Chapter XXXII

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[338] The much talked of Vingaard-ship.

The two ships _Kong Sverre_ and _Peder Schröder_ sailed side by side the whole way, relates Næset, _Kong Sverre_ arriving in New York in the evening, _Peder Schröder_ the next morning. Captain Brock's ship which had started ten days earlier, arrived three days later (see above page 275). From New York the immigrants were taken over the usual route to Milwaukee.[339] Having arrived in Muskego, they secured Halvor Luraas to take their goods to Koshkonong; he brought them to Clinton (Rockdale), where the first man they met was Torstein Selseng, who had emigrated from Aurland, Sogn, to Koshkonong the preceding year. Johannes Næset, who was a man of considerable means for the time, bought the land, which is now occupied by the son Ingebrigt Næset, which is section thirty-five in the southeastern part of Christiana Township.

[339] Mr. Næset's full account of this journey I shall publish elsewhere.

Johannes Næset was born in Leikanger Parish in 1795; his wife, Eli I. Berdahl, was born in 1797. She died in Koshkonong in 1850, Johannes died in 1882. He was noted for his ability as a mechanic, was successful as a maker of violins, and was himself a capable player. Jens Næset early distinguished himself as a builder and an architect. Though but sixteen years old he assisted in the building of the old log church in East Koshkonong in 1844, and it was Næset who took it down again in 1858 and constructed the old stone church, which a few years ago was replaced by a handsome brick edifice. He also built the tower of the old Liberty Prairie Church, and a number of the oldest houses on Albion Prairie were erected by him. Jens Næset was married in 1850; he has no children. Mrs. Ole Melaas of Stoughton, Wisconsin, is an adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Næset.[340]

[340] The Næsets have been living in Stoughton since 1876.

As has been noted, there was a considerable immigration from Sogndal, Sogn, in 1846; to name only a few: Ole C. Teigen, Ellend T. Quale, with wife Dordei Baardsdatter and family, eight in all, Anders S. Hundere, Nils O. Selseng and wife, and Johannes I. Gjerde. From Aurland, Sogndal, and Hafslo there came others in the following four years. I shall here name Peder Sylfestson Aaberge from Hafslo, who came in 1847, Ole O. Anderson (1848), Ole O. Hemsing (1849), both from Sogndal, Atle S. Gjellum and family, Per Sherping and wife Kristine and Kristen Olson Gulvangen from Aurland in 1849. Of these Aaberge later moved to Minnesota. Ole Anderson (often called Skog-Ola) settled three miles north of Albion, where he lived till his death. He married Guri Pederson, adoptive daughter of Torstein Selseng in 1851, who had come to America in 1849. She died in June, 1909. Ole Hemsing located first in Cottage Grove; in 1855 he purchased the old Hemsing farm three miles north of Stoughton, later owned by the son Ole H. Hemsing (b. 1853), since 1884, of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Ole O. Hemsing died about 1895, the widow (Ragnilda) died in 1907. Per Sherping died early and the widow married Kristen Olson, who then took the name Sherping (Sherpi). Kristen Sherpi (b. 1823) is still living at the old homestead near West Koshkonong Church. There was scattered immigration from Telemarken down to 1850, especially from Hvideseid, about forty in all came from Hallingdal, and twenty-five from Hardanger; Valders, Ringsaker, Biri and Vardal, and a dozen other provinces and parishes are represented by four or five settlers each. The first to arrive from Hardanger were Svend L. Lund, Ingebrekt, Nicolai, and Johannes Erdahl, Guttorm Buo, Ole L. and Aslak E. Quammen; these came in 1847. From Ringsaker came Anders J. Tömmerstigen, wife Maria Olsdatter and children Johannes, Olive, Peter (b. 1843) and Karen Marie, in 1846, while from North Aurdal in Valders came Ole Loe and Ole H. Hippe, both with families, and from Slidre, Tollef H. Gvale, all in 1847.

I shall now offer a copy of the official register of members of the Koshkonong churches during this period, according to the Parochial Records left by Reverend J. W. C. Dietrichson for the years 1844 to 1850. This is here printed for the first time and will be read with considerable interest by the many descendants of the founders of these two historic congregations on Koshkonong Prairie.

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