Christian and Anne Shoger

Christian Frantsen Shager was born on August 2, 1804 on his father’s farm - Øvre Skiaker - located in Land Prestigjeld, Christians Amt, Norway. His parents were Frantz Christoffersen and Agnete Christiansdatter (Beggerud)

Hans (John) Fredrik Shoger

Øvre Schiager. He had one youngr sister, Kjerstine Frantsdatter, and four younger brothers, Christopher Frantsen, Hans Fredrik Frantsen, Ole Frantsen and Martin Frantsen, whom died in infancy.

Christian Frantsen grew up on the farm - Øvre Skiaker - and was baptized (August 19, 1804) and confirmed in the Østsinni (Austinni) Church near his home.

On October 31, 1838, Christian Frantsen Øvre Schiager was united in marriage to Anne Olsdatter Komperud at Østsinni (Austinni), Land Prestigjeld, Christians Amt, Norway.

Anne Olsdatter Komperud was born on May 1, 1820 on the Komperud farm, Land Prestigjeld, Christians Amt, Norway. Her parents were Ole Askildsen Komperud and Karen Paulsdatter Brurud. She grew up on the Komperud farm and had one

Andrew and Betsy (Larson) Shoger

brother, Peder Olsen Komperud. Her parents and brother immigrated to America in 1857 and settled on a 80 acre farm in Wiota township, Lafayette county, Wisconsin.

Andrew Shoger Family

Christian and Anne lived on the Roberg farm, Land Prestigjeld, Christians Amt, Norway. Three children were born on this farm, namely: Hans Fredrik Christiansen, Olaus Christiansen, and Karen Martea Christiansdatter.

On June 12, 1850, Christian Frantsen Skjager, age 45, and his wife, Anne, age 30, and their three children – Hans Fredrik, age 9; Olaus, age 5; and Karen Martea, age 1, immigrated to America.

They settled on a 160 acre timbered farm in Wyoming township, Iowa county, Wisconsin near Dodgeville. They did very well on this farm and were blessed with the birth of two sons – Andrew and Julian. They assisted Christian’s two brothers, Hans Fredrik and Ole, in 1852; Christian’s brother, Christopher and his family in 1854, Christian’s nephew, Johannes Johannesen Øvre Skiaker in 1857 and Anne’s, parents, Ole and Karen Komperud and her brother, Peder

Julian Shoger

Komperud in 1857 upon their arrival in America. The 1860 census shows the surname spelled as “Schager”.

Christian and his oldest son, Hans, and several Norwegian neighbors, including Hovel Hovelson, journeyed to South Dakota in 1863 where they pre-empted land near Yankton. In 1864, Christian sold his farm and he and his family (and the Hovel Hovelson family) moved to their new land in South Dakota by covered wagon. They lived on their homesteads for a year, but decided to move back east in 1865 because of hardships caused by grasshoppers and Indian scares. On their trip back to Wisconsin, they encamped near Mitchell, Iowa where they met a land agent who convinced them to purchase land in Mitchell county.

Julian and Carrie (Brenden-Olsen) Shoger

Christian purchased 160 acres of land on section 24 (southeast quarter), Rock township, Mitchell county, Iowa. Hovel Hovelson purchased the adjoining 160 acres (southwest quarter) of section 24. Christian and his two oldest sons, Hans and Olaus, immediately put up a log house and eventually built a barn, a windmill, and several other farm buildings.

On August 11, 1865, Christian Frantsen, age 62, and his wife, Anne Olsdatter, age 45, and their four unconfirmed children, joined the St. Ansgar Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Church records show the spelling of Sjager and Shager.

Christian Frantsen Shager passed away on October 30, 1866 at the age of 62 at his farm home in Rock township, Mitchell county, Iowa. Anne passed away on January 9, 1870, at the age of 50 on the same farm. Christian and Anne are buried at Riverview cemetery located 2 miles south of St. Ansgar, Iowa.