Name/Title
Walbom family: Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom, 1886 to 1905 residents of Mayville, Traill County, Dakota TerritoryEntry/Object ID
2025.246.1Description
The following Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom family history is based on information provided by Anne Berit Karlsen of Oslo, Norway, who is a great great granddaughter of Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom. Additional Walbom family history information was obtained from Traill County weekly newspapers, Newspapers.com, Ancestry.com, a Ancestry Public Member “Daniel Green’s Family Tree” and Find-a-Grave.com.
Otto Kristian Ferdinand Walbom was born on 3 May 1841 in Tønsberg Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway. Otto Kristian was the son of Johan Frederich Walbom and Christiane Christiansdatter. Otto Kristian Walbom had two brothers: Anton Mauritz Constantin and Karl Anton Emil Walbom. As a young man, Otto Kristian resided in Nøtterøy, Vestfold Fylke, Norway [1865 Census data].
On 12 January 1871, Otto Kristian Ferdinand Walbom married Antonette Marie Walbom in the Nøtterøy Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway [Church Record, with dates of birth]. Antonette was born on 18 February 1848, in Halden Kommune, Østfold Fylke, Norway, a daughter of Fredrik Arnt Walbom.
In Norway, Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom had three daughters: Kristiane Fredrikke, Anna Ambrosia and Asta Marie Walbom (their lives are briefly described below).
In the spring of 1886, Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom emigrated from Norway to Traill County, Dakota Territory, in the United States. Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie resided in a house* in the village of Mayville [see photo of house from page 56 in the book “Diamond Jubilee”, the 75th (1881-1956) anniversary of Mayville, photo courtesy great great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen]. When Otto Kristian ‘Christ’ and Antonette Walbom left Mayville in about 1905, the house was then owned and occupied by Carl Hilstad, which passed onto his son, George Carl Hilstad, who occupied the house in 1956. The house may now be occupied by George’s son, Steve Hilstad.
On 10 June 1887, in Mayville, Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom had a fourth daughter, Astra ‘Esther’ Viola Walbom (her life is briefly described below). Otto Christian F. Walbom was declared a US Citizen on 2 October 1888 [US Naturalization Index].
The Otto Christian and Antonette Walbom family was included in a book titled: "Diamond Jubilee Mayville N. Dak." (see book cover), which was produced to celebrate the 75th anniversary (1881-1956) of Mayville, North Dakota. This book included a brief family description and photographs of Otto Christian and Antionette (see Walbom family description).
Notably, Antonette Marie Walbom served the Mayville community as a midwife, delivering many children into the world. Otto Christian (or Christ as he was often called) Walbom was a carpenter on the Grandin Farms near Mayville, which were some of the largest and most prosperous farms in the area; they were referred to as Bonanza Farms. Christ Walbom also operated an icehouse, where in the winter blocks of ice were cut from the Goose River that runs through Mayville, stored in the icehouse, and then delivered to people in the summer who needed ice to cool milk and foods. Christ was employed as a drayman [1900 US Census, Mayville, ND]. A drayman is a person who drives a horse-drawn, low, flat-bed wagon without sides. Christ would have delivered ice from his icehouse. The Chris Walbom Ice Co. was clearly an important business in Mayville [news, Traill County Tribune, 15 December 1898].
News articles in the Hillsboro Banner and Portland Republican, weekly newspapers, on 20 July 1899, 13 April 1900, 12 October 1900, 18 October 1900, 18 January 1901, 24 January 1901, 12 April 1901 and 18 April 1901 document that Christ Walbom was paid by Traill County to haul goods for 'paupers', probably to the Traill County Poor Farm located near Caledonia, ND. At the Traill County Poor Farm people in need of support were feed and housed.
Otto Kristian and Antonette Marie Walbom’s four daughters were (see family tree):
1: Kristiane Fredrikke Walbom was born 13 March 1872. Kristiane was raised by her parents until the age of 14 when in the Spring of 1886 her parents emigrated from Norway to the United States. Kristiane remained in Norway to care for her grandmother, also named Kristiane and known as “Midwife Walbom” (info, courtesy great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen).
Kristiane Fredrikke Walbom stayed in Norway because she met Otto Andersen and they married on 31 December 1899 (see wedding photograph, courtesy great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen). Otto was born on 12 February 1872.
Kristiane and Otto Andersen had three sons. Their eldest son, Otto Kristian Andersen was born on 16 September 1900. Otto Kristian lived his life in his home country of Norway. He did not marry. Otto Kristian Andersen died, age 64 on 29 November 1964 and was interred in the Vallø Gamle Kirkegård (see lines 8 & 9 on the Antonette Walbom grave site monument photo, courtesy Otto and Kristiane’s great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen).
Otto and Kristiane Andersen’s second son, Arne Walbom Andersen, was born on 16 July 1905. Arne served as a seaman for Norway (see photo, courtesy granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen). On 12 July 1930, Arne Walbom Andersen, age 24, married Maren Marie Andersen, age 23, at the Nøtterøy Kirke. Arne Walbom Andersen died, age 69, on 11 August 1974 and Maren Marie Andersen died, age 86, on 7 February 1993. They were interred in the Nøtterøy Kirkegård (see grave monument photo, courtesy granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen).
Otto and Kristiane Anderson’s third son, Einar Eugen Andersen, was born on 6 January 1913 and was baptized on 9 February 1913 in the Nøtterøy Kirke [Norway church birth/baptism record]. Einar married Hildur, who was born on 18 October 1919. Einar died age 81 on 28 December 1994 and Hildur lived to be 89, passing away on 10 August 2009
Otto Andersen died on 1 June 1947, age 75, and Kristiane Fredrikke Walbom died age 85 on 6 January 1958. Otto and Kristiane were interred in the Vallø Gamle Kirkegård [see lines 3 to 7 on the Antonette Walbom grave site monument photo, courtesy great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen]. The Vallø Gamle Kirkegård is located in Tønsberg Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway
2: Anna Ambrosia Walbom was born 26 November 1877 in Nøtterøy Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway. At age 8, in the spring of 1886, Anna came to Mayville with her parents. Anna was obviously an intelligent and pleasant young woman. Anna Ambrosia Walbom graduated with a certificate to teach in 1898 from Mayville Normal School (now Mayville State University) [Hillsboro Banner news, 10 June 1898]. Anna was one of only three graduates in 1898 (see photo).
Anna was hired by the Traill County Board of Education to teach pupils at one of the schools in Traill County for the 1901-1902 school year [Hillsboro Banner news, 19 Apr. 1901]. The Portland Republican weekly newspaper for 9 May 1901 reported that "Miss Walbom, Mayville", had her seventh-grade geography class participate in a recital for the meeting of "Teachers' Association for the Western Section of Traill County", which was to be held in the City of Mayville on 11 May 1901. As noted in the 75th Mayville Anniversary book “Anna Walbom taught school for many years here”—we don't know which schools. Other newspaper articles show that Anna was invited to attend evening dinner parties held in Mayville [Fargo Forum news, 26 Mar. 1902].
In 1903 Anna A. Walbom applied for, and was awarded, a teaching position at a school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, beginning 8 September 1903 [Minneapolis Tribune news, 3 Aug. 1903]. But by 1905, Anna had left Fergus Falls for Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she worked as a ‘packer’ for Pillsbury Co. [1905 City Directory]. Interestingly, Anna’s mother, Antonette Walbom, resided at the same address as Anna: 13th Ave. S. in Minneapolis. Antonette was employed as a ‘midwife’. About this time, Antonette husband, Christ Walbom, was up in Clearwater County, MN. In 1906, Anna and Antonette continued to reside at 13th Ave. S [1906 City Dir.], but Anna’s occupation was not recorded as a machine operator. By 1907, Antonette was no longer listed with Anna at 13th Ave. S [1907 City Dir.], while Anna continued as a machine operator. By 1909, Antonette was listed as a widow and back living with her daughter Anna at 13th Ave. S [1909 City Dir.], who continued to be employed as a machine operator. Otto Christian died in 1908 (see later).
By 1910, Anna, age 33, was back in Fergus Falls, MN, teaching English at a public school [1910 US Census], while residing as a boarder with William and Aurelia McBride. At age 36, Anna Ambrosia Walbom and married Evan C. Lee, age 35, on 24 June 1914 in Minneapolis [Marriage License news, Minneapolis State Tribune, 25 Jun. 1914]. Evan was born on 27 November 1878 in Norway. Evan Lee was a certified pharmacist [Minneapolis Journal news, 19 Jul. 1902]. Although Anna and Evan married in Minneapolis, they lived in Fergus Falls, where Evan operated a pharmacy business [1920 US Census data].
Evan and Anna (Walbom) Lee had three sons, Eugene Carlton Lee (born 14 May 1915 in Minneapolis; became a pharmacist in 1940; served in WWII; moved to Corvallis, OR, in 1954; married Martine Mary (Hansen) Pasquale on 30 Aug. 1958 in Corvallis; died, age 85, on 23 Aug. 2000 in Corvallis), Eldon Fredrick Lee (b. 20 Mar. 1917 [twin to Phillip] in Fergus Falls, MN; served in WWII in the Philippines; returned to Fergus Falls; did not marry; d. age 62, 22 Dec. 1979 in Los Angeles, CA) and Phillip A. Lee (b. 21 Mar. 1917 [twin to Eldon] in Fergus Falls, MN; served in WWII, wounded in Europe in 1944; returned to Fergus Falls, MN; did not marry; d. age 76, 25 Apr. 1993 in Fergus Falls).
