Henry Oscar Dahl, son of Lewis & Anna Dahl, was born on December 8, 1894, in Norman, County, Minnesota. On November 28, 1925, he married Ellen Olivia Olson.
They farmed near Felton, Minnesota, in Clay County. This 1961 Map shows tracts of land northeast of Felton that were owned Henry. This is where they raised their four children: 1. female (living), 2. Raymond Henry, 3. female (living), 4. male (living).
| Excerpts from the Dahl Family History Book, submitted by his wife, Ellen and their daughters. Henry was born December 8, 1894, the second child of Lewis and Anna Dahl. He was the eldest son and so was a big help to the family. As a young man he liked hunting and ran a trap line for some years. He quit hunting when his children began growing up. He also hauled wood from near Twin Valley in the years before he was married. His formal schooling was in the small country school not far from the home farm. As far as we know, he did not complete all eight years. He grew to be a handsome young man, standing about 5’8″ and weighing 180#. He had brown hair, later becoming white and balding. He had brown eyes and a warm welcome smile, a happy laugh. He liked people, enjoyed visiting and was always willing to listen and help others. He was even-tempered and very much his own man. He would listen patiently to other’s complaints or advise, yet make up his own mind and go his own way, but never offending anyone. He always liked photography and had a good singing voice which he used often to the glory of God. He sang tenor and with a trio, a quartette, and an octette with Tilven Tweiten, the Klevgaard brothers and his brother Ted. About in 1924, through the young school teacher boarding at their home, he became acquainted with the teacher’s older sister, Ellen Olson. Henry and his brothers were farming in a type of partnership, having purchased several tracts of land. Henry took over the one lying in Clay County and developed that. It presently is the home of his son. Henry and Ellen went together about a year and were married November 28, 1925 at the Borup parsonage. To this union were born four children. The Great Depression tried them hard. Many people just left their farms but Henry felt this was where he was supposed to be, so he stuck it out. For three years they were able to only pay the taxes on the land. They lived on milk, eggs, their vegetable gardens and home produce. The land drifted, especially in 1936, but after the spring drifting had quit, they planted barley and were elated to get about 40 bu. per acre. Henry was known as the potato farmer and raised them for 36 years. He was not active in community affairs but loved his church and served ably as church treasurer for 20 years. He taught the Adult Bible Class in Sunday School for many years, was chairman of the Church Remodeling Committee for Jevnaker in 1957-58 when the new front entrance was put on. He returned from active farming in 1960 but remained interested in what was going on. He died October 4, 1961 and he is buried in Jevnaker Cemetery. Henry’s middle name was Oscar, but a neighboring cousin had exactly the same name, so Henry took the initial L. from his father’s name and used this as his legal signature. |
Henry died on October 4, 1961, according to the Minnesota Death Index, although his Find A Grave listing shows October 5. A newspaper obituary says his death came after being in poor health for several years.
| From a newspaper clipping of HENRY’S OBITUARY Henry L. Dahl Of Felton Dies FELTON, Minn. – Henry L. f Dahl, 66, lifelong resident here, r died Wednesday in an area hospital. He had been in failing health four years. The funeral will be at 2 Saturday in Jevnaker Lutheran Church, Borup, Minn., of which he was member and officer, Rev. Alexander Thompson officiating. Born near here Dec. 8, 1894, Mr. Dahl married Ellen Olson Nov. 25, 1925 at Borup. He farmed until retiring. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons and two daughters a brother, Theodore of Borup; six sisters, Mrs. Hjalmyr (Minnie) Estvold, Borup, Mrs. Andrew (Clara) Estvold, Felton, Mrs. Omar (Myrtle) Este, Pencer, Minn., Mrs. Herbert (Inga) Holmsten, Chicago, Mrs. Magnus (Marie) Hanson, Ada, Minn., Mrs. Edgar (Emma) Helgemor, Windom, Minn., and nine grand children. |
