Halvor H. Espeset 1846-1926

ESPESET, LARSON, MILLS, NEWLAND

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/6/2011 at 12:08:26

Halvor H. Espeset Pioneer Res. of Emmet County Passed Away
Halvor H. Espeset, a pioneer resident of Emmet County and one of the men who remained here during the pioneer days through all its hardships passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Enos Mills, at Huntley, Minn., on Tuesday, February 22 [2].

Mr. Espeset was born in Norway on Oct. 19, 1845. He with his parents came to America in 1846. They settled in Rock County, Wisconsin, and later they moved to Allamakee County, Iowa. He came to Estherville in 1868 and was one of our real pioneers. In 1866 he purchased eighty acres of land in Center township and in 1873 he purchased the home place which is still known as the Espeset farm, southeast of this city. He spent forty years on the farm.

On September, the twenty-third, 1873, he was united in marriage to Margaret Espeset, a native of Norway. To this union there were seven children born, six of whom are living: Mrs. Enos Mills, of Huntley, Minn.; I. S. Newlan, of Bishop, Calif.; A. R. Espeset of this city; C. O. Espeset of Evelith, Minn.; H. W. Espeset of Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. W. W. Kielley of Duluth, Minn. There are fifteen grandchildren.

The remains were brought to this city on Thursday and laid to rest beside those of his beloved wife in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 10, 1926)

Halver [Halvor] Espeset Died at Huntley, Minn.
Former Emmet County Resident – Well Known
Lived Here Many Years
Moved to Huntley a Few Years Ago to Make Home With His Daughter
Halvor H. Espeset, for many years a resident of this community, passed away at the home of his daughter in Huntley, Minn., on Tuesday, February 2nd. The body was brought here Friday evening for burial. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the Norwegian church, Rev. L. A. Mathre in charge. Interment was made in the Oak Hill Cemetery where the body was placed beside his wife who preceded him in death. Halvor H. Espeset was born in Hollingdale, Norway, October 19, 1846. When a baby of six months old he came with his parents to the United States and settled at Madison, Wis. Later they moved to Allamakee county, Iowa. In 1872 he came to Emmet county and settled on a farm three miles southeast of Estherville, where he resided until nine years ago when he retired from the farm. He was united in marriage with Margaret Larson in 1873. Seven children were born to this happy couple, six of them survive their father. They are Mrs. Lena Mills, of Huntley, Minn.; Art Espeset, of Estherville; Otis Espeset of Eveleth; Mrs. Josephine Newland, of Bishop, Calif.; and Walter Espeset of Cedar Rapids. His wife passed away in the fall of 1919. In 1918 they went to Huntley, Minn., to live with their daughter, Mrs. Mills. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Espeset has been gradually failing in health until death finally claimed him as a victim. When a young man he joined the Norwegian Lutheran church and has remained true to the creed of his church ever since. His life was an example of a true Christian gentleman and was worthy of being patterned after. His home life was always the happiest possible and filled to overflowing with all the love a fond father and husband could give. When in good health he always attended his church every Sunday morning and he found great peace and comfort in the great truths of the Bible. Whenever assistance of his church was needed, whether financial or otherwise, Mr. Espeset was always willing to do his share. Besides his children his death is mourned by a number of grandchildren and other relatives and a large number of friends. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the bereaved relatives in their hours of comfort. They may take great comfort in knowing that his life has been such as to assure him of a blessed death. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 10, 1926)