MIDGORDEN, Ole H.

MIDGORDEN, JOHNSON, NELSON, HEPBURN, ROBERTS, LANDON, FORREY, STOOKEY, MILLER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2014 at 23:29:12

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 167. Chicago. 1915.

OLE H. MIDGORDEN

Ole H. Midgorden, a well known farmer cultivating three hundred and twenty acres of fine land on section 4, Fayette township, is one of the excellent citizens whom Norway has given to Iowa His birth occurred near Iiorrgesvinger, that country, on the 26th of August, 1855, and he is a son of Hans and Martha (Johnson) Midgorden, who in 1870 removed with their family to the United States. They settled in La Salle county, Illinois, where they resided until 1883, when they went to Rock county, Minnesota. Subsequently they came to this county and resided with our subject until called by death, the demise of the father occurring in 1910 when he was eighty four years of age and that of the mother in 1907 when she was seventy seven years old. They were Lutherans in their religious faith. To their union were born three children: Ole H.; Mary, the wife of Charles Nelson, a resident of Rock county, Minnesota; and John, who is living practically retired in Lamoni.

Ole H. Midgorden attended school in Norway and for a short time in the United States. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, but during the greater part of his life he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He has been very successful, although he began his independent career empty handed, and now operates three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land on section 4, Fayette township, just west of Lamoni. Moreover, he owns eighty five acres on section 20, Bloomington township, which he rents to others. He has resided in this county since 1903 and in the intervening twelve years has won a place among the progressive and efficient farmers and stock raisers of the county.

In 1878 Mr. Midgorden was married in Minnesota to Miss Mary Nelson, likewise a native of Norway. She was brought to this country as a child by her parents, who are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Midgorden have been born ten children, namely: Silas, a farmer, who married Miss Mina Hepburn, by whom he has one daughter, Florence; Nellie, at home; Caroline, the wife of James Roberts, a resident of Lamoni, by whom she has two children, Geraldine and Floyd; Melvin, who is in a garage in Lamoni and who married Ethel Landon, by whom he has two children, Marvin and Delores; and Oscar, Joseph, Clara, Leonard, Alvin and Dennis, all at home.

Mr. Midgorden believes in the basic principles of the democratic party, but often casts an independent ballot. He and his wife and eight of their children belong to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and are active in furthering the work of that organization. His life has been one of constant industry, he has at all times been straightforward and honorable in his dealings with others and the respect and esteem in which he is generally held are richly deserved.

NOTE: Ole's father, Hans O. Midgorden, was born in Norway in 1825, and died in Decatur County IA in 1907. Ole's mother, Martha (Johnson) Midgorden was born in Norway in 1827, and died in Decatur County IA in 1904. Ole died on August 10, 1937. Jessie (Forrey) Stookey was born in 1861, and died in 1934. Mary (Nelson) Midgorden was born in Norway on December 8, 1860, and died on July 8, 1936. Ole and Mary's son, Alvin Eli Midgorden, was born in Minnesota on July 18, 1902, and died in October of 1961; Alvin's wife Alice Gladys (Miller) Midgorden, was born in Nebraska on December 15, 1909, and died in December of 1986. All interments were made at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014