Evenrud, Nels A. 1867 - 1931

EVENRUD, NELSON, HENDRICKSON, PRESTESATER, FORTUNE, SIVESIND, HANSON, NELSELOKKEN, GULASOLIEN

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/25/2014 at 10:36:38

Nels A. Evenrud, who has been a lifelong farmer and in the wise utilization of his time and opportunities has won success, was born in Glenwood Township, March 4, 1867, his parents being Andrew T. and Carrena (Nelson) Evenrud, natives of Norway. The father's birth occurred in 1828 and the mother was born in 1831. They came to the United States in 1853 and for about two years Mr. Evenrud worked in Wisconsin, after which he came to Winneshiek County, Iowa, casting in his lot among its early settlers. He secured eighty acres of school land and later added to the property until the whole comprised two hundred acres, and in addition he had one hundred and twenty acres which he purchased in 1888 and an eighty-acre tract of timber land. Success attended him as the years went by, his knowledge and enterprise enabling him to overcome many obstacles and difficulties, and he worked his way steadily upward to prosperity. It was in 1856, in this county, that he was married, and the remainder of his life was spent upon the home farm in Glenwood Township to the time of his retirement, when he removed to Decorah, where his widow still resides. His death occurred in that city in 1909. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he had engaged in stock-raising and was very generous with his means as success attended his efforts. He was one of the most liberal donors to the building of the Lutheran church and was very active in all departments of the church work, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics he was a stanch republican but never would consent to hold office, on account of not mastering English quite perfectly. He was a man of high and honorable principles and his upright life commended him to the confidence and good-will of all who knew him. In the family were twelve children, of whom six are yet living: Andrine, the wife of J. M. Hendrickson, of Glenwood township; Nels A.; Thetoline, the wife of Hans Prestesater, of Minnesota; Clara, the wife of Theodore Fortune, of Glenwood township; Christina, the wife of C. J. Sivesind, of Glenwood township; and Maria, the widow of H. Hanson of Decorah.

Nels A. Evenrud supplemented his early education in the public schools by two years' study in the Lutheran College at Decorah. With the exception of that period he has always remained upon the home farm, devoting his life to general agricultural pursuits. He now owns one hundred acres, constituting a well improved property, for upon his place are found all the modern equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century.

In 1894 Mr. Evenrud was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ottava Nelselokken, who was born in Glenwood Township January 21, 1875, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Nelselokken, who were natives of Norway, in which country they were reared and married. The mother bore the maiden name of Randvei Gulasolien. Their marriage was celebrated just before they sailed for the United States and their remaining days were passed upon a farm in Glenwood Township, both passing away during the childhood days of Mrs. Evenrud. They had a family of nine children, all of whom were born in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Evenrud have become the parents of three daughters, Lillian, Evelyn and Cora, and they have adopted a son, Gustave Clifford, the child of Mrs. Evenrud's sister. In politics Mr. Evenrud is a progressive. He has never been active as an office seeker, but for two terms served as justice of the peace. He is also a member of the Lutheran church, in which he has filled the office of trustee. His has been a well spent, useful and active life and many of his staunchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

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

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