ENGER ANDERSON From Der Nord Westen, 23 Sept. 1909: After a week of unconsciousness, Mrs. O. Anderson died Sunday morning at the residence of her son-in-law, Charles Fehrmann in Newton. She was the mother of Messrs. L.J. and Theodor Anderson here. The deceased, who was 76, came to Wisconsin in 1846 with her parents from their Norwegian homeland. She married in Milwaukee with Mr. O. Anderson, and following his death 8 years ago she moved to Manitowoc County. She is survived by 6 children. The funeral was held Tuesday morning in Jerpen.
HAZEL A. ASLAKSON Miss Hazel A. Aslakson, age 87, formerly of 710 Pine St., Manitowoc, died Monday, February 6, 1995, at North Ridge Care Center, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 1995, at First Lutheran Church. Revs. Steven D. Olson and Richard E. Lind will officiate with burial at Gjerpen Cemetery, town of Cato. Hazel was born April 15, 1907, in the township of Cato, daughter of the late Hans and Christiana Aastad Aslakson. She attended rural elementary school in the Gjerpen area of Manitowoc County. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1924 with the first class to graduate from the new Lincoln High. She attended the Manitowoc County Normal for one year after which she taught for two years in a rural school south of Valders. She attended St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., and graduated in 1931. She did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Following graduation she taught for five years at the Reedsville High School, five years at Fort Atkinson Senior High School, three years at the Janesville Senior High School. In 1946 she moved back to Manitowoc where she taught English at the Washington Junior High for 26 years. She retired in 1972 after having taught for 41 years. Since her retirement she has done volunteer work as an English language tutor working with our Hmong adults and children. She also taught a weekly Bible class for the residents of Shady Lane Home each Friday for 20 years. She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she belonged to the First Lutheran Church Women, the OUr Savior Alter Guild, the Wednesday Morning Bible Class, and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a member of the Manitowoc County Retired Teachers, the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of the Manitowoc Public Library, the Manitowoc County Historical Society, the Viking Rosemalers, the Lauback Outreach Literach Council, and Society of Norway. Survivors include cousins and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. Friends may call from 6 p.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday, this being at her requiest. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. Jens Funeral Home, Manitowoc is assisting the family with the arrangements. There will be no Wednesday evening visitation. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter - no date with obituary. ********** HAZEL ARLIE ASLAKSON Hazel was born April 15, 1907, the daughter of Hans (1864-1938) and Christiana (1869-1938) nee Aastad Aslakson of Gjerpan, Wisconsin. Their(sic) were 4 other children in the family - son (1896-1896), Thelma (1900-1908), Marcella (1897-1920) and Arlie Hazel (1905-1905) Hazel attended schools in Gjerpan and Manitowoc. She graduated from Lincoln High School. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, graduating in 1931. Hazel became a(sic) English teacher and taught many years. First Reedsville high school for 5 years, Fort Atkinson for 5 years, Janesville for 3 years and completing her years at Washington Junior High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Hazel retired in 1972 after 41 years. After retirement, Hazel was very active in church work, holding many responsible chairmanships. She also helped a family from Laos assimilate into American life, teaching them housekeeping methods, taking care of their children, and teaching them to read, write and understand English. One of the Laotian gentleman helped her with her garden, spading, transplanting and trimming. She was always teaching them. Hazel traveled to many places during her lifetime. Most of the United States especially the national parks and historical places. There were several trips to Europe, including Germany, Austria, France, Italy, England. Of course, Norway was the highlight for her, where she had relatives and could converse with them in Norwegian. My parents traveled with her in 1970 and had a great time, meeting relatives in Norway. They traveled on the Rhine river and attend Omeraergu. One of her goals was to go to Israel and Holy land, which she accomplished as well. Many people remember her for her dedication to her church, both the Gjerpan Lutheran Church where she was confirmed and the First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. Hazel died February 7, 1995 after short illness. She is buried at the Gjerpan Cemetery in Valders, Wisconsin. ************ The following is a transcription of an autobiography written by Hazel in 1930 while at college submitted by a researcher/see contributors page: ME by Hazel A. Aslakson Aslakson-Publisher 907 W. Second St. Northfield, Minn. All Rights Reserved May 22, 1930 Dedicated to Mother and Dad I cannot honor you by placing your name here, but I can honor my book by your names to whom I owe my greatest thanks for your endless love. Preface I started this book with one aim in mind - namely to receive my due credit for it in my Course of Education at St. Olaf College. I asked numberless questions of my parents, spent sleepless nights trying to recall my childhood, and after much arranging and rearranging I have put my first twenty-three years down on black and white. I have become so much interested in writing "Me", that it is my present intention to add to it from time to time, until it shall be a complete volume which may be used as source material by some poor college student who is burning the midnight oil trying to discover how people lived way back in the early twentieth century. "Me" "O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! It wad frae mony a blunder free us, And foolish notion: What airs in dress on gait wad lea'e us, And ev'n devotion." Robert Burns To write about myself - what I am and why - I'd need a keen insight, more than that, a supernatural ability of seeing the past and the present which I find myself lacking in. Surely these twenty-three years have made some definite impressions upon me. What would I have been had I been born into a very wealthy family where my every desire would have been satisfied before I was fully conscious of it myself? Then too if I had been forced, because of circumstances to be one of those thousands of factory girls who work tedious hours in the larger cities - how would I differ from now? Not as either of these, but in an average Christian home, I have developed to what I am - with my faults and - virtues, if I may pride myself at possessing such, both known and unknown to me. "Way back" in 1907 on April 15, a nine pound girl was born while a blistering blizzard raged out of doors. I was the fifth child to be born to my parents Hans and Christiane (Aastad) Aslakson. The oldest child, a son, died as a babe in 1896, then there was Marcella Geneva who was ten years at the time of my birth, and Thelma Charlotte who was then seven. In 1905 Arlie Hazel had been born but died when only a few days old. I was born on a farm in the town of Cato, Manitowoc County Wisconson. My home was a large white house at the top of a hill. A short distance from the house there was a wood through which a winding creek meandered. It was here I spent much of my time as a child as I did not have any play mates near by, and my sister was ten years my senior and her interests would naturally be quite different from mine. I remember very little of my early childhood, but a few things have been told me by my parents. When I was a year and a half old (Oct. 1908), my sister Thelma died at the age of eight years and three months. She was sick but two weeks when she died of Infantile Paralysis. I do not have any remembrance of her directly, but I do recall that while I Photo was small Mother, Dad and others spoke of her a great deal and I now feel as if I had known her and remember her distinctly. She was a light, small featured girl with golden curly hair and large blue eyes. She was very obedient and was always held up as an example to me when I was apt to do something wrong. The influence which these remarks made upon me was great. I believe, as when I look back I feel as if I can see her, an almost angelic child showing me what to do and what not to do. Shortly after her death my folks had a large picture of her framed which perhaps has helped put life into this Ideal. From this time on until I started school I have only a few faint impressions which may guide me in remembering my childhood. I have left my earliest home but I shall cherish all rememberances Photo of it. I led the life of a typical farm child - enjoying the out of doors in summer and winter. It was about half a mile from our home to that of our nearest neighbors, and as my only sister then living was so much older than I, it was necessary for me to play alone most of the time. I enjoyed being with Dad out on the fields where he would be working, and how happy I was when he would lift me up and let me ride on some vibrating farm machinery as he drove over the rough and bumpy fields. I had various pets such as cats, chicks, calves, and injured birds which took the place of any number of playmates, with their only disadvantage that the(sic) couldn't talk - but I carried on conversations for them all and did not miss my playmates as many thought I must. These pets to-gether with my two favorite rag dolls - "Per" and "Ingebor" helped develope my childlike imagination and caused the years to speed by quickly. I had other dolls which were much prettier who - could sleep and had pretty dresses - and enjoyed playing carefully with them, but they did not afford the entertainment these ill shaped faded toys did. I remember one day with "Per", throwing him in the air and finally it fell on the roof of the house and got stuck there and I couldn't get it down. That evening we had a terrible rain and wind storm-and for me to think of "Per" out in all that. As soon as I woke up in the morning I ran to the window but couldn't see him on the roof - there he lay - I then ran out as I was and came happily in hugging my drenched doll and cried - "Her er min Per, min Per." Even though the years seem to have sped by so quickly as I now look back, it seemed almost an eternity from one year to another. I did look so admiringly at my sister and long for the day when I would be "big". In summer I spent much of my time in the edge of the woods near the house and would play for hours near the babbling brook, gathering flowers and berries, or caring for my invalid birds. It was mostly barn swallows and sparrows which I found which needed treatment, but most of the time my medical knowledge was not sufficient to revive them to health, and the final rite of burial would have to take place. Beneath a large horse chestnut tree I would solemnly lay the bodies to rest in their small card-board caskets - covered with grass or wild flowers if I could find them. All my dolls were placed in a row and formed the sympathetic congregation, while I alone would have to do all the mourning. It was at about this time of my childhood fancies, that one Sunday afternoon after a big chicken dinner which I had enjoyed very much, Mother found me under this chestnut tree with a handful of white chicken feathers placing them carefully in the ground. When asked what I was doing, I told her I was planting chickens. Photo I was a