Lars Iverson

Deeply engraven on the pages of the history of Allamakee county is the name of Lars Iverson, who came to this part of Iowa in 1854 and who in the course of a long, honorable and worthy life firmly intrenched himself in the regard, esteem and confidence of the entire community. He was born in the province of Hardanger, Norway, June 16, 1821, and spent his youth and early manhood in his native country. He there married Miss Guro Christoferson, also a native of Norway, born in April, 1819, and with his wife he came to America in 1851. For three years thereafter they made their home in Orleans county, New York, and in 1854 came west to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county in pioneer times. Their first home in this state was in a dugout opposite that occupied by Jacob Dahl and his family, near the present site of the Dahl homestead, and they continued to reside in this crude dwelling for one year, after which they purchased a farm whereon the remainder of their lives was spent. This land lies on section 13, Paint Creek township, and when it came into Mr. Iverson's possession was entirely unimproved. With characteristic energy he set himself to develop the place, clearing the timber and erecting a log house which has been incorporated into the fine modern dwelling now standing upon the homestead. This little log cabin still remains a happy memory to Mr. Iverson's children and his daughter, Mrs. Espeland, says that although she has now attained the ambition of her earlier years and has a modern and well furnished home, yet she has never seen any house which looked quite so neat as her mother's log cabin after a fresh coat of whitewash. Upon this property in Paint Creek township Mr. Iverson continued to reside for many years, steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and cultivation, success rapidly rewarding his well directed and practical labors. The farm became a valuable and productive property, reflecting everywhere its owner's careful management and constant supervision, and it constitutes today a notable contribution to the agricultural resources of this section of Allamakee county.

Mr. and Mrs. Iverson became the parents of three children: Julia, deceased; Mrs. Dale, of Union county, South Dakota; and Mrs. Espeland, who with her husband resides upon the Iverson homestead. Mr. Iverson was a devout member of the Lutheran church and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, serving as school director and as township trustee and on numerous occasions going to Waukon for jury duty. He was never so busy that his township could not call upon him for cooperation in public affairs and any project which he believed beneficial to the community received his earnest endorsement and hearty support. His long residence in this part of the state made him very widely known and his sterling qualities gained him the good-will and confidence of all with whom he was associated in business or social relations. He left to his family the priceless heritage of untarnished name and an example that is well worthy of emulation when, on the 28th of February, 1901, he passed away.

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

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