Hans Simenson
Farming interests of Hanover township lost a progressive and
worthy representative and Allamakaee county an honored and worthy
pioneer citizen when Hans Simenson passed away on his farm on
section 21. He was known and recognized as one of the
representative agriculturists of this vicinity--a man whose
success was an important element in general development, and he
was honored also as a veteran of the Civil was to whom the
country owes a debt of gratitude which can never be forgotten and
never fully repaid.
Mr. Simenson was one of the many sturdy and industrious citizens
whom Norway has given to America, his birth having occurred in
that country in 1840, his parents being Ole and Anna Simenson.
They came to America in 1851 and settled in Winneshiek county,
this state, where the father died in 1876. His wife survived him
some years, dying at the home of the subject of this review in
1883. They were the parents of seven children, of whom one a son,
still survives.
When Hans Simenson was eleven years of age he accompanied his
parents to America and settled with them in Winneshiek county.
Four years later he moved to Allamakee county and here he
afterwards began farming for himself, buying land on section 21,
Hanover township. For a long period thereafter he improved and
cultivated this property, the years bringing him success,
prominence and substantial fortune and a place among the
prominent and representative agriculturist. From time to time he
added to his holdings and finally accumulated three hundred and
sixty acres of land, of when one hundred and eighty acres in a
high state of cultivation. In its development he adhered always
to the most progressive and practical methods and his farm became
one of the finest in this vicinity, reflecting in its neat and
attractive appearance the many years of careful supervision and
practical labor which the owner had expended upon it.
In 1869 Mr. Simenson was united in marriage to Miss Patrena
Larson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Christian and Anna
Larson, who came to America in 1852 and settled in Allamakee
county. The father purchased land in Hanover township and
operated it until his death. His wife survives him and makes her
home in Waukon, being now eighty-seven years of age. They were
the parents of ten children of whom four still survive, the wife
of the subject of this review being the first in order of birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Simenson became the parents of four children: Sarah,
the wife of W.H. Allen, a rancher in California; Oscar C., a
farmer in Winneshiek county; Jane, who married E. W. Allen,
engaged in the transfer business in Waukon; and Alfred, who owns
the old homestead. The latter has added to his father’s
holdings, owning now three hundred and seventy-eight acres of
land, on which he carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Mrs. Simenson survives her husband and makes her home with her
son. She is a lady of many excellent traits of mind and character
and is widely known and highly respected, her upright life having
won for her the confidence and good-will of all who know her.
In the life of Hans Simenson was a creditable military chapter.
In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry
and went to the front as a private. He participated in many of
the most important engagements of the Civil war, serving four
years, and at the close of hostilities was mustered out as
corporal. He was always a most earnest and patriotic citizen,
manifesting these qualities at home as well as on the battlefield
and he was never known to withhold his support from any
progressive public project. He served with ability and
distinction in almost all of the township offices, considering it
the duty of every citizen to serve his fellowmen when called upon
to do so. His upright life was guided by the doctrines of the
Presbyterian church of which he was a devout member and he kept
in touch with his comrades of fifty years ago through his
connection with the Waukon Post and the Grand army of the
Republic. Mr. Simenson’s death occurred on his farm in
Hanover township, and proved patriotism, loyalty and uprightness,
whose life was guided and directed by high ideals and whose
accomplishments are important as factors in the general
development of this part of the state.
-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