Contributed by Teri Gregg
Written by their son, Henry Nelson
Peter Nelson and Mary Jensen were born in Denmark in a town about 30 miles from Copenhagen, a town named Ringstad. Mary's father was
a coachman for some nobleman. Peter's father died when he was quite small and he was raised by
foster parents.
Mary Jensen was born October 19, 1861 and Peter Nelson was born July 10, 1862. They came to America in 1883. Peter worked on farms out of
Brewster,
Minnesota and later sent for Mary to come to
America. She did housework for several families there. They were married in Worthington on
March 28, 1885. They moved to Chandler where Peter worked on the Section. He was promoted
to Section Foreman and moved to Edgerton, MN where they lived for about eight years.Born to
this couple were eight children, Andrew, William, Laura, Clara, Henry, Albert, Walter, and
Arthur. Arthur died as an infant.
They moved to Tamarack, MN in 1902. He got citizenship papers in Aitken County in 1903. They lived there until Peter died in 1951. Mary died
in 1953 at the age of 92.
THE FAMILY HISTORY OF PETER NELSON & MARY JENSEN by Donald W. Nelson, June 1987
Peter Nelson and Mary Jensen were born and raised in the town of Ringstad, about 30 miles from Copenhagen, Denmark. We know almost
nothing about their early life except Mary's father was a coachman for a Danish Nobleman.
Peter's father died when he was quite small and he was raised by foster parents.
Peter came to America in 1883 and worked on farms around Brewster, Minnesota. Then he sent for Mary to come to America. She did
housework for several families in the Worthington area. Peter and Mary were married in
Worthington, Minnesota ion March 28, 1885.
They moved to Chandler, Minnesota, where Peter worked on the railroad section. Later, he was promoted to section foreman and they moved to
Edgerton, Minnesota. They lived there for eight years.
Eight children were born to this couple. They were William, Andrew, Laura, Clara, Henry, Albert, Walter and Arthur. Arthur died as an infant.
Peter came to Minnesota in November of 1901 to locate some land. He was able to get an 80 acre homestead north of Tamarack , Minnesota. The
following spring, on March 6, 1902, Peter and two sons, William and Andrew, arrived in an
Emigrant car. They unloaded two horses, two cows, two pigs, two sheep and household goods.
They moved all of this out to their land and began to clear land, cut logs and build a house and barn. Mary and the other children arrived a short
time later on the passenger train. The house was not finished when the family arrived so they ate
their first meal, using an overturned tub as a table. The meal consisted of molasses and bread.
They cleared land, planted crops and worked in the woods. In 1903 they were granted U.S. Citizenship. In 1904 they built a new log house. It
was two stories high, chinked with moss and had a hand split cedar shingle roof. That first winter
they got our 40 railroad ties, much cordwood and many saw logs. They made $400.00 that first
winter.
In three years they had helped organize the township, named it Haugen after Chris Haugen, the Aitkin County Sheriff. Peter Nelson and
Frens Jacobsen got up a petition to establish a school district and built the first school house on
Section 29.
The first meeting of the town board was held in Peter Nelson's home, and he was elected the first chairman. He also served for many years as the
town clerk.
Peter and Mary lived out their lives on their farm. Peter died in 1951 at the age of 89. Mary died in 1953 at the age of 91. They are both buried in
the Round Lake Cemetery, a few miles from their home.
In going over the Nelson family history, I found
something quite interesting. Of the eight children, Arthur died as an infant William lived only 30
years, Albert only 33 years, and Clara but 45. But, those that lived to middle age went on to live
very long lives. Andrew was 86 at the time of his death, Laura was 86, Henry was 82 and Walter
was 87.
Then we look at their grandchildren. Mabel lived to be 72, Ruth is now 70, John is 67, Donald is 66, Clyde, Gerald and Dorothy are 63, Leone is
58,l Jean is 56 and Darlene is 53.
Edward was killed in action in France in World War II. He was only 27. We don't know how long he might have lived under normal conditions.
Arthur died at 24, Robert was 49 and Vern at age 52.
It is a long way from Ringstad Denmark to Edgerton, Minnesota, but they made it in 21 years. It is also a long ways from Edgerton to
Tamarack , but they made that in only eight years. They came a long way from such a humble
start as eating their dinner out in the woods on an overturned tub to living on a complete farm
that they built themselves. They were able to spend a half a century in the land of their own
choice, building the community. They knew food times and bad times, joy and sorrow, some
failure but mostly success. Theirs was a full and rewarding life.
