|
Lee County Biography Amund Hilleson Willow Creek Twp.
Amund Hilleson, farmer, Lee County. The first Norwegian settler in
Willow Creek township was Amund Hilleson, second son of Hilla and
Emalino (Emmonson) Helge, born in Sonth Bergen stift (state), Norway, June 20,1821. His father died when he was six years old, and his
mother being left in destitute circumstances with six children, the latter
were bound out according to the custom of that country in regard to
the poor, that is, each farmer takes one in his turn for a length of time
corresponding to the amount of property he owns; while sometimes
the poor are bid off at auction, the keepers being paid for their care and
trouble. Mr. Hilleson was provided for according to the former
method. When sixteen years old he was ablo to take care of himself,
and hired out the first year for $5 and his clothing, the second year for
$7 and clothing, and so on, gradually but very slowly increasing until
he had worked thirteen years, the last two or three years receiving as
high as $10 and a little clothing per year. Four years before he had
enough money saved to emigrate he began to turn his thoughts wistfully toward America, and from that time worked with the sole object
of coming at the earliest time he could be ready. That time arrived
in 1851, and he came directly to Sublette township, where his brother-
in-law, Lars L. Risetter, was living, and worked the first year in the
employ of Thomas Fessenden through haying and harvest for $11 per
month. In 1852 le bought the N.E. 1/4 Sec. 15 in Willow Creek twp.
$1.25 per acre, and continued to hire out as a laborer until he had been
here five years. In 1855 he began to improve his land, keeping house
for himself two years, when, in 1857, he was married to Miss Emaline
Larson, who was born May 8,1822, and emigrated to Sublette in 1855.
They have had two children: Helge A., born in 1859, and Evaline,
born September 6, 1863, and died December 16, 1866. The whole
family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hilleson contributed liberally toward the erection of their house of worship, having
given to that object some $600. In 1875 he bought tho N.W. 1/4 Sec.
15 for $8,150. He has one of the best improved and most desirable
farms in the country, which is valued at $19,000. He is a republican
and one of the solid men in means and character in Willow Creek
township.
Transcribed by Christine Walters
|