Erik Oleson Smesrud

Allie M. [Father Allie] married Isabel Smedsrud (b. 1870-d. 1917), daughter of Gertrude Juslon and Erik O. Smedsrud. Erik, a blacksmith in Blanchardville, came from Norway. He and Gertrude farmed in Moscow for a while before retiring in Blanchardville. he lived from 1835 to 1924. Isabel Smedsrud had six brothers and sisters." -- Jennifer McCoppin, September 1984.

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Erik was born on June11, 1835 in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway. He was the oldest of 8 children. As he was growing up he helped his father on the farm and also learned the blacksmithing trade from his father. In 1862 he and his younger sister Julia left for America. They were on the ocean six weeks and finally landed at Quebec, Ontario, Canada. From there they took the train to Black Earth, WIsconsin and from there they went by oxcart. They went to Martinville, in Grant County, Wis. where their sister Sarah and brother Ole lived. Here he set up a shop for blacksmithing. Julie kept house for him until she married. His brothers Ole and Thore worked with him also." -- Joan Gehrke from Lodi, WI.

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"As was stated before, Gjertrude Jeulson married Erik Smedsrud on December 25, 1864 in the Old York Church. They had 14 children. It is said that Erik walked the distance between Martinsville to Dailyville, perry Township, to court Gjertrude. Today it is about 50 miles, but of course, it would be much closer walking across country, which was the way he traveled because there were very few roads at the time.

After Gjertrude and Erik were married they lived in Martinsville and Erik worked as a Blacksmith for his father. On Dec. 21, 1868 Erik purchased a parcel of land in the Village of Moscow, Iowa County, Wisconsin where he built a home and a Blacksmith shop.

Erik and Gjertrud continued to live in Martinsville until the house in Moscow was built. Three of their children were born in Martinsville.

Erik operated the Blacksmith shop in Moscow until 1880 at which time he moved to Blanchardville, WI. He operated a Blacksmith shop there until his retirement some time in the early 1900's. Erik was the first Blacksmith in Blanchardville.

The Village of Moscow, located in the Township of Moscow, had an interesting life before it finally faded away when the Illinois Central Railroad passed through Blanchardville on March 27, 1888.

On May 9, 1882 Erik purchased a track of land from the State of Wisconsin which consisted of 120 acres, where he had a house and barn built. The cost of building the barn was $120.00, which included all the labor. the lumber was all cut on the farm.

The barn was put together with wooden pegs. The barn and house still stand and the Rundhaug family lived there until 1982 in the original farm house.

After retirement Erik moved to the farm he had purchased and improved. When the first world war broke out he went to work for Ole Broughtron in the Blacksmith shop. By this time they were also building wagons. it is said that people from as far away as Milwaukee came to buy the wagons.

On March 22, 1910 Knudt Rundhaug and Celia Smedsrud Rundhaug purchased the farm for &9,900.00. Erik and Gjertrude moved back to Blanchardville at this time." -- from source material by Joan Gehrke, Lodi, WI.

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"Erik Smedsrud was ahead of his time in the field of finance. He was a land speculator. He bought and sold many lots in the Village of Blanchardville. he had a partner in a Hardware store with L.W. Leonard in about 1878. As far back as 1868 he bought 3 lots in the Village of Moscow and deeded them to his wife. At that time it was uncommon for a married lady to hold land in her own name.

Erik was also a kind and compassionate man. He lent money to anyone he felt deserving of help. Many Blanchardville businessmen got their start through the generosity of Erik Smedsrud.

The first Lutheran religious services in Blanchardville were conducted in the homes as early as 1876. On March 13, 1884 a group of businessmen, namely Erik Smedsrud, Peter Olson, C.C. Olson and Dr. K.T. Rostad, met in the Methodist Episcopal Church to formulate its first church building at a cost of $1,486.82. Erik Smedsrud donated the ornate alter for the Church. He was a very religious man and took a very active part in all church affairs until he became unable to do so because of ill health . . . After the death of Gjertrude (04-29-1920, from cirrhosis of the liver), Erik moved in with daughter, Nona Holt. he died there on August 28, 1924. He was suffering from arteriosclerosis and was 89 years old at the time of his death. He also is buried at the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville, Wisconsin." -- from written material of Joan Gehrke, Lodie, WI.