Embretson, Lars Gronhovd 1826 - 1914

EMBRETSON, GRONHOVD, HOFF, CLARK, SEVERSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/31/2020 at 10:58:58

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 18 Jun. 1914.

Lars Embretson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Eggedal, a Province of Sigdal, in Norway, June 16th,, 1826, where he grew up and lived until the year of 1849, when he decided to emigrate to this country, which he did, first coming to Muskegan, Wis., where he stayed for two years, then decided to come to Iowa. In 1851 he settled down on a piece of land in Wagner township, to which, in the course of time, he has added more land and also has, during his long residence, made an ideal home for himself and family. He has lived continuously on the old homestead for a period of 63 years.

On August 12th, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Joran Hoff, who has been a most devoted wife and mother, and who has done her full share in the household during good and hard times and through trials that come to us all as the years roll along.

In the death of Mr. Embretson Wagner township and the community loses another of the first pioneers and there are now not very many left who came here when the country was not better than a wilderness. Mr. Embretson has had his share of pioneer life with no means to begin life but a stout heart and willing hands. They served the purpose well to lay the foundation and when he left this world he was and has been for many years in good comfortable circumstances. Mr. Embretson and family have always belonged to our Norway Lutheran church, he being one of its first members when this congregation was started. He was a good neighbor and his home was always a good place to come to. The good old style hospitality was there. All were made to feel welcome by he and his family as the writer can well testify during all these long years as friends and neighbors.

To Mr. and Mrs. Embretson eight children were born, six boys and two girls, Annie, now Mrs. Seth Clark, of this township and Olive, now Mrs. Martin Severson, of Taylor, N.D., and Embret, Nels, Knudt and Ole at home. They have for many years farmed the old homestead, which now numbers in the neighborhood of 350 or 400 acres and they have done well.

For several years Mr. Embretson has been suffering from neuralgic pains in the head, causing him intense suffering at times and as old age was coming on it made it so much harder, but during all these years he has had the best of care by the family. All was done to make life as easy and comfortable as possible and when the end came he was surrounded by his devoted wife and his six children, who were all at home. He suffered very much during the last days and when the end came he was glad and willing to go and enter the life beyond.

He died on Tuesday, June 9th, at the ripe old age of almost 88 years. Thursday, June 11th, he was laid at rest in our Norway Lutheran Cemetery and a large gathering of old friends and neighbors came to take a last look at the kind old friend and pioneer, whom we all knew so well. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Arveson, who officiated both at the house and church.

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Note: Gravestone surname = Gronhovd