ENGEBRET KRISTIANSEN HAUGAN / His Story

Transcription

1 ENGEBRET KRISTIANSEN HAUGAN / His Story Engebret Kristiansen Haugan was a Minnesota pioneer from Norway. Engebret was born on September 8, 1834 at Haugan, his family farm in Sigdal, Buskerud. Engebret was the eldest son of Kristian Engebretsen ( ) and Boel Olesdatter ( ). His parents had married during June 1833 in Sigdal and subsequently moved onto the Haugan farm. Engebret Haugan was descended from generations of farmers and small land owners in Sigdal. Among others, he was a descendant of Jens Pettersen Volgast, a sexton from Denmark, who moved to Sigdal during 1724 and became a local farmer. Sigrid Pedersdatter was born at the nearby Reistad farm in Sigdal on September 29, She was the daughter of Peder Torstensen ( ) a husmann in Sigdal and Anne Nilsdatter ( ). Engebret Haugan and Sigrid Pedersdatter were married November 20, 1857 in Sigdal. Together Engebret and Sigrid had four daughters all born on the Haugan farm: Boel born in 1858, Anne born in 1864, Christi born in 1868 and Julia born in According to the 1865 Telling for 0621 Sigdal, by the year 1865 the Haugan farm supported three generation of the same family: grandparents Kristian and Boel, son Engebret, his wife Sigrid, their two eldest daughters, Boel and Anne, son Ole and his wife Berte, their son and daughter Kristian and Ragne. Ownership in the farm transferred to sons Engebret and Ole during 1878, just prior to the death of their father. In 1881, Engebret and Sigrid Haugan sold their interest in the Haugan farm and moved to the United States. Engebret and Sigrid Haugan left Kristiania (Oslo) harbor on May 18, 1881 on the Wilson Line SS Cameo together with their three youngest daughters, Anne, Christi and Julia. They entered the Port of New York on June 13, 1881 on board the Monarch Line SS Egyptian Monarch. Eldest daughter, Boletta (Boel) had been married in 1878 to Anders Torsen Haugan from neighboring Krødsherad. The couple first established residence on Lykka, a leasehold on the Haugan farm. Here their first two sons Theodor and Edvard were born. Boletta, Anders and their sons left Oslo harbor on October 23, 1882 aboard the Danish registry ship, SS Hekla of the Thingvalla Line. The ship left Kristiania and entered New York harbor with 147 Norwegian passengers on November 7,

2 Both sets of immigrants were processed through Castle Garden in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. Today this area is located within the Castle Clinton National Monument in New York City. Castle Garden, the site of the first official United States immigration center, was in operation from 1855 until 1890 at which time immigration processing was transferred to Ellis Island. Following immigration to America, the members of the extended Haugan family first settled in Section 35 in the Township of Leaf Lake of Otter Tail County. Engebret Haugan and his son-in-law Anders Haugan jointly operated a family farm. Here the seven younger children of Anders and Boletta were all born. Here also infant Edward died within the first year following the immigration. The three younger Haugan daughters all were married in Leaf Lake. In 1887, Anne Haugan married Even Nyhus, an immigrant from Buskerud, Norway. Also during 1887, Christi Haugan married Christ Olson, who was born in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin to immigrant Norwegian parents. In 1894 Julia Haugan married Louis Hanson, who was born in Rice County, Minnesota. Louis Hanson was the son of Norwegian immigrants and Fox Lake pioneers Ole Hanson Korsdalen and Kristi Uggen. The younger Haugan daughters, Anne, Christi and Julia together with their husbands and children started relocating to Hubbard County near the community of Becida early in At that time, the three couples had a total of 13 children all born at Leaf Lake. Sigrid Pedersdatter Haugan had died in Leaf Lake Township on April 9, 1897 at age 65. Shortly thereafter, Engebret joined his family in Becida and helped them with their enterprises. Boletta Haugan died following childbirth in July 1898 at age 40. Anders Haugan suffered from debilitating hallucinations following her death and was committed for life to the Fergus Falls State Hospital during At this time, their eight children ranged in age from Theodore age 22 to infant Bolette. The family farm was subsequently sold and the family members moved out. The older children were called upon to become self supporting. The younger children lived with neighbors and friends in Leaf Lake. During August 1903, Christen Olson and Even Nyhus purchased the general store and post office in Becida. Christen Olson was named Postmaster and Justice of Peace. Louis Hanson served as Constable. Becida School District was organized on June 27, Julia Haugan served as first treasurer of the school district. The School District Clerk was Even Nyhus and the Treasurer was Christen Olsen. 2

