Hans Christofferson Tollefsrude diary, 1851-1856

Hans Christofferson Tollefsrude diary, 1851-1856

P1154

1851-1856

A handwritten Dagbog, two Xerox copies and a translation of the diary about a journey to California from Rock County, Wisconsin, via New York and Panama. The diary gives information about digging for gold in California and general conditions there as well as the final disillusionment in the search for quick riches by the Norwegian-born writer. Tollefsrude had emigrated from Torpen, Nordre Land, 1844, and was one of the early settlers in the Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, settlement. A letter from C.H. Tollefsrude, Rolfe, Iowa, found in the D.G. Ristad Papers in the NAHA Archives reads: "Father's California Diary or Dagbog was kept from December, 1851, to October, 1856, covering the time of his absence from home. Upon his death May 17, 1903, the Dagbog came into my possession, but December 31, 1925, it was lost in a fire which at that time destroyed my home there. It was written in Norske.."

3 folders

Diaries

Photocopies