Jacobson, Abraham 1836 - 1910

JACOBSON, HEGG

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 11/14/2004 at 13:19:21

History of Winneshiek County Vol. II

On the list of Winneshiek county's honored dead appears the name of Abraham Jacobson, who had passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten ere death called him. His was a long and active life in which he did valuable service to his fellowmen, and his memory remains enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him as one whose ideals were lofty and whose purposes were high. He was one of Norway's contributions to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth occurring in Telemarken, January 3, 1836. He was a son of Jacob Abrahamson, who came to America in 1848, the family home being established near Muskego, in Racine county, Wisconsin. The parents later removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and here their remaining days were spent, the father passing away in 1879 and the mother in 1884.

Abraham Jacobson was a lad of twelve years when the family came to the new world, and at that early age he began working for the proprietor of a hotel, store and postoffice at Little Muskego Lake, Wisconsin, his wages being but twenty-five cents per week. He was thus engaged for two years, or until his parents removed to Iowa in 1850, locating in Winneshiek county near Decorah. Here the lad worked for two years but, ambitious for an education and desiring to enter the ministry, he in 1852, entered what was then known as the University of Illinois, at Springfield, an institution built and supported by the Lutherans. In order to bear his own expenses and pay his way through school Mr. Jacobson accepted the position of janitor and later served as custodian in the courthouse, in which Abraham Lincoln delivered many addresses before meetings while Mr. Jacobson was engaged in the latter capacity. After completing his course at college he was appointed pastor of the First Lutheran church at Chicago, Illinois, where he remained for one year, when he returned to Iowa but was soon called to the newly organized territory of Dakota, making the trip overland by ox team. His mission fields were at Yankton, Elk Point and Vermilion, where many Norwegian emigrants had formed settlements, and after assisting his countrymen at those points for a time he went to the quarantine station at Quebec, Canada, to give his aid to the Norwegian emigrants who were landing in that city in large numbers. In the fall of 1864 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where, desirous of extending his knowledge, he took a post-graduate course at the German Lutheran Theological Seminary, completing his studies there in 1866. In the winter of 1868 he was again sent into the missionary field, his work taking him to Minnesota, where he was compelled to make many trips over the snow-covered, trackless prairies on a pair of skis or Norwegian snow shoes. Later in that year he was called to Dane county, Wisconsin, as the permanent pastor of a church there, and he labored efficiently in that field until 1878 he was forced to retire from the ministry, his previous strenuous and incessant work in behalf of his fellowmen causing the failure of his health. He returned to his parents' home in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he bought the old homestead and cared for his father and mother until they departed this life. He at once began its further improvement and development, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and continued in its operation throughout his remaining days. He had other interests as well, and for more than fifteen years served as president of the Norwegian Mutual Life Insurance Company of Winneshiek county.

It was on the 3d of January, 1863, that Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Nicoline Hegg, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Hegg, both natives of Norway, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume under the caption of John Hegg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson were born eleven children, Clara, Mary, Jacob, Signe, Isaac, David, Helga, Otto, Carl, Christiane and Ragnvald. Mrs. Jacobson continues to make her home on the old farm of one hundred and seventy acres, located on section 2, Springfield township, and with her reide her daughter Clara and her son Carl, the latter taking charge of the operation of the property, which is known as Cloverdale Farm. Mr. Jacobson was stanch in his support of the republican party and ever took a deep interest in the material and political as well as the moral welfare of the community. His public-spirited citizenship was acknowledged by his fellowmen, who chose him to represent his district in the thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies. Mr. Jacobson passed away on the 15th of May, 1910, and his death was a matter of deep regret to all who knew him. At all times actuated by honorable purpose, he followed the dictates of a high ideal and great was the service he rendered his fellow citizens and especially his countrymen. If it is true that "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to others through us is the measure of our success," then, indeed, was success his in large measure.

North Washington Prairie cemetery gravestone
 

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