FJELD, Ole A. 1820-1907
FJELD, FIELD, HAUGERUD, HOUGSRUD
Posted By: Kermit Kittleson
Date: 1/11/2011 at 14:28:51
Ole Olsen Fjeld, his wife Gunhild and their three sons Erik, Martin and Harold left their small mountain side farm in Norde Aurdal near Bruflat in Valdres, Norway in 1868 to come to America. Their only daughter, Else remained in Norway with her grandparents. They had not heard of their oldest son since he went to sea. The family arrived in Dane County near Stoughton, Wisconsin, in 1868.
In 1869 they left Wisconsin by train for Adams, Minnesota and from there by team and wagon to Mitchell County, Iowa, settling in the Rock Creek Community.
Their first home was constructed of sawed lumber and consisted of two rooms. In 1873 Ole Fjeld bought his first tract of land on Rock Creek, he then rebuilt the home that was built when they first came to the area. More land was purchased at a later date.
Mr. Fjeld built his own grist mill on Rock Creek, a custom from Norway where mills were constructed on small strams. He ground feed for his livestock and ground meal for his neighbors.
The first president of the United States that Mr. Fjeld voted for was Ulysses S. Grant. The name Fjeld was changed to Field by his son Martin, the rest of the family kept Fjeld.
Mrs. Fjeld was born on the Hougsrud farm near Begnadahlen in Valdres, Norway, her parents were Erik and Marit Steingrims daughter Hougsrud. Gunhild was one of twelve children born to the Hougsruds. The Hougsruds were wealthy and owned a large farm, it has been in the family since 1635. In 1971 there were 11,000 acres in the place, the forest ranger lived on the farm in a separate house from the family.
By Ruth Wamstad, MITCHELL COUNTY HISTORY, 1989
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NOTES:
D. Scott, on Findagrave, has the following:
Ole A. Fjeld - born Oct 24, 1820 in Norway. Died August 18, 1907 in Mitchell County. Buried at Rock Creek Cemetery.
Gunhild Mari Haugerud Field (the above story has the maiden name spelled Hougsrud). Born January 28, 1819, Norway, Died December 28, 1910.
Burial at Rock Creek Cem.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo from MITCHELL COUNTY HISTORY, 1989.
Mitchell Biographies maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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