Andrew H. Ledahl 1842-1925

LEDAHL, LERDAHL, HIMLE, JOHNSON, BAYUM, JENSEN, SMITHBERG, WINTERS, NELSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/16/2014 at 20:53:30

Andrew Ledahl Died at Noonan North Dakota
Resided in Emmet county Forty-Eight Years Ago
Remembered By Pioneers
Moved to North Dakota Thirty Years Ago – Paid $600 Here for 160 Acres
Andrew H. Ledahl, a resident of Emmet county forty-eight years ago, died at Noonan, N. Dak., on Thursday, October 29th. He was a pioneer resident of this county and a neighbor of the Nels Anderson family on the farm in Ellsworth township. He owned the Trimble farm now occupied by Mr. Opelt. He bought this quarter section of land forty-one years ago for $600. Thirty years ago he sold it and moved to North Dakota. The Noonan Miner of last week contained the following obituary. It was sent to Nels Anderson and he very kindly brought it to the Democrat to be republished:

“Andrew H. Ledahl, the oldest son of Herman Ledahl and wife, Kristi, was born at Sogn, Norway, on February 20, 1842. He came with his parents to Spring Prairie, Columbia county, Wis., in the fall of 1844, where he was raised as a young boy. He had two brothers, Lars and Herman, who preceded him to the grave. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Ledahl went to California where he worked for five years hauling freight across the mountains by team. On March 31, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Himle by Rev. H.A. Preus. Seven years later he moved his family to Estherville, Iowa, where he resided for twenty years. After this seven years were spent at Lake Preston, S. Dak., then in 1905 he came to North Dakota and homesteaded seven miles south of Noonan. In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Ledahl moved to this city where they spent the declining years of their life. In January, 1924, Mr. Ledahl mourned the loss of his dear wife, who had been his companion of nearly fifty-four years. Since then his thoughts were fixed upon spiritual things and his only wish in life was to die happy in the name of his Saviour that he might continue to live with his dear ones who had preceded him into eternity. The marks of old age were quite evident. His eyesight had been gradually failing and before death he was practically blind. Many of the common afflictions of old age did he suffer, but at all times he was patient and optimistic, mindful of the fact that they were all sent for some purpose. Eagerly did he await the time when his precious soul, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, might be released from his frail and feeble body. Therefore we rejoice in the hour of sorrow in his blessed departure. We feel that his highest hopes have now been realized and that he is happy beyond all expressions. He passed away very quietly on Thursday, October 29th, at 8:00 a.m. Cause of death was heart failure.

Let him do with me what he will,
He cannot fail to please me.
I cleave to him with strong faith
And hope that he will bless him.
We must be blest who live him best
And on his word do firmly rest.
Lord, with this truth impress me.

Mr. Ledahl is survived by his half sister, Mrs. Britha Bayum Johnson and half brother, Thor Bayum, both of Spring Prairie, Wis., and the following children: E. Henry Ledahl, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Louis Ledahl, of Lake Preston, S. Dak.; Mrs. C.J. Jensen, of Pasadena, Calif.; Mrs. Perry Smithberg, of Noonan, N. Dak.; Carl Ledahl, of Crosby, N. Dak.; Bernie Ledahl, of Noonan, N. Dak.; Mr. Chas. Winters, of Pasadena, Calif.; Arthur Ledahl, of Noonan, N. Dak.; Mrs. Louis Nelson, of Noonan, N. Dak. Funeral services were held at the Lutheran church of Noonan and at Zion church on Sunday afternoon, November 1st, Rev. G.W. Tolo, local pastor officiating, assisted by Rev. J.W. Rogholt, of Crosby. Special music was furnished by a mixed quartet from Noonan. The remains were laid to rest in Zion cemetery which once upon a time was part of Ledahl’s homestead. A.S. Helte, Ed. Melby, P.C. Knoph, O.E. Long, L.O. Kjos and Baltz Zimmerman acted as pall bearers. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. The Lutheran Ladies Aid gave $10,00 to missions in memory of Mr. Ledahl. Several hundred attended the funeral services of Sunday to pay last respects to one of our most highly esteemed and beloved citizens.” (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 18, 1925)