HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, VOL. II, 1918, page 328

The home of Andrew N. Hengesteg is a beautiful residence standing in the midst of his farm on section 29, Hartland township, Worth county. It is situated about a quarter of a mile back from the main road and stands upon a natural building site which commands an excellent view of the surrounding country. An air of neatness pervade,; the place and everything about the farm is indicative of the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

Mr. Hengesteg was born upon this farm July 15, 1857, his parents being and Carrie (Heltne) Hengesteg, who were natives of Norway, where they were reared and educated. Their marriage was celebrated in their native land and the father engaged in the cattle business there, while his father was a farmer of Norway. At length Nels Hengesteg decided to try his fortune in the new world and with his wife took passage on a sailing vessel which was bound for Quebec. 'Their voyage of eight weeks was ended when anchor was dropped in the harbor of the Canadian city, from which point they proceeded westward by way of canal and the Great Lakes, to Wisconsin. The took up their abode near Madison, Wisconsin, where they resided for four years, and then, like many of their fellow countrymen, sought the opportunities which Iowa offered and settled in Hartland township, Worth county, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm upon which their son, Andrew N. Hengesteg, now resides. Their first home in Iowa was a log house and they lived in true pioneer style until the convenience and opportunities of the east could be added to their western home. Mr. Hengesteg performed the arduous task of breaking the sod and planting the first furrows. From time to time he added to his land until his holdings comprised three hundred and seventy-five acres and he was numbered among the prosperous and representative farmers of the county. He died upon the old homestead at the age of forty-nine years, while his wife survived to the age of seventy-two years. They were both consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Hengesteg was a republican. He ever stood for Progress and improvement in public affairs and he took an active part in advanc­ing the agricultural development and progress of his community from the time when he traveled westward from Wisconsin with ox teams to cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Hartland township.

Andrew N. Hengesteg spent his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead farm in Hartland township, where he pursued his education to the age of sixteen years. He then took charge of the farm for his mother, his father having, in the meantime passed away. They lived in a log house for fifty years and it is still standing as one of the mute reminders of pioneer life and conditions. Mr. Hengesteg, however, today occupies a most beautiful residence that stands on an elevation and commands a fine view of his entire farm. He has not only care­fully cultivated and improved his home property but during a part of the time has also operated his farm three miles north of his present place, comprising one hundred and forty-three acres of rich and productive land. He owns altogether six hundred and three acres of fine farm land and is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this section.

On March 20, 1889, Mr. Hengesteg was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Johnson, a daughter of John and Ingeborg (Tenold) Johnson. Mrs. Hengesteg was born in Chicago, while her father came from Norway in early life, taking up his abode in Chicago, where he followed the cabinet making business, working for a time on railroad cars. He afterward removed to Hartland township, Worth county, where he invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he spent his remaining days. His wife was born in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Hengesteg have become the parents of six children, Nels, Josephine, Clara, Ida, Elmer and Alice.

Mr. Hengesteg is one of the well known pioneer settlers of northern Iowa. He can well remember the time when the Indians came in large numbers to this section of the country, forcing the settlers to leave, but later they were able to return to their farms. He can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer days and of the experiences which formed features of frontier life. As the years have gone on he has borne his part in the work of general transformation that has been wrought by the labors of the early settlers and the contrast of his log cabin home in boyhood and his beautiful residence of the present day indicates the changes which have occurred with the passing years

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland - October, 2005