Ola Hanssen Stenoien(1745 – 2 Dec, 1834) was the first resident of the Stenoien (sten oyen or “the stone island”) farm. He moved from Tydalen, one valley to the south of Stordal and is listed as occupying the Stenoien farm on the 1801 national census. The valley was resettled about 1780 because of Selbu Kobberverk, which provided work (hard labor) for the men, who were allowed to settle as tenant farmers with their families. He was the first settler on his farm of that era; the valley was previously settled however was vacated after the great plague decimated the populations of Europe in the 1300’s. He married Beret Pedersdr Overvik in 1780 (born in Selbu 1746, died in Stordal at the age of 98 on 6 Oct, 1844 on the family farm). Selbu lies about 20 miles to the east of Tydal, at the head of a fjord. This was the home of Selbu Kobberverk. The Stenoien farm lies in Stordal, southwest of Meraaker in Nord Trondelag. This is east of Trondheim near the Swedish border. The family arrived after the birth of Anne Margrete in 1786 and before the birth of Ole Olssen in 1790, seeking work at the Selbu Kobberverks as tenant farmers. The three oldest sons did not remain in Stordal (Hans Olssen Teveldal, Peder Olssen Kojdalen, Ole Olssen Gilsaabakken) their namesakes indicating the location of their homesteads.
Picture of the Sten-oyen farm taken about 1984 in early June. Sweden mountains in the background.
This is a picture of the Stenoien farm taken approximately 1984. This was taken in early June; the summers are so cool that the primary crop is grass for the animals, even potatoes were not a sure crop due to the short season. A stream (Stjordalselva) crosses the front of the farm, hence the term “island.” The annual crop of stones kicked up by the frost accounted for the first name, ‘sten’ means stone in Norwegian.
Stordalen, Trøndelag – Google Maps
Stordal Kapel was consecrated in 1863 (correction). Peder Larssen did travel to Gordon Township, Minnesota in 1879, after the death of his parents, Lars and Marta.
This links to the jubilee 100 years Stordalen Chapel book…. in Norwegian.
The names of our early ancestors are quite confusing. My great great grandfather, Ole P. Pedersen, was son of Peder Larssen, was son of Lars Olssen, was son of Ole Hanssen. The only thing we know about Ole’s father is that is first name was certainly Hans! In an effort to distinguish each other, a surname designating their farm residence or place of origin was adopted. Various members of the family adopted and later relinquished the name of Stenoien once they arrived in America (too many vowels?). The family of Hans Larssen Stenoien, initially Stenoien, later took on the name of Larson. My great-grandfather, Ole Pedersen, had two neighbors in Gordon Township with the same name, so he changed his name to Stenoien in order to distinguish his family name.
Trondelag, Norway contains Trondheim. Tydal is South of Stordal.
Children of Ole and Beret Stenoien:
- Hans Olssen Teveldalen (1778-1860) married Anne Maria Nilsdatter Stordalsvold (1784-1810) in 1804. We know of one son, Ole Hanssen Hansstugu.
- Peder Olssen Kojdalen (1782 -12/10/1859) married Sigrid Olsdatter Grubben on 6/27/1813, later Dordi (Stordalen) Johnsdatter 6/17/1842.
- Anne Margrete (1786 -12/28/1870) married Elling Mikkelsen in 1808, moving to a nearby farm. Elling died in 1809, they had one son.
- Ola Olssen Gilsaabakken (12/29/1790 -1/12/1883) married Anne Johnsdatter Kojdalen (1796 – 1845) on 9/23/1821.
- Lars Olssen Stenoien
Lars Olssen Stenoien (4/18/1796 – 2/6/1879) married Marta Rebekka Pedersdatter Gilset (1/18/1795 – 2/18/1879) on 12/28/1817. Marta’s parents were Peder Larssen Aspaas (died 1813) who married Marit Olsdatter Graftaas (7/2/1753 -) on 7/10/1784. Peder, along with many valley dwellers, was an employee of the Selbu Kobberwerks. The men worked long hours for little pay, leaving the women and children to largely fend for themselves, at least six days of the week. More iron than copper was actually produced in the valley. The legendary veins of silver, though long sought, were never discovered in the valley.
