Uproar at Groli Farm, Hattfjelldal: Christmas 1880, PART III; Events Spill Forward.

Part III concludes our story on the emigration of Lars Rued (1842-1929) and his family from Hattfjelldal, Nordland to Mason, Wisconsin. His daughter, Gena, voiced much of this account.¹

Recap: Lars left Norway alone, on Christmas morning of 1880, activating a secret plan for a larger emigration. His wife, Pauline Hemmingsdatter, was all in, as were her brother, Ole Hemmingsen and his wife, Beret Mathisdatter, who were our great grandparents.

The plan had roots in 1871, when two ambitious newcomers to Hattfjelldal wed Pauline, of Groli Farm and her aunt, Elen Oline Olsdatter, of Nerli Farm – to the unease of their elders. The bridegrooms were Lars Nilsen Rued and Gunder Olsen Dahlby, from Oppland. Gunder and Elen, emigrants of 1873, had quickly earned the American Dream. 

Lars landed in Liverpool, England in January of 1881, to next connect with Gunder, in Cable, WI. The good man then paid all outstanding fare, emptied his pockets and sent every penny back to Pauline and their four surviving children, whom he had left cash poor. Dahlby had mercantile and logging operations, so the expectation was for him to employ Lars upon arrival.

Lars landed at Ellis Island, intent to board a train to Cable. Townofcable.com informs that the railway there had only been completed two months prior. Schedules may not have been updated in New York, because its train agents had not heard of Cable and Lars had no English.

Gena said Lars was taken to Minneapolis. Hungry and broke, he found a Norwegian speaker, among many, in a saloon. He directed Lars to the back, with a free lunch and eat all you can, counter. Evidently, Lars had a pleasant voice, so patrons had him sing Norwegian songs, on which they passed a hat that soon brimmed with funds for Cable. This early glimpse of the land of milk and honey, had him feeling vindicated in emigration.  

Gunder hired him at $1/day or 4 Kroner, when they connected. In just six months, he was able to send for his family.

The Family Arrives

The train carrying his family was due at 4 PM, on a gorgeous summer day in 1881. Lars chose to fight excitement and work until the last moment, because the cost of their tickets had wiped the budget out. Hans jumped from the caboose first, then Christopher, rushing their grimy father. Pauline had little Ole in hand and baby Ellen, in arms. Ellen screamed at the stranger, but when Lars spoke on, stretched out her arms, to be taken by him. Ellen had not made the emigrant list, or ever would be found in their census, but she surely was with her immigrant family.

Their Wisconsin experience began in logging camps which re-located often, following railway expansion from Minneapolis to the Lake Superior port of Ashland WI. This phase lasted for about a year and half, with Pauline often being called upon, to cook for the camp.

They were working in the Cumberland area in January 1882, when six year-old Christopher was lost to dysentery. The New World proved no shield from child mortality. Indeed, Cumberland had already claimed an infant Dahlby son.

Our Trio of Hattfjelldal Families Settle in Mason, WI

Ole Hemmingson (US spelling) joined them in Cumberland in May of 1882. The railway was still reaching north, but they stopped short and settled in Mason, a small town along the way.  It was newly established; John Alexander Humbird, of great lumber and railway fame, had just opened a saw mill on its White River, to process the white pine of the area.  Gunder already had a general store in Mason, while Ole, a civil engineer, had contracts with Bayfield County to survey for and construct roads.

Christopher Rued, named in honor of his deceased brother, was born in Mason, in April of 1884, so the family must have stopped there, in 1883. He was birthed in a one-room log cabin that Lars built against a fierce winter, on 160 acres afforded him under the Homestead Act.

