ALMS, Hans Peterson 1839-1923
PETERSON, ALMS, IVERSDATTER, JOHNSON, WILLIAMS
Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 8/18/2011 at 16:45:48
Hans Peterson Alms (Hans A. Peterson) was born Oct 23, 1839 at Stastadeiet, Gran, Hadeland, Oppland, Norway to Peder Eriksen and Berthe Hansdatter Praestmarken. Stastadeie was a small cotters farm. Hans was baptized November 3, 1839. Baptismal record found in the Gran, Oppland, Norway Digital Records, for years 1824-1842, pgs. 382-383, entry # 171.
From the Norway parish and census records, it states that Ingeborg Ivarsdatter's family were laborers on the farm they worked on which was near where Hans lived. Hans met and married Ingeborg Iversdatter, January 23, 1868 at Gran, Hadeland, Norway. They had three children at Gran, Norway: Berthe Hansdatter Peterson born December 2, 1867, Iver Hansen born April 27, 1870 and Carrie Hansdatter born September 18, 1871.
Their son, Iver, died at Gran, Hadeland, Norway June 11, 1874, only four years old. They decided to leave and start a new life in the United States. The church records state that Hans Pedersen Stastadeie and family left Gran municipality 14, Norway on April 18, 1877 (line 4, #3848); destination America. He was a cotter-tenant farmer or a "husmann".
The ship list states that the family crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a ship named "Hero", boarding at Oslo, Norway and changing ships at Hull, England. (From Solem, Swiggum and Austheim ship indexes found on-line.) Voyages usually took about 13 weeks and were extremely stressful. After arrival, the family would have had to cross over land to reach their destination of Cedar Township, Mitchell County, Iowa.
Ole Johnson had paid for the family to come to the Rock Creek area. Hans worked for him for a while after arriving to pay him back the costs of traveling. This resulted in Hans Lauritz Johnson (Ole Johnson's son) meeting Carrie Peterson Alms (Hans Peterson's daughter). Hans Johnson and Carrie Alms later married. Found in the 1880 census living at Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa: Hans Peterson 43, Ingewen (should be Ingeborg) Peterson 42, Bertha Peterson 12, Carrie Peterson 8. Says he is a laborer, his wife keeps house and the children are students. The family lived south of Devonia (a village that no longer exists) and were able to purchase a few cows, 2 horses and a wagon.
When enough money was saved up, Hans purchased 43 acres northwest of Orchard, Iowa in West Lincoln Township, Section 12. Found in the 1885, 1895, and 1900 censuses living at Lincoln Township, Mitchell, IA. - 1885: Hans A Peterson 48, Belle Peterson 48, Bertha Peterson 17, Carrie Peterson 13. Carrie was married to Hans Lauritz Johnson on this farm September 18, 1893. 1900 census says Hans 61, Isabelle 60.
Found in the 1910 census living in West Lincoln Township, Mitchell County, Iowa with his wife. This was the same farm but the township had now been divided into East & West Lincoln. The 1910 census shows Hans Peterson 71[77] and Isabelle Peterson 72.
Sometime between 1910 and 1920, this couple sold their farm near Orchard and moved. Find them in the 1920 census living at Cedar Township, Mitchell, IA.: Hans 81, Ingeborg 83 and Hans Erickson 54, a boarder. Now they were just renting their house.
Ingeborg Iversdatter was born July 4, 1838 Oppland, Norway. She died at Cedar Township on June 14, 1922. Hans Peterson Alms died July 18, 1923 at Cedar, Mitchell, IA.
Obituary from the Mitchell County Iowa Press News, July 25, 1923 - "Hans Peterson Alms, Old Resident Died at Daughter's Home":
Hans Peterson Alms was born in Gran, Hadeland, Norway, October 22, 1838. In the year of 1866, he entered into the holy state of matrimony with Miss Ingeborg Hansdatter, of Hadeland, Norway. In the spring of 1877, they came to America and located temporarily on a farm in Floyd county, Iowa. Later, they bought a farm near Orchard, in Mitchell county, Iowa, on which place he continued to live until about seven years ago, when failing health compelled him to give up farming. The last seven years of his life have been divided between the homes of his two daughters, Carrie (Mrs. Hans Lauritz Johnson) and Bertha (Mrs. Gustav Millard Williams).
In his wedlock three children were born, the only surviving relatives are the last-mentioned daughters. The departed enjoyed good health until about seven years ago when he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and since that time he has been almost helpless. He died at the home of his daughter, Bertha Williams on July 18, 1923, aged 84 years, 9 months and 26 days. Funeral services were held at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church on July 21, 1923 at 2 p.m. The Rev. Myhre officiated. Interment was in the RCLC cemetery at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa.
*** Contributor's note: Hans and Ingeborg Pederson Alms are one set of my paternal great-great grandparents. If this couple is part of your ancestry, I have photos of them that I would be willing to share, feel free to contact me.
NOTE: Some instances of the name were spelled ALM rather than ALMS. (kk)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rock Creek Cemetery listing on IaGenWeb shows:Pederson, Hans Alms Oct 22, 1838 -- Jul 18, 1923
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo of Hans taken in Meroa, Iowa. See complete photo in the Mitchell County website photos section.
Complete Photo
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen