Lars Eirikson Lødve, b. 1796; emigrated 1837

Lars Eirikson Lødve was the son of Eirik Madson Lødve (1768 – 1841) and Ranveig Larsdatter Meringen (c1766 – before 1841). He was the 6^th born of their 10 children and the 4^th son. He was born 3 Sep 1796 and baptized at Voss on 11 Sep 1876.Lars was married on 23 Mar 1824 to Herborg Torkelsdatter Våle. She was the daughter of Torkel Johannessen Våle (1796 – 1839) and Ragnild Olsdatter Lille Skiple (1773 – 1853). She was the first child born in a family of 5 girls. She was baptizedon the 23 July 1797 at Voss. They lived at Våle, Voss and had 4 children born there. On 7 Mar 1837 they all set sail for America.

He spent brief periods of time in Chicago, Beaver Creek, and the Fox River Settlement. He settle in Ottawa for 4 years and found work on the canal project and later became an assistant surveyor (chainman).He then took up farming on the property he had purchased outside of town.

In 1841 they are found in LaSalle county, Illinois near the Fox River and 7 miles from Ottawa. Lars had purchased 26 acres of land for which he paid $260. It was woodland and was near to where other Norwegians had settled. His eldest son Eirik was working in a store and earning $100 per year plus clothing. His daughters Randvei and Ragnild also worked for him but earned different amounts. Randvei earned 3 orts a week, but no clothing and Ragnild earned food, clothing, and schooling. Torkel was at home and perhaps he was helping his father. Lars and Herborg were also new parents to a son Charles Benjamin who was born 13 Apr 1841.

Lars and his family stayed in the Fox River area and his sons Torkel and Charles helped to divide the counties and served on the town councils. His son Eirik served in the Mexican war, and he and his brother Torkel were among the first gold prospectors in California. In 1848 Lars officially became a citizen of the United States.

By 1850 the census shows them living in Rutland in LaSalle County, Illinois. Lars’ real estate is then valued at $600. By 1855 he is shown to have $930 worth of livestock. By 1860 he has increased his real estate holdings to $4480 and has personal assets of $800.

Lars wrote many letters writing of the opportunities and encouraging folks to come to America. He liked his new home and the opportunities it presented to him and his family. He lived to be 75 years old and Herborg outlived him by 4 years. They adopted Erickson as their surname.

Their son Eirik (9 May 1824 – 1850) died unmarried in California.

Randvei became known as Marinda (24 Aug 1826 – 1907, Chicago) was married twice. Her first husband Abraham Keefer died in 180 in California. He went there with Marinda’s brother Eirik. They had a daughter Esther. Marinda then married Steffan Sherman, a fellow Vossing who was born Steffan Sjurson Gjerald. He had emigrated with his parents in 1844. They had 3 children.

Torkel (22 Feb 1829 – 19 Aug 1883) also was in California and in 1853 he went to Australia, returning to the USA via England. He married Helen Pearson (13 Jan 1840 – 11 May 1917) in Chicago in March 1858. They had 11 children.

Ragnhild, later known as Nellie (6 Sep 1831 – 1901) was married in 1857 to J. G. Seward who died of wounds he suffered in the Civil War. She married again about 1890 to Peter Cornelius Nelson (20 Jan 1830 – 10 Dec 1904). Peter was the son of Norwegian immigrants.

Charles (14 Apr 1841 – 23 Jan 1930) was married to Anna Nelson (22 Jan 1845 – 6 Oct 1934). They moved to Iowa and lived in Humboldt County. They were the parents of 9 children.

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