Knutson, Ole 1828 - 1924

KNUTSON, THOVSON, KJOSA, JOHNSON, ANDERSON, OLSEN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/18/2017 at 09:53:57

Elkader Register, Thur., 13 Mar. 1924.

Ole Knutson was born in Opdal, Nummedal, Norway, Dec. 23, 1828, and died on the farm in Wagner township where he had his home for over seventy years, Feb. 19, 1924, aged 96 years, 1 month and 19 days.

He was buried at Norway Lutheran church Friday, Feb. 22. Rev. J. Hougen of Whelan, Minn., conducting the services at the home and in the church. The choir from St. Olaf always faithful assisting with the singing of several comforting songs. He was carried to the grave by six grandsons.

He came to this country when a young man, at the time when sailships took many weeks to cross the ocean. He was married to Thora Thovson, also of Opdal. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters. His wife died May 6, 1877. One daughter, Olina, Mrs. Halvor Kjosa, June 9, 1909, and the youngest son, Theodore, Sept. 1, 1917. The others are: Knut, of Hendricks, Minn.; Thov, of St. Olaf; Thuri, Mrs. G. Johnson, of Astoria, S. Dakota; Margit, Mrs. L. Anderson, of Brunsmade, N. Dakota; Ole, Granite Falls, Minn.; Erma (possibly Erms), Mrs. O. R. Olsen Sunnit, S. Dakota; and Susanna, St. Olaf, Iowa. He is also survived by 63 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and one grandchild's grandchild.

He was able to be up until a week before his death, although quite feeble, his mind was singularly clear and he read a great deal until the last year, when his sight became to dim to read print clearly. For forty-five years he has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Kjosa and family, who purchased the old home far, and was especially tenderly cared for by his granddaughters, Mabel and Tilda, in his last illness. At the last he slept away like a tired child.

The last of the old pioneers of this community has gone to his rest.

(Note: It seems that one male child is not named, unless Erms (rather than Erma) is a male, and he and Mrs. O. R. Olsen both lived at Sunnit, S. Dakota. Researchers will need to straighten this out.)