nervous, rather high strung child and would cry very easily at some very foolish things. People who came to the house and saw me would almost invariably make some remark about my large blue eyes, until I began to believe that they were something of which I should be ashamed. At last any remark of that kind would cause me to cry and I would run to my mother who could only quiet me by saying,"Well, if you cry, your eyes will get so much bigger." In our home we spoke nearly only Norwegian and it was only just before I started to school that I began to talk English. We lived in a very Norwegian community where all church services were held in Norwegian and very little English was heard when groups would gather for social functions. Before I was old enough to go to school I learned to read Norwegian from my -"A-B-C bok" - and learned to spell out my words "k-a-t-kat, h-e-s-t-, hest." I started school when I was almost seven years old as I had to walk nearly a mile alone across the fields to the little white country school house. My first day at school was a very unhappy one and not at all what I had hoped that it would be. I wanted to sit with my cousin who sat near the back of the room, but Mr. Hanson, the teacher, had me sit in a smaller seat in the front of the room with a red-headed freckled girl whom I had an unusual dislike for. I resorted to tears, my usual remedy for correcting all unfavorable conditions, but it was of no avail, and the day was utterly spoiled for me. After I got used to school life I liked it very much, and I feel I should have missed a great deal if I had not had a chance to attend just such a rural school whose attendance was about forty children. Through the grades I had several teachers in this order - Alvin Hanson, Neta Sampe, Etta Wells, Mrs. A.C. Pederson, Geraldine Cavanaugh, and Thelma Anderson. Miss Cavanaugh my teacher in the sixth and seventh grades had, I believe, the greatest infuence upon me of any teacher during my early education, or I think I can say in any of my school life. She was a peppy, bright- eyed Irish girl, who always appeared neat and well dressed and she demanded like exactness in school discipline. Assignments were made and insisted upon, but when work was over there was always time for play. She became my ideal - "What are you going to be when you get big?" - the childlike question would always be answered by me - "A teacher" - and a vision of Miss Cavanaugh would come before me. At the end of my seventh grade, I went to Valders, a small village a few miles from my home where I took the county examinations given for pupils of the rural schools. For two days I wrote, but was rewarded when I got a second grade diploma which entitled me to gain entrance into a high school. I was all excited when I learned of this but my joy soon turned to grief Photo when my parents told me I would have to finish the eighth grade as I was not quite twelve years old. So it was up to me to spend one more year at the country school. But how misused I felt - didn't they care for me at all? Then too, I thought they could send me to Central Wis. College at Scandinavia, Wisconsin - but now I believe I can understand why. The years 1917-1919 Marcella was at the Ladies Lutheran Sem. at Red Wing, Wis. Now my thoughts turned to the day when I could go away to school. This was almost continually my favorite ambition to go to that school or to such a one. During my year in the eighth grade I took instructions ever Saturday morning by way of preparing me for confirmation. I had attended Sunday School regularly throughout the grades and as a reward for unbroken attendance I was proudly showing people a gold pin with a wreath around it, and an additional badge - for three years attendance. At first I learned my religion lessons in the Norwegian language. Some times the meaning was not exactly clear but I managed to give and understand most of it. One day I did not succeed as well - I was asked to repeat part of our lesson the sixth commandment - the result caused a slow smile to flicker over Rev. Alfsen's face, a kindly, gray-haired gentleman. My answer was as follows: "Det sjette bud - En hvar skal elske og akte sin - (pause) - sin rotte felle." Every Friday night and Saturday morning I would have to recite my lesson word for word to my mother, but how I should have liked to have put it aside Photo sometimes until I could learn them just a little better, but it seemed to be traditional. I was the only one in our class who was learning her lessons in the Norwegian so my parents decided that I could change to the English and be with the rest. It seemed to be a gradual process of change as for a time I used a book having the two languages and then finally I used only the English. I enjoyed these Saturday mornings very much, as we gathered at ten o'clock in the vestry of the church and sat around a small stove feeling so full of mischief that we could hardly sit still. These meetings with our pastor made a great impression upon me and I remember things which Rev. Alfsen, and later Rev. White, told me there as distinctly as no number of regular sermons could make me do. Then too, confirmation was one of those signs that we were getting grown up - and what could be more thrilling than any form of preparation for that? My life seems to have broken as into another chapter at the end of this year. My home has always been a happy memory to me, a place where I could go and be sure to be understood. In boldest type among the records of my life our cele- bration of Christmas stands out particularly well. I would not be Christmas if we would drop a single one of those almost sacred traditions. We, as children, were never allowed to believe in Santa Claus - which caused me to spend many perplexed moments trying to figure out just why others were always speaking of this wonderfully good person who never entered my life. I do not feel that I have lost anything by not experiencing this belief as our home was made so full of preparation and joy at this time of the year that there doesn't seem there would be room for any more just then. A big Christmas tree with the many presents piled beneath it, evergreens and bells decorated the house, where every one was busy bustling and scurring around happily. Norwegian dishes were prepared and the house was either full of company or lacking in inhabitance all to-gether, during the entire "Jule helg". Christmas Eve was the beginning of all the festivities, and the goal toward which we all had been working. Year after year every thing was done in the same way, the table was loaded down with the same good things to eat and it would have been nigh unto sacrilege had Mother planned that identical menu for any other part of the year. "Ribens stek", mashed potatoes, a vegatable(sic) or two, "Jule kake", mince pie, "fattig mands bokelse", candy, nuts, and fruit. At the mere thought of it Christmas with all its joys looms up before me. Before we could sit down to our evening meal it was necessary that the less fortunate should be remembered. About a half mile from our home an old bachelar(sic) Carl Rus lived all alone in a rather tumble-down shack. Mother, my sister, and I would pack a large basket of food for him and Dad would walk over with it. This always made him very happy and each time he would say - "O nei, nu blir det Jule has mig ogsaa". How I used to stand at the window and watch for Dad to return. After supper we gathered about the tree, opened our presents, and had a good time. Memories I shouldn't want to lose! It was a secret ambition of mine to have it said to me or of me, that I was getting thin - but not so! I grew tall, and taller, and kept in even pace by gradual "widening out". This perhaps should not be considered surprising as there was every reason that I should grow thus. I was given wholesome food and was not allowed to turn up my nose and refuse to eat any certain kinds of food. It was an unwritten rule that we children had to eat any thing Mother put before us, and everything which we put on our plates had to be eaten. My imagination must have been working especially well and it created numerous things for my well developed Fear to lurk about. My greatest fear was that of being left alone - and this feeling has never entirely left me. While I was small my primary resort was to turn to tears when I found that I was left alone. Later this grew to be more of a worry that any thing would happen which would cause me to be left alone in the future, and when I would find myself alone I would be overcome by a panicy feeling fighting faint. I have tried to quell this emotion but I still find that it is constantly with me, and I crave company. I have no idea what may have caused this feeling to develop so strongly in me, nor do I know what to do in order to overcome it. As a child I was quite high strung and had very decided likes and dislikes. What I did like I would like "with avengence(sic)", while that for which I did not care, I nearly hated. As to school subjects it was spelling about which I would worry and stew, and in which I got my far lowest marks and deservedly so. I seemed to have almost a total absence of a spelling sense, and how I would envy my best friend Janet who could most thoughtlessly jingle off the spelling of words which she had perhaps never heard before. Especially one teacher whom I had in the grades punished me for not being able to spell. I remember remaining after school and writing each word I missed ten to twenty-five times each. I had a chance to give this method a fair trial and it may have done some good but I have my doubts as far as I'm concerned. I did enjoy arithmetic, grammar, and history and was always at the head of my class in them. In thinking back upon the home of my childhood I sense a strong religious feeling penetrating all the recollections of it. Prayer life and regular church attendance are among the outstanding of these, and I feel I owe much to my dear parents for their guidance. I had several very odd ideas and they were purely childlike but very real to me. I thought of God as a kind old man who possessed very human features, and this idea has stayed with me, nor should I care to have it changed - a fatherlike gray haired man, large of frame, leaning upon a common cane, as he sits on the throne amid the soft fleecy clouds. Heaven was of a definite location - high above the blue sky, and the most common scenes would be the woodlands, flowers, rambling brooks, and other scenes of nature. The death of my sister Thelma caused me to think much of death and of life here after. I would think of her as an angel fitting perfectly into the glorious heavenly setting. One summer I remember I believed very definitely that people who died were buried but somehow their coffins and their bodies were glorified and took on a spiritual aspect and in the coffins the souls ascended to heaven. The beautiful white coffins could not be brought into heaven, so they were piled up on this side of the sky, and they were the white, fleecy clouds which we see bobbing back and forth in the summer sky. Mother also in teaching me of religion, told me of sin and of how greatly displeased God was with all wrong doing. This childlike idea also gained root in the summer sky - the large roaming clouds would pass over the sun and cause a shadow to fall upon one spot of the earth while the rest of the surrounding land was in the brightest sunshine. This I believed was one of God's ways of showing his displeasure with the sinfulness of humans. I felt very badly indeed, when our home was covered by such a shadow for then - I believed I or one of our family had sinned by word, action, or thought. I worried a great deal about this, and many a perfect sunny summer day was marred by such belief. I clung to