Born: 18 Jan 1848, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Married: 30 Jun 1870, Holmes City twp, Douglas co, MN
Died: 9 Mar 1932, Holmes, City twp, Douglas co, MN
Buried: Van Loon Cemetery, Holmes City twp, Douglas Co, MN
Spouse: Ole Magnet Gulbranson, Dokka
Parents: Embret Embretsen Østby & Maren Isaksdtr Husfloen, Engerdal
Eline was born 18 January 1948 at Pers, Østby east of Trysil to parents Embret Embretsen Østby and Maren Isaksdatter Husfloen. She immigrated to America in 1867 in company with her brother Engebret and his family, the Lobeck family and others on the ship City of Paris. When the Trysil group arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota the group split up; Lobecks heading to Holmes City and the others heading to Christiana settlement near Northfield and Lakeville, Minnesota. There she met Ole Magnet Gulbranson, an immigrant from Dokka, Norway. Ole, born 5 May 1843, immigrated in 1863, first working two years in Madison, WI before moving to Northfield area.
The couple made plans to marry but Ole wanted to have a homestead first. In 1870 he took up a claim in Holmes City township and sent for Eline. They married 30 June 1870. They suffered hardships common among the early settlers but were determined to have a home in the new country. Their first house was built of logs and they lived in it until 1881. The house is still standing. It was said that Ole and Eline were very hospitable and opened their home to neighbors and travelers whom they invited to have a meal and spend the night.
Ole and Eline had thirteen children. Maria, Emil Martin, Lizzie, Ella and Ellen died in infancy. The surviving children were: Mary (Andrew Peterson), Emma (Olaus Flermoen) of Winger MN, Christian Lauritz (Louis), Minnie Randine, Ida (Mrs. A.T. Moen) of Poulsbo WA, Mandt (married Mathilde Hendrickson), Emil ( married Cora Gray), and Iver (married Marie Knutsdtr Strandvold). They also raised George Olson from the age of four and considered him the same as their biological children. Ole and Eline worked hard and bought more land. As their sons became adults, they farmed and raised their families on portions of the land. George Olson also had a portion, the original homestead. He married and raised his family there.
Ole and Eline were active members of the Trysil church. Eline was a charter member of the Ladies Aid. They were hardworking pioneers and became owners of 900 acres of land in Holmes City township.
They were blessed with nearly fifty-one years of marriage. Ole died 7 April 1921. Eline lived with George and later with son Louis until her death 9 March 1932. They are buried in VanLoon cemetery in Holmes City township.
See Olaus Flermoen and Matilde Hendrickson on this website.