SAM SEVERSON

Sam Severson, who is engaged in general farming on section II, Barton township, where he has an excellent tract of land that has been brought under a high state of cultivation, has spent his entire life in Worth county, in fact was born on the farm where he yet makes his home, his natal day being April 29, 1877. His parents were Ole and Julia (Golberg) Severson. The father was born in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, and came to the United States in early life, the voyage being made on one of the old-time sailing vessels. Mr. Severson did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but at once made his way toward the interior of the country, settling in Mitchell county, Iowa, just east of St. Ansgar. There he purchased a tract of land of eighty acres and after cultivating that farm for four or five years and adding to it many modern improvements sold the property and removed to Worth county, taking up his abode on section11, Barton township. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, erected new buildings upon the place and improved the farm in every way, converting it into one of the most attractive and model farm properties of the district. He carried on general farming there for many years, his land annually producing good crops, and eventually he retired from active life, removing to St. Ansgar, where he resided for a time, but eventually took up his abode at Carpenter, Iowa, where he and his wife now make their home. He has reached the age of eighty-one years, while Mrs. Severson is sixty-six years of age. She was born in Wisconsin and they were married in this state. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Severson is a republican. They have long resided in Worth county, where they are widely known and have an extensive circle of warm friends.

Sam Severson whose name introduces this review spent his youthful days upon the home farm in Barton township and acquired his early education in the district schools, while later he became a student in the Academy of St. Ansgar, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. He then returned to the old homestead farm and worked with his father until 1898, when he began farming on his own account, purchasing one-half of the old homestead, or a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which he continued to further develop and improve. He now carries on general farming with good results. He has an attractive home and fine buildings upon his place and everything about the farm indicates his careful supervision and his progressive methods. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and the spirit of enterprise at all times actuates him in the conduct of his business affairs. He is determined to produce banner crops at this period when the country so largely needs everything that can be produced.

In 1898 Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ellingboe, a daughter of T. H. and Emma (Anderson) Ellingboe. Mrs. Severson was born in Wisconsin, as was her mother, but her father was a native of Norway. They were married in Wisconsin and on removing from that state became residents of Worth county, Iowa, where Mr. Ellingboe purchased a tract of land and carried on farming until his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1907. His widow is still living on the old homestead in Worth county. She belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which her husband was also a consistent member. To Mr. and Mrs. Severson have been born four sons. Arnold, who is nineteen years of age, enlisted for service in the United States Coast Artillery and is now in training in Florida, having left home on the 4th of March, 1918, to join the colors. The other sons are Roy, Lloyd and Donald, all under the parental roof.

Mr. Severson has held a number of local offices and for the past ten years has been township clerk. He is one of the most stanch champions of the cause of education to be found in his section of the county and was one of the few men who were leaders in the founding of the Carpenter Consolidated school, which is now in its third term. There are seven teachers employed in the school and it is a four term school, having all of the advantages offered in city institutions of similar character. The establishment of this school was indeed a progressive step and Mr. Severson deserves much credit for his active work in this connection. In fact, his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and he cooperates in many well defined plans and movements for the general good.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 641 & 642

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 11/20/2006