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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
 Posted - 03/07/2009 : 12:12:03
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This information is mostly coming from the first American-letter kept in eastern Norway, it´s a historical document.
We have much information about the two Nattestad brother from Veggli sub parish, Rollag in Numedal district.
In fall 1836 they visited Stavanger town and for the first time they heard America mentioned. The next year they both decided to emigrate and asked Halsten Halvorsen Fløse to go with them.
A letter resently found in a fire-safe "hidden" in a protocol from a school administration meeting on August 15. 1961. The content of the letter was published in the local newspaper "Laagendalsposten" June 13. 2009 by Knut J. Jordheim.
The letter written by Halsten Halvorsen Fløse is now stored in the archives in IKA Kongsberg and is dated Feb. 13. 1838 in America. It´s adressed to his father "Velagte Mand" Respected Man Halvor Olsen Fløse Weggli annex i Numedal.
It starts with; "To my parents and dear siblings"
Halsten´s handwriting is beautiful and clear which is quite amazing since he only was at school for a few weeks in a period of 3-5 years.
Halsten was born on Brække-eiet (Fløse) Mai 7. 1815 #20
Halsten and the Nattestad brothers, Ansten and Ole Knudsen, were the first emigrants from Veggli in Rollag parish, Numedal district, Buskerud county.
The emigration is recorded March 7. 1837, Halsten age 22 and the two Nattestad brothers as #9-10-12
The Nattestad brother´s paid in advence for the young leaseholder´s son ticket. Perhaps the reason can be found in "Rollag Bygdebok" which portray Halsten as strong and robust, always in a good mood and a worker ant.
April 12. they left Veggli in Buskerud, crossed the mountain by ski to Tinn in Telemark and spend the first night on farm Rue. They ended in Roaldkvam in Vindafjord north in Rogaland County, south-western Norway. By accidental transport they reached Stavanger town April 17. where they hired a herring fisher boat to Gothenburg, Sweden, and arrived New York on ship Hilda about June 20.
By ship they sailed further to "Skitoga" (Shikaakwa) Chicago where Halsten and the Nattestad brother´s split up. Halsten and a group of 22 Norwegians traveled 220 Kilometre into Illinois to find work.
Halsten states that he was employed for a year for 150 Dollar and since many had to accept a salary on 80 Dollar he was satisfied.
The Nattestad brothers travelled south to Beaver Creek, Ill, with Ole Rønning from Snåsa. Some letter he wrote was published in a book in Norway in 1839 about the conditions in USA known as "Amerikabok". The heading was "Sanferdige beretninger om America til Opplysning og Nytte for bonde og Menigmann" True reports about America for education and benefit for farmers and workers.
Many got ill in Beaver Creek of Malaria and Ole Rønning died there 1838. The next year Ansten and Ole Nattestad returned to Norway because of some family business and Ansten brought Halstens letter with him. Ole Nattestad is supposed to have returned to Norway later in the fall of the same year.
In the letter Ansten stated; I am by good health and haven´t been involved in any danger neither "on life or soul"
The young Norwegain tells about a dificult start for two reasons, the debt of 80 Dollar to Ansten Nattestad and the language.
He was in sorrow longing home from the start "I wished every day I was back in Norway"
Ansten tells he learned quickly how to work and the cultural codes, his sorrow turned to joy. He paid back his debt and gave Ansten 30 Dollar extra as a gratitude for his payment in advance and praised the equality he found in America.
He tells "I would not exchange this life for the best farm in Veggli. In America you can talk to everyone without one´s hat in one´s hand"
He wanted his brothers when they were old enough to join him in America, espesially his brother Ole. Halsten promised to pay back for the ticket if someone could pay in advance.
He informed he had not "talled med Norske på 22 uger efter jeg kom i tiennesten hos Master Daanne" I have not spoke with Norwegian´s in 22 weeks after I was employed by Master Daanne.
