Istad, Andrew T. 1862 – 1937

ISTAD, VIK, WOLDT, MEYER

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 2/2/2004 at 05:31:53

A.T. Istad
Representative from Winneshiek county, was born in Norway in 1862 and in 1869 came to the United
States with his parents, who settled in Winneshiek county, where he has live for fifty-seven years. He attended the rural school and the normal school at Decorah, Iowa, for one winter. He owned and operated a farm for thirty-five years. In 1922 he rented his farm and moved to Decorah. Has held various offices in his township and county, acting as township clerk, assessor and county supervisor.

He is married to Bertha Woldt and has two daughters. Member of the Lutheran church. Elected representative from the ninety-first district in 1926. A republican in politics.

source: Iowa Official Register 1927-1928; Biographies of State Representatives; pg. 247

Second Bio: Posted March 29, 2015 by Joy Moore

ANDREW T. ISTAD.

No farmer in Winneshiek county has met with greater or more deserved success in agricultural pursuits than Andrew T. Istad, whose fine property comprises one hundred and sixty acres and lies on section 27, Madison township. Since he was seven years of age Mr. Istad has lived in Iowa and since 1890 has owned and operated the farm upon which he now resides. He was born in Norway, on the 13th of May, 1862, and is a son of Tollef and Engrid (Vik) Istad, also natives of that country, who came to Winneshiek county in 1869. The father rented land in Madison township and operated his original farm until 1876, when he purchased another in Madison township. His crops failing the first year, he sold the property and afterward rented land for six years. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, Madison township, and this he operated for seven years, selling it in order to go into partnership with his two sons. Together they bought two hundred and forty acres on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, but the father was never active in the conduct of this place, although he still makes his home upon it, being now seventy-seven years of age. His wife has passed away, her death having occurred in 1902.

Andrew T. Istad was seven years of age when he came with his parents to America. He was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, attending district school and Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. Immediately after laying aside his books he turned his attention to farming, with which he had become familiar in his childhood through practical experience upon his father's property. He entered into the above mentioned partnership with his father and brother and has never since left the homestead, which since 1890 he has owned and operated. Upon it he has made substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and in its cultivation has followed the most practical methods, the property reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance his many years of care and labor. Mr. Istad owns in addition to it a fine farm in Montana. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company and a stockholder and director in the Farmers Cooperative Hog Buying Company of Decorah, and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.

In November, 1908, Mr. Istad was united in marriage to Miss Clara Woldt, a daughter of Gottlieb and Julia (Meyer) Woldt, natives of Germany. The parents came to this country at an early day and the father engaged in farming in Winneshiek county during the remainder of his life. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Istad became the parents of one daughter, Bertha Elizabeth, aged four. Mrs. Istad passed away in February, 1910.

Mr. Istad is a devout member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Decorah. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served for four years as township clerk and did excellent work as assessor for three years. He was for a similar period of time secretary of the school board and in 1913 was elected president of the board, the cause of education finding in him a loyal and practical supporter. A resident of Winneshiek county since he was seven years of age, Mr. Istad has become widely known in this part of Iowa and his life has been such as to merit the confidence and regard which are generally accorded him.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

Union Prairie cemetery gravestone
 

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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