Andrew (Anders) O. Myhre, 1838-1922

MYHRE

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/25/2009 at 06:38:29

EMMET COUNTY PIONEER HAS PASSED ON

A. O. Myhre Died at Home in This City, August 15 [1922]

CAME TO EMMET CO. 1865

A Merchant in Estherville For Many Years--Retired From Labors 1912

A grand old man has passed to his reward. Death came Tuesday afternoon at about 1 o'clock August 15th [1922], and claimed for his own Mr. Andrew O. Myhre, one of the pioneer merchants and most highly respected citizens of the community. There was never a better man ever lived and no greater Christian gentleman. He was a splendid husband, an indulgent father, a kind and considerate neighbor and a public spirited and generous citizen.

He came to Estherville more than half a century ago, in 1865, and has resided in Estherville for over thirty-one years, most of that time being engaged in the mercantile business until he retired and turned his business over to his son Theodore, and son-in-law, C. L. Jeglum.

Mr. Myhre was until the early part of this year very prominent in Masonic circles. He was a consistent member of North Star lodge No. 447, Jeptha Chapter, R. A. M. and a charter member of Esdraelon Commandery No. 52 K. T. He loved the order and his greatest pleasure was to meet with his brethren. For years he was a conspicuous figure at Temple Park and he always looked forward to the annual conclaves with the greatest of pleasure. He adhered strictly to the principles of Masonry, which are brotherly love and the practice of the Christian virtue. No greater endorsement or recommendation of a man's life can be given.

We always admired Mr. Myhre. In him we saw the real type of splendid manhood, a man true to his friends and his convictions. His life was a benediction and his death a misfortune.

Up until about three years ago he had been in almost perfect health, and it looked as if he was going to enjoy many years of retired life in comfort, but at that time he became afflicted with gall stones but on account of his years it was not thought advisable for him to undergo an operation. From that time he had periodical attacks and each successive attack gradually weakened his constitution and his powers of resistance and on Tuesday he answered the final summons.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock and from the Estherville Lutheran church at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, the services to be in charge of Rev. S. A. Berge. As a fitting tribute and in honor of his memory the business houses will be closed between the hours of two o'clock and three-thirty on that day.

Andrew O. Myhre was born in Vang, Valders, Norway, on October 8, 1838. In the spring of 1864 he came to the United States and in the fall of the following year he came to Emmet county and settled on a homestead near Ryan Lake, in High Lake township, having driven through with his family from Neenah, Wis. He remained on the farm until 1881 when he moved to Estherville and engaged in the general merchandise business. He continued in business here until 1874 when he moved to Lyle, Minn., and entered the mercantile business. He was there until 1891 when he moved back to Estherville, the town of his first adoption. He again engaged in the mercantile business until a few years ago when he retired.

In 1861 he was united in marriage in Norway to Miss Aaste Lund. To this union two sons and two daughters were born. Mrs. Myhre passed away in Minneapolis on September 15, 1902, and was buried in Oak Hill cemetery of this city.

There are left to mourn the death of this good man, his wife who faithfully ministered unto him during his illness, his two sons Dr. O. G. Myhre of St. Louis, Theodore Myhre of Estherville, his two daughters, Mrs. C. L. Jeglum and Mrs. H. W. Cox of Estherville, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild besides other relatives and many friends.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, August 16, 1922.