Letters Back Home

by Kathy Anderson; Published in The Westby Times, October 2015

Almost 190 years ago – on Oct. 9, 1825, fifty-two Norwegian immigrants arrived in “Amerika.” I have been thinking about how letters back “home” describing this wonderful, new life were read, shared with family, and then shared with friends until word reached many areas of Norway to inspire more immigration. Some of those letters reached the town of Biri and three men who would become instrumental in founding the Norwegian community in this area. In 1846, Per Bronstad, Syver Galtestad (my ggg grand uncle), with his wife and daughter, and Even Gullord traveled to the “Wiskonsin” Territory. The land bureau was offering 40-acre parcels to homestead for practically free. What could be more appealing? Why these three? Why would they want to travel the journey together?

People living in the Westby area have often heard the story of 22 year-old Even, that he came to Koshkonong, Wis, worked to pay back his fare, came up the river to what is now Stoddard, then walked through the valley to Coon Prairie, becoming this area’s first settler. But what about Per and 30 year-old Syver? Per Bronstad, 46, paid the way for them with money he received from the sale of his farm. Why would Per take such a financial risk with these two young men? What was his reason to invest in them? Church records show that Per was Syver Galtestad’s uncle and witness at his baptism. Even Gullord’s parents were also witnesses at Syver’s baptism. Even had a cousin who was married to Syver’s cousin, Berthe, and through marriages, Per was also related to Berthe. I know, it seems like a convoluted mess of a family tree but that’s what happens. The farms of these men, on either side of the Westby farm, were only one mile apart. Per believed in these young men because he knew their parents and he had known the “boys” their entire lives.

The letters they sent back home inspired more immigration. Among those who came here were the Westby family, with their nine year-old son Ole, in 1849. Berthe Galtestad, the cousin mentioned earlier, was Mrs. Westby, Ole’s mother. Syver’s nephew, Mathias, and Even’s parents, Ole and Randgi, also came in 1849. Syver’s sister, Pauline, and her husband, Ingebret Bjorseth, a teacher at Coon Prairie Church, came in 1850.

Mathias’ widowed mother, Gulbjor, with three more children, came in 1852. She waited because she wanted her twins, Andreas (my great-great-grandfather) and Johannes, to be confirmed before they came.

As I dabble in genealogy, I realize how many people are related in Westby. Galstad, Skundberg, Storbakken, Jefson and Neprud, all from the Oppland, Norway area, and all settlers here in Vernon County, are part of my genealogy records. Undoubtedly, they came because of those letters we keep hearing about. If you have any of those letters, please share them with the Westby Area Historical Society.