Chapter 3 - The Selbu Founders of Sons of Norway
The Selbu Founders of Sons of Norway
Bersvend O. Draxten
James Peterson
Peder G. Balstad and Ole A. Russeth
John O. Stokke and Lewis J. Stokke

The Selbu Founders of Sons of Norway
In literature regarding the foundation of Sons of Norway, we find a picture of eighteen men who forever will be honoured as the Charter members of the largest ethnic association in North America. One shall not have great imagination to see that this picture it composed, ie that individual photos has been attached later. One can only guess that no picture was taken enduring the first hectic period of Sons of Norway. Later it was impractical to gather all founders for a photographic session. Maybe some of them already had moved out of Minneapolis and it was it was easier to put their portrait on to the picture.

1st row
Peder Larsen, Knute Rasmussen, Peter G. Balstad, John O. Stokke, Engebret O. Rognaas and Ole Lodgaard

2nd row
Lewis J. Stokke, Ole A. Russeth, John S. Johnson, James Peterson and Bersvend O. Draxten

3rd row
Anton Johnson, Einar Dramdahl, Ludvig Pedersen, E. M. Wold, Peter Johnson, Edvard Larsen and Eskild Pedersen

In "An American Saga" the writer is mentioning nineteen names. The nineteenth person is from Selbu, and his name is Peder A. Russeth, a brother of Ole who played such an important role in the founding. The explanation is probably that Peder was not present during the initial sessions, but became a very active member in Minneapolis ever after. Even if he is not mentioned among the charter member, he certainly earned his share of honour that the association had such a "flying start".

In this report, the spotlight will be directed upon those who came from Selbu and their background. In honour of all eighteen, here is a list of their names and origin in Norway:

Bersvend O. Draxten

To the west along Selbusjoen the hills, covered with spruce, fall steeply towards the lake. A wild terrain not unlike the fjords or West Norway. Between the steep hills there might be a small cove or somewhat flat landscape.

In the 18^th century the population in Norway grew rapidly. In Selbu this led to breaking new land for those who could not inherit land from their parents. Arable land along the Selbusjoen to the West was cleared and cultivated. Up to near 1980 there has been active farming on these small barren spots of land, today only a few of them are left.

One of these places is named Draxten. It is located on the northern side of the lake. The population in this village reached as high as near 1350 just before the Black Death. This early settling was probably due to the fertility of the land. The river named Dragstelva gave power to a sawmill, one of the most important industries in Norway in the 17^th century. The size of the families increased due to better health conditions during this century, and especially in Draxten the arable land soon became exhausted. As the emigration became known, it was not long before quite a number left Draxten heading for America. America was the only alternative to a life in need and poverty.

Pigar'n Dragsten. Bersvend Draxtens birthplace.

Around 1750 two sons divided the land belonging to Dragstgaarden (farm) and named the farms Pigarden and Nigarden. Bersvend’s father was Ole, and he was born at Pigarden in 1843. He was number three out of ten children. The older brother Arnt inherited the farm and Ole was forced to move out. He married Kari Olsdtr Renaa in 1866. She was raised in Renaa on the opposite side of the lake Selbusjoen. Since boats were the normal of transport, the contact across the lake was good.

A few months after the wedding, on October 26^th 1866, their oldest son is born and gets the name Bersvend. Even with the new-born they decided to leave for America next summer. So far nobody had emigrated from Draxten. In the more central part of Selbu the America ever had been on for a few years and Ole had heard rumours from relatives about the possibilities "over there". A beautiful summerday in 1867 the young family was ready to go. A heartbreaking farewell takes place. This was commemorated during the unveiling ceremony of a stone monument over Bersvend Draxten in 1989.

They crossed the ocean onboard the ship "Neptunus". This ship is probably the one that brought the majority of Selbu-emigrants across the Atlantic. Their destination is Minneapolis where Ole Engan Utistoggo settled the year before. Ole Draxten’s older brother Per was engaged to Ole Engan’s sister until Per died in 1865. After his death Ingeborg gives birth to a son named Peder. Caused by this tragic death, a close relation is established between Ole Draxten and the folks at Utistoggo Engan. Ole Engan’s family and their hospitality, gives, as we can read later, vital support to the founders of Sons of Norway.

