DENAH LIEDAHL STORRS
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
WRITTEN FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN
As I look back over the pages of memories book, my thoughts go back to my childhood home in Norway. Our home faced the sea or "Fjord", a couple of minutes walk. The sea was as familiar to us as the yard is to a child in the city. In the rear were beautiful mountains. They seemed so close that as we came out the back door we had to look up. There was heavy timber, when cut was bought down on steel cables. There was also a water falls a short distance from our buildings which ran through our Estate, (or farm as they are called here) into the Leedahl River, which also ran close to our home. There was one mountain peak called "Nepaa" which also served as a clock. We knew it was 10 a.m. when the sun was over its top.
In the "Fjord" to the west of our home, were two islands, one small where one family lived, on the other were three families, all had beautiful homes. They build large houses in Norway, there is so much timber, much of it hardwood. We had a small boat we often rowed over to these islands to play with the children. It took about ten minutes time to row over there. I rowed over there often alone.
Our home consists of several buildings. Our Estate was large, also our house had several rooms. Upstairs and Basement. In the attic were kept all the "heirlooms" from generations back. A large barn housed all the stock in winter, with a big hayloft. We had a large storage house called "Stabbur." It had three large rooms.
In one room we kept all our food for the year. There were two very large flour bins made from hardwood with tight fitting tops. These were filled every fall and lasted for a whole year. The climate is very favorable for the curing of meats, which we had such an abundance of - cured hams, bacon and dried beef. Row after row hung under the ceiling. It kept nice all year as it never gets very warm. This room was full of all kinds of good things to eat. Butter and cheese, which we had such an abundance of was also kept in that room. Mother had a little table in a corner where she often took a friend for a hurried lunch. Then there was a large room for all our clothes, bedding and trunks. The bedding not in use was hung over long rods under the ceiling. Each one of us had a certain place for our clothes, they must not get mixed up. The hired maids, had the third room, which was a little smaller, for their clothes and trunks. They were called "peasant" women back from the mountain region. They were very capable in all lines of work, and very kind, we loved them. Most of them were very spiritual and how they could sing. It's easy to sing in the mountains in Norway, the air is so light.
There was another building, one wing was used for a wood shed where my brothers got their daily exercise chopping wood. One room with an open fireplace served many purposes; it was often used to serve lunch in the summer and then the laundry room. A well equipped Blacksmith shop, which housed all tools. A little further on by the river was our "Mill" where we ground all our flour. How we did love to play around the mill and listen to the grinding noise. I can hear it yet. Our grandparent's home, a very large house, was a little further on by the river.
It was in this setting, at Leedahl, I was born September 3, 1873, and given the name Denah. Father's name was Daniel, mother's Anna. When three weeks old, I was taken to church for Baptism according to the ordinance of the Lutheran Church and dedicated to the Lord. For a girl baby there were five sponsors, three women and two men, for a boy, visa versa. The sponsors were all at our home for dinner after church. Dinner was all prepared and beautifully served by our cook, as this was a festive occasion. All had a present for the new baby. Our church was at Orsta, one Norwegian mile from our home. We could go either by boat or horse and buggy called "Kjarre."
Our childhood days were spent in play much like now. We were constantly paddling in the water by the seashore and no one really knew when they learned to swim. When the tide went out we picked any amount of sea shells, and pretty weeds to decorate our doll house, of course we thought they were beautiful. Those were carefree and happy days. The most important lesson taught us was strict obedience to parents and those of our household. There was no such thing as "self expression," we had to respect authority. We had to learn to sit still in church and at the "family alter" (when all in the house were called in for the devotional period). The "family alter" will always remain one of my sweetest memories.
There was always a sweet spiritual atmosphere in our home. The first I can remember was father standing up offering prayer at our weekly prayer meeting in our home. I sat beside mother, we were taught reverence when God's word was read and prayer offered. There was great liberty at those meetings for different ones to express themselves in testimony, prayer or song. Mother had a very sweet voice and her favorite song was "There is Life for a Look at the Crucified One." She had experienced what she sang and people were touched by it.
Our living room was very large and packed with young people and older folks. Everyone would come, saved and unsaved alike, and many of them yielded their heart and lives to Christ at those weekly meetings. These meetings were often held in different homes with father leading. Often people who were not Christians would open their homes.
Since we left, there has been a meeting house built for religious services in the community. It was built on our Estate, where the school is also located, because it's the center of that school district.
Our little morning and evening prayers were taught us long before we could speak plainly. Our days were happy and carefree until the age of four when our book learning began. No child can begin school in Norway until they are seven years of age. Then they must be able to read well. How well I remember the long hours spent in learning to read. It was either father or mother with a pencil pointing out first the alphabet, then putting two letters together, than larger words. This went on for three years until school age, by that time we could read fine, for those daily lessons were never neglected. We were happy when the lesson was finished so we could run out to our doll house again and resume our play.
