P. P. Medlang

MEDLANG, OLESDATTER, HOLSTAD

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall
Date: 9/15/2008 at 07:00:11

P. P. MEDLANG.

P. P. Medlang, now successfully operating the old Holstad farm in Norway township, Winnebago county, was born on the 19th of May, 1873, and is a son of Peter E. and Inger (Olesdatter) Medlang, both of whom are now deceased. They spent their entire lives in Norway, where the father followed farming and also worked at the carpenter's trade. P. P. Medlang is the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve children. He aided his father in the work of the home farm until nineteen years of age, at which time he and two sisters came to the United States and located in Northwood, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for one year. In 1900 he took charge of the Holstad farm and is still engaged in its operation. This place consists of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25 and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 36, Norway township, and is a valuable tract. Its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the industry and good management of Mr. Medlang, who thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows and is a man of good business ability.

In 1900 Mr. Medlang married Miss Sylvia Holstad, who was born on the 8th of May, 1872, and is a daughter of Mikkel J. and Martha Holstad, whose sketch appears above [transcriber note: pg 26-26]. By this union five children have been born but Selena died at the age of five years and was buried in the United Lutheran cemetery. Those living are Martha, Palmer, Inger and Thelma.

Mr. and Mrs. Medlang are members of the United Lutheran church and he casts his ballot with the republican party. For several years he has served as school director and has always taken a commendable interest in the welfare of his adopted country. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and he has many friends throughout Winnebago county.

~History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa; Pioneer Publishing Co.; 1917; pg 26