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.

Jennie (Dalager) Grove: Obituaries of Julius and Jennie

Pope County Herald

Glenwood, Minnesota, May 20, 1937

J. O. Grove, one of Pope county’s most prominent citizens, passed away at his home at nine o’clock Sunday evening May 15th, after an illness of over a year, caused by a stroke. Mr. Grove had not been in good health for several years, but was active in his business up to a year ago, when he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered, and had been confined to his bed since that time.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 20th, at his home at 2 o’clock and at the Glenwood Lutheran Church at two-thirty p. m. Internment was in the Barsness cemetery. Active pallbearers were Nels Austvold, Wm. Dalager, Henry Ness. J. O. Haugen, Melvin Billehus and A. K. Gandrud. Honorary pallbearers were Ed Kaldahl, Theo. Ogdahl, Carl Ronning, A. P. Branae, O. P. Brendal and Knut Knutson.

Although one of what might be termed the second generation of pioneers, the life of J. O. Grove was closely woven with the developments of Pope County. He saw the country developed from the pioneer days to the present stage of development. Julius was 65 years old.

Jennie Dalager Grove lived 16 years after Julius passed away. Jennie passed away October 14, 1953 at the age of 81 and a half years.

Glenwood Herald

Oct 18, 1953

In her active years Jennie took a prominent part in the community life of Glenwood. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Ladies Aid, the Women’s Missionary Society and a former member of the Art Circle and Literary Club. Beside raising her own family she took into her home orphaned children and made it possible for them to complete their schooling. In her great desire to help others she gave gladly to causes that would lift humanity to a nobler plane. Her life resembled a great river, deep and mighty, flowing on and on yet with little or no sound.

A sister, Mrs. Julia Knutson, wrote the following words in her me memory.

She was to me like some great cliff,

That lift’s its awe inspiring form

Swells from the deep and midway leaves the storm;

While round its head the rearing clouds are spread

Eternal sunshine settles on its head.

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.

Edward Alexander Grove

Edward Alexander Grove was born in Glenwood, Minnesota on December 14, 1912. He was the youngest of the five children born to Julius and Jennie Grove. Edward attended grade school and high school in Glenwood. He was active in sports earning at least two varsity letter in high school football, basketball and baseball. In addition, he took part in high school band, orchestra, dramatics, oratory, and glee club, including performing as a tenor soloist.

Graduating from Glenwood High School the spring of 1930 Edward went on to college at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He wanted to attend West Point but did not initially receive an appointment. His father, Julius, encouraged him to do his best at St. Olaf and maybe his appointment would come later. After attending St. Olaf for two years he received his appointment to West Point enrolling the fall of 1932.

Known as “Whitey” to his classmates because of his very blond hair, he did well in his studies and excelled in athletics, particularly football where he was a halfback and track where he did well in the broad jump. His most memorable football achievement came in the Army-Navy game of 1935. It was his last game for West Point and as Frank Graham, noted sportscaster at the time, said in an article he wrote about the game, “fame caught up with Whitey Grove.” Not only did Whitey catch Navy off guard with an 80 yard touchdown run in the opening minutes of the game, but he also caught a pass shortly thereafter for a second touch down and kicked all four extra points after Army touchdowns. Thus, Whitey scored sixteen points in Army’s 28 to 6 victory over Navy. Colonel John Harland Swenson was a freshman at West Point at this time and attended the 1935 Army-Navy game. He said that Whitey pulled a deception in that game by throwing his shoe off in one direction to draw the defense in that direction as he ran around the other end of the scrimmage line and down the sideline for a touchdown.

The following quotation is from the 1936 West Point yearbook page 134:

In 1932 a blond grin galloped thru the Beast Detail for a scratch late. And for four years Whitey galloped through safety-men for touchdowns. But don’t call Eddy “Swede,” ’cause he’ll point out at least twenty-five reasons why he’s a Norwegian. In true proletarian spirit Whitey has kept faith with us bucks, often being referred to as one of our staunchest members. No file-boning for him, he’s too busy. It’s at feed-hops that he shows his true mettle, buckling down to the annihilation of edibles. With an almost insouciant air toward academics, Ed has helped many of us through problems, though he never could figure why the laundry always added that extra ten per cent. He’s not boning any one branch—they’ll have to hustle for themselves. My bride had better be good, because Eddy was one swell wife!