The Nelson family will be remembered, along with the Bergs, Greens, Devlins, Andersons, Jacobsens, McGarvies, Hedstroms and Johnsons as the
original pioneers that opened up that wilderness soon after the year 1900.
Tobias Eurenius Gustafson was the second oldest
of a family of five, born in Karlstad, Varmland, Sweden on 2 November 1876.
Tobias went to sea working on a ship on 25 June 1890, then again 5 June 1892, eventually settling in Minnesota. The first record of his doings in
this country appears when he was in business in Duluth, Minnesota. He is listed in the 1907
Duluth city directory as a "Broker"(stocks?) under the name of Boden & Gustafson. This is the
same year he married Signe Cecelia Holmberg, who had a 5 year old son,Walter, from a previous
marriage. After that, he is found in the 1915 Duluth directory, listed as a real estate dealer, this
time with his residence given as Bain, Aitkin co., Minnesota.
In 1918, Tobias ran for County Commissioner, and lost the election by a vote of 202 to 211, in favor of a Mr. Heft.
In 1918, Tobias had a home in Palisade, which was totally destroyed by the 1918 fire which swept through the area. In his campaign
advertisement in the Aitkin Republican newspaper, he states:
"Owing to the serious calamity that has befallen the people of this immediate community, I deem it unwise to at this time embarrass them with
any extended political campaign for the office of County Commissioner for the first
commissioner district, so I am taking this means of calling your attention to my candidacy. But
even would time to permit, I still would be unable to solicit your support, because in the fire that
swept over this county I was one of the heavy losers. My home, together with it's contents(sic),
which is located about one-forth of a mile east of Palisade, was completely destroyed, and I shall
be busy for the next month or so in rebuilding it.
"In seeking this office I have but one purpose in view, and that is in being of service to the people whom I represent. Therefore, before I ask for
your support I believe that I should briefly state the position I shall take in the handling of the
county's business, if elected.
"I am of the opinion that during the duration of the war that no new expensive undertakings should be commenced by the count, but that we should
try and confine ourselves to finishing up work which is now uncompleted. In other words, I
believe that owing to the extra duties and burdens imposed upon the people of this county by the
war and our recent fire, that taxes should be kept as low as possible. It will always be my purpose
to see that every dollar that is spent shall be in the best interests of the county.
"I believe that my business experience amply qualifies me for the position, and I wish to say that I shall at all times carefully listen to
suggestions from my constituents and try to be honest, faithful, and courteous in the performance
of my duties."
Tobias' business as a real estate agent was apparently quite profitable, as he owned several homes and pieces of land around the state. His
work ethics also was taught to his step-son, Walter. While Walter never knew the financial
success of his step-father, he always believed in self-sufficiency and hard work. This trait was
passed on to Walters sons as well.
There does, however, seem to be a bit darker side to Tobias. He and 3 of his friends were not especially liked in Palisade. It is not exactly clear who
the other three were, but one of them is believed to have been the bank president in town.
Anyway, Tobias was shot and killed on 10 August 1922 by a local farmer, Eli Corey, over a land
dispute, as Tobias sat talking with another fellow in front of the blacksmith shop owned by Axel
Franzen. One newspaper article says it was Axel that Tobias was talking with, but two other
articles say it was a Mr. Lester Berglund. Eli had come into town that morning with his family in
the car and stopped at the gas station across the street. He saw Tobias across the street in
conversation, walked across the street, said "good morning, gentleman", then pulled out his gun
and started shooting. Tobias was killed instantly with the first shot in the chest, the second shot
hitting him in the arm. Then Eli shot at the other man, who had taken off running after the first
shots,but missed him. Eli then walked across the street to the gas station where he had been
fueling his car, reloaded his gun, stepped out on the sidewalk and shot himself in the head. Eli
lived for a few hours afterwards, but then passed on.
According to the Corey family descendants, there's another reason that Eli was after "the four." One of Eli's sons had gotten some bad
moonshine from one of them, and subsequently died in a Duluth hospital. This fact proves out
the suspicion of the Gustafson family that Tobias may have been involved in moonshine, since
that was during the Prohibition and a lot of people found easy money in the production and sales
of illegal liquor. It is said that much of the town felt that Eli did the town a favor by killing
Tobias.
