Aaker, Drengman O. 1839 - 1894

AAKER, ELEFFSON

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 9/28/2022 at 20:10:00

Death: Aaker - At his home in Ridgeway, on the 30th the Hon. D.O. Aaker, aged 53 years, 6 months and 1 day. Mr. Aaker was born in Norway in Sept., 1839, but came to America with his parents when only nine years old. They first settled in Waukesha Co., Wis., but came to Iowa and located at what was then a promising point (now defunct) in the corner of Madison and Lincoln townships, called Burr Oak Springs. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Aaker promptly enlisted with Capt. Tupper in Co. G, of the 12th Iowa volunteer infantry. He served through the war and was a good soldier. In 1869 he married Christina Eleffson, who bore him Lena, John Theodore, Adolph Oscar, and Drengman Casper, all of whom survive him.

Always active in politics and public affairs, he held numerous local offices, and in 1880 ran for Clerk of the Courts against Myron J Harden, but was defeated. In the following year he ran for Representative in the Iowa General Assembly, was elected and re-elected two years later, making a creditable record for himself. In 1885 he ran for Senator and was beaten by T.W. Burdick.

When Rigeway was started he moved to the new town and engaged in the lumber trade. Later he became a member of the mercantile firm of Galby & Aaker. For a time prosperity attended them, but they were doing business on a falling market, then years later the wheat blight struck this region, and their debtors, unable to pay, moved away to the Dakotas and elsewhere, leaving the firm stranded financially. From this Mr. A. never recovered.

Socially and personally always genial; more than usually intelligent, "D.O." was always popular when before the public. He had his faults, as all have. His antagonisms were all political and not personal, and the grave covers them all with a mantle of love and oblivion. Peace to his ashes.

The funeral services were held Monday, a large concourse attending. Messrs. L.L. Cadwell, P. McCusker, R.F. Greer, John Harmon, C.L. Holcomb and O.A. Anderson of Col. Hughes Post, attended as pallbearers for their deceased comrade.

Decorah Republican, April 5th, 1894

Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen