The Lomen Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

EVEN E. LOMEN.

Even E. Lomen is one of the active and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Springfield township and is conducting his business interests on a fine property lying on section 3. The farm's neat and attractive appearance indicates his careful supervision and his practical methods and he is justly accounted one of the leading agriculturalists of his native county. He was born on the 6th of January, 1861, and is a son of Erick and Olena Lomen. of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of Henry Lomen.

Even E. Lomen was reared and educated upon his father's farm in Decorah township and attended district school, later becoming a student at the Breckenridge Institute. From his childhood he was familiar with the details of farm operation, having learned them by practical experience upon his father's property, and he remained at home until 1896, when he moved to one of his father's farms lying on section 3, Springfield township, upon which he now resides. The place had but slight improvements and he began further to develop and cultivate it. erecting fine barns and outbuildings and installing the necessary equipment. In addition to general farming he engaged in stock-raising and is a shareholder in the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah.

In December, 1896. Mr. Lomen was united in marriage to Miss Anna G. Eide, a daughter of Gudmund and Ingeborg Eide, natives of Norway, where the father engaged in farming. He died in his native country in 1907 and his wife survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Lomen became the parents of two children: Olena, aged sixteen; and Emma, aged fourteen.

Politically Mr. Lomen gives his allegiance to the republican party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Lutheran church. He is one of Winneshiek county's most active and progressive native sons and holds a high place in the respect and esteem of the community where his entire life has been spent.

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

Almost half a century of continuous residence in one district is the record of Henry Lomen, for he was born in Decorah township, Winneshiek county, on the 15th of September, 1867, and the farm upon which his birth occurred continues to be his home. His parents, Erick E. and Olena (Erickson) Lomen, were both born in Norway but came to America at an early day, locating in Wisconsin, where the father was employed in the pine woods for about two years. Later he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating in Decorah township where he purchased eighty acres of land — a tract which formed the nucleus of the fine farm upon which his son Henry now resides. With characteristic energy he at once set about improving and developing the place and as the years passed and he prospered in his agricultural undertaking he purchased more land until eventually he owned two hundred acres of fine farming property, eighty acres of which lie in Springfield township and the balance in Decorah township. He made farming his life work and was still actively engaged at that occupation at the time of his death, which occurred in 1906. His widow survives and, with her daughter, makes her home with her son Henry.

On the old homestead Henry Lomen was reared and at the usual age he became a pupil in the district schools. Later he supplemented the knowledge there gained by a course of study in the Decorah Institute, while his practical training was received on the home farm under the direction of his father. After the close of his school days he gave his attention entirely to the work of the fields and upon attaining his majority continued to remain at home, giving his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, when he took complete charge of the home farm which he has since continued to operate. He has placed considerable improvements upon the property and its high state of development is in large measure due to his untiring efforts, his keen business sagacity and his progressive methods.

Mr. Lomen is a member of the Lutheran church while politically he votes with the republican party. He has never had time nor inclination for participation in public affairs, although he is greatly interested in the welfare of the community and supports any measures which have for their object the general improvement and progress. He is a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company and the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah, and has a reputation for unquestioned integrity in the business circles of Decorah township. A lifelong resident of this district, he is widely known throughout this section and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

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

OLE O. LOMEN.

( He O. Lomen. a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Winneshiek county, is the proprietor of the Washington Prairie Poultry and Fruit Farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2 and 3. Springfield township, anil including the largest orchard in the county. On this place he has resided continuously from his birth to the present time with the exception of a period of five years spent in the military service of his country. He was burn on the 22d of November, 1861, a son of Ole A. and Mary K. (Northorp) Lomen, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1848 and located first in Wisconsin but two years later, in June. [850, came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, entering the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is now in possession of our subject. Clearing and improving the property, he continued active in its cultivation until the time of his death, which occurred in 1868. The demise of his wife occurred in 1888.

Ole (J. Lomen was reared and educated in this county, pursuing his studies in the district schools. He remained with his mother until seventeen years of age and then, in November, 1879, enlisted in the regular army, serving as a soldier in Montana for five years. On returning to this state, in 1884, he purchased and took charge of the home farm and has been successfully engaged in its operation to the present time, having placed many substantial improvements thereon, thus enhancing its value. His is the largest orchard in Winneshiek county. Two years ago his apple crop amounted to four hundred barrels, I abides fifty barrels that were not picked, while in the past year he shipped seventy-five bushels of plums to St. Paul. He also raises all kinds of berries and cherries and in 1912, though the crop was not nearly as good as usual, was awarded the second premium for the best collection of fruit at the Iowa State Fair. Mr. Lomen likewise breeds Holstein cattle, and his is probably the largest poultry establishment in the county, including fifteen different breeds. His farm is up-to-date in every respect and he is a modern agriculturist whose labors are attended with the most gratifying results. Since 1905 he has held the position of secretary of the Winneshiek County Horticultural

Society, and he is also the president of the Nordness Telephone Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Flog Company of Decorah.

In June, 1889, Mr. Eomen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Knutson, by whom he had two children, namely: Herbert, a young man of twenty-two years; and Grace, who is twenty years of age. Both are students in the high school at Decorah. The wife and mother passed away in September, 1892, after a short illness, and in December. 1844, Mr. Lomen was again married, his second union being with Miss Maria Ness, a daughter of S. M. Ness, of Springfield township. Unto them have been born five children, as follows: Ernest, whose demise occurred on the 3d of June, 1899; Ethel, who passed away on the 12th of January, 1901; Erline, who is eleven years old; and Oscar and Elenore, who are nine and five years of age respectively.

Mr. Lomen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done valuable service in the cause of education as secretary of the school board of Decorah township since 1889 or 'or almost a quarter of a century. For a period of nine years he also served as trustee of Springfield township, ever discharging his official duties in a most commendable and creditable manner. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Throughout his entire life he has quickly recognized and utilized opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by and in the improvement of the advantages which have come to him he has steadily progressed toward the goal of success and is now numbered among Winneshiek county's men of affluence.

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