Individual Details

Following the patronymic naming custom which was predominant in Norway, based on the father's given name, Peter's name was Peter Eliasen--Peter, the son of Elias. This "last name" changed with each generation. Adopting a farm name as a surname was also common, particularly towards the end of the 19th century, thus Peter Eliasen became Peter E. Aavik, later changed to Ovik which was likely how Aavik was pronounced.

From the 1865 folketellingen for the Frosta Prestegjeld in Nord-Trondelag, we find hi father was Elias Guttormsen, born about 1825 or 1826 at N. Stordalens Prestegjeld. His mother was Petternela Larsdatter, born about 1822 or 1823 at Frostens Prestegjeld. There were seven children in the household in 1865: Karen A. Eliasdatter, age 15, Lornts Eliasen, age 12, Edvard Eliasen, age 10, Peter Eliasen, age 7, Elen A. Eliasdatter, age 6, Gine Eliasdatter, 3, and Pauline Eliasdatter, age 1.



Obituary: 1935, from an unnamed newspaper, copy received Feb 1996 from Ray Ovick.
PIONEER COMFORT TOWN RESIDENT PASSES AWAY
Peter E. Ovick Succumbs After Long Period of Suffering
Peter E. Ovick, who had lived in Comfort township, Kanabec county, 32 years in May, passed away Sunday morning, June 9. He had been suffering from rheumatism and other ailments for the past five years. Mr. Ovick was a highly respected farmer of the community and will be sadly missed among his family and many friends.
Peter E. Ovick was born April 24, 1858, at Aasen, Norway, and on October 19, 1877, was married at Heggre Stordalen, Norway, to Ingeborg Steageborg, who survives him with twelve sons and daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Ovick came to Goodhue county in the state of Minnesota 55 years ago, and lived there until coming to this county. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ovick, two having preceded their father in death. The living children are Lillie, Segurd, Emil, Albert and Bernard at home; Mrs. Dan Danielson (Ida), Mrs. Hilmer Heft (Clara), Engmar and Arthur of Comfort township; Louis of Hinckley, Victor of Pine City, and Mrs. Elmer Knutson (Inga) of Montevideo. The deceased is also survived by three sisters, one in Norway, and Mrs. Andrew Seem of Eau Claire,Wisconsin, and Mrs. Seveart Fossom of St. Paul; 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Rev. J.J. Dahle of Grantsburg, Wisconsin conducted funeral services at the Ovick home Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock and the Reverends Dahle and Chas. A. Odahl of Brunswick both officiated at the church services held at Grasston. The following grandsons were active pallbearers: Conrad, Morris, Melford, Alfred and Robert Ovick, and Johnny Danielson. Two grandsons, Raymond and Morris Ovick, and a great granddaughter, Chloe Jaques, were flower bearers.
Interment was in the Grasston Lutheran cemetery.

Additional Source Information:
(1) "The Story of Peter and Engaborg Ovik" prepared for the Ovick Family Reunion, August 2001, by Carol Alexander, 226 Deer Meadow Dr., Gahanna, Ohio, 43230.

Birth	24 Apr 1858	Frosta-Asen, Nord-Trondelag, Norway
Christen	6 Jun 1858	Frosta-Asen, Nord-Trondelag, Norway
Marriage	19 Oct 1877	Church of Hegra in the parish of Ovre Stjordal - Ingeborg Stageberg
Emigration	Sep 1881
Naturalization	4 Mar 1898	Zumbrota, Min.
Death	9 Jun 1935	Grasston, Kanabec County, Minnesota
Burial	12 Jun 1935	Grasston, Kanabeck County, Minnesota, Grasston Union Cemetery
Alt name		Peter E. Ovick

Spouse	Ingeborg Stageberg (1852 - 1937)
Child	Engmar Paul Ovick (1877 - )
Child	Ida Ovick (1878 - 1954)
Child	John Peter (Bernt) Ovick (1879 - 1903)
Child	(Male child) Ovick (1881 - )
Child	Bernhard Ovick (1883 - 1961)
Child	Clara Ovick (1885 - 1956)
Child	Louis Ovik (1886 - 1954)
Child	Albert Ovick (1888 - 1957)
Child	Enga Ovick (1889 - )
Child	Emil Ovick (1891 - )
Child	Victor Peter Ovick (1893 - )
Child	Sigurd Melvin Ovick (1895 - 1959)
Child	Lillie Ovick (1896 - 1987)
Child	Arthur Willie Ovick (1899 - )

Father	Elias Guttormsen (1825 - )
Mother	Petronella Larsdatter (1822 - )