John Christophersen Gunvalson

AKA: Smerud, Gunvaldsen (1880 Census), Gunvoldson (1920 Census)

Vernon Gunvalson (Uncle Toby): ...was confirmed with Gunvald 9/27/1868. Went with his father to the USA, eventually homesteaded in New Prairie Township, Pope County, Minnesota, and was one of the early township supervisors. Was married twice, died 9/23/1927 and is buried in New Prairie Township.

Uncle Toby: John Gunvalson was born October 18, 1 854 in Strandivere, Norway, the son of Christopher and Sigrid Johannesdtr Nordby. He was confirmed on 9/27/1868 and married Anna Lorentse Statland who was born in July of 1863. Anna died 12/19/1883 when Ida Anna Lorentz was born. His second wife was Sofie Malmo, who was born in 1864 in Beitstadn, Norway. She came to America in 1886 and married John on November 23rd of that year. Sophie died at fifty two years of age and is buried at the St. John's cemetery near. Starbuck, Minn. John died Sept 23, 1927 and is also buried at St. John's.

Immigrated 1873. 1880 - Living next door to father in New Prairie, Pope, Minnesota.

1882 Homestead documents: Land Office: FERGUS FALLS Document Number: 3428 Total Acres: 80 Misc. Doc. Nr.: 3157 Signature: Yes Canceled Document: No Issue Date: September 09, 1882 Mineral Rights Reserved: No Metes and Bounds: No Statutory Reference: 12 Stat. 392 Multiple Warantee Names: No Act or Treaty: May 20, 1862 Multiple Patentee Names: No Entry Classification: Homestead Entry Original Land Description: 1 N½NW 5TH PM No 125 N 40 W 34

1883 Naturalized US citizen. 1885 - Census living with 1 yr old Anna and Antonette Stoen age 40

Married on Nov 23 1886. RETURNED TO US Nov 17, 1901 thru Philadelphia, age 47. Listed as laborer.

1920: 6 kids still at home in New Prairie, Pope, Minnesota on 1920 Census, widowed. Name spelled with "d".

Minnesota Naturalization Records Index, 1854-1957:23 Sep 1927

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Mar 12 2023, 11:21:42 UTC