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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
 Posted - 10/05/2010 : 07:26:29
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Kåre,
we had talked about "Alex Stephens: aka Hellick Sjueson / Olsen. Hellick was also in the 1839 on the Emilie. According to his records, he spent 2 years in east DuPage county Illinois before coming to Wisconsin. In 1841 he came to Mineral Point and then stilled in neighboring Dodgeville (except for two trips with Gold Fever to California).
The Stephens farm was separated by two farms from Erich Halverson on the 1870 plat map.
Could be Halstein and Hellick travelled together. |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 10:12:49
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Hi mary,
you have helped a lot on this topic.
Hellek Sjulsen (b. July 21.1820) Age 19, the only emigrant from Rostad in Rollag 1839.
The possibility that he traveled with the Fløse boys to Illinois are present since he ended in Dodgville.
Alex Stephens age 59 in 1880 b. in Norway married in Dodgeville about 1855 to Martha A. from Norway.
10 children, all born in WI. in the 1880 census for Dodgville.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 10/05/2010 10:19:18 |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 14:57:56
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(Checking in from work!) The topic is very interesting to me, too. I had been thinking about all the mining -- those Norwegians first did lead mining up in Dodgeville, then later bought farms. This includes my g-g-grandmother's brother Bent, who also settled up there in 1841, plus their first cousin Ole Halvorson Valle, and also Ole Tollefson Kittilsland, from nearby in Veggli, who married Bergit and Bent's sister Sigrid. Both Oles immigrated in 1841 together and went to Dodgeville to work in lead mines before they went to Iowa.
I was already thinking about all the miners from Cornwall. (I have another ancestor from Cornwall who went to work in copper mines in MIchigan, along with many from that area.) I had to look up the name Digory before, it is unusual. It is from Cornwall and Devonshire. Downing is very English in general, but there are a number of Digory Downings living in Cornwall in genealogy databases.
You mention Mineral Point. I have also been there, it is a quite charming historic area of Cornish miners.
So I wonder if Master Danne or Downing isn't very likely Cornish no matter what, and has something to do with the Norwegians looking for mining opportunities. Although they came from farms, they are not so far from the silver mines in Kongsberg, but perhaps it takes a Cornishman to get them thinking about it?
Sorry I cannot keep digging around right now,,, |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 21:13:24
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Hi,
interesting questions and theories.
Hundreds of emigrants from Numedal came to the US in compay with or in the next few years after the 1839 emigration.
Downing/Daanne/Dånne has to my knowledge nothing with mining to do.
A silverminer in Kongsberg was a "Bergmann" or "Gruvearbeider" a gold miner in Norwegian was a "Gullgraver"
Your knowledge of Numedal is impressive, you could call yourself a "Numedøl".
Halstein, Ole and Eric Fløse, Ole Halvorsen Valle and Ole Tollefsen Kittilsland came to Dodgeville 1841.
Did you vistit Kittilsland north from Valle and Kjerre?
When you visited Brekke, right across the river about 1 US Mile is Nattestad.
Rollag is a small municipality with 1390 inhabitants, 1800 persons emigrated from Rollag to North America, one of them was Kirsti Danielsdatter, Johan Aasens mother, letters or post cards he wrote in Norwegian to his grandmother and aunt are kept by the family in Rollag.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 10/05/2010 21:26:54 |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 02:34:41
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I have been to Nattestad, but not to Kittilsland. We did not get very much time in Veggli at all, I was a little disappointed.
We have had information about Johan Aasen in the Numedalslåg newsletter, and have made a donation for the statue that has been discussed in Numedal. I live in Minneapolis!
I don't think Downing has necessarily anything to do with mining, but I wonder if he didn't talk about it. Perhaps has family had made some money that way?? It is a thought only, but sometimes these ideas turn up something else interesting. |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2010 : 17:14:38
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I looked through Illinois public land records and found Thomas M. Downing with a claim for 17 Feb. 1841 in Sec. 29 Twp. 41 N Range 13E for 80 acres and same for another 80 acres; also he has a land patent for same Sec. in1843 (this may be the same land). This puts him VERY close to where Digory Downing was a few years later in Cook County. I can see Thomas in 1840 census in Cook Co. 1 male 40-50, 1 female 40-50. I do not see him later. There are other Downings in the public land records, but they are all way too far south in Illinois. Perhaps these two men are related. one follows the other, just as the Norwegians do.