3 By 1905, the local school teacher was Inga Christine Uggen who had re-located from Fox Lake in Rice County, Minnesota. Inga taught primary education at Sunny Hill School in Becida. Inga was related to two of Engebret Haugan s sons-in law, Even Nyhus and Louis Hanson. Inga lived with the family of Louis Hanson and Julia Haugan, the youngest daughter of Engebret Haugan. Louis Hanson was the uncle of Inga s Hanson cousins including her best friend, Emma Hanson. Inga taught a number of the Nyhus, Hanson and Olson family members who were the younger cousins of her future husband, Carl Edward Haugan, grandson of Engebret Haugan. Sigrid Haugan was buried together with her daughter Boletta Haugan and her husband Anders Haugan in the family plot at Norderhaug Cemetery in Leaf Lake. Additional relatives buried at Norderhaug include the youngest daughter of Anders and Boletta Haugan, Bolette Amanda, together with her husband Selmer Allenson and their son Byron Allenson. Norderhaug Cemetery is on County Road 132 off Minnesota State Route 108, north of Henning in Leaf Lake Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Engebret Haugan died at age 71 on July 2, 1905 in Hubbard County, Minnesota. Engebret, his three younger daughters and their husbands, together with many family members are all buried in the Fern Township Cemetery, Hubbard County, Minnesota located off County Road 9 at exit 2621, southwest of Becida. 3

4 ENGEBRET KRISTIANSEN HAUGAN / His Ancestry Kristian Engebretsen Haugan ( ) On June 27, 1833, he married Boel Olesdatter Rolstad ( ). Boel was the daughter of Ola Tollevsen Rolstad and Else Olsdatter Gren. Ola Tollevsen was the son of Tollev Olsen Rolstad and Åse Andersdatter Hoffart. Kristian and Boel established residence at Haugan farm in The family appears in the 1865 Telling for 0621 Sigdal. In 1878, Kristian transferred Haugan to his two sons, Engebret and Ole Haugan. Engebret Fredriksen Kringstad ( ) Engebret married Eli Sjulsdatter ( ) during Engebret and Eli first resided at the Kringstad farm. During 1833, they acquired lower Haugan in an exchange for a part of the Narum farm. Their son Kristian Engebretsen inherited the Haugan farm. Johan Fredrik Jensen Kringstad ( ) Youngest son of Jens Pettersen and Helge Halvorsdatter. In 1771, Johan Fredrik Jensen married Marit Engebretsdatter ( ) of Sund. The family established residence at the Kringstad farm. The family appears in the 1801 Census for Sigdal. Listed as living at Kringstad are Fredrik Jensen, his wife Marit Engebretsdatter, daughter Karen Fredriksdatter, son Engebret Fredriksen and his wife Eli Sjulsdatter. Their son Engebret Fredriksen inherited their interest in the Kringstad farm. Jens Pettersen Volgast Jens Pettersen came from Denmark as a Sexton, an assistant to a pastor and school master. Volgast (in modern German Wolgast) was a village in western Pomerania on the Baltic coast of Germany. This area had formed a part of Swedish Pomerania from Today Wolgast is located within the Germany federal state of Mecklenburg- Pomerania. Jens was born approximately In 1724 he moved to Norway where in 1725, he married Helge Halvorsdatter. The couple resided at the farm known as Slette in Sigdal raising a family of five children. In 1953, Jens Pettersen was the subject of a publication titled Slektsminner fra Klokkeren Jens Pettersen Volgast (Lineage Record of Sexton Jens Pettersen Volgast). The author was O. O. Bakken. The book was published by Trykt hos Harald Lyche of Drammen, Buskerud. # BAKKEN. O.O: (VOLGAST) Slektsminner fra klokkeren Jens Pettersen Volgast i Sigdal og Eggedal Bygdemuseum. U.st vo. 7 p. Illustrert. Orig. omsl. Fint eksemplar. 4

