Norway. Thorvald and Johanna had six children. They farmed 228 acres in Glenwood Twp. and were members of the Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Thorvald and Johanna and family. Seated, left to right: Thorvald, Ole and Johanna.
Standing, left to right: Karl, Julia, Henry, Ida and John.

Their children were: Henry Adolph (b. 11 Mar 1876 in Decorah) married Emma Sophia Berg on 1 Jun 1905. Julia Cornelia (b. 4 Feb 1878 in Decorah) married Julius Victor Ruen on 23 Nov 1905. Ida Mathilde (b. 12 Jan 1880) married Carl Olai Berg 18 May 1905. John Theodor (b. 21 Jan 1882) married Julia Cornelia Dahlen 29 Jun 1911. Karl Oscar (b. 21 Jan 1887) married Clara Faldet and they lived at 308 Day St., Decorah. Karl was a house painter and he restored antiques. Also at one time he farmed. Ole Bernhard (b. 16 Jul 1891) married his cousin, Minnie Kirkeby. They farmed in Minnesota.

Thorvald and Johanna moved to Decorah in 1915. Thorvald died at his son Karl’s home 11 Jan 1937.

Kirkeby, John and Julia (Dahlen)

(Cheryl Thompson)

John Kirkeby was born in Winneshiek Co, Glenwood Twp, 30 Oct 1882. His parents were Thorvald and Johanna Amlien Kirkeby. Thorvald was born in the Hakadalen region of Norway in 1851 and came to America in 1872. Johanna was born in WestToten in 1851 and immigrated to Winneshiek Co by way of Wisconsin at age 20. Julia Dahlen was born 14 May 1885 in Glenwood Twp. Her father, Andrew Dahlen was born in Norway. Her mother, Dora Rosvold, was of Norwegian descent.

Since John and Julia were neighbors and the same religion, they probably met at a church function or the like. They were married in the Glenwood Lutheran Church 29 Jun 1911. A year later, their only child, Truman was born. They rented various farms in Winneshiek Co, starting out in Glenwood Twp and moving to the Aase Haugen Home farm where they lived for several years. Truman enjoyed living there and often went over to the Home to share stories with the residents. In fact, he shared more than stories, because Julia told of how one year, Truman came down with a case of the chicken-pox, and so did several of the residents. They farmed in “pot hollow” after that and finally bought a farm north of Decorah in the vicinity of the Hauge Church. They joined the church and were faithful and active members for the rest of their lives. John was a tall, slim man. Julia was a very small woman.

The two of them were as different in temperament as they were in stature. He moved slowly and was easy going, while she was very active and energetic. Her hair was quite dark and she wore it long and rolled in a bun for many years, never cutting it until she got older. Julia was the picture of domesticity. She was an excellent cook, seamstress and baker. John and Julia were very family oriented. Julia’s sisters and brothers and their families got together very often. John's family also lived nearby and gathered frequently.

John and Truman farmed in partnership for many years. Truman married Eunice Narveson in 1937 and they continued to live on the farm with his parents. Two granddaughters were born to John and Julia. They were very loving grandparents.

John and Julia Kirkeby and granddaughter, Elene.

The Kirkeby’s became interested in the new concepts of soil management introduced by the Civilian Conservation Corp. They met with area farmers and learned new ways of conserving and improving the land by contour farming, terracing and adding nutrients to it. They quarried lime on the Kirkeby farm which was crushed and spread on the fields on their farm and others in the area as well.