Descendants and history of Karl Johan Gjertsen Kvanvig, and Tobina Kvanvig.
This information was sent to me by Brian Kvanvig.
(Thanks Brian)
Submitted by the children: Violet Byers, Carol Swanson, Agnes Duel, and Herbert Kvanvig.
Generation No. 1
1. Karl Johan Gjertsen3 Kvanvig (Gjert Tobias Tollefsen2, Tollef Sigbjornsen1) was born Jan.01.1873 in Flekkefjord, and died May.11.1963. He married Tobina Remine Pederson Dec.23.1901 in Halstad Mn. She was born Apr.28.1881 in Stavanger, and died Dec.11.1920.
Notes for Karl Johan Gjertsen Kvanvig:
History of Karl & Tobina Kvanvig
Karl Kvanvig and his fiancée, Tobina Pederson were both natives of Stavanger, Norway.
In 1898 Karl Kvanvig sailed for America and settled in Halstad, Minnesota where he worked at various jobs until moving to the Dakota's. He sent his future bride, Tobina, money to sail for America. She, accompanied by Andrew, Karl's youngest brother, arrived in the year of 1898. Tobina worked as a seamstress for three years.
Karl Kvanvig and Tobina Pederson were married December 23, 1901 at Halstad, Minnesota by Rev. Korsmo, who later also came to the Dakotas. He and his wife were postmasters at the Watson Post Office in Harding County in the Ralph area.
Mother and Dad spent about six years in Minnesota. Then Dad, like so many other young men, decided to go west and file on some of the free land that was available.
In the year of 1907, Dad and a friend, Rev. Rossness, came by train to Dickinson, North Dakota. A locator then took them down to South Dakota in northwestern Perkins county. Dad chose his homestead site near Horse Creek, about one mile southeast of the future Ellingson Post Office and store. Rev. Rossness filed an adjoining quarter which Dad purchased later on.
Dad and his brother, Andrew did considerable freighting from Dickinson, North Dakota for themselves and also for neighbors. This round trip took about six days so they had food and bedding along, and also feed for the horses. They would make a bed under the wagon, however with the coyotes howling nearby, their sleep was rather disturbed.
Dad and Rev. Rossness spent a very busy Summer building a sod house and making other improvements. Then in the fall of 1907, Dad returned to Minnesota to bring his family. Their possessions which included a team of horses, one milk cow, and some machinery, were shipped by emigrant car to Hettinger, North Dakota. The family at that time consisting of Mother, Dad, and three children; George, age five years, Violet, three years, and Carol, eleven months, came by train coach. As the family grew, another sod room was added to the original. We remember this sod house to be very cozy; warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The first school we attended was at the Community Hall at Ellingson. Later, a tar paper covered shack was used for school and also for Church services.
As time went on, new members joined the family; Herbert, born in 1908, and Agnes born in 1912. Dad and Mother now decided to build a new frame house. The location this time was west of Horse Creek on a hillside. This home was erected by T.E.Hayes, a neighbor carpenter. The cost of labor and material at this time was minimal, but finances were also limited due to many years of draught, grasshoppers, and crop failure.
In the year of 1912, our family experienced the first tragedy in the death of our little brother, Herbert, at age four, due to pneumonia and complications.
As the years went by, three more children joined the family circle, which pleased us very much. A baby boy born in 1915, was named Herbert, after our deceased brother. Kermit was born in 1917, and Tillie Constance in the year of 1918. We enjoyed may good times together as family. Dad and Mother would take the whole family to town occasionally, which we really looked forward to, especially the Fourth of July celebrations.
Then there were great sorrows as well. Two more of our beloved family members were claimed by death. Our baby sister passed away in 1918, at just nine months of age, and Mother passed away Dec. 11, 1920, when only 39 years old, leaving a family of six children ranging in age from 17 to 2&1/2 years, which was really heartbreaking for all of us. Dad was very efficient, so managed to keep the family together through these trying years.