The Emigrant Suitcase

Europe was in hardship when her parents left and they had suffered financial setback. Gena said they had sold what they could, to meet debt, so perhaps, did not own much to pack anyway. Gena did not intend a list, but these items were gleaned from her stories:

• Food: Part I shared the food prepared for Lars’ journey and mentioned linens.
• Linens: Spun in her maiden years, Pauline’s linens made it to America, per Gena in describing that log cabin. Winter’s wind penetrated it, despite being tightly nestled in dense forest and its logs chinked with mortar. Their early beds were just wood boxes nailed to the wall and filled with straw, in lieu of mattresses and pillows.
• “Skinn pels” or fur robes from Norway were used for blankets.
• Clothes: Hans started school in Cumberland, eager to learn English. His Norwegian clothes and cap got him bullied on the first day. After reeling the night away, he trounced the chief bully in a fist fight the next day.  There was no mention of buying new clothes.  The family must have brought plenty from the homeland – and Pauline is seen next, knitting.

Accepting homestead acreage gave Lars two taxing jobs and neither could be ignored. One, from 6 AM to 6 PM at the sawmill, was a two-mile trudge, through woods. Next, was to manage his land; clear the forest and build upon it.  All hands on deck, always.

• Norwegian Bible: The family was one of faith. Gratitude for American opportunity despite her exhausting demands, drove a will to learn English.  Gena said at night, when no more work could be done, the family gathered over a long table. Hans read aloud from that Bible.
• Needles, some wool and pipe: Hans read the Bible repeatedly from cover to cover while Lars smoked his pipe and Pauline knit. The audio failed here. Hans either provided English terms, or an English version was read for comparison. Additional English material came from school work, packaging for tobacco, lard, syrup, etc. and later, the Sears catalogue.

Lars’ suitcase brimmed with grit and confidence. This illegitimate son of a wealthy man and poor servant girl felt class difference, in Norway. With his cabin built and his homestead emerging, he informed his dear in-law, Hemming Paulsen, and particularly grand-in-law, Ole Hemmingsen, of his American success; he was a worthy husband and father. He humbly added that his 160 acres exceeded their own, attributing same, to his new class-free country. 

The Emigration Plan Falters to Complete

Hemmingson struggle replaced Rued success in the Hattfjelldal emigration plan. Ole departed alone too, but in 1882 and just days after Einar (Ed) was born. Was Beret ill or finances poor?  She took four years, until mid-1886, to follow him and then, only with the three youngest: Harry, Marie and Ed. She had George in Mason in October of 1887, after which the two eldest were summoned, into the harsh winter. All seemed done by 28 November, when those siblings, Etta, not to be thirteen until 9 December and our grandfather, Matt, eleven, arrived alone at Ellis Island, bound for Mason. Woefully, Beret died about then, or soon thereafter, such that their newly intact family was quickly re-fractured.

Only Etta, Matt and Ed survived past 22 years. Of fiercely strong character, they enjoyed very successful relationships, yet seemed to hold an abiding sorrow. They denied Norway as adults, claiming Wisconsin birth, while records exist to the contrary.  

Matt was a famed woods’ pioneer in British Columbia. He accurately portrayed his career in memoirs, but told of major events of his childhood in Norway, as though they happened in Wisconsin. The least consequence of this has fouled many genealogy family trees; reason to gather more information. The same is disturbing to descendants who want to get the facts straight, for a deeper sympathy, with this dear, truthful man.

Had the eldest arrived in time to see their mother again? Beret’s recorded life evidence stopped in 1886, as an emigrant. Still, Matt’s son, John, in his Family History, noted unequivocally that she died in 1887. A more devastating scenario for the older siblings could not be imagined.

John’s note made sense if Beret’s death actually caused family emigration to stretch to June of 1888 – when Alette Ingebrigtsen left Hattfjelldal bound for Montreal, Q.C. Matt said Ole hired her to housekeep, soon after his mother’s death. She was nine years Ole’s junior and had been witness at Ed’s baptism. Her son, Torger Arntsen, also born 1887, came too and his father was Beret’s cousin. Ole and Alette wed in April of 1892, ahead of a first child, that June. Their seven children together made Ole, a father to fourteen.

Cousin Gena’s tapes came lately to this project. Matt, though, was an immigrant who lived the emigrant plan, and she, a first generation American, who got it second hand. Gena was right in all verifiable things of Rued; some things Hemmingson, suffered.

Even so, it seems now, that Beret may have lived well into 1888. Gena and Matt spoke of her death, with reference to when Alette joined the family, and also, in terms of age and activity of Etta and George. The key to understanding their differences is when Alette actually joined.

That prompted a relook at Alette’s outbound trip from Norway to England. Her destination was Montreal, but further transit to Seattle WA was specified. No passenger list or arrival data remain for outbound from England, to challenge the Seattle note. That means she may have been in America for some time, answering a Seattle call, independent of Beret’s death and Ole’s call. The latest possible that she could have joined the family would be September 1891, because of the coming child. Bottom line: a more informed idea of Beret’s death seems not forthcoming. Note A gives more detailed information on Alette’s sailing.

Forest Fires and Blizzards

Lars, Gena and her family ran from their home in 1894, when a great forest fire burst upon the area, in gale force gusts. They felt and followed rail tracks to Lars’ cleared logging camp, which he had deemed safe, earlier. Ole Rued, carrying wee sister Ida, turned back, as she was choked by smoke. Lars returned next day in abject dread that turned to unbelievable joy, for his cabin was incredibly intact, though surrounded by devastation. The Hemmingson home was razed, as were all neighbor homes. Matt said he and brothers were saved by foxholing in the swamp, while most of the rest of the family found safety in the camp. Cows and horses who escaped their barns, saved themselves in the swamp, faces held in wet moss. Gena had soft words for pets and poultry about the home, who had met miserable end.

Lars came home to a house packed with neighbors. Water was only by cistern and his sons had wisely emptied all, on the cabin, in case fire broke out! Those neighbors camped in that home for months, sleeping on the floor, unbathed and working every moment, to recoup. Winter would come soon again.

Homestead life was often waiting through not knowing, with fires one thing, and blizzards another.  Gena’s school day had begun and so had ever increasing, unexpected snowfall. School was halted and rural children, such as herself and siblings, were sent to homes close by. Her parents could not know this, and thought perhaps, they had turned back home.  Lars set out with horse and sleigh to bring them home, but on paths through trees, for there were no roads. He was soon blocked, and returned to search on horse, alone. The horse could not proceed.  Lars finally battled the railroad impression to town, on foot and when he discovered them safe, returned home, gloriously beyond exhaustion, because the day would come, when he could fetch them.

Pauline Hemmingsdtr and Elen Oline Olsdtr; Mrs. Rued and Mrs. Dahlby.

Census 1865 was a foreshadow, for Pauline was at the home of her maternal grandparents and Aunt Elen. Seven years separated the girls. For much of their time in Mason, they had living parents in Norway to correspond with and Pauline predeceased her mother.

They were never idle in Mason, whether in the store or on the homestead. Gena fondly recalled listening to them reminisce on their childhood days in Norway. So often, their happy chatter trailed off to 1871, and their weddings, much blessed over time, to two particularly wonderful men from Oppland, in whom they had utmost faith.

Mason Town Officials from Hattfjelldal

Gunder became Chairman of Mason and member of the County Board.  Lars and Ole involved themselves in building a school, over which they were the first trustees.  Ole was elected Town Assessor in 1901.² They made time for civic involvement. 

Children of Lars and Pauline Rued

Pauline reported 13 children born and 8 surviving, at Census 1900. Gena spoke of all thirteen. She is the only voice for three who were born in Wisconsin, on whom no official record is found: Minnie, b. 1890 and twins, Hattie and Norman, b. 1895. She remembered Minnie as a beautiful child who overtook her own position in her mother’s bed, such that Minnie likely died a toddler. The twins died at six weeks, becoming ill during a severe winter storm, when no help was available. Gena said Lars baptized them the evening before they died and made their coffins. She helped sew their shrouds and said they were later buried in Mason public cemetery.

