Ole Sivert Olsen Hellesvig (1846 - 1940)

Born 27 Aug 1846 in Sør-Trøndelag fylke, Norway

Ancestors

Husband of Jensine (Madsvagen) Markusdatter Hellesvig — married 31 Jul 1876 in Sletta Church

Descendants

Died 20 Jan 1940 at age 93 in Hesper, Benson County, ND

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Biography

Ole Sivert Olssen was born August 28, 1846 at Hitra, Norway, to his parents Ole Anders Johannessen and Elen Rasmusdatter. Ole Anders was born 18 Oct 1817 at Hitterens Prgj., and Elen was born 21 Apr 1814 in Naess sakshaug, Inderøy, Nord-Trondelag fylke, Norway. Elen’s mother Karsti Olsdatter was born 1787 at Inderøen, Ole, his brother Johan Kristian who was born 1851 and their grandmother Karsti Olsdatter, lived on his father’s farm in Ramsø, Hitra, Norway in 1865.

Ole married Jensine Markusdatter on July 31, 1876 at the Sletta church in Norway.

When Ole lived on the island of Frøya, Norway, with his father and brother, they were fishermen. They would fish in Sulen and Lofoten. Before Ole left for America he helped his brother build a house that his brother would live in on the Hellesvik farm on the island of Frøya.

Ole and Jensine had four children born to them while they were living on Frøya, Norway: Eline Ulrikka, Johan Martin, Anna Sofia, and Thea Jensine.

His son Johan Martin was born 16 September 1876 at Frøya, Norway. He was 31.^[1]

On May 14, 1881 they prepared themselves for the journey to America, they packed what they could in their trunk of 4.5 x 2 x 2 and enough food for the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Ole and Jensine purchased their tickets on May 14, 1881 and departed on the 15th from port in Trondhjem, Norway and then traveling south to other Norway ports to pick up passengers, on there way to the port in Hull, England. They would check in at the train station **** to also pick up passingers before they would depart and they arrived at the port of Ellis Island New York on the line Inman on the steamship “Argo”. One June 8th, their journey taking 8 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.

The Inman ship was the”City of Chester” leaving Oueenstown Friday May 27th at 4:40 in the evening with passengers and Royal mail. They arrived New York Sunday June 5th at 4:00 in the morning after a journey crossing the Atlantic Ocean 8 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes. This ship carried passengers from Trondheim and Kristansund. Most likely from other Norwegian harbours too.

What an adventure they had, with four little children and she was expecting their 5th child. Thea was only a year old, Ane was just two years, Johann Martin was 4 years old and Elene was 6 years old. What courage and faith it took.

Ole and Jensine were through the check-in registry processed at Castle Garden, as Ellis Island did not open until 1892. They purchased their train tickets and finally being able to continue on their way to Minnesota to make a claim on land in the area of Rothsay, where Jensine's brother, Torger settled.

Torger Waagen arrived in Fergus Falls February of 1881 to marry Jorgine Jensina Olsen. He unexpectedly died on 06 Oct 1882. Jorgine was expecting their first child, Thea Martina Waagen, she was born 22 Feb 1883. As a grown woman Thea married her uncle Jorgen's stepson Jon.

Nine more children were born to Ole and Jensine: Amelia, Olaf Julius, Julia Amelia, Theodore, Johan Gilbert, Mary Lida, Alfred, Alma Jensina, Joseph Wilbur.

In 1897 Johan Martin attended a party in the honor of Emma Baanna. This was when Johan Martin met Nettie Baanna, she was just 16 years old. Placing Nettie on his arm, he declared that she would be his future bride. Martin continued to travel back and forth to Rothsay, Minnesota to see Nettie. He would work for a farmer during the summer, in Minnesota. Their eldest son, Martin had also filed his claim in Hesper Township, sections 14 and 23 on a 160 acres farm, May 31, 1898. He built a small 12' x 12' shanty and planted his first crop consisting of five acres of flax.

