John O. Bergfald

BERGFALD, KIPLESUND, LOFTON, BOYD

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/19/2010 at 17:38:31

JOHN O. BERGFALD

On the roster of officials in Winnebago county appears the name of John O. Bergfald, of Forest City, who is now serving as county recorder and is making an excellent record by the prompt, efficient and systematic manner in which he discharges his duties. He was born in Norway, June 28, 1862, a son of Ole and Karen (Kiplesund) Bergfald. Through the period of his boyhood and youth John O. Bergfald remained in his native country and in 1884, at the age of twenty-two years, came to the United States, locating first in Linden township, Winnebago county, Iowa, where he attended school and afterward taught in the country schools for several years. In 1889 he went to Colorado and spent two and one-half years in Denver, after which lie resided in the south for two years. In 1896 he returned to Linden township, where he again taught school for a few years, and in 1901 he was appointed deputy recorder of Winnebago county, which position he filled until the fall of 1904. He afterward had charge of the county poor farm for a year and a half, being the first superintendent thereof. He later removed to Thompson, where he was engaged in the hardware business until 1910, in which year he was elected county recorder. The fact that he has been four times elected to that position is incontrovertible proof of his capability and the confidence reposed in him by the public. He has made a most splendid record in office and has proven faultless in honor and stainless in reputation. He also served for a term and a half as assessor of Linden township before being elected deputy recorder. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he is a most stalwart champion of its principles.

In March, 1898, Mr. Bergfald was married to Miss Allie J. Lofton, of Arkansas, a daughter of Giles and Margaret (Boyd) Lofton. They now have three children: Carrie Margaret, Orren Thomas and John Milburn. Mr. Bergfald and his family are members of the Lutheran church, of which he is a devoted adherent, guiding his life by its teachings. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high regard because of his fidelity to the principles which govern upright manhood and unswerving integrity.

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. 220-221.