This photo of Lars Olssen Stenoien, pictured in front of the barn, was given to me in 1983 by Norwegian relatives. Look at the thatched roof (about 1879).
Children of Lars and Marta Stenoien:
- Beret Larsdatter Stenoien (3/8/1818 – 1/11/1896 in Polk Co, MN) married Jens Arnesen Grontvedt 5/2/1812 – 11/1894 in Polk Co, MN) on 1/16/1838. Two of their children traveled with Ole P Stenoien to Gordon Township, Todd County Minnesota in 1879 (Anne Mari and Mali Jensdatter).
Jens Arnesen Grontvet and Beret Larsson Stenoien
- Ola Larssen Stenoien (5/16/1821 -1895) stayed in Stordal, in the 1891 census Ole Olsen lived with Anne Olsdatter and husband Johyn Johnsen Tommeraas in Hegre, Nord-Trondelag. He did not marry.
- Peder Larssen Stenoien (below)
- Marit Larsdatter Stenoien (7/3/1830 – 10/26/1900) stayed in Stordal. Marit married Elling Olsen (1827 -) on 10/23/1852. Children Brynhild, Ola and Lars.
- Hans Larssen Stenoien (5/7/1832 -9/10/1910) emigrated to the United States approximately 1865. (see below)
- John Larssen Skomakermo Stenoien (9/1/1836 -11/29/1913) also stayed in Norway. He married Lisbet Pedersen (born 1836), daughter of Petter Pedersen and Ingeborg Pedersdatter) on March 26, 1859. Children Ingeborg 1864 and Lars 1874 listed in the 1875 census.
Peder Larssen Stenoien (4/23/1825 – 1908) married Ingeborg Johannesdatter (1823 -1900) on 25 June, 1846. Once it was time to marry, the house was full and the young couple had to move out from the family farm to secure their own residence. Land was scarce and the closest real estate was in the next valley to the north, Teveldalen, even more remote than Stordal from the closest town of Meraaker. Teveldal lies to the northeast of Stordal and east of Meraaker following road E14, quite close to the Swedish border. At that time, both Stordal and Tevldal residents attended the Kopperaa Kapel, located about six miles to the east. Peder and Ingeborg resided in Teveldal until after the baptism of Marta Rebekka and returned to the Stenoien farm sometime before the baptism of Johannes. The family rejoined parents Lars and Marta Stenoien, as well as brother John Larssen Stenoien on the tenant farm.
From the 1865 Norway Census of Nord Trondelag:
Peder Larssen Head of household and Selbu Copperworks employee 41; Ingeborg Johannesdr, wife 42, son Lars Pedersen 20, farmhand; Johannes Pedersen 11; Ole Pedersen 5; Kirsten Pedersdr. 8; Ingeborg Pedersdr. 2. Also living on the Stenoien farm were Peder’s brother John Larssen (30) and his wife Lisbet Petersdr. 31 with daughter Ingeborg Johnsdr. age 2. Parents Lars Olssen 71 and Martha Rebekka Pedersdr. 72 also resided in the small home. Notable that Johanna Pedersdr. 15 and Marta Rebekka Pedersdr. 12 did not live with the family, likely servants in other households outside of Stordal.
Children:
- Lars Pederson (Stenoien) (11/18/1846 -1915) married Lisa J Skordalsvold (5/10/1857 – 12/23/1895) in Norway. Lars Pederson arrived in 1869 with the first Stordal group of immigrants. Lisa is buried Salem Church, she was killed in Osakis in a train accident. Peder (7 Mar 1874-), Johanna Larson (1876-) confirmed Salem church 1890; Ingeborg Serine Larson (1/7/1880-), baptized 1/25/1880 (faddere uncles Johannes and Ole Pedersen, great-aunt Ingeborg Pedersen), confirmed Salem Church 1894; Oline Pederson (4/10/1882-, baptized 5/11/1882), John Pederson (Mar 1893). From 1885 Census. In the 1900 census, he is married to Kari Staflien, with three stepchildren John O. 12 years, Selma 10 years. Nikolaus and Kari Staflien attended Salem church. Lars Stenoien was one of the first to have a binder in his neighborhood, and the neighbors flocked there to satisfy their curiosity and to watch the new machine perform. But when Daniel Danielson Sr. noticed that the camwheel on the binder had stopped ever so often, he rushed up grabbing it to make it turn and had four fingers cut off his hand.
