Ole Travland: Part IV

Part I

Part II

Part III

The state of Iowa reported census data in 1915.     This census is an index card listing the individual, occupation, residence and a few other key data points.      The census for Daisy (Bagely) Travland states she has lived in Iowa for 12 years which narrows down the date the Travland family moved to Iowa to around 1903.     

Ole Travland's 1915 Iowa census states his age as 48, continuing the pattern of census errors since 1900. The census lists his age as 48 and born in Illinois.    Ole was 59 and born in Norway.     This is the first census I've encountered that lists his parents birthplace correctly:  Norway.

I was unable to find Ole's son, Wesley and wife Mary (Miller) living in Clinton, Iowa.      I also have been unable to track down the 1920 US Census for Daisy and Ole Travland.    However, the last census the state of Iowa took was in 1925, which is an even more comprehensive census than the United States census.

By April 7, 1925, the date this census was taken, Daisy (Bagley) and Ole Travland had moved from 344 3rd Avenue, Clinton, Clinton county, Iowa to 447 11th Avenue, Clinton, Iowa.    The census lists Ole's age and birthplace incorrectly as 60 and Illinois.  

The additional data extracted from this census is interesting.   Ole's rent in 1925 was $5 per month equating to $79.72 in 2022.   For the Travland neighbors that owned their homes, the valuation was between $1000 and $4000 equating to values between $15,944.65 and $63,778.59 today.   

The next sheet of the census provided the details that helped confirm Ole Travland was the son of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.    This is the only census I've seen that includes the names of parents not living with the resident.    Ole's father is listed as Peter 'Traveland' and mother is listed as Tillie with no last name given. Fortunately this sole document links Ole to his parents and correctly states they were born in Norway in spite of the minor difference between the Norwegian 'Taletta' and Americanized 'Tillie'.   

The last sheet of the 1925 Iowa census indicates Daisy is 'engaged in domestic and personal services' and Ole is a 'laborer unclassified'. 

A few months following the 1925 Iowa census, Ole's wife, Daisy (Bagley) passed away on July 20, 1925 at home in Clinton, Iowa.

Daisy (Bagley) Travland was born to Elizabeth Ann (Stine) and Burton W Bagley in LaSalle county, Illinois.    Daisy and Ole Travland married in Sycamore, DeKalb county, Illinois at St. Peter's Episcopal church on April 19, 1900.

Ole Travland history....to be continued.....

Ole Travland: Part III

Following the early years of Ole Travland's life and his first wife's transition to a new life, Ole moved on.

Here is the 1910 US Census for Daisy (Bagley) and Ole Travland living in Clinton, Clinton county, Iowa.  Their entry on the census is located on lines 73 and 74.

This census would become the third document with inaccuracies I've encountered tracking down Ole Travland.    Aside from the minor misspelling of Travland with 'Travlend', the census states he is 48.    At the time the census was taken on April 16, 1910, Ole was 54.    It also indicates both he and his parents were born in 'Den Danish'.  While Denmark did rule Norway in the past, it did not at the time of his birth.  Sweden ruled Norway when both he and his parents were born.   

Unrelated to Ole Travland, but part of the history of Norway, the stained glass window in the Årdal old church is a reminder of Danish rule over Norway many generations before Ole Travland was born.

On the 1910 census Ole is listed as being a laborer 'on the street'.   Another error on the census is the year of immigration.   It is listed as 1885, but Ole and family immigrated to the United States prior to the 1870 US Census.

I eventually encountered another document that provided sufficient evidence to confirm this might be THE Ole Travland, the youngest son of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.   I will post that document on my next entry.

The evidence that really tied everything together was a newspaper article I stumbled upon a few days ago.  The news article reported Mary Miller, daughter-in-law of Ole and Mary Ann (Olson) Travland's youngest son, Wesley was being extradited from Clinton, Iowa back to Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois for a $13 check forgery.   Wesley was included in the article as having been arrested for intoxication and sentenced to 10 days in jail.

