September 6, 1998.

October 10, 1889

Dear Cousin,

Now since it is a long time since I have heard from you so now I will take pen in my hand and send you a few lines. I will first tell you that we are all well and healthy and I wish the same for you. I would like to hear from you again. We shall now have threshers tomorrow and now we are busy with that. Jennie is not home as she teaches school north of Lake Minnewaska. She will come home to visit in about two weeks when there is confirmation. Then Hannah Ronning, Emma Billehuus and Peter Gilbertson and many more will be confirmed. I wish that you could be here then.

You must greet Sophia from me and tell her I would like a portrait or picture of her and her husband and I will have a picture of my husband and me when you come. I do not have much news to tell you when I am so busy. A friendly greeting to everyone from us all with special greeting to Sophia.

Write soon in return. Ask Sophia to send me a portrait of her and her husband and I will have hers also.

Good By, Remember well and bare in mind

A good true friend is hard to find

But when you have found one just and true

Change not the old one for a new.

Excuse my poor writing-I am in such a hurry.

By, By

From your Friend

Sophia Dalager, Glenwood, Minn

Theodore and Sophia were married in the Barsness Lutheran church on July 14, 1890 with Rev. M. G. R. Skaar officiating. Sophia’s attendants were Jennie Dalager Grove and Gunild Ogdahl Braaten. Theodore’s attendants were Lars Holten and Ole Ogdahl. The day had started out with a lovely summer rain in the morning. In the afternoon the sun had come out and chased the clouds away. It seemed that the entire country side gathered at the church. Many came afoot while others drove in buggies or wagons with spring seats on them.

Following the wedding ceremony a reception was held at the Dalager farm. Following this reception Mr. And Mrs. Ogdahl went at once to Norway Lake to Theodore’s parent’s farm where another reception was held. When guests arrived at the Ogdahl farm a man stood at the gate playing selections as the guests filed into the house. The gallant groom carried his bride over the threshold. The festivities, which began with an elegant dinner, lasted well into the night.

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.

Jennie (Dalager) Grove: Jennie’s father-in-law Olaus Grove, Pope County’s first pioneer

This story describes the lives of Jennie Dalager and Julius Grove. Jennie was my aunt, the oldest daughter of my grandfather Hans and elder sister of my father Karl.

To begin this story let us start with the life of Julius’ father Olaus Olson. Olaus was born at Kragero, Norway in 1840. His father, Ole, was a sailor who lost his life at sea when Olaus was a baby. When Olaus was five years old his mother took her two sons and along with her parents sailed for America. They settled in Rock River, Wisconsin where they lived for a few years. While living in Rock River Olaus’s mother became crippled and it became necessary for the two boys to earn their own livelihood and help support their mother. Seeking a more favorable place to live, they moved to Waupeca County, Wisconsin which is about 50 miles due west of Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was here that Olaus learned to trap, hunt, and survey.

In the fall of 1859, when Olaus was 19 years old, he traveled on foot westward across the state of Wisconsin to St. Paul, Minnesota. While there he decided to buy traps and other supplies necessary for spending the winter trapping and hunting. From St. Paul he proceeded north and west beyond the current settlements until he arrived in the territory which is now the western part of Stearns County and the eastern part of Polk County. Olaus located his main camp on the south shore of Tamarac Lake (also known as Spunk Lake). Spunk Lake is south of present day Brooten in the present township of Crow Lake. Olaus built a semi dugout and log cabin.

In 1859, when Olaus arrived in this territory, it consisted mainly of wilderness and formed a part of Stearns County. In 1862 the legislature set off part of Stearns and named it Pope County. No actual organization of the county took place until the fall of 1866, when the county seat was established at Glenwood.

When Olaus began trapping in 1859 he set his trap lines along the streams and lakes of Pope County, trapping beaver, otter and mink. In trapping beaver, considerable territory had to be covered to be successful as beavers had to be sought along the rivers and streams where they built their dams. It took Olaus several days to visit all the traps on his route. He traveled on skis carrying his rifle, hatchet, hunting knife, compass, blankets, matches, some food and cooking utensils. All these supplies and equipment and his firs he usually pulled on his sled. Because of the length of his trap line Olaus had to pitch his camp at some favorable place when night overtook him, using his cabin as his base for keeping supplies, firs, and making it his home when convenient.

When he had to spend the night on the trail he would find a sheltered area with good water and wood supply. He would clear away the snow from an area and build a fire. Over this he would prepare his meal usually consisting of coffee or water, hard bread, fried bacon and any wild game he had shot. At night he would build up his fire with larger logs to last over night and prepare his bed from small branches. Next he would wrap himself in his blankets and lie down with his feet toward the fire. Beside him he would keep his loaded rifle, hunting knife and hand ax as weapons in the event of an attack by wild animals, Indians, or fur thieves.

