Genealogical Sketch of the Elling Eriksen (1920-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) Family of Sogndal, Norway and Dane County, Wisconsin

This is a genealogical sketch of the lives of Elling Eriksen (1820-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) from Sogndal in Norway who migrated to Dane County, Wisconsin in about 1862. They are my wife Linda's second great-grandparents. 

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ELLING'S EARLY YEARS:

Elling Eriksen, was born on 12 October 1820 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[1-2] Elling was the youngest child of Erik Hanssen (1779-1822) and Kristi Ellingsdatter (1781-1851), who married in 1807 in Sogndal, and had children:

• Sjur Eriksen, born 17 Dec 1808, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Synneva Jensdtr, 13 Nov 1832, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 19 Jan 1834, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Hans Eriksen was born on 27 Jan 1811 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Brithe Eriksdtr was born on 16 Jan 1814 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Helga Eriksdtr, born 12 Jan 1816, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Ola Gjestsen, 3 Dec 1839, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Gunhild Eriksdtr, born 8 Feb 1818, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Nils Nilsen; died 26 Jan 1852, Kvåle, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Elling Eriksen, born 12 Oct 1820, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Anna Ellingsdatter, 19 Nov 1845, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 15 Mar 1896, Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.

ANNA'S EARLY YEARS:

Anna Ellingsdatter was born on 18 July 1812 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[3-4] She was the daughter of Elling Olssen (1779-1833) and Brita Rasmusdatter (1783-1836) who married in 1804 in Sogndal, and had nine children:

• Hans Ellingsen was born on 9 Oct 1806 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.4 He died in probably Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Randi Ellingsdtr, born 24 Aug 1808, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Mads Olssen, 21 Jun 1837, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 23 Apr 1882, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Ranveig Ellingsdtr was born on 10 Mar 1810 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Anna Ellingsdatter, born 18 Jul 1812, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Solfest Johannesen, 31 Oct 1837, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Elling Eriksen Natvig, 19 Nov 1845, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 16 Jun 1901, Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Ola Ellingsen was born on 21 Feb 1815 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.6
• 7 vi Brita Ellingsdtr was born on 28 Jan 1818 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Maria Ellingsdtr, born 11 May 1820, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Nils Johannessen, 4 Jun 1850, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 29 Mar 1890, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Rasmus Ellingsen was born on 2 Jan 1823 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Ingeborg Ellingsdtr was born on 10 Jan 1826 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.

Anna Ellingsdatter married first Solfest Johannesen (1812-about 1843) in Sogndal, Norway. They had three children:

• Eli Solfestdtr (1838-1876), married 1862 in Sogndal to Erik Larsen (1831-1876).
• Brita Solfestdtr (1840-1913), married 27 May 1871 in Dane County, Wisconsin to Torsten Johnson (1840-1919).
• Ragnhild Solfestdtr (1843-1891), married in about 1872 to Thorvald Olsen Hegg (1844-1916). 

MARRIED LIFE:

Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdatter were married on 19 November 1845 in Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[5]

Elling Eriksen Natvig and Anna Ellingsdatter had the following children:

• Christina Ellingsdatter Natvig was born on 13 Jan 1846 in Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.20 She died on 11 Jul 1911 at the age of 65 in Dane, Wisconsin, United States. She was buried after 11 Jul 1911 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Solfest Ellingsen "Sylvester" Natvig, born 15 Dec 1847, Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Christina Erikson Vornos, 12 Dec 1885, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; died 2 Jan 1922, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Erik Ellingsen Natvig was born on 6 Aug 1850 in Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He died in Wisconsin, United States.
• Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig, born 16 May 1853, Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Torger Sjursen Leland, 30 May 1876, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; died 26 Oct 1911, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.

According to a query that was posted in the NORWAY-L Rootsweb Message Board in 2002 (no longer available) by Jinger (in part):

“Elling Erickson Njos/Njøs (1820-1896) and wife Anne Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) left Norway in 1862. They had the following children with them: Kristi, Erik, Sølfest & Anna. Also with them were 2 children of Anne's from her marriage to Sølfest Johanneson Haug.