Ole Draxten worked for many years at the sawmill in Draxten, close to where he lived. He was a clever timberdriver because this was compulsory experience since you had to drive the timber to the mill before you could saw. Drivers and sawmillworkers are scarce amongst the immigrants in Minneapolis. Everybody wanted new housing, but first the timber had to be driven down the Mississippi to the sawmill. Ole soon is engaged, and makes good money thanks to his great experience as a driver.

Ole Engan and his family in Atwater Meeker County , Minnesota

Ole Engan lives nearly 100 kilometres west of Minneapolis. A number of Selbu-immigrants, among them Ole Draxten, want to move closer to the town and decide to move to a place called 20de Avenue North. In 1868 Ole, together with Ole Haarstad’s and Ole Andersen Kvello’s move. The Selbu colony is established, a colony of great growth as soon as rumours about a happy and prosperous Selbu-community spread to the home village. Ole Draxten has abundant access to timber at reasonable prices through his work. He soon started the construction of his own house, and in 1871 Kari and the five years old Bersvend move into their own beautiful house. This is the first house built by somebody from Selbu in North Minneapolis, but shortly after, a lot of housing is raised around Ole’s place.

Karen and Ole Draxten with little Bersvend

Bersvend is not to be an only child, Lina in 1875, Christian in 1879, Alfred in 1882, Minnie in 1885 and Oscar in 1889. Like his father Bersvend was interested in working with timber, and after finishing school, he is employed in a small sawmill. During leisure time he hang out with other Norwegian friends. In James Petersons and Lewis Stokke’s saloon the Prospect for an association with the aim to care for Norwegian language and culture, is already a daily topic. Even at the first meeting on January 9^th, Bersvend O. Draxten contributed considerably to the discussion. He was elected the interim secretary, indicating that he was considered the most well-writing amongst them. further he was elected to the Charter committee. In this committee the secretarial work is of great importance, and the proposition was passed unanimously. On January 16^th, Bersvend is elected the first secretary in Sons of Norway. Additionally he is elected to a new committee working on the ritual for new members. This work was done during the next week, and was passed during a session on January 23^rd. This way, Bersvend had managed, during two weeks time to write both laws and ritual for this association, quite an achievement which bear witness of a man of wisdom and talent. The laws are based on democratic principles which has been the distinctive feature of Norway ever after.

Engebret O. Rognaas stays in the Chair for only one year. At this time Bersvend was elected in his place. The number of members had already reached 81, steadily growing. During 1897 and the winter of 1898 the Chair was partly taken care of by Bersvend and John O. Stenvig. In the summer of 1898 and the following year, Mike Dyrdal, also from Selbu, was elected Chairman. He was born and raised at Dyrdal, Selbu, and changed his name from Mikkel to Mike when he came to Minneapolis. Mike Dyrdal was not one of the founders, but became a very vital member during the first years.

Mike Dyrdal

Bersvend O. Draxten had a saying in every topic which was on the agenda during the first years of Sons of Norway. He was elected to different working committees, and his able leadership gives confidence to the organisation and spreads prosperity among the immigrants. In 1898 a new topic is the prospects of founding a sisterorganisation in the southern part of Minneapolis. This work was naturally led by Bersvend. In June 1899 the recruiting had resulted in 51 possible members in this part of town, and a new association was founded on June 29th. With more than one branch, each branch should have their distinctive name. The first branch was named Nidaros and the new one Oslo. The choice of traditional Norwegian names is distinctive for all new Lodges to come. Lodge number three is founded April 24th, 1900 and is named Dovre.

Since there are more than one Lodge, it is necessary to form some kind of umbrella-organisation to co-ordinate the overall-work within Sons of Norway. The First Congress for Lodge nr. one, two and three was summoned on May 29th 1900. Bersvend O. Draxten is elected the first President of Sons of Norway. In the board two others from Selbu are elected, Mike Dyrdal as Judge and Peder A. Russeth as Treasurer.

This was a very active Board of Executives starting the hard work to promote the organisation throughout North America. At the Congress of 1903, seventeen Lodges are reported, and the organisation is spread all over Minnesota. Iver Odegaard was elected new President and Bersvend Draxten takes over as Superior Judge.

