Sampson Askelson (1832-1922)

ASKELSON, HANSON, DONHOWE, HOUGLAND, OLSON, THOMPSON, LARSON, MOKLEBUST

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/4/2024 at 20:34:52

From Story City Herald March 2, 1922 (page 6)

OBITUARY

Sampson Askelson

Mr. Sampson Askelson was born in Kvinherred, Norway, on Feb. 11, 1832, and departed this world in Gilbert, Iowa, Feb. 20, 1922, having attained to the unusual age of ninety years and nine days. As a youth this patriarch followed the life of a sailor, having made many trips to prominent parts in Europe. The stories of these experiences were a delight to have him tell.

In 1861 this sturdy sailor was married to Sella Hanson (Donhowe). In 1866 as soon as immigrants were admitted after the Civil War, this ambitious couple came to America. They came directly to Iowa, settling in Clinton county and then in 1870 moving to Story county, where they have resided continuously until now.

To this family were born eleven children, four of whom died in infancy. The deceased leaves to mourn his death, a loving and faithful wife, who has attained the age of 85 years, seven children, Oscar of Hewit, Minn.; Mrs. E. Hougland of Gilbert, Nels of Gilbert; Mrs. T. L. Olson of Story City; George of Gilbert; Sampson of Ames and Albert of Story City. Mrs. Nellie Thompson of Kanawha was also reared by this couple. Seventeen grandchildren live today to remember their beloved grandfather, also one great grandchild.

Two aged sisters survive this good man, Mrs. Anna Larson of Dawson, Minn., and Mrs. Helge Moklebust of Norway.

Grandpa Askelson was an industrious tiller of the soil. He labored hard from morning until night doing all the tasks that confronted the pioneer. What greater success can a man attain than to have a happy, God fearing home where his children were happy and his grandchildren eager to visit.

For forty-eight years this grand old man lived continuously on the farm three miles northwest of Gilbert and not until the year 1917 did he feel required to retire because of old age. At the age of 86 an infection of the right foot made the amputation of his leg necessary. It took his sturdy constitution to withstand so severe a shock at his advanced age, but apparently he was in the best of health until about last Christmas time when he became bedfast as a result of a stroke of paralysis. Several light strokes followed this one until the strain caused his death.

We think first of his religious life. He was always a regular attendant at church until he became incapacitated and then religious meditations became the most important part of his life. We think how patient he was at all times, how he cared for his invalid wife for the past thirty-five years, and still was cheerful. We think of his sturdy body, for he was never ill until operated upon. We think of his hearty handshake, of his hospitality, of his cheerful smile. We revere him for his example to us, for we all know that should we live as he has lived this world would be more heavenly.