Ole Solomonson, 1861-1899

SOLOMONSON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/2/2009 at 20:31:10

Death of Ole Solomonson

This community was shocked early Sunday morning when word was brought to this city that Ole Solomonson had died at five o'clock that morning (Oct. 29, 1899) at his home in Swan Lake township. Very few knew of his sickness. He had made a trip to South Dakota only two weeks before and returned with several hundred head of stock. He complained on his return of not feeling well and was suffering considerable with a lame back and neck. He continued to do his work around home until a week before his death when he was compelled to remain in bed and a doctor summoned. It was found then that he was suffering from a genuine case of typhoid fever. He was very sick the fore part of the week but on Friday and Saturday he seemed much better and his condition was not alarming to his family and friends. A trained nurse had been constantly at his bedside from the time he was taken sick and on Saturday night when the doctor made his daily call he seemed as cheerful and easy as a well man. He rested comfortably during the night, sleeping a greater portion of the time. At five o'clock in the morning he called for a glass of milk and the nurse left the room on this errand and on her return which was not five minutes from the time she had left, she was horrified to find that he had passed away. By his death this county loses an esteemed and highly respected citizen. He was upright and honorable in all his dealings and those who knew him always had a good word for Ole Solomonson.

Deceased was thirty-nine years of age at the time of his death and had lived in Emmet county since early childhood, his parents locating here early in the sixties. He had always been a farmer, with the exception of a couple of years he worked for the John Paul Lumber Co. in this city, and had accumulated considerable wealth. The last few years he had converted his farm into a stock ranch and was dealing quite extensively in cattle. His presence will not only be sorrowfully missed by relatives but by all of Emmet county. Decease was one of the leaders in the Scandinavian Lutheran church of which he was a worthy member. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge of this city. An aged mother, a sister, a loving wife and children and numerous relatives are left to mourn his early demise. Funeral services were held at the family home in Swan Lake township and also at the church Tuesday afternoon and the remains interred in the Swan Lake Cemetery. Services were conducted by both the Lutheran minister and Rev. Evans of the Presbyterian church. The floral offerings were selected and arranged by the Woodmen Lodge and their loveliness fully displayed the high esteem in which he was held by the members of that order. His family and other relatives have the profound sympathy of the people of this county.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Democrat, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; November 1, 1899.