In the later twenties, times improved. Better farming methods and moisture made it possible for Dad to acquire more land and things looked brighter. Throughout the years, we had many kind friends and neighbors, so had many enjoyable times; making our own entertainment including house parties, dances, sleigh rides and etc.
A new frame school house was built in the year 1918, located northwest of the Ellingson Store. Here, all we children attended the grades. This school also served as church until 1921, when the Zion Lutheran Church was erected, mostly by members of the congregation. It was the policy of our home that the entire family attend each service that was held. This church has since been disorganized, and will be demolished this year of 1975. Important highlights of the community were the coming of rural telephone service in 1918, and the appearance of the radio in about 1922. We were unable to hear radio performance without the use of earphones, which were passed from one to another. A special event of the family was the purchase of a new Chevrolet auto in 1925. Shortly after this, Dad, with two sons, George and Kermit, and his brother, Andrew, drove to various points in Canada to visit another brother and other relatives.
One by one we children married and established homes nearby, leaving Dad alone. In the year 1943, he felt that he was ready to retire, so he rented the farm to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Komm. Hen then moved to Hettinger, N.D. to make his home with a son-in-law and daughter, Walter and Agnes Duel and family. He seemed to make our family circle complete, and added a feeling of warmth and stability. We loved having him with us. Although retired from farming, he did not retire from an active life. He joined a Christian book club and spent much time reading. He now had time to travel, so he made two trips to various points in California to visit two sisters and other relatives.
A son, Herbert, and his wife, Rose, bought the farm in 1945 and were engaged in farming until the year 1972. After the death of his wife, and due to his own ill health, Herbert, in turn sold the farm to his son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Sharon Kvanvig, who with their little daughter, are keeping our home place in the family.
Wishing to once more see his native land, and to visit his aging brother, three sisters-in-law, and other relatives, Dad make the voyage to Norway in May of the year 1947, and later several trips to Minnesota.
Karl Kvanvig lived a full and interesting life, and enjoyed good health until the last two years. He passed on to reward at the age of ninety, on May 11, 1963, leaving six children, 24 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren.
Dad and Mother were laid to rest in the Zion Cementary, as are also our small brother and infant sister.
We other six children all reared families who have scattered and settled in various areas of the U.S.
Since Dad's passing, two of our brothers have also been claimed by death. Kermit on September 15, 1969 at age of fifty two, and George passed away three and one half months later on December 30, 1969 at the age of sixty-seven.
Submitted by the children: Violet Byers, Carol Swanson, Agnes Duel, and Herbert Kvanvig.
More About Karl Kvanvig and Tobina Pederson:
Marriage: Dec.23.1901, Halstad Mn
Children of Karl Kvanvig and Tobina Pederson are:
2 i. George Tommy4 Kvanvig, born Dec.12.1902 in Halstad Mn; died Dec.30.1969. He married Mae Ragnhild Olson Sep.29.1927; born May.29.1908 in Hettinger ND.
More About George Kvanvig and Mae Olson:
Marriage: Sep.29.1927
3 ii. Violet Benora Underland Kvanvig, born Aug.03.1904; died May.27.1986. She married (1) John Graika. She married (2) Elmer Underland.
4 iii. Carol Teresa Swanson Kvanvig, born Sep.15.1906. She married Clarence Swanson; born 1897; died 1984.
5 iv. Herbert Kvanvig, born 1908; died 1912.
6 v. Agnes Marie Duel Kvanvig, born Apr.08.1912. She married Walter Duel; born 1906; died 1964.
7 vi. Herbert Karl Kvanvig, born 1914; died 1985. He married Rose Holt; born 1914; died 1972.
8 vii. Twin Girl Kvanvig, born 1914.
9 viii. Herbert Karl Kvanvig, born Nov.29.1915; died Dec.06.1969.
10 ix. Kermit John Kvanvig, born Sep.13.1917; died Sep.15.1969. He married Doris Kommb.
11 x. Tillie Constance Kvanvig, born Mar.1918; died Dec.1918.
