MELLEM, Ole G. 1853-1925

MELLEM

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/12/2022 at 11:26:55

Ole G. Mellem
(November 23, 1853 - July 27, 1925)

Northwood Anchor, Northwood, Iowa, Thurs., July 30, 1925, p.1
Ole G. Mellem Died Monday Afternoon
Was First White Child Born In Worth County
Funeral Set For Today (Thursday) 2:00 O’clock at Home; 2:30 at Lutheran Church
After a long and lingering illness Ole G. Mellem the first white child born in Worth County, passed away at his residence on North 10th street Monday afternoon about four o’clock. Since the death of his aged wife he had been cared for by his son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Mellem, who gave up their own home and took up residence with the invalid in order to make his declining day, as comfortable and happy as possible. Before moving to town several years ago Mr. Mellem had spent the greater part of his life on his fine farm in Kensett Township, southwest of Northwood. At various times during the past five years he had been ill but when at all able to be out of bed and out of doors he was active at various tasks. At one time he assisted C. B. Twito in his implement business and later worked with his son, R. G. Mellem in the latter’s battery shop on west Main Street. He was active by nature both mentally and physically, and enjoyed working long after there was no need to exertion on his part. He was a son of Gulbrand O. Mellem, the first settler of Worth County, and was born in a log cabin located on property now a part of Northwood town. The Mellem home was situated on the bank of the Shell Rock River somewhere south of the Holland block. Mr. Mellem had the distinction of being the first white child born in Worth County. He was the eldest of a large family of children some of whom have preceded him in death.
Funeral services have been set for today (Thursday) at the home at two o’clock and at the Norwegian Lutheran Church at two-thirty, Rev. Carl B. Ylvisaker, the pastor will be in charge. Interment in the Lutheran section of Sunset Rest Cemetery. A suitable sketch of the life of this good man will no doubt be ready for publication in the next issue of The Anchor.