(Special Correspondence.) Forest fires are raging in all the swamps around New Sweden, and sometimes advancing high on the upland. Unless rain comes soon, it seems as if everything within reach will be consumed.
Last Friday a fire was started in the swamp near which O. Iverson’s mill was located, and in less than one hour the entire plant, consisting of seven buildings, was destroyed by the flames, together with all the machinery in the mill and all merchandise in the store. The rift and spruce lumber in the yard, estimated at $5,000.00 in value, was consumed, as were also the machinery and agricultural implements store in the warehouse. It was an awful sight to see the flames sweep everything off and leave the bare ground, hardly any ashes remaining to tell the tale.
At the same time a house owned and occupied by N. Landin, and a house and barn owned by C. Nelson were burned. A few things that were saved from the houses and left confidently at what was thought to be a safe distance were also destroyed. Another house belonging to Mr. Nelson, the engineer at the mill, was also burned,—in all eleven houses were destroyed with all their contents. Nothing was saved. Household goods, wearing apparel, in fact everything, were destroyed.
While some of the residents of the western addition were trying to get across the swamp to assist at Iverson’s, an alarm was sounded from the centre swamp, and looking that way a smoke was seen thick enough to hide the sun. A rush was made for the houses lying within range of the fire. Among these were Carl Erickson’s fam buildings and the Tornquist mill plant. A serious fight was had with the flames to save C. Erickson’s place.
When Saturday arrived it was plain to everyone that a hot day was coming, but by the most extraordinary exertions the mill was saved. Had it not been for the lesson given the day before of the danger at hand, it is doubtful whether sufficient numbers of men would have been on hand to master the fire and save the mill.
Sunday morning saw most of the male portion of New Sweden busy in the swamps extinguishing fire—and a good precaution it was. Little danger was apprehended by this time, and no farther damage happened here; but in Woodland the fire gained the upper hand, and destroyed John Hagland’s place. Several other places were severely threatened, but escaped.
Monday morning a fire was discovered in Madawaska swamp, bearing directly down on the schoolhouse and neighboring farmhouses, but watchful care, plenty of water and a sufficient number of men at hand saved everything.
We are anxiously waiting for rain, not only to extinguish the smoldering fires but to revive our now famishing crops. If this drought lasts long, we are afraid of dire results.
Oscar Iverson (April 24, 1854 Soon, Norway—1940) and his wife Aagot Rustadt (1856 Soon, Norway-1938) were married in 1871 and immigrated in 1880. Their first child Sigrid was born in 1881 at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where her father was a 26 year old sea captain. Son Arthur was born in Calais in 1883. Ragnhild Lillian was born in Caribou in 1885.
In Caribou on the west side Main Street, south of Sweden Street, Iverson ran a restaurant, grocery, and general store between 1885 and 1890. In 1889 he held a lease for Johnson’s mill and was selling shingles. In 1890 he was building a new home on the east side of North Main Street and was also operating his store in New Sweden along with a lumber business. He built a new sawmill in New Sweden in 1891, near lot 139 in the East Road. Tragedy struck in 1895 when a fire completely destroyed his property in New Sweden, leading to Iverson’s move to Portage Lake where he soon owned another mill. The family left Caribou by 1897.
By 1900 Oscar was a mill owner in Portage Lake Plantation, Maine living with his wife and three children, Sigrid 18, Arthur 17, and Lillian 15. In 1910 at Portage Lake, Oscar was still in the shingle mill business. By 1920 the Iversons of Portage Lake were in the seasonal sporting camp business and spent the winter with their daughter Lillian’s family in Houlton, ME. In 1930 the elderly Iversons and their widowed daughter Sigrid resided at Portage Lake.
Oscar, his wife Aagot, son Arthur (1883 Calais, ME-1907 Portage Lake, consumption) and daughter Sigrid are buried at Portage Lake Municipal Cemetery in Portage, ME.
But what happened to Mr. Iverson between 1885 and 1900? and in the years at Portage Lake?
In 1885 Oscar Iverson’s busines was in Caribou: 0. Iverson & Co., dining saloon [noted in “Early History of Caribou“].
