Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1102

 954 HISTOEY OF GOODHUE COUNTY school board and is always the friend of every good movement, being a fine example of the worthy sons of the early pioneers. He was married October 23, 1907, to Selma E. Swanson, daughter of M. N. and Eva (Enberg) Swanson, who, like the Youngs, were early settlers in the county. Edward G. Otterness was born in the township of Leon, where he still resides, February 4, 1870, son of Guttorm and Martha Otterness. natives of Norway, who came to America in 1855 and located in Koshkonung, AVis.. for ;i short time, coming in 1856 to Leon township, where lb'' father purchased a farm, which he broke and improved, brought to a high degree of cultivation, built a home, and carried on general farming, which he has since continued, being one of the prosperous farmers of Leon town- ship. In early days he Lived among the Indians and suffered all the hardships of pioneer life, working hard to till the soil and hauling grain to Red Wing. There were nine children born to Alt', and Mrs. Otterness, of whom four are living: Peder, a farmer of Wanamingo; Lars, a farmer of Kenyon township; Annie; and Edward, the subject of ihis sketch. Edward received his education in the common schools of the township, and now carries on general farming and stock raising, having attained con- siderable success, lie is a genial, hard-working man. always ready to do his share in anything that tends to the betterment of the community, lie is ;i Republican in polities and attends the Lutheran church. Bernt Swenson, of Warsaw township, was horn in Norway, September 4, 1849, son of Sven and Maran (Hoist) Swensen, natives of Norway, who were content to remain in their native Land, where the father died in 1S63 and the mother in 1892. Bernt Swensen received his education in the schools of Norway, and after leaving school worked at farming and carpentering, and was also ;i sailor. lie came to America in 1883 and located in Wesley. Iowa, where the worked for three years, after which he purchased eighty acres of land and later added eighty more, and carried on farming. In 1903 he sold out and came with his family to Minnesota, settling in Warsaw township, where he bought 336 acres of land and later sold all but 170 acres, which he has improved and where he carries on general farming and dairying, also raising fine horses and cattle. He also owns 213 acres of improved land in Canada. Mr. Swensen was married May 12, 1876, to Maran Helen Gronseth, daughter of Martin and Anna Gronseth, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1887, settling in Duluth, where the mother still lives, the father having died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have six children: Martin, a farmer in Iowa; Swany, a farmer in Canada; Carl, a farmer in Canada; Annetta, married to J. Roisum, living in Rice county;