The Mathiasen Family Records

2009 by Arlan Johnson

August 18 2017 posted here by Gary Gauer

This information is from the parish records of the Karlsøy and Lyngen parishes in Troms, Norway, the 1801, 1865, 1875 and 1900 Norway census and from the records of Tromso Lutheran Church, Lake Lillian, and Kandiyohi Co. records and family histories. The parish boundaries between Karlsøy and Lyngen in Troms, Norway changed between the 1865 and 1875 census. In the USA the family name was spelled “Mathiason” and by some families, “Mattson”. Some of the same names are used from generation to generation. The spellings of names and places vary.

Mathias Josephsen, born October 1789

in Lyngejdet, Lyngen, Troms, Norway, the son of Joseph Andersen and Elen Ericsdatter, one of nine siblings. One of his brothers was Erik Josephsen, the grandfather of Erik Joseph Larson. In the 1801 census the family was on the “farm” Lyngesjdet and the father, Joseph Andersen, age 52, was listed as a fisher and farmer and “lappe-folk”, (Sami). Elen Ericsdatter’s age was given as 50. Mathias was confirmed in 1810 at the age of 23. He married Ane Andersdatter on September 24, 1815 in the Lyngen Parish. She may have been born in October, 1788 the daughter of Anders Erichsen and Anne Josephsdatter in Lyngensdalen and baptized on July 7, 1805. Mathias Josephsen and Ane Andersdatter moved from the Lyngen parish to Karlsøy parish sometime between 1817 and 1819. Mathias Josephsen was apparently a respected member of the community because he or he and his wife were Godparents at least 23 times for relatives and other children, including Erik Joseph Larson in 1834, Ingeborg Johnsdatter in 1842, Erik’s future wife, and Mathias’ grandson, Mathias Mathiasen in 1859. Mathias Josephsen died April 12, 1874 in Sørfjorden, Lyngen Parish and Ane Andersdatter died July 17, 1830 at Bredvig, Lyngen Parish.

Children of Mathias and Ane:

• Joseph Andreas Mathisen, born in 1817 in Parakjorden, Lyngen and died September 29, 1819 in the Karlsøy parish, age 2 ½ years. In his death record in Lyngen, where he was buried, and his name was given as “Joseph Andresson”.
• Joseph Andreas Mathisen, born January 29, 1820 in Bredvig, Karlsøy parish. One of his godparents was Jon Nicodemussen. (It was a common practice to use the name of a child that died again for the next child of the same gender.) This Joseph died March 13, 1847 in Finmark waters near the island, Ingøya. Also dying that day was his brother, John Mathisen. Also, Nils Andreas Nilsen, born January 28, 1824, the son of Nils Nilsen and Ane Pedersdatter and brothers Nils, Ole and John Nilsen, the sons of Nils Guttormsen and Nille Nicodemusdatter. Nils Guttormsen and Nille Nicodemusdatter’s son, Guttorm Nilsen married Marith Mathiasdatter in 1855, the sister of Joseph and John Mathisen. Nils Nilsen’s widow, Ane Bergitte Jonsdatter, later married Mathis Henrik Mathisen, the brother of Marith Mathiasdatter. Guttorm Nilsen and Marith Mathiasdatter, Mathis Henrik Mathiasen and Ane Bergitte Jonsdatter all emigrated to Minnesota. More about the Guttornsen/Nelsen families later. Nille Nicodemusdatter was a widow living with Mathias Josephsen as a housekeeper on Bredvig in the 1865 census and in 1875 with Morten Lars Mathiasen and family. (More about Guttorm Nilsen and Marith Mathiasdatter later)
  Jon Nicodemussen, born in 1794, and Nille Nicodemusdatter, born in 1796 were the children of Nicdemus Thomasen and Berit Larsdatter. They were in the 1801 census on Brevigen, Karlsøy. Jon Nicodemussen and Synneve Andersdatter’s daughter, Ane Bergitte Jonsdatter’s first marriage was to Nils Nielsen, the son of Nille Nicodemusdatter and Niels Guttormsen, they were cousins. Ane’s second marriage was to Mathias Henrik Mathisen. Their daughter, Alette’s first husband was Erik Larson. Jon and Synneve’s son, Anders (Andrew) Johnson married Anne Maria Mathiasdatter, another daughter of Mathias Josephsen and Ana Andersdatter (more later).
• Elen Mathisdatter, born April 7, 1822 in Bredvig, Karlsøy. She married Thomas Nielsen, Bredvig, born about 1803, on September 29 1851, his father was Niels Thomasen. Their groomsman was Mathias Josephsen. They may have had no children. Thomas died October 25, 1859 in Bredvig. Elen Mathisdatter, widow, age 38, later married Nils Andreas Andersen, age 27 on October 3, 1860, son of Anders Nilsen and Elen Pedersdatter. (They dissented from the state church on November 1, 1860, the same date as Erik Joseph Larson.)
  