Aroostook Republican and News search reveals details, with other sources as noted:
May 11, 1887: O. Iverson has just received a free invoice of confectionary, fruit, etc.
Aug. 17, 1887: O. Iverson and his wife and children returned home Saturday. Mrs. Iverson and children have been visiting at their former home in Norway and arrived in New York last week where they were met and escorted home by Mr. Iverson.
Nov. 2, 1887: Go to O. Iverson & Co.’s for your tobacco. Boston prices on standard brands, at wholesale. O. Iverson & Co. are pegging away, and keep a little of everything, from a peanut to kerosene, at wholesale and retail. A carload of No. 1 winter fruit next week.
Aug. 17, 1887: O. Iverson and his wife and children returned home Saturday. Mrs. Iverson and children have been visiting at their former home in Norway and arrived in New York last week where they were met and escorted home by Mr. Iverson.
April 18, 1888: Caribou: The social dance in Clark’s Hall, Friday evening, was largely attended and a most enjoyable time was experienced by those present. During the evening O. Iverson, the restaurateur, furnished one of the best oyster suppers ever gotten up in this town. It was served in the dining room in Clark’s Hall, and was highly appreciated by the tired dancers.
Nov. 1888 and 1889 [Iverson ad for his Caribou store]:
Nov. 27, 1889: O. Iverson of Caribou has leased Johnson’s mill for a year.
Dec. 25, 1889: Caribou’s onward march! . . . [long list of town improvements]: . . . O. Iverson & Co., store and small dwelling on Bridge street, costing $500; shingle house near railroad station, $200; . . .
May 21, 1890: O. Iverson has just completed an unusually well built stone foundation for his new residence on Main street hill. The carpenters are now at work on the frame of the house. Mr. Iverson has secured a very choice building lot and will have one of the prettiest places in town.
June 11, 1890: O. Iverson has the frame up for his residence on Main street. Carpenters are engaged in putting in a large glass from in the Roberts’ store on Main street, formerly occupied by O. Iverson & Co. The interior of the store will be remodeled and painted. When completed it will be occupied by C. J. Tornquist.
July 22, 1890: O. Iverson & Co. have moved to the store on Main street, just below Clark’s Block, formerly occupied by John Anderson, where they will be pleased to see all their old customers as well as many new ones.
Nov. 19, 1890: O. Iverson & Co. have given up their Caribou store, and the firm name has been changed to that of O. Iverson. Mr. Iverson will keep a good stock of general merchandise in his store at New Sweden, which he will run in connection with his lumber and shingle mill. Oscar is a hustling, wide-awake business man and well deserves the success he is achieving in Aroostook.
1890: [Iverson ad for New Sweden store]
April 22, 1891: [ad for Iverson’s shingles, lumber, general merchandise in New Sweden; same ad used later in Jan. 1892;]
June 24, 1891: O. Iverson and O. H. Nelson returned last Friday from a trip to Fort Kent, where among others they called upon David and Henry Anderson who are in the harness business. Messrs. Iverson and Nelson report a most enjoyable time.
July 22, 1891: New Sweden: O. Iverson intends running the mill he now occupies another year.
Sept. 9, 1891: New Sweden: I shall close out my business interests in New Sweden during September and I want all indebted to me to call and settle during this month. All my goods will be sold at cost for cash or good paper. Oscar Iverson.
Sept. 30, 1891: Oscar Iverson of this village, is building a sawmill on the John Bergerson site, New Sweden. Mr. Iverson will put in two shingle machines and a rotary.
Oct. 14, 1891: Oscar Iverson has purchased the mill formerly owned by E. LeVasseur and will use the machinery in his new mill at New Sweden.
