Ole Michaelson

MICHAELSON, THORING, BELVERUD, BRANSTAD, BRYTNES, MOEN

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 04:42:59

OLE MICHAELSON

Ole Michaelson is now living retired in Leland, where for a long period he was actively engaged in grain buying, while with farming interests he was also connected. The rest which he is now enjoying is well deserved and has come to him as the reward of his former activity and enterprise. He was born in Norway, January 31, 1858, a son of Michael Thoring and Mary Oleson Belverud, who were likewise natives of the land of the midnight sun. They came to America in 1882 and settled on a farm in this part of the state, here remaining until called to their final rest. In their family were nine children, of whom six are yet living.

Ole Michaelson was reared and educated in his native country to the age of twenty years, when in 1878 he came to the United States, making his way at once to Winnebago county. For four years he was employed as a common laborer, at the end of which time he began buying grain in Leland. With the business he was continuously and successfully connected until a very recent date, when he retired, but he still owns an elevator. He displayed sound and discriminating judgment in buying grain and his business affairs were so carefully and wisely conducted that success in large measure rewarded his efforts. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land on section 10, Newton township, Winnebago county, which returns to him a gratifying annual income. Moreover, he is financially interested in other business concerns, being now the president of the Farmers Savings Bank at Leland, while he is also a stockholder of the Leland Creamery Company.

On June 23, 188G, Mr. Michaelson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Branstad, a native of Norway, who was brought to the United States in her early girlhood by her parents, Andrew and Dorothea (Grytnes) Branstad, who were also natives of Norway. They made the voyage to the new world in 1873 and settled first in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived for a year before coming to Winnebago county. Here the father passed away, but the mother is still living and is now in her eighty-first year. In their family were eight children, who yet survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Michaelson have been born ten children: Minnie C., the wife of O. Theodore Moen, now of Minneapolis; Delia B., at home; Ruth, Rudolph and Elvin, who have passed away; Ruth J., the second of the name, now a student in college; Clarence O., who is a graduate of Waldorf College and is now attending St. Olaf College of Minnesota; Victor, deceased; and Agnes L., and Obed B., at home.

The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Lutheran church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics Mr. Michaelson is a republican and for twenty-five years he has served on the school board, of which he is still a member. He has ever been a stanch champion of the cause of education and he is now acting as one of the trustees of Waldorf College. He is also one of the directors of the Fair Association of Forest City and is interested in all the plans and projects which look to the upbuilding of the county along the lines of material, intellectual, social and moral development.

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. 382-385.

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