Olof “Ole” Larsson Dahlgren, born July 26, 1860, and Helena “Lena” Jonsdotter, born May 12, 1855, were married on December 2, 1883 in Dahlby Parish, Värmland, Sweden.
Four children were born to the couple before they emigrated to Minnesota. Their firstborn, an un-named (possibly Karin?) daughter, died on the day she was born, June 21, 1883, according to the parish record. Three sons were also born in Sweden: John, born December 5, 1884, Axel, born September 1886, and Charley (AKA Charlie), born June 1, 1888.
Times were difficult for many people in Sweden at that time. The above photocopy of the parish emigration record shows that Olof left Dahlby for America on March 9, 1889. On May 22, 1890, Helena and their sons also emigrated. Olof’s obituary states that they settled first in Wright County, Minnesota, but moved to Roseau County in 1891.
Three additional children were born after their emigration: Hannah, born April 10, 1891, Oscar, born January 10, 1893, and Thilda, born March 16, 1896.
The above documents are photocopies of two US Homestead Certificates: No. 11150 shows that Olof L. Dahlgren was granted one hundred fifty nine acres and sixty four hundredths of an acre of land in Minnesota in 1901; Certificate No. 13072 shows that he was granted one hundred sixty acres of land in Minnesota in 1905.
Census records from 1895, 1900, 1905 1910, and 1920, list the family as living in Malung Township, Roseau County, Minnesota. The property owned by O.L. Dahlgren can be seen in lthis 1913 Map in Section 18, and HERE, in this modern map.
Thilda is not listed in the 1895 census record since she was not yet born. John is not listed with the family in the 1900 census record, but is listed as a “Servant”, living with the Axel Lundquist family in Vega Township, Marshall County, Minnesota. Charley died of Scarlet Fever on March 9, 1908, so he is not listed in the 1910 census record. The 1920 census lists only Olof & Helena.
The 1930 census shows Olof, Helena and Oscar listed on a different farm, about two and one half miles from the farm where they raised their children. They had previously sold their original farm near the hamlet of Malung to their son-in-law, Frank E. Thompson, as seen in this 1935 map. That map also shows the property in Section 29 owned by O.L. Dahlgren where they were living in 1930. They had lived for a short time in Minneapolis, but Ole’s obituary states that they soon moved back to Malung Township. It is on this property where they lived until each, in turn, succumbed to ill health and spent some time before their deaths in the home of their daughter, Hannah Thompson and her husband, Frank. Lena died on August 30, 1936, and Olof died on January 13, 1938.
Olof died on January 13, 1938 in Malung, Minnesota.
From the obituary in the ROSEAU TIMES REGION newspaper
O. L. DAHLGREN DIES; PIONEER
Funeral Servises Held in Salem Church Last Saturday; Remains Interred in That Cemetery
O. L. Dahlgren, who homesteaded in Malung in 1891, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Thompson, last Thursday morning at 9 o’clock. Funeral services were held in Salem church, south Malung, last Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock, and the burial took place in that cemetery beside his wife, who died Aug. 30, 1936. Rev. Morris Eggen conducted the services, which were attended by many of the old and new friends.
Mr. Dahlgren was born in Vermland, Sweden. He grew up there and received his education there. He was married to Lena Johnson, December 2, 1883. Six years later he and his family emigrated to America, settling first in Wright county, this state, but moved to Roseau county in 1891 and homesteaded the place which is now the property of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thompson and adjoins the Malung townsite on the south.
Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren sold the homestead later and moved to Minneapolis, but after a while they wanted to come back and they bought the farm in Sec. 29, living there until they became too old and needed the assistance of their sons and daughters. Mr. Dahlgren lived last winter and since last spring has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Thompson.
Mr. Dahlgren was confined to his bed the last ten days, and previous to that he needed the constant watchfulness and care that loving hands could give him. His failing health dates back to the death of his wife.
Left to mourn his death are four sons and daughters, namely: Axel Dahlgren, Oscar Dahlgren and Mrs. Frank E. Thompson of Malung and Mrs. Peter Espe of River. Three died previously. There are six grand children and one great grand child. Pallbearers were his two surviving sons, Axel and Oscar Dahlgren; two sons-in-law, Frank E. Thompson and Peter Espe, and two grandsons, Elmer Thompson and Omer Espe.
Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren with their family were among those who helped form the Mission Covenant congregation in Roseau. Mr. Dahlgren and his wife were active members up to the time they left to live in Minneapolis. On their return, they found Salem church convenient for their church attendance.
Helena died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Thompson of Malung, Sunday, August 30th, 1936, at 8:25 a.m.
From the ROSEAU TIMES REGION newspaper, Roseau, Minnesota
MRS. DAHLGREN
Mrs. Dahlgren was born in Sweden, May 12th, 1855. She was married to O. L. Dahlgren in the old country on Dec. 2, 1883. She and her family came to America in 1890 and settled in Malung township in Roseau county, where she has since lived. While in her good health she was active in community activities besides taking her part in the home life and bringing up the family of children. Left to mourn her are husband and two sons and two daughters, namely: Axel Dahlgren, Oscar Dahlgren, Mrs. Peter Espe and Mrs. Frank Thompson. The large attendance at the funeral service, Tuesday, in Salem church testified to the regard in which she was held in that community.