The Educational System in Norway is of a very high standard. There is no illiteracy among the people. It's a compulsory system. At the age of seven we started school. It was an all day affair from the start, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., one hour noon and two recesses. We were taught the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic. Entering the third grade there was geography and secular history. Religious subjects are also taught in grade school in Norway. Bible History, Church History, small and large Luther's Catechism, were also a part of the curriculum. The religious subjects all had to be committed to memory. We were assigned lessons for home study (there were no study periods in school), that was our night work. We would repeat the lesson over and over, one louder than the other, until finally when we thought we had it good, father or mother would hear us. If we failed to say it fluently, we were called in the morning when the folks arose and worked at it harder than ever. If we failed in a lesson we had to remain after school, which was considered a disgrace. We didn't any of us wish to be caught that way. We were certainly thoroughly drilled in all those subjects. There was also one hour practicing singing. At the close of each school year, the pastor of our constituency would come to our school and catechize us, from the oldest to the youngest, all lined up on the floor of the assembly room, and it was pity us if we could not answer the questions directed to us. This was of course only the religious subject. Parents were always present, there was much to spur us on to do our best. We were called up according to our marks in school and no one liked to be down on the end of the line.
The Lutheran Church has an ordinance called "Confirmation" which is the completion of the Grammar School which must be finished at the age of fourteen. Then begins the three months of intense training under our pastor. We met in church one day a week. Our church constituency was very large and in several school districts. There were more than a hundred each summer taking this preparatory course before confirmation. There were reviews of all religious subjects we had in Grammar School, besides many portions of the Bible had to be memorized, which through the years has been a great blessing to me and others who took this spiritual education to heart. The brain never could become dormant in those days, we were constantly memorizing. We had one hour of singing with a fine leader. The pastor was very strict, if one did not pass they would have to go back to Grammar School for another year, which was considered a disgrace. At the conclusion of the three months training, which was during the summer months, the ordinance of Confirmation was performed. During this training period much stress was placed upon the spiritual life and many of the young people were saved during that time. Our church was very large with a long center aisle where the candidates were seated. Boys on one side, the girls on the opposite side. At the close of the sermon, which was cut short that day, the pastor steps down among the group and begins to "catechize." The church was of course packed and each one was anxious to give a correct answer to the question directed to them. At the conclusion each one went up and knelt at the altar where they gave a "pledge" which consists of abstaining from every appearance of evil and live a conscientious Christian life. It was a most solemn performance. One can't be saved by being confirmed, however, it's a blessed ordinance for those who take it to heart. We can only be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary Cross. This educational period gave a young person a spiritual stimulus which is not easily forgotten but follows one through life. About a week after this sacred performance the young people with partners partakes of the "Lord's Table" for the first time, it's called "Sacrament."
It would appear that from all this school and study that there was no time for play or recreation, but there was time. Our schedule was carefully laid out for us. Coming home from school the first thing was to change our clothes as we all had to be nicely dressed in school, then a bite to eat. In the winter months we would take our "skis" and sleigh, go up on a high hill above our home and come down often head first, but we would just brush off the snow and repeat it again and again. When time to go in we were rosy cheeked and oh so hungry. We had duties too, not all play. We had a small row boat called "Ferring," four oars, that was our fishing boat in the home waters or "Fjord." It took two of us for "net fishing." First it was our brother, Nikolai and Anna. When they were old enough and taken their place in life, then Anton and myself had to do the fishing, usually about three nights a week and oftener if the catch was small. After school we must hurry home to the "Boat House" to lay out the "net," each float must lay just so. If the net was torn in places I had to mend that with needle for that purpose and twine the same as the net. Then last we put in the "anchor" push the boat down in the water, jump in and both of us row out to the place where we decided to let out the net, one of us would row very slowly while the other put out first the anchor, which was very heavy so in case of storm, which we often had in those "Fjords," our "net" would not get lost. At daybreak mother would call us to go out and pull in the "net." It was fun to watch the fish sprawling in the water struggling to free itself as we got them into the boat and in our large fishing basket. If we had a good catch we would not go out again that day. The fish not used up while fresh was salted down in wooden kegs and made good eating, older people often preferred that kind. I can think of at least half a dozen ways to prepare fish in Norway, each one very delicious. It kept our maid busy in the kitchen most of the time. Our three months summer vacations were wonderful, we would climb high up in the mountains to pick different kinds of berries. Our favorite and the most plentiful were the "blueberries," large and sweet. After picking enough for home use and filling our stomach, we would pick and sell to English tourists whose "Yatch" lay in our harbor. They also bought butter and cheese from us. What we loved the most was to sit high up in the mountain side and watch the sailboats coming in through the "Fjord." They looked like graceful "Sea gulls," a beautiful sight. (Those were the days before the motor boats.) How we did love the sea and could sit a long time and watch the waves come rolling in, sometimes slow and gentle like a lullaby that would put a baby to sleep and then again boisterous. The sea seemed to be a part of us, it's in our blood, and very few who are born in Norway are ever seasick.