This article appeared on page 3 of the September 22, 1914 edition of the Clinton Daily Advertiser.   Mary (Miller) and Wesley had married 3 months prior.

One unusual note about the newspaper article:  'Mrs. Mary Miller alias Mrs. Wesley Travlend' (also misspelled).  I do not know how common it was in the 1910's for someone to NOT adopt the name of their husband or use an 'aka'.  Wesley remarried in 1930 so this marriage either ended up in divorce or Mary passed away prior to Wesley's second marriage.

The move for Ole and Daisy Travland to Clinton, Iowa from DeKalb, Illinois is approximately 82 miles, not too far of a distance to visit or live with one's parents.    I do not know whether Wesley and his wife were visiting or living with his parents in Clinton.    Mary did state to the police she was only in Rochelle for 2 days, so it's unknown where they were actually living.  

Considering the rarity of the Travland name it appears clear this Ole Travland, father of Wesley Travland IS the son of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

Ole Travland Part II: Mary Ann (Olson) Travland's New Path Forward

The first few decades of Ole Travland's life took him from western Norway to Illinois.    Following the 1900 US Census, while Ole's wife Mary Ann (Olson) was living in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois and Ole was living with his 2nd wife, Daisy (Bagley) in DeKalb, DeKalb county, Illinois, Mary had moved to Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois.

Mary Ann (Olson) Travland's residential listing is on the left side of the directory in the first column the third entry at the top.    It lists Mary as a widow which is interesting considering according to her application for her second marriage she had divorced in either 1894 or 1895.   If one is divorced was it common to declare oneself a widow if the ex-husband died AFTER the divorce took place?   Probably due to societal pressures, Mary opted for the less damning choice of 'widow'.

Here is the marriage application from Ogle county, Illinois dated June 17, 1905 for Mary and Adolph Sheveland.     In the middle of the application above the date it states both applicants have been divorced. This application for marriage was denied.

The next year, Mary Ann (Olson) Travland and Adolph Sheveland again applied for a marriage license on March 28, 1906 in Ogle county, Illinois.    

Regarding their respective divorces, Adolph's divorce was granted on June 17, 1905 the same day as their previous marriage application.   This may be the reason their marriage request was denied.   The reason for the divorce given was 'desertion'.    While no date was provided for Mary's divorce, it does state "10 or 11 years ago" and the reason for the divorce was "drunkeness".    As we all know, the future would permanently fix that issue through Prohibition.   

Here is the Ogle county, Illinois marriage register.   Mary Ann (Olson) Travland and Adolph Sheveland are the fifth entry.   Note the misspelling of Mary's last name as 'Oleson' while her father's name is spelled 'Olson'.    It also states Mary's residence is Rochelle, Illinois.   So Mary lived in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois for only a short time.

In 1910, Mary Ann (Olson) Travland and Adolph Sheveland were living in Rochelle, Flagg township, Ogle county, Illinois.   Their entry can be found on lines 9 and 10.

It is interesting to note that the census indicates Mary had 7 children, 4 of which were surviving as of April 15, 1910.    Comparing to the 1900 US Census, it stated Mary had 5 children, all of which were surviving as of the date of the census.    Mary and Ole Travland's children were:  Lena Josephine, Clara Marie, Peter, Otto, Martin and Wesley.     The 1900 US Census was incorrect as they had 6 children, not 5 and Clara Marie had passed away in 1898.   

The 1910 census is also incorrect or an indicator that Mary and Adolph had one child that died prior to the census of 1910.    Mary's surviving children as of 1910 were:  Lena Josephine, Otto, Martin and Wesley. The key to remember:  Census records are only as accurate as the census taker and the information provided by the resident.   Expect errors and rely upon corroborating documentation to verify the information provided.

In 1920, Mary and Adolph Sheveland were still living in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois.

Mary and Adolph's entry can be found on lines 87 and 88 of the census.    They were living next to what I believe* to be Adolph's brother, Lewis.

