Viste, Olaus 1870 - 1952
VISTE, OPPEN, SOLAND, EGGE
Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 10/24/2004 at 14:32:52
Taken from History of Winneshiek County Vol. II
Olaus Viste, who is successfully engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising in Decorah township, owns a tract of two hundred acres of land on section 34, on which he has made his home from his birth to the present time. He was born in September, 1870, a son of Ole and Sigrid (Oppen) Viste, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1853 and located first in Wisconsin but the following year came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, purchasing a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Decorah township, which is now included within that of our subject. He turned his attention to the task of clearing and improving the place and there carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1895, when he sold the farm to his son Olaus. His demise occurred on the 8th of March, 1905, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-eight years, the community thus losing one of its most esteemed citizens and a pioneeer agriculturist who have lived here for more than a half century. His widow, who makes her home with our subject, is now eighty-four years of age. Their family numbered thirteen children, nine of whom are living.
Olaus Viste was reared and educated in this county, first attending the district schools and subsequently continuing his studies in Decorah. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until 1895 and in that year purchased the property, which now embraces two hundred acres of valuable land. He has been successfully engaged in its cultivation to the present time and has enhanced its value by many substantial improvements. In connection with the production of cereals he has also devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, meeting with good reults in both branches of his business.
On the 22d of October, 1902, Mr. Viste was united in marriage to Miss Ella Soland, a daughter of Gilbert and Magdalene (Egge) Soland, both of whom were natives of Winneshiek county, Iowa. The mother passed away in 1885, but the father survives and follows farming in Springfield township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Viste have been born two children, namely: Sigrid Bertha Magdalene, whose birth occurred on the 9th of September, 1903,; and Olga Ragnhild Gunhilde, who was born on the 4th of December, 1908, and passed away on the 18th of the same month.
In his political views Mr. Viste is a republican and at present is ably serving as one of the trustees of Decorah township. In religious faith he is a Luthern. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Winneshiek county and have an extensive circle of warm friends here.
Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen