~Page 1279~

JENS HAUGE

That America still means opportunity, is evinced in the case of Mr. Hauge, a young man, in this country only fourteen years, coming over with no fortune save his own clear brain and the inheritance of good Norwegian blood from that race of powerful men, the modern Northmen, whose capabilities and whose fearless independence are marked above those of other European nations. With nothing save this equipment, he has, in a foreign land and solely by his own exertions, raised himself to the position of one of the foremost business men in his county.

Jens Hauge was born in Norway, March 8, 1876, the son of Iver and Gunhilde Hauge, both natives of the country. His widowed mother came to this country to Leroy, Minnesota, in 1896, and now resides in Clermont. His only sister, Mrs. Margaret Anderson, lives at Leroy now. Jens was educated in Norway and at Valder Business College of Decorah, Iowa, where he graduated in 1900. He came to Leroy, Minnesota, in 1893, and began working as a clerk, staying with one firm for six years. In 1906 he came to Clermont and entered business as a partner in the firm of Tongium & Hauge. In 1909 this partnership was dissolved and the firm is now Hauge & Brorby. They have by far the largest mercantile establishment in Clermont and have built the business up themselves. Mr. Hauge's push and. Energy have been remarkable. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the council of Clermont. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Mr. Hauge's marriage to Carrie Larson took place on November 3, 1904. She, like himself, is of Norse stock, and was born at Leroy, Minnesota, the daughter of Emil and Anna Larson, natives of Norway, who came to Leroy in 1870, where Mrs. Larson died. Mr. Larson is a farmer and has kept fully abreast of the wave of prosperity which has lately passed over the agricultural communities. Mr. and Mrs. Hauge are proud to be the parents of two very bright and interesting children, Esther Amelia and Glenn Marion. Mr. Hauge's career, though short, is both interesting, instructive and inspiring. No young man can witness his success without feeling that there is indeed a place for the man who makes that place for himself and that a man can make that place if he has the will and ability to do so. If he has accomplished so much in so short a time, we certainly have the best of foundation to say that his future career will bring him into much greater note and to higher rewards.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Cheryl Walker