Funding for encoding this finding
aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
Biographical Note
Ole Andreas Rasmussen Blindheim was born on April 17, 1891. Blindheim
was the name of the farm of which his family's "husmannsplass" (cotter's farm)
was a part. Ole's mother inherited the farm, Reitebakken, from her father,
Nikolai. Ole's family consisted of five children, Ole being the fourth. His
mother died of heart problems when he was four years old, and Ole's maternal
grandmother, Olava Marie, raised him. Ole learned a lot about farming from his
grandfather and got his first job as a farmhand at the age of thirteen. He
lived at Reitebakken until he had to start making a living of his own, which he
had to do before could be confirmed in 1906. When Ole was fifteen, his
grandmother died, and he was responsible for her funeral. In 1908, he decided
to immigrate to America with his friend Lars Olsen Vik (Louis Vik when he
arrived in America). Ole had no knowledge of the English language, and when
they arrived in America, Louis served as translator. From Ellis Island, they
took the train to San Francisco, California and got their first job loading
railroad ties. The next year, they went to Alaska to mine with Ole's brother
Nikolai. In 1913, Ole left Alaska for Seattle, where he started a dairy farm
with his friend Ole Lowell. The dairy farm was successful and lead to Ole
meeting his wife, Anna. Anna's father was also in the dairy business, and after
a 7-8 year courtship, Ole and Anna were married August 30, 1919. Anna and Ole
had two children, Agnette Wilhemina and Alvin Louis. Ole became an active
member of the community, participating in several clubs including the Sons of
Norway, of which he was a member for fifty years. However, his main interest
was the Norwegian Commercial Club, which he helped organize and in 1930-31 was
appointed its tenth president. Ole never regretted coming to America.
Lineage
Full Name: Ole Andreas Rasmussen Blindheim.Father: Rasmus Mikkalsen
Blindheim. Mother: Agnetta Marie Nikolaisdatter Blindheim. Paternal
Grandfather: Mikkal Andreas Rasmussen. Paternal Grandmother: Gunnhild
Jensdatter Rote. Maternal Grandfather: Nikolai (?). Maternal Grandmother: Olava
Marie Sivertsdatter. Brothers and Sisters: Matilde Gunnhild Blindheim, Olava
Marie Blindheim, Nikolai Cornelius Blindheim, Hansina Blindheim, Anton Johan
Blindheim, Ragna Blindheim. Spouse: Anna Fisher. Children: Agnette Wilhemina
Blindheim, Alvin Louis Blindheim
Content Description
This interview was conducted with Ole Blindheim in Kent, Washington
on March 3, 1983. It includes information on family background, life in Norway,
emigration, dairy farming, gold mining, and Norwegian heritage. The interview
was conducted in English. The picture shown is available in the manuscript
collection, MS 189.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The oral history collection is open to all users.
Restrictions on Use :
There are no restrictions on use.
Administrative Information
Custodial History :
The Oral History collection project was started during an experimental
course on Scandinavian Women in the Pacific Northwest. Students in the course
were encouraged to interview women and learn about their experiences as
immigrants to the United States. The project was continued and expanded with
support from the president's office and by grants from the L.J. Skaggs and Mary
C. Skaggs Foundation, from the Joel E. Ferris Foundation and the Norwegian
Emigration Fund of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project
was directed by Dr. Janet E. Rasmussen. The collection was transferred to the
Archives and Special Collections Department.
Acquisition Information :
Processing Note :
The interview was conducted by Janet Rasmussen using a cassette
recorder. A research copy was also prepared from the original. To further
preserve the content of the interview, it is now being transferred to compact
disc. We deliberately did not transcribe the entire interview because we want
the researchers to listen to the interviewee's own voice. The transcription
index highlights important aspects of the interview and the tape counter
numbers noted on the Partial Interview Transcription are meant as approximate
finding guides and refer to the location of a subject on the cassette/CD. The
recording quality is good
The collection was transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and
Becky Husby.
