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Past and Present of Fayette County Iowa, 1910

Author: G. Blessin

 

B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana

Vol. II Biographical Index

Page 1427

 

Knudt Kettleson

Scandinavians and their descendants have played an important and appreciated part in the development of resources of Fayette county, Iowa, and today they are numbered among the leading and representative citizens of this prosperous community, one of the best all-around counties in the commonwealth of Missouri. Among those in whose veins flows Scandinavian blood is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who is a leading farmer of Clermont township and who, by persistent industry, good management and correct principles, has attained a definite and gratifying measure of success.

Mr. Kwttleson is a native son of Fayette county, having been born on March 16, 1855, and is a son of Hans and Helen Kettleson, both of whom were natives of Norway. These parents came to Fayette county in about 1852 and bought land, to the improvement and cultivation of which they devoted their energies, this being the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Hans Kettleson died in 1862 and is survived by his widow, who is now ninety years old. They reared a family of eight children, of which number seven, six daughters and a son, are now living. Politically, Hans Kettleson gave his support to the Republican party, while his religious belief was that of the Lutheran church, of which he was an active and faithful member, having been influential in advancing the interests of that denomination in this community. He was a man of sterling character and enjoyed universal respect in the community.

Knudt Kettleson, who was reared on the parental farmstead, is indebted to the common schools for his mental discipline and to the strenuous labor of his early years on the farm for a good constitution which has enabled him to perform much hard labor during the subsequent years. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and in this line has achieved a gratifying success, being known throughout the township as a progressive and up-to-date farmer. He is the owner of two hundred acres of as good land as can be found in the township, and the place is maintained in such a condition as to please the eye of the visitor and reflect great credit on the owner. Mr. Kettleson is thoroughly wide-awake to the possibilities of the farm and keeps in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, not hesitating to adopt new methods when their practicability has been demonstrated by experience. He raises some livestock, as a side line, and has found this work profitable.

On November 23, 1882, Mr. Kettleson married Christina Ostle, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Lars Ostle, who was an early settler of Fayette county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kettleson have been born five children, namely: Henry, Clara (deceased), Clara, Irene and Clifford. Mr. Kettleson is a stanch supporter of the Republic party in political affairs and takes a keen and intelligent interest in the trend of current events. In religion he and his family are affiliated with the Lutheran church, of which they are consistent members and earnest supporters. The members of this family move in the best social circles of the community and their home is the scene of many pleasant and enjoyable gatherings, their friends appreciating the spirit of good cheer and hospitality which is ever in evidence there. Mr. Kettleson is a man of splendid personal qualifications and enjoys not only a wide acquaintance, but many warm personal friendships.

~transcribed by Claudia Meyer
     

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