K. M. Hage

HAGE, SEVERSON, JOHNSON, KNUTSON, MIKKELSON, BORGO, OLSON, TORSON, TORGESON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/25/2010 at 16:22:36

K. M. HAGE

Norway has sent a large quota of citizens to Winnebago county and they have brought with them the industry and perseverance which characterizes the people of that land. Among those of Norwegian birth now living in Scarville is K. M. Hage, who for a long period was identified with agricultural interests but since 1912 has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He was born in Voss, in the parish of Vinje, Norway, June 24, 1844, a son of Mikkel and Gertrude (Severson) Hage, who spent their entire lives in their native country. The mother was twice married and by her first union had three children: Nils Knutson, now deceased; Anna, the wife of John Johnson, of Story county, Iowa; and Marie, the wife of Brungila Hefte, who is still living in Norway. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hage are: K. M., of this review; Sever Mikkelson, who resided in Webster county, Iowa,but is now deceased; and Peter, who lived in Goodyear county, Minnesota, but has passed away.

K. M. Hage spent the period of his youth in his native country and came to America in 1866, when a young man of twenty-two years. He at once made his way westward to Iowa, settling in Story county, where he was employed as a farm hand for two years. He then removed to Winneshiek county, where he engaged in farm work for eight years, and in 1876 he arrived in Winnebago county, at which time he rented a farm in Logan township. He lived upon that place for a year and in the following year purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Logan township, which he cleared and improved, converting it into rich and productive fields. His farm work was carefully and persistently carried on year after year with splendid results. The generous harvests which he gathered brought to him a good financial return and thus as the years went by he added to his savings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to put aside further business cares and activities. He then retired and removed to Scarville, where he has since resided, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

In 1876 Mr. Hage was married to Miss Martha Borgo, a daughter of Lars and Inga Borgo, who were natives of Norway and there spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children: Eda, now the wife of David Olson, of Mason City, Iowa: Minnie, the wife of Ed Torson, of Logan township, Winnebago county; Louis, who is upon the home farm; Clara, now the wife of Jacob Knutson, of Hanlontown, Iowa; Martin M., a physician practicing in Thompson, Iowa; Selmer, living in Saskatchewan, Canada; and Anna, the wife of Martin Torgeson, of Little Falls, Minnesota.

The parents hold membership in the United Lutheran church and Mr. Hage is interested in all those things which tend to promote the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community. He has served as school director and for a number of years was road supervisor. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. His has been an active and well spent life in which he has won a substantial competence as the reward of his earnest and persistent effort. His life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do, for he came to America empty handed and all that he possesses has been won by him.

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. 553-554.