IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

S. J. Svendson

 

S. J. Svendson is cultivating eighty acres of productive soil in Waterloo township and has been so engaged since he was twenty-six years of age. He is practical in his methods and consequently successful and he has gained a comfortable degree of prosperity and a growing prominence among his fellow citizens in both private and public life. He was born in this township in 1860, a son of Jonas and Mette Svendson, both natives of Norway. They emigrated to America in 1856 and steeled in Waterloo township, Allamakee county, Iowa, the father purchasing government land upon which he has since resided and to the cultivation of which he has continued to give his attention. He now owns a fine tract of one hundred and two acres, all under cultivation, and in its operation is still active although he has reached the age of seventy-five years. His wife also survives at the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were twelve children but only five are living, namely: Mary, the wife of Nick Johnson, of North Dakota; S. J.; of this review; Petra, with wife of O. Ovenmoe, of Waterloo township; Martin, residing in Canada; and Rena, who married Charles Rossow, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The deceased are Isabelle, Rena, John, Isabelle, Gertrude, Gilbert and one, who died in infancy.

In Waterloo township S. J. Svendson received his education and in the home fields, under the direction of his father, acquired thorough training along agricultural lines, He remained with his parents, giving them the benefit of his assistance, until twenty-six years of age, when, wishing to engage independently in farming, he purchased forty acres of land in Waterloo township which forms the nucleus of his present farm. To this he added from time to time and now has a tract of eighty acres, all finely improved and under cultivation. He divides his attention between farming and stock-raising and has been successful from the beginning of his independent career, his present prosperity being based on continuous endeavor along developing lines. His home is situated four mile west of Dorchester.

It was in 1899 that Mr. Svendson was united in marriage to Miss Gena Vongraven, who was born in Norway and as a little maiden of three years came with her parents to the United States in 1879, the family home being established in Waterloo township, where the parents have since continued to reside. She is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: Claus, of Minnesota; John, of Alaska; Johanna, who married John McMullen, of Winneshiek county; Lewis, of Allamakee county; Lucy, the widow of Arthur Nimmocks, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; and one who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Svendson were born four children: Jonas, born in 1899, whose death occurred in 1912; Ole, born April 4, 1901; Gilbert, born April 20, 1902 and Morris Arthur, January 24, 1909. The family hold membership in the Lutheran church and are held in high esteem by all who know them. Mr. Svendson is a republican in politics and is not unknown in public life, having served as township clerk and is now acting as township assessor, which office he has held for five years. He is a public-spirited citizen and a faithful and efficient public servant and his life has been spent honorably and usefully in a worthy occupation.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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