After graduating from the academy in 1936, he was stationed for three years at Fort Lewis, Washington, as a battery officer with the 9th Field Artillery. In June of 1937 Edward married Alice Ness who he had met when they were students at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. The following is the Glenwood Herald’s account of the wedding, July 22, 1937:

At an attractive candle light wedding ceremony solemnized Tuesday evening, June 29, at 9 o’clock in Our Savior Lutheran church, Anaconda, Montana, when Miss Alice Eleanor Ness became the bride of Lieutenant Edward A. Grove at nuptial rites conducted by the Rev. Theo. P. Neste, pastor of the church.

Miss Frances Stransky of Billings, and Miss Maxine Johnson, a cousin of the groom, of Dillion, Montana were bridesmaids. Miss Carmelita Martens was maid of honor and Janica Higgens, niece of the bride, was flower girl. Joseph Grove, brother of the groom, was the best man. Ushers were Jerome Grove and James Higgens.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, James Ness.Mrs. Ness, mother of the bride, wore a navy blue crape jacket dress with cerise trim. Her flowers were a corsage of pink roses. The groom’s mother, Mrs. J. O. Grove of Glenwood, Minnesota was attired in a black and white chiffon redingate dress. She also wore a corsage of pink roses.

The bride, before her marriage was director of the women’s physical education department of the Anaconda schools. She attended local schools and is a graduate of the local high school and of St. Olaf college, Northfield, Minnesota. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ness of Anaconda, Montana.

Following a wedding trip to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies, Lieutenant and Mrs. Grove will make their home at Fort Lewis, Washington, where Lieutenant Grove is stationed.Mrs. J. O. Grove, Jerome and Joseph Grove of Glenwood, Mr. and Mrs. John Brendal of Hallock and Miss Edna Jaeger of West Concord, all of Minnesota, were among those attending the wedding.

The late summer and fall of 1938 found Whitey and Alice back at West Point where he coached football for three months. From 1939 to 1941 Whitey was Commanding Officer of a lite Field Artillery Battery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. From 1941-1944 Whitey held various command positions with Artillery as they trained. His stations included Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Camp Howze, Texas. In 1944 he served as commanding officer of the 404th Field Artillery Battalion as it trained at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, San Louis Obispo and Camp Cooke, California and finally to Germany.

While in Germany, the 404th was in battle for over 40 consecutive days and progressed through Wurzburg, Ingolstadt, Wasserburg and Berchtesgaden. The 404th was near Salzburg, Austria on the German border when the war ended. After this battle Lt. Col. Grove received the Bronze Star Medal for the outstanding manner in which he “accurately directed the fire of his artillery and expertly moved his guns.”

Lt. Col. Grove then moved with the 404th to Luzon in the Phillipine Islands for two years where he was a Deputy Inspector of the War Crimes Commission. Later, in 1947, he was assigned briefly to the 1273rd ASU as an instructor to the New Jersey National Guard unit at Trenton, New Jersey.

It was no doubt because of his strong interest in science and mathematics that Whitey was assigned to artillery and that in 1948-50 that he did graduate work at Johns Hopkins University in the newer guided missile systems. Following this he attended the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From here Lt. Col. Grove was assigned to the Army Field Forces Board Number 1 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was promoted to Colonel and he worked with in the G4 area. The family was located here from 1951-1955. During this assignment, Whitey was able to become more involved in family activities and he was able to be involved in the Boy Scout activities of his two oldest sons. It was during this time that Edward Jr. and Grayson earned their ranks of Eagle Scout.

