Jens Espeland

Jens Espeland, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and sixty-six acres of fine land on section 13, Paint Creek township, is a native of Norway, born in the province of Hardanger, on the 13th of November, 1859, his parents being Nels Larson and Christine Espeland. He spent his early life in his native country, acquiring his education there, and at the age of seventeen he crossed the Atlantic to America, coming immediately to Allamakee county, where for a time he worked as a farm laborer. In June, 1884, he married Ida Iverson and took up his residence on the Iverson homestead, which he still owns and operates. His holdings comprise one hundred and sixty-six acres, all in a high state of cultivation, and upon this fine property he carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches becoming under his able management important and profitable. In the course of years he has made many substantial improvements upon his place, has erected the necessary buildings and installed the needed machinery, and the farm is today one of the finest and best equipped in this section of the state.

Mr. and Mrs. Espeland became the parents of four children. Julia is teaching two languages at Wild Rice Orphans Home in Twin Valley, South Dakota. She is a graduate of the Lutheran Normal School at Sioux Falls. Christopher attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, for three years and afterward spent one year at the Lutheran Normal College at Sioux Falls. Elsie is also a graduate of the Lutheran Normal College, having received her diploma with the class of 1913. Leo is attending district school. Mr. and Mrs. Espeland are people of the highest respectability, enjoying in large measure the friendship of those with whom they have been brought in contact, and a life of well directed activity has gained for Mr. Espeland a creditable place in business circles.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

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