Although seven sons were born, none gave a descendant to take the Rued name forward. Hans was a very successful farmer, who suffered a reversal late in life, due to crop failure. Gena said he, the eldest and Benjamin, the youngest, never met. Ole died young, yet as a saloon keeper, had a mortgage free home, in Minnesota. Christopher, Lars and Benjamin were all involved in logging, each at Sandpoint ID, at some point. Ellen often worked as a maid, but between jobs came home to help Pauline houseclean and sew. Gena and Ida were school teachers. Note B provides more information on the thirteen children; their marriages, children and deaths.

The Immigrant Elders Pass On

Gunder and Elen Dahlby left Mason in the mid-1890s for North Branch MN, where he died in 1901. Elen passed in 1926, in Juneau County, WI, at the home of her widowed daughter-in-law. They are featured on this blog as storied pioneers of Wisconsin in Our Dahlby Family: First Others in Cumberland WI.

Pauline Rued died of cancer in 1907, in Mason WI. After she passed, Lars moved to Washington State.  He died in Tacoma in 1929, as a farmer, per census, but retired logger, per death record. 

Ole Hemmingson died in 1903 and Beret passed around 1888, both in Mason WI.³ Gena pronounced her “Beret Ma-THEE-sen”, whereas Matt spelled “Berthe Mathisen”.  It is uncertain if she died as Hemmingson, Mathisdatter, or Mathisen, so all should be considered, in pursuit of her records.  Her surviving children moved to Washington State and British Columbia, lovingly close forever.  Alette Hemmingson died in 1947 in Duluth MN, home to several sons, but is buried in Mason. Her children with Ole, who were considerably younger than Beret’s, remained in the Great Lakes region.  

With everyone else accounted for, no graves have been found for Ole, Beret, or for the three children who predeceased Ole: Marie, Harry and George. Gena said Harry was buried from Ole’s home. Perhaps that means there is an undiscovered gravesite on the old homestead.

Logging Peaked: Go West Young Loggers 

As the area was becoming logged out, Humbird sold his sawmill in 1904 and took his operations west, with his most significant holdings at Sandpoint ID and on Vancouver Island, BC. Humbird called Matt Hemmingsen (Canadian spelling) to British Columbia, in 1906. Matt’s two surviving full siblings moved west too, to farm and log. Lars and three sons went west, as well.

The sawmill continued for another decade, before closing and was worked by children of Alette. They then prospered in other fields. Mason was always rural. Its definition of catchment area may have changed over time, but peak population would have been in low thousands and low hundreds, today.

Gena Rued Plocker and Matt Hemmingsen

The Rued and Hemmingson homesteads were a mile apart. The Dahlby home was also nearby. The cousins agreed and beautifully conveyed the tireless, loving assist given to Beret’s children, by Aunt Ellen and Pauline.

Gena’s tapes were much richer in family history than what is captured here. Her input will prompt revision of many earlier posts here.

Gena died in 1966, in Alameda County, CA and is buried in Washburn WI. She had two daughters, one of whom preceded her. Matt passed away in 1967, in Victoria, British Columbia. He had two daughters and three sons.

Matt and Gena stayed close. In the homestead attitude of caring for one another, the adult children of siblings, Ole and Pauline, stayed close and the adult children of Ole, that is, of both Beret and Alette, did as well.

This author recalls a phone call received in British Columbia, around 1960, from Wisconsin voices. Wisconsin was relating a long telephone conversation, just convened, with Hattfjelldal. If only, better attention had been paid!

Notes and Sources

Note A: Alette Ingebrigtsen’s emigration is recorded at DigitalArkivet Norway as follows: Church book from Hattfjelldal parish 1878-1898 as Alette Emelie Gergitte Tustervand, for 1888. Trondheim politikammer, 1/32 Emigrant protocols, no. 8: Emigrant protocol no. 8 1888-1892 as Alethe Ingebrigts, for 1888 – this cites her from domicile Vefsen. In both, Torger Arntsen, her son, is with her. Their ships were Juno and Beaver. See Norway Emigration Records, 1867-1960 at Ancestry.