Bersvend O. Draxten’s name is found in the protocols of the organisation for years to come although after he left the Presidential Chair. In 1910 he was elected Chairman of the Nidaros Lodge in North Minneapolis. Additionally he was elected to several committees until his death in 1946. Bersvend O. Draxten is rightly named Sons of Norway’s Grand Old Man.

Bersvend eventually ends up as a clerk within the shipping branch. Boat-traffic on the Mississippi is steadily increasing and Bersvend will have plenty of work. In or about 1900 he married Julia Torp, born and raised in Malvik outside Trondheim. They have three children: Nina (1903), Aspha (1905) and Chester (1911). Nina had in her adult life picked up the interest for Norwegian emigration, and wrote several book on this topic during her work at the University of Minneapolis. Nina was present when her fathers memorial stone in Draxten was unveiled in 1989. This brought strong feelings back both for her and the 1000 others who attended the ceremony.

(SORRY - MISSING PARAGRAPH)

Memorial stone in Draksten unveiled in 1989

During his funeral in 1946, Bersvend was memorised this way: The rapid growth of the association during its first years is mainly contributed to by the noble visions and the efficient leadership he always stood up for. A great many was attracted by his fine personal virtues.

James Peterson

When I started my studies of Sons of Norway and its links to Selbu, I knew very little about the association and the men behind it. The stone monument over Bersvend O. Draxten was known, and his significance is well known in Selbu. The others coming from Selbu were only randomly heard of. As I gathered available information, it hit me how closely related their history is to that of Selbu as a community. For me James Peterson and his life became most fascinating. His name is so far from Norwegian as it can be, and it seemed impossible for me that a child could be baptised James in Selbu almost one hundred years ago. Investigations revealed that his name had been Ingebrikt P. Teigen. He was born and raised on a ferry-site by Nea River where Teigen Bridges crosses the river today. The Ferry-man's place can be seen through the window where I sit and write this report, just a hundred yards or so up-stream. James Peterson, one of the most important persons in the founding of Sons of Norway, was actually one of my closest neighbours before he and his parents emigrated to America in 1879.

Ingerbrikt Teigen’s father was given the name Per Paalsen Haarsstad. He was born and raised on the farm Jardet - Ner Haarstad. His father, Paal Olsen Haarstad, had bought this farm in 1801. Paal worked hard to survive. In 1829 this farm had a mortgage debt of 500 specidaler to Norges Bank. When Paal died in 1842, the farm was transferred to his son Ola for 119 specidaler and Sjurd Tomassenn Haarstadrenen for 44 specidaler. The following year Ola drowned in Nidelva (river) and the family had to divide the farm to be able to cope with the debt.

Per Paalsen Haarstad was raised under very poor conditions. He was number eight in a family of ten children, and had no rights to the farm. Only twenty-three years old he married Ingeborg Bersvendsdtr from Baarsethaugen in Innbygda. The year before, their eldest daughter Marit, had been born while Ingeborg still lived with her parents at Baarsethaugen. It was urgent to find a home for Ingeborg and their daughter. In Selbu most of the cultivated area was already in use and it was impossible to become cotter under his homeplace Ner Haarstad. He searched widely for farmland, and found this site near the river Nea. The land was owned by the priest and farmer at Kvello, and the land was swampy because the river flooded this area every spring. Just after the wedding, Per started to break new land and build a house. The first year he only had an oral agreement with the landowners, but he finished the initial work and moved into his own housing in 1836. Next year his ownership to the land is made official by the priest and farmer at Kvello.

But Per had constructive ideas for his location. His farm was located near the natural crossing for traffic between Vikvarvet and Mebonden. A small ferry or boat was necessary for this crossing. Up to now, the road-users had some kind of self-service. But as traffic was growing, this was unsatisfactory. Especially for those living in Vikvarvet who had to cross the river going to church. Per installed himself as the first, and probably one of the few ferrymen ever in Selbu. An untraditional occupation showing some of his inventiveness and eagerness. He did not make any fortune on his engagement, but together with a couple of cows, some sheep, goats and a pig, he was able to take care of a steadily growing family.

