🇳🇴 From Norway to America: The Inspiring Journey of Immigrant Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik
📌 Explore the remarkable immigration story of Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik, a Norwegian immigrant who overcame orphanhood, financial struggles, and war to build a new life in America. Perfect for historians, genealogists, educators, and students exploring early 20th-century immigration.
🇳🇴 Norwegian Immigrant Follows A Dream to a New Country: The Remarkable Journey of Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik
📜 Overview: A Story of Hope, Hardship, and Triumph
This heartfelt biography of Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik is a powerful immigrant narrative, offering teachers, students, genealogists, and historians an in-depth look at one man’s pursuit of a better life in the United States.
Born into poverty and orphaned at a young age, Ludvig overcame immense obstacles to emigrate from Norway to America in 1913. His story reflects the broader struggles and sacrifices made by millions of immigrants who left everything behind for a new beginning.
For educators, this account humanizes the immigrant experience and provides a first-person perspective of economic struggles, transatlantic migration, military service, and perseverance. For genealogists, this story offers a deeply personal window into early 20th-century Norwegian immigration, detailing travel routes, financial struggles, and cultural adaptation.
Ludvig Kristian GJØNVIK in Trondheim, Norway, circa 1910. GGA Image ID # 21796b23fa
Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik was born on 11 January 1892 in Trondhjem, which is now called Trondheim, Norway. He was the youngest of five children in a tradesman family. Unfortunately, at the age of nine, he lost both his parents and was sent to live with elderly relatives who were tenant farmers in the countryside north and west of Trondhjem. After his confirmation at the age of fourteen, he started working on farms and eventually became a shoemaker at A/S Trondhjems Skofabrik in Trondhjem.
The Decision to Leave Norway
Life was a challenge in Norway in the year 1913, and Ludvig had a dream of a better life in America. He discussed this idea with his friends and relatives. As a shoemaker, his earnings were insufficient, and it would have taken him several years to save enough money for the journey to America. Therefore, he decided to secure a loan from his relatives to cover the expenses of the voyage.
The Journey to the New World
In June 1913, Ludvig emigrated to the United States. He traveled on a small coastal steamer named "Åro" from Trondheim, operated by the Wilson Line of Hull. The steamer brought him to Hull, England, where he boarded a train to cross the country and reach the port of Liverpool.
Ludvig then boarded the Cunard Steamship RMS Laconia at Liverpool as a steerage passenger. The journey took ten days, and he landed in Boston, Massachusetts. After clearing immigration, he took a train to the Midwest.
Living in the Midwest
Ludvig originally lived in the Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois areas. He later moved to Madison, Minnesota, where he worked as a farm laborer in nearby Garfield. It was there that he met Clara Seefert, who would become his future wife.
The Great War
Corporal Ludvig Gjenvick, United States Army in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), 1917. GGA Image ID # 2179c63477
During World War I, when the United States joined the war, Ludvig was drafted into the Army. While he was stationed at Camp Pike, Arkansas, he received his citizenship. Ludvig was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served in France. He held a deep affection for his adopted country and was immensely proud of his military service.
Postwar Life
After the war ended, Ludvig married and settled in Minneapolis. He and Clara Susan Seefert had three children, Benjamin, Marie, and Lawrence.
For the most part, Ludvig lived in Minneapolis except for a few years in the late 1920s when he moved to a farm near Spring Valley, Wisconsin, with his family.
Before the start of World War II, he started working for the D.W. Onan Company. Ludvig began as a janitor but was later promoted to be in charge of the plant's maintenance and security as the company grew. He worked there until he retired in 1957 at the age of 65.
Ludvig Gjenvick at his Retirement in 1957. GGA Image ID # 217a5a16e1
Life's Gifts to Cherish
Ludvig had a difficult life that was marked by multiple tragedies. His parents passed away when he was young, and his wife died in 1938. He also experienced poverty, anxiety, and suffering during the Depression and war years. Despite these challenges, Ludvig was deeply involved in his church. He served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and superintendent and was an informal counselor to a succession of pastors.
Ludvig was passionate about missions and service for people in need. He generously gave his time, money, and energy to support these causes. As a young immigrant, he was captivated by Christian higher education. Although he lacked formal education, he inspired, encouraged, and supported his children's education and accomplishments.
Ludvig was a man of exceptional dignity and humor. He had countless friends who found unusual concern and wisdom in him. He was a warm and hospitable host or guest, and his charm made him always welcome.
The Journey's End
Ludvig Gjenvick Boarding a Train to New York to Return to His Beloved Norway in 1952. GGA Image ID # 217aa6408c
Ludvig was a man of exceptional physical strength and energy. He loved nature and also appreciated the architecture of the city. Walking and physical work brought him great pleasure.
He found lifelong joy in music and loved singing with his family and friends. The church's Norwegian and English hymns enriched and sustained his life.
Above all, he was a man with profound personal faith. The Lord was his faithful and loving friend, whom he turned to in good days and bad. As he grew older and his strength declined, he longed to go home.
Ludvig created a tile mosaic of the Last Supper, which he gifted to Reverend Ronald C. Peterson as a farewell present. A short while later, at the age of 83, Ludvig passed away. He faced death with courage and hope.
Story based on a eulogy by the Reverend Benjamin A. Gjenvick, first published in 1975, revised and copyrighted in 2024 by the Gjenvick-Gjønvik family.
A Norwegian Immigrant’s Journey: Transatlantic Travel, WWI Service, and the Struggle for Veterans' Compensation
📌Discover the inspiring journey of Norwegian immigrant Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik, from his 1913 transatlantic voyage on the RMS Laconia to his service in World War I and long battle for veteran compensation. This collection of documents and artifacts provides a unique window into the immigrant experience in early 20th-century America.
This comprehensive collection of documents, artifacts, and historical records tells the story of Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik, a Norwegian immigrant who arrived in America in 1913, served in World War I, and later navigated veteran compensation and government benefits in the 1920s and 1930s. His story mirrors the experiences of thousands of early 20th-century immigrants, providing rich insights into transatlantic migration, wartime service, and post-war struggles for compensation.
📌 This collection is an invaluable resource for historians, educators, genealogists, and students studying immigration, military history, and government policy. 🇳🇴➡️🇺🇸
💰 Norwegian Bank Note (1913) – Immigration Loan for Passage to the U.S.
📌 Discover a 1913 Norwegian bank note used to fund an immigrant’s journey to the U.S. Learn how loans and family support helped finance transatlantic migration. Ideal for genealogists, historians, and immigration researchers.
🚢 RMS Laconia 1913: A Norwegian Immigrant’s Journey from Trondheim to Boston 🇳🇴➡️🇺
📌 Discover the 1913 Third-Class passage contract of Norwegian immigrant Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik aboard the RMS Laconia. This document sheds light on transatlantic migration, Norwegian emigration, and early 20th-century ocean travel. 🌊📜
🛳 The RMS Franconia & Laconia (1912) – Cunard’s Luxurious Ocean Liners & Their Tragic Fate
📌 Explore the 1912 Cunard Line brochure detailing the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia, two of the most luxurious yet short-lived transatlantic liners. This historical gem highlights lavish first-class accommodations, improved second and third-class facilities, and advanced maritime technology—before both ships were sunk in World War I. Ideal for historians, genealogists, students, and maritime enthusiasts.
📌 Explore the 1913 Immigrant Inspection Card from the RMS Laconia, issued to Norwegian immigrant Ludvig Gjønvik. This historical artifact reveals the rigorous immigration and medical inspection process aboard Cunard’s transatlantic liners. Perfect for historians, genealogists, educators, and maritime enthusiasts interested in early 20th-century immigration.
🪖 WWI Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918): A Window into America’s Military Mobilization
📌 Explore World War I draft registration cards (including Ludvig Gjønvik's) from 1917-1918, detailing the mobilization of over 24 million men in the U.S., including citizens and immigrants. Discover personal records, conscription history, and how the war shaped American society—perfect for genealogists, historians, and educators.
🪖 WWI Draft Notice & Physical Examination (1917): The Call to Serve
📌 Explore an authentic World War I draft notice from 1917, detailing the Selective Service process, medical examinations, and immigrant enlistment (Ludvig Gjønvik). Learn how millions of men—both citizens and immigrants—were called to serve in America’s war effort. Ideal for genealogists, historians, educators, and students.
🪖 WWI Certification for Military Duty (1917): The Draft Process in Action
📌 Explore a WWI draft certification document (Ludvig Gjønvik) from 1917, confirming an immigrant’s selection for military service. Learn about the Selective Service Act, local draft boards, and exemption policies. A valuable resource for historians, genealogists, educators, and students.
🪖 The Immigrant Army: How Foreign-Born Soldiers Helped Win World War I
📌 Discover how immigrant soldiers played a vital role in World War I, making up 18% of the U.S. Army. Learn how they earned citizenship, overcame language barriers, and fought for their new country. Perfect for historians, genealogists, educators, and students interested in military and immigration history.
📜 King George V’s Letter to U.S. Soldiers (April 1918): A Royal Welcome to WWI Troops
📌 Discover King George V’s personal letter to American soldiers arriving in Britain during World War I. Learn about its historical significance, read the full transcription, and see original images of this rare wartime document. Perfect for historians, students, and genealogists researching WWI military history. Note: Ludvig Gjønvik received a copy of this letter when he arrived in Liverpool. He kept his copy as a souvenir.
💶 Wartime Money: French Currency Used by WWI Soldiers in France (1916-1918)
📌 Explore French banknotes used by soldiers in WWI and how the French franc lost value due to war inflation. Learn how wartime currency affected soldiers' daily lives and why many kept these notes as souvenirs. Perfect for historians, genealogists, students, and educators.
🪖 WWI Soldier’s Diary (1917-1918): An Immigrant’s Journey from Minnesota to the Western Front
📌 Explore WWI diary extracts of Corporal Ludvig Gjenvick, a Norwegian immigrant turned U.S. soldier, as he records his journey from Camp Dodge to the battlefields of France. Learn about his struggles, victories, and return home, perfect for historians, genealogists, and educators.
