Claus E. Eide
Claus E. Eide has
given his energies and activities all during his life to
agriculture, cultivating at the present time a valuable farm of
two hundred acres in Waterloo township, Allamakee county. He was
born in this county in 1859, a son of Elling and Inga Eide, both
natives of Norway, who came, however, to the United States in
1857. They established their home in Allamakee county, the father
purchasing speculator’s land on section 31, Waterloo
township, and later becoming the owner of land on section 30,
upon which he resided until his death in 1892. His wife survived
him for many years, her death occurring in 1911. In their family
were five children, of whom the subject of this review was the
second in order of birth. The others are: Martha, who married
John P. Morstad, and resides on the old homestead; Ole, a
resident of South Dakota; Annie, the wife of Iver Johnson, of
Spring Grove; and Jacob, of North Dakota.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life
for Claus E. Eide during the period of his boyhood and youth. He
was reared on the old homestead, amid the wholesome environment
of farm life, and under the direction of his father early learned
the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He
was twenty-seven years of age when he first became a land owner,
his initial purchase giving him possession of an eighty acre
tract which forms the nucleus of his present fine farm. Later he
bought an adjoining forty acres and subsequently eighty acres
more, so that now he has two hundred acres located on section 30,
Waterloo township. This is a well improved property, equipped
with modern machinery and substantial farm buildings, and its
neat appearance bespeaks a life of industry and thrift on the
part of its owner. He carries on general farming and
stock-raising and his systematic methods and well directed
efforts are proving potent forces in the acquirement of a
creditable success.
Mr. Eide was married in 1889 to Miss Thea Stensgard, who was born
in Norway, and when seventeen years of age came to the United
States with her parents, the family home being established in
Allamakee county. Here her parents have since resided and here
the father for a number of years engaged in farming, but is now
living retired. In his family are six children, all of whom are
yet living, Mrs. Eide being the fourth in order of birth. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Eide have been born six children, as follows: Elmer,
who was born in 1889 and lives in North Dakota; Amanda, born in
1891, who makes her home with her parents; Arthur and Alfred,
twins, born in 1893, also at home; and Theoline and Clarence,
born in 1898 and 1906, respectively, who are attending school.
The family attend the Lutheran church and are highly thought of
in the community in which they have so long resided.
Mr. Eide is a republican, but has never sought nor desired office
as a reward for party fealty. For more than half a century he has
resided in Allamakee county, and has a wide acquaintance
throughout the district in which he lives, being highly esteemed
and respected. His business methods are upright and
straightforward and they have combined with his long experience
and his detailed knowledge of agricultural methods in the
promotion of a distinct and substantial success.
-source: Past
& Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S.
J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart
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