The Vangsness Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameJohn Endreson Vangsness 
, 24
, 24Birth Date13 Jul 18522
Birth PlaceVangsnæs, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Emig Date1854 Age: 1
Emig PlaceMadison, Wisconsin
Emig MemoLater moved to Goodhue County MN
Death Date28 Jan 19383 Age: 85
Death PlaceBelle Creek, Goodhue County, Minnesota
Burial PlaceMinneola Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hader, Goodhue County, Minnesota
FatherIver Endreson Nistad (Iver Vangsness) , 37 (1819-1905)
MotherUnni Andersdatter , 38 (1823-1868)
Spouses
1Synneve Berge , 23
, 23Birth Date28 May 1855
Birth PlacePossibly born in Norway
Death Date1891 Age: 35
Death PlaceBelle Creek, Goodhue County, Minnesota
Burial PlaceMinneola Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hader, Goodhue County, Minnesota
Marr DateDec 1876
Marr PlaceBelle Creek, Goodhue County, Minnesota
Marr MemoRev. Nels Ylvisaker
ChildrenUnni Emily , 25 (1877-1976)
Severine O. , 26 (1879-1908)
Ida , 28 (~1880-1903)
Adolph O. , 29 (1882-1884)
Olga , 30 (1885-1941)
Alfred J. , 31 (1886-1973)
Nella (Nellie) , 12 (1888-1964)
Adolph B. , 33 (1890-1978)
Baby , 35 (1890-~1890)
Synneve Josephine , 36 (1891-1891)
Notes for John Endreson Vangsness
Great Grandfather
John was vaccinated on Dec. 2. 1852 at age 4 months. He was living with his parents at Vangsnæs, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He and his parents left Norway in November most likey, in 1854 to go to America. That was late in the season. Most likely they left from Bergen.
Obiturary:
John Vangsness age 85 years and six months, passed away at his home in Belle Creek township Friday morning, January 28th, at about 9 o'clock. He was taken sick about nine days before his death with a cold. His death marks the passing of one of the earliest settlers in this community, having lived here for 76 years.
Funeral services were held from his late home Wednesday afternoon at 12:30, followed by services at Minneola church, Rev. O. M. Mostrom officiating. A duet was sung by George Rostad and Miss Helga Nerison and Rev. O. M. Mostrom also sang two solos. Pall bearers were Olaus Jacobson, Marcus Jacobson, Herman Boraas, Ole Stockmo, B. A. Okkelberg and Nels Nerison. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pavlak, Mr. and Mrs. Eimar Lund and George Vangsness of Lester Prairie, Minn; Mrs. Paul Sylvester of Muncie, Indiana, and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Vangsness and daughter of St. Paul.
John Vangsness was born on the Vangsness farm in Sogn, Norway, July 12, 1852 and was the eldest son on Iver and Unie Vangsness. In the year 1854 the family emigrated to America, arriving in Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin on July 4th. They remained in Dane county for eight years. In 1862 they came to Goodhue county and purchased 130 acres of wild land in Section 31, Belle Creek township, which they improved and farmed. He was confirmed by the late Rev. B. J. Muus. His mother died in 1868 and his father died in 1905, living to the age of 86 years.
On December, 1876 Mr. Vangsness was united in marriage to Miss Synnova Berge, also a native on Norway, by the late Rev. Nels Ylvisaker. In 1885 they moved to the farm home in Belle Creek township, which had been his home until his death. Nine children were born to them, four having preceded him in death. They were two adult daughters, Severina and Ida, and a son and daughter, who died in infancy. His wife passed away 47 years ago.
He is survived by two sons and three daughters: Alfred, residing on the home farm, Adolph of St. Paul, Unie of Belle Creek, Olga of Wanamingo, and Mrs. Paul Sylvester (Nellie) of Muncie, Indiana. Nine grandchildren and one brother, Cornelius Andrew of Zumbrota, also survive. Three brothers have preceded him in death, Anders, Carl and one having died in infancy.
Mr. Vangsness was a kind and loving father, a congenial neighbor and a beloved and respected member of Minneola congregation, where he had been a life-long member. He was blessed with a cheerful disposition, good health and a hopeful outlook on life.
John was vaccinated on Dec. 2. 1852 at age 4 months. He was living with his parents at Vangsnæs, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He and his parents left Norway in November most likey, in 1854 to go to America. That was late in the season. Most likely they left from Bergen.
Obiturary:
John Vangsness age 85 years and six months, passed away at his home in Belle Creek township Friday morning, January 28th, at about 9 o'clock. He was taken sick about nine days before his death with a cold. His death marks the passing of one of the earliest settlers in this community, having lived here for 76 years.
Funeral services were held from his late home Wednesday afternoon at 12:30, followed by services at Minneola church, Rev. O. M. Mostrom officiating. A duet was sung by George Rostad and Miss Helga Nerison and Rev. O. M. Mostrom also sang two solos. Pall bearers were Olaus Jacobson, Marcus Jacobson, Herman Boraas, Ole Stockmo, B. A. Okkelberg and Nels Nerison. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pavlak, Mr. and Mrs. Eimar Lund and George Vangsness of Lester Prairie, Minn; Mrs. Paul Sylvester of Muncie, Indiana, and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Vangsness and daughter of St. Paul.
John Vangsness was born on the Vangsness farm in Sogn, Norway, July 12, 1852 and was the eldest son on Iver and Unie Vangsness. In the year 1854 the family emigrated to America, arriving in Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin on July 4th. They remained in Dane county for eight years. In 1862 they came to Goodhue county and purchased 130 acres of wild land in Section 31, Belle Creek township, which they improved and farmed. He was confirmed by the late Rev. B. J. Muus. His mother died in 1868 and his father died in 1905, living to the age of 86 years.
