John Olsen Moen

  Research Notes:

John Olsen Moen, 1853-1919, is my 6th cousin, 2 times removed.

My family relationship to John Olsen Moen is difficult to easily describe and understand. My great-grandmother, Berit Sophie Larsdtr Mikkelson's [1861-1952; married to Thore S Grue] maternal ancestor line leads to a common ancestor of Mikkel Solandsen Østgård [1686-1756]. Mikkel Solandsen was also a direct line ancestor of John Olsen Moen through his paternal ancestor. This results in John Olsen Moen and my great grandmother, Berit Sophie Larsdtr Mikkelson, relationship as 5th cousins once removed.

However, there is another family relationship line to a common ancestor, Karen Jonsdatter Svetdalen [1723-1807]. Karen Jonsdatter was my 5th great grandmother. Karen Jonsdatter Svetdalen was married twice - her 1st marriage to Jon Pedersen Feragen [my direct line through their daughter, Benedite Jonsdatter]. Karen Jonsdatter second marriage to Michel Hansen Langeland. One of Karen Jonsdatter daughters with her 2nd husband, was Ingeborg Mikkelsdatter. Ingeborg Mikkelsdatter was married to Ingebret Jonsen Moen [1760-1806], a direct line ancestor of John Olsen Moen. So in this family relationship line, John Olsen Moen and Berit Sophie Larsdtr Mikkelson [1861-1952] were half 3rd cousins, with the common ancestor of Karen Jonsdatter Svetdalen [1723-1807]

In 1874 John Olson Moen had gone to Sweden - Tånnäs parish in Jamtland Co. For a period of time he worked as a farm hand at Högvålen. From Tånnäs parish, he left for North America on 20 Oct 1882. He most likely traveled to Trondheim for connections.
Note that John O Moen's future wife, Anna Christina [b 1865] was born in Tånnäs parish, but her mother had moved a couple of years later to Falu Kristine, Kopparbergs län where she married. It is likely that around 1890-1892, John and his family moved from MN to Roberts Co, South Dakota

I have used the Rolofson Family Tree on Ancestry as a starting point for US records [see below]. The Rolofson FT notes that John O Moen was married in 1885 in Hoffman, Grant Co, MN. The 1900 and the 1910 US Census records John O Moen farming in Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota. The 1900 US census notes that John is married to Christina and that they were married for 15 years or since 1885. The 1900 census also records that Christina was the mother of 8 children with 8 living - the census records the name of their children and the month/year they were born. However, by the 1910 Census enumeration, John is recorded as a Widow with 6 children. Three other children were born between the 1900 census and 1906.

I have found some South Dakota death index records for the some family members, as well as some newspaper, along with the Walla Lutheran Church records regarding John O Moen's family. Combining these records, as well as Norway and Swedish parish records, and the noted Ancestry Family Tree, the following is a modified descendant depiction of John's family.

John O Moen's wife died on 10 Jan 1906 and about a week later one of his children died. But prior to 1906, 3 other children had died. One newspaper notice indicates that the children died of consumption - later known primarily as pulmonary tuberculosis.

As the Walla Lutheran Church records indicate, John, William, Sven, Lydia, and Maria, left the farm in Lien Twp, presummaly to live on the farm/homestead that son Erik Alfred had started in Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, ND. The move was likely around 1913, and most likely John's son Carl had taken over the farm in South Dakota. John and his 4 children are recorded in the 1915 ND State Census. In 1917, John's son Sven Lenoard died, mostly likely at Kickapoo Twp. Sometime after this, John, William, Lydia, and possibly Maria moved back to Lien Twp in Roberts Co, SD. John O Moen died on 23 Dec 1919; Carl, William and Lydia are recorded in the 1920 census at Lien Twp.

In 1925, William and Maria are recorded in the 1925 ND State Census at Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, ND. However, I have not found any further information on Maria. Some Ancestry FTs seem to link her to the name Mary Thompson, but provide little evidence. There is a person named Mary Thompson but this person was a member of the Sioux native tribe in Sisseston SD and was married to Alex Moen in 1919 - this can't be Maria, daughter of John Moen. FamilySearch has a Family Tree [id KWJ6-191] that correctly records her birth but her death date of 25 May 1968 is questionable since no location is recorded and no source information - no parents or other information is noted on this FT. Some of the Ancestry FTs record that Maria died in Field, BC, but no date is recorded and no source is noted - BC Archives has no record. Ancestry.com has some possible links for Mary Thompson, married to Moen, but again this isn't the same person.