He praise Master Daanne and his people (Family) for the kindness and friendship they showed him, "I wish all the best for them. My bed and place to eat is beautiful. I never had any similar to that in Norway"
In the letter Halsten placed presents "The Silk Ribbon and 26 Pens, a present from my "Matmoder" Mrs Daanne to my mother and brothers. To brother Ole. If you can give the money to my father, I promise to pay you back when you arrive here"
The letter ends with: Ansten will give you better information. I stop my writing with lovely regards to my dear parents, siblings and all my friends. Goodbye.
Written at Master Daane I, Ellenorsled Feb. 13. 1838 in Amerika
Sign; Halsten Halvorsøn Fløse.
Because of this letter and the Nattestad´s wist back home in 1838 and the publishing of Ole Rønning´s book in -39 a large emigration from Veggli and Tinn started. Halsten´s brother Ole Halvorsen Brekke-eie age 22 emigrated to USA 1839 with Ansten and Ole, right page #18 on bark Emilie, dep. port Drammen in Buskerud, almost next to Veggli comparing with the long 1837 journey to Stavanger, passengers #1-2-76. Notice #5 Liv Høyseth, she married Ole Nattestad in Wisc.
Halsten´s brother Eric Halvorsen Brekke emigrated 1841 on Bark Emilie, passenger #58
Halsten´s parents with the two remaining children, Tollev and Liv emigrated 1842 from Brekke-eie, dep. port Drammen on Bark Emilie #89-90-91-92
Ansten and Ole Knudsen Nattestad settled down in Jefferson Prairie as the first Norwegian settlers in Wisconsin.
In Clinton Township (former Jefferson Prairie) Dane County on Sept 7. 1841 Ole Nattestad married Liv Knudsadatter Høyseth. They got 8 children all born in Dane. Ole K. Nattestad died Mai 28. 1886 in Dane C. Wisc.
There is little information about Halsten Halvorsen Fløse´s destiny in USA, some few tracks exist as in Ephraim Wisconsin 1908 page 194.
Halsten Fløse, his two brothers Ole born 1817, Eric born 1824, Ole Tollefsen Kittilsland and Ole Halvorsen Valle, all five from Rollag municipality seems to have been the first Norwegian settlers in Iowa County Wisconsin. Halsten was a black-smith and is supposed to be the settlement Dodgeville´s founder even Henry Dodge started mining there in 1827.
Halsten´s two brothers settled down 3-4 Miles west of Dodgeville.
The long story ends here, I have two questions;
Does anyone have any information on what happened to Halsten Halvorsen Fløse, his siblings and parents and who was Matser Daanne?
Kåre
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Edited by - Kåarto on 29/12/2022 19:43:29 |
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Admin
Forum Admin
Norway
528 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 10:53:11
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The Halvorson brother are mentioned in Martin Ulvestad's work:
Halsten Halvorsen |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 15:28:59
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Thank you for the information Børge.
From Ulvestad we can read they were the first Norwegian settlers in Iowa County Wisc. 1841 directly from Norway which is only correct for brother Eric.
It seems like Halsten and Ole stopped to earn money for about two years from 1839.
When Eric arrived from Norway 1841 all three went to Dodgeville, Wisc.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 04/07/2009 15:47:25 |
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Jo Anne Sadler
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
1100 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 22:38:04
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Federal Census Sept. 23, 1850, Dodgeville, Iowa County, WI
Holston Halvarson, 35, blacksmith, born Norway
Mary Halvorson, 23, born Norway
Mary, 4/12, born Wisconsin
Unknown Thompson, 25, blacksmith, born Norway
1855 WI State census, Dodgevile
Holston Halvarson - no link to image, index only
An End Halvorsen & Ole Halvorsen are in the 1855 state index.
1860 Federal census, Dodgeville
Eric Halvorson, 35, farmer, born Norway
Isabella, 30, born Norway
Hureberts, 7, born WI
Louis, 5, born WI
Mary, 4, born WI
Ole, 2, born WI
Christie, 1 born WI
Not able to find anything more on them. These early immigrants frequently changed their names back and forth until the end of the century and I think Halsten and Ansten probably took a more Americanized first name.
