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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IAPALOAL] !! Emmetsburg Democrat; Palo Alto Co, IA; Dec 1895
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 17:25:05 -0500


Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
1895 Christmas Souvenir

Rev. Jergen Danielson Swalestuen was born in the parish of Tyrsidal, Ovre
Thelemarken, Norway, June 16, 1857. He was confirmed at the age of 16 and after
this attended for five years the high schools in the cities of Skien and
Christiana. He came to America in 1881, landing in New York November 10. In 1883
he commenced his studies for the ministry at Luther College, Des Moines,
remaining for two years. He studied theology for three years, the first at Red
Wing, Minn., Seminary and the other two at the Northfield Seminary, from which
institution he graduated June 15, 1888. Having received a call from the charge
at Ellendale, N.D., he was ordained according to the ritual of the Norwegian
Lutheran church, August 29, 1888. In March, 1891, he accepted a call from the
Lost Island charge and moved to this county. When he commenced his work in this
county, the charge consisted of two small congregations- Our Savior's and St.
John's. In 1892, he became assistant pastor of Bethany congregation in this
city, and the same year he organized a congregation at Graettinger. In 1894, he
was given charge of the Ellington congregation in Hancock county. When he became
pastor of the congregations named, none of them had churches. Now three of them
have fine edifices. June 13, 1891, he was married to Miss Clara Johnson, of
Brookings, S.D. He is a prudent, earnest, zealous clergyman and he is idolized
by his people. He also enjoys the esteem of those other creeds.

Rev. L.O. Wigdahl, whose present residence is Ruthven, Iowa, is the
esteemed and zealous pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church in this city, at
present in course of erection. He was born at Stavanger, Norway, in 1857. He
came to America in 1880 and to Iowa in 1883. The same year he was married in
Fayette county, Iowa , to Miss Annie Osterhus. The subject of this sketch made
the most thorough preparation before entering upon the discharge of his
ministerial duties. In 1880 he attended the Lutheran College at Red Wing,
Minnesota, remaining for four years and completing the regular course required
of those preparing to study theology. Subsequently he spent three years in a
theological seminary in Minneapolis. In 1887 he was ordained and has since been
the pastor of the church at Ruthven. Besides his charge at Ruthven, he has one
at Ft. Dodge, one at Milford, one in this city, one twelve miles north of
Ruthven and one at Sanborn. Several years ago he had charge of from twelve to
fifteen congregations in this section of the state. When he commenced his
pastoral labors, these people had no churches. Now there are nine or ten in the
extensive field in which he toils, all of which attests his zeal for the cause
of advancement of which he has consecrated his life and his energies. Aside from
his standing as a clergyman, he is a gentleman of observation, activity, and
influence in public affairs and his affability and generous nature have won him
numerous and loyal friends among those who are not of his faith. He is still a
young man, and a career of devotion to the cause of God and humanity awaits him.

Cathy Joynt Labath
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm


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