their disputes to him to be settled. He was a quiet man, slow to express his opinion unless asked for it. We can safely say that he and many other Norwegians who immigrated here became good and useful citizens. Ole became a U.S. citizen on 17 Jun 1856.

Ole R Ruen

When in 1853 Rev. Nils Brandt organized Lutheran congregations throughout the counties a call was sent to the Rev. U. V. Koren of Norway. Ole Ruen was among those who signed the call from the Little Iowa District. When the big stone church — Glenwood Lutheran Church - was built he helped in its construction. It is interesting to note that the large stone bearing the date “1870” which is set above the door in front of the church was chiseled and placed there by Ole. At the celebration which was held on the 4th of Jul that year on the completion of the church the mason from Chicago who finished the church furnished American flags to all to carry in the procession from the church to a woods north of the Ruen home where a picnic was held. When the procession came as far as the Ruen home Mrs. Ruen treated the whole company to “fattigmands” and wine. Mrs. Ruen was famous for her fattigmands and was often called upon to make them for state occasions.

The Ruens became parents of 11 children but had the sorrow to lose 3 of them in infancy and a little girl Anne Cornelia at age 8. The others who grew to manhood and womanhood were: Peter, Amelia, Henry, Cornelia, Olaus, Marie and Margaret. Peter married Alaug Hegland; Henry married Carolina Egge; Cornelia married John Moe; Olaus married Amanda Egge; Marie married Ole Evans; and Margaret married Andrew Haugen.

Ole P Ruen died 15 Oct 1893. Kari died 17 Apr 1919, about a month short of 90 years. Both are buried in Pontoppidan Cemetery.

Ruen, Peder Hanson

(Vernon Ruen)

Peder Hanson Eggebraaten Ruen was born 3 Feb 1788 at Eggebraaten Gaard in Grans Prestegjeld, Hadeland,

Norway. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Peder and had the following brothers and sisters: Ole H. Eggebraaten, Iver H. Sonsteby, Anne H. Svensrud, Marthe H. Strandbakken and Espen H. Ruen.

Peder’s first marriage was to Ingeborg_. She died

at the birth of twin sons who were born 21 May 1821. The one son was named Jens; the other did not survive. Peder later married Anne Kjos Elvestuen, who was born in Hadeland. Peder and Anne were the parents of seven children: Iver, Ole, Hans, Peder (died in childhood), Elina, Kjersti and Marthe.

News of the wonderful opportunities offered in the “New World” were reaching Hadeland, and in the winter of 1850 the Ruens as well as others in the community began to feel a strong urge to go to America. After due consideration, the decision was made and preparations were begun for the long journey. Peder was then in his 62nd year and his children ranged in age from thirteen to twenty-seven years. The two oldest sons, Jens and Iver, were married and established on gaards of their own.

Peder H. Ruen

On 5 May 1850 the Ruens with five of their children — Ole, Hans, Elina, Kjersti and Marthe — left for America. Leaving Hadeland at the same time were Peder’s brother Iver Sonsteby and family, his sister Anne Svensrud, his nephew Hans Eggebraaten and family, Hans Blegen and wife, and Peder’s niece Ingeborg Strandbakken. Others leaving at the same time were Hans Luvebraate with Marthe and two daughters, Kjersti and Petrine. The travelers went to Christiania where they joined about three hundred other passengers and boarded the “seilskute” (sailboat). Cholera broke out on board and many died. People might go to bed apparently well and be found dead in the morning. Such was the fate of Mrs. Peder Ruen who died after they had been at sea for six weeks. With loving hands and heavy hearts this beloved mother was lowered to a watery grave.