Minnisota Farmstead of the Sigvaldsons
Limestone Farmstead
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Limestone Farmstead SAT overlay |
SIGVALDSON Switching to new project. Identifying 'exact' location of my GGF Arni 'Earnest' Sigvaldson's farmstead in Minnesota. Made easy by this portion of an early map. It did help guide me there, along with help by southern farmer, whose father knew his son. What I missed, as I forgot this close-up is...the small square shows where it was. If I had my cowboy boots and someone photographing me, I could have walked the property. Farmer busy with visitors and Ivanhoe not of much help, did not know who owned the farm now.

Farmstead pinpointed (MAP)
Detailed map of the Sigvaldson Farm by Roy Christopherson. North West of Ivanhoe, MN. Ironically both Lake Benton and Ivanhoe claim to have been the seat in the early 1900's.
Icelandic Church on left at 7, Old Town Hall on 300th street (bottom of map). There was an Accesss Road which now has farm equipment parked at end of it. No doubt, went to the farm house. Located 3 miles east of Ivanhoe, then 2 miles north on 7th, then 1/2 mile east on 300th Street in Limestone.
Arni and then the children's farm land is outlined in Yellow. Farm house and possiblephoto of it is the Red Square. Nothing now except fields.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VIRTUALLY VISIT THE FARM? Click here.
TIMELINE
Born: |
Arni Sigvaldason at Búastöðum in Vopnafirði, on 12 May 1847.
From Cathy Josephsons C/O Nonni Jonsson |
Christening: |
13 May 1847 in Hof I Vopnafirdi, Nordur-Mulasysla, Iceland [7] |
Emigration: |
1873 in Vopnafjörður, Iceland to Milwaukee; Ship: Björg [8] |
Arrival: |
1873; Ships: Björg, Queen (Ak.) [6] |
Employment: |
1873 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Worked railroad shops
Emmigration Map of Iceland showing Icelandic Locations. Búastöðum is a Farm, not a city or town. |
Education: |
1876 in Madison, Wisconsin; Student at University of Wisconsin, aka Academy, maybe one year |
Residence: |
1878 he came to Marshall Minnesota. Homesteaded land in Minnesota. |
Married: |
1878 Guðrún (Aradóttir) SIGVALDASON, sister of Skafti Arason, Pioneer, Argyle Dist, Canada. |
Residence: |
Abt. 1879 Farmer in Limestone township, Lincoln county
NEW: Using inaccurate Google translations on PDF at Landsbokasafn (National and University Library of Iceland) that I FOUND, there are eight letters from who I believe to be my GGF Arni Sigvaldson to Halldor Briem in Minnesota during 1880-1893. LTR Content: Arni possibly "Discussed the rise of the Peoples Party. He [Arni?] was represented at the annual meeting." No he did not join a Communist party. Found this"...Frustrated over the preceived [perceived] control over agricultural marketing by "big business" and the unresponsiveness of state and national government, farmers began to organize..." [source] Sec. "8. Significance", p 2, lines 10-14. In the letters looks like Arni as early as 1880 was asking about the various opportunities there. I know he attended a university, but dropped out. Compliments? Rev. Jon Bjarnason. Most know of the two rifts between the church attendees. |
Occupation: |
Limestone township, Lincoln county; office of justice of the peace 16 yrs, Farmer |
Politician: |
Limestone township, Lincoln county; supervisor when the township of Limestone was organized |
Residence: |
Farmer in Minnesota |
Occupation: |
1898 he was elected to the office of clerk of court of Lincoln county which office he held until his death January 10, 1901. |
Residence: |
Lake Benton in 1899 |
Medical Condition: |
cancer of lower lip and throat [4] Battle for 15 years, sought best treatment |
Death: |
10 Jan 1901, 8:30 AM in Lake Benton, Lincoln, Minnesota, USA [3]
Also Known As: Árni Sigvaldason [4, 5] |
Burial: |
Icelandic Cemetery at Lincoln County Lutheran site [4] |
ICELAND & Búastöðum in Vopnafirði
Both branches go all the way back. A couple stop about 1700, one continues to Daniel Rantzau listed on the Great Ancestor page.
Jón "eldri" Sigurðsson, father of Sigvaldi JOHNSON, b. 18 May 1791, Bóndi á Grímsstöðum á Fjöllum og Bústöðum í Vopnafirði
Died: 07 Sep 1861
Jón "eldri" Sigurðsson m. Guðrún Jónsdóttir, b. 1764, d. 1838 age possibly 48 Source: Halfdan Helgason
Arni was from the farm called Búastöðum
Here is possibly Arni's father mentions (mispelled), and the farm.
- Name: Jon RAFNSSON
- Sex: M
- Title: Younger
- Name: Jon Rafnsson (YOUNGER)
- Birth: ABT 1829
- Death: FEB 1871
Note: Jón Rafnsson younger took over the farm Búastöðum in 1861, and was there with Sivgaldi [sic] Jónsson from Hrappstöðum. Sigvaldi grew up at Búastöðum. In 1845 Jón married Rannveig Bjarnadóttir (b.1827), the sister of Ingibjörg, Guðmundur Guðmundsson´s wife. Their children: Katrín Ingibjörg (1858), Bjarni (1859), Stefán (1864), Guðrún Salína (1866), Jón (1871). Katrín likely died young (not included in the 1872 count) - Bjarni (Barney Jones of Minneota, born 18 Feb. 1859 at Krossavík), Stefán and Guðrún went to America. Jón and Rannveig lived at Búastöðum until 1871/2, when Jón died, 41 yrs. old. Rannveig moved from the farm in 1872. The next farmer there was Arngrímur Eymundsson, and working for him was Ólafur Jónsson, 20 yrs., and Guðrún Salína as a ward of the county. It is not known for sure where Rannveig moved. Bjarni and Jón lived with Halldór Jónsson, the priest at Hof in Vopn. Jón drowned in the Hofsá. Bjarni was at Hof until he was twenty, and left for America in 1879. Bjarni married Stefanía Arngrímsdóttir Eymundsson (taking the name Anderson - Ólafur Guðjón and Sigurjón Anderson were her brothers). Stefanía´s grandfather was a brother of Jósef Arngrímsson, father of Arngrímur, Jósef, Ásbjörn, Vigfús, Sigfús.
Arni's Father: Sigvaldi JOHNSON b: 28 NOV 1820 in Iceland
Sigvaldi Jónsson from Fremri-Hlíð in Vopnafirði moved to Minnesota in 1880. His parents were Jón Jónsson and Sigurbjörg Árnadóttir. Sigvaldi lived in Lincoln County, and moved to Minneota in 1902.
- - - - -
from the Minneota Mascot, December 25, 1903:
Sigvaldi Jonsson died at the home of Mrs Gudrun Sigvaldson, Limestone township , Lincoln county, last Monday. The deceased was 83 years of age, and for the last year or more had been bedridden. He was a native of Iceland but for many years a resident of Lincoln county.
Three sons survive him; all are well known in this community: they are:
Prof Sigurdur Sigvaldson, of Buffalo Lake,
John Sigvaldson, of Marshall, and
Paul Sigvaldson, who a part of the time makes his home here. The late Arne Sigvaldson, who at his death held the office of Clerk of Court of Lincoln county, was also a son of the deceased. The funeral took place from the Icelandic church in Lincoln county last Wednesday, Rev B B Jonsson officiating. Source
Sigvaldi JOHNSON son of Jón Jónsson b. 1778, son of Unknown. Jón Jónsson married Sigríður Sveinsdóttir, b. 30 Dec 1781, Húsmóðir [Housewife] á Hrappstöðum í Vopnafirði.
Sigríður Sveinsdóttir was daughter of Sveinn Jónsson, b. Abt. 1760, Bóndi [Farmer] á Einarsstöðum í Vopnafirði.
Minneota Mascot, January 11, 1901:
Arnie Sigvaldson Clerk of Court of Lincoln County Died Yesterday Arnie Sigvaldson died at Lake Benton at 8:30 o'clock yesterday morning, from cancer of the lip and throat. This was the sad but for some time expected news wired from the county seat of Lincoln county, yesterday forenoon. For fifteen years Mr Sigvaldson fought the dreaded disease that caused his death; repeated operations were performed at varying intervals by some of the leading medical experts of the century but with no other result than to postpone for a time the inevitable. For the past four months, deceased was confined to his bed and, with passive Christian fortitude, has suffered indescribable pain. Arnie Sigvaldson was born May 12, 1847, at Vopnafjord, Iceland, came to America in 1873, and located at Milwaukee, Wis. He spent some time as a student in the academic department of the University of Wisconsin. On June 8, 1878, he married Miss Gudrun Arason, and the same year came to Minnesota, making his home on the then barren prairies of Lincoln county. A hard worker, steady and industrious, he made a success of farming, and at his death owned one of the best farms in Lincoln county. In the election of 1898, Mr Sigurdson was elected to the office of Clerk of Court of Lincoln County, and since entering upon the discharge of the duties of that office, in January, 1899, has been a resident of Lake Benton. To make use of a common expression, Mr Sigvaldson was a man whom everybody liked. In the ability to gain and hold the confidence and respect of his fellow men he had few equals. A born leader of men, actuated at all times by the highest Christian motives, his advice was sought and followed and his example emulated by all who had the good fortune of coming under the indulgence
Page 2 of 8
Christian motives, his advice was sought and followed and his example emulated by all who had the good fortune of coming under the indulgence of this excellent character. In his house Mr Sigvaldson was an ideal husband and father. His was in every sense of the word a model Christian home and all who partook of the hospitality there so generously dispensed, could be but impressed with the fact that their host's was a model household. But there is another side of his character which helped to make him the popular leader of his community, and that was his ever cheerful disposition. Seldom did Mr Sigvaldson indulge in frowns, but on the contrary, always greeted his friends and acquaintances with a smile that showed its owner was a man who preferred to lead his fellow men to view life with a hopeful spirit. In church affiliations, Mr Sigvaldson was a Lutheran, being a member of the Icelandic church of that denomination in Lincoln county. In church matters he was a sincere, untiring and hard worker and the congregation of which he was a member, as well as the other congregations of the same nationality in this neighborhood, will long miss his encouraging voice and wise counsel from their deliberations. In short, Mr Sigvaldson was "one of nature's noblemen." A wife and seven children are left to mourn a beloved husband and father. The funeral will take place tomorrow from Lake Benton, and the remains interred in the Icelandic cemetery of the Icelandic church, located near the Sigvaldson farm. If the [missing words] from here intend to go on to attend the funeral. The funeral services at the church will begin at one o'clock p m. Hundreds of mourning friends will gather to pay their respects to the memory of this loved comrade, who has gone from the church militant to the church triumphant, and to deposit in its last resting place the earthly habitation of a soul that has joined the rejoicing hosts in realms of everlasting life.
Page 3 of 8
Missing
To Do: Locate the full text of this document
Page 4 of 8 Monday, March 30, 2009 5:39:57 PM
Note: Minnesota History Center
Media: Microfiche
Page: January 11, 1901
Note: Minneota Mascot, January 11, 1901.
Árni Sigvaldason and Jón Júlíus Jónsson of Winnipeg visited New Iceland
to sell 115 sacks of flour
Source
Added into Facts above

