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Our genealogy: * Aker (NORWAY->IL->SD) * Vigleik (William) Pederson AKER (Lee County, IL) * Lars P. AKER * Shafer * Williamson | Aker & Pederson Genealogy FORUMS including AKER and PEDERSON and Norway (older) GenForums Popular Genealogy Surname Forum Searches: * Ancestry * GenForum surname searches * Rootsweb genealogy message boards Findagrave.com * Tombstone searches * SD Akers |
Pre-"generation 1": Aker Ancestors * Generation 1: Per and Kari Aaker * Generation 2: Vigleik Pederson Aker | Lars Pederson Aker | and others * Generation 3: Vigleik and Marita's family: 1. Anna "Karoline PEDERSON JOHNSON 1860-1885,Vigleik and Maggie's family: 1. Swen PEDERSON 1891-1986Lars and Gyri's family: 1. Peder L. AKER 1868/9 | Becky Scherr* Peder Williamson's life story including the SD Blizzard of 1888 * Generation 4: Peter and Anna Williamson family * plus yearly notes and Paul Williamson's family history exerpts, Garretson (SD) Weekly |
1790: Per Asbjornson Aaker was born on the Sorfjord (S�rfjorden) of Hardanger, Norway 1809: 19 year old Per married 28 year old Jarond Mattisdtr Kvaestad (1781-1819) 1810: Per and Jarond had their first of five children 1819: Jarond died (aged 38) 1822: Per, with five children aged 4 to 12, married 26 year old Kari Oldstr Roynstrand (1796-1881) 1823: Per and Kari had 9 children between 1823 and the 1840s. 1848: Per died while some of his children were still quite young. Kari lived thirty-three more years, dying in 1881. |
Beginning on July 24, 1975, the "Garretson Weekly" (South Dakota) newpaper printed a series of articles by Paul Williamson on his family history. "These two brothers, who became my grandfathers, Lars and Vigleik Aker, were born near Odda, Hardanger, Norway, on the Aakre farm. They were born on the Sorfjord (south fjord) of the beautiful Hardanger Fjord. Quite soon after reaching America, they changed their names to Pederson so the male offspring became Pederson, Aker, and Williamson. For some reason my father, William Pederson, took the name of Peter Williamson." "The Aker-Pederson families, Skjeldaas, Sexe, and Aga all originally lived within a short distance of each other on both sides of the fjord near their cherished Ullensvang Church. Even today (1975) some go by boat to this Church." |
1855: Per and Kari Aaker's 24 year old son, Vigleik, left Norway to settle in America. (See more on him, below) 1856: Marita "Martha" Svensdtr (born March 11, 1835 on the fjord near Ullensvang) left Norway for Lee County, IL on April 28th. She and Vigleik, who took the surname Pederson, married there later in the same year. |
Vigleik and Marita Pederson (1st wife) in Lee, IL on their wedding day in 1856
Vigleik (William) Pederson AKER | Vigleik (William) Pederson AKER married 1st wife in Lee County, IL - 1856 Marita (Martha) Svensdtr SEXE b Mar 11 1835 on the fjord near Ullensvang left for Lee Co. IL on Apr 28 1856 d Oct 14 1886, SE of Garretson, SD Vigleik and Marita had 2 children married 2nd wife sometime after 1886 Margretha (Maggie) Larsdatter Aga "Grandma Maggie" b Feb 28 1869, in Sorfjord, NORWAY d Aug 5 1962 Vigleik and Maggie had 3 children |
1860: Anna "Karoline" Pederson was born to Vigleik and Marita (William and Martha) 1861: Peter Williamson was born to Vigleik and Marita (William and Martha) 1866: (June 18) In Norway, one of Vigleik's younger brothers, Lars, married Gyri Opoldo Skjeldaas. |
Lars P. and Gyri Aker "were married in the Ullensvang Church in Norway... At their wedding in Norway there were seven other couples married the same day in their church so it was no wonder that they had plenty of violin music for their processions. In that day there were no roads along the fjord so many row boats no doubt were tied up to the shore at the west side of the church. Even today (1975) some come across from the other side but do use motors." (Grandpa and Grandma Aker celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on their homestead southeast of Garretson, SD on June 20, 1916. The same year, they moved into Garretson and Palmer Williamson became owner and operator of the old homestead. Family members celebrated the 100th anniversary of Grandpa and Grandma Aker settling in the Garretson SD area in 1974, and the 100th anniversary of Grandpa and Grandma Aker-Pederson settling there, too, in 1975.) (Paul Williamson) |
Lars and Julia on their 50th wedding anniversary June 20 1916 (see their family)
Lars Person AKER (aka Lars P. Pederson) |
On Jun 18 1866 in NORWAY Lars married
Gjyri (Gyri) "Julia" Opoldo Skjeldaas (or Skeldaas) |
1867: Vigleik and Marita with Anna Karoline (aged 7) and Peter Williamson (aged 6) moved to Ridgeway, IA. 1868, spring: Lars and Gyri left Norway to join friends and relatives living in Lee Co. IL where Vigleik and Marita had lived until the year before. 1868 or 1869: Lars and Gyri' first child, Peder L. Aker, was born in Lee County IL. 1869: Lars, Gryi, and baby Peder moved west near Vigleik in Ridgeway, IA. 1871: Lars and Gyri had their second child, Anna. 1874: Wanting to move further west, Lars and his family packed a covered wagon and joined the Jordahl, Rollag, Bjerk, Sexe, and other families headed for the western part of Rock County, Minnesota. |
Children of Vigleik (William) and Marita PEDERSON:
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Children of Vigleik and Maggie PEDERSON:
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1. Peder L. AKER b 29 Dec 1868 IL m Anna JORDAHL d 16 Mar 1955 ND 11 children below Source: Becky Scherr, 2009 | 2. Anna Pederson AKER b May 7 1871, Ridgeway, IA m Sep 25 1887 to 1 cousin Peder Williamson AKER to Garretson, SD, 1914 d Feb 24 1955, Sioux Falls, SD children: see below | 3. Martha Pederson AKER b m Mr. EPPERSON d | 4. Gertie Pederson AKER b |
5. Julia Pederson AKER b m Mr. PEARSON d | 6.
Carrie Pederson AKER b m Mr. ROGERS d | 7.
Lena Pederson AKER b m Mr. ROGERS d | 8.
Willie PEDERSON b m ? d |
9.
Teddie PEDERSON b m ? d |
Lars and Gyri Aker's family back row - Carrie Rogers, Anna Williamson, Peder Aker, Julia Pearson, Martha Epperson, Gertie Wangsness front row - Lena Rogers, (father) Lars Aker, Teddie Pederson, (mother) Gyri Aker, Willie Pederson. |
1887: Vigleik (William) Pederson Aker's son, Peder Williamson, married his first cousin, Lars Pederson Aker's daughter, Anna Pederson Aker. Their children are listed below, after Peter's autobiography. |
Peder Williamson born 1861 |
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Anna Pederson Aker |
"The following account was written in 1927 by Peter (Peder) Williamson. It was written in the Norwegian language for publication in 'Norske Pioneers Historie of Minnehaha County from 1866 to 1896.' [southeast South Dakota] It reads in English as follows: 'I was born in Lee County, Illinois, in 1861 where my parents had already lived for a few years. When I was six years old I moved with my parents to Ridgeway, Iowa. Here I learned to drive oxen. Dick and Dime were well broke so when they came to a corner then I would only have to command, whoa, back up, go - then they came around so sure and steady that it was a pleasure to plow with them. 'Also at this time I was preparing myself for confirmation as I read for the preacher. Because I was going out wets this year, 1876, I was confirmed alone. Pastor Lysnes asked me, 'What shall you do out west?' Herd cattle, I answered. 'Well, then you will have plenty time to read in the New Testament,' he said. I promised him that I would do this and I can say that I tried to keep this promise. 'So we went together with many other families and left Ridgeway and Cresco this year (1876). We had many troublesome happenings on the way. The trails were poor but things still went forward. The worst thing that happened was when we got near Jackson, Minnesota, where we got into a Roverkule (band of rustlers) who took eight head of cattle from us. From that time on we kept watch night and day until we reached our destination. Now it was my job to go out to herd cattle and sheep. This went well but it took a lot of patience. The sheep were very lazy when it was warm and it took a lot of work to hold the cattle away from the many small fields of grain that were here and there. One day I met a Telemark woman and I thought she said 'You should have a whipping' (juling). Then my heart started hopping in me for I was afraid that maybe the cattle had been over in her grain fields. But a little later I got a better understanding of what she had said. She had said, 'You are a smart boy' (juling). This was a difference in Telemark and Hardanger dialect. So I met her often with kaka (cake) for me. Her name was Kari Rollag. 'One day I and another boy (cousin John A. Johnson) were down near Tokheim Creek herding when we decided to take a bath. However, when we were splashing around in the water we heard hollering and crying and then saw two young girls come running over the prairie. They were out driving their oxen and had gotten stuck down in the creek bottom. They wanted help. Yes we would help them but first we had to get our clothes back on. This did not take long but by that time the oxen had either gotten a rest or didn't want to stand longer so with a good slap they took off again. These were the Joiness (Albert Thompson) girls who we soon got acquainted with. Three of the youngest Thompson children died and were buried at sea. 