THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

October 25, 1990

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            Frederick Emil Lund had the largest harness business in Waupaca County in 1895.  He was born in the Province of Sjelland, Denmark, Nov. 7, 1843, a son of Nelson and Anna (Jensen) Lund.

            Nelson Lund, the father, was born in 1800, in Jylland, Denmark.  In 1840, he was appointed roadmaster, or road inspector, a position which he held for 16 years.  He retired due to ill health and died in 1859.  His wife lived until 1870.  They were the parents of 13 children; in 1895 there was only five still living:  Peter, Christian, Caroline, Sophia and Frederick E., the subject of this story.

            Frederick attended school in Denmark, from ages 7 through 14.  These were the years that were prescribed by law in Denmark at that time, so at the age of 15, he was apprenticed by his mother to a harness maker for five years.

            During this period of time the young apprentice would receive nothing for his services; his clothing was provided by his mother.

            For about a year after he completed his apprenticeship he worked in various shops, and in the spring of 1867, he decided to come to America.  He landed at New York City May 1, 1867, and reached Waupaca eight days later with only 50¢ in his pocket.  Now, he was forced to work as a common laborer to provide for his daily existence, but all the time he kept in mind his trade as a harness maker.

            Within two months – to be exact it was on July 8, 1867 – he went to work in the shop of a William Temme.  Here he stayed as a steady and reliable employee for the next two years.  In 1869 he left for Iowa, where he remained for a couple of years before returning to Waupaca with his new wife, Mary Larson, whom he had married in Iowa.

            Mr. Lund resumed his old place in the shop of Mr. Temme where he worked for the next five years. By that time he had saved a neat sum of money and wished for a shop of his own.

            Frederick Emil Lund realized his dreams on July 4, 1876, when he opened a harness shop for himself.  This was the Centennial Day of the Declaration of American Independence, so this was a double celebration for him.

            Frederick E. Lund was married three times. His first wife was Mary Larson, and they had three children:  Anna, Albert and Waldemar.  His second wife was Christine Johnson. They were married in Waupaca in 1878.  Shed died four years later leaving a little daughter, Caroline.  For his third wife he married Berthine Christianson, in 1884, and she bore him two children:  Christian and Martha.

            In 1893 Mr. Lund paid a visit to his old home and friends in Denmark. Mr. Lund died in 191.  It was then that his son-in-law, Frederick Andersen, purchased the business.

            Frederick Christian Andersen, son of Thomas and Kerstine Andersen, was born in Hjorring, Jutland, Denmark, September 6, 1865 and died at the home of his brother, Louis, in Berkeley, California.

            As a young lad he learned the harness trade in Hjorring, Denmark.  After the completion of his apprenticeship he left Denmark for America, landing May 3, 1884. He then came directly to Waupaca where he found employment with Frederick Emil Lund, at the Old Reliable Harness Shop.

            On April 12, 1898 he married Anna Lund, his boss’ daughter.  They had one daughter, Helga.  Mrs. Anna Andersen passed away on October 7, 1924.  After the death of F. E. Lund in 1919, Mr. Andersen bought the business and ran it until his death, except for a few months that he worked in Amherst, Racine and Chicago.  Frederick Christian Andersen passed away June 16, 1939.

            Delbert (Dell) Carl Andersen married Helga, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Lund on July 2, 1939 in Waupaca, so now another son-in-law became an owner of the Old Reliable Harness Shop on North Main Street.

            There were hundred of harnesses that were switched, oiled and repaired at this location through the years of existence, up to the year 1956, when only three harnesses were oiled.  In 1956 Delbert Andersen sold out his stock, and the building was leased to the Assembly of God, who remodeled the building and operated a stationery and book, besides using part of the space for offices.

            How many can remember the life-size model of a horse that stood in the big window?

 

            The information for this story was taken from the “Commemorative Biographical Record of Upper Wisconsin,” and the “Waupaca Centennial Book 1857-1957.”