Bragestad, John N. 1863 - 1917

BRAGESTAD, NAGLESTAD

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/17/2014 at 11:54:04

John N. Bragestad, one of the worthy native sons of Winneshiek County, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 35, Decorah Township. He was born on that place on the 6th of December, 1863, and it has always remained his home. His parents, Nels and Gunvor (Naglestad) Bragestad, were both natives of Norway. The father, who immigrated to the United States in the '50s, located first in Wisconsin but subsequently came to Iowa and purchased land in Decorah Township, this county. In the cultivation and improvement of that property he was busily engaged throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1885. The mother was called to her final rest in 1894. They enjoyed an extensive acquaintance throughout the community and well merited the respect and esteem which were uniformly accorded them.

John N. Bragestad was here reared and educated, attending the district schools and also pursuing a course of study in Breckenridge Institute of Decorah. He had early become acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for crops under the able direction of his father, whom he assisted in the work of the home farm until the latter's death, when the property came into his possession. It comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, and the many improvements which may now be found thereon are largely due to the enterprise and thrift of its present owner. Bounteous harvests annually reward his labors and bring him a gratifying financial return. He is the secretary and a stockholder of the Nordness Creamery Company and well deserves recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of his native county. Mr. Bragestad gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party and has served as trustee of Decorah Township, making a creditable record in that connection. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. He holds the office of treasurer of the Norwegian Mutual Insurance Company of Winneshiek County and is widely recognized as an able business man. Mr. Bragestad is unmarried and lives with his sister Anna. He has witnessed the growth and transformation of this county for the past half century and his own labors have been a factor in the work of general development and upbuilding.

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

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