| The Story Of Helfred Matson & Mary Garson |
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| Letters between my father, Roy H. Matson and Anna Aker, granddaughter of Ole Hansen & Ragnhild Juulsdatter, confirm that Ole Hansen and many of their children, but not Ragnhild, came to America, and to Canada. These letters are transcribed and included in the appendix to this story. Ole Hansen died and buried at 10 Mile Cemetery, Dalton, Minnesota. Ole Hansen lived more than 90 years and is believed to have visited Strum, Wisconsin at least one time. My father?s notes say that he worked in the woods, repaired shoes, and was an outstanding fiddler. Born in 1811, he died about 1901. My father relates in his notes, ?There has always been a degree of musical appreciation in our family. Dad (Helfred Matson) could play the fiiddle fairly well, good tone and rhythm. Back of him was Grandmother Helene who could ?tralle? a norwegian rhythem singing and clapping of hands for use when an instrument was unavailable for dancing etc. It required a good voice, sense of time and effect.? ?Her father was Ole Hanson ?Bjorkebakken?. The oldtimers around Strum told me several times of his ability as a fiddler and it seemed he earned part of a bare livlihood as a fiddler. He left with the Aker family for Dalton, Minnesota. He was here (Strum) only a year or two, until about the mid nineties (1890s). (He) earned his way by traveling from place to place fixing shoes. His fiddle was with him and during evenings he would entertain.? ?While visiting Toten in 1973, I learned that a ?Bjorkebakken? had been leader of the Hamar municipal band for many years. It seems the talent has been passed on generation through generation.? Helfred Matson?s Aunts and Uncles Syver Madsen?s Siblings: Syver (b. 19 Jan 1845) had at least six siblings: Ole (b. 1828); Karine (b. 1829, confirmed 20 October 1844 at age 15); Lars (b. 13 April 1832), confirmed 3 April 1845); Helene Marie (b. 9 August 1835); Mathea (b. 1839); and Mathis (b. 1842). All of these, for now, are believed to have been born in Vestre Toten. We have another possible sibling in Oline Madsdtr, but this child is not yet verified. If I have the correct record then this child was baptized on 21 May 1848. Another child, a Christian Svensen, appears in a Confirmation record of 4 October 1846. Christian Svensen, then 14 1/2 years old, is listed as the son of Mads and Oline but with notation that he may be a foster child, possibly the offspring of a brother or sister of Mads or Oline. In this record, both Christian Svensen and Lars are listed as being fourteen and one-half years old. As we look at this information, it is interesting to note that Syver had a sister whose name was the same as his wife to be, Helene Marie. This Helene Marie would become a sister-in-law of Hellene Olsdtr., Syver?s wife. |