Peder Hansen E Ruen

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Peder bought the Ruen farm, where seven children were born. The name Ruen was originally Runden; meaning a low knoll or hill, round in shape and whose sides were divided into small fields, while trees, mostly birches, covered the top.

Peder and his brother fought in Norway's war with Sweden in 1814. Their experiences were many and varied. The soldiers were poorly equipped, the weathwe was often bitterly cold and food was scarce. Peder and Iver returned home safe and sound however.

In the winter of 1850, the Ruens began preparations to leave for America. The girls helped their mother with food preparations, spinning and weaving of clothes, etc. Anne wove a long length of material "vadmel" which Peder took to Oslo and sold for $50, making the long trip on foot. He was then 62 years old. On 2/4/1850 Ole and Hans, his brothers, received their immigration papers and on 4/19 Peder received the papers of permit for himself, Anne and five children (Ole, Hans, Elina, Kjersti, and Marthe). The sons Jens and Iver were married and had homes of their own, and didn't come to America till later.

Family prepared for the voyage. Large wooden chests and barrels were filled with clothing and food for al. Anne and daughters were busy carding, spinning and weaving the wool for their clothes. Anne also wove a long length of material called “vadmel” which Peder took to Christiania and sold for $50, making the trip on foot. By Spring al was ready. The Bible, their most treasured possession was the last thing to be packed.

On reaching Oslo they joined 300 other passengers and on May 5, 1850 they boarded the sailboat "seilskute". This was during a cholera epidemic and many who went to bed well were found dead in the morning. After six weeks on the water Mrs. Peder Ruen died of cholera and was lowered in a watery grave. On 7/13/1850 the survivors landed in Quebec where they remained in quarantine for three weeks. Then they traveled by boat down the St. Lawrence, finally overland reaching Koshkonong, Wis. They moved to Iowa in June, 1851.

The Ruens established themselves on a farm about 12 miles east of Decorah, Iowa, then a hamlet of 4-5 families.

Peder Hanson Eggebraaten Ruen was born February 3, 1788, at Eggebraaten Gaard in Grans Prestegjeld, Hadeland, Norway. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Eggebraaten and had the following brothers and sisters: Ole H. Eggebraaten, Iver H. Sonsteby, Anne H. Svensrud, Marthe H. Strandbakken and Espen H. Ruen.
Peder and his brother Iver were called upon to fight in Norway’s war with Sweden in 1814. Their experiences were many and varied. The soldiers were poorly equipped, the weather was often bitterly cold and food was scarce. Peder and Iver returned home safe and sound, however, and soon acquired gaards in their home neighborhood. Peder bought a Ruen gaard, and thus adopted the name Peder Ruen.

The name "Ruen" was originally "Runden," referring to a hill or bluff which was round in shape. The bulk of the neighborhood consisted of small round hills whose sides were divided into small fields, and whose tops were covered with trees, mostly birches. The Ruen neighborhood was composed of rather small gaards. Though not large, Peder's gaard was so large as to necessitate the use of a. horse to cultivate the fields.

Peder's first marriage was to Ingeborg — —. She died at the birth of twin sons who were born May 21, 1821. The one son was named Jens; the other did not survive. Peder later married Anne Kjos Elvestuen, who was born in Hadeland. Peder and Anne were parents of seven children: Iver, Ole, Hans, Peder who died in childhood, Elina, Kjersti, and Marthe.

Besides his farming activities Peder was engaged in shoemaking. He prepared and tanned the leather himself and made excellent shoes for his family and people in the neighborhood.

News of the wonderful opportunities offered in the "New World" were reaching Hadeland, and in the winter of 1850 the Ruens as well as others in the community began to feel a strong urge to go to America. After due consideration, the decision was made and preparations were begun for the long journey. Peder was then in his 62nd year, and his children ranged in ages from thirteen to twenty-seven years. The two oldest sons, Jens and Iver, were married and established on gaards of their own.

The whole family helped to prepare for the voyage. Large wooden chests and barrels were procured, to be filled with clothing and food for all. Anne and daughters were busy carding, spinning and weaving the wool for their clothes. Anne also wove a long length of material called "vadmel" which Peder took to Christiania and sold for $50, making the trip on foot. By spring all was ready. The Bible, their most treasured possession, was the last thing to be packed.

On the 5th of May, 1850, the Ruens with five of their children, Ole, Hans, Elina, Kjersti and Marthe left for America. Leaving Hadeland at the same time were Peder's brother Iver Sonsteby and family, and his sister Anne Svensrud, Peder's nephew's, Hans Egge-braaten and family, Hans Blegen and wife, and Peder's niece Ingeborg Strandbakken. Others leaving at the same time were Hans Luvbraate and wife Marthe and two daughters, Kjersti and Petrine. This was the largest group to leave Hadeland at one time, and the whole community turned out to bid them farewell. We can well imagine the mingled feelings of anticipation and sadness with which they left their homeland. We marvel at and admire these our ancestors who braved the dangers of a blustery sea in pursuit of what America had to offer. Theirs was a true faith in God, satisfied that with His help all would be well with them, and that they would find God in America, too.