Bibliography :
Rasmussen, Janet Elaine. New Land New Lives: Scandinavian Immigrants to
the Pacific NorthwestTacoma, WashingtonUniversity of Washington Press1993
Additional Reference Guides :
Detailed Description of the Collection
The partial interview transcription highlights important aspects of
the interview. Numbers may be used as guides to important subjects. Two numbers
separated by a slash indicate that the first number is for cassette and the
second for CD.
Cassette
236, side 1
016: FAMILY BACKGROUND
Ole Andreas Rasmussen Blindheim was named after the owners, Ole
and Anna Blindheim, of the ranch where his family had a "husmannsplass". Got
the name Rasmussen from his father Rasmus Mikkalsen. Blindheim was the name of
the farmland of which his family's "husmannsplass" - Reitebakken - was a part.
There was only one "husmannsplass" on the Blindheim farm. Neighboring farms had
2 or 3. Blindheim is near Aalesund in western Norway (Moere og Romsdal). To the
northwest of Reitebakken was Storfjord, which led to the Geirangerfjord.
Beautiful country. Would see Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany go by from time to time
in the early 1900's. He vacationed in Norway quite often. After Aalesund burned
down, they named a street after him because they thought so much of him. Ole's
community was connected with 2 parishes - Sykkylven and Oerskog. He went to
Sykkylven. He was born April 17,1891.
236, side 1
185: PARENTS
Rasmus Mikkalsen Blindheim and Agnetta Marie Blindheim.
236, side 1
204: GRANDPARENTS
Paternal grandfather was Mikkal Andreas Rasmussen from Nordfjord.
Others with the name Rasmussen had a "husmannsplass" named Engeboe in
Hornindal, Nordfjord (Sogn and Fjordane). Grandmother was Gunnhild Jensdatter
Rote from Nordfjord. Grandparents came to Sykkylven when Ole's father was about
12 years old. Bought the farm of Vik at the end of the Blindheim-Vik River.
Lost the farm after a few years due to poor conditions. Ole's father became a
tradesman - builder and carpenter- like his father. They could build anything.
They made caskets in their spare time. When Ole wanted to scare the children in
the neighborhood he would take them to the barn in the dark and show them the
caskets. Grandfather (maternal) was Nikolai. Came from Aursnes, where James
Arness and Peter Graves are from. Grandfather told Ole to stop in Minneapolis
to visit Peter Andreas, the grandfather of James Arness. Grandfather fished
with Peter Andreas in the North Sea, near Aalesund. Nikolai also started
Reitebakken, which Ole's mother inherited. Ole was only 6 when she died. Tells
about her death.
236, side 1
331:
Maternal grandmother, Olava Marie, took care of Ole after his
mother's death.
236, side 1
350: BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Five children. Ole was number 4. Younger sister, Hansine, died of
tuberculosis when 10. Mother died of a heart problem. They lived in a long
house with a grass roof. Grandparents lived in the back part of the house. They
raised Ole. Grandmother told Ole, "Be frugal my boy. Save your money. Put it in
the bank." Two older sisters, Matilde Gunnhild and Olava Marie were named after
their grandmothers. Brother, Nikolai, inherited Reitebakken. When Ole and
Nikolai were working in Alaska, Nikolai was using his money to keep Reitebakken
going.
236, side 1
410: CHILDHOOD HOME (REITEBAKKEN)
One long building and barn with caskets stored away. Reitebakken
is located up on a 2nd or 3rd plateau looking over Blindheim and northwest over
Sykkylvensfjord and Storfjord. Could see Aursnes in the same direction. Lived
at Reitebakken until he had to start making his own living. Had to do this
before he was confirmed in 1906.
