Sven R. Corneliussen (1846-1920)

CORNELIUSSEN, JOHNSON, JENSEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/7/2024 at 14:24:31

From Story City Herald February 5, 1920

GONE

S.R. Corneliussen Died Last Friday Morning and Was Buried Tuesday

S. R. Corneiliussen died last Friday morning at a hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., where he had been taking treatment for about four months.

The announcement of his death came as a great surprise to the community, and to his immediate family. It was a genuine shock, inasmuch as the latest news from him insinuated that he was gradually recovering his strength. Indeed the editor of the Herald had visited him on Monday of last week and found him making preparations to com back to Story City in a few days and Mrs. Corneliussen was barely thru reading a letter from the nurse telling of his return home when the telegram came announcing the sad news of his death.

It appears that he suffered a hemorrhage of the lungs on Friday morning, which in his weakened condition he was unable to withstand and death followed within forty minutes of the unexpected attack.

The large outpouring of people to the funeral and the profusion of beautiful flowers bore eloquent testimony to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. The business houses of the town were closed during the funeral and the community flag was hung as half mast in token of the departure of this prominent citizen.

The following obituary was read by Rev. Smith at the funeral.

Obituary

Sven R. Corneliussen was born in Bergen, Norway, Sept. 13, 1846. He came to America in 1867, when he was 23 years old. He took a homestead in Buena Vista county, Iowa, in 1868, when that part of the state was the wildest sort of prairie. For some years he clerked in a store in Nevada, coming from there to Story City in 1878. From that time until 1911 he was actively engaged in the mercantile business, as well as taking an active part in the religious, social and political affairs of the community.

On Christmas Day, 1875, he was married to Dorothy Johnson. To this union three children were born, namely Carrie, Mamie and Frederick. The first named preceded her father to the better land in 1909. The other two children, with the wife, are left to mourn his departure; as are three brothers, namely, Frederick and Carl of Alta and Cornelius of Ames.

Mr. Corneliussen had a large share in the early history of Story City, and ever manifested a lively interest in all matters that affected the community. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the school board; a number of terms he served as a member of the council, and on two occasions was elected and served as mayor of the town.

He was a charter member of the Grace church, serving it in various capacities, as trustee, recording steward and Sunday School superintendent. As superintendent he has left his impress upon the religious life of hundreds of men and women now in middle life.

In business and public life he was conscientious to a superlative degree, and expected the same from his subordinates. A man has fallen in Israel. May he rest in peace.