Roland E. Rolands

ROLANDS, ORVALDAHL, ROLANDSON, AUSON

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/15/2009 at 07:41:14

Roland E. Rolands, who is now carrying on agricultural pursuits with marked success, has spent his entire life on the old home farm on section 23, Norway township, Winnebago county, where he was born on the 10th of September, 1871, a son of Andrew and Ragnilda (Orvaldahl) Rolandson, natives of Norway. The father was eighteen years of age when he came alone to the United States and after spending a few years in Chicago, Illinois, came to Iowa. He first located in Winneshiek county, where he was subsequently married. There he purchased a farm and engaged in its operation until 1869, when he removed to Winnebago county, here becoming owner of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 23 and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 26, Norway township. Upon this place he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. He died on the 17th of January, 1885, and was laid to rest in the Lime Creek Lutheran church cemetery. Although he came to this country in limited circumstances he prospered in his farming operations and became quite well-to-do through his own persistent efforts. Politically he was a republican and religiously was an earnest and consistent member of the Synod Lutheran church. His widow is still living and makes her home with her son, Roland, at the age of eighty-three years. In the family were ten children, of whom seven survive, but Roland and his brother John are the only ones now living in Winnebago county.

Roland E. Rolands, the youngest of the family, received a limited education in the early schools of his locality, which he attended as he found opportunity until sixteen years of age. His training at farm labor, however, was not so meager, and he assisted in the operation of the home place until twenty-six, at which time he received title to the west half of the southeast quarter of section 23 and the north half of the west half of the northeast quarter of section 26. Here he continues to make his home and has met with good success as an agriculturist.

In 1902 Mr. Rolands was united in marriage to Miss Anna Auson, a daughter of Iver and Ture Auson, who came to this country from Norway in early life and were married in the United States. They were among the early settlers of Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, and Mrs. Auson is still living on the home farm. Her husband is deceased and is buried in the United Lutheran cemetery near Emmons. Mr. and Mrs. Rolands have six living children, Edna, Iver, Ragnold, Thomas, Reuben and Clayton, while Russell died at the age of two years and was buried in the Lime Creek Church cemetery. The family hold membership in the Synod Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Rolands is identified with the republican party. Those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends and he has the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social life.

~History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pg 65-66