John J. Bye

BYE, SAUE, ECKMAN, JORDRE, ERICKSON, BUTLER, OPDAHL, ADAMS, IVERSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/8/2010 at 05:22:34

JOHN J. BYE

John J. Bye, deceased, was one of the substantial farmers and honored citizens of Norway township, Winnebago county, his home being on section 8, where his widow now resides. He came from the land of the midnight sun, being born in Norway, February 18, 1851, and in that country his parents continued to reside throughout life. He was nineteen years of age when he crossed the ocean and located in Lyle, Minnesota, where he spent one year, but in 1871 came to Iowa, being employed as a farm hand near Plymouth, Cerro Gordo county, for two years. Coming to Winnebago county in 1873, Mr. Bye purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 8, Norway township, and at once began to improve and cultivate his farm. As time passed he prospered in his labors and was able to add to his holdings, owning at the time of his death the south half of section 8 and one hundred and sixty acres on the south half of section 17, Norway township. Upon his place he erected good and substantial buildings and the fields were made to produce abundant harvests.

In April, 1873, Mr. Bye was married in Norway township to Miss Julia Saue, a daughter of Lars and Sigtrue Saue, who were early settlers of Winnebago county, but later removed to Polk county,Minnesota, and spent their last days in Reynolds, North Dakota, where both died and were buried. To Mr. and Mrs. Bye were born ten children, as follows: Thea, is the wife of John Jordre, living near Eckman, North Dakota, and their children are Anna, James, Mattie, Cora, Julia and Elizabeth. Sarah died at the age of seven years. John married Sarah Erickson and resides in Glenburn, North Dakota. Lena is the wife of B. J. Butler, living near Kensett, Iowa, and their children are Elvina, Margaret, Ingeborg, Lawrence and Agnes. Matilda, deceased, was the wife of I. Opdahl of Polk county, Minnesota. Selmer, living in Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, is married and has three children, Orlando, Bernice and Melborne. Sarah is the wife of Corbit Adams of Joice, Iowa. Louis married Burlette Iverson and has one child, Juleta. Emil and Jennette are both at home. Louis and Emil are operating the home farm.

After a useful and well spent life Mr. Bye passed away June 6, 1914, and was laid to rest in Lime Creek cemetery. He served as school director in his district for a number of years and also filled the office of road supervisor. In politics he was a republican. His success in life was due entirely to his own well directed efforts and he certainly merited the prosperity that came to him.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 327-328.