John O. Siverson (1856-1921)

SIVERSON, SORHEIM, SEVEREID, WIGEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/19/2024 at 12:37:57

From Story City Herald November 3, 1921 (page 1)

Obituary of J. O. Siverson

John O. Siverson was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa in 1856, his parents being Osmund and Ingeri Siverson-Sorheim, and he passed away at Devil's Lake, N. D., August 31, 1921, at the age of sixty-five years.

For many years he made his home in the neighborhood of Devils' Lake and later took a homestead near Church's Ferry, N. D., which he made hi home until about a year ago, when he came to Story City. Here, with his adopted daughter, Olga, he made his home with his sister, Mrs. E. L. Severeid.

Last summer he decided to make a visit with his brothers, Osmund and George Siverson at Church's Ferry. While there he went to Devil's Lake ton consult a physician in regard to his eyes, which had been giving him trouble. While in the doctor's office he was taken suddenly ill, and died the following day from heart failure.

The deceased leave to mourn his demise, his daughter Olga, two sisters, Mrs. E. L. Severeid and Mrs. M. O. Wigen and two brothers, Osmund and George Siverson.

J. O. Siverson is described by those who have been privileged to know him in the past twenty-five years as "one of God's nobleman." Quiet and exceedingly modest, he still possessed undaunted courage together with an idealistic temperament. He was educated at Augsburg seminary, was a fluent speaker and ready writer. For some time he edited the "Stats-Tidende" at Devil's Lake, but gave this up to take up his homestead.

He was a leader in the movement in North Dakota which overthrew the saloon and finally ushered in prohibition. Devil's Lake was the center of a powerful liquor propaganda, and it took courage and wisdom to beard the dragon in his lair. Mr. Siverson, however, stood firm for the principles he believed where right and he and his followers gained a complete victory; not, however, until the liquor element in its desperation had sought by a vicious bodily assault to intimidate the leader.

With the temperance forces victorious Mr. Siverson was urged to accept the nomination for the Legislature, but with innate modesty he refused to accept any honors or emoluments whatsoever.

Funeral services held at Church's Ferry Sept. 3. Revs. Casperson and Helseth spoke feelingly of the life that had been lived, and the large concourse of people bore eloquent testimony to the love and esteem in which he was held.