236, side 1
437:
In 1904, the city of Aalesund burned down completely. Ole's family
had people come to spend the night in their barn. During the next 2 years, Ole
at 13 years old was hired as a "dreng" or farmhand on a "husmannsplass". Had 20
goats on the farm. Ole had to bring grass into the barn and go up on the
mountainside with a long rope to help get the young goats home. Worked long
days. Earned 100 kroner (crowns) and meals during the season. Had to get used
to goat's milk. It made him strong. Husband in this family was making good
wages in Aalesund. There was a lot of work in Aalesund because the whole town
had to be rebuilt.
236, side 1
492:
Ole's father was well established during this time. Worked for
"ullvarefabrikk", a woolen mill with 1000 employees in Langevaag south of
Aalesund. Grandfather ran the "husmannsplass". Ole learned a lot about farming
from his grandfather. Father came home for the weekends on Saturday night. Made
cloth in the factory. Father had to maintain and install the machinery. Worked
there until he retired. He was 85 when he died. Father remarried in Langevaag;
was his third marriage, his second marriage was to Karolina. Had two children,
Anton and Ragna.
236, side 1
550:
Anton became a seaman. Later educated himself. Became first
engineer in the merchant marines, served during WW II and was stationed at
England.
236, side 1
592: WORK
Worked on the farm that his "husmannsplass" was part of. While
his employer was out fishing, he took care of the horses and hauled milk to the
dairy. This farm had quite a few cows. The women milked the cows. Made about
the same wages as the year before but got a suit of clothes as well. First job
when 13, this job when 14, and job at Loeset (nearer irskog) when 15. Did the
same kind of work. Grandmother sent word for him to come home. She was 86-87
and knew she would die soon. Ole was responsible for her funeral. Neighbors let
him have the funeral at their house. Wasn't enough room at Reitebakken. Pastor
that confirmed Ole conducted the funeral. Ole was comfortable around him.
Grandmother was born in Tynes . Had spent most of her life at Reitebakken. Her
maiden name was Sivertsdatter. Their farm in Tynes was called Sivertsgaarden.
Ole had to arrange for a big meal at the funeral. Friends helped out. Served
what they had on hand, something freshly baked like lefse.
236, side 1
675: CHRISTMAS
Had lots of "good eats". Was always satisfied. Had lots of lefse
and homemade bread. Didn't have pies or cakes. Tells about the first time he
had pie (raspberry) in America. His friend Louis said, "This is good bread."
236, side 1
694: NORWEGIAN FOOD
Would have oatmeal for breakfast and fish for dinner. Many
different kinds of fish. Had sheep and pigs on farm. Ate pork, faar i kaal, leg
of lamb, spekekjoett. Stored food in their stabbur. He made a lot of friends
with it (spekekjoett) when he came to America. That was all he brought with him
except for a change of socks. Knew he could buy everything he needed here.
236, side 1
055: CHRISTMAS
Visited neighbors often, but especially at Christmas. Had a meal
in each of his neighbors' homes. Christmas lasted 20 days. "Kjeldeness (?)
knute er julen ute." Sang a lot, as each house had one or two musicians. Fiddle
was played more than accordion. Guitar, mouth organ, and zither were played
also.
236, side 1
135: WORK
After confirmation, Ole got a job at a cement block factory on
the Blindheim-Vik River after he was through working as a "dreng". He could
make as many bricks as any of the other guys. Worked with a friend, Lars Olsen
Vik (Louis Vik when he came to America). They talked a lot about America.
Decided to go in 1908. Left Aalesund on July 4, 1908.
236, side 1
218: EMIGRATION AND FEELINGS ABOUT LEAVING NORWAY
Decided to go no matter how bad he felt about leaving.
Grandmother had already passed away. Grandfather Nikolai was still living. Hard
to say good-bye to him because he knew how he felt. Ole wrote him many letters.
Sister, Matilde, was left to take care of him. Ole and Lars knew many who had
gone to America. Ole's brother, Nikolai, was in America, and Lars' brother had
been in the Klondike (Yukon) for about five years. He'd brought home $5000 -
6000 dollars from his stake and got married. Ole thought he'd possibly return
to Norway after 6-8 years. He and his brother bought some lots in
Fauntleroy(?). Ole tried to sell them but couldn't even get as much as he'd
paid for them. Hard times then many people out of work. Would have gone back to
Norway if he could have sold those lots.