On December, 1876 Mr. Vangsness was united in marriage to Miss Synnova Berge, also a native on Norway, by the late Rev. Nels Ylvisaker. In 1885 they moved to the farm home in Belle Creek township, which had been his home until his death. Nine children were born to them, four having preceded him in death. They were two adult daughters, Severina and Ida, and a son and daughter, who died in infancy. His wife passed away 47 years ago.
He is survived by two sons and three daughters: Alfred, residing on the home farm, Adolph of St. Paul, Unie of Belle Creek, Olga of Wanamingo, and Mrs. Paul Sylvester (Nellie) of Muncie, Indiana. Nine grandchildren and one brother, Cornelius Andrew of Zumbrota, also survive. Three brothers have preceded him in death, Anders, Carl and one having died in infancy.
Mr. Vangsness was a kind and loving father, a congenial neighbor and a beloved and respected member of Minneola congregation, where he had been a life-long member. He was blessed with a cheerful disposition, good health and a hopeful outlook on life.
Notes for Synneve (Spouse 1)
Great Grandmother
In 1876, John E., 24, married Synneve Berge, 22, from Norway.
John G. remembers that her family lived just north of John E.'s farm, now Goodhue County Road 8. So she possibly came from Norway shortly before meeting John E. Perhaps for a few years, they lived somewhere else, because the newspaper obituary notes that in 1885 they moved back to the Belle Creek log house and stayed there till his death in 1938. The couple had ten children, three dying in infancy and two as young adults. The surviving children were: Unni, Adolph, Olga, Alfred & Nellie. (Ida died as a young adult.) Lydia was raised as John E.'s daughter.
The only photo we have of Synneve shows that the photographer was “Phillips” and there is a mark showing J + P, which could have been John Phillips or his son Wellington J. Phillips who worked in Red Wing around that time. In fact, it looks like the father only worked there from 1884-5, meaning that the photo coud have been taken in 1884 or 1885 when Synneve was 29 or 30.
In 1876, John E., 24, married Synneve Berge, 22, from Norway.
John G. remembers that her family lived just north of John E.'s farm, now Goodhue County Road 8. So she possibly came from Norway shortly before meeting John E. Perhaps for a few years, they lived somewhere else, because the newspaper obituary notes that in 1885 they moved back to the Belle Creek log house and stayed there till his death in 1938. The couple had ten children, three dying in infancy and two as young adults. The surviving children were: Unni, Adolph, Olga, Alfred & Nellie. (Ida died as a young adult.) Lydia was raised as John E.'s daughter.
The only photo we have of Synneve shows that the photographer was “Phillips” and there is a mark showing J + P, which could have been John Phillips or his son Wellington J. Phillips who worked in Red Wing around that time. In fact, it looks like the father only worked there from 1884-5, meaning that the photo coud have been taken in 1884 or 1885 when Synneve was 29 or 30.
Notes for Synneve (Spouse 1)
The Family Tree shows Ten Children....
....the last child dying the same year as Synneve. I think this period of time must have been very hard on mothers.
Synneve was married in 1876 at the age of 22.
1. First child, Unni was born in 1877
2. Second child, Severine born 1879* See 1895 Census
3. Third child, Ida born 1880
4. Fourth child, Adolph born 1882 & died 1884
5. Fifth child, Olga, born 1885
6. Sixth child, Alfred, born 1886
7. Seventh child, Nellie, born 1888
8. Eighth child, Adolph, born 1890 See Christening Doc. 1890
9. Ninth child, (baby) Vangsness, born & died 1890
10. Tenth child, Synneve, born & died 1891 See Christening Doc. 1891
Synneve died 1891, at the age of 35.
In 15 short years, Synneve had 10 babies and then died.
At her death in 1891, her surviving children's ages were:
Unni - 14, Severine - 12, Ida - 11, Olga - 6, Alfred - 5, Nellie - 3, Adolph - 1
I can only assume that from 1889, Synneve was caring for 3 children of tender years, no doubt getting help from her three older daughters, Unni, Severine and Ida, who were 14, 12 and 11 at the time. But, then from 1890 to her death in 1891 (month unknown), she was pregnant 3 times! Only Adolph, born first of the last 3 in 1890, survived. She lost her last two babies, and I feel certain, she died with the last baby.
....the last child dying the same year as Synneve. I think this period of time must have been very hard on mothers.
Synneve was married in 1876 at the age of 22.
1. First child, Unni was born in 1877
2. Second child, Severine born 1879* See 1895 Census
3. Third child, Ida born 1880
4. Fourth child, Adolph born 1882 & died 1884
5. Fifth child, Olga, born 1885
6. Sixth child, Alfred, born 1886
7. Seventh child, Nellie, born 1888
8. Eighth child, Adolph, born 1890 See Christening Doc. 1890
9. Ninth child, (baby) Vangsness, born & died 1890
10. Tenth child, Synneve, born & died 1891 See Christening Doc. 1891
Synneve died 1891, at the age of 35.
In 15 short years, Synneve had 10 babies and then died.
At her death in 1891, her surviving children's ages were:
Unni - 14, Severine - 12, Ida - 11, Olga - 6, Alfred - 5, Nellie - 3, Adolph - 1
I can only assume that from 1889, Synneve was caring for 3 children of tender years, no doubt getting help from her three older daughters, Unni, Severine and Ida, who were 14, 12 and 11 at the time. But, then from 1890 to her death in 1891 (month unknown), she was pregnant 3 times! Only Adolph, born first of the last 3 in 1890, survived. She lost her last two babies, and I feel certain, she died with the last baby.