Ode, Paul 1878 -

ODE, RIESTY, KJONAAS, NELSON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/28/2014 at 19:09:52

PAUL ODE

Paul Ode is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres lying on section 13, Springfield township, and upon this property was born December 23, 1878, a son of Peter and Jorend (Riesty) Ode, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the property which he now operates and acquired his early education in the district schools of the vicinity, later taking a course at Valder's Business College in Decorah. When he left home he went to South Dakota, where he worked for his brother for one year. Returning home at the end of that time, he entered his father's employ and continued therein until 1901, when he rented the homestead. This he developed and cultivated for nine years thereafter and in 1910 purchased the property which he still owns. The farm comprises two hundred acres lying on section 13, Springfield township, and is highly improved and developed, the owner following the most practical and progressive methods. His well directed efforts have been rewarded by a gratifying measure of success and he is well entitled to the high place which he holds among the section's substantial and representative agriculturists.

On the 20th of June, 1907, Mr. Ode was united in marriage to Miss Clara Matilda Nelson, a daughter of Halvor and Bergit (Kjonaas) Nelson, natives of Norway, who, together with Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ode, parents of the subject of this review, celebrated in 1912 their golden wedding anniversary. They were pioneers in Wisconsin, where they settled on coming to America, afterward removing to Winneshiek county. Here the father purchased land in Springfield township and continued to operate and improve it until his death, which occurred on the 2d of April, 1913, when he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife survives him, having reached the age of sixty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Ode have become the parents of three children: Gustave, aged five; Elsie Helen, aged three years; and Henry P., aged four months.

Mr. Ode is a stock-holder in the Nordness Creamery Company and the Union Produce Company of Ossian, and his ability is widely recognized in business circles. He is a devout member of the Lutheran church and gives his allegiance to the republican party, being eminently progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizenship. His entire life has been spent in Springfield township, where he is widely recognized and favorably known.

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