Chris Knutson (1817-1897)

KNUTSON, CHARLSON, OSTREM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/29/2025 at 23:51:00

From Jewell Record August 26, 1897 (page 5)

Obituary.

Died, at his home on College avenue in this city, Saturday afternoon Aug. 21, 1897 at 1 o'clock, Mr. Chris Knutson, aged 80 years, 4 months and 8 days.

Mr. Knutson was born in Norway near the city of Stavanger, April 13, 1817 where he was married to his present widow. The family moved to this country in 1862, settling in Illinois where they lived for two years. From Illinois they moved on a farm in southern Hamilton county where they resided until last spring when they moved to Jewell. Mr. Knutson had been a continuous resident of Hamilton county for over 33 years and always considered one of our very best and most influential citizens. At his demise he leaves an aged widow and seven children, a boy having died in Norway. Those living are: Knute Knutson, of Jewell; J. C. Knutson, also of Jewell, and proprietor of one of the largest general stores in town; Sarah Charlson, living south of Ellsworth; Betsy Ostrem, wife of O. Ostrem, of this city; Tom Knutson, of Washington; Christ Knutson, of Washington and Martha Knutson of Jewell who has always lived with her parents and taken care of them.

Mr. Knutson was very comfortably situated financially as he left the old country with means and he left a splendid estate to his children consisting of large well improved farms and money at interest. He was a very liberal man and has lost much money by assisting his friends. When he started for America he purchased many passages for his friends who did not have the means to come, and in many instances the parties failed to pay the money back. The direct cause of his demise was old age and heart trouble, and, although death was expected at almost any time his taking away seemed very sudden to the relatives and friends. The funeral services were held last Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock, one of the largest gatherings ever seen in Jewell being inadequate to hold one-half of the people. The sermon was preached very ably by Rev. Eastvold, after which the remains were interred in Evergreen cemetery.