Aunt Julia

Anna Olivia Nelson Knudson 1904 Litchfield, MN

Anna Olivia Nelson was born 2 December 1852, in the Lofoten Island of Borge, Norway. According to our records, her father Anders was 28, her mother Marta was 34. She was a very beautiful child. In about 1864, her widowed, well to do, Auntie Marta, who had no children of her own came to see her brother Anders and family shortly after his boating accident. Julia was about 10 at the time, and with good intentions, Marta wanted to possibly ease the burden of a large family for her brother and told him she would like to adopt lovely Julia. If things played out, Julia would one day inherit this wealthy Auntie's estate. Having already lost so much they couldn't see losing their daughter too. Whatever the offer, it was refused. Hopefully, the parting was amicable and no hard feelings prevailed. When the Nelson family arrived in America in 1868, she would have been 16 (most likely changed her name with the move). I found her in St. Peter's, MN in the 1870 Census working as a nurse. So obviously she did not accompany the rest of her family to Lake Lillian, MN where they moved in 1869. She had friends and many family members there in St. Peter. But most likely in the early 1870's she came to Lake Lillian where she possibly got to be friends with Paulina, who would become her sister in law, and Paulina's sisters.They all ended up moving to Minneapolis, MN to experience the "big city". There she was working as a maid in the famous Pillsbury family home. Also, working there as a Chauffeur was John Knudson, also from Norway. They must have been a stunning couple! They married on 14 February 1875 in Minneapolis. According to the Knudson family, John used the name "Sand" as a last name. This was a community name in Norway which was the same community that our Great Grandmother Paulina Hanson Nelson came from. I am now thinking that he possibly knew the Hanson girls and maybe that is how Julia got to know him.(Just guessing here, but makes sense, maybe?) We next find Julia in the 1880 Census living in Lake Elizabeth, MN with her husband, John, son Albert J and two daughters, Ida E & Agnes M. Beginning in 1880, there was a diphtheria epidemic that ran through much of the country. Many Minnesota families suffered the loss of one or two or even all of the children in one family.Early in 1885, Julia and John lost three within days of the sudden illness. Albert J 10, Agnes M 6, and another daughter, 4 (nameless) were taken. Sometime shortly thereafter, the family moved into Litchfield, as we find them in the May 1885 census with John, Julia and children, Ida, Willie and Ettie. According to Grandma Annette's book, in 1889 they moved to a purchased ranch in Idaho's panhandle, Big Potlatch. Prior to moving, they had a daughter, Maud in 1887. It must have been more than a mother could bear to see so many reminders of her lost children. Why did they move to Idaho? Was there someone there that they knew? I'm not sure we will know, unless the Knudson family can shed some light. She also had two more children in Idaho; Burton in 1891 and Gladys in 1897, for a total of 9 children~6 living to adulthood. In 1904, our Grandma Annette's mother, Paulina suffered a nervous breakdown. Her husband thought of Julia, who most likely had been good friends with her sister in law and a ray of hope and sunshine. She and her daughter, Ida Lena, then 27, came and stayed 6 weeks. She must have cared for her father, Anders during this time and spent many a day outside under the willow trees talking and sewing with Paulina. Grandma remembers her as having black hair and stunning blue eyes. The picture above was taken during this visit. In May 1916, she and John move to Lethbridge Canada. John is listed as a farmer. He actually went to Canada in 1914. I'm thinking they must have purchased a farm there but why do this at their age~ 63 and 62?! It's a mystery! In 1925, John her husband of 55 years passes away on 29 August. During the winter of 1926, her brother Nels comes to Canada and spends the winter. He wrote the he was having a fine visit with Julia! Shortly thereafter, she must have sold the farm and moved to Spokane, Washington where her daughter Ida and her husband, Perry Davis were living. There she would spend her remaining years and would pass away on 7 August 1940. In August of this year, my daughter Jessi and I drove around Spokane looking for the houses they had lived in. We found them and took pictures! They are included above. Whew! I know this was a long, long story but I wanted to make sure I included as many facts as possible for the Knudson family readers. Welcome Knudson's!!!

Grandpa Anders

Grandpa Anders Nielson

I have been wanting to write something about Grandpa Anders Nielson as his story is such an amazing one. I wish I had known him. The only information I have is from Grandma Annette's book which gives a pretty good picture of him and her brother Lester's writings. I will try to piece together a little story about him from those.
He was born among the Vikings of Norway who inhabited the fjords of the country of the Northern Lights. Their rugged character was fashioned by the sternness of their circumstances in life. They left to their discendants a glorious heritage of courage, achievement and of triumph over difficulties. Anders would need all of those to conquer the difficulties that would be his to bear. He was born near Voss, Norway on 29 April 1824 to Nils Olsen and Anna Brynjulvsdtr.Finne.  Nils, his father, was a former soldier in the Norwegian army and died when Anders was very young leaving Anna Finne to care for her large family. He had 4 brothers and 2 sisters: Ole, Bryngjel, Lars, Marta,Ingebjorg and a son whose name is lost. Ole, Bryngjel and Ingebjorg all came to the USA prior to Anders ,the other three stayed in Norway.I have found all of the families of these three siblings in Minnesota and they have many, many descendants. Amazing the advantages we have with the computer and family history sites to peruse.  When Anders was twelve years old, he became an employee of his brother Ole, on a farm near Lardal. Here he worked for several years until he secured a job in a silver mine at Kingsburg. After work, he would study and learn to spell and write. An older man, perhaps an official, took an interest in the boy and offered to tutor him after work hours. Grandma's father told her that he wrote a very good hand. Schooling was very hard to come by in those days, especially with no father in the home. He also was a self taught violinist, following after Ole Baraneman Bull, a world famous violinist who Anders worshipped and was inspired by him to learn to play. It became an important part of his life. Anders and his brothers were all tall, powerful men, known throughout the region for their ability in sports, especially skiing and feats of strength. They called Ole, "Star Viking" or Great Viking!!
In 1850, he married Marta Olsdatter at the church in Vossevangen, Gilderhus, Norway. They lived for a year with her mother~ which must have been difficult even with the kindest of in-laws.In 1852, after hearing of land to be had in the  Lofoten Islands about 700 miles north, he moved his family of three to the Island of Borge, one of the most outlying of the Lofotens where Marta's brother, Botolf Olson Busta, a blacksmith was living. There Anders learned to make boats and boots of which there was a huge demand, and acted as sexton at the Lutheran church. Just a note, he made his own wooden shoe lasts and brought them to America. He taught his son, Nels to make shoes from these lasts.  For a short time, the young family lived with a widow. Then a small house was built on the corner of the Lutheran minister's lot. He was a man of tremendous energy and industry. He made plain furniture. He made a spinning wheel and loom, of which the spinning wheel is known to Grandma's family. (who has it anyway?) Anders, like thousands of others who had come to the Lofotens, would become a sailor. He along with others would brave the strong north winds to go far out in the ocean to fish.  Sometime in the late 1850's, Andrew, wanting to better their lives, threw in his lot with a group of men who had acquired a large boat for cod fishing. There were now four children. For a few years all went extremely well. Then in the early 1860's, perhaps 1863, the men were out and caught in a terrible storm~possibly a maelstrom. Nearly all of the men perished. He suffered the loss of all his fingers and one foot. He was only 42. After many months, with courage unimaginable he took up his life. He returned to his land and animals and relied heavily on his 12 year old son Nels.
In 1853, his two older brothers and sister had immigrated to America. Letters had gone back and forth between these siblings and there young brother in Norway. They knew of his troubles. He asked them if they could send $100.00 to help finance his family's crossing to America~ they heartily agreed. They packed up few belongings~ to include the spinning wheel, loom and a copper tea kettle. That tea kettle filled with marbles sat on a shelf in Grandma Annette's place and was a source of fun for all of us that came to visit. I didn't ever know that it had come across the ocean and was over a hundred years old! (I'm pretty sure this is still in the family, but like the spinning wheel I'm not sure who has it. If you do, I'd like to know :) ) In May 1868, they set sail. Landing in Quebec and eventually made there way to Minnesota. Grandpa Anders and Grandma Marta lived with their son, Nels and his large family until their deaths in 1908 and 1888 respectively. In his last years, he rarely left his room. It must have been a very lonely time for him as an old man. He had lived almost 20 years longer than his sweet companion Marta. I'm sure death came as a sweet reprieve from his cares.