Jan. 27, 1892: What might have been a serious accident occurred at O. Iverson’s mill, Monday. While the foreman, Mr. Erickson, was working at the emery wheel it went to pieces, one of which struck him on the leg, inflicting a painful wound. Notwithstanding the decided assurance of many interested parties that Mr. O. Iverson would be unable to secure stock to run his mill more than one year, he is already cramped for room, as cedar of a very good quality is coming in at a lively rate. A number of days he was obliged to have four and five men on the yard rolling up, and the three last days of last week three hundred loads were brought into the mill yard. He is also getting in an extra good lot as well as a large quantity of spruce and pine. [see images, ad for New Sweden store]
May 18, 1892: New Sweden: O. Iverson’s mill had a close call Saturday evening, as fires were raging all around it.
June 15, 1892: O. Iverson is having his house wired for electric lights.
June 25, 1893: Limestone: Forest fires did great damage to the growing lumber in the southeast corner of this town. Several buildings had narrow escapes. Many thanks are due O. Iverson and Tornquist & Johnson, who shut down their mills and with their crews labored long and hard to save the endangered buildings.
Mar. 1894: [Iverson advertisement re: agent for Skandia steamship line for tickets for immigrants to Europe from Quebec]
May 23, 1894: S. L. White has purchased of Ullrich Bros., an acre house-lot on Main street, just south of O. Iverson’s residence property. Mr. White will build a nice residence next fall.
June 5 1895: [fire burns Iverson mill in New Sweden, see story here]
Feb. 20, 1896: It is rumored that the New Sweden Grange will build a new starch factory in New Sweden and that the services of Oscar Iverson have been secured as manager.
“In 1896 Oscar Ivensen from New Sweden, and earlier direct from Norway, came to Portage and built a long lumber mill.” [Footnote: “Personal interview by Maple Ismay Percival with Oscar Ivensen of Portage, July 6, 1938. Mr. Ivensen was the owner of one of the mills in Portage. He was not so successful as he had been before his mill burned in New Sweden, and he finally sold out to Fred Robinson of Robinson’s Mills in Blaine.”]
1896, ca; [re: telephone history in Aroostook; published Feb. 29, 1928, Fort Fairfield Review]: Dr. H. Lindley Dobson of Ashland ventured into the telephone game in 1896. He secured poles from Ashland to Portage and Oscar Iversen of Portage set them. . .
Oct. 8, 1896: Oscar Iverson, the lumber manufacturer, whose mill is at Portage lake, spent Sunday and Monday with his family in town [Caribou].
Oct. 15, 1896: On account of the low prices for shingles, Oscar Iverson’s mill at Portage lake is shut down. Mr. Iverson is now at work with a crew of men constructing a telephone line between Ashland and Portage lake for private parties. As soon as this work is completed, he will return to Caribou.
Nov. 12, 1896: Oscar Iverson, who is now in Portland, has made arrangements to start his shingle mill at Portage lake. Mr. Iverson is a worker and deserves success.
June 3, 1897: Mrs. Oscar Iverson and oldest daughter started for Portage lake, Monday, to remain for some time. It is with sincere regret we chronicle the removal of Mr. and Mrs. Iverson from Caribou.
Oct. 20, 1898: The shocking news has reached this town [New Sweden] that O. Iverson’s large mill at Portage lake was burned to the ground last Friday.
Nov. 9, 1899: O. Iverson, the lumber manufacturer of Portage Lake was in town one day last week.
April 2, 1903: For Sale: The Iverson house, situated in Caribou, ME. This place will be sold at a bargain. A part of the purchase money could remain on mortgage if desired. For particulars apply to Elmer Lowell, Calais, Maine.
July 1903, ca. [40 years ago, published July 1, 1943]: The Iverson property on North Main Street has been purchased by A. E. Wright. Mr. Wright will make several improvements before moving.
Feb. 9, 1905: Miss Ragnhild Iverson of Portage Lake has been engaged as teacher in the Grammar school and began her duties Monday morning. Miss Iverson is a recent graduate of R. C. I. at Houlton.
Sept. 7, 1905, Star Herald: Capt. O. Iverson has the cutest motor boat in Northern Maine. His nephew, Jacob Iverson, is the builder.
Sept. 24, 1903: Arthur Iverson went to Orono Monday to attend the U. of M.
July 5, 1906: Arthur Iverson U. of M. class, ’07, was in town Saturday on his way home to Portage.
