The Hove Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

OLE O. HOVE.

One of Winneshiek county's most able, progressive and successful farmers is Ole O. Hove, whose fine property of three hundred and twenty acres lies on sections 26 and 2-, Aladison township, and is one of the best improved and best managed farms in this vicinity. Mr. Hove was born in Norway, on the 17th of March, 1853, and is a son of Ole and Barbara (Hedalen) Hove, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in June, 1866. and located at once in Winneshiek county, Iowa, the father purchasing land in Aladison township. To the development and improvement of this property he turned his attention, but he was unfortunate enough to take up his residence here at the time of the great failure of the wheat crops and he was forced to abandon his farming operations. Afterward he made his home with his children until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1892. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1869.

Ole O. Hove was thirteen years of age when he came to America and he had practically completed his education in the public schools of Norway, having attended district school in Winneshiek county only five days. He afterward went out to work as a farm hand for three years, and he worked in the employ of others and for his father and brothers until he was twenty-four years of age, when he rented land and turned his attention to its operation. For a number of years thereafter he continued thus but he finally purchased eighty acres on section 22, Madison township. This formed the nucleus of his present fine property, for to it he afterward added one hundred and sixty acres lying on sections 26 and 27 and eighty acres on section 15, his holdings now comprising three hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land. In its cultivation he follows the most practical and progressive methods, and his labors have been rewarded by a gratifying degree of success, which places him in the front rank of progressive and able agriculturists.

In 1875 Mr. Hove was united in marriage to Miss Anna Greinstvet. a daughter of Aslak and Susanna (Tvedt) Greinstvet, natives of Norway, who came to America about 1870 and located in Wisconsin, where they spent one year. At the end of that time they came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and here the father farmer for a number of years, later moving into Worth county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Hove have become the parents of two children: Ole, who lives at home; and Albert, a farmer in Madison township.

Mr. Hove is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company and the Farmers Cooperative Hog Buying Company of Decorah. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is a republican in his political beliefs, interested in the growth and progress of the community where he has so long resided but not active as an office seeker. He is a man of sterling qualities of character, industrious and enterprising and. well known throughout the township for his uprightness and honesty, he enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OLE P. HOVE.

Ole P. Hove, who owns a fine farm of ninety acres on section 27, Madison township, and is one of the most active and progressive agriculturists of this locality, was born in Norway on the 24th of June, 1862. He is a son of Ole and Barbara ( Hedalen ) -Hove, also natives of that county, who came to America in Tune, 1866, locating in Winneshiek county. Iowa. The father purchased a farm in Madison township and improved it for a short time, but, owing to the failure of the wheat crop throughout this locality, was forced to give up his land. He afterward made his home with his children during the remainder of his life, passing away in the fall of [892. He had survived his wife for some time, her death having occurred in 1869.

( )le P. Hove was only four years of age when his parents came to America. He was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, completing the prescribed course in the district schools and afterward turning his attention to work as a farm hand. He spent eight or nine years in this occupation and by the exercise of thrift and economy contrived to save during that period a considerable sum of money. With this he purchased eighty acres of land on section 2j, Madison township, and upon this he has since resided, having, however, afterward added to his holdings ten acres of timber land. Mr. Hove engaged in general farming and stock-raising and has made many substantial improvements upon his property, which is today well improved and well cultivated, reflecting everywhere the owner's many years of care and labor. Mr. Hove is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah and in the Farmers Cooperative Hog Buying Company, and is recognized in business circles as a man of keen insight and sound judgment.

In December, 1892, Mr. Hove was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hanson, a daughter of Charles and Jane ( Sander) Hanson, natives of Norway, who came to America in early times, the mother in 1853 and the father about the year 1864. The latter was a harness maker by trade and worked at this occupation for some time after his arrival, later turning his attention to farming in Lincoln township, a line of work which has engaged his attention since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Hove have become the parents of six children: Stella, born November 7, 1893; Clarence, September 1, 1895; Florence, March 23, 1898; Esther, August 3, 1900; Lloyd, June 30, 1904; and Beatrice, February 26, 1907.

Mr. Hove is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He was for thirteen years trustee of the township and is now in the fourth year of his able service as assessor, discharging his duties in a capable, farsighted and progressive way. Along agricultural and political lines he has left the impress of his work and personality upon the history of this section of the state and commands and holds the high regard and confidence of all who have been associated with him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Thomas Engbretson, living retired in Madison township, making his home with his cousin, Ole O. Hove, is known as one of the early settlers in this vicinity and has long been numbered among its most progressive and representative citizens. He was born in Norway, October 20. 1843, and is a son of Engbret and Gro Thorson, also natives of that country, the parents never having come to America.

Thomas Engbretson crossed the Atlantic with the Hove family in 1866 and settled in Winneshiek county in June of that year. For a time he worked as a farm hand and then turned his attention to hauling cream, following that occupation for twenty-three years thereafter and becoming known as a reliable.

enterprising and progressive business man. Eventually he retired from active life and has since made his home with his cousin, Ole O. Hove.

Mr. Engbretson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the Lutheran church. Since pioneer times he has been an honored and respected resident of this locality and the rest which he is now enjoying rewards many years of active and honorable labor.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

TORGER T. HOVE.

