John Ingmundson

John Ingmundson came from Norway to Iowa where he met and married the young neighbor girl, Ellen Simenson (1834-1923) in 1856. Ellen was born in Ringsocker Parish, Hedemarken, Norway, the daughter of the Aanderuds Simenson family. She came with her parents on a sailing vessel to America and settled in Allamakee County, Iowa in 1850. John and Ellen Ingmundson lived in Allamakee County for five years then moved to New Salem, Wisconsin. When the Civil War broke out John Ingmundson was a member of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteers; his regiment served during the fierce fighting of that war and he was killed December 30, 1862 at Murphesboro, Tennessee. He had been commissioned Captain of his Company on December 10, 1861.

His wife Ellen and three small children,

  1. Bertha Mott,

  2. James and

  3. Caroline

were left to run the farm which they did for some years, then Ellen Ingmundson married Mikkel Mikkelson. To this union were born two children:

  1. (Simon) Sam and

  2. Elfie.

In 1878 Mr. Mikkelson and his brother-in-law Guinerius Simenson came to Dakota Territory where they filed on land in Marsh Township. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Mikkelson brought his family, traveling with other settlers by wagon train from Wisconsin to the home prepared for them on the Northeast Quarter of Section 32, Marsh Township. They brought farm implements, three horses and two cows. Mrs. Mikkelson was instrumental in organizing and building the Ringsacker Church named for her home in Norway.

In 1884 James Ingmundson married Inga Rosvig Olstad, who was born in Norway and came with her parents, a sister - Mrs. Even Evenson and brothers, Ed, Tom, George and a half brother, Theodore Olstad, to Minnesota. Inga came to Barnes County with her family in 1881. James Ingmundson was a good accountant and was employed by Charlie Walker, Barnes County Auditor, as deputy and he became, Auditor in 1892-98. The James (Jim) Ingmundsons had one daughter, Etta - Mrs. Victor Swanson of Valley City. The Swansons had two children - Marley and Marcelle. James died in 1907 and Inga died in 1935.

Bertha Mott Ingmundson married M. G. Burke, a pioneer barber. She worked in the Barnes County Auditor's office for ten years. One daughter - Katie, married Bruce Jackson. They had three children.

Caroline Ingmundson married Peter Molstad. Their two children were - Amy and John. Amy was a successful teacher in the Minneapolis schools. John a successful businessman engaged in the machinery world (John Deere). He married Mabel Peterson. They had three children - Charlotte - Mrs. Bonhus, John and Hovey.

Simon M. (Sam) Mikkelson (1875-1944) was born near New Salem, Wisconsin, and came with his parents to Barnes County, Dakota Territory. He married Edna Larson, a nurse of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They had two daughters - Marylin -Mrs. J. Flanigan and Sharon.

Elfie Mikkelson lived with and cared for her parents when they retired from the farm to a home in Valley City. The son Sam took over the farm in 1906. Mr. Mikkelson died in 1917 and Mrs. Ellen Ingmundson Mikkelson died in January 1923.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 108