Individual Details
Jens Jensen Winsness
(2 Apr 1882 - 17 Jun 1956)
At the age of 19, Jens came to the United States from Norway. He went to Wisconsin and worked in the lumber industry. Later he moved to N. Dakota and eventually farmed the Goss farm where he met Emma while she was working on a cook car for the thrashing crews. They married on 11/21/11 and had two sons and one daughter. Jens bought the Goss farm and entertained numerous grandchildren before the death of Emma in 1954 and himself in 1956. The farm remains in the family and continues to be frequently visited by Cora who operated the farm partnership after John's death.
The farm was visited again by John and Charlotte Winsness and Jim and Bev Winsness in September 1996. What an emotional experience to realize this was the initial home of the Winsness family in the US. That farm paid for the educations of all of Jens' grandchildren!
Thanks Jens!
Jim Winsness 7/31/1997 Emigrated to America from Trondhjem, Norway on the vessel "SELMA". Arrived at the port of NY 7 Apr 1905. There were 4 brothers. 2 died young.
Jens' father died when he was only 7 and then he was raised by his brother and mother.
Actually, the vessel Selma traveled from Trondheim to Liverpool England and from there he had to sail on another ship to arrive in NY.
Homestead in ND was called Kiner Place and was the post office. Also was a stop for stage coach lines along the James River.
The family name Winsness came from the farm name Vinsnes in Norway south of Trondhjem.
---------------
John Sellie provided more information: Con Sellie first farmed the Goss Farm. He wanted to know if John Goss could be trusted so before he agreed to rent and farm that farm, he went to the food store and asked if John Goss was a good man. They told him he would 'earn your wages' to which he replied "but will I be paid them?" They replied yes and he said that was good enough for him. Con Sellie then began operating the Goss Farm. Sometime after that, Jens Winsness came and became a hired hand on the farm. Con sent Jens to get the cook each day, Emma, and they married. Con Sellie moved to another farm leaving Jens the opportunity to rent the Goss farm which he did until he purchased it in the 40's.
--------------- Obituary--------------
6-17-56
Jens Winsness Rites Held Wednesday
Funeral services were held from the First Lutheran Church of Fessenden for Jens Winsness, who had farmed in Hamberg township for the past 55 years.
Mr. Winsness died at his home Sunday. He had not had ill health and his death came as somewhat of a shock to those who knew him.
Mr. Winsness was born in Norway April 2, 1882. He came to this area about 55 years ago. On November 21, 1911 he married Emma Bjugstad of Sheldon. His wife died in 1954.
Mr. Winsness had been active in community affairs and was well known in this area.
He leaves a son, John, and a daughter, Mrs. Cora Mathews, both of Philadelphia and a son Arnold of Watford City.
Six grand children and one nephew survive.
The Rev. A. B. Solberg conduct-ed the service. Burial was made in Hillside cemetery. Neuenschwander Bros. Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were Earl Zumpf, Bert Brynteson, Fred Mohr, M.C. Soiberg, John Sellie and Garlen Seidel.-
Honorary pallbearers were Tony Michalek, Paul Seidel, Olaf Boilingberg, Dr. W. K. Taylor, Arnold Quarve, August Wahl.
1930 Federal Census:
Winsness
T 626, # 1745, ED # 52-18, sh # 1-A 135: North Dakota, Wells Co., Hamburg
Township.
# 4 Winsness, Jens: head, owns home, no radio, lives on a farm, M, W, 48,
married at age 29, can read/write, b. Norway, father b. Norway, mother b.
Norway, Language Norwegian, immigrated 1905, naturalized citizen, can speak
English, farmer on a general farm, employer.
Emma: wife, F, W, 42, married at age 23, b. ND, father b. Norway, mother b.
Sweden.
Joseph: son, M, W, 17, s, school, R/W, born ND, father b. Norway, mother b.
ND.
Cora: daughter, F, W, 15, s, school, R/W, b. same.
Arne: son, M, W, 11, s, school, R/W, b. same.
Larson, Henry: Boarder, M, W, 32, s, R/W, SD, Norway, Iowa.
