Selnes, Gustav J. 1879 – 1959

SELNES, SELNESS, SOLBERG, THORSON, AUGEDAHL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/30/2015 at 08:18:35

GUSTAV J. SELNES.

Gustav J. Selnes, who was born on the farm which he now operates, on February 22, 1879, is one of the younger agriculturists of Winneshiek county, owning one hundred and six acres on section 8, Highland township. He is a son of John and Carrie (Solberg) Thorson, natives of Norway. The father came to the state of Iowa in 1861, and the mother was brought here by her parents when she was two years of age. They were married in this county and spent the rest of their lives on the farm which is now the home of their son Gustav J. The father became the owner of two highly cultivated properties of two hundred and one hundred and sixty acres respectively. Long years of arduous labor brought him prosperity and his high qualities of mind and character earned him the respect and esteem of the neighborhood. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church at Hesper. The father died at the age of sixty-seven, his death occurring on November 8, 1904, and the mother died in 1881, long preceding her husband. In their family were the following children: Theodore, of Highland township; Peter Thorson, of Bowman county, North Dakota; Gilbert, who passed away at the age of eleven years; John and Julius, of Highland township; Gustav J., our subject; and Clara, who died in infancy.
Gustav J. Selnes acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood and early adapted himself to an agricultural life. He has resided upon the home farm all his life and now owns a property of one hundred and six acres on section 8. Its improvements are modern and substantial and most of them were made by our subject. He follows modern and up-to-date methods and his years of close application have brought him prosperity.

On September 12, 1906, Mr. Selnes married Miss Gina Augedahl, who was born in Houston county, Minnesota, August 31, 1886. She is a daughter of Andrew and Anna M. Augedahl, natives of Norway, who now reside in Allamakee county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Selnes have three sons, James, Clifford and Gerhard. The parents are members of the Lutheran church. It is interesting to note that the father of our subject used the name of Thorson, reverting to the old Norwegian family name, while the son has adopted the patronymic Selnes. Mr. Selnes has made a good start toward prosperity and although he is yet young has already accomplished much that comes to many only in later life. He is industrious, painstaking and possesses good judgment and has made use of these qualities in promoting his fortunes.

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

Transcriber's Note: The gravestone shows the last name spelled Selness.

Highland Lutheran Cemetery Gravestone
 

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