Game was plentiful and Olaus had a very successful season. Early in the spring, when skiing and sledding were good, he pulled his traps and stored them in his cabin, loaded his furs and started on his journey for St. Paul on skis and pulling his sled. He sold his furs at a good price and was a very happy boy as he proceeded homeward to his mother with more money in his possession than he had ever dreamed of possessing.

It was not long after his arrival home before his neighbors heard of his good fortune and were told of the opportunities there were in Minnesota. Hearing of this good fortune many of the neighbors sold or left their places and prepared to go with Olaus to Minnesota. As Olaus’ brother had died in an accident and his grandparents had also died, the only option open for his mother Marie was to go with Olaus to Minnesota. In the summer of 1860 a caravan of covered wagons pulled by ox-team to carry their women, children, provisions and goods, left for Minnesota. They had to ford rivers and streams and sometimes cut their way through dense forests. It took several weeks to reach the towns of Crow River and Crow Lake in Stearns County where they settled.

Olaus and his mother went to live in the log cabin he had previously built. Olaus continued with his hunting and trapping as his main occupation. He brought his furs to St. Paul to sell using the money the furs brought to buy provisions and clothing. During his hunting and trapping operation he picked out his future homestead in section 2, township of Barsness, Pope County. With the help of his friend John Sandvig, Olaus erected a little log house on this land in Barsness township. This was undoubtedly the first permanent shelter or house erected in Pope County. It was a squatter’s claim and used as a hunter’s camp or refuge on their hunting exploits. A squatter’s right in those days was recognized as a peremptory right. He did not take his mother there because of the hostility of the Indians and the long distance to neighbors.

In the spring of 1862 he helped his four friends locate and file on claims in the township of Lake Johanna. These four men, John Sandvig, Ole Kittelson, Salve Gakkestad and Gregor Halvorson were the first homesteaders in Pope County.

During the summer of 1862, the Sioux Indians, who lived in central and western Minnesota, showed considerable hostility toward the white settlers who were invading their hunting grounds. Also, food promised was not delivered and it was a dry summer. On August 17th war broke out and many white settlers were killed. During these times Olaus took an active part in warning settlers and helping his mother and neighbors escape to a place of safety. These fleeing settlers would hide in the woods and swamps during the day time and move at night until they reached Paynesville where a stockade had been built for their protection.

After the initial hostilities had quieted down, Olaus took his mother from Paynesville and went to St. Cloud. He worked in the lumber industry there until the summer of 1864 when it was considered reasonably safe for settlers to move back onto their claims. At this time Olaus and his mother moved back to Pope county and settled on the homestead he had selected in the township of Barsness. His nearest neighbors during the following winter were his friends who he had helped establish in Lake Johanna township. The following summer a party by the name of Ole Reine settled in the township of Gilchrist which was only seven miles away.

Times were hard for these early pioneers. The nearest town where provisions could be bought was St. Cloud which was seventy five miles to the east. The price of flour was eighteen dollars a barrel and other necessities were proportional. Olaus had to make occasional trip to St. Cloud for provisions. The trip was usually made on foot. He would pay for the provisions with furs and carry them home on his back in the summer and on his sled in the winter. Outside of flour and a few groceries, the main food was venison. Farmers began to grow grain for their own use as well as keeping a cow for milk. There really was no market for produce. Indians came by quite often and were usually hungry and as a result would demand food. Frequently a pioneer family would be left without provisions.

In the summer of 1866 many settlers came to Pope County. The influx of settlers continued so that by the end of the year 1870 the county had a population of about 2700 people. Many of these settlers were friends and former acquaintances of Olaus and as he had some knowledge of surveying, he would help the new people pick out and locate their claims.

About this time railroads came to Benson and Morris. This stimulated the raising of grain and cattle as the market was not to far away.

With the increase in the population the wild game disappeared more and more causing Olaus to change his occupation from hunter/trapper to farming. At first farming was a slow with much hard work. Farm machinery was crude, grain had to be cut with a cradle or reaper and tied into bundles by hand. It was threshed by small machines driven by horse power. Hay was cut by scythe and pulled together after it was cured by fork or hand rake. It was then hauled into the farm yard where it was stacked by hand or by the use of crude tackle. Marketing grain 25 to 30 miles in poor wagons pulled by oxen over poor roads was slow and hard. During the years 1876 and 1877 grass-hoppers came and destroyed all the crops in the community creating hardships for the whole community.

As better and more labor saving machinery were developed and with better prices the conditions on the farm improved. Through hard work and thrift Olaus was able to increase the size of his farm and build a nice home. He took part in community activities and held offices on the town board, school board and was instrumental in organizing the Barsness Lutheran congregation. In 1871 he cut and furnished the logs and material and helped build the log church that was the first home for the Barsness congregation. His wife, Ragnild, was the first president of the Barsness Ladies’ Aid Society.

