GROTH, Halsten A. (b: 1866)
GROTH, LANE, TOLLEFSON, HAUG, JACOBSON, ASLESON
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 1/30/2011 at 20:42:44
H. A. [Halsten A.] Groth, a prominent and highly esteemed farmer residing on section 12, St. Ansgar township, Mitchell county, moved on to his place in 1891. He was born on his father's farm, one and a half miles north of St. Ansgar, December 18, 1866. The latter, A. H. [Assor Halstensen] Groth, was born in Hallingdal, Norway, January 21, 1815, and there received his education and grew to manhood. For two years after emigrating to the United States he resided in Clayton county, Iowa, but in 1854 he removed to Mitchell county, and bought wild land, part of which was timbered, one and a half miles north of St. Ansgar. In time he brought his place to a high state of development and gained recognition as a successful agriculturist and he also proved a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertained to the community welfare. In 1854 he was married to Miss Kjusta Jacobson, whose birth occurred in Hallingdal, Norway, June 17, 1834. When sixteen years old she was brought to America by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Asleson, who established their home in Rock county, Wisconsin, where they remained for four years, after which they came to Mitchell county, Iowa, with the band of settlers led by Rev. Clauson. Mr. Asleson took up land adjoining that owned by Mr. Groth and about two years later his only child, Kjusta, became the wife of Mr. Groth. To this union were born thirteen children, of whom six daughters are deceased. The other members of the family are: J. A. [Jacob A.]; H. A. [Halsten A.]; Mrs. Helen Haug; A. A. [Andreas A.]; T. A. [Torkel A.]; Ragnild, the wife of M. G. Tollefson; and Antona [Anton Conrad], a resident of St. Ansgar.
H. A. Groth was reared on the homestead and acquired his education in the public schools and in St. Ansgar Seminary, which he attended during the winter seasons when his services were not needed on the farm. While a student in the public schools he had the good fortune to have as his teacher for some time Judge Clyde. After putting aside his textbooks Mr. Groth gave his father the benefit of his labors until he attained his majority at which time he rented a part of the old homestead and began operating it independently. Since 1891 he has been upon his present place and has made many improvements thereon. In 1894 just after he had erected new buildings and had gained a good start all the improvements on the farm were swept away by a tornado. Undismayed he resolutely set to work to retrieve his losses and now has better buildings than those destroyed. His land is in a high state of cultivation and he has been very successful in the management of his affairs. He raises grain and stock and also does truck farming to some extent and derives a gratifying income from his labors. He has a fine herd of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and is well known as a stock raiser. In addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Cooperative Lumber & Grain Company.
On the 4th of June, 1891, Mr. Groth was married to Miss Nellie Lane, a native of Rock county, Wisconsin, whence she was brought by her parents to Mitchell county, Iowa, in her infancy. She was reared on the home farm near St. Ansgar and attended the St. Ansgar Seminary. Prior to her marriage she taught in the country schools for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Groth have two children: Cora Mildred, born in 1893, who is a graduate of the St. Ansgar high school, the Cedar Valley Seminary and the State University of Minnesota and a teacher of science in the Central high school of Minneapolis; and Aaron Holland Lane, born in 1898, who is a graduate of the Osage high school and is now a student in the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Ames.
Mr. Groth believes in the principles of the republican party and supports its candidates at the polls. For six years he has held the office of township trustee and he was for some time a school director, in both of which connections he has rendered highly efficient service. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church and its work profits from his moral and material support.
Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, pages 360 & 363.
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