You give alot of information but maybe an exact list of the people you are looking for with their dates of birth would make searching easier.
Where did the name Matser Deaanne come from?
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jkmarler
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
7790 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 23:00:56
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Hi,
In Gerhard Naeseth's book Volume I 1825-1843 Norwegian immigrants to the United States 1825-1850 page 56 carries the story of Halsten Halvorsen Braekke:
"#315. Halsten Halvorsen Braekke, s. of halvor Olsen Brekke and Mari Eriksdatter Lien (both of whom emig. in 1842), b. in Rollag, May 2, 1815. Blacksmith in Dodgeville, Wis. Mar. Mari At least 4 children Mari , 1850; Albert, 1852?; Carrie, 1856?; Ally, 1858? Rollag Nor. par.rec. First Chapter, page 241; Flom, 109; 1850, 1860 Wis cen.; De Norske Sett. Hist. 173, 194; Rollag bygdebok II: 174, 180."
A more complete title for the First Chapter mentioned is given in the book's bibliography:
The First Chapter of Norwegian Immigration (1821-1840). pub 1895 written by Rasmus B. Anderson
A History of Norwegian Immigration to the United States from the earliest beginning down to the year 1848 pub 1909 by George T. Flom
Hope this is of interest
Jackie M.
PS the First Chapter book is available at google books for viewing |
Edited by - jkmarler on 06/07/2009 00:45:20 |
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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 23:23:41
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1860 United States Federal Census about Alston Harberson (Halverson)
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Norway
Home in 1860: Dodgeville, Iowa, Wisconsin
Post Office: Dodgeville
Occupation: Blacksmith
Name Age
Alston Harberson 45
May Harberson 31
Mary Harberson 10
Albert Harberson 8
Carril Harberson 4
Ally Harberson 2
Josephine G Harberson 2
John Everson 37
Lewis Lewison 40
1870 United States Federal Census about Erick Holverson
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1824
Birthplace: Norway
Home in 1870: Dodgeville, Iowa, Wisconsin
Name Age
Erick Holverson 46
Ingebor Holverson 39
Halvor Holverson 17
Luis Holverson 15
Mary Holverson 13
Ole Holverson 12
Christy Holverson 10
Ann Holverson 9
Elizabeth Holverson 7
Vinney Holverson 6
Henry Holverson 4
Edward Holverson 2
Emma Holverson 3/12
FindAGrave has the following two entries at East Side Cemetery:
Erick Halverson.
Birth: Nov. 6, 1824, Norway
Death: Aug. 23, 1900
Mr. Halvorson was born in Vegle, Numedahl, Norway on January 6, 1824.
He came to Iowa County, Wisconsin in 1841.
In 1842 his parents Halvor and Mary came to America. He married Ingeborg Larsdatter on September 5, 1851.
Ingeborg Larsdatter Halverson
Birth: Feb. 18, 1831, Norway
Death: Jan. 8, 1903
Ingeborg came to Iowa County from Norway in 1849.
Inscription:
His Wife |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 23:39:34
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Thanks Jo Anne, interesting information.
Halsten Halvorsen Fløse was employed by Master Daanne when he wrote the letter 1838.
Holston Halvarson blacksmith was Halsten Fløse blacksmith in 1850.
Does the information means he was marreid to Mary age 23 and had a daughter Mary born in Wisc. and lived in Dodgevile 1855?
From Ulvestad posted by Børge page 655, 12. from bottom right side we can read: Halvorsen Erik from Frøsa (Fløse) Numedal about 1850 (1841 is correct) was among the first settlers at Dodgeville Wisc. His son Levis Halvorsen, "Jernvareforretning" Ironmonger in Neville S.Dak. since 1888.
Erik Halvorsen married Isabella (no Norwegian name), LDS records tell she was Ingeborg Larsdatter born in Norway, they married in Dodgeville Sept. 5. 1851.
