Gunval, Nels 1855 – 1939

GUNVAL, OLSON, NELSON, ENGBRETSON, SAMUELSON, MYRLAND, HAMRE, SHEPPARD, GUNWALL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/16/2015 at 15:37:50

NELS GUNVAL.

Nels Gunval operates a valuable farm of two hundred and ten acres on section 36, Lincoln township, Winneshiek county, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. He was born January 15. 1855, a son of Gunval Olson and Ingeborg (Nelson) Gunval, natives of Norway. They came to America in 1845, locating near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they remained for nine years before coming to Winneshiek county, where they made settlement on an eighty-acre farm. The father followed farming all his life and died January 3, 1892, greatly beloved and highly esteemed by all who knew him. The mother survived for about ten years, her death occurring on the 2d of February, 1902. The father was for seven years a member of the board of supervisors and had the distinction of having represented Lincoln township on that board the first time a supervisor was elected from the township. In the family were eight children: Lollie, the wife of Iver Engbretson, of North Dakota; Ole, of Taylor, North Dakota; Carrie, of Dickinson, that state; Nels, deceased; Nels, of this review; John, of Taylor. North Dakota; George, of Sumner township; and Annie, deceased.

Nels Gunval was reared on the parental farm, attending the schools of the neighborhood in acquiring his education. He began early to assist his father with the work of the farm and remained on the homestead until twenty-five years of age, when he went to Washington, there engaging in farming for a period of two and a half years. He then returned home and purchased his father's farm. He has since added thereto and now owns two hundred and ten acres, which are devoted to general farming and stock-raising. His buildings are substantial and his fields under high cultivation, giving evidence of his reliable methods.

On November. 14, 1889, Mr. Gunval married Miss Laura Samuelson and to them were born four children: Gustav, whose day of birth was July 11, 1891, and who died March 16, 1901 : Emma Salvina, born November 2, 1893, who married Ingvold Myrland, of Lincoln township; Ida Oletta, who was born July 3, 1895, and was married July 1, 1913, to Clarence Hamre of Decorah, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Nelson) Hamre; and Gina Amelia, born July 2, 1897. They have also adopted a son. Archie Sheppard, born May 28, 1901.

Public-spirited and progressive, Air. Gunval is interested in all that occurs in the county and such measures as affect his state and nation. He has always been a republican and gives to the candidates of that party his support. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church. Years of labor have brought him success, and such prosperity as has been his is highly merited, for it has come to him entirely through his own efforts. He is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him for what he has achieved and also because his activities have been a constructive factor in the development of agriculture in Winneshiek county.

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

Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery gravestone
 

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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