Ballingberg, Helman: Handyman: M, W, 28, s, R/W, Norway, Norway, Norway.
Stone, Elmer: Handyman, M, W, 24, s, R/W, ND, Norway, WI.
Jens left Trondheim on the ship S/S Salmo on March 22, 1905 with that ship's destination of Hull, England. Jens arrived in NY at Ellis Island on April 6th on the ship Oceanic from Liverpool England. Age at time of arrival shown as 22. Place of residence shown as Trondheim.
Homestead in ND was called Kiner Place and was the post office. Also was a stop for stage coach lines along the James River.
The family name Winsness came from the farm name Vinsnes in Norway south of Trondhjem.
Notice his father was a Rogstadplassen - how did the name get changed?
First, Kari Vinsnes marred Jens Olsen Rogstadplassen. The name Rogstadplassen means Rogstad person - and I'm not sure if Rogstad was a farm name or small town as there is a town Rogstad down the road from Singsaas but hey, there are people named Singsaas also. Jens Olsen moved to live with Kari on the farm Vinsnes and so he would then be known as Jens Olsen Vinsnes actually as he then lived at Vinsnes. We didn't want to show it that way as we lose what little lineage we have on him.
So in reality, his name was Jens Jensen Vinsnes all his life until he came to the US.
He could not speak or read English. The passenger manifest shows his name as Jens Jensen Vinsnas.
His citizenship papers named him as Jens Winsness. His marriage document originally was filed in Fessenden with his name terribly misspelled but it was corrected.
---
Jens Farm Land History:
The SW 1/4 of section 24 was granted to Anna Dwyer on August 2, 1895 by President Grover Cleveland. In 1920 Anna Dwyer sold it to Mary V. Jackson. On the same day Mary V. Jackson sold it to Ann Dwyer and Burt Jackson (Burt Jackson was married to Mary Jackson) Then, filed on September 4, 1920 was a document dated February 29, 1916 where Anna Dwyer sells to Jens Winsness the land for $6,000 paid as $1,500 immediately and then $500 on each first day of March, starting 1917 and ending in 1925. In 1934, Jens took out a loan on the property for $1,600 which was satisfied in 1943. The estate of Jens received title in 1957, and dad transferred his third to his 3 boys in 1970.
The southern half section of section 25 was granted to John F. Goss on September 9, 1895 by President Grover Cleveland. That is followed by numerous mortgages between John F Goss and Vina K Goss where they mortgaged the property, satisfied that mortgage, and mortgaged it again over and over. But on November 13, 1914 there is a record that says "Jacob Piedt and Christiana Piedt, his wife - to - First National Bank of Fessenden where it looks like the Piedt somehow was able to take out a mortgage on the property that was settled on Dec. 4, 1915. I don't see where they got the land from Goss, however, they sold it back to Goss on January 11, 1919. OH - I see now as it says on a Quit Claim Deed dated January 11, 1919 Jacob Piedt to John F. Goss "It appearing that the said parties of the first part have by mistake mortgaged the above described premises, at two different times, one mortgage recorded in Book 10 of Mortgages, page 156, the other in Book 67 of Mortgages, page 90, both of which mortgages are now satisfied and are no lien upon the real estate. That this Quit Claim Deed is given for the express purpose to set aside any doubt as to the title which may arise thru the said mistake. Acknowledged January 14, 1919 by Jacob Piedt and Christiana Piedt, his wife before Albert Hope....." Then there were many more mortgage transactions by the Goss family until Jens Winsness purchased it by quit claim deed dated February 27, 1952 where he purchased it from the state who had taken the land I guess for failure to pay taxes.
I thought that was interesting - the Piedt family had on 2 occasions taken out loans based on the Goss property! All the time, the farm was operated by Jens and Emma. I would imagine that it was not the most secure feeling to work land that has mortgage after mortgage on it always wondering if you were going to be able to continue.
The south half section of section 26 was first granted to Lambert M. Hardy on Dec. 19, 1888 by President Benjamin Harrison but also on June 29, 1895 by Grover Cleveland - I don't know why there are 2 Patent deeds for the same property. He sold it to John F. Goss on Sept. 2, 1907. There are again numerous mortgages between Goss and companies until on May 2, 1944, Jens purchases the land.