After this assignment Colonel Grove was at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. From there he was assigned to Headquarters USARPAC (G-4) at Fort Shafter and then to the 25th Division (G-4) at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. From 1958-60 he was the Director of Non-Resident Instruction of the Air Defense School in Fort Bliss, Texas. Lt. Col. Grove ’s last assignment was with the Korean Advisory Group, Eighth U. S. Army Logistical Support Command in Seoul and Taegu, South Korea.

After returning to the U.S. in 1962 he was retired with physical disability on March 29, 1963 at the age of 50 years. The family settled in Atherton, California after 27 years of service. Their youngest son, James, was 14 years old when the settled in Atherton.

Following retirement, Whitey had eighteen years that he was able to spend with his family before he passed away. He suffered from a heart ailment but he was able to take part in many activities that he enjoyed. He joined his children on hikes to the Cathedral Lakes near Tuolumne Meadows in the Sierras; he panned gold on the American River; he hunted ducks with one of his brothers on the family homestead near Glenwood, Minnesota; he helped his youngest son James decorate his showcase Victorian home in San Jose, California; he skied, and even inner-tubed down the snowy slopes of the Sierras. He trout fished with his second son Grayson – an expert fisherman – in the icy streams and clear lakes near Anaconda, Montana while visiting his wife’s relatives there.

Whitey’s eldest son Edward Jr. describes his father’s gifts to him and the family as follows. “Whitey Grove gave his family strong values, absolute integrity, abiding love, a passion for the outdoors, a keen interest in athletics, and a natural openness with family and friends. We miss him deeply, but his presence as a husband and father has enriched us all.”

Colonel Edward A. Grove died November 26, 1981 at Atherton, California at the age of 68 years. Burial was at Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, California. Alice Grove, Whitey’s wife, very graciously provided the writer of this history with material for this Grove/Dalager family history. Her letter is dated Feb 26, 1984. Alice passed away October 15, 1984 while vacationing in Granada, Spain. Her funeral service was held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1835 Valota Road, Redwood City, California. Burial was at Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo where her husband is buried.

The whereabouts of the Grove children are as follows:

Edward Alexander Grove Jr.

Edward A. Grove Jr. was born May 4, 1940 in Hawaii. Being the son of a military man, Edward attended many different schools. While his father was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina he was successful in earning the Eagle award in the Boy Scouts of America.

Edward married Carol Joyce Hays on May 29, 1963 at Redwood City, California. Carol and Ed have two sons, Gregory Edward born July 5, 1964 at the March Air Force Base, California and Grant born October 7, 1973 in Bien Hai, Vietnam.

Edward is the Deputy Director of the Office of Budget for the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Carol and Edward live at 2420 North George Mason Dr., Arlington, Va 22207.

Grayson Sherwood Grove

Grayson Sherwood was born July 29, 1942 in Washington, D.C. While his father was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina he earned the Eagle award in the Boy Scouts of America.

On June 26, 1976 Grayson married Carolee Gibbs at Pal O Alto, California. Carolee and Grayson have two children Christon Sean born January 12, 1972 at Redwood City, California and Jennifer Leigh born October 20, 1977 at Walnut Creek, California.

Grayson is a Senior Engineer with the State of California Public Utilities Commission. Carolee and Grayson live at 612 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek California 94598.

James Olin Grove

James Olin Grove, the youngest son of Ed and Alice Grove was born March 20, 1949 in Washington, D.C. James’ older brother Edward describes James as a very creative interior designer with a thriving business in San Jose, California. His father, during his retirement years, was able to help James decorate his showcase Victorian home in San Jose.

James married Leslie Anne Turk on August 27, 1977 at Atherton, California. James and Leslie have two daughters, Elizabeth Anne born December 11, 1979 at San Jose and Caitlin born Oct 13, 1984 at San Jose.

Bibliography

• Sandra Tomczak, Archivist, Association of Graduates, U. S. Military Academy.
• Alice Grove
• Edward A. Grove Jr.
• Colonel John Harlan Swenson, uncle of the writer’s wife Phyllis
• Writer Jim Dalager, cousin of Edwards, 610 Duluth Ave. S, Thief River Falls, Minn. 56701

The addresses of the sons of Edward and Alice are based on 2002 information.

