Ole L. Rema

Ole L. Rema owns and operates a highly improved farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres on section 34, Center township, which is the old family homestead. He has remained within the borders of Allamakee county from his birth to the present time, having been born in Paint Creek township of the 3d of October, 1851. His parents, L. O. and Guri (Opheim) Rema, were natives of Aal, Praestehjeld, Hallingdal, Norway, and were married in that country in 1836. The father's birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1805, while the mother's natal day was February 12, 1811. Four daughters were born to them in Norway. In 1849 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, spending two years in Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1851 they came to Allamakee county, Iowa, and during the first summer lived on what is now the Swenson farm in Paint Creek township. L. O. Rema then homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Center township, which is now included within the boundaries of his son's farm. That place remained his home during the remainder of his life and in its operation he won a gratifying and well merited measure of success. His son-in-law, John S. Bryson, in compiling a genealogical record of the Bryson and Rema families, wrote of the latter: "They saw hard times of pioneer life, but by hard work and economy made a good home and succeeded in raising and educating a family of four girls and a boy." Mr. Rema gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belonged. His demise occurred at Village Creek on the 18th of March, 1885, while his wife passed away on the old home farm on the 2d of February, 1892, the community thus losing two of its respected pioneer settlers and representative residents. Their children were as follows: Julia L., born in Norway on the 13th of December, 1837, who wedded Paul Halverson on the 26th of April, 1857, and is now a widow residing in Baudette, Minnesota; Margaret L., born in Norway on the 13th of July, 1840, who is the widow of Andrew Strand; Tilda L., whose birth occurred in Norway on the 7th of April, 1844, and who is the widow of John S. Bryson; Cecile L., born in Norway on the 5th of August, 1846, who wedded Stengrim Hesla and after his demise gave her hand in marriage to David Skinner, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Ole L., of this review; and Tolef B., who was born in Center township on the 1st of May, 1854, and died there on the 9th of November, 1858.

Ole L. Rema attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and after attaining his majority came into possession of the old family homestead. His holdings now embrace one hundred and ninety- five acres of rich and productive land on section 34, Center township. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and his efforts in this direction have been attended with excellent results. His land is well improved in every particular and annually yields good crops which find a ready sale on the market.

In Allamakee county, on the 13th of June, 1871, Mr. Rema was united in marriage to Miss Bertha J. Swain, a native of Norway, by whom he has five children, namely: Julia, the wife of Gilbert Jeglum, of Paint Creek township; John T. and Henrietta, both at home; Emeline, the wife of Gilbert Leikvold, of Taylor township; and Leonard S., who is still under the parental roof. The last named and his brother John T. now own a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in North Dakota.

Mr. Rema is a democrat in politics and during the years 1907, 1908 and 1909 did able service as a member of the county board of supervisors, making a creditable and enviable record in that connection. In 1913 he was once more elected to the office and will again assume its duties on the 1st of January, 1914. He and his family are devoted members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Rema is widely known in the county where his entire life has been spent and the sterling qualities which he has displayed in his social and business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow townsmen.

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

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