Born May 2, 1840, Biri, Kingdom of Norway
Immigrated to America, 1849
Married Sarah Dahl, November 16, 1865
Died January 7, 1898, Village of Westby, Vernon County, State of Wisconsin
Buried Coon Prairie Cemetery, Vernon County, Wisconsin

When Ole came to America with his family, his father Tosten Strandbakken adopted the surname of Westby.  Twelve years later Ole T. Westby was enlisted in Company H of the 15th Wisconsin by Captain Knud J. Sime.  Ole joined up at the Town of La Crosse, La Crosse County, State of Wisconsin, on December 24, 1861, for a 3 year term of service.  The men of Company H called themselves Heg's Rifles, but were also known as the Voss Company because of the large number of them who were from the Voss region of Norway.  Ole was mustered into Federal service as a Private on February 13, 1862, at Camp Randall, near the City of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.  At the time he was 22 years old and not married. His residence was listed as Bad Ax (now Vernon) County, Wisconsin.  

More on the Web-page (28.03.01 GT)

Torger's son Hans married Randine Hemma, sister of Agnete that was married to Even Kristiansen b 1826, see p. 147 below. Randine and Agnete were sisters of Mons Nilsen Hemma f. 1819. (19.12.1002 Jan Byfuglien)

Marriage: Even Christiansen Steenseie at Berg nordre (north) 23 years. Father: Christian Larsen married 23/4-1850 in Ringsaker Church to Agnethe Nielsdatter Aaseneie 28 years. Father: Niels Monsen. Source: Ringsaker Churchbook 1837-50, folio 400 b.

See also page 136 above.

Christning: Agnethe, born 6/12-1822, chr. 1/1-1823, Ringsaker Church. Parents: Niels Monsen and Kirstine Larsdatter Basmundrud. Sourch: Ringsaker Churchbook 1821-26, page 22. Christning: Even, born 17/1-1827, chr. 4/2-1827, Ringsaker Church. Parents: Christian Larsen and Christine Evensdatter Stenseie. Source: Ringsaker Churchbook 1826-37, folio 3 a.

Immigrations: Even Kristiansen Liereie at Ring, b. 7/1-1827, Agnethe Nielsdatter b. 6/12-1822 and Kristian Evensen b. 4/7-1852. They immigrated to US in 1854 (?). Source: Ringsaker Churchbook 1850-60, folio 446 a. Their relationship is confirmed in the Churchbook - she is his wife, and Kristian is their child.

Christning: Christian Evensen Liereie b. 4/7-1852, chr. 1/8-1852, Ringsaker Church. Parents: Even Christiansen and Agnethe Nielsdatter Liereie. Source: Ringsaker Churchbook 1850-60, folio 15 b.

Confirmation: Even Christiansen Steenseie chr. 11/2-1827. Confirmation 20/8-1843. Parents: Christian Larsen and Christine Evensdatter. Source: Ringsaker Churchbook 1837-50, folio 230 b.

(29.11.2000)

JAKE N. ROGNES: "Jakes N. Rognes, an influential citizen, a progressive and prosperous farmer residing in Washington Coulee, Town of Franklin, Jackson County passed away at his home on July 5, 1921, after a period of four weeks confinement most of the time to his bed, aged 59 years, 4 months and 28 days. 

Mr. Rognes had not been in the best of health for a number of years, but it was nothing serious until June 19th when he submitted to an operation and it was found he was suffering from cancer of the stomach. 

The deceased was born on February 7, 1862 in Nordfyard (Nordfjord), Norway and emigrated to America together with his parents in 1870. The family formerly settled on a homestead on which he lived at the time of his death. Mr. Rognes was a man with ambition, thrift and perserverance, hence he soon transformed his quarter section of primeval forest (at that time) into a productive, well developed farm with a beautiful home for himself and his family. 

On June 3, 1895 he was married to Miss Agnetta Andeson which union was blessed with 12 children, one of which died in infancy, the other living and making their home with the parents except Mrs. Axel Hanson. 

Mr. Rognes was a man of sterling charter good habits and cheery disposition and was frequently chosen to represent this community in various public offices; in the congreation, in the school district and in the town. In short he was a man who would express his opinion on public questions and it was always found he used good judgement and was reliable. 

The funeral took place on July 7, 1921, at 1:00 p.m at the home and 2:00 p.m. at the church, Rev. A. Boe officiating, preaching a beautiful sermon to a well filled church. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. 

In the death of Mr. Rognes this community lost a good citizen, a church a staunch friend, the home a kind father and a loving husband. 

The pall bearers he had selected himself and they were: Ed Roseland, John Rickolson, Jens Tjorstad, Nels Twesme, Carl Hagestad and Ed Stone. 

Precious father, he has left us; left us, yes forever more, but we hope to meet our loved one, on that bright and happy shore. Lonely the house and sadly the home, since our dear one has gone, but oh! a brighter home than ours in heaven is now his own." THE BLAIR PRESS - July 17, 1921 

An obituary on his wife includes the following: Nettie Anderson Rogness was born April 19, 1876 in Biri, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Anderson. She married to Jacob Rogness in June 1894. Survivors inclue: Miss Christine Rogness at home; Mrs. Axel Hanson (Minnie) of Tomah and (Laura) Mrs. Theodore Johnson, Ettrick; Leonard and Hilman at home in Ettrick; Nick and Elvin, Ettrick; Sanford, Monona, Iowa; and Helmer, Hixton, WI. She died April 7, 1954. (13.03.01 Geir Thorud)

They were married in America and built a farm in Murdoch MN. They got three children: Sidney 1906-1970, Borghild 1909-1987 and Lillian 1918-. They have today May 2000, 25 descendants. (Heljar Westlie) 

They changed names to Gilbert and Julia Bakkum and lived in St. Ansgar IA. They had two children, Olga Petra 1901-1969 and Birger (Benny) 1903-1953, before they emigrated and got six more. Albert 1906-1925, John Ludwig 1908-1989, Clarence 1912-1991, Gerhard 1913-1944, Annie Marie, 1918-1993 and Glen 1921-1951. They have today, May 2000, about 70 descendants. (Heljar Westlie)