George H. Bergeson

BERGESON, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/23/2011 at 19:17:50

George H. Bergeson resides in Center township, Emmet county, where he owns a quarter section of land, and he also holds title to one hundred and sixty acres in Armstrong Grove township. Although he is now in comfortable circumstances he began his independent career without capital and without the aid of influential friends. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, March 13, 1870, a son of Berger and Ellen Bergeson, natives of Norway. It was in 1856 that they came to America and located in Illinois, where the father became a landowner. Both passed away in that state. To them were born twelve children, of whom four deceased.

George H. Bergeson is indebted to the common schools of La Salle county, Illinois, for his education and through assisting his father with the operation of the homestead gained valuable training in agricultural work. When twenty-two years of age he left home and rented a farm in Hamilton county, Iowa, belonging to his father. Eight years later he went to Norman county, Minnesota, and for three years operated land there which he owned. He then came to Emmet county, Iowa, and after renting land for six years purchased his present home farm, comprising one hundred sixty acres on section 1, Center township. He has put in many rods of tiling, thus supplementing the natural drainage of the farm, and has also erected fine buildings, making his place one of the model farms of the locality. He prospered financially and at length purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Armstrong Grove township, which is also well improved, and he gives his personal attention to the operation of both places. His life exemplifies the value of persistency and industry, for although he has been dependent solely upon his own resources since starting out in life as a young man, he is now one of the substantial farmers of his township.

Mr. Bergeson was married on the 12th of February, 1894, to Miss Hannah Williams, a native of Hamilton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Elling and Torber Williams, natives of Norway, who emigrated with their family to this country many years ago. The father is deceased but the mother is still living. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergeson, Bert E., Harvey G., Mabel, Laura E., Roy E., Archie 0., Amanda, Mildred I., Lester K., Theodore W., Georgia Henrietta and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Bergeson, who is stalwart republican, takes an active interest in political affairs and is now serving as township trustee. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church and its teachings constitute the principles which have governed their lives. Both are highly respected and their personal friends are many.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.