These public lands, the claims of this time are not made until they have been on the land for a while, sometimes several years, but usually at least a year. However, there is already been some turnover in Illinois by that time, so that there are plenty of deals that are one man to another, and will not appear in online sources.
So -- that is probably all the further one can get with that subject without going down to Illinois and poking around through land records, probate records and so on.
I looked through a book about the lead mines in Wisconsin yesterday at the Minnesota Historical Society. This said that they did not realize right away that the land there was good for farming, they thought at first it was only good for the lead mining, which had been there much earlier by Indians and French-Canadians. The mine fields for Dodgeville, Wisconsin, actually start underground in northern Illinois. Anyway, that may explain why there was still some public lands to claim as late as 1848, they only gradually came to farm there, the first bought only mineral rights.
Norwegians like Halstein and my relative Bent Nelson and others from Veggli like Ole Tollefson Kittilsland and Ole Halvorson Valle worked for a few years first to earn the money to buy a farm. If they can buy public lands at $1.25 an acre, their money will go a lot farther. You see if Halstein is making $150 a year, if he saves a good portion, he will soon have enough to buy tickets for his family, and some more, than enough to buy maybe 80 acres. He tells us this is more than some other men make. If he has to buy land from another man, it will cost more. So they are in a little bit of a time bind, too. All the public lands in Wisconsin will be gone soon.
Then they also find another problem. To the first Norwegians from Veggli, 40 acres seemed like a large farm compared to the small farms from which they came. But they soon find it is not, that farming in Wisconsin is not the same. They hope to work hard and buy more, and many do. They can make second claims, and buy more from others. But there is a limit. That is why you see siblings and children move farther west, they hope to get more public lands and farms of their own. The ones who stay buy up land from those who leave, so they can have a large enough farm on which to survive. So, Erick Halvorsen, he ends up with 220 acres, which is pretty good for that time. |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2010 : 21:56:56
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To continue the research on the Halversons:
I already looked through the Rowberg file -- it is obituaries, most in Norwegian language newspapers, of Norwegian-Americans. I did not find any of them, I forgot to look for Gilbert/Gulbrand Olsen but can look when I am at Minnesota Genealogy Society again. (Yes, it is the way, all these very important Norwegian settlers do not have obituaries.)
I think we should at least get an obituary for Erick, we know when he died. I ordered on Interlibrary Loan Dodgeville Chronicle. May or may not have one, but he is in the county history book, so chances are better.
It would be very nice if the father, Halvor Oleson, has left us a will, that tells where are his children are! The probate records for Iowa County are at the regional archive in Platteville. (The LDS has not filmed.) There is a sad thing here, the microfilms are not in good condition and big ouch!! - the originals were destroyed by the county. (Everybody should moan here.) Worth looking through, but I live a long ways away from there (more than 4-1/2 hours). I will think about a trip some time, but perhaps someone else lives closer. They are not available for loan.
There are church records, too. I have sent e-mail to the archivist at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America asking when funeral records start for the Dodgeville Evangelical Church, which was founded in 1850. It is my experience that for these oldest churches, the records may be very chancy, especially the funerals. The ministers would ride to different churches, sometimes very long times in between, and some of them were very bad for funerals. They were maybe careful with baptisms and confirmations, deaths not as much. It costs $15 for me to rent a film, but I think that here I can say I will look for baptisms for my relative Bent Nelson's children.
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Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2010 : 23:48:22
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Lots of interesting information you share with us here, thank you.
Most Norwegian emigrants had to earn money before they settled down, a ticket was 2-3 years work in Norway for a poor farmer´s son.
All Halstein Halvorsen Fløse broght with him in 1837 was a Jute sack and a debt to Ansten Nattestad, he needed all kind of equipment on his new homested.
40 acres (160 mål) of cultivable land was a large farm in Norway, inclusive intensive agriculture, everything was used.
Halstein wrote what he heard:
Daaanne, pronunciated Dånne today sounds like this;
D å (o in lot) nn e (e in men).
Similar to Downing in Illinois or.....?
