S. J. Svendson
S. J. Svendson is cultivating eighty acres of productive soil
in Waterloo township and has been so engaged since he was
twenty-six years of age. He is practical in his methods and
consequently successful and he has gained a comfortable degree of
prosperity and a growing prominence among his fellow citizens in
both private and public life. He was born in this township in
1860, a son of Jonas and Mette Svendson, both natives of Norway.
They emigrated to America in 1856 and steeled in Waterloo
township, Allamakee county, Iowa, the father purchasing
government land upon which he has since resided and to the
cultivation of which he has continued to give his attention. He
now owns a fine tract of one hundred and two acres, all under
cultivation, and in its operation is still active although he has
reached the age of seventy-five years. His wife also survives at
the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were twelve
children but only five are living, namely: Mary, the wife of Nick
Johnson, of North Dakota; S. J.; of this review; Petra, with wife
of O. Ovenmoe, of Waterloo township; Martin, residing in Canada;
and Rena, who married Charles Rossow, of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The deceased are Isabelle, Rena, John, Isabelle, Gertrude,
Gilbert and one, who died in infancy.
In Waterloo township S. J. Svendson received his education and in
the home fields, under the direction of his father, acquired
thorough training along agricultural lines, He remained with his
parents, giving them the benefit of his assistance, until
twenty-six years of age, when, wishing to engage independently in
farming, he purchased forty acres of land in Waterloo township
which forms the nucleus of his present farm. To this he added
from time to time and now has a tract of eighty acres, all finely
improved and under cultivation. He divides his attention between
farming and stock-raising and has been successful from the
beginning of his independent career, his present prosperity being
based on continuous endeavor along developing lines. His home is
situated four mile west of Dorchester.
It was in 1899 that Mr. Svendson was united in marriage to Miss
Gena Vongraven, who was born in Norway and as a little maiden of
three years came with her parents to the United States in 1879,
the family home being established in Waterloo township, where the
parents have since continued to reside. She is the fifth in order
of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as
follows: Claus, of Minnesota; John, of Alaska; Johanna, who
married John McMullen, of Winneshiek county; Lewis, of Allamakee
county; Lucy, the widow of Arthur Nimmocks, of La Crosse,
Wisconsin; and one who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Svendson were born four children: Jonas, born in 1899, whose
death occurred in 1912; Ole, born April 4, 1901; Gilbert, born
April 20, 1902 and Morris Arthur, January 24, 1909. The family
hold membership in the Lutheran church and are held in high
esteem by all who know them. Mr. Svendson is a republican in
politics and is not unknown in public life, having served as
township clerk and is now acting as township assessor, which
office he has held for five years. He is a public-spirited
citizen and a faithful and efficient public servant and his life
has been spent honorably and usefully in a worthy occupation.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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