Ole Travland's history to be continued....

*The 1890 Census doesn't exist and I've not been able to locate a 1900 US Census for Lewis Sheveland.

Ole Travland Part I

The search for what happened to Ole Travland, the youngest son of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland has been a difficult journey.    Between inaccuracies in vital data and the variation in the use of Ole, Olie, Olaf, Otto as well as the last name of Travland I thought all trails had come to a dead end.   I have finally reached the end of the search.   The next several posts will cover his history from Norway to the United States.

According to his baptism record Ole was born near the Finnøy parish, Rogaland county, Norway on January 3, 1856.    In 1868 at the age of 12, Ole and his family traveled to the United States.   In 1870, Ole and family appeared on a United States census for the first time living in the town of Milan (which does not exist today) in DeKalb county, Illinois.    The census was taken August 30, 1870 and correctly lists Ole's age as 14.    Living two homes away lives Ole's future, wife, Mary Ann Olson.     

In 1880, the US Census lists Ole is now married and living with his wife, Mary Ann (Olson) and their first child Lena Josephine Travland, still living in Milan township, DeKalb, Illinois.      Living next door are his parents and brother Lewis along with Lewis' children following the death of his wife, Iverdine Olsdatter (Finnestad) the previous year.    Living on the other side of Ole's parents are his in-laws, Ole Olson family.  

The 1880 US census was taken June 12, 1880 and Ole's age is correctly listed as 24.  The accuracy goes down hill from here.

The 1890 US Census was destroyed by fire so we do not have a record of the Travland family for that year.     The 1900 US Census for Ole's wife, Mary Ann and two of their children, Wesley and Martin does not list Ole.    It appeared he may have died prior to the 1900 census until I stumbled upon an announcement of an Ole Travland obtaining a wedding license with Daisy Bagley of DeKalb, Illinois.

This notice appeared on page 4 of the April 28, 1900 issue of The True Republican.        Ole was 44 at the time of this marriage so I initially dismissed it as possibly another Ole Travland.    However, further research indicated there was no one else with a history in the United States that matched a possible 34 year old Ole Travland.    This was the first inaccurate document I'd encountered regarding Ole's age.

I found the 1900 US Census for Ole Travland and Daisy (Bagley) living with her mother, one of her sons and a grandchild.   The family was living in DeKalb, DeKalb county, Illinois.    They can be found on lines 21 - 25.    

This census was taken June 11, 1900.    Ole Travland is listed as having been born in Illinois of April 1865, age 35 and states both parents were from Germany.  This would eventually become the second inaccurate document I'd encountered which included the inaccuracy of his parent's heritage.     Ole's parents were born in Norway as was Ole, and he was 44, not 35 at the time this census was taken.

To be continued....

Martin Travland - Veterans Administration Death

As a result of the death of Martin Travland on August 13, 1969, the Veterans Administration documented important dates of Martin's life.

The index card lists his date of birth, February 16, 1887, his enlistment September 5, 1917 and discharge  on February 9, 1919 and his death.

Martin Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

1950 US Census - Martin and Wesley Travland

In 1950, brothers Martin and Wesley Travland were residing together in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois along with Wesley's wife, Pearl A (Clark).

The Travland family can be located on lines 25 - 27.    Wesley was employed as a watchman for a locomotive company.     Nothing is listed regarding Martin's possible employment.

Martin and Wesley Travland were the sons of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandsons of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

Mrs Wesley Travland - Obituary

Wesley Travland's third and final wife, Pearl (Clark) passed away June 5, 1961 in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois.    Pearl was born on December 12, 1891 in Sangamon county to Ellen (Blanchfield) and William Clark.

Wesley Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

1940 US Census - Otto Travland

Here is the 1940 US Census for Otto Travland living in Chicago with his wife, Elizabeth.    

Otto was employed as an engine room foreman for a plumbing supplies company.     

Otto Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.   

