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Submitted: 10/1/11 • Approved: 10/1/11 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R133858-G133857-S3
John 1843 - 1934
Anna 1847 - 1931
Johannes J. Rommereim was born at Rommerheim, near Bergen, Norway, in 1843. Seeking better means for a livelihood, he left his native land for American in 1868, and his destination was Rochelle, Ill. After being there five years, he returned to Norway in search of a lifemate to share his experiences in this new land. He met Anna Eikanger. Anna, also from near Bergen, was born in 1845. They were married in 1876 and made their way to Rochelle, Ill. Johan¬nes worked as a farm hand there until the spring of 1880. They decided to move to Lincoln County, where an elder brother, Ole, had already settled on a farm one-half mile east of the Romsdal Church. Leaving the Rochelle area, they came by train to Hudson, with their two children, personal belong¬ings, a lumber wagon, and a team of horses. They purchased a farm in Lincoln County in Norway Township which had already been proved up by someone else. However, there wasn't a house on the place, only a dug out to live in. They had to borrow money from a bank, which charged 12 % interest. Sometime toward the mid 1880's they started erecting buildings on the farm, a dwelling house and a barn. He worked in the harvest fields near Dell Rapids dur¬ing the summer months to earn a living, and Anna took care of the children and the home duties. The epidemics of diphtheria and typhoid fever as well as other dreaded ill¬nesses were prevalent during those pioneer days, from which many died, as did two of their small children. Johannes and Anna had a family of eight children, but two died while they were small. Those living were Martha, Gena, Josephine, Arne, Joseph and Mollie, all of whom were confirmed members of Romsdal. This farm remained in the family until 1975. Anna died in 1931 and John in 1934. Arne, having purchased the farm from his father, mar¬ried Marie Wigdahl on Dec. 14, 1916. Arne and Marie had one daughter, Carolyn, and after Marie's death in September of 1953, Carolyn and her husband, John Wallem, operated the farm until 1975 when it was sold to Gene Thormods¬gaard. Arne passed away in 1957. Both Arne and Marie are buried at Romsdal Cemetery, where they were members of the church. (Source: The History of Lincoln County, SD 1985. page 644)
Contributed on 10/1/11 by revilo
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Record #: 133858