Sparboe, John H.

SPARBOE, KAROLUSSON, BRANJORD, RAHTO

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/23/2009 at 21:57:23

History of Hamilton County Iowa,1912, Vol. II p.94

JOHN H. SPARBOE

There is no family in Hamilton County spoken of in terms of higher respect than the Sparboe, whose members have figured prominently in the agricultural, business and political circles of the communities in which they reside. One of the representatives, John H. Sparboe, has for many years been actively and successfully identified with the agricultural development of Scott township, where he owns four hundred acres of land. He is a native of Norway, his birth having there occurred on the 3d of June, 1863, and is the eldest in a family of four sons, the youngest of whom, O. A. B. Sparboe, has passed away. The other two brothers, Hartvig M. and Carl, are mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work under their respective names. The parents, Anton and Bergitte (Karolusson) Sparboe, were born, reared and married in the Norseland, where the father passed away in 1870, three days before the birth of the youngest son. For three years after the death of her husband the mother continued to reside in her native land. Believing that America would afford her sons better opportunities and greater advantages than the old country, she resolved to establish a home for them here and in 1873 took passage for the United States, accompanied by her four sons and her mother. Upon their arrival in this country the family made their way from the Atlantic coast to Hamilton County, settling in Scott township. Here Mrs. Sparboe, who has attained the advanced age of eighty-four years, still makes her home. Her sons have all grown up to be a credit to her and the community, but their success has not caused them to neglect the mother, who made untold sacrifices for them, and she is spending her latter years in comfort on a farm which they purchased for her.

John H. Sparboe was a child of seven years when his father died. Being the eldest of the family he was compelled to assume many of the responsibilities of manhood at an age when the thoughts of the average lad are largely devoted to youthful sports. His early advantages were necessarily limited, but his home training was such as to qualify him well for the duties of life, and as he has made the most of every opportunity he is today numbered among the foremost men of his community. He has always engaged in farming, in which he has met with more than average success. Early in life he realized that he was dependent upon his own efforts only, and applied himself to anything he undertook with the diligence and determination which pave the way to prosperity. He owns four hundred acres of land located on sections 8, 16 and 17, on which he has placed two sets of improvements, those on the home farm being as good as are to be found in the county. Here he engages in diversified farming and also raises stock. He directs his work in a systematic manner, with careful regard for every detail, and the results are satisfactory, his fields annually yielding abundant harvests. His farm presents a most attractive appearance with its substantial residence, large barns and well-kept fields, and clearly manifests that its operation is being directed in a methodical and business-like manner.

Mr. Sparboe was married on June 29, 1904, to Miss Nettie Branjord, whose birth occurred in Scott township on the 24th of November, 1875, and there she was likewise reared. She had the privilege of an excellent education, in the pursuit of which she not only attended the Lutheran Normal School at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but also the Lutheran Ladies' Seminary at Redwing, Minnesota, in 1901-02. She is a daughter of Ole O. and Helen Christina (Rahto) Branjord, natives of Norway. In the early years of their domestic life they emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Iowa. They first located in Hardin County, coming from there to Scott township in 1871. Here the father, who was a farmer, continued his agricultural pursuits for many years, but lives since the spring of 1906 retired and he and the mother are spending their latter days in a comfortable home in Ellsworth. They still own the home farm, however, known as "Elm Lawn," which they have turned over to the management of their youngest son. To them were born eleven children: Olena Christina, Mary Antoinette and Martin, deceased; Berent M., a successful attorney of Spokane, Washington; Olena and Mary, also deceased ; Mrs. Sparboe; Christina and Oluf, deceased; Nettie, second of the name, who died in Clinton, Iowa; and Oluf Martin Christian, a resident of Scott township, who is mentioned more fully elsewhere in this work. The two first named were born in Norway, the next two in Hardin County and the younger members of the family in Scott township. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparboe has been born one son, John Henry, Jr., whose natal day was October 22, 1905.

Mr. and Mrs. Sparboe are members of the Congregational church of Ellsworth, of which organization he is a charter member. He is a man with high standards of citizenship, and has for many years taken an active interest in political affairs, giving his support to the democratic party. He has served with efficiency as township trustee and justice of the peace, while for two terms he was a member of the board of county supervisors. Mr. Sparboe is interested in all matters affecting the upbuilding of the community, and can be depended upon to support every progressive movement, which appeals to him as being practical. In his business transactions as in the fulfilment of his official duties he is straightforward and honorable, and is held in high regard by his neighbors and fellow citizens, who through long years of acquaintance have found him to be thoroughly trustworthy and reliable.