Ingeborg and Per have seven children. The youngest, Ingebrikt, is born in 1850 the same year as his older sister, Marit seek work on a large farm at Strinda near Trondheim. In the 1860 the Americafever becomes obvious in Selbu, and in 1866 one of Ingebrikts brothers Paal, emigrates.This is the top year for emigration from Selbu and Paal joins a large group probably ending up in Meeker County, Minnesota.

When Paal writes home and reports from the free America with enough land for everybody, Ingeborg and Per start to consider their own future. Other familymembers also strongly consider emigration to America. His nephew Jonas and niece Mari decide to go during the summer 1869. Their oldest son, Bersvend, who has the legal right to inherit the farm also wants to join them. For young Ingebrikt America is very tempting, and together they decide to go. In 1896 they leave their home on the shore of Nea and leave the Ferrysite to their good neighbour Ola Andersen and his wife Mali Ola started immediately with the ferrywork, which indicates that they had become good business.

As most of their fellow villagers they had Minnesota as their destination. They had heard about Mikkel Johnsen and the great Selbu colony around Mikkel’s farm north of Minneapolis. The sea-journey is fine, and late in the summer they reach the settler area. Even when there had been great many immigrants from Selbu the year before, Ingebrikt's oldest brother Bersvend Teigen is the first permanent settler in own of Brooklyn which is the name of the area. Both the parents and the boy Ingebrikt now live together with Bersvend’s. But Per and Ingeborg did not enjoy this new life. They both longed for Selbu. They endured four years in Minneapolis, but returned later to open the doors of the ferrysite in the summer of 1873. The now 61-years old Per Paalsen Teigen takes over the ferry and keeps up the good until his death in 1892, at the age of 80.

The ferrysite was moved approximately one hundred yards downstream after the Teigen Bridge was finished in 1901. Mikal Langseth built a new house near Teigen Bridge in 1988. When the building site was cleared, some old foundation were found at the ferrysite.

Ingebrikt decided to make his own future in North America. He moved to La Crosse on the shores of Mississippi in Wisconsin. It is probably after settling here, he decided to change his name. James Pedersen which in time became James Peterson, is however, quite a common American name. What his occupation was in La Crosse has been hard to find, but he stayed in the area for almost 13 years. He also find his partner Andrine Olsen, who came from Nannestad in Norway. They married in 1878 and the following year their first child, Premut Oscar, was born.

It is only a small Selbu-representation in La Crosse, but James visits other Norwegians in the area. They had formed their own organisation as early as 1875 to attend to the farmers’ interests. James becomes a very active member, and learns a lot about laws and regulations for this type of organisational work.

In 1887 James Peterson and his family moves back to the Selbu colony North of Minneapolis. The reason is the employment situation combined with a longing to stay near fellow villagers from Selbu and Norway. Their daughter Maxell is born the same year, in 1890 Anne, and two years later their youngest son Carl Martin. Carl Martin is educated architect at Howard College, and later engaged in South America and Africa.

James Peterson is a hard worker making good time in Minneapolis. He decides to build his own saloon. This idea is discussed with two of his friends from Selbu, Jon and Lewis Stokke. This house becomes the "headquarter" for the eighteen founders who signed the protocol for Sons of Norway January 16th, 1895. Ever since he returned to Minneapolis, James always showed a national attitude. He wished to gather the Norwegians in the surrounding areas in order to keep the Norwegian language as well as old traditions. To him the insurance-question was not of importance since he was relatively well done. When James, in addition, could report about the organisation in La Crosse, others also started to take a greater interest in their future community work. On the night of the foundation, James suggested that the name should be Sons of Norway, which was passed with fourteen against two votes.

Sons of Norway was received with mixed feelings at first. This remark was normal: "Your association will probably last until May 17th, but when the celebration is over, you are finished as well." But this was not the destiny for Sons of Norway, and the creator for the association was James Peterson. He had a large Norwegian Flag made, which he gave to the Committee. During the first year the number of members went from 18 to 81. In 1900, when the "Dovre Lodge" is founded, James Peterson donates another Norwegian Flag, this time brought in from Norway. His strong feeling for Norway is remarkable, and through his enthusiasm James was a very vital member these first critical years.

