|
Allamakee County >> 1913 Index Past and Present of Allamakee County Iowa I Unless otherwise specified, these biographies are submitted by Dick Barton. Deeply
engraven on the pages of the history of Allamakee county is the
name of Lars Iverson, who came to this part of Iowa in 1854 and who in
the course of a long, honorable and worthy life firmly intrenched
himself in the regard, esteem and confidence of the entire community.
He was born in the province of Hardanger, Norway, June 16, 1821, and
spent his youth and early manhood in his native country.
He there
married Miss Guro Christoferson, also a native of Norway, born in April,
1819, and with his wife he came to America in 1851.
For three years
thereafter they made their home in Orleans county, New York, and in 1854
came west to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county in pioneer times.
Their
first home in this state was in a dugout opposite that occupied by Jacob
Dahl and his family, near the present site of the Dahl homestead, and
they continued to reside in this crude dwelling for one year, after
which they purchased a farm whereon the remainder of their lives was
spent.
This land lies on section 13, Paint Creek township, and when it
came into Mr. Iverson's possession was entirely unimproved.
With
characteristic energy he set himself to develop the place, clearing the
timber and erecting a log house which has been incorporated into the
fine modern dwelling now standing upon the homestead.
This little log
cabin still remains a happy memory to Mr. Iverson's children and his
daughter, Mrs. Espeland, says that although she has now attained the
ambition of her earlier years and has a modern and well furnished home,
yet she has never seen any house which looked quite so neat as her
mother's log cabin after a fresh coat of whitewash.
Upon this property
in Paint Creek township Mr. Iverson continued to reside for many years,
steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and cultivation,
success rapidly rewarding his well directed and practical labors.
The
farm became a valuable and productive property, reflecting everywhere
its owner's careful management and constant supervision, and it
constitutes today a notable contribution to the agricultural resources
of this section of Allamakee county.
Mr.
and Mrs. Iverson became the parents of three children:
Julia,
deceased;
Mrs. Dale, of Union county, South Dakota; and Mrs. Espeland,
who with her husband resides upon the Iverson homestead.
Mr. Iverson
was a devout member of the Lutheran church and he gave his political
allegiance to the democratic party, serving as school director and as
township trustee and on numerous occasions going to Waukon for jury
duty.
He was never so busy that his township could not call upon him
for cooperation in public affairs and any project which he believed
beneficial to the community received his earnest endorsement and hearty
support.
His long residence in this part of the state made him very
widely known and his sterling qualities gained him the good-will and
confidence of all with whom he was associated in business or social
relations.
He left to his family the priceless heritage of untarnished
name and an example that is well worthy of emulation when, on the 28th
of February, 1901, he passed away.
|