- Johanna Pedersdatter (4/24/1850 – 1945) was baptized 7 July, 1850. Both Johanna and Marta Rebekka (below) are were baptized with father Peder Larssen Tevldal, indicating that the family lived in Tevldal at the time of the baptisms. She married Johannes Johnsen Braekken May 12, 1845 -) July 11, 1873. Their descendants (our cousins) remained in Norway.
- Marta Rebekke Pedersdatter (2/27/1853 – 1/25/1913 in Divide County, ND) married Elias Johannesen Braekken (5/31/1874 – 2/21/1924 Todd Co) on May 31, 1874 in Stordal, Norway. Children Mary (born 9/1874, not listed in 1880 census), Marit Brakken (5/1876 – 7/8/1911 Hanks, ND), John E Brakken (1883-1957), Petra (5/1885 – 1978), Johannes (1887-1918), Ole E (8/1898 – 1966), Peder E. (9/1891 – 1986), Emil Robert (12/1893 – 1986), Arthur (April 7, 1895, baptized 4/21/1895, not listed in 1900 census), Ella M (12/1896 -1966).
- Johannes Pedersen Stenoien (10/10/1855 – 1926), was baptized 28 October, 1855. His father is listed as Peder Larssen Stordal, indicating that the family moved back to Stordal prior to that time. He is listed on the Stenoien farm in Stordal on the 1875 census, along with Peder Larsen Stenoien, Ingeborg Larsen Stenoien, Martha Rebekke Stenoien and Ingeborg Pedersdr. Stenoien as Faddere to Ingemand, son of Peder and Johanna Gilseth’s baptism on July 31, 1879. There is a Swedish emigration record listing a Johannes Pederssen Storöien from Meraker, same date of birth, emigrating from Enbaagen-Storlien 13 May, 1881. Johannes joined the Salem Church January 1886. He married Gidskin Ingebrigtsdatter Rotvold (April 13, 1865-4/25/1888) on 12/27/1884 at Salem Church. Johannes was 29, Gidskin 19 at the time. Witnesses were Peder Pederson (brother) and Peder Larsen (father). In the 1885 census, Johannes and Gidskin are living on their own farm next to Peder Larson Stenoien. Ingeborg was baptized 7/18/1886 at Salem church. Gidsken Pederson was born 4/16/1888. She is named after her mother, who died of complications of childbirth 9 days later. On both the 1895 and 1900 census, Johannes is living with daughter Ingeborg (6/29/1886-1/25/1943). Gidskin is a lodger with Sivert and Sarah Halvorson on the 1900 census. Gidskin ‘Jessie’ Pederson moved to Havre, Hill Co, Montana, where she married Mathew Mark McLain (Orvall McLain, Opal Eloida Sherle). On the 1905 Census he is living with Lars and Kirstin Stenoien and family. He later returned to Stordal where he is buried at the chapel. He is listed in the 1910 Norway census as a widower in Meraker living with his sister Johanna Brekken. I was given this photo on my trip to Stordal in 1987.
Johannes Stenoien, saw alot of heartbreak in his life.
- Kirsti Pedersen (5/1/1858 – 1/18/1943) came to St. Paul in 1879 on the steamship Tasso, married cousin Lars Hanson 11/25/1880 (see below).
- Ola Pederson Stenoien (2/15/1861 -) married Johanna Svendsdatter Steinmo (2/21/1864 -) see below.
- Ingeborg (1/30/1864 -6/30/1930) came to St. Paul in 1879 on the steamship Tasso, married Bernt Brakken, brother to Elias.
- Peder Pederson (9/17/1866 -3/25/1895) came to Quebec from Norway in 1879 on the steamship Tasso with his parents. Peder was baptized in Norway 28 October, 1866. Peder was confirmed at Little Sauk Lutheran Church on 4 October, 1881. The story of Per P Stenoien, buried at Salem Church Cemetery, is a tragic one. Peder and Marit Larson had a daughter, Jenny, on Feb 18, 1885. Godparents were Peder and Maria Larson, Johannes and Gidskin Pederson, Ole Hanson and Beret Larson. I believe this to be so because Jenny later married Peter O Stenoien, her cousin. Ole P Stenoien admonished the couple to have no children since they were first cousins. I believe he married Karin P (Born Goodhue County Minnesota in 1868, (died 11/26/1894). There is a Peder P. living with Peder and Ingeborg Stenoien at the time of the 1885 census. Children Peder born 11/19/1888, baptized 10/30/1888, Thorsten 97/28/1890 -), baptized 8/17/1890, Theodor P. (6/20/1892-1/8/1894), baptized 8/21/1892.
