AGED PIONEER DIES AT IOLA
One of the pioneer residents of Iola, answered the last call Saturday when John F. Swenson passed away at his home in Iola village, after being ill for about five months, at the age of 88 years.
Johan Frederik Swenson was born in Norway, Jun 18, 1840, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Swen Iverson, and the oldest of three children, the others being Andrew, now of Wittenberg, and a sister, Christina, of Norway, now deceased.
Mr. Swenson received a good common school education in his native tongue and later learned a trade. When 19, he began working for himself until coming to the United States. His earnings were very meager, yet by saving he was able to save a little more than a living, but knew it would be a difficult matter to secure a home for himself in Norway, and by coming to the new world where chances were better, he hoped to improve his condition.
Leaves for America
In April, 1867, Mr. Swenson, then 27, bade farewell to his parents, home and friends, and left Christiania, and after 16 days landed at Portland, Me.
His destination was Wausau, Wis., where his brother, Andrew, was located. He came to Oshkosh by rail thence by boat to Gills Landing, and by stage to Waupaca, where he met John Murat, and rode with him to Scandinavia. Then they walked to New Hope and in a few days proceeded to Stevens Point thence by stage to Wausau, where he earned his first dollar at construction of a lumber raft bound for St. Louis.
After its completion he went down the river to Hannibal, Mo., and then returned to Stevens Point, and went to work in a sawmill.
Makes Competent Sawyer
This was the first work of this kind that he had ever done, but after two years he had become so competent that he was made head sawyer, which business he followed for 21 years. He also worked in the lumber woods along the Wisconsin river and its tributaries. His extensive experience gave him full knowledge of his important capacity in a saw mill, so that his services were always in demand.
On Sept. 23, 1871, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Karen Gurine Olson Bjorland[sic], who was born in Ashton, Dane county, Feb. 12, 1853. They were married in New Hope church by Rev. Miekkelson and made their first home in Stevens Point, later on in Wausau.
In December, 1882, they moved to Iola township, where his family reside. Prior to 1891, he was absent from home during the summer working in saw mills, but since that time, devoted his time to farming until the spring of 1908, having reached an age when they felt that the farm work was too heavy for them, they moved into the village of of Iola, which has since been their home.
Celebrate Golden Wedding
Seven years ago, Sept. 23d, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson had the honor of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Six children were born to this union, (Nettie) Mrs. Gullickson, who has been caring for her parents during his last illness; Halbert of Wisconsin Rapids; John of Eldorada, Wis.; (Edna) Mrs. Paul Jenson, town of Scandinavia; Walter of Walla Walla, Wash.; Edward LeRoy, who passed away in infancy. All were present at the funeral except Walter of Washington, who was unable to come.
Mr. Swenson leaves his brother, Andrew, of Wittenberg; nine grandchildren; one nephew, Einer Bekken of Minnesota; two neices, Mrs. Ed Johnson of Rockford, Ohio, and Mrs. N. Anderson of Madison, and others in Norway.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home and at Our Savior's church where Mr. Swenson had at all times been a faithful member. Rev. J. Mathieson, officiating, with interment in the Lutheran cemetery.
One of the pioneer residents of Iola, answered the last call Saturday when John F. Swenson passed away at his home in Iola village, after being ill for about five months, at the age of 88 years.
Johan Frederik Swenson was born in Norway, Jun 18, 1840, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Swen Iverson, and the oldest of three children, the others being Andrew, now of Wittenberg, and a sister, Christina, of Norway, now deceased.
Mr. Swenson received a good common school education in his native tongue and later learned a trade. When 19, he began working for himself until coming to the United States. His earnings were very meager, yet by saving he was able to save a little more than a living, but knew it would be a difficult matter to secure a home for himself in Norway, and by coming to the new world where chances were better, he hoped to improve his condition.
Leaves for America
In April, 1867, Mr. Swenson, then 27, bade farewell to his parents, home and friends, and left Christiania, and after 16 days landed at Portland, Me.
