Christian Engebretson
ENGEBRETSON, OLSON, KNUTSON, BERG, GAASERUD, GULSRUD, GAVLE, HOLMAN
Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/11/2010 at 04:33:33
CHRISTIAN ENGEBRETSON
Christian Engebretson, who is concentrating his time and attention on general farming on section 20, Logan township, Winnebago county, is a self-made man whose success is due entirely to his close application and persistent energy. He was born in Modum, Norway, near Christiania, June 9, 1845. His parents were Engebret Olson and Mary Knutson. The father followed farming in his native land, where he passed away in 1867. In the family were eight children, of whom Christian is the eldest. Six of the number are yet living, and Mary and Anna are still in Norway. The others in America are: Hans Berg, of Logan township, Winnebago county; Ole, also of Logan township; and John, who is living in Polk county, Minnesota.
Christian Engebretson was twenty-four years of age when he came to the United States and made his way direct to Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1869, going to the home of his uncle, Hans Knutson, in Norway township. He worked for his uncle and for others for a short time and then settled on school land in Logan township before it was put up for sale. When thirty years of age he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, constituting the northwest quarter, and later he purchased the southwest quarter of the same section, having here a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He broke the prairie land and put in his crops. He carried on the work of development and improvement steadily as the years went on and soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place. His mother afterward came to Winnebago county with her son Hans and lived with Christian Engebretson until her death, which occurred in 1909, her remains being interred in Bethel cemetery.
Mr. Engebretson was married, before coming to the United States, to Miss Maren Gurine Gaaserud, and they became parents of eight children. Maren Helene, who was born in Norway, November 14, 1867 became the wife of Herman Gulsrud, of Hubbard county, Minnesota, and died November 20, 1916. Inga, born October 13, 1870, is the wife of Tom Gavle, of Freeborn county, Minnesota. Maria, born January 1, 1873, is the wife of John Holman, of Eden township, Winnebago county. Johan C., born July 20, 1875, is living in Logan township. Hans C., born May 20, 1877, also makes his home in Logan township. Carl C., born March 18, 1880, is a resident of Freeborn county, Minnesota. Albert C., born June 20, 1882, is assisting in the cultivation of the home farm. Gunda, born December 6, 1884, died November 24, 1908. The wife and mother passed away June 13, 1913, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery.
Mr. Engebretson is still actively interested in farming and yet owns two hundred and sixty-seven acres on section 20, Logan township, together with the north half of the southwest quarter of section 16. He likewise has a third interest with his sons, J. C. and H. C., in the northwest quarter of section 34, and he has materially assisted his sons in acquiring their farms. He is a stock-, holder in the Farmers Creamery at Vinje. His has been a life of diligence and determination, and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His history shows what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do, for he started out in life empty handed and has worked his way steadily upward.
Mr. Engebretson holds membership in the United Lutheran church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for a number of years he filled the office of township trustee. He has also been school director for a number of years and he is interested in all that pertains to the progress and welfare of his adopted land. In early manhood he chose to make this country his place of residence and he has always been loyal to the United States and her interests. Living under the protection of her laws, he has felt that he has owed her allegiance and at all times he has stood for those things which have contributed to public progress and improvement in the district in which he resides.
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. 352-355.
Winnebago Biographies maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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