Hans Groning

GRONING, TORGESON, COLBY

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/25/2010 at 05:27:17

HANS GRONING

Hans Groning, a well known retired farmer living in Lake Mills, was born in Norway, December 31, 1830, and there he received his education and grew to manhood. In 1857 he came alone to the United States and purchased land in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming for more than four decades, or until 1901, when he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa. He purchased a farm in Center township which he operated for a year, after which he removed to Lake Mills, where he has a fine residence. He met with gratifying success in his agricultural work and has a competence which insures him all the comforts of life.

Mr. Groning was married in Wisconsin to Miss Mildred Torgeson, who died in 1896 and is buried in the United Lutheran cemetery at Primrose, Wisconsin. She left a son, Hans, Jr., who is living in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1901 Mr. Groning was married to Mrs. Helen Colby, widow of Eli Colby, of Dane county, Wisconsin.

Mr. Groning is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has ever taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and has given his support to projects seeking the general welfare. In religious faith both he and his wife are Free Lutherans. They have made many friends since removing to Winnebago county and are numbered among the highly esteemed residents of Lake Mills.

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. 231.