His destination was Wausau, Wis., where his brother, Andrew, was located. He came to Oshkosh by rail thence by boat to Gills Landing, and by stage to Waupaca, where he met John Murat, and rode with him to Scandinavia. Then they walked to New Hope and in a few days proceeded to Stevens Point thence by stage to Wausau, where he earned his first dollar at construction of a lumber raft bound for St. Louis.
After its completion he went down the river to Hannibal, Mo., and then returned to Stevens Point, and went to work in a sawmill.
Makes Competent Sawyer
This was the first work of this kind that he had ever done, but after two years he had become so competent that he was made head sawyer, which business he followed for 21 years. He also worked in the lumber woods along the Wisconsin river and its tributaries. His extensive experience gave him full knowledge of his important capacity in a saw mill, so that his services were always in demand.
On Sept. 23, 1871, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Karen Gurine Olson Bjorland[sic], who was born in Ashton, Dane county, Feb. 12, 1853. They were married in New Hope church by Rev. Miekkelson and made their first home in Stevens Point, later on in Wausau.
In December, 1882, they moved to Iola township, where his family reside. Prior to 1891, he was absent from home during the summer working in saw mills, but since that time, devoted his time to farming until the spring of 1908, having reached an age when they felt that the farm work was too heavy for them, they moved into the village of of Iola, which has since been their home.
Celebrate Golden Wedding
Seven years ago, Sept. 23d, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson had the honor of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Six children were born to this union, (Nettie) Mrs. Gullickson, who has been caring for her parents during his last illness; Halbert of Wisconsin Rapids; John of Eldorada, Wis.; (Edna) Mrs. Paul Jenson, town of Scandinavia; Walter of Walla Walla, Wash.; Edward LeRoy, who passed away in infancy. All were present at the funeral except Walter of Washington, who was unable to come.
Mr. Swenson leaves his brother, Andrew, of Wittenberg; nine grandchildren; one nephew, Einer Bekken of Minnesota; two neices, Mrs. Ed Johnson of Rockford, Ohio, and Mrs. N. Anderson of Madison, and others in Norway.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home and at Our Savior's church where Mr. Swenson had at all times been a faithful member. Rev. J. Mathieson, officiating, with interment in the Lutheran cemetery.
AGED PIONEER DIES AT IOLA
One of the pioneer residents of Iola, answered the last call Saturday when John F. Swenson passed away at his home in Iola village, after being ill for about five months, at the age of 88 years.
Johan Frederik Swenson was born in Norway, Jun 18, 1840, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Swen Iverson, and the oldest of three children, the others being Andrew, now of Wittenberg, and a sister, Christina, of Norway, now deceased.
Mr. Swenson received a good common school education in his native tongue and later learned a trade. When 19, he began working for himself until coming to the United States. His earnings were very meager, yet by saving he was able to save a little more than a living, but knew it would be a difficult matter to secure a home for himself in Norway, and by coming to the new world where chances were better, he hoped to improve his condition.
Leaves for America
In April, 1867, Mr. Swenson, then 27, bade farewell to his parents, home and friends, and left Christiania, and after 16 days landed at Portland, Me.
His destination was Wausau, Wis., where his brother, Andrew, was located. He came to Oshkosh by rail thence by boat to Gills Landing, and by stage to Waupaca, where he met John Murat, and rode with him to Scandinavia. Then they walked to New Hope and in a few days proceeded to Stevens Point thence by stage to Wausau, where he earned his first dollar at construction of a lumber raft bound for St. Louis.
After its completion he went down the river to Hannibal, Mo., and then returned to Stevens Point, and went to work in a sawmill.
Makes Competent Sawyer
This was the first work of this kind that he had ever done, but after two years he had become so competent that he was made head sawyer, which business he followed for 21 years. He also worked in the lumber woods along the Wisconsin river and its tributaries. His extensive experience gave him full knowledge of his important capacity in a saw mill, so that his services were always in demand.
On Sept. 23, 1871, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Karen Gurine Olson Bjorland[sic], who was born in Ashton, Dane county, Feb. 12, 1853. They were married in New Hope church by Rev. Miekkelson and made their first home in Stevens Point, later on in Wausau.
