BIOGRAPHIES:  Isaac J. KVAM, Rice Lake, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  8 November 2000	
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Isaac J. Kvam was born at Sjolstad, Namdalen, Norway, Jan. 28, 1864, son of
Jacob and Susanna Kvam, and died in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1917.
He came to America when 19 years of age, shortly after having graduated from a
military school in Trondhjem, Norway. He attended Luther College, Decorah,
Iowa, and Luther Seminary, Robbinsdale, Minn., and was ordained to the
ministry in June, 1893. Aug. 5, the same year, he was married to Christine
Crogen, of Baldwin, Wis., the daughter of James and Anna (Simonson) Crogen.
Mrs. Kvam was born and reared in St. Croix County, Wis., received her early
education in the graded schools of St. Croix and Pierce counties, and took her
higher training at the River Falls (Wis.) High School, and the Wisconsin State
Normal School at River Falls. With this preparation, she was a popular teacher
in St. Croix County for several years. Mr. Kvarr, served as pastor at Seattle,
Wash., from 1893 to 1895, and there the son, Julien A. S., was born. In
October, 1895, the family came to Rice Lake, and here Mr. Kvam was pastor of
the Norwegian Synode Church, his charge including congregations at Bloomer,
Spooner, Long Lake, and Cedar Lake. He resigned on account of ill health in
1911. In 1912, in company with his wife and son, he visited his old home in
Norway, including in the trip a visit to the principal seaports of northern
Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. At the election in the fall of 1916, Mr.
Kvam was elected to the Assembly on the Republican ticket, representing Barron
County. When the session opened, Mr. and Mrs. Kvam took apartments in Madison,
and Mr. Kvam entered upon his duties. Onthe day of his death, he underwent an
operation on diseased teeth at the Madison General Hospital, and death was due
to embolus following the operation. His short service in the Assembly was very
active, much of his legislative efforts being directed toward the abolition of
the liquor traffic in Wisconsin. A committee of six assemblymen was detailed
as an escort for the body, and to remain for the funeral on Saturday, Feb. 17,
1917, at Rice Lake. The committee was accompanied by T. L. Cretney,
sergeant-at-arms. A remarkable tribute was paid to Mr. Kvam when the Assembly
met at midnight and marched to the station as escort to his remains, the
casket being covered with floral tributes from members of the Assembly and
friends. The young men who acted as pallbearers were all confirmed during Rev.
Kvam's pastorate at Rice Lake: Martin Kolstad and Ed. Foss, of Long Lake;
Louis and Henry Olson, of Cedar Lake; and Severin Oien and Arthur Overby, of
Rice Lake. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. P. F. Kjorlaug, pastor
of the Synode Church at Rice Lake, and C. T. Clausen, pastor of the Synode
Church at Bloomer. A long procession accompanied the remains to Nora Cemetery
where interment took place. It is interesting to note that the four parents of
Mr. and Mrs. Kvam all spent their declining years with them, Mr. and Mrs.
Kvam, both feeling it their Christian duty, as well as their pleasure and
privilege, to make the afternoon of their life comfortable. Jacob Kvam died at
the age of 82 and his wife at the age of 79 years and six months. James Crogen
died at the age of 81 years and his wife at the age of 79 years and six months.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., &
Co., 1922, pp. 235-236.