1940 US Census - Martin Travland, Mary Ann (Olson) Travland

In 1940, Martin Travland was living with his mother, Mary Ann (Olson) Travland in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois.

Martin was employed as a night watchman for the textile industry.     He was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland. 

1930 US Census - Otto Travland

In 1930, Otto Travland was living in Chicago with his wife, Anna Elizabeth (Newburg).   I'm not sure whether Newburg was her maiden name or her married name.   The 1920 US Census lists her last name as Newburg and indicates she was divorced.

Otto is employed as an assistant chief engineer for a plumbing company.   Their entry is located on lines 49 and 50 of the census.

Otto Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.   

Wesley Travland - Marriage

Wesley Travland married Mary Miller in Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois on June 29, 1914.  

This may have been Wesley's first or second marriage.

Wesley Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

Wesley Travland - Marriage

Wesley Travland completed an application for marriage to Lena Vallan on June 6, 1911 in Ogle county, Illinois.

Wesley was born in June 1889 so he would have been 22 matching the information on the application.    I have not been able to find a Lena Vallan, but Wesley did have a distant cousin, Linnie Rebecca Vallem, however she was born September 11, 1883.   She would have been 27 at the time of this application which indicates her age was 26.     Between the difference of one year in her age and the spelling Vallan versus Vallem, and Lena versus Linnie it's possible it is the same person.     I haven't found confirmation they went ahead with the marriage so they may never have married.

Linnie eventually married in 1916 to Daniel Andrew Arndt so if she did marry in 1911, Wesley and Linnie would have divorced prior to her 2nd marriage.   Linnie's history has been complicated.   Linnie was the daughter of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and granddaughter of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.

Wesley Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.      Linnie Vallem's great-aunt, Susanne (Iversdatter) married Wesley's uncle, Peder Travland.

If I find additional documentation to clarify whether this marriage took place and the correct name for the bride, I will update this post.

Peter Travland: Trouble, Part II

I had previously posted about an incident involving Peter Travland and his use of a gun while passing a rural school in Shabbona, DeKalb county, Illinois.    That post included an update with notice of Peter's aquittal.

Here are two other articles regarding the trial.   This is from March 24, 1898 Sterling Standard:

This article was from page 4 of the April 1, 1898 edition of the Lee County Times:

Peter Travland was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.  

Otto Travland - WW I Draft Registration

On September 12, 1918, Otto Travland was registered for WW I.

Otto was living in Chicago at the time of registration and was employed as a locomotive crane operator.    He listed his mother, Mary Ann (Olson) Travland Sheveland as his nearest relative.

Otto was the son of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandson of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.  

1900 US Census - Mary Ann (Olson) Travland, Martin Travland and Wesley Travland

Here is the 1900 US Census for Mary Ann (Olson) Travland and her two youngest sons, Martin and Wesley living in Flagg township, Ogle County, Illinois.    Their names are listed on lines 22 - 24.

The census indicates Mary was married for 5 years at the time of the census and had 5 children, 5 were surviving.     The 1910 US Census for Mary (by that time had married for a 2nd time to Adolph Sheveland) had 7 children and 4 were surviving.   Her obituary in 1947 indicated she had 3 daughters and 4 sons.    I'm unsure which of the three documents are accurate.    If she had 3 daughters, one must have died as an infant or at birth.

I am not sure where Mary's first husband, Ole Travland was living at the time of this census.   In a December 19th or 20th, 1905 application for marriage, it stated both Adolph Sheveland and Mary Travland had been divorced.    The application for marriage was denied, but Mary and Adolph eventually filed another application and were married on March 26, 1906.   This application stated Mary divorced 10 or 11 years prior due to Ole Travland's 'drunkenness*'.

I've been unable to find any information on Ole Travland after the 1880 US Census.

Martin and Wesley Travland were the children of Mary Ann (Olson) and Ole Kristian Travland and the grandchildren of Taletta Larsdatter and Peder Pederson Travland.

*It's a good thing Carrie Nation solved that problem.