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

Karl and Ida: Karl’s early years and bachelorhood

Karl Theodore Dalager was born on October 31, 1885 in Barsness Township, Pope County, Glenwood, Minnesota. He was the son of Hans Sylfestsen Dalager and Ingeborg (Isabelle) Knudsen Dalager. Karl’s mother died January 5, 1887 of childbirth when Karl was a little over 14 months old. Marthine, the child that was born at that time also died.

This left Karl in the care of his 5 older capable sisters, the oldest being Jenny who was 15 years old. Hans married Amilia Bentrud on April 7, 1888 and Karl soon had a half-sister, Tillie. Not much is known of Karl’s childhood other than that he attended country school and was often in his sisters’ homes as they moved away to their own home. At the age of 14 years Karl left home and moved in with his sister Sophie (Mrs. Theodore Ogdahl).

One of the best sources of information about family is found in family letter and newspaper articles. They also give a time frame and give a picture of community activities. The following letter written by Karl’s sister Julia to a cousin in Webster, S.D. mentions Karl and shows Julia’s concern for Karl. Karl was 19 at the time.

Willmar, Minn. Feb. 27, 1905

My dear cousin Julia:

I received your letter sometime ago. Thank you very much for same. I was so glad to hear from you. I presume Karl has told you all about things here so I shall not write much concerning the affairs. I am real well and have a lovely position this year. When I heard from the folks last they were well. Well, I presume you were surprised to see Karl. He is quite a man now. He was kind of tired out and wanted very much to go and see you folks so I let him go. He wrote me the second day he was there. He was so delighted with the place. If he is not a good boy you must go for him. He has not been away alone before. Karl wrote me about your beautiful home. I was so glad to hear you are so comfortably settled now. I presume it is real pleasant.

I was very much surprised when I received Andrew’s invitation. (Andrew Dalager of Webster, S.D. was married Feb. 8, 1905.) He surely did not wait very long. Well, dear, I shall try to pay you a visit. I have no idea how soon I will be able to do it, but rest assured I shall do so soon.

Give my love to the folks up there, also Karl. Ask him to let me hear again from him. You would do me a great favor if you would look after him. I have no idea how he will care for himself out among strangers. I was so glad when he decided to go west as I do not care to have him around home. The young people there are not the nicest kind as so many of the boys drink and I am very anxious to keep Karl away from such society. Let me hear from you soon, if you will kindly favor me with a few words. With love and best wishes, I am,

Your loving, Julia Dalager

PS. I have mislaid your letter and I cannot think of your name so will you kindly pardon me for sending it in your maiden name.

Over the next few years Karl worked at different jobs in the Glenwood area and also in North Dakota, Montana, and Canada. When his father died on March 23, 1910, Karl was working in Inverness, Montana. Karl worked in this area of eastern Montana and western Dakota so he would be close to his sister Julia who was living in Sherwood, N.D. Julia’s husband, Tollef Solverud, had a drug store in Sherwood, North Dakota.

To follow Karl’s activities as a young man I will use newspaper news and letters.

The Sherwood Tribune & Journal, Sherwood, ND

April 16, 1908 Karl Dalager went to Mohall Monday to accept a position as clerk in the Sherwood Hotel at that place. Mr. Dalager has had experience in the hotel business and will most likely give value received in his services at Mohall.

June 4, 1908, page 2 Karl Dalager took Rev. J. P. Davis to Antler this morning to catch the early morning train.

June 18, 1908, page 5 Karl Dalager and R. M. Ripley drove to Kenmore Tuesday.

August 13, 1908, Page 3 Karl Dalager came over from Kenmore Saturday to visit his sister, Mrs. Solverud and friends. Karl has a good position at Kenmore and he returned there Monday.

April 22, 1909 Karl Dalager came up from his home in Minnesota Tuesday. He expects to go to work for the Northern Telephone Co. soon.

May 6, 1909, page 2 Karl Dalager left Monday for Russel where he is working for the Northern Telephone Co.

The letter below was written shortly before Hans passed away March 23, 1910.

Glenwood, Nov. 1909

Dear Son Karrel (sic),

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 wants. 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 S. Dalager

The land described by Hans in Big Wood township of Marshall county was very good land and well suited for raising wheat, potatoes, or sugar beets. However it is near the Red River of the North which is prone to spring flooding. When visited by the writer, it was interesting to note that the township roads were much higher than the surrounding land.