236, side 1
305: WORK IN SEATTLE
Found a lot of idleness. Found a job working on boomer logs on
Lake Union. Earned only $1.50 a day. Then started in the dairy business. His
brother, Nikolai, and Ole Lowell were both carpenters. Ole was just a common
wage earner. That's why he could earn only $1.50. Earned $5 a day in Alaska.
Lowell was from Nordfjord.
236, side 1
347: TRIP TO AMERICA
Left Aalesund on the "Jotunheim", which used to be a fjord boat,
this took them to Bergen. It was difficult for him to be on the sea. They took
the ship "Hera" from Bergen to Stavanger, from Stavanger to Newcastle, England.
Ole and Louis then took a train to Liverpool. Liverpool was quite an
interesting experience for them, all the different people. Ole and Louis took
the logsteamer "Maritania" to New York. They even paid extra (47 crowns) to
take this boat The "Maritania" was the sister ship of the "Lusitania", the
fastest ship being able to cross the Atlantic in five days. The "Maritania" was
brand new, very comfortable. Ole and Louis didn't like the British girls
working on the ship though, they were always begging for tips. Ole was seasick
on this trip also. They were amazed at how much a huge ship like that vibrated
because of the speed. But their journey set a record: four and a half days.
When they arrived at Ellis Island, all they had to do was roll up their sleeves
and show vaccination marks.
236, side 1
490: SCHOOL IN NORWAY
Ole went to school until he was 14-15. He was also confirmed. He
had to walk three miles to school; in the winter, they skied. School was held
everyday in winter. There were two classes, small school and big school, with
three grades each. Ole Strummer was his teacher in the big school. Ole B.
really values the education that Mr. Strummer gave him.
236, side 1
525: ARRIVAL AND SETTLING IN AMERICA
California, Alaska, and Washington. Ole had no knowledge of
English when he arrived. Louis knew more, so he served as translator. At Ellis
Island, a man came up in a horse and wagon full of boxes about 1 x 1 ft, which
were full of lunch stuff. The man was yelling $1, so they each got a box for
the train ride. Their train trip (on the Southern Pacific line) took them south
past the White House, Virginia, Carolinas, Louisiana, and Texas. It was really
hot in Texas - watermelon season. In New Mexico they met a Swede returning from
Sweden, who befriended them. Their train trip took 7 days. In spite of the
record-breaking ship crossing, the whole trip took an average time. Ole had
swollen feet for sitting for 7 days with tied shoes and no moving around. They
ended up in San Francisco because they had a friend there in a lumber town
(Albion in Mendocino County) They just showed up at the lumber camp and got
jobs. Their first job was loading railroad ties, very tough work as they were
sinker ties. Next job was digging ditches, which Ole liked. He worked really
hard so that he wouldn't lose his job. They earned $2 a day plus room and
board.
236, side 1
698: LEARNING ENGLISH
Ole made friends with an old man (his boss), Tom, who taught him
English. He also learned from reading the newspaper. Ole wanted to know what
was going on.
236, side 1
725:
WORK: They worked 6 days a week, 10 hours a day, starting at 7 am
and finishing at 5 pm. Started working in the lumber business in September. At
the end of December, they started North. Their boss did not want them to leave
for Alaska; he said it would be a mistake. But Ole and Louis already had
everything worked out with Ole's brother in Alaska.
236, side 1
Tape 237:
237, side 1
020: ARRIVAL IN SAN FRANCISCO
A man with a team of horses asked them for their address - he was
a "taxi". Ole sat with him in the driver's seat and Louis hung on in back. Once
when Ole looked back, Louis was way back in the road trying to catch his hat,
which had flown off. Ole tried to stop the horses by going RRRRR (rolled "R").
