Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-10-19
AN0LD PIONEER " :.
HAS GONE BEFORE
Even O. Glesne, Sturdy Pioneer Of
Early County History, Ha,
Left Us

Even O. Glesne, a familiar char
acter in t1he early history Of the
County and a widely respected citizen
Of his community is no more. His
spirit fed on Tuesday, October Ii,
at his home in Norway Lake, after an
abode there Of some. 81 years. Com
ing direct to kandiyohi County from
his native land of Norway, Mr. Giles
ne experienced the trials of the first
settlers menaced constantly by the
Indian tribes at large in this part of
the state. The Kandiyohi County
History gives the following sketch OF
the old pioneers career:
Even C'son Glesne was born in
SigdEal, Norway, August 5, 1888. His
parents were O,of Evenson Glesne
and Ragnahild Glesne, both natives
of Norway The fernily came to AM
erica few years after the birth OF
Even and settled in Wisconsin. 'lhere
Even grew to manhood. In 1889 he
was united in marriage to Miss Kari
G.. Kerson!ien. She was born in Hal
lingdal, Norway, hut came with her
parents to Wisconsin at the age of
5 years. In 1860 MIR. and Mrs Glesne
came to this county in company with
Even Railson and Ole Knudson. Giles
ne settled on claim in Section II,
Town Of Norway Lake. The news of
the murder of the settlers near Mon
son Lake by the Indians was brought
to Mr.. Glesne by Johannes Lundborg.
Gresne was out on the prairie cutting
grass. LundbOrg told Mrs. GlesEe to
notify her husband, which she did.
Lun6iborg, in the meantime, started
~,,1 ND 7 4
Ivtrson, who were cutting grass at
another place nearby. He failed To
find them. AS they were taking their
lunch in a small ravine, G!asne tound
them. Iverson then returned Win
Lundborg ITO the latter's cabin, about
five miles southwest. Glesne tried to
find his oxen, but they were not IN
sight. They then resolved to make
their flight on foot. This was not an
easy matter. Iverson had six chm.
9ren and GGesne two. They started
/ eastward to Lake Prairie. where they
took shelter in the woods. GEaSne re
turned to find his oxen and was sue
@cessful On the way he met M1Ahel
| Olson and another man. Who went
| with him to- Lake Prairie. These
were the men, Mrs. Lundborg hac
| seen and mistaken for Indians 2nt
therefore hid herself The 'foFor '1r
| day she found her way to Lake Pra
! j,ie ard joinesi the C!esrs IAni ~
| Glesne was not satlsfet with having
his oxen only; he was bent :E1on get
ting the other cattle, too. He yoket
Up his oxen and induced 'M;htlel o.
son and another man referred to a.
"Old Matthias" to follow him. Whe'
they came to Ne!s Peterson's p,ac;
he knew nothing of the trouble. Pc
terson took boat, and they all rOWe'
across the lake to Railson's cabin
- which the found deserted, the in
mates having taken refuge on tn
isle in the lake. Glesne and Ga Ma
thias then drove to Glesne's pace
and Mikkel Olson went to his cab.
west of knutson's place. G:esn
found his cattle, and, while he wa
loading his wagon with his househo.
goods, Lars Iverson and some other
arrived from the Lund5org pace
They all proceeded to Lake Prairi
: and arrived late in the evening a
Amin Thompson's place. The mex
day they went to Paynesvilie VIII 5r
they remained for three weeks Tn
Glesne's then went to Rice count!
whore they remained three years. i
1865 they returned to their claim
Norway Lake, where they have sinc
made their home. Mr.. G'esne no
owns Gao acres of land in Sc c.ioT
%, 2 and II, Norway Lake. He ha
: a beau: itul home situated on tt
Continued on page five