SKALBERG, J. A. AND HANNAH (PETERSON) 1893
Mr. J. A. Skalberg was born February 28, 1864 in Skepperstad, Jönköpings Ian, Småland, Sweden. While only a mere child, he had the misfortune of losing his mother. When, at the age of eight, together with his father on April 22, 1875 on an immigrant ship, one brother, and three sisters, they emigrated to America, locating in Page County, Iowa. They bore the name of Swanson, which was changed to Skalberg in the next few years. This was a common practice of the early settlers. Twelve years later, he moved to Wakefield, Nebraska.
On February 11, 1888, he was united in holy wedlock to Miss Hannah Peterson of Essex, Page County, Iowa. They lived in Wakefield, Nebraska until 1892.
Hannah Peterson Skalberg was born May 9, 1869 at Swede Bend, Iowa, the oldest daughter of the late O. P. Peterson of Essex, Iowa. She spent her early childhood in Essex, Page County, Iowa. After her marriage in 1888, they moved to Wakefield, Nebraska. The younger children often heard the story of how a prairie fire swept the land where their first home was and burned it to the ground. Mrs. Skalberg took their two oldest children, Harry and Roy, and gathered her apron full of baby pigs and sought refuge in a plowed field until the fire was under control. Many hardships were experienced in the loss of the home. They then moved to Wausa, Nebraska in 1893. They resided on a farm southwest of town for 21 years. Their children are: Harry Arthur (1889-1965), married to Signe Lindquist. Leroy (Roy) William (1890-1978) married Gunhild Holmberg; Bertha Theresa (1892-1949) married Gustaf Lind; Hazel Viola (1895-1974) married Nels Johnson; David Emmanuel (1895-1932) married Hildur Larson; Mamie Florence (1899, married Edward Olson, Jr.; Emma Irene (1901- Harry Peterson; Norris Arnold (1904-1977) married Ernestine Schaeffer; Vernie Olaf (1907-1965) married Mildred Holland; Crystal Tena Sarah (1909 -) married Elmer Holmquist; Rosie Elvera (1911-1986), married Anthon Swanson.
Mr. and Mrs. Skalberg raised a large and respected family of eleven children. Mr. Skalberg was a careful manager, a conservative investor, and a very successful owner of a considerable amount of land for that time.
The couple celebrated their Silver wedding anniversary on February 11, 1913. They were still living on the farm. All children were present for the occasion, beside many relatives and friends. In 1916, they built a home in Wausa and Mr. Skalberg retired from the farm. This home is now owned by Charles Eldorado. Mr. Skalberg passed away November 21, 1937. They were charter members of the Mission Covenant Church and were active members as long as their health permitted. Mrs. Skalberg passed away August 10, 1952. There are three living children of the Skalberg family as of 1988. Crystal, Omaha, Nebraska, Emma, Brookings, South Dakota, and Mamie, Vista California. Thirty grandchildren survive.
Information found in The Wausa History Book found in The Lincoln Historical Museum.