Abel I. Helvig (1814-1895)

HELVIG, HOUGHLAND

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/15/2006 at 22:47:43

The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, October 3, 1895.

An Aged Citizen Passes Away

One of the oldest citizens, living in this vicinity died early Saturday morning. Abel I. Helvig, aged 81 years, living with his daughter, Mrs. Annie Houghland, who resides north of town, had been ill last week, but rose from his bed that morning feeling much better. He ate his breakfast and strolled out in the yard for a morning walk. His daughter was alone at the time and while down near the barn saw her father standing still but on looking up the second time noticed that he had fallen. She rushed to where he was, only to find his eyes closed in death. Her cries for help attracted the attention of her son who was working in the field but a short distance off and at once answered her summons.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Smedal, Tuesday noon at the west church and were attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends, eager to once more look upon the face of he whom they had known so long in life and respected so highly.

Abel I. Helvig was born at Helvig, Kvindhered, Norway, on October 16th, 1814. He was married at the age of thirty, and three children, Iver, John A. and Annie are still living as a result of this union. The children preceded their parents to this country, but in April 1868, the old gentleman and his faithful helpmate left Norway's shores for their voyage to America. After crossing the broad Atlantic Mr. H. and wife made their home with their children in this vicinity until Dec. 25th, 1894, when the wife and mother, who had been in ill health during the entire married life passed from this life into the great unknown, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. Thus in ten short months, two of our oldest and most highly respected citizens have departed from this life to that land from where no traveler returns. The Record joins with the many friends of the relatives of the deceased in sympathy for the frief brought upon them by this death.