5 ENGEBRET KRISTIANSEN HAUGAN / His Family Boletta (Boel) Haugan was born on January 22, 1858 in Sigdal. On October 9, 1878, at age 20, Boletta married Anders Torsen Haugan in Sigdal. Anders Haugan was born on Humlegaard farm during December, Humlegaard was located on the west side of Krøderfjorden in Krødsherad, Buskerud. Anders and Boletta settled in Leaf Lake Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Following childbirth, Boletta Haugan died in July 1898 at age 40. Anders died at the Anoka State Hospital on November 26, 1926 at age 76. Together Anders and Boletta had nine children: Theodor (1878) and Edvard (1881) born in Sigdal, Norway. The younger son, Edvard died following the crossing of the Atlantic. Carl (1883), Anna (1885), Albert (1888), Christian (1890), Mabel (1893), Wilhelm (1896), and Bolette (1898) all born in Otter Tail County, MN. Anne Haugan was born October 21, 1864 in Sigdal. In 1887, at age 23, she married Even Knudsen Nyhus in Leaf Lake. Even Nyhus was born in Soknedalen, Buskerud, Norway on November 15, 1862 and died June 23, 1921 at age 58. Anne died at age 71 on February 3, Anne and Even were the parents of nine children: Carl (1888), Gena (1890), Ida (1892), Clara (1894), Joseph (1896), Albert (1898), Mabel (1899), Nora (1902) and Ruth (1906). Christi Haugan was born October 17, 1868 in Sigdal. During 1887, at age 21, she married Christen A. Olson in Leaf Lake. Christen was born in Wisconsin during January 1864 to parents from Telemark, Norway. Christi and Christen had twelve children, Emil John (1887), Oscar (1890) died October 11, 1908, Gerda (1892), Anton (1894) died November 20, 1908, Julia (1895), Herman (1897) died November 25, 1908, Agnes (1900), Otto (1902), Nina (1904) died April 28, 1907, Crystal (1906), Lillian (1909) and Oscar (1911). Christi died August 1, 1935 at age 67. Christen died in February 27, 1955 at age 91. Julia Haugan was born January 11, 1874 in Sigdal. On December 22, 1894, at age 20 she married Louis E. Hanson in Henning, MN. Louis Hanson was born at Fox Lake in Rice County, MN on October 17, Together they had three children: Selma (1896), Clifford Edwin (1900) died August 2, 1906 and Cora (1901). Julia died in October 13, 1907 at age 33. In 1914, Louis Hanson married Alice, the widow of Andrew Johnson. Louis Hanson died March 16, 1941 at age 73. 5

6 ENGEBRET KRISTIANSEN HAUGAN / Descendants SIGRID PEDERSDATTER BOLETTA ANNE CHRISTI JULIA January 22, 1858 October 21, October 17, January 11, July 1, 1898 February 3, 1935 August 1, 1935 October 13, 1907 Anders Haugan Even Nyhus Christen Olson Louis Hanson Theodor A Carl E Emil J Selma B Edvard A Gena Oscar B Clifford Carl E Ida A Gerda S Cora C Anna S Clara B Anton P Albert Joseph A Julia O Christen Albert A Herman A Mabel K Mabel P Agnes C Wilhelm C Nora Otto W Bolette A Ruth Nina L Crystal F Lillian E Oscar A

7 HUBBARD COUNTY HOMESTEADS The families of Even H. Nyhus (Anne Haugan), Christen A. Olson (Christi Haugan) and Louis E. Hanson (Julia Haugan) were all granted homesteads in Township 145 North, Range 35 West, Fern Township, Hubbard County, Minnesota on March 30, 1905; Louis E. Hanson (E ½ SW, Section 23, S ½ SE, Section 23) Even H. Nyhus (E ½ NW, Section 25, SWNW Section 25, SENE Section 26) Christen A. Olson (N½ NE Section 26, SWNE Section 26) 7

