Ole J. Fods arrived at Mitchell June 13, 1868, and three days later bought a tract of wild land on section 20, in what is now known as Rock township, upon which he has erected good farm buildings and adorned it with forest, ornamental and fruit trees, until now he has a valuable and desirable home.
He was born in Bergen Steift, Norway, Sept. 29, 1839, where he was reared and received his education, being confirmed at the age of fourteen. When he was fifteen he became to earn his own living, being engaged on a farm for two years, and then he engaged on another large farm, where he remained four years, on which he was employed as overseer the last two years.
He emigrated to the United States in 1861, landing at Montreal; from there to Chicago; thence to Madison, Wis., to seek relatives, with whom he engaged work, and remained until coming to Iowa. He was married October, 1864, to Karie Fedje, by whom he had eleven children - Lewis John, Andrew, John Edward, Thomas, Albert, Ingemon, Ida Rosellen, Paul Christian, Rhoda Olivia, Ellen Caroline and Emma Gustava.
Lewis is a student in the high school at St. Ansgar; was confirmed April 24, 1881; Andrew, May 18, 1882; John, March 20, 1883.
Mrs. Fods was also a native of Bergen Steift, born 1845. Her parents emigrated to America when she was eighteen months of age, locating in Dane Co., Wis., where her father died. Her mother is still living.
Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 466.
Transcribed: 2005, by Gordon Felland