Evenson, Catherine Helen (Anderson) 1832 – 1901

EVENSON, ANDERSON, HAUGEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Source: Decorah Republican Dec. 5, 1901 P 2 C 1

Died at Northwood.
Lieut. O. A. Anderson received the sad intelligence yesterday of the death of his sister, Mrs. John Evenson, of Northwood. Mrs. Evenson will be remembered as a resident of Madison township up to about twelve years ago, when she went to reside with her daughter, since dead, but then the wife of Congressman Haugen. Since her daughter’s death she has continued to make her home with her son-in-law. Funeral services will be held to-morrow, and the remains brought to her old home for burial, services in the Madison church to be held Sunday.

Transcriber’s Note: Madison Lutheran Cemetery shows she was born April 6, 1832 and died Dec. 3, 1901.

Source: Decorah Republican Dec. 12, 1901 P 2 C 2

A Bit of Pioneer Romance Recalled to Memory by the
DEATH AND BURIAL OF THE BRIDE
At the end of half a Century the Bridegroom and Bride rest side by side in the Quiet of the Tomb,
The funeral of Mrs. John Evenson took place at the Madison township Lutheran church last Sunday. It deserves more than a brief announcement, because she was, so far as known, the first bride in this county. The story of her weding was told in the DECORAH REPUBLICAN upwards of a quarter century ago, and is one of the pleasant romances of local history. It was reproduced in Alexander’s History of Winnesheik County, and is as follows:
In 1850 a young man came from Norway to Iowa and found a spot of ground that suited him in what is now known as Madison township, Winnesheik county. So for as ascertained, he was its first settler. In the year following an older man followed him who was the father of at least one girl. As young men and maidens will, this young man and this young maiden agreed to wed. These parties were Johannes Evenson and Catherine Helen Anderson. At that time: as now, the law required the parties to have a license. In order to obtain this a visit to the Judge was necessary. Rev. N. Brandt, then a wandering missionary, was in the county, and would perform the ceremony. And if the chance escaped them, no knowing when another opportunity would be afforded, them. Mr. Evenson straightway started for Bloomfield township to see the Judge (Reed) and get a permit to enter into n matrimonial alliance. The missionary had promised to await his return. Mr. E. found the Judge absent. He had gone to Dubuque on official business. Imagine the sensations of that waiting bridegroom. Again the question: Would that minister tarry? After three days Judge Reed returned, and with the license in his pocket, John turned his footsteps homeward a happier man. No grass grew under his feet on that trip. The minister had remained, and the marriage ceremony was performed—the first, as the records show, to have been performed in the county. This license for marriage was granted on the 5th day of October, 1851.
Rev. Brandt, who officiated at this marriage, was an uncle of the bride. He is still living in excellent health— and was here to participate in the burial service. He tells us the license was a piece of writing in the simplest form. It covered a bit of paper only about two fingers wide; and, he said, almost every other word was misspelled. Johannes, the groom, was for many years the assessor of Madison township, and a man of sterling integrity. He died in August, 1887, and now two months more than a half-century after that wedding the mortal part of this pioneer wife is laid away to rest beside her beloved husband. To them ten children were born, eight of whom survive her. Of the two that died one was Mrs. G. N. Haugen, wife of our present member of Congress, Lieut. Ole A. Anderson of this city was one of Mrs. Evenson’s brothers,

Madison Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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