Sageng, Ole O., 1872-1963

Ole O. Sageng was born in Osterdalen, Norway, December 1, 1871. He came to the United States with his family in 1878, settling near Dalton in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He graduated from Fergus Falls (Minnesota) High School in 1895, and attended Augsburg College, Minneapolis. Sageng taught rural schools in Otter Tail County and in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. He farmed for many years near Dalton, and was chairman of the Rural Credit Board from 1925 to 1931.

Sageng ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature in 1896 and again in 1898 as a Populist. He was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1900 as a Populist, representing the Fifty-Ninth District in the regular session of 1901 and in the 1902 special session. In 1902 he ran for re-election in the House, but was defeated.

Sageng was elected to the Minnesota State Senate from the Fifty-Ninth District in 1906 (Populist/People's Party) and served until his voluntary retirement in 1922. In the Senate he was chairman of the Committee of Rules, and served on the committees on education, finance, and general legislation. He was an early advocate of "county option," Prohibition, and women's suffrage. He was president pro tem of the Senate in 1921.

In 1924, with the support of progressive elements in the Republican Party and of prominent leaders of the women's suffrage and Prohibition movements, he ran for the Republican nomination for United States Senator, but was defeated in the primary. Sageng was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1950, representing the Fiftieth District until 1954.

Sageng married Carrie Brandvold (1881-1958) of Dalton, Minnesota, in 1904. They had six daughters (Borghild, Mathilda, Maria, Olga, Evangeline, and Dagny) and two sons (Karl and Richard). Carrie died November 23, 1958 after having been in failing health for ten years. Ole Senging died March 30, 1963.

From the guide to the Ole O. Sageng Papers., 1896-1953 (bulk 1904-1924)., (Minnesota Historical Society)