Michael J. Stedje

STEDJE, MICHAELSON, LUND, JOHNSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/7/2010 at 06:40:38

MICHAEL J. STEDJE

Although horn in Dane county, Wisconsin, April 5, 1874, Michael J. Stedje has been a resident of Winnebago county, Iowa, since his first year and since reaching manhood has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Center township, owning and operating a good farm on section 30. His parents, Jens L. and Annie (Michaelson) Stedje, were born and reared in Norway, whence they emigrated to America in April, 1869. In June of that year they took up their abode in Dane county, Wisconsin, where the father worked as a section hand on the railroad for three years. In the meantime he purchased a tract of land three miles west of Stoughton, which he cultivated until coming to Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1875. Here he bought one hundred acres on section 30, Center township, and at once began its improvement and development, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred on the 2d of April, 1903. His widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-one years and makes her home with her son Michael, who is the youngest of the family. Lewis, the older son, died July 29, 1909. Susan, the only daughter, is the wife of John Lund, of Flaxton, North Dakota.

Michael J. Stedje attended the district schools near his boyhood home and early became familiar with all kinds of farm work while assisting his father in the operation of the home place. He also worked for others to some extent and is today a very progressive and up-to-date farmer. On his father's death he inherited the homestead, on which he has since made some valuable improvements and has met with good success in the operation of his farm. He also owns a section of land at Oslo, Hansford county, Texas, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Leland, Iowa, and the Leland Creamery Company.

On the 17th of May, 1904, Mr. Stedje married Miss Clara Johnson, by whom he has four children: Cora, born November 14, 1907; James A., September 2, 1909; Mary, January 19, 1912; and Gordon, October 29, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Stedje are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church and are most estimable people. Politically he is identified with the republican party.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 258-259.