ELLESTAD, Tollef J. 1846-1907

ELLESTAD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/25/2019 at 13:28:08

Tollef Johnson Ellestad
Jan 2, 1846 – Jan 12, 1907

New Hampton Gazette, New Hampton, IA, Thurs., Jan 24, 1907, p.8, col.4
Obituary - Tollef Johnson
Tollef Johnson Ellestad was born Jan 2, 1846, in Western Slidre Valders Norway. His mother is still living at the age of good 90 years near Madison, Wisconsin. He was only one and one half years of age when his parents, with their three small children, set sail for America. That was quite a voyage in those days. It meant to spend weeks and months on the ocean blue. In 1848 they settled at Blooming Grove, Wis., where Tollef grew to manhood. His parents were among the first Norwegians who settle in America. The family consisted of eight boys and three girls, of which Tollef was the third oldest. Five brothers and three sisters survive him. Tollef went west with the youth of his age in 1868 and settled on the present homestead in Chickasaw County. For about forty years he has seen the changes our commonwealth, from the woodland and wild prairies, to its present state of cultivation.
In 1870 he entered marriage with Carrie Attleson, a member of one of the pioneer families of Chickasaw County. This union was blessed with ten children, nine of whom are living. These have all grown to manhood and womanhood, many of them having left the parental home to make homes of their own. They are: Mrs. Ole Knutson, Howard County; Mrs. Paul Sanderson, Saude; Mrs. A. Hermundson, Maple Leaf; Atle, Utica Township; John, Madison, Wis.; Tollef, Torkil, Mrs. Ole O. Hereid and Nellie at home. The grandchildren number twenty-two.
Toleff was a man of the home. He lived for his family – a kind father and a loving husband. He was one of the hard-working pioneers, who one by one lay down their burdens to rest, but their labor remains. In the church of his faith he was an active member. He took the early hardships also in this work and continued a devoted and faithful servant also in spiritual things. His closing hour was a fit end of a quiet and unselfish life. He slept away, just as the chimes of Heaven announced a new Sabbath over this careworn earth. He died Saturday, Jan 12, 1907.
The funeral took place on Tuesday from the Crane Creek Church and was one of the largest funerals ever witnessed. The procession was made up over one hundred teams and there was much real sorrow over the departure of one who was loved and esteemed highly in his community. May he rest in peace and his memory be blessed.