Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Evenson, Hans 1815 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 26, 2019, 11:30 am

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

  HANS EVENSON, a successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 8,
Greenleaf township, and one of the most prominent old settlers in Meeker county, was
born in Norway on September 6, 1815. He remained in his native land until the spring
of 1852, when he came to the United States and settled in Rock county, Wis. On July
12,1854, he returned to his native land and remained until 1857, when he returned to
the United States, settling this time in St. Paul, but three months later went to
Scott county, Minn., where he spent the winter. His next move was to locate in
Wright county, where he spent two years in the “Big Woods,” and then, in the spring
of 1860, he came to Meeker county, and took a claim on section 8, where he has since
lived. His trip to this county was one of severe hardship, as he came on foot from
Wright county, accompanied by his oldest son, Even. At that time there was only one
house in sight—on Inger Hill, which was occupied by a man named Inger. -They came in
the winter or early spring, and bought a hand-sled, on which they drew their tools,
etc., and went direct to the Ole Ness place, which was near Little Lake, in what is
now Litchfield township. During that winter, he would start every morning for his
place, and spent his time in getting out logs, so as to be ready to build in the
spring; also during that time, he dug a well fifty feet deep for Ole Ness, and
stoned it up. He remained about a month at that time, and then borrowed a sled and
yoke of oxen from Ness and started to Wright county for his family. At the time he
started, the ground was covered with snow, but it thawed before he got through, and
he was compelled to construct a home-made wagon with which to get back,
accomplishing it by hewing out four wheels and erecting a rude frame work. Upon his
return, he staid two nights at the Ness place, and then left his family for several
months at a bachelor’s named Guner, while he was building a shanty on his place.
About August he moved his family into the cabin. During that year he raised a few
potatoes, but for the first five years following his settlement, he lost most of his
crops through the blackbirds.

   Thus matters were moving peaceably until that fatal August, 1862, when the
terrible Indian outbreak began, and as Mr. Evenson was one of those who were here
during the most trying times, we will briefly review his experience. On the 17th of
August, Even and one of his brothers were at Ness’s and learned of the massacre at
Acton. When they told their father, he could not realize that the matter was an
actual fact, and after remaining quietly at home over night, he started the next day
(Monday, the 18th,) for Ness’s to learn the particulars. On the way he met a
neighbor, named Butler, who begged him to hitch up and take his family to St. Paul,
but Mr. Evenson refused and went on to the farm of Ole Ness. Learning that the
Indians were really on the warpath, he sent his wife and two little children to
Forest City, and he and the boys staid on the farm until the following Wednesday,
putting up hay. On the day mentioned, his wife returned to the place, and told him
that he must pack up and get to some place of safety, as the news had come in daily
of the terrible murders which the Indians had committed. He accordingly was
reluctantly prevailed upon to go to Forest City, where he at once learned that there
was good ground for the terror which had seized every one. The following morning he
started with his family for Kingston, where he remained two weeks, and then, as
Capt. Whitcomb’s “Home Guards” had been organized, they returned to Forest City.
They were there when the Indians made the attack on that place, and Mr. Evenson and
son, Even, were doing guard duty that night. Even was the second one to return the
fire of the Indians. At the time, the family were sleeping in Atkinson’s store, and
when the attack came, at about one o’clock in the morning, they hastened inside the
fortification. When the father got a chance to look around, he found that one of his
sons—Andrew—was missing, and at once started out to find him, but seeing nothing of
him, he returned and found that Andrew had safely got inside. The bullets were then
flying thick and fast.

   After the attack there followed a period when provisions got very scarce, and it
was dangerous to go out to find eatables.

   After a time the excitement somewhat subsided, but for two years they were always
on the alert, not knowing what time the treacherous savages might renew their
depredations. In the fall the family returned to the farm and during ;he winter they
lived by trapping. Settlers soon began returning to their claims and bis cabin was a
regular tavern. Money was very scarce, and but few of the settlers bad the pleasure
of seeing any money that winter, to say nothing of owning any.

   Now to return to Mr. Evenson’s private history: Hans Evenson was married in the
year 1842, to Christina F. Anderson, and they have been blessed with seven children,
as follows — Bertha, born Sept. 22, 1842; Even, born Nov. 21, 1844, mentioned
elsewhere at length; Andrew, born Oct. 30, 1847; Helena M., born Oct. 3,1852; John 
F., born Feb. 3, 1856, died May 30, 1857, on board ship and was buried at sea in St.
Lawrence Bay; John F., born Jan. 22, 1859; and a child born in 1861, which died at
the time of birth. Mrs. Evenson, the wife and mother, died on the 19th of January,
1887. Mr. Evenson is a republican in politics as is the case with ali his sons. L e
is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Evenson is now well along in years and is
passing the evening of his life in a quiet way with his children. He has lived a
life of usefulness and activity, a man of the strictest honor and integrity and one
for whom every one who knows him entertains the kindliest feelings and highest
regard.

   John F. Evenson, one of the sons who is mentioned above, with whom the father
resides, was born in Wright county. He was married May 28, 1885, to Mary Johnson,
and they have been blessed with two children— George H., born June 22, 1886; and
Christina F., born Feb. 20, 1888. Mr. Evenson carries on the farm and also devotes
his attention extensively to stock raising. He is one of the leading and most
successful agriculturists in the township.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888


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