Ole Tollefsen

   Another name for Ole was Ole Tollefson.

  General Notes:

Ole Tollefsen (1861-1917)

[21 Sep 2016, 5 Oct 2016; and with a final revision on 6 Nov 2016. Rueben D Grue]


Introduction:

Ole Tollefsen was born on 3 Feb 1861 in Wisconsin, most likely in Rock County. He was the twin brother of Kersti Tollefsdatter. Ole and Kersti's parents were Tollef Olson Slaabakken and Ingeborg Evensdatter Søndmør. Ingeborg was a second cousin to my second great grandmother, Olava Olsdatter Røstbakken, who was married to Simen Thoresen Grue. Ole Tollefsen would be my third cousin, 3 times removed. The only direct evidence that states Ole and Kersti's birth is from the Bethany Lutheran Church confirmation records in Windom, MN. This 1875 record notes their parents and their birth date and states they were born in Wisconsin. Since their parents were living in Rock Co during that time, it is reasonable to conclude that their birth was in Rock Co.

Many of Ole's records spell his family surname as Tollefson, but the burial records show his surname (and his son's surname) as "Tollefsen", the accurate Norwegian patronymic spelling. I have reviewed a number records, including a number of Ancestry.com Public Member Trees. The 'beauhank' family tree appears to have the most reliable information for Ole and also for his sister Kersti. Using this family tree as a starting point, I reviewed a number of documents, including US Federal Census, MN State Census, and Findagrave.com records. With the information from the above sources we can, with a fairly high degree of accuracy, conclude that Ole Tollefson was married to Esther, and they had 4 children, Theodore, Agnes, Clarence and Esther.

A review of a number of sources (US Federal Census, MN State Census, and Findagrave.com)

1. US Federal and MN State Census data records the family of Ole Tollefson and Esther from 1885-1910. This also records Esther and Ole's children to 1940.

a. 1885 MN State, Graham Lakes Twp, Nobles Co, MNOle and Esther
b. 1895 MN State, Graham Lakes Twp, Nobles Co, MNOle, Esther, along with the 4 children
c. 1900 US Federal, Graham Lakes Twp, Nobles Co, MNOle, Esther, along with the 4 children
d. 1910 US Federal, Mekinock Twp, Grand Forks Co, NDOle, Esther, along with the 4 children
e. 1920 US Federal, Zion (ward 1), Lake Co, IL Esther (a widow) as head of household, with son Clarence and daughter Esther (their son Theodore and wife Bertha are recorded in Ward 4 of Zion, Lake Co)
f. 1930 US Census, Zion (ward 1), Lake Co, IL Esther (a widow) as head of household; son Clarence with wife Irene are at Benton Twp, Lake Co, IL; son Theodore and wife Bertha, along with 3 children are at Zion Lake Co; I have not found either daughters, Agnes or Esther
f. 1940 US Census, Zion (ward 5), Lake Col, IL Esther age 81, widow; son, Theodore and wife Bertha and 4 children; son Clarence and wife Irene (no children recorded) at Benton Twp, Lake Co


2. 1917, Mount Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, Lake Co, Illinois. The tombstone for Ole Tollefsen (died in 1917) and for Esther (died 1944). This cemetery also has records for Ole's sons Clarence and Theodore.




A problem arises with this information, specifically:

Is there evidence that this particular Ole Tollefson (and his family) is in fact my relative? Although, it is
reasonable to conclude this is the same family over the years, is it the record of the family of Ole Tollefsen, son of Tollef Olsen Slaabakken and Ingeborg Evensdatter Søndmør?



Part B: a review of Relevant Evidence related to the above problem. Most of the following points require some explanation.

1. Ingeborg's obituary notes the following, "...the death of her husband in January, 1913….Four years later, her eldest son, Ole Tollefson, passed away." This would mean that her eldest son died about 1917 and this is the date of death in the above source (findagrave tombstone).

2. "An Illustrated History of Jackson County, MN" (page 366, re; Christine Knudson, wife of Henry Knudson. Henry Knudson's father was Knud Chestenson [Christen / Christiansen ?] Klevegaard [sp?]). This records that Christine's parents are Tollef Olson Slaabaken and Ingebor Slaabaken and that she is the twin sister of Ole Tollefson, "...who now lives on a fine large farm near Arville, North Dakota [likely Arvilla, ND]. This location corresponds to the 1910 US Census record for Ole Tollefson age 49 (birth about 1861 in Wisconsin) and this corresponds to the birth of 'our' Ole Tollefsen. This notation clearly connects Ole and Christine (Kersti) Tollefson as the children of my relative, Ingeborg (Evensdatter).

3. On page 366 of "An Illustrated History of Jackson County, MN", there is the comment that Henry Knudson's half sister is, "Esther (Mrs. Ole Tollefson), wife of a prosperous farmer in Arville [Arvilla], North Dakota." Ole's wife in the above records is noted as Esther.

4. On the same page (366), it is noted that, "...[Henry] Knudson has the following half sisters and brothers by his father's second wife, namely: Esther (Mrs Ole Tollefson, wife of prosperous farmer of Arville [Arvilla], North Dakota; Mrs. Mary Erickson of Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Stark Christy, a farmer of Bellecreek, Goodhue County, Minnesota; Elias Knudson, deceased of McIntosh, Minnesota.
a. Mrs Ole Tollefson '96 this is the same comment as point 2
b. Elias Knudson is recorded living in the same household as Ole Tollefsen and Esther in the 1895 MN State census in Nobles Co, MN
c. Mrs Mary Erickson '96 Cannon Falls [Twp], Goodhue Co. There is not a record of her in "History of Goodhue Co...", but on page 588 there is Peter Erickson (Sec 9) and Halvor Erickson (Sec 10)
d. Stark Christy. This notes the a family surname, "Christy" or possibly "Christie"

5. Marriage of Ole and Esther

a. Using the surname of Christy, I searched the Minnesota Marriage Index (MOMS) and found an indexed record for the marriage of Ole Tollefson and Esther Christie on 25 Dec 1884 at Goodhue Co.
b. I also found a family database at geni.com (managed by Sven Helsa, with his last update as 27 Mar 2013) that records Ole, son of Ingeborg Evenson and Tollef Olson Slaabakken, and married to Esther Christie; however the marriage date recorded is 25 Dec 1883 and Hennipen Co as the location. The important note is the surname Christie for Esther
c. Most of the census data for Ole Tollefsen suggests his marriage around 1885 or 1886, but the date of 25 Dec 1884 is likely the most accurate.

6. This database (geni.com) also records Esther Christie's birth as 27 Nov 1857 (Goodhue Co) and her death as 26 Oct 1944 at Zion, Lake Co, IL (the death corresponds to the tombstone record).

7. Familysearch (Illnois deaths and stillbirths index, 1916-1947) collection indexes the death for both Ole and Esther Tollefsen. Ole's record notes his father as Tollef Olsen and his birth as 3 Feb 1861 (but does not record the location of his birth). Esther's record records her spouse as Ole Tollefsen and notes that she was born at Blue Mound[s] in Wis (Dane Co), but does not record her maiden name.

As indicated above, another source of direct evidence that note's Ole and his sister Kersti's birth is from the Bethany Lutheran Church confirmation records in Windom, MN. This record is from 1875 and notes that their parents and their birth date and says that they were born in Wisconsin.


8. As I have indicated on my Legacy database (and Ingeborg Evensdatter's biographical sketch), Ole's sister, Kersti (Christine's), daughter was Ida Anna Knudson and in the 1900 US Federal Census, she was recorded as the niece of the head of household, Olaf O Nordvold. I don't believe Ida Anna Knudson is a niece to Olaf, but there likely is a family connection. Ida Anna Knudson's father was Henry Knudson (Henry's father was Knud Christy/Christie Klevgaard and I believe that a brother to Knud was John (Johan) Klevgaard, the father of Esther and who was the wife of Olaf).

In the book, "History of Goodhue Co… (pub 1878)", Olof Nordvold is noted on page 626 and in this record, "...married to Ester Christy Klevgaard, March 23, 1873 … she was born in Wis., Oct. 18, 1850". In the 1909 book titled "History of Goodhue Co ..." it is noted on page 769 that Olaf Norvold was married Esther C Klevgaard, "the daughter of John Klevgaard."

This record highlights the two surnames, "Christy" and "Klevgaard".

9. Esther Christy/Christie, wife of Ole Tollefsen

a. 1870 US Federal Census, Belle Creek Twp, Goodhue Co, MN; image 11, second side (familysearch), fam 134, 137

Knud Christy, age 56 <1814-1815> born in Norway, farmer; wife Alice, age 44 born in Norway; children (all born in Wisconsin, except for the 2 youngest): Esther age 12 <1858> born in WI, Malena age 11, Mary age 8, Stark age 6, Elias age 2, Christian age 8 (twin to Mary?).

b. I had also found this family in the 1860 US Federal Census, Waldwick Twp, Iowa Co, Wisconsin, image 9 (family search), dw/fam 48

Kundt Christianson age 45 <1815> born in Nor, farmer; wife Alice age 33 <1827> born in Nor, and then a number of children born in Norway, Christian age 19, Henry age 17, Ole age 13, Rachel age 12, Kundt age 10, Sarah age 8, Ann age 7; then born in WI, Esther age 3 <1857> and Moliene age 10 months <1859>
- Age for Esther corresponds to the IL death index '96 Esther Tollefson/Christie born 1857 at Blue Mounds, Dane Co [Blue Mounds is at the county boundary with Iowa Co (although the current town of Waldwick is about 50 kms to the south/east]
- This should be the same family as the 1870; Alice would be an anglicized given name; the surname of family would likely correspond re; Kundt/Kund Christy or Christie could easily have been Christianson for a time, since his name father likely was Christian [but unknown patroynomic name]

c. As noted above (points 3 & 4), Henry Knudson and Esther Christy are half-siblings. I have not found a birth record for Esther or a marriage record for the above Kundt Christianson / Christy and Alice.

Henry Knudson was born on 26 Sep 1843 in the parish of North Aurdal, Oppland Co in Norway [Valdres traditional district]. I have found 2 sources for this date (History of Jackson Co... and The Valdres Book: A Manual of Valdres Samband [connections], by Veblen, Andrew A. Minneapolis. Published by author, 1926). However, I have not found a birth record for Henry in the Norwegian Parish Registers (Digitalarkivet) for the area in Oppland Co and the Nord-Aurdal parish. So the date or the location may be wrong. Much more research would need to be conducted. Henry is likely an anglicized name (possibly for Henrik, a more common given name in Norway) and the surname Knudson is a Norwegian patroynomic name, although correctly it should be spelled Knudsen.

The book, The Valdres Book …. notes that Henry's father is Knud Christensen Klevgaard with the American name as "Knud Christy".

The above three points (a,b,c) do not prove absolutely that Ole Tollefsen's wife Esther was the daughter of Knud Christy, but from the sources reviewed, this is still a reasonable conclusion.

10. On my Legacy database I have recorded Ole Tollefsen and Esther's descendants. I have not found a reason why the family moved from North Dakota to the northern eastern part of Illinois, although it is likely at least one of their children had moved their first and others in the family followed.





