Andrew B. Nesset

NESSET, QUAM, ANDERSON, HARRIS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/5/2006 at 04:10:09

Andrew B. Nesset, who is engaged in general farming on section 13, Forest township, Winnebago county, has so carefully directed his business affairs that be is today one of the substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, August 23, 1867, his parents being Jens and Johanna (Quam) Nesset, who were natives of Norway and came to America as boy and girl in 1835 on the same ship. Their marriage occurred in this country. For five years they lived in Wisconsin and on the expiration of - that period removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where Mr. Nesset carried on farming for five years. He then took his family to Minnesota and settled on a farm, on which he remained for a number of years, but at length: returned to this state and became a farmer of Winnebago county, taking up his abode on the land on which Andrew B. Nesset now resides. Upon this place his remaining days were passed, but the death of his wife occurred in Minnesota. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living.

Andrew B. Nesset acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and after attaining his majority he purchased land and engaged in farming there. Eventually, however, he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and bought the old Anderson homestead on section 31, Forest township, west of Forest City. This place was purchased in 1880 by Mr. Nesset's father-in-law, Steele Anderson, at which time Mrs. Nesset was but five years of age. After living on that farm for seven years Mr. Nesset sold it and bought a place on section 16 which he owned for eight years and on which be continued to reside for three years after disposing of it. He next took up his abode on the Nesset homestead on section 13, Forest township, where he now owns three hundred and thirty-nine acres, all of which is improved. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his land. He also makes a specialty of feeding stock of all kinds and he likewise is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator at Forest City, the Farmers Elevator at Leland and the Forest City Cooperative Creamery Company.

On October 12, 1892, Mr. Nesset was married to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of Forest City and a daughter of Steele and Christina Anderson, who were born in Norway. Leaving the land of the midnight sun, they came to America in 1871 and took up their abode in Winnebago county, while at the present time they are residents of Mason City, Iowa. In their family were nine children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Nesset have become parents of three children Jared A., who married Hazel Harris and has one child, Violet, and who follows farming in Winnebago county, on Sunset View Farm; Stanley H., also a farmer; and Leo C. The first two are college graduates, having completed their studies at Waldorf College at Forest City. The family are most pleasantly located in an attractive home on the Oak Lawn Farm; another place which Mr. Nesset owns is known as the Sunset View Farm; and his farm of ninety-nine acres in Mount Valley township is named Hickory Grove Farm. Fraternally Mr. Nesset is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 440 at Forest City and he and his wife are identified with the Rebekah degree. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. In his political views Mr. Nesset is a republican and for six years lie filled the office of township trustee, while for a number of years he was a member of the school board. He is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen and one to whom the community can ever look for substantial aid in support of measures for the general good. The secret of his success is to be found in diligence and determination, combined with thorough reliability in all business transactions.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917,Vol II, page 161