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.

Hans Dalager: A Brief History by his granddaughter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hans Dalager: Leaving Norway with Anfin and early homesteading

Hans Sylfestsen Dalager was born November 5, 1842 in Sogndal, Norway and baptized in the Sogndal Lutheran Church, Sogn og Fjordan County, Norway. His parents were Solfest Lassesen and Guri Anfindsdatter Hostager. Solfest and Guri owned or worked on a tract of land known as ‘Dalaker.’ Hans had three brothers, Anfin, Lasse, and Nels and one sister, Brita.

If the Dalager ancestors had followed the Norwegian naming tradition when they came to America, Hans and Anfin would have been Solfestsen. However, they took the name of the farm, Dalaker, and changed it to Dalager. The Dalagers we know in Norway such as Aasmund and Molfrid still are known as Dalaker.

The Sogndal church records showing those leaving the parish in the year 1861 lists Hans Solfestsen, born November 5, 1842. No listing was found for Anfin but family tradition says that they traveled together by sailing ship. Prof. Gerhard B. Naeseth, genealogist for the Vesterheim Genealogical Library in Madison, Wisconsin, who did this research, felt that in 1861 Hans and Anfin most likely would have travaeled up the St. Lawrence River, through Quebec. Prof. Naeseth could not check the ship passenger list because lists were not retained in Quebec until 1865. The 1861 sailing date for Hans disagrees with the date found in some writing by some of the family but Prof. Naeseth sent a copy of the record confirming the 1861 date.

Passengers on sailing ships in 1861 had to provide their own provisions and almost all the passengers exhausted their food supplies before reaching America. According to Julia Dalager Chilson, Anfind and Hans had a chest of Lefsa and flatbrod on the ship which they shared with the rest of the passengers.

After arriving at Quebec, Hans and Anfin made their way by river boat and wagon to Wisconsin. Here they went to a meeting where they were asking for volunteers for service against the Indians. Anfin was so sold on becoming an American that he looked at America as his homeland and even gave up his birthright in Norway. Here was a chance for him to serve his new country so he volunteered.

Private Anfin Dalaker
From Wanamingo, Minnesota<
Goodhue County
Enlisted August 22, 1862 at Fort Snelling, MN
Mustered into Company D, 10th Regiment of Minnesota
Infantry Volunteers Oct 9, 1862
Honorably discharged for disability Sept 14, 1863 at Fort Goodhue, MN

Anfin was involved in the Indian wars and was stationed at Fort Sisseton in the Dakota Territory. Due to lack of proper clothing and frozen feet, Anfin contracted tuberculosis and was discharged. He spent the rest of his life with a couple and died March 17, 1864, leaving Hans alone in the U.S. at the age of 22. Anfin had been a very thrifty soldier and after all the expenses of his illness, death and burial were cared for, he left an estate of about $200.00 to his younger brother Hans.

Hans stayed with his uncle and aunt, the Hostagers, in Goodhue County of south eastern Minnesota for about two years, working for his keep. He was paid a few pounds of wool for his work

Another cousin made his stockings from the wool which Hans needed when he worked in the pinery woods and lumber camps in the St. Cloud and Little Falls area of Minnesota during the winters.

Between 1866 & 1868, after the Indian scare was over, using the money he had inherited from Anfin plus his savings from the lumber camp work, Hans fulfilled his dream when he filed a claim for 160 acres of land under the Homestead Act. This land was the NE 1/4 of section 12 in Barsness township, about six and a half miles south of the present sight of Glenwood, Minnesota. Ulysses S. Grant was President. Hans’ patent, homestead papers signed by President Grant, were issued Oct 1, 1873, five years after the original homestead. This is the farm that was farmed by Herman Dalager and later by Orville Feigum.

Hans broke some land and built a log house and a stable. Leaving the farm in the care of a neighbor, Hans went back to Goodhue County for a visit. While he was gone his house, stable and two mules were burned by a prairie fire. He became rather discouraged and left for a lumber camp near St. Cloud for the winter. However, when spring came, he returned to his homestead, rebuilt his building and started over again.

Hans and one of his neighbors would help each other break new land. This neighbor said Hans had the speediest oxen he had ever seen. He also said the mosquitoes were so bad he could not sleep, but Hans did not mind them at all and he would sleep all night. During this time in the late 1860’s, the nearest town was St. Cloud, about 70 miles away. Sometimes Hans would walk to town and return carrying flour and other necessary things on his back. Sometimes he would use oxen but they were very slow. A trip to St. Cloud would take four or five days. One time when Hans and a neighbor were returning from St. Cloud, it started to rain. They stopped, removed the produce from the box, turned the wagon box upside down and sat under it until the rain was over and arrived home without getting wet. It is unclear whether they had oxen pulling a wagon or they were pushing a two wheeled cart with a box on it.

About 1870, the town of Benson was established. It was now possible to shop and haul grain to the railroad there. It was 25 miles away and the trip could be made in two days. Hans was one of the first to buy horses and to build a barn with a hayloft. People came from miles around to see his barn.