Hamre, Jacob L. 1883 –

HAMRE, HALDEN, ASPMO, ARNTSEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/18/2015 at 09:22:18

JACOB L. HAMRE.

One of the most valued and representative of the younger generation of business men in Decorah is Jacob L. Hamre, the owner of a large shoe store, in connection with which he operates a shoemaking and repairing department. His birth occurred in Vestre Stedre, Valders, Norway, February 12, 1883, and he is a son of Lars H. and Berit (Halden) Hamre, natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation, continuing in that line of work until his death, which occurred in 1900. His wife survives him and makes her home in Norway.

Jacob L. Hamre acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and after laying aside his books learned the shoemaker's trade, following this line in Norway until 1902. In that year he emigrated to America and located in Winneshiek county, where for one year he worked upon a farm. He then moved into the city, where he obtained employment in a tailor shop, remaining in this connection for four years thereafter. At the end of that time he established himself in business as a shoemaker, concentrating his attention upon this line of work until 1909, when he added a complete stock of shoes, owning today one of the finest shoe stores in the city. For his repair department he has bought the most modern labor-saving equipment, including a finishing machine and one for sewing on soles. In the years of his connection with business interests of Decorah his patronage has increased rapidly in volume and importance and it has reached gratifying proportions at the present time. Mr. Hamre owns a modern residence in this city and a one hundred and sixty acre farm in South Dakota which he proved up as a homestead claim.

In March, 1905, Mr. Hamre was united in marriage to Miss Anna F. Aspmo, a daughter of Edward and Gurine (Arntsen) Aspmo, natives of Norway, where the father is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Tromsoe. Mrs. Hamre was born in Norway in August, 1879. She and her husband have three children: Louise, aged seven; Edward O., who is six years of age; and Olga C, aged nine months.

Mr. Hamre is a member of the Lutheran church and is connected fraternally with the Order of Owls, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Norske Selskab. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is interested in public affairs although not active as an office seeker. He is a young man of energy, resource and capacity and his usefulness will undoubtedly be limited only by the opportunities by which he is surrounded.

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