John P. Vangen

John Vangen was born April 19, 1858 in Olsaker Prestegjeld, Norway.  In 1871 with his father, he left Norway for America.  They went in a sailboat named the "Nolisse," (probably Nordlyset).  After fourteen weeks on the water they landed at Quebec.  From Quebec they went to Milwaukee, and by train to St. Paul.  Mr. Vangen's father got work in a sawmill, but there was no work for John.  He walked to Minneapolis and got work for his board, for a married couple.  His father soon after worked on the railroad.  Mr. Vangen stayed at this place for one and one-half years.

In 1872 Mr. Vangen's mother came to Minneapolis with her five children.  Very shortly after, she died from smallpox.  The rest of the family went to Goodhue County, Minnesota, in 1873, where each child was taken into some other family.  John was old enough to earn a living and took to hiring out to farmers.

In 1875 John Vangen was confirmed, and learned to read.  His father and he bought some land at Northfield, Minnesota, and farmed there for seven years.  He was married in 1881 to Bertha Hanson in Faribault, Minnesota, by Reverend Peterson.

Mr. Vangen then left the farm to his father and in 1884 with his brother, Carl Vangen, and Andrew Overby, started for Dakota Territory.  He took with him some stock, four oxen, horses and machinery.  He came to Cooperstown and took pre-emption on Section 20, (12??), Bryan Township.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vangen.  Mrs. Vangen died on April 14, 1927.  Mr. Vangen then left the farm and rented it out to his boys, and moved to Binford.  Mr. Vangen died November 11, 1949, at the age of 91 years.

  1. Paul J. Vangen was the first son born to John P. and Bertha Vangen.  He married Helga Dahl at Binford.  They were the parents of six children.
  2. Dora Vangen was the first daughter of the Vangen's.  She married Peter Hanson.  They had two daughters.
  3. Hans J. Vangen, was born May 11, 1887.  He married Martha Rohme and five children were born to them.
  4. The second daughter was named Bertha Vangen.  She became the wife of Martin Nelson, a blacksmith in Binford.  They had two children.
  5. A son, Anton J. Vanen, was born in 1891 but this child died in infancy.  
  6. The next son was also named Anton J. Vangen  He was married to Bertha Lockrem and they had one daughter.
  7. The next son was Christian or Christ.  He married Della Roland in Minnesota.
  8. The youngest daughter of the Vangen's was Mary.  She married John Overby and they farmed west of Binford.
  9. The last son born to the John Vangen's was also named John.  His wife is the former Lillian Madsen of Northfield, Minnesota.  They have two daughters.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 190