Grand Traverse and Leelanaw Counties, Michigan 1903
by E. L. Sprague, Esq. and Mrs. George Smith
reprinted by the "Pioneer and Historical Society of Grand Traverse" 1976
Later Leelanaw had a spelling change to Leelanau.

Jacob Waagboe
Page 453-4

"Through struggles to triumph" seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the majority of our citizens and, though it is undeniable true that many a one falls exhausted by conflict, a few by their inherent force of character and strong mentality rise above their environments and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the plane of affluence.  Such has been the history of Jacob Waagboe and in his life record many useful lessons may be gleaned.  He now resides  on Section 32, Leelanaw Township, and is accounted one of the representative farmers of Leelanaw County, Michigan.

Mr. Waagboe was born in the Kingsley of Norway on 21 Aug 1846, and is the fourth in a family of nine children whose parents names were known as Jacob and Mary (Olsen) Waagboe, also natives of Norway.  The father has now passed away, having died in his native land when eighty-four years of age.

In the land of the midnight sun Jacob Waagboe of this review was reared and educated and there resided until 1873, when at the age of twenty-seven years, he determined to come to America.

He was employed as a clerk in a store in Norway for ten years and thus gained practical experience concerning mercantile methods practiced there.  Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the United States, hoping that its broader business opportunities he could more readily win advancement and secure a competence.  He landed in New York and thence made his way across the country to Michigan, since which time he has been a resident of Leelanaw County.

He had no capital to aid him in gaining a start here, but he possessed a resolute will and was not afraid to work.  He was employed at different occupations until 1975, when having acquired some money through his industry and economy he purchased forty acres of land on section 32, Leelanaw township. He then took up his abode upon the farm which has been his home through all the intervening years, covering a period of more than a quarter of a century.  As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises ninety-seven acres, of which he has about eighty-five improved.  The good buildings upon the farm have been erected by Mr. Waagboe and he has made other improvements, adding good machinery, building fences and cultivating the fields until the farm is equal in its equipments and accessories to any of the fine farms of this portion of the state.

In Leelanaw township, on 26 October 1875, Mr. Waagboe was united in marriage to Miss Mary Garthe, a daughter of Christen and Gertrude Garthe, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Mrs. Waagboe's brother S. C. Garthe.  Mrs. Waagboe was born in Norway on 17 Aug 1853, and by her marriage she has become the mother of nine children, of whom eight are yet living (1903),  as follows: John, Mary, Gertrude, Carl, Caroline, Harmon, Annetta and William.  One son died in infancy.

Mr. Waagboe has been a member of the school board for many years and is deeply interested in the cause of education, putting forth every effort in his power to advance the standard of schools and thus more ably prepare the children to meet with the responsibilities which come later in life.

He has also served as highway commissioner and both he and his wife are members of the Second Evangelical Lutheran church at Northport, of which he is now the secretary.  Mr. Waagboe has led an upright life, guided by honorable principles, and his fidelity to duty is unquestioned.  He is a progressive farmer, a genial and considerate friend and an honorable Christian gentlemen, who in the community where he makes his home commands the unqualified confidence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.

@Created by Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore 18June2003