Nels Knutson Ranum

Revised March 8, 2009

edited by Mark Alan Ranum, his great grandson

Biography

For most of us Ranum's and cousins, Nels is the "trunk" of our family tree. A grand patriarch, father of 13 children (note 5), and an enduring bond that links us to the forefathers and Nordic kings of ancient times. It is with him our Ranum story and heritage really begins here in the new world.

Nels was born August 22,1829 to Knut and Guri Hageset. Nels birthplace was in the Opland Fylke (like a province or county) of the Valdres area of central Norway on the North Hageset farm. The farm was located on a lake called Steinsetfjord which was just across the boarder of Nord Aurdal and in the very east-most portion of Etnedal. Nels father and mother had just purchased this farm in 1826 (note 1) and thus as in Norwegien tradition, took the Hageset farm name for their last name (note 2). Nels had six brothers; Knud (the elder), Mikkel, Anders, Haldor, Ole, and Knut (the younger). His two sisters were Anne and Barbro.

Nels and his folks apparently lived on Hageset until 1846 when his folks bought one half of a farm called Ranheimsmarken about 11 kilometers to the south and west of the Hageset farm. The name Ranheimsmarken literally translates to Ranheims clearing or feild. This property was part of a larger group of properties called Ranheimsbygda or the Ranheim farms. and was located in Nord Aurdal on the Strandefjoud (lake). Nord Aurdal and Etnedal are what we would think of as a township in America.

Photo of Nels Knutson Ranum

Root archive # 02100306. Edited as 02100306ahr.jpg

The Ranheim farms at that time were located on the east bank of Strandefjoud and overlooked a breath taking view of water, earth and sky to the west. Much of the area was woodland at the time and though beautiful, the rocky, tree covered ground was harshly difficult to clear and farm. When buying a cleared area as Ranheimsmarken was, you were also buying the hard labor of its previous owners. Nels had undoutedly been a part of the hard work of clearing the stone and woods around the Hageset farm as he was about 17 years old when they moved off of that property. The purging of mountain stone from the land was an ongoing process when you farmed, even after a feild had been cleared. Nels probably helped to improve Ranheimsmarken with his father in his late teen and early twenties. Nels was probably still known as Nels Hagaset even though he had moved off the Hageset farm in 1846. His family was probably in the process of acquiring the new last name, Ranheim as new occupants of the Ranheim farm. Nils had six brothers; Knud (the elder), Mikkel, Anders, Haldor, Ole, and Knut (the younger). His two sisters were Anne and Barbro.

We have a rare view from a family member as to what might have been going through young Nels mind in those formative young adult years. Nels nephew, Gilbert O Hageset, wrote a never published book that chronicles the transatlantic adventure of fictional character Elof. Although it is a fictional work, it contains many names that were familiar to the old Hageset area in Norway. Names like Dalen, and Baken. Author Gilbert was much closer to the actual events of that time and undoubtedly listened to stories of the old country as told by his immigrant father, Knut Hageset. His book "The Prairie King" may paint a picture containing more fact than fiction. The following excerpts are of Elof and a neighbor boy talking about the dream journey to America:

From page 9 of the original manuscript, "The Prairie King" by Gilbert O. Hageset. (not sure when written but perhaps just before WWII)

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With the growing of years had come a slight knowledge of that land of opportunity across the mountains and beyond the sea to which a varitable stream of emigrants constantly wending its way. Occasionally one of those comprising the stream returned with glowing reports of that Wonderland. To Elof it became fuel added to the flame already burning so intensely in his being.

One day Nils Bolstad, a neighbor boy called on Elof who was digging stones out of a two acre plot which was to be added to the upper field. "I see you are still making a slave of yourself," smiled Niles."Yes, I am that," replied Elof as he took off his hat and with a large red handkerchief wiped his beaded forehead. "The evil one take these hell's rocks," he continued savagely.

"The devil choke me if I'll break my back either for rocks or land," retorted Nils. "I'm leaving for America tomorrow. Just came up to say good-bye."

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We can only imagine the circumstance of Nels Knutson Hagaset/Ranheim and family back in those old country days. Not much is known of their lives at that point but much can be drawn from the stories chronicled by their neighbors and fellow countrymen. It is clear that folks would return for a visit or more often write back to their relatives in Norway with stories of the vast opportunities in their new home in America. Those stories of vast areas of rich, flat, and cheap or sometimes free prarie land, with no rocks, must have been a powerful draw to those with rock caloused hands and sore backs.

