| From information provided by Magnar Bonkerud of Norway, October 23, 2003: Johan Jensen Holmstad is one of Christian Sigvart’s brothers. Born August 2. 1857, he immigrated to America in 1879, to Stoughton, Wisconsin. He is mentioned in the “HISTORY of DANE COUNTY – BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL” “Madison – Western Historical Associations – 1906” Here is the text from the book: “Johan J. Holmstad, of Stoughton, received through training in the work of the carperter trade, and is now numbered among the successful contractors and builders of Dane county. Like many other representative citizens Dane county he is a native of the fair Norseland, having been born in Norway, August 2, 1857, and being a son of Jens and Marie (Johannesdtr.) Pedersen. On attaining to maturity the subject of this sketch adopted the family name, the nomenclature of Norway providing, as is well known, a peculiare system in the applying of surnames from the Christian nemes of the fathers. Mr. Holmstad was reared and educated in his native land, and for a number of years was there associated in work with his father, who was a timberman. In 1879, at the age of twenty-two years, he immigrated to America and took up his resident in Stoughton. He began his apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade under the direction of Jens England, of Cambridge, this county, but his principle work in this preliminary way was done with A. E. Ovren, of Stoughton. He continued work as a journeyman until 1888, when he showed his self-reliance and courage by engaging in business for himself, as a contractor and builder. His success has been most gratifying and he has build up a very profitable business, giving employment to fifteen men and making a specialty of the erection of fine residences. Many of the handsomest homes in Stoughton stand as evidences of his skill and reliability. Mr. Holmstad is a loyal citizen and commands unqualified esteem in the community. He is a Prohibitionist in his political affiliation, and is now serving his third year as alderman from the third ward of Stoughton. He and his wife hold membership in the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. March 20. 1886. Mr. Holmstad was married to Miss Katrina Pederson, formerly of Christiania, Norway, and they have three sons, -Parker, Miner and Norval. Parker is now bookkeeper for Brittingham & Hixon, a large lumbering concern of Sparta, Wisconsin.” Editor's NOTE: A. E. Ovren in this account is Johan J. Holmstad's brother-in-law, Augusts E. Ovren, husband of Johan's sister, Syverine. This link gets you back to their descendancy chart. .....Fred Matson |