Gulbrand, Martin, Clara and Adolph. Marit (18 Jul 1845 in Norway-16 Jan 1919) married Stengrim Bergerud Hanson. They homesteaded in Otter Tail Co., MN. Their children were Martha, Ole, Hans, Edward, Gunhild, Gustave, Theodore, Martin and Gilbert. Hans (4 Jun 1848 in Norway-22 Apr 1935) married his brother’s widow Maren (Haga) Melaas. They had 7 children. (See Hans Melaas story.) Randi was born 18 Jun 1853 on the ship coming to America and died 15 Oct 1892. She married Ashbjorn Nelson. They were farmers in Lincoln Twp. Their children were Georgia, Ella, Ole, Lars, Gilbert, Albert, Ralph and Bertha. Ralph and Bertha died in infancy. Anna (10 Aug 1855 in IA-21 Mar 1946) married Simon O. Holstad. They were farmers in Bluffton Twp. Their children were Emma, Gilbert, Sena, Clara, Oscar, Albert and Ruth. Inaebora (21 Mar 1857 in IA-13 Apr 1930) never married. Kari was born in the Bluffton area north of Ridgeway.

Mestad, Joseph and Nettie (Gjere)

(Michelle Schwartzhoff)

Joseph O. Mestad and Nettie A. Gjere Mestad

Joseph O. Mestad was born 14 Dec 1894 in Highland Twp., Winneshiek Co. to Knut M. and Brynild (Brunsvold) Mestad. Joseph’s mother Brynild was born 3 Jun 1859 to Jorun and Guri Brunsvold.

Joseph’s father Knut N. Mestad was born 15 May 1853 in Evanger, Norway to Nils and Brytva (Mestad) Ekse. Brytva had married Nils Ekse in Norway and came to America in 1856 to Wl. Nils died and Brytva married Nil's brother Johannes and moved to Highlandville, IA. Later they traveled to Jackson Co., MN to homestead. Johannes was killed in the Indian massacre in Aug 1862. After his death Brytva traveled by foot back to Highlandville with her 5 children, Knut, Breta, Little Nils, John and Big Nils. There she took back her maiden name of Brytva Mestad.

Nettie A. Gjere was born in Highland Twp., Winneshiek Co. 3 Apr 1904 to Gilbert A. and Jorun ’Jane’’ (Traaen) Gjere. Nettie’s father Gilbert A. Gjere was born 15 Jun 1874 in Voss, Norway to Anders Torbjornson Gjerde and Kari Knutsdtr Afdal. Nettie's mother Jorun ‘Jane’’ Traaen was born 25 Jul 1876 in Rollog, Norway to Anstein G. Traaen and Torgun Narvesdtr Fulsaas.

Joseph O. And Nettie A. Mestad were married 26 Sep 1923 at the Big Canoe Lutheran church parsonage. They had 2 children, Kermit G. Mestad and Janet B. Mestad Fossum

Joseph and Nettie were baptized and confirmed members of Big Canoe Lutheran Church. At the time of their deaths they were members of Highland Lutheran Church. Joseph was a WWI veteran. He and Nettie farmed in Highland Twp.

Meyer, August C. and Lena (Hulverson)

(Gwen Koenig)

August Carl Meyer was born 26 Jul 1872 in Boardman Twp., Clayton Co., IA to Frederick and Louise (Wilke) Meyer. Frederick was born in Bad Kleinen, Mecklenberg/ Schwerin, Germany 30 Apr 1823 and baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hohen - Vielchen 4 May 1823. Frederick emigrated from Germany and arrived in Clayton Co., IA in 1854. He died in 1884.

After the death of his father in 1884 August farmed on the home farm in Boardman Twp. Not far away lived the family of John Hulverson with many good-looking daughters. The fact is there were 10 daughters and 1 son in the Hulverson family. August became interested in one of the youngest. The two oldest girls and the two youngest girls in the family were twins.

Eldo Meyer, nephew of August (Eldo was 100 in 1994), lived on a farm in the same area. He remembered that after August got his work done they would many times during the evening hours see Uncle “Gus” walking to the Hulverson farm “going courting” as Eldo said.

The parents of Lena Hulverson were Hans and Kristina Goensdtr (Lexhus) Hulverson who emigrated from Norway with 5 daughters in 1867. Hans was born on the farm Rindal 1 Apr 1832. Kristina was born on the farm Lexhus 20 Oct 1829. The farms were both in Gudbrandsdal, County of Oppland in Norway. They entered the United States through Ouebec, Canada and settled in Clayton Co., IA near St. Olaf.

August Meyer and Lena Hulverson were married at Monona, IA, Clayton Co. 17 Jul 1900 with Rev. Beatty of the Congregational Church officiating. They farmed on the home farm in Boardman Twp. Their family increased in size as Esther, Vernon, Inez and Vera were all born there.

In 1909 August decided to buy land in Bloomfield Twp., Winneshiek Co. on a farm neighboring his brother Henry's farm. August's farm consisted of 114 acres in Section 21, plus an additional 9 acres of woodland in Section 11. At this time the family moved into a little house in Castalia while a big home was being built. In 1912 a big barn was built on the farm. August became interested in breeding Brown Swiss cattle. Many of his cattle were prize winning cattle and were shown at many shows and fairs in the area. In 1924 August Meyer and Son became members of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association with headquarters in Beloit, Wl. In 1929 the farm was given the official name of “North View Stock Farm" and registered in Winneshiek Co. by the County Recorder.