The immigrants came to America for many reasons. But after the decision was made they all faced the same concerns.  Most had little or no money and most had family responsibilities.  A familiar pattern was developed that was used successfully by many 'newcomers' during the years of immigration. The story of Dorthea (Hilden) Gilbertson and her family is a good example. Hans Hilden died in Hadeland at age 54 leaving his widow Dorthea with sons Henry Hans, Gilbert and Andrew along with ten months old Anne.  Less than four years later, Dorthea and her family were headed for Fillmore County, Minnesota where her brother John Gilbertson had settled nine years before.  As they left the ship, a young neighbor, Lars Stensrud, carried four and a half year old Anne.  As he set her down in the new country he said, "Someday I'm going to marry this little girl." Dorthea and her family stayed in eastern Minnesota county for three years.   The hard working family accumulated some possessions and learned how to function in their new surroundings.  They moved on to the more western Chippewa County by covered wagon in 1869.  It is believed they had friends there." Dorthea, being a widow, was able to file claim to 160 acres of homestead land as did her oldest son, Henry Hans.  Two years later Gilbert was of age  and filed in the same area.  Later, Andrew bought 320 acres from the railroad at $7 per acre.  So the family was firmly established in America. And, remember Lars Stensrud? Well, Lars also had land in the same township as the Hildens and on December 12, 1878 Lars married Anne Hilden as he had promised 12 years before.  And at the same time, brother Gilbert Hilden married sister Kari (Olson) Stensrud.  Kari and Gilbert and 12 children.  Lars and Anne had nine children.... In 1905 Uncle Lars Stensrud provided a place for immigrant Chris Sorum to work before he struck out for places west.  The cycle continues - now for the Asians and Hispanics. The above information was taken from the writings of Bennett Sandberg. -----  It is of interest that the time line and destinations for Dorthea and her sister and brother-in-law, Iver and Anne Kanten, are just about identical.  Iver and Anne came to America in 1864; they moved to Tunsberg Township in 1869.  It may well be that (more than just friends) Dorthea and her family traveled from Norway and/or to Chippewa County with the Kantens.  More investigation is required.

PDF file of original pages from the Hadeland Lag history

includes photo of the Lars & Anne Stensrud family.

1.62 MB pdf format

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