Conclusion:

In reviewing all the relevant information, it is reasonable to conclude that the Ole Tollefsen and Esther Christy family are 'our' relatives, at least at a "probable" level of surety or confidence. In order to record that I have found "convincing evidence", more research would be needed:

1) Reviewing the original death certificates for both Ole Tollefsen and Esther may provide more information on their parents.
2) possibly an obituary for Ole Tollefsen and Esther would more clearly link them together and to their respective parents. Possibly the obits for their children and their grandchildren might provide additional information.
3) Researching for Ole and Esther's marriage record.
4) Researching Esther's siblings and the "Christy" family may provide more information [see Christie / Christy / Klevgaard document dated, 14 Nov 2016].



































\\f4

  Research Notes:

Note: 27 Sep 2016, see Biographical Sketch for Ole Tollefsen (1861-1917) under "general notes"

Although have titled this as a Biographical Sketch, it is more of a "proof statement". I have reviewed a number of record and resources (as indicated on source cititations). Some of this is summarized below, but some information is recorded in my documents, "Ingeborg Evenson Olsen Egge research notes documents" and "Even Olsen born 1799 research notes document"

Also note that I have only recorded the names of the children. Some information on Ole's children is noted in the points below.
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Ole Tollefson,

1885 MN State, Graham Lakes, Nobles Co, MN; page 2, family 11; PO Kinbrae - this is about 25 kms west of Heron Lake, Jackson Co, MN

Ole Tollefson, age 24 born in Wisconsin
Esther, age 25 <1860>, born in Wis ***

link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DY64-N1?wc=M8S1-3P8%3A66193301%2C66215001%3Fcc%3D1503044&cc=1503044

*** this is likely Esther Christy [age 12<1858; WI] daughter of Knud Christy [age 56<1814>; Norway] and Alice in 1870 US, Belle Creek Twp, Goodhue Co, page 21 (image 14/14 on ancestry; image 11 on family search); two brothers, Stark Christy [ born abt 1862 in MN ] and Elias Christy [ born about 1868 in MN ]; see notes, re Ida Anna Knudson living with her uncle and aunt, Olof Nordvall and Esther [ Christy, born 1850 in WI, from History of Goodhue Co - Ester Christy Klegaard, so this Esther is likely a sister to Knud Christy ]
- there is no note of Knud Christy in the History of Goodhue Co ....; but Esther, the oldest was born in WI; likely came to MN between birth of son Christian and daughter Mary, likely twins. [age 8 <1862> born i WI] and Stark [age 6 <1864>] and so between 1862-1864. Youngest child is Elias age 2 <1868> born in MN
- in my research on 19 Aug 2016, re; geni.com data base; link, <https://www.geni.com/people/Ingeborg-Evenson/6000000020005437507?through=6000000020010446951> ;;; Owner, Sven Helsa from Trondhiem; last update on this data was 27 Mar 2013:
Esther Christie 1 Born: 25 Nov 1857, Goodhue Co., MN 1 Marriage: Ole Tollefsen on 25 Dec 1883 in Minneapolis, Minnesota 1 Died: 26 Oct 1944, Zion, IL at age 86 1 Buried: Mt. Olivet, Zion, Ilinois 1
Esther married Ole Tollefsen, son of Tollef Olson Slabakken and Ingeborg Evenson, on 25 Dec 1883 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.1 (Ole Tollefsen was born on 2 Feb 1861 in Jackson Co., MN,1 died on 17 Apr 1917 in Kenosha, WI 1 and was buried in Mt. Olivet, Zion, Ilinois.)


- But MN Marriages [cert # M9-525]; Ole Tollefsen and Esther Christie, Goodhue Co on 25 Dec 1884 [ most of the other records suggest marriage abt 1886, so this is pretty close ]. When I first saw this, I wasn't sure why Goodhue Co, but based on the above, maybe. That is, Ole was living with his sister, Kersti and her husband Henry Knudson whose half siblings were Ester and Stark Christie living in Belle Creek Twp according to An Illustrated History of Jackson Co MN [ see notes under Ole's sister's daughter's data ] , and so, he had a connection to Knud Christy family in Goodhue Co through his brother in law's half siblings.