8 HAUGAN FARM IN SIGDAL Haugan is both an area of farms and the name of several historic farms located in Sigdal, Buskerud, Norway. Haugan stands on a highland overlooking the community of Prestfoss. The original Haugan farm now consisting of a number of separate subdivisions operated either as a single farm (gard) or as a separate lease (bruk). The registry of historic Norwegian farms (Norske Gaardnavnewas) started by Oluf Rygh in 1886, lists the main Haugan farm as holding number 3 of farm 35. The farm is listed in the Land Register (Matrikkelutkastet) of 1950 as being divided into 25 bruk within Sigdal Herad. Haugan is presently farm number (gardnummer) 35 within Buskerud. Reference within Norwegian history to Haugan, as a portion of neighboring Holmen, dates to as early as Haugan and Skartum were split off as separate units during Overtime, Haugan served as a local administrative site and meeting place. During the 1600s and 1700s, the property was owned and developed by various individuals who also served either as the local magistrate or parish priest. Haugan was a stagecoach house and post office from 1869 to The main buildings served as an inn providing lodging for passing travelers. Additionally, it served as a courthouse and town hall for many years and the local telephone switching station from 1894 to Buildings located at Haugan date to the early 1700s. In 1729, Pastor Ole Glad had acquired the Haugan farm together with the neighboring farms of Slette and Skartum. He established his residence at Haugan where he functioned somewhat as a lord. He built a manor house during the 1730s. The house was a large structure, complete with living quarters, kitchen, pantries, formal living rooms, office and both lower and upper balconies. This building was to be physically divided and a portion moved in 1808 at the time the farm was subdivided into the two units: lower (Nedre) and upper (Øvre). The property was subsequently owned by Christine Rebecca Glad and Councilor Gert Falch. It was later owned by Olava Marie Glad and Lieutenant Frederich Otto Ferninand Von Koss. Kristoffer Narum and Knud Hovland acquired the property in 1807 from the Glad and Bache families who were heirs to the estate of Kammerrad (Chamberlain) Mathias Bache and Nicolea Glad Bache. Svend Skartum took over ownership of Haugan Øvre in 1802 from Pastor Hofgaard who had acquired the farm that same year from Narum and Hovland. Svend Skartum held Bruk 3 of Haugan Øvre until He then sold it to Ole Olsen Narum and Ole Olesen Kolsrud. 8

9 Engebret Fredriksen of Kringstad farm and his wife Eli Sjulsdatter acquired the Haugan farm from Ole Kolsrud in 1835 in an exchange for a part of Narum farm. Eli died during 1848 and Engebret in Their son Kristian Engebretsen would inherit the Haugan farm. Kristian Engebretsen Haugan married Boel Olesdatter Rolstad in Boel was a granddaughter of a locally prominent land owning family. Kristian and Boel had two sons, Engebret and Ole. In 1874, a portion of the property (Bruk 2) was sold to Haugan Øvre. In 1878, the portions of Haugan still owned by Kristian were split between his two sons, Engebret and Ole. Boel died during December1871and Kristian during January Engebret Kristiansen Haugan, upon receiving his share, built a house at Lykka (paddock) and lived there with his family. At the time of their immigration to America in 1881, Engebret Haugan sold his portions of Haugan to Mads Haugan, owner of neighboring Haugan Øvre. In the exchange, Engebret sold the portions of Haugan Bruk 4 and Bruk 5 known as Haugan-Lykkan med Ragnhildsbråten (Ragnhild s clearing) and Valhaugan (battle hill) with Saetermarken (summer dairy meadow), each an historic portion of the Haugan farm. Ole Kristiansen Haugan and his wife Berte Knudsdatter Haugan retained a separate portion of the Haugan property (Bruk 3). Ole died in 1915 and his wife Berte in Upon the death of their mother, siblings Kristian and Emilie Haugan took over management of the Haugan farm. Kristian died during Emilie Haugan sold her interest in the property during 1947 to Ottar Albertsen Mørch and his wife Gunvor Stenersdatter. Their family lives on and manages the farm to this day. 9

