Knudt Kettleson
Scandinavians and their descendants have played an important and
appreciated part in the development of resources of Fayette county,
Iowa, and today they are numbered among the leading and
representative citizens of this prosperous community, one of the
best all-around counties in the commonwealth of Missouri. Among
those in whose veins flows Scandinavian blood is the gentleman whose
name appears at the head of this sketch, who is a leading farmer of
Clermont township and who, by persistent industry, good management
and correct principles, has attained a definite and gratifying
measure of success.
Mr. Kwttleson is a native son of Fayette county, having been born
on March 16, 1855, and is a son of Hans and Helen Kettleson, both of
whom were natives of Norway. These parents came to Fayette county in
about 1852 and bought land, to the improvement and cultivation of
which they devoted their energies, this being the farm now owned by
the subject of this sketch. Hans Kettleson died in 1862 and is
survived by his widow, who is now ninety years old. They reared a
family of eight children, of which number seven, six daughters and a
son, are now living. Politically, Hans Kettleson gave his support to
the Republican party, while his religious belief was that of the
Lutheran church, of which he was an active and faithful member,
having been influential in advancing the interests of that
denomination in this community. He was a man of sterling character
and enjoyed universal respect in the community.
Knudt Kettleson, who was reared on the parental farmstead, is
indebted to the common schools for his mental discipline and to the
strenuous labor of his early years on the farm for a good
constitution which has enabled him to perform much hard labor during
the subsequent years. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural
pursuits and in this line has achieved a gratifying success, being
known throughout the township as a progressive and up-to-date
farmer. He is the owner of two hundred acres of as good land as can
be found in the township, and the place is maintained in such a
condition as to please the eye of the visitor and reflect great
credit on the owner. Mr. Kettleson is thoroughly wide-awake to the
possibilities of the farm and keeps in touch with advanced ideas
relating to the science of husbandry, not hesitating to adopt new
methods when their practicability has been demonstrated by
experience. He raises some livestock, as a side line, and has found
this work profitable.
On November 23, 1882, Mr. Kettleson married Christina Ostle, a
native of Clayton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Lars Ostle, who
was an early settler of Fayette county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kettleson
have been born five children, namely: Henry, Clara (deceased),
Clara, Irene and Clifford. Mr. Kettleson is a stanch supporter of
the Republic party in political affairs and takes a keen and
intelligent interest in the trend of current events. In religion he
and his family are affiliated with the Lutheran church, of which
they are consistent members and earnest supporters. The members of
this family move in the best social circles of the community and
their home is the scene of many pleasant and enjoyable gatherings,
their friends appreciating the spirit of good cheer and hospitality
which is ever in evidence there. Mr. Kettleson is a man of splendid
personal qualifications and enjoys not only a wide acquaintance, but
many warm personal friendships. |
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