Norway Heritage “Hands Across the Sea” https://www.norwayheritage.com shows Juno left Trondheim on Thursday, 1888-06-21 with stops, Christiansund and Aalesund, to Hull, England. The corresponding ship, S/S Lake Nepigon of the Beaver Line, departed Liverpool on 6/22 and arrived in the morning of 6/30/1882 at Montreal QC. No arrival information, no passenger lists, have been found.

Note B: Children of Lars and Pauline Rued follow. The five first were born in Norway; Hattfjelldal for the boys, Hemnes for Ellen – all as Larsen or Larsdatter. The rest were born Rued, in Mason WI. The data conforms to Findagrave.com (F) where applicable, for name, birth and death dates, burial place and F-ID number, and spouse. Data that is otherwise added is italicized.

• Hans Rued 1872-1953. Little Falls MN F-ID 212718693. Spouse: Julia Rued. No children.
• Ole Rued 1873-1875. Hattfjelldal NO: CBHP 1865-1878 for Ole Gunerius Larsen by DigitalArkivet NO.
• Christopher Norman L. Rued 1875-1882. Cumberland WI F-ID 151520254
• Ole Gunerius Rued 1878-1912 Baudette MN F-ID 181806307 Spouse: Emma Brusven. 1 child. Died: Census 1910
• Ellen Rued Wallin 1880-1933 L’Anse MI F-ID 55258586 Spouse: Charles Wallin
• Christopher P Rued 1884-1942 Lewiston F-ID 127979845 Single per ID death record.
• Lars Rued 1886-1955 Orofino ID F-ID 198677105 *Spouse: Marg Brooks m. 1926 & div. Single: ID death rec’d
• Gena Rued Plocker 1888-1966 Washburn, WI F-ID 643304380 Spouse: Gove O Plocker
• Minnie Rued 1890-unk. grave unk. in Mason WI: word of witness Gena Rued Plocker, her sister
• Ida N Rued Kinstler 1892-1981 Washburn WI F-ID 641373314 Spouse: Clarence L Kinstler
• Hattie Rued 1895-1895 grave unk. in Mason WI: word of witness Gena Rued Plocker, her sister
• Norman Rued 1895-1895 grave unk. in Mason WI: word of witness Gena Rued Plocker, his sister.
• Benjamin Monroe Rued 1897-1963 San Diego, CA F-ID 3428496 Single per 1950 Census.

* February 8, 1926: Lars Rued to Margaret Brooks in Spokane Washington / Washington US Marriage Records 1854-2013. The couple went their separate ways two weeks later, according to her request for divorce, published in The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, 16 June 1927. This is referenced here, because wife accused husband of abandonment – a “she said”. No “he said” was found, but this was the only marriage for Lars and she entered it divorced and later remarried – at least once more. No judgement here, but more facts seemed fair.

1 Gena Pauline Rued Plocker was the first American-born Rued daughter – self-pronounced with a hard G. Much of this account comes from an audiotape, now deteriorated, that she made around 1959. She was born in 1888, a year crucial to the fates of Beret Mathisdatter and Alette Ingebrigtsen. Other data comes from the memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen, compiled around 1954 and still more from his son John, in an unpublished Family History, of 1999. Still other data comes from descendants of Aletta living in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Sources for the BMD, travel and other data that dispute their accounts have been provided in previous posts on this blog. See also two citations, next. 

2 The Washburn Times, Wednesday, April 03, 1901, accessed at Newspapers.com, cited the election of “Hemmingson” as the Assessor in Mason WI and an article, same paper, June 13, 1901 named him as Ole Hemmingson.

3 Matt said Ole died 5 May 1903, in Mason versus 3 May 1904, in Lincoln, claimed in Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987, filed 1912. Alette’s husband, Chris Iverson, was administrator for the later. His first probate was first certified to include Alette’s children only, but later amended to include Beret’s. Manifest errors suggest Matt was correct.

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