1895 MN state, Graham Lakes, Nobles Co, MN; page 6, family 12

Ole Tollefson, age 34 born in WI; resident of this state for 33 yrs <1862>; this district, 2 years <1893>; farmer
Esther, age 27 born in WI;
Theodore age 9 <1886>, Agnes age 5 <1890>; Clarence age 3 <1892>; Emma age 9 mos <1894> - all born in MN
also in the house, Edwin Wilson, age 4 <1891> born in MN; and Elias Knutson, age 25 born in MN

link, <https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRVS-CL8?i=5&wc=M6GH-G2S%3A65685401%2C65739101%3Fcc%3D1503031&cc=1503031>

1900 US Federal, Graham Lakes, Nobles Co, MN; sheet 6B, dw 100, family 107; ED 0214

Ole Tollefsen, age 38, born Feb 1861 in Wis, married 14 yrs <1886>, owns farm
Esther, age 42 born Nov 1857 in Wis; mother of 6 children, 4 living
Theodor, son age 14 born Feb 1886 in MN
Agnes, daughter age 10 born Aug 1889 in MN
Clarence, son age 8 born Jan 1892 in MN
Esther, daughter, age 1 born Sep 1898 in MN
also recorded is John Jackman boarder/ farm labor, age 32 born Jul 1867 in PA

** 1905 MN State : Family is not recorded at Graham Lakes, Noble Co, MN (pages viewed on 19 Aug 2016)

1910 US Federal, Mekinock Twp, Grand Forks Co, ND; Ed 90; dw 56, family 57; abt 30 kms west and north of Grand Forks; Arvilla is about 15 kms south and west of Mekinock Twp (and Arvilla is a part of Mekinock Twp)

Ole Tollefson age 49; general farm, mortgage; Esther age 52 mother of 5 children, 4 living
Theodore age 24, Agnes age 20, Clarence age 18, Esther age 11

link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RV8-YHV?i=7&wc=QZZW-ZHR%3A133637201%2C135052501%2C135206001%2C1589089862%3Fcc%3D1727033&cc=1727033

1915 ND State - no record, but there doesn't seem to be a surviving census for Mekinock Twp, Grand Forks Co.

NOTE: It appears that Ole Tollefsen sold the farm between 1910 and 1917. Some of the family members appear to have moved to Lake Co, Illinois, likely to Benton Twp or Zion Twp, although a portion of Zion (City) is a part of Benton Twp (or Benton Precint)

1920 US; Zion (Ward 1), Lake Co, IL; ED 241; sheet 9A and 9B, dw 190, fam 197
Esther, wd; works as a Domestic; Clarence, laborer (houseman) and Esther in School [her name is indexed as Esther Tallefsen on familysearch]; image of sheet, suggests Tollefsen, with the letter 'o' not clearly formed]

Theodore C Tollefsen, (Zion ward 4; dis 0244; sheet 11b; house 2719 Elizabeth Ave) brother in law to head of household, Harry E Mayfield; works as a labor with a building ind [contractor ?], married
Bertha E Tollefsen, age 25 born in Canada; sister in law to head of household (sister of Harry's wife who was born in Canada); not working
link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR6G-FJY?i=16&wc=QZJP-Y3H%3A1036473701%2C1037469101%2C1040156601%2C1589333519%3Fcc%3D1488411&cc=1488411


1930 US; Zion (Ward 1), Lake Co, IL; Ed 8; sheet 8A page 15; Esther Tollefsen age 72, wid; not working (appears to be renting a room)
link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RHQ-R7?i=14&wc=QZF3-ZHN%3A648807601%2C649437001%2C650244601%2C1589282427%3Fcc%3D1810731&cc=1810731

Clarence Tollefsen Benton, Lake Co, IL(Ed 19-13; sheet 2B; 1906 Elm or Elim Ave, rent), age 38; married at age 34 <1926> to Irene age 23 <1907> in IL; Clarence is a Gardner at a private estate; Irene is packer at a candy store
link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRH3-VQ9?i=3&wc=QZF3-HV3%3A648807601%2C649437001%2C648886402%2C1589282343%3Fcc%3D1810731&cc=1810731