John's daughter, Lydia is recorded as dying in Calgary, Alberta in 1971 - she was married Carl Henry Olson and they had 2 sons and 2 daughters [John's folder on my PC has her obit, but it gives little information; obit is also posted on findagrave]. The Rolofson, Swenson, and Carnine FTs on Ancestry record her and her family, but I have not researched this information in any detail, but it is most likely Lydia had descendants.

John's son, Carl Oscar is noted on Ancestry FTs as dying in 1927 in Grant County, MN. However, this is incorrect. It is more likely that he died at Minneapolis [see death notice in the Minneapolis Star] on 27 Apr 1927. He was married to Edelina Moe in 1922 and they lived in the vicinty of Winner, Roseau Co, MN. He had a land patent for sec 34 on Elkwood Twp, Roseau Co. Carl had one son, Clinton - he died at about age 13 in 1937.

John's other son, William Ferdinand, was born in 1892, likely in Roberts Co [see his WW1 draft card]. William was married in 1925 in ND. He had 2 children. William served in the US Army in WW 1 and his children served in WW 2, and a grandson served in the US Navy, in Vietnam. William and family moved to Roseau Co and Clearwater Co, MN and later he moved to Colorado where in died in the Denver area.

Although I have found some basic information on John's surviving children, more research is needed. I have not recorded his children on the Legacy database, but below I have included information gathered in early Aug 2024.


Modified descendant

John Olson Moen, b 23 Dec 1853, Tolga, Hedmark, Norway; died 23 Dec 1919, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
married: 31 May 1885, Grant Co, Minnesota
Anna Christina Erikson, b 7 May 1865, Hede, Jamtland, Sweden; died 10 Jan 1906, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota.

children:

1.]Erik Alfrid, b 27 Jul 1883, Grant Co, MN; died 25 Dec 1906, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
2.]Sven Leonard, b 20 Nov 1884, Grant Co, MN; died 17 Feb 1917, Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, North Dakota ...???
3.]Carl Oscar, b 18 May 1887, Grant Co, MN; married, 2 children
4.]Axel Emanual, b 18 May 1889, Grant Co, MN; died 25 Dec 1905, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
5.] Malvina Elisabeth, b 10 Dec 1890, Grant Co, MN; dies 1 Dec 1904, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
6.]William Ferdinand, b 18 Dec 1892, Roberts Co, SD; married, 2 children
7.]Sven Leonard, b 20 Nov 1894, Roberts Co, SD; died 17 Feb 1917, Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, North Dakota
8.]Lydia Albertina, b 18 Oct 1896, Roberts Co, SD; married, 4 children
9.]Helmer Joseph, b 30 Mar 1898, Roberts Co, SD , died 2 Aug 1911, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
10.]Maria Olivia, b 30 Jun 1900, Roberts Co, SD; married, 3 children
11.]Daniel Fridtjof, b 29 Jun 1903, Roberts Co, SD; died 26 Jan 1905, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota
12.]Lawrence Melvin, b 2 Nov 1905, Roberts Co, SD; died 17 Jan 1906, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, South Dakota


Above written and compiled by Rueben D Grue, 4 Aug 2024
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1. Walla Lutheran Church, New Effington, Roberts Co, SD ... Swedish Lutheran
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61584/images/48258_555087-00991?pId=30296261

image image 240 .... members
image 241 ... John Olasson Moen family
John O Moen, b 26 Dec 1853 Tolgen
wife Anna Christina, b 7 May 1865 in Hede Jamtland, Sweden
died 10 Jan 1906
son Erik Alfrid, b 27 Jul 1883, Grant Co, MN
son Carl Oscar, b 18 May 1887, Grant Co, MN
son Axel Emanual, b 18 May 1889, Grant Co, MN; d. 25 Dec 1905
dau Malvina Elisabeth, b 10 Dec 1890, Grant Co, MN; d. 1 Dec 1904
son William Ferdinan, b 18 Dec 1892, SD.. all children bap at Walla
son Sven Leonard, b 20 Nov 1894, SD
dau Lydia Albertina, b 18 Oct 1896, SD
son Helmer Joseph, b 30 Mar 1898, SD ... dod
dau Maria Olivia, b 30 Jun 1900
son Daniel Fridtjof, b 29 Jun 1903, SD; died 26 Jan 1905
son Lawrence Malvin, b 2 Nov 1905, SD; died 17 Jan 1906

then, image image 287 ... this would be a later record from above
John Olofson Moen b 26 Dec 1853. Tolgen; received 4 May 1894; widowed on 10 Jan 1906
then,
Carl Oscar, b 18 May 1887, Grant Co, MN
William Ferdinand, b 18 Dec 1892, SD
Sven Leonard, b 20 Nov 1894, SD
Lydia Albertina, b 18 Oct 1896, SD
Helmer Joseph, b 30 Mar 1898, SD ... dod
Maria Olivia, b 30 Jun 1900 *

