Ulen, R. K. 1849 – 1925

ULEN, OLSON, PETERSON, QUALLEY, OLESON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/10/2015 at 13:47:12

R. K. ULEN.
An enterprising and progressive spirit and an unfaltering determination, guided and controlled by sound and practical business judgment, have formed the basis of the success of R. K. Ulen and have brought him to a position among the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Winneshiek county. He began life as a poor boy and has worked his own way steadily upward to prosperity, his present success crowning many years of earnest and unremitting labor. He was born in Hallingdal, Norway, on the 9th of August, 1849, and is a son of Knute and Rindy (Olson) Ulen, natives of that country, where the father engaged in farming until 1857. In that year they crossed the Atlantic to America and located near Spring Grove, Minnesota, the father purchasing land in Fillmore county. After improving this he disposed of his holdings and bought a farm in Clay county which he operated for the remainder of his life, passing away in 1893. He had long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1866.

R. K. Ulen was about eight years of age when he was brought by his parents to America and he settled with them in Minnesota, where he acquired a very limited education, taking advantage when he could of such opportunities as the district afforded. He became a wage earner when he was nine years of age and from that time until he had attained his majority worked at farm labor in the employ of others, becoming during that period thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. During the last nine seasons he drove four yoke of oxen, breaking new land, but when he was twenty-one he gave up this occupation and came to Winneshiek county, where he purchased forty acres on sections 17 and 18, Decorah township. After clearing and improving this he purchased more land and now owns three hundred and sixty-five acres adjoining the city of Decorah. This property he has since continued to operate and by constantly following the most progressive and practical methods in its cultivation has made it one of the finest and best improved farms in this section of the state. He owns in addition one hundred and sixty acres in North Dakota and for seventeen years operated an extensive dairy business, running milk routes in Decorah. His interests have always been carefully and capably conducted, for he is a resourceful, farsighted and discriminating business man and the success which he enjoys is well deserved and has always been worthily used.

On December 17, 1871, Mr. Ulen was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Qualley, a daughter of Gilbert Peterson and Bertha (Oleson) Qualley, born at Vestre Slidre Valders, Norway, who came to America and located in Minnesota, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. He later disposed of his holdings there and came to Winneshiek county, buying a small place near Decorah, whereon he resided until his death. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ulen became the parents of nine children, four of whom are living, namely: George and Peter, at home; Edward, who is operating one of his father's farms; and Isabella, also at home.

Mr. Ulen is a member of the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party although he has never been active as an office seeker. He has always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, for he commenced life empty-handed, knowing that he must depend solely upon his own labors for advancement. He started out a poor boy and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own perseverance and capable control of his business affairs. In all of his dealings he has been strictly honorable and he is today one of the large landowners of the county, having accumulated a substantial fortune.

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

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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