Moe, Ole O. 1840 – 1923

MOE, MUNSON, ANDERSON, TOVSON, GUTTEBO, HANSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/16/2015 at 07:53:44

OLE O. MOE.

Norway has contributed largely to the citizenship of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and among her native sons who are winning success in the state of their adoption is Ole O. Moe, owner of a valuable farm in Springfield township, this county, and stockholder in various important business enterprises of this district. He was born in Norway on the 16th of September, 1840, a son of Ole and Jane Moe, who were also natives of that country but came to America in 1857. Upon arriving in the United States the parents made their way direct to Wisconsin where they resided for three years, after which they came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating in Glenwood township upon a tract of land which the father had to clear ere he could convert it into productive fields. His remaining days were devoted to the improvement of that farm, and there he passed away in 1888. His wife's demise occurred two years later, in 1890.

Ole O. Moe did not accompany his parents on their removal to the new world, but remained in his native land until twenty-two years of age before making the journey across the Atlantic. Arriving in this country in 1862, he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and during his first four years here worked out as a farm hand. At the expiration of that period, however, as the result of industry, thrift and enterprise, he was able to invest in land and began farming on his own account on a tract of eighty acres which he purchased in Glenwood township. To the improvement of that farm he devoted the succeeding twenty years, at the expiration of which he sold out and bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Frankville township which he continued to operate for thirteen years. Again he sold out and, removing to Springfield township, invested in another one hundred and sixty acre farm, located on section 11, upon which he yet makes his home. He engages in general farming, following up-to-date, progressive methods, and the neat and attractive appearance of his farm bespeaks a life of industry, enterprise and perseverance on his part. The annual yield of his fields is most gratifying, returning to him a substantial income, and he is numbered among the successful and prosperous agriculturists of his section. Although his time and attention are fully occupied by the careful supervision of his farm he yet has other interests and is a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company, the Nordness Telephone Company and the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah.

Mr. Moe was married, on the 4th of March, 1865, to Miss Esther Munson, a native of Norway, and to this union have been born eleven children, as follows: John, filling the office of postmaster at Ossian, Winneshiek county; Julius, a merchant of Chester, Iowa; Andrew, who is farming on his father's place; Nicholas, a buttermaker in the creamery at Ossian; Charles, living at home; Ole, a resident of Decorah; Caroline, who married Andrew Anderson, a farmer of Frankville township; Mary, the wife of Svenung Tovson, an agriculturist of Springfield township; Emma, who married Peter Guttebo, who is engaged in farming in this township; Amelia, living at home with her father; and Ella, the wife of Carl Hanson, a professor in a school at Roland, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away very suddenly in August, 1899, after only one day of illness, and her death was greatly mourned not only by the immediate members of her family but by many friends who held her in high esteem. Mr. Moe's religious faith is that of the Lutheran church while his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. High ideals of manhood and the sense of honor and integrity which govern all of his dealings with his fellowmen have won Mr. Moe the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact and during his residence in Winneshiek county he has gained many warm friends.

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

Washington Prairie Lutheran cemetery gravestone
 

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