Biographies - U
THE UGGEN FAMILY“The Centennial History of the Thirteen Townships (1883-1983)”
Richards Publishing Company, Inc., Gonvick, MN 56644,
Copyright 1983
page 82Knute F. Uggen was born in 1863 in Norway. He came to America in 1871 with his parents and lived in Rice and Ottertail Counties in Minnesota. In 1888 he moved to Polk County and filed on a homestead in King Township. In 1901 he bought a farm in Section 12 of Knute Township. He married Agnes Hoffard in 1889 and seven children were born to them: Frithjof, Christen, Gunda, Julia, Agnes, Emma and Ingeborg.
Fritz A. Uggen was born in 1892 near McIntosh. He was baptized, confirmed, and also married by Rev. L.J. Njus attended local schools. He was married to Margaret Johnson in 1915 and they made their home on the Knute Uggen farm in Knute Township until his death in 1980. He began farming in partnership with his father and they raised Guernsey cattle, so the farm became known as “Uggen’s Guernsey Farm.” Knute retired in 1916 and Fritz purchased the farm from his dad in 1936. The dairy farming came to an end when the 4-lane highway went through the farm in 1969. The Oak Lake Rest Area and the Weigh Station were also built on the original Uggen farm. In the early twenties the original highway also went through the farm. Three children were born to Fritz and Margaret Uggen: Alice, Christ, and Floyd. Christ passed away in 1969. Floyd, who was in partnership with his father, is presently operating the farm and resides there with his mother, Margaret, and sister, Alice. The Uggen Farm has been in the family for three generations.
Fritz Uggen was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in McIntosh and was active in community affairs. He served as a church trustee, was Vice Pres. Of the Crookston Production Credit Ass’n; Treas. Of the 9th Dist. Land O’Lakes and assessor for many years. He served on the following boards: Erskine Creamery Ass’n., School Board, Erskine Shipping Ass’n., Pioneer Memorial Home, East Polk Fair Ass’n., Red River Valley Dairymen’s Ass’n., Dairy Herd Improvement Ass’n., Guernsey Breeders Ass’n., Farm Bureau, East Polk Soil Conservation, FHA, and Farm Security Adm. And was also named in “Who’s Who” in Minnesota. In 1941 Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Uggen were given the Red River Valley Honor Farmer and Homemaker Award.
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