Paul H. Paulson

PAULSON, JONES, KNUTSON, TOLLEFSON, WILLIAMS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/20/2012 at 21:03:03

Paul H. Paulson, (1871), is one of the early day settlers of Belmont township, where he has spent nearly forty years of his life.

He is a native of Norway and was born on the last day of the year 1845, one of a family of eight children born to Andrew and Mary (Jones) Paulson. His parents came to America in 1852 and in that early day located in Clayton county, Iowa, engaging in farming.

They moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, in 1866 and resided there the rest of their lives. His father died in 1878, aged 60 years; his mother died several years later. Of their eight children the following named five are living: Paul, Jane, Harry, Alex and Ole.

Paul crossed to the new world with his parents in 1852, being then a small boy. From that time until he came to Jackson county in 1871 he resided in Clayton county, Iowa, securing an education and making his home with his parents.

Arriving in Jackson county, he took as a homestead the north half of the southwest quarter of section 30, Belmont township, a part of his present farm, and on that place he has ever since made his home. Hard times came upon him during the grasshopper scourge and in order to make a living he was obliged to go to Mitchell county, Iowa, to work in the harvest fields. He encountered many hardships during the pioneer days— hardships to which many succumbed—but he remained with his country and weathered the storms of adversity. Today he has a fine farm of 200 acres and is in prosperous circumstances.

During his long residence in Jackson county Mr. Paulson has held many offices of trust within the gift of his neighbors. He was chosen clerk of school district No. 18 in 1871 and served for thirty years. He has held the office of chairman of the township board, has been justice of the peace and constable. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of West Belmont.

Mr. Paulson was married in Clayton county, Iowa, November 18. 1868, to Elizabeth Knutson, who was born in Norway March 1, 1844, and came to America when sixteen years old. She is a daughter of Ole and Ingebor (Tollefson) Knutson.

Eight children have been born to this union, as follows: Andrew, of St. Ansgar, Iowa; Mary, deceased; Theodore, of Redwood county. Minnesota; Edward, of Belmont; Peter, living at home; Nettie (Mrs. John A. Williams), of Little Cedar, Iowa; Belle and Ida, who reside at home.

~An Illustrated History of Jackson County, Minnesota; Arthur P. Rose; 1910; pg 416