In 1871 Olaus was married to Ragnild Gilbertson, who came from Norway to Pope County in the year 1868. Her father, Gilbrand Berger, lived and died on a small farm in Norway. To them three children, Julius, Edwin and Lena were born. Edwin died in 1903. Lena was married to John Brendel, an attorney at Hallock, Minnesota.

It is not known when the Grove was added to Olaus Olson name. However, the Olaus Olson farm was in a wooded area of Barsness township. There were also several Olson families. Therefore it became common practice to refer to the Olsons in the grove. The family soon became know as the Olaus Olson Groves.

In the month of October, 1894, at the age of 54 years, Olaus was stricken with pneumonia and died. He was buried in the community that he loved, near his home that he cherished and in the Barsness cemetery that he helped establish. Thus the life passed of the man who may be entitled to be called the first pioneer of Pope County. Regnild lived another 23 years. She died January 5, 1917 and was buried beside her husband in the Barsness cemetery.

Jennie (Dalager) Grove: Courtship and Marriage to Julius Grove

Julius O. Grove was born May 23, 1872 on the farm that was homesteaded by Olaus Olson Grove. Julius grew to adulthood on this farm and was able to attend country school, even though Pope County was newly settled. In 1897 he graduated from St. Cloud State Normal College. Farm work and other employment enabled him to complete his higher education. For a time he was a school teacher in Pope County. He also served as the superintendent of the high school in Houston, Minnesota for one year. In 1901, at the age of 29 years, he gained his law degree at the University of Minnesota and at once located in Glenwood

On September 14, 1901 Julius took another important step when he married Jennie Dalager. Jennie was the eldest daughter of Hans and Ingeborg Dalager and was born on their homestead in Barsness township on March 26, 1872. This was only six years after the first settlers had come into the territory and Jennie experienced the pioneer life of the early settlers in this country. On January 5th, 1887, when Jennie was 15 years old, her mother passed away in child birth. Marthine, the baby in this birth also died. Jennie took over her mother’s place and soon the children looked to her for their motherly care. The youngest child was Karl, my father, who was 16 months old when his mother died. When Jennie’s father remarried it became possible for Jennie to go off to school. She attended St. Cloud State Normal College and was graduated in 1897. She taught school for four years in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Glenwood, Minnesota

October 3, 1901

Dear Cousin Julia:

Did you get the invitation I sent you to come to my wedding. I have heard nothing from you and I wondered if you didn’t get it. Write soon and let me know.

I received a letter from Mrs. McCarlson when I was getting ready. She was then in Minneapolis. I intended to answer it, but in all the work we had here, it wasn’t done. I would write her now, but did not know where to send it. I hope she is home by this time and them this letter is as much for her as for you. How is she? I hope she is well again.

I was married Sept. 14th and I am still at home, but I expect to move to Glenwood soon. Julia and Christine are teaching school and Carl and Hannah went to St. Cloud to attend school. They went soon after my wedding.

Tell Jens that I really thought he would come when I heard Sophia was in Mpls. I knew you couldn’t come but where is Andrew? I think he owes me a letter. Well, you better tell him to write and promise to visit me at Christmas time. I shall write your mother when I get settled in my new home and tell her what kind of a home we have. Remember me to the Amundson’s and all of your folks.

I received many nice presents. From Mrs. Grove we got a single top buggy with single harness and from my folks a new Home Sewing Machine. We got a dinner table and six chairs from some people in Glenwood. I also got silver knives and forks, tea spoons, table spoons, sugar spoons and butter dish, spoon holder, pitcher and sugar bowl, three rugs, three bed spreads, one lamp, one table cloth and several other things. I’ll send Auntie a complete list of them when I write her. I shall wait anxiously to hear from you and to know how Sophia is. Give her my love.

From you cousin, Mrs. J. O. Grove

Margaret Dalager Lindroth gave me this letter at the Dalager reunion held August 8, 1998. The cousin Jennie wrote to lived in Webster, South Dakota

It is interesting to note that Jennie and Julius had attended the same country school together and had graduated from St. Cloud State Normal College together. After their marriage they returned to Glenwood to make their home. The next year they built a new home on Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, Minnesota. They lived in this house all of their life together.

Glenwood Herald

Sept. 20, 1901

The Dalager-Grove Wedding

The wedding last Sat. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Dalager in the town of Barsness, was by far the most elaborate and most largely attended of any similar gathering that has taken place in that locality in many a year. Upwards of 80 carriages accompanied the bridal couple, Mr. Julius O. Grove and Miss Jennie Gurine Dalager, to the Barsness church where the two in a most impressive manner were pronounced one and inseparable by the Rev. Bale. The Herald’s society reporter did not happen to be in attendance, hence we are unable to give a description of the attire of the bride and groom. When the ceremony was concluded the large gathering of people repaired to the home of the bride’s parents where a banquet feast awaited them and of which all partook with hearty relish.