After the death of Tobias, his widow, Cecilia, lost most everything by way of land and homes. The family has always held that the remaining three
were responsible for this. She really didn't know anything about her husbands business dealings,
and probably didn't have a way of holding on to everything. She shortly afterwards moved to
McGregor and lived there for a few years. in 1931, she received $10,000 from the state in
settlement for the losses in the 1918 fire, which she apparently gave most or all of to her son
Walter. Walter purchased a farm in Wright, Carlton county with the money. Shortly after that,
Cecelia moved there to live with them until health forced her into a rest home in the 1950's. She
passed away in 1963.
Tobias is buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery outside of Palisade. There is a large black stone with the name GUSTAFSON on it, right along
the lane that passes through the cemetery. Behind that is his headstone which says Eurenius, Aug
10, 1921. The year for some reason is wrong. He died in 1922. Eli Corey and his son are buried
across the lane from him.
(picture unavailable)
Tobias Gustafson in front of his Real Estate office on main street in Palisade. The building no
longer exists. He is the one on the left with the pipe in his mouth
Tobias Gustafson standing in front of his home in Palisade. Not sure if this was before or after
the 1918 fire.
Tobias Gustafson standing in front of the Palisade post office. He is leaning on the car. The
years of these pictures are not known ~ probably around 1920
THE DANIEL & MARY ANNA (HART) LOZWAY FAMILY
Contributed by Cathy Larkins
On their Wedding Day Daniel and Mary Anna (Hart) Lozway 23
May 1881 in Nebraska City, NE.
Nebraska City News, 23 May 1881
Lozway ~ Hart, Married at St. Mary's Catholic church last night.
Mr. Daniel Lozway and Miss Mollie Hart by Rev. Father Cusson.
After the marriage ceremony the happy couple
repaired to their home in Kearney, where they settled down to housekeeping like sensible young people should.
The news wishes the happy couple a pleasant and prosperous life, void of trouble.
Daniel Lozway was born 10 Mar 1860 in New York
and died 23 Feb 1903 McGregor, Atkin Co, Minnesota
Mary Anna Hart was born Mar 1860 in Nebraska City NE
and died 24 Mar 1948 in Duluth, Minnesota
Children
Edward David, 26 Mar 1881, NE?
Nellie, May 2 Mar 1882, NE?, married Mr. Bergstrum
Francis William, 30 Nov 1883, Nebraska City, Nebraska, d: 24 Dec 1950, Duluth, Minnesota
Daniel Edgar Jr., 16 Mar 1884, Minnesota
Mary Matilda, 25 July 1890, Deer River, Minnesota, d: 27 Jan 1977
Katharine Margaret, 25 July 1892, Sandlake, Minnesota, married Hjalmar Olson
Daniel Joseph (twin), 5 June 1894, McGregor, Minnesota, d: 4 Aug 1894, McGregor,
Minnesota
Margaret Alice (twin), 5 June 1894, McGregor, Minnesota, married Raymond E. Stanford
Earl Bertram, 26 Nov 1897, Sylvan Lake, Minnesota, d: 1918
Duluth News Tribune
26 December 1950
Frank W. Lozway, died Sunday night in a Duluth
hospital after a long illness. Born in Nebraska city, Mr. Lozway resided in Duluth for 35 years
was a well known violinist. Despite the loss of one arm, Mr. Lozway was a one time Northwest
Champion in violin contests about 25 years ago.
He is survived by his four sisters, Mrs. Nellie Bergstrom, Mrs. Hjalmer Olsen, Mrs. Raymond Stanford, Duluth; and Mrs. James Larkins, Tacoma, Washington.
Duluth News Tribune
Wednesday, 24 March, 1971
Mrs. Mary A. Lozway, 88 Duluth's oldest Gold
Star mother of World War I, died yesterday in her residence, 12 North twenty-sixth avenue west.
Her son, Earl Lozway, died while is service with
Americas armed forces in 1918, and her grandson, Gerald Stanford, died in service during World
War II.
Mrs. Lozway was a native of Nebraska City,
Nebraska, and resided in Duluth 38 years. She was a member of the David Wisted American
Legion Auxiliary, and former chaplain of that body.
