History of Winnebago County and Hancock County Iowa
Vol. II  Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Company, 1917

S

Ole H. Severson, living on section 16, Amsterdam township, Hancock county, has here made his home since March, 1902, and is quite extensively and successfully engaged in the raising of polled Angus cattle. He was born in Vieka, Norway, on the 5th of May, 1852, his parents being Henry and Mary (Olson) Severson, who came to America in the year 1881. At the usual age Ole H. Severson became a pupil in the public schools of his native land, there pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen, when he quit school and was employed as a farm hand in Norway, receiving but twenty dollars per year for his services. Seeing little business outlook there, he determined to try his fortune in America and came to the United States when twenty-nine years of age. He worked by the month in Kendall county, Illinois, for three years and operated rented land for one year, after which he rented land in Grundy county, Illinois, for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Iowa, settling first in Wright county, where he rented land for eight years. He arrived in Hancock county with five hundred dollars and in March, 1902, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Amsterdam township, where he has since made his home. He is busily engaged in the cultivation of his fields, devoted to corn, wheat and other cereals well adapted to soil and climate, and one of the most important features of his farm work is the raising of polled Angus cattle, of which he has a fine herd, his live stock interests constituting an important branch of his business.

On the 21st of February, 1884, Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen A. Johnson, a daughter of John H. and Bertha (Thompson) Johnson, who were natives of Norway and came to America with their family, arriving on the 8th of July, 1872. Mrs. Severson was born in Carmoen, Norway, and is now fifty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have become the parents of ten children, of whom eight are yet living, namely: Jay H., Bertha M., Sadie A., and Mabel, all of whom are married; Melvin b., Anna, Edith N. and Orville R., who are yet at home.

Mr. Severson is a stanch advocate of the republican party and its principles, for he believes that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He does not seek office, for he prefers to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs, and in addition to his farming interests he is connected with the Kanawha Creamery and the Kanawha Elevator as a stockholder. Both he and his wife are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church and their lives are guided by its teachings.