Halsten born 1815, Ole 1819 and Erik 1824
The information I gave was perhaps to much, but I wanted to share most of letter including the story in the local newspaper with you, fasinating story.
Kåre
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Edited by - Kåarto on 06/07/2009 16:59:12 |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 23:44:10
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Thanks Mary and Jackie, I will has to wait until tomorrow to read it, its getting late here.
Kåre |
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jkmarler
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
7790 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 00:23:45
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Hi,
This is from the Norwegian in the 1850 transcription at Digitalarkivet:
4792 Holver Oleson 66 m f Norway 188 Dodgeville Iowa Wisconsin (Halvor Olsen Brekke, utv. 1842 )
4793 Chary Oleson 64 f Norway 188 Dodgeville Iowa Wisconsin (Mari Eriksdtr, utv. 1842)
4794 Erick Oleson 27 m f Norway 188 DodgevilleIowa Wisconsin (utv. 1842 )
So you know that Halsten's parents lasted at least as long as 1850...
Jackie M. |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 11:51:49
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Thanks to Jackie, Mary and Jo Anne, this was much more information than expected when I started.
A short summary:
Halstens parents Halvor and Mari born about 1783-85 in Veggli, married 1811, they were about 65 years old in 1850, still living.
The leading character Halsten Halvorsen Fløse married Mari about 1849 in Dodgeville and got at least 4 children; Mari, Albert, Carrie (Kari) and Ally acc Gerhard Naeseth´s book.
Halsten had 5 children according the 1860 census, MaRY, Albert, Carril, Ally and Josefine born about 1858. Halsten Halvorsen as Alston Harberson (dificult to look for, easy to understand when you see it on print).
John Everson 37 unknown. Lewis Lewison 40 (Liklely Leiv Leivsen from Tinnes, Heddal in Telemark born 1819, em. 1843 settled down in Iola Wisc. about 1853)
The 3. brother Ole seems ta have vanished since he isn´t mentioned since outside Dodgeville as a farmer in 1841.
Erik Halvorsen Fløse died 1900 and Ingeborg Larsdatter (Halvorsen) died 1903 got 11 children, it must be hundreds of ancestores after the Fløse family in USA.
Thank´s to cousin Wanda in Wisc. for helping me with the grammar and additonal information.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 06/07/2009 23:20:09 |
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Admin
Forum Admin
Norway
528 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 12:37:56
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Hi all
It would be great if you could help by adding information like this to our Norwegian emigrants database. |
Webmaster.. |
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Jo Anne Sadler
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
1100 Posts |
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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 22:53:23
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| I was over at the Iowa County Historical Society this afternoon. Sorry. |
Mary <>< |
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Lislcat
Advanced member
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 00:23:38
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Mary,
I was just curious if they mentioned why they didn't have a biography listed for Halsten Halverson on their Iowa County Historical Society site? He is listed as being an early settler of Dogdeville, so I would think they would have info on him. They have many biographies listed for founding fathers and prominent citizens. I was going to go there this week, but if they don't have any info, it saves me the trip. Thanks! |
Lislcat |
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Lislcat
Advanced member
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 00:26:36
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You're very welcome, Kåre. It's a fascinating story. With Halsten and his brother Eric having so many children, there is bound to be living relatives in the Iowa County area.
Wanda |
Lislcat |
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Lislcat
Advanced member
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 00:50:35
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It looks like Erick Halverson was suppose to serve in the Civil War, but John A. Berg of Dodgeville, served in his place. Interesting.
Norwegians in the Civil War
Vesterheim > Civil War DB > B > BER > BERG, John A.
BERG, John A.
WI 43rd Inf Co H. Residence: Dodgeville, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Laborer. Age 19. Unmarried. Gray eyes, light hair, fair complexion, 5’10½”. Enlisted for one year on 31 Aug 1864 at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, as a substitute for Erick Halverson. Mustered there the same day. Bounty $100, $33.33 Private. Mustered out with his company on 24 Jun 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 178-9,13; red book vol 48; blue book 49) |
Lislcat |
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The first "Amerika-brev"
