Baalson Centennial Family History

These documents are the family history of the Baalson family beginning with Ellen and Kari Baalson who came to America in 1861. Their descendents numbered close to 400 one hundred years later. The program for the Baalson Centennial shows that the event took place 4 July 1961 at Big Grove Church in Brooten, Minnesota. There is also a booklet that has a poem “Ode to Ellen and Kari Baalson” by Herman Baalson (the only living child of Ellen and Kari), a foreword by George Baalson, a family tree, a brief sketch of Elle and Kari Baalson’s history with a picture, and short biographies of family members.

Donated by the Reverend Herman E. Baalson.

Biographical Note

Ellen Baalson and his wife Kari Ostendatter emigrated from Flaa, Hallingdal, Norway, in 1861. Ellen (born Ellen Baardson) was born on 1 November 1834 in Flaa, Hallingdal, Norway. His parents were Baard Ellenson and Ragnhild Hansdatter. Kari was born on 23 July 1837 to Austen Halgrimson Sonstebyeie and Joran Knitsdatter Svingen in Flaa.

Ellen and Kari were married in 1861 and left for America shortly after. They landed in Quebec and traveled to Spring Grove, a large Norwegian settlement, where they stayed until 1865. They settled permanently on the North Fork Township in Minnesota. Ellen became the first rural mail carrier, making the trip to Paynesville on skis. They endured bad weather and hard times on the farm but the family grew. They were very faithful people and the church was a big part of their lives. Ellen died in 1899 and Kari in 1896.