Sven Blockhus In a spot far removed from the fair Northland in which he was born, a scion of a long line of sturdy and upright Norse ancestors, it has been given to Sven Blockhus to achieve through his own ability and efforts the well earned rewards of independence and definite prosperity. He is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Marion township, where he exemplifies excellent judgment and progressiveness in the carrying on of his diversified agricultural operations and in the raising of good grades of live stock, and he is a sterling citizen who is entitled to definite recognition in this history of the Hawkeye state. Mr. Blockhus was born in Norway, on the 30th of November, 1872, and is a son of Ole and Mary Blockhus, the former of whom passed his entire life in Norway, where he followed the mason's trade, his widow having continued at the old home since his death. Of their eleven children all are living except one and seven of the number are residents of America. The subject of this sketch gained his early education in the schools of his native land and remained at the parental home until he was fifteen years of age, when he found employment at farm work. To this vocation he applied himself until he had attained to the age of nineteen years, when he came to the United States and made Iowa his destination. In the early period of his residence here he found employment on farms in Fayette and Clayton counties during the summer months and gave evidence of his ambition and good judgment by attending school during the winter terms for the purpose of gaining, effective knowledge of the English language and otherwise extending his education. During two winters he was a zealous and appreciative student in Breckenridge Institute, at Decorah. Applying himself diligently to the work to which he set his hand, Mr. Blockhus carefully saved his earning and finally, in 1900, he was able to institute independent operations as a farmer. He purchased in that year his present farm, which comprises one hundred and forty-one and one-half acres and which is situated in section 7, Marion township. Here he has since continued his vigorous and successful activities as a general farmer, and he made his place give forth patent evidence of thrift and prosperity. He is a man of strong mentality and well fortified opinions, is a Republican in politics, and has served six years as justice of the peace, besides which he has been assessor of Marion township since 1914. Both he and his wife are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. On the 13th of March, 1903, Mr. Blockhus wedded Miss Gina Holt, and they have six children, all of whom remain at the parental home -Ida, Otto, Severin, Bessie, Fridjof and Herbert. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to
the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; page 51 |