Gus was Tarje and Geline's firstborn.  He arrived on March 22, 1858 in Sheldon Township, Houston County, Minnesota.  He moved with his family to Clay County at the age of 16.  Gus was a quiet, thoughtful, gentle man.  He wrote the lyrics for at least one piece of sheet music published in Chicago around the turn of the century. His library was substantial, and he owned what was at the time a state-of-the-art telescope.  He also studied the more practical arts of animal husbandry and botany.  Gus chose not to become a farmer, and opened a mercantile business in Horace, North Dakota. When it closed in 1901 he returned to Moland Township and kept what might now be described as a "hobby farm" on the outskirts of Glyndon.  At the end of his life, Gus suffered from heart and kidney disease.  He ordered up medical books and became expert on his own ailments. The doctor admitted that Gus knew more about his own condition than did he, and they worked together to determine his treatment and medications.  In fact, the doctor often deferred to his patient's judgment.  Gus died in St Luke's Hospital, Fargo ND on April 13, 1926. He was 68 years old. He is buried in Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Glyndon MN.   Autograph (new Census Records 1885 1900 1905 1910 1920   Gus' Farm outside Glyndon 1909 Glyndon Township Plat Map Gus' Gravesite

A Store in Horace Gus opened a store in Horace, ND in the early 1890's. His business flourished until the same hard times that affected his brother Ed's farming operation also affected the livelihoods of the farmers around Horace. The other store in Horace did not offer credit, and his customers were out of money and in need of necessities for their families.  They seemed very grateful for his willingness to trust them to pay what they could after the harvest.   When the crops came in Gus approached his customers to pay up their accounts. When a simple request seemed to have no effect, he explained that without their payments he could not pay his suppliers and would be forced out of business. His customers now told him that if he were to fail they would need their money to buy at the store down the street. They appreciated his help getting through the difficult winter, but had to look out for their own families.   Gus was forced to close his store, and he retired to a small farm on the outskirts of Glyndon where he bred goats and sheep for the last 25 years of his life. Having seen the selfish side of human nature, he lost both trust and taste for other people.  He became an amiable recluse.  Always pleased when family members arrived for a visit, he rarely ventured out himself.

"Dearest Sweetheart" Words by G.  A.  Grover Music by Raymond Ray published by Popular Music Publishing Company 59 Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois Copyright 1907 by G.  A.  Grover Oh sweetest and dearest sweetheart come along, And waltz with me a dance so pleasant and long, Till the moonlight is gone and daylight is bright, And the wild bird singing its best early song.  Refrain Till the moonlight is gone and the daylight is bright, And the wild bird singing its best early song.  Then when the wild roses have started to bloom, Your mother will come with her pleasant cheer, And then we shall go to the woods far away, And gather sweet berries and fruit ev'ry day.  Refrain And then we shall go to the woods far away, And gather sweet berries and fruit ev'ry day.  And think for a moment my sweet Annie Rue, Of the very fine home that grand aken brue, That's where we shall live so pleasant and true, On the hill in the palace the grand aken brue.  Refrain That's where we shall live so pleasant and true, On the hill in the palace the grand aken brue.