I, Ingeborg Maria (Mary) Munson, was born August 8, 1855 in the small village of Laerdal, Sogn, Norway. My father's name was Melchior Sheldrup Munson. Mother's name was Martha Halvorson Vamberg.

We were seven children--two brothers and five sisters, I being the fourth in the family. My parents emigrated to the United States in 1857. Not being quite two years old, I have no recollection of Norway.

My folks first lived in Dane County, Wisconsin, where we stayed three years. That time is as far back as my recollection goes. Then we moved to Crawford County, Wisconsin and in 1861 we drove with oxen from Crawford County to Elk Point, South Dakota. Staying there until 1864, we came back to Chickasaw County, Iowa, where we have since resided, (came to Cedar Falls in 1864 and chopped ties for the railroad during the winter).

My father died Nov. 15, 1893 at age 81 years. Mother died October 8, 1899 at the age of 84 years. Anna Johanna, my youngest sister, died August 17, 1905, 44 years old, six years intervening between those three deaths.

The rest of the family are still living. Jertru Maria (Jane) and Halvor, the two oldest, live in New Hampton. Ellen and Monsine (Emma), the next oldest, live in Cresco. Myself and Muns, the two youngest, live near Saude, Iowa.

My parents were poor so all the children had to shift for themselves, but we always had a home to go to in any emergency. The last years of their lives were spent in comfort so far as having the necessities for comfort and the knowledge they had plenty as long as they would live. Also, they lived to see all their children in good circumstances as far as this world's goods goes.

The first problem that confronted me was to do something to earn clothes. I used to tend babies for neighbors while very young. I did general housework, worked for my board, and went to school. By the time I was 17, I was able to get a third grade certificate, so I finished teaching my first term of school before I was 18. I would now teach awhile and attend school awhile so that before long, I held a first grade certificate.

I continued this work until I was 23 when I married Alf Oleson Vaala on September 13, 1878. Two daughters were born to us, Ingeborg Maria (Mamie) on August 19, 1879, and Alice Wilhelmina on June 8, 1884. Having means enough, our daughters were kept in school. Ingeborg Maria (Mamie) graduated first at Valders in Decorah, and later at (now Northern Iowa University), Cedar Falls. Alice Wilhelmina graduated first at Cedar Falls, and later at the University of Iowa where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa for scholastic excellence.

They both spent some years in teaching. Ingeborg Maria (Mamie) taught in high school at Britt, Iowa, and Alice at Vinton, Iowa.

They are now both married. Ingeborg Maria (Mamie) married Hans A. Grimso September 8, 1910, and resides on our old homestead. Alice married Ralph Davidson Gray on August 29, 1911, and resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

My husband died June 28, 1909. Now at the age of 56, I find myself alone again. I feel I have so much to do to get things into shape as the property was left in a very undesirable condition. May God give me strength and health and power and means and wisdom to do justice to all within my reach.

Written in 1911 by Ingeborg Maria (Mary) Munson Vaala.

Contributed by Jim Johnson, August 2009, transcribed from "Melchior and Martha Munson Family History, 1812-1989, by Paul L. Munson.