Chart for Guðrún Jónsdóttir, b. Abt. 1765, m. Sveinn Jónsson
Father of Sigvaldi Jonsson: Jón JÓNSSON
Mother: Sigurbjörg ÁRNADÓTTIR
Marriage 1 ARNFRIDA b: BEF 1830 in Iceland
Gígja Friðgeirsdóttir Sveinsson is related to Arni Sigvaldson
Here is Gígja 'Friðgeirsdóttir' Sveinsson chart to Roy added June 6, 2012
Sun, 11 Apr 2010
I find it very interesting although it is Gigja with roots in Vopnafjordur. BUT MY FRIEND! YOU ARE TOO!
It is there you and Gigja are connected....
And Roy, you are also a cousin to Cathy Ann Josephson, who moved ...
Your Arnfridur Jonsdottir is born 1823, d. 1860. She is a house-wife at Buastadir in Vopnafjordur. Her husband was Sigvaldi Jonsson, b. June 20, 1820 - farming at Buastadir.
Arnfridur´s parents were Jon Stefansson, b. Dec. 29, 1800 - d. May 14, 1865. He was a farmer and saddlesmith at Egilsstadir and more farmsteads in Vopnafjordur. The mother was Bjorg Thorlaksdottir (1798-1867) later a house-wife at Sirekstadir in Vopnafjordur. They were not married, but Bjorg later married Kristjan Gudmundsson farming at Sirekstadir.
They had children. Jon Stefansson also married and had at least one son with his wife, Kristin Jonsdottir. ...
Warmest regards,
Kristjan & Gigja [20]
I want to connect Gigja to you first.
We then start with Illugi Gudmundsson (abt. 1530-abt. 1609) a pastor at Muli in Reykjadalur, South-Thingeyjarsysla.
His wife was Malmfridur Jonsdottir (abt. 1520)
Jon Illugason (abt. 1550) a law-speaker and a member of the legislative assembly Althing, residing Storu-Laugar and Einarsstadir in Reykjadalur with his wife Gudrun Thorgrimsdottir (abt. 1560)
Gudmundur Jonsson (abt. 1580-after 1647) farming at Storu-Laugar and also a member of the legislative assembly Althing.
His wife was Sesselja Arnadottir (1585)
Thorgrimur Gudmundsson (abt. 1607) farming at Krossavik in Vopnafjordur and also a member of the legislative assembly Althing. His wife was Margret Jonsdottir (1600) but it is most likely she is not Hogni´s mother.
Hogni Thorgrimsson (abt. 1635-after 1681) farming at Strandhofn in Vopnafjordur with his wife Steinvor Jonsdottir (1637)
Magnus Hognason (1673) farming at Strandhofn with his wife Lisebeth Willemsdottir (1665) we have to look at her later
Jon Magnusson (1703-1774) farming at Hamundarstadir in Vopnafjordur with his wife Margret Magnusdottir (1702)
Sigurdur Jonsson (1742-June 29, 1812) He was a carpenter and first farming in Vopnafjordur. From 1788 farming at Grimsstadir in the Mountains and also a reeve there. His second wife was Gudrun Jonsdottir (1764-Jan23, 1840 in Hof´s parish Vopnafjordur)
They had 14 children.
One of their daughters was Sesselja Sigurdsdottir (1800) resided at Hardbakur in Prestholar parish, North-Thingeyjarsysla,
with her husband Steinn Hakonsson (1799) farming there.
Their daughter Gudrun Steinsdottir (March 23, 1827) married Jon Jonsson (1829) from Snartarstadir in Prestholar parish. They
were farming several places in that parish.
Their daughter Sabina Stefania Jonsdottir (May 25, 1861-July 29, 1938) became a fourth wife of Sigurbjorn Fridriksson (1828-1900) and they resided at Svalbardssel in Thistilfjordur.
Their only son was Fridgeir Einar Sigurbjornsson (Nov. 6, 1896- Jan 27, 1983) a cabinet maker and later a music instrument maker living in Akureyri with his wife Halldora Johannesdottir (June 22, 1906- Dec. 7, 1995)
Their daughter Living, b. redacted, 1941 in Akureyri. Married Living Sveinsson, redacted.
Sveinn Jónsson father was Jón Einarsson, b. Abt. 1730, m. Guðrún Jónsdóttir, b. Abt. 1720. Lineage not researched beyond this point
Arni's Mother: Arnfríður Jónsdóttir, b. 23 Mar 1820 at Hof in Vopnafjörður in Norður-Múlasýsla, Iceland Source.
Marriage: Abt. 29 Sep 1845 ar Vopnafjörður in Norður-Múlasýsla, Iceland Source.
ARNFRIDA b: BEF 1830 in Iceland [Wrong!]
THE VOYAGE TO AMERICA FROM ICELAND
Emigrants had to sell their property, such as sheep, houses, and farms, and take with them only what they could convey as baggage to the nearest seaport, where they awaited the coming of a ship to transport them. The wait often extended into weeks. Some of the ships were very primitive, such as the Queen, which was to take on 165 passengers at Akureyri August 4, 1873. It was mainly designed to transport horses and conditions aboard were so apalling that several emigrants refused to board. Conditions may have improved after the unloading of 230 horses at Aberdeen.
SOURCE [13]
Arni was on the Queen and Borg.
Queen (2)
1857 taken over with Dundee & Hull Shipping Co., 1876 sold to W. B. Thompson, Dundee.

Arni Sigvaldson's Travels from Iceland to parts of America, up to New Iceland, then settles in Minnesota.
Here are Roy's Great Grandparents connected thanks to Halfdan Helgason in Iceland, Nelson Gerrard and Kommi Hognason
Below is a page on Ernest in paragraph 2. One of Roys early finds (abt. 2006)
Arni's first name is spelled many ways. Arni, Ernest, Earnest and in Icelandic. Arni Sigvaldason, later changed to Sigvaldson However, the biggest factor in finding Arni's grandparents came from Nelson Gerrard and Kormakur Hognason, whereby Arni was a Sigvaldason. Adding an "A" after D helped Roy get back to the grandfathers of Arni in 770 AD. My Cousin Kristjan gave me insight into Arni's ancestors as well. Plus back a couple generations, all the local and historical records had "wrong" information, that only the family knew the truth.
Árni Sigvaldason and Jón Júlíus Jónsson of Winnipeg visited New Iceland to sell 115 sacks of flour Source

Lake Benton, Minn
From the Internet (Click to enlarge) |

1910 Lake Benton PostCard
From the Internet (Click to enlarge) |

Lake Benton, Minn
From the Internet
|

Public High School, Lake Benton, Minn
From the Internet (Click to enlarge) |
Lincoln County

Name Origin of Lincoln County: For Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), sixteenth U.S. president.
(source)
Unconfirmed if this deed is our earnest
Name:Earnest Sigvaldson Issue Date:20 May 1885 State of
Record:Minnesota Acres:160 Accession Number:MN1530__.041 Metes and
Bounds:No Land Office:Redwood Falls Canceled:No US Reservations:No
Mineral Reservations:No Authority:May 20, 1862: Homestead EntryOriginal
(12 Stat. 392) Document Number:3163 Legal Land
Description:SectionTwpRangeMeridianCounties 20112-N44-W5th
PMLincoln 20112-N44-W5th PM
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3171463&id=I02211
About celebration of the 1st settler, Arni came later in 1878.
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:gZe_ub6-AwEJ:www.vesturfarinn.is/minnsettlement.html+%C3%81rni+Sigvaldason&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us
&client=firefox-a
|
Arni & Gudrun Sigvaldson Family

E.E.C._0013_SCAN
A Holy Grail found at my aunts house. An early portrait of Arni and Gudrun's early family. My guess is Frank is not born yet, circa might be 1886, which puts them at Limestone. Arni, Gudrun, Skapti, Thora, Julia, and Mary, my GM?
Courtesy of the Emily Enns Collection |
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Arni |
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1. Skapti Aaron |
2. Pall 'Paul' Thorvaldur Sigvaldson |
3. Thora Jonina SIGVALDSON |
4. Julia G. SIGVALDSON Armstrong, b. 13 Apr 1884 |
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c |
c |
c |
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6. Frank Sigvaldson, b.
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7. John E Sigvaldson, b. 15 May 1889
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8. Palina 'Pauline' Sigurbjorg SIGVALDSON Armstrong, b. 28 Oct 1893
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9. Vigfus Sigvaldson, b. 25 Feb 1894 |

L.K.C_002a
Frank, Skapti, and John Sigvaldson
Here are the original images.
Lilja Kernested was given these photos and told by Joe Arason
that this is the Sigvaldsons
Photographed by Sveinn Magnus of Minneota, c 1898 according to N. Gerrard
Courtesy of the Lilja Kernested Collection |

L.K.C_001a
Þóra, Júlíana (her name may be Júlía, she is mentioned along with several other family members for donating money for a monument in honor of Jón Sigurðsson. Source: Lögberg 16 Mar 1911)
María, Pálína, and Oddný
Courtesy of the Lilja Kernested Collection
View Whole Lilja Kernested Slideshow Collection |
FAMILY
Arni Sigvaldson (was Sigvaldason with an 'a') |
 |
Burial: Icelandic Cemetery at Lincoln County Lutheran site. Entrance. Arni's Gravestone Photo: Valerie Lafrenz
Marriage 1 Gudrun ARRADOTTIR b: 4 MAY 1848 in Iceland. Married: 8 JUN 1878 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (11)
Gudrun's Gravestone Photo: Valerie Lafrenz |
Children |
1. Skapti Aaron Sigvaldson , b: 12 APR 1879 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota. d. 1952 |
Ck photo this is
probably the
wrong Skapti
|
Residences: Edmore, ND. Lincoln, Minnesota. Burial: Icelandic Cemetery at Lincoln County Lutheran site. Entrance.
Gravestone. Photo taken by Bill Gropel |
2. Paul Thorvaldur SIGVALDSON b: 10 AUG 1880 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota.
Died at age 3.
Paul's Gravestone Photo: Valerie Lafrenz |
3. pora Thora Jonina SIGVALDSON b: 20 APR 1882 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
died: 5 MAR 1903, Limestone Township, Lincoln Co., MN.
from the Minneota Mascot, December 19, 1902: Miss Thora Sigvaldson left last week for Rochester for medical treatment at the hospital there. The physicians decided that an operation would be necessary and Miss Sigvaldson was joined by her mother last Saturday. The operation was performed Tuesday.
[Based on this, Thora dies 3 months later at age
21]
Name: |
Thora Sigvaldson |
Gender: |
Female |
Death Date: |
05 Mar 1903 |
Death Place: |
Lincoln Co. Minnesota |
Age: |
20 |
Birth Date: |
20 Apr 1882 |
Birthplace: |
Limestone |
Occupation: |
Farmer |
Race: |
White |
Marital Status: |
Single |
Father's Name: |
Arni Sigvaldson |
Father's Birthplace: |
Iceland |
Mother's Name: |
Gudrun Asuson |
Mother's Birthplace: |
Iceland |
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B53042-9 , System Origin: Minnesota-EASy , GS Film number: 1320494 , Reference ID: p 31 cn 16
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FDCF-D5S |
4. Julia G. SIGVALDSON b: ABT 1884 in MN. |

