Lomen, Ole O. 1861 – 1923

LOMEN, NORTHORP, KNUTSON, NESS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/8/2015 at 07:33:55

OLE O. LOMEN.

Ole O. Lomen, a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Winneshiek county, is the proprietor of the Washington Prairie Poultry and Fruit Farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2 and 3, Springfield township, and including the largest orchard in the county. On this place he has resided continuously from his birth to the present time with the exception of a period of five years spent in the military service of his country. He was born on the 22d of November, 1861, a son of Ole A. and Mary K. (Northorp) Lomen, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1848 and located first in Wisconsin but two years later, in June, 1850, came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, entering the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is now in possession of our subject. Clearing and improving the property, he continued active in its cultivation until the time of his death, which occurred in 1868. The demise of his wife occurred in 1888.

Ole O. Lomen was reared and educated in this county, pursuing his studies in the district schools. He remained with his mother until seventeen years of age and then, in November, 1879, enlisted in the regular army, serving as a soldier in Montana for five years. On returning to this state, in 1884, he purchased and took charge of the home farm and has been successfully engaged in its operation to the present time, having placed many substantial improvements thereon, thus enhancing its value. His is the largest orchard in Winneshiek county. Two years ago his apple crop amounted to four hundred barrels, besides fifty barrels that were not picked, while in the past year he shipped seventy-five bushels of plums to St. Paul. He also raises all kinds of berries and cherries and in 1912, though the crop was not nearly as good as usual, was awarded the second premium for the best collection of fruit at the Iowa State Fair. Mr. Lomen likewise breeds Holstein cattle, and his is probably the largest poultry establishment in the county, including fifteen different breeds. His farm is up-to-date in every respect and he is a modern agriculturist whose labors are attended with the most gratifying results. Since 1905 he has held the position of secretary of the Winneshiek County Horticultural Society, and he is also the president of the Nordness Telephone Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah.

In June, 1889, Mr. Lomen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Knutson, by whom he had two children, namely: Herbert, a young man of twenty-two years; and Grace, who is twenty years of age. Both are students in the high school at Decorah. The wife and mother passed away in September, 1892, after a short illness, and in December. 1894, Mr. Lomen was again married, his second union being with Miss Maria Ness, a daughter of S. M. Ness, of Springfield township. Unto them have been born five children, as follows: Ernest, whose demise occurred on the 3d of June, 1899; Ethel, who passed away on the 12th of January, 1901; Erline, who is eleven years old: and Oscar and Elenore, who are nine and five years of age respectively.

Mr. Lomen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done valuable service in the cause of education as secretary of the school board of Decorah township since 1889 or for almost a quarter of a century. For a period of nine years he also served as trustee of Springfield township, ever discharging his official duties in a most commendable and creditable manner. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Throughout his entire life he has quickly recognized and utilized opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by and in the improvement of the advantages which have come to him he has steadily progressed toward the goal of success and is now numbered among Winneshiek county's men of affluence.

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

Springfield Cemetery gravestone
 

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