The year 1842 records the beginning of the great development, which in five years resulted in the settling of almost the whole of this vast area by immigrants from Norway. The next year was that of the great influx from various points in Telemarken, especially, Siljord, Laurdal and Hvideseid, although there were considerable numbers also from Vinje and Tin. The year 1843 was the one in which the Telemarkings took possession of Koshkonong; they gradually selected their permanent homes in Pleasant Spring, extending into Dunkirk and Cottage Grove and the northeastern sections of Christiana (as Eggleson, Bjoin, Hauge, Borgerud, Bosbön and Kingland). The Numedalians came only in limited numbers after 1842 and did not spread much beyond the original center around East Koshkonong church in southeastern Christiana and northern Albion townships. Those on the extreme west were Levi Kittilson, Levi Holtan, O. O. Lenaas and Tore E. Smithback, all coming somewhat later than those in the eastern extremity. The immigration from Numedal, which began in Rollaug, is after 1842 almost confined to Flesberg, a parish which furnished no immigrants before 1842.
In the year 1843, there came to Koshkonong, 35 families and many single persons, or a total of 182 individuals. This was the year of heaviest immigration to Koshkonong. The year’s influx is significant in the large number of districts in Norway represented, Telemarken leading as has been pointed out above. In addition to 9 persons from Numedal, and a small contingent from Voss, the first party of fourteen persons arrived from Kragerö. These first immigrants from Kragerö were: Bjorn O. Rom, Kjöstolf Tollefsen Hulderöen[265] (b. 1821), Even E. Buaas (b. 1799), Abraham K. Rönningen, Erick K. Rönningen, Halvor E. Dahl (b. 1802), wife Anne, and family, Torbjörn K. Rönningen, Glus P. Tyvang and wife, Audi, and Peder K. Rönningen. From Leikanger in Sogn[266] Anna L. Eggum (or Eggene, b. 1811), who in 1845 married Sjur C. Droksvold, from Voss; from Lier came Knut O. Lier, as also the widow Anne Thorstad, Knut Asdöhldalen and Gabriel Björnson (from Drammen); from Drangedal came Baruld J. Strandskougen and family, from Sandsværd, Ellef A. Berg, from Skauger, Halvor J. Stubberud, from Rögen, Lars P. Haukelien and family, from Holte, Tarald E. Midböe, from Gjerpen, Peder H. Moe, and from Hallingdal, Even Olson.
We have noted the fact above that there came for the first time in 1843 a group of immigrants from Flesberg Parish in Numedal. We shall note here briefly who these were. For the facts I am indebted to Mrs. Levi Holtan, formerly of Utica, at present of Stoughton, Wisconsin. The name of the ship on which these people came, Mrs. Holtan cannot remember, but it was commanded by Captain Overvind; the first mate was Friis. In the party of ninety persons were: Halvor Kjölen, Juul Hamre and wife Anne, Tostein Ullebær and Halvor Aasen, who went to Jefferson Prairie,[267] Gulleik Laugen, who stopped in Rochester, but soon after came west, locating on Rock Prairie, Paal (“Spelleman”) Lund, Guldbrand G. Holtan, a widower, his brother Ole G. Holtan,[268] Knut K. Bakli and Kittil G. Bakli and families, Ambjör Olsdatter and Synnöve Kristoffersdatter Bekkjorden from Lyngdal Annex of Flesberg. This was the ship on which also Per Svartskuren and wife Gro, Knut Lier and Baruld Johnson came on.[269] In the same party emigrated also Klemet Larson Stalsbraaten and wife Gunild, and his brother Halvor Stalsbraaten (Kravik) from Sigdal in Numedal. Halvor Stalsbraaten took the name Kravik from the estate where he had worked five years before emigrating. Reverend Kasberg writes me, citing Halvor Kravik, that they (the Stalsbraatens)
“Bought tickets for America at Konigsberg Fair, left Drammen May 6 ult., 1843, arrived at New York July fourth, ninety passengers on the ship.” ... “The company of immigrants went from Milwaukee to Muskego. Halvor Kravik and a young boy from Sandsværd walked to Koshkonong, arriving Friday evening. Monday morning Halvor was at work for one of the Englishmen further south. Kravik took a claim in 1844. During the winter he staid with Gunnul Vindeg, sleeping in the part of the house occupied at the time by Rev. Dietrichson, while the parsonage was being built.”
The rest of the party also came to Koshkonong a short while after, except those who went to Rock County. Ole G. Holtan (b. 1821) and Ambjör Olsdatter (b. 1821) were married a few weeks after arriving; Ole Holtan died in 1851, leaving wife and two children, Anna and Ole. Anna later became the wife of Levor Kittilsen Fjöse (Levi Kittilsen) well known farmer and prominent in the councils of the West Koshkonong Church.[270] Ambjör, widow of Ole G. Holtan, married Nils Torgerson Grötrud in 1852; he had come to America in 1849.[271]
We have, on page [183] above, spoken of Lars J. Holo, who was the earliest immigrant from Ringsaker (1839). From Rochester, New York, he came to Muskego, Racine County, Wisconsin, in 1841; in 1843 he located permanently on Koshkonong. His son Johannes also settled on Koshkonong, as also the sons Lars and Martin Holo. The latter now owns the farm originally purchased in Albion Township by Björn Kvelve. Halvor Kravik (b. 1820) was the son of Lars A. Stalsbraaten and wife Maria. In 1845 he married Kristi Guldbrandson, who had come to America in 1842. They bought land and settled permanently about three-quarters of a mile south of East Koshkonong Church at what came to be called Kravikhaugen (the Kravik hill). The homestead has now for many years been occupied by the oldest son, Lars C. Kravik. Since about 1899, Halvor and his wife lived with their son-in-law, Rev. K. A. Kasberg, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, later in Grand Forks, North Dakota, now for several years past at Spring Grove, Houston County, Minnesota. Mrs. Kravik died a year ago; Mr. Kravik in February, 1909.
Kjöstolf Hulderöen (Hulröya), who came to Muskego in 1843, went back to Norway two years later, but returned to America in 1846, settling on Koshkonong, at Cambridge. In 1848 he married Hæge O. Sube, who had come from Telemarken to this country that year. In 1853 he started a general merchandise business in Rockdale, Dane County, where he lived till his death in 1889. The widow is living with her oldest daughter Mrs. John Halvorson in Rockdale. A son, Charlie C. Tellefson, one of Dane County’s prominent democrats, resides at Utica, Wisconsin.
Gabriel Björnson was one of the few who came to Koshkonong from the region of Drammen. He married Gunhild Grötrud, sister of Nils T. Holtan (Grötrud). Björnson is said to have been the first Norwegian to be admitted to the bar in this country. He died in Ada, Minnesota, in 1889; he was at that time County Attorney of Norman County.
There were two families from Voss, who had immigrated earlier among those who settled permanently on Koshkonong in 1843, namely Styrk Olson Saue, who, we have seen, came to America in 1837, and Gulleik Torsteinson Saue, who immigrated in 1840; they had lived most of the time in Chicago. There Styrk Saue married Eli K. Væte; she died at Deerfield about 1885. Styrk died in 1894. Gulleik Saue (b. 1821) married Donant Rölje in 1844. They purchased land in northern Christiania, not far from Cambridge; here, and in neighboring parts of Deerfield Township, Gulleik Thompson, as he called himself, became in the course of time the owner of about 1,000 acres of farm land. At the time of his death he was Koshkonong’s wealthiest farmer. His son, Hon. T. G. Thompson, occupies the old home and owns the estate.