Niels was born in Gjerpen March 6, 1797. He was the son of Torbjørn Nielssøn Østre Suchen and Taran Jørgensdatter, both born ca 1770. Niels had following siblings: Jørgen, b. ca 1792, Helje (sister), b. ca 1795 and Ole b. ca 1800. This is according to the census of 1801.
He married Berthe Thorbjørnsdatter Løberg, April 20, 1824. She was the daughter of Thorbjørn Jonsen Løberg and Ragnhild Sondresdatter, both born ca 1778. Berthe was born Dec 7, 1800 on Nordre Løberg farm.

According to the census of 1835, Niels and Berthe lived on Nordre Løberg, and we find them there again in 1845. Berthe’s old mother Ragnhild lived with them at the time, age 67.

Niels died Dec 23, 1880 and Berthe Apr 18, 1889. Both are buried in the Ashippun Lutheran Cemetery.

They had at least the following children:

1. Thomas, b. June 8, 1824 at Bratsbergkleven, died Jan 14, 1914. Married May 27, 1850 to Karen Isaksdatter. He emigrated with his parents. She was born 1828 and died 1909. They are buried in the Ashippun Lutheran Cemetery. They had the children: a) Hæge, b. May 19, 1850, died early, b) Anna Lydia, b. May 19, 1850, died early, c) Niels, b. Dec 18, 1851, d) Helene, b. Oct 2, 1853, died before 1855, e) Helene Berthine, b. Aug 10, 1855, f) Jon Edward, b. Jan 28, 1857, g) Theodor, b. Sep 11, 1859, h) Karl Anton, b. Oct 10, 1861, i) Anna Marie, b. Feb 4, 1864, j) Severin, bapt Nov 28, 1866.

2. Simon, b. Oct 4, 1825 at Bratsbergkleven, died Apr 29, 1894. Emigrated with his parents. By 1860 he had moved to New Hope township, Portage Co., Wisconsin. Married Nov 13, 1854 Serine Nielsdatter Aamodt, the daughter of Niels Nielsen Aamodt and Sara Nielsdatter, who had emigrated from Gjerpen in 1846. She was born Feb 26, 1829 and died Jan 15, 1916. Both are buried in the Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery. There were at least 2 children: a) Regina, b. 1856, b) Niels, b. 1858.

 

3. Tarand, b. 1828. Emigrated with her parents. Married May 22, 1852 Peder Halvorsen. At least one child: a) John Henry, b. Dec 31, 1853.
4. Ragnhild, b. Mar 26, 1830 at Løberg. Died Mar 12, 1848 at Nordre Løberg.
5. Anne Marie, b. Oct 18, 1832 at Løberg. She died Jan 18, 1895. Emigrated with her parents. Married Sep 26, 1852 Ole Gullickson, who was born Oct 18, 1828, died Jan 18, 1895. Both are buried in the New Hope Lutheran Cemetery.
6. Jon, b. Apr 18, 1836 at Løberg. Died Oct 15, 1885. Emigrated with his parents. Married Carrie, b. Feb 13, 1845, died Jan 11, 1829. Both are buried in the New Hope Lutheran Cemetery.

7. Johan, b. Aug 2, 1838 at Nordre Løberg, died Dec 20, 1920. Emigrated with his parents. Married Oct 11, 1859 Anne Marie Knudsdatter Skowen, born Jan 25, 1836, died Jan 18, 1921.She had emigrated with her brother in 1855. Johan enlisted in Company B of the 46th Infantry from Amherst Township to serve in the Civil War. Because of his exact marksmanship, he was kept at Camp Randall, Madison, where he served as an instructor at the rifle range. Johan and Anne Marie were married at home in Amherst, Portage Co, Wisconsin. They had the following children. When he enlisted in the Civil War, he used the name Johan Nelson, and later, after the war, began using the Loberg surname.
1. Nels, b. Feb 18, 1860 at Amherst, died Nov 28, 1946 at Nelsonville. Married Dina Davidson Boe in New Hope, Wisconsin Dec 26, 1889., 2. Carl, b. Feb 3, 1864 at Amherst, died Jul 2, 1948 at Nelsonville. He married Emma Gurholt Jan 1, 1902., 3. Anton, b. Aug 25, 1866 at Amherst, died Mar 14, 1905. Married to Gusta Grothe., 4. Anne Berthea, b. Sep 1, 1868 at Amherst, died Mar 14, 1953 at Nelsonville. She married Theodore Johnson Sep 21, 1890., 5. Emma, b. Oct 5, 1871 at Amherst, died Nov 26, 1963. She married Ben Anderson Sep 6, 1893., 6. Ida, b. Sep 17, 1875 at Amherst, died May 1968. She was married in June 1905 to Henry N. Nelson., 7. Julius, b. Apr 6, 1880 at Amherst, died Jan 2, 1970 at Amherst. He was married Jan 1, 1902 to Marie Engebretson. More about Johan and Anne Marie can be found on the website of Portage County Historical Society. Here is the direct link.

8. Kirsten Marie, b. Sep 20, 1840 at Nordre Løberg. Died Dec 29, 1929. Emigrated with her parents. Married Nov 24, 1858 Ole Halvorsen Waller, who had emigrated in 1846 from Eidanger.

9. Niels, b. Nov 14, 1845. Died Apr 17, 1848 at Nordre Løberg.

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Part of this information has been submitted by Charlotte Nelson of Claremont, California. Thanks Charlotte!!