The winter months were interesting for us children both in school and play. However, we looked forward to spring and watched the snow disappear in the mountain side and spots of green here and there, then the goats would be let our first. (We had no goats.) After that the sheep would be let out for part of the day. As soon as there was pasture enough for the stock, they were taken away into the mountains for the summer. There were ten farmers whose stock all ran together during summer. Each farmer had a cabin for their milkmaids. We call them "budeie." The cows were brought down to the "Sater" which was a large plateau entirely surrounded by mountains except for a narrow gorge where the Leedahl River ran through. The river had its source way back in the mountains, many smaller streams ran into it and finely reached the "Fjord." It was the custom to send a couple of young folks with their dogs a couple of hours before milking time to bring the cows down to the "Sater." It was exciting and glad when we were old enough to be the one to run barefoot high up in the beautiful mountains, such as is seen in Norway. There were two beautiful mountain lakes, one was called "Skaala" the other "Vartdal," where the stock watered. Each herd had a leader with a bell on. When we were successful with help of the dogs to turn them homeward, the rest was easy. Sometimes a thick fog came up, the old leader with the "bell" on always found the way and we felt perfectly safe to follow. Two from each family would be there to milk the cows, they knew their voices. Each milk cow was named and came when they were called. One of our milkmaids would bring the milk home, the other one stayed all night and brought home the morning milk. They wore a certain harness across the shoulders with straps down each side with a hook to hang the bucket on, heavy full of milk. One could easily become stoop shouldered from that weight, but they kept themselves straight and fine. Each had a nice cabin, ours had two rooms, one for sleeping, the other for cooking over a nice fireplace. We were allowed to stay overnight once each season, a big treat. The evenings were spent in singing, we could hear the echo in the mountains. Most of these young women had beautiful voices. It seemed to us they sang all the time, both when milking and walking.
About the first of June the sheep were brought down to "brand" the lambs. Our "registered brand" was a hole in the left ear. This was a noisy affair with several hundred sheep and lamb, and were crowded into large corrals for this purpose. One year our shepherdess brought home a lamb with a lame leg. She carried it in her arms all the way. As I think of our faithful servant we may be reminded of the song, "There were ninety and nine who safely lay in the shelter of the Fold, but one was out in the hills away, and lost when the shepherd found it, and carried in His arms to the Fold." Our little lame lamb was put in the orchard which was fenced in, it was pretty and snow white, we named it "Mary" and fed it milk from a bottle. When the leg got stronger we let it out and it followed us all around the place. One day mother said, "the lamb must be taken back into the mountains with the sheep." We cried, a lamb or sheep is the gentlest of all animals.
While we always had much help in our home, sister and I had to learn all the home duties when we were out of school during vacation. There were set times to help in the kitchen, our floors were all scrubbed white with sand from the beach. When we were old enough we had to learn to "spin" and "weave" and "card" the wool. I was not old enough for that but sister was. We also learned to milk, make butter and cheese. It was a well rounded training. Once a week we had singing rehearsal, all young people came to that. I sang in the children's choir, usually led by our schoolmaster, as he was called. There was also night school for those who had been confirmed and not able to go to higher institution of learning. These gatherings for young people were always well attended.
There is artistic talent in the Leedahl family. Father's oldest sister had a son by the name of Johan Hoddal. He showed his talent from a very young child, their school teacher became interested in him and after he was confirmed, the pastor of their constituency took it upon himself to educate him, as his people were poor. First he attended an Art School in Oslo, then Berlin, and Paris, and make a name for himself. My brother, Anton was sent to a craft school. He made his own design and carved many nice pieces in wood. It was a popular "craft" in Norway in those days. When we came to this country in the pioneer days there seemed to be nothing for a young man to do (if one lived inland) but turn to the soil. He became a very successful farmer. Several of the young people in our family, the Leedahls, showed marked artistic talent and has received considerable recognition in that line.
Christmas in Norway was the most outstanding festival of the year and was celebrated for two weeks. Preparation for this holiday season was begun weeks in advance, both old and young must help. Each member of the family, as well as the servants, must have at least one new garment for Christmas, that was made first and carefully laid away until Christmas Eve when all were dressed up. After that began the housecleaning, first the basement, then first floor and upstairs, such cleaning, not a nook nor corner was overlooked. At least a week was spent in baking the various cakes and goodies. Day before Christmas Eve, our big tree was trimmed, our living room was very large and room for all. Christmas Eve dinner was special prepared dishes for the festive occasion. The table looked beautiful, mother had a great eye for beauty. Candles were lit and set around in different places around the house. Our grandparents who lived close to us would come in for the lighting of the tree and program. Father read the angel message to the Shepherds. Then all joined hands, walking around the "tree" singing Christmas songs we all knew from memory. Then gifts were given out, no one was forgotten. Our lovely grandparents were so happy with us, we loved them dearly. Light refreshments were served. We must not be up too late for on Christmas morning every one must be up at 5 a.m. to be in church for the early service.
