John Amundson Sr. 1828-1905

AMUNDSON, ANDERSON, GILBERTSON, GILFILLAN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/7/2015 at 19:45:29

A Pioneer Dead
John Amundson, Sr., Died Early Sunday Morning
Lived in This County 36 Years
The Funeral Was Held Yesterday from the Old Home
Another of the grand old gentlemen of Emmet county passed away on Sunday, June 18th, in the person of John Amundson, Sr., after an illness of heart trouble from which he suffered during the last month. During these last thirty days he had been ill and at times the end was considered close at hand but he seemed to rally and gave promise of recovery. On Friday last a change for the worse became noticeable and he gradually grew weaker until the end came at a little pat 2 a.m. Sunday. The funeral was held from the house on Tuesday at 11 a.m. the services being conducted by Rev. Strand of Wallingford and the burial was made in the Swan Lake cemetery [Cemetery records indicate Oak Hill]. The pall bearers were his sons, A.J. Amundson, John Amundson, O.C. Amundson, Henry Amundson, his son-in-law Gilbert Gilbertson of Maple Hill and his cousin A.V. Johnson of Graettinger. There was a large attendance at the funeral.

Deceased was born near Christiana, Norway, in 1828. In his native land he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Anderson and in 1865 they came to America, locating in Allamakee county, Iowa, where until they moved to Emmet county in 1869, they made their home. To this union a family of eight children was born, of whom survive Ammon J.; Bessie; Carrie, now Mrs. Gilbert Gilbertson of Maple Hill; John; Mattie, now Mrs. S.L. Gilfillan of Minneapolis, Ole C., now a practicing physician of Vinita, I.T. and Henry. Mrs. Amundson passed away July 8, 1901.

During the thirty-six years Mr. Amundson had made Emmet county his home he was engaged in farming, most of the time he lived in the township of Swan Lake and in the home he presided over so long, and where his son, Henry and family, for some time have made their, he ended his days in peace, surrounded by all the members of his household who did all that could be done to soothe the pillow of his old age and minister to his wants during the last illness.

Those who knew John Amundson best can attest to his worth, honor and honesty in all things. He was among the early settlers of this new country and all who had anything to do with him learned soon to place a high estimate on his character for he was just and generous with everybody. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Amundson beautifully situated on the edge of Swan Lake, was for a long time one of the hospices of this then vast expanse of unsettled country and where many friends from time to time were royally entertained.

The family are all now grown to man’s estate, many of them married, and the places they are filling in the business and social world best of all proclaims the true worth of their father and mother.

To say that John Amundson lived a righteous life governed at all times by the virtues of honesty, sobriety and brotherly love, always a reliant member of the religious faith of his fathers, consistent and tolerant in all things, is but paying just tribute to his memory because it is true. In many Emmet county homes a reverent mention of his name is invoked today among the old survivors of this pioneer and the benedictions of many hearts are offered that all may be eternally well with him. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 21, 1905)