That's how they stopped horses in Norway. The driver looked at Ole like he was
crazy - when Ole looked back, Louis was back in the wagon with his hat on, so
Ole told the driver it was okay to go ahead. Since they arrived in San
Francisco in the middle of the day, they ate at a restaurant - pointed out the
food they wanted. Then they visited with other Norwegian immigrants and headed
for Albion.
237, side 1
188: TO ALASKA
Ole and Louis went to Alaska in Jan. 1909 by traveling to Seattle
where they saw Smith Tower being built. (Ole was mistaken about how long they
stayed in Albion - they didn't leave until March when the Valdez Trail would be
clear.) The steamer was to leave on a Saturday night. They met many people who
had just returned form a trip to Norway who were going back home to Alaska. Ole
and Louis listened to the Norwegian dialects to figure out where they were
from. One of the Norwegians thought that Ole was his brother, Nik, and asked
him what the heck he was doing there on the steamer. This man, Jack Viken (?),
had worked with Nik in Alaska.
237, side 1
270: ALASKA
They arrived in Anchorage to take the Valdez Trail to Thompson
Pass. All the Norwegians on the boat plus Ole and Louis headed out, equipped
with the usual: wool socks, a pair of rubber shoes (rubber bottoms and laced,
leather tops), and felt shoes. The trail was broken, but it was slow going in
the snow. Ole partnered with Jack Viken. Some of the men had horses to take
them across the pass. These men had some spekekjoett, but they left it outside
overnight, and some wolves ate it. The interior of Alaska had dry snow and Ole
used his felt shoes. He and Jack traveled quickly and arrived first.
237, side 1
380: WORK
Mining in Alaska. Nik had been in Alaska for 2-3 years, working
through the winters. The Ester Creek mine (outside of Fairbanks) was owned by
Jim Hammo and Clarence Berry (?). During the summer, there were 100 men working
in this underground mine. Ole worked as a bellboy (explains job). After one
season, he joined his brother doing pipe work. They worked at Conrad(?) (below
the mine) sinking a shaft into frozen ground, 10 hours a day and 6 days a week.
Ole and Nik worked 18 months without leaving or missing a shift. The job paid
$5 a day plus room and board. Ole stayed in Alaska for two years longer than
Nik, who went back to Norway.
237, side 1
500: BACHELOR LIFE
Before Nik left, he and Ole had bought a one-room cabin because
they were tired of sleeping in the dorms. "Batching" was rather primitive, and
Ole read a lot. The Fairbanks Miner News came daily at the mine. One Christmas
Eve when he was alone, he walked into Fairbanks for the night, 10 miles from
the mine. When he got into the town saloon, he was frozen. It was 58 degrees
below zero outside. In order to relieve the pain he had to put ice on his
cheeks all night long at the local hotel where he usually stayed.
237, side 1
590: SEATTLE
Ole never regretted coming to America. He says his purpose was
too strong: to get independent and do something interesting. Ole left Alaska in
the fall of 1919 and went to Seattle; there was lots of unemployment. Ole
Lowell was a top notch builder and carpenter, he was appointed to Col.
Chittenden, the builder of the locks on Lake Washington. He still couldn't sell
the lots of land that he and Nik had bought earlier, so they decided to start a
dairy.
237, side 1
645: DAIRYING
In 1914, Ole, who had the money, took Lowell in as a partner as
Lowell had the abilities to build the barns and milk houses so they could get
licensed. The business nature in Ole's blood got him interested in the dairy
business. They rented 10 acres with a big house on it from a retired farmer
called Hammer. They named their dairy the La Ville Dairy. Tells story of how
they picked out the name. Kept business for 2-3 years - thrived as a home
delivery dairy. They delivered around Green Lake, 12th Ave. N. and 55th. Mrs.
