John P. Morstad
John P. Morstad, who since 1886 has resided upon the farm
which he now occupies in Waterloo township, is one of the most
successful and able farmers in this vicinity, each year of his
residence here having witnessed his increasing prosperity and
prominence. He was born in Norway in 1857 and his parents lived
and died in that country. He there acquired his education and in
1878 crossed the Atlantic and came to America, settling
immediately in Allamakee county, Iowa, where for a time he worked
at various occupations. Eventually, however, he turned his
attention to farming, buying in 1886 the property whereon he has
since resided. He owns ninety-three and a half acres in Waterloo
township and has here a well improved farm, with forty acres in a
high state of cultivation, yielding him a gratifying annual
income.
In 1887 Mr. Morstad married Miss Martha Eide, a native of
Allamakee county and a daughter of Elling Eide, who was born in
Norway, and who came among the early settlers to this section of
the state. He and his wife died upon the farm which the subject
of this review now owns. He was one of the most extensive
landowners and prosperous farmers of this vicinity, owning two
hundred and eighty acres, upon which he carried on general
farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Morstad became the parent
of five children. Ella, born in 1888 who was a trained nurse,
married Alfred Rognlien, of Aneta, North Dakota. Edgar, whose
birth occurred in 1889, is residing in Waukon, where he is
district clerk. Leonard, who was born in 1891, is a resident of
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nellie, the next member of the family,
was born in 1893. James was born in 1896 and is attending school.
The family are all members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Morstad gives his political allegiance to the republican
party and is public-spirited and progressive in matters of
citizenship, taking an active interest in movements for community
growth and advancement. He has served as township trustee and as
a member of the school board for many years, his duties in both
connections being discharged in a capable and far-sighted way.
Throughout his entire life he has been actuated by worthy aims
and high standards and he receives his reward in the esteem in
which he is held by the entire community of which he has been
long an long an honored resident.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index