THIS EARLY HISTORY OF MALISE COMES FROM QUESTIONS AND AN AFTERNOON OF CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN HER AND HER DAUGHTER VIOLA IN 1958.

Martha Malise was born May 31, 1876 on a farm in Lyon County, 3 miles west of Tracy, MN to Ole Amundson and Caroline Gulrud Amundson, in their sod house. She was Baptized on June 22, 1876, confirmed Nov. 2, 1890 in Tracy, MN. there were 2 sons; Charlie and Chris and 3 girls; Fanny, Malise and Ida in the family when their mother Caroline died, Spring - May 1878. Malise went to live with neighbors; the Ole Helgeson family after her mother's death, that family wanted to keep her as their own, but her father wouldn't give her up. The other children stayed with other nearby neighbors except Baby Ida; she was taken by Caroline's sister to Iowa to be cared for by her grandparents. Grandma Gulrud became ill 2 years later. Their father went to Iowa to bring her home. On the way from Iowa to Tracy they passed through Chatfield; to buy some horses from Ole Jacobson. It was then he met Ole Jacobson's daughter Doretta, whom he later married. Baby Ida became ill several months later, died; was buried in a cemetery 1 mile west from where Mother Caroline was buried, it was in 1882. Father Ole had rented the farm land worked at various trades until he married Doretta Jacobson, who had a son Martin. The family were brought together again on the farm except Martin who stayed with his Jacobson Grandparents near Chatfield, MN Ida, Olive (Ollie), Mattie, Joe and Henry were born the following years.

When Ollie was a baby the log house burned, Malise was 11 years old. It was a warm fall afternoon, the children were barefoot, all their clothing was lost; only furniture saved was a sewing machine, table with the lags knocked off and a few chairs. A board house with paper and sod was built to live in a later a basement was dug, by the end of 3 years a fine brick home was completed. This house stood until about 1990 when it was torn down.

When Malise was 7 years old she went to Chatfield to be with brother Martin and Grandpa and Grandma Jacobson who lived on a farm then. She went to school with Martin 1 winter. Returned to be with he parents and family, completed country school at the age of 16. Attended school 1 year in Tracy, started the 2nd year, was compelled to leave school to help at home. That same year the farm at Tracy was sold, the family moved to Chatfield, MN to be near Grandpa and Grandma Jacobson who lived in Chatfield then.

After Grandma Jacobson died Malise kept house for Grandpa. She was 18 years old when she began to learn the millinery and dressmaking trade in Chatfield. After a year and a half went to St. Paul for further training, during training time she was paid $5.00 a week, enough to pay board and room. First employment was at a wholesale house in St. Paul, later worked for 3 months in a millinery store in Adrian, MN. Back to the wholesale house. The wholesale house paid the train fare, board and room plus $8.00 a week. She was sent to work for Helen Johnson's store in Brookings, SD for 3 months, again back to the wholesale house, until Helen Johnson sent for her to come work in her store again. It was then she met Helen's nephew John B. Olson. THIS COMPLETES THE NOTES WRITTEN IN 1958.

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Obituary:
Malise Amundson, daughter of Ole and Caroline Amundson, was born May 31, 1876, near Tracy, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She received her education in the Lyon County public schools. In 1901, she was united in marriage to John B. Olson, and has been a resident of Moody County since that date.

Survivors: She is survived by four daughters, Irene, Hollywood, Calif.; Mrs. B. E. (Doretta) Berg, Minneapolis; Mrs. O. B. (Helen) Johnson, Flandreau; Mrs. K. F. (Viola) Zylstra, Flandreau; one son, Robert, Van Nyes, Calif.; Four sisters, Mrs. Fanny Sundet and Mrs. Jep Turner, Chatfield, Minn.; Mrs. John Gulbranson, Flandreau and Mrs. Alfred Gulbranson, Colman; one brother, O. J. Amundson, Chicago; 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter, two sons, four brothers and two infant sisters.

Date and Place of Service: Saturday, September 26, 1959, 3:00 P. M. @ Our Savior's Lutheran Church; Minister, Rev. Norval R. Wigtil; Interment, Clare Cemetery

Pallbearers: Daune Hennager, Russell Hennager, Carl Aarness, Edgar Wilcox Tony McGlone, Casper Rude; Special Music, ABIDE WITH ME, BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS; Soloist, Roger Thoreson; Organist, Mrs. William Waxler

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Letter From Ole Amundson to Aunt Lizzie:

Hibbing Jan 15, 1913

As I have the time, I will write a few lines to let you know we arrived alright, at our destination. We found everyone alright. I can say for myself I did not like the trip. Of the very best we had to crawl and go. We came to Owatona was there til 1:45 p.m. then came to Dodge Center at 11:20 at nite, were there til 5:45 a.m. got to St. Paul 10:00 a.m.. We stopped there about 40 minutes got to Duluth 4:20 were there about 40 minutes finally got to Hibbing 8 p.m..

We got some one to take us out to Charlies place.

We are here alone, Charlie working children in school.

We keep the house going.

I can really say I never have seen so much water as there is along railroad lines. Guess I must say as the woman said, "I don't have any good land", but what I see now is much worse. There are docks and stones and more stones of what I have seen so far. But, I think there will be something better to see if weather stays good. The weather is nice now but is much colder here then out there.

I don't have anything more to write about this time. You will see me soon again if I don't kick the bucket to soon.

My Best Wishes to you All From Your Old Papa.

Ole Amundson


Translation written from Norwegian to English by Olive Amundson Gulbranson.