In extending congratulations to the newly wedded, bestowing handsome and costly gifts upon the bride, feasting and visiting, the afternoon and evening was most delightfully spent by the guests and the verdict is general that an exceptionally good time was had. It is the intention of Mr. Grove to make Glenwood his future home, by opening here an office and begin the practice of law. To him and his estimable wife the people of this village will extend a hearty welcome and an earnest hope that their future may ever be happy and prosperous.

About October, 1901

Dear Cousin Julia,

I was very much surprised the other day by getting another box. The spoon you sent me is very nice and my husband and I thank you very much for it. I have been receiving presents nearly all the time. I got twice as many as I had any idea of getting and most of them are very nice and good. You will see from your mother’s letter what they were and what we bought for the money. We also had a little of the money left for smaller things so you see we were given every thing almost to start with.

I am well and happy and from my little experience in married life, I must say I think it is all right.

We live here now and some day hope to have a home here of our own. You must come and see me then. Remember me to Sophia. I should like to hear how she is. I hope she is strong now. Are you staying with her yet? I received your last letter just one day after I had sent you one.

I suppose Andrew is at school now. Greet him when you write to him.

All of our relatives around here are well as far as I know. Cousin Christian has gone worked at home this summer has gone to the woods to work.

I shall enclose a piece of my wedding dress. It was made with two small ruffles at the bottom. The waist had a yoke of satin trimmed with lace and the sleeves had puffs at the bottom of the same as the yoke. The braid was on the front part of the waist and on the cuffs of the sleeves. When I get a picture I shall send you one. I have been sending the other folks other pictures and so I send you this one. Now don’t forget me when the time comes for you to have such a picture.

Kindly see that your mother gets her letter that I enclose.

With best wishes for you, I am,

Your Cousin, Jennie

Give Sophia, Auntie, Louise, and Christi each a piece of this dress. They are small but all I have to spare.

To this marriage of Jennie and Julius five children were born. The Pope County Historical Society describes the Grove children in 1938. Rawland, deputy Pope County auditor; Hazel, wife of H. L. Martin, an insurance man at Syracuse, New York; Joseph, in the forestry service in northern Minnesota; Jerome, a teacher in the Glenwood High School; and Edward, a cadet at West Point Military Academy.

Julius Grove was always active in the community and county. He was elected county attorney of Pope County from 1902 to 1918. He took an active part in the work of the state legislature in 1921. For twelve years he was a member of the Glenwood Board of Education and was president during his last four years on the board.

Mr. Grove was active in the Lutheran Church in Glenwood, serving on the building committee, when the new edifice was built in the 1930’s, and for many years as a trustee of the church. He owned several improved farms and divided his time between his law practice and his farming interests.

In 1926 Julius O. Grove was a candidate for representative of the 47th state legislative district. In his campaign he supported farm legislation, co-operative marketing, workmen’s compensation and other measures aired as helping agriculture and labor.

In 1932 Julius Grove, at the age of 60, announced that he was a candidate for Judge of Probate of Pope County.

LaVilla (Dalager) Peterson: Memories

Lavilla is the daughter of Hans and Amelia, half-sister to Karl. What follows are some memories I compiled from an interview. –James Dalager

I was born May 18, 1903. I have been reminded many times by my sister Tillie that she, a girl of 14, came home from a dance and had to stay up and take care of things in the home while I was born. No doubt it was more like being born into a company as I had 7 sisters and 3 brothers older than I. I was also unfortunate enough to be born on a different place than any of my sisters and brothers. This was because the family was living on the Allen Hanson (1976) place waiting for their new home to be vacated by our Lutheran pastor Gens Bale. Pastor Bale was living there until the parsonage was completed and ready for occupancy.

My older sisters tell me that the family moved to the new home in September of 1903. I never lived on the homestead as this had been rented to Sophia and Theodore Ogdahl. Sophia was my half-sister. We never moved back to the homestead. I have two sisters younger than I so that was 10 children my mother had between 1888 and 1910.

During the 1908-09 school year my sister Cora went to live with Julia and Tollof Solverud in Sherwood, North Dakota. She finished 8th grade there. Tollof was real friendly and treated Cora as their adopted daughter who they nicknamed ‘Tootse.’

Tollof was a druggist by profession. Later Julia and Tollof went to Kirksville, Mo. to study and become chiropractic doctors. The started their Osteopathy business in Mankato. Later Tollof and Julia adopted a boy who they named Truman. They had plans to adopt girls also; however, Tollof died at an early age (1915-1916) so they never adopted a girl. Julia continued the Osteopathy work at Mankato for a short time and then moved to Glenwood. Julia took a job as teacher in Lowry. Later she became Superintendent of Pope County schools. Mother rented the house Hans had bought in Glenwood to Julia. Frances, Hilda’s daughter, still lives in this house.

