Osland, Osmund (1853-1919)

OSLAND

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/18/2010 at 17:55:31

Osmund Osland
[March 3, 1853]* - July 10, 1919

Osmund Osland Dead

Herewith a sad affair is to be chronicled. It is different for a newspaper man to make mention of these kind of events, but all who know of the affair will be looking for it, and wondering what the editor will say.

Mr. Osmund Osland lost his life a week ago today by dropping himself into a well, in which there was about 7 or 8 feet of water. It seems that Mr. Osland was more or less demented lately. All spring and early summer he was planning a trip to Norway to see his old home and his old time acquaintances and for some time now he has been going around calling on friends and relatives here preparatory to starting some time this month on his journey. He went to Cherokee, Ia., to see a daughter there and it seems that on his return from there he began to get mixed up with himself. Instead of coming in the right direction in some way he got to Sioux City and on July 3, the city police there had to take charge of him, as he was about to take his own life then. The authorities there sent word to his Post office address, Buffalo Center, in regard to him. His son, Eadre Osland started for Sioux City at once and brought him home.

Things seemed to fair well for a week. July 10th, toward the latter part of the afternoon it was noticed by the young people at home that their father was not to be seen. Then it came to their attention that he had not been seen most of the afternoon. A general hunt was started. Some of the neighbors were notified. He was nowhere to be found. Finally they thought about the well. Like most farm wells it was a deep cased well, but about 12 or 15 feet deep was dug. The casing was sunk in this hole and there was 7 or 8 feet of water in this hole and upon first inspection his cap was found swimming on the water but the body could not be seen. However, it was now taken for certain that he was in there. A doctor was called for, and the Coroner of Kossuth county was notified at Algona. The necessary legal proceedings were performed, after which the family made preparations for a funeral which was held last Saturday afternoon. Mr. Osland and his family were accepted as members of the Liberty church at one time, and their present pastor, Rev. O.M. Hanson being absent just now they called Rev. C.S. Halvirson to take care of this funeral.

As is the custom in the government of the Lutheran church when a person takes his own life the body is not permitted in the church room. This point was carried into effect here and the corpse was left standing in the hearse while the funeral service was conducted in the church. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the Liberty cemetery west of town.

Mr. Osmund Osland was born Dec. 4, 1853, in Hjelmeland, Stavanger, Norway. Immigrated to America in 1899, and settled on a farm in Kossuth county, about 6 miles southeast of Rake. Here he lived and prospered until his death, July 10, 1919, at an age of 65 years, 7 months, and 6 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Osland in 1885. To this union 10 children were born. One died a few years ago, one boy died in France last September. The mother died last winter, March 5th. He leaves to mourn his untimely death eight children: 3 boys and 5 girls, all in this vicinity except one boy who is in the army service in France. The Register joins with the entire community and extends sincere sympathies to the bereaved children.

~Rake Register, July 17, 1919

*US Passport Applications, 1795-1925.