• In the Lyngen Bygdebok Thomas Nilsen leased portion of the farm, Bredvik from R. Haugen in 1831. In 1844 an official meeting decided the border of the farm. After Elen Mathisdatter married Nils Andreas Andersen, the property went to Nils. In 1864 the property in Bredvik went to Knud Hauan. The Hauan’s stay on the property for several generations

  .
  Nils Andersen and Elen Mathisdatter emigrated to Minnesota about 1865. Their son, Nickolai was born about 1868. Nels and Elen Anderson were in the Kandiyohi Co., Fahlun Twp. census in 1880 with their sons, Nickolai, age 12, and Ole, age 10, born about 1870. There is no other record of Ole. In the 1895 census, Nockolai’s wife, Pauline (Tollefson), age 19, was living with them. Elen Anderson died August 28, 1897 in Fahlun Twp., Nils Anderson died July 5, 1902 in Fahlun Twp. and Nickolai died in 1901. They are buried in Union Pioneers Union Cemetery. Pauline married Frank Mattson on May 1, 1902 in Roseland, Minnesota. She died in 1970 and Frank in 1952, they are buried in Tromso Memorial Cemetery.

• John Mathisen was born January 14, 1824 in Bredvig, baptized on April 4, 1824 and confirmed in 1843. He died March 13, 1847 with his brother, Joseph, while fishing with Nels Andreas, Nils, Ole and John Nilsen, also of Bredvig near the island, Ingøya, in Finnmark waters. See Joseph Mathisen above.
• Mathis Hendrik Mathisen, born February 16, 1826 in Bredvig, baptized on May 14, 1826 and confirmed in 1845. He married Ane Bergitte Jonsdatter on November 5, 1849. They emigrated to Minnesota in about 1877. (more about Mathis Hendrik Mathiasen and his descendants later.)
• Anne Maria Mathisdatter was born February 26, 1829 and baptized on June 6, 1829, her godparents included Erik Josephsen, her grandfather, and she was confirmed in 1844. She married Andreas Johnsen, age 31 on September 30, 1855, his parents, Jon Nicodemusen (the brother of Nile Nicodemusdatter) and Synneve Andersdatter; their witnesses, Ole Estensen, Bredvig and Mathis Josephsen, Bredvig. (More above) Anne and Andreas (Andrew) emigrated to Minnesota in about 1863. In the 1880 and 1885 census they were living in Lake Lillian Twp. They had 8 children.
  

  • Their daughter Elen Susanna was born “Andersdatter” on July 27, 1856 in Bredvik, Norway. In America she used the name Johnson. In the 1885 census she was married to Joe Stafford. There is no other information available.
    

  • A son, Anton was born on April 7, 1858 in Norway. Anton married Elen Petrica Solomonson on November 17, 1888 in Willmar Minn. She came to Minnesota in 1886 with her two sisters. Anton and Elen had at least seven children. Anton died April 26, 1914 and Elen died June 18, 1950. They are both buried in Tromso Memorial Cemetery as are at least three of their children. See more in the Solomonson family history.
    

  • Other children: Ane Margrethe, born in 1860 and died in 1863 in Bredvig, Norway; Lars Martin, born in 1863 and died in 1864 in Bredvig, Norway; Louis Martin born in 1866 in Minnesota; Maria, born in 1868 in Minnesota Maria married Andrew Nielson Stokes on June 19, 1884 in Kandiyohi Co. They had at least one daughter, Mabel, born July 2, 1885 and baptized at Tromso Luth. Church. There is no other information available about Maria and family.
    

  • Two other children; Thomas, born in 1870 and Mathias, born in 1872. There is no other information available about Thomas and Mathias.
    

  • See the descendants of Anne Maria Mathiasdatter later.
    

Mathis Josephsen and Elen Larsdatter

The second wife of Mathis Josephsen was Elen Larsdatter, born about 1800 and married about 1831. She died on April 21, 1859. In the 1865 census, Karlsøy Parish, he was on the farm Bredvig as a widower, born in 1786, a farmer with 1 cow and 3 sheep. His housekeeper is Nille Nicodemusdatter, widow, age 75, both are “finner forsstaar norsk” (Sami, understands Norwegian.) Nille Nicodemusadatter’s sons, Nils, Ole and John Nilsen, drowned with Joseph Andreas and John Mathisen. Mathias Josephsen died April 12, 1874 in Sørfjorden, Lyngen, his birth year was given as 1781. In various records there were 3 different years of birth given, 1789, 1786 and 1781.

