John Osmunsen [Osmundson] is one of the pioneers of Marshall, was born in Norway February 11, 1827. He followed the sea in his youth. At sixteen he engaged with a shoemaker to learn the trade, which he worked at in summer and finished in winter. In 1855 he came to America, landed at Quebec, made his way to Illinois and then to Wisconsin where he was married in the spring of 1857 to Syrena Hanson, coming directly to Minnesota to seek a home which they found in Mower County on section thirty-six, now known as the town of Marshall. He built a substantial log house which the family occupied until 1874 when he built a frame house, where he lived at the time of his death, August 1882.

Mr. Osmunsen was an industrious man, successful as a farmer, and had the confidence of the people. He served the town in the capacity of treasurer for several years. His wife and six children survive him. The names of the children are; Hannah, the first white child born in the town, Caroline, Isabelle, Rachel, Henriette and Henry. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Osmunsen has managed the farm.

History of Mower County 1884

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Jan. 8, 2007