Istad, John N. 1858 – 1924
ISTAD, LONGLAND, MOSTAD, HALVERSON, JUVE, BLUGEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/30/2015 at 07:42:43
JOHN N. ISTAD.
John N. Istad, one of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Pleasant township, owns and operates on section 26 two hundred and ninety acres of fine land whereon he has resided since he was two years of age. He was born in Boone county, Illinois, on the 22d of March, 1858, and is a son of Nels and Betsy Istad, natives of Norway, where their marriage occurred. In 1850 they located in Illinois and in that state made their home for ten years, eventually removing to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating on the farm which the subject of this review now owns. The father continued to develop and improve this property, making it extremely valuable and well cultivated and taking his place among the prosperous and progressive farmers of his vicinity. He died upon his farm at the age of seventy-four years, having survived his wife some time, her death occurring when she was seventy years of age. In their family were four children. Annie was twice married. She first wedded L. M. Longland and after his death was united in marriage to Sorn Mostad. She died leaving two sons by her first marriage and five daughters by her second. John N. is the subject of this review. Edward makes his home in Decorah. Louise, the youngest member of the family, is a resident of Seattle, Washington.
John N. Istad grew to manhood on the homestead and before he was out of his teens had mastered all the details of its operation and was a practical and able agriculturist. This property he now owns and it embraces two hundred and ninety acres of fine farming land on section 26, Pleasant township, all the improvements of which were made either by his father or himself. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising and under his able management both departments of activity have been profitable and important.
On the 15th of December, 1883, Mr. Istad was united in marriage to Miss Mary Halverson, who was born in Allamakee county, Iowa. September 4, 1860. She is a daughter of John and Inga Halverson, natives of Norway, who with their two eldest sons came to the United States about 1850, settling in this part of the state, where they continued to reside for many years, both dying in Allamakee county. In their family were nine children, six of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Istad became the parents of eight children: Nora, the wife of Theodore Juve; John, who passed away at the age of twenty-three years; Emelia, the wife of Alfred Blugen, of Pleasant township; and Ida, Arthur. Delia. Etta and Mabel, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Istad is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and guides his honorable and upright life by the principles in which he believes. The farm which he now owns is a visible evidence of his life of thrift and business enterprise and his success places him in the front ranks of the able and progressive agriculturists in his township.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
BIg Canoe Lutheran Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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