Ida Adelia Nelson

Martin & Ida Nelson Wedding photo
 June 1903

We are first introduced to Ida in Grandma’s book, when she is mentioned as Grandma’s first teacher in 1899. She wrote this little poem for her in the summer of 1899, July 2~

Dear Etta,

May peace attend your future hours

And love bestrew your path with flowers

And may you ever have a friend

True as the one there lives has penned

Your friend and teacher,

Ida A. Nelson

Just a little background on Ida that I have been able to piece together.

She is listed in the 1880 Census in Swede Grove, Minnesota. Along with family member; John (father), Christine (mother) and sisters Annie, Matilda, Ellen, Selma, and Hulda.  In the 1885, 1895 and 1900 Census the family is living in Union Grove, Minnesota. Both of these towns are in close proximity to Danielson where Grandma was raised.

 In the 1900 census, Ida along with three of her sisters are listed as “teachers”. John and Christine were married in 1875 and immigrated to the US in 1880 from Sweden. There is a lot of discrepancy as to the ages of these young women since most of the census records have different ages for them~ confusing. Annie is listed as a dressmaker and Matilda (later called Emma) was working as a store clerk.

In the fall of 1899, Ida resumed teaching Grandma’s class, but for some reason resigned at the end of that year. In the 1900 census, Ida along with three of her sisters are listed as “teachers”. John and Christine (her parents) were married in 1875 and immigrated to the US in 1880. There is a lot of discrepancy as to the ages of these young women since most of the census records have different ages for them~ confusing. Annie is listed as a dressmaker and Matilda (later called Emma) was working as a store clerk. The family members are listed as follows: John~ 68, Christine~ 58, Annie~24, Emma Matilda~ 23, Ida~20, Ella~19, Selma~17, Hulda~16.

In January 1903, she and Martin Nelson were engaged to be married. They had been “dating” for almost 5 years so was very well known in the Nelson family. During the winter and spring prior to the wedding, Ida would come and spend a week or two with the Nelson family. She and her four sisters had moved with their invalid father and mother to Litchfield. She was not teaching during this time. It was also during this spring, that Martin’s father Nels purchased a farm for them in Cosmos which was about 2 miles from the family farm. Ida took great care in the purchases for the house; she especially loved her Victorian themed parlor. With fancy flowered carpets, beautiful lamps and cushioned furnishings it must have been very lovely. She must have been so thrilled and happy to marry such a good looking, kind man as Martin. His family at this time was quite well to do and he could afford to purchase nice things for her and their new home.

She was quite tall and lovely. Her wedding dress was made by a Litchfield dressmaker. “It was made of silk crepe overlaid with what I now know was silk organza, and was beautifully made with much shirring across the flounce of the skirt and across the bodice and sleeves. There was a yoke of delicate heading, a train and a long train length veil.”

They were married on 17 June 1903, at Grandma’s family home. It must have been quite a gathering. When young people were married back in those days and in the country, most everyone was invited and came. So they must have had a huge gala affair. Her sister Ella apparently wrote up an article about the wedding event in the town newspaper. Here are a few lines penned so many years ago…

“…a ceremony uniting two of Meeker County’s most estimable young people. Little Etta Nelson (grandmother) showered roses before the bridal couple as they entered the spacious parlors. A sumptuous repast (feast) was served to guests at tables on the outside lawn by six young ladies handsomely arrayed in white. After a short honeymoon, the young couple will make their home on their farm in Cosmos…”

The two honeymooners went off to Minneapolis for a short honeymoon. There was work to be done on the farms as it was summertime. In September of that year, the two love birds were not well. It was decided that they should move to Litchfield for the winter to recuperate.  They did so reluctantly but must have seen the move as a good one. Her father passed away in September after a lingering illness. He was most likely cared for by his wife and other four daughters who most likely took care of Ida and Martin during this time of illness too.  They never did regain their strength and return to the lovely little farm home that Ida had so carefully and beautifully arranged. They had consumption or tuberculosis as it is known today. This is a horrible disease that attacks the lungs and then other parts of the body. Many succumbed to the disease in the early 1900’s and these two were amongst those who died. Martin passed away in Litchfield on Friday, 22 January 1904 and his sweet Ida followed him only a month later on the 22 February, 1904. They were buried in the Litchfield Ripley cemetery.

