Neste, Peter K. 1854 – 1938
NESTE, HAMBRE, THORGESON, BAKKE, HOYNE, BOE
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/17/2015 at 18:55:04
PETER K. NESTE.
Peter K. Neste is one of the highly respected citizens of Winneshiek county owning a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres located on section 36, Madison township. He was born on the farm which is now his home, November 24, 1854, a son of Knute K. and Ingie (Hambre) Neste, both of whom were natives of Norway. Upon his emigration to the new world, the father located first in Koshkonong, Wisconsin, the year of his arrival being 1853. He spent but a few months there, however, soon removing to Winneshiek county, Here he purchased a tract of eighty acres, which he at once set about clearing and improving, and as he prospered in his undertakings he was at length enabled to add to his holdings a tract of one hundred and five acres, making in all one hundred and eighty-five acres, which constitutes the tract now in possession of the son, who is the subject of this sketch. The father made farming his life work and died on the old homestead in 1889. His wife survived five years, departing this life in 1894.
Peter K. Neste was reared to habits of industry and frugality on the home farm, assisting in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the district school near his home. He remained with his father until after he had reached his majority, when in 1877, he went to Worth county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. This land he improved and cultivated until 1892, when he rented the place and returned to the old homestead, having in the meantime purchased the latter. He has since given his attention to the cultivation of the place and has also made some improvements since taking possession, so that he now has one of the model farms of Madison township.
Mr. Neste has found a valuable helpmate in his wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Sarah M. Thorgeson, and to whom he was married in March, 1874. Her parents, Torger and Rangel (Hoyne) Bakke, natives of Norway, came to Winneshiek county at an early day. They, however, upon their emigration to the new world, spent a short time at Port Washington, Wisconsin, prior to their removal to Winneshiek county. Their last years, however, were spent in Winnebago county, Iowa, where both passed away, the father in 1899, and the mother in 1909.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neste have been born twelve children but four of the number died in infancy and Lewis died in 1910. Those who survive are: Knute, under the parental roof; Theodore, who is a minister, now located at Astoria. Oregon; James, who makes his home in Minnesota; Lawrence, at home; Dina, the wife of Andrew Boe, of Winneshiek county; Ida and Stena, also at home.
Mr. Neste holds stock in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah, and also in the Farmers Hog Buying Company of this place. He is a republican in his political belief, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. He has never held public office except in connection with the school board, having served as trustee and director of Madison township. He possesses many sterling traits of character, is honest in all his business transactions, and is highly respected in the locality where he has spent practically his entire life.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Union Prairie cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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