Knutson, Ole 1859-1940

KNUTSON, NELSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Knutson Ole born 1859 died Jan 11, 1940 wife Bertha buried in Grace Hill Cemetery Hawarden IA.

Hawarden Independent of Sept 7, 1939

(interesting account)
Buried to the neck under a ton or more of caving earth, Ole Knutson (came within an inch of losing his life Sept. 1st while at work in a deep cellar under his residence. Only for the timely arrival of Ralph Mirfield and Walter Jobes, who came to his rescue when they were summoned by Mrs. j Knutson as they were passing by he would undoubtedly have lost his life. Mr. Knutson had decided to fix one of the walls in the cellar that showed signs of caving and had scarcely begun work when the whole side of the dirt wall gave way, burying him beneath it. Mrs. Knutson heard his cries for help and rushed to the cellar to find him buried out of sight with only his neck and face protruding. It was fully twenty minutes before Mr. Knutson was released and he was in a completely collapsed condition when removed. Although no bones were broken his entire body was badly bruised and he suffered some internal injuries, his condition was regarded as very serious.

Hawaredn Independent of Jan 11, 1940.

Ole Knutson, a resident of Hawar den for more than fifty years, passed away at his home in this city at 9:50 o'clock Sunday evening. He suffered a severe heart attack several days preceding his death and this was followed by pneumonia which resulted in his death. He had been in failing health for a number of years as a result oi heart trouble and although he had been able to be up and about most of the time his activities were greatly limited owing to his heart condition.

Funeral services were held at the Associated church in Hawarden at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. T. H. Harding in charge. Burial was in Grace Hill cemetery. Ole Knutson was born in Bergen, Norway, December 22, 1859, so had but recently passed his 80th birthday. He came to the United States in 1885, first locating at Dell Rapids, S. D., where he resided for about three years.

In 1888 he came to Hawarden and entered the service of the North Western Railway Company and continued in the employ of the company in the railway yards here for 37 years before his retirement. He was a steady and dependable worker and for many years was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. On August 22, 1891, Mr. Knutson was united in marriage with Bertha Nelson. Eleven children were born to this union, five of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by the widow, three sons, Emil, Noble and Norman, all of Hawarden, and three daughters, Mrs. Helen Westcott of Sioux City, Tillie of Hawarden and Lillian of Chicago He also leaves eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Mr. Knutson always lived a very modest and temperate life and was highly regarded by his friends and neighbors and all who knew him.