Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-01-18
Spruce Valley.
Pioneer Passes

PlOneer RAISES
George K. Moen was born to Knud
and Martha Knudson in lower Tele-
marker, Norway, on Nov. II, 1859.
Taking the name of his parental home
for his surname he there grew to
manhood and engaged in agriculture,
dairying and logging, the principal in
1883, he emigrated to the United
States coming directly to Byron, Ohm
stead County, Minnesota, where he
was employed on farm by relative
until 1856. Married on Jan. L. 1885,
to Emma Ellingson Of that neighbOr-
hood, he followed the tide Of settlers
north and west seeking to establish
home on a homestead Of his own.
Mrs. Moen's cousin, Ole Silvernes of
New Solem, attracted the young couple
to opportunities in Marshall county
and assisted Mr.. Moen in locating.
Following the banks of Middle River
they came in April of that year into
the government township 157 NJ, range
43 w. and came upon a humble cabin
there in the wilds, on the southwest
quarter of section 10. Here Peter
Blomquist and his wife had settled in
1883. Mr.. Blomquist encouraged the
prospective settlers to locate on the
quarter adjoining on the north and
offered the hospitality of their cabin
while Mr.. Moen might build OH his
own homestead. Thus locating, MI. Moen
was the first of Norwegian descent
to settle in Spruce Valley and their
first born, Albert, is raputea to hest slhl.s,
first white child born in this town
ship. The story Of the early years of
pioneer life, here as elsewhere, forms
most interesting chapter. To Mr.
and Mrs. Moen were born ten children,
namely, Albert, Clarence, Mrs. Thora
Olson, Mrs. Emma Pokela, Mrs. Maxi,
Mrs. Sophia Swenson, Lille, Myrtle,
Esther and Effie, who, with the widow,
a sister Miss Emma Knudson and Is
grand children survive. In 1912 Mr..
Moen sold his homestead in section
10 and and built up new and COM
Portable home on section 8 where his
decease occurred on Jan. 4th at 10 30
p. M. Mr.. Moen was large of stature
and of exceptional strength, domestic
and conservative in his habit, OF q
quiet, unpretentious dignity, sincere
and positive in convictions and profess
sion. When the town Of Spruce Val
ley was organized on April 81, 1883,
Mr.. MOen was chosen to serve as a
supervisor, constable and the first
road overseer. He served as super
visor until the following year and
again from 1899 to 1902 and from
1904 to 1906. He also promoted the
the organization of common school
district number Al in 1889 and served
as treasurer thereof from 1891 to
1918 when he promoted the formation
Of district number $50 in the north:
west portion Of the town. He was
also active in promoting the organiza-
ton of the Cooperative Creamery AS.
ISOLATION at Middle River in 1906 and
and served on it's first board OF al.
rectors. Through therearnest preach
ing of Samuel Tunheim, Mr.. Moen en-
breaced the Christian religion during
the early nineties and rejoiced in his
membership in the spiritual church OF
the redeemed. During the late sum
mer he penned farewell letter tt
his family and friends to be read al
his funeral wherein he pleadingly ad
monished them to follow after thu
Christian ideals in which they might
ioin in securing the most complete and
permanent satisfaction. In 1912 ar
ulcer formed on Mr.. Moen's lower ny
which never fully healed. y This DC
veloped into a cancer about six years
later. Nov. 10, 1919, he was treated
with caustics at sanitar1um In Min
neapolis but the disease soon reoc
cured under the jaw. Last August he
suffered severe hemorrhages which re
duced him quickly to his last bedrid
den suffering. The last 80 days III
was able to receive only liquid foot
I by injection into the throat, and deatt
brought sweet relief. The funeral ser
vices were conducted at his late resi-
dence by Rev. a. Myhre OF NeWfold '
and at the Scandal Lutheran church
at Middle River where Rev. Wyh y
was assisted BY Rev. Haas and Rev
Hanson. Interment was made In Tn
Scandal Lutheran Cemetery. "a larg
gathering Of friends and neighbor
were in attendance to pay tribute Q
respect, affection and sympathy
Basket Ball ookston 81. 8. svs
Warren "a. s., Saturday, 30 =. ~
sharp at High School gym.
s Nj and Mrs. j. r. Easton left o.
lTuesday evening for MinneapOh
where they win visit their daughter
Mrs. Stuhr. Mr.. Easton VIII also q
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