In December, 1882, they moved to Iola township, where his family reside. Prior to 1891, he was absent from home during the summer working in saw mills, but since that time, devoted his time to farming until the spring of 1908, having reached an age when they felt that the farm work was too heavy for them, they moved into the village of of Iola, which has since been their home.
Celebrate Golden Wedding
Seven years ago, Sept. 23d, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson had the honor of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Six children were born to this union, (Nettie) Mrs. Gullickson, who has been caring for her parents during his last illness; Halbert of Wisconsin Rapids; John of Eldorada, Wis.; (Edna) Mrs. Paul Jenson, town of Scandinavia; Walter of Walla Walla, Wash.; Edward LeRoy, who passed away in infancy. All were present at the funeral except Walter of Washington, who was unable to come.
Mr. Swenson leaves his brother, Andrew, of Wittenberg; nine grandchildren; one nephew, Einer Bekken of Minnesota; two neices, Mrs. Ed Johnson of Rockford, Ohio, and Mrs. N. Anderson of Madison, and others in Norway.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home and at Our Savior's church where Mr. Swenson had at all times been a faithful member. Rev. J. Mathieson, officiating, with interment in the Lutheran cemetery.
One of the pioneer residents of Iola, answered the last call Saturday when John F. Swenson passed away at his home in Iola village, after being ill for about five months, at the age of 88 years.
Johan Frederik Swenson was born in Norway, Jun 18, 1840, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Swen Iverson, and the oldest of three children, the others being Andrew, now of Wittenberg, and a sister, Christina, of Norway, now deceased.
Mr. Swenson received a good common school education in his native tongue and later learned a trade. When 19, he began working for himself until coming to the United States. His earnings were very meager, yet by saving he was able to save a little more than a living, but knew it would be a difficult matter to secure a home for himself in Norway, and by coming to the new world where chances were better, he hoped to improve his condition.
Leaves for America
In April, 1867, Mr. Swenson, then 27, bade farewell to his parents, home and friends, and left Christiania, and after 16 days landed at Portland, Me.
His destination was Wausau, Wis., where his brother, Andrew, was located. He came to Oshkosh by rail thence by boat to Gills Landing, and by stage to Waupaca, where he met John Murat, and rode with him to Scandinavia. Then they walked to New Hope and in a few days proceeded to Stevens Point thence by stage to Wausau, where he earned his first dollar at construction of a lumber raft bound for St. Louis.
After its completion he went down the river to Hannibal, Mo., and then returned to Stevens Point, and went to work in a sawmill.
Makes Competent Sawyer
This was the first work of this kind that he had ever done, but after two years he had become so competent that he was made head sawyer, which business he followed for 21 years. He also worked in the lumber woods along the Wisconsin river and its tributaries. His extensive experience gave him full knowledge of his important capacity in a saw mill, so that his services were always in demand.
On Sept. 23, 1871, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Karen Gurine Olson Bjorland[sic], who was born in Ashton, Dane county, Feb. 12, 1853. They were married in New Hope church by Rev. Miekkelson and made their first home in Stevens Point, later on in Wausau.
In December, 1882, they moved to Iola township, where his family reside. Prior to 1891, he was absent from home during the summer working in saw mills, but since that time, devoted his time to farming until the spring of 1908, having reached an age when they felt that the farm work was too heavy for them, they moved into the village of of Iola, which has since been their home.
Celebrate Golden Wedding
Seven years ago, Sept. 23d, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson had the honor of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Six children were born to this union, (Nettie) Mrs. Gullickson, who has been caring for her parents during his last illness; Halbert of Wisconsin Rapids; John of Eldorada, Wis.; (Edna) Mrs. Paul Jenson, town of Scandinavia; Walter of Walla Walla, Wash.; Edward LeRoy, who passed away in infancy. All were present at the funeral except Walter of Washington, who was unable to come.
Mr. Swenson leaves his brother, Andrew, of Wittenberg; nine grandchildren; one nephew, Einer Bekken of Minnesota; two neices, Mrs. Ed Johnson of Rockford, Ohio, and Mrs. N. Anderson of Madison, and others in Norway.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home and at Our Savior's church where Mr. Swenson had at all times been a faithful member. Rev. J. Mathieson, officiating, with interment in the Lutheran cemetery.
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