“This family went to Dane County Wisconsin and settled in Cottage Grove township. They took the name Natvig before 1880.”

There is no listing for the Elling Eriksen (or Natvig or similar names) in the 1870 United States Census.

In the 1880 United States Census, the Elling “Netweg” family was enumerated in Cottage Grove township, Dane County Wisconsin.[6] The household included:

• Elling Netweg - white, male, age 57, married, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Annie Netweg - white, female, age 67, wife, married, keeping house, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Christina Netweg - white, female, age 34, daughter, single, at home, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Sylvester Netweg - white, male, age 31, son, single, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Erick Netweg - white, male, age 29, son, single, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Ole Hanson - white, male, age 39, boarder, single, laborer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway

Elling Eriksen Natvik made a declaration of intention to naturalize as a United States citizen on 30 September 1880 in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.[7] It is not known if her received his naturalization certificate. He probably did because his wife and son Sylvester are listed as naturalized citizens in the 1900 United States census.

LATER YEARS:

Elling Eriksen Natvig wrote his will on 2 September 1895, saying:[8]

In the name of God, Amen. I the under-signed Elling Erickson Natvig, of the town of Cottage Grove in the County of Dane and State of Wisconsin, being of sound mind and memory and mindful of the uncertainties of human life do here by make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following to wit:

1st After the payment of my just and lawful debts, funeral expenses and expense of last illness I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Anna Natvig the use and enjoyment of all property of which I shall die seized be it personal or real estate as long as she shall live and survive me.

2nd I give devise and bequeath of the remainder of my estate which shall remain after the death of my said wife unto my daughter Anna Leland, wife of T.S. Leland of London Dane County, Wisconsin the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300$).

3rd I give devise and bequeath further out of such remainder unto my Britha Johnson, wife of Thomas Johnson of Valton Sauk County Wisconsin the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$)

4th I further give, devise and bequeath out of such said remainder unto my daughter Eli Teigen, widow after Lars Teigen, of Sogndals Praxtigjeld Bergens Stoft Norway Europe the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$)

5th I further give, devise and bequeathout of such aforesaid remainder unto my grandchildren Oscar, Adolph, Gyda and Alexander children of my deceased daughter Ragnhilda in her life time wife of T.O. Hegg now of Madison Dane County Wisconsin the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$) to be divided among them my said grandchildren equally share and share alike.

6th It is my will and desire that if my estate shall not amount after the payment of my said debts and after the uses thereof by my said wife to a sum equal to the sum total of all of said bequests then each of my said devises shall take thereof in same proportion as his or her bequest shall bear to the whole amount so remaining and that if my estate shall exceed the same total of said bequests then each shall take of such excess a sum equal in Proportion to the amount of his or her bequest to the whole amount of said bequests aforesaid.

7th I appoint and nominate Thomas Johnson of Sauk County Wisconsin and T.S. Leland of London Dane County Wisconsin executors of this my last will and testament. I hereby revoke and annul all former wills by me maid.

In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of September AD 1895 in presence of the witnesses here subscribing. his
Elling Erickson X Natvig {seal}
mark

The above instrument of 3 pages legal cab was on the 2nd day of September 1895 signed, sealed published and declared by Elling Erickson Natvig to be his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names hereto as attending witnesses
William Nelson of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis.
Isabel Dykesten of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis.
Bertha Anderson of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis

Note that Elling Eriksen Natvig did not bequeath anything to his son, Solfest (known as Sylvester). He may have deeded the farm to Sylvester before he wrote the will.