The church was lit up by candles, it was very beautiful. There was soft music played on our large pipe organ in the gallery. A very able organist. He was still at the organ when we left Norway. Christmas carols sung by all and a short message by the assistant pastor. At 11 a.m. the morning worship began. There was deep spirit of reverence not only among the saved, but also among the unconverted for we were in God's House. Second day of Christmas there was Missionary Service. Third day was "parents day" when love and tokens of appreciation were showered upon parents and callers were received. The fourth day was "Servants Day" free from all duties. All except the most necessary were suspended during these two weeks. All enjoyed the round of festive activities. Wherever we met, coffee was served, chocolate for children, with the lovely bakery, such as lefse, Julekaka, Kringle and Fattigmann. They were happy days enjoyed in a simple but beautiful way. Home means more to us when enjoyed with the members of our family, the memories of happy gatherings becomes almost sacred to us. There were much besides social abilities in those celebrations. Religious meetings were conducted almost daily in homes led by father who was not only a fine speaker, but a leader and could always get a crowd of both old and young people. The sick and shut-ins were never forgotten. Mother used to carry a basket with her full of good things to eat for those who had less than we had. All felt a real spirit of friendliness through the whole neighborhood, sweet memories.
My parents were confronted with the same problems in those days as now, namely for the young people to find their place in life. All young men in Norway seem to have an irresistible call to sea. When my oldest brother, Nicolai was 17 years of age, he wanted to be a sailor so our parents very reluctantly gave him permission to go to sea. For two summers he was with whaling fleet in the Northern waters. He sailed around the North cape and basked in the midnight sun in all its grandeur. He could picture that scene to us when he came home, he was an eloquent speaker like father. He also sailed into many European ports. After two years at sea, mother became very anxious, she didn't like the sea as she was in a shipwreck when a girl, and asked him to give up the sea. His reply was, "well, if I can't sail I want to go to the new world." A great many in those days, especially among the younger people, were leaving so mother said, "you will be on land anyway which is better than the sea." The oldest son in the family falls heir to the Estate, when the parents retire, and of course has to pay the other heirs their share. If there are no boys in the family then the oldest daughter falls in line and a girl in that position has many bids for her heart and hand. My brother did not want the Estate. The two years at sea took him into many European ports, and he was anxious to see what was on the other side of the Atlantic.
In the month of June 1884 while brother was still at sea, a deep sorrow came into our home. A sweet little sister, mother's last baby, developed a severe case of diphtheria. She was only three months old, was sick only a few days and passed into Glory. On the day of the funeral my brother Mathias, 9 years of age, seemed to grieve deeper than anyone else and told mother that in just a month from that day Jesus would take him to Heaven to join sister. This boy was a prodigy extraordinary bright and as a rule a child like that hardly ever reaches maturity. All our lessons we had to work so hard to commit to memory he learned just by listening to us. When he entered school of the age of seven, the teacher put him in an advanced class. About twenty days after sister's burial he became very ill with appendectomy. Doctor called it inflammation of the bowels and as they did not resort to surgical procedure in those days there seemed nothing to do but to relieve the pain. He remained perfectly conscious to the last. A couple days before he passed away he begged mother to set up a bed in our large living room and move him in there, and call together a few (he mentioned their names) old people who had heard the Gospel all their lives and never been saved. Unsaved church members with no testimony. Well, as the end seemed so near and doctor said he could do nothing for him, father and mother decided to submit to his request and sent for the people he had mentioned, others too came. He preached a sermon such as no one had ever heard before. He pictured Heaven so beautiful that some were saved right there, and those who rejected the way of Salvation would suffer the vengeance of Eternal fire. He passed into Glory soon after with his arms around mother's neck. No one who was there will ever forget that day, but live in our memory through life. The funeral took place exactly a month after sister was laid away. A very large and beautiful funeral, the pastor took for his text Job, Chapter 1 verse 21.
"The Lord gave, the Lord took, Blessed be the Name of the Lord."
