Nels Peter Andersen Family

ANDERSEN, OLLGAARD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2015 at 14:12:22

Monona County History
1982

Nels Peter Andersen Family, p 91

Nels Peter Andersen was born Dec. 3, 1868 at Grinsted, Denmark. He was schooled in Denmark, being of short stature and agile, he made their gymnastic team. Physical education was an important part of their youth training. He came to America in 1892, working in Connecticut a year before coming to the Jens Mortensen family in Willow Township. Mrs. Mortensen (Ellen) was his cousin. After working for two years in a lumber camp in California, he came to Moorhead. He and N.K. Nelsen farmed the Tom Strand place in Jordan Township. In the fall of 1899, he bought a farm in section 11, Jordan Township, where he lived out his life. His brother Nis, farmed with him until Nels married, then returned to his homeland.

Nels married Lena Marie Ollgaard April 20, 1906. Lena was born April 14, 1880 at Strellev, Denmark, coming to the Danish community of Tyler, Minnesota with brother Villads March 8, 1900. She worked in Minneapolis in Jones Harrison Retirement Home. It was on a visit to an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Anders Viladsen, in Moorhead that she met Pete.

They belonged to the Ingeman Lutheran Church, the resident pastor often held services in the homes.

Four children were born to this union – Axel, Olga, Harry and a child that died at birth.

In 1915, they built on to the original house. In March, 1941 their home burned completely. Lena was burned badly. Dr. Junger cared for her at the home of Mrs. Hans Christensen for several months. Peter, Olga and Harry lived in the garage until a new house could be built.

Axel Jorgan was born April 18, 1908. In Soldier High School he excelled in humorous declam work. He attended St. Olaf College and Minnesota University, worked in Minneapolis and for Tony Christensen in hardware business in Ames and Slater. Went into business for himself selling Maytags for 10 years, then he and Fred Siefkes started a furniture business in Charles City, later becoming sole owner.

Axel married Ruth Walker of Ames. She died. On June 28, 1936 he married Mary Lou Carroll, a teacher in Charles City. Daughter, Jane Carol is a nurse clinician in Pediatrics on research team on staff, Columbia University Medical College, N.Y.C. Son, John, is a mathematics teacher in Denver, Colorado, married to Fradene Sunshine, a research librarian in the Denver School System. Their children are Paul and Mara. John spent 1959 in India with the Peace Corps.

Olga Christine joined the family June 29, 1914 and Harry Sept. 20, 1916. They attended rural school No. 1 in Jordan township called the Ulven school, and Soldier High School. Olga, never having had good health, stayed home helping her mother and helping around the neighborhood whenever needed. They moved to Onawa in 1950. Lena was known as the ‘Flower Lady’, an expert with house plants, especially African violets, having hundreds of varieties. Lena was bedfast the last 8 ½ years of her life, being cared for by her devoted daughter. Lena died March 5, 1971. Pete had died September 22, 1944. Olga sold her home and now lives in Center Heights, Onawa.