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| OLAUS O. HOVLAND The history of one who has lived an honorable life and attained high distinction in the community in which he lives should find a prominent place in the biographical records used by succeeding generations. The lives of these men serve as an inspiration to beginners and as a spur to novices in the field of industry. Among those who have resided in Otter Tail County since the very beginning of her agricultural development, is Olaus O. Hovland. As a boy he had the privilege of living on a Minnesota homestead and to those days of stern labor and discipline he owes much of the success which came to him in later life. Olaus Hovland was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 16th day of September, 1868, and is the son of Ole O. and Anna (Teslo) Hovland. Contrary to the prevailing custom of that locality and period he received more than the average educational training. He attended the local public schools and at the completion of the common school course entered the high school at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. During his attendance in the high school, he absorbed the highest principles of right living and learned to look upon the occupation of farming as a dignified and noble form of labor. His first experience as a farmer was received on his father's homestead where he went to work after leaving high school. For several years following his period of residence on his father's farm, he rented a place whose resources proved to be unusally profitable. In 1912, he bought the place where he now resides. The farm extends over two hundred acres of ground located in sections 26 and 27. He has erected, since his occupation of the place, buildings of modern construction and design. His interests are with general farming and he gives some attention to stock raising. As a Republican he has served as township clerk and as school director and executed the duties of each office with efficiency and force. On the 21st of March, 1895, the marriage of Olaus Hovland to Minnie Sjolaas, a native of Oscar township, Otter Tail county, took place. She is the daughter of John and Karin (Bjerke) Sjolaas, among the early settlers of that section, who settled there in 1869, having come from Houston county, Minnesota, where they had lived since the early development of the community. Mr. Sjolaas died on the 27th of March, 1902, and his wife passed away on the 7th of January, 1914. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hovland, but they have found enjoyment and pleasure in the task of rearing the three nieces of Mrs. Hovland; Ida, Luella and Lena Lider. The work of Olaus Hovland has been such as to win for him more than passing recogntion in the county in which he lives. While he has worked mainly for individual advancement, he has never lost sight of the fact that there are movements for public good and has used his best efforts in furthering the cause of honesty and business prosperity in Otter Tail county. He is a man of versatile nature which has found expression in deeds for the welfare of the public at large. History of Otter Tail County Minnesota, Illustrated 1916, Vol. 2. John W. Mason, editor. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Last Modified 12 Nov 1997 | Created 19 Feb 1999 by Reunion for Macintosh |
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