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Knud Halverson

"Among the citizens of Clermont township who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with landed and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made a success of life, and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence.

Knud Halverson is a Scandinavian by nativity, having first seen the light of day in far-away Norway on March 24, 1835. He is a son of Halver and Margaret Knudson, both also natives of the "land of the midnight sun." In 1857, attracted by the alluring prospects offered in the New World, they set sail for the United States, and on landing came at once to Clayton county, Iowa, settling on a farm, to which they devoted their energies. Their deaths eventually occurred in Wisconsin, both at advanced ages, the father being eighty-eight years old and the mother ninety-five years and two months old at decease. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch and a sister survive.

The subject was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the schools of his native land. He came to the United States in 1855, two years prior to the coming of his parents, and he established himself in Clayton county, this state, where he successfully prosecuted farming operations and at the same time worked at the carpenter's trade, at which he had become an adept before leaving his native land. In 1905 he sold his Clayton county farm and came to Clermont, Fayette county, where he now resides. His success in business affairs has been pronounced and he has also acquired that which is of more importance - the good will and respect of the people with whom he has been associated for so many years. Persistent industry, good management and strict integrity have been the elements which have contributed to his success and today no man in the community stands higher in general esteem than does he.

In 1866, Mr. Halverson was united in marriage to Isabel Oleson, who also was a native of Norway, and to them was born a daughter, Anna Matilda, who married Edwin Knudson, now deceased, and they had two children, Mabel and Edna. Mrs. Halverson died in February, 1908.

Politically, Mr. Halverson has given a stanch support to the Republican party and has at all times taken a keen interest in public affairs, though in no sense has he been a seeker after public office. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belonged. He has been true to his life's duties and opportunities as they have come to him and has been a loyal supporter of his adopted government at all times. In marked evidence of this is the fact that in 1861, at the outbreak of the great Rebellion, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for the three-year service. After about a year's service, however, he was injured in the engagement at Florence, Alabama, and was sent to the hospital at St. Louis, being afterwards discharged from the service because of physical disability. He was a good soldier and faithfully served his country to the extent of his ability. He enjoys a wide acquaintance and is well liked by all who know him and who esteem him for his genuine worth.