A History of Wang, Renville Co., MN
Bios Included
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Excerpted from:
"HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY,
INCLUDING THE EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS OF MINNESOTA"
BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL,

-AND —

"HISTORY OF THE SIOUX MASSACRE"
BY CHARLES S. BRYANT.

MINNEAPOLIS: NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1882.

RENVILLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXXXIII.

WANG

   This town was first a part of Sacred Heart, then of Hawk Creek, and 
July 28, 1875 was set apart for organization. The name was taken from a 
district in Norway. The first settlers were Theodore Rongerud, 
Christian Ingebretson, Hans Gunderson, and 0. Narvestad, who came in 
1867. The Norwegian Lutheran denomination held meetings at Hans 
Gunderson's house in 1870, and in 1880 built a frame church which cost 
$2,200. Their pastor is Rev. John Berg. The Norwegian Lutheran 
Conference separated from the other society in 1876, and in 1880 built 
a church on section 34, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. Ericson is pastor of 
this church. The first school was taught by Mrs. F, W. Brasch. There 
are three frame school-houses in the town. The first death was that of 
a man named Nelson, in the fall of 1870. The first birth was Julius 
Tandberg, July 31, 1868. The first marriage was that of M. Agre and 
Betsey Tandberg. New Lisbon post-office was established in 1866, and A. 
T. Ellingboe appointed postmaster; he has the office at his house.

CHRISTOPHERSON
   Ole Christopherson "Soena," was born in September. 1844. in Norway. 
From the age of nine years until 1857 he lived in Michigan, then in 
Dane county. Wisconsin until 1860, at which date he removed to Iowa; in 
1862 he removed to Good-hue county, Minnesota. The year following 
enlisted in Company F, 2d cavalry, and served through the remainder of 
the war. Married, January 15, 1869, Jane T. Althon; the children are: 
Anna, Betsey, Christopher, Torger, Mary and Gertdane.

ELLINGBOE
   A. T. Ellingboe was born in Norway, August 13, 1852, and when nine 
years old immigrated with the family to Goodhue county, Minnesota. He 
attended common school and St. Olaf s College, Northfield. In 1874 he 
came to his present home in Wang; has been clerk since the organization 
of the town, justice since 1876, and postmaster of New Lisbon since 
June, 1879. Betsey Leen became his wife December 16. 1876; Tom, Betsy, 
and Christina are their children.

ELTHON
   Torger T. Elthon, native of Norway, was born December 25, 1852. 
Since the age of four years he has been a resident of the United 
States; the family immigrated to Iowa, and he removed in 1861, to 
Goodhue county, Minnesota; thence in 1876 to the town of Wang.

GROVER
   O. T. Grover was born May 5, 1844 in Norway, and when five years old 
accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He enlisted March 23. 1865, and 
was honorably discharged when war ceased; from 1868 till 1871 he was in 
Goodhue county, Minnesota, then came to Wang. Married in 1870, Sarah 
Olson Holen; two children have died; the living are Louise, Nels, Betsy 
and Oliver.

NARVESTAD
   C. O. Narvestad was born October 14, 1837. He was a soldier for 
seven years in Norway, his native country. In 1864 he engaged in the 
furniture business at Chatfield, Minnesota, but in March 1865 he 
enlisted in the engineer corps, and when discharged, resumed his 
furniture business. Came to Wang in the fall of 1867, and was the first 
settler in town. Syverine Tonberg was married to him in 1866; Olof, 
Betsy, Julius, Dinah, Matilda, John and Anton are their children.

VEKEN
   K. K. Veken, who was bora May 4, 1849, left his native laud, Norway, 
in 1856 and moved with his parents to Wisconsin; lived in Manitowoc and 
La Crosse counties and then migrated to Goodhue county, Minnesota, 
where he resided until 1872, the date of his location in Wang. June 18, 
1874, he was united in marriage with Betsy J. Webland, who has borne 
him six children: Clara, Oscar, Maria and Emma are living.

WILLIAMS
   O. K. Williams, native of Norway, was born December 22, 1847. At the 
age of five he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, which was his home 
until 1861, when he removed to New Ulm; he was at that town when the 
severe battle occurred with the Sioux. From 1862 until 1872 he was in 
Goodhue county and then settled at his home on section 12 of Wang. In 
1873 he married A. S. Simmonson who is the mother of five children: 
Cornelius Emma, Julius, Julia and Sten.