Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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.