Elling Flugum

FLUGUM, OLSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/24/2010 at 04:48:46

ELLING FLUGUM

Elling Flugum is a representative farmer of King township and one who takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs, doing all in his power to advance general progress and improvement. He was born in Norway in September, 1863, a son of Elling and Ingeborg Flugum, who were likewise natives of that country. The father was a blacksmith by trade and followed the occupation of farming in Norway throughout his entire life. He there passed away in 1915, having attained the remarkable old age of ninety-eight years, and his widow is still living in Norway at the age of ninety years.

Elling Flugum was a young man of twenty-two years when he determined to come to the new world. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the United States in 1885, and after reaching an American port made his way across the country to Dane county, Wisconsin, where many of his fellow countrymen had previously located. There he worked as a farm hand for eleven years, after which he came with his brother to Winnebago county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, King township, thus investing the money which he had previously acquired as the reward of his industry. In this purchase he was a partner of his brother and together they operated the tract for two years, after which they divided the farm, Elling Flugum taking the west half of the quarter. He has since made splendid improvements upon it, and through the intervening years has continuously owned and cultivated it. His labors find visible evidence in the substantial buildings, the well kept fields and the good stock upon his place. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson, thus showing his sympathy with those plans of organization and cooperation which are for mutual benefit among the farmers.

In January, 1895, Mr. Flugum was married to Martha Boyum Olson and they became the parents of seven children, Rose, Elmer, Ida, Gertrude, Jeannette, Norma and Margaret. In religious faith the family are Lutherans and loyally adhere to the teachings of the church. Mr. Flugum votes with the republican party but has never sought nor filled political office, although for three years he served as a member of the school board. He is interested in matters of public moment as well as in private business affairs and has helpfully supported many measures for the general good.

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. 538-539.