NOTE: on the far right side on John's line, "removed, 1913" ... this mostly likely refers to all of the above, except Helmer
and then,
John Olofson Moen came back to Walla church records on 20 Jan 1918 from Palermo*, ND 1917 ... *Palermo is about 30 kms or so north west from Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, ND
and then died 23 Dec 1919 ... his funeral is noted on image 346 ... funeral: John O Moen, 26 Dec 1919 at age 65 yrs, 11 months and 1 day

Also note: image 9 ... church organized 7 May 1894 and a photo of 7 men who organized the church ... including John O Moen

2. Land Records ....
John's land is patented [BLO glo records], issued 4 Aug 1902, homestead Roberts Co, SD
NW¼ sec 22, Twp 128N and 50W of the 5th .... 1910 Plat, he has the N½of NW¼

link, https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/1127/images/31617_072162-00799?ssrc=&backlabel=Return

-- note, I haven't been able to find John's land records in Roberts Co in the US track ... I can't find the vol for Twp 128N and 50 W
[3 Aug 2024 ... reviewed many pages....]

.... https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-ZHCD?view=index&cc=2074276&lang=en&groupId=


3. John O Moen's birth/baptism: 26 Dec 1853, baptism 17 Apr 1854
.. born before parents marriage that was on 17 Apr 1854
Tolga, Hedmark Parish register (copy) no. 4, 1845-1887, p. 21. no 9 .... https://media.digitalarkivet.no/en/view/9225/24
- John Olsen Moen, b 26 Dec 1853, Vestre Bakken; died 19 Ded 1919, New Effington, Lien Township, Roberts Co, SD

4. 1900 US Census, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, SD
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4120604_00268?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=bfK408&_phstart=successSource&pId=59899284

1910 US Census, Lien Twp, Roberts, SD
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4449321_00960?pId=26926996
John O Moen, wid; Carl,William, Sven, Lydia, Helmer, Maria

1920 US Census, Lien Twp, Roberts Co, SD
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4390324_00253?pId=69512350
Carl O Moen, age 32 ... carpenter
William F, age 27 ... farmer
Lydia, age 23 ... not working
* remember, John O Moen died 23 Dec 1919

5. there are a number of FTs on Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/42/?name=John+Olsen_Moen&birth=1853_norway_5173&birth_x=1-0-0&defaultFacets=PRIMARY_YEAR.PRIMARY_NPLACE&residence=_minnesota-usa_26&residence2=_south+dakota-usa_44

Rolofson FT on Ancestry, [gloriakay43]; access 28 Jul 2024
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/84335360/person/30513811265/facts
... records a number of children for John O Moen, ... BUT the obit posted for his wife is not likely correct
... also has names is father as Alan Moen and mother as Kirsti both born in 1800 .. no other infor. WRONG
John Olsen Moen's parents were Ole Johnsen Moen b 1824 and Kirsti Mikkelsdatter [Bakken] born 1835

Swenson FT [Orven Swenson]; access 28 Jul 2024
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/155257670/person/122201934307/facts
- this FT provides link to Anna Christina's birth ... wife of John O Moen
... see her research note page for some details
- This FT and Rolofson have some added information on John's son William and daugther Lydia ... they also record that daugther Maria Olivia was married to someone with surname Thompson and that she died at Field, BC, Canada, but no date of death is recorded nor is her husband's given name is recorded

re; daughter, Lydia Albertina Moen
Carnine Family Tree [Ardy Jones]; access 3 Aug 2024
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/15323040/person/246846282/facts
- links to Lydia ... names spouse, children, but I'm not sure of the accuracy ... [ no detailed research ...3 Aug 2024 ]
- I have downloaded a brief obit for Lydia in Calgary Herald [see her father's folder]

b. geni.com FT ... Hans Petter Engh, Nov 2024
https://www.geni.com/people/John-Moen/6000000029470975600?through=6000000029471750985
- doesn't have a lot of detail on the children, usually just the name

c. some background information from Hans Petter Engh .... and some information from Swedish records

