ANDREW S. HELGELAND

Among the excellent farm properties of Hartland township is the home of Andrew S. Helgeland, a place of eighty acres which is improved with fine buildings and all the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century. In the conduct of his property Mr. Helgeland displays a most enterprising spirit and undaunted industry. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred December 30, 1871, his parents being Severt and Catharine (Torgerson) Helgeland. The father was born in Voss, Norway, November 3, 1826, and the mother is also a native of that country, where they were married August 18, 1856. Soon afterward they sailed for the new world and took up their abode in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where they remained for six years. A removal was then made to Fillmore county, Minnesota, but a year later they became residents of Iowa, taking up their abode in Hartland township, Worth county, in 1863. Here the father purchased land on section 34, acquiring two hundred acres, to the further development and improvement of which he devoted his remaining days, becoming one of the representative and successful agriculturists of the community. He passed away upon that farm in 1908 and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to his immediate family but also to many friends and to the community as well, for he had proven himself a substantial and loyal citizen. His widow is still living and now makes her home with her son Andrew, at the age of eighty-four years.

Andrew S. Helgeland spent his boyhood days on the old homestead and pursued his education in the district schools, which he attended through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he worked with his father upon the home farm and thus became familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He afterward worked with his brother upon the farm and later they divided the property following the father's death, Andrew S. Helgeland coming into possession of eighty acres of the old homestead. This constitutes one of the excellent farms of Hartland township. He has erected thereon a modern dwelling and fine buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He carries on general farming and annually harvests excellent crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his place.

On June 29, 1896, Mr. Helgeland was united in marriage to Miss Emma Nelson, who was born in Naes Hallingdal, Norway, and came to the United States with her parents when five years of age. She is a daughter of Nels Knutson Rukke and Randina Garness, who on crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Kensett township, Worth county, where the father operated a farm for two years. He then removed to Hartland township in the same county and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He has reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years, while his wife is seventy-nine years of age, and both are yet enjoying good health. To Mr. and Mrs. Helgeland have been born six children, as follows: Rosella C., who passed away on the 14th of May, 1906; Sander Norman; Viola Edith; Robert Clifford; Elmer Arthur; and Gladys Mildred.

Mr. Helgeland exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, with which he has affiliated since attaining his majority. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and are actively interested in all those forces and movements which work for the benefit and upbuilding of the community in which they live. Their genuine worth has gained them many warm friends and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by those who know them.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 253 & 254

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 10/5/2006