Fretthem, Albert H. 1858 -

FRETTHEM, HALVORSON, HELM, THEILICH

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/25/2014 at 19:42:14

Albert H. Fretthem, one of the active and progressive farmers of Decorah Township, is a native of Iowa, born in Allamakee County in March, 1858. His parents, Ole and Anna (Halvorson) Fretthem, were born in Norway and came to America in 1852, locating in Wisconsin, where they remained for three years. At the end of that time they removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, and there the father purchased and improved a fine farm, selling it finally and removing to Minnesota. From that state the family came to Winneshiek County and the father purchased land in Madison Township, which he cultivated for the remainder of his life, passing away in September, 1892. His wife died November 9, 1911.

Albert H. Fretthem was only eight years of age when his parents came to this county and he acquired his education in the district schools of Madison Township. At an early age he began assisting with the work of the homestead and before he had attained his majority was an able and progressive agriculturist. Eventually he rented the home farm and operated it for six years, at the end of which time he bought one hundred and fifty acres on section 29, Decorah Township, turning his attention to its improvement and development. His well-directed efforts have brought him a substantial degree of success and he is now in control of one of the finest properties in this section of the state. He has recently sold seventy acres of his holdings and now owns seventy-nine acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and everything about the place is in excellent condition. Substantial improvements have been made and buildings erected, and the property today reflects the owner's careful supervision and practical methods.

On the 13th of November, 1895, Air. Fretthem was united in marriage to Miss Emma Theilich, a daughter of John and Lydia (Helm) Theilich, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Canada. Her father came as a pioneer to Winneshiek County and took up as a government claim the land now owned by the subject of this review. He died upon this property, January 1, 1901, and was survived by his wife until 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Fretthem have an adopted son, Virgil, who is fourteen years of age.

Mr. Fretthem is a member of the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party, taking an active and helpful interest in public affairs. His life has been such as to give him high standing in the eyes of the community and he is generally recognized as a man whose earnest labor in this township have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have also been a benefit to the community at large.

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