Even if James Peterson did a great deal for Sons of Norway for many years, it becomes clear that his greatest efforts are made during the initial works. Without his vision and experience from the Norwegian association in La Crosse, it is doubtful that Sons of Norway would have had the form and content as of 1895. James Peterson died on March 19th 1924.

Ole A. Russeth and Peder G. Balstad

The class distinction was active within the old peasantry. The "gentry" included the sheriff, priests, officers and landowners and did not have social relations to peasants and cotters. Only on isolated instances marriage alliance was crossing these fine borderlines. If the parties belonged to the gentry and cotters, this was sensational and would be the main gossip for some time.

Anne Christine Bredal belonged to the priest-family Bredal in Hegra, Norway. The Bredal-family was of distinguished heritage and belonged to the gentry. Anne Christine was married to an officer named Sevald Bergersen in 1788; he was sergeant in the Selboske Kompani. He was young and eager and established a guesthouse at Hove a year before they married, Sevald bought Oever-Haarstad farm in Mebonden.

Only four years later Sevald dies only 33 years old. Anne Christine is left in a very difficult situation with two children and house servants to feed. Hence, only one year elapses before she remarries. Her new husband is Ole Andreas Zeier, manager of Mostadmark Jernverk (iron-factory). Ole was a great deal older than his wife, and after the marriage he quits at Jernverket and takes over the responsibilities at their farm Oever-Haarstad. They have five children together, the third was baptised in Selbu Church on February 7^th 1797, named Sara Kristine. Only seven years old. Sara Kristine loses her mother who dies February 23^rd 1806.

Sara Kristine grew up when Falck Andreas Wideroee was the Parson in Selbu. At the turn of the century he was still regarded as the foremost priest ever in Selbu. He was especially concerned with schooling and enlightenment of the people. Able boys coming from farmer or cotter family, was hired at the priests farm so that they could have extra schooling and in turn do service as teachers for the people. This was probably the reason why Peder Gundersen Balstad from the cotter place Skultroea on Selbustrand was hired as worker by the priest. Teachers had for generations been recruited from Skultroea, schooling was done in addition to the farmwork. At his confirmation in 1822, Peder was honoured with "well educated".

As the daughter of a landowner. Sara Kristine often visited the priests family, and she also met Peder G. Balstad. Peder was six years younger than Sara Kristine, but the difference in age was no hinder for love to blossom. Sara Kristine became pregnant, and they married in Selbu Church on November 12^th 1827. Three months later Ane Kristina is born. Even if nothing is written on the matter, there is no doubt about what was the favourite topic of gossiping this Christmas.

Next summer this young family takes over Peder’s homeplace Skultroea. Subsequently they have three sons: Gunder (1830), Ole (1832), been a great test for Sara Kristine, but she made an excellent effort and did well in raising the children. At their confirmation her children are praised for their fine behaviour and receive the character "very well educated".

The cotter Peder works hard to feed his family. During summer he mainly cultivates the land and serves his obligatory service on the main farm. During winter-time he is lumbering alone and is gone for weeks. In October 1849 he leaves again for a new lumbering week. But he does not return on Saturday as expected. Sunday, some of his neighbours start searching for Peder. Later in the day they find him trapped under a tree. Peder, still alive, tells them that he has been trapped since Wednesday - four days ago. He is very weak and thirsty. After having removed the tree, he is given warm milk. After drinking his milk, his head falls back and he is dead.

On the cotter place Skultroea, living condition becomes very difficult after this tragic happening. The now nineteen years old Gunder, takes over the place, while the other children must move out, young as they were. Gunder marries Anne Olsdtr Enggjerdet in 1859, and together they have three children: Ole (1859), Sara (1862) and Peder (1865). Ole married Sigrid Andersdtr Leikvoll and started a grocery store at Hoeyby by Fuglem in Selbu. In 1898 Ole is run over by a train near Trondheim, thus he is also hit by a sudden and tragic fatal accident.

Gunder’s brother, Andreas, marries only twenty-two years old to Johanne Pedersdtr Hoem, and breaks a new cotter place called Roessetmoan in Oeverbygda. He takes the surname Roesset which was normal when one moved to a new place. Johanne and Andreas have four children: Peder senior (1859), Sara (1863 died 1865), Peder junior (1867) and Ole (1871). The children were named after grandparents and great grandparents.