We often think of him, had he lived, he would be misunderstood. God who knows the end from the beginning took him to himself. When we came home from the funeral, it seemed mother could not stand it in the house. She took my youngest brother Olaf, then three years of age, and myself, soon eleven, and said "come let us go down to the beach." She sat down on a rock and looked out over the water. It's true that the sea has a quieting effect on those in sorrow. We were there more than an hour while brother and I buried our feet and had a good time in the surf. God worked in mysterious ways in our home in those days, and while God did not answer the many prayers for the restoration of our loved ones, yet he showed Him Healing Power in mother's case. When little sister was born, mother developed a severe case of "phlebitis" inflammation of a vein. The limb swells twice its size and one is confined to bed often for many weeks. In those days doctors could do nothing in that condition, but to relieve the pain which is very severe in those cases. Our parents believed in God's power to heal the body as well as to save the soul, so they gave themselves to prayer. Just in three weeks time after the baby was born mother was up, swelling all gone. That was the first case we witnessed of Divine Healing and we have never forgotten it, yes, God heals today in answer to prayer. The third Sunday after little sister was born, mother had decided to be the Godmother herself, and carried her last baby to the Baptismal Fount. I can see her now walking up the long center aisle close to the altar where the ceremony was being conducted. She had on a new outfit and looked nice. There was not even a limp in her walk, that limb was as strong as the other. Christ is still the Great Physician as well as the Sympathizing Jesus and will heal according to His will. How often during my long life, I have had occasion to thank God, because we have at our command the miracle working power of God. What happened in our home at that time made a great stir in our community. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. A great revival broke out among old and young. It seemed everybody around us was swept into the Kingdom. Many children too were saved. A child who has reached the age of accountability must experience the power of regeneration or "the new birth" just like an adult. The difference is that it is so easy for a child when the claims of the Gospel has been presented to them to receive Jesus into their heart followed by a beautiful life of service for the Master. While an older person can look back over a wasted life and will have less time to serve the Lord. Let us lay hold upon God for the salvation of our children. Out of that revival came a great missionary movement. There were missionary meetings before but now it took on new life. All women came and met once a week with mother as leader, all was in the cause of foreign mission. Their theme song was, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." That song was heard in the fields and among our milkmaids and in rowboats. There were much singing, reading of scripture and prayer, also a missionary paper was read at each meeting. Norway became the foremost missionary conscious country in the world. Norway has two large missionary schools for a training period of three years. In those days Norway also had their own missionary ship named "Elisger." Father was active nearly every night with meetings and helping inquirers, it was during this spiritual stir we left Norway. Yes, it cost something.
It was in the spring of 1886 when my brother came home from his last sailing cruise, the last foreign port was Hamburg. Whenever he came home we all received something nice, especially from a foreign port. Now the time had come for him to leave for the new world across the Atlantic that father and mother had promised him. Mother packed his trunk for no one could get as much into a trunk like she did. In his suitcase was first of all his Bible and a hymn book like we used in church, also the things needed on the trip. How well I remember the morning when farewell was said. Tears shed, both heartache and prayers at the parting. Father and mother went with him to Aalesund to see him embark on the North Sea Liner. US seemed far away in those days. His ticket took him direct to Fargo, North Dakota and as it was near harvest time he hired out to a farmer by the name of Mr. Waver. My brother could speak a little English, these people were Americans, and they all helped with the language and as he was very bright he soon mastered it fine. He liked it here and saw the broader opportunities for young people. He was homesick too but there was no mention of that in his letters. Mother, however, had a way to read between the lines. He soon began to write for sister Anna to come, she was just then 17 years of age. That could not be decided in a hurry. Meanwhile brother had bought a Homestead Relinquishment from a man by the name of Mr. Harlow, who had met every requirement of the Homestead law. There was a well built cabin, larger than most with the required furnishings, also ten acres in wheat crop with some more ground broke up, that was virgin soil, a real pioneer bounty, a fenced in pasture and a deep well of good water with two old oaken buckets, hung in the well. It was a fine start for ambitious young people who were not afraid of hard work. When he wrote that sister would have a home to come to our parents finally decided to let her go, so in the spring of 1887, just a year after brother left, she was ready. Again there was packing, both her and brother were sent away with enough clothes to last for years. Again farewell and tears, father and mother taking her to Aalesund. I can think now there must have been a little deeper heartache to let one so young go alone on such a long journey, the first time away from a sheltered home. People would ask mother how she could do it. Her reply was, "we just have to pray a little more." When she arrived the Weavers wanted her to work for them when there was nothing to do on the new home, so they were both there during the winter. This family had two daughters, both school teachers, one of them had the home school. Every night she would spend much time teaching them. Sister went to school with her during the winter. Their highest ambition was to become good American citizens.
