Nellie Smedsrud

SMEDSRUD, PAULSON, JUEL, SAUG

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 8/19/2005 at 18:51:11

Mrs. Nellie Smedsrud (1900) is the widow of the late Hans Smedsrud, of Coon Creek township. Hans Smedsrud was born in Norway in 1862 and when twenty years of age came to America and was engaged in farming all his life. He was the owner of 240 acres on section 7, Coon Creek township, and the northwest quarter of section 30, Lyons township. Mr. and Mrs. Smedsrud were the parents of five children, as follows: Henry, born February 8, 1891, who has had charge of the home place since the father's death; Emelia, born October 15, 1892; Melvin, born December 11, 1894; Joseph, born February 27, 1901; Hilda, born March 6, 1903. All reside at home.

Mrs. Smedsrud's maiden name was Nellie Paulson and she is a daughter of Peter and Maren Paulson, of Christiania, Norway, both of whom are deceased. Nellie received her schooling in Norway and in Clayton county, Iowa. She then worked out until twenty-four years of age, and in 1890 she was married to Hans Smedsrud. After their marriage they lived in Winnebago county, Iowa, ten years, where they operated a farm which Mr. Smedsrud owned. In 1900 they moved to Lyon county and purchased 267 acres of land in Monroe township. The conducted that farm two years, when they sold out and purchased the present farm in Coon Creek township. Mr. Smedsrud died August 23, 1910, of cancer, after an illness extending over two years. With his death, Lyon county lost one of its best citizens.

Since Mr. Smedsrud's death, their oldest son, Henry, has taken charge of the farm. In addition to general farming they raise some stock, including Chester White hogs, Polled Angus and Shorthorn cattle and Plymouth Rock and White Leghorn chickens. Mrs. Smedsrud is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. She is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company of Russell and the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. Mrs. Smedsrud has two sisters, Anna (Mrs. Parry Juel), of Canton, South Dakota, and Martha (Mrs. Louis Saug), of Mitchell county, Iowa.

-source: An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota; Marshall, Minn.; Northern History Pub. Co., 1912; by Arthur P. Rose; page 484-485

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall