Ulen township Archives

Biography of Knud Helgeson of Ulen Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Knud Helgeson, a prosperous farmer in Ulen Township, Clay County, Minnesota, began his life in humble circumstances, living in a small log cabin with sod-covered sides. Born in Norway, Helgeson immigrated to the U.S. in 1871. After marrying Aasie Helgeson in 1874 and living on a rented farm in Dodge County, he moved to Clay County in 1882. Helgeson developed his own 160-acre farm, creating one of the county’s most beautiful homes with extensive cultivated land and well-built outbuildings. An active community member, he served as a road commissioner and school board member, and was a trustee of the United Lutheran Church. The couple had nine children, eight of whom survived.

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Biography of Ole Ulen of Ulen Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Ole Ulen, the founder of Ulen Township, was born in Norway on April 18, 1818, and passed away on January 19, 1891, in the village of Ulen, Minnesota. Emigrating to America in 1851, Ulen initially settled in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, before moving to Houston County, Minnesota, where he farmed for 14 years. In 1871, seeking better opportunities, he relocated his family to Clay County, Minnesota, eventually settling in Ulen Township in 1872. A dedicated pioneer, he broke ground on his claim and endured the hardships of frontier life. Ulen and his wife were instrumental in establishing the Lutheran Church in Ulen. They raised their family in a log house and later a more comfortable home. Ulen’s contributions to the community and his pioneering spirit are well-remembered in the region.

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Biography of Peder Sliper of Ulen Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

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.

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Biography of Reir Syverson of Ulen Township Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Reir Syverson, born in Norway in 1852, is a prominent landowner and agriculturalist in Clay County, Minnesota. Emigrating to America in 1873, he initially settled in Spring Grove, Houston County. After four years, he moved to Clay County, building a dug-out and later a log house on his homestead. Syverson now owns a well-improved 900-acre farm in Ulen Township, with 500 acres under cultivation. Married to Randa Ellingson in 1876, they have five children: Edward, Sophia, Carie, Charlie, and Rheinhart. Syverson has served on the Ulen Township Board of Supervisors and is a trustee of the United Lutheran Church.

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Biography of Helge Klemmetson of Ulen Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Helge Klemmetson, born February 24, 1854, in Lunner Ringereg, Norway, owns one of the most well-developed farms in Clay County, Minnesota. Located in section 22 of Ulen Township, the 200-acre farm features effective drainage, a protective grove, and high-quality livestock. Klemmetson immigrated to the U.S. in 1875, initially settling in Spring Grove Township, Minnesota, before moving to Clay County in 1880. He and his wife, Gor Olson, worked tirelessly to transform their land into a prosperous farm. Klemmetson, serving as the treasurer of Ulen Township since 1901, is also the secretary of the Synod Lutheran Church. They raised six children: Christina, Helmer, Olaf, Sarah, Bella, and Gyda.

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Biography of Iver Holman of Ulen Minnesota

Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Iver Holman, born in Hudlund, Norway, in 1851, was a resilient Norwegian farmer in Ulen Township, Clay County. Son of miller Hans Peterson, Holman learned the milling trade in Norway before emigrating to the U.S. in 1883. Settling initially in North Dakota, he faced numerous hardships but persevered, eventually moving to Clay County in 1892. There, he purchased 240 acres and built a prosperous farm. Married to Eonda Peterson, Holman had five children and was an active member of the United Lutheran Church, serving as a trustee. He is remembered as a respected and esteemed community member.

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Biography of Ole Evans of Ulen Township, Minnesota

Becker County, Clay County / History of the Red River Valley

Ole Evans, a well known resident of Ulen township, now deceased, was the son of Arne (also deceased) and Julia (Ulen) Evans, who settled in Ulen township with their family in the year 1881. Ole was born in the town of Cuba, in Becker county, Minnesota, on November 12, 1871, and died in October, 1903. He married Miss Gusta Hanson on August 9, 1898, and they had one son, Raymond. Mr. Evans was educated first in the country schools, and later attended school in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the college at Moorhead, and lastly the seminary at Red Wing, Minnesota.

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Biography of Arne Evans of Ulen Township, Minnesota

Becker County, Clay County, Houston County / History of the Red River Valley

Arne Evans, deceased, of Ulen township, father of Mr. Ole Evans, also deceased, was born in Norway, in 1847, and came to this country with his parents in 1861, when he was fifteen years of age. They first settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived for a time, and then moved to Houston county, Minnesota, and followed the occupation of farming. Here their son Arne obtained some additional education, and in 1868 married Miss Julia Ulen, daughter of Ole Ulen, the well known founder of the village which was named after him. The following spring Mr. and Mrs. Arne

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Biography of Torkle Austinson of Ulen, Minnesota

Clay County, Freeborn County / History of the Red River Valley

Torkle Austinson, father of Mr. A. T. Austinson, a prominent politician of Ulen township, was born in Hallingdohl, Norway, July 6, 1826, and is now living with his son, in Ambrose, North Dakota. He married Miss Gure Oleson, in Norway, in 1854. She was born, October 7, 1819, and died in the village of Ulen, in 1904, at the age of eighty-three. They emigrated to the United States, in the spring of 1868, in a sailing vessel called “Nordna;” it was a three months’ voyage, provisions ran out, almost causing starvation among the passengers. They first settled in Primrose township,

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