The peace and tranquility which had characterized our home for so long had again come to an end. We had come to the crossroads, as it was not long before a new problem confronted us. There were almost weekly letters from this side of the Atlantic for father to sell out and all of us come to this country with its wide opportunities. This could not be decided in a hurry. Father the oldest and heir to the Estate was born and raised in that home which had belonged to our family since late in the 17 century (I have the genealogy from that time left me as I'm the only one living now of us to come from Norway). The thought however was not new all together, although he had never mentioned it to even mother. He was dissatisfied with the State Church of Norway (not the Doctrine). A minister had no choice in the selection of scripture to preach from. There was a church department selected by the government who selected the subject material for each Sunday in the year. If a pastor preached from another text than assigned he would be put out of the church. Father did not believe in that, for the word of God is not bound, also only an ordained minister could occupy the pulpit. An Evangelist may have been a much better speaker and more spiritual, but he was never allowed in the pulpit of a State Church. He could only speak in a meeting house and there were always one close to every church and large crowds would gather there as soon as services in church closed. Norway had many great Evangelists. Father was in favor of a Lutheran Free Church which seemed a long way off at that time, especially in Norway. Father was a great reader, we had many both religious and secular papers and magazines and through these he learned there was a strong sentiment among the Lutherans in this country to form such a church body. Another thing he didn't believe in military training. Every young man age 21 must spend three months each summer for three years to learn to be a soldier. Father believed all Christian nations should be at peace one with another and they were in those days, and it was up to the church to evangelize the heathen nations so they too could be at peace. Am glad he is not here today. However, with all that he was very reluctant to make a decision. There was so much to leave behind, mother kept pulling, we must not be a divided family. In a year we were ready to travel. Much had to be done that last year before leaving our beautiful home in that land of enchantment.
But before going into that I must introduce you to our grandparents at Leedahl, Nils and Marie, they lived right by us. There is a law in Norway which provides a pension for those who retire from their own Estate, and is ample to keep them nicely as long as they live. Norway was also the first country who enforced a pension law in 1859 for those who had no other support. Grandfather Leedahl was an "inventor." He had a large room upstairs for a shop and spent much of his time there. He invented the first water power threshing machine in Norway. The government bought his patent. He also made a bicycle with one very large wheel and one small and many other things. He also made the cutest toys and things for us as a pastime after he retired. Whenever he allowed us in his workshop we had to keep our hands behind our back for fear we would displace some of his things. He was a great story teller. He ran a large fishing fleet beside looking after the farm work. His fishing exploits were always interesting. He was a fine talker or speaker. What stands out best in our memory was his sincere Christian life. He knew his Bible well and how he could sing. We lived close by and would run into their home often, several times a day, and each time tell us a new Bible story. His Bible laid open on the dining room table and how often he told us to live by the book. He was a strong man, walked to church and back the seven English miles every Sunday. He always refused to ride with us or go in the boat. He said the only way to keep fit was to walk a lot. He used a cane and there were rock seats in many places along the road for one to sit down and rest. Every one who passed by gave a cheery word of greeting. No one seemed to hurry in those day. He walked to church until a year before he passed away at the age of 86. He was fine speaker and a man of prayer.
Mother's parents were Annaruis and Dorthea Kleppe. He could go to them only by boat. Grandfather Kleppe was a silversmith. Norway has much silver. He was the best artist in his line in Norway, and worked in his shop long hours to fill orders, which seemed to come from everywhere. He could fashion the most beautiful things in silver. When we were allowed in his work shop, our eyes just bulged out looking at all those glittering things of silver. He was a real artist. He had dining room chairs made from hardwood with tall backs. They were so heavy we could not lift one. Grandfather carved those in a beautiful design. The museum in Oslo bought them after our grandparents passed away and they are there now. They had a lovely home overlooking the "Fjord." It was a real Christian home. This grandfather also knew his Bible and was always open on the table, it seemed to us that he knew it all from memory. He put his hand on the Bible and told us if we will live by the book our life would be a success and at the close Life Eternal. He passed into Glory before we left Norway. Grandmother was one among the many homemakers whom the world knows little about but carried on her duties in a sweet Christian spirit.
Our last year in Norway was full of problems that had to be taken care of. I had reached the age where I would soon be confirmed and my parents hated to take me away as we did not know just how the spiritual conditions would be. Father went to the pastor of our church to see if it could be arranged for me to be confirmed before leaving. It was decided for me to read for the minister every week for three months during the winter. I had to go 14 English miles to Volda every week, left home on Wednesday a.m., stayed overnight where father had engaged a room for me. I would go to the Manse and recite the lesson given me Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning before leaving for home. I read for a young assistant pastor, his name was Reverend Halgdan Moller. He was so nice to me. Often on a very cold day he would take me to the housekeeper and ask her to make me a cup of hot chocolate and always something nice to eat, then up to his study and began reciting the long lessons he gave me for the week. Those three months making those long trips each week wading through the snow, often before the snowplow had cleared the highway. I never had a cold nor missed a week. Sometimes mother would have someone row me across the "Fjord" which made the trip a little shorter. The people in Norway know how to walk and love it. Something in the atmosphere there makes walking easy. At last the day came for my Confirmation, next to the last Sunday in April, our last Sunday in that large beautiful church in 1888. The following Wednesday we had communion service with father and mother, and several other Christian people partaking. How well I remember that Wednesday morning before leaving for church how father and mother prayed for all of us and especially for me. A child who has never had their parent pray and see them read their Bible has been robbed of something of the sweetest in life. The parents also has neglected their God-given responsibility. As I was confirmed alone I had to answer all questions put to me. I saw our school teacher, his name was Wilhelm Grytten, a fine Christian young man, sat in the front row in the gallery with his eyes glued on me. The dear pastor was kind to me, only asked the questions he knew I was familiar with. Mother had a beautiful dress made for me. The pastor gave me some nice books, also his picture which I still have. He always wrote to me after we came here. He was taken to Glory many year ago.