this idea for some time, then finally one Sunday morning in church the minister read - Matthew 5:45 - "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust". What a relief! But isn't it well to have such a reminder of God's fatherlike interest in us here below, for surely our wrong-doing is seen by Him, and He grieves over it. I had an inner desire and I believed quite firmly that I would follow this idea that I should like to become a missionary when - "I got big". When I was in the seventh and eighth grades this idea was especially prevalent, but I may say, it has not left me entirely yet - but will it develop? I enjoyed missionary sermons, and one especially which was preached by Rev. Thorson in our church I shall never forget. Another person whom I believe also had a great effect on my life is my mother's only sister - Aunt Ingeborg. She is a maiden aunt, five years younger than Mother and very much like her. She is tall, quite thin, full of fun, Photo and very kind hearted. Her generousity and her cheerful nature as much like that of my mother, has served as a challenge to me whenever in her presence. She is very exacting and particular, and as a child I often feared doing anything which she might deem wrong - this I believe however was mere familial love extended to her. I must admit that any words of reproach from her hurt me - and although not very many came my way - those that did have left an impression, the cause of which remarks now seem quite humorous. In the spring of 1920 I graduated from the eighth grad of the Cato Dist. 12 School, with a first grade diploma having passed the examinations given to the rural pupils throughout Manitowoc County. Now I was ready to enter high school. Our home was under a peculiar strain Photo during that entire summer as my sister - Marcella was ill. She had not regained her strength and health since the winter before when she suffered from flu-pneumonia while at the Red Wing Ladies Lutheran Seminary. Mother and Dad were continually worrying as they realized as I didn't, the seriousness of it all. Doctors and specialists were visited and consulted, and finally Mother and my sister went to the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minn. and there they were advised to go west for her health. The middle of August brought a decision to the family for a decided change. The farm was to be sold, and we were to leave for Phenox (sic), Arizona about the middle of September. Mother's sister - Aunt Ingeborg who was then a masseuse in Chicago, Illinois, came home and decided to drive out with us. There was assorting and packing to be done and a lot of it for Mother and Dad had lived in the same house since they were married in 1895. Boxes and trunks were packed and placed for storage. On September seventh a public auction was held. Here everything which we did not wish to keep was to be sold. Hundreds of people gathered from miles around to bid on and to buy cattle, horses, farm machinery, even to household utensils and furniture. Early in the morning people began to gather, and not until long after dark did they disperse. All these people had to be fed, and large basket fulls of sandwiches and boilers full of hot coffee were used. Gradually things were precious to us all found new owners. We had all been busy making preparations for this day, and like a dream it was all over. For the next two days people came and went, taking with them their newly acquired possessions, and leaving that premises bare and forlorn where my earliest childhood had been spent. We spent a few days with relatives and friends, and finally left with all the worldly possessions which here could be claimed by us, packed on our old open- air Jeffrey Car. Early one bright September morning - Sunday it was - we started out and were accompanied to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by several cars full of neighbors and relatives. After a big picnic dinner in a park there we left them and started for the West. We traveled along very leisurely and it should have been a nice trip had we all been well, but Marcella's health kept failing, and when we came to Garden City, Kansas she had to be taken to the hospital there, where she passed away October seventh, 1920, from heart trouble. Photo We returned to Manitowoc at once, and the funeral took place at the family burial grounds at the Gjerpen Church. We stayed at the home of my Uncle Isaac (Aastad) Mother's brother, for a week or more until we could get a house to rent, as houses were very scarce that fall. We then moved into the upper flat of a large old-fashioned house, owned by Mr. C.G. Gielow, who lived down stairs with his dog. He was a rather old gray haired man, with a gray mustache and had the characteristics of typical German in speech and actions. He was a widower, and as he lived alone he would take his dinners with us, and I enjoyed to listen to his interesting conversation. The rooms in the house were not very well arranged nor were they very large but we had to be satisfied with what we could find just then. Almost eight weeks after the regular opening of school I entered Washington High School as a freshman. It was an old structure made of brick, with ill ventilated rooms and dark hallways. There was not enough room in the building proper so four barracks had been built to accommodate all the pupils. Three of those barracks were double having two room(sic) while the four(sic) one was used as a large study hall. These seven additional rooms were cold and barn-like but it proved to be one way of temporarily solving the problem of large high school attendance. Of all green "Trash" I was of the greenest as I tried to find my way among the nine hundred students. Half in a daze, and before I really knew what it was all about I had registered for English I from Miss Nora Healy, Latin I from Miss Jean Anderson, General Science - Miss Mabel Ditmar, and Algebra from Mr. W. Leuhr. I enjoyed high school and found it very easy. I especially enjoy my English class from that snappy, Irish lady who was the very personification of pep and enthusiasum in the class room and with out, and Algebra from that gray haired, father-like "Leuhr." I was put into new environment and among mostly only strangers while at school. It was up to me to gain new friends and companions which I did, but felt much more free among my old pals. It was hard to adjust myself to the new conditions, and it seemed to give me a more developed and sober outlook upon life. I was serious and thoughtful - to a much greater extent than I was a few years later. The recent sorrow of our family was also greatly responsible for this change, and I was just at the age when a child decides she is pretty near grown up. Then too came the problem as to where I should continue taking my instructions for confirmation. There were two Norwegian Lutheran churches in Manitowoc but I wanted to be confirmed with the class with whom I had started. Manitowoc was only ten miles from my former home and church so I started in the fall to go up to Gjerpen Church each Saturday morning on the branch Soo Line train - a hopelessly slow affair, and came home in the afternoon. I continued to do this all fall until it became very cold and stormy and I could not depend upon the train. Through the worst winter months I met with the confirmation class in town with Rev. Boyd the paster(sic) as instructor. In the spring I again went with my regular class and was confirmed June 12, 1921 by Rev. A.O. White in a class of five: Adelaide Nelson, Janet Griffin, Ralph Paulson, Chester Anderson, and I. I did feel quite grown up as a result of that day although this rite didn't change my whole appearance as it did in our mother's day. In May that same year we moved to another house - from 913 South Thirteenth Street on the South side of town to 507 Buffalo Street on the North side. We then lived in the upper flat in the Christian Rosland home, the land lord himself living down stairs again. The rooms were much better but the general feeling was far from homelike. Land-lord and land-lady of the extreme type - demanding absolute quiet nearly all evening, while they themselves played jazzified pieces on a tinny player piano until any hour of the night. this change also gave me about twelve blocks to school instead of the block and a half as I had gotten used to, but still I went home for dinner at noon. Shortly after school was out Mother, Dad, Uncle Isaac, Aunt Inga, Clifford, and I went up north to Sturgeon Bay where we spent a couple of weeks at Seldom Inn Cottage. The cottage was only a couple of rods from the shore of Green Bay which it faces. We spent most of our time swimming, boating, and fishing. Across the bay could be seen miniature "fjeld" - for thus they must be called as many an old Norwegian has stood looking across the water and recalling his own youth "bak i gamle Norge." The large Wisconsin Photo State Park which is only a few miles from there yearly attracts countless visitors from all parts of the state. This northern section is quite correctly called the "Playground of Wisconsin". That same summer Mother, Dad, and I took a trip to Plymouth, Ohio to visit with my uncle Olaves, Dad's brother. This was a most enjoyable trip. During my Sophomore year at high school Marie White stayed with us and attended the Junior High as a freshman. We had some very good times to-gether - some of which surely were kiddish in every sense of the word. Nearly every morning which was nice we would get up early and walk out on the pier which stretches out into Lake Michigan. How beautiful the bright rising sun looked on the shining water, and how the rolling waves came in Photo and washed out our names which we wrote in the wet sand - I shall never forget! I love the lake and miss it whenever I am away from it. The subjects which I took in my second year were: English II from Miss Janet Strothearn, Latin II - Miss Jean Anderson, Plane Geometry - Miss Ella B. Jones, Ancient History - Mr. Learned. In October of this year I had my appendix removed and had to miss eight weeks of school. My Junior year was quite uneventful as I remember it - perhaps because I can't remember much about it. I do happen to remember what subject I took which were: English III - Miss Janet Strathearn, a remarkable teacher - who exacted work from us but who wasn't so very pleasant if we did not have everything just so. Modern History - Mr. Rex Johns, Advanced Algebra and Solid Geometry from Miss Ella B. Jones, German I - Miss Jenne Zenses, and Art I (two periods) - Miss Mildred Markham. Of these courses I found most pleasure in the Art course, from which I have also received much benefit. It included - painting, sketching, and other handicraft. The Senior year was at last there, and I was of that previledged(sic) group who did so want to show their superiority. The first semester we only went to school one-half day each. In order to accomodate the large enrollment the Juniors and Seniors went to school in the forenoon, while the two lower classes came in the afternoon. February first we moved into our new Lincoln High School. It is a magnificent building built on the top of a high hill overlooking Lake Michigan. This school and its surroundings has been voted the most beautiful in the state. In November and December of my Senior year it was again necessary for me to miss eight weeks of school - this time as a result of an automobile accident in which I broke my left ankle. It was very discouraging to have to miss so much again, and even after I could return to school I had to hobble about on crutches and finally limp from class to class. The twelfth of June, 1924 I was graduated from Lincoln High School in a class of 156 - the first class to receive their diplomas from that new edifice. What a