| Notes |
- Steinar Overland, son of the first white settler on Highland Prairie, passed away Friday, April 14, on the place where his parents settled in 1854. He attained the age of nearly 98 years. He was a son of Johannes and Tone Overland, born October 7, 1841, at Seljord Telemarken, Norway. Together with his parents, two brothers and four sisters, they emigrated to America in 1852. Koshkonong, Wis. where so many of the early Norwegian pioneers made their first temporary camping grounds, also was sought out by this family. Later on in the fall of 1852, they set out for Iowa and a little log house was soon erected not very far from the little city, now known as Calmar. They did not stay there very long, because someone informed the father that about 50 or 60 miles further north, up in 'Minnesota, there was much larger timber, and consequently it was much faster and easier work to build the necessary buildings. So, in the spring of 1854 they journeyed north, up into Minnesota. A claim was taken and as many have said: They picked the nicest and best claim in Norway Township. In 1865 he married Miss Gina Peterson Dahl. She was a daughter of Elling and Kirsten Dahl. They lived in the little house that many still remember standing down below the present highway, north of Bratsberg, on the land of Mrs. Halvor Oian. To Mr. and Mrs. Overland were born the following children: Johannes, deceased; Thea, Mrs. Halvor Norby at Milan, Minn.; Kirsten, married to Hans Evenskaas, also of Milan, Minn. Eddie, of Minot, N. D.; George, who is the present owner of the farm; Peder, Lettie, Mrs. Alfred Peterson of Rushford, and Cora and Mrs. Otto Mindrum, both deceased. The deceased had two brothers, Ole the oldest, and Knut Overland that owned the farm, now occupied by Mrs. Hans Tudahl. Gunhild, a sister, was married to Aamund Berland. Kari, another sister, became the wife of Halvor Erickson, who was the original owner of the farm, now in the possession of Gerhard Oian. Anne, his youngest sister, that was married to Ole Gunion of Chippewa County, Minn., and two other sisters, deceased, Mrs. Hans Norby and Mrs. Margit Larson. There are forty grandchildren, 381 great grandchildren. The exact number of great, great grandchildren is not known. It seems strange to think that a person has been permitted to see all these remarkable changes that have taken place in this span of time-1853 until 1939 on Highland Prairie. As already stated, he was the first and the last of the pioneers from the years 1853-1854. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, April 19, at the Highland Prairie church. Six of his grandsons acted as pallbearers. A ladies trio, Mrs. E. Stensgard, Mrs. Ing. Torgerson and Mrs. Nels Byboth rendered extra musical numbers. Interment was made in the church cemetery.
Came to America with his parents when he was eleven years old.
1870 US Census, Minnesota, Fillmore, Norway, John Oleson 68, farmer, value of real estate 4500, value of personal estate 770, with with Tone 67, daughter Ann 25, son Steven 29, Steven's wife Gergena 24, children John 3, Thea 2
1875 MN State Census: John O. Overland, 75, Thone, 73, Stephen J., 34 (Steinar), Georgine, 39 (Gina). John, 8. Thea, 6, Eddy, 4. Annie, 29. Gustave Johnson, 20, Norway Twp., p. 92
1880 US Census, Minnesota, Fillmore, Norway, Stenar J. Overland, 38, farmer, born Norway, with wife Gorgina, 34, born Norway, children John S. 14, Thea S. 13, Elling S. 10, Kirsti S. 8, George 2, Peder 2/12, born April, father Johanes O. 81
1885 MN State Census: Steiner J. Overland, 43 ,Georgina, 40, John, 19, Thea, 16, Edy, 14, Chisten, 12, Jorgen, 7, Peter Helmer, 5. Karen M. 2, Cora M. 9/12, Norway Twp., p. 24-25
1900 US Census, Minnesota, Fillmore, Norway, Steinar Overland, born Oct 1841, age 58, married 36 years, born Norway, immigrated to US in 1851, naturalized citizen, farmer, with wife Gina, born Mar 1845, age 55, married 36 years, mother of 11 children, 10 living, born Norway, immigrated to US in 1861, children Jorgen, born Nov 1878, age 21, Peder, born Apr 1881, age 19, Alette, born Aug 1882, age 18, Cora, born Jul 1884, age 15, Selma, born Aug 1886, age 13, Olga, born Dec 1890, age 9
1905 Minnesota Census, Fillmore, Norway, Steiner Overland, address Rushford RFD 2, 62, born Norway, parents born Norway, resident 52 years, farmer, Gina Overland, 49, born Norway, parents born Norway, resident 43 years, George Overland, 26, born MN, farm laborer, Karen Aletta, 21, born MN, dressmaker, Cora M. Overland, 19, born MN, domestic, Selma M. Overland, 17, born MN, domestic, Olga E. Overland, 14, born MN, domestic
1910 US Census, Minnesota, Fillmore, Norway, Steinar Johnson age 68, married for 46 years, born Norway, immigrated to US in 1851, no occupation, own income, with wife Gina, 65, mother of 10 children, 9 living, born Norway, immigrated to US in 1862, daughters Letta 25, Olga 19, living on farm next to George Overland
1920 MN Census, Norway Twp., Fillmore Co., Steinar J. Overland, owns farm free of mortgage, age 78, immigrated to US in 1851, naturalized in 1880, no occupation, with wife Gjergina, age 74, immigrated to US in 1861, naturalized 1880
1930 US Census, Minnesota, Fillmore, Norway, George Overland, 52, first married age 25, born MN, parents born Norway, farmer, with wife Caroline 49, children Joseph 23, Gladys 21, George 16, Signe 9, father Steinar 88, widowed, immigrated to US in 1854, naturalized citizen
Pioneer settler and one of the oldest residents of this region (97 years), donated the land for the famous Highland Prairie amphitheater, died at the home of his son, George near Highland Prairie. Had lived most of his life in the Highland Prairie vicinity
Referred to as Stener and Kirsten Johnson in 1903 deed to Kirsten's mother Kirsten Dahl.
Received his citizenship papers April, 1897
Filed declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States, 12 Apr 1897, Rushford, Minnesota [4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]
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1841 - 1939 (97 years)
[3, 4] 
