Title

Wooden Trunk

Creation Date

1883

Description

Wooden travel trunk, painted red, with the words "Ole Petersen Leirhmigen Madelia To Watonvien C.O. Minisota Nort Amerika" painted on the front.

The trunk belonged to Ole Pettersen / Petersen / Peterson / Leirhaugen / Lerhaug was born January 11, 1855 and baptized February 11 in Gol, Norway as Ole Pettersen. According to family lore, he (and his trunk) immigrated to the United States in 1883. He became a citizen while residing in Goodhue County. He married Margit Pederson/ Petersdatter/ Glittre October 29, 1885 in Kenyon Minnesota.
 
I was not able to determine with certainty if Margit and Ole knew each other in Norway, but since they came from the same town, it is quite likely. The fact that they were married in October, only four months after Margit’s arrival in New York is another indication that perhaps they knew each other and planned to be married upon her arrival. They lived in Rice and Goodhue Counties for several years before settling in Pope County in 1889. They farmed in Lake Johanna area and were founding members of the Lake Johanna Lutheran Church. They had 10 children together. Ole passed away in January of 1939 and Margit (or Margaret as she was sometimes known), passed away in January of 1943. They are both buried in the Lake Jonanna cemetery.