DAHLE JENS BIOGRAPHY
BOOK - RICE COUNTY FAMILIES. PUB. 1981

The Dahle Family. Jens Dahle was born on March 27, 1839, in Sogn, Norway. He immigrated to America when he was 19 years old; he made his home with his uncle, Halvor Quie, near Nerstrand, and learned English there. One of his first jobs were clearing land for the State School in Faribault for which he was paid 25 cents per day. For a time he operated a grocery store in Faribault. He enlisted in the Army during the Civil War and nearly lost his hearing while in the Battle of Gettysburg. He became a prisoner of war for most of 4 years and nearly starved to death--he weighed only 85 lbs. when he was released. He was discharged in 1865 and was given 160 acres of land near New Ulm by President Lincoln. He did not accept this offer because the land had no timber on it. He decided to buy a farm near Waseca, and paid $800 for 160 acres of timber land, using the money he had saved while in the Army, even though he had been paid only $25 per month. At almost 48 years of age he constructed a large house on his farm and when chided by neighbors as to what he was going to do with such a large house, he replied, "I'm going to fill it with kids." Now a young lady, named Anna Olena Seim, who, while still in Norway, helped make the wedding dress for the Queen, immigrated to America at the age of 23 years, and she and Jens were married in February of 1887. They had 11 children, 6 boys and 5 girls.
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J. T. Dahle, a pioneer resident of Blooming Grove died at his home at six o'clock last Sunday evening. He was in his 81st year and death was due to the infirmities of old age. J. T. Dahle was born in Soga Bergens Stift, Norway, March 25, 1839. He emigrated to America in 1858. On January 22, 1862, he enlisted with the Second Company, Minnesota Sharpshooters and with them shared the record of 54 battles and skirmishes. He was also taken prisoner and held at Libby and Salisbury prison pens. On June 29, 1865 he was mustered out of service, after which he has been a resident of Blooming Grove. He was wedded to Anna Olena Seim of Drobak, Norway, on February 7, 1886. To them were born eleven children, of whom nine are still living and were present at their father's death bed. Death occurred at 6 o'clock Sunday evening, Sept. 7, 1919.
The funeral services were held from the home Tuesday p.m. September 9, and at the Norwegian M.E. church in Blooming Grove. The pastor of the church, the Rev. Mr. Storhoy, had charge of the services. The Rev. Mr. Knudson of Minneapolis, a brother-in-law of Mr. Dahle, and Rev. W. E. Mahle of Blooming Grove assisted in the services. Mrs. Remund and Mrs. Earl Mahler sang a duet.
Mr. Dahle was a highly respected christian gentleman. His last testimony was that he had an abiding faith in his Heavenly Father. He was active in all reform movements and took a keen interest in all matters of history and politics in his own county and community, as well as state and nation.---Contributed.
-------- Thur., 11 Sep 1919, Waseca Herald, p. 1, col. 4