George T. Haahr

HAAHR, ANDERSEN, CHRISTIANSEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/14/2011 at 15:54:40

George T. Haahr, of Denmark township, has gained a competence through unrelaxing attention to his work as his farmer and through the practice of thrift. His birth occurred in Denmark, August 25, 1875, and he is one of seven children born to Knud and Christiana (Andersen) Haahr. The mother passed away in 1884 in Audubon county, Iowa, where the family had located upon their emigration to the United States in 1883. The father subsequently married again, choosing as his second wife Karen Mikkelsen, by whom he had eight children. He purchased a farm in Audubon county, but after living there for seven years removed to Buena Vista county, whence after two years he went to Larimore, North Dakota, where he and his wife are still living.

George T. Haahr attended the district schools for a time in Audubon county, but as soon as he was old enough began working as a farm hand. when twenty-six years of age he rented a farm in Buena Vista county which he operated for two years. Since the spring of 1905 he has resided in Denmark township, Emmet county, and after farming the northwest quarter of section 11 for three years under lease he purchased the place, which he is still operating. The farm is well improved and everything is kept in first-class condition, thus facilitating the work of caring for the crops and livestock. Mr. Haahr was for some time a director of both the Denmark Creamery and the Farmers' elevator and is accounted one of the substantial men of his township.

On the 2nd of October, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate M. Christiansen, a daughter of Christopher and Karen M. (Nelsen) Christiansen, who located in Blackhawk county, Iowa, on removing from their native Denmark to the United States. They resided in that county for eighteen years and subsequently lived for a considerable period in Buena Vista county, but at length took up their residence in Denmark township, Emmet county, where the father died. He is buried in St. John's cemetery. The mother survives and makes her home with her children in Denmark township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Haahr, as follows: Earl, deceased; Orvile Eugene, Earlys Ardell, Marion Thorlund, and Lavinia Christiansen.

Mr. Haahr supports the democratic party where national issues are at stake, but at local elections votes for the candidates whom he deems best fitted to fill the office without regard to their party affiliation. He is identified with the Danish Brotherhood and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. John's Lutheran church. He began his independent career with no assets save his knowledge of farm work, his energy and his determination to succeed, and with these as a foundation he has builded well, gaining financial success and the unqualified respect of all who know him.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917, page 125.