Egge, Paul E. 1863 - 1951

EGGE, CLEMENT, SOLAND, WASGARD, ODE, ANDERSON, BRATBAKEN

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/22/2014 at 20:13:58

PAUL E. EGGE

A half century seems a long period in which to reside in one locality. The residence of Paul E. Egge in Winneshiek County, however, dates from April 13, 1863, to the present time. It was on that date that he was born on the farm which is now his home and throughout the intervening years he has been connected with agricultural pursuits in this county. He represents one of the old, well known and highly respected pioneer families, his parents being Erick P. and Helena (Egge) Egge. They were natives of Norway, where they were reared. The father came to the United States in 1848, locating first in Wisconsin, where he resided near Racine for about a year, after which he came to Winneshiek County, Iowa. He purchased the farm on section 6, Frankville Township, upon which his son Paul now resides, and that remained his home throughout his remaining days. He was a carpenter by trade, following that occupation for two or three years after his arrival in the United States, but later he took up agricultural pursuits. He was married in Winneshiek county to Miss Helena Egge, and they became the parents of eight children, namely: Carrie, the wife of E. E. Clement, of Springfield township; Peter A., residing in Chicago; Magdalena, the deceased wife of Gilbert Soland; Anna, who married Andrew Wasgard, of South Dakota; Maria, deceased; Paul E., of this review; Emelia A., who married Austin Ode but passed away in South Dakota; and Helen, the wife of Edgar Anderson, of North Dakota. The father of this family died on the 30th of October, 1905, having survived his wife for three years, her death occurring in January, 1902.

Both were very active members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they were deeply interested. He also was a stanch supporter of higher education and gave liberally of his money and labor toward the building of Luther College, which was founded by the Rev. William Koren. Rev. Koren, who was the organizer of the Lutheran congregation on Washington Prairie, spent the first six months after his arrival in this district at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Egge. Both were people of the highest moral character, who were held in the highest esteem and goodwill by all with whom they came in contact.

Reared on the old homestead amid the busy activities and wholesome environment of the farm, Paul E. Egge has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. He has continued to reside on the old home farm upon which he was born and in the operation of which he has been most successful. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres all located on section 6, Frankville Township with the exception of fifteen acres of timber land in Decorah Township. This property includes the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres upon which his father first located on coming to Winneshiek County and which he brought to a high state of development prior to his demise. The original home of the family, built by the father in 1850, still stands on the place. It is a log house fourteen by sixteen feet and this Paul E. Egge has given to Dither College, and it will be moved to Decorah. Mr. Egge divides his time between general farming and stock-raising, in both of which branches he has been most successful for he has ever followed practical, modern methods. He possesses keen business sagacity and has always been actuated by a progressive spirit guided by sound judgment.

Mr. Egge was married in 1902 to Miss Helena Bratbaken, who was born in Frankville Township and is a daughter of Christian and Helen Bratbaken, natives of Norway. The father is deceased but the mother survives and now makes her home with her daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Egge have been born three children, Helena Elizabeth, Esther Alarie and Erick. Reared in the Lutheran faith, Mr. Egge has ever given his support to the church of that denomination and its teachings have formed the guiding influence of his life. He is a man of high purpose and honorable principles, and during the period of his residence in Winneshiek County, covering his entire lifetime, he has won a large circle of warm friends who hold him in high esteem and regard.

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

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