The children of Mathis Josephsen and Elen Larsdatter;

• Morten Lars Mathisen was born April 22, 1832 in Bredvik and confirmed in 1849.
  • His first wife was Inger Nilsdatter, born April 17, 1838 at Tvenfjord, Loppens Parish, Finmark. They were married January 11, 1863 at Bredvik and they apparently did not have children. Her father was Nils Andreas Olsen. She died April 29, 1867.
    
  • The second wife of widower Morten Lars Mathisen was widow Marit Nilsdatter, born in 1841 in Dalen, Lyngen Parish and they were married on September 16, 1871. Their witness; Joseph Eriksen. Her father was Nils Monsen. She was first married to Peder Johan Nilssen, 1830 - 1868. Their daughter, Petrikka Pedersdatter was married to Johan Anton Knudsen Hauan, who sister, Gjertrud married Jacob Erik Mathiasen in Minnesota in 1884.
  • In the 1865 census Marit and Peder were on Elvevold in Lyngen with 5 children.
  • Morten Mathisen is listed in the 1865 census on a farm in Bredvig as a “Inderst Fisker”, (note: Inderst is one who rents house from a farmer, Fisker, fisher) age 32, with his first wife, Inger, age 28, a hired girl, and 2 lodgers, all are “finner, forstaar norsk”. He had 1 horse, 10 sheep and 1 goat.
  • Morten is listed in the 1875 census as a fisher/farmer, with his second wife and 5 step children, Mons Lars Pedersen, born in 1861, Samuel Pedersen, born in 1863, Berit Maria Pedersen, born in 1866, Petrika Pedersen, born in 1868,
  • daughter, Elen Mortensdatter, born in 1873, a hired girl, Nille Nikodemusdatter, born in 1790, pensioner, (Nille was listed as Mathis Josephsen’s housekeeper in 1865) and Jakob Mathisen, his brother, a visitor.
  • In 1900 they were on Bredvik with their daughter, Marit, and her husband.
  • Their children;
    
    • Elen Mortensdatter, born March 24, 1873 in Sørfjorden, Lyngen Parish. Her godparents; Joseph Eriksen and his wife from Storstennæs and she was baptized at home of Salomon Salomonsen, Bredvig. In 1875 she was with her parents on Bredvik. She married Johan Henrik Lauri Johansen on September 11, 1890 in Sørfjorden, Lyngen Parish. He was ethnically Kven, born in Sweden and his mother was “fin” (Sami), born in the Lyngen Parish. Johan Henrik’s brother, Lars Peder Andreas Johansen, married Anne Malena Henrikke Mathiasdatter on September 11, 1870, the daughter of Mathias Henrik Mathiasen who was the son of Mathias Josephsen. Johan Johansen had gone to Hammerfest in 1890. Elen went to America with her husband on May 4, 1894. They have many descendant, many in Washington.
  • • Lars Nils Mortensen was born June 13, 1876 in Bredvig, Lyngens Parish. There is no other information about him,
    • Marit Mortensdatter, born June 2, 1878 in Bredvig, Lyngen Parish. She married Ludvig Albert Henriksen September 28, 1898 in Karlsøy Parish. He was born February 26, 1875 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish. In 1875 Ludvig was on Bredvik with his parents, Henrik Heggelund and Anne Amundsdatter. Marit, her husband and daughter were on Bredvik in the 1900 census. His name was Ludvik “Heggelund” and her last name was “Larsen”. Also living with them in 1900 were Marit’s parents.
      • Their daughter, Anna Henriette Heggelund, was born July 17, 1899 in Bredvik. Her godparent was Anton Hauan, Bredvik.
      • Their son Laurits Sedolf Marinius Heggelund was born January 29, 1901 in Bredvig
      • and daughter, Berntine Emilie Heggelund was born January 24, 1903 in Bredvig
  • Jakob Mortensen was born January 14, 1881 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish and died January 19, 1881 in Brevig, Karlsøy.
    
  • No additional information about this family is available at the time of this writing.
    

