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Allamakee County >> 1913 Index Past and Present of Allamakee County Iowa D Unless otherwise specified, these biographies are submitted by Dick Barton. In
the death of Jacob Dahl, which occurred on his farm in Paint Creek
township in 1902, Allamakee county lost not only one of her most highly
respected pioneer settlers but also a representative and successful
citizen who for almost half a century contributed in substantial measure
to the general agricultural development of this part of Iowa.
He was
born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1824, and spent his childhood and youth in
his native country.
As a young man he became a sailor and followed the
sea for several years, eventually abandoning this and joining his
brother and a friend who lived in Orleans county, New York.
In 1854 he
came to Allamakee county, Iowa, purchasing the last eighty acres of
government land in this locality, and he here developed an excellent
farm, success steadily attending his well directed labors.
In 1866 he
removed to the property upon which his sons now reside, having purchased
a fifty-acre tract on section 13, Paint Creek township.
Some years
later he purchased another fifty acres, making the farm in all one
hundred and eighty acres.
This was slightly improved, containing a log
house and a straw-thatched stable, and Mr. Dahl set himself with
characteristic energy to the work of its further development, making it
in time one of the finest and most productive properties in his
vicinity.
He replaced the log cabin by a modern frame dwelling, built a
substantial barn and made many other improvements, his practical and
well directed efforts through the years being rewarded by a gratifying
measure of success.
In
Orleans county, New York, Mr. Dahl was united in marriage to Miss
Elsie Olson, a native of Skjold, near Stavanger, Norway, who was brought
to America by her mother and a grown brother when she was twelve years
of age and who passed away in 1887.
Nine children were born to their
union: Halver, who died in childhood; E. C. Dahl, a carpenter and
contractor, who when not engaged at his trade in other sections, makes
his home with his brothers; Melvin, who grew to maturity and went to
Norway, where he died; Oliver and Charles, who are operating the old
homestead; Albert, who is married and lives in Nebraska; Ricka, the wife
of Albert Vorseth, of Rosewood, Minnesota; John C., who died in
childhood; and one daughter who died at birth.
Oliver and Charles Dahl
make their home upon their father's farm and are developing and
improving it along practical and modern lines, ably carrying forward the
work which Jacob Dahl began in pioneer times.
Jacob
Dahl died upon his farm in Paint Creek township in 1902 and a life
of genuine and unostentatious usefulness was thus brought to a close.
His name and memory are yet cherished throughout the community where the
best and most forceful years of his life were passed and where his death
was mourned as a distinct loss to the county in the ranks of her honored
pioneers.
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