HALVORSON, Andrew

HALVORSON, BERGENSON, IVERSON, HELGESON, KJOS, WOOD, LARSON, GUNDERSON, OLSON, DAHL, JOHNSON, JACOBSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 12:34:49

Andrew Halvorson, who is operating a fine farm on section 36, Newburg township, Mitchell county, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, January 22, 1847, a son of Hans and Martha Olson. The parents were born and reared in Norway and were there married just prior to their emigration to the United States in, 1842. They were among the first to come to America from their country. For some years they lived in Rock county, Wisconsin, but in 1853 joined Rev. Clausen's band, which removed to Mitchell county, Iowa.

Mr. Halvorson became the owner of a tract of good land adjoining the river in Newburg township. He cleared the place of timber and made other improvements but the buildings now on the farm were erected by his son Andrew. The father's death occurred September 21, 1872, and he was buried in Riverview cemetery. The mother, who was born June 1, 1812, died January 5, 1890. They had six children, as follows: Helen, who married Nils Bergenson and died at her home at Freeborn, Minnesota: Ole, who is deceased and is buried in Riverview cemetery; Andrew; Betsy, the wife of Ole Olson, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Emily, who married Gilbert Iverson, of Emmons, Minnesota; and Mary, the wife of Paul Jacobson, of Clear Lake, Iowa.

Andrew Halvorson received a common school education and gained valuable training in farm work through assisting his father in the development and cultivation of the homestead. At his father's death he took charge of .its operation and has since farmed on his own account. In addition to raising the usual field crops he has a dairy herd and engages in trucking as well. He gives careful thought to the management of his various interests and his annual income is a gratifying one. The farm is well improved and is one of the valuable properties of the township. He is also a stockholder in the Cooperative Lumber & Grain Company and in the local creamery.

On the 15th of May, 1873, Mr. Halvorson was married to Miss Anna Lucinda Helgeson, who was born in St. Ansgar, May 31, 1855, and was baptized by Rev. Clauson. Her father, John Helgeson, first married Anne Kjos, and to this union four children were born, of whom only one, Mrs. Frank Wood, of Jordan, Minnesota, survives. Following the demise of his first wife Mr. Helgeson married Miss Anne Larson, who was born on the 26th of November, 1818, and died November 26, 1894. To this union were born two daughters: Louise, the deceased wife of Erick Gunderson and Anna Lucinda, the wife of Andrew Halvorson. Mrs. Halvorson died May 22, 1917, leaving to mourn her loss twelve children, as follows: Helen M., the wife of G. J. Johnson, of St. Ansgar, Iowa; J. Henry and Albert O., both of whom are farming near Glyndon, Minnesota; George, who is farming in St. Ansgar township, this county; Mary L., the wife of I. A. Dahl, of St. Ansgar; Martin, who is on the home farm; Ida E., who married C. I. Dahl, of Adrian, North Dakota; Clarence, of Park Rapids, Minnesota ; Clara; Elmer; Irvin; and Lorene, who is a resident of St. Ansgar.

Mr. Halvorson is an adherent of the republican party and has taken consider­able part in public affairs. Since the day that he attained his majority he has been a member of the school board and for six years he has filled the office of township trustee. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church and he has been a trustee for fifteen years. He has made his influence felt along many lines of activity contributing to the general welfare and his salient qualities are such that those who know him best esteem him most.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 51.