Peder Vigesaa, his wife, the former Elizabeth Windingland, and their children immigrated to America from Norway in 1901. Peder, born May 1, 1853, at Bjerkrem, Norway, was the eldest son of Torkel Vigesaa and Bertha Sjevelan. Peder and Elizabeth were married in 1877. Nine children were born to them, all in Norway. Thomas (1878), Aadne, who died in infancy, two Berthas, neither of whom survived, Aadne (1886), Bertha Serina (1888), Sigvart (1891), Thorval (1895) and Pete (1898).
It wasn't as hard for Peder and Elizabeth to break family ties and leave Norway as it was for some immigrants as the Vigesaas already had family members in America. Their oldest son, Thomas, had immigrated in 1895. Peder also had two brothers there, Torkel who came in 1888 and now lived in Sverdrup Township, and Theodore, who had also come, but who lost his life the same year that Peder and his family reached their new home in America. Another brother, Martin, came shortly after Peder and settled in the same area. Elizabeth also had a brother Andrew Windingland, and two sisters, Mrs. Olaf (Gisena) Helland and Abega Thompson, who came to America.
When Peder and Elizabeth came to America they lived with their son Thomas just across the Sheyenne River in Riverside Township of Steele County. It wasn't long until they purchased a quarter Section in Sverdrup Township, Section #35. On March 19, 1911, Peder and Elizabeth's daughter Bertha died. She is buried at the Lund Cemetery. On October 25, 1911, Aadne married Laura Houghton and on April 10, 1914, Sigvart married Edythe Houghton.
They would make their own skis and ski down the banks of the Sheyenne River. They would use ash wood whenever possible. The skis would have to be soaked in boiling water and then kept in a press to curl them at the end. They were more concerned about breaking their skis than their legs, as they knew the work involved in making new ones.
Elizabeth died October 23, 1934 and Peder January 6, 1936. Both are buried at the Lund Cemetery.
In 1936 their two sons Thorval and Pete moved to where they now live just to the northwest of Red Willow Lake. Thorval married Gunda Stockland on April 1, 1942.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 444