Introduction

This is the beginning of the story of Asbjørn Hallvardsen Raae (Raa, Roe, Rowe) and his descendants. Asbjørn, his wife Ragnhild Andersdtr Raae and their two children, Anders and Anna left Norway in 1852 and came to America and Wisconsin. By 1860, according to the Federal Census, they were living in Portage Co. where Asbjørn and Ragnhild lived the rest of their lives.

Asbjørn's father, Hallvard Olsson Raa, was greatly influenced by Hans Nielsen Hauge, a traveling preacher who disagreed with the Church of Norway and espoused a simpler, pietistic Christianity. Asbjørn apparently followed in his father's footsteps for he too was a lay preacher both in Norway and in Wisconsin. I have included copies of letters written by Asbjørn to his Anders, after Anders had moved to Minnesota (with a rough translation) which vividly illustrate his beliefs.

This booklet deals mostly with the descendants of Anders Roe, but I correspond with a descendant of Anna (Roe) Berry, so perhaps her descendants can be included later. I also correspond with and have met a descendant of Lars Rowe, a brother of Ragnhild and a cousin of Asbjørn, so the circle ever widens.

Please inform me of errors, additions, better translations, etc., so that this can be given to our descendants as correctly as possible.

Verla Williams
4333 Pine Ridge Trail NE
Iowa City, IA 52240

Lars and Kari RAAE

Kari Olsdtr (Groethe) and Lars Andersen RAAE. Image courtesy of Courtney ROWE (Facebook 2 Sep 2017).

According to Espe (1990: 367), Lars Andersen RAAE (b. 1814) was the fourth child of Anders Olsen RAAE and Ragnilde Knudsdtr Moe, and he married a Kari Olsdtr RAAE. From some of the records we already have we can discover a little more.

From the Parish Emigration records, we learn that Lars was born on 4 Sep 1814, and that Kari was born on 30 Oct 1813. Finally from the Passenger list of the Bjørgvin we see that in 1852 they migrated to America with four children: Synneve, David, Christi, and Anders.

Courtney ROWE, a 3x great granddaughter of Lars and Kari, posted the above picture on 2 Sep 2017 labeled as Lars and Kari (Groethe) Raa. Also Courtney's Ancestry.com family tree shows that Kari had a previous husband named David Nilsson (1808-1843) and that Synneve and Christi were their daughters. Only David and Anders were sons of Kari and Lars.

Passenger list: Bjørgvin (1852)

The United States brig, Niagara. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

According to Wikipedia, a brig is a "sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts." The brig, Bjørgvin, would have looked similar to the photo above of the brig, Niagara.


Passenger list. Bjørgvin (26 May-16 Jul 1852). Image courtesy of Norway Heritage: Hands Across the Sea.

Above is a scan from the passenger list for the brig, Bjørgvin, which departed from Bergen, 26 May 1852 and arrived in New York, 16 Jul 1852. The captain was Gunder P. Olsen. The list shows passengers Asbjørn Raa and family as well as his cousin, Lars (Ragnild's brother).

22 / Asbjørn Raa / 38 / m / Houses on deck
23 / Ragnild Andersdatter Raa* / 34 / f / Houses on deck
24 / Anders Asbjørnsen* Raa* / 7 / m / Houses on deck
25 / Anne Asbjørnsdatter* Raa* / 6 mo / f / Houses on deck
26 / Lars Raa* / 37 / m / Houses on deck

---

SOURCE: NARA Roll # 116, arr. no. 961 - Transcribed by Børge Solem - 2000. Norway Heritage: Hands Across the Sea.

Malcolm Rosholt, From the Indian Land

Quoted from Malcolm Rosholt, From the Indian Land: First-hand Account of Central Wisconsin's Pioneer Life (Krause, 1985), pp. 113-114:

. . . Among the friends of Hauge (referring to the Hauge synod) there were several lay preachers who visited the Indian Land, As a rule they had their meetings at the homes of their brethren and were seldom seen at worship services in church unless they had a child to be baptized or some young folks to be confirmed as they had no pastor of their own in the early period. The most noted Hauge people here were the Danielson sons, Hans, Nils, Cristofer, and Christian of the town of St. Lawrence in Elm Valley. They were from Oslo or thereabouts.

There was also Ola Blegen from Faaberg in Gudbrandsdalen, and Ola Lods (Ola-the-pilot), and Eivind Johanson from near Stavanger. He was always called ‘Eivind-on-the-Hill.’ Then there was Lars Raa or Roa, and his cousin Asbjorn Raa. They were from Laerdal. And Gundmund Martinson and Gudmund’s Marte from Stavanger. Jens Nilson, Anders Trother - also called Anders, the blacksmith -, Haakon Johnson and Ola Fredrikson, all from Laerdal, Tollef More and others. Several of these would make talks and offer prayers at meetings. Gundmund’s Marte could also speak and there were some who thought she was a ‘great preacher.’