• Marith Mathisdatter "Mrs. Marit Nielson" and Wilhelm Lund

• Marith Mathisdatter was born on October 7, 1836 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish. She married Guttorm Nilsen, in Bredvig, on October 14, 1855. Their witnesses, Ole Estensen and Mathis Josephsen. Guttorm was born September 13, 1830 the son of Nils Guttormsen and Nille Nicodemusdatter (above). Marith and Guttorm’s son, Lars Christian was born January 15, 1861. Guttorm dissented from the state church on November 1, 1860, the same date as Erik Joseph Larsen, Marith had resigned earlier. (See the Erik Larson history) Lars was not baptized because “Forældrene ere Lammersianske Dissentere, Barnet skal derfor ikke døbes, og forsaavidt skal det være Hedning.” (Since the parents are Lammerian dissenters, the child shall therefore not be baptized, and because of that it shall be considered a pagan.) They emigrated to America in about 1863, settling first in Lake Prairie, Nicollet Co., Minnesota. This is the same township that Erik Joseph Larson and family lived for a short time before he settled in Lake Elizabeth Twp. in 1866. They certainly knew each other in Norway but it is doubtful that they came to Minnesota together because Erik Larson’s son, Johan was born in Norway in June, 1863. Guttorm enrolled in the Army on December 7, 1863 and was mustered on December 24, 1863 into the 2nd Minn. Mounted Vol. Co., B. He served in the Indian and Civil wars and died April 20, 1865 at Ft. Rice, South Dakota
  • Marith and her son, Lars Christian Guttormsen, left Nicollet Co. for the Lake Lillian Twp. in 1866 and homesteaded in Sec. 2 near the east shore of Big Kandiyohi Lake (very brave!). (Erik Larson also came to the Lake Lillian area in 1866. Did they travel together?) According to an early plat map her nearest neighbors were John J. Vick who arrived in 1865 and Sedevart Nelson who arrived in 1864. Marith’s great granddaughter, Faralyn Erickson Havir, recalls hearing stories that she would throw a chair or some item to the Indians so they would leave her place. She would also hide her son under the floor boards. Wilhelm (Wm.) Lund came to work for her on the farm and they were married on June 20, 1870 by Justice of Peace, there witnesses were Emil Hanson and Andrew Ellison. The Lake Lillian history, “The First 100 Years”, gives the first marriage in the area as “Mrs. Marit Nielson and Wilhelm Lund”. Willhelm was born May 20, 1844 in Norway, his father, Nils Johnsen. He grew up on the Lofoten Islands and worked on fishing boats out of Tromsø. He had 2 brothers, Aleksander and Mikkael. It is known that Mikkael lived in the Lake Lillian area as he rented land to Erik Larson in 1879. On the 1886 and 1915 plat maps Wm. Lund was in sec. 2 of Lake Lillian Twsp.
  • Their children;
    • Nels John, born April 5, 1871 and died November 16, 1954. He married Sophie Johnson, the daughter of Hans Andreas Johnson, born in Norway and Solvie Hansdatter, also born in Norway.

  • Jacob Mahelson, born April 15, 1873, he may have died as a child;

    • Alette (Lettie), born December 16, 1874 and died June 18, 1971. Alette married Elling A. Johnson in 1895, his parents, Nils Johannessen and Anna Martinson.
  • In the 1880 and ’85 census in Lake Lillian Twsp. were Wm. and Marith Lund with their children, Nils and Aletta, and in 1880 Marith’s son, Lars was living with them. In 1895 living with them were Nels Lund, farmer, and John O. Larson, “farm laborer”, Erik Larson’s son.
  • In 1900 living with them were Nils Lund and his wife, Sophia, and children, Harry and Clarence, and boarder and farm laborer, Ole Olson.
  • In the 1910 census of Lake Lillian Twp. Wm. and “Mary” Lund were listed together. They had been married 40 years and she was the mother of 4 children and 2 were living. Nels Lund, his wife, “Sophie”, and 5 children were listed next to Wm. (See the descendants of Marith Mathiasdatter later)
    
  • 
    
• Jacob Erik Mathiasen was born September 22, 1839 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish, his godparent; Elen Josephsdatter and he was confirmed in 1858. He was not located in the 1865 census but in 1875 he was on Bredvik with his brother, Morton. He apparently came to Minnesota after 1875 because he married J. A. M. Hanson on August 10, 1876 in Minnesota. There is nothing else known about her. Jacob then married Gertrud Christine Hauan on July 28, 1884 in Willmar, Minn.. They were married by Pastor Paulson with Nels A. Johnson and A. N. Stokes as witnesses. She was born August 12, 1861 in Jægervand, Karlsøy, the daughter of Knud Harald Haugen Hauan and Martha Margrethe Johnsdatter. She was with her parents in the 1865 and 1875 census in Bredvig, Karlsøy. It is not known when she came to Minnesota. Knut and Martha Howan (Hauan) were in Kingston in the 1910 Kitsap Co., Washington census. Three of her brothers also went to America. Ole Nicolai Hauan and his wife, Jacobine Amundsdatter in 1883. They emigrated to Minnesota on April, 1883 and were in the 1885 Kandiyohi Co. census in Lake Elizabeth Twp. with Christian Hauan (a nephew?), age 8, born in Norway and daughter, Ida, age 1, born in 1883. Ole and his family moved to Washington. They were in the 1910 Kitsap Co., Washington census with 6 children. Harald Knudsen Hauan and his wife, Beret Marie Pedersdatter, married November 5, 1887 and went to Minnesota in 1890. There is no other information available about them. John Kasper Hauan was born March 20, 1876 in Bredvik. He went to America in 1898 with Johannes Henriksen, both from Bredvik. Their destination was not given.
  

