SPONHEIM, Henry O. 1857-1931

SPONHEIM, SKUTLE, ELLINGSON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 9/23/2012 at 19:35:02

HENRY SPONHEIM, PIONEER, PASSES
CAME TO MITCHELL COUNTY IN 1879
AND SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE HERE

Haldor O. Sponheim, familiarly known as Henry, passed away September 10, 1931 at the home of his son, Melvin, after an illness of six months.

Haldor O. Sponheim was born in Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway on November 27th, 1857. His parents, Ole and Syneva Sponheim, baptized their child at an early age, and he was confirmed in the Lutheran church at Ulvik.

When nineteen years of age, Haldor went with his older brother and sister to America. Here he worked at different farms near Clinton, Wisconsin for three years and then came to Iowa.

On March first 1890, he was united in marriage with Mary Olena Skutle, the oldest daughter of Ole and Martha Skutle, of Rock township.

After a few years spent in the St. Ansgar and Rock communities, Haldor and his family moved to a farm in Winnebago County near Bricelyn.

Here the happy home circle was suddenly broken by the death of the young mother, on January 7th, 1903. In the spring of the same year, Haldor and his three sons returned to Mitchell county and together with the help of his aged parents kept up the home and farm four miles south of St. Ansgar. After the death of one son and the aged grandparents, Haldor kept the home for his two sons, Melvin and Selmer. In 1917 the older son was married so he made his home with him continually.

He enjoyed fair health most of his life until about two and one half years ago a weak heart kept him from active work. The last six months he was confined to his bed suffering a great deal from heart trouble and dropsy. The end came peacefully, however, at 10:15 on Thursday evening, September 10, 1931, attaining the age of 73 years, 9 months and 13 days.

He was a kind and loving father devoting his life to his home and children, and a true friend to all with whom he associated. He was an active member of the St. Ansgar First Lutheran Church and a patient Christian sufferer in his long illness.

He is preceded in death by his wife, three infant sons, and one son, Otto who died in 1904 at the age of seven years.

Surviving are his two sons, Melvin and Selmer, and three grandchildren, Carol, Agnes and Harlan. Also one sister, Mrs. Karl Ellingson, St. Ansgar; his twin brother, M.O. Sponheim, Nora Springs, Iowa; and three half-brothers, H.A. Sponheim, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; E.A. Sponheim, St. Ansgar and A.A. Sponheim, Columbus, North Dakota.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 14 at the home and the First Lutheran Church of St. Ansgar and interment made in the Riverview Cemetery beside his loved ones.

[St. Ansgar Enterprise]
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#2:

H. O. Sponheim,
St. Ansgar Pioneer,
Died Last Thursday

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon for Halvor O. Sponheim at the First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, and interment was made in the Riverview Cemetery, beside his wife, son, Otto, and three infant sons who preceded him in death.

He died Thursday evening, after an illness of two and a half years from heart trouble and dropsy. He was 73 years old.

He was born in Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway, and came to America when 19 years old, coming first to Clinton, Wisconsin and three years later to Iowa.

Surviving are his two sons, Melvin and Selmer, and three grandchildren; also one sister, Mrs. Kari Ellingson, St. Ansgar; his twin brother, M. O. Sponheim, Nora Springs; and three half-brothers, H. A. Sponheim, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, E. A. Sponheim, St. Ansgar, and A. A. Sponheim, Columbus, North Dakota.

[Mitchell County Press, Wednesday, September 16, 1931]

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NOTES:
According to the obituary for his son, Selmer Sponheim, his name was Henry O. Sponheim, and Henry's wife was Mary (Skutle) Sponheim.