AAGESON, Andrew (1862-1944)

AAGESON, JORGENSEN

Posted By: Janice Haan (email)
Date: 8/30/2012 at 15:07:27

CAME TO BRITT IN 1889 AND DIED HERE IN 1944

Andrew Aageson, Well Known Retired Drainage Contractor, Died Alone

Andrew Aageson, who brought his family to Britt in May 1889, and had lived here since, was found dead at his home Friday evening by his daughter, Mrs. C. F. Wigton. Mr. Aageson had been living along lately but his daughter went each day to prepare his meals and look after his needs. When she had the evening meal prepared Friday and her father did not appear punctually, as was his custom, she made search and found him lying dead on the floor in an upstairs room.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Osman Funeral Home, the Rev. Herbert G. Kelly, officiating. Burial was in the family lot in a grave beside his wife who preceded him in death, September 8, 1942.

Andrew Aageson was born at Tomilla, Sweden, January 7, 1862. At death he had reached an age of 82 years, 9 months and 6 days.

Mr. Aageson lived Sweden and Denmark until nineteen years old, when he emigrated to American to settle at Somanauk, Illinois. There on Juanuary 13, 1883, he united in marriage with Berthine H. Jorgensen. They resided there until 1889, when in May they came to Britt and established a home.

Eight children were born of this union, three sons, William, Clarence and an infant boy preceding him in death. Those surviving are Anna, (Mrs. C. F. Wigton) and Agnes, (Mrs. R. W. Kelly) both of Britt; Mrs. Jene Hammill, Des Moines; Mrs. Elsie Heidner, of West Bend, Wisconsin; and Drl Carl W. Aageson, of Madison, Wisconsin.

There are five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one brother, Ole Aageson, who resides at Seattle, Washington.

At the time Mr. Aageson came to Britt there was much swampy land. Most of the drainage districts now established in Hancock County were promoted (?) and built in his lifetime. He worked as a tiling contractor and employed large crews of men in that work. With advancing age he retired. He took his wife, son Carl and daughter Anna back to Denmark and Sweden on a trip some years ago. After returning home he lived quietly enjoying the association of family and friends.

His children grew up to be useful citizens. A daughter Anna was assistant postmaster at Britt forty years; a daughter Jene was recorder of Hancock County four years, later went to Des Moines to live and is now county recorder of Polk County. A son Carl is a doctor at Madison, Wis., a daughter Elsie was a nurse and then married a doctor. Mrs. Kelly was a school teacher before her marriage and has been a most useful woman in church and community affairs here in Britt.

Source: Britt News Tribune, October 18, 1944