Mathias Henrik Mathiasen

• Mathias Henrik Mathiasen (Also spelled Mathiason) married the widow, Anne Begitte Johnsdatter, (sister of Andreas (Andrew) Johnsen, above) on November 5, 1849. She was born February 1, 1822, baptism sponsors; Jens Johnsen, Thomas Nilsen, Rasmus Nilsen, Elen Johnsdatter and Elen Hansdatter, Bratfjeld. Her parents were Indist Jon Peter Nicodemussen and Marith Johnsdatter. In the 1865 census in the Karlsøy Parish on Bredvig,: Mathis Henrik Mathisen, husband, tenant farmer, 38 years., his wife, Ane Bergitha Johnsdatter, 43 years old, their children: Nils Andreas Mathisen, 13 years old, Joseph M. Mathisen, 12 years old, Elen Maria Mathisdatter, 9 years old, (married to Ole M. Salomonsen in the 1875 census), Mathis Mathisen, 5 years old, Aletha Bergetha Mathisdatter, 3 years old, (Erik Larson’s 2nd wife), Ane Mathisdatter, 1 year old, (not in 1875 census) and Elen Johnsdatter, lodger, unmarried, age 48 (not in 1875 census). All are “finner farsstaar norsk”. Most of the family were also in the 1875 census, however the Bredvig farm was now in the Lyngen Parish.. Mathis and his wife and some of the children came to the America about 1877. Mathis Hendrik Mathisen died Oct. 21, 1882 in Minnesota when fishing on Lake Elizabeth, Kandiyohi Co., with Solomon Solomonson. Anne Begitte (Johnsdatter) was living with her son, Nels and his family in the 1895 and 1900 Kandiyohi Co. census. She moved to Washington with her daughter, Alette and family in about 1903 where she died on February 14, 1908. Those of the Mathiason family that became charter members of Tromsø Lutheran Church in 1885; Ellen Marie (Mathisdatter) Salomonsen, Nils Mathiesen and his wife, Berit Marie (Anderson) Mathiesen, and Aletta (Mathiesen) Larsen.
• 
  

  
  The Descendents of Anne Maria Mathiasdatter and Marith Mathiasdatter

  Mathis Hendrik Mathisen’s descendants;

  His daughter, Anne Malena Henrikke Mathiasdatter, was born January 2, 1850 in Bredvik. Her mother was the unmarried Bergitte Nilsdatter. In the 1865 census Anne was living with Jens Hansen and his wife as a “stepdaughter”, all are “fin”, (Sami). She married Lars Peder Andreas (Lauri) Johansen on September 11, 1870. He was born June 21, 1851, in Rottenvig, Lyngen, the son of Johan Fredrik Lauri and Barbo Oldatter. Johan was born in Sweden and an ethnic “Kven”. In the 1865 census Lars was on Næsset with his parents. His brother, Johan Henrik Lauri Johnsen, married Elen Mortensdatter, the daughter of Morton Mathisen.

  Anne and her husband, Lars Peder, were on Næsset in 1875 with their children, Johan Peder Larsen, born April 28, 1871, Kristian Nikolai Larsen, born May 22, 1873 and died in March 1883, Anton Larsen, born March 15, 1875 and died also in 1875. Two other children were born, an unnamed baby in 1876 and Elen Maria Larsdatter on August 10, 1877 and also died in March, 1883. Elen’s baptism sponsors were Ole Salomonsen and his wife and Joseph Mathisen and his wife. Johan Peder is the only child that lived. Lars and his father, Johan Fredrik Lauri, perished on March 13, 1879 when traveling to the Finnmark fishery.

  Soon after two of her children died, Anne Malena Mathisdatter and her son, Johan Peder, emigrated to Minnesota on April 1883, the same date as Elen Maria Hansdatter (Solomonson), Ole Nikolas Knutsen Hauan and his wife, Jakobine Andrea Amunsdatter. John Peder was confirmed in 1888 at Tromso Lutheran Church, Lake Lillian. There is no other information about Anne and John Peder available.
  

  The children of Mathis Hendrik Mathisen and Anne Begitte Johnsdatter

Nils Andreas Mathiasen

• Nils Andreas Mathiasen was born May 13, 1851 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish. His godparents were Morten Mathisen and Elen Mathisdatter. He was with his parents in the 1865 and 1875 Norway census, ethnicity “fin”. He emigrated for America in June, 1876 with his brother, Mathias and 2 other men from Bredvik. He married Berit Marie Anderson (born Eriksdatter) on November 13, 1882 in Willmar. She was born May 10, 1857 in Lattervig, Karlsøy Parish, the daughter of Erik Andersen and Elen Andersdatter. Berit was one of seven children and was with her parents in the 1865 and 1875 census, all listed as “fin”. She emigrated about 1880. In the 1895 Kandiyohi Co. census they lived in Lake Lillian Twp. with 6 children and Nels’ mother, Anna Mathiason. Nils was given his United States citizenship on July 2, 1898. His witnesses were Erick Nordine and A. F. Nordine. In the 1900 census they lived in Whitefield Twp., Kandiyohi Co., as Mattson with 6 children and Nels’ mother. Nels and Berit were among the charter members of Tromsø Lutheran Church in 1885 where some of their children were later baptized. In the early 1900’s the family moved to the Onamia area of Mille Lacs Co., Minnesota. Nils died March 29, 1927 and Berit on October 24, 1917, both in Mille Lacs Co.
• Their children:
  
  • Edwin Martin, born June 14, 1884 in Lake Lillian, and died March 17, 1910 in Mille Lacs Co.;
  • Albert Nickoli, born January 4, 1886 in Lake Lillian and baptized in 1889 at Tromso Lutheran Church. He died March 17, 1949 in Mille Lacs Co.;
  • Peter Ole, born January 14, 1888 in Lake Lillian, and died February 25, 1940 in Mille Lacs Co.;
  • Lewis Albin, born February 3, 1890 in Lake Lillian, and baptized in 1890 at Tromso Lutheran Church. He died February 12, 1948 in Brainerd, Minnesota;
  • Joseph Marion, born April 26, 1892 in Lake Lillian, and baptized in 1892 at Tromso Lutheran Church. He died April 6, 1957 in Mille Lacs Co. He married Agnes Berntine Johnson on August 25, 1922 in Milaca, Minn. They had 3 children. She was born November 29, 1903 in Balsfjord, Troms, Norway. Her parents were Carl Johnson and Nellie Larson. She died January 4, 1989 in Onamia, Minn.;
  • Elizabeth, born April 30, 1894 in Lake Lillian, and died December 29, 1960 in Mille Lacs Co. She married Joseph Nielsen in 1919 in Milaca, Minn. He was born July 8, 1888 and died January 23, 1959 in Mille Lacs Co.;
  • Elisa Nokoline Birgitta, born May 1, 1895 and baptized in 1895 in Tromso Lutheran Church;

• Severn Ingard, born October 9, 1897 in East Lake Lillian and baptized in 1897 at Tromsø Lutheran Church. He died February 22, 1983 in South Bend, Indiana. He married Helen Frances Edgerton in 1923 in Wisconsin. They had one daughter.
  


The Nils Andreas family records from Tromsø Lutheran Church

The Nils Mathiasen family about 1900

Joseph Mathias Mathisen

Joseph Mathias Mathisen was born Dec. 21, 1853 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish. One of his godparents was Morten L. Mathisen. He was in the 1865 and 1875 census on Bredvig with his parents; Ethnicity, "fin.” He married Birgitta Nikoline Nilsdatter on August 5, 1876 in Tromsøysund, Troms, Norway.. She was born January 11, 1853 in Tromsø, Norway, the daughter of Nils Andreas Johnsen, Oldervig and Bered Nilsdatter. They emigrated to America in June 1878 with their son, Nils Mathias Josephsen, born on May 6, 1877. They were in the 1880 and 1885 Kandiyohi Co. census in Fahlun Twp. In the 1880 census they had a son, Christian, age 2. Is this the same person as Nils Mathias but given a different name? The children with them in the 1885 census are Josephine, born April, 1881, Edward, born June, 1882 and Nils, born August, 1884. Joseph appears to be in sec. 24 of Fahlun Twp. in the same area as his brother, Mathias, and Erik Larson and his wife, Alette, Joseph’s sister.. When Tromso Lutheran Church was organized on August 16, 1885, Joseph Mathiason and his wife’s names were not listed with the Original Charter Members but they were included in the April 6, 1885 meeting and also on October 10, 1886. The family moved to Washington about 1887 where more children were born. In the Kitsap Co., Washington 1910 census Edward, Nils, and Louie Mathiasen were listed in Kingston with Abbie Johnson (their cousin), Erik and Lottie (Alette, their aunt) Willander, Erik Willander and Peter and Martin Larson, the sons of Erik and Alette Larso

