Ole A. Bratsberg, grocer, North McGregor, was born in Troutam, Norway, Jan. 17, 1841. His parents were Andrew J. and Jennie (Lane) Bratsberg, natives of Norway, and both members of the Lutheran church. They had a family of nine children, Ole being the fourth child and third son. He attended school until sixteen, worked on his father's farm until twenty-three, was employed in a hotel at Troutam four years, then came to America, landed in Quebec, Canada, and thence to McGregor, Ia., where he has since remained. He worked in Flemming's saw-mill ten weeks, in lumber yard and sash factory of Seeler & Shaw two years and eight months, then opened his present grocery store. He was married in McGregor to Eliza Oleson on Apr. 7, 1876. She was born in Norway and was a daughter of Ole and Julia (Johnson) Oleson. Mr. and Mrs. Bratsberg are members of the Lutheran church, and have had two sons, viz.: Albert G. and Oscar J. Mr. Bratsberg carries a full stock of groceries, provisions and staple goods, valued at $3,000. He was a soldier in Norway seven years. He has held the office of Township, Trustee five years, and has been a member of the City Council of McGregor. He is one of the enterprising representative business men of North McGregor, where he has been identified since June 2, 1869. In politics he is a Republican. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 970 |