Andrew K. Marsaa

MARSAA, RAKE, ERDAHL

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/16/2010 at 18:01:15

ANDREW K. MARSAA

Andrew K. Marsaa, postmaster of Rake and well known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen, was born in Norway, February 19, 1870, a son of Karoleus and Bertha (Rake) Marsaa, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father there followed the occupation of farming and is still living in that country.

Andrew K. Marsaa was reared and educated there, coming to the new world when a youth of nineteen. He arrived in America on the 17th of May, 1889, and made his way to North Dakota, where he resided until 1891. He then came to Winnebago county and for a year was employed at farm labor. He then entered into partnership with Mr. Rake, who was his uncle, and after five years he purchased the business and built a store near the creamery to which he removed his stock of goods. There he remained for five years. He then formed a partnership with M. J. Erdahl. They built a store and conducted business for a year and a half, at the end of which time Mr. Marsaa sold out. In 1901 he was appointed postmaster of Rake, which position he has continuously filled to the present time, being prompt and systematic in the discharge of all of his duties and thus receiving the endorsement of the general public. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Rake and has extensive interests in silver and gold mines of Idaho, being one of the directors of the Silver City Mining & Milling Company of that state.

In June, 1897, Mr. Marsaa was married to Miss Martha Erdahl and they became parents of four children. Bertha, Ruth, Agnes and Carl, but the third daughter died in December, 1915. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Marsaa maintains an independent course, especially at local elections where no issue is involved. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. He realized that success cannot be won in a day nor without effort and he was willing to work for prosperity. His has been an active and useful life and as the years have gone on he has steadily advanced in a business way, being now numbered among the substantial citizens of his town.

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. 437-438.