Pioneer Settlers--John Halverson Family

When John's parents, Halver (1827) and Ingeborg (1834) were marriedin Wascea, they changed their name from HELLEM to Halverson.



John was one of eleven children; eight boys and 3 girls. John was born in 1859 and his wife Gina was born in 1869. John filed 3-40 acre claims in section 30 of New Solum Township in 1882. He was one of the first settlers to prove his land.



In 1896, they bought section 31, commonly known as the Lilac Farm for $511 on a tax foreclosure sale. This gave him a total of 120 + 160=260 acres.


In 1897 he built an eleven by nineteen foot house, later he added an eight by eleven foot addition.



The children listed on the census are



Ida (no year given)

Alfred 1891

Manda Caroline 1893

Agnes 1895

Esther 1897

Ruth 1900 who married Fred Ranum

Raymond 1903

James 1904

William 1905

Orris 1907

Glenn (no year given)



When the Soo Line came through section 31 in 1905, John was compensated for his land and buildings. He recieved money for the right of way as well as damage to his buildings. The built a new 28 x 28 foot frame house. He also hauled tamarac logs from Thief Lake and had them milled to build a barn.



John and his wife are buried in Bethlehem Cemetery.