Rev. Emanuel Christophersen
Rev. Emanuel Christophersen
Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was born in Lyngor, Norway, June 23, 1849. Parents: Christopher J. and Margrete Christophersen. At the age of 13 years he entered Drammen's Latin School and six years later matriculated at the University of Christiania. In 1873 he concluded his theological studies and after making a tour of Scotland, England, Germany and Denmark assumed the position of high school director in Gjerstad. Here he received information regarding the spiritual want among his fellow countrymen residing in America, and expressed his willingness to enter ministerial work among them. Through Bishop Hench he received a call from Pigeon Falls and affiliated congregations. He was ordained in Vor Preiser's church in Christiania in 1876. The 23rd of March, the same year, he married Inger Nilson, also from Lyngor, Norway, born Oct. 3, 1849, of parents Knut and Helene Nilson. Immediately afterward they emigrated to America and arrived at Whitehall May 30, 1876. Here they lived a few months until the parsonage which was being built half a mile north of Pigeon Falls was ready for occupancy. His call consisted of five congregations and a number of missionary stations. For 33 years he performed his arduous labors in this large field with rare fidelity, traveling about in rain and sunshine, summer and winter, preaching the word of Christ's gospel, administering the sacraments, comforting the sorrowful, and instructing the young. During these many years of continued pastorate in Pigeon Falls he became widely known and respected in this and neighboring counties. His manly bearing, his clean-cut character and his integrity, together with his considerable learning commanded universal recognition and esteem. In his lifework he was ably assisted by his faithful and self-sacrificing wife, whose crowning work it has been to make a home rich with joy, peace and contentment. Their married life was very happy. Eleven children were born to them. The three oldest boys, Christopher, Knut and Gotlob, all died young. The other eight living are: Anna, married to Olaf Mosbo and living at Rembrandt, Iowa; Johannes Bjorn, married to Eva Brevig and living at Roanwood, Mont.; Einar Bjorn, successor in the father's call and living at Pigeon Falls, married to Myrtle Peterson, of Trempealeau Valley; Gerhard Bjorn, married to Addie Dale and living in Superior, Wis.; Johanne Marie, married to Rev. J. C. Johnson and Living in Frankfort, Mich.; Knut Johan, at Pigeon Falls; Ragnhild Margrete, graduate nurse of Augustana Hospital, Chicago, living in Fargo, N. D. ; Valborg, teacher in North Dakota. On the 23rd of March, 1909, the anniversary of his wedding day, he suffered a paralytic stroke while seated at the dinner table and died a few hours later. The funeral took place on the 29th of March. Right Reverend J. Nordby, the president of the Eastern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, spoke on 1 Peter 5:10, 11. The Revs. Ramberg, Gimmestad, Urberg, Bestul, Hovde, Berrum, Vik and Kvaase delivered brief addresses. The funeral services were attended by a great host of mourners. Floral offerings were sent by many societies and individuals. A number of old parishioners served as pall-bearers from the residence of the deceased to the church. Six brother ministers carried his remains to the grave. Members of his congregations and his family have erected a beautiful monument upon his grave. At the time of his death his call consisted of three congregations: Pigeon Creek congregation, at Pigeon Falls; South Beef River, Jackson County, and Upper Pigeon Creek, Jackson County. During his pastorate at Pigeon Falls he had preached approximately 3,150 sermons, baptized 3,079, confirmed 2,029, married 480 couples and officiated at 1,002 funerals.
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)
Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was born in Lyngor, Norway, June 23, 1849. Parents: Christopher J. and Margrete Christophersen. At the age of 13 years he entered Drammen's Latin School and six years later matriculated at the University of Christiania. In 1873 he concluded his theological studies and after making a tour of Scotland, England, Germany and Denmark assumed the position of high school director in Gjerstad. Here he received information regarding the spiritual want among his fellow countrymen residing in America, and expressed his willingness to enter ministerial work among them. Through Bishop Hench he received a call from Pigeon Falls and affiliated congregations. He was ordained in Vor Preiser's church in Christiania in 1876. The 23rd of March, the same year, he married Inger Nilson, also from Lyngor, Norway, born Oct. 3, 1849, of parents Knut and Helene Nilson. Immediately afterward they emigrated to America and arrived at Whitehall May 30, 1876. Here they lived a few months until the parsonage which was being built half a mile north of Pigeon Falls was ready for occupancy. His call consisted of five congregations and a number of missionary stations. For 33 years he performed his arduous labors in this large field with rare fidelity, traveling about in rain and sunshine, summer and winter, preaching the word of Christ's gospel, administering the sacraments, comforting the sorrowful, and instructing the young. During these many years of continued pastorate in Pigeon Falls he became widely known and respected in this and neighboring counties. His manly bearing, his clean-cut character and his integrity, together with his considerable learning commanded universal recognition and esteem. In his lifework he was ably assisted by his faithful and self-sacrificing wife, whose crowning work it has been to make a home rich with joy, peace and contentment. Their married life was very happy. Eleven children were born to them. The three oldest boys, Christopher, Knut and Gotlob, all died young. The other eight living are: Anna, married to Olaf Mosbo and living at Rembrandt, Iowa; Johannes Bjorn, married to Eva Brevig and living at Roanwood, Mont.; Einar Bjorn, successor in the father's call and living at Pigeon Falls, married to Myrtle Peterson, of Trempealeau Valley; Gerhard Bjorn, married to Addie Dale and living in Superior, Wis.; Johanne Marie, married to Rev. J. C. Johnson and Living in Frankfort, Mich.; Knut Johan, at Pigeon Falls; Ragnhild Margrete, graduate nurse of Augustana Hospital, Chicago, living in Fargo, N. D. ; Valborg, teacher in North Dakota. On the 23rd of March, 1909, the anniversary of his wedding day, he suffered a paralytic stroke while seated at the dinner table and died a few hours later. The funeral took place on the 29th of March. Right Reverend J. Nordby, the president of the Eastern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, spoke on 1 Peter 5:10, 11. The Revs. Ramberg, Gimmestad, Urberg, Bestul, Hovde, Berrum, Vik and Kvaase delivered brief addresses. The funeral services were attended by a great host of mourners. Floral offerings were sent by many societies and individuals. A number of old parishioners served as pall-bearers from the residence of the deceased to the church. Six brother ministers carried his remains to the grave. Members of his congregations and his family have erected a beautiful monument upon his grave. At the time of his death his call consisted of three congregations: Pigeon Creek congregation, at Pigeon Falls; South Beef River, Jackson County, and Upper Pigeon Creek, Jackson County. During his pastorate at Pigeon Falls he had preached approximately 3,150 sermons, baptized 3,079, confirmed 2,029, married 480 couples and officiated at 1,002 funerals.
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)