It is interesting that Jens and Emma never owned the land they lived on until February 27, 1952 having purchased the 1/4 section in section 24, and the 1/2 section in section 26 previously. Emma died 2 years after they purchased that land and house.
The family has come a long way since Jens set foot in New York on April 6, 1905 with $5 in his pocket. What a man! And what a woman was Emma to have lived through all that and to have been such a respected person. It is simply humbling to me to imagine those people. Simply humbling!
At the age of 19, Jens came to the United States from Norway. He went to Wisconsin and worked in the lumber industry. Later he moved to N. Dakota and eventually farmed the Goss farm where he met Emma while she was working on a cook car for the thrashing crews. They married on 11/21/11 and had two sons and one daughter. Jens bought the Goss farm and entertained numerous grandchildren before the death of Emma in 1954 and himself in 1956. The farm remains in the family and continues to be frequently visited by Cora who operated the farm partnership after John's death.
Jean Winsness told Warren the following about milk at the farm:
"I talked to Mom about the milk. She says that they had the separator that was used to separate cream from milk. Then they put the cream and milk cans in the basement where it was cool before taking them to town. They had to go to town every day or so to take the milk & cream to the creamery before the milk would turn bad. She said that Grandma Emma had customers in town that my Dad would take milk, cream, eggs and fresh chickens. Grandma was both a hard worker and entrepreneurial. Mom said they did about the same thing on the homestead farm where she grew up.
Grandma had an ice box used to keep milk, butter, etc. cool until they got electricity in 1948 when Grandma got a refrigerator."
The lake above the Winsnes farm in Norway is named Vindtjonna and the stream from the lake met the river forming an elbow which in Norwegian is 'nes'. People living there were from Vindnes which became Winsnes. When Jens filed for citizenship, he added another 's' to the name.
From Jens Winsnes in April 2007:
He left Singsaas with four friends in March 1905. His friends were: John Estensen Vinsnes, Ingebrigt Andersen Vinsnes, Holde Ingebrigtsen Langrødtrø and Hans Svendsen Winsnesmo. They left Trondheim with the SS Salmo on the 22nd of March 1905. They have stated different destinations in the US, Hans - Tyler MN, Ingebrigt and Jens - Stanlev WI, John - Astoria OR, Holde - Boston MASS. I do know that Ingebrigt, John and Jens arrived in NY together April (and probably Hans as well, but I can't find his records...). Holde seems to have gone straight to Boston, as he had signed up with another line than the rest in Trondheim...
Added in 2011:
Only a few years ago was I told the story that Tony Michalek stood up for Jens when he could not pay the taxes and the farm was to be auctioned off at the courthouse. Tony told everyone not to bid on the farm. I mentioned it to Modesta this afternoon in an email - here is her reply:
"This is in the '30's that this happened and happened to many of the farmers. Jens came over and everyone was very sober and serious as a young girl I knew there was a problem and left the room. A few days later Dad came home and told mom that he stood by Jens and no one bid. Many years later I learned what happened. My folks always told me it didn't matter where you lived, but if you had good neighbors that was a treasure. Jens and Emma where their good neighbors."
Kids - pass this story on. If there is one thing I see in my kids and their families, friends top everything in importance - a gift from Jens and Emma?
Jim
--------------------
From Lynn Bueling's research:
Wisness - BjugstadWednesday afternoon at Sheldon occurred the marriage of Miss Emma Bjugstad and James Wisness. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Engerholm at his residence, and immediately after ward the happy couple repaired to the home of the bride where a reception was held and a wedding dinner served. About 75 guests were present and a good time was enjoyed. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Bjugstad of Owego, and is one of the most popular young ladies of that vicinity. The groom is a prominent farmer living near Cathay, this state, where the newly married couple will make their home. [Grand Forks Herald (26 Nov. 1911) submitted by FoFG MZ]
The farm was visited again by John and Charlotte Winsness and Jim and Bev Winsness in September 1996. What an emotional experience to realize this was the initial home of the Winsness family in the US. That farm paid for the educations of all of Jens' grandchildren!
Thanks Jens!
