Ottilie (Christensen) Anderson (1863 - 1929)

Born 26 Jun 1863 in Skoger, Vestfold, Norway

Ancestors

Wife of Michael Bradseth — married 7 May 1887 in Hudson, St. Croix, Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died 23 Jul 1929 at age 66 in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susannah Zemke [send private message]

Biography

From Betty Bradseth's manuscript:

Otilia Christianson was born at Oslo, Norway in 1862(?). ... Her parents were Christian Christianson and Maren Johnson. She came to the United States when she was about 15 years old. Otilia (Tillie) Christianson and Michael Bradsath were married May 7, 1887 at Hudson, Wis. Witness were Ole and Karin Christianson (sz: brother & sister-in-law to Tillie).Michael and Otilia had three children: Irving, Agnas and Emil. When Michael died, Otilia needed help raising her children. They were sent to live with relatives. Irving lived with John Bradseth, his uncle (sz: great-uncle). John had a daughter Alice and she and Irving were like brother and sister. Emil, who was about 2 1/2 years old when his father died, live with his aunt Mrs. Gilbertson (sz: Susanna Christianson, Tillie's sister)

Agnas (sic) was raised near Clayton, Wis., by a cousin named Mrs.Meowness (sic), who was Mrs. Gilbertson oldest daughter. (sz: This was Rilda Gilbertson, married to Ludvig L. Mjaanes). The Meowness (sic) family had two children for Agnas to take care of and she worked very hard for them. When she was 16, she moved to Minneapolis and lived with her mother. Later Agnas returned to the area and married Gus Bauke. (sz:Gust Bakke from Clayton). They had one child, a daughter, Marion. Marions married name was Wickholt (sz: Wickboldt).

Otilia lived at Hudson for about a year after her husband died. She went to Minneapolis to find work. She was employed at a fur house, sewing and making fur pieces. In later years, people who knew her sewing skills brought furs to her home for repairs and fixing.

According to documents from the county courthouse in Hudson, Wisconsin,Otilia married Nels Oberg, Dec. 20, 1900 and was divorced from him, July,1903 in Minneapolis. On Sept. 16, 1926 Otilia and Servin M. Anderson were married. Her age at that time is listed as 64.

One morning Otilia bakes some cookies for her grand daughter, Marion.She had a large pan of raspberries on the table waiting to be cleaned and canned, but she decided to take the cookies to the train depot to send them. Several trains were moving. Otilia stepped out of the way of one train and into the path of another. One of her legs was severed and her chest crushed. She died about three in the afternoon. This accident happened in Minneapolis (sz: accident happened in Hudson, but she died inSt. Luke's hospital). I'm not sure where Otilia is buried.

When Otilia died, her husband was worried about ten dollars she had in her purse. In the mail, the day before Emil had received ten dollars from his mother. _____________________

Not sure when the Christensens came to the U.S., but I think all ten children of Christian Olsen and Marin Andrine Johnsen came to the U.S. Tillie lived in Hudson when she was married to Michael Bradseth. She remarried in 1900 Nels Oberg and was granted a divorce in 1903 in Minneapolis. She lived in Minneapolis and worked as an ironer. She was back in Hudson in 1926 when she remarried Sevrin "Sam" Anderson. The family search Minnesota marriage index has marriage for Nels W. Oberg and Otillie Bradsette as 31 Dec 1897 in St. Paul, but also have date 20 DEC 1900 from Betty Bradseth - in 1900, Tillie is still enumerated in Hudson as widow Otillia Bradseth so I think Dec 1900 date must be correct.

From the Hudson Star-Observer,Thursday, July 25, 1929: "WOMAN DIES AFTER LOSING LEGS UNDER TRAIN HERE - STEPS IN PATH OF PASSENGER; DIES OF SHOCK - Mrs. Sam Anderson, 63, Dies at St. Luke's 12Hours After Accident - Wheels of Train Pass Over Both Legs; Survived byHer Husband - Mrs. Sam Anderson, 63-year-old resident of North Second street, died at 9:30 o'clock Tuesday night at St. Luke's hospital, St.Paul, as the result of injuries sustained when she was struck Tuesday morning by a Northwestern passenger train on the right-of-way just west of the Second street crossing in Hudson. After being hit by the the engine, Mrs. Anderson was dragged underneath the wheels and both of her legs were almost completely severed and so badly mangled that amputation above the knees was necessary. The operation was performed at St.Luke's hospital to which place the woman was rushed after the accident.For a time, slight hope was held out for Mrs. Anderson's recovery. Dr.J.W. Livingstone, who attended her, stated that although she rallied after the operation, she was unable to withstand the severe shock which the loss of both limbs placed upon her heart. She was conscious and talked with friends almost up to the time of her death.

Arrangements for the funeral had not been announced up to Wednesday noon. Mrs. Anderson had been a resident of the city for many years.She is survived by her husband, who is employed at the Omaha shops in North Hudson. Mrs. Anderson was born in Norway. When a girl she came to the UnitedStates with her parents. For ....

Sources

• Skoger, Norway Parish Records
• Wisconsin Marriages
• Wisconsin Births

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Susannah Zemke for creating Christensen-1793 on 8 Dec 13.