IMG_6384_SCAN
Julia Sigvaldson
Courtesy of the Pauline Einarson Green Album |

IMG_SCAN_1356
Julia Sigvaldson (Left) holding Henry Einarson, Henrietta Sigurdson, and.Pauline Einarson |
There is also IMG_SCAN_1356_Julia.Henry.Henrietta.PaulineEinarson which is not very good photo, and
IMG_6382_SCAN_GreenAlbum_unknown_pauline_gudmundus_julia which they appear in mens clothing perhaps for as play.
Julia and mary looked very much alike.
If you know anything about Julia, please contact Roy, or of any of the family for that matter. |
5. Maria 'Mary' Jakobina SIGVALDSON b: 23 DEC 1885 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
 |
Roy Christopherson´s Grandmother
Name: Mary SIGVALDSON 3 2
Birth: 23 DEC 1885 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota 1 2
Birth: ABT 1886 in MN 4 3 2
Baptism: 23 JUN 1889 Lincoln County Lutheran 1 2
Event: Godparents Sigurdur Gislason, Kri. Gislason 1 2
Residence: 1917 Ivanhoe, Minnesota 1 2
Residence: 1895 Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota 5 Source |
|
6. Frank SIGVALDSON b: 7 MAY 1887 in MN. There are about 75 photos of John family (images 1240-1326)
 |
"Frank would be to the left of the large Sigvaldson stone if he were buried here. Alice's marker is to the right of the larger Sigvaldson stone. The cemetery office has no record of Frank being interred in Mtn View Cemetery.
Added by: R McHenry 1/31/2012"
Gravestone. Burial Place: ?

Above:
L.K.C_006_SigvaldsonFrank_1
Courtesy of Lilja Kernested Collection
Left: IMG_6412_SCAN_GreenAlbum_uncle.frank (Green Album) |

Possibly Frank and Alice (Click to enlarge)
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection
SIG'S SERVICE TEXACO STATION (Frank and John Sigvaldson)
Ref. on your website: 411 GRANT ST / Sigvaldson House – built 1928
This craftsman-style home was owned by Frank and Alice Sigvaldson who lived there from 1928 to 1962. Frank and his brother John established a successful service station and wholesale oil company at the corner of 5th and Main, which they operated for many years under the name "Sig's Service Station". The station featured Sieberling tires and Texaco products. [22]
Introduction to Alice Gustina Amundson, Married to Frank Sigvaldson
Laurel Zellner (Mathieson...Teigland...Amundson)
My aunt wrote "A Pioneer Family - Norway to Minnesota" in 1986, which gave a brief description of the lives of our pioneer ancestors as they settled in the Minneota, MN area. It must be my great aunt Alice who married Frank Sigvaldson, eventually settled in Colorado, and died young of TB. I noticed your article about Arni Sigvaldson (I believe Frank's father), .... There is a lovely, but short, biography of Alice in this book as well as some quotes from her daughter. [24]. In Summer of 2014, Roy had the pleasure of meeting Laurel and her mother for lunch. They gave him a copy of
Posted by Kathleen Lawless at http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=kmlawless26&id=I189 [23]
Possibly Alice's grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=61017192&PIpi=39348383
ID: I189
Name: Alice Gustina Amundson, a.k.a. Mrs. Frank Sigvaldson
Sex: F
Birth: 8 MAR 1891 in Minnesota
Death: 6 AUG 1932 in Boulder, Colorado 1 of Tuberculosis [age 41]
Occupation: Teacher
Note:
CENSUS: 1900 Federal Census, Dist 153, Nordland, Lyon, MN, 6-7 June 1900, p. 207A, sheet 4A, 53/53 [T623_773; ancestry.com i. 7/10]; "Alice AMUNDSON; daughter; born Mch 1891; age 9; single; born MN, father born Norway, mother born WI"
1910 Federal Census, Dist 88, Nordland, Lyon, MN, 26 Apr 1910, p. 186B, sheet 5B, 85/84 [T624_699, i. 378; ancestry.com i. 9/10]; "Alice AMUNDSON; daughter; age 18; single; born WI, father born Norway, mother born WI; none"
Father: Greggar Amundson b: 10 OCT 1850 in Notoden, Telemarken, NORWAY
Mother: Anna Marie Furgeson b: 14 DEC 1860 in Winnebago Co, Wisconsin
Marriage 1 Frank Sigvaldson
- Married: 1920 in Minneota, Lyon, Minnesota
Children
Doris Marian Sigvaldson b: 8 SEP 1921
[see IMG_6426_SCAN_GreenAlbum_doris.sigvaldson The Einarson Green Album]
Doris Marian SIGVALDSON Lockard passed away
Alice Ruth Sigvaldson b: 21 SEP 1923 in Minnesota
Birth: 21 SEP 1923 in Minnesota
Note: CENSUS: 1930 Federal Census, Dist 19, Eidsvold, Lyon, MN, 10 Apr 1930, p. 189B, sheet 3B, 66/66 [roll 1105, i. 380.0; ancestry.com i. 6/19]; "Alice SIGVALSON; niece; age 6; single; born MN, parents born MN; none" [in household of Leslie V. Dahl]
m. Living Wierson
Children
2a. Living
Wierson
2b. Living
Wierson
2c. Living Hartwig
Alice Ruth SIGVALDSON Wierson's Obit
Alice Ruth Wierson, age 90, joined our Lord on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014. Alice was born to Frank and Alice Sigvaldson in Minneota, Minnesota on September 21, 1923. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elpasotimes/obituary.aspx?pid=171891928
Internment: Fort Bliss National Cemetery,
5200 Fred Wilson Ave, Fort Bliss, TX 79906
1a or 3. Bill Sigvaldson Passed away
Has sister named Betty
(card from Alice)
IMG_SCAN_1284
GirlF.Alice Ruth, and Doris.
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection

IMG_SCAN_1285
Alice Ruth_Yellowstone. Frank Sigvaldson Family
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection |

IMG_SCAN_1314_Alice Ruth, and Doris.Phonix1939_SigvaldsonFrank =Family
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection |
Sources:
- Title: A Pioneer Family, Norway to Minnesota
Author: Compiled by Elizabeth Teiglan
Publication: October 1986
Repository:
Note: Mari J. Teigland Hoyt
Media: Book
Page: 35
- Greggar Amundson, father of Alice Gustina Amundson
- Birth: 10 OCT 1850 in Notoden, Telemarken, NORWAY
- Death: 16 FEB 1933 in Lyon Co, Minnesota 1
- Baptism: Heddal stave church, Notoden, Telemarken, NORWAY
Father: Amund Olson b: 1811 in Hedall, NORWAY, m. Ragnhild Levson parents of Greggar Amundson |
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Wedding of Sigvaldson-Amundson
Email to Lilja,
[Wedding of] Sigvaldson-Amundson
Frank Sigvaldson and Miss Alice Amundson were married at the Norwegian Lutheran church here last Wednesday evening [June 11, 1919]. Rev E J Hinderlie read the marriage service according to the Lutheran ritual.
The bridegroom was attended by Rudolph Amundson and the bride by Miss Pauline Sigvaldson. The bride was charmingly gowned in white organdie, with veil and carried roses.
After the ceremony at the church a wedding supper was served at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr and Mrs Greggar Amundson; the guests consisted of immediate relatives only.
Mr and Mrs Sigvaldson left on the night train from Minneapolis where they will go to Winnipeg and thence to Glenboro, Manitoba, where Mr Sigvaldson is now operating a farm.
This marriage unites two pioneer families of this locality, Mr and Mrs Amundson, the parents of the bride, being among the early settlers of the township of Nordland, Lyon county, and the late Arni Sigvaldson and his wife, parents of the bridegroom, being among the first of the Icelandic settlers of the township of Limestone, Lincoln county. No families in this locality are better known, nor have been more prominent in the development of their respective neighborhoods than these two, and the best that we could say of the son and daughter, whose union of hearts has joined these two families, is that we know them to be children worthy of the parental names they bear. [17]
We congratulate Mr and Mrs Sigvaldson and trust that they may prosper and enjoy life. [18]
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mnlincol/mnmascotmarrlincoln1919.htm
Roy
7. Jon 'John' SIGVALDSON
b: 15 MAY 1889 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
Gravestone Photo by Timothy Hess
Birth: May 16, 1889, Ivanhoe, Lincoln County, Minnesota, USA. Death: , Aug., 1959, Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado, USA Source: Findagrave
Birth: May 16, 1889 Ivanhoe Lincoln County Minnesota, USA Death: Aug., 1959 Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA
He owned and opperated the Texaco station in Longmont, Colorado. From the Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Architectural Inventory Form for 811 5th Avenue Longmont, Colorado: The property's next owners and residents were John and Emily Sigvaldson. Members of the Sigvaldson family lived here from the early 1940s until sometime in the 1970s. John Sigvaldson had been born at Ivanhoe, Minnesota on May 16, 1869. He and Emily were married at Cyprus River, Manitoba, Canada on June 15, 1920 where they made their home until coming to Longmont in 1934. John, and his brother Frank, established a successful service station and wholesale oil company at the corner of 5th and Main, which they operated for many years under the name "Sig's Service Station." John later became president of Western American Enterprises, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Rockmont College. He died suddenly, of a heart attack, in August 1959 at the age of 69. Emily continued to live in this house for several more years, until sometime in the 1970s. The Sigvaldsons had at least one child - a son, named Arnie, who was attending Colorado University in the mid-1950s.

John Sigvaldson headstone
Spouse: Emily Sigvaldson (1895 - 1978)
Children: John E Sigvaldson (1922 - 1979)*
Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman-Chartier (1922 - 1993)* *Calculated relationship
Burial: Foothills Gardens of Memory Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA
Findagrave

John owned and opperated the Texaco station in Longmont, Colorado.

IMG_SCAN_1276
John, Arni, Emma Sigvaldson
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection
|

IMG_SCAN_1278
Grace, Arni, John?, Bernice?
John Sigvaldson family |

IMG_SCAN_1300
Pauline Einarson (Roy's mother),.Grace Sigvaldson and Bernice_SigvaldsonJohn
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection |
Cannot remember where I obtained this photo and might not be related.
John Sigvaldson's Mother-In-Law
Mrs Lundy
From the Colorado Cultural Resource Survey Architectural Inventory Form for 811 5th Avenue Longmont, Colorado:
The property's next owners and residents were John and Emily Sigvaldson. Members of the Sigvaldson family lived here from the early 1940s until sometime in the 1970s. John Sigvaldson had been born at Ivanhoe, Minnesota on May 16, 1869 [this should be 1889]. He and Emily were married at Cyprus River, Manitoba, Canada on June 15, 1920 where they made their home until coming to Longmont in 1934. John, and his brother Frank, established a successful service station and wholesale oil company at the corner of 5th and Main, which they operated for many years under the name "Sig's Service Station." John later became president of Western American Enterprises, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Rockmont College. He died suddenly, of a heart attack, in August 1959 at the age of 69. Emily continued to live in this house for several more years, until sometime in the 1970s. The Sigvaldsons had at least one child - a son, named Arnie, who was attending Colorado University in the mid-1950s.
Source: Findagrave |
Spouse:
Emily Sigvaldson (1895 - 1978)
Their house was 811 5th Avenue, Longmont , CO 80501. I believe the actual house number is 859. NOT 811.

