Bakke, Ole E. 1856 - 1902

BAKKE, RAMSEY, SANDER, HUSEBY

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/16/2014 at 10:01:24

OLE E. BAKKE.

Iowa offers a splendid opportunity to the farmer, for the land is rich and productive and responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. One of the excellent properties in Frankville Township is known as The Oaks. It is a place of four hundred acres, in the midst of which stands a large, fine residence erected by Ole E. Bakke, who was the owner of the place. It was upon this farm that he was born July 22, 1856, his parents being Erick O. and Gunhilda Ramsey Bakke, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was born April 1, 1824. They were married in their native land, in Urlandvangers church, on the 30th of October, 1849, and in the spring of 1851 crossed the Atlantic to America. They remained for a brief period in Dane county, Wisconsin, and then came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, settling in Frankville township. Mr. Bakke had a little money which he had saved when in his native land. That gave him a start and in the course of years he became a wealthy farmer. He purchased land in Frankville Township and continued to make his home thereon until after the death of his wife, which occurred on the 10th of March, 1903, when she was eighty-five years of age. Mr. Bakke passed away on the 29th of January, 1908, at the age of eighty-three years, nine months and twenty-nine days. In their family were four children: Anna, the deceased wife of Gilbert Ness; Isabella, the deceased wife of Andrew Traaserud; Ole E.; and Carolina, the widow of T. O. Storla of Decorah Township. The parents were members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church and their remains now rest in Washington Prairie cemetery.

Ole E. Bakke was reared on the old homestead and in his youthful days supplemented his public-school education by a course in Luther College at Decorah and in the State University at Madison, Wisconsin. He also pursued a commercial course at Valparaiso, Indiana. He was reared to the occupation of farming and made it his life work. He owned four hundred acres of land and his place, known as The Oaks, has ever been regarded as one of the finest farms of Winneshiek County. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and his fields brought forth rich harvests, owing to the practical and progressive methods which he utilized. As a stock dealer, too, he conducted an extensive business, purchasing considerable stock which he took to the Chicago market and there sold. He was active along many lines and all that he did brought to him success. He was a member of the creamery firm of Ramsey, Johnson & Bakke, of Glenwood Township, and he had interests in Wharton County, Texas, still in possession of his family. In all of his business affairs he displayed notable enterprise, keen discernment and capable management, and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Moreover, he was strictly honorable and reliable in all his dealings and the most envious could not grudge him his success.

On the 25th of October, 1883, Mr. Bakke was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Marie Sander, who was born in Decorah Township, October 3, 1857, a daughter of B. and Karen (Huseby) Sander, who were natives of Norway and were reared and married there. They came to the United States about 1850 and spent their remaining days upon a farm in this county. Their family numbered three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Bakke became the parents of nine children: Isabella Antoinette, Clara Gunhilde, Erick Arthur, Elmer Orlando, Philip Henry, Ruth Elizabeth, Vernon Lorenzo, Esther Lillian and Ole Ernest. The two sons Erick and Philip are now studying in the State Agricultural College at Ames. Erick and Orlando spent four years in Luther College at Decorah, while Philip had a commercial course in Decorah. The daughter Clara is a graduate of the high school at Decorah and is now engaged in teaching.

In his political views Ole E. Bakke was a republican and held various township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He held membership in the Lutheran church and he led an upright, honorable life, guided by his Christian belief. He was always a resident of Winneshiek County, spending his entire life upon the old homestead farm in Frankville Township, and that his record was ever a commendable one is shown by the fact that many of his staunchest friends were those who knew him from his boyhood. He died at Elkader, Iowa, July 13, 1902, and his death was an occasion of deep regret to all with whom he had been brought in contact.

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

Gravestone Photo
 

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen