GILBERT GULLICKSON

Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, leaving behind it sorrow and desolation. Deep regret was felt on every hand when it was learned that Gilbert Gullickson had passed away on the 15th of July, 1908, when he was in the seventy-second year of his age. He had long been a well known and representative farmer of Grove township, Worth county, living on section 7. He was born in Norway, February 14, 1837, a son of Gilbert and Mary Gullickson, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they spent their entire lives, the father following the occupation of farming.

Gilbert Gullickson remained a resident of his native country until he reached the age of twenty years, when, in 1857, he emigrated to the new world and established his home in Walworth county, Wisconsin. There he resided for a year and in 1858 started for California in quest of gold. Although such a trip was fraught with hardships and difficulties, many travelers at that period being killed by the Indians, Mr. Gullickson managed to arrive safely at his destination. The trip was made with ox teams across the long stretches of hot sand and over the mountain passes. He remained a resident of California until 1873, when he returned through Idaho, where he followed mining for three years. He then started for Norway and spent another year in his native land, but the lure of the new world was upon him and he again bade adieu to friends and native country and sought a home in the United States. He made Iowa his destination and on returning purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Grove township, Worth county, which is now the property of his widow. He at once began to develop and improve the place and concentrated his efforts and attention upon its further cultivation throughout his entire life. His labors resulted in making it a valuable farm property, upon which he lived until his life's labors were ended. His widow still resides there at the age of sixty-seven years.

It was on the13th of June, 1871, that Mr. Gullickson was married to Miss Anna Peterson, a daughter of Peter and Sygne Peterson. She was born in Norway, and her parents were likewise natives of that country, where they always remained. Mrs. Gullickson came to the United States with friends and was married in Northwood. By her marriage she became the mother of fourteen children of whom the following are living: Henry G., Albert C., Lena, George E., Walter, Elmer, Mrs. Ella Butler and Ernest S. The last named is now in North Dakota.

Mrs. Gullickson holds membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church, to which Mr. Gullickson also belonged. They were generous supporters of the church and did everything in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. After coming to the new world Mr. Gullickson took out his naturalization papers and he gave his political support on attaining the right of franchise to the republican party, believing firmly in its principles yet never seeking or desiring office. He had many interesting and sometimes exciting experiences during his sojourn in the west but after returning to Iowa lived the quiet life of the farmer, contributing in no small measure to the agricultural development of this section of the state.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 235 & 236

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 9/22/2006