Later Julia was a matron at an orphanage in Willmar and director of the House of Mercy, a home for pregnant girls in Fargo.

Julia’s son, Truman Solverud, finished college at St. Olaf during the depression years. Jobs were scarce. Julia suggested that he do volunteer work at the welfare office. This eventually lead to his work with the Red Cross. Following WWII he became director of Red Cross activities in Japan, Korea and Okinawa, the Philippines and Taiwan. By 1956 he was director in Hawaii, Guam, Enewetok and Kwajalein working with military hospitals, educational programs for military personal.

In later years Truman was located in Washington D.C. and lived at 5701 Colfax Ave., Alexandria, Va. His wife, Lila, whom he met while a student at St. Olaf College, was from Watford City, North Dakota.

In 1914-1915 my sister Cora took normal training in Glenwood and taught in school district 78 during the 1915-1916 school year. Lucille, Helen and I all had Cora as our teacher that year. She was super.

My niece Christine also taught for a number of years at Cokato, Minnesota. She had a blond haired boy friend named Tilrud but this didn’t go. Alice went to live with Christine in Herman, Minnesota where she took her 8th grade.

My nephew Kenneth Dalager married Barbara Steward June 15, 1956. Ken was employed as an electrical engineer at Remington Rand Univac. They have divorced and Ken has married Judy Beiswinger and they live in New Brighton. She is the owner of Biswinger Hardware.

My brother Herman Dalager and Clarence Pladson were head of the church crops project to raise money for the Barsness Church. The project leased 65 acres from N. P. Halvorson.

Fun on the farm

When growing up Hannah played a mouth organ and the youngest children danced and had fun.

The hired men were Anton Hoff, Rasmus Feigum, Anton Ogdahl, ‘fatty’ Gunder Johnson. Fatty became part of the Dalager family for a long time. After working for dad he worked for Cora and Adolph Anderson and later in the 3d generation my son Ralph teased my daughter Lila about him by just pointing his finger at her and saying ‘fatty Gunder.’

Hans Dalager: A brief history by Lavilla, his daughter

by Lavilla Dalager Peterson

My father was born in Bergenstift, Indre, Sogn, Norway on November 5, 1842. He was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Solfest Dalager. His brothers were Anfin, Lasse, and Nils. He had one sister Brita. Anfin, who was the oldest, came to America when Hans did in 1858. Anfin was so sold on becoming an American that he looked at America as his homeland and even gave up his birthright in Norway. When these two boys, 21 & 16 years old stopped in Wisconsin they went to a meeting where they were asking for volunteers for service against the Indians. Anfin volunteered. He became ill shortly after and spent the rest of his life (maybe two years) with a couple who cared for him.

Dad went on to Goodhue County, Minnesota where he worked for an aunt and uncle-in-law. He worked here for several years. He was paid a few pounds of wool for this work. Another cousin of his made him a pair of stockings from the wool. During the winters he worked in the pine forests near St. Cloud and Little Falls. After the Indian scare was over he filed a claim for a homestead in Pope County in 1866. His homestead was issued by President U. S. Grant October 1, 1873. His homestead is where Herman Dalager now lives.

Hans was married to Ingeborg Knutson in 1871. The following children were born to them. Jenny Grove, Christine Houston, Julia Solverud Knutson, Hannah Johnson, and Karl Dalager. Fifteen years later, in 1886, Ingeborg died.

Hans Dalager’s brother Nils, his sister Brita and his mother who was widowed came to Pope County from Norway. Brita lost her husband by accident and she and grandma Guri Dalager, Mrs. Solfest Dalager, later moved to Webster, South Dakota. Here Hans’ mother, Guri, lost her life in a prairie fire. She had gone to the barn to same the animals and was overcome by fumes. This was in 1886. Brita was saved by jumping into a shallow well but she was so badly burned she was in a wheel chair the rest of her life.

Brita had three children: Andrew, Julia and Sophia.

Nils Dalager settled in Pope County. He has passed on. He left many boys who carry his name, son at Benton Harbor, Mich. and in California.

In 1888 Hans married Amelia Bentrud. To them were given 10 children: Tillie, Cora, William, Selmer, Alice, Herman, Lavilla, Lucille, Helen and Alma who died in 1908 at the age of 8 years.

