Ola A. Kjelland

Ola A. Kjelland was born in Sogndal, Norway in 1843, on the farm Steinberg. He married Vibekke Kjelland in May of 1864. They have eleven children, namely:

  1. Lars,

  2. Ludvig,

  3. Anton,

  4. Olaf,

  5. William,

  6. Alfred,

  7. Martin and

  8. Benjamin, all sturdy sons;

  9. three daughters, Bergitte,

  10. Ane and

  11. Louise, who died at the age of 2 years old and was buried in Norway.

Ola sold his (gaard) farm and came to America in 1891. Joining his parents and many of the children who had come earlier, he settled on Section 21 of Green Township. There were no fences, so the younger children had to herd the cattle, bring them home for milking and drive them to the lake a half mile or more to drink, summer and winter. Ola was an expert harness maker, and shoe repair man. He moved to Hastings, North Dakota, and established a flourishing business. When he retired he settled in Section 32 of Green Twp., and had a shop at the back of his home where neighbors and friends could meet and chat.

Vibekke passed away in 1919. Ola continued living there for a few years, but felt he could better help his children by "living in" so a small room was set off in each home to be his shop, thus spending a couple of years at each place. He died in 1929.

Leonard B. Kjelland. Killed in action W.W.II

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 126