Jim Winsness 7/31/1997 Emigrated to America from Trondhjem, Norway on the vessel "SELMA". Arrived at the port of NY 7 Apr 1905. There were 4 brothers. 2 died young.
Jens' father died when he was only 7 and then he was raised by his brother and mother.
Actually, the vessel Selma traveled from Trondheim to Liverpool England and from there he had to sail on another ship to arrive in NY.
Homestead in ND was called Kiner Place and was the post office. Also was a stop for stage coach lines along the James River.
The family name Winsness came from the farm name Vinsnes in Norway south of Trondhjem.
---------------
John Sellie provided more information: Con Sellie first farmed the Goss Farm. He wanted to know if John Goss could be trusted so before he agreed to rent and farm that farm, he went to the food store and asked if John Goss was a good man. They told him he would 'earn your wages' to which he replied "but will I be paid them?" They replied yes and he said that was good enough for him. Con Sellie then began operating the Goss Farm. Sometime after that, Jens Winsness came and became a hired hand on the farm. Con sent Jens to get the cook each day, Emma, and they married. Con Sellie moved to another farm leaving Jens the opportunity to rent the Goss farm which he did until he purchased it in the 40's.
--------------- Obituary--------------
6-17-56
Jens Winsness Rites Held Wednesday
Funeral services were held from the First Lutheran Church of Fessenden for Jens Winsness, who had farmed in Hamberg township for the past 55 years.
Mr. Winsness died at his home Sunday. He had not had ill health and his death came as somewhat of a shock to those who knew him.
Mr. Winsness was born in Norway April 2, 1882. He came to this area about 55 years ago. On November 21, 1911 he married Emma Bjugstad of Sheldon. His wife died in 1954.
Mr. Winsness had been active in community affairs and was well known in this area.
He leaves a son, John, and a daughter, Mrs. Cora Mathews, both of Philadelphia and a son Arnold of Watford City.
Six grand children and one nephew survive.
The Rev. A. B. Solberg conduct-ed the service. Burial was made in Hillside cemetery. Neuenschwander Bros. Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were Earl Zumpf, Bert Brynteson, Fred Mohr, M.C. Soiberg, John Sellie and Garlen Seidel.-
Honorary pallbearers were Tony Michalek, Paul Seidel, Olaf Boilingberg, Dr. W. K. Taylor, Arnold Quarve, August Wahl.
1930 Federal Census:
Winsness
T 626, # 1745, ED # 52-18, sh # 1-A 135: North Dakota, Wells Co., Hamburg
Township.
# 4 Winsness, Jens: head, owns home, no radio, lives on a farm, M, W, 48,
married at age 29, can read/write, b. Norway, father b. Norway, mother b.
Norway, Language Norwegian, immigrated 1905, naturalized citizen, can speak
English, farmer on a general farm, employer.
Emma: wife, F, W, 42, married at age 23, b. ND, father b. Norway, mother b.
Sweden.
Joseph: son, M, W, 17, s, school, R/W, born ND, father b. Norway, mother b.
ND.
Cora: daughter, F, W, 15, s, school, R/W, b. same.
Arne: son, M, W, 11, s, school, R/W, b. same.
Larson, Henry: Boarder, M, W, 32, s, R/W, SD, Norway, Iowa.
Ballingberg, Helman: Handyman: M, W, 28, s, R/W, Norway, Norway, Norway.
Stone, Elmer: Handyman, M, W, 24, s, R/W, ND, Norway, WI.
Jens left Trondheim on the ship S/S Salmo on March 22, 1905 with that ship's destination of Hull, England. Jens arrived in NY at Ellis Island on April 6th on the ship Oceanic from Liverpool England. Age at time of arrival shown as 22. Place of residence shown as Trondheim.
Homestead in ND was called Kiner Place and was the post office. Also was a stop for stage coach lines along the James River.
The family name Winsness came from the farm name Vinsnes in Norway south of Trondhjem.
Notice his father was a Rogstadplassen - how did the name get changed?
