Siverson aka Severson, Johannes "Hans" (1847-1923)

SIVERSON, SONNES, SEVERSON, SVELLAND, CHRISTIANSON, MCCOY, HOLLAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/21/2024 at 14:54:24

From Story City Herald June 7, 1923 (page 3)

Johannes Siverson

Johannes Siverson Sonnes was born in the settlement known as Queensland Prairie, a few miles north of Woodstock, Ill., July 4, 1847. His parents were Jehans and Sonsava Sonnes.

At the age of four years his father died leaving a wife and six small children and financially poor, like most of them were in the new settlements at that time. He was generally known as Hans. Hans was bound out to a good man by the name of Ole Rogerson. Hans stayed in the Rogerson family until he was 19 years old, when he enlisted Feb. 22nd, 1865, for one year or until the war was over. His company was Co. K, of the 153rd Infantry, mustered out Sept. 21, 1865. The war was over. Only one of his company survive him and now lives in Woodstock, Ill. Hans was not in any battle and the duty of this company was to guard the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.

This veteran never received a pension. Several men have attempted to secure his well deserved pension but have failed on account of lack of proper evidence. The one who has worked on it the last few months has succeeded in gathering evidence enough to have brought his quest for a pension for a successful termination--but now it is too late. It seems it should not be. Hans Siverson does not need any pension now.

In the spring of 1873 he was united in marriage to Martha Svelland by P. A. Rasmussen in Lisbon, Ill. To them was born two sons and two daughters, Tilly, Sivert, Martin and Susanna. Sivert died when he was 32 years old. Martin died when she was 49. Mrs. Hans Siverson died several years ago. Tilly kept house for her father after the mother's death but last year she was also taken away. After Tilly's death Hans Siverson failed fast. 49 years ago Hans Siverson moved to Iowa and had lived most of the time near and in Stanhope.

The last few weeks he lived was tenderly taken care of by his only daughter, Mrs. Charley, Christianson in her home in Story City. Besides his only daughter Susanna (Mrs. Christianson) he leaves two grand daughters Mrs. Geo. McCoy and Mrs. Orvy Holland. Also two great grand daughters, Elizabeth Ann McCoy and Ordale Ione Holland.

Hans Siverson died May 22nd, 1923, thus being 75 years, 10 months and 18 days old at the time of his death.

The funeral occurred May 24 with short service at the house but regular service at St. Paul church near Stanhope. Interment in St. Paul Cemetery* where all his near and dear to him rest. Rev. Hans Oppedal officiated.

The church was beautifully decorated and there were many tributes of flowers. The esteem and sympathy of friends and neighbors was clearly in evidence.

The pall bearers were: Edwin Olson, A. S. Anderson, E. P. Anderson, John Sonno, Chris Boe and Mons Anderson.

After mush sickness in the family and a life full of tribulations, Hans Siverson is now at rest awaiting the Bugle Call on the great day to meet his God and from which there is no mustering out.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: The death record of the deceased lists him as "Hans Severson" born 4 July 1846. Contradicting the above obituary which states he is buried in St. Paul Cemetery, Hamilton County, Iowa, the death record states he was buried in the Clear Lake Township Cemetery aka Ellsworth Clear Lake Township Cemetery in Hamilton County, Iowa.