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LEVOR A. BJELLA Levor A. Bjella, a well known contractor and builder of McIntosh, is a native of Norway, where he was born March 31, 1876. He grew to manhood in his native land and came to the United States when nineteen years of age. He came directly to Minnesota and for two years was employed in farm labor in Norman county. In 1897 he entered the carpenter business and during the three years of his operations in that trade, became an efficient and successful workman. He located in McIntosh in July, 1900, and for two years was employed with his brother in black-smith work and then engaged in the contracting and building business and has since given his attention to his rapidly growing trade; his thorough technical training and business ability marking him as the leading contractor in McIntosh. Mr. Bjella is a member of the Synod Lutheran church. His marriage to Amelia Erickson occurred July 10, 1903, at McIntosh. She was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and is of Norwegian parentage. Mr. Bjella and his wife have six children, Anna, Oscar, Laura, Oliver, Kalmer, and Mabel. (Source: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, 1916.) Submitted By: Cathy Danielson REVEREND J. B. A. DALE Reverend J. B. A. Dale, pastor of the United Lutheran church at McIntosh, was born at Avue Bergen, Stift, Norway, June 29, 1854. He remained in his native land until his seventeenth year, coming to the United States in June, 1871. For several months he made his home in Columbus, Wisconsin and then located in Chicago, where he spent three years and then returned to Wisconsin, living for a time in Eau Claire. Being ambitious to secure an education and prepare himself for the ministry, in the fall of 1875 he went to Minneapolis and enrolled in the Augsburg Seminary. He completed a four years' course of study in that institution, meanwhile working during the vacation months and finding further employment as a teacher in parochial schools. He then attended the Normal school at Winona, Minnesota, during one winter and subsequently entered the University at Columbus, Ohio. In 1882 he became a student in the Red Wing Seminary and completed his studies in the following two years, receiving his degree in June, 1884. He was ordained in Lee county, Illinois, and his first pastorate was in Newman Grove, Nebraska; remaining with that congregation for some fourteen years. On leaving he came to Minnesota to accept the charge at Twin Valley in Norman county, where he served for six years. In July, 1904, he removed to McIntosh, as pastor of the United Lutheran church, with eight churches in Polk county in his circuit, which has since been divided into two pastorates. Mr. Dale has devoted his life to his ministerial labors and enjoys the high regard of his many warm friends through his faithful service during the many years spent as a leader in religious interests. He was married at Roland, Iowa, in July, 1882, to Julia Olson, who was born at Leland, Illinois, November 23, 1865. Fourteen children were born to this union, twelve of whom are living. Marcelius A. Dale died at McIntosh, in his twentieth year and the death of Melvin Dale occurred when he was fourteen years of age. The surviving children are, Jeanette, who married E. G. Schlanbusch; Caspar, Erwin, Christina, the wife of Reverend A. B. Hinderlie, Clara, Elnora, Andora, Ingeborg, Beatrice, Marcellus, Marguerite and Jens. (Source: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, 1916.) Submitted By: Cathy Danielson GUNNER HUSBY Gunner Husby, a retired farmer and well known citizen of King township, now residing at McIntosh, was born in Norway, April 13, 1852. He remained in his native land until thirty-one years of age, when he came to the United States and in the spring of 1882 took a homestead claim on section eight of King township in Polk county. He immediately engaged in the development of his land and devoted the efforts and interests of his successful farming career to this farm, building up one of the most prosperous properties of the section. In 1914, after many years of business activity, he sold the homestead and has since made his home at McIntosh. As one of the early settlers of the township he has been prominently identified with public affairs and has taken an active interest in the promotion of the general welfare. He has capably discharged the duties of various local offices to which he has been elected and has served as a member of the school board and township board. Mr. Husby is a member of the St. Johns Lutheran church. He was married in Norway, to Marit Haaven and they have seven children, Magnhild, Louis, Peter, John, Ingvar, Gertrude and Gottfried. (Source: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, 1916.) Submitted By: Cathy Danielson EMIL JORGENSON Emil Jorgenson, of McIntosh, local agent for the St. Anthony and Dakota Lumber Company, is a native of Polk county, born in Knute township, June 15, 1885, the son of Marcus and Hedda Jorgenson, natives of Norway, who settled in Polk county in 1884; the father becoming a well known farmer of the county, where they continue to make their home. Emil Jorgenson was reared on the Knute township homestead and received his education in the country schools. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age and then entered upon his commercial career, his first activity being in the lumber business and with the exception of two years spent in the employment of a telephone company, has continued to devote his attention to the lumber interests, where his ability and successful experience have won him rapid promotion and wide recognition. In July, 1913, he located in McIntosh, as the local manager for the St. Anthony & Dakota Lumber Co. Mr. Jorgenson is one of the progressive and enterprising business men and citizens of the town in which he lives and is actively interested in matters of public moment and in the promotion of the general welfare and growth. He is a member of the St. Johns Lutheran church. (Source: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, 1916.) Submitted By: Cathy Danielson JOHN J. VAATVEIT John J. Vaatveit, a prominent merchant of McIntosh and well known citizen of King township, is a native of Norway, born in Village of Voss, on August 13, 1856. He was reared on a pioneer farm home in Dodge county, Minnesota, the family emigrating to the United States in spring of 1857, and spent his early manhood in Dodge county. In 1856 he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and began his career in the commercial world as a clerk in a general store. After spending seven years in that employment, he made his first independent venture in the mercantile business and for five years continued his successful operations, establishing a store at Northland, North Dakota, and was appointed the first postmaster at that place. In 1895 he sold his interests, resigned from the office of postmaster and transferred his attention to farming, removing to Polk county and buying a quarter section of land in King township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for some twelve years. In 1907 he resumed his commercial activities, opening a general store at McIntosh, where he has since conducted a prosperous and steadily growing trade. During the many years of his residence in King township, Mr. Vaatveit has won the respect and confidence of all his associates through his ability as a business man and his public spirited citizenship. He has been prominently associated with township affairs and has capably discharged the duties of various public offices, as chairman and member of the township board, a member of the school board of McIntosh and in several minor offices. He has been further identified with public interests as the president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, serving for a term of nine years. He was married in Dodge county, Minnesota, to Martha _Africk, who is a native of Norway and they have reared a family of four children, Engvold, George, Minnie, who is the wife of Oliver Henson, and Mabel. Mr. Vaatveit and his family are faithful supporters of the Synod Lutheran church and are actively identified with all its interests. (Source: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, 1916.) Submitted By: Cathy Danielson |