John Moen, b 26 Dec 1853 in Tufsingdal .... Hans Petter Engh "One of my Ancestors, John Moen b 1853"
.. apparently he and his parents lived in Idre from 1858-1864
.. a sister Anna Lucia Moen was b in Idre on 29 Aug 1859 [Idre, C:1, im on ancestry; actual 29 Sep; Flötningen]
.. also a brother Mikkel Moen, b 25 Jul 1856
.. also a brother Martin Moen, b 14 Feb 1863 in Idre
.. and a sister Ingeborg Kjerstine Moen, b 12 Aug 1866 ... but location ???
** not in Tolga 'moving out' or in Idre 'moving in or out'

.. and apparently this John Moen went back to Sweden to Högvålen, Tännäs, Jämtland County (Härjedalen) to America
and emigrated on 20 Oct 1882 .... Tolga 'moving out' 1874, https://media.digitalarkivet.no/view/8907/43382/36
.. not in Tånnäs 'moving in' ... 'moving out' 20 Oct 1882 ... to America https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/2225/images/71610_2227__30-001800_3?usePUB=true&_phsrc=YRs30&pId=25829963
.. not in household examination . .... above research, 11 Jun 2025

.. this may be John O Moen's emigration from Trondheim .... 9 Jan 1883 .... indexed name Jan Moen
.. going to Morris, Minnesota [about 80kms or so, south of Fergus Falls]
https://www.ancestry.ca/search/collections/61757/records/755866?tid=&pid=&queryId=3b20397e-ba42-4bbd-a089-0b9508354e2e&_phsrc=YRs31&_phstart=successSource

above post: Hans Petter Engh , 12 Mar 2007
.... this Hans Petter Engh as a number of posts that I have read, re; geni.com FTs
the above on Anbytarforum with search: Idre
https://forum.rotter.se/index.php?topic=4080.0

BUT .... Hans Petter Engh has found more information, 11 Nov 2024 ... see new geni.com link,
https://www.geni.com/people/John-Moen/6000000029470975600?through=6000000022884244251

.. the above page on Anbytarforum was references a Bygebok for Idre..... but it doesn't appear to be on-line ... 11 Jun 2025
part 1 or vol 1 published in 2001 [by Esbjörn Henricson] part 2 in 2006 ... likely a third volume, 2009




6. North Dakota 1915 State Census Kickapoo Twp, Montrail Co, ND ... just a bit south of Tagus
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1078/images/ndsc_6867-0619?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=3279638
John O Moen, age 61 [abt 1854]
William F Moen, age 22 [abt 1893]
Sven L Moen, age 20 [abt 1895]
Lidia A Moen, age 18 [abt 1897]
Maria A Moen, age 14 [abt 1901]


ND Death Certificate ... https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/60498196:61747
for John O Moen's son, Sven Leonard Moen, died 17 Feb 1917 at Kickaport [Kickapoo] Twp, Montrail Co, ND .... Sven was unmarried
informant was John O Moen, with John O Moen's address as Tagis, ND . .. about 40 kms west of Minot

Land .... Kickapoo Twp, Montrail Co, ND
S½ NW¼, sec 13, Twp 155N-88W of 5th and N½ of SW¼, Sec 13
Alfred Moen, patent issued 11 Jan 1916 ... .. and then 1917 plat, name of John O Moen

Alfred: US Track Books, Vol 155, image 129
initial payment on 17 May 1905, with final on 20 Aug 1915
But Erik Alfred Moen died 25 Sept 1906, at SD

???? this is somewhat confusing, but .... It is possible that Sven and William Moen had essentially taken over the "homestead land" of their brother, Erik Alfred, and continued to make improvements. It is also possible that Erik Alfred's "estate" went to his father, John O Moen, but the land was mostly likely worked by John's sons, Sven and William. As indicated in the 1915 State Census, John, William, Sven, Lydia and Maria moved to the homestead in Kickapoo Twp. The Walla Lutheran Church records support this conclusion. William was married in ND.

