John I. Ofstedahl

OFSTEDAHL, OLSON, BURSLY, ALDAL, SAXERUD, TORVOLD, ADAMS

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/6/2010 at 07:11:56

JOHN I. OFSTEDAHL

Norway has made valuable contribution to the citizenship of Winnebago county. Many of her citizens have come from the land of the midnight sun and their love for that country was manifest in the fact that Norway township was named in honor of their old home. They have, however, been most loyal to all American interests and have been active factors in the upbuilding and development of this section. Among the number is John I. Ofstedahl, who was born in Norway May 27, 1857, a son of Iver and Gertie (Olson) (Bursly) Ofstedahl, who were farming people. They had a family of six children, of whom John I. is the eldest. In 1864 they brought their family to the United States and for six months lived with a brother of the father in Olmsted county, Minnesota. They then took up their abode in Mansfield township, Freeborn county, Minnesota, where Mr. Ofstedahl secured a homestead claim and developed the farm upon which he is still living. He yet enjoys good health, although he is now eighty-seven years of age, being splendidly preserved for one who has traveled so far on life's journey. In 1911 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 26th of January of that year and was laid to rest in the Synod Lutheran cemetery. Their children arc: John I.; Ole, who is now living in Norman county, Minnesota; Iver and Albert, who are residents of Freeborn county, Minnesota; Iner, whose home is in Saskatchewan, Canada; and Agnes, the wife of Jacob Aldal, of Fargo, North Dakota.

John J. Ofstedahl was reared upon the western frontier and with the family shared in the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm and when opportunity offered he attended the pioneer schools, using his advantages to secure an education until he reached the age of eighteen years. He then concentrated his attention upon farm work for his father until twenty-six years of age, when he began farming on his own account. During the next two years he fanned with his father on shares arid in March, 1887, when thirty years of age, he became a resident of Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, where he purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section 23. He immediately began its development and his labors brought to him a measure of success that enabled him later to purchase the west half of the same quarter, so that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land. The soil had in it the properties that rendered it rich and productive when carefully cultivated and lie soon transformed the place into well kept fields from which he has annually gathered golden harvests. When he made his purchase there was a log cabin and straw stables upon the place. He has since added many modern improvements and the good buildings, the well kept farm machinery and the neat appearance of his fields all indicate his careful supervision and progressive methods. He is a stockholder in the Lake Mills Creamery Company and in the Farmers Elevator Company.

Mr. Ofstedahl was married to Miss Karen Saxerud, a daughter of Amon and Panella Saxerud, of Norway, who passed away in their native land, never coming to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Ofstedahl are the parents of five children, as follows: Tina, who is now the wife of Ed. Torvold, of Worth county, Iowa: Oscar, a resident of Minneapolis; Isaac, who assists in the operation of the home farm; Clara, who gave her hand in marriage to Harry Adams, of Hayfield, Hancock county, Iowa; and Alfred, at home.

The parents are members of the Synod Lutheran church and in its teachings find the guiding spirit of their lives. Mr. Ofstedahl is a republican but not an office seeker, yet he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and delights in the progress that is being made along civic lines. From early boyhood he has known what hard work means and he has never been afraid of the industry and close application which are so necessary in the attainment of success. In fact, it has been along those lines that he has reached a position among the well-to-do farmers of Norway township.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 229-230.