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From "The First 100 Years, 1883-1983, Fosston, Minnesota" by the Centennial Book Committee, 1983:

I. I. Hillestad came to America in 1874, locating in Sauk County, Wisconsin. After attending the Academy at Madison, Wisconsin, Luther College, and one year at Winona Normal, he taught school for several years. He was very interested in getting a school started in Fosston and was one of those instrumental in opening a school in "Old Town."

Mr. Hillestad opened one of the first General Stores in Fosston, carrying a huge inventory. His store was characterized as one of the most complete stores in Northern Minnesota.

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From a 1901 Fosston souvenir booklet, as reprinted in "The First 100 Years, 1883-1983, Fosston, Minnesota" by the Centennial Book Committee, 1983:

I. I. Hillestad sold general merchandise, consisting of dry goods, notions, clothing, furnishing goods, hats, caps, shoes, groceries, crockery and glassware. He came to Fosston and engaged in business in 1884, founding the first merchandising establishment in town. He was said to carry the largest stock of goods in this section of the state -- occupying 5,200 feet of floor space. He was born in Norway in 1852, came to America in 1874, located in Sauk County, Wisc., and after attending the academy at Madison, Luther College at Decorah and a year at Winona Normal, he taught for four years. In Fosston he served as postmaster during President Harrison's administration and also as president of the village while he ran his successful store.

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From the Fosston (MN) Thirteen Towns, October 23, 1925:

IVER I. HILLESTAD

Brief reference was made in these columns last week to the death of an old time respected resident of Fosston, Iver I. Hillestad, who died at his home in St. Paul on Sunday of last week.

As stated then, Mr. and Mrs. John Hillestad left for the city immediately after learning of his death, in order to be with the family and to attend the funeral. John Hillestad had been in St. Paul a short time before, seeing and talking with his brother. At that time it was feared that the brother might pass away any day.

The funeral was held Tuesday, the 13th, in the chapel of the Park Region Lutheran seminary, and was conducted by Prof. Wesvig and Prof. Boeckman.

Iver Hillestad was 73 years of age in August last. Born in [Hafslo] Norway, he came to the United States fifty one years ago, first stopping at Madison, Wis., where he attended college. He then spent two years studying in Decorah College, Decorah, Iowa, afterwards attending Normal school in Winona, Minn.

For some years Mr. Hillestad taught school in southern Minnesota and in 1884 he married and moved to Fosston, engaging in the mercantile business for a long period.

During his residence here, along with conducting a large business, Mr. Hillestad always took an active interest in local affairs, serving upon the village council, the board of education, and holding the office of postmaster for a length of time preceding the Grover Cleveland administration. He was a staunch Republican and one of the leaders of that political party in this community.

About ten years ago, Mr. Hillestad moved to St. Paul, accepting a position with the State Department of Weights and Measures and retaining same up to the time of his death.

Besides his devoted wife, their family of three are living. They are Mrs. Kolb (Lottie), of Madison, Wis.; Mrs. Ely (Dikka), of Ames, Iowa, and Sigurd Hillestad, of St. Paul. The daughters are both married to university professors and the son is engaged in the business of druggist in the city.

Fosston friends of the departed sympathize with Mrs. Hillestad and family in their bereavement.

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