Engebret Asleson

Engebret Asleson, a successful farmer residing on two hundred and seventy acres of well improved land on section 26, Paint Creek township, is a native of Hallingdal, Norway, born in December, 1843. His boyhood days were spent in his native land and he there remained until 1869, when he emigrated to the United States, sailing from Christiania, Norway, and arriving in New York city after a voyage of ten days. Almost immediately afterward he came to Waterville, Allamakee county, Iowa, being at that time a poor man and still in debt for his passage money to America. With characteristic energy he secured employment upon a farm and spent a number of years thereafter at the hard labor of grubbing up stumps, earning in this way an honorable living for himself and family. In 1873, having accumulated a small sum of money, he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Paint Creek township and turned his attention to its improvement and cultivation. Success has rewarded his untiring industry and his well directed efforts through the years and he today owns two hundred and seventy acres of valuable land on section 26. The farm is equipped with an excellent set of buildings and is neat and attractive in appearance, being a visible evidence of Mr. Asleson’s life of industry and thrift. He engages in general farming and has also a profitable dairy and, his business interests being all carefully and capably managed have become important and profitable.

Mr. Asleson was married in Norway, to Martha Knutson, and to him and his wife have been born four children, Julia, Albert, Knut and Gena. The family are devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Since taking out his naturalization papers Mr. Asleson has voted the straight republican ticket and has cooperated heartily in all movements for the progress and welfare of this section. His standing in business and agricultural circles is high and well merited and he is, moreover, known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.

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

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