Creation Date

1800
1884

Description

Large wooden trunk with rounded top. The front has initials JOS? and 1800. Then there is an illegible name written at the top, followed by Starbuck, Pope County, Minn. USA painted over the initial decorations. The name Knut Overson is hand written in the Upper right-hand corner of the front.  Dymo label with number 5 on the top.
Taking the few available clues, we surmise that the trunk was made in 1800 and used in Norway until 1884 when Aslak Overson immigrated from Telemark Norway with his family. Family lore says they came to live on the south side of Lake Minnewaska where 2 of his brothers had taken homestads. I only found a record of Alak / Alex / Aleck Overson. The markings on the trunk show that it was shipped to Starbuck, and that would have been the nearest Post Office to Aleck Overson.