First, Kari Vinsnes marred Jens Olsen Rogstadplassen. The name Rogstadplassen means Rogstad person - and I'm not sure if Rogstad was a farm name or small town as there is a town Rogstad down the road from Singsaas but hey, there are people named Singsaas also. Jens Olsen moved to live with Kari on the farm Vinsnes and so he would then be known as Jens Olsen Vinsnes actually as he then lived at Vinsnes. We didn't want to show it that way as we lose what little lineage we have on him.
So in reality, his name was Jens Jensen Vinsnes all his life until he came to the US.
He could not speak or read English. The passenger manifest shows his name as Jens Jensen Vinsnas.
His citizenship papers named him as Jens Winsness. His marriage document originally was filed in Fessenden with his name terribly misspelled but it was corrected.
---
Jens Farm Land History:
The SW 1/4 of section 24 was granted to Anna Dwyer on August 2, 1895 by President Grover Cleveland. In 1920 Anna Dwyer sold it to Mary V. Jackson. On the same day Mary V. Jackson sold it to Ann Dwyer and Burt Jackson (Burt Jackson was married to Mary Jackson) Then, filed on September 4, 1920 was a document dated February 29, 1916 where Anna Dwyer sells to Jens Winsness the land for $6,000 paid as $1,500 immediately and then $500 on each first day of March, starting 1917 and ending in 1925. In 1934, Jens took out a loan on the property for $1,600 which was satisfied in 1943. The estate of Jens received title in 1957, and dad transferred his third to his 3 boys in 1970.
The southern half section of section 25 was granted to John F. Goss on September 9, 1895 by President Grover Cleveland. That is followed by numerous mortgages between John F Goss and Vina K Goss where they mortgaged the property, satisfied that mortgage, and mortgaged it again over and over. But on November 13, 1914 there is a record that says "Jacob Piedt and Christiana Piedt, his wife - to - First National Bank of Fessenden where it looks like the Piedt somehow was able to take out a mortgage on the property that was settled on Dec. 4, 1915. I don't see where they got the land from Goss, however, they sold it back to Goss on January 11, 1919. OH - I see now as it says on a Quit Claim Deed dated January 11, 1919 Jacob Piedt to John F. Goss "It appearing that the said parties of the first part have by mistake mortgaged the above described premises, at two different times, one mortgage recorded in Book 10 of Mortgages, page 156, the other in Book 67 of Mortgages, page 90, both of which mortgages are now satisfied and are no lien upon the real estate. That this Quit Claim Deed is given for the express purpose to set aside any doubt as to the title which may arise thru the said mistake. Acknowledged January 14, 1919 by Jacob Piedt and Christiana Piedt, his wife before Albert Hope....." Then there were many more mortgage transactions by the Goss family until Jens Winsness purchased it by quit claim deed dated February 27, 1952 where he purchased it from the state who had taken the land I guess for failure to pay taxes.
I thought that was interesting - the Piedt family had on 2 occasions taken out loans based on the Goss property! All the time, the farm was operated by Jens and Emma. I would imagine that it was not the most secure feeling to work land that has mortgage after mortgage on it always wondering if you were going to be able to continue.
The south half section of section 26 was first granted to Lambert M. Hardy on Dec. 19, 1888 by President Benjamin Harrison but also on June 29, 1895 by Grover Cleveland - I don't know why there are 2 Patent deeds for the same property. He sold it to John F. Goss on Sept. 2, 1907. There are again numerous mortgages between Goss and companies until on May 2, 1944, Jens purchases the land.
It is interesting that Jens and Emma never owned the land they lived on until February 27, 1952 having purchased the 1/4 section in section 24, and the 1/2 section in section 26 previously. Emma died 2 years after they purchased that land and house.
The family has come a long way since Jens set foot in New York on April 6, 1905 with $5 in his pocket. What a man! And what a woman was Emma to have lived through all that and to have been such a respected person. It is simply humbling to me to imagine those people. Simply humbling!
At the age of 19, Jens came to the United States from Norway. He went to Wisconsin and worked in the lumber industry. Later he moved to N. Dakota and eventually farmed the Goss farm where he met Emma while she was working on a cook car for the thrashing crews. They married on 11/21/11 and had two sons and one daughter. Jens bought the Goss farm and entertained numerous grandchildren before the death of Emma in 1954 and himself in 1956. The farm remains in the family and continues to be frequently visited by Cora who operated the farm partnership after John's death.
