Hovden, John K. 1857 – 1948
HOVDEN, SPELUG, HAGA, BERGRUD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/25/2015 at 15:14:05
JOHN K. HOVDEN.
For twenty-nine years John K. Hovden has lived upon his present farm on section 8, Madison township, and by constantly following the most progressive and practical methods in its cultivation has surrounded himself with a comfortable degree of prosperity. During the years he has become known not only as a substantial agriculturist and a farsighted business man, but also as a loyal and public-spirited citizen whose contributions to the general improvement and advancement have been many and substantial.
Mr. Hovden was born in Minnesota, November 11, 1857, and is a son of Knut and Carrie (Spelug) Hovden, natives of Norway. When the father came to America he settled first at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, whence after two years he moved to Minnesota where his marriage occurred. He and his wife moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, after one year, and the father bought two hundred acres of land on sections 17 and 18, Madison township. This land he set about clearing and improving and his efforts were rewarded by substantial success, the place becoming one of the finest and most productive in this vicinity. The father continued to operate it for many years and died upon his holdings May 25, 1905. His wife survives him and resides upon the homestead.
John K. Hovden was yet an infant when his parents moved to Winneshiek county and he was here reared and educated, attending district school and afterward Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. In his youth he assisted his father with the work of the farm and continued to reside with his parents until 1884, when he purchased eighty-three acres of the homestead and began farming independently. The land lies on section 8, Madison township, and for twenty-nine years Mr. Hovden has steadily carried forward the work of its development along practical lines, the results of his labor being evident today in its neat and attractive appearance. He also owns eighty acres of land on section 7, this township, and is connected with business interests of Ridgeway as a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery.
On May 21, 1883, Mr. Hovden was united in marriage to Miss Sarma O. Haga, a daughter of O. K. and Gunel (Bergrud) Haga, natives of Norway. The parents came to America about 1861 and were pioneers in Winneshiek county, the father purchasing land in Madison township, which he operated for the remainder of his life. He died in 1905 and his wife survives him, making her home upon the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hovden became the parents of eight children: Clara G., who died August 28, 1902, at the age of eighteen; Olven K., born August 22, 1886; M. Amanda, born January 1, 1889; Carl J., born May 24, 1891; Helmer, born in 1893; Evelyn, July 11, 1896; Edward S., January 5, 1899; and Clarence G., August 23, 1903.
Mr. Hovden is a member of the Lutheran church. He is a republican in his political beliefs and has held various official positions of trust and responsibility, in all of which he discharged his duties in a prompt, capable and efficient manner. For two years he served as trustee of this township and as assessor for one term and he was elected justice of the peace but did not qualify. Movements for the promotion of the general development and advancement receive his hearty cooperation and active support for he has lived in this part of Iowa practically all of his life and is interested in its growth and progress. He has made important contributions to farming interests and his success is well deserved, rewarding a busy, useful and upright life.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Madison Lutheran Cemetery gravestone,
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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