Peder Sliper, the oldest continuous settler in Ulen Township, was born in Norway on May 3, 1842, and emigrated to the United States in 1866. Initially settling in Houston County, Minnesota, he later moved to Iowa and then to Goose Prairie, Clay County, Minnesota, in 1871. In 1874, he took up a preemption claim in Ulen Township. Despite early hardships, including losing crops to grasshoppers and a house fire, Sliper successfully developed his farm. Married to Ellen Tatley in 1867, they had nine children, with their daughter Caroline being the first white child born in Ulen Township. The Sliper farm now spans 440 acres, with 140 under cultivation. Active in the United Lutheran Church, Peder Sliper is a respected and prosperous community member.
Peder Sliper is the oldest settler who settled and remained on his farm in Ulen township. He was born in Norway on May 3, 1842, and emigrated to the United States in 1866. After the close of the Civil War, he settled in Houston County, Minnesota, in the township of Spring Grove. His father, Nels Sliper, and mother, Jocomina Sliper, came to the United States in 1868. Peder Sliper was married on January 6, 1867, to Miss Ellen Tatley, who was born in Norway on March 9, 1846, the daughter of Johanes Tatley. Mr. Sliper spent the first two years of his life in America in Spring Grove with his wife, where he farmed with little success, and they decided to move to Iowa. They lived there until 1871 and then took up their belongings and crossed overland to Clay County, Minnesota, and settled in the town of Goose Prairie, where they lived for about three years. In 1874, they took up a pre-emption claim in Ulen township, and here he has continued to live ever since. His first four years’ crops were taken by grasshoppers. He lived in the log house which he built in the spring of 1874 and which burned down the following February 6. The next spring, he erected his present residence, which was then fourteen by sixteen, and he has since added more room to it. His daughter, Miss Caroline Sliper, was born on January 16, 1875, and was the first white child born in Ulen township. Mr. and Mrs. Sliper now plan to erect a fine new residence, the foundation of which is already laid. Their farm now consists of about 440 acres, with approximately 140 acres under cultivation. It is a beautiful country home that cannot be surpassed by any in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Sliper celebrated their silver wedding in 1892, the first event of its kind in Ulen township. They are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living. Their religious affiliations are with the United Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Sliper is a trustee and sexton.
Mr. Sliper is a man of shrewd management, a good neighbor, and friend. He is considered one of the most prosperous and progressive citizens of his neighborhood.
At the time their house was burned, as mentioned in the above sketch, the weather was bitterly cold, and the children were hastily wrapped up in whatever was handy and carried to the log stable for safety. When the fire was over, it was discovered that Caroline was badly frozen. However, by wrapping her in cotton and with careful nursing, she made a full recovery.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.