May 30, 1907: Mr. J. C. Moir went to Portage Lake to attend the funeral of Arthur Iverson, who died the 26 inst, of consumption. Young Iverson was a son of Mr. and Mrs. O. Iverson and was a very likely young man. His deaths deplored. Funeral Tuesday, May, 28.
June 24, 1909: To the motorists in Caribou and vicinity. Finest motor trips in the County. Go to Portage via the Mapleton road, take dinner at Camp Iverson, and take steamer up the beautiful Fish river. All can be done in eight hours. Excellent roads and a lovely outing. Try it. Telephone ahead. O. Iversen
Aug. 1, 1918: [re: big lightning storm] Mr. Iverson who saw the storm coming, removed his canoes from the water, but the wind caught them as if so much paper and ruthlessly tossed them into the lake.
Dec 10. 1919, Houlton Times: Mr and Mrs Oscar Iverson of Portage arrived in town last week to spend the winter with her daughter Mrs. Nathaniel Tompkins.
Sept. 22, 1921, Star Herald: Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Iversen of Portage Lake, have closed up their home at the lake and gone to Houlton, where they will, as usual, remain until it is time to open their cottages in the spring at Portage. They will make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Nathaniel Tompkins, and family.
Aug. 31, 1922, Star Herald: Mr. S. C. Greenlaw and wife came down from Portage Lake Wednesday and will remain until Friday. Mr. Greenlaw brings the news that one of the Iversen camps was burned Monday night. The cottage was unoccupied, having been vacated by its tenants, G. H. Collins and family, on Sunday previous. The fire started on the veranda, which was fully ablaze when discovered, and its origin starting as it did in the midst of the heavy downpour of Monday night, was considerable of a mystery.
Sept. 7, 1922: It is understood that Oscar Iverson will have a Public Park at Portage lake next summer, where people may go by automobile, enjoy a picnic dinner, and have access to the lake. This move on the part of Mr. Iverson will fill a long wanted and much needed retreat for autoists.
Nov. 8, 1923: Mr. Oscar Iverson has recently had a radio installed at his home on North Shore
July 31, 1924: Capt. Oscar Iversen, whose cottage is located on the bank of the beautiful Portage lake, should extend a vote of thanks to Henry Ford. The Star-Herald is authority for the statement that Mr. Iversen, who has walked from his place to the village and return whenever necessity required, has traveled over 10000 miles up to two years ago when he bought a Ford car.
Aug. 13, 1925: Captain Oscar Iversen, who is in a way a sort of barometer of how things are going at Portage, was busy Sunday last from morning until night, making trips, carrying passengers from his wharf to the “Hay Shed,” located several miles up on the Fish River, a stretch of perhaps the most beautiful scenery in Maine.
May 30, 1929: L. E. Berce has purchased a camp of Mr. Iverson at Portage lake.
Aug. 1, 1935, Star Herald: “Voyage days over Captain Iverson”
“On Friday, Martin Sandstorm, living in New Sweden, set fire to his chopping. Half a mile from Sundstrom’s farm, through the woods, were situated Oscar Iverson’s lumber mill, store, store-house, farm buildings, etc. The fire was started during a dry time, and a strong breeze carried the fire through the woods with great rapidity. At about 1 o’clock P. M., fire reached Mr. Iverson’s property. Human efforts could not save the doomed buildings and in a short time they and their contents were in ruins. Together with the mill, store and stock, store-house, farm house and contents, barn and contents, lumber value at $3000 was also destroyed. There was an insurance of $3300 as follows: On store, $300; merchandise, $800; farm buildings, $1000; store-house, $200; hay, grain, potatoes, farming tools, etc. $1000. Total loss is estimated to be $12,000. Mr. Iverson commenced without capital and by hard work and good business judgment had succeeded in accumulating a nice property. His loss is certainly a heavy one and because of which he has the sympathy of the entire community. Mr. I. says he will not rebuild the mill. Anders Nelson and Nels Lundeen living near Iverson’s farm, each lost his house and barn by fire. No insurance.”
Stories from Maine Swedish Colonists 