Hans died at his home in Chippewa Falls Township of cancer. He was 68 years old at the time. He was buried at the Barsness Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Hans Dalager and Ingeborg: Ingeborg’s early days, courtship, and the first family

Ingeborg Knudson, also known as Isabelle, was born August 8, 1848. In the Nord-Aurdal records she is listed as the daughter of Knud Lagesen Gjeldemarken and Ingeborg Syversdatter. In the Sor-Aurdal records, Ingeborg Syversdatter was born October 6, 1823 and her wedding to Knud Lagesen Gjeldemarken took place on June 17, 1847. The death record of Knud, found in the Nord-Aurdal records, recorded his death on April 24, 1853, at the age of 34 years. Ingeborg would have been less than 5 years old at the time. She had no known brothers or sisters. From family records it is known that Ingeborg came to the St. Cloud area when she was 12 years old, about the year 1860. It is uncertain who she traveled with or how long she lived in the St. Cloud area. However, Hans and Ingeborg may have first met in this area.

The 1870 federal census for Barsness township, Pope County, lists family #10 as Lars Larson (age 45), Ingeborg (age 47) and Isabelle (age 21). Hans Dalager was listed as family #12 in this same census report. The age for Ingeborg (47) would be right for Ingeborg Syversdatter who had been married ot Knud Lageson Gjellemaken and the age for Isabelle (21) would be right for Ingeborg Isabelle Knudson, if the census was taken in the spring before her 22 birthday on Aug. 8, 1870. This indicates that Lars Larson was most likely Ingeborg’s step father and his wife, Ingeborg, was her mother. To further support this the Nord-Aurdal records record the marriage, on Dec 29, 1853, of Lars Larson Anmarken, age 27, son of Lars Knudsen, to Ingeborg Syversdatter, age 30, the mother of Ingeborg Isabelle.

Lars Larson’s homestead document lists his quarter of land as the SE 1/4 of section 12 of Barsness township and Hans Dalager’s homestead document lists his quarter of land as the NE 1/4 of section 12 of Barsness township. Therefore Lars’ and Hans’ homestead quarters adjoined each other.

On July 7, 1871 Hans married Ingeborg (Isabelle) Knudson Larson. Following their marriage, Hans & Ingeborg settled on the groom’s homestead. The following children were born to them: Jennie (Mrs. J. O. Grove), Sophia (Mrs. Theodore Ogdahl), Christine (Mrs. George Houston), Solfest (who died at the age of 2 years of convulsions while teething), Julia (Mrs. Solverud Knutson), Henry (who died as a baby), Hannah (Mrs. P. O. C. Johnson), Louise (who died as a baby), Karl Theodore, and Martin (who died at the age of two months of blood poison contracted from his mother). Ingeborg, the mother of the above children died of blood poisoning six days after the birth of Martin. She was 38 years old when she died January 5, 1887.

Some of the characteristics of the Dalager children, as described by Julia would be physical stamina. This is illustrated by the long lives of those who lived through infancy. Their mother, on her death bed, requested that her children be given a chance for an education. Four of the girls in the family followed the role of teachers. The following Bible verse, written in Norwegian, is recorded on Ingeborg’s gravestone in the Barsness Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Luke 18:16 Let the little children come to me and forbid them not,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such.

Hans Dalager and Amelia: First and second families, buttermilk, fire, and a surrey

On April 7, 1888 Amelia Bentrud married Hans Dalager, a widower. The wedding took place on the Bentrud farm. Hans’ first wife, Ingeborg, had died in child birth in 1886. Ameila did not turn 20 until June 20, 1888. Amelia stepped into a home where there were 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy. The oldest girl was 16 years old and the baby boy was 3 years old. The following children were born to Hans and Amelia: Tillie (Mrs. Anton Ogdahl), William (Willie), Cora (Mrs. Adolph Anderson), Selmer, Alice (Mrs. Torwald Disrud), Herman, Lavilla (Mrs. John Peterson), Lucille (Mrs. Arnold Selness), Helen (Mrs. Charles Thomas), and Alma (who died in April 1908 at the age of six).

The farm Amelia moved to was a large farm at the time consisting of about 2000 acres. There were sometimes as many as 7 hired men and 2 hired girls during the summer What would the bread making task be at this house? The women also did the milking and other chores during the summer months.

As the family of Hans and Amelia grew, the children of Hans and Ingeborg were growing up also. Sophia was married to Theodore Ogdahl in 1890, just two years after Hans married Amelia. Her oldest son, Henry, was born in 1892. Sophia and Theodore were living on the place that Ralph Peterson now owns and where his son Mark lives. Jenny taught country school after completing her training at St. Cloud Normal School. Country school at that time was usually held during the fall and spring. As a teacher, Jenny was on her own and did not live at home. Christine also trained as a teacher and taught in school district 78. During this time she made her home with Sophie.

Hannah, Karl and Julia lived at home with Hans and Amelia during the years following their marriage. Julia was a great story teller. One of her jobs was to watch the children which she was very successful at because of her interest in story telling. She went on to study at St. Cloud Normal School were she became interested in stars. Julia would tell the children stories about the stars. She also taught them English and would tell Bible stories.

