H. G. Burtness, one of the most prominent citizens and businessmen of Fertile Township, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits on section 1, has spent the greater part of his life in Worth County, although his birth occurred in Houston County, Minnesota, on the 8th of January, 1873. He is a son of Guttorm and Bereth (Kieland) Burtness, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of his brother, Gerhard B. Burtness, on another page of this work.

H. G. Burtness was educated in the district schools and in the Luther Academy at Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he completed a commercial course with the class of 1893. In 1895 he engaged in merchandising in Kensett, Iowa, and devoted two years to that business. In 1897 he turned his attention to farming by renting a portion of the old home place, which he continued to cultivate for two years. Later he purchased his present home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and to which be has added many modern improvements and equipments. He also owns forty acres of the old homestead.

On the 30th of December, 1895, Mr. Burtness was united in marriage to Miss Ida Kittleson, a daughter of Ole Kittleson, now deceased. They have become parents of four sons: George and Norman, who are now students in the Luther Academy; and Olger and Vernon, both at home.

In his political views Mr. Burtness is a republican, having always supported the party since attaining adult age. He has served as justice of the peace for several years and his decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case. He has also served as township trustee for eight years and has made an excellent record in office by his marked devotion to duty. His time is divided between his public activities and his business interests, which have constantly and steadily grown in volume and importance. Aside from the operation of the home farm he has done effective work in winning success for various business enterprises with which he is connected.

He is now a stockholder and the second vice president of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Hanlontown, is a stockholder of the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company of Hanlontown, is a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company of Joice and has been president and manager of the Hanlontown Creamery Company since its organization. He is thus actively and prominently identified with many public interests contributing to the commercial development and prosperity of the county. At the same time he recognizes his duties in other connections and he and his family are devoted members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to which they make generous contribution.

---

From: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, Page 457

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, Oct. 2003