Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1080

 932 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY Norway, who came to America and located in Illinois, later going to Iowa, where they still reside, carrying on farming. Joseph A. acquired his education in Iowa and attended Jewell Lutheran College, in Jewell, Iowa, where he completed the com- mercial course. After finishing school he took a clerkship at Eagle Grove for a time, and subsequently held a similar position at Bellmont, Iowa, for three years. In August, 1904, he removed to Wanamingo and entered the mercantile business, which he still conducts. He was married October 1, 1903, to Hannah E. Haugen, daughter of 0. S. and Sigrid (Komo) Haugen, natives of Norway. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Norstad are : Lester E., born May 19, 1905, and Orwin S., born January 29, 1908. Mr. Norstad is an independent Republican in politics, and attends the Lutheran church. He is a highly respected citizen in the village in which he lives. In business he has been very success- ful. He comes of good stock and his upright dealings have merited the excellent reputation which his store bears. Halvor O. Oakland was born in Wanamingo township, where lie still lives, September 14, 1861, son of Ole 0. and Ture (Hal- vorson) Oakland, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1852, settled in Kirkland, Wis., and in 1854 removed to Wana- mingo township, where they took up a homestead of 160 acres. Later they sold this and purchased 140 acres in sections 18 and 19, which the father cleared and improved, building a home, and followed general farming until his death, January 26, 1895. The mother died in September, 1887. Halvor received his educa- tion in the common schools, and in 1882 he went to Coddington county, South Dakota, where he took up a homestead of 160 acres. This he improved and farmed until 1889, when he sold out, returned to Wanamingo township and purchased the old homestead, where he has made many improvements. In 1901 he added thirty acres adjoining, and in 1904 built a new house, which is well furnished throughout. He is now remodeling his barn. Mr. Oakland was married June 23, 1886, to Lena Nerson, daughter of Neri Strand and Guri Toeto, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Belle Creek township, where they engaged in general farming until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Oakland have six children, Nora, Olof, Gena, Lydia, Hilda and Clara, all living at home. Mr. Oakland is a Repub- lican in his political views. He is now clerk of the school board of district 148, which office he has held for twelve years. He is also a stockholder in the elevators at Kenyon and Bombay. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. John G. Olstad, of Wanamingo township, was born in Craw- ford county, Wisconsin, November 25, 1863, son of Ole C. and Carrie (Hostager) Olstad, natives of Norway, who came to