7. William F Moen
WW 1 draft; same as brother Oscar ... 5 Jun 1917
but birth as Effington, ND

..ND Marriages, select counties. m. 1 Jan 1925
address as Burke Co, ND married to Mary S Skeyshoe of Burke Co, ND
... her name is actually "Skarphol"
findagrave id 3361767 - Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO
-- William Ferdinand Moen - served in WW ,
-- his son, Harvey J Moen - served in WW 2. and
Harvey's son, David L Moen, served in Vietnam

1930 US census, Stoneview twp, Divide Co, ND
W F Moen, age 37 b in SD; farm labor
wife Mary, age 30 b in Norway [abt 1900]
dau Annie B, 4 and 6 months b in SD
son Harvey J age 2 yrs and 5 months, b in SD [1928]
... family living with her brother, indexed as Michael Skarphol

1940, Sinclair Twp, Clearwater Co, MN;
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-01914-01117?pId=96696538
- family lived in rural Roseau Co in Apr 1, 1935
- William - farmer

William Ferdinand Moen
Jamie Michelle Moen FT [Jamie Michelle Payne]; access 28 Jul 2024
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/66652508/person/402329407821/facts
- this FT has some additional information ... but not a lot ...
2 Aug 2024 ... I haven't reviewed in detail ... clicking on the
veterans findagrave, ancestry has a number of links
- Rolofson FT also has additional

8. Carl Oscar Moen,
MOMS ... married to Annie Edilia Moe, on 4 Oct 1922, Roseau County.
F184
Minneapolis Star, issue 27 Apr 1927, p 19
Moen, Carol O, husband of Edelia Moen, age 39 yrs ... interment Saturday at Winner, MN [Roseau Co]
findagrave id 76413044; Salem Cemetery, Malung, Roseau Co, MN
... this also links to his father, John O Moen

Land: patent issued 15 Sep 1922, cash entry sale; 160 acres
N½of NW¼ Sec 3, Twp 159N and 37W; and,
S½of SW¼ Sec 34, Twp 160 N and 37W
1935 Plat, sec 3 G.A. Moen ????
https://historicmapworks.com/Map/US/123464/Elkwood+Township/Roseau+County+1935/Minnesota/
Sec 34 .. https://historicmapworks.com/Map/US/123494/Township+160+North++Range+37+West/Roseau+County+1935/Minnesota/

Ancestry ... WW 1 draft Card ... 5 Jun 1917, Roseau, Elkwood
Carl Oscar Moen, ; address: Winner, farmer, single
born 15 May 1887, Huffman, MN


9. Lydia Albertina Moen


Carnine Family Tree [Ardy Jones]; access 3 Aug 2024
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/15323040/person/246846282/facts
- links to Lydia ... names spouse, children, but I'm not sure of the accuracy ...
-I have downloaded a brief obit for Lydia in Calgary Herald [see her father's folder

note ... Swensen FT and Rolofson FT has some information

Lydia: married to Carl Henry Olson, 1895-1971, findagrave id 190324059
Lydia's findagrave id 190324033 ... same obit is posted.

.... more researched is needed for Lydia's children


10. Maria Olivia Moen

... married ???? .. Thompson ??? and died at Field BC, but no dates .... Rolofson FT, Swensen FT
BUT see, 1925 ND State Census, Kickapoo Twp, Mountrail Co, ND
.. both William and Maria are recorded
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/2124494:1078?tid=&pid=&queryId=8ee4e06b-c6c9-414e-aad4-22c0d379c885&_phsrc=evn1770&_phstart=successSource

Then: ??????? ... I can't confirm anything else

.... more research is needed

--------------------------------------------------------------- ¹⁰¹¹⁴

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Emmigration, 1883, 20 Oct 1882, Tännäs, Jämtland län, Sweden. ¹⁰¹¹⁵ John O Moen had been living in Sweden from about 1874. He is noted in the Tännäs parish records 'moving out' on 20 Oct 1882. He had been working on an area farm. It is possible that he traveled to his parents and then to Trondheim.

John married Anna Christina Erickson on 31 May 1885 in Grant Co, Minnesota, United States.¹⁰¹¹¹ (Anna Christina Erickson was born on 8 May 1865 in Tånnäs, Jämtland län, Sweden,¹⁰¹¹⁶ died on 10 Jan 1906 in New Effington, Roberts Co, South Dakota, United States ¹⁰¹¹⁷ and was buried in Walla Church Cemetery, New Effington, Roberts Co, South Dakota, United States.)

  Marriage Notes:

Note: John O Moen's name is recorded with surname "Mon', likely a transcribing erorr or difficult to read handwriting. Anna Christina's surname is recorded as "Fridroft", the surname of her step-father.
The 1900 US Census records that John and Anna were married for 15 years, with calculated date as 1885.