Lucas was a good customer. One quart of milk sold for 10 cents, and in summer,
12 quarts were $1. The business which began in 1914, developed into three big
routes in Seattle by 1928. In 1928, Ole merged with Kristoferson (?) Dairy:
"Blindheim-Kristoferson Dairy". Many small dairies were merging to become large
outfits, e.g., Carnation. He retired in 1942 from the dairy business but
continued to work for several more years at the "Dungeness-Sequim Co-op".
237, side 2
063:
Ole managed this co-op with an assistant, Edward Gruger; worked
there five years until 1949. Had a blueberry farm around 1950 - 1966. Wife's
health became bad in 1966, and he retired permanently.
237, side 2
154: MEETING SPOUSE
Ole met his wife through his dairy business. He drove by her
house everyday on his route. Her father was also in the dairy business (was the
first milkman at the University of Washington). Ole knew of his wife through
the Lowell's before he met her; all his friends used to "brag her up". One
evening she and her sister came over to visit. After that, he received letters
from her. Often he would give her a ride when he was on his deliveries, and she
was going in the same direction. They were sweethearts for 7 - 8 years, because
the dairy couldn't support two families. They got married August 30, 1919 and
lived on Beacon Hill. Ole says it was worth waiting. Anna was not Norwegian;
her family was from Slesvig (Saxony ?), Denmark. Her father, August and family
had first been in Texas, then to Seattle on Beacon Hill. August was a carpenter
with a good trade. Bought 160 acres at $4 an acre. Ole and Anna had two
children, Agnette Wilhemina, born 1921, and Alvin Louis.
237, side 2
356: DAIRY BUSINESS
There was a tuberculosis outbreak in the herds, so Ole sold the
cows and developed a pasteurization business about 1922.
237, side 2
385: BANKING IN THE 1920s
He had heeded his grandmother's advice about saving money and had
$800-900 in Washington National Bank managed by Dexter Horton. One Christmas
Ole went to the bank to make a withdrawal only to find the bank closed, and
Horton on his way to Mexico with the bank's money to buy a banana ranch. Ole
got back only 50%. His next monies were invested in Scandinavian-American Bank,
which paid back 85% when they had trouble.
237, side 2
435:
Ole invested all his free money into the Norwegian-American Line
after the bank failures.
237, side 2
495: TUBERCULOSIS EPIDEMIC
Ole's brother-in-law, Paul Fisher, lost most of his herd. When
Ole's cows were given the tuberculin test, 30 out of 32 had negative results.
Only two cows had to be butchered, and Ole's only compensation was the two
hides. His herd had a good record of being healthy and producing high quality
milk.
237, side 2
535: COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Member of several clubs but held no offices. Ole attended the
Swedish Club as a guest of Kristoferson. Ole was a 50-year member of the Sons
of Norway.
237, side 2
560:
The Norwegian Commercial Club was his main interest and activity.
He helped organize and name this club, was a charter member in 1930-31, and was
appointed its tenth president.
237, side 2
650: RETURN TRIPS TO NORWAY
The first trip back occurred in late August 1958. They visited
with six friends from his confirmation class and with his family, staying with
his brother, Nik.
Subjects
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Personal Names :
Andreas, Peter
Blindheim, Agnette Wilhemina
Blindheim, Louis
Blindheim, Nikolai
Blindheim, Ole Andreas Rasmussen --Interviews
(
creator)
Blindheim, Rasmus Mikkalsen
Fisher, Anna
Lowell, Ole
Nikolasidatter, Agnetta Marie
Rasmussen, Mikkal Andreas
Rote, Gunnild Jensdatter
Sivertsdatter, Olava Marie
Stromme, Ole
Vigen, Jack
Vik, Lars Olsen (Louis)
Family Names :
Blindheim family
Rasmussen family
Rote family
Corporate Names :
Blindheim-Kristoferson Dairy (Seattle, Wash.)
Hera (Steamship)
Jotunheim (Steamship)
LaVille Dairy (Seattle, Wash)
Mauritania (Steamship)
Norwegian Commercial Club (Seattle, Wash.)
Sons of Norway (U.S.) Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1
(Seattle,Wash