The older Peder was hit by the Americafever at an early stage, and twenty years old he decided to go. On April 15th 1880 Peder embarks the emigrant ship "Tasso" which is anchored close to Munkholmen (island) outside Trondheim. His father, Andreas, joins on the ferry to the ship to bid his Andreas, joins on the ship to bid his son a last farewell. The ferry is overloaded by passengers when it leaves the harbour in Ravnkloa and capsizes. Three passengers, among them Andreas Roesset, drowned. History repeats itself and Andreas suffers a sudden death like his brother and father. Peder swims to shore and is devastated when he learns of his father’s destiny. He is in great doubt whether to go home or to continue. The journey he finally decides to go on. This, in a way, highlights how difficult the situation in Selbu was when he chooses not to return to Selbu to his mother.

For Johanna the situation now is grave. The sons Peder and Ole are too young for farmwork. Peder sen. writes home from Minneapolis. He is employed and is doing well. Most likely he invites his mother Johanna and his younger brother over to America. Consequently, she decides to go two years later. The fare is paid by Peder and also partly financed by selling their cotter place in Norway.

The Roesset-family rejoins in Minneapolis, and stays together in the Selbu-colony North Minneapolis. Because "ø" is not in the American alphabet, they all changed their family name to Russeth. The younger brothers were only eleven and fifteen years old, but were soon working in stores nearby.

Peder sen. writes regularly to his relatives at Skultroea, and his cousin Peder G Balstad is very tempted when reading his letters. Peder Russeth offers to pay his cousin's fare, and he emigrated in 1885. Peder Balstad finds work right away, and within two months he has paid back what he had borrowed from his cousin. Like his grandfather, Peder is a very able timberworker, and works these first years part-time in the forest and in the sawmill.

Peder (dy.) and Ole Røsset in their finest clothes few years after moving to America.

Towards the end of 1880s he feels uneasy by the growing unemployment. He is out of work for long periods at a time, and decides to return to Skultroea in Selbu. He stays in Norway for two years and also serves his military duty. But America is forever in his mind and heart, and in 1891 he packs his bags and leaves Skultroea, this time for good.

Even if times still are hard, Peder Baalstad finds new employment in Minneapolis. He a friend of his cousin from Russeth, and stays at her home from time to time. On Sundays he and his cousins also also visit Ole Draxten’s home in Shingle Crees, they had a special interest in meeting Bersvend, who was their own age. Ole Draxten also invited others from Selbu living in the neighbourhood, including Meeker County further to the West. Among the guests was the Ole Engan Family who stood up for Ole Draxten during his first year in America. Ole Engan’s daughter Ingrid got to know Peder Balstad, and they married in 1897.

The close friendship between the Russeth-brothers, Peder Balstad and Bersvend Draxten is the direct cause for the founding of Sons of Norway. They stick together, and have their own way of engaging in matters of common interest. Looking back it seems that Peder jr. was the more active of the lot. He is not among the founders because he did not meet at the founding session on January 16^th 1895. Peder Russeth picks up several engagements between 1895 and 1900, and he is one of the delegates to the first Congress in 1900. He is elected member of the Board, and acts as Treasurer for six years in the Headorganisation. Peder Russeth is considered one the most important supporters for Bersvend Draxten during his presidential period in Sons of Norway.

But it is Peder Balstad and Ole Russeth we find among the founders of the association. Both are elected into the first committee, Peder Balstad as Door-keeper and Ole Russeth as the first Judge. Ole Russeth also takes part in the writing of laws and rituals for new members. Both the Russeth-brothers and Peder Balstad stayed in Minneapolis the rest of their lives. Ole and Peder Russeth established their own grossarystore which was well taken care of by the two. They build their own homes have three children each. Ole married Lina (from Norway) and named their children Alice (1900), Blanche 1901) and Arthur (1905). Peder married Anna Tanem who came from Klaebu, the county at the western end of Selbusjoeen. They named their children Adolf, Clara and Lillan. Ole died in Minneapolis in 1942, and Peder died the same place in 1935.