10 1865 TELLING FOR 0621 SIGDAL / HAUGAN The Norwegian Royal Government issued a decree on October 11, 1865 calling for a census (folketelling) of the national population. The headings on the census identified the School District (Skuledistrikt), Congregation (Sokn), Parish (Prestegjeld), Farm Name (Gard) and Farm Number (Merknad). The listing of residents identified first name (Føremann), last name (Etternamm), family position (Fam Stilling), occupation (Yrke), age (Alder), sex (Kjønn) and birth place (Fødestad). For Haugan farm number 90, the census reports three generations of a family consisting of ten people living on the farm. Lines 1 and 2 are Grandparents Kristian and Boel. Lines 3 6 are son Engebret, his wife Sigrid with their two daughters, Boel and Anne. Lines 7-10 are son Ole, his wife Berte and their son and daughter Kristian and Ragne. Lines are non-family members listed as servants, nanny and lodger. The Census also includes an inventory of livestock, grains and produce using standard measures. In the case of the Haugan farm these included: Horses-2, Cattle-9, Sheep- 18, Pigs-2, plus miscellaneous supplies of Fish, Rye, Barley, Corn, Oats Peas, and Potatoes. Distriktsnr Side Skuledistrikt Sokn Prestegjeld Gard Merknad 3 69 Den Faste Skole Sigdal Sigdal Haugan 90 # Føremann Etternamm Fam Yrke Alder Kjønn Fødestad Stilling 1 Kristian Engebretsen Husfader Gaarddbruger 62 M Sigdal 2 Boel Olsdatter Hans Kone 58 K Sigdal 3 Engebret Kristiansen Deres Søn Hjælper 32 M Sigdal 4 Sigrid Pedersdatter Hans Kone 34 K Sigdal 5 Boel Engebretsdatter Datter 8 K Sigdal 6 Anne Engebretsdatter Datter 2 K Sigdal 7 Ole Kristiansen Datter Hjælper 30 M Sigdal 8 Berte Knudsdatter Hans kone 26 K Sigdal 9 Kristian Olsen Søn 3 M Sigdal 10 Ragne Olsdatter Datter 2 K Sigdal 11 Erik Johannesen Tjenestepige 18 M Sigdal 12 Mari Heljesdatter Tjenestepige 39 K Sigdal 13 Maren Thidermann Tjenestepige 18 K Sigdal 14 Kari Iversdatter Bernepige 11 K Sigdal 15 Johanne Olsdatter Lægdslem 66 K Fredrikshald 10

11 1865 TELLING FOR 0621 SIGDAL / HUMLEGAARD Humlegaard in neighboring Krødsherad is listed in the Krødsherad Index of Farms and Families. This was the childhood home of Anders Torsen Haugan. Anders grew up to marry Boel Haugan, the eldest daughter of Engebret Haugan and Sigrid Pedersdatter. In 1882, Anders and Boel joined her parents in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Humlegaard appears on page 250 of the Krødsherad Index which was written by Andreas Mørch. The Index was published in 1974 by Krødsherad Kommune. (Krødsherad Bind 1, Gard og Slekt ved Andreas Mørch, Utgitt Av Krødsherad Kommune) The 1865 Census reported on Humlegaard as a sub-farm of Råen Nordre. In the 1865 Telling For 0621 Sigdal, Humlegaard farm appeared as Distriksnr 901. The census reports a family of six living on the farm. Lines 10 and 11 are Thor Anderssen and Anne Andersdatter, father and mother. Lines are four of their children. The census reports their son, Anders Thorsen as age 16. Thor Anderssen is reported to be a Husmann med jord. This probably made him a cotter with land who had houses and some land to use. The census also reports a modest livestock inventory including Cattle - 2, Sheep 1 and miscellaneous other. Distriktsnr Skuledistrikt Sokn Prestegjeld Gard Merknad 902 Nederste Krødsherred Sigdal Humlegaard 1 # Føremann Etternamm Fam Stilling Yrke Alder Kjønn Fødestad 10 Thor Anderssen Husfader Husm m jord 43 M Næs, Hallingd 11 Anne Andersdatter Hans Kone Hans Kone 37 K Sigdal 12 Anders Thorsen deres Søn 16 M Sigdal 13 Mari Thorsdatter deres Datter 4 K Sigdal 14 Anders Thorsen deres Søn 7 M Sigdal 15 Guttorm Thorsen deres Søn 1 M Sigdal 11

