"History of Freeborn County", 1882
Newry Twp. Biographies
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THOMAS A. HELVIG is a native of Norway, born
on the 14th of September, 1845. He emigrated to America in 1861, and settled in Fayette county, Iowa. On the 27th of February, 1864, he enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and several others. In the winter of 1865 he was sick about a month, but afterwards returned to service and was sent to the regiment at Goldsborough, North Carolina, on the 2d of March, 1865. They marched from there to Washington, and after about three weeks was sent to Clinton, Iowa, where he received his discharge, and reached home on the 1st of July, 1865. On the 29th of November, 1867, he came to this place, and just two years after was joined in marriage with Miss Dora Benson. The following December Mr. Helvig purchased a farm in section thirteen, which has since been his home. In 1870 he was chosen a member of the board of Supervisors, and again in 1878; in 1876 was elected Town Clerk, and again in 1880 still filling the office. He is also clerk of his school district.
CHRISTIAN ERICK RUKKE was born in Norway on the 18th of July, 1822. He learned the stonemason trade in his native place, and worked at the same more or less until coming to America. He was married on the 14th of April, 1852, to Miss Randi Nelsdatter Sustegard, who has borne him fifteen children, eleven of whom are living, five bovs and six girls. In 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Rukke emigrated to this country, arriving in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 9th of August. The following year they moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, and in the spring of 1856 once more changed their place of residence, coming this time to Newry, where thev were among the first
settlers. Mr. Rukke was the organizer of school District No 79, and had control of it a number of years. He was the first Town Treasurer, and has been elected to different offices since but would not accept.
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