At the time of the Stordal, North Trondelag, Norway census in 1875, the family had 1 horse, 6 cattle, 8 sheep. Peder is listed as a smelter (miner) ved Gilsaahytte og driver Pladsen. Johannes, Kirsti, Ole, Ingebor and Peder lived at home. Parents Lars Olsen 2 cows and 1 sheep) and Marta Rebekka Pedersdatter lived with the family. The farm was owned by Selbu Vaerk. Kretsnr 11, Meraaker, bustad 7, Stenoien paa stordal, gardnr 546.
On April 28th, 1869, our family’s first documented emigrants from Meraaker, Stordal departed from Trondheim on the ship Franklin, destination Quebec. Included in the party were Jens. J Skaardalsvold (43), Sara Skaardalsvold (44), Johannes Skaardalsvold (15), Elisa Skaardalsvold (11), Thorsten Skaardalsvold (8.5), Marit Pedersdatter (tjenestepige 22), John Peterson Rotvold (19), Lars P Stenoien (son of Peder Larssen Stenoien, age 22). The Franklin was owned by Chr. Paus and Hans Hauen in Skien. The Franklin sailed with emigrants from Norway to Quebec 1867 – 1871. Master was Christian Winsnes. In 1869 the “ship” [most likely she was rigged as a bark like the year before and after] Franklin departed from Trondheim Apr. 28, and arrived at Quebec June 18. She was sailing in ballast, and was carrying 303 steerage passengers and 3 cabin passengers. There was an outbreak of Small Pox on board. When the ship arrived to the quarantine station at Grossele, four were sick. Three deaths had occurred on the voyage, a woman of phthisis (wasting away), and two children of diarrhoea and wasting away. Mastered by Capt. Chr. Winsnes, and a crew of 15.
The stenoien family sailed to Quebec, Canada in a ship of this class.
Marit Pedersdatter was the servant girl of the Skordalsvold family on the 1869 journey.
1879 Steamship Tasso from Trondheim to Hull, England. The Allan line then transported the passengers to Quebec, Canada. By the time the rest of the family emigrated, steamships had largely taken over the sailing ship routes.
After the death of father Lars Olsen and mother Marta on the Stenoien farm in Stordal, Meraker, Norway, the remaining members of the Stenoien family departed for Gordon Township, Todd County, Minnesota. The party included Peder Larssen (55), Ingeborg Larssen (55), Kirsti Pedersen (21), Ole Peder Larssen Stenoien (16, my great-grandfather), Ingeborg Pederson (15), Mali Jensdatter (24), Ane Marie Jensdatter (18), Peder Jenssen (0.5). The steamship traveled from Trondheim, to Kristiansund and thence to Hull, England. There, the Allan line sailed to Quebec. Overland, they would travel by train to Osakis, Minnesota. According to family lore, Johanna Svensdatter Gillan traveled with the group however I find no evidence in steerage records to support this. I believe she remained in Norway and married her sweetheart.
Hans Larssen Stenoien (7/5/1832 – 1910), the younger brother of Peder Larssen Stenoien was one of the earlier immigrants in our family. According to the 2000 census, he and his wife arrived in 1865. They settled initially in Wanamingo, Goodhue Co, MN. He moved to Little Sauk Township in 1871, settling near Maple lake. He married Marit Pedersdatter (April 10, 1836 -11/11/1911) on 11/1/1856. He was the “klokker,” or lead singer for Gordon (later Salem) church. At the time of the 1885 and 1900 census, Marit’s mother, Kate Johannesdatter (1816-) lived with the family; she arrived in 1872. With the exception of Lars Hanssen Stenoien, the majority of the family eventually moved out of Gordon Township. The children were baptized Stenoien, but later kept the name Larson.
