H. R. Bakkum

H. R. Bakkum, a well known agriculturist of Center township, Allamakee county, who was born upon the farm which he now owns, is of Norwegian stock, his father, Andrew A. Bakkum, being a native of Nordre Land, Norway, whence he came to America when a young man, locating in Allamakee county in 1852 or 1853. Here he bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, upon which he first erected a log house, which he later supplanted with a brick residence which still stands. All his active life he spent in agricultural pursuits and died here, highly respected and esteemed, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married, in Allamakee county, Miss Bertha Reiarson, a native of Norway, who is also deceased. In their family were six children: Mrs. Olans Peterson, of Swift county, Minnesota; H. R., of this review; C.M., of Ulen, Minnesota; Albert, of Kerkhoven, that state; G.A., of Fosston, Minnesota; and Hannah Gilbertson, of Makee township, this county.

H. R. Bakkum was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools in the neighborhood of the homestead. He early assisted his father with the farm work, acquiring thorough methods of agriculture. Subsequently he came in possession of the home farm and now owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty-two acres located on section 30, where he engages in general farming. His property by its appearance bespeaks the prosperity of its owner and Mr. Bakkum has made some extensive improvements since his father’s death. His land brings him annual returns of gratifying proportions and he has come to be considered one of the foremost agriculturists of his locality.

In Allamakee county, Mr. Bakkum was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Larson, a daughter of Ammund Larson, of Makee township. Mr. and Mrs. Bakkum have three children, Arnold, Roy and William. In his political views Mr. Bakkum inclines toward the republican party, whose measures and candidates he upholds at the polls. His religious faith and that of his family is of the Lutheran denomination, of which church he and his family are members. Of the township offices he has served in the capacity of school director, giving every evidence of his interest in the cause of education. He is public spirited and progressive in his tendencies and the success which has come to him is but the natural outcome of incessant energy and industry, and is highly merited.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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