PEDERSEN (PETERSON), Holden (Helge)

PEDERSEN, PETERSON, MAAKESTAD, JOHANNESDATTER, NIELSDATTER, JOHNSON, VIGLEIKSDATTER

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 9/25/2014 at 14:17:15

Holden Pedersen Maakestad was born January 18, 1830 at Mokkestad, Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway to Peder Larsen Mokkestad and Guri Johannesdatter, one of four of their sons who emigrated to America. Found first name as Holden, Helge, Hellie; surname as Pedersen, Peterson and Maakestad. (He used Holden Peterson after emigration.)

His brothers who also emigrated were:
Lars Pedersen Maakestad (b 1813, d 1893 Lee, Illinois);

Johannes Moa Pedersen Maakestad (b March 27, 1818, d August 9, 1876 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa) and

John (Johann) Pedersen Maakestad (b December 19, 1833, d July 11, 1931 Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, Iowa).

Holden was baptized on January 23, 1830 at Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway. Birth/baptismal record at the Norwegian Digital Archives for Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway, 1825-1853, page 21, entry #4: Hellie Pedersen, son of Peder Larsen and Guri Johannesdatter of Maakestad. Sponsors listed.

Holden married Torbjorg Viglieksdatter on April 5, 1854 at Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway. (Torbjorg born August 8, 1828 Hordaland, Norway). The marriage record can be found at the Norwegian Digital Archives on-line for Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway, 1854-1866, pg 157, entry # 6: Helge Maakestad, age 24 1/6, son of Peders Larson Maakestad and Torbjor Vigleiksdatter Skare, age 25 7/12, daughter of Vigleik Olsen Skare. Witnesses: Greip Omundsen and ? Vigleiksen Maakestad.

The couple signed out of the church at Ullensvang on March 30, 1854 to emigrate to America but must not have left until after their marriage on April 5th, 1854.

Emigration record for group leaving Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway found at the Norwegian Digital Archives on-line for Ullensvang, Hordaland, Norway 1854-1866, page 304, #'s 5 - 13:
#5. Jacob Hansen Maakestad (born July 4, 1827);

#6. Johannes Pedersen Maakestad (born March 27, 1818), wife Gjoa Olsdatter (born April 18, 1831); Peder Johannesen (born August 2, 1852) and Guro Johannesdatter (born March 14, 1854);

#7. Ole Johnsen Maakestad (born December 25, 1826);

#8. Helgesdatter Maakestad (born June 20, 1822);

#9. Vigleik Olesen Reisaetter (born October 7, 1816), Gyrid Gundersdatter (born October 3, 1831)

#10. Helge Pedersen Maakestad (born January 18, 1830), Torbjorg Vigleiksdatter (born August 8, 1828)

#11. Lars Nilson Rogde (born April 1, 1829), Ambjor Vigleiksdatter Sandven (born June 4, 1832)

#12. Johannes (?) (born September 15, 1828), Ana Vigleiksdatter Sandven (born December 28, 1834
(or 1837));

#13. Ole Johannesen Winte? (same last name as #12) (born 1831).

The large party landed at Quebec, Canada and traveled on to settle at a Norwegian settlement at Lee County, Illinois, arriving in the early summer of 1854. Some time between the summer of 1854 and 1856, Holden's wife Torbjorg died at Lee, Illinois. There was illness in the area that took the lives of many members in the group.

In 1856, it is believed that Holden accompanied his brother Johannes to Mitchell County, Iowa walking with wagons and oxen.

Holden married the widowed Anna Nielsdatter (Mrs Niels Johnson, b February 3, 1815 Hordaland, Norway, d August 3, 1897 Lincoln, Washington) on March 26 (or 24th?), 1857 at St Ansgar, Mitchell, Iowa. The couple did not have any children. Anna had 7 children from her first marriage.

Found in the 1860 census living at Mitchell, Mitchell, Iowa: Holden Peterson 29, Annie 47, John Johnson 19, Nels Peterson 16, Thomas Peterson 12, Marthe 14, Mary 10. (Annie was about 15 years older than Holden).

Holden became a naturalized citizen on April 2, 1860.

Holden Peterson joined the Company K, 27th Infantry Iowa Regiment and fought in the Civil War for the Union side. Civil War record found: Holden Peterson; Residence, Mitchell, Iowa; Age at enlistment: 31; Enlistment Date: August 20, 1862 ; Rank at enlistment: Private; State Served: Iowa; Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company K, Iowa 27 th Infantry Regiment on September 9, 1862.; Mustered out on August 8, 1865 at Clinton, Iowa.; Birth Date: abt 1831; Sources: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion
(Note: An Engel Johnson also served in the Civil War, Engel being married to Holden's step-daughter, one of Annie's daughters).

After the war, Holden traveled throughout the West living various places before returning to Iowa. (see his obit)

He died November 16, 1904 at Mitchell, Mitchell, Iowa and is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Mitchell, Mitchell, Iowa.

Memorial for him at Find a Grave #22501390 with a photo of his gravestone.

Obituary at: http://iagenweb.org/boards/mitchell/obituaries/index.cgi?review=272493 and at Find a Grave.