Children of Hans and Marit:
- Kjersten ‘Katie’ Hanson (2/1/1857 – 1/18/1943 in Hennepin County, Minnesota) married Thomas Gudmundson Thompson (1856 – 1920) on 12/13/1885. Children: Mathilda Thompson (1884 -), Gilbert Thompson (1887 -), Hattie Munda Thompson (1889 – 1951) married David Andrew Nelson (1885 – 1941), twins Lillian K ‘Lillie’ and Matilda J ‘Tillie’ Thompson 1892, Ida Gurine ‘Kitty’ Thompson (1894 – 1975) married Bertis Harvey Lechner, Otis Melvin Thompson (1896-), Clara Sirine Thompson (1900 – 1944) married Gerald Joseph Monley. They moved from Gordon Township to Grand Prairie, later Grand Forks, ND (1900 Census).
- Martha Rebekka Larson (2/16/1859 – 1935) married Ole Bracken
- Lars Hanson (3/1861 -4/9/1915) married Kjersti/Kirsten Pederson Stenoien (5/1858 -), his cousin 11/25/1880 at Salem Church. They farmed in Little Sauk Township. To give you a little idea of name changing, he is listed as Stenoien on at least one census and is listed as Larson on his tombstone. Makes for challenging geneology detective work! (children: Marie Larson (8/11/1881-), baptized 4/9/1881, confirmed 1897 Salem Church (she married Alex Goodrie, twin sons Ralph Stenoien and Russell Goodrie), Ingeborg Larson (12/4/1882-1959) confirmed 1897 Salem Church, Karen Margrethe (9/25/1884-4/15/1890), baptized 10/12/1884, Hans (Stenoien) Larson (9/8/1886-2/16/1965) confirmed 1901 Salem Church married Berntine Johnson, no children;, Peder Larson (1 Apr 1888 – 12 Mar 1976) confirmed 1902 Salem Church, buried , Karen Margrethe Larson (6/3/1890-) baptized 6/29/1890, Martha R Larson (1893-) married Frank Goodrie in 1913, Karl Pauli Larson (7/10/1895-) baptized 9/1/1895, Selmer George Larson (5/5/1897-1983) baptized 6/7/1897, Laura Karolina Larson (5/14/1900-) baptized 5/27/1900, Klarance Julius Larson (8/3/1902-) baptized 8/24/1902. When the Salem church split, they joined the Sauk Valley Congregation. Lars is buried at the Salem church cemetery (Lars H Larson). The 1920 census lists Katie Stenoien 61, Peter Larson 31, Carry M Larson 29, Selmer G Larson 22, Clarence J Larson 17 and grandson Russell Larson (Goodrie) 5 living in Little Sauk, Todd Co, MN. The 1930 census now Hennepin County Kate now Larson 71, Sam Larson 32, Clarence Larson 27, Carrie Larson 38 and Clara Larson 26 daughter-in-law.
- Anne Larson (1863 – confirmed Salem church 1878), in 1875 census, not on 1880 census)
- Nellie Pauline Larson (Dec 3, 1865 – in 1875 census, not on 1880 census), baptized on Jan 6, 1866 at Holden Lutheran Church, Goodhue Co, MN (witnesses Lars Larsen Gjemse and Kirsti Olsdr), confirmed Salem Church 1881.
- Ole Larson (1866-1869) in Goodhue Co, MN.
- Ole Hanson Larson (1/5/1870 in Goodhue County, MN- 3/1/1952 in Britton, Marshall Co, SD) married Climina Melissa Conant, confirmed Salem Church 1885. Children Clarence H Larson (1905-), Laurence S Larson (1907 – 1980), Otis or George C Larson (1909-), James A Larson (1911 -), Dora Marie Larson (1915 -2006), private Larson, Theodore Alfred Larson ( – 1990).
- Henry Martin Larson (3/18/1874 – 11/23/1960), confirmed 1889 Salem Church, parents Hans and Anne Stenoien (perhaps Marit was ill and older sister Anne stepped in?), married Annie Aas, later Atchie. Moved to Grand Forks, ND.
- Peter Johan Larson (11/1876 -) confirmed 12/4/1891 Salem Church, parents Hans and Marit Stenoien.
- John Larson (1877 -before 1885), living on farm with nephew Clarence in 1940, single.
