Svend Monson (aft. 1836 - 1876)

Born after 1836 in Norway

Died 1876 before age 40 in Storden, Cottonwood, Minnesota, United States

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Biography

Svend Monson was born about 1836 in Holtalen, Norway. He immigrated to America with his brother Hans and settled in the same area of Storden. Svend was one of the first two bachelors in Storden to marry. Svend owned 160 Acres of farmland outside of Tracy, Lyon, MN. The legal description of his land is 5312 Base line 5, 107N(twp), 37W(Range)8 (section) on April 27, 1885 in Tracy, Lyon, MN. The following story was published in the History of Storden Township: “In 1871 Martin Halland and Sven Monson took claims in Storden township. They each had a span of mules, also a number of tools brought from Norway. Sven’s land was the SW ¼ of Section 8. He built a dugout and later a frame house and other farm buildings. His house was about two miles from his brother Hans’. Martin and Sven invented a 2-man saw of their own. It was built on a side hill, over a dugout, one man standing below, pulling down and one man on top pulling up on the saw. They sawed many pieces of lumber for themselves and their neighbors.”

In the spring of 1875 a meeting was held at the Martin Halland farm to form a township board. Sven and Hans were both present. Sven was elected Poundmaster (treasurer) of the newly formed township. At that time the name Storden was given to the “town of Norsk”. The name Storden was taken from a town near Bergen, Norway. The members of the newly formed township board also determined to raise $25.00 for the town fund, $6.00 for roads and bridges and $6.00 for the poor fund.

A few years later the post office was moved to Sven’s farm and he became the Post Master.

In 1876 Sven hired a young widow, Hannah Margarete who had two young daughters to come and keep house for him. Later Sven and Hannah married and had three additional children – Anna, Martha and Carrie.

Sources

• Norwegian Folk History 1801 - 1950. Trykkt I, Berdal Boktrykkeri, Verdal, 1976. Page 192. Located in the St. Olaf College Library, Northfield, Minnesota.

• History of Storden Township

• Centennial Souvenir, 1849-1949 Cottonwood County Historical Society, Mrs. Otto Roefer, June 26, 1949.