Ed Severson

SEVERSON, FELLAN, INDVIK, MICHAELSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/6/2010 at 08:37:03

ED SEVERSON

Ed Severson is actively engaged in farming on section 24, Linden township, and in this undertaking is a partner of Oscar I. Indvik. He was born in South Dakota, March 13, 1889, and is a son of Sever and Tona (Fellan) Severson, both of whom were natives of Norway. On leaving the land of the midnight sun in 1868 they sailed for the United States, settling first in Minnesota, where they lived for two years. On the expiration of that period they came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and took up their abode on a farm in Mount Valley township, where they resided for eleven years. Their next home was in South Dakota, where they continued for nine years. The mother passed away in 1893 after which the father returned to Winnebago county, where he is still living. To him and his wife were born six children, all of whom survive.

Ed Severson, whose name introduces this review, was largely reared in Winnebago county and acquired the greater part of his education in its public schools, although for one year he pursued a college course. From the age of fourteen he has been dependent upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is the result of his earnest labors. He first worked on a farm and when he felt that his experience, his age and his capital were sufficient to enable him to take an independent step he rented land which he cultivated for three years. His economy was continued through that period so that he was at length enabled to purchase eighty acres, becoming owner of a tract on section 12, Forest township. He operated that farm for three years and then, in 1916, removed to his present place on section 24, Linden township. He and his brother-in-law, Oscar Indvik, are now cultivating five hundred and twenty acres of land. They not only grow the crops best adapted to soil and climate, but they also make a specialty of raising and breeding hogs, milch cows and Belgian horses. They have some of the finest stock to be found in the county and their business affairs are most wisely and carefully managed, bringing to them a very substantial and gratifying measure of success.

In 1911 Mr. Severson was married to Miss Isabel Indvik, who was born on the farm where they now reside. Her parents were Ole J. and Mary (Michaelson) Indvik, both of whom were natives of Norway. In young manhood and womanhood they came to the new world, and as the years passed the father advanced step by step along the road of indefatigable industry to the goal of success. He is still living in Winnebago county but his wife passed away in 1907. In their family were six children of whom only Mrs. Severson and Oscar O. Indvik now survive. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have become the parents of four children, Elsworth S., Orlie M., Merrill O. and Edward I. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in social circles they occupy an enviable position, having the warm and kindly regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr Severson votes with the republican party and he has served as assessor and as trustee of Forest township. He is always loyal in matters of public duty and is ever willing to cooperate in work 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. 221-222.