- Karen Margrethe Stenoien (5/25/1879 – 7/25/1879), buried Salem Church (twin)
- Bedsy Lina Larson (5/25/1879 – 1950), confirmed 1893 Salem Church, parents Hans and Marit Stenoien. The twins were confirmed by a preacher of the Delavan congregation. Faddere included Johannes Pedersen, Jens Jensen, Lars Danielsen, Ingeborg Johannesdr., Kirsten Pedersdr., Anne Hansdr, Peder Larsen, Johannes Skordalsvold, Lars Hansen Stenoien, Ingeborg Johannesdr, Kirstin Hansdr and Mali Jensdr. on May 25th, 1879.
In the 1875 census, Hans Larssen, Marit, Kristin, Martha, Lars, Anne, Nelle, Ole and Henry are listed. In the 1880 census, Lars, Nellie, Ole, Henry, Johnny and Betsy S are listed. At the time of the 1885 census, Ole, Henry, Peter J and Betsy and Kate’s mother were in residence, leaving me to believe that Johnny was deceased.
The region our ancestors settled, Gordon Township, reputedly was visited by Viking explorers in 1362. They were said to have sailed on Lake Osakis. The area served as a boundary between the Sioux plains Indians to the west, and the wooded Chippewa to the east. The first government stage route traveled from St. Paul to Abercrombie, ND, passing through the area. The first settlers in 1857 were Mary Gordon and her five sons. The great Indian uprising in the 1860’s uprooted the settlers living there. This ended in 1866, about the time our ancestors began to arrive.
The local churches played a large role in the lives of our ancestors. The church was not only a religious and spiritual center, but also the only social outlet. Settlers were quite isolated on their homesteads. The original Lutheran church was Little Sauk Long Bridge church.
As more settlers homesteaded north and west, it became difficult for many to attend. One farmer complained of having to cross thirteen creeks in order to get to church. Gordon township itself was heavily wooded, with trails leading from place to place. Daardi Svensdatter Gillan, aunt to Bestemor Johanna, remembered that day. “There were Indians everywhere in the woods and the wood and brush was so thick it was difficult to find the way to your nearest neighbor. They used to mark the trees with an axe and thus walked from one mark to the next to find each others’ huts. In the summer, the women were home alone. The men went out to seek employment, many of them working on the railroad in St. Cloud. A pioneer woman had a courage we haven’t got now. Of course, we don’t need that particular kind of courage today.”
In 1872, the Gordon Church was built. Hans Larson Stenoien was trustee of the church. Initially, it consisted of a cabin and was called the West Church, part of Little Sauk Church. It was incorporated 11/26/1878 as the Salem Church. By 1883, geographical considerations mandated building a new church to the southwest, Sauk Valley Church. The Stordal congregation stayed. The Augsburg strife, as well as conflict within the church regarding expansion, did finally split the congregation in 1896. The Stordal group built the modern Salem Church building. Hans Larson Stenoien furnished lumber for the pulpit in 1899.
Harriet Overvig attended Salem church as a young girl. During the 1920’s, services were still exclusively in Norwegian. She remembers the frustration of her father, who felt that children should be fully fluent in both Norwegian and English. This was apparently a common opinion of our Norwegian forefathers. Preayer books, catechisms and hymnals were obtained in Norwegian. However, a conversion to English soon ensued.
Education was important to our ancestors. School district 63 was organized in 1879, the site was donated by Lars and Ingebor Danielson. The first school house was built from logs. In 1886, the school house was sold and moved to the farm northwest from the schoolhouse. A new school house was then rebuilt. The first desks and benches were handmade by L. S. Aus in 1882. There was only three months a year. The salary of the first teacher was $32.56.
School district 23 was organized September 1870. The first school house was built of logs and was located on section 15 of Gordon Township on a small hill west of the Albert Johnson farm buildings. The school was also used for church and Sunday school before the school district was organized. There were benches along the wall for the bigger children, the center of the room was rigged up for the smaller children. There were times when this school had as many as 60 children and one teacher of course. In 1880, they raised the teacher’s salary to $14 a month
School district 68 was organized in 1880. The first school teacher was J. J. Skordalsvold, brother of Lisa who was married to Lars Stenoien.
