For seven more weeks the survivors sailed on, being delayed at times by adverse winds and icebergs. On 13 Jul they landed at Quebec, Canada where they had to remain in the quarantine station for three weeks. On resuming the journey they traveled by boat down the St. Lawrence River quite some way and then by canal boat which was drawn by mules led along the canal's edge. The remaining miles were traveled overland and the party reached Koshkonong, Wl. The Luvbraates went on to Iowa. The others remained in Wisconsin until the next summer with the exception of Sonstebys who remained in Wisconsin.

The Eggebraatens moved to Iowa in June 1851 and settled in the eastern part of Glenwood Twp, Winneshiek Co. Some time later the Peder Ruens also moved to Iowa and were made welcome at the Eggebraaten home. The Ruens established themselves on a farm to the south of the Eggebraatens and a log house built there was completed just in time for Christmas. It was the first log house in the community to have a wooden floor. The lumber for this was secured at Moneek. For shingles, thin strips of wood were cut, this being done so skillfully that they turned out nice and smooth.

The Ruen home was about twelve miles east of Decorah, then a hamlet of four or five families. McGregor, IA was the first market place and the trip took five or six days by oxen. Later, Lansing, IA became the market place and this trip could be made in two days. Lansing had a place for steamboat landings and here they received their mail. In 1853 a small mill was erected in Allamakee Co. by Jesse Rose and the farmers then brought their wheat and corn there to be ground. Some years later a large stone mill was erected in Glenwood Twp. by Peter Olson Sheggrud.

Peder Ruen's name was held in reverence. He had seven children who grew to manhood and womanhood and each named a son in his honor, thus: Jens's son, Peder J. Ruen; Iver's son, Peter I. (Ruen) Peterson; Ole’s son, Peter O. Ruen; Hans’s son, Peter A. Ruen; Elina's son, Peter C. (Sivesind) Johnson; Kjersti's son, Peter O. Benson; and Marthe’s son, Peter S. Bergrud.

Ruffridge, Duane and Alice (Winger)

(Ransome Bolson)

Duane Jerome Ruffridge was born at the Decorah Hospital to Jerome Roy and Gertrude Anna (Young) Ruffridge. He was raised on his parents' farm about 1 1/2 miles south of Locust, IA. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust 3 Aug 1941 by Pastor Carl Losen and confirmed there 20 May 1956 by Pastor Glen Vanderbilt. Duane attended the Locust School, Pleasant #5, and graduated from Decorah High School in 1960. His school activities were wrestling, football, choir, glee club, musicals and member of stage crews.

On 12 Jun 1971 Duane was married to Alice Jean Winger, daughter of Telford and Tevaleen Winger of Decorah, by Pastor Arndt Braaten at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Alice was born at the Decorah Hospital, baptized at Washington Prairie by Pastor Oscar Engebretson, and confirmed at First Lutheran in Decorah 24 Jun 1962 by Pastor Alvon Nelson. Alice attended the Decorah schools and graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1966. In high school she was a member of G.A.A., choir and played flute in the band. After high school she worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., Decorah State Bank, Burg Implement, and later operated Town and Country. At the present time she is employed at Vanberia.

 

Duane Ruffridge

Duane and Alice have 2 children: David Edward and Julie Kay, both at the Decorah Hospital. David was baptized at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, attended Sunday School at St. John’s Lutheran at Locust and was confirmed there 28 Apr 1985 by Pastor Gerhard Brase. David attended Decorah schools and graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1989. He was active in Boys Glee Club, choir, mixed chorus, madrigal singers, football, tennis and basketball. After high school he attended Jewelry School in Paris, TX and worked at Town and Country in Decorah about 2 years. Later he attended Rochester, MN Community College graduating with a nurse’s degree in 1995. He is now employed by Mayo Clinic in Transfusion Medicine. Julie was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran in Locust by Pastor Dolliver Thogerson 8 Apr 1973. She attended Sunday school there and was confirmed 23 Apr 1989 by Pastor Gerhard Brase. Julie attended Decorah schools and graduated in 1992. She sang in concert choir, madrigal singers, was a member of Color Guard and an assistant at John Cline Elementary. Julie was married to James Parnell Ellingson, Jr. 15 May 1993 at St. John’s Lutheran by Pastor Arland Braaten-Lee. Julie and James have both been employed at Winneshiek Co. Oneota Care Facility and Parnell has also worked at Country Kitchen. Julie and Parnell have purchased an acreage near Ridgeway, IA.

Duane and Alice live on the Ruffridge farm where Duane was raised. They farmed it for years and later en