problem to know what I should do the next year! Nearly half of the girls in our class were going to commercial work, while the other half were going on to school. Which was I to choose - should I go to a business college - no, I wanted to teach. Finally it was decided that I attend the Photo Manitowoc County Rural Normal, in Manitowoc. How I did hate it at first, and so did nearly everyone, but as violently as we disliked it in the fall, to the same degree did we learn to love it before the end of the year. In the early winter four of the girls with whom I was chumming a great deal at school, found it necessary to change rooming place, and as they could not find a place which was for rent, they all stayed with us the rest of the year. They were: Ruby Smith, Mabel Stearn, Clara Oesau, and Germaine Sinkular. This was one of the most enjoyable years I have spent, and these girls have remained very close friends of mine ever since. In April that year it was required that we all go out into some rural school to do two weeks of practice teaching. Blanche Cherney and I were sent to the Poplar Grove School Photo at Rockland, Wisconsin where Mr. Walter Schnell was the teacher. We worked and worried about it all but finally we were through with it all, and the end of the year came only too soon. The year came to a close with many parties and banquets, and I received a First Grade teacher's certificate which entitled me to teach in any one room rural school in Wisconsin, for five years. One of the happiest days of my life was the day I agreed to teach the Cedar Grove School at Valders, Wisconsin the coming year for one hundred dollars a month. All summer I looked forward to September seventh and at last it came, and I was a typical rural teacher ruling my small subjects in a little white school house by the side of the road. My attendance was small varying from thirteen to seventeen pupils, because of the fact Photo that most of the families in that vicinity were of the Catholic faith and had their own parochial school. This left only a few for the public schools. I stayed at the Alfred Reinertson home about three-fourths of a mile from the school. That home was very different from the one which I had been used to, and it required a great deal of readjusting on my part. Mrs. Reinertson was a tall, stout, middle aged woman, who found no greater enjoyment than to talk, and talk almost incessantly while her husband would quietly sit by and take it all in. There was one grown son at home, a boy senior in high school, a girl a sophomore, and a little boy whom I had in the fourth grade. The teaching was enjoyable but very strenuous. The cold walk and tramp through the untrodden deep snow between seven and seven-thirty each morning, with a cold school house often below zero as my goal - was not the most pleasant. Half this distance was a straight narrow road through a thick cedar swamp. The pleasure of the changing scenes in this wood, my love for the dear little country urchins, and the check as a recompense at the end of each month kept me going. Day after day I taught my eight grades, one or two in each grade until spring, and then I signed up for another year. My second year of teaching followed in the same course of things with its up's and down's. The teaching hours from nine to four were wonderful, and I should not wish for a more happy occupation, but the hours before and after, just weren't - "what they are cracked up to be." That year another seven and one-half dollars were added to my reward for my efforts by the district and the state gave me an additional two dollar(sic) for staying in the same school two years. How often it all seemed a hopeless task! The last day of that year came too, and I had the traditional "last day picnic." But before this came the spring contests, county examinations, reports to be enter(sic), and endless other necessary evils. It was all over - I had everything packed, and the day after the picnic Dad drove out to get me. Everything was packed in the car and I had a few final errands to be done at Valders as we drove through. When I had completed the last of these I came back into the car - gave a sigh, and said, "Well, now I'm though!" and went into a faint. I had lost over twenty pounds during the year - and doubtless I had taken my work too seriously. Photo The previous summer I had decided that I should like to come to St. Olaf College in order to fit myself for teaching in high school, as I knew I would like it. I was unable to get in as a freshman in 1926 as my registration came in too late, but I thus was registered early enough for '27 and also got another year of teaching experience which I have not regreted(sic). Those two years had brought me in contact with a type of people with whom I had not had any occasion to mingle before. The summer of 1927 was a busy one, getting ready to come to college. I heard a great deal of St. Olaf that summer as Marie White '29- was to be my room-mate and we saw each other a great deal, our homes being only ten miles apart. The plans and expectations developed, and September found me a typical "frosh" at St. Olaf, having all the earmarks of their traditional "greeness". We got a rather nice room at the home of Mrs. Anna Hestenes, 907 West Second Street. Ellen, the land-lady's daughter who lived down stairs, and I were the only freshman(sic) in the house. There were four seniors: Edna Falness, Marjorie Flaa, Mildred Vesledahl "Milly", and Magnhild Ordahl "Muggins". There were also four juniors - Gladys Weseth, Gladys Koplin, Harda Hesteness, and Marie White my room- mate. It was a jolly bunch, but also quite studious. Without being fully aware of what I was doing or what was being done for me, I was registered for my course consisting of English 1-2 from Mr. Paulson, Norse 15-16 Mr. Bly, Chemistry - Dr. Glasoe, History 1-2 - Miss Agnes Larson, and Religion 1-2 from Prof. Grase. I enjoyed Photo my course but I surely found out that I was not scientifically minded. Many a morning I had to get up at five in the morning to try to memorize some of those senseless equations, as they seemed to me. I would learn them for the class period but I could feel that hard worked for knowledge gradually leave me as soon as I left the lecture room, and each day I would have to study in the same way. One instructor whom I had that year and who made a great impression on me was Miss Agnes Larson. How I feared her the first days! I felt perfectly weak as I left her class room, but gradually I overcame this feeling and I enjoyed each class period more than the last. She was so enthusiastic and interested in her subject that she made those old Goths and Huns, human and living characters. College life is great, but that day which has the honor of being the one on which vacation begins holds a charm for by far the majority of the students, which can not be compared with any other. This I know was true of me especially the first year, but not much less so now - nor do I think it shall ever be. Vacations were welcome but when June first came I was more than ready to pack my trunk and board the first Soo Line that left the Cities going east. That summer my "good auntie" Ingeborg came to Manitowoc to spend three months with us. It was the first time she had been east for eight year(sic), when she left for Pasadena, California. We had a lovely summer and am only looking forward to another like it. The twenty sixth of July brought another new experience to me. I was brides-maid, at a large church wedding of my cousin Signe Aastad to Rev. Christian Anderson at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. September came only too soon, for then I had to come back to Northfield, and my aunt had to return to Pasadena. I was already in my second year of college, but how long it seemed until I would reach my goal and be ready to begin to teach again. How true it is that it is not in looking backward that time is long but in looking forward. We stayed at the same place again, but chose as our room a bright, sunny south-west corner instead of the north- east room we had had before. Marie and I were room-mates again and had more things added to our list of "good times together". Photo Marie and I were the only ones who came back here, who had been here the year before. Marie and Selma Bakken "Sally", were the only seniors here, while the juniors were Lillian Lund, Muriel Asleson, Mildred Foss "Mickey", Orpha Johnson, and Hazel Knutson "Sprat". We were four sophomores - Ellen Hestenes, Alice Rostad, Helen Nelson, and I. This year was even more enjoyable than the last as all the girls were more of the same type, and we did have some of the most unforgetable(sic) times. My course of study my second year was - World Literature from Mr. Paulson, American History - Miss Agnes Larson, Botany - Prof. Schmidt, Religion from Prof. H. Thompson, German from Prof. Bollenbacker, and General Psychology from Prof. Ringstad. It seemed like a terrible course but I enjoyed every hour of it. Photo Graduation came and Marie was through at St. Olaf, this thought was not a pleasant one to me. I had to find a new room-mate for my junior year and as such Ione Hegstad decided to be. Vacation came and went without anything special happening. One day in the later part of August I had a letter from Ione "Onie" saying she was unable to return to school that fall. I felt very blue but as Alice Rostad was not able to return either, Helen Nelson and I decided to rome to-gether. We stayed at the same place and even in the same room as the previous year. Three new girls were put in here - Marjorie Davick "Marg", LeDell Anderson, and "Connie" Jenson, otherwise we were the same "bunch". My course was: Shakespeare and American Literature from Dr. Spohn, History of Art - Prof. Mellby, Old English and Chaucer from Mr. Paulson, Junior Education - Mr. Bly, Religion (13) - Dr. Hegland, and first semester French History from Karen Larson. Now I am nearing the end of my junior year for which reason I am writing this autobiography. What the future holds for me, I could not guess, nor should I care to know but I feel quite confident that what I shall be, will depend greatly upon what I have been, am now, and why. Photo Photo Photo Photo Chapter III My Present Self Photo My Present Self In the fore going section or chapter I have told of my early home, environment, and education all of which are greatly responsible for what I am to-day. The question which I am now about to enlarge upon is not so much "how have I gotten this way" as "who am I?" How I used to enjoy having it said of me while I was a child - "how she has changed!" As I grew older I began to wonder - well just "how" have I changed, but this was never explained to me. Gradually this was said less often and lately I have come to wonder - have I left the plastic age entirely - as I am now is that me by which I form my ideals, act, and by which all my acquaintances may know me? At present I am twenty-three years of age and am finishing my last year at St. Olaf College. I am what would be termed a well built woman five feet-five in height and tiping(sic) the scale to 145 pounds. I should love to lose a few pounds in weight but am laughed at when I mention dieting and am told - I'm the type who should be plump. I'd look haggard if thin, and like remarks from most intimate friends and I fall for them and continue to cater to my all too good appetite. I wear a perfect 38 size dress and wear a "5-1/2 B" shoe. This shows my general build. While I was in high school and right in that growing age, I felt that I was very tall and would try to appear smaller by slumping my shoulders, which gave me a very unattractive walk. I no longer feel I am too tall, neither does it bother me to walk with or be in the presence of shorter