Father was fortunate enough to get his youngest brother to take over the Estate. It had been in the family since the 17th century and we could not let it go into strange hands. My uncle had two sons, the oldest one, my cousin, is now on the old home and he has three sons so there is not danger but the family name will be carried on. The last year was a busy year. That last winter father decided to get someone to run our largest fishing boat with seven men besides himself. He got a very good Christian man as captain so father could stay home and help to get ready for the auction. A couple weeks after New Years when the man had left after the Christmas vacation, on a Saturday night, we received a telegram from Aalesund that this man, his name Water Peter Satre, died suddenly of a heart attack. They had just come into the big island where the Barrack housed a great number of fisherman during the winter. The name of the Island was Forkenholmen. Father took us there one time and we saw their apartment and because father had so many men they had their own cook. There was no one to send, father must go, the crew was waiting and anxious to be out. Mother seldom became discouraged, that night she cried. The neighbor woman feared it was a bad omen. After our evening devotion when both father and mother prayed and committed all in God's hands, us youngsters went to bed, and mother packed his trunk and he left on the streamer Monday morning for Aalesund. That winter they had the largest catch they ever had. Father said the weather was favorable and always brought in all the boat could hold. The men on our other boat also were successful. God's blessings follows those who commit all in his hands. Now that father would be away for three months, mother had much to look after. She hired more women to spin and weave. (We had our own loom.) We must all be well dressed for she didn't know how things would be in the new world. The many numerous details such a change would make she must look after. We had a well furnished house to be sold, much livestock, three boats, our big one called "Otring" with eight men, the next was called "Trebring" with five men besides our little boat called "Ferring" we used daily and seemed a part of us and all the fishing nets and "lines," in fact our big boat house was packed full of stuff belonging to the fishing industry. There had to be more trunks, the overweight of our goods was terrible, I have no idea how much extra father paid. When a whole family pulls up stakes there is much to bring.
The auction was set for the next to the last week in April. Father engaged a good lawyer to care for the collection besides a good auctioneer. Time for auction was set for 8 a.m. and people wondered how it all could be sold in one day. It was widely advertised weeks ahead and people had to come both by land and water. Everything except what we needed on the long journey had been packed, mother did all the packing. The night before the auction the most terrible storm arose. Those "Fjords" could get very rough sometimes. What if the sale failed, we needed the money. Could it be we had made a mistake in this move we were about to make? No, there had been much prayer over it and we felt we were in the center of God's will. Father and Mother slept little, if at all, that night, they prayed most of the night. At daybreak the sea was a beautiful calm and we soon saw boat loads of people coming in from every direction and wagon loads. The crowds were so large at 8 a.m. that our big yard could hardly take care of the people. Everything sold at a high price, nothing went cheap, everything sold by dusk. The lawyer said he never saw an auction where people had the ready cash to put up on the spot. Surely God's hand was in it all. That night we had a praise service while the night before in the big storm it was prayer and supplication. That's the kind of a God we have!
The time had arrived when we must take our leave of all that was dear to us. A couple of nights before leaving we had a farewell service in our home. Father and many others spoke. The house was crowded and the yard full of people. The last night our school teacher, a very spiritual young man, had arranged a prayer meeting in the home where he was boarding. It was not made public, he had invited a few close friends to be with us that last night. The next morning everybody in the community was at the Pier long before the Streamer was due to arrive. The school closed that day so the teacher and pupils could be there to see us off. There was such crowds we could not shake hands with all, just had to wave good-bye from the boat. Of course, my teacher was there and put a nice book of "Religious Fiction" in my hand when I bid him farewell. The hardest to leave was our Grandparents Leedahl. Grandma was so sweet to us at all times and it was hard to leave her. There was singing "God be with you," and many tears. It meant something to see a whole family leave, who had been so much a part of the community. Father was always the leader in any new progress in the district.