Theodore C Tollefsen, (Ed 49-10; image 22, sheet 11B; 3013 Eschool Ave; rents); age 44, married at age 32 <1918>; works as Truck Driver with Community Fuel Department; married
Bertha E, age 36; not working; children
Donald E, age 9 <1921>; Marjorie E, age 7 <1923>; Eileen E, age 1.5 yrs <1928>; all born in IL
link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RHQ-QB?i=21&wc=QZF3-ZK8%3A648807601%2C649437001%2C650244601%2C1589282323%3Fcc%3D1810731&cc=1810731

1940 US; Zion (Ward 5, Ed 49-115), Lake Co, IL; sheet 2B, family 39; Esther Tollefsen age 81, wid; not working; same residence in 1935
link, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MB-QZZ2?i=3&wc=QZXR-534%3A790104501%2C793143601%2C803408901%2C953631501%3Fcc%3D2000219&cc=2000219

Clarence Tollefsen (Ed 49-8; sheet 7B; family/house 131, at Elm Ave, rent) Gardener at private estate; same house as 1935; worked 48 hours, 52 wks, earning $840
Irene; salesperson at Candy Factory; NO children recorded; worked 40 hours, 52 wks, earning $688

Theodore C Tollefsen, (Ed 49-113; sheet 13B; 3013 Eschool Ave; owns); age 53, married at age 32 <1918>; works as Truck Driver with coal industry; work 44 hours, 50 wks earning $1000; married
Bertha E, age 46; not working; children
Donald E, age 20, works as a labor with printing industry works 40 hrs 38 wks earning $400; has 4 yrs HS; Marjorie E [Elaine] age 17; 3 yrs high school [ US SSDI, 13 Oct 2006, Zion IL born 21 Feb 1923; married to, alt name Marjorie E Duck; Eileen E, age 12; Theodore Jr, age 8 <1932> [10 Feb 1932 ?]; all born in IL; also in house is Elizabeth Danka [maybe Danks], mother in law, age 77 born in English Canada, wid



Findagrave: Mount Olivet Memorial Park has tombstones of Ole and Esther Tollefsen. Ole died in 1917 and Esther died in 1944 [includes a photo of the tomsbstone; no month or day recorded]. Esther - there is a record on ancestry "IL death index, records her birth as 25 Nov 1857 at Blue Mounds, WI and death as 26 Oct 1944 and her residence as Zion, Lake Co, IL; husband, Ole Tollefsen

Clarence M Tollefsen born 29 Jan 1892 and died 9 Jul 1972; Pvt WW I
Irene Tollefsen no birth, died 1990 [ note; unmarked grave ]

Theodore C Tollefsen born 6 Feb 1886 and died 11 Nov 1958 [ photo saying "father, mother" ]; the following note: "Died from injuries sustained in a car accident. His [wife] died in the same accident."
Bertha E Tollefsen born 7 Nov 1893 and died 9 Nov 1893. Note that there is an article in the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" on 10 Nov 1958 [indexed at genealogybank.com]



World War 1 Draft Registration:

Clarence M Tollefsen, born 22 Jan 1892 in Heron Lake, MN; living at 26 and Galilee, Zion, IL; single; works for the City of Zion as a laborer; signed the 5 Jun 1917, Benton Precint, Lake Co, IL

World War II Draft

Theodore Christian Tollefson; born 6 Feb 1886 Kinbrae, MN [Nobles Co]; address, 3013 Eschool Ave, Zion, IL; Mrs Bertha Tollefsen (to contact); works with Abbot Laboratory, North Chicago; dated 27 Apr 1942 ⁸¹⁰

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Birth, 1861, 3 Feb 1861, Wisconsin, United States. ⁸⁰⁷ The only direct source that I have found regarding Ole and Kersti's birth is from their Confirmation Record from Bethany Lutheran Church records [Windom, MN] on Ancestry.com. The confirmation record records their parents as Tollef Olsen and Ingeborg Evenson and that they are twins born on 3 Feb 1861 in Wisconsin (likely Rock Co). Ingeborg's obituary of 1927 notes, "...Tollef Olsen Slaabakken … drafted in summer [of 1861] …. [he left MN] in October leaving her alone on the claim in the wilderness with a pair of twins only nine months old [Jan-Feb 1861]."