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 14/05/2010 23:53:59 |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 03:29:58
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Yes, 40 acres is not in any way enough in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, nor is 80, as they found. These Norwegians (and others, too!) dream of that 40 acres. Soon they find they must have more. But these lands are usually nice fertile lands with enough rainfall. It is even worse when they get to Kansas and Nebraska and Montana. Very dry lands -- now they need even bigger farms, and even if they mainly raise cattle, they need quite large lands for enough grass to feed them
It was usual to use some credit to buy lands and tools, although they also work first to buy some of this. That is partly why the public lands are sold where the farmer may live there for a time before he pays for the land. He can sell some crops, then pay for the land.
Of course, some of those who are moving farther west after 1862 are taking advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862. In this, they can get virtually free land, which they only have to "prove up" in 5 years, by demonstrating they have lived on the land continuously, have fields under cultivation, have made improvements like build a house and barn, have made fences (rules to prevent speculators) + pay a fee for the registration papers. This was not available to our early Norwegians! |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 19:35:38
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Olson, Gulbrand
The Sentinel, July 29, 1881
FROM BENNINGTON
We have this week to record the death of an old and respected resident and neighbor, Mr. Gulbrand Olson, who died, after a protracted illness, on Monday afternoon. Mr. Olson came from Wisconsin almost 12 years ago, and soon became a successful farmer and stock raiser. During his twelve years residence here he enjoyed an enviable reputation as a strictly just and honorable man, a reputation based not on mere rumor,
but on sterling honesty of character and a life-long course of straightforward dealing. Expression of opinion on this trait of Mr. Olson's character is not merely post mortem, for during his life time his neighbors, all of whom were his friends, frequently spoke of his sterling worth. The disease of which Mr. Olson died was a tumor in the stomach, from which he has been an acute sufferer for about a year past. As the disease progressed he gradually became unable to retain food on his stomach, and for the last ten days of his life it may be said no food or drink passed his lips. Mr. Olson leaves a wife and eleven children, who feel the loss of a kind husband and indulgent parent keenly. Their grief is shared by all who knew the deceased. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. W.C. Scott, were performed on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, and were attended by a large number of relatives and friends. While our friend has left his family in comfortable circumstances, he has left them a legacy far outweighing mere wealth, and something his children can look upon with affectionate pride, viz.: a character of
unsullied integrity, and they can say, "at 63 years of age our father died without an enemy." |
Edited by - KnudsonFamily on 15/05/2010 19:39:42 |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 20:17:38
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Here is 1880 census for Gulbrand and Liv Olson in Bennington:
Name: Gulband Olson
Home in 1880: Bennington, Ottawa, Kansas
Age: 61
Estimated birth year: abt 1819
Birthplace: Nor
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Levia
Father's birthplace: Nor
Mother's birthplace: Nor
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Gulband Olson 61
Levia Olson 59
Oliver Olson 32
Mary Olson 28
Thomas Olson 24
Eric Olson 22
Lena Olson 19
Carrie Olson 18
Lewis Olson 15
Lizzie Olson 11
I had just come online to work on the census a little. Now, I happen to see the next entry after that is Christ Nelson, and I happen to know who he is. It is as I guessed, these folks all came together from Dodgeville. That is, I had a little pamphlet from the University of Kansas before, that told me that Bent Nelson (my great-grand-uncle) lived next to Christ Nelson in Dodgeville, and that Christ, wanted to go to Kansas. Christ had some other adventure, I cannot remember without looking it up. Anyway, Christ and Bent bought some railroad land on which to settle. Later, Bent did not like the range laws there, and moved to Greenwood County. (Bent died in 1871). I thought probably that Gulbrand and Liv also went there.
Now I am going to observe something that will drive Kåre crazy. I think that the son here Oliver, is really named Halver in the church records. And I think that the son of Halstein, Albert, I think he is also probably named Halver.
These very early immigrants, they almost always still followed the Norwegian naming tradition, even if the name is hard to understand in its conversion. Let us see it at work here: Gulbrand Olsen's parents must be Ole and we don't know his mother, Liv's are Halver and Mary. First son - Ole, yes. Gulbrand's mother must be named Ann, we see first daughter Ann. Then comes Oliver, I think that is Halver. Next son is Gilbert, named after Gulbrand's grandfather or brother, maybe. Next daughter is Mary, named after Liv's mother.
Of course, the immigrants also lose some babies and children, so sometimes there will be missing ones, but they will "replace" them just as they would in Norway.
Therefore, all of the children of Halvor Olson and Mari are likely to have a son named some form of Halver and a daughter Mary. This can still drive everyone crazy, as all the sons Halverson will have these children. Sometimes they will help us out by using Mary O. Halverson (Mary Olesdotter Halverson). But not always!