IMG_SCAN_1283(Click to enlarge)
Grace_UncJohn_Longmont_SigvaldsonJohn_Thumb
This should be the same house |
 |

Emily Sigvaldson
Children:
7.1 John E Sigvaldson (1922 - 1979)
7.2 Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman (____ - 1993)
Spouse: Donald Eugene Neiman
Birth: Sep. 18, 1920 Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA
Death: Feb. 28, 1972 Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA
Technical Sergeant Fifth grade Donald E. NEIMAN, Army Quartermaster "Food Bombardier", China- India- Burma theater of Longmont Colorado. Distinguished flying cross with oak leaf cluster for dropping food and other supplies to American and Chinese combat troops in the jungles of northern Burma. NEIMAN also wears the Air medal with oak leaf cluster.
Parents: Charles Lee Neiman (1901 - 1942)
Vera Alice Lockling Neiman (1900 - 1972)
Findagrave
Spouse: Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman (____ - 1993)*
This should be: Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman-Chartier (1922-1993)
Children:
John Charles Neiman (1946 - 1992)*
Siblings:
Donald Eugene Neiman (1920 - 1972)
Hazel Ella Neiman Quimby (1922 - 1985)*
Robert Lee Neiman (1935 - 1996)*
Don ran service station Frank owned (E. Enns) |

IMG_SCAN_1280
Grace Sigvaldson
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection |
Not sure if related
Keith Chartier began riding broncs in rodeos at the age of 15 for $1 to $2 a head, called “Mount Money” in the rodeos. He earned $43 at the Cheyenne Wells Rodeo when he was 17. When he was 20, he went to California where they paid more money, and he had a jackpot rodeo every weekend. After being there for two years, he was drafted into the Army. He spent the next three years in the Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-17. Keith flew 50 missions over Germany, Romania and other countries. He was a T-Sgt. and was awarded the Air Meal with two Oak Leaf clusters. After being discharged, he traveled coast to coast rodeoing. He won first in some and placed in some, riding bareback, saddle broncs and bulls, and even bulldogged a few times. He met his wife in California.
According to this site, he is not related to Grace?
William Ray Chartier born 11/30/1923, married Bette McCalmont 4/5/1944, married Grace Neiman Dec 1973, married Joanne ?, died 3/28/2010 at Longmont.
Grace Neiman Chartier - Aug 14, 1921 - Sept 25, 1993 is buried in Longmont 40819422
Source
Findagrave
Grace Neiman Chartier
Birth: Aug. 14, 1921 Death: Sep. 25, 1993 Burial: Foothills Gardens of Memory Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA Source
Findagrave
Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman-Chartier
Birth: Aug. 14, 1922, Canada
Death: Sep. 25, 1993 Boulder County Colorado, USA
Known Siblings are:
John Elwyn Sigvaldson; -
Bernice E Sigvaldson;
Arni Raymond Sigvaldson;
Second marriage to William CHARTIER Family links:
Parents:
John Sigvaldson (1889 - 1959) Emily Sigvaldson (1895 - 1978)
Spouse: Donald Eugene Neiman (1920 - 1972)
Children:
John Charles Neiman (1946 - 1992)*
Sibling:
Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman-Chartier (1922 - 1993)
John E Sigvaldson (1922 - 1979)* *Calculated relationship
Burial: Foothills Gardens of Memory Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA
7.2.1 Children: John Charles Neiman (1946 - 1992)* *
Calculated relationship
Inscription: NEIMAN, Donald E / Sep 18 1920 - Feb 28 1972 / mil: CO Cpl Army Air Force WWII Note: FM/NEIMAN Burial: Mountain View Cemetery Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA Plot: Block 47 L031N2SP002
Maintained by: Mark Persons
Originally Created by: Longmont Genealogical So...
Record added: Oct 30, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 6087524
John Charles ""Chuckers"" Neiman
Son of Grace and Donald
Longmont Daily Times-Call Friday, July 03, 1992
John Charles "Chuck" Nieman, 520 Emery St., died on Wednesday, July 1, 1992, at Longmont United Hospital following a lengthy battle with diabetes and multiple sclerosis. He was 46.
Born on June 5, 1946, in Longmont, he was the son of Donald E. Neiman and Grace Sigvaldson Neiman.
Mr. Neiman was a 1964 graduate of Longmont High School From 1967 to 1968 during the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a postal clerk seaman.
Mr. Neiman was a 1964 graduate of Longmont High School From 1967 to 1968 during the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a postal clerk seaman. Mr. Neiman worked at several jobs. He was a fireman in Longmont, worked for Storage Technology and for Sherwood Enterprises in Longmont until his illness prevented him from working. He also owned and operated Empire Fire Equipment in Longmont at one time. He was a past member of the Longmont Elks Lodge.
Mr. Neiman especially adored his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 1972, and and uncle, John Sigvaldson. Mr. Nieman is survived by his mother, Grace. Family links: Parents: Donald Eugene Neiman (1920 - 1972) Grace Emily Sigvaldson Neiman (____ - 1993)
Inscription: NEIMAN, John C / 1946 - 1992 / mil: PCSN US Navy Vietnam
Note: Family Marker/NEIMAN
Burial: Mountain View Cemetery Longmont Boulder County Colorado, USA Plot: Block 47 Lot31 N1/2 Space4 Entrance
Created by: Longmont Genealogical So... Record added: Oct 30, 2010 Find A Grave Memorial# 60875247
7.3 Arni Sigvaldson
lives in the S.F. Bay Area. He has visited Pauline EINARSON Christopherson twice and attended her funeral.
A binder with the family history was given to him by Roy. Roy now has many photos of Arni. Sent a letter when Roy moved. No reply.
"Arnie is graduate chemical engineer for oil company in Calif." (E. Enns). Chevron (letter from Diane)
Married: Dianne _____
Children
7.3.1 Mr. Living Sigvaldson
7.3.1.1 Ms. Living Sigvaldson
7.3.1.2 Mr. Living Sigvaldson
7.3.2
Mr. Living Sigvaldson (possibly this Photography company?) FB?
7.3.2.1 Ms Living Sigvaldson

IMG_SCAN_1326
Arni, Bernice at Longmont 1939_Sigvaldson, John family
Courtesy of The Pauline Einarson Collection |

Roy Christopherson and Arni Sigvaldson 2009 at Pauline Christopherson's wake.
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection |
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8. Palina Sigurbjorg SIGVALDSON Armstrong b: 28 OCT 1893 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
Palina (Palina/Pauline Sigurbjorg SIGVALDSON, b. 28 Oct 1893, Limestone
Township. Palina mentioned here:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3171463&id=I02218

IMG_6384_SCAN
Pauline Sigvaldson
Courtesy of the Pauline Einarson Green Album |
OBIT
SEPTEMBER 1982 Mrs. Pauline Armstrong 1893 - 1982
Memorial services for Mrs. Paulíne Sigvaldson Armstrong were held in what was so long her home city, Winnipeg, at First Lutheran Church, Wednesday, July 21, 1982, at 2 p.m. Passing away at Mississauga, Ontario, near Toronto, on Thursday, July 15, funeral rites were held on Saturday, July^l7, at Turner-Porter Chapel in Mississauga, where her daughter and sonin-law live, Sigurdur and Susan Petursson.
Two other daughters survive,
8.1 Donna, married to Donald Redpath at Boston. He was Electronics Engineer with Itek of Boston.
Children
8.1.1 Mr. Living Redpath
8.1.2 Mr. Living Redpath
8.1.3
Mr. Living Redpath
8.2 Beverley, wife of Prof. Philip Keddie at the University at Guelph, Ontario.
I believe this is her husband, Phil Keddie regarding a Guelph Ont. map
"Phillip Keddie, no w retired, was an associate professor of geographya t the University of Guelph where he taught from 1967-1995. He took his B.A. (Honours, Geography) at the University of Manitoba, his M.A. (Geography) at the University of Wisconsin, and his Ph.D. (Geography) at the University of Waterloo. Prior to coming to Guelph, he taught at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and the University of Manitoba. His major areas of research are in agricultural and rural geography with a focus on Canadian and particularly on Ontario topics."
PDF by Phil
Funny, Em has a photo of Roy about 10 and Bev is to the left in the 1960's.
Children
8.2.1 Mr. Living Keddie
8.2.2 Ms. Living Keddie
Also surviving are four grandsons, four granddaughters, and one greatgranddaughter. Pauline's son-inlaw, Sigurdur, is a brother of Rev. Philip Petursson in Winnipeg. Pauline Sigvaldson was born October 28, 1893, at the farm home of her parents in Lincoln county, Arni and Gudrun Aradottir Sigvaldson, southwest of Minneota, and would thus have been 89 years old this fall. She graduated from the Minneota High School in 1912. Both natives of Iceland, Pauline's parents were among prominent early settlers in this country and Canada. Arni's brothers, Sigurdur and Paul, were well known in this community, Paul dying at the Bete) Old People's Home in Gimli, Manitoba, many years ago, and Sigurdur well known as a Bible salesman, passing away some years back at the Grund Old People's Home in Reykjavík; Sigurdur graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1893 as class peet and taught in high schools in Minnesota for some time before beginning an extensive traveling career through Icelandic settlements. Arni Sigvaldsson was born at Bauastadir in Vopnafjordur in northeastern Iceland May 12, 1847, and was among earliest immigrants, coming to Milwaukee in 1873. He attended school at the college level in Madrson, Wisconsin's capital, for a time, went to New Iceland and to Winnipeg, where he spent a year and a half, taking a homestead in Lincoln county about 15 miles southwest of Minneota in 1878. |
His [Arni] earliest elective office was the local post of Justice of the Peace, and then in 1898 he was elected Clerk of Court by the voters of Lincoln county, Lake Benton then preceding Ivanhoe as county seat. Arni and family retained the home farm but he died of cancer in Lake Benton January 10, 1901. Gurdrun Aradottir from the Thineyjarsysla area of northern Iceland, was Arni Sigvaldson's wife, deceased many years ago. The Arason family in the Argyle area, west of Winnipeg were close kin of Gudrun's, her brother, Skafti, settling on a farm near Glenboro; Benedikt, another brother, farmed in the Vidines area in New Iceland, and a sister, Gudny, died in the Argyle settlement March 10, 1901. Pauline - Mrs. Armstrong - was the last of her generation. Of the Sigvaldson's eight children, two died in infancy. Maria Jakobina, who married Gudbrandur Einarsson at Glenboro, Manitoba, died October 12, 1931; Skafti, who remained on the home farm, died September 4, 1952; John and Frank; who were in the gasoline and auto supply business. in Longmont, Colorado, for years, are both dead; John's wife was of the Lundy family at Glenboro, Frank married a daughter of Greggar Amundson of Nordland township, south of Minneota, who died many years ago; his second wife and a son survive in Phoenix, Arizona. Frank started his career in gasoline distribution in Minneota. Roy D. Armstrong, Pauline's husband, died more than a decade ago and interment at Winnipeg was beside the remains of her husband. Pauline was always fondly recalled by contemporaries in the Minneota community, kept in touch with them over the • years and the "welcome sign" was always out at her Winnipeg home for old neighbors and friends, as with others in the community of which she was an íntegral part for so many years. - V.B.
Source: From Kommakur Hognason Have scan from paper sent to Roy by Kommi of new Jersey.
PDF_0038_sigvaldson_see Info (Obituary for Pauline Sigvaldason Armstrong 1893-1982 Lögberg-Heimskringla 10 Sep 1982 page 6) 6-WINNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 10. |
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9. Vigfus SIGVALDSON b: 25 FEB 1894 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
Sources: 1. Findagrave.com (see by names) 2. rootsweb
Also see The Green Album with the Sigvaldasons (John/Frank)9. Vigfus SIGVALDSON b: 25 FEB 1894 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota
Sources: 1. Findagrave.com (see by names) 2. rootsweb
Also see The Green Album with the Sigvaldasons (John/Frank) |

