Iver Elieson

Iver Elieson was a Norwegian merchant. He was born in Drammen, on 3 November 1683. He had success with his timber trade, and was among the wealthiest persons in Christiania.

His father belonged to a wealthy merchant family in Bragernes and mother came from the same environment. His father was however unlucky with their business and died insolvent. This meant that the 16-year-old son had to fend for himself. Iver went to sea and sailed some years before 1710 settled in Christiania, where he took citizenship as skipper.

In 1718, Elieson bought farms with sawmills. Eventually he developed into one of Christiania's large sawmill owners and timber exporters. Part of his success was also due that had married into the well-established trading house Leuch and that he consequently had his wife's assets to fall back on. He bought forests and farms, but also undertook major acquisitions of timber by farmers and others who were willing to sell. The timber was cut to plank and transported by horse in Christiania, where the plank lay until it was exported. Lumber trade increased steadily, and Elieson soon became one of Christiania's richest men.

Besides forests, farms and saws he owned a paper mill, apartment buildings and shares in Folldal copper works. He was generous and supported the poor. He married in 1719 with Karen ("Kassi") Leuch and the couple had 10 children. Iver Elieson died on 4 November 1753.