Thomas Ellingson
Among the many upright, able and representative citizens whom
Norway has given to America is numbered Thomas Ellingson, whose
entire active life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits in
Iowa. In association with his wife he owns four hundred and
sixty-two acres in Hanover township and extensive holdings in
Winneshiek county and he has gained a high place in agricultural
circles of this vicinity, where he is recognized as an able and
progressive farmer. He was born in Norway in 1869 and with his
parents came to America in 1873, settling with them in Allamakee
county. The father here turned his attention to farming and
continued to engage in that occupation until his death, which
occurred in 1893. His wife survives him and makes her home in
Winneshiek county. To their union were born eleven children,
eight of whom still survive.
Thomas Ellingson remained at home until he was nineteen years of
age and then began his independent career, working as a farm
laborer for six years thereafter. At the end of that time he
began farming for himself and he has since accumulated valuable
land holdings, which he owns in association with his wife. The
home farm comprises four hundred and sixty-two acres lying in
Hanover township and is an excellent and well improved property,
equipped with fine buildings and modern machinery. Mr. Ellingson
owns also one hundred and sixty acres in Winneshiek county and
his business interests are carefully and capably conducted.
In April, 1894, Mr. Ellingson was united in marriage to Miss Ella
Hanson, who was born in Hanover township, this county, in 1873.
She is a daughter of Hans A. and Maren Hanson, natives of Norway,
who came to America and settled in Allamakee county, Iowa, where
their marriage occurred. The father bought a farm on section 29
and gave his entire attention to its development and improvement
until 1897, when he retired from active life, purchasing a home
in Waukon, in which he resided until his death, which occurred in
1910. He was at that time the owner of five hundred and
eighty-two acres of improved land, two hundred of which were in a
high state of cultivation. He was very active in local republican
politics and held various positions of trust and responsibility,
filling almost all of the township offices. His wife passed away
in 1898. To their union were born nine children, six of whom
still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingson have become the parents of
eight children: Harris M., who was born in 1895; Mabel H., whose
birth occurred in 1898; Kenneth T., born in 1900; and Ella T., in
1913.
Mr. Ellingson is a member of the Lutheran church and is a man of
exemplary character, guiding his honorable and upright life by
the principles in which he believes. Indefatigable energy is
perhaps his strongest characteristic and it has led him forward
in his business relations to a prominent place among the
successful farmers of his township.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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