The pictures show her as beautiful and stately and Grandma adds her kindness and grace.

 

One ending note. In Grandma’s book she tells us that Ida’s mother had passed away some years prior. Not so from the census records I found. The last record I have seen, thus far, is the 1905 Census in Litchfield on Marshall Avenue which lists Christine, Annie, Emma, Ella, Selma and Hulda.  The rest of their lives are a mystery that I am trying to piece together.

 

They smoothed her tresses of dark brown hair;

On her fare head of stone they laid it fair;

With a tender touch they closed up well

The sweet then lips that had secrets to tell;

About her brows and beautiful face

They tied her veil and her marriage lace

And over her bosom they crossed her hands

“Come away,” they said, “God understands”.

 

 

Lofoten Islands~ Norway

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0ed62914-9208-11e2-851f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2PTFgm5UZ
This article about fishing at the Lofoten Islands in Norway found it's way to me and I wanted to share with the one or two of you reading~ the pictures are stunning and the travel bug in me says I need to go. So, maybe next year, but not in the winter time, I can roam the land of our Norse great grandparents and distant relatives. I'm hoping to find current cousins and family prior to going since it's so much the people that really make a visit to a new place a lasting memory. Just imagine it~ hanging out with Norwegian cousins~ family~ hiking, swimming, fishing~ love it!

Anna, the oldest sister of Paulina

Since reading Grandma's book many years ago, I always wondered what had happened to Anna the oldest sister of Paulina, Grandma's mother. Well, because of the current access to records that we now have that Grandma didn't have, we now know that there was a different story that played out in Anna's life. It is basically bits and pieces that I have tried to put together from census records, etc. Here goes~
Anna is listed in the Norway census and in Grandma's book, as Ane Johan. But in the census records found here in the U. S., she is listed as Anna. Grandma states in her book, "It was about 1867 that Anna, then 19, met the young minister, Carlson, who she soon married. They went to live in Atlantic, Iowa, where Carlson had been given a pastorate. There they remained all their lives."
I can not find any kind of a marriage record for Anna but now know that her husband's name was Charles Carlsen. They lived in Illinois from 1869-1873 and had three, possibly four children. They are listed as, Olga~ born in 1869, Victor G~ born in 1871 and Alex born in 1873. There are no birth records found, all of this information was taken from census records. In 1875, the family of five are living in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Charles is 33, Anna 27, Olga 7, Victor 4 and Alex 2. They are also there in 1880 and 1885 census records, excepting Alex who most likely died prior to 1880, and now Charles' older sister Julia is living with them. This seems to have been the custom back in those days, having widowed parents or spinster sisters living with the family. I wonder if Julia liked the living arrangements or maybe had no other means of support, the latter probably the case. A little note, in the 1885 census in Albert Lea, living with the Carlsen's is Lester Woods, age 8 who would be Anna's sister Christina who died in 1880, son. From Grandma's book, we know that Lester Woods was raised by Aunt Sophia and Uncle Frank in Minneapolis and they who treated him in every way like a son.  So from this I am thinking that Anna did have contact with her sisters but this was quite a bit earlier than when Grandma was born in 1894, so she wouldn't have known some of the details surrounding the other sisters. How long Lester was there or was he just visiting I'm not sure. Anywho, the next record is the 1895 census and the Carlsen family are now living in Cass, Iowa. Charles is never listed as a Pastor in any of these records, his vocation is listed as a farmer and carpenter.
In 1910, Anna 61, is a widow with Olga, 41 and Victor, 38 listed in the same household. From the records, we see that Victor is an Electrical Engineer working in the light plant. Neither of these two married. On January 13, 1920 the census record lists the three of them in Cass, Iowa and now Victor is working as an Engineer for the Waterworks plant. This must have been shortly before Anna's death as we read that she and Aunt Hanna both died on the same day in January but date unknown. I see no other record for Victor beyond the 1920 census, but find Olga at age 71 in 1940 continuing to live in Cass, Iowa and then nothing beyond. I wonder what their lives were like back there in Iowa and who missed them when they were gone since they had no children to look after them in their old age. It make me wonder.