N. K. Anderson

ANDERSON, ELVEJEN, GROATH

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/6/2010 at 04:46:29

N.K. ANDERSON

N.K. Anderson, who follows farming on section 27, King township, Winnebago county, was born in Sogn, Norway, November 17, 1868, and is a son of Andrew and Celia (Elvejen) Anderson, also natives of that country. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Norway in 1875, and the mother brought her family to America in 1882, taking up her abode in Forest City, Iowa. In 1886 she married Knute Anderson, a veteran of the Civil war, who was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, but after the war removed to Winnebago county and purchased land in Mount Valley township, which he operated for a time. He died in 1909, having survived his wife for about three years. She passed away in 1907.

Mr. Anderson of this review began his education in the public schools of Norway and was about fourteen years of age when he accompanied his mother on her removal to the United States. Since then he has made his home in Winnebago county, Iowa, and his knowledge of the English language was obtained in the common schools of this locality, which he attended at intervals until twenty-one years of age. He remained with his mother up to this time and worked for neighboring farmers during the summer months until he was twenty-seven. He was then able to purchase land on section 32, King township, which he at once began to improve and cultivate. After living thereon for nineteen years he rented that farm and bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, King township, where he now resides. Here he has a well improved place and has met with success in its operation.

In December, 1894, Mr. Anderson married Miss Martha Groath, a daughter of Sandel and Mary (Groves) Groath, who were born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and came to Winnebago county in 1879. Her father purchased land in Mount Valley township and engaged in farming thereon for many years, but he and his wife are now living retired near Leland. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have seven children, namely: Agnes, Ethel, Evelyn, Norman, Walter, Gladys and Harold, all at home.

The family hold membership in the Lutheran church and by his ballot Mr. Anderson supports the men and measures of the republican party. For five years he served as county supervisor with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has also filled the offices of township clerk and trustee and is now president of the Farmers Elevator Company of Thompson, and a stockholder and vice president of the Cooperative Creamery Company. In connection with general farming he raises high grade stock, making a specialty of Guernsey cattle, and is a man of good business and executive ability who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 186-187.