In Norway, in the 1800’s, men who worked for rich farmers were called ‘husmann’. Wages were small. They were given a small piece of land, where they could plant potatoes and a few vegetables. They could only work on their own land at night, after their 10-12 hour days working for the big farmers.

Hans became tired of seeing his father, Engebret, toil like this to make a living for his family.

At 18 (1852), Hans left home on foot, walking north over Dovrefjellet (a mountain range in Norway). He would stop and work at different places. In 1854, he arrived in Grong in North Trondelag (north of Trondheim), where he found employment at the Lutheran Church farm. Apparently, in those days some big farms belonged to the Stave Churches.

On this particular farm, there was a maid working who had come from Meselt, Storelvdal in Osterdal. She was Sigrid (Siri) Halvorson. Hans and Siri fell in love and got married. They moved around, living in many places in the North Trondelag area. They heard of the big timber logging in Vefsen, Nordland and moved there. They lived on a small farm named Bjorkjonnlid, until they immigrated to America with some of their children. They settled in Estherville, Iowa in 1891. Hans was 57 years old, but he continued farming and working on the railroad. Both lived a long and fruitful life.45

ENG/IA 001 - 1930 Census; 95 years old, born Norway, immigrated in 1890; living with grandson Belvin Petersen. Address: 1226 7th St, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa.