From the Fosston (MN) Thirteen Towns, December 27, 1940:
John Hillestad, Prominent Pioneer Merchant, Succumbs
Rev. T.H. Megorden Officiates At Rites Tuesday Afternoon
John Hillestad, 80, prominent business man for over a half century, passed away unexpectedly at his home here at 6:15 a.m. Saturday.
Although Mr. Hillestad had been in failing health for a number of years, his death came as an unexpected blow to the community as he had been able to be about and visit with his friends up to the last day.
Closely associated with the developments of the village of Fosston and of the area known as the Thirteen Towns, Mr. Hillestad became well known to those living in a large surrounding area and was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was a moving factor in the building up of the town and surrounding community.
John Hillestad was born October 29, 1860, in Sogn, Norway. He came to America May 8, 1882, at the age of 22 years and came to Owatonna, this state, the same year and resided with his brother, Chris Hillestad.
From there he came to Fosston March 12, 1886 and was employed by his brother, the late I.I. Hillestad in the general merchandise business when the town was located in the east end, known as "The Old Town." Later he went into the hardware business in partnership with the late John Lade.
He bought out the interests of Mr. Lade and continued until Sept. 1, 1935, when he sold out the business to Erwin Hanson, having been in business in Fosston for 50 years.
He was active in civic and village affairs and served several times as mayor and member of the village council. He was active in the Norwegian Lutheran church.
On Sept. 20, 1896, he was married to Miss Carrie Nelson, who passed away in 1904. On April 30, 1919 he was married to Mrs. Dora S. Ericson, who survives him. Also surviving are a stepson, Francis R. Ericson, Fort North, Texas, and Mrs. Richard Crawbuck of Owatonna.
In due respect to one of the builders of the village of Fosston, places of business remained closed between 1:30 and 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the home at 1:30 and from the Landstad church at 2:30 with Rev. T.H. Megorden officiating. Burial was made in the Landstad cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Roy Hove, Leonard Kringle, Erwin Hanson, Walter Thompson, Oscar Larson, and Henry Skatvold. Honorary pallbearers were George Nelson, N.O. Nelson, E.H. Comontan, Sig. Lade, Dr. A. Sather, Christ Olson, H.F. Mark, and E.G. Eklund.
**********
Sometime between 1905 and 1910, John took in a foster daughter named Dora Johnson. His niece, Ottelia (Tilla) Ravn, also lived with him for a time before moving back to Norway.
From the Fosston (MN) Thirteen Towns, December 27, 1940:
John Hillestad, Prominent Pioneer Merchant, Succumbs
Rev. T.H. Megorden Officiates At Rites Tuesday Afternoon
John Hillestad, 80, prominent business man for over a half century, passed away unexpectedly at his home here at 6:15 a.m. Saturday.
Although Mr. Hillestad had been in failing health for a number of years, his death came as an unexpected blow to the community as he had been able to be about and visit with his friends up to the last day.
Closely associated with the developments of the village of Fosston and of the area known as the Thirteen Towns, Mr. Hillestad became well known to those living in a large surrounding area and was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was a moving factor in the building up of the town and surrounding community.
John Hillestad was born October 29, 1860, in Sogn, Norway. He came to America May 8, 1882, at the age of 22 years and came to Owatonna, this state, the same year and resided with his brother, Chris Hillestad.
From there he came to Fosston March 12, 1886 and was employed by his brother, the late I.I. Hillestad in the general merchandise business when the town was located in the east end, known as "The Old Town." Later he went into the hardware business in partnership with the late John Lade.
He bought out the interests of Mr. Lade and continued until Sept. 1, 1935, when he sold out the business to Erwin Hanson, having been in business in Fosston for 50 years.
He was active in civic and village affairs and served several times as mayor and member of the village council. He was active in the Norwegian Lutheran church.
On Sept. 20, 1896, he was married to Miss Carrie Nelson, who passed away in 1904. On April 30, 1919 he was married to Mrs. Dora S. Ericson, who survives him. Also surviving are a stepson, Francis R. Ericson, Fort North, Texas, and Mrs. Richard Crawbuck of Owatonna.
In due respect to one of the builders of the village of Fosston, places of business remained closed between 1:30 and 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the home at 1:30 and from the Landstad church at 2:30 with Rev. T.H. Megorden officiating. Burial was made in the Landstad cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Roy Hove, Leonard Kringle, Erwin Hanson, Walter Thompson, Oscar Larson, and Henry Skatvold. Honorary pallbearers were George Nelson, N.O. Nelson, E.H. Comontan, Sig. Lade, Dr. A. Sather, Christ Olson, H.F. Mark, and E.G. Eklund.
**********
Sometime between 1905 and 1910, John took in a foster daughter named Dora Johnson. His niece, Ottelia (Tilla) Ravn, also lived with him for a time before moving back to Norway.
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