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.]

Amherst Township Tax Rolls (1863): Ole Fredricksen and A. H. ROE

Detail from Malcolm Rosholt, Our County, Our Story: Portage County, Wisconsin (Stevens Point, WI: Portage County Board of Supervisors, 1959), p. 245.


Detail from Malcolm Rosholt, Our County, Our Story: Portage County, Wisconsin (Stevens Point, WI: Portage County Board of Supervisors, 1959), p. 246.

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

1874 Plat for Amherst, Portage, Wisconsin

1874 plat for Amherst, Portage, Wisconsin. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Land owned by A. H. Roe can be seen in Sections 9 and 10. Ole Fredrickson, father of Else Fredrickson who married Asbørn Roe's son, Anders, has adjacent acreages in Sections 10 and 3.

Letter from Ole Fredriksen to Elsa ROE (14 Jun 1879)

Letter. Ole Fredriksen to Elsa (Fredriksen) ROE (14 Jun 1879). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Dear daughter Elsa and family,

As I send these lines to you and intend to relate about my situation and that which is befallen me in that my dear beloved wife is departed by death which occurred the 26 May in childbed. The birth went successfully so she was delivered of a beautiful and shapely child but after 4 hours she slept away. Probably not of childbirth, but of another sickness she for a long time has had under her bust.

I sit now again in a helpless state and have lost my only support which I had in the world and sigh and grieve over my sad story. She was to me as a mother both in the _____ and earthly at the time of my sickness and weakness which I now have had for 8[?] years. The Lord rewards her therefore in the _____ land so I hope that she is freed from all distress because she had God and His word for _____ daily while she lived. I thank her heartily for each day of the 12 years we were together. She has born us 6 children in all, of which 4 are dead and which we hope she is in the company of in eternity.

My new born child has been and is still at the house of Jens Nilsen, and thrives good to this time. My son Carl is now 9 1/2 years old, is understanding but boisterous _____ but rather not particularly strong in health. My sickness is about the same, so it is the greatest part of the time I must support me in the chairs, and how dark the end appears for my future _____ so I trust me by God's mercy that he who has sustained me until this day will still not abandon me in the few days I still can have to live. _____ this alone that Jesus died for me and that I in Him have free access to God's father heart. This is my greatest comfort and so stand fast when all things perish. And this will I hereby ask you my dear daughter that you seek for all things that have part in ____ the release which is _____ by Jesus our and all the world's Savior so that we could gather with joy in the blessed eternity. Here in this life is not other than distress and misery. I send you my portrait which is taken before I got this sickness which can serve thereto that you have a picture of your father after I am dead. To close to husband and children loving greetings from me your mourning burdened father.

The others are healthy, _____ conditions good here around us for the time and the yield stand good and promising to this time. Be so good and write me shortly so I can know how you have it.

Amherst 14 Jun 1879
Ole Fredriksen

I have written this letter greeting you that we all are well.
Asbjørn H. Raae