Bakken, Gustav E. 1866 - 1946
BAKKEN, BAKKE, MELAAS, KNUTSON
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/16/2014 at 10:16:58
One of the most extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Madison Township is Gustav E. Bakken, whose fine farm of six hundred and eighty acres lies on sections 10 and 11 and constitutes a valuable addition to the agricultural resources of this section. He is one of Winneshiek county's most energetic and successful native sons, his birth having occurred in Madison Township, January 15, 1866. His parents, Ole H. and Ingeborg (Bakke) Bakken, are natives of Norway and came to America at different times, the former arriving in 1854 and the latter in 1852. The mother made the journey across the Atlantic with her parents and with them located in Koshkonong. Wisconsin, whence some years later she came to Winneshiek County, Iowa, where her marriage occurred. The father came direct from Norway to Winneshiek County and for a time after his arrival worked as a monthly farm laborer, eventually buying a piece of land in Madison Township. This formed the nucleus of extensive holdings for after a time he purchased more land and added to his area from time to time until he owned twelve hundred acres. This great tract he operated until 1903, when he divided his land among his children and retired from active life. He and his wife now make their home with their son, E. F. Bakken, the father being eighty-five years of age and the mother seventy-one.
Gustav E. Bakken was reared and educated in Madison Township, attending district school and afterward Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age and then rented a farm from his father, a property which he has operated since that time. In 1903 the father deeded to him this tract of land which contained two hundred acres lying on section 11, Madison Township. From time to time Mr. Bakken has added to this property until he owns today six hundred and eighty acres, one of the finest farms in this part of Winneshiek County. Modern buildings have been erected upon it, labor-saving machinery has been installed to facilitate the work of the fields and nothing has been neglected which will add to the attractive appearance or value of the place. Mr. Bakken raises only thoroughbred stock and has been unusually successful also in his general farming operations, the extent of his interests and the success which has steadily attended his labors placing him among the representative agriculturists of this locality.
On the 12th of October, 1894, Mr. Bakken married Miss Helena Melaas, a daughter of Hans and Marn (Knutson) Melaas, natives of Norway. The father came to America and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, operating his property here until 1905, when he retired. He is now making his home in Ridgeway, having survived his wife since 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Bakken became the parents of two children: Ida Maria, aged seventeen; and Ole Henry, aged twelve. Mrs. Bakken passed away on the 6th of December, 1911, after an illness of about three years.
Mr. Bakken is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party, being now in the ninth term of his able service as township trustee. A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he takes a commendable and intelligent interest in public affairs and does everything in his power to promote the permanent interests of the community.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913
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