Sam O. Hegland (1840-1921)

HEGLAND, SHAFLAND, TWEDT, NELSON, HELVIG

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday February 3, 1921.

DEATH OF A PIONEER

S. O. Hegland, Story County Pioneer Called by Death

Sam O. Hegland, one of Howard township's early pioneers and veteran of the Civil War, died at the home of his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Eli N. Nelson Wednesday forenoon. Mr. Hegland had been a patient sufferer for several months with cancer of the stomach. Mr. Hegland was 80 years of age at the time of his death.

Mr. Hegland is survived by six children namely, Mrs. L. Shafland, Mrs. O. E. Twedt, Mrs. Eli N. Nelson, all of this place, Thor O. Hegland of McCallsburg, Mrs. Henry Helvig of Minneapolis and Charles Hegland of Los Angeles, Cal., and a large number of relatives and friends all over the county.

Funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at two o'clock from Bergen church.

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday February 10, 1921.

WAR VETERAN LAID TO REST

S. O. Hegland Laid to Rest Monday Afternoon

Sam O. Hegland, one of the county's early pioneers and a veteran of the Civil war, who died on Wednesday of last week, was laid to rest Monday afternoon from Bergen church. A concourse of friends and relatives that taxed the capacity of the church were present to pay their last tribute to a neighbor and friend.

Sam O. Hegland was born in Skaanevick, Norway, October 17, 1840, and died on February 2, 1921, being 80 years of age at the time of his death. He immigrated to America at the age of 17 years and located first in Illinois. Soon after his arrival his adopted country was thrown into the throes of war. He, like a number of Norwegian immigrants, heard the call of their country and enlisted in Co. E of the 91st Illinois Infantry.

Returning from a three year's service in the army Mr. Hegland came to Roland to join his parents, who had moved to this place during that time. On May 28, 1870, Mr. Hegland was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Larson, at Morris, Ill. Soon after their marriage they returned here moving onto a farm southeast of Roland.

After following the occupation of a farmer for a number of years Mr. Hegland moved to Roland whre he organized the first bank in our city, The Farmer's Bank. A number of years later Mr. Hegland disposed of his interest and it was organized as a state bank, The Farmers Savings Bank, the name it still bears. During this same period Mr. Hegland was also interested in the lumber business with the late John Michaelson.

Of late years Mr. Hegland had not taken an active part in his many business connections. For a number of years he was president of the Citizans National Bank at Sisseton, S. D., but resigned a number of years ago in favor of his son-in-law, Henry Helvig. At the time of his death he was president of the McCallsburg State Bank, of which his son Thor Hegland was in active charge.

Mr. Hegland leaves six children to mourn his death, they being, Charles Hegland of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. L. Shafland of Roland; Mrs. Henry Helvig, Minneapolis; Thor Hegland, McCallsburg; Mrs. O. E. Twedt and Mrs. Eli N. Nelson, Roland. All the children were present at the funeral with the exception of Charles Hegland, who could not be here on account of sickness in his family. Besides his children he leaves two brothers, Ole and Mike Hegland of this place.

Since the death of his wife on February 14, 1913, Mr. Hegland has made his home with his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Nelson.

Mr. Hegland has always taken an active part in the agricultural interests of this county having at one time been considered the largest landowner in this section of the state. A few years ago he divided his holdings amongst his children in order that they might enjoy the comforts of this life.

Mr. Hegland was a member of the Bergen Lutheran church since its organization. He contributed liberally to its upkeep and at different times made large donations to the Schools and Missions within the church.