Ole Leiufsen Vemork

Ole Leiufsen Vermork was born in Tinn, Telemark, on January 25, 1816. His parents were Leiuf Gunleiksen Vemork and Ingeborg Sigurdsdtr Sonstebo.  He married Gro Nilsdtr Rue, daughter of Nils Johnsen Rue and Birgit Johnsdtr Haakaland, who was born on October 5, 1823.  They had 15 children.

Ole arrived in New York from Gothenburg on AuUgust 9, 1842, on the ship Ellida. He settled first in Norway Township, Racine County, Wisconsin, but by 1860 the family had relocated to Sumner Township, Winnishiek County, Iowa.

Ole died May 16, 1900, and is buried in Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery in the Ridgeway settlement outside of Decorah.  His surname was apparently anglicized to "Wemark."

Source: Utvandrarregister for Tinn 1837-1907

Source: Information from Gene Estensen

Source: Norwegian Immigrants To The United States, A Biographical Directory, 1825-1850. Volume One 1825-1843. By Gerhard B. Naeseth. p. 135-136, #161. 

Contributed by Jackie Hufschmid