The Enerson Century Farm

The Enerson farm, north of McIntosh, this year has been recognized by the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau as a Century Farm, a farm that has stayed in the same family for more than 100 years. 

In 1882 Olof Enerson, at the age of 32, sailed from Sweden to America. He made the six week voyage alone. His wife, Elin (Ellen) and their six children followed later in May of 1883. The children making the trans-Atlantic trip were Olivia, John, Swen, Axel, Mathilda (Tillie), and Minnie. 

Upon arriving in America, Olof went to Grafton, North Dakota where his family later joined him. In 1883, the Thirteen Towns area was open for settlement and Olof (having done some exploring and some research) knew which homestead he wanted. Together with other pioneers, Olof Enerson and his family went to Crookston, and from there it was a six day trek to what is now Hill River Township. When they first arrived the country was a wilderness. There were trails, but no roads or bridges.

Olof received the Homestead he requested. The family set off with all their worldly possessions, a cow, a team of oxen, a plow, and $18 in silver coins. He had to borrow money to pay for filing expenses. The wagon box, that had gotten them there served as their first shelter. Later in 1887, a two story larger log cabin was built where more children were born and raised. Nils Edward (Ed), Martin, Victor, Tina, and Christina. Ed was the first while child born in Hill River Township. Olof was ambitious and had a willingness to work and soon was in possession of several sections of rich farmland. He also went into the threshing business, and was a thresher for more than 50 years. In 1903, Olof's first wife Elin died. A few years later, in 1906, he made a trip to Sweden and brought back his second wife, Caroline. Together they had one son, Einar Olof traveled back to Sweden in 1921, and then again in 1924 with his youngest son, Einar. That return voyage to America was the seventh, and final, trans-Atlantic crossing for Olof In 1925 construction was finished on a nice, new two-story house that is still on the property today. Einar married and had one daughter Olaf lived with his son Einar and his family in Hill River Township on his Homestead until he died at the age of 88 on August 6, 1938.

Olof fathered 12 children and had 29 grandchildren. The last two surviving grandchildren will be attending the reunion held on August 3, 2019 at the original Homestead. Gladyce Josephson of Fosston is the daughter of Edward (and Helen) and Marilyn Blankinship of Tucson, Arizona is the daughter of Einar (and Karella). Gladyce and Marilyn both have wonderful memories of being on the farm with their grandfather. If they could, they would tell him in Swedish, "tack sa mycket!", thank you very much! On August 3rd, many of Olof's relatives are reuniting for a family reunion on the Enerson Homestead Century Farm.