Born: 18 Mar 1823, Trysil, Norway
Married:
Died: 29 Jun 1877, Holmes City twp, Douglas Co, MN
Buried: Trysil-Bethesda cemetery, Holmes City, Douglas Co, MN
Spouse: Halvor Halvorsen Engemoen
from EP Lobeck journal:
29 June 1877 ___ .”…..a new frame house that belonged to old H. Engemoen was overturned so they couldn’t put it back on the foundation. His wife and small boy hurried to the cellar. His wife stuck her head out to call her husband to hurry and just then the house blew away and her head was crushed so she fell dead back in the cellar where the boy stood….”
Obituary
The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota
Friday, July 6, 1877, page 4, col. 2.
Last Friday’s Storm.
Cyclone and Loss of Life in Holmes City.
This was one of the severest storms that ever visited Douglas County. The clouds had been heavy all day, and about 3 o’clock the rain commenced, and poured down in sheets until seven o’clock. About 6 3⁄4 inches of rain fell. During all the time, the wind blew a gale, and as the cyclone advanced shifted to almost every point of the compass. A few, scattering hail stones fell and there was considerable of heavy thunder. We heard of no damage from the lightning.
A number of persons were caught out in the storm and found great difficulty in reaching shelter. The term examinations of the public schools were in progress and after dismission a few of the scholars braved the tempest and reached their homes; but the majority remained at the school house until the storm was over.
In Holmes City the wind arose to a hurricane and a great deal of timber was blown down. The roof of the Holmes City school house was whirled from over the heads of the frightened scholars, but all escaped with no further damage than a thorough drenching.
But, saddest of all, was the death of an excellent old lady, Mrs. Halvor H. Engemoen of Holmes City. On the approach of the storm, a lad twelve or fifteen years old, at that time in the house, ran into the cellar. He was followed by the old lady, who had nearly reached the bottom of the cellar stairs, when the building was blown from its foundation, shearing off the top of her head, and resulting in instant death. Her lifeless body fell into the cellar. Her husband was carried off in the wrecked building and very severely injured. His thigh was dislocated and his head dangerously bruised. Dr. Vivian reports his recovery doubtful. The son of this worthy and unfortunate couple is young Halvor Engemoen, who was, at the time of the painful occurrence on his way to Ft. Garry with a herd of cattle.
Transcribed from microfilm copy of newspaper at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN.