Mons C. Grove (1830-1903)

GROVE, SHELDAHL, THOMPSON, ERICKSON, MEHUS, DUEA, GINDEM, TARVESTAD, RASMUSEN, HEGLAND, BRITSON, JACOB

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/18/2022 at 15:15:44

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, May 27, 1903.

Mons C. Grove

Another of Howard Townships most respected pioneers has gone to his eternal rest. One by one these "banebrydere" way breakers, give way to old age and death. They leave us, but the evidences of their work while with us remain. Our well improved farms, beautiful little cities, schools and churches stand as imperishable monuments to their greatness. M. C. Grove was born in Voss, at Grove, Norway, June 12, 1830. At the age of 20 he left his fatherland for America in 1850. He settled in Kendall county, Illinois, where he hired out and worked by the month and did anything that would procure him clothing and bread. In 1859 he was married to Miss Anna Sheldahl by Rev. O. Sheldahl. He died at his home in Roland, May 22, 2 903 and was buried from Salem's church Sunday, Mary 24, Rev. Sandven officiating. He left at death, a wife, and 6 children, M. N., O. M., and E. R. Grove and Misses Lorenda, Mary and Emma Grove, all of this place. He was 72 years, 11 months and 10 days old. He was a quiet man. No one can remember him in controversy with any man. He was truly one of God's noblemen, honored and respected by all who came in contact with him and loved at home by the members of his family. He was always faithful in his church attendance as well as attending to his civic duties. M. C. Grove is a part of the early history of Howard Township. He was with the first nine men who drove across the prairies of Illinois and Iowa in 1855 to buy land. They were M. C. Grove, Paul Thompson, Jacob Erickson, John Mehus, Ole Thompson, Eric R Sheldahl, Jonas Duea, Lars Grindem and John Tarvestad. They bought land for themselves and for their friends in Illinois. In the year of 1856 Ole Rasmusen, Lars Hegland, Jonas Duea, Eric R. Sheldahl, Sam Britson Sr., Hans Twedt Jacob and Michael Erickson came west and broke their farms, living in their wagons. Mons Grove did not come out until 1858 when he and Paul Thompson and John Michaelson and several others came out and settled on their farms. Mons had bought 200 acres 1 mile south of town and including 40 acres that he later traded to Oliver Thompson for a horse. This forty is part of the farm now owned by M. O. Anderson. Here he worked as best he could using oxen to haul his wagons and plows. Here he married the faithful woman who lived with him till his death. Together they labored in these early days when often all they had to eat was a little corn meal and bacon. But hard work and persistent faith in a better future crowned their labor with success. The nearest market places were Marengo, Alden, Marshalltown, Boone, Iowa City and Des Moines. Too these places they had to haul their butter and eggs and dressed pork where they received but little in return. After a while the county settled up, towns rose up all around, markets became better and were nearer and prosperity came as a welcome guest after years of toil and privation. These early pioneers had also the love of the God of their fathers and in their hearts and a deep respect for education. They built a church on B. Henderson's farm and a school house very nearly on the spot where Dr. Rice's house now stands. It is worthy of notice that they borrowed the money themselves from H. J. Wulfsburg with which to build the first school house.

In the year 1891 he and his son Martin bought the hardware business of Duea & Stole and conducted it for a number of years until a few years ago Oscar and Martin bought it and the business is now called Grove Bros. When too old to manage his farm he moved to Roland where he h as lived in peace and quiet these last days of his life.

He died surrounded by his family who sincerely mourns his death. He was carried to his grave by old time friends who were: Paul Thompson, Erick R. Sheldahl, Oliver and Torres Thompson, Oscar Thompson and Jonas Duea. His work is done and soon the last one of these pioneers will lie down and die and be carried away to the cemetery and the the last chapter of the first Norwegian settlement in this part of the county will be closed.

We of the younger generation are reaping the benefits of our fathers. Let us not forget the heritage they left us, honesty, sobriety, hospitality, love of education and sincere religion.