Elling Eriksen Natvig died on 15 March 1896 at the age of 75 in Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[2,8] He was buried after 15 March 1896 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[2]

In the 1900 United States Census, the remnant of this family was enumerated in Cottage Grove township, Dane County Wisconsin. The household included:

• Sylvester Netwig - head, white, male, born Dec 1847, age 52, married 15 years, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 years, naturalized, a farmer, owns farm free of mortgage
• Christiana Netwig - wife, white, female, born May 1864, age 36, married 15 years, 8 children born, 7 living, born Norway, parents born Norway, immigrated in 1862, US citizen for 28 years
• Elaxender Netwig - son, white, male, born Apr 1886, age 14, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Anna Netwig - daughter, white, female, born Aug 1887, age 12, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Susen Netwig - daughter, white, female, born Mar 1889, age 11, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Ida Netwig - daughter, white, female, born July 1891, age 9, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Rolph Netwig - son, white, male, born Feb 1893, age 7, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Bertha Netwig - daughter, white, female, born June 1897, age 2, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Sewert Netwig - son, white, male, born June 1899, age 11/12, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Anna Netwig - mother, white, female, born May 1811, age 89, widow, 2 children born, 2 living, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 years
• Christina Netwig - sister, white, female, born Jan 1846, age 54, single, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 year

The head of household in the 1900 census is Sylvester Natvig, the son of Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig. Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig is the mother in the 1900 census, although her birth year is wrong by one year.

Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig died on 16 June 1901 at the age of 88 in Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[4,9] She was buried after 16 June 1901 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[4]

SOURCES:

1. Den Norske kirke, Sogndal prestegjeld (Sogn og Fjordane), Kirkebøker [Sogndal, Norway Church Register], Elling Eriksen birth entry, 12 October 1820, Eskestrand farm, parents Erik Hanssen and Kristi Elligsdtr; FamilySearch Library (on 11 FHL Microfilm reels, citing digital images from The National Archives of Norway).

2. Find A Grave, indexed database, (https://www.findagrave.com), Lower McFarland Cemetery, McFarland, Wis., Elling Erickson Natvig (1820-1896) memorial #199854554.

3. Den Norske kirke, Sogndal prestegjeld (Sogn og Fjordane), Kirkebøker [Sogndal, Norway Church Register], Anna Ellingsdtr birth entry, 18 July 1812, Vatlestad farm, parents Elling Olssen and Brita Rasmusdtr; FamilySearch Library (on 11 FHL Microfilm reels, citing digital images from The National Archives of Norway).

4. Find A Grave, indexed database, (https://www.findagrave.com), Lower McFarland Cemetery, McFarland, Wis., Anna Ellingsdtr Natvig memorial #199854524.

5. "Norway Marriages, 1660-1927," indexed database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Sogndal, Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdr marriage entry, 19 November 1845.

6. 1880 United States Federal Census, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, Cottage Grove Township, Enumeration District 64, Page 284A (stamped), Dwelling #82, Family #82, Elling Netweg household; imaged, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 July 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T9, Roll 1421.

7. "Wisconsin, County Naturalization Records, 1807-1992," imaged, FamilySearch (https://FamilySearch.org), Dane County > Declarations of Intention, 1880, image 144 of 226, Elling Erikson Natvik entry, 30 September 1880.

8. Dane County, Wisconsin, Dane County Probate Records, "Dane County Probate Records, Box 159 - 160," Box 160, images 1076-1108 of 1335, Estate of Elling Erickson Natvig, images 1091-1093, will of Elling Erickson Natvig, 1895; imaged, "Wisconsin, Wills and Probates, 1800-1987," Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 September 2015).

9. "Wisconsin Death Records, 1867-1907," indexed database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Anna Natvig death entry, 16 June 1901, age 90, spouse Elling Natvig.

RELATIONSHIP:

Elling Eriksen Natvig (1820-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1812-1901) are the paternal 2nd- great-grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver (1942-still living), through her great-grandmother Sjur Torgersen (1804-1889) and Brita Olsdatter (1818-1895) are the paternal great-great-grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver (1942-still living), through:

•  her great-grandmother Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1853-1911)who married Torger Sjursen Leland (1850-1933)  in 1876 in Wisconsin,  
• her grandfather Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) who married Amelia Anna Brocke (1884-1975) in 1904 in Montana, 
• her father Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) who married Edna May Schaffner (1913-1979) in 1937 in California.

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