Ruen, Peter H.

RUEN, OLSON, STRANBAKKEN, EHRL, WEGESLUND, HAGEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/26/2015 at 15:06:33

PETER H. RUEN.

Winneshiek county is greatly indebted to Norway for the class of enterprising citizens which that country has furnished to the Hawkeye state. A great majority of the residents of this county are natives of or trace their lineage to the land of the midnight sun. Among the latter class is Peter H. Ruen, now actively and successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 25, Glenwood township, where he has made his home since the spring of 1898. His parents are Hans P. and Ingebaar Ruen, who are still residents of Glenwood township. They are now well advanced in years. The father was born in Norway, October 13, 1828, and is a son of Peter and Annie (Olson) Ruen, who in 1850 sailed for the United States, but the mother died while they were upon the ocean. Peter Ruen, with his two sons and three daughters, continued on their way to the new world and later they were joined by two other sons, one of whom had been born by a former marriage. On the 1st of August, 1850, Peter Ruen and his children arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thus concluding a journey which was begun at Christiania on the 1st of May. In July, 1851, he and his son Hans and three of his daughters took up their abode in Winneshiek county, where Peter Ruen continued to make his home until he was called to his final rest at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. By the father's first marriage there was a son, Jens, who was born in 1821. The children of the second marriage were: Ivar; Ole, who died in October, 1893; Hans P.; Eileen; Kjerstie; and Martha. All are now deceased with the exception of Hans P., who in connection with his brother Ole secured what is known as the old Ruen Farm in 1858. This they operated together for three or four years, at the end of which time Hans P. Ruen purchased his brother's interest, remaining upon the old homestead which has been his place of residence since 1851. He is today the oldest settler living in this Norwegian district. Several Norwegian families came at the same time and planted a colony which has been an important feature in the upbuilding and improvement of Glenwood township. Hans P. Ruen has one hundred and sixty acres, constituting the southwest quarter of section 35. He was formerly the owner of a larger tract but has sold some of it to his sons.

In politics he is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He has held various offices in the church and has been an active factor in promoting the moral progress of the community. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he was in very limited financial circumstances when he arrived in the new world, and all that he now possesses has come to him as the direct reward of earnest, persistent labor.

It was in 1855 that Hans P. Ruen married Miss Ingebaar Stranbakken, who was born in Norway, September 27, 1830, and came to the United States in 1850 on the same ship with her future husband, Her father died in the old country, but her mother, three sisters and two brothers came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Hans P. Ruen have ten children: Louise, who died in 1910; Clara, the wife of John Ehrl of Waukon; Peter; Gustava; Mina; George and Victor, both of Glenwood township; Julia, the wife of Peter Wegeslund, of Decorah; Rudolph, of Glenwood township; and Theodore, who operates the home farm.

Peter H. Ruen, the third of this family, has resided in Glenwood township from his birth to the present time, was reared to the occupation of farming and has made it his life work. He began farming on his own account when twenty-three years of age, purchasing eighty acres, to which he has since added a similar tract until he now has one hundred and sixty acres, constituting the northwest quarter of section 25. He has a good residence and substantial outbuildings, together with well kept fences and the latest improved farm machinery. He took up his abode here in the spring of 1898 and has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising, both features of his business proving profitable.

In 1896 Mr. Ruen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hagen, who was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, in August, 1863, a daughter of Hans and Sigrid Hagen, who were natives of Norway and spent their last days in Allamakee county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Ruen have one child, Stella Irene. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church, are actively interested in its work and contribute generously to its support. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, with which he has been identified since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His life has been quietly passed, yet his sterling worth is recognized by all, for he has been found reliable and progressive in business and has never sought to take advantage of another in trade transactions.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913