John Christian Engum was born January 1857, son of Kristian Engum and Gudbjorg Dragseth. They farmed (around the 1840's and 1850's) on what was then considered to be a large estate located in Dalen (Snertingdal), next to the Township of Biri, Norway. This farm was lost through bankruptcy however, because of conditions in the country at the time. They moved to Baksætersveen (a farm he rented) and were later brought to America by their sons. Kristian was a musician (violin). Torger Engum, the oldest son (brother to Johannes) was feeble and remained in Norway until his death in a fire in 1897. Johannes (John), at the age of 21, with his brother Martinus (Martin) immigrated to America about 1878. Upon arrival here he worked in a logging camp. Sometime later brothers Berndt and Ole Engum also came to America. In 1883 the sons sent for their parents. They lived here until Gudbjorg died in 1898 and Kristian died in 1904. Both are buried in the cemetery of the East Bennett Valley Church.

The only Engum sister, Mina Marie, did not immigrate as she had already married. Her husband travelled to America, but felt that he would not be happy here and decided to return, and they remained in Norway. (I've been in touch with decendents of Mina Marie, so we still have relatives in Norway!)

When John was 23 he married Agnet Johnson, then the tender age of 17. During the first years of their married life they lived on a farm called "Reckve" as sharecroppers. The same farm was later owned by their daughter Josie and her husband, and now owned by their son Ervin Hestekin.

Just before Olga, their second child, was born they moved to the 40 acres (all timbered) that they homesteaded near Eleva in Borst Valley (Chimney Rock). More land was acquired until they had a total of 160 acres. Together they remained on this farm until Johannes' death in November of 1938.

Eight children were born to this union during a span of 19 years from March 1884 to October of 1903.

Agnet Johnson was born in the valley of Torpen near Valdres in the south central part of Norway on May 3, 1863. She was one of ten children born to Aase Øistad and John Johnson. She had 4 brothers, twins Nels and Theodore, Otis and Nick, and 5 sisters, Bertha, Ingeborg, Mary, Susanna and Helena. Her father was a carpenter and also an accomplished violinist. Agnet arrived in America at 2 years of age. They lived on a little farm in Travis Valley when Indians were still in the area. Her sister Bertha later married Martinus, John’s older brother. After John’s death she continued to live on the farm during the summers, but spent winters with their daughters in Eau Claire. She died on April 3, 1945 at Luther Hospital, Eau Claire.

---

Their Golden Wedding Anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, June 24, 1934.

15 Aug 2011. Mom says she remembers John Engum getting heat stroke. They were haying/thrashing at the time. She recalls watching from the porch as people poured water slowly over his arms, then legs, as he lay on the ground between the house and the cook shanty.

Regarding Johannes’ birth: “This is a hard period (from 1854-1877) since all the church records for this period burnt in a fire (rectory) in Biri 1907 I think.” From Rolf Steiner Bergli 5 Mar 2007.

Obituary: Eau Claire Leader, 16, 18 Nov 1938, p2
John C. Engum, 83 of Bortz (Borst) Valley, Trempealeau county, died Tuesday at Luther Hospital. He was born in Barie Dalen, Norway, in 1855, coming to the United States 65 years ago. He was married 55 years ago to Agnette Johnson, who survives him.

Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Myron and Clayton, and six daughters, Mrs. Nels Wold, Mrs. J. W. Olson, Mrs. Elmer Vefald, Mrs. Alvin Veum, and Mrs. Harmie Homan, of Eau Claire, and Mrs. Elmer Hestekin, Independence, and 22 grandchildren. A son, Carl, died in 1914.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the home and 2 o’clock at the Upper Bennett Valley church. The Rev. J. A. Westberg will officiate and interment will be in the Bennett Valley cemetery.

From 1930 Atlas and Farmers’ Directory of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin: Engum, J C, Rt 2, Box 54. Wife - Agnes; Children - Carl, Olga, Gunda, Josie, Lena, Nora, Myron & Helen. Owns 160 acres in section 18 (Chimney Rock Township). Their mail came from the Eleva Post Office. They lived in the county for 40 years and had a telephone.

Farm at approximately longitude: -91.51515, latitude 44.47227
Section 18, Township 23-N, Range 9-W, Meridian, 4th PM - 1831 MN/WI, WI, Trempealeau

Bæksætersveen

John Belleview now owns the land which the John C. Engum farm was located on. Belleview lives in the Clayton and Arlene farmhouse now on Engum Valley Road.