The
pioneer pastor, Ole Anderssen Aasen, may have been the "Ole Anderssen" who
signed the Manifesto.
He was born on March 2, 1818, on a husmannplass in Bø. He grew up
working as a shepherd boy, but also had the opportunity to attend the Kosa
school in Brunkeberg. Ole and his sister Kari sailed to
America on the ship Emelie from the port of Drammen in 1841. He
settled in Muskego and found work on a farm, but in 1842 he began his life's
calling as a lay preacher. In 1843, he married Ragnhild (Rachel). He and Rachel
eventually moved to Jefferson Prairie in Rock County, and sources place him
there on a farm with his family in 1844, which could bring his identification as
the "Ole Anderssen" who signed the Muskego Manifesto into question, although it
is entirely possible that he returned to Muskego to put his name on this
important letter.
The
pioneer pastor, Ole Anderssen Aasen, may have been the "Ole Anderssen" who
signed the Manifesto.