She took an active part in veteran's service work
in Duluth. Mrs. Lozway was a life member of the J.V. Culver Women's Relief corp., auxiliary to
the Grand Army of the Republic and a member of St. Clement's Catholic parish.
Surviving are four daughters Mrs. Nellie
Bergstrom, Mrs. Hjalmer Olsen, Mrs. Raymond Stanford, Duluth; Mrs. James Larkens, Tacoma,
Washington, Frank Lozway, Duluth; a sister Mrs. Nellie Gilmore, Downers Grove, Illinois; 27
grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
THE JAMES WRIGHT & MARY MATILDA (LOZWAY) LARKINS FAMILY
Mary Matilda Lozway and James Wright Larkins
on their wedding day, 15 April 1907, in Grand Rapids, MN
Mary Matilda Lozway ca 1905
Children
Owen James, b: 7 Oct 1907, Deer River, Itasca Co, Minnesota
d: 22 Feb 1952, Tacoma, Pierce Co, Washington
John, b: 21 May 1909, Marble, Minnesota
d: 12 Aug 1909, Marble, Minnesota
Samuel Raymond, b: 24 July 1910, Marble, Minnesota
d: 9 April 1962, Tacoma, Pierce Co, Washington
Maude Elizabeth, b: 17 June 1912, Duluth, St Louis Co, Minnesota
Edith Matilda, b: 11 Feb 1914, Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota
Edward Lyle, b: 6 July 1915, Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota
James Wright Jr., b: 10 June 1916, Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota
d: 7 June 1999, Arizona
Harry, b: 6 April 1917, Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota
d: 13 Sept 1995, Orting, Washington
Lowell Bertram, b: 21 Mar 1919, Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota
d: 20 May 1970, Tacoma, Pierce Co, Washington
Daniel, abt 1921, Duluth, St. Louis Co,Minnesota
d: abt 1925
Lois Marie, b: 16 April 1926, Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota
Betty Jane, b: 2 April 1928, Duluth, St. Louis Co,Minnesota
Francis Earl, b: 14 Nov 1930, Duluth, St. Louis Co,Minnesota
RICHARD & ORLIE (WARD) THOMPSON
Front Row: Orlie Ward and Richard Thompson
Back Row: Mabel Thompson, Olive Ward, Floyd Ward and Benjamin Thompson.
(Orlie and Olive are identical twins)
Richard Thompson is the son of Paul Christian Thompson and Anna Siewertsen. He was born July 2, 1892 in Mason City, Iowa. He died July 28, 1948 in Jacobson, Aitkin County, Minnesota. He is buried in Jacobson, Aitkin County, Minnesota.
Orlie Ardella Ward is the daughter of George Ward (1858-1935) and Hannah Housman (1858-1950). Orlie was born April 3, 1898 in Blooming Prairie, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. She died May 1967 in Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota. She is buried in Jacobson, Aitkin County, Minnesota.
Richard and Orlie had 11 children: Doyle Richard, Paul Clifton, Alton, Crystal Anna, Alverd, Nyla Zadel, Darold Everett, Robert Duane, Kenneth Dale, George Harvey, and Constance Olive.
They lived and raised their family in Cornish Township in the Jacobson area of Aitkin County.
Richard and Orlie (Ward) Thompson ~ date unknown
Contributed by Karen Klennert
FRED & MINNIE (WALLIN) LINDMAN
Fred and Minnie married on January 5, 1918
Front Row: Fred Lindman and Minnie Wallin
Back Row: ??? and Elvina Carlson
Fred Lindman is the son of Andrew Lindman and Sara Brita Colling. Fred was born May 9, 1883 in Oxford, Isanti County, Minnesota and died on January 7, 1950 in Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota. He is buried in Jacobson, Aitkin County, Minnesota.
Minnie Wallin was born on September 20, 1897 in Sandstone, Pine County, Minnesota. She died on July 2, 1972 in Rush City, Chisago County, Minnesota. She is buried in Jacobson, Aitkin County, Minnesota. She is the daughter of Henry (Henrich) Wallin and Betsy Wickblom.
They had six children: Bernice Marguerite, Leonard Melvin, Luella Aretta, Byron Delbert, Mabel, and Norman Wallace.