Jean Winsness told Warren the following about milk at the farm:
"I talked to Mom about the milk. She says that they had the separator that was used to separate cream from milk. Then they put the cream and milk cans in the basement where it was cool before taking them to town. They had to go to town every day or so to take the milk & cream to the creamery before the milk would turn bad. She said that Grandma Emma had customers in town that my Dad would take milk, cream, eggs and fresh chickens. Grandma was both a hard worker and entrepreneurial. Mom said they did about the same thing on the homestead farm where she grew up.
Grandma had an ice box used to keep milk, butter, etc. cool until they got electricity in 1948 when Grandma got a refrigerator."
The lake above the Winsnes farm in Norway is named Vindtjonna and the stream from the lake met the river forming an elbow which in Norwegian is 'nes'. People living there were from Vindnes which became Winsnes. When Jens filed for citizenship, he added another 's' to the name.
From Jens Winsnes in April 2007:
He left Singsaas with four friends in March 1905. His friends were: John Estensen Vinsnes, Ingebrigt Andersen Vinsnes, Holde Ingebrigtsen Langrødtrø and Hans Svendsen Winsnesmo. They left Trondheim with the SS Salmo on the 22nd of March 1905. They have stated different destinations in the US, Hans - Tyler MN, Ingebrigt and Jens - Stanlev WI, John - Astoria OR, Holde - Boston MASS. I do know that Ingebrigt, John and Jens arrived in NY together April (and probably Hans as well, but I can't find his records...). Holde seems to have gone straight to Boston, as he had signed up with another line than the rest in Trondheim...
Added in 2011:
Only a few years ago was I told the story that Tony Michalek stood up for Jens when he could not pay the taxes and the farm was to be auctioned off at the courthouse. Tony told everyone not to bid on the farm. I mentioned it to Modesta this afternoon in an email - here is her reply:
"This is in the '30's that this happened and happened to many of the farmers. Jens came over and everyone was very sober and serious as a young girl I knew there was a problem and left the room. A few days later Dad came home and told mom that he stood by Jens and no one bid. Many years later I learned what happened. My folks always told me it didn't matter where you lived, but if you had good neighbors that was a treasure. Jens and Emma where their good neighbors."
Kids - pass this story on. If there is one thing I see in my kids and their families, friends top everything in importance - a gift from Jens and Emma?
Jim
--------------------
From Lynn Bueling's research:
Wisness - BjugstadWednesday afternoon at Sheldon occurred the marriage of Miss Emma Bjugstad and James Wisness. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Engerholm at his residence, and immediately after ward the happy couple repaired to the home of the bride where a reception was held and a wedding dinner served. About 75 guests were present and a good time was enjoyed. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Bjugstad of Owego, and is one of the most popular young ladies of that vicinity. The groom is a prominent farmer living near Cathay, this state, where the newly married couple will make their home. [Grand Forks Herald (26 Nov. 1911) submitted by FoFG MZ]
Events
| Birth | 2 Apr 1882 | Litjstu'u Vinsnes, Singsås, Sør-Trøndelag |  | ||
| Marriage | 22 Nov 1911 | Emma Bjugstad | |||
| Death | 17 Jun 1956 | Cathay Wells, ND | |
Families
| Spouse | Emma Bjugstad (1888 - 1954) |
| Child | John J. Winsness (1912 - 1972) |
| Child | Cora June Winsness (1914 - 2003) |
| Child | Arnold Winsness (1918 - 1970) |
| Father | Jens Olsen Rogstadplassen (1829 - 1894) |
| Mother | Kari Svensdatter Vinsnes (1841 - 1922) |
| Sibling | Sven Jenssen Winsnes (1865 - 1867) |
| Sibling | Sven Jenssen Winsnes (1868 - 1895) |
| Sibling | Ola Jenssen Winsnes (1872 - 1884) |
Endnotes
1. Footnote: Singsåsboka, p. 324..
2. Grande_Winsness.FTW.
3. Grande_Winsness.FTW.