Haakon Espe was born near Ullensvang Norway and immigrated in 1868 with 12 others in a small boat to Quebec Canada then to Lee Co. Illinois and settled in 1870 near Radcliffe Iowa. He established a huge farm where his descendants continue to live. He celebrated 50 yrs of marriage to fellow Norwegian native Guhnild Prestegaard Espe and gave generations following a start to a new life to farm on some of the richest soil on earth. While Norway was the family's homeland they had to leave it's beauty for a new opportunity after an avalanche destroyed their summer pasture and left them near poverty stricken. Courage and fortitude and much personal hardship created possibilities for the Espe children and they now realize how they are indebted to Haakon and Gunhild for their great hardships and many sacrifices.
Haakon Espe was born near Ullensvang Norway and immigrated in 1868 with 12 others in a small boat to Quebec Canada then to Lee Co. Illinois and settled in 1870 near Radcliffe Iowa. He established a huge farm where his descendants continue to live. He celebrated 50 yrs of marriage to fellow Norwegian native Guhnild Prestegaard Espe and gave generations following a start to a new life to farm on some of the richest soil on earth. While Norway was the family's homeland they had to leave it's beauty for a new opportunity after an avalanche destroyed their summer pasture and left them near poverty stricken. Courage and fortitude and much personal hardship created possibilities for the Espe children and they now realize how they are indebted to Haakon and Gunhild for their great hardships and many sacrifices.
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