The K.O. Lura (Knute Olson) Family
One of the pioneer families settling in the McCallsburg area was the Knute Olson (K.O. Lura) family.
Knute Olson was born on the Island of Lura, seven miles south of Stavanger, Norway, on December 9, 1848.
When he was about 20 years old, he decided to come to America. Money for the passage was hard to get, so he signed as a seaman on a passenger ship sailing between Norway and Canada. To pay for his passage he agreed to make two trips. Fate decreed other wise.
On this first voyage was a young lass of 18 years, Bergithe Larson, who was born June 9, 1850. Love bloomed on the long three month voyage.
When the ship docked in Canada, Knute jumped the ship to follow his love. Many interesting stories are told of how he and a cousin dodged the authorities, until the ship was forced to sail back to Norway without them.
Of course Knute followed his love to where she was with a relative in Chicago. On February 9, 1871, they were married.
Soon after their marriage, they came to McCallsburg and its area to find their home and to spend the rest of their lives.
It was evident quite soon that there were far too many Olsons in the area. Mix-ups in mail and such matters were often occurring. So Knute Olson decided to add another name to Knute Olson. He chose the name of the little island of his birth, Lura. After that the name of K. O. Lura was a prominent one in the community. Two brothers, who had settled near, also took the same name, thus all the Lura's claim a relationship.
Farming was their chosen occupation. A number of farms in the area can attest to the fact that at one time K.O. Lura had owned it.
To this union were born 13 children. It was several years after, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, before Mrs. Lura passed away. The thirteen born were: Inger, now Mrs. Vickre, born December 15, 1871; Louise, now Mrs. Amos Hanson, mother of Mrs. Andy Thompson, born June 27, 1873; Olava, now Mrs. Milt Hanson, born June 9, 1875; Corneil, born May 3, 1877; Bertha, now Mrs. Ole Nessa, born June 26, 1879; Lewis, the father of Carroll, Gordon, and Loren, born November 1, 1881; Paul, born January 10, 1883; Martin, born October 19, 1885; Peter, who resided in this area until his death, born October 7, 1887; Carl, born May 8, 1888; Alma, now Mrs. George Vallem, mother of Gerald, Kenneth, and Maxine, born May 20, 1890; Arthur, born December 7, 1893; and Otis, born November 19, 1896. Three of the thirteen are living, they are Carl, who lives in Nevada, Alma, who lives in Nevada, and Arthur, who lives in Marshalltown.
It would be difficult to attempt to count the many descendants of Knute and Bergithe Larson. All certainly hold a fond tie to the fine farming community around the great little town of McCallsburg.
Several Lura's have aided in the development of the town. Lewis Lura served for some time on the school board and city council, and Mrs. Carroll Lura and Mrs. Gordon Lura taught in the schools. Since 1947, Carroll Lura has served as a member of the town council and since 1948 as a member of the fire department, for the last 19 years he has been serving as fire chief.
Gerald Vallem, son of Alma Lura Vallem, served as Secretary of the school board for twelve years, also city clerk on the town council for three years, and adjutant of the local American Legion for three years. At the present Gerald is looking after the insurance needs, of this town.
At this time the only descendents of K. O. Lura that live in McCallsburg are Gerald Vallem and Carroll Lura.
George J. Vallem Family
George J. Vallem was born April 25, 1886 on a farm near Garden City and lived most of his boyhood life on a farm south of Garden City. Both his mother and father came to this country from Norway and lived a short time in Story County and later in Hardin County.
George Vallem and Alma Lura were married February 10, 1909. Alma Lura was born May 20, 1889 on a farm northwest of McCallsburg. Both of her parents also came to this country from Norway. After they were married they moved to a farm east of McCallsburg. They lived on the farm most of their married life except for a short time in McCallsburg and Zearing.
They are the parents of five children, Maxine, now Mrs. Charles Hulse of Des Moines; Kenneth, living in Davenport; Gerald of McCallsburg, and Orville and Raymond. Raymond died at the age of five and Orville at the age of forty.
George Vallem served for many years as a member of the McCallsburg Consolidated School Board and as a member of the Farmers Coop. Co. elevator board.
At the present time Mr. and Mrs. George Vallem are living at the Oak Park Manor Nursing Home in Nevada, Iowa where George has been in ill health for the last three years.
The Baumgardner Family
Bert H. Baumgardner was born in Wapello County, Iowa and came to Warren Township with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Baumgardner in 1874. They lived on a farm three miles southwest of McCallsburg where he grew to manhood. At high noon at the Arrasmith homestead on March 31, 1897, he married Jennie Arrasmith. They started housekeeping on their farm three miles southwest of McCallsburg where they made their home the rest of their lives.
Two children were born to this union, Clyde in 1900 and Ruth in 1908.
Bert died in 1959 at the age of 86 and Jennie in 1968 at the age of 95. Clyde married Harriet Hougen of McCallsburg and they lived on the family farm until 1964 when they retired and moved to Minneapolis.
Ruth married Leonard Malmanger. They lived in Hammond, Ind. and Madison, Wisc. until they retired in July 1968 and moved to Sun City, Ariz.