A finely improved and highly productive farm in Springfield township, Winneshiek county, pays tribute to the well directed efforts and business sagacity of Torger T. Hove. Like many other of Winneshiek county's successful agriculturists Mr. Hove came from the land of the midnight sun and possesses in large measure the sturdy qualities of character common to that nationality. Born in Norway on the 25th of April, 1851, he is a son of Thor and Mary P. (Boito) Torgerson, also natives of that land. The father brought his family to America in 1865, seeking the larger opportunities offered by the new world, and at once made his way to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he resided for one year with his brother. He then purchased a farm in Springfield township and later purchased other property, operating two or three places in Winneshiek county and becoming a successful agriculturist. In 1879 he became the owner of the farm upon which his son Torger T. Hove now makes his home and that property he continued to operate until his death, which occurred in 1892, while his wife, who long survived him, died in 1910.

Torger T. Hove, who was a lad of fourteen years when brought to America by his parents, had begun his education in the schools of Norway and this was continued in the district schools of Winneshiek county. In the meantime he was also receiving practical lessons on his father's farm which should later serve him in good stead, and upon laying aside his text-books he worked out as a farm hand, so continuing until 1879. In that year he was able, through the careful saving of his earnings, to purchase eighty acres which he improved and operated for seventeen years, and at the end of that time he bought the home place from his brother, a tract consisting of one hundred and nineteen and a half acres located on section 12, Springfield township. He at once applied himself to its further development, making many improvements upon the place including the erection of a fine modern house and substantial outbuildings. His fields are in a high state of cultivation and his farm, neat and attractive in appearance, is one of the valuable farming properties in the township. Mr. Hove is well known in business circles in this district as a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company, the Nordness Telephone Company and the Farmers Hog Company.

On the 29th of August, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hove and Miss Mary M. Remen, a daughter of Nels M. and Mary P. (Egge) Remen, natives of Norway, and Mr. and Mrs. Hove became the parents of eleven children, of whom three, Mary, Nettie and Selma, are deceased. The surviving children are Theodore, Tilda, Selma, Nels, Mabel, Andrew, Paul and Becca. The Lutheran church of Decorah numbers Mr. Hove among its members while the candidates and measures of the republican party receive his stalwart support. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community in which he lives and the state at large, and although his time is fully occupied by his business affairs he does all he can to promote the material, political and moral progress of his section.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Among the younger agriculturists of Sumner township, Winneshiek county, is George Hove, a native of this township, who owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved. He was born June 8, 1884, a son of John and Ella ( Fardahl) Hove, the father a native of Winneshiek county and the mother a native of Norway. The father died in 1897, but the mother still lives at the old home place in Sumner township. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Oscar, of North Dakota; Henry, of Madison township, this county; George; Elmer, who died in infancy; John Elmer, who resides on the home farm and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Lawrence, of Madison township; Ida, who married Herman Albertson, of Sumner township; and Amanda, at home.

George Hove was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. He was early grounded by his parents in the old-fashioned virtues of industry and honesty, and his present prosperity is proof that he has put the same to good use. He learned agricultural methods upon the home farm and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. In 1907 he bought forty acres of the old homestead and has since added thereto eighty more acres on section 2, Sumner township. He carries on diversified farming and stock-raising, following modern methods, and has installed up-todate equipment to facilitate the labor of the farm. All of his buildings are kept in good repair and he has also placed a silo upon the farm.

Mr. Hove was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Thompson, and of this union have been born three children: Everett, whose birthday is June 1, 1908; [name withheld], born February 20, 1910; and Melvin, whose birth occurred March 25, 1912.

Mr. Hove is independent politically, preferring to follow his own judgment in supporting candidates, whom he considers more in the light of their qualifications than in regard to party affiliations. He is a school director of his district, giving thereby evidence of his interest in the cause of education, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He has made a good start toward financial independence and his farm even today represents valuable property. He puts all his vigor into his work and naturally the result is gratifying. He is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him, and it must be a great satisfaction to him that those who have known him since his boyhood days are his stanchest friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

TOHN EEMER HOVE.

A native son of Sumner township. Winneshiek county, born on section 12. on the home farm which he now owns. John Elmer Hove has taken his place among the younger agriculturists of his locality. He was born on the 20th of February, 1888. and is a son of John and Ella ( Fardahl) Hove, the father a native of Winneshiek county and the mother of Norway. The father died in 1897, but the mother still lives on the home place. To their union were born eight children: ( 'scar, of North Dakota: Henry, of Madison township, this county; George; Elmer, who died in infancy; John Elmer, of this review; Lawrence, of Madison township; Ida, the wife of Herman Albertson, of Sumner township; and Amanda, at home.

John Elmer Hove was reared on the home farm, attending the schools of the neighborhood and early acquiring a thorough knowledge of agricultural methods. When nineteen years of age he rented a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for one year and then came back to the home place, comprising one hundred and three acres, to the operation of which he has since given his whole attention. His methods are thoroughly modern and up-to-date and the appearance of his fields bespeaks the prosperous condition of the farm.

On June 23, 1907, Mr. Hove married Miss Alma Rue and to them have been born two children: Amos Eugene, whose natal day was July 25, 1910; and [name withheld], born February 21, 1912.

Politically Mr. Hove is independent, giving his support to such candidates as he considers best adapted for the office to which they aspire. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is popular with old and young in his neighborhood, commending himself to everybody's esteem by his upright character and his pleasant, agreeable manner.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.