Peder Balstad tries out different kinds of work, including a short period as farmer in Dakota. This does not suit him, and he returns to Minneapolis. He picks up the idea of production of "lutefisk" which he sells through the Russeth Store. Norwegians are familiar to lutefisk from the old country, and his production is a great success. For thirty years he keeps up the production, mostly through the Kildall Fish Company. Peder Balstad is called "Lutefiskkongen" (king), and he produces more than 15 million kilograms of lutefisk for the the whole of the USA.

Ingrid and Peder Balstad have seven children: Anna Glirence (1900), Irene Odence (1902), Mabel Pauline (1902) - they are twins, Ferhard Oliver (1904), Albert Conrad (1907), Agness Christine (1910) and Caroline Idella (1916). Ingrid and Peder visit Skultroea in 1932, but this visit is a disappointing experience for Peder in many ways. Everything he remembers from his own childhood is somewhat changed, and it is a different Selbu he finds from the one he left in 1890. Peder died in Minneapolis in 1939.

Lewis J. Stokke	John O. Stokke

Suffering and poverty are often mentioned as reasons for the emigration to America. In Selbu this has quite clearly been the main cause. Large families and shortage of arable land it difficult for many men to feed their families. The child death-rate was high, the reason being little and poor nourishment. The children became vulnerable to diseases, and seldom all children in large families grew up. Only the strongest ones survived.

But to explain the emigration only with suffering, poverty and tough climate is not right. For some, political restrictions and class-distinctions meant a lot, even if it did not mean a whole century. A more dominating factor was probably the spirit of adventure and friendship. For the two friends John Stokke and Lewis (Lars) Stokke, this certainly was the prime motive when they packed their belongings and left Stokke for America in 1879.

The farm Ysterstokkan was divided into several cotter places during the first part of the 19^th century. The oldest too over the main farm, while the younger brothers and some neighbours was given a few acres of land permitting them to build their own house and cowshed. In 1834 the cotter place Blankmelen was cleared by Jon Mikkelsen from Norderbakkan, Rolset. He was four years later married to Brynhild Jonsdtr Mebust, and they had two children: Marit (1831) and Ola (1835)

Ola was a "prince charming" and Casanova. Twenty-three years old he was father to a boy named John. But John’s mother, Siri Jonsdtr from Lillestokke did not fancy Ola any more and did not want to marry him. John was raised by his uncle at Stokksvea. Two years later Ola becomes father to a new child, the unfortunate mother this time was Marit Jonsdtr from Yster Stokkmoen, about his own age. This boy is also named John, but results in no marriage between the two. The latter John was raised by his mother, Marit. A few years later a hired hand from Dyvasgrenda in Laanke came to Yster Stokkan farm. His name was Andreas Sivertsen; he got to know Marit, and they married in 1869 and the same year Marit gets twins. Both twins die one and two years old. But since Andreas now has a family to feed, he must get some land. He acquires a few acres from Yster Stokkan and names his small place Kaasan. John, who now is twelve years old, moves to Kaasan with his mother. Marit and Andreas have three children together. They all emigrated whilst young and Kaasan is deserted when Marit and Andreas die just before the outbreak of WW I.

Just a stone’s throw away from Kaasan lie three farms all named Stokkmoen. To be able to separate them, three nicknames were given the farms: Persan, Enaran and Ystre. Enaran is derived from Einar Johnsen who came from Haltdalen (valley). When Einar dies in 1834, his son Ola takes over. Ola marries Berit Larsdtr Mebust the year after; the year after; they have two children: Einar (1835) and Lars (1839). But this family is hit by great tragedies. In 1839 Ole dies only twenty-eight and their son Einar only four years old.

Berit is left with a weak child, and her situation becomes difficult. She gets help with the farming from good neighbours. Help also comes from the farm Midti Stokkan, a couple of hundred yards away. Especially helpful is the youngest boy Jon. Jon is somewhat short and was therefore nicknamed Litj-jo (little). Berit certainly appreciates the help she is getting, and also fancies her small helper.

They are married in 1843, and that same year Dordi is born. The year after, Lars, from the first marriages dies. Litj-Jo is not only a good help. He is an able carpenter, in particular clever in making furniture, tables, chairs and cupboards. His products are widely known, and he establishes his own workshop at Stokkmoen. This is the start of Stokkmo Factory, today a traditional family-factory specialising in doors and windows for both houses and cottages. Litj-Jo’s workshop was located exactly where the factory lies today.