people, but have, I believe, developed quite an erect walk as I go tripping along with short, quick steps. As I walk I am very apt to look down instead of straight forward and thus enjoying the scenery. I stand and sit quite erect too, but am told I nearly always tilt my head toward my right shoulder. I have been blessed with a strong body and great physical resistence. My health habits from childhood have been based on regularity and even to this time I believe they may be classed as such. While at school, however, I have too often taken advantage of our not having regularly balanced meals and I can well understand I have very often violated that one fundamental law of health. I can very easily get along with less sleep than the average eight hours and do not feel in the least bit tired even after considerable loss of sleep. I can thus continue for a long time with staying up late but all of a sudden I feel my entire body give way to my nerves as it were, and I must rest. I crave a great deal of fresh air both at night and in the day. As I have already mentioned I have a good appetite but a very varying one. I can not think of any kind of food I do not eat, as from childhood I was taught to eat every thing or any new kind of food my Mother offered me. I am very thankful for this lesson as I have been saved, what I must believe to be an embarrasing(sic) situation of having food offered you which you can not eat. The only prerequisite which the food I am to eat must possess is that of cleanliness. I find myself to be very finicky as to the least suggestion that the food may not be clean, or at my own least suspicions as to it. It is therefore very hard for me to eat at a public eating place where I may have the least reason for suspecting any carelessness in the choice or preparation of the food. My choice of clothes has always been rather reserved, and the darker colors appeal especially to me. When wearing a black dress I have always had my best times. Green, blue, and white make me feel very comfortable and I can enjoy myself to the fullest. I prefer clothes which are rather plain and have more or less tailored lines. With the new styles which come in from time to time I do not "fall" for the new fangled ideas as so many do - too conservative, I think perhaps. It has often been said that the more one knows the more one realizes how much one doesn't know - very true I believe. While at high school I was made to have great confidence in myself, there were so many who were not as mentally alert as the average and thus I came to feel quite capable when my marks were constantly considerably above the average. At coming to college one is thrown with persons of one's class and ability and with it a new problem presents itself. I found that I had to apply myself to a greater extent here than before, but also found here at St. Olaf a very find(sic) measure of my ability. All grading of class work is here done by the Normal curve - meaning that the grade "C" is the average which fifty percent of the students receive, twenty-five percent have averages lower and twenty-five percent above. Since my grades given to me in my four years here, when averaged give me nearly a "B" I may say my general alertness is that of the upper fourth. As to my type of mind an analysis is hard to give. Of course I like some things better than others but I don't know how to classify them. Throughout my school life I have been attracted especially by subjects which require analysis and thinking through. Mathematics and history have held for me an interest with concrete facts and their requirements for analysis. Grammar too has been attractive to me from the same standpoint. My limitations, however, have long ago been discovered by my teachers and myself - namely my having seemingly been born - short in spelling. I believe I can truthfully say that every word I am now able to write correctly I have spent considerable time actually learning through concentrated study. My dictionary is one of my best friends, to be found on my table whenever I'm writing a letter or or(sic) paper, and many are the words I have looked up in writing this very "autobi". My second limitation appeared when I took my science requirement courses in high school and college. Chemistry and Botany actually seemed beyond me. I took a course in Chemistry when I was a freshman at St. Olaf and all I can say is I would have enjoyed the year more had I not been registered for that course. I came through with a passing grade but only by memorizing and cramming meaningless facts, they seemed to me, just before the exam periods. As my likes in subjects differ so do my methods of study vary also. I have found that I am able to learn things much more quickly if I write them down in note or outline form, whether it be for class work or review for exams. Here too I should perhaps mention that hobby of mine of writing down the main facts of speeches I hear, reading I do, and even of my own thoughts. I find much enjoyment in reading some of these from time to time or of adding new ideas to them which may be associated with them. In speaking of my methods of study I might add I never worry about my school work, and find I have a great deal of self confidence. When I work, I work hard and get through in a short time. The faster I do my work the more I seem to get out of it. I enjoy details in work of drawing, writing and descriptions. The type of reading which I do as recreation, I believe, is under a period of change at the present. I feel almost bored at times with the stories of fiction I have always enjoyed so much both in book form and as magazine stories. Books on varied subjects have interested me this last year which I would not have had the patience to have read a year ago. Adventure and travel books attract my attention greatly - perhaps because I feel the constant desire of leaving Northfield and getting into a new place. I'm "fed up" as it were on having the same environment about me all the time. I crave a change - perhaps the "Wanderlust" in me, but this has never bothered me so much before. Having mentioned one type of companions - books, I had better tell a bit about the human species and what kind of friends I most enjoy. In considering this I think of my friends - lo and behold, I believe they are of the same class or type. Not the extremely loud or "flapper" type nor the overly quiet and reserved but the class in between. I enjoy having friends about me who have the same interests as I do and yet are not afraid to voice their opinions where we may differ. I am quite easily bored when in a group whose ideals and standards differ from my own, and, I am told, do not refrain from showing disapproval. I am most at ease and have my best times in feminine company. I am often made to feel very uneasy in a large crowd or when surrounded by many people for any length of time. I feel perfectly satisfied when with one or two good friends with whom I can confide. How I should like to have the ability of seeing myself as others see me. It has been my good fortune of having two very close friends who have very openly told me several things about myself. At first, I have been told, I appear quiet, bashful, and very reserved. All my life it seems I have been classified as quiet. It used to make me feel like screaming and showing everyone I could be anything but quiet, but have later been told it was not this kind of quietness that was meant. While I was teaching rural school this accusation was made time and again, but I believe this was because my standards differed so entirely from theirs, my pronounced opinions as to right and wrong being responsible. I cannot say why I have formed these opinions as I have, as my home was anything but a dictating one. Suggestions of what was hoped for in us were given but my parents left the decision to us. My fundamental principle by which I judge right and wrong is: Anything which an individual feels he should not do, and does, it is wrong - the conscience which we all possess if it has not been hardened, being the guide. The hardening of one's conscience I consider the greatest moral wrong. Religion has always meant a great deal to me and St. Olaf College with all its advantages in this line has developed many of my ideas. I am a Lutheran by inheritance but also by conviction. My religion is true and fundamental to me - an absolute necessity for life and happiness. I believe in a God who is over all things ruling with Fatherliness but also with rightious(sic) judgement in all things. Sin is anything contrary to the holy will of God be it in thought, word, or deed. Through prayer we are able to commune with our Father and seek forgiveness from all our sins through the merits and death of His Son - Jesus Christ. I believe in the direct and indirect answering of prayer very decidedly. Salvation is bestowed upon every repentent sinner who acknowledges his own guilt and the absolute atonement through faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I also believe in a heaven of all perfection which awaits each redeemed individual. Heaven is the absence of all unpleasantness, the fulfillment of God's perfection. To the Christian heaven may start in this life through his complete satisfaction and happiness received as a result of implicit faith in Christ. My religious views have changed from being emotionsal to intellectual. Truly I cannot understand or rationalize all the facts of my religion, but I am ready to let faith play its part also. I believe regular church attendance, prayer, and daily Scriptural reading are absolutely essential for a happy life. My interest lies greatly with the work of Missions and always has. It has been a secret ambition of mine to do some work along that line either "Foreign" or "Home" fields, and am only hoping I may realize my dreams some day and give my life to some phase of the work. What my vocation is to be seems rather unsettled at present. I have been preparing myself while at college to enter the educational field as a high school teacher of English, history, dramatics, and library, but positions seem very scarce. In years to come I may smile at the amount of worrying I am doing about it, but I am determined in getting a position. I do not wish to teach more than about three years, then go into the field of my ambition afore mentioned, here I feel my greatest success awaits me. I believe the added teaching experience would make me more fit for such work, teaching me more about that peculiar and interesting mass of mumanity with which we are surrounded. Dreams, ambitions, hopes - of course I have them, but perhaps I believe too much in Fate to even voice these to myself. I hope to make a success of my teaching and it is my dream to have several years of service to those who are less fortunate than myself. I also hope some day to have a home of my own where I may be surrounded by my loved ones and I myself being worthy in return of their love and respect. ************* Edith Hubbard It is a priviliege to have the opportunity to say a word in the behalf of Hazel Aslakson whom I knew well in high school in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. I was head of the English Department at that time. Miss Aslakson was a student of excellant(sic) character and ability. She was always dependable, with high ideals and her work was thorough and painstaking and of high grade. ************* A.O. White It is with great pleasure that I state that I have known Hazel Aslakson for more than 13 years. She was in my class and received instructions prior to confirmation. Since then she has always conducted herself in such a way as to reveal her sincerity in her christian faith, and been exemplary in her associations with others. I consider her character to be such