Ellen Marie Mathisdatter

Ellen Marie Mathisdatter was born July 16, 1856 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish. She was in the 1865 census on Bredvig with her parents; Ethnicity, "fin”. Ellen Marie Mathisdatter married Ole Mikkel Salomonsen, son of Salomon Salomonsen (sr.) and Elen Marie Hansdatter, on October 17, 1876 in Lyngen parish, Norway. Their marriage witnesses were their brothers, Salamon Salamonsen and Morten Lars Mathisen. He was born August 28, 1853. Ole and Marie Elen came America in 1881 with foster son Peder Anton Kristian Jensen, born January 26, 1877 in Oldervik at Tromsøsundet, and Ole’s brother, Johan Peter Solomonson, born August 28, 1872 in Sørfjorden, Lyngen Parish. See more about Ellen Marie and Ole Salomonsen in the Solomonson family section later in this history.

Mathias Mathiasen

Mathias Mathiasen was born December 12, 1859 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish, Norway. One of his godparents was his grandfather, Mathias Josephsen, Bredvig. In 1865 and 1875 Norway census he was on Bredvig with his parents; ethnicity, "fin”. He was confirmed on October 3, 1875. Mathias emigrated to America in June, 1876 with his brother, Nils Andreas Mathiasen, Herman Haagensen and Ole Olsen, all from Bredvig, Troms, Norway. (They all settled in the Lake Lillian area.) Mathias landed in the port of Philadelphia in August, 1876. He was given his citizenship on July 2, 1898, there same date as his brother, Nils. Mathias’ witnesses were N. E. Anderson and Erick Nordine.

Mathias married Alette Petrikke Johnson November 22, 1884 in Kandiyohi Co. by a Justice of Peace. Their witnesses were Nels A. Anderson and Laura Patterson. Alette (born Johansdatter) was born August 28, 1863 in Lattervig, Karlsøy Parish, Norway. Her parents were Johan Peder Andersen, born in 1828, and Jenina Jensdatter, also born in 1828 and were married in 1852. In 1865 and 1875 Norway census Alette Petrikke was on Lattervig, Karlsøy Parish with her parents and siblings. She was one of 8 children. The date she emigrated is not known. Did Mathias and Alette know each other in Norway? They were both charter members of Tromso Lutheran Church. Mathias died February 12, 1908 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and Alette died June 13, 1924 in Willmar, Minnesota. They are both buried in Tromso Memorial Cemetery.

In the Kandiyohi Co., Lake Elizabeth Twp. census; in 1885 Mathias and Alette were with his mother, Ann Mathiason, and in 1895, 1900, and 1905 with their children, and in 1910 Alette was a widow with her children and Richard Bomstad as a “son-in-law”.

Their children;

• Matilda Nickolina, born March 13, 1887 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1887 and confirmed in 1905 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married John Alfred Engstrom on January 17, 1912. Matilda died October 12, 1917 and is buried in at Tromso Memorial Cemetery. John Engstrom died January 23, 1955.
• They had 2 children.
  • Olga Josephine, born May 25, 1888 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1888 and confirmed in 1905 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Victor Bergquist on May 1, 1909 at Tromso Lutheran Church. He was born May 22, 1880 in Kandiyohi Co. and he was baptized and confirmed at Tripolis Lutheran Church in rural Kandiyohi, Minnesota. Olga died August 16, 1931 and her funeral was at Bethel Lutheran Church, Willmar. Victor died May 26, 1935 in Willmar, Minnesota. Their children; Kenneth, born in 1910, Harriet, born in 1914, John, born in 1917 and Orien, born in 1920. John remained in the Willmar area.
  • Mamie Jensine, born January 26, 1890 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1890 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Richard Marinas Bomstad on April 16, 1908 in Kandiyohi Co. She died December 11, 1908 with her newborn baby and they are buried together at Tromso Memorial Cemetery. Richard died October 1, 1969 and is also buried at Tromso Memorial Cemetery.
• Anna Malinda, born November. 29, 1891 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1893 and confirmed in 1931 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Quade Emmanuel Swenson December 13, 1913 in Willmar. He was born July 23, 1888 in Lake Lillian Twp. Anna died January 23, 1953 Hennepin Co. and Quade died July 5, 1972 in Meeker Co. They are both buried in Tromso Memorial Cemetery. They have 6 children and many descendants are still living in Minnesota.
• Alice Valborg, born: September 4, 1893 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1893 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Christian Alfred Olstad on June 29, 1914 in Kandiyohi Co. They had 4 children. Alice died April 2, 1963 and Christian died February 27, 1968 in Kandiyohi Co.
• Natalie Florida, born: January 3, 1897 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1897 and confirmed in 1911 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Harry Winfield Ostman on November 19, 1921 in Willmar. She died February 24, 1951 in Kandiyohi Co. and he died May 22, 1927 in Becker Co., Minnesota.
• Myrtle Olta, born December 15, 1898 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1899 and confirmed in 1915 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She married Henry I. Osgaard on February 23, 1923. Myrtle died November 23, 1971 and Henry died November 1, 1955 in Kandiyohi Co. They are both buried at Tromso Memorial Cemetery.
• Melvina Regina, born September 15, 1901 in Lake Elizabeth Twp. and baptized in 1902 at Tromso Lutheran Church. She was married to Dale Thallman. She died January 27, 1966 in Hennepin Co. There is no additional information about her available.
  