Although this is not "absolute proof" of their birth, it is a reasonable conclusion.

2. Confirmation - 1875, 14 Nov 1875, Windom, Cottonwood Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁸¹¹

3. Residence 1885, 1 May 1885, Graham Lake Twp, , Nobles Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁸¹² Ole Tollefson, age 24 <1861> born in Wisconsin; Esther, age 25 <1860>, born in Wisconsin

4. Residence 1895, 1 Jun 1895, Graham Lakes Twp, Nobles Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁸¹³ Ole Tollefson, age 34 born in WI; resident of this state for 33 yrs <1862>; this district, 2 years <1893>; farmer
Esther, age 27 born in WI; children: Theodore age 9 <1886>, Agnes age 5 <1890>; Clarence age 3 <1892>; Emma age 9 mos <1894> - all born in MN, thus Graham Lakes Twp. Also in the house, Edwin Wilson, age 4 <1891> born in MN; and Elias Knutson, age 25 born in MN

5. Residence - 1900, 1 Jun 1900, Graham Lakes Twp, Nobles Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁸¹⁴ Ole Tollefsen, age 38, born Feb 1861 in Wis, married 14 yrs <1886>, owns farm and Esther, age 42 born Nov 1857 in Wis; mother of 6 children, 4 living (note: I have not found records for their other two children on the MN Death index)
Children (all born in MN): Theodor, son age 14 born Feb 1886; Agnes, daughter age 10 born Aug 1889; Clarence, son age 8 born Jan 1892; Esther, daughter, age 1 born Sep 1898.
Also recorded is John Jackman boarder/ farm labor, age 32 born Jul 1867 in PA

6. Residence - 1910, 15 Apr 1910, Mekinock Twp, Grand Forks Co, North Dakota, United States. ⁸¹⁵ Ole Tollefson age 49; general farm, mortgage; Esther age 52 mother of 5 children, 4 living
Theodore age 24, Agnes age 20, Clarence age 18, Esther age 11

Note: the 1900 US census records that Esther is the mother of 6 children with 4 living. I haven't found a record of either 1 or 2 children for Ole and Esther.

Mekinock Twp is about 30 kms west and north of Grand Forks; the town of Arvilla is a part of Mekinock Twp.

7. Death - 1917, 27 Apr 1917, Benton Twp, Zion City, Lake Co, Illinois, United States. ⁸⁰⁸ Ole's name is recorded as Ola Tollefsen, retired farmer; cemetery Mount Olivet. The source records that his father was Tollef Olsen, and that both his parents born in Norway. His birth is recorded as 3 Feb 1861.

Ole married Esther Christie on 25 Dec 1884 in Goodhue Co, Minnesota, United States ⁸⁰⁵.^,806 (Esther Christie was born on 25 Nov 1857 in Blue Mounds Twp, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States,^805,816 died on 26 Oct 1944 in Waukegan, Lake Co, Illinois, United States ^805,816 and was buried on 30 Oct 1944 in Mount Olivet Memorial Park, Lake Co, Illinois, United States ^809,816.)

  Marriage Notes:

Geni.com data base managed by Sven Helsa and added in Mar 2013 records Ole and Esther's marriage as 25 Dec 1883 in Minneapolis, MN citing the source of "Egge Family History" (no other information on this source).

However, the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) records marriage of Ole Tollefson and Esther Christie as 25 Dec 1884 (cert # M9-525)