Knut Olson Lura

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197062871/knute-olson-lura

Knute Olson Lura BIRTH 9 Dec 1848 Lura, Sandnes kommune, Rogaland fylke, Norway DEATH 25 Sep 1927 (aged 78) Nevada, Story County, Iowa, USA BURIAL McCallsburg Cemetery McCallsburg, Story County, Iowa, USA

Knute Olson Lura was the son of Olaus Aslakson Myrland Lura (1819-1875) and Inger Kristine Knutsdatter Forus (1819-1870), both of Norway.

He married Bertha Larson on Feb. 9, 1871, at the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church, Chicago, Ill. To this union was born: - Inger M. Lura (Mrs. Vekre) (15 Dec 1871-13 Jun 1944) - Louise Lura (Mrs. Amos Charles Hanson) (1873-1944) - Olive Lura (Mrs. Milton Hanson) (9 Jun 1873-6 Sept 1961) - Corneil K. Lura (3 May 1877-19 Apr 1944) - Bertha Lura (Mrs. Nessa) (26 Jan 1878-28 May 1965) - Lewis Lura (1 Nov 1880-1957) - Paul Lura (14 Jan 1883-22 Mar 1950) - Martin K. Lura (Oct 1884-1951) - Peter Lura (Oct 1886-1963) - Carl O. Lura (May 1888-1973) - Alma Caroline Lura (Mrs. Vallem) (20 May 1890-1979) - Arthur K. Lura (1892-1974) - Otis Lura (Oct 1895-1951) ————— Suggested edit from contributor Jean Wilson (48841367): One of the pioneer families settling in the McCallsburg area was the Knute Olson (K.O. Lura) family. Knute Olson was born on the Island of Lura, seven miles south of Stavanger, Norway, on December 9, 1848.

When he was about 20 years old, he decided to come to America. Money for the passage was hard to get, so he signed as a seaman on a passenger ship sailing between Norway and Canada. To pay for his passage he agreed to make two trips. Fate decreed other wise.

On his first voyage was a young lass of 18 years, Bergithe Larson, who was born June 9, 1850. Love bloomed on the long three month voyage.

When the ship docked in Canada, Knute jumped the ship to follow his love. Many interesting stories are told of how he and a cousin dodged the authorities, until the ship was forced to sail back to Norway without them.

Of course Knute followed his love to where she was with a relative in Chicago. On February 9, 1871, they were married.

Soon after their marriage, they came to McCallsburg and its area to find their home and to spend the rest of their lives.

It was evident quite soon that there were far too many Olsons in the area. Mix-ups in mail and such matters were often occurring. So Knute Olson decided to add another name to Knute Olson. He chose the name of the little island of his birth, Lura. After that the name of K. O. Lura was a prominent one in the community. Two brothers, who had settled near, also took the same name, thus all the Lura's claim a relationship.

Farming was their chosen occupation. A number of farms in the area can attest to the fact that at one time K.O. Lura had owned it.

To this union were born 13 children. It was several years after, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniverasry, before Mrs. Lura passed away. The thirteen born were: Inger, now Mrs. Vickre, born December 15, 1871; Louise, now Mrs. Amos Hanson, mother of Mrs. Andy Thompson, born June 27, 1873; Olava, now Mrs. Milt Hanson, born June 9, 1875; Corneil, born May 3, 1877; Bertha, now Mrs. Ole Nessa, born June 26, 1879; Lewis, the father of Carroll, Gordon, and Loren, born November 1, 1881; Paul, born January 10, 1883; Martin, born October 19, 1885; Peter, who resided in this area until his death, born October 7, 1887; Carl, born May 8, 1888; Alma, now Mrs. George Vallem, mother of Gerald, Kenneth and Maxine, born May 20, 1890; Arthur, born December 7, 1893; and Otis, born November 19, 1896. Three of the thirteen are living, they are Carl, who lives in Nevada, Alma, who lives in Nevada, and Arthur, who lives in Marshalltown.

It would be difficult to attempt to count the many descendants of Knute and Bergithe Larson. All certainly hold a fond tie to the fine farming community around the great little town of McCallsburg.

Several Lura's have aided in the development of the town. Lewis Lura served for some time on the school board and city council, and Mrs. Carroll Lura and Mrs. Gordon Lura taught in the schools. Since 1947, Carroll Lura has served as a member of the town council and since 1948 as a member of the fire department, for the last 19 years he has been serving as fire chief.

Gerald Vallem, son of Alma Lura Vallem, served as Secretary of the school board for twelve years, also city clerk on the town council for three years. At the present Gerald is looking after the insurance needs of this town.

At this time the only descendants of K.O. Lura that live in McCallsburg are Gerald Vallem and Carroll Lura.

Family Members

Spouse

Bergithe Larson Lura 1850–1925

Children

Inger M Lura Vekre 1871–1944

Louise Lura Hanson 1873–1944

Olive Lura Hanson 1873–1961

Corneil K. Lura 1877–1944

Bertha Lura Nessa 1878–1965

Lewis Lura 1880–1957

Paul O. Lura 1883–1950

Martin K Lura 1884–1951

Peter K Lura 1886–1963

Carl O Lura 1888–1973

Alma Caroline Lura Vallem 1890–1979

Arthur K Lura 1892–1974

Otis Lura 1895–1951