The travelers went to Christiania where they joined about three hundred other passengers and boarded the "seilskute" (sailboat). Cholera broke out on board and many died. People might go to bed apparently well and be found dead in the morning. Such was the fate of Mrs. Peder Ruen, who died after they had been on sea for six weeks. With loving hands and heavy hearts this beloved mother was lowered to a watery grave.

For seven more weeks the survivors sailed on, being delayed at times by adverse winds and icebergs. On July 13 they landed at Quebec, Canada, where they had to remain in quarantine station for three weeks. On resuming the journey they traveled by boat down the St. Lawrence River quite some way, and then by canal boat which was drawn by mules led along the canal's edge. The canal boat moved very slowly and the passengers would often get off and walk along on the ground, glad to feel the solid earth under their feet. At times some would go to farm homes along the way and buy milk and other supplies. They found people very friendly and helpful. The remaining miles were traveled overland and the party reached Koshkonong, Wisconsin. The Luvbraates went on to Iowa. The others remained in Wisconsin until the next summer, witli the exception of Sonstebys who remained in Wisconsin.

The Eggebraatens moved to Iowa in June of 1851 and settled in the eastern part of Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County. Some time later Peder Ruens also moved to Iowa, and were made welcome at the Eggebraaten home. The Ruens established themselves on a farm to the south of Eggebraatens, and a log house built here was completed just in time for Christmas. It was the first log house in the community to have a wooden floor. The lumber for this was secured at Moneek. For shingles, thin strips of wood were cut, this being done so skillfully that they turned out nice and smooth.

The Ruens home was about twelve miles east of Decorah, then a hamlet of four or five families. McGregor, Iowa, was the first market place and the trip took five or six days by oxen. Later, Lansing, Iowa, became the market place, and this trip could be made in two days. Lansing was a place of steamboat, landing and here they received their mail. In 1853 a small mill was erected in Allamakee County by Jesse Rose, and the farmers then brought their wheat and corn here to be ground. Some years later a large stone mill was erected in Glenwood Township by Peter Olson Sheggrud.

Peder's sons, Jens and Iver, and families came to America also, and settled in Glenwood Township. Jens' wife was Anne Olson. Iver's first wife was Ingeborg Anderson who died in Norway. His second wife was Anne Dahlen. Ole married Kari Egge, Hans married Ingeborg Strandbakken, Elina married Carl Sivesind, Kjerst.i married Embrick Benson, and Marthe married Stengrim Bergrud.

Peder spent his declining years at Carl Sivesind's and Ole Ruen's. He died at Sivesind's on October 15, 1879 at the age of 91 years and 9 months. Not long after this the Ruens read in the "Decorah-Posten" that his brother Iver Sonsteby had died at his home in Wisconsin on the same day. These brothers who had gone to war together, came back together and emigrated to America together were called to their eternal reward on the same day.

Peder Ruen's name was held in reverence. He had seven children who grew to manhood and womanhood and each named a son in his honor, thus: Jens' son, Peder J. Ruen; Iver's son, Peter I. (Ruen) Peterson; Ole's son, Peter 0. Ruen; Hans' son, Peter A. Ruen; Elina's son, Peter C, (Sivesind) Johnson; Kjersti's son, Peter 0. Benson: and Marthe's son, Peter S. Bergrud.

Great was Peder's joy in his many grandchildren, and great was his satisfaction too, in seeing his children thrive and prosper here in this their adopted land which richly fulfilled its promises.

Our happy family is as a book We children are its pages; Our parents are the covers Which protect us through the ages.

At first the pages of our book Were blank and neatly bare; But time soon wrote some memories And left some pictures there.

Love is the lingering golden clasp That keepeth its loyal trust; Oh! break it not, lest any pages Be scattered and be lost.

"Ruen" was the saga name, Faith was its inspiration; Hope the purpose of this book, And you its preservation.

Iver Hanson Eggebraaten was born at Eggebraaten Gaard, Hadeland, Norway, April 6, 1793, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Eggebraaten. He had the following brothers and sisters: Ole H. Eggebraaten, Peder H. Ruen, Marthe Eggebraaten Strandbakken, Anne Eggebraaten Svensrud and Espen H. Ruen.

Iver and his brother Peder were called on to fight in Norway's war with Sweden in 1814. They suffered many hardships but returned safe and sound. Iver married Kari Hansdatter Egge, who was born in Hadeland December 26, 1796. They acquired Sonsteby Gaard and adopted that name. They were the parents of three daughters: Pernille, Helene, and Maria.

In 1850 Iver and Anne and their daughters Helene and Maria came to America and settled in Wisconsin, where Iver and Kari lived the rest of their lives. Helene married Iver Ingebretson Hagen; Maria married Martin Nelson; Pernille was married to Paul Jacobson Halvorson Sonsteby while still in Norway, and with her family came to America in 1867.

Iver and Anne lived the last years of their lives with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Iver Hagen. Iver was blind the three last, years of his life. He died on October 15, 1879. His brother, Peder Ruen, who was living in Iowa, died on the same day. Kari died August 2, 1881.