Ole and Jennie decided to move to Maddock, North Dakota in 1899, where they would join other family members. They filed their claim in Hesper Township on section 33 for 160 acres. After Jensine's stroke in 1908 they sold the farm and moved in with Martin and Nettie On December 9, 1915 Jensine passed away, she was buried at the Zion Cemetery.

Ole continued to live with his son Martin his remaining years. He enjoyed visiting and helping family and neighbors, and would walk to town or catch a ride on the train into town and back home again. He had opportunities to travel to see his children on the West Coast and Wisconsin. He even traveled back to Norway to see his brother. He also loved to write poetry and would set some to music. Some of his work was published into books that were sold and also in the local newspaper. He played a one-string instrument with a violin bow, it was called a "psalmodicon". Ole passed away January 20, 1940, buried at Zion Cemetery.

Anne and Thea were living with their grandparents, Gjertrud and Johan Arnt in Maddock. They and son Johan Jorgen had arrived in1886 from Norway. In 1900 Gjertrud and John Waagen returned to Norway.

Elene Ulrikka was born Nov 16 1874. While visiting her Uncle Johan Jorgen, her mother's youngest brother, she met his neighbor's son, Edward C. Westby, who she would marry. Elene and Edward were married March 8, 1895. Seven children were born to this union: Cleve, Levard, Jessie, Ruby, Florence, Edmond and Doris. Jessie passed away in 1907, she is buried at North Viking Cemetery. Doris was born in Montana in 1914. Elene and Edward moved to Portland, Oregon where Elene was a seamstress. Later they moved to Seattle, WA area where they lived their remaining years and both are buried there.

Johan Martin was born Sept 16, 1877. At the age of 22 years, Nettie's parents moved to Lincoln Valley, North Dakota, where her father took a homestead. Johan Martin and Charlotte Nathalia Baanna were married on March 11, 1903 at her parent's home by Rev. Ole Larson of Fargo. Eleven children were born to them: Stella, Orville, Edmund, Myrtle, Evelyn (died), Rosy (died), Mayo, Lila, James, Evelyn and Lucille. Nettie and Martin are buried at North Viking Cemetery.

Once Ole and Jensine were in Ellis Island and were processed through checked in, registry, they purchased their train tickets and caught a train that they would have to change a few times to get them over to Minneapolis. From there, I am assuming they purchased a wagon and animals to continue their journey to Fergus Falls and then to file on their claim near Rothsay, where they would farm until 1898.

The railroad purchased their land and asked them to move. So they dismantled their house, put it on the train and shipped it to Maddock. They loaded their wagon with their belongings and walked beside it to Maddock. Again Ole and Jensine would have small children to travel with. Their youngest, Joseph, just being 15 months old, Alma was 5 years old, Mary was 8 years old, Johnny was 9 years old, Teddy was 10 years old, Julia was 13 years old, Olaf was 15 years old, Tillie was 19 years old. Elene was 24 years old and Annie was 21 years old, they were already living in the Maddock area with their grandparents, Jensine’s mother and step-father. That first winter there they lived in a dug out until they could assemble their house later in the Spring of 1899.

They traveled to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota where they settled. Their next three children were born: Amelia (passed away at the age of 3 years old), Olaf Julius and Julia M. They moved near Rothsay, Wilkin County, MN where the remaining of their thirteen children were born: Theodore, John Gilbert, Mary L., Alfred (died in infancy), Alma Jensina and Joseph Wilbur.

In 1898, Ole and Jensine lived on railroad land near Rothsay, Minnesota ,when they were told to leave, that is when they dismantled their house and sent it on the train to Maddock. They walked from Rothsay to Maddock alongside of the wagon that carried their belongings. The first winter in North Dakota they lived in a dug out until they could build their house. This is where they would spend their remaining years.