Compilation of whole family. Click to enlarge.
There is no known photo of Arni, other than Lilja Kernesteds taken after his passing.
Disclaimer: Roy combined three photos above to create one family portrait.
If you have photos of the family, Roy would be grateful to have scanned copies E-mailed and post here.
Courtesy of The Lilja Kernested Collection |
From Vesturfarinn
Written by Guðni Júlíus Oleson for "Saga Íslendingar í Vesturheimi" (History of Icelanders in the West), Vol. V. Edited by Tryggvi J. Oleson, Dr. Phil. Publ. in Reykjavík, 1953 by Bókaútgáfa Menningarsjóðs. English translation by Cathy Ann Josephson, Vopnafjörður, 2003.
“The Minnesota Settlement”
In 1875 the settlement of New Iceland began, and in the same year the groundwork was laid for the Icelandic settlement in Minnesota when the first Icelandic settler took land along the Yellow Medicine River in Lyon County after driving his oxen 500 miles from Wisconsin. In his wake came a steady stream, and within two or three years the farmland in the Eastern Settlement (the Westerheim/Yellow Medicine area) was settled, very soon expanding westward into Lincoln County.
The First Settler
The man known as the first settler was Gunnlaugur Pétursson, born at Hákonarstöðum in Jökuldal on 10 Sept. 1830. His family had farmed there for many years, said to be about nine or ten generations. When he was 27 years old, Gunnlaugur married Guðbjörg Jónsdóttir Einarsson. Jón´s wife was Guðný Sigfúsdóttir of Snjóholt. Gunnlaugur took over the farming of Hákonarstöðum from his father, a large operation, until he left Iceland in 1873, rather bent with age and labors. He was among the first Icelanders who left East Iceland for the New World, said to have left with some means. Gunnlaugur went first to Wisconsin and was there about two years. In that area were many Scandinavians, and many of them had decided to head further west. At that time much land was becoming available for homesteading in western Minnesota. Many people were heading there, and with this stream of settlers was Gunnlaugur, in May, 1875. He moved all his family and possessions in a wagon pulled by oxen. After traveling about 500 miles, after three weeks time, he arrived in Lyon County, and took land on the banks of the Yellow Medicine River. He named his farm Hákonarstaður. He was the first Icelander who took land in Minnesota, and he lived in that prosperous area until his death. His wife died in 1898, and Gunnlaugur died 4 May 1909. The Icelanders in Minneota commemorated the fiftieth year of settlement with a celebration at Hákonarstöðum on 23 Aug. 1925, with Gunnlaugur Pétursson and his wife specially honored as pioneers. The festivities were held in a lovely grove which Gunnlaugur had planted and where summer gatherings were often held annually, and were attended by many Minnesota Icelanders as well as many people from the area. There was hymn-singing, a prayer, and the pastor of the Icelanders, séra Guttormur Guttormsson, delivered a short address. The legislator from Lyon County, Jón Gíslason, was master of ceremonies. P. V. Peterson (of Lincoln County) and Sigbjörn S. Hofteig (Lyon County), both early settlers, spoke about the early years in those settlements. Others who spoke were Jón Gíslason, legislator (son of Björn Gíslason from Grímsstöðum in the Mountains), professor Sigurður H. Peterson from Cornwallis, Oregon (the son of Westerheim settlers), Mrs. J. A. Josephson (Guðný Hofteig), Björn B. Gíslason, lawyer, and Gunnar B. Björnson, newspaperman. María G. Árnason (poetess and sister of Þorsteinn Oddsson, real estate agent in Winnipeg) read one of her poems, and Jón Runólfsson the poet read an older poem. Jón was often on a long visit to the Minnesota Icelanders. Kristine Gunnlaugsson, Dora Askdal and Marjorie Kompelien, all of Icelandic origin, sang. Marjorie Kompelien, dressed in the Icelandic “faldbúningi” which is the national dress with the white head covering, sang the Icelandic national anthem, “Ó, guð vors lands.” There was also singing by others of the settlement.
Some of the Oldest Settlers
... As has been said, Gunnlaugur Pétursson from Hákonarstöðum in Jökuldal was the first Icelander who homesteaded land in Minnesota, settling in 1875. In the settlement history of the Icelanders in Minnesota in Almanak Ó. S. Thorgeirsson in 1900, most of those who had come in the first years were still there, and included: 1876: Sigmundur Jónatansson from Þingeyjarsýslu, Guðmundur Henry Guðmundsson of Dalasýslu, Eiríkur from Þingeyjarsýslu, Guðmundur Henry Guðmundsson of Dalasýslu, Eiríkur H. Bergman, Kristinn Ólafsson and Arngrímur Jónsson from Galtastöðum in Norður-Múlasýslu. 1877: Halldóra Jónsdóttir, a widow with two sons, Snorri Högnason from Ósi in Breiðdal in Suður-Múlasýslu, Jón Kristjánsson from Gröf in Eiðaþinghá and Guðmundur Pétursson from Langhúsum in Fljótsdal. 1878: Jósef Jósefsson from Haugsstöðum in Vopnafirði, Sigbjörn Sigurðsson (Hofteig) from Hofteig in Jökuldal, Jón Arngrímsson, the father of Arngrímur named above, Þorsteinn Guðmundsson from Fell in Vopnafirði, Guðlaugur Guðmundsson from Eyjafirði, Árni Jónsson from Hjaltastaðaþinghá, Sigurður Jónsson from Eyjafirði, Árni Sigvaldason, Stefán Sigurðsson, Jóhannes Magnússon and Magnús Gíslason. All these men who came in 1878, except Jósef Jósefsson and SS Hofteig, settled in Lincoln County, because others had taken all the land available for homesteading in Lyon County. This same year it could be that seven unnamed families from Vopnafirði also came, and settled in Lincoln County that August. 1879: Björn Gíslason from Haugsstöðum in Vopnafirði (bought land in Lyon County).
For a complete copy of this Excerpt, or for more information about the years 1870-1914, contact... : Vesturfarinn
Roy has completed the Green Album project, which has some Sigvaldsons in it. If family, and you would like to view
the slideshow, here is the The Green Album with the Sigvaldasons (John/Frank)
Posting this to remind myself that an attempt was made at contacting the local Society at Lake Benton in MAR 2009. With so much to do, no time to make a second attempt.
Dear Ms. Heather Ulrich-Glynn, Executive Director Local Historical Organization: Lake Benton Area Historical Society PO Box 267 (mailing) 108 South Center Street (museum) Lake Benton, MN 56149...
Visit each of their Individual pages at the Family Tree page
VISITING FAMILY FARM - Cousins Tour 2014
It was wicked to have driven a few thousand miles to Lake Benton, then up to Ivanhoe, Minnesota, in search of my GGF's family farm, and graves.
Was going to process the thousand photos west to east coast, since 2nd cousin Greg showed interest, uploading these now.
The travel blog will cover my time here at ScotishViking.com

Map of Ivanhoe, MN and north
Lake Benton's museum was kind enough to go back into the storeroom looking for mention of Arni. Turned out the binder with a single page story was on the left center bookshelf in the museum. It is the Pioneer story (pg 319) mentioned at start of this page.
Stumbled upon this log cabin at the Hole-In-The-Wall Campground about 1/2 mile from lake Benton, where I stayed awhile scouting out the locations.

Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection
Who was the Seat of Power in the 1900's; Lake Benton or Ivanhoe, both take credit. Arni was County Clerk. Think they said he performed marriages out of his farm house. The Court House did not exist then. Was able to prove this when looking at original plans of the building while awaiting access to their office on old maps. Arni died before it was built. They only had the Limestone Court House, which is below.
I ventured to the 3rd floor, where a kind gal helped me access the mcrofilm reader, whereby I found Arni's Will. Made about 10 copies of those documents. I got the impression nobody really cared that he lived there. That was a big let down considering how long he lived there.

IMG_20140728_130505_PHOTO
Ivanhoe, MN Court House
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection
Then made my way East, then north to the Icelandic Cemetery. Thanks to a farmer one mile south who mentioned the Town Hall, and the Icelandic Graveyard along the main road, I found it!. He said there was some scrub brush marking where the Sigvaldson farm once stood. Now it is just a huge empty field. All of it GONE. He had relatives and guests outside with him from Calif and MN. We went into his barn to get into the shade so I could show him the GPS coordinates I had. The smell brought me right back to my childhood when we visited my GF Avi, who married Arni's daughter, Mary. He father knew of Skapti, Arni's son, who used to plow the roads (forgot term).
Icelandic Cemetery 180 Panoramic view. Parked northbound on the road taking pic from top of the camper
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection
Now YOU too could stand where Roy was with just one click of the mouse.

Where the original church Arni prayed in once stood
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection

Sigvaldson Graves; Paul, Arni, Gudrun, Back row:
Thora, and Skapti Arron
Roy photographed EVERY single grave, took about 2.5 grs. 30% not legible
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection
Arni would have used the town hall building, and I was taken aback how far apart everything was. The graveyard was just west of the farm. When I arrived at Aunt Em's home in Ontario, she let me copy a ton of photos, including a Holy Grail of Arni and Gudrun in an early portrait with the children. So one actually does exist beyond the one they used for his wake. Brought back 475 family cell phone/scanned pictures. Only to be shared with family. In this photo, just turned East and far left WAS the Sigvaldson farm, Far right is the Town Hall.