There is one thing outstanding in my memory of that morning. My brother Olaf, then seven years of age, had a playmate the same age, his name was Johan, a nice little neighbor boy. They played together all the time, we could hardly separate them. There was a little hill above sloped down to the water, the two little boys stood back there from the crowd. When time came to embark and my little brother had to leave him, little Johan never moved from the spot there by himself. We saw him from the Steamer, that little lonely figure, his arm going to his eyes to wipe the tears on his coat sleeve. One don't forget a scene like that. Grandfather took it the hardest, we never thought he could let go of father his oldest son. He cried like a baby, we all cried. Dear old Grandpa, how we loved him. We were in Aalesund two days where both father and mother had a sister and their families. It was a busy day when the North Sea Liner came in to get ourselves fixed up on our cabin. We moved out into the North Sea shortly afternoon. We stayed on deck, it was a nice sunny day. We had our first meal in the spacious dining hall. Father remained on deck until dusk and watched until the Norwegian Coast was out of sight. We thought there was sadness in his voice when he said he had seen the last point of Norway called "Stet." Mother said, if the Lord will prosper us in the new country you will have to make a trip back some day. He did after 21 years, would have gone sooner but for a severe illness. Our first night aboard a terrific storm arose about midnight. The North Sea is noted for its severe storms. By morning we tried to get up, but could neither stand on our feet nor sit in a chair, as the boat rolled so fiercely. All gangways closed, no one allowed on deck, except the crew. We sat in our beds, no one could go to the dining hall as nothing could stay on the table. Father was the only one able to be on his feet, as he was used to walking on deck in a storm. He brought us some food from the kitchen, but dear thoughtful mother had packed a basket of good things to eat in case of emergency. She knew the North Sea.
Arrived in Hull, England one night and after an evening meal we took a train to Liverpool. Their trains at that time consisted of small coaches, room for eight people. We were five and I think there were eight men crowded in for the six hours it took to cross England. Arriving in Liverpool we found the Atlantic Liner would not be in for three days. We had nice rooms in a hotel. We had slept little since leaving our home. The waiting time was spent sightseeing. We rode in large coaches, room for at least eight people, drawn by four horses. We saw the nice part of the city, but not the slum district. Father said we would not go our at night in a strange city when we didn't know the language.
When the Ocean Liner came in sight, it looked beautiful. We got on board as soon as passengers were allowed, fixed up our state room, spent time on deck and of course read passenger list and met many nice people. Father had planned our trip on the White Star Line, but there was such a long waiting list so he secured passage on the Cunnard Line. The name of our boat was "Mauretenia." It took us to Quebec instead of New York which we would have preferred. The boat stopped in Dublin, Ireland where passengers were taken on. The grass was green and it looked so pretty. It was warm on deck, all was so new to us youngsters especially.
The trip over the Atlantic was a real pleasure, beautiful sunshine, the ocean was calm, so we could remain on deck all day except at meals. Everybody so sociable, each one introduced themselves. Father preached every night. There were also noon prayer meetings and such singing. On the other end of the deck was dancing. There was something to satisfy every desire. Mother had a lot of wool yarn to knit socks for winter. I knit myself a sweater or part of one. We read a lot too. Steaming northward we saw a lot of Ice Bergs. We thought first it was land. The boat kept well out of its course.
We landed in Quebec at night, it was cold. The city is built up in the mountain side, the highest peaks snow covered. After passing the strict inspection, we boarded a train and came into US through Niagara Falls. How well I remember when we crossed the line. Mother folded her hands and said, now we are in the US Again the US inspection officials looked us over one by one and all our goods. We came to Kindred, North Dakota about 40 miles southwest of Fargo, where brother and sister met us at the train. Father had wired ahead. How good to see them. Dear mother both laughed and cried for joy. They had the team and big farm wagon, all our goods came on the same train, some load. They took us to a family three miles from our new future home, their name was "Siverts," he was a Methodist Minister. They insisted we stay there that night. The next morning we went to our new home on May 20, 1888, exactly three weeks after we left our old home. It was a beautiful trip, God was our Great Captain all the way. None of us sick, all was joy and gladness. That night in our new home we had a Praise Service. All of us there again, we were a united family.
P.S. A new era was opened up before us.
P.S. I feel very reluctant to close my reminiscence of Norway. I feel there has been so much left out that I don’t seem to find words to express, the memory will always live in my soul. Childish impressions are not easy to erase, but will always stand out as a sweet beacon light all thru the many adversities of life. This chapter closes with praise to the everlasting guiding Hand of God.
A Sonnet.
He is the Christ of the human road
And He offers to carry our load.
Every night, every day
This Christ of the human road.
He is human, and yet so Divine,
And He knows your heart’s burden and mine.
In all times of need
He is a real friend indeed,
This Christ of the Human road.
Selected.
Click here to see the mountain and islands that Denah talks about.