that it will exert an influence for good in what ever position in life she may be placed. Have had opportunity to watch her as a teacher and consider her especially well fitted for that position. ************* (Can't read the name) Miss Aslakson taught a rural school for two years (1925-27 District No. 6. Town of Liberty) I became acquainted with her while she was a student at the Manitowoc County Normal School. We considered this young woman one of our very good beginning teachers. Her character is of the best. Her personal appearance always is very good. She has a good personality and should be a good leader for pupils of high school age. We were well satisfied with her ability to instruct and she conquered difficulties in school which at that time was in need of strong teacher leadership. I cheerfully recommend Miss Aslakson to any position that her training in your institution has fitted her and shall be (can't read) any school board inquiries that are directed to me. ************* Agnes Larson Health, vitality, physical alertness, appearance, character, manners, dress, mental ability, intelligence, ambitions, interest, industry, reliability, accuracy, punctuality, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership, judgment, common sense, self control, willingness to cooperate, scholarship, ability to get, organize,and use information, expression, command of English, estimated success as a teacher - Execellent. Arthur Paulson - same as Miss Larson ************* C. G. Stangel. Hazel Aslakson was a member of our high school 1920-24, receiving a high school diploma on June 12, 1924. Her conduct at school and on the street seemed exemplary. Her home conditions are right and she is a type that should adapt herself easily to new situations. I have nothing unfavorable to report about her. ************* C.A. Mellby Health, vitality, physical alertness, mental ability, intelligence, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership, scholarship, ability to get, organize and use information - Very Good. Appearance, bearing, manners, dress, character, habits, ambition, interest, industry, reliability, accuracy, punctuality, judgement, common sense, self control, willingness to cooperate, express(?) command of English, estimated success as a teacher - Excellent. ************* THE ASLAKSON FAMILY Maren Simons datter Stullen (2-2-1806 - d 12-2-1888) married Halvor Olson Aas (11-28-1810 - d 1-14-1892) 9-13-1832, lived in Gjerpan, Norway and had 8 children. They sailed to the US in 1856 Halvor Olson Aas was the son of Ole (b 1775 d?), grandson of Halvor Solvesson Nordic Aas (b 1736 d?) and Aagot Sondresdtr (b 1744 d?) of Norway. Maren was daughter of Simon (b 2-18-1781 - d 10-18-1851) and Maren Kristoffersdatter (b ? - d 5-21-1843), they had children in addition to Maren Ingeborg (b 6-24-1810 - d?), Kristen and Simon (b 6-9-1809) Helle (b 10-11-1812 - d?) 1. Anna Gurin Olson-born 4-10-1833, baptized 5-19-1833, confirmed 4-15-1849 and died 1915 of heart condition. She married Toy Aslakson( b 6-29-1823 - d 6-29-1892 of a stroke) son of Kari and Aslak Ekos(1823-1891)( both killed). Brother of Torger who died at 3 yr. of age, and Torbjoren also killed. His wife was Marie Knutson. They had 3 sons: Aslak Norstad Knut Norstad John(b? - d 1860) Anna and Toy had 9 children. Some came to the US in 1871 on the “Laurdal” a. Anton (b 1859-1872) b. Maren Karina (b 10-6-1865 - d 5-1925) married Knute Olaf Knutson (b 8-23-1853 - d 11-2-1920). Knute was born in Oslo, Norway, came to US at 6 months of age, son of Nels and Oline Knutson and brothers Christan and BenDitlov and sister Mary. married 10-8-1882 at Gjerpan Church. 1. Agnes (2-18-1892 - d 6-19-1982)married Clarence Peterson (b 1889- d 1958) on 10-19-1916 a. Holm Orville (b 7-8-1917 - d 12-24-1967) b. (private) 2. Edwin (b 1-20-1889 - d 6-19-1971) married Clara Skatrud (b 10-3-1890 d 2-8-1981) on 4-28-1914, lived on a farm in town of Cato, member of school board and trustee of Gjerpen Church. (NOTE: There is more of this tree in the copy of her records in the Two Rivers Lester Library. I cannot put it online for privacy reasons - many are still living.) ************ The following are scans of documents that Hazel Aslakson submitted to the Eugenics Record Office at Cold Springs Harbor, Long Island, N.Y. in January of 1930. Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document Document
LARS BALLESTAD Lars Ballestad, 93, Rt. 1, Manitowoc, died Thursday evening at home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery. Mr. Ballestad was born the son of the late Thor and Anna Christene Ballestad. He farmed in the Town of Cato all his life. Survivors include a brother, Selmar, of Rt. 1, Manitowoc, and nieces and nephews. Two brothers and five sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at Christian Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday and then at the church until the time of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. October 20, 1972
OLE AND SOREN BALLESTAD From Der Nord Westen, 25 Apr. 1901: In Town Cato the brothers Ole and Soren Ballestad died within 15 mins. of each other. The two brothers, who had come here from Norway many years ago, resided together in a house in Cato. One was 84 and the other 79. (Note: This is the only cemetery with the Ballestad surname. Apparently Ole's tombstone was mis-read or there was a typo.)
SELMAR BALLESTAD Selmer Ballestad, 89, of Rt. 1, Manitowoc, died Tuesday afternoon at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Carl Peters will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery. Mr. Ballestad was born Oct. 17, 1884, in the Town of Cato, son of the late Thor and Anna Christene Ballestad. Survivors include nieces and nephews. Three brothers and five sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at Christianson-Deja Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Thursday until 11:30 a.m. Friday and then at the church from noon until the time of service. Herald Times Reporter, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Wis. October 24, 1973
HAGE THOMPSON BERGE From Der Nord Westen, 07 May 1908: Death Saturday in Clarks Mills of 78-year old Mrs. Gudmund Thompson of a stroke. The deceased leaves 3 children. Her funeral was held yesterday in Jerpen.
EMMA M. BERGENE Mrs. Knudt (Emma) Bergene, 92, of Rt. 1, Cato, died Monday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harold Brandt, of Rt. 1, Greenleaf. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery, Town of Cato. Mrs. Bergene, nee Emaa Anderson, was born Feb. 10, 1879, at Racine, daughter of the late John and Maria Harringstad Anderson. She was married to Knudt Bergene June 20, 1898. The couple farmed in the Town of Cato. Her husband preceded her in death Feb. 17, 1947. Survivors include four sons, Edward of Rt. 1, Newton, Albert of Rt. 1, Manitowoc, and Norman and Kenneth of Rt. 1, Cato; three sisters, Mrs. Bertha Wachtel of Rt. 2, Two Rivers, Mrs. Frank (Ruth) VanLanne of Rt. 1, Cato, and Mrs. Harold (Alma) Brandt of Rt. 1, Greenleaf, 24 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Two sons preceded her in death. Friends may call at the Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Wednesday until noon Thursday and then at the church until the time of services. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. September 13, 1971 ********* Funeral services for Mrs. Knudt (Emma) Bergene, 92, of Rt. 1, Cato, who died Monday morning, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Rober Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery, Town of Cato. Among survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Bertha Wachtel, of Rt. 2, Two Rivers, Mrs. Frank (Ruth) VanLannen, of Rt. 1 Cato, and Mrs. Harold (Alma) Brandt, of Rt. 1, Greenleaf. Friends may call at Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Wednesday until noon Thursday and then at the church until the time of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. September 14, 1971
CLAUS CHRISTENSON From Der Nord Westen, 30 May 1907: Claus Christenson, a resident of Town Cato, died Monday at the age of 81 and will be buried this afternoon. ******* From Der Nord Westen, 06 June 1907: Death last week of Claus Christenson in Jerpen, on the Wisconsin Central Railroad line. The deceased, who was born 26 March 1826 in Norway, came to our county in 1854 and settled on a farm where he remained until his death. He leaves his widow and 6 children.
PETRIA CECELIA CHRISTENSON From Der Nord Westen, 19 Aug. 1909: Death suddenly on Sunday of Mrs. Peter Christiansen, a pioneer settler of Town Cato, while on a visit to her daughter here, Mrs. Peter Hanson. The deceased, who was born 16 December 1828 in Norway, died of heart disease. She leaves 6 children. Her funeral was held yesterday in Jerpen. (Note: Apparently the reporter got her name a bit wrong)
ISAK HANSON FINDAL From Der Nord Westen, 17 Sept. 1908: Death in Town Cato Friday of Isaac Hanson Findal at the advanced age of 87. He had been a resident of our county since 1848. 3 sisters survive.
GUNDER GUNDERSON From Der Nord Westen, 02 Aug. 1906: Death Sunday morning of Gunder Gunderson, a well-known resident of Town Cato, of old age debility. The deceased, who reached the age of 84, is survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters. The funeral was Tuesday afternoon in Jerpen.
CHARLES GUSTAVESON Charles Gustaveson, 82, of Rt. 1, Manitowoc, died Monday evening at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery, Valders. Mr. Gustaveson was born Dec. ?, 1889 in the Town of Manitowoc Rapids, son of the late Gustave and Ann Hanson Gustaveson. He married Nita Sampe Dec. 30, 1916 at the home of the bride. He farmed all his life in the Town of Manitowoc Rapids. Survivors include his wife; a son, Earl, of Burlington; a brother, Norman, of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, and two grandchildren. A sister preceded him in death. Friends may call at Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday and then at the church until the time of services. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. March 31, 1971
HALVER HALVERSON From Der Nord Westen, 28 Feb. 1901: Death Sat. in Branch of 42-yr. old farmer Halver Halverson of consumption. The deceased is survived by his widow and 5 children.
MARIT HALVERSON Name: Halverson, Marit D.: 10/3/1878 B.: Reg. D.: 4/15/1879 Sex: F/W Age at Death: 37 Yrs. B.P.: Norway D.P.: Cato Cem.: Cato Ch.: Inf. & Address: Rev. A. O. Alfson Spouse: Svens Halvorsen F.: M.: Cause of Death: Pg. #: 299
ISAAC HANSON Isaac Hanson, 82, of Rt. 1, Manitowoc, died Sunday morning at home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert A. Onkka will officiate and burial will be in the Gjerpen Cemetery, Town of Cato, Manitowoc County. Mr. Hanson was born March 14, 1888, in the Town of Cato, son of the late Ole and Caroline Fidell Hanson. He attended the Wittenberg Academy at Wittenberg, Wis. He married Gertrude Wigert Nov. 20, 1928, at the Gjerpen Church. Mr Hanson was engaged in farming all his life. Survivors include his wife; three sons and three daughters (Survivors omitted for privacy.); two sisters, Mrs. Nelia Mason of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, and Mrs. Inga Larson of Manitowoc and 12 grandchildren. A daughter, three brothers and six sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at the Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 3 o'clock this Monday afternoon until 9 a.m. Tuesday and then at the church until the time of services. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. January 11, 1971
HALVER PEDERSON HOLM From Der Nord Westen, 01 Sep. 1904: Death in Clarks Mills last week of 53-yr. old Halvor Peterson(sic). He leaves a widow and 8 children. The funeral was held Sunday.
