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- LARS HALVERSON SKAVLEM, a
- pioneer of Rock County, of 1840, was born in the parish of
Vegli, Norway, in 1819, and was the son of Halver and Bertha
SKAVLEM. His early life was spent upon a farm, and he was reared
to agricultural pursuits, remaining under the parental roof until
the suitable years, when he traveled in his native country selling
goods. In 1839 he left his native land and crossed the Atlantic
to America, locating in Chicago, where he remained until the
spring of 1840, when he came to Rock County and
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- settled on Government land, in what is now the town of Newark.
He made his home on section 11, where he improved a farm, residing
there until called from this earth by death, Sept. 2, 1879.
- Mr. SKAVLEM was married in 1843, to Miss Groe NELSON, daughter
of Halver NELSON,
- who emigrated from Norway to America in 1842. Twelve children
were born of their union, five of whom grew to mature years,
but only three are now living: Halver L., the eldest of the surviving
children, was born Oct. 3, 1846, married Miss Gunil OLMSTEAD,
and resides in Janesville; Julia L. became the wife of Peter
CHANTLAND, since deceased; Bessie died Dec. 11, 1888; Helen is
the wife of Benjamin JOHNSON, a resident of Richland County,
Wis.; Carrie, the youngest surviving daughter, resides with her
mother at Beloit.
- Mr. SKAVLEM established the third home in the town of Newark,
the first settlement having
- been made by Gulich GRAVDALE, and the second by Mrs. Gunil
ODEGORDEN and her four daughters. The latter located in Newark
Township in the spring of 1840, and Mr. GRAVDALE settled on section
1, in the autumn of 1839. Mr. SKAVLEM ultimately became the owner
of 215 acres of land, and was one of the prominent citizens among
his countrymen. In politics he was a strong anti-slavery man,
and he and Elder BROWN voted the first two Abolition tickets
in Beloit. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the
further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks, and continued
to affiliate with that organization during the remainder of his
life. He was a prominent and influential member of the Liberal
Lutheran Church, was one of its leading workers, and served as
an officer the greater part of the time. In his views he was
liberal and progressive, and always earnestly defended his opinions.
He believed in foreigners adapting themselves to the conditions
and ways of their adopted country, discarding their old country
manners and becoming Americanized in the fullest sense. His son,
Halver L., benefited by his teachings, and is thoroughly American
in appearance, manner and mode of life.
- Mr. SKAVLEM lived an industrious and useful life, and was
highly respected. His wife still
- survives him, and makes her home in Beloit. A bachelor brother
of our subject, named Gjermund, became a resident of Newark Township
at the time of the settlement of Lars. He, also, was born in
Vegli Parish, Jan. 27, 1815, came to America in the fall of 1839,
and to Newark in the spring of 1840. His life was spent in farming,
and he continued to reside in Newark Township until his death,
which occurred May 25, 1884. He was a worthy man, and is kindly
remembered by the surviving old settlers of that time.
- As worthy representatives of that large class of Norwegians,
who are doing much in building up
- the northwest, we are pleased to present the portraits of
Mr. and Mrs. SKAVLEM.
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-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 423-424; lithograph from
same book.
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- Courtesy of Carol
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