Ola Blegan acknowledged that he had been a big sinner in his youth and that he had even tried to ‘make his own money‘ (counterfeit). When Ola was converted to God, he became a different man. He was the only one of the Hauge people on the Indian Land to attend services, (i.e. the Norwegian Synod Church which the Haugeans eschewed). In Rev. Mikkelsen’s time he was often seen in Scandinavia. Endowed with an amazing memory, he could repeat a sermon given by Mikkelsen from beginning to the end. Later, Ola would give the same sermon at the Hauge meetings, and after this sermon became a bit threadworn, he came to church for a new one. An acquaintance once said, ‘Ola Blegan was a good and helpful man but he was not afraid to mix in a lie now and then.’ But this was unjust. He merely exaggerated a little, especially when he got excited.

Asbjorn Raa was without a doubt the most intelligent of all Hauge's friends on the Indian Land. He was a well-read man and a good speaker as well as a man who tried earnestly to live what he preached. He acknowledged that he often felt drawn toward worldly things and was plagued now and then by great doubts. These doubts once got such power over him for ‘three days he did not believe in God or the other fellow’ (the devil). ‘When this temptation was over I realized that I had been led into utter foolishness,’ he said. He started as a lay preacher in Norway and the Hauge friends often gathered in his home. Some of them said that the audience ate him out of house and home, but he made out all right and could see nothing wrong with it, although he admitted that it was a little ‘hard on the butter.’

From The Indian Land deals with the Norwegian settlements of Waupaca and Portage Counties. The name is derived from a book written in Norwegian called Fra Indianernes Lande by Thor Helgeson. The translation of that book plus a second one by Helgeson under the same title is the basis of Rosholt's book. Although this book deals primarily with Waupaca County, it does have three chapters on the townships of New Hope and Amherst in Portage County, and many of the families moved from one county to the next. [Source: Stevens Point Area Genealogy Society.]

Letter from Asbjørn to Anders ROE (10 Nov 1873)

Letter. Asbjørn to Anders ROE (10 Nov 1873). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

Dear Son Anders! in our Lord Jesus' name God's grace and peace.

Your letter of 13th last month is received in which we see that you have a little damage on your farm. This has saddened us on the one hand and on the other it is regarded as a sign of God's goodness there to discipline you to _____. When I think back on my 60 years course so has it been more and more periods where almost everything relating to occupation has turned out badly so it has often appeared as if I was supposed to fall into complete poverty, this has neither not happened and neither has it done me other damage than that I have with great seriousness sought my God by Jesus Christ and in him remission of sins, peace with God in addition light and power to overcome all pain. These earthly and in themselves useful and good things lie so near our longing and desire in as much as they are necessary for livelihood. Not it alone but it is strange to have something to display and flaunt with in the world. When now God sees everything this redounds us only to destruction, he begins to demolish our idols so we must _____ to our land, creation, own capability and everything and therefore forces to believe that God rules all things with his powerful word. Then can the word "seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness so shall all these things be added to you" get entrance to our house (among us).

You seek after high offices, this can be good enough if it does not give cause to keep you away from the highest of all offices, namely God's Kingdom. You think that changing place or changing your occupation for fate's sake is _____ for me because God rules everywhere but if God Himself will alter your position it is another matter. So far I know there is not like spiritual awakening in Jackson and uplifting meetings held there ? visit these frequently and allow it not to anger you if it appears (pitiful), is conflict and dissension among the restored, and very unsociable in daily life, there are some who have followed in more or less degree continuous if (in case) the Lord has had _____ he calls _____.

As far as our situation is concerned so it is approximately about the same. No sickness of consequence has, thank God, afflicted us except your siblings have the cough severely in our house as almost over all. They say it is whooping cough.

This year's crops were as follows: timothy hay very good; spring wheat according to common opinion has not stood so good for 4 years, winter wheat more questionable on account of the hard last winter, corn enough ripe, but small. A drought during August gave it a setback, the same for the potatoes. Wheat harvest we have 247 bushel, rye 108 ditto, 44 ditto oats. The wheat has varied from 90 to 100 _____ price at the depot. With regard to milk and butter in previous summer was it, the least we have gotten since we came here. As will come there of _____ to _____ the pasture is very scant now to that we had only 1 old cow and 2 goats that milked.

Then I sold 3 milk cows last year in order to help me not to come into debt because of the considerable outlay I have had to have to build up a new place. This year I must absolutely attempt to build a granary and besides in debt to Johannes Olsen Raa for a "grubb" job 40 dollars. We got grubbed over 8 acres this summer but we could not get cleared and broken more than 5 of them.

