Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Housken, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 6:08 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Housken, John – It is remarkable what success many foreign-born citizens of 
the United States attain when they find opportunities to follow their natural 
inclinations.  There are no better farmers the world over than the men who 
have come here from alien shores, possessed with the earnest hope of securing 
land upon which to make a home for themselves and those who will come after 
them.  Grundy County is fortunate in having so many of these sturdy, reliable 
men in its midst, and one who has made good use of his opportunities to his 
own benefit and the general advancement of his community, is John Housken of 
Nettle Creek Township. 

John Housken was born at Stavanger, Norway, August 23, 1885.  His mother died 
in 1910 in the old home, but the father still lives there.  In 1903 John 
Housken, who had grown up in his native place and attended the public schools, 
left Norway for the United States.  Coming to Morris, Ill., he found 
employment among the farmers in neighboring townships, and in 1908 began 
farming 160 acres of land in Nettle Creek Township.  Of this property 133 
acres are under cultivation, and the balance is in pasture land and timber.  
Mr. Housken is specializing in grain farming and has been very successful in 
his work, for he is earnest and painstaking and knows how to make his efforts 
count for something.  On February 3, 1909, he was united in marriage with Ella 
Olson, born in Erienna Township, this county, January 18, 1889, a daughter of 
Theodore and Bertha (Thorson) Olson of Stavanger, Norway.  Mr. Olson died in 
April, 1910, but his widow survives him and makes her home at Morris.  Mr. and 
Mrs. Housken have two children:  Teressa Bernice, born June 17, 1910, and 
Erwin J., born November 17, 1912.  Mr. Housken is a member of the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church.  In politics he is a Republican.

page 832

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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