- BOTOLF TOLLEFSON was one of the early settlers of Jordan
township, Green county. He was
- born in Gorsvig, Flo-Anex, Hallingdal, Norway, Aug. 5, 1828
(Hallingdal is at some distance west from Christiana), and came
to America with his mother, brother and sister in 1846. He settled
first in Rock county, Wis., near the present town of Orfordville.
In 1850 he came to Jordan township and settled on the farm which
was ever after his home, engaging in agricultural pursuits. Though
he was in very limited circumstances at the time of his emigration,
Mr. TOLLEFSON succeeded in acquiring a handsome property, and
at the time of his death, Sept. 29, 1900, was the owner of 324
acres of valuable land, well improved and stocked, and without
encumbrance of any kind. He was considered one of the best farmers
in his section, and was highly respected by his neighbors and
friends for his honorable, upright life and his many sterling
qualities of head and heart, which won their good will as well
as their esteem. He was a stanch Republican in political faith,
and a Lutheran in religious connection.
- Mr. TOLLEFSON was thrice married. In 1853 he wedded Anna
REIERSDATER, who was
- born in Sigdal, Norway. Two children were born to them: Gunhil,
who is the wife of Hans H. HAUG, of Willow Lake, S. Dak.; and
Currie, wife of Elling ELLINGSON, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. TOLLEFSON
died in 1858, and her remains were buried in the Norwegian Lutheran
cemetery of Wiota township, Lafayette Co., Wis. In 1860 Mr. TOLLEFSON
married Anna ERICKSON, who was born in Fosse, Yttre-Sogn, Norway,
Sept. 5, 1822, and four children came of this union: Thomas,
who now owns the farm; Anna, wife of Golick GOLICKSON, a farmer
of Jordan township; Lena, wife of Lewis BOYNTON, a farmer of
Jordan township; and Erick, who married Clara OLSON, and resides
at Willow Lake, S. Dak. The mother of these children died March
25, 1880, and her remains were laid to rest in the Norwegian
Lutheran cemetery of Jordan township. In 1882 Mr. TOLLEFSON was
united in marriage with Marit ASLESEN, who was born in Kordsherad,
Norway, in 1845, and now lives on the old TOLLEFSON homestead.
On Sept. 29, 1900, after more than five years of sickness, Mr.
TOLLEFSON died, and his remains rest in the Norwegian Lutheran
cemetery, beside those of his second wife.
- Thomas TOLLEFSON was born in Jordan township June 7, 1861,
and has passed his entire life
- on the farm which is now his. His education was acquired
in the local public schools, and he received a good practical
training, which, aided by a retentive memory, has been of much
use to him in his business life. He has given all his attention
to farming, finding ample scope for his ability and energy in
the management of his large property, which is under a fine state
of cultivation, and has yielded good returns. However, he has
found time for public affairs, and has served acceptably as school
director, judge of election, justice of the peace and notary
public, and member of the township board, in all these positions
displaying clear judgment and an appreciation of all that is
best for the advancement and welfare of his community. His high
standards of citizenship and useful career have won him the unqualified
respect of his neighbors and friends, and deservedly, for he
is a man true to his convictions of right, and sincere in his
approval of every movement which promises to benefit the moral
or material condition of mankind in general. He is a member of
the Lutheran Church, and an ardent Republican in politics.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; pp. 634-635.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
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