Nels Levorson
The business enterprise of Hanlontown finds a worthy representative in Nels Levorson, the senior partner of the firm of Levorson & Knutsen, general merchants, in which connection a substantial business is being conducted. Mr. Leverson is a native of Worth county, Iowa. He was born on the 29th of July, 1862, and is a son of Levor Levorson, who came from Norway to the United States about 1853 and after spending three years in Wisconsin, where he was married to Miss Mary Johnson, they came to Iowa. His marriage was celebrated on the 7th of March, 1857. His wife had come to the new world in the same year that Mr. Levorson had crossed the Atlantic. She landed at Quebec and at once made her way to Wisconsin. In 1857 they removed to Iowa, settling in Mitchell county, and later in the same year took up their abode in Worth county, where Mr. Levorson purchased a quarter section of land from the government at the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre, his farm being situated in Bristol township, where he resided to the time of his death, giving his attention and energies to the further cultivation and improvement of his place. He passed away Apr:il 3, 1873, and is still survived by his widow, who yet lives on the old homestead. She was born October 28, 1836, and is now in her eighty-second year.
Nels Levorson was reared upon the old homestead farm and acquired a district school education, which was supplemented by study in the Decorah (Ia.) Business College. He afterward secured a position as clerk in a general store in Northwood, North Dakota, where he laid the foundation of his business training. After being there for seven years he engaged in business on his own account in Scarville, Winnebago county, Iowa, and was identified with the commercial interests of that town for a decade. In January, 1914, he came to Hanlontown and established business in that Place. In June, 1955, Mr. Knutsen purchased a half interest in the business, which,, has since been carried on under the firm style of Levorson & Knutsen. They now have a large and well appointed store and enjoy a very liberal and deserved patronage. In politics Mr. Levorson is a republican and is now serving as town clerk of Hanlontown. He stands for all that is progressive in citizenship and cooperates in many well defined plans and measures for the general good. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and his life has been guided by its teachings. He is today widely and favorably known in this section of the state and his entire of career has been one that has commanded for him the confidence and respect of those who know him.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Page 475
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, October 3, 2005