Andrew Gotskalk Egenes (1832-1908)

EGENES, JOHNSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/21/2024 at 23:29:14

From Story City Herald September 3, 1908 (page 1)

G. A. R. VET. HEEDS FINAL ROLL CALL

The Great Commander Summons A. G. Egenes Last Saturday Night

Andrew G. Egenes, who has been in declining health for a long time, died at his home in this city last Saturday night. He had reached the ripe old age of 76 years, 4 months, 22 days, and leaves a wife, a son and a daughter to mourn his death. The following obituary, for which we are indebted to his son, John Egenes, gives a complete resume of his eventful life:

Andrew G. Egenes was born in Norway, Europe, on April 8, 1832, where he spent his early youth with his parents on the farm in the summer and fishing in the winter.

In the year 1855 he sailed for this country, being 12 weeks on the water between Bergen, Norway and Quebec, Canada. He finally landed in Wisconsin, near Koskenang, where he engaged in the usual farm labor, mixed with logging and timber work necessary to clearing a new country for farm work.

From there he went to Lisbon, Ill. where he lived when Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers for 3 months to suppress a "little rebellion" and he enlisted. After this time was served. It was evident that a real good-sized war was on hand and volunteers were called for to serve three years, or during the war. He again responded to his country's call and followed the flag for three years, when he was mustered out together with the rest of Co. E, 91st Ill. Vols., and received an honorable discharge.

From war back to private life again, his fortune was to the farm, where he found his lifelong helpmate, Miss Margrethe Johnson, to whom he was married in May, 1866.

They immediately went west to found their home and located in Benton county, Ia., near Norway, where they bought 80 acres of land. Three children were born to them, the oldest being John, the second, a girl, Christy Marie, and the third Anna Margrete, who lived only two weeks and two days and lies buried near the old home in Benton county.

In 1880 he sold his farm in Benton county and selected Warren Twp., Story county, as his future home, where he, with the rest of the family, moved in the spring of 188a. Being blessed with good strength and health, he soon made a nice home out of an otherwise uninviting, naked piece of ground, where he lived till the fall of 1903. The last few years he lived on the farm were not spent in the arduous duties of general farming, but he rented the farm land and took care of a few cows, pigs and chickens, besides a nice grove and orchard, of which he was particularly fond.

In January, 1903, the sickness, with which he suffered the remaining 5 1/2 years of his life, began to manifest itself. Shaking paralysis began spreading over his entire body, causing weakness and uncertainty in his movement, and finally so affecting his nerves that his eyesight left him in August, 1903, and he was unfortunately totally blind the remainder of his days. They bought a residence in Story City, to which they moved in September, 1903, and from then on he was constantly attended by his wife, two years his senior, until his death. During this long period of confinement, this nerve racking disease made heavy inroads upon him, especially mentally, first leaving him blind so he was in physical darkness, then affecting his mind so he was indeed a very pitiable case.

Being blind he was fed daily by his wife during this long period. She has also carefully nursed him and made him comfortable as possible. She being strengthened by the hope that is unseen and zealous in her attention to her duty to her husband, stood nobly by him, her courage never flinching although her strength many times nearly failed her that she despaired almost of being able to comfort him any longer. A few hours of sleep gave her renewed strength and with it hope and courage, till at lest she stood victorious over her cares and troubles and witnessed his death at 12:30 Sunday morning, Aug. 30, 1908. With his passing away her companion of 42 years left her, and the bonds thus closely united now being severed caused her to be sad for herself while at the same time she knew it was for the best that he be relieved of his awful sickness. He was laid away in the Story City cemetery on Tuesday. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. O. P. Vangnes. A large concourse of people were present to pay their last respect to an old citizen, the church being filled completely.

His old comrades of Company E, 91st Illinois Volunteers and others of the G. A. R. Post here quietly and sadly followed their comrade to the grave and held a short memorial service to their departed comrade who was called from among their ranks. Having followed the star-spangled banner so long and devotedly he became highly attached to it and had expressed a desire to have a flag with him in the grave. A nice silken banner was laid over his casket to accompany him as desired. A more loyal citizen never lived and may his memory long be cherished.