Knute and Albertina (Bjornstad) Knutson

Knute E. Knutson was born in June 15, 1863 in Albert Lee. He was the son of Elling Knutson and Ingeborg Brenna Knutson. He married Albertina Bjornstad in 1884. She was born in 1864 in Oslo, Norway. Albertina is the daughter of Johan Bjornstad and Karen Bjornstad.
Knute, hearing of the glowing tales about fine timber, cedar and spruce, the tall hay and pea vine excellent food for cattle, the rich, free soil of the Moose River community, decided to leave his newly built home in Crookston and along with his family move to that unsettled community.
Besides Mrs. Albertina Bjornstad Knutson and younger children, this family took all the possessions they could pile onto a lumber wagon and (the older girl, Isabelle, cried when they had to sell her piano) left Crookston early in March of 1901. Casper, then 16 years old, assisted by Mr. Ed Evanson a bachelor, barber and neighbor, walked the entire distance and drove their herd of cattle. When they arrived at Thief River Falls, they found deep snow still on the ground. But lucky for both parties, John Aase, who had come from Moose River on his way to Crookston by sleigh met them at Thief River Falls, so the two simply exchanged outfits and each progressed on his way while neither could have traveled otherwise. This trip took one week, and there was no house awaiting the family. Mrs. Knutson and youngest children stayed with friends until a log house was erected on the land Knute chose for his homestead. This proved to be the first house to be built north of Moose River. There were ten children in the Knute Knutson family, namely: Anton, Elling, Carl, Mat, Casper, Walter, Benard, Mabel, Mrs. Isabelle Thygeson, and Mrs. Chester Naeseth. Knutson built a saw mill and sawed lumber for himself and neighbors for many years. He also operated a threshing machine and with the help of sons Elling and Carl did custom threshing for several seasons.
Knute was a gifted violin player and along with Jack Johnson and son, Casper, played for many celebrations, house parties, and weddings. Sometimes they walked many miles barefooted to keep such an engagement, but going barefooted was no novelty in those days as shoes were costly and hard to get. They would be slipped on just before arriving at the appointed destination.
Knute Knutson died on September 24, 1933. Albertina Knutson died on May 23, 1929. Both are buried in Randeen Cemetery, Moose River, Minnesota.
In 1975 only Bertha Knutson Naeseth of St. Paul and Casper of Oregon remain. Submitted by Ida Thygeson