How unfortunate that we are not able to help you very much, we then wishing it, but we know the Lord helps all who fear and await his mercy. The worse is when work animals are away on a farm. You have perhaps steers which can come to _____ is good reason to raise cattle there or perhaps you will have to sell them in order to help you.

Concerning around us here is it approximately about the same. The people became alarmed at cattle festival this fall, when Mrs. Blasker and Hartman lost each 5 pieces horned cattle in short time. Hoffman is supposed to also have lost some but we have not since heard more about it.

Ole Fredricksen has been a little better this fall so he has gotten up and has worked a little. We have recently buried their middle child Olina who died of whooping cough. She was a miracle of intellect not full three years old could she also pray to God in her sickness. It is remarkable how a small child can humiliate the wise and great. I had often occasion to talk with her when she lived how sensible this little and wise girl could talk though not always clear. Lars Johnsen was also here for the funeral. We were then also in our store keeper Johan Hole and some with him. It appears that they will join our church organization. Amherst have we also had meeting. There are some converted? from the Trom-- who live there.

Of the rest it is the same as usual with the others known here and are past well in the body. Lars Rowe was also here and also greetings from him can I say the same. We have had already snow for 14 days so we have been able to use sleigh a little but it looks like it will dry off again now. I can and tell that we have planned a little fruit orchard and produced for first time 1/2 bushels apples, we have now 40 apple trees which are ready to bear and other different berry kinds in addition to a couple red grapevines which still not have begun to bear.

Finally I will close my long letter with a loving greeting to your wife and children from me, your mother and siblings plus all known. O. Fredrikson likewise many greetings, their youngest child Fredrik suffers also of whooping cough and their oldest child Carl to a lesser degree. Your mother will try to send a little remembrance in the mail consisting of a pair of gloves and two scarves all home worked. She greets Elsa especially.

Amherst the 10 November 1873
Asbjørn H. Raae

Write back soon as possible that we can know if the package is arrived.

I Anna greet Elsa and ask to write back soon so will get letter for Christmas.
Anna

Letter from Asbjørn to Anders ROE (27 May 1887)

Letter. Asbjørn to Anders ROE (27 May 1887). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Daily remembering son Anders and family, God's grace and peace.

God has allowed me lie here in the time of grace in this world up to now, so I will attempt to send you some word because the days are evil and the signs of the time are marvelous so it appears that all things are approaching end. How good it was, yes the best of all, to seek the Lord while he be found and call on him while he is near. We know from God's word that Jesus is the only Redeemer and Savior, so that when we stand in inner life's communion with Him, so can we not be dying of apprehension and terror for the expected things which shall come over the entire earth's collapse when he comes to judge the World with Righteousness. When we have the judge as friend what can then condemn when he has himself paid sin debt for us. This must we learn of God's word by the Holy Ghost's enlightenment which is promised all who ask God about that. The Holy Spirit _____ for us, not alone the external sinful deeds, but especially that our inner being is pierced through by sin, _____, blindness and powerlessness to all good. Then we are coming to the position that we can approach the crucified Lord Jesus as we are and not allow our common sense deceive us to the opinion we must be so and so holy first, which is the usual wrong path the devil will lead us into. But when we have caught hold our faith's and soul's eye on Jesus and _____ get faith our sin's forgiveness in His name and thus have him as Way, Truth, and Life, which is called Sanctification's way. On all this I can speak from experience with regard to the earthly so has the Lord _____ be praised, sustained, and preserved house and home, health and vitality for us till now.

We _____ potatoes 5 acres besides we are through with all planting. There has been little rain in this month so it is very dry here and if we do not get rain soon, so it will be worse this year than last year, which certainly is not other to expect when God's gifts are so terribly misused. Intense heat we have also had.

The thermometer has often varied between 80-90 degrees F. in the shade. There has been much lack of fodder here this spring, so Minnesota has had to get us many car loads of hay.

Knudt is at the iron mines in Michigan. I have written to him and wait for a letter from him. Drine have I written to at the same time _____ received a letter from Anna the 1st of this month. As I said, I have, thank God retained health so that I can go on foot and function some, but hearing and especially eyesight has decreased so it is difficult to read and write which also this letter shows. I'm thinking on to get me some other glasses but they will fall expensive. Anyway I long for relief from here so it can possibly be the last you may hear from me.

Lars Raae I have not heard any from for awhile, but I hope that all is well there. Haake Sønneve has sold out and the whole family is moving to Dakota. Karl Stoltenberg died this spring, otherwise all is the same here, no sickness of consequence except Anders Grøthe's wife is by the same nervous sickness. To close a loving greeting to you and family from us all here. Write back soon.

Amherst 27 May 1887
Asbjørn Raae