In 1908 Jensina had a stroke, she spent the next seven years in bed. She passed away on December 9, 1915, she was buried at the Zion Cemetery.

Ole enjoyed helping his family and neighbors, and traveling. He also loved to write poetry and would set some to music. Some of his work was published into books that were sold. He then used that money to go back to Norway. He played a one-string instrument with a violin bow, it was called a “psalmodicon”.

Ole lived with his son Martin his remaining years, he passed away January 20, 1940. They are both buried at Zion Cemetery.

Eline Ulrikka was born in Nov. 16, 1874. She married Edward C. Westby on March 8, 1895. Seven children were born to this union: Cleve, Levard, Jessie, Ruby, Florence, Edmond and Doris. Jessie passed away in 1907, she is buried at the North Viking Cemetery. Doris was born in Montana in 1914. Eline and Edward moved to the Seattle, WA area where they lived their remaining years and are both buried there.

Johan Martin was born September 16, 1877. He married Charlotte Nathalia Baanna on March 11, 1903. Eleven children were born to them: Stella, Orville, Edmund, Myrtle, Evelyn (died), Rosy (died), Mayo, Lila, James, Evelyn and Lucille. Nettie and Martin were buried at North Viking Cemetery.

Anna Sophia was born February 28, 1878. She married John Thomas Morris in 1900. John was a barber, farmer and was involved in Education issues. Six children were born to them: Thelma, Vivian, Mavis, John Jr., Leslie and Ernest and her stepdaughter from John’s first marriage; Anna Vera Edith, Vera’s mother was Anna Larsgaard she died in 1898. Anna Sophia Hellesvig Morris died May 7, 1912 leaving the children to be raised by several families. Anna Larsgaard was buried at Minnewauken St. James Cemetery, Anna Hellesvig was buried in North Viking Cemetery in Maddock, and John was buried in Warwick Cemetery.

Thea Jensine was born August 10, 1879. She had filed on her land in Hesper and sold her property. She married William H. Ferry, their children: William Jr., Daisy, Charity, Farl Robert and Wesley. They lived in Minnewaukan where Charity and Daisy attended school. Tillie and Bill moved to Portland, Oregon in the 20’s. They are both buried at Portland Memorial Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah County, OR.

Olaf Julius was born August 27, 1883. He married Nora Halbakken, on February 17, 1909. She is a cousin to Nettie Hellesvig. Olaf and Nora had four children born to them: Orin, Jessie, Richard and Victoria. In the Spring of 1919 their infant daughter, Victoria died from T. B. that June their 6½ year old daughter Jessie also died of T.B. October 29, Olaf also lost his beloved wife, Nora, to T.B.. They were buried at Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail County, Minnesota.

He alone, would then raise his two young sons for then next few years. On December 26, 1925 Olaf married Lillie Olive Strom, she was from Two Harbors, MN, near Duluth. They had one son, Hans Dennis, who lives in Eugene, Oregon. Olaf and Lillie are buried at Place Haven in Lane County, Eugene, Oregon.

Julia M. was born August 4, 1885. She married Henry Hermanson on August 7, 1903. They have ten children: Rosella, Thelma, Hubert, Muranda, Gladys, Vernon, Alton, Viola, Tilman and Leland. They lived in the Maddock area before moving to Iowa where Henry was born. In their later years they moved to Minnesota where they would stay for their remaining years. They are both are buried at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa.

Theodore was born June 2, 1888. He married Emma Kluften, June 5, 1914 in a double wedding ceremony with his sister Alma, Six sons were born to them: Floyd, Alvin, Vernon, Clinton, Roy and Wallace. They lived in the Penn, Ramsey County, North Dakota area. Emma moved to the Seattle, Washington area and Theodore lived in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. Emma was buried at Abbey View Cemetery, Brier, Washington and Ted was buried at Saint Croix Falls, WI area.

