Ole Tollifson, 1830-1900

TOLLIFSON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/17/2009 at 19:38:26

David Wier and Ole Tollifson, Emmet County's Oldest Settlers,
Pass to the Beyond within a week.

David Wier, one of Emmet county's first settlers and most highly respected citizens, died at his home in this city Friday, December 29th, after a long continued period of failing health. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. Wm. M. Evans Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, and the remains were interred in Oak Hill Cemetery. All the deceased's family who are living, except two sons, attended the funeral.

Mr. Wier was a native of Ireland, having been born in that country on October 24th, 1829. At the age of nineteen he left his native country and crossed the Atlantic to find a new home in a new country. He first settled in Canada, where he remained several years. During that time he was married to Miss Christina Richmond, whose life has since been one with his and whose separation from him he survived but a few months. Eight sons and one daughter were born to this union, all of whom except the daughter, survive their parents.

In 1869 the family came to Emmet county and have since resided permanently within its borders. Here the parents lived and struggled through the privations and hardships of frontier life; here they established an honored name and a commendable competence; and here the boys grew up to manhood, worthy sons of worthy parents.

Mr. Wier was devoted to the Christian religion and lived a life consistent with its professions. He was one of the charter members of the Estherville Presbyterian church and was its first ruling elder.

Ole Tollifson died very suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in High Lake township Friday forenoon. He was seemingly in his usual health in the morning but about ten o'clock was attacked by heart disease and died before medical help could be summoned. The funeral was held at the home Tuesday of this week and the internment was made in the High Lake cemetery.

The deceased was about sixty-six years of age at the time of his death. He was one of Emmet county's first settlers and was known by and highly esteemed by all of that generation who with him braved discouragements and hardships of pioneer life. He was born in Norway but came to America in early life. In 1866 he moved to Iowa and Emmet county from Wisconsin and settled on Section 24 of High Lake township. On the raw land he founded a home for his young family and from the stubborn sod, under his watchfulness and industry, grew the golden competence which ripened into a homestead that which none other in the county is more comfortable or better improved.

An aged wife remains behind to sorrow over the departed, but the burden of the future will be lightened for her by the stalwart sons and loving daughters who have grown up within her household.

Source: The Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Iowa, January 4, 1900.