Image 20140726_154253
Left field past the road to the horizon and heyond was the Sigvaldson Farm
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection

Image20140726_154726
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection
COUSINS TOUR 2014
Roy will be in Marshall, Capitol, Oshkosh, Lake Benton, Limeston, MI Wed July 23rd, 2014, after having driven 5,000+ miles
from San Francisco Bay Area, to all of Ontario, Canada, then back down into Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
UPDATE: Completed the 9,000 mile drive 3 mos. journey from SF Bay Area through Portland, Vancouver Isl., Vancouver/Crescent/Bainff/Kelowna,
Abbotsford, Calgary, across to Manitoba - Grund/Gimli/Winnipeg, on to Ontario, Canada, continuing on to 3/4 of Iceland, back to Toronto,
then driving to Guelph, London, Clinton, Goderich (sp), Tara, Kinmounton - Halliburton, down to Kingston, Portland, Ernestown-Bath,
around the Great Lakes (seeing all 5 of them), dropping down to Minnesota and Lake Benton & Limestone to walk the farmland,
and graves of my GGF Arni Sigvaldson and his family. Brought back a TON of photos and documents! See travel blog here.
Possible Arni could have been standing in this photo. Almost nothing is known about his time here.
http://www.historicmadison.org/Madison%27s%20Past/connectingwithourpast/dudgeon.html
If someone wants to help, they could scour thses pages
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/UW/UW-idx?type=header&id=UW.ClassAlbum1876&isize=M
For Arni Sigvaldson, or Sigvaldason as a classmate.
Minnisota Farmstead of the Sigvaldsons

Limestone Farmstead |

Limestone Farmstead SAT overlay |

Limestone Farmstead
SIGVALDSON Switching to new project. Identifying 'exact' location of my GGF Arni 'Earnest' Sigvaldson's farmstead in Minnesota. Made easy by this portion of an early map. It did help guide me there, along with help by southern farmer, whose father knew his son. What I missed, as I forgot this close-up is...the small square shows where it was. If I had my cowboy boots and someone photographing me, I could have walked the property. Farmer busy with visitors and Ivanhoe not of much help, did not know who owned the farm now.
Farmstead pinpointed (MAP)
One of my Holy Grails found during my Cousins 2014 Trip, a photo of Arni, my GM Gudrun, sister of Skafti Arason, also a pioneer, and the start of their family. If any "family" would like a digital copy of this, just let me know.
E.E.C._0013_SCAN
Arni, Gudrun Sigvaldson Family
Courtesy of The Enns Collection
Near the end of my trip, this awaited me in Montana...Big Skies

Montana Sunset
Courtesy of The Roy Christopherson Collection © 2014
Not sure if related.
Marshall Senior High School Graduates: 1888-1900
1888
Sigvaldson, S. Source
I researched the Sigvaldason family that lived north in New Iceland, and seem unrelated. Found names of Arni's brothers, yet all internet searches come up empty.
NOV 20, 2013
Arni Sigvaldason.
This appears to be same stories above, in Icelandic
Minneota, Minn., 17. október 1902. , by OLAtuR S. Tborgliksson: Almanak. Same photo as cousin Lilja has in her album here.
Source
Early Icelanders in Winnipeg
Just a line that he left for the south. Page covers a prirate raid on Iceland.
Early Icelanders in Winnipeg PART XIV
Land Tour to Alaska 1874
PG 19 http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=356862&pageId=5682771&lang=en&q=Arni%20Sigvaldason
Landskoðunarferðin til Alaska 1874 19 Mun Ólafur haf a kynt sér rit þetta og s jálfsagt einhverjir fleiri og því orðið fúsir til að fallast á þessa ráðagjörð. Frá fundarhaldinu skýrir Jón Ólafsson í áðurnefndu riti ("Alaska") áþessaleiS:— "Um þetta leyti vakti vinur minn einn og vinur Islands hér- lendur (Mr. Niles?) athygli mína á Alaska; eg bar máliS undir aSra og leizt öllum vel á. Eg las bók Dall's ogi leitaSi allra upplýsinga er eg gat um landiS; kvaddi síSan landa í Milwaukee á fund og skýrSi fyrir þeim máliS; stakk upp á aS velja menn þrjá til að fara og skoSa landiS, og skyldu þeir gjöra þaS á sjálfra sín kostnaS. BauS eg liS mitt þeim, er kosnir yrðu til aS reyna fyrir aSstoð vinar míns Niles í New York aS útvega þeim aS minsta kosti létti í förinni, eSa fría ferS að nokkru leyti. Var eg kasinn með öllum atkvæðum til f ar- arinnar og Ólafur Ólafsson og Arni Sigvaldason. Arni gat síðar ekki farið; en viS Ólafur tókum Pál Björnsson (Péturssonar frá ValþjófsstaS, systurson Jóns) í hans staS. íslendingar í Wiscon- sin sendu þá bænaskrá til forseta Bandaríkjanna (|U. S. Grant hers- höfSingja) og báSu hann aS styrkja og aSstoSa skoSunarför vora. Svaraði hann því máli vel og léði oss herskip albúið í San Franci.sco til að sigla á til Alaska; var það seglskip og hafSi alls 18 fallbyssur og yfir 200 manns." Skip þetta, sem hér um ræSir hét Plymouth og var notaS sem her- æfingar skip í sjóflota Bandaríkj- anna. Strax eftir fundinn leitaði Jón til Niles með að gjörast milli- gangari í því að sendinefndin fengi styrk til fararinnar, og ókeypis flutning. Kom þá fyrst til greina hvernig flytja skyldi sendimenn- ina frá San Francisco og norður. Grant forseti, er tekið hafði við bænaskránni, er honum var send, vísaði þessu flutningsmáli strax til flotamálaráðuneytisins, með þeim fyrirmælum, að sendi- nefndinni yrði séð fyrir flutningi. Grjört hafSi veriS ráS fyrir aS senda skip þetta norSur til sjómæl- inga, en því var nú frestaS til næsta sumars. í þess stað var á- kveðið að það gerði ferð norður með nefndarmenn, hefði stutta viS- dvÖl, kæmi til baka aftur og undir- byggi svo ferS sína í þenna sjó- mælingaleiSang-ur á næsta ári. Er skýrt frá þessu öllu rækilega í dag- blaSinu New York Sun, í langri fréttagrein, meS fyrirsögninni "Iceland and Alaslca." Þá er og bænarskrá Islendinga til forsetans, auk ýmsra miSur ábyggilegra upp- lýsinga um ísland og íslenzku þjóSina, einnig birt í þessum fréttapistli. Er þess getiS aS undir bænaskrána hafi ritaS 43 manns og þar á meSal sendinefndin. Minst er þar á sendimennina og farið um þá lofsamlegum orðum, og sagt að þeir tali jafnmörgum tungum og þeir telji fingur á báðum höndum! Um sendingu skipsins norður er farið þeim orðum, að það kosti stjórnina ekkert aS flytja sendi- menn norður, en hinsvegar "veiti það skipshöfninni mjög svo tíma- bæra og heilsusamlega æfingu í sjómensku og skips-aga." Fregn- ritarinn gjörir ráð fyrir að skipið muni vera lagt af stað um það leyti sem ritgjörðin birtist. Gjört er ráð fyrir í bænaskránni að dvelja
Lögberg - 7. July 1898
Wiunipeg, 25. júní 1898.
Fr. .1. Bergmann, Hjörn B. Jóiisson, Á. Sigvaldason." Eptir uppéstungu M. Paulsonar, studdri af St. Gunnarssyni, var nefnd-arálitinu veitt móttaka og sampykkt. Samkvæmt ofanrituðu nefndar áliti var
The lcelanders of Argyle From the Diary of Skapti Arason (1850-1903) by Herman Arason
Church moved in MN with a glass jar and paper with Arni's signature. Looks like new material yet cannot comprehend it all.
Source
Something about fighting evil. Source
Brief mention of Arni in Col. 2. Probably about a committee. Source
? Source