T. KNUDSON From Der Nord Westen, 11 June 1903: Thurs. last week of 72-yr. old Jessen Knudson of general debility. He had formerly lived near Heins Mill, but was a resident of Manitowoc for the past several years. He leaves 5 children. The funeral took place Sat. in Jerpen.
EDWIN KNUTSON Edwin A. Knutson, 82, of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, died Saturday at Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc, following a short illness. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery. Mr. Knutson was born Jan. 20, 1889, in the Town of Gibson, son of the late Knut Olaf and Marne Karine Aslakson Knutson. He was educated at Madson School, Gjerpen, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Short course in Agriculture and also the Academy of Wittenberg. He farmed and had been employed at the Manitowoc Herald Times for 28 years. He married Clara Skatrud April 28, 1914, at Valders West Church. Mr. Knutson served as treasurer of the Town of Cato for several years, secretary of the Guernsey Breeders Assn., superintendent of the Cattle Dept. at the Manitowoc County Fair, and served on the Madson School Board. He was also trustee and treasurer of Gjerpen Church, and served as the church sexton for many years. Mr. Knutson was also on the board of trustees of the Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery Assn. and the church financial committee. Survivors include his wife; a son, Alton of Valders; four daughters, Mrs. Larry (Dorothy) Kloster of Valders, Mrs. Harold (Myrtle) Anderson of Tempe, Ariz., and Mrs. Gordon (Ellen) Johnson and Mrs. James (Phyllis) Pokorsky of Manitowoc; a brother, N. Theodore of Chicago; a sister, Mrs. clarence (Agnes) Pederson of Valders; 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Two sisters and a brother preceded him in death. Friends may call at Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 4:30 o'clock this Monday afternoon until noon Tuesday and then at the church until the time of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. June 21, 1971
MARIE KULNICK Mrs. Charles Kulnick, 41, of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, died Monday morning at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, following a month's illness. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gjerpen Lutheran Church, Lorin Espaland, interne, will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Kulnick was born March 8, 1919, in the Town of Cato, daughter of Almer and the late Alma Tkompson Halverson. She was married to Mr. Kulnick June 9, 1945, at Gjerpen Church and the couple settled in the Town of Manitowoc Rapids. She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society of the church. Survivors include her husband, father, brother, Herman of Rt. 1, Cato; three sisters, Mrs. Henry Eberhardt and Mrs. Harry Eberhardt of Manitowoc and Mrs. Kenneth Busse of the Town of Cato; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Berge Funeral Home, Valders, after 3 p.m. Tuesday until 11 a.m. Wednesday when the body will be moved to the church to lie in state until the hour of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. February 1, 1960 (Note: The tombstone b. date is a year off from the one in the obituary)
EUGENE V. LARSON Eugene V. Larson, 57, of 3910 Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc, died at his residence. Memorial services will be 8:30 p.m. Monday at Jens Funeral Home, Manitowoc. The Rev. Leo Schmitt will officiate and burial will be in Jerpin Cemetery, Manitowoc, with military graveside rites accorded by Amvets Post No 99. Cremation will take place prior to memorial services. Mr. Larson was born Dec. 26, 1924, at Manitowoc, son of the late Hiram Larson and Clara Cisler Larson. He attended schools at Manitowoc. He entered military services in April of 1943 with the Army Air Force Military Police and was discharged in 1944. He married Elizabeth Wetenkamp April 6, 1945, at Manitowoc. Mr. Larson was an operator engineer, retiring in 1980. (Survivors omitted for privacy) Friends may call at Jens Funeral Home Monday from 7 p.m. until the time of services. Herald Times Reporter, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Friday, March 26, 1982
HIRAM A. LARSON Hiram Larson, 75, of Heritage Nursing Home, Manitowoc, died Saturday at the home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Urbanek and Schlei Funeral Home, Manitowoc. The Rev. Edmund Olson will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery. Mr. Larson was born Jan. 11, 1898, in the Town of Manitowoc Rapids, son of the late Osman and Mary Jenson Larson. He was captain of the Manitowoc Fire Department from Sept. 23, 1918, until his retirement Dec. 31, 1941. He married Clara Cisler at Gjerpen, locating at Manitowoc. Survivors include his wife, a son, Eugene, of Manitowoc, a brother, Louis, of Rockwood; a sister, Mrs. George (Henrietta) Denk, of Manitowoc; two grandchildren and a great grandchild. Two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 p.m. Monday until the time of service Tuesday. Herald Times Reporter, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Wis. January 27, 1973
INGA O. LARSON Mrs. Oscar Larson, 85,of 2503 Division St., Manitowoc, died Saturday morning at home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. The Rev. Edmund Oson will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery, Manitowoc County. Mrs. Larson, nee Inga O. Hanson, was born Nov. 25, 1886, in Manitowoc county, daughter of the late Ole and Caroline Findal Hanson. She was married to Oscar Larson Sept. 1, 1909, at Gjerpen. The couple farmed in the Town of Cato until 1936 when they moved to Manitowoc. Her husband preceded her in death July 7, 1957. Mrs. Larson was a member of the American Lutheran Church Women. Survivors include five sons, Ralph of Oshkosh, Grant, Donald, Reuben and Harlan of Manitowoc, four daughters, Mrs. Harland (Marie) Krueger of Rt. 1 Kiel, Mrs. Harry (Gladys) Bull of Manitowoc, Edna Larson of Texas and Mrs. Burnett (Ida) Benson of Portland, Ore., 20 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Two daughters, a grandson, a granddaughter, and a great grandson, a great granddaughter, seven sisters and four brothers preceded her in death. Friends may call at Urbanek and Schlei Funeral Home, Manitowoc, after 3 p.m. Sunday until Monday and then at the church until the time of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. September 9, 1972
HERMAN LOOS Herman Loos Dies Suddenly at Home Death attributed to a heart stroke, came to Herman Loos, 60, at his farm home in Cato township Monday morning. He died on the porch of his home, after coming from morning chores in the barn. Funeral services will be held this afternoon from the Berge funeral home at Valders. Born January 19, 1889 in Schleswig township, Mr. Loos has lived all of his life in this vicinity. He married Miss Sophia Cummings of Liberty in June of 1914. His wife preceded him in death. Survivors include his son and three sisters. They are Mrs. John Mertz, Chilton; Mrs. Joseph Baumgartner and Mrs. George ?oessl of St. Nazlanz.
SOPHIA LOOS Mrs. Herman Loos In spite of a determined fight against great odds, Mrs. Herman Loos, 35, of Valders succumbed to death at 10:45 Sunday morning at her home. Every medical aid was used to combat the effects of a few weeks illness of pleural pneumonia and for a time it was hoped she would recover. Though her condition was known to be critical, friends had held out hope for her recovery and announcement of her death came as a great shock. Mrs. Loos was 35 years of age having been born July 1, 1891 in Liberty. Before her marriage of 12 years ago she was Miss Sophia Commings. She leaves her husband, one 17th (sic) month old son, Billie, her mother, Mrs. Minnie Commings who made her home with her. She is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Gust Rusch of Liberty, Mrs. Charles Pleuss of Rapids, Mrs. Herman Vetter and Mrs. Henry Jonas of Manitowoc, four brothers, Louis Commings of Manitowoc, John of Sheboygan, Fred of Detroit and William Commings of Liberty. One sister, Mrs. Charles Geirz(?) died 17 years ago. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home and later at the Liberty church, Rev. Hensel officiating. Burial will be at the Liberty cemetery. Mrs. Loos was a member of the Progressive Club and the Ladies Aid society at Valders where she was widely known. No newspaper named, but Sunday December 12, 1926 on top of obit)
GUNDER MADSON From Der Nord Westen, 27 Feb. 1896: Death in Town Cato, on Sat., of Gunder Madson, father of M.G. Madson, the president of the M.G. Madson Seed Company here in Manitowoc. The deceased was 77 yrs. of age.
HANS MADSON From Der Nord Westen, 24 Jan. 1907: Death in Town Cato on Saturday of Hans Madson, one of the oldest settlers in our county. Mr. Madson was born 30 Oct. 1829 in Norway and came to America in 1847. In 1849 he settled in Cato where he has remained. During the war he served with the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. The funeral was held Tuesday.
NELIA MASON Mrs. Nelia Mason, 97, of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, died Monday evening at Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders. The Rev. Robert Onkka will officiate and burial will be in Gjerpen Cemetery. Mrs. Mason, nee Nelia Hanson, was born July 29, 1875, in the Town of Cato, daughter of the late Ole and Caroline Findall Hanson. She was married to Peter Mason July 3, 1901, at Gjerpen. Her husband preceded her in death Feb. 15, 1948. She was a lifelong member of Faith Lutheran Church and its women's organizations. Survivors include three sons, Orin, of Whitewater, Raymond, of Rt. 4, Manitowoc, and Harvey, of Thorp; a sister, Mrs. Inga Larson, of Manitowoc; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A son, a daughter, four brothers and six sisters preceded her in death. Friends may call at Christianson Funeral Home, Valders, after 4 p.m. Wednesday until noon Thursday and then at the church until the time of service. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. August 1, 1972
LARS MATHISEN From Der Nord Westen, 27 Aug. 1908: Death Tuesday in Town Manitowoc Rapids of Lars Mathieson at the advanced age of almost 94 in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nels Anderson. Mr. Mathieson, who came to Manitowoc more than 55 years ago, was one of the earliest subscribers of Nord-Westen despite his Norwegian origin. Each autumn he came into our office and paid his renewal for another year. However, this year he wrote us a note instead that due to the fact that his eyesight had gotten so weak he couldn’t read anymore. When he made his regular visits and we congratulated him on his advanced age, he’d shake his head and say “It’s no great joy to be so old if one has comparatively good health. One finds himself alone, even though in the company of his children, because the old friends which understood him are all gone, and the new generation has its new ideas and new ideals.” We couldn’t prove him wrong and now he has gone to his rest. The funeral will be Saturday in Rapids.
