Born: 30 Jul 1807, Trysil, Norway
Married: 17 Oct 1830, Trysil, Norway
Died: 18 Jan 1877, Holmes City twp, Douglas Co, MN
Buried: Trysil-Bethesda cemetery, Holmes City twp, MN
Spouse: Marie Hansdtr. Tuven
Parents: Ola Olsen Strandvold, nordre Sørby
Marthe Halvorsdtr Eltdalen
Children of Halvor and Marie
- Ole 1832-1902
- Hans 1834-1898
- Martin 1835-1909
- Halvor 1838-ca 1900
- Magnus 1840-1843
- Marthe 1842-1898
- Marie 1844-1927
- Ingri 1846-1852
- Mette 1848-1882
Halvor and Marie married in 1830 and came to live at Strandvold, situated by the Trysil River. During their lives there, Halvor built the buildings on Strandvold and many of the buildings at Lortsetre, the mountain seter for the farm. Today, these buildings still stand and are kept in beautiful condition through the care of the present owners, Per Oskar and Karin Strandvold.
Halvor was a prosperous farmer and he and Marie were kind, benevolent helpers and leaders in the community. Halvor served as “ordfører” (mayor) in Trysil from 1853 to 1859. From 1855 to December 1858 he was “kommunekasserer” (cashier or treasurer) in Trysil. He was “forlikskomiissær” (head of the local minor civil court with power to deal with claims by arbitration) from 1 April 1852 to 1868. He was a teacher for 10 years from 1827 to 1836, and before that he was an assistant teacher for 1 year. On 29 November 1838, Halvor was one of the founders of “Tryssild Sogne- og Læse-Selskab”, a union that was the beginning of the Public Library of Trysil.
In 1867, their oldest son, Ole came to America with his wife and children. Ole’s oldest son, Halvor, remained in Norway with his grandparents while the rest of the family prepared to come to America in 1868. Daughter Marie and husband, Halvor Engemoen sailed for America in April 1868 with their two little girls and the rest of the family, including grandchildren, said goodbye to Trysil in August 1868 and emigrated to America. Daughter Marthe and her husband Per T. Nordby and family stayed behind, emigrating 18 years later.
The Strandvolds were reunited in St. Paul, MN in late August 1868. Little Halvor had become ill on the journey and died within two weeks after reaching Minnesota. They came to Holmes City township in Douglas County where Halvor helped his children buy land, equipment and animals. Through much hard work all began to prosper here in America. As others from Trysil emigrated, they often came first to Holmes City and the Strandvolds for advice and help, sometimes financial help.
In 1870, the Trysil Lutheran Church congregation was organized in Holmes City township and Halvor was one of the charter members. Halvor’s son-in-law, Andrew Knudson gave the land for the new church and graveyard. Halvor paid the entire cost of the new church building — $600.
Halvor died of Bright’s Disease in January 1877 and was laid to rest in the Trysil cemetery.
~ some of this material contributed by Per Oskar Strandvold