There is a writing that is particularly fascinating that is included in a wonderful genealogical compilation named "The Historic Perry Norwegian Settlement". Chapter 1 is titled " The Area and Its People" and provides a very well written overview of both native and immigrant cultures who called this area home. One point brought up is that during the 1800's, Norway had less than three percent tillable land while the "post plague" population was increasing to a point where the land simply could not support its people. Sons found themselves unable to maintain the family farm lifestyle they were accustomed to and increasingly sought homes on the higher, less accessible, and less productive grounds of Norway. That meant more rocks, more isolation, and less income, I.E. a harder life! These "Sons of Norway" found themselves with fewer and fewer options in their homeland and consequently looked across the vast Atlantic for answers their Norway could no longer provide.

In 1849, Nils bought the farm named Raniemsmarken from his father Knud and mother Guri. The name Ranum, later adopted by Nils, came from the name of this farm (note 2). Nils married Berit Olsdatter in 1850 and they lived on the Raneimsmarken farm until they sold it in 1852.

It is around the year 1870, that Nels purchased a farm in Wolf Hollow, near Martinsville. It is on this farm that Nels and Marit were blessed with Gilbert Martinius (March 22, 1872), Peter (November 18, 1873), and Carl William (June 18, 1875) Bennie Julius (April 16, 1877), Anton Sherman (February 26, 1879), and Martha Sophia (December 13, 1880). This brought their family to a total of 13 children. It is possible that three additional children died in infancy(note 5). Around the time that Nels and Marit move to Wolf Hollow, Nels brother, Knut emigrated to the United States and apparently lived near or with Nels and Marit. Knut had been a tailor in Norway and for a short time worked as a tailor here as well. Knut went by the last name Hagaseth.

On May 28, 1875 , Nils son Knute, from his marriage with Berit, died during a barn raising incident When Knute was about 18 years old, he was helping in a barn raising event on the John Hunter Farm (later owned by Bryan Knutson). A timber slipped and fell on him, causing his death. He was buried at the John Hunter gravesite, Rock Church Cemetery, Livingston. Not much is known about Knute other than what is mentioned in the breif text posted on rootsweb by Roger Knutson (note 10). It is also important to note that Nels and Berit were refered to as "Nels & Betsy Knutson" on the headstone of Knute.

In 1887, Nils son Gilbert, aquired a colony of bees from his brother who took them in trade on a sewing machine. This was to become the beginning of a family business and tradition that would last well over a century and is in fact continuing at the time of this writing. The business has been named Ranum's 1887 Brand Apiaries in honor of Gilbert. From the start, Gilbert was known for his love for perfection in all that he did. The following of customers that enjoyed his honey and sorghum was a testoment to this.

Shortly after this, it is said that Nels had the longing to move back to Perry Township in Dane County. This is where he had first lived when coming to America. His brother, Knut had become a pastor and moved to Perry where he had accepted a call in 1881. Knut owned a farm there(note 11) in 1887 and donated a portion of it for the construction of the (new) Hauge Church in that year. After his close association with Knut in Wolf Hollow, Nels may have wanted to move to stay closer to his brother. Whatever the reason, it appears that around the year 1893, he rented a farm or farms in the Perry area. In 1895 (abstract says November 28, 1892), Nels and Marit purchased a small farm (note12 ) east of Daleyville and about a half mile North of the Hauge Church. They initially constructed a small log dug-out and lived in it during the construction of a comfortable and roomy farm house that stands there to this day. This house is currently owned and occupied by Nels' great-great grandson, Jonathon Ranum.

Nels and Marit sold their farm to son Gilbert in 1903 but reserved the use of a part of the house and lived there with their Son Gilbert, and his wife Alice for the rest of their lives. After Nels passed away on January 19, 1911, Marit remained on the farm in a small house that had been constructed a stones throw from the main farm house. Marit on December 1, 1927. Today Nels Knutson Ranum and wife Marit and his brother Knute Hageset and wife Kjorste lie buried in the beautiful yard that surrounds the church of their choice - the Hauge Lutheran Church east of Daleyville, Wisconsin. While the church has since been removed, the site still remains well kept and in direct view of the land on which they once lived.

Nils and Marits final resting place is at the (new) Hauge Church about a half mile due South of their home farm in Perry Township of Dane County. The church building is gone but the cemetary grounds are well kept.

Nels and Marit, and Berit before her definitly lived a full and fruitful life. I think it is fitting to end this page with Lucille Britts poem, The Dash Between The Dates.

Memorial Day was over now,
All had left and I was alone,
I began to read the names and dates
Chiseled there on every stone.

The dates which showed whether it was Mom or Dad or daughter or baby son,
The dates were different but the amount
The same, there were two on every one,
It was then I noticed something,
It was but a simple line:
It was the dash between the dates Placed there, it stood for time.