Everyone was home at Christmas. This included the hired help which were usually two hired men and a hired girl in the winter. The Christmas tree was always important. The tree was usually a boxelder. Each branch was wound with green tissue paper. Then flowers were made and attached and small candles were tied on. There were gifts under the tree. There were pocket knives for the boys and dolls for the girls. A pie was made over a big dishpan with oats. In each one was a gift for each child of apples, popcorn etc.

Hans Dalager usually wore a beard and was a very loving and affectionate person. He usually brought Amelia gifts on special occasions. He was witty, cheerful and very good with children. He did not like to listen to gossip, always spoke Norwegian, and did not drink alcohol. Hans drank butter milk instead of whiskey. He might smoke once in while for the fun of it with friends. He would punish children if needed, loved family parties, especially at Christmas time, and would serve wine at the beginning of parties. Hans liked to sing when he drove along. The neighbors said they could hear him singing, mostly hymns in Norwegian.

Every day Willie was expected to bring in the wood for the next day. One time when he failed to do this and was expecting a whipping he hid all day by crawling under his bed so no one could find him.

In 1901 the Gilbertson school house burned. There was rejoicing that morning when the announcement was made–no school because the school had burned down. Bridget Olson, the teacher, was saving ashes in a wooden box at the school for Mrs. Gilbertson to use in making lutefisk and this caused the fire. The school board asked to have school at the Dalager place. There was no happiness for the Dalager youngsters now as school was soon in session again. The school was set up in the new addition to the house that was used as a summer kitchen. All the neighborhood children came to school at the Dalager place. There were over 20 students. Most of the children walked to school. Lunch usually consisted of slices of bread with molasses, molasses cake and once in a while an apple. To have apples they would be bought by the barrel.

Once when Cora was walking to the Gilbertson school she met a wolf. She had a tin pail to hold her lunch. She banged on the pail and the wolf ran off. It is not known if this was before or after the school was rebuilt.

One year a prairie fire took all the crops and a pair of oxen.

Once when Carrie Scokerstaff, who lived near Terrace, was to come over to help with house work, a big winter storm hit. Hans, who had gone to Terrace to pick up Carrie, and Carrie were caught in the storm and had to wait out the storm under the tipped over wagon box.

In 1888, when Tillie was a baby, Hans bought a team of horses in Goodhue County where he had relatives. On the way home from Goodhue County the horses became frightened and ran away. This happened near Willmar. The wagon tipped over and Hans broke his leg. Hans was hospitalized at Willmar. Because the leg was not set properly he always walked with a limp and had to have a heel built on his shoe.

Amelia Dalager went to church every time there was church service. Children and hired help also went. They usually loaded a wagon in the summer and a sleigh in the winter.

Hans served on the church building committee in 1883 when the first church was built in Barsness township.

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 became one of the richest farmers in the county. At the time of his death he owned nearly 2 sections of land.

Hans’ daughter Alice remembered when Hans brought home a new surrey around 1903-05. A surrey was a two-seated buggy pulled by two horses and had plenty of room for the kids. He had gone into town by himself that day. She did not know where he bought the surrey, whether in St. Cloud where he did most of his shopping, Alexandria or some place else. He came home while it was still light. The roads were not very good at that time but she didn’t think it was muddy. Alice didn’t think Hans would have taken them out in the mud. First they ate supper. The kids didn’t know any thing about the surrey as yet. After supper Hans said he had something to show and they were all surprised and excited. Hans loaded as many kids as would fit in the surrey and took them for a mile and a half ride to school district 78 as he wanted to look at some land that was for sale near by. Alice thought he bought the land later on because this land later went to the Groves as a part of Jennie’s share of Han’s estate.

According Lloyd Vindedahl of Glenwood—a distant relative of the Dalagers—Hans was a good operator. Lloyd had worked for a man who had worked for Hans Dalager many years before. This man had been hired to plow for Hans and his was one of eleven walking plows that Hans had working in his fields. A walking plow had only one moldboard. The pay was fifty cents a day plus food and lodging which was not bad at that time.

Hans Dalager: Land Holdings

Hans made a number of land deals through the years, some of which are detailed below.

Glenwood Herald

July 5, 1901. Hans Dalager and Theodore Ogdahl returned Saturday morning from a trip to the Red River valley where Hans Dalager purchased 380 acres from W. J. Carmen. Mr. Ogdahl brought with him and left at the Herald office a sample of the wheat now standing and growing on this farm. The straw is about 4 feet long with heads 4 inches in length. Judging from the sample of grain and the location of the property, Mr. Dalager has struck a snap without a doubt. (Comment: This may be the land he bought in Bigwood township, Marshall county near Oslo, Mn)

March 20, 1903. Hans Dalager of Barsness township has leased his big farm to his son-in-law Theo Ogdahl for a term of six years at an annual rental of $1,100.00. Mr. Dalager will most likely move into town and occupy the residence property he purchased some time ago from Martin Rigg. 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.