12 BUSKERUD FYLKE Buskerud Fylke, one of the 19 fylke or counties comprising the modern nation of Norway, in located in the historic region of eastern Norway (Ostlandet) near the heart of the nation. Buskerud is in an area characterized by a vast area of dense forests and deep valleys through which run powerful rivers and streams. The physical area within which Buskerud is located is an inland mountainous plateau forming the largest geographic area within Norway. The present population of Buskerud is approximately 200,000 people. The three principal cities within Buskerud are Drammen, Kongsberg and Hønefoss. Four of the principal geographic features within the county are Hardangervidda, Hallingdal, Numedal and Kunstnerdalen. Hardangervidda, with an area of 2900 square miles, is the largest vidda (mountain plateau) within Europe. Elevations range to 5250 feet. The area is thinly populated and dotted with numerous lakes. The greater portion of this area comprises Norway s largest national park. Hallingdal, Numedal and Kunstnerdalen are the large valleys cutting across Buskerud in a northwest to southeasterly direction. These thickly wooded valleys are laced with rivers and waterfalls. The valleys are home to a number of small towns and villages, together with farms and dairies Hallingdal is a broad valley traversed by the Hallingdal River extending south to Lake Krøderen. Numedal is a picturesque area with beautiful historic farms and unique stave churches. Kunstnerdalen is bisected by two rivers, Simoa and Snarum. The Simoa River widens into Lake Soneren at Prestfoss prior to continuing its journey to join the Snarum River in a joint journey to the Oslo fjord. SIGDAL KOMMUNE Sigdal Kommune, one of 431 kommuner or municipalities within Norway, is located within central Buskerud. Sigdal, located 120 KM west of Oslo, is situated within Kunstnerdalen, the valley formed by the Simoa River which flows out of Lake Soneren. Kunstnerdalen is a valley which is central to the golden age of Norwegian painting. Called the Valley of Artist, Kunstnerdalen was home to Edvard Munch, Charles Krogh, Adolph Tidemand and Hans Gude among others. These artists rose to national prominence during the late 1800 s and their former residences have become local tourist attractions. A summer camp for aspiring artists is conducted in Sigdal ever summer. 12

13 FAMILY NAMES IN SCANDINAVIA Hereditary family names within Norway as well of much of Northern Europe are a product of the last few generations. Exceptions were found among the traditionally higher classes or in the case of families which had immigrated to Norway and retained family names from their homeland. In 1923 the Norwegian government ordered that each family must adopt a hereditary last name. Traditionally, Norwegians used a patronymic system of names. Patronymic names take either the form of a prefix or a suffix. Among Northern Europeans, the general practice was the use of the patronymic suffix son/sen or dotter. People were first identified by their Christian names and secondly by their father s name: Kristian Engebretsen, i.e. Kristian, the son of Engebret or Boel Olesdatter, i.e. Boel, the daughter of Ole. In the case of both men and women, these names would remain with the individual for a lifetime. Wives did not generally adopt the last name of their husbands. Likewise, their children would bear as their last name, the first name of their father together with a suffix. Consequently Engebret, the son of Kristian, would be known as Engebret Kristiansen. All four members of a family, father, mother, son and daughter would frequently bear a different last name. It was common for first or Christian names to frequently reoccur within a family from generation to generation. It was most common for the first son within a family to be named after his paternal grandfather. In the event of his death in childhood, the name would be given to the next son born within the family. This tradition followed the custom among Danish royalty where the monarchs have historically alternated between the names Fredrik and Kristian. A third name might appear on church records, usually the name of the farm on which the family resided. This surname did not necessarily identify a family but rather a location or dwelling place. This could be true for the owner of the farm, a farm laborer or a tenant. Similarly a husmann or tenant farmer was often recorded in the official registers under the name of the farm on which he resided. Sometimes the words PA or AF would be placed between the patronymic name and the farm name. This meant that the person concerned had his occupation at that particular farm. On certain records, the suffix eie, which meant possession or ownership, might be added to the end of the name of the farm location. 13

14 Once in America, Norwegian immigrants were faced with the decision of selecting a common family name for the various family members. Quite commonly this resulted in the selection of a former farm name as the family name in America. Consequently among Norwegian-America families, family name often serves as a reflection of the former residence of their immigrant ancestors. The combination of the patronymic system of family names and the custom of naming sons after their grandfathers were both evident in the Haugan family of Sigdal. Once in America, the family soon followed the common practice of adopting the former farm name as an American family name. Evidence of all three of these practices is quite clear in the name Engebret Kristiansen Haugan. He would bear the names of both his father and grandfather, together with the name of his family farm. 14