All at once it dawned on me
How important that little line.
The dates placed there belonged to God,
But that line is yours and mine.

It’s God who gives this precious life
And God who takes away;
But that line between He gives to us
To do with what we may.

We know God’s written the first date down
Of each and every one,
And we know those hands will write again,
For the last date has to come.

We know He’ll write the last date down,
And soon, we know, for some.
But upon the line between my dates
I hope He’ll write “well done.”

References, Notes, and Additional Information

OBITUARY

As was briefly stated in last week's issue, Nels K. Ranum, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Perry, passed to his last reward on Thursday morning, January 19, 1911.
Mr. Ranum was born in Valders, Norway, August 22, 1829, and was at the time of his death 81 years, 4 months and 27 days.
He was married to Betsy Olson in 1850, and to this union five were born and four of them survive him: Julia, Mrs. T. O. Smesrud of Joice, Iowa; Sena, Mrs. Sever Munson, Livingston; Ole Ranum, Dodgeville; and Andrew Ranum, Primrose.
Mrs. Ranum passed away in death in 1865, and later he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gilbertson, and to this union was born eight children: Mary Ann, Mrs. K. Knudtson, of Livingston; Edward O. Ranum, of Iowa; Gilbert M. Ranum, on the homestead; Peter, of Eldon, Missouri; Carl W. of Freda, N. Dak.; Ben J. Ranum of Lisbon, N. Dak; Sherman A. Ranum, of Eldon, Mo.; and Martha, wife of Peter Helden of Albany.

Mr. Ranum came with his family to America in 1852, locating first in the town of Perry, one of the first of the Norwegians in that township. He worked as a common laborer for a year and then bought a 40 acre tract in the south west part of the town on which he lived for about a year then sold it to Hans Hegdahl, and it is now owned by Andrew Jeglum, then bought 80 acres in Iowa county, near Highland, where he resided with his family for 10 years and before he moved away, had bought and improved 40 acres more so that his farm then contained 120 acres which he sold and moved to Grant county where he bought 120 acres on which he resided for 25 years, then sold out and having in mind where he first settled in this country, he moved to Perry, bought a small farm and has since resided there.

In 1903 he retired from active work and sold his farm to his son Gilbert M. Ranum, but the old folks retained their residence on the farm with their son and his family.

Few of the pioneers experienced more fully the trials and hardships of the early settler than he, but he had a brave heart, strong constitution, youth and courage and was not afraid of work.

In a social way they had but few attractions, but they would often come together at the home of some neighbor and have an enjoyable time. All were friends, all striving to the same purpose, making a home for themselves in this new and glorious country, all willing to work and to assist one another if it were needed and though poor in this world's goods, they were rich in human feeling and love for their fellowman. They were very hospitable and no one who came to their door for food or shelter were turned away.
Those early settlers were a God-fearing and God-loving class of people and had family services in the home every day and would go many miles on foot to hear Divine services, oftentimes under the spreading boughs of some giant of the forest in the summertime and at other times in the primitive log cabin of some neighbor.

They had a sound mind and a strong healthy body and they did not forget to teach their little ones and bring them up in the faith of their forefathers and have them confirmed in the faith.

When we have thus spoken of the early settlers of Perry, it applies very fittingly to the deceased. he was devoted to his God, his family and country and we believe it was said to him, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of the Lord."
His work was all done and well done and he was entitled to rest and his soul is with his God.
He leaves an aged widow, 12 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn his death and revere his memory.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Hauge Lutheran Church, his pastor, The Rev. J. A. Johnson of Mt. Horeb, officiated, and the remains were interred in the cemetery by the church. A large concourse of people were present to pay the last sad tribute to a worthy man and his family.

Those of his children who were present from a distance were: Mrs. Munson, Mrs. O. K. Ranum and daughter Mabel, Peter Ranum and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hilden; Andrew Ranum and family, B. J. Ranum, Mmes. James Riley and Elmer Davidson, nieces of the deceased, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful, contributed by his children, relatives and loving friends.
The pall bearers were four of his sons, Andrew, Gilbert, Peter, and Benjamin, and his sons in law Knudt Knudtson and Sever Munson.

CARD OF THANKS

We desire to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who so kindly and unselfishly assisted us during our late sad bereavement, the death and burial of our beloved husband and father, their kindness shall be kept in grateful remembrance.
Mrs. Mary Ranum and Children

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Both Obituary and Card of Thanks as transcribed to rootsweb by Roger Knutson.

Rootsweb freepages listing:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ranum/aqwn01.htm