g þýðingarmikið mál, en þetta v»ri enn þyðingarmeira, með þvl *M\ ''^"P kirkjufjelagsins og s, Ulegu llfi þess byggðist framtíð f. ^jera Fr. J. Bcrgmann sagði, að ^dingum gengi illa að skilja þyð- ingu orðsins „mission" og það starf, sem það t&knaði, nefnilega: að út- breiða kristna kirkju sem mest. Mönnum gangi erfitt að skilja, hvers vegna þeir ættu að leggja fje til að halda uppi kristindðmsstarfi I fjarl. byggðum, t. d. I öðru ríki. Þetta væri undarlegt um eins góðgerðasamt fólk eins og ísl. eru, en sje samt eðlileg afleiðing af fyrirkomulagi kirkjunnar á Islandi, sem aldrei hefði haldið uppi missfóuar-starfi f þessum skilningi. Söfnuðirnir ættu allir að taka missí- ónar-málið til alvarlegrar athugunar. Arni Sigvaldason sagði, að hjer væri að ræða um mál sem væri afar- þyðingarmikið, og að það væri nauð- synlegt að ganga að þessu starfi með miklu fjöri, að kirkjufjelagið ætti strax að setja sig f samband við hin ymsu prestlausu byggðarlög með brjefaskriptum o. s. frv. Sjera N. Steingrfmur Thorláksson sagði, að fyrirlestur forseta kirkjufjel. hefði &tt að vekja menn til umhugs- unar um þetta m&l meðal annars. ísl. hefðu sannarlega veriö í þokunni hvað missfóoar-m&I snerti. t>að or- sakaðist af trúardeyfðinni—þeir, sem ekki hefðu sterka, brennandi trú, sæju ekki,f hvaða skuld þeir væru við bræður sfna í því tilliti að hj&lpa þciin f andlegum efiium.
Source
Mentioned in 6 editions over two years.
Meeting rátt fyrir pað.eru margir, sem trúa
pvl að-eitthvað sje hæft 1 pessu, og að páfinn
muni hafa I hyggju að flytja sig burtu. pvi hon-
um er mjög óge&fellt að sitja 1 borginui eptir að-
y'jiðir stjoniariunar, álltur Iianuað 1 Rómaborg
geti ekki verið.tvwr stjórnir, ogpví hljóti annað
hvcrt páfu- eða komuigsstjúrn'm að rýtna.
FRA BANDARIKjrjM.
Minneota Minn. 2-1. marz 1884.
Hinn 22. p. m, var haldiun aukafuudur
Iiins lslenzka framfarafjelags I Minnesota, fundur-
inn var haldinn 1 húsi herx» Arna Sigvaldasonar
og pegarlitið er til pess að fuudardaginn var
óveður iiiikiö, cr aptrað "hefir mörgum frá að
kuuia, seui auDars fccl'ðu tckfA-neli J fuudarsaly-
— 191.—
um, pá var fundurinu vel sóttur, pví fttndar-
menn voiu um 30, Funduriun var settur kl. I
e. m., Fuudarstjóri var herra Arni Sigvaldason
og skrifari herra S. Sigurðarsou; var pví næst
tekin til utMiæðu ýms mál fjelaginu viðvíkjandi;
var rætt um að byggja samkomuhús á uæstkom-
andi vori. einnig var rætt um kosDað byggiugar-
innar. Reikuiugar fjelagSource
Arni's Obit in Icelandic
http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=156965&pageId=2184332&lang=en&q=Arni%20Sigvaldason
Search term for the newspapers "Á. Sigvaldason"
From Nonni Jonsson - Email, 8/8/2009 11:23 AM, DOC_0076_FR Nonni_Sigvaldasons
[ ] are additions by Roy Christopherson
I have taken this from Cathy Josephson info for you to look at. (maybe see if I have the correct family here? )
Nonni
Árni Sigvaldason vinnumaður 25 Hof 1873 Minnesota Vfs
Árni: f. 12 maí 1847, Búastöðum; d. 10 jan. 1901, Lake Benton, Minn. K.h.: Guðrún Aradóttir frá Þingeyjarsýslu. (Sjá: Símon Páll Sigvaldason)
Mannalát: For.: Sigvaldi Jónsson & Arnfríður Jónsdóttir (d.1860). To Am. 1873, to Minnesota 1878. In 1878, married Guðný Aradóttir of Hringveri, Þingeyjarsýsla. Alm.
Maria Jakobina Parents: Arni & Guðrún Sigvaldason b.23 Dec.1885, c.23 June 1886
Sponsors: Sigriðr Gislason, Kr. Gislason LS
Frank Parents: Arni Sigvaldason, Gudrun Aradottir b.7 May 1887, c.18 Sep. 1887
Sponsors: Gudj. Oli Arngrims., G. S. Sigurdsson LS
Jon Parents: Arni & Gudrun Sigvaldson b.15 May 1889, c.30 May 1889
Sponsors: Thorlak Peters., Johannes Peters. LS
Pálina Sigurborg Parents: Arni & Gudrun Sigvaldsson b.28 Oct. 1893, c.26 Nov. 1893
Sponsors: Stefan Sigurdson, Bjarni Jones LS
Sigvaldi Jónsson [Johnson] & Arnfríður Jónsdóttir Family
Árni Sigvaldason from Búastöðum in Vopnafirði, born there 12 May 1847, was undoubtedly one of the most remarkable players in the group of pioneers and one of the first who moved west. He came alone to the west in 1873; was first in Milwaukee, Wisc., and had toilsome work there. He did well, and collected a bit of money. This went well because he was good-tempered and intelligent. Before long, he went to Madison, Wisc., and entered a school there for a time. He met some good men there, and one was Rasmus B. Anderson who was part of the “Northmen” religious society. This had a great effect on Árni and strengthened his faith; he was all his life concerned with matters of church and faith. But circumstances did not allow him to continue his schooling for long. He left Madison, went to New Iceland, and was there and in Winnipeg for a year. Then he went south again and took land in Lincoln County in Minnesota, and was one of the first Icelanders in the western settlement; that was in 1878. He was a much-valued leader there until his death, in both visionary and in practical matters, and a supporter in most community matters in his area.
Both Icelanders and Americans approached him for help in troubles. Árni was long a justice of the peace, and court clerk for Lincoln County in 1898. He moved then to Lake Benton, but kept one foot on his farm, which he continued to operate. For 15 years he bore patiently the cancer which took his life; he sought the best of medical care, but without success. He died in Lake Benton 10 Jan. 1901. His parents were Sigvaldi Jónsson, who came west and died here, and Arnfríður Jónsdóttir, who died in Iceland.
His [Arni's] brother was Sigurður Sigvaldason, known by most Western Icelanders; was well-educated and a teacher for many years, but in later years worked as a missiouary and sold bibles. He was said to be a natural at this kind of work. He traveled many times to Iceland, and died there at a nursing home in Reykjavík some years ago. He was a beloved and intelligent man.
Árni´s wife was Guðrún nee Aradóttir [Sigvaldson] from Þingeyjarsýsla, sister of Benedikt [Arason] of Kjalvík in the Víðines settlement of New Iceland, of Skafta [Arason] who was a pioneer in New Iceland and Argyle, and Guðný who died at Argyle 10 Mar. 1901.
Their children were eight:
one died young, and María Jakobína, who married Guðbrandur Einarson of Glenboro, died 12 Oct. 1931;
Skafti died 4 Sept. 1952.
Still living are: Júlía in St. Paul;
Pauline (Mrs. Armstrong) in Winnipeg;
Jón and Frank in Longmont, Colorado where they operate a big petroleum business. Before they moved south, they were farmers near Glenboro, Man. Árni named his farm in Minnesota Bústaði.
[SIGVALDASON, Pall Thorvaldur, M, Born: 10 Aug 1880, Christening: 19 Apr 1881, Source: http://genealogytrails.com/minn/lincoln/births.html]
Sigurdur Sigvaldason
[Sigurdur Sigvaldason 00-00-1873 10-02-1937 was Grund Northeast. (Former farmer?). Source]
[Cool, I believe I have found not only a Blog post regarding Sigurdur, brother of Arni, but a PHOTO as well!
Blog Posted by Þorkell Sigurjónsson here!
Asked Nonni Johnson to translate.
It is said Sigurdur went to Iceland often and died there. He sold bibles.
Loose Translation:
Sigurdur Sigvaldason . He usually sat on the steps of shopping in downtown and called for fellow citizens ; " Compact word of God . Jesus Christ in calf leather for a single cent. " There sat this elderly man like foldgnátt mountain and offered holy books for sale. He was great to vallarsýn , extremely fat , little toe and kjagaði one step. Black fur shelter followed him , which was trodden scriptures and other word of God . Many became anticipation of this bolmikla man and wondered , how fat he was. Few people suspected , however, that body fat missionary was different and higher than the world origin flesh. He was named Sigurd Sigvaldason , Western Icelander spent years in U.S. and Canada and predicted in the holy word, but was now in the Austurstraeti small believed and preached the gospel to their countries .
It was in 1899 , a beautiful góðviðrisdag in April . Sigurdur Sigvaldason was walking up a hill in Lincoln province Minnesota State . Then he saw a white cloud , which aims to meet him and pretends he see that it is not of the earthly world.
Sigurdur shouts them into English , which is it? |