Some name conversions are predictable: Sigrid=Sarah, Ingeborg=Isabelle, Guri=Julie or Julia, Lars=Lewis or Louis, Gulbrand=Gilbert.
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Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 20:23:50
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| I forgot to say, on the 1880 census, it says Gulbrand has liver disease. |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 20:54:15
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| Okay, this is another interesting crossing of paths! I noticed that we have not mentioned the sister Ragnil (of Halstein, Erik, etc.) I can see her listed in the bygdebok, married to Ole N. Kjemhus. I thought must be Nilsen -- when I looked it up, I find that Ole's sister Sigrid is married to Lars Gulbrandsen Kjerre (Haugerud), the brother of my great-great-grandfather Jens. Lars & Sigrid were on the Emilie in 1839 also (#27 & #28), along with with Lars' sister Ragnil Gulbrandsdatter Kjerre & her husband Tosten Nielsen Haukjem (#64 & #65). Unfortunately, I do not know what happened to Lars -- Gilbert/Gulbrand Jensen mentions stopping at his farm in Rock County in 1860 & 1861, but after that I do not know what happened - Lars & Sigrid did not have any children. |
Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Linda Tollefson Therkelse
Junior member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2010 : 21:48:48
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This is weird, but I think I have found Halstein in 1870 census. It is still Iowa County, but the township is Moscow. I had thought when I was looking at 1860, that the name transcribed as Carril is really Carrie, it is common, an American form of Kari (perhaps Mary's mother is Kari). I have a match the mother Mary, Carrie, a daughter, the son Ally. The occupation of the father (Nickolas!!?) is blacksmith, which should be correct. The oldest children are not there, but they are old enough to have left, Josephine mising, additional Olie (may also be replacement for Albert-Halver). When you think of it, blacksmith is more likely to move around. Value of real estate $400, personal $400.
Name: Nickolas Holverson
Birth Year: abt 1814
Age in 1870: 56
Birthplace: Norway
Home in 1870: Moscow, Iowa, Wisconsin
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Moscow and Adonnville
Household Members: Name Age
Nickolas Holverson 56
Mary Holverson 42
Carrie Holverson 14
Ally Holverson 12
Olie Holverson 2
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Linda Tollefson Therkelsen |
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2010 : 00:13:47
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Hi,
I have the familytree from Liv and Gulbrand (Gilbert), Mary helped me with many censuses, thanks for bringing the information online.
I have aslo been in contact with Liv´s descendants once.
Without it was mentioned it appears they want to be alone, I respect that.
It seems like Gulbrand (Gilbert ) was from nearby Bergen in western Norway born about 1812, his mother died when he was very young and he was raised by his uncle, his mother´s maiden name was Tolisen (Tolisdatter?), a very rare name, only 2 Tollis in the 1865 census for Norway and hat he did not change to Olsen in USA, Gulbrand was born Gulbrand Olsen .
In the 1850 census for Blue Mounds Township, Dane County, Iowa, Liv was Sopha Olson age 28 born in Norway, Gulbrand was Gilbert 32 born in Norway, Ole 6, Ann 4, Holver 2, Gilbert 0.
From traditional naming practise I read that Gulbrands father was Ole, his mother was Ann (Tolisdatter), 2. son named Halver after Livs father, then Gilbert, the next girl should be named Mary after Livs mother and she was, Mary Olsen born about two years later.
Liv and Gulbrand married Oct. 2. 1844, Liv Halvorsdatter Fløse died 1905 in Bennington, Kansas
The tradional Norwegian naming practice, exept for the last names, is easy to follow for the Halvorsen /Olsen family and other Norwegian immigrants.
When you see the name you understand who it is. Becaus of the pronuciation the spellings was quite different.
Halstein married Mary (unknown lastname), amazing that his name changed to Nicolas in 1870, if it was not for the rest of the family he could have been overlooked.
1860 Halstein (Alston) Halverson lived in Dodgeville age 45, Mary 31, Mary 10, Albert 8, Carill 6, Ally 2, Josephine 2.
If I get time my intention is to provide information on those 97 who emigrated on Bark Emilie 1839 and those 60 in 1841 from Numedal, help appreciated.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 16/05/2010 00:49:30 |
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The first "Amerika-brev"