'So time marches on and I soon find myself grown up. On the 25th of September, 1887 I was married to Anna Pederson Aker. We did not take any wedding trip until the 12th of January, 1888 and this came very near to being our last trip in this life. They who were here remember well that day. This was the worst blizzard in man's memory. The morning of ths day was quite cold but later in the morning it warmed up so the weather was right for about a three mile drive to visit my wife's brother Peder L. Aker and his wife Anna (Jordahl). They lived a little east of the Ullensvang Church. As the weather warmed up the snow came down very heavy. In a short time the terrific wind struck. We got the team hitched up and started for home but the storm became practically impossible. 'Finally we became stuck in a large snowdrift with the northwest wind at a rage. The horses were not able to go any longer against this storm. Night and darkness came upon us and we thought we were not too far from our home. So I thought I should walk ahead against the storm to try to find our home. I soon lost my directions and didn't know where I was. I began to holler with my loudest voice but because of the roaring wind my young wife could not hear me. Finally I thought I could hear a little voice, but from what direction I could not tell. Luckliy I found my way back. By now the horses were very tired and nervous so we turned around and went with the storm. We finally arrived back at a neighbor (Tokheim) three miles away. We were very glad and are thankful to this day. Here we got a hearty welcome and stayed until the storm was over." |
Name | Born | Spouse | Children | Home | Died | Contacts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Martin WILLIAMSON |
Sep 7 1888 | Alma STROMME 20 Nov 1891 Oct 1975 SD Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
Perry (m Shirley RISTY) Elmo (m Dorothy REESE) Vernon (m Phyllis HOLZAPHEL) |
Garretson, SD & MN | Feb 11 1966 MN buried Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
Mary |
Lewis WILLIAMSON |
Dec 26 1890 | Lizzie AAKER 1894-1986 buried Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
Palmer (m Ione -?-) |
Garretson, SD | Jun 22 1963 (72) buried Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
. |
Julia "Dulla" WILLIAMSON |
Feb 21 1893 | George TVEDT m 1915 |
Arnold (m Ann -?-) Evelyn (m Richard KRIENS) |
Garretson, SD | Oct 1985 SD |
. |
Agnes WILLIAMSON |
Nov 10 1897 | Gerald McMAHON |
Marjorie (m Darrell AUTHIER) Marilyn "Tunke" (m John KROLL) |
Garretson, SD | Oct 1986 SD |
. |
Mabel Louise WILLIAMSON confirmed 1916 |
Jun 20 1900 | Lawrence Chester SHAFER m 1920 |
Shirley Gylaine (1922-2007) (m G.E. "Duke" SWEEN) Gwendolyn Jean (1924-1927) June Martha (m Donald Lyle GEIVER) |
Orchard Heights (Sioux Falls) |
27 Oct 1982 obit |
Sween |
Clara P. WILLIAMSON confirmed 1919 |
Sep 9 1904 | Joseph William FRANKS 1903-1952 (48-49) buried Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
Joseph (m Polly -?-) Patricia (m Terry BARTHOLOMEW) |
Garretson, SD | 1976 buried Zion Lutheran, Garretson, SD |
. |
Paul WILLIAMSON |
May 27 1908 | Hazel LARSON |
Paul (m Myrth GOODFELLOW ) Arla (m Miles OLSON ) David (m Shirley JULSON ) Sidney (m Judy BUHLER ) |
Garretson, SD | Apr 1987 SD |
Eileen Swier |
Donald Lamont WILLIAMSON |
Jan 14 1915 | Helen GRIFFITH 7 Mar 1913 4 Feb 1991 SD Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery |
Nancy (m Floyd HANSON) Ann (THORESON?) (m Roger THORSEN) Peter (m Ellen GARDNER) Mark |
Garretson, SD | Jan 24 2000 SD Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery |
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Peder L. and Anne (JORDAHL) (ERIKSDATTER) AKER Provided by Becky Scherr, April 2009 PEDER L. AKER was born 29 Dec 1868 in Illinois, and died 16 Mar 1955 in Des Lacs (Ward Co), North Dakota. He was buried in the Rose Valley Lutheran cemetery, in rural Des Lacs, ND. He married ANNE (JORDAHL) ERIKSDATTER 28 Aug 1887 in Garretson, South Dakota, daughter of ERIK ESTENSEN and ANNE ANDERSDATTER. Notes for ANNE (JORDAHL) ERIKSDATTER: Anne came to America about 1885 with her brother Austin. They settled in the Beaver Creek area in southwestern Minnesota. Anne is buried at West Palisades Cemetery, which is about five miles northwest of Beaver Creek (Rock Co), Minnesota. [This is just across the state line southeast of Garretson, SD]More About PEDER AKER and ANNE ERIKSDATTER: Marriage: 28 Aug 1887, Garretson (Minnehaha Co), South DakotaChildren of PEDER AKER and ANNE ERIKSDATTER are:
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