Iver Hendrickson

HENDRICKSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 7/8/2006 at 16:00:06

Iver Hendrickson is a native of Norway, born Feb. 18, 1833. When eighteen years of age he came to America, settled in Lafayette Co., Wis., where he lived five years; then removed to Allamakee Co., Iowa, where he remained until he came to Worth county in 1874. He was married June 8, 1859, to Ann Elizabeth Peterson. Eight children have blessed their union—Hans E., Annetta, Maria, Peter, Lewis, Eno Leonard, Oscar and Cornelius. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Hendrickson has 480 acres of good land. He was school director three years and trustee one year.Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 734 (Deer Creek Township)

Iver Hendrikson resides on section 7, Deer Creek township, Worth county, but since 1895 has taken no active part in farm work. Living retired, he is enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest and he has now reached the age of eighty-five years, his birth having occurred in Norway, February 18, 1833. His parents were Henry Erickson and Helen (Olsen) Hendrikson. The father and mother were both born in Norway, where they were reared and educated, Mr. Hendrikson following the occupation of farming. He died in that country in 1847 and the mother afterward came to America, making her way to Lafayette, Wisconsin, where she lived with her son Andrew, there passing away.
Iver Hendrikson spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and is indebted to its public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. At the age of seventeen years, however, he bade adieu to friends and native land and in 1850 sailed for the new world, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning the opportunities offered in the United States. He took passage on one of the old-time sailing vessels which was shipwrecked in the English channel and all of the masts were blown off, so that they had to return to Falmouth, England, for repairs. Thirteen weeks thus elapsed before the voyage was completed. At length, however, anchor was dropped in the harbor of Quebec, and from that point Mr. Hendrikson proceeded to Montreal and thence by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He located at Lafayette, Wisconsin, near Argyle, on the 3oth of September of that year and there remained until 1855. He afterward determined to resume his westward journey and by ox team traveled to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he took up his abode in Waterloo township. His earnings were then invested in a farm of forty acres in January, 1856, and to his original holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources increased, his farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres. Upon his place he built a little log house fourteen by twelve feet and began life in true pioneer style. There he carried on general farming until 1875, when he removed to Deer Creek township, Worth county. and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from Paul Paulson for fifteen dollars per acre. There was a log house upon the place but few improvements had been made. Again indefatigable energy and industry brought their reward and to his original farm he added as opportunity offered until within the boundaries of his place were comprised three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. This did not represent his total investment, however, for he also owned three hundred and twenty acres in Dane county, Wisconsin. He retired from active farming in 1895, leaving the work of the fields to others, and he has since enjoyed a well earned rest.
In 1859 Mr. Hendrikson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Peterson, a daughter of Lewis and Bertha Maria (Tostensen) Peterson. She, too, was born in Norway and in 1853 came to the United States with her parents, who settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, where they resided for four years. They removed to Houston, Texas, where her father purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrikson have become the parents of eight children, namely, Hans, Maria. Lauritz, Oscar.. Cornelius, Nettie, Peter and Eno Leonard.
The parents are consistent members of the Lutheran church and have guided their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Hendrikson has filled a number of local offices, being the first postmaster of Deer Creek, which office was opened in 1890. and at all times he has merited and received the trust and goodwill of his fellow townsmen. His has been an active and well spent life and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made for himself a very creditable and enviable position among the successful farmers of his section of the state. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do. He has never allowed obstacles and difficulties to discourage him but they have served rather as an impetus for renewed effort on his part and, advancing step by step, he has reached the goal of prosperity, his life history proving that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 400.