Litj-Jo and Berit have seven children. The youngest son Lars is born in 1857. In Stokkegrenda there are great numbers of farms and cotter places. In all places children are plentiful and play together during leisure times, even though they have to contribute in the struggle for food. Between the cotter boys Lars and John in Kaasan a close friendship is developing. Jon is three years younger than Lars, but the two always hang together. Together with other boys in the neighbourhood they enjoy a happy youth full of laughter and play despite their poverty.

After their confirmation, the boys had look for work. Arable land was scarce, and since they were to young to inherit any, they had to seek work elsewhere. Kristen, the youngest from Midti-Stokkam, went to Gauldalen (valley) and was employed in construction of the railway - Rørosbanen. The others now very often discussed America. A letter from relatives in Windom, Minnesota gives momentum to the plans, and in the winter of 1879 several decide to go. In addition to Lars and John now ageing twenty and twenty-two, five of their friends from Stokkegrenda join the party. Kristen has returned from railway-work and is eager to go, so is his older brother Ola. Anders from the cotter place Svensan, Tomas from Lillestokkke and Jon Persen Stokke, all share this spirit. They are youths in their best age and they find America exciting and promising. A touching farewell takes place in the Stokke village a day in the spring of 1879. Seven young men representing the future of this valley leave maybe for good. Hands are waving from every place this day, eyes are wet with tears, but there is also a feeling of relief by the thought of less mouths to feed.

The destination is Windom, Minnesota. The have no money to purchase land. They must therefore start to work on farms, in the woods or in industries. They are willing to do anything for survival. But to employ all seven in one place is difficult, and the friends soon have to split up in this new country. Lars and John stay together, however. After having worked in a mill in Jackson, they both become railwayworkers for some time. They are tempted by the large Selbu colony in Minneapolis where they know both fiends and relatives have settled. Lars has corresponded with his darling from Norway: Johanna Persdtr from Yster-Stokkan has also emigrated, and Lars wants to join her in Minneapolis. They marry in on July 11^th 1885. Lars changes his firstname to Lewis, maybe because it sound more American?

John is employed in a combined sawmill and lumber factory named Smith Lumber co. Additionally he works in a pension for factory-workers. In few years he makes good money and becomes a rather wealthy citizen in the Selbu colony in North Minneapolis. He marries and gets four children: Carl, Mabel, Ingeborg and Morris.

Lewis works his first winter lumbering, not unlike many of the earlier settlers had done. He is later employed in a store, and soon establishes his own. In 1887 James Peterson moves in from La Crosse, and the two Stokke's get to know the ten years older James. James is planning to build a saloon and asks the two others to join him. Lewis becomes co-owner, while John only occasionally works in the saloon. The saloon opens in 1894, and this place becomes meeting-place for those who had a relaxed relation to the more religious movements. Out of the discussions spring the ideas of Sons of Norway.

Lewis Stokke is the first Treasurer, an important position considering the bad financial situation. John Stokke is elected to the committee, working on insurance matters. They were both very active members, but they held no high position. John’s son Morris is later elected Chairman of Nidaros Lodge in Minneapolis during WW II.

In the short description of John Stokke in Selbubogen, it is mentioned that he runs a store in town and the farm north of town in 1921. One might assume that the farm is his country house, even if John probably is one of the emigrants from Selbu doing best in America. John Stokke is the longest living Charter member. He died in Minneapolis on May 14^th 1954, ninety-four years old.

John O. Stokke and his wife

Lewis Stokke opens his own store after 1895. Fifty-nine years old (1919) he sells the store and makes good money. Lewis and Johanna have no children and no inheritors. When their will was opened after Lewis’ death in December 1929 they had testamented 11 300 kroner to a legacy for Selbu Gamlehjem (home for elderly). In 1929 this was a large sum of money, a great gift to a poor community. The legacy has, in the past, been administered by the Selbu Administration, together with other legacies. Their will symbolises the love and devotion our emigrants had to their homevillage even after a long life in North America.