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The Mathias Mathiasen family records from Tromsø Lutheran Church

Alette Bergitha Mathisdatter second wife of Erik Larson

• Alette Bergitha Mathisdatter was born: July 10, 1862 in Bredvig, Karlsøy Parish and baptized Aug. 3, 1862. She was in the 1865 & '75 Norway census on Bredvig with her parents; Ethnicity, "fin". She may have emigrated in 1876 with other family members. She married Erik Joseph (Olsen) Larson, born July 31, 1834 in Olderbakken, Karlsøy Parish, on November 5, 1877 in Lake Elizabeth Twp., Kandiyohi Co. by Rev. C. Christofferson, pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the presence witness Jacob Mathieson and his wife, Nels Mathiason and Kari Anderson.
  Alette married Erik Larson November 5, 1877. See more about Alette and Erik Larson and family in the Larson section of this history.
  
• In the 1880 census Erik Larson and Alette were in Lake Elizabeth Twp. with Erik’s son, John, age 17, and their daughter, Abelona, 2 months.
• In the 1885 census they in Fahlun Twp. with children Anton, age 20, Ole, age 14, Alfred, age 3 and Elina, 9 months.
  
• In 1895 Alette was in Fahlun Twp. as a widow with children Alfred, age 12, Peter, age 8, Martin, age 4 and Ole age 23.
• The second husband of Alette Bergitha Mathiasdatter Larson was Nils A. Johnson; married October 30, 1894 in Willmar, Minnesota by Justice of Peace H. J. Ramsett. They divorced.
• Their Children:
  • Albin Johan Edvart, born July 8, 1894 and baptized at Tromso Lutheran Church. He died January 6, 1895.
  • Abelone (Abby) Eline Susana, born October 15, 1896 in Fahlun Twp. and baptized at Tromso Lutheran Church. She moved to Washington with her mother and died May, 1982 in Washington. In the 1910 Kitsap Co. Wash. census she was living in Kingston, Washington. Also listed with her were her cousins, Edward, Nils and Laurie Mathisen. She married Reynold Nelson, born in Sweden, in 1918 in Washington and he died July 1, 1941. Abby then married John Davidson on August 31, 1942 in Washington. They divorced. Her third husband was Grove D. Voreis, born May 11, 1888. They married on February 7, 1948 in Washington and he died September 1968. She had no children but she had stepchildren. She was known affectionately as “Aunt Abbie” by the family. After her mother died she had many of Erik Larson’s records which she shared with John Larson in Minnesota
• In 1900 Alette was in Fahlun Twp. with her third husband, Erick Willander and children Alfred Larson, Peter Larson, Martin Larson, Abbie Johnson, Andrew Willander and a baby Willander.
  
• Alette Bergitha Mathiason Larson Johnson’s third husband was Erick Willander, married November 27, 1897 in Willmar, Minnesota. He was born July 1867 in Norway. They moved to Washington in 1903. They were also in Kinston the 1910 census with Peter Larson, age 22, Martin Larson, age 20 and Andrew Willander, age 12. Also listed next to Erik Willander’s family was the family of Ole Hauan (Howen) who had also come from Bredvik, Norway and lived in the Lake Lillian community. Erick Willander died in the 1940’s in Washington.
• Their children;
  • Andrew Engvall, born January 21, 1899 in Fahlun Twp. and baptized at Tromso Lutheran Church. He was not married and died in 1943 in Washington;
  • a baby, born: April 4, 1900 in Fahlun Twp and died in 1900.

Only 5 of Alette’s 10 children lived to be adults. Alette died Aug. 22, 1917 in Poulsbo, Washington. See the descendants Alette Mathiason on the next page.

Ane Mathisdatter was born August 13, 1864 in Norway. Her baptism sponsors were Morten Mathiasen and his wife, Bredvik. She was with her parents in the 1865 census, ethnicity, “fin”. She died July 19, 1868. She is the only child of Mathias Henik Mathiasen and Ane Bergitte Johnsdatter that did not live to be an adult. All their other children emigrated to Kandiyohi Co., Minnesota.