ELLEN NELSON From Der Nord Westen, 12 June 1902: Death in Cato Thurs. of 72-yr. old Mrs. R. Nelson. The funeral was held Saturday. (Note: I believe this is Mrs. R. because of the age, d. date and township)
ENANDA SOPHIA NELSON From Der Nord Westen, 13 Apr. 1905: Death Sun. of 26-yr. old Mrs. S.P. Nelson of Two Rivers, from appendicitis, in the residence of her sister here, Mrs. Peter Hanson. The funeral was held yesterday in Jerpen. ******** (sent in by a researcher/see contributors page Enanda Sophia (nee Christenson) Nelson)/Enanda daughter of Claus and Petria Christenson on adjacent lot)
OLE B. OLSEN Name: Olsen, Ole B. D.: 8/28/1878 B.: Reg. D.: 4/15/1879 Sex: M/W Age at Death: 37 Yrs. B.P.: Norway D.P.: Tn. of Rapids Cem.: Cato Ch.: Inf. & Address: Rev. A. O. Alfson Spouse: F.: M.: Cause of Death: Consumption Pg. #: v.1 p.300
MARIT OLSON From Der Nord Westen, 19 Feb. 1903: Death here Sun. of Mrs. Stephen Olson after a short illness. The deceased was born 15 Oct. 1828 in Valders, Norway, and came to America in 1852. She leaves 5 children. Her funeral was held yesterday.
RILEY OLSON From Der Nord Westen, 22 Mar. 1900: A stroke took the life of Riley Olson in Clarks Mills on Fri. Mr. Olson, widely known resident of our county, was born 55 yrs. ago in Valders, Norway, came to America and to Manitowoc County as a child and has lived here ever since. He allied himself with the Republican Party and has filled several offices. At the time of his death he was postmaster of Clarks Mills. He is survived only by a 14-yr. old daughter, his wife having preceded in death several years ago. The funeral was held Sun.
SALVE OSUESON From Der Nord Westen, 11 May 1905: Death of 75-yr. old Samuel Olufsen, a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the local G.A.R. Post, died Tues. last week at his home in Town Manitowoc Rapids. (Note: Death index indicates this is the same person)
IVER PAULSON From Der Nord Westen, 03 Mar. 1904: Death Sat., after a long illness, of Manitowoc Rapids resident Iver Paulson at age 77. The deceased, who was born in Norway, came to Manitowoc County at the beginning of the 50's. He leaves 6 children.
BIRTHE ROBLE Name: Roble, Birthe D.: 1/12/1879 B.: Reg. D.: 4/15/1879 Sex: F/W Age at Death: 25 Yrs. B.P.: Tn. Cato D.P.: Claybank Cem.: Cato Ch.: Inf. & Address: Rev. A. O. Alfson Spouse: F.: Erik Ericson Roble M.: Cause of Death: Pg. #: v.1 p.300 (Note: I think this should probably be Robley.)
CARL ANTON ROBLEY Death Record: Vol.23, Page 526 Deceased: Carl Anton Robley Date of Death: January 21, 1928 at 10 A.M. Place of Death: Manitowoc - Cato Male White Date Of Birth: --- In Town of Cato Age at Death: 57 Yrs. 8 Dys. Single Father: Peter K. Robley Mother: Engeborg Astad Occupation: Barber Cause of Death: Apoplexy Pronounced By: W. A. Rauch, M.D., Valders Place of Burial: Jerpen Cem., Jan 24, 1928 Undertaker: Otto G. Berge, Valders Registrar: L. W. Pivonka, 1-23-28
CLARA SABINA ROBLEY Death Record: Vol. 6, Page 308 # 554 Deceased: Clara Sabina Robley Date of Death: November 10, 1900 Place of Death: Town Cato Female White Date of Birth: June 4, 1882, in Wisconsin Age at Death: 18 Yrs. 5 Mos. 6 Dys. Single Father: Peter K. Robley - Norway Mother: Ingaborg Robley - Norway Occupation: Domestic Cause of Death: Consumption - Duration 5 Months Place of Burial: Jerpen (Now Gjerpen) Undertaker: Otto Berge
INGEBORG ROBLEY (also Ingabor) Death Record: Vol. 15, Page 470 Deceased: Ingabor Robley Date of Death: April 1, 1918 Place of Death: Manitowoc County, Cato Township, Clarks Mills Female White Date of Birth: March 6, 1843 - Norway Age at Death: 75 Yrs. 25 Days Single or Married: ----- Father: Knut Skogsta - Norway Mother: Marit Austo - Norway Occupation: Housewife Cause of Death: Endocoites Pronounced By: J. Gregory, M. D. - Valders Place of Burial: Jerpen Cem., Cato Township Undertaker: Otto Berge - Valders Registrar: George Rusch
INGRID ROBLEY Name: Roble, Ingrid D.: 9/17/1874 B.: Reg. D.: 8/8/1879 Sex: F/W Age at Death: 48 Yrs. B.P.: D.P.: Cem.: Tn. Cato Ch.: Inf. & Address: Rev. A. O. Alfson Spouse: Erik E. Roble F.: M.: Cause of Death: Pg. #: v.1 p.320
JULIA ROBLEY Death Record: Vol 21, Page 405 Deceased: Julia Robley Date of Death: February 6, 1925 At 4 P.M. Place of Death: Manitowoc County, Valders Female White Date of Birth: --- Age at Death: 69 Yrs. 11 Mos. 7 Days Married Spouse: Albert G. Robley Father: Jager Tollefson - Norway Mother: Nearih Uelson - Norway Occupation: Housewife Cause of Death: Senility - Myocarditis - Arteriosclerosis Pronounced By: W.A. Rauch, M.D. Valders Place of Burial: Jerpen Cem. Cato 2-9-25 Registrar: T.P.Isselmann Informant: Albert E. Robley - Valders
MARIA ROBLEY (Hannah Marie Robley) Death Record: Vol. 6. Page 307 # 552 Deceased: Hannah Marie Robley Date of Death: October 12, 1900 Place of Death: Clarks Mills Female White Date of Birth: June 15, 1876 Age at Death: 24 Yrs. 3 Mos. 27 Dys. Single Father: Peter K. Robley, Born in Norway Mother: Ingaborg Robley, Born in Norway Occupation: Servant Cause of Death: Consumption - Duration 1 1/2 Years. Place of Burial: Jerpen (Note: Now Spelled Gjerpen) Undertaker: Otto Berge
MARTIN S. ROBLEY DEATH RECORD: VOL. 7, PAGE 36 #39 Deceased: Martin Severin Robley Date of Death: December 3, 1901 Place of Death: Clarks Mills, Town of Cato Male White Date of Birth: September 10, 1877 - Wisconsin Age at Death: 24 Yrs. 2 Mos. 3 Dys. Single Father: Peter Robley - Norway Mother: Ingaborg Robley - Norway Occupation: Laborer Cause of Death: Consumption - Cataurh (?) Of Stomach Duration 2 Yrs. Place of Burial: Jerpen Undertaker: Otto G. Berge
ROYAL ROBLEY Death Record: Vol 19, Page 589 Deceased: Royal Sauralin Robley Date of Death: December 20, 1922 At 6 A.M. Place of Death: Manitowoc County, Town Of Cato Male White Date of Birth: ---- Age at Death: 1 Mon. 30 Days Single or Married: Infant Father: Peter Herman Robley - Wisconsin Mother: Telina Thone - Wisconsin Cause of Death: Pneumonia Pronounced By: T. Gregory, M.D. - Valders Place of Burial: Jerpen Cem. Cato, 12-22-22 Undertaker: Otto G. Berge - Valders Registrar: Dave Morgan, 12-22-22
HILDA CAROLINE TERKELSEN Name: Terkelson, Hilda Caroline D.: 8/7/1874 B.: Reg. D.: 8/8/1879 Sex: F/W Age at Death: 1 Yr. B.P.: D.P.: Manitowoc Rapids Cem.: Ch.: Inf. & Address: Rev. A. O. Alfson Spouse: F.: Syvert Terkelsen M.: Cause of Death: Pg. #: v.1 p.319 (Note: The death date and age do not match up with this Hilda but cem. #2 is the only one with this surname. It's possible the d. date on the record was mis-read)
RANDI TOLLEFSON From Der Nord Westen, 21 Oct. 1909: Death last week in Town Cato of Mrs. Randi Tolefson of old age debility. The deceased was born in Norway in 1818 and came to Manitowoc County over 50 years ago. Her husband preceded her in death 12 years ago. She is survived by 6 children, 17 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. The funeral was held Sunday in Jerpen.
ANNE TORJUSEN From Der Nord Westen, 21 Nov. 1901: Mrs. Aanun Torrison has died in Manitowoc Rapids at the age of 80. The deceased, who was born in Norway but who has lived in our county since 1848, leaves 5 children. The funeral was held Sun. in Jerpen.
KNUT VROLSON From Der Nord Westen, 02 Aug. 1906: Death Saturday at the advanced age of 88 of Kund Vrolson, well-known resident of Branch, of old age debility. He leaves several children. The funeral was Tuesday in Jerpen.