Interview with Mrs. Norman (Alice) Ogdahl

April 19, 1997

Norman and Alice’s decedents as of 1997

Alice had two children but one died in infancy. Her one son, Norman James (Jim), lives in Minneapolis. Jim is not too healthy and he has had two triple heart by-passes. Jim’s wife is Marion.

Jim and Marion have three girls, Marion, Joan, and Darla. Joan died a year ago last October [1995] from breast cancer. The cancer went into the lymph nodes. She suffered for over two years. Joan was a dear girl and Alice misses her very much. She was married to Steven Brown and they lived in Lino Lakes. Now he lives in Andover, Minnesota. Steven & Joan had two boys and the oldest has just entered college. Steven works in law enforcement. Alice did not know much about the other two girls, Marion and Darla, except that Darla is not married.

Alice and Norman moved to Glenwood to retire in November of 1964. Norman had been in the feed and hatchery business in Farwell, Minnesota. When they came to Glenwood they built their new house on the Lake Minnewaska. He really had only 1965 to enjoy fishing in the lake and their new house as he died in 1966 and had been sick most of the year. He had been a smoker most of his life, and died cancer of the lungs which went into the brain.

Memories of Sophie and the hatchery business

Alice made some comments about Sophie, her mother-in-law (who was my aunt). Sophie was a very ambitious woman. She would never sit down unless she had some handwork to do. She would give every family the same thing. If she was giving pillow cases, they all got pillow cases. She sold her hand work and also exhibited it at the county fair. Alice said that Sophie would have liked to be a sales woman. She was good at selling. However, she never got to do that as she was busy raising a family.

Alice remembers the Ogdahls celebrating many anniversaries. She remembered them celebrating at Sunset Beach which is near the Peter’s Resort on Lake Minnewaska. I remember being at one of these reunions when I was in grade school. It must have been Sophie and Theodore’s 60th anniversary.

When the Norman and William were young they lived on a farm that was near a small lake or slew. It was good enough for the boys to play in and learn to swim. Highway 104 south of Glenwood now goes through the slew. The Bentrud farm is on one side of the road and the Ogdahl farm on the other side.

During the depression Alice remembered the problem with the baby chickens. Norman and Wally were together in the hatchery business and farmers didn’t have any money to pay for the chickens so they had to take the chickens out to Sophie and Theodore’s farm and care for them until the farmers could pay for them. Alice and her son Jim moved to the farm to help take care of the chickens. At this time Jim was only 2 years old and they lived upstairs. In the mornings Jim would go downstairs and grandma Sophie would feed him. After this he would go outside and they would always find him in the chicken house. Since Jim was born in 1931, this must have been in 1933. Norman’s youngest brother Leland was also there helping with the chickens.

An Ogdahl reunion in the early 1990s

Three or four years ago, Jim’s cousin Bill Scrimgeour and his wife Jeanie wanted to have a reunion at Glenwood. They rented cottages on the lake and invited other Ogdahl relatives. They had a celebration at the Minnewaska House. Wally and his daughter came, and Jim and Marion and daughter Darla were there, too. Five Scrimgeour children attended—two daughters, Laurie and Judy, and three sons.

Other Ogdahl family news

Norman and Alice’s great neice, Bill Ogdahl’s daughter, got married on May 10, 1997. Bill is Wallace’s son.

Alice also had news about Norman’s cousin, Joe Grove’s family.  Edna and Joe daughter Janet is married to Tom Hill. Gretchen, their oldest daughter has MS. She lives close to Minneapolis. Joey, their other daughter, comes up from Blaine to visit Edna every two weeks. Joey takes care of Edna’s financial things. Edna is in Parkview home now were she has a bedroom and a living room . All of her things have been taken out of the apartment she had and there may be a sale of her things this spring. Janet and Tom Hill will probably take care of this after school is out. Tom teaches school in Worland, Wyoming. Tom has had surgery for prostate cancer and he plans to retire in 1998.

Jim Dalager