Immigrant Families about Whom I Have Information

Immigrant Families
about Whom I Have Information

I have information on descendants and/or ancestors of the following immigrant families:

From Lærdal Kommune, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway:

Torsten Nilsson Saltkjelen (December 24, 1804-January 26, 1889) and Randi Olsdatter Kjodnes (January 11, 1802-November 6, 1883), also known as Thomas and Rosa Nelson. They came from Lærdal to America in 1861 with their children and grandchildren, settling in Steele County, Minnesota by 1865.
Halvor Jokumson Rå (December 31, 1828-July 3, 1912) and Brita Andersdatter Glitre (July 5, 1838-October 16, 1908), also known as Halvor and Britha Moe. They came to America in 1878 with their children and settled in Steele County, Minnesota.
Lars Toreson Nedste Ljøsno (October 14, 1799-June 11, 1883) and Velgjerd Simonsdatter Mid Bø (August 10, 1804-May 31, 1902), also known as Lewis and Velda Thompson. They came to America from Lærdal in 1853, staying for 3 or 4 years in Dane County, Wisconsin before settling in Steele County, Minnesota, where they were among the first Norwegian settlers in the area of Havana and Aurora Townships.

From Hafslo, Luster Kommune, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway:

My Hillestad Family page is a starting point for information about the following people:
- Christopher Nitter Iversen Hillestad (February 19, 1858-May 4, 1934) and Olena Nelson (April 11, 1863-March 26, 1956). He left Hafslo at the age of 15 or 16 and eventually settled in Steele County Minnesota. Olena was born in Wisconsin to parents from Lærdal, Norway.
- Anders Iversen Hillestad (August 17, 1842-September 18, 1929) and Kari Rasmusdotter Fet, a.k.a Caroline Robertson (July 31, 1844-January 20, 1922). Christopher's older brother, he came to America in 1866 and settled near Madison, Wisconsin. Caroline was also from Hafslo.
- Iver Iversen Hillestad (December 10, 1852-October 11, 1925) and Gunhild Johnson (December 25, 1854-December 21, 1935). Another brother of Christopher's, Iver came to America in 1874 and lived most of his life in Fosston, Minnesota.
- John Iversen Hillestad (October 29, 1860-December 21, 1940), yet another brother. He too lived in Fosston. He was married twice, first to Carrie Nelson (March 22, 1875-May 27, 1905), then to Dorthea (Dora) Bakke Ericson (March 16, 1881-November 30, 1955).
- Jacob Pederson Hillestad (February 13, 1870-May 29, 1952) and Anna P. Lindberg (August 11, 1877-May 28, 1916). Jacob was a nephew of the four Hillestad brothers. He came to America in and settled in Fosston, Minnesota where he worked at various times with his uncles Iver and John.
- Rasmus Augundson Mellem (November 13, 1803-?) and Malina Pedersdatter Hillestad (December 13, 1812-?), the latter being an aunt to the Hillestad brothers. The Mellems came from Hafslo in 1854 and settled in Freeman Township, Crawford County, Wisconsin.

From Åmot Kommune, Hedmark, Norway:

Peder Hågenson Åset Larson (December 24, 1840-November 25, 1932) and Mary Johnson (Abt. 1847-July 3, 1895), my husband's token Norwegian ancestors. Peder came from Åmot Kommune in Hedmark fylke and settled in Willmar, Minnesota, but I don't know about Mary's background.

From Sweden:

Benjamin Bredberg (September 22, 1843-December 2, 1925) and Maria Katherine Hofstrom (September 1840-?). He was born in Vesene, Alvborgs Lan, Sweden. She was born in Dalsland, Sweden. They went to Stockholm, Sweden, then immigrated to New London, Minnesota in 1886.
Erik J. Osterberg (1834-1892) and Karin N. Johnson (December 1830-1914). They came from Sweden to Sargent County, North Dakota around 1880-1882.
Charles Eckman (October 24, 1855-August 23, 1943) and Hedda Marie Carlson (May 22, 1857-December 22, 1929). He came from Stockholm, Sweden to Ashland, Wisconsin in 1880. She came from Lena, Vastergotland, Sweden to Ashland, Wisconsin in 1888.

From Germany:

Ludwig Mueller (December 1834-?) and Christina Aaug (September 1833-?). They came from Baden, Germany to Dakota County, Minnesota circa 1868. Later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gustav Friedrich Griepentrog (December 17, 1851-April 9, 1903) and Louisa Glaser (October 26, 1849-April 28, 1928). He came from Zachan, Pommern, Germany and she came from Schwanenbeck, Germany. Together they came to White, South Dakota in 1879.
Karl Christian Pettner (August 10, 1852-June 26, 1924) and Clara Longke (November 19, 1845-July 4, 1921). They came from Germany to White, South Dakota, then to Lantry, South Dakota. Immigrated 1886.
Jacob Ramp (April 4, 1735-1795) and Anne Marie _______ (Abt. 1739-?). They came from Oeschelbronn, Germany to Pennsylvania prior to 1760.
Johann Christian Goodyear/Gutjahr (October 25, 1714-February 12, 1791) and Margaretha Roesner (May 3, 1722-December 13, 1799) He came from Merseburg, Saxony, Germany around 1738. She was born in Hohenloischen, Germany and also arrived in America around 1738. They lived in Lititz, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. See the book The Goodyear Family: The Descendants of Johann Christian Gutjahr and Margeretha Roesner for further information. My web pages concern their great grandson Benjamin Curtis Goodyear and his descendants.

From Ireland:

Daniel Mulvihill (1835-?) and Ellen Foley (Abt. 1837-?). He came from Ballylangford, Kerry, Ireland. She came from Dingle, Kerry, Ireland. They immigrated prior to 1862. The family lived in New Hampton, Iowa in 1872, later moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
John Ryan (Abt. 1835-?) and Bridget Eary (Abt. 1835-?). The came from Ireland to New York, then to Chicago, Illinois, then Dane County, Wisconsin. Immigrated prior to 1859.
Michael Brown (Abt. 1823-?) and Margaret Lynch (Abt. 1836-?). He was born in Ireland. She was born in Canada to parents from Ireland. They arrived in Dane County, Wisconsin prior to 1853.

From Scotland:

Palmer Hiram Averill (d. August 15, 1865) and Elizabeth Standish (1810-1863). My information was that he was born in Scotland and came to Canada sometime prior to his marriage in 1825 in Champlain, Quebec, Canada, but I have recently come across conflicting information that Palmer was born in Canada, the son of a trapper and a Native American. Elizabeth is supposed to have come from Lincolnshire, England. Click here to see the obituary of Palmer and Elizabeth's son John.
James Donald (Abt. 1851-May 12, 1897) and Joan Souden (December 29, 1854-May 5, 1938). They came from Paisley, Scotland to Ashland, Wisconsin around 1886-87.

From England:

Gregory Stone (April 19, 1592-November 30, 1672) and Lydia _______ (Abt. 1595-June 24, 1674). They came to Massachusetts in 1635. For further information, see Gregory Stone Genealogy: Ancestry and Descendants of Deacon Gregory Stone of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1320-1917 written by J. Gardner Bartlett in 1918. My information concerns Gregory's descendant Josiah Fobes Stone (March 25, 1837-January 16, 1904).
Elizabeth Standish, (1810-1863) who came to Canada from Lincolnshire, England, sometime before she married Palmer Averill (see under Scotland) in Champlain, Quebec, Canada in 1825. She probably came with her father, Joseph Standish.

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