Sigurdur Sigvaldason |
Does it answer the same language : I am the Prince of Life and Death!
I am the Lord of life and death. |
Sigurd was now available in the cloud and waited , hearing the sound of your voice going to and fro and Jesus Christ says mean , but clearly in English ; I Forgiven ! , Ie I 'm sorry. After this speech from the cloud , disappeared Sigurd both sin and sorrow and stands for a moment and lets re- birth shivering respectively. Then it happens that the cloud is wadding into it , but the cloud was so much, it discovered not everything inside. Sigurdur so filled with the Holy Ghost, and saw himself on the inside . Since there was heavenly tenderness and peace , became as water became calm cream calm look . When the Spirit had come in handy for , he said repeatedly in English. Thank God , thank God , and seemed glad to see that , having received the same location in the body Icelanders. Became the holy landlord frenzy aðsópsmikill of salvation, that he ran blubber in a short time and gained weight from 164 pounds ( 82kg. ) at 238 pounds. Never amaðist Sigurd with the honor its neighbors , the other covering. He was never happier in his life after the Holy Spirit had chosen , he will to íverustaðar . In 1903 the Lord commanded him to leave everything and follow him and went Sigurd around and preached the gospel . There was plenty to do , in the spirit nauðaði Sigurd that he would give away his house , which he did. The spirit was sometimes pretty petty to sambýlismann time , such as when he forbade Sigurd to get coffee and donuts in a house catering , but he had not eaten any breakfast. After some fullest adopted the spirit of Sigurd could get milk and donuts . The explanation was that the spirit knew it, that Sigurd would veil the heart and hence he asked God to take hjartakvillann , which he did . After that Sigurd drank coffee night and day all his life and had never harm . Benefits Sigurd after giving their belongings , was more often than not , the sad , so that the Holy Spirit ordered him to sell Bibles for subsistence , for one who preaches not survive in the word. It was generally believed that Sigurd Lurd in several funds from Bible sales. Two distinguished fellow Sigurd visited him in Winnipeg and asked him lend themselves 10 bucks . Asked Sigurd then lingers , while the deviation of the bearing and the complaint under Lord . They Kumpáni hear Sigurd following: There are here two young Icelanders , Lord you recognize them ? Silence . - Sigurd , what do you say the Lord does not know them , slight silence and Sigurd said I suspected it, you would recognize them . They are talking to borrow 10 bucks from us . What do you say ? Will now return some silence : Now, it is totally afsvar , does not suggest any issues. Well , I will then say to them , and be blessed my Lord . Sigurd then comes back in the room , shook his head and blurted out told the young men . Sorry boys , my Lord refuses to lend this 10 bucks . Granting they so holy man , but he told them to go to God alone. In this way, the business sector operated double home Sigurd Sigvaldason and the Holy Spirit here on earth. Memorabilia men and touchy spot . ]
I suppose selling Holy Bibles sitting on a stoop would be a spectacle, least here and now.
It seems I found an illustration of Great Grand uncle Sigurdur Sigvaldason in 1939 might be hanging at the art museum in Iceland
[DELETED WATERCOLOR PAINTING TAKEN DOWN FROM ICELAND MUSEUM - Copy on bad HDD]
Halldór Pétursson
Sigurður Sigvaldason, bóksali
http://safneign.listasafnreykjavikur.is/is/verk/LR-0928
Image property of Listasafn Reykjavíkur – Safneign (Art Museum)
FÉLAGATAL 1949, Page 29
Bjarni Sigvaldason
Sigurður Sigvaldason =
Valdimar Sigvaldason
Th. G. Sigvaldason
Mrs. Lðra Sigvaldason
S. T. Sigvaldason (Might be Sigurdur)
Mrs. Svana Sveinsson
Jakob Sigvaldason
Swain Swainson
Miss Þðrunn Vigfússon
Guðmundur Sigvaldason
This would show Arni was NOT a bother of Sigurdur of Arborg, MB
SIGURDUR (Siggi) SIGVALDASON...He was predeceased by four brothers, Bjarni, Gudmundur, Valdimar and Jón.
Also Mr. Sigvaldason was born at Gimli, the son of Sigvaldi and Ingibjorg Johannesson [Arni's was Jonsson, and moved with his parents to Vidir in 1911....In 1920, Mr. Sigvaldason married Eggertina Sveinson
No idea if same
Post Offices and Postmasters
Name of Postmaster, Military Status, Date of Birth, Date of Appointmen,t Date of Vacancy, Cause of Vacancy
Sigurdur Sigvaldason |
OAS |
1896-11-24 |
1946-10-01 |
Acting |
- |
Sigurdur Sigvaldason |
OAS |
1896-11-24 |
1946-11-15 |
1966-11-30 |
* |
No idea is one in paragraph 2 is same?
...inspiring poem The Librarian by Sigurdur Sigvaldason which is one of the finest poems ever written in English by an Icelander. Who would have thought
Source
No idea is one in paragraph 2 is same?
The Immigrant Ghost
Paul Simon Sigvaldason
Páll, Árni´s brother, died at Betel Home [Gimli, MB] 10 Sept. 1928, 75 years old, religious and gentle, according to séra Sigurður Ólafsson. Most of his life was spent in Minnesota.
Source [14] From Cathy Josephson C/O Nonni Jonsson
[Paul Simon Sigvaldason
Látinn á gamalmnna heimilinu Betel, á Gimli , þann 10 . sept. , Simon Páll Sigvaldason , rúmra 75 ára að aldri . Hann var fæddur a Búastöðum í Vopnafirði í Norður Múlasýslu, og voru foreldrar hans Sigvaldi Jónsson og Arnfnður Jónsdóttir, er lengi bjuggu á Buastöðum . Hann kom vestur um haf 1876, dvaldi fyrst í Winnipeg, en síðar lengst af í íslendmgabygðinni í Minneota, eða þvi umhverfi, hjá frændfólki sínu. Hann var bróðir Sigurðar Sigvaldasonar farandprédikara og bóksala. Páll var blindur síðustu æfiarin. Páll var að upplagi fíngerður, og lítt fallinn fyrir baráttu lífsins, trúhneigður og prúður í framgöng u allri. S. O.
Loose Translation:
Died at home gamalmnna Bethel at Gimli, on the 10th. sept. , Paul Simon Sigvaldason, just over 75 years of age. He was born in a rapidly Expect Vopnafjördur North Múlasýsla, and his parents were Sigvaldi Jonsson and Arnfnður Jónsdóttir, is long lived Expect rapidly. He came to America in 1876, lived first in Winnipeg, but later most of the íslendmgabygðinni in Minneota, or the environment, with his relatives. He was the brother of Sigvaldason farandprédikara and booksellers (Note by Roy: Pall's brother Sigurdur wrote books and sold Bibles). Paul was blind the last æfiarin. Paul was delicate in nature, and unfit for the struggle of life, trúhneigður and neat in the tunnel u all.
Lögberg Sept. 27, 1928, Last Column, bottom of page Source]
[Wondering if this was written by Sigurdur Sigvaldason? http://books.google.com/books/about/Gu%C3%B0_minn_Gu%C3%B0_minn_hv%C3%AD_hefir_%C3%9E%C3%BA_yfir.html?id=ISnIHAAACAAJ
In Heimskringla, 8 Feb. 1906, said that Sigurður Sigvaldason, Árni´s brother, had recently given the newspaper $100 to be given to the leprosy hospital in Iceland. – SÍV
Hi Roy and Lilja,
Ancestor's of Páll:
Sigþrúður Sigfúsdóttir 1640 - 1691
Jón Árnason 1660 - 1730
Guðrún "yngri" Jónsdóttir 1692
Jón Jónsson 1734
Guðrún Jónsdóttir 1764 - 1840
Jón "eldri" Sigurðsson 1791 - 1861
Sigvaldi Jónsson 1820
Símon Páll Sigvaldason 1853
Would Pall Sigvaldason's first name have been Simon? In my church records, I found a Simon P. Sigvaldason, who died at Betel on 10 September 1928 at the age on 75 years, 3 months, 29 days. He died of heart failure. There is no next of kin entered. If he died at Betel and had no relatives to take care of his arrangements, he ould have been buried in the Betel Section of the cemetery and that is why he has no marker.
> Lilja
-------------
Based on the age at death, Páll was born 12 May 1853.
-----------
Here is the full obituary from Lögberg:
Símon Páll Sigvaldason died at the senior citizen home Betel at Gimli 10 Sep 1928 at age 75. He was born at Búastaðir in Vopnafjörður in Norður-Múlasýsla. His parents were Sigvaldi Jónsson and Arnfríður Jónsdóttir who lived for a long time at Búastaðir. Páll immigrated in 1876, first he stayd in Winnipeg but later mostly in the Icelandic colony in Minneota or the surrounding area with his relatives. He was the brother of Sigurður Sigvaldason a traveling priest and book seller. Páll was blind during his last years. Páll had a sensitive nature and not much for the struggle of life, religious and decent in all his conduct.
signed S.Ó.
source: Lögberg 27 Sep 1928 Frontpage
------------
I searched through the burial sites for Gimli Community Cemetery and there are three people with the last name Sigvaldason buried there:
Gimli Community Cemetery
Complete Alphabetic and Concise Listing of Deceased
Deceased Name: Date Interred: Site Name:
Sigvaldason, Gudrun Unknown N 07-11
Sigvaldason, Pall Unknown N 24-21
Sigvaldason, Pall Unknown N 25-03
source: http://www.gimli.ca/assets/cemetary%20pblc%20rprt%202008.pdf
>
From: Roy Christopherson <roychristopherson@att.net>
To: lmacaula@mts.net
Cc: Kormakur Hognason <khognason@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, October 14, 2009 3:08:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Páll Sigvaldason]
Hi Lilja,
From what I have seen he is only know as Paul or Páll.
Cousin Roy
lmacaula@mts.net wrote:
>> Hi Roy;
> Would Pall Sigvaldason's first name have been Simon? In my church records, I found a Simon P. Sigvaldason, who died at Betel on 10 September 1928 at the age on 75 years, 3 months, 29 days. He died of heart failure. There is no next of kin entered. If he died at Betel and had no relatives to take care of his arrangements, he ould have been buried in the Betel Section of the cemetery and that is why he has no marker.
> Lilja
1880 US Census-Lincoln County, Minnesota - Limestone:
Earnest Shevaldson 32 Farmer
Gudrun wife 31 Keeping house
Aaron son 1
Jensen father 60
Sigurlaugur Sigurdson 44 Farmer
“Birerg” wife 34 Keeping house
1885 Minn. Census-Lincoln Co. – Limestone:
E. Sigvaldron 37
G. 36
Aaron 6 b.Minn.
Torva 3 b.Minn.
Julia 1 b.Minn.
S. J. 65 b.Minn.
1895 Minn. Census-Lincoln Co. – Limestone:|
Earnest Sigvaldson 48 Farming. MN&Dist.: 17y,2m.
Gudrun 47 Farm labor
Skapti A. 16 b.Minn.
Thora J. 13 b.Minn.
Julia G. 11 b.Minn.
Mary J. 9 b.Minn.
Frank 8 b.Minn.
John 6 b.Minn.
Paulina S. 1 b.Minn.
Edna Johnson 15 b.Minn.
Sigvald Johnson 75 MN & Dist.: 15y., 8 m.
End DOC 0076, Nonni Jonsson
SOURCES:
1. (Almanak, O.S.Th. 1940, p. 27-28. - Saga Isl. in Vesturheimi, IV, 194, Logberg Febr.10th, 1949),
SEC.1 (Aunt) Em Einarson Enns-1954 translated Icelandic Papers, Kristin Jonsdottir, Ljosvallagata, Reykjavik, Iceland.
2. Online Resource, http://www.vesturfarinn.is/EmYear.html
3. Online Resource, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mnlincol/Icelanders/Icelanders.htm
Unconfirmed if this indeed is our earnest
Name: Earnest Sigvaldson
Issue Date:20 May 1885
State of Record:Minnesota
Acres:160
Accession Number:MN1530__.041 Metes and Bounds:No Land Office:Redwood Falls Canceled:No US Reservations:No Mineral Reservations:No Authority:May 20, 1862: Homestead EntryOriginal (12 Stat. 392) Document Number:3163 Legal Land Description:SectionTwpRangeMeridianCounties 20112-N44-W5th PMLincoln 20112-N44-W5th PM
Source
About celebration of the 1st settler, Arni came later in 1878. Source
OBITUARY FOR MR. SIGVALDSON
from the Minneota Mascot, January 11, 1901: [Roy added paragraph breaks]
Arnie Sigvaldson Clerk of Court of Lincoln County Died Yesterday Arnie Sigvaldson died at Lake Benton at 8:30 o'clock yesterday morning, from cancer of the lip and throat. This was the sad but for some time expected news wired from the county seat of Lincoln county, yesterday forenoon.
For fifteen years Mr Sigvaldson fought the dreaded disease that caused his death; repeated operations were performed at varying intervals by some of the leading medical experts of the century but with no other result than to postpone for a time the inevitable. For the past four months, deceased was confined to his bed and, with passive Christian fortitude, has suffered indescribable pain
Arnie Sigvaldson was born May 12, 1847, at Vopnafjord, Iceland, came to America in 1873, and located at Milwaukee, Wis. He spent some time as a student in the academic department of the University of Wisconsin. On June 8, 1878, he married Miss Gudrun Arason, and the same year came to Minnesota, making his home on the then barren prairies of Lincoln county. A hard worker, steady and industrious, he made a success of farming, and at his death owned one of the best farms in Lincoln county. In the election of 1898, Mr Sigurdson was elected to the office of Clerk of Court of Lincoln County, and since entering upon the discharge of the duties of that office, in January, 1899, has been a resident of Lake Benton. To make use of a common expression, Mr Sigvaldson was a man whom everybody liked. In the ability to gain and hold the confidence and respect of his fellow men he had few equals. A born leader of men, actuated at all times by the highest Christian motives, his advice was sought and followed and his example emulated by all who had the good fortune of coming under the indulgence of this excellent character. In his house Mr Sigvaldson was an ideal husband and father. His was in every sense of the word a model Christian home and all who partook of the hospitality there so generously dispensed, could be but impressed with the fact that their host's was a model household. |
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Only known photo of Arni Sigvaldson
Courtesy of the Lilja Kernested Collection
Arni Sigvaldson memorial photo
Courtesy of cousin Lilja Kernested, Great Grandaughter of Benedikt Arason.
Gudrun ARADOTTIR Sigvaldson was Benedikt's sister and married to Arni Sigvaldson (Sigvaldason) probably taken before his cancer treatments according to Nelson Gerrard.
Thanks Lilja! |
But there is another side of his character which helped to make him the popular leader of his community, and that was his ever cheerful disposition. Seldom did Mr Sigvaldson indulge in frowns, but on the contrary, always greeted his friends and acquaintances with a smile that showed its owner was a man who preferred to lead his fellow men to view life with a hopeful spirit. In church affiliations, Mr Sigvaldson was a Lutheran, being a member of the Icelandic church of that denomination in Lincoln county. In church matters he was a sincere, untiring and hard worker and the congregation of which he was a member, as well as the other congregations of the same nationality in this neighborhood, will long miss his encouraging voice and wise counsel from their deliberations.
In short, Mr Sigvaldson was "one of nature's noblemen." A wife and seven children are left to mourn a beloved husband and father. The funeral will take place tomorrow from Lake Benton, and the remains interred in the Icelandic cemetery of the Icelandic church, located near the Sigvaldson farm. If the [missing words] from here intend to go on to attend the funeral. The funeral services at the church will begin at one o'clock p m. Hundreds of mourning friends will gather to pay their respects to the memory of this loved comrade, who has gone from the church militant to the church triumphant, and to deposit in its last resting place the earthly habitation of a soul that has joined the rejoicing hosts in realms of everlasting life. [15]
Arni Sigvaldson, Mary's father had a throat in his lump, but my sister [Roy's sister] says it was from chew tobacco not family disorder.
May 2015: Found article (Obit) and new photo (actually same as top right, just facing slightly different postion) of on Arni. Pgs 79-80. |