Sanford K. Fosholt papers, 1857-1998

Biography/History: 

In his career, Sanford worked as an Electrical Engineer, but after retirement, Sandford dedicated his time to researching his family genealogy. Sanford created many expansive family trees and was also willing to share his passion with anyone who reached out. Sandford’s genealogical work culminated in his two published books. Fosholt authored The Rustebakke and Nubson Families in 1987 and The Charcoal Burner’s Legacy: A Goplerud Family History in 1990. His first marriage was to Avice McArthur in 1939. He married Wilma Parlington Fosholt (nee Johnston) in 1974. Wilma and Sanford were avid travelers and enjoyed many trips to Norway together. Sanford called small-town Iowa home. 

Abstract: 

Includes letters received by Syver J. Fosholdt from 1905 until his death in 1927. Most of the letters are from his youngest son, Gabriel. One loose-leaf notebook containing (in plastic pockets) "Letters from Fosholdt Family in North Dakota to Syver Fosholdt in Iowa Assembled by Sanford Fosholt." The 120 letters and their enclosures (1904-1926) are mainly from Torkil and his sons from Cooperstown, North Dakota. "A Visit to Dunvegan," an account of Fosholt's trip to the Island of Skye; "A Valdres Funeral in Norway, September, 1996," an account of Per Goplerud's funeral. Goplerud, Fosholt's cousin, was a local historian who had assembled a private museum and archives on his farmstead (4 typescript pages); notes for a speech which Fosholt gave when he made a donation of $50,000 to establish the Archives Fund of NAHA. Fosholt obituary, memorial folder, and funeral sermon. 

This collection also includes correspondence between Sanford Fosholt, his friends, and his family. The correspondence is foldered by individual or family group and is organized alphabetically across the 6 boxes. Boxes 7-8 include additional photocopied books, previous genealogical research, photos, and articles including Goplerud/Nubson family members. The correspondence and research included in the collection informed the two genealogically framed books published by Sanford K. Fosholt: The Rustebakke and Nubson Families (1987) and The Charcoal Burner’s Legacy: A Goplerud Family History (1990).

"Ole Hansen Rustande and His Sons Ole the Older, Erik, and Ole the Younger Who Emigrated," by Ingeborg and Wilhelm Elsrud, 32 pages. The account is based on 130 American letters written by the above named men. Ole Hansen Rustande came to Muskego in 1852 and followed C. L. Clausen to St. Ansgar, Iowa, in 1853. His sons who came later searched for gold in Australia, New Zealand, and California. Fosholt was a grandson of Ole the Younger.

Fosholt’s second book, Charcoal Burner’s Legacy: A Goplerud Family History is organized into 6 branches based on the 6 children of John Levorson Goplerud. Branch #1: Goplerud Branch. Branch #2: Aspholt/Aspeholdt Branch. Branch #3: Lindelien Branch. Branch #4: Lundo/Lundene Branch. Branch #5: Landsen Branch. Branch #6: Stugaarden Branch.