OLE JONSON VALE, (son of Jon Olson and Marja Bjornsdatter Fjelldalen)
was born on the Vale farm in Holla (now Holden) Telemark, Norway on
February 22, 1784.
He emigrated from Holla with his wife Anne Andersdatter, Brenne
(daughter of Anders Anderson Lunde and Aaste Kittlesdatter Noradal) to
Sugar Creek Twp., Walworth Co., Wisconsin in 1844.
They had come in 1844 on the ship "Salvator" with Captain Johan Gasman.
They were nine weeks on the ocean, landing in New York July 4; they
came by the regular route to Milwaukee, then they drove in lumber wagons
to Heart Prairie.
They followed a son, Jon, and a daughter, Anne Torine who had located
in Sugarcreek Twp., Walworth Co. the year before.
Son Jon/John Olson Vale was born on the Vale farm in Holla, Prastegjeld,
Nedre (lower) Telemark, Norway on May 12, 1818.
He married Anne Olesdatter Gronsteen on April 13, 1846. Anne, who was
born January 22, 1824 on the Gronsteen Plads, Ulhorende Fossum farm,
Gjerpen, Telemark, Norway and had come with her parents, Ole Tolvson
Gronsteen and wife Kari on the same ship "Salvator" as had Jon's father
in 1844.
Eight daughters were born to them: Anne, Karen, Mary, Sophia, Louise an
infant death, Louise, Alice Adelaide, and Adela.
John Olson served in the Civil War. He had enlisted in Milwaukee, WI
as a Private in Co. D in the 47th Regiment of WI Infantry Volunteers on
February 7, 1865 and was honorably discharged September 4, 1865.
In the year of 1866 they sold their farm and John and Anne moved to
Racine where they lived for 2 years.
In April 1869 John moved to the new wild Dakota Territory, leaving
mother and daughters in Chicago renting a room in the boarding house of
the oldest daughter Anne Hansen. He bought a claim with a poor little
house on it for $600 six miles north of Elk Point in the Dakota
Territory.
The following October Anne followed with three youngest born.
John Olson Vale, farmer, died in his daughter Anne's home in Sioux City,
Ia. on May 6, 1890. His wife, Anne Grensteen Olson died May 6, 1911 on
the home farm.