Gerhard `John` Christianson

next to each other. Gerhard Christenson changed his name from Gerhard Christenson to John Christenson. So his sons changed their last names from Gerhardson to Johnson which was the custom in Norway. To take the fathers first name as their last name and add a son onto the end .

Birth record

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N4HG-4R7 Or https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N4HG-V3Y He came to America in 1861 at age 70. He left Hurdal, Norway for America.

   Came to Canada and into Minnesota.

In 1861 he came to America with his son Johannes Gerhardson ( Hallum)age 33 years and his family. Wife Kristine Larsdatter age 30 years, Children; Marte Marie age 9, Nickoline Gustava age 7, Gustav Laurits age 4, and Even Kasper age 2 years.

   With the group that came was also. his son-in-law Anders Olson age 47 and wife Berte age 44 years. With them they brought their two nephews Mathias Christenson age 10 years and Nils Christenson age 15 years.

Then there was his other son Anders Gerhardson age 33 years and his wife Kari Nilsdatter age 26 and children Gulline Matea age 2 and Nils age 4 days.
They settled in the Manchester Township area of Minn. The southern part of the state.

   The farming was very good and it reminded them of home.

   They lived next to each other.

Gerhard Christenson changed his name from Gerhard Christenson to John Christenson.

   So his sons changed their last names from Gerhardson to Johnson which was the custom in Norway. To take the fathers first name as their last name and add a son onto the end .

Gerhard and Martha lived with their daughter Bertha and Anders Olson along with Mathias and Nils Christenson two of their grandsons. The two boys came over with their aunt and uncle so they took on the name of Olson from then on. Their parents would come in a few years when they could get the money together to make the journey.
In 1865 there was 243 males, 250 females living in Manchester Township.

   A total of 493 persons, Of which there were 94 families and 5 Soldiers.

1870 Minnesota Federal Census
Name; Geral Christenson

   age; 70 yrs

   Birth Place; Norway

   Birth date; 1799 ( 1789)

   Home in 1870; Manchester,Freeborn,Minn.

   He changed his name from John Christenson to Gerhard Christenson.

   Race; white

   He is living with his daughter; Bertha Olson

   age;53 yrs

   Son-in-law Andrew Olson

   age; 55 years

   Farmer

   Nephew Mathias Olson

   age 19 years

   Gerald is living alone now with them. His wife Martha has passed away.

   She was probably buried in the West Freeborn Lutheran Cemetery. It was just outside of the town of Manchester,Minn.

   Many of the first settlers in the area were buried there. But can not find a grave for her there.

1880 Federal Census

   name; Jerar Rosos

   age; 92 yrs

   birth place; Norway

   relationship; self

   widower

   race; white

   Living with Ole and Helena Rosos

   who are Ole and Helena Gerhardson ,His son.

   They changed their name from

   Ole Johnson in 1870

   Ole Gjerathson in 1875

   Ole Rosos in 1880

   Ole Geratson in 1885

Home in 1880; Hawk Creek,Renville,Minn.
Gerard Christenson was alive in 1880 census and was gone in 1885 census.

   He either passed away or went to live with another relative.

1885 Minnesota State Census

   Aurdal Township

   Otter Tail Co.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MKNG-64Z

He is living with his son Andrew Gerhardson

In the 1895 state census he is gone from the home.

   He may of been buried up in Hawk Creek or, in the Kongsberg Cemetery in Aurdal. His body may have been taken back down to Manchester ,Minn. where his wife Martha was buried. No stone has been found for him.

IGI Individual Records; Norway

   Name; Gerhard Christensen Rosaasen

   Birth; 1789

   Hurdal,Oppland,Norway

   Marriage; Feb. 19, 1815

   Hurdal,Oppland,Norway

   Spouse; Marthe Olesdatter Soegaard

Norweigien Family Book

   Northfield ,Minn.

   Nigardin

Kristen Kristensen gave his land in Norway to his sons Kristen Kristensen and Gerhard Kristensen.
Br. flyttet forst til Sogardin, men tok sida over Rosasbratan etter broren.
Norweigen Book

   Northfield,Minn.

   Gerhard Kristensen born 1789. Farmed the land at Rosasen from 1819-1846. He married Marte Olsdatter ( Sogardn). Children; Anne, Berte, Kristiane, Ola, Kristen, Johannes, Anders, Nils,and Kari.

   He sold his farm to his son Ola Gerhardsen for 140 spd..