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Note: Birth: Feb. 25, 1847
Sor-Trondelag County, Norway
Death: Dec. 21, 1921
Iron River
Iron County
Michigan, USA
HEADSTONE just says Father; first name not given.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter Dec 22 1921 "Old Citizen of Bates Succumbs: Olaf Helgemo, 75, Resident of Iron County for 35 Years Is Dead"
Olaf Helgemo of Bates died at the home of his son, Peter Helgemo, West Adams street, Wednesday [Dec 21] evening at six o'clock, after an illness which had confined him to his bed for several weeks. Mr. Helgemo had been failing for the past year or so but was able to be around until a few weeks ago, when he was brought to town and had since made his home with his son.
He was born in Norway 74 years and ten months ago. He was married in Sweden and came to this country in 1880, first settling at Norway, where he remained only a short time, going to Iron Mountain from there. In 1883 he came to Iron County, settling on a homestead in Bates, which had been his home for 38 years. His wife died in 1890. He was the father of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. One of the daughters died in early life.
He was probably one of the best known of our Scandanavian citizens, always loyal and upright. He had held many offices of trust, both in the county and township. For a number of years he had been a member of the poor commission, resigning only recently on account of failing health. He was a member of the Swedish Baptist church. He was also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
FUNERAL NOTICE Iron River Reporter Dec 23 1921 "Olaf Helgemo Born in Norway in 1847"
Olaf Helgemo of Bates, mention of whose death was made in The Daily Reporter of Thursday, was born in Tronjan, Norway, Feb. 25, 1847. At the age of seventeen he moved to Sweden and there married Karrie E. Nyberg. While in Sweden he was converted and became a member of the Swedish Baptist church of Midlepod.
In the year 1879 Mr. Helgemo came to the United States, settling first at Norway, Mich., where he remained for a time and in 1882 came to Iron River and settled on a homestead in Bates township, where he continuously resided for 38 years. His wife died in 1890. He is survived by seven sons and three daughters. The sons are: Olaf Helgemo, Peter Helgemo, Emil Helgemo, Herbert Helgemo, Oscar Helgemo, all of Iron River; John Helgemo, Caspian, and Alex Helgemo, Baker, Montana. Daughters: Mrs. John E. Nelson, Mrs. N.O. Kelstrom, and Mrs. Emil J. Gervais, all of Iron River. There are also three sisters: Mrs. Axel E. Carlson, Virginia, Minn., Mrs. Hyland, Menominee, Wis., and Miss Anie Helgemo, Tronjan, Norway. Besides these there are forty-two grand children and fifteen great grandchildren.
The deceased was a thoroughly reliable and upright citizen, and during his life time he held many offices of trust in the county and township. For a number of years he was a member of the county poor commission, only recently resigning the position on account of his health.
The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at one o'clock from the Swedish Baptist church.
BATES TOWNSHIP LEGACY 1885-1985 centennial book "Earliest Property Owners" page 16 (extract)
The earliest settlement was confined largely to Township 43, Range 34. Following is a list of the early families in Bates and dates of land purchased. Many of them had settled earlier than the date of the transfer of property indicates.
1885 Olaf Helgemo 160 acres in Section 27
BATES TOWNSHIP LEGACY 1885-1985 centennial book "Final Patents of the First Homesteaders-1880's" page 17 (excerpt)
While looking through some of the Iron County Courthouse Archives, we found some of the patented title dates recorded by the first Bates Homesteaders. These dates show the finalized deeds of the property the homesteaders live on five years prior to the date. Perhaps this will give the reader some idea when our forefathers in Bates Township became authentic owners of U.S. Public Property.
Section 27 Olaf Helgemo Finalized 1889 160 Acres
There is a story why these homesteaders did not take the full 160 acres. Those homesteads not finalized were sold to others or passed on to family members who got their deeds recorded at the iron County Courthouse.
"Patented Title" The Patented title meant that the homesteader who had applied for and followed the specific rules of the Homestead act was issued a government document or deed for that property. The patented title was recorded at the courthouse and it is proof that the Homestead is finalized and protects the landowner against anyone taking claim on that property. It is no longer public land.
~By Myrna Wikstrom Cook~
BATES TOWNSHIP LEGACY 1885-1985 centennial book "Do You Remember When..." page 335
Bates Township was quoted as having "the best farming land, the best cultivated farms, and the best farmers in Iron County" in the premium book of the Fifth Annual Exhibition of the Iron County Agricultural Society which was held September 18, 1896 at Iron River? "Olaf Helgemo harvested 70 bushels of spuds from 2 bushels of seed sowed on unplowed ground where potatoes had been grown the previous year.
A HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY by Jack Hill Chapter 20 "Bates Township" page 147 (extract)
The earliest settlement was confined largely to Town 43, Range 34. Here we find the homes of John Greenlund, Olaf Helgemo and August Ericksons on Section 27.
Special laws enacted for the Upper Peninsula Townships in 1891 paved the way for the present single school districts of today. Compulsory education in Michigan did not come until 1895. The members of this first School Board were, Carl J. Gustavson [Gustafson], Moderator. Olaf Helgemo, Director and John Erick Greenland [Greenlund], Assessor.
BATES TOWNSHIP LEGACY 1885-1985 centennial book "Gotthard & Ester Olina Nordin" page 140 (excerpt)
Together with Ole Helgemo, Peter Nordin organized the Baptist church in Bates Township. This church stood a quarter of a mile from the Helgemo farm toward the south, and was used until 1923, when the people thought that they could as well go to the church in Iron River. By that time most of them had modern transportation, that is, Model "T" Fords. The organ from that church in Bates, a reed pump organ, has been in our family since 1923. It still plays with its original leather bellows furnishing the air.
CHILDREN born Olof W. 1871, Karen F. Nelson 1873, Peter 1875, John 1879, Addie Gervais 1886, Herbert 1887. Emil, Oscar, Alex, Mrs N.O. Kelstrom unknown.
INFORMATION FROM WAYNE OHLSSON at www.rootsweb.com says came to US April 9 1880.
Family links:
Spouse: Elizabeth "Karrie" Caroline Nyberg Helgemo (1848 - 1900)* Children: Nelly Helgemo Olson (1869 - 1905)* Olof Waldimar Helgemo (1871 - 1947)* Karen Elina Helgemo Nelson (1873 - 1946)* Peter Helgemo (1875 - 1941)* Martha O. Helgemo Kallstrom (1877 - 1940)* John Helgemo (1879 - 1944)* Addie Helgemo Gervais (1886 - 1980)* *Calculated relationship
Burial:
Bates Township Cemetery
Mapleton (Iron County)
Iron County
Michigan, USA
Plot: Lot 54
Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]
Created by: Dale Safford
Record added: Nov 26, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 6955576
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