Ellef Tollefson was born November 14, 1865 at Aavitsland, Evje, Aust Adger, Norway to Tellef Eilifson and Guru Jonsdatter. He immigrated to the United States in July 1887 and landed at Ishpeming, Michigan. This picture was taken at Lidbergs studio in Ishpeming, Michigan He married Hilda Jorgenson in about 1890, probably in Ashland Wisconsin. Their first child was born in Ashland and the second in Stephen, Minnnesota. They then farmed at Beltrami in Polk County, Minnesota from about 1895 to about 1912. The rest of their lives were spent in Pennington county near Goodridge, Minnesota. Ellef died August 4, 1955 and is buried at the Reiner church near Goodridge, Minnesota.

The parents of Ellef Tollefson were Tellef Eilifson and Guru Johnsdatter. Tellef was born March 30, 1822 at Odde, Evje, Aust Adger, Norway and Died February 4, 1901 in Norway. Guru was born at Omli, Injordet, Norway and died December 25, 1896 in Norway. They had 10 children, four of whom came to the United States.

Hilda Jorgenson was born November 1, 1863 at Vatendal, Ovre Sirdal, Vest Agder, Norway to Jergen Thorkaldson and Helga Bjorndatter. She immigrated to the United States in about 1889. This picture was taken at Baileys studio in Ashland, Wisconsin. She and Ellef had 7 children in addition to Henry who was born to she and Halvor Pederson Ostabo in Norway. Hilda passed away March 3, 1934 and is buried at the Reiner church near Goodridge, Minnesota.

Ellef and Hilda (Jorgenson)Tollefson family. Back row: Henry, Gina, Tillie, Bertine (Babe) and George. Front row: Anne, Tellef, Hilda, Ellef and Hannah. Anne made the dresses for herself, her mother, Hannah and Gina. The picture was probably taken in about 1920.

This is a wedding picture of Henry Tollefson and Anna Sondreal. I don't know the date but it must have been in about 1916. With them on the picture is Henry's sister Hannah and a brother of Anna.

This is a picture of two of Ellef Tollefson's sisters (Stor) Anne and (Lil) Anne. Stor mean big and lil means little. It seems strange to use the same twice in a family but that was sometimes done in Norway. The two sisters did not come to the USA together. Stor Anne came in 1885 and Lil Anne shortly after that. They both married here. Stor Anne had met her husband to be at the Nickel mine at Aavitsland where he worked before coming to the United States. This picture was taken June 19, 1889 before lil Anne left Michigan to go to Washington. Stor Anne's two children on the picture were Gusta Amelie and Johan Teodor and Lil Anne child was Anne Bertina Gurine.

This family picture was taken in about 1902. The family from left to right in back row John Teodor, born December 25, 1888, Stor Anne and Emma born November 4,1893. In the front row are Gilbert, born July 8, 1891, Edward, George Edward (on dad's lap), born October 23, 1901 and Anna, born January 14, 1899. Stor Anne died December 5, 1910 in Everett Washington.

This family picture was taken in about 1902. From left to right on the picture are back row, John Teodor, born September 17, 1894, Ann Bertina Gurine, born May 19, 1888, and Tomine Emile Johanna, born April 13, 1892 and front row Anne Amanda Siri, born September 17, 1900, Guro Adrene Sofie, born February 2, 1897, Lil Anne and on her lap Andrew, born March 14, 1902. Lil Anne died January 2, 1935.

This family picture of Siri Tellefsdatter and her family was taken sometime before Siri's death in 1936. From left to right are Olaf born 28 August 1896, Tellef born 30 December 1892, Emma born 28 April 1890, John born 28 April 1886, Sven born 18 November 1883, Marie born 29 March 1879, Gurine born 1 Nov 1877 and Anne born 19 September 1875. One child, Oline was born 20 June 1881 and died in 1908. In the front is Siri,

This is a picture of Siri Tellefsdatter taken in 1827 with an unidentified daughter in law. Siri was born to Tellef Eilefson and Guro Johnsdatter 15 June 1851 and died in 1936.

This picture was processed on March 11, 1932 and is of members of the Tollefson family. From Left to right. Agnes, Henry, Tillie, Ellef, Babes, Hilda, Gina, Bertha Anderson (Hilda's sister), Violet, Hannah, Elmer Olson, and Tellef. The children across the front are unidentified but are probably Wesley and Joan Habedank, Ruth and Sidney Olson, Harvey, Stanly. and Virgil Tollefson

Ole Tollefson was born October 11, 1858 at Aavitsland, Evje, Aust Adger, Norway to Tellef Eilifson and Guru Jonsdatter. He was married in Norway, April 13, 1887 to Gunvor Jorgensdatter. He immigrated to the United States in about 1887. He and Gunvor had 13 children total. At least 5 of the children were born in Calumet, Michigan. They raised 8 but lost 3 of them to TB in the early part of this century so only 5 lived long lives. Three, Tinus, Alida and Sophie married and had families. Gunvor died January 20, 1920. June 20, 1923 Ole married Sigrid Bakken who he had known in his youth in Norway. Ole died January 06, 1936 in Beltrami, MN.

This picture is the children of Tinus Tollefson, Son of Ole Tollefson. Ole was born at Aavitsland, Norway. From left Bert and wife Anita, Russel and wife Darlene, Raymond and wife Marian, Dwain and wife Nancy, Doris and husband Fred, Paul and wife Elaine, Roger and wife Barbara, and Joyce.

This is Wilhelm the son of Terje Aavitsland, and his wife Evy. It may well be a wedding picture.

This is a picture of Wilhelm Aavitsland, his wife Evy and two of their children.

The farm was purchased by Ole Tollefson in about 1900. He lived here until his death in 1936 and his bachelor sons, John and Albert continued to live in this house. John died in 1975 and Albert in 1989. It has been abandoned since they moved out.