15 FERN TOWNSHIP, HUBBARD COUNTY, MINNESOTA Hubbard County is located in north center Minnesota. The county seat is located at Park Rapids. Hubbard County with a present population of 18,000 has seen an increase from 6,500 in U. S. Highway 71 which travels north south transverses Hubbard County. U. S. Highway 71 crosses Minnesota State Route 34 at Park Rapids. The Mississippi River starts in Hubbard County at Itasca State Park. Fern Township (145 North, Range 35 West) is located in the far northwest corner of Hubbard County at a point where Hubbard County meets Beltrami County to the north and Coldwater County to the west. Fern Township is the site of the community of Becida, located approximately 15 miles southwest of Bemidji. Fern Township is located within the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The Mississippi travels through the western portion of the township. Directly to the west of Fern Township is the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest. The township was surveyed for settlement during The first settlers arrived in Fern Township during Logging and lumbering operations had begun within the area, which provided employment and resulted in the arrival of many of the early settlers. Becida School District was organized during 1898, with Sunny Hill School built in Becida. The Becida Store and Post Office was established in In 1903, brotherin-laws Christ Olson and Even Nyhus purchase the business. In time, additional businesses within the township included a saw mill, grain binding and clover huller. FERN TOWNSHIP CEMETERY Fern Township Cemetery is located off Hubbard County Road 9 at exit 2621, southwest of the Becida town site. From Becida, head west on County #9 for 1.25 miles turning left on to 129 th Avenue. Fern Township Cemetery is straight ahead at th Avenue. The cemetery is located on land donated to the township by brothers Even and Knute Nyhus who each gave an acre of farmland. 15

16 LEAF LAKE TOWNSHIP, OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA Located in west central Minnesota, Otter Tail County is west of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The county seat is Fergus Falls. The population of Otter Tail County has risen steadily over the past 100 years from a population of 45,000 in 1900 to 60,000 at present. The county is crossed by Interstate 94 as it stretches across the state diagonally running between the Twin Cities located 190 miles to the southeast and Fargo-Moorhead located 60 miles to the northwest. Otter Tail County contains over 1,000 lakes, approximately 10% of the total lakes within Minnesota. From the early days of settlement, the rich soil of Otter Tail County has resulted in a major wheat producing area. For a time during the late 1800s, the county contained 18 flour mills prior to the consolidation of the industry following development to statewide rail transport and new milling technology. Leaf Lake Township (Township 134, Range 38) is located within Otter Tail County. East Leaf Lake, Middle Leaf Lake and West Leaf Lake form a series extending nearly across the center of the township. The Leaf River flows out of East Leaf Lake. The larger portion of the township is level prairie with enough slope to admit drainage, thereby permitting tillage of the land. Among the first settlers of the Leaf Lake community were pioneers Christian Haugen and Ole Allenson who first settled during The two men staked out a homestead on adjoining parcels. Christian Haugen was married to Inger Maren Juvrud. Ole Allenson was married to Inger Haugen, the sister of Christian Haugen. All were from the Fox Lake community of Forest Township, Rice County, Minnesota. The two families put up a single room cabin on their common property line. In short order, they would be joined by others from Fox Lake including members of the Haugen, Uggen, Juvrud and related families. Family connections continued to grow. As one example, Bolette Amanda Haugan, one of the grand daughters of Engebret Haugan, would marry Selmer Allenson, son of Leaf Lake pioneers Ole Allenson and Inger Haugen. 16

17 NORDERHAUG LUTHERAN CHURCH The Norderhaug Lutheran Church came into existence in November When Leaf Lake Township was organized, the first town meetings were held in the combined Haugen/Allenson cabin, then the largest building in the township. When Norderhaug Lutheran Church was founded in Leaf Lake, services were first held there. Eventually the Haugen and Allenson families donated that portion of land upon which their combined cabin stood to the Norderhaug Lutheran Church. This is where the Norderhaug Cemetery remains to this day. Norderhaug Cemetery (SWSE of Section 28) is located on County Road 132 directly west of Minnesota State Route 108 north of Henning, Minnesota. Written by Mel C. Haugan,