Hannu Josefsson PULJU

                   tHis name was Jooseppi Pulju at birth in Finland.  When he came to America it was changed to Joseph Pulju and he was called Joe.

Jooseppi Pulju, Eemeli Ruona, Brita (Pulju) Ruona left Liverpool, England on 26 June 1890 aboard the "Sardinia" of the Allan Shipping Line.  They arrived at the port of Quebec, Canada on 7 July 1890.  They probably took the train from Quebec to Montreal and then to Detroit, Michigan where they entered the United States.  They probably traveled by U.S. train to New York Mills, Minnesota and then either walked or rode a wagon to the Menahga, Minnesota area.  (Immigrant record from port of Quebec, Canada, 1900 US census says he arrived US in 1890).

Settled and farmed in Shell River Township, Wadena County, Minnesota in 1893.  Signed papers of intent to become citizen 14 July 1891.  Became a US citizen on 14 December 1897 (Wadena County Records copy of intent to become citizen, Wadena County copy of citizenship record).  Sponsored his brother Henry to come to America.  Was an original trustee, January 25, 1905, for the Menahga Co-Operative Creamery Association, in 1923 he was elected to Board of Directors and on 29 February 1940 he was the treasurer.  He also served on the Farmers Co-op Sampo Board (Was treasurer in 1907, President of the Farmers Co-Op Sampo March 8, 1912), Shell River Township Board, and on the School Board.

On 23 December 1919 he was one of the original stock holders of The Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Menahga.  He owned 10 shares valued at $1,000.00.  The bank was in the PKM building in Menahga until the building burned down in December, 1924.  on February 21 1925 the First National Bank of Menahga, Menahga, Minnesota assumed all the deposit liabilities of the bank at a joint meeting of the Boards of Directors of both banks.
                  

                   Farmed in Shell River Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.  Arrived in the US between January and June 1885.  Arrived New York City, New York went to New York Mills, Otter Tail County, Minnesota then to Paddock Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota then to Shell River Township, Wadena County, Minnesota in May 1891 (Minnesota 1895 census says he has lived in Shell River Township for 4 years one month) where he homesteaded 40 acres to be expanded to 1521 acres later.  Became a US citizen on 7 December 1897 (Wadena County Records).  Lars cut railroad ties during winter months.  He is said to have cut wood from nearby state woods without their knowledge.  He is also noted as having hired destitute workders with their only pay being the meals they received in return for their labor.  In 1903 Lars paid for the passage for his nephews, Matt and Jack Pulju, to come to Menahga.  Lars and Mary adopted Matt and Jack.  He served as Treasurer of the Farmers Co-Op Sampo, 8 March 1912 and 9 March 1917.  He also was on the Board of Directors for the Menahga Cooperative Creamery in 1923.
                  

                   Died giving birth to triplets: Jacob, John, and Emil.
                  

                   Died in the Shady Lane Home in Wadena.

Death date source: MInnesota Death Index 1908-2002.