Wier Paul Viland (1844-1938)

VILAND, LANDE, NERNES, FRIESTAD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/16/2015 at 17:17:49

From Nevada Evening Journal March 10, 1938 (front page)

Slater Pioneer, Buried Today, Had Lived on Same Place for 70 Years

Living to the age of 93 years, over 70 years of which time was spent upon the same farm, is the rather remarkable record of Wier P. Viland, pioneer of the Slater neighborhood, who was buried there today.

Special to the Journal:
Slater, March 10--Funeral services for Weir P. Viland, 93, were held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Bethlehem Lutheran church. The services were in charge of his pastor, Rev. E. R. Rorem, assisted by Rev. P. Buland of Cambridge.

The floral offerings were many and very beautiful. Mrs. M. S. Heggen sang a Norwegian solom "Den Store Hvide Flok Ve Se."

A solo, "I'm But a Stranger Here" was sung by David Peterson. The Riis quartette sang "Beautiful Land."

The pall beareres were George Nerness, Morton Nerness, Oscar Fritz, Weir Weeks and J. E. Sheldahl. Burial was made in the Bethlehem cemetery.

Wier P. Viland was born in Olen, Norway, December 24, 1844 and died at his home in Slater March 6, 1838, at the age of 93 years, two months and 12 days.

His parents were Carrie and Paul Viland. The family came to America in 1866 and settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota.

In 1808, the Viand brothers, Erick, Colbein and Weir, crossed the prairie of Iowa and homesteaded 200 acres of land at eight dollars an acre. When the land was later divided, Weir Viland secured the 80 acre tract on which his present home was built.

When they first came here there was no town of Slater. Neighbors were few and far away.

Weir Viland was married to Miss Marin Lande in 1871. Four children were born to this union.

There were no stores nearby, so they had to go to Ames, Madrid or the one store at Cambridge for supplies. As the nearest railroad was at Ames, they usually sold their produce in that town.

It took a whole day to make the trip with horse and buggy.

His wife died in 1885, leaving him with four small children. His second marriage took place October 16, 1886 to Miss Randie Nernes.

Viland held one record as near as could be ascertained and that is that he had resided in one place longer than any other person in the county, almost seventy years.

In spite of his advanced years, his memory was good and his mind clear. He wrote many letters on the typewriter to his children and friends.

He spent a great deal of time in the study of the Bible.

He was always active in church work and was a faithful member of the Bethlehem church and filled various offices. He was a devoted husband and father, a good friend and neighbor.

The Vilands celebrated their golden wedding anniversary October 16, 1936.

He is survived by his wife and three children: Miss Carrie Viland of Des Moines; Mrs. Enoch Friestad of Tuttle, North Dakota and Amos Viland of Veblin, South Dakota, besides a large number of relatives and friends.