Posters and an ad in another part of this issue proclaim an auction sale that he will have on March 25th at which he will dispose of his livestock, farm machinery etc. This was in preparation to leaving the farm upon which he accumulated sufficient income to keep him in comfort during his remaining years.

Hans Dalager Auction Sale
Section 12 of Barsness Township
About 7 miles south of Glenwood
March 25, 1903 at 10 A.M.

62 head of cattle
feed mill
2 McCormick Binders
4 harrows
2 seeders
Fairbanks scale
1 drill
Cutter
2 wagons
grind stone<
1 Buggy
2 mowers
1 corn cultivator
2 Hay rakes
sets of harness
4 pigs
5 sheep
bob sleigh
fanning mill
farm tools
household goods
other articles

Terms of the sale: all sums of $5.00 and under cash. Larger sums 9 months time on approved note at 8% interest. 3% discount for cash on sums over $5.00

Hans was still interested in land. In November of 1903 he made an extensive trip into Manitoba. He reported rich soil well adapted for grain and stock raising. He especially liked the city of Winnipeg.

In a letter to his son Karl, Hans describes land he had purchased in Marshall county.

Glenwood, Nov. 1909

Dear Son Karrel,

I will now lend you a few words and let you know that your letter was welcome and I thank you for it. I am now much better than the time you were here but as yet I am not able to work. I am happy that you have begun a steady occupation as lumber work is a good job. I would think it is very good if you would follow after what Tollef want. Be honest in your dealings and pray to the Lord that he will help you in every instance. Seek first the kingdom of God and then everything will be added unto you. Be steady in the work you now have. I believe it is good and I am glad. I am happy that you have quit the telephone business.

How much land I have near the Red River you shall now know–it is 378 and 1/2 acres located in Marshall County Minnesota in sections 4 & 5, township N 156, range 50 and my price is $28.00 per acre and I give you one dollar per acre for you to sell the $30.00 per acre.

If you wish to go there to see the land you go to Oslo, Minnesota and then it is 9 miles to the farm. The name of the township is Big Wood and there is a store and an elevator 5 miles from my place and three miles north there is a church and now a store. At the elevator with a bank near by– one can sell all that one has to sell. You and Tollef take a trip there and see both the farm and woods which are beautiful. Ask at the Lars Klakkig for information where it is located.

I will now close my writing with friendly greeting both to you and Tollef Solverud from all of us and I hope to hear from you soon.

Cordially, Hans L. Dalager

Hans Dalager: Obituary

Glenwood Gopher Press
Vol XIII, No 30
Thursday March 24, 1910

Hans Dalager passed away yesterday morning, Wednesday March 23, 1910 a victim of cancer of the stomach. During the past three years Hans Dalager, who had previously scarcely known what sickness meant for himself, suffered considerably with his stomach, and about a year ago was so seriously ill that his life was despoiled of for a time. He got up again however, and last fall felt much better for many months. Shortly before Christmas he began to fail gradually and grew worse till the end came March 23rd. Cancer of the stomach was given as his trouble by attending physician.

Hans Dalager was born in Norway 67 years ago the fifth of November and came to America when 17 years of age living first in Goodhue county. He came to Pope County 40 years ago and took a homestead in Barsness township. In 1871 he married Ingeborg Knutson by whom he had six children: Mrs. J. O. Grove & Mrs. Theodore Ogdahl of Glenwood, Mrs. George Houston of Herman, Mrs. Tollef Solverud of Deering, N. Dakota, Mrs. P.O.C. Johnson of Ardock, N. Dakota, and Carl Dalager of Inverness, Montana. His first wife died 25 years ago and two years later he married Amelia Bentrud Dalager who survives him with 9 children, the youngest a little over a year old.

The deceased is also survived by one brother Nils of Barsness township and a sister Brita of Webster, S. Dakota.

Hans Dalager was a man of industrious and steady habits. He was careful and farseeing in a business way, and despite the expense of an unusually large family was able to acquire considerable property. He was honored by his neighbors with official positions in the township and school districts and was known as one of the most substantial and successful farmers of the county. The grief of the family is shared by a large circle of friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held from the home on Tuesday next at 12:30 and at the Barsness church at 2 O’clock.

Pastor J.(Jens) E. Bale in late 1896 moved into a large new furnished home built by Hans Dalager. It was used as a parsonage until September 1903 when the new church parsonage was ready. At this time Hans and his family moved into this home. A picture of the home can be found in the Barsness Lutheran Church. centennial book.