John Gilbert was born January 2, 1889. He and Daisy Barfknecht were married about 1918. Her parents were Herman and Sophie (Duddy) Barfknecht. Herman passed away, and Sophie married Frederick Monnier. After John and Daisy were married they lived with Daisy’s mother and her siblings, Crystal, Mabel and Harry to help support them. Later Crystal moved in with Joe and Mabel.

John served our country, before he started work in the manufacturing industry, as a millwright. They lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and then later moved to Arizona until his brother, Joe’s death they returned to Wisconsin.

They did not have any children. They are both buried at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Mary Lida was born September 12, 1890. She married Lauris Ludahl (Liudahl) on June 26, 1909. They moved to Enid, MT from Maddock in the fall of 1910. Mary and Laurice would then move to Billings, MT, then to Orchard, WA. Later they moved to Newport, OR area and then return to Vancouver, WA. Their family was very musical, being able to write their own music, play various musical instruments and sing. Their son Ernest was interested in fishing. Their children: Mayo, Ernest, Woodrow, Joseph, Leslie, Daniel, Alvin, Dorothy, Mavis, Lily, Robert and Kenneth. Mary and Lawrence are buried at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA.

Alma Jensina was born November 2, 1893 in Rothsay, Minnesota. Alma was a cook in the cookhouse on Ole’s farm, when they met. She married Ole Stoe on June 5, 1914. He was born March 30, 1873 in Gudbransdalen, Norway to his parents Anders Hanssen and Guro Hansdatter (Bryn) Stoe. In their early married life they lived on a farm in Maddock until 1918, when they moved to Ross, Roseau County, Minnesota. Ole raised sheep and other livestock on his farm. Alma was an excellent seamstress and cook. There were eleven children born to them: Geneva(Mrs Kenneth Johnson), Anfin, Henry, Margaret(Mrs. John Albin), Delores(Mrs. Myron Johnson), Mary(Mrs. Morris Bottem), Rueben, Delbert, Vivian(Mrs. Clarence Lee) and Raymond. Their first child died. In 1915 they moved to Ross, MN.

Joseph Wilbur was born January 1897. He graduated with the first students of the Agriculture School in the class of 1914-15 with his cousins Hjilmer and Gustav Waagn. Joe enlisted in the Navy at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 22, 1918; served at Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, to June 30, 1918; Receiving Ship, Philadelphia, Pa., to July 26, 1918; Naval Air Station, Queenstown, Ireland, to November 11, 1918. Grade: Seaman 2nd Class, 173 days. Released from active duty at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 28, 1919, as a Seaman. After his discharge, Joe went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where his brother John was living.

Joe married Mabel Monnier in 1903. (her parents were Frederick and Sophie (Duddy) Monnier and they made their home in Milwaukee, Wisc. In 1920 Joe drove truck in Milwaukee. Mabel’s half sister Crystal came to live with them and worked as a housekeeper. Crystal was born about 1890 in Illinois.

They have one son, Harold, he married Betty Sherman, they live in Greendale, Wisconsin. Shortly after Joe was discharged from the military service, he was living near his brother John Gilbert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1920. Both are buried at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, WI. 132

(Harold W. Hellesvig born 11 Feb 1924 and died 22 Nov 2005. Last Residence Muskego, Waukesha, Wisconsin).

Source information: Sør-Trøndelag county, Nord-Frøya (Sletta) in Hitra, Parish register (official) nr. 640A01 (1846-1876), Birth and baptism records 1846, page 7. Permanent pagelink: http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=2380&idx_id=2380&uid=ny&idx_side=-10 Permanent imagelink: http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-kb20050607030234.jpg

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mmoen/Rothsay/ps08/ps08_453.htm

Sources

1. ↑ Klokkerbok, Frøya prestegjeld, Sletta sokn Klokkerbok nr. 640C01, 1866-1877, s. 62-63, #37

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=136172259

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mmoen/Rothsay/wf07/wf07_054.htm