HJORT, Ove Jacob died 1879

HJORT, PREUSS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/30/2026 at 17:37:57

This community was startled last Sunday morning by the announcement of the death of Rev. O.J. Hjort, a Norwegian Lutheran minister widely known throughout Northern Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

He died at the residence of N.A. Nelson, Esq., on Sunday morning, about 2 o'clock, of kidney complaint, of which he had been ailing for six months past. He had not, however, been confined to his bed but a few days.

Rev. Hjort came from Christiana, Norway, and settled in Allamakee county in the spring of 1862. He had charge of four churches in his parish, two in Paint creek township, one on Fagrie Prairie, and one in Lansing, the buildings all having been erected since he came here and under his direction.

His age was 53 years. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon from his late residence in Paint Creek township.

~Lansing Journal, Wednesday, December 17, 1879; pg 3

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No announcement could have been received with more regret, especially among our Norwegian citizens, than that of the death of Rev. Ove Jacob Hjort, Pastor f the Lutheran churches of this place and vicinity, which occurred at the residence of Esq. N.A. Nelson, in Lansing, at two o'clock on the morning of Sunday last.

Indeed it was not generally known that he was seriously ill until the fact of death was made public, hence the more profound regret. For some months he had been ailing from Nephritis (Kidney disease), but gave the matter little attention. Arriving here as usual on Saturday of two weeks since, he stopped at Mr. Nelson's, as was his custom, and held ordinary religious services on Sunday. Monday afternoon similar services were held at the church at Faigre prairie, but during the exercises he was taken ill and returned at once to Lansing for medical attention, death resulting as above.

The deceased was among the most eminent ministers of his denomination, and universally respected not only because of his learning and piety but for his good qualities of mind and heart, through which he was endeared to his parishioners and all who knew him.

Modest in deportment and reticent in manner he made but few acquaintances, yet he was known in person to every one in the community.

He leaves seven children - two sons and five daughters - the youngest twelve years. One daughter, Mrs. Rev. Preuss, resides near Madison, Wis.; a son, Otto C., a most exemplary and excellent young man, is prosecuting his theological studies at Columbus. A telegram to the college, announcing his father's death, advised friends here that he was then in the East, taking a holiday vacation, a second telegram, sent to Baltimore, reached him in time to enable him to arrive at Prairie du Chien yesterday morning, where a team was in readiness to carry him to Dalby, where the funeral took place at eleven yesterday morning.

Of the early history of the deceased we cannot at this writing obtain full particulars, but hope to present details at a future time. He was educated for the ministry in both Christiana and St. Louis, emigrating to America in 1862.

~Lansing Mirror, Friday, December 19, 1879; pg 3

Note: burial is in Old East Paint Creek cemetery with his 2 wives

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In a later issue:
Mr. O.C.O. Hort [sic], who was called home by the death of his father, returned to Columbus, Ohio, last week, where he will continue his theological studies.

~Lansing Mirror, Friday, January 16, 1880; pg 3

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This may be of interest to Hjort researchers as it gives the names of two other of his daughters, not named in the obituaries. Published in the Lansing Mirror, Friday, April 23, 1880; pg 3:

Misses Dikka and Johanna Hjort, daughters of Rev. Hjort, deceased, started on Friday last for an extended visit to their relatives in Norway. They will spend a fortnight with their sister, Mrs. Preuss, in Columbia Co., Wis., and sail from Baltimore shortly after, on an Allan line steamer, in company with several ministers from Chicago who will also make a trip to Norway.