Anna (Walbom) Lee lived to the age of 51, passing way in Fergus Falls on 30 March 1929. Evan Carlton Lee lived to the age of 67, passing away on 30 December 1945 in Fergus Falls [obituary, Fargo Forum, 2 Jan. 1946]. Anna and Evan were interred in the Lakewood Cemetery located in Minneapolis [see Grave-marker photos].
3: Asta Marie Konstance Walbom was born on 5 November 1878 in Nøtterøy Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway. Asta Marie was baptized on 6 December in the Nøtterøy Kirke [Norway church birth/baptism record]. Sadly, Asta Marie Konstance Walbom died age six on 24 November 1884 in Nøtterøy Kommune and was interred in the Nøtterøy Kirkegård.
4: Asta (Esther) Viola Walbom was born in 10 June 1887 in Mayville, Traill County, Dakota Territory. Asta Viola was named after her deceased sister Asta Marie. In America, Asta was usually referred to as Esther Viola Walbom. A photograph of Esther as an infant, taken in about 1888 at a studio in Mayville, shows her with her sister, Anna Walbom, and mother, Antonette Walbom (photo, right, courtesy of Antonette’s great great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen]. Esther was raised and schooled in Mayville, North Dakota. Either just before or after her father’s death in 1908, at about age 21, Esther moved to New York City.
Esther Viola Walbom, age 22, married Charles Albert Kupferman, 32, on 6 January 1910 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Charles was born on 25 September 1877 in Perry, Houston County, Georgia, USA. After Esther and Charles married they lived in Manhattan where Charles was employed in the “Manufacture” of “Ladies underwear” [1910 US Census data]. In 1920, Charles and Esther continued to reside in Manhattan where Charles operated his “Ladies underwear” manufacturing business [1920 US Census data]. In 1920, Charles and Esther did not have any children listed with them in this census, but Esther’s mother, Antonette Walbom, age 72, was living with them in Manhattan.
Interestingly, on 22 March 1920, Esther Walbom Kupferman applied for a US Passport [see passport photo]. Esther planned to travel to Norway to visit her sister [Kristiana (Walbom) Anderson] for a period of 3 months, departing on 6 May 1920 from a port in New Jersey, USA. It is likely that Esther’s mother, Antonette Walbom travelled to Norway with her because about a year later in 1921, Antonette passed away in Norway (see below). Ten years later, at the time the 1930 US Census was taken in April, Esther, age 42, and Charles, 35, continued to reside in Manhattan, with Charles’ employment recorded as “Salesman” of “Dry Goods”. No children were listed with them in this 1930 US Census.
On 28 January 1934, Charles A. Kupferman passed away, age 56, in Manhattan, New York City [US Death Index; see passport photo]. A 1963 Death record for New York City indicates that Esther Kupferman passed away on 9 March 1963 in the Bronx, New York City, at the age of 62. However, we know from US passport application data that Esther (Walbom) Kupferman was born on 10 June 1887, hence, if this is the correct death record, and I feel that it is correct except for the age, Esther was 75 at the time of her death, not 62. Esther was interred at Mount Zion Cemetery located in Maspeth, Queens County, New York [US Find-a-Grave info].
Otto Kristian 'Christ' Walbom died age 66 (nearly 67) on 1 May 1908 in Hangaard Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota. Christ was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery located in Hangaard Township. When did Christ go from Mayville in Traill County, North Dakota to Hangaard Township in Clearwater County, where he died? A Hillsboro Banner newspaper item documents that Christ was still in Traill County in 1901, as he was paid by the Traill County for drayman services as reported on 12 April 1901. I could not find Christ Walbom in the 1905 Minnesota Census for Clearwater County, so it was likely after 1905.
Antonette Marie Walbom died age 73 on 31 July 1921 in Tønsberg Kommune, Vestfold Fylke, Norway, and was buried in Vallø Gamle Kirkegård [see lines 1 & 2 on the Antonette Walbom grave monument photo, courtesy great great granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen], which is located in Tønsberg. After her husband Christ Walbom died in 1908 in Clearwater County, Minnesota, Antonette evidently continued to reside in that area, but by 1920 Antonette Walbom, age 72, was residing with her daughter Esther and son-in-law Charles in Manhattan, New York City [1920 US Census data]. After this 1920 US Census, we know Antonette returned to Norway where she passed away in 1921, as noted above.Acquisition
Accession
2025.246Source or Donor
Anne Berit Karlsen, Oslo, Norway, Traill County Historical SocietyLocation
* Untyped Location
Resource RoomBuilding
Plummer House
![Grave monument, Nøtterøy Kirkegård, photo courtesy granddaughter Anne Berit Karlsen]: Arne Walbom and Maren Marie Andersen](https://d8e7jbdw4fu0e.cloudfront.net/1937/b5e366a0-d30d-11f0-b179-cfa80cf9c775-vazElMK.lg@2x.jpg)