History of Company C, 346th Infantry AEF (1919): A WWI Regiment’s Journey
📌 Explore the history of Company C, 346th Infantry, 87th Division, AEF, detailing their WWI training, deployment to France, and service behind the lines. Includes soldier rosters, notable individuals, and their experiences. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and military enthusiasts.
1919 Minnesota WWI Soldiers' Bonus Application: A Look at Veteran Compensation
📌 Explore a rare 1919 Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus application, documenting the post-war compensation process for WWI veterans. Learn about Ludvig K. Gjenvick's service, state-level veteran benefits, and how immigrant soldiers were recognized for their contributions. A valuable resource for historians, genealogists, and educators.
Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Board Notification (1920): WWI Veteran Compensation Process
📌 Discover a rare 1920 Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Board notification, confirming receipt of WWI veteran compensation applications. Learn about the bureaucratic challenges, payment delays, and verification process veterans faced when claiming their Minnesota state bonus. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and educators.
Minnesota Soldiers’ Bonus Fund (1920): WWI Veteran Compensation & Financial Aid
📌 Explore a rare 1920 Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Fund voucher, issued to WWI veteran Ludvig K. Gjenvick for his military service. Learn how Minnesota compensated its veterans, the state's role in post-war support, and how immigrant soldiers were recognized. A valuable resource for historians, genealogists, and educators.
WWI Veteran Compensation: Application for Adjusted Compensation (1924)
📌 Explore a firsthand application for WWI veteran compensation under the 1924 Adjusted Compensation Act. This historical document reveals military service details, government policies, and the struggles veterans faced in securing their promised benefits. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and researchers.
WWI Veteran Compensation: Adjusted Service Certificates & Transmittal Letters (1925)
📌 Explore original 1925 Adjusted Service Certificates & Transmittal Letters issued to WWI veterans under the Adjusted Compensation Act. These primary source documents reveal how veterans were compensated, the delays they faced, and the bureaucratic process involved. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and researchers.
1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Adjusted Service Certificate Receipt & Settlement Process
📌 Explore a rare 1936 Adjusted Service Certificate Receipt, documenting a WWI veteran’s claim for compensation under the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act. Learn how the U.S. government handled veterans' financial benefits, the Bonus Army protests, and the long-delayed payments of WWI service bonuses. A crucial resource for historians, educators, and genealogists.
1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Receipt for Adjusted Service Bonds Payment
📌 Explore a rare 1936 receipt documenting the surrender of Adjusted Service Bonds by a WWI veteran. Learn how U.S. veterans finally received their promised compensation after years of waiting, the impact of the Bonus Army protests, and the bureaucratic process behind veteran benefits. A vital resource for historians, educators, and genealogists.
1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Transmittal Letter for Adjusted Service Bonds Payment
📌 Explore a rare 1936 Treasury Department transmittal letter detailing the final payment of Adjusted Service Bonds to a WWI veteran. Learn about the long struggle for veteran compensation, the impact of the Bonus Army protests, and how the U.S. government managed payments during the Great Depression. A vital resource for historians, educators, and genealogists.
🌍 Ludvig's Early Life in Norway (1892–1913)
✔ Born in Trondhjem, Norway (now Trondheim) on 11 January 1892
✔ Orphaned at nine years old, sent to live with elderly relatives
✔ Worked on farms and later became a shoemaker
✔ Faced limited economic opportunities, prompting his decision to emigrate
🔹 This section offers an intimate glimpse into the harsh realities of working-class life in Norway in the early 1900s.
🚢 The Decision to Leave & Journey to America
✔ Secured a loan from relatives to fund his journey
✔ June 1913: Departed from Trondhjem aboard the small coastal steamer Åro, operated by the Wilson Line of Hull
✔ Traveled by train across England to reach Liverpool, where he boarded the Cunard Steamship RMS Laconia as a steerage passenger
✔ Voyage took ten days before arriving in Boston, Massachusetts
✔ Cleared U.S. immigration and traveled to the Midwest
🔹 This portion of the story vividly captures the reality of immigrant travel—long voyages, financial hardship, and an uncertain future.
🌾 Settling in the Midwest & The Great War
✔ Initially lived in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois
✔ Moved to Madison, Minnesota, working as a farm laborer
✔ Met his future wife, Clara Seefert
✔ World War I (1917): Drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Pike, Arkansas
✔ Became a U.S. citizen and promoted to Corporal in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
✔ Served in France during the war
🔹 This segment highlights the role of immigrants in U.S. military history, emphasizing themes of patriotism and sacrifice.
🏡 Postwar Life & Family
✔ Married and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota
✔ Had three children: Benjamin, Marie, and Lawrence
✔ Worked for the D.W. Onan Company, rising from janitor to maintenance and security supervisor
✔ Lived briefly on a farm in Wisconsin during the late 1920s
✔ Worked through the Great Depression, facing significant hardships
🔹 A compelling look at the resilience of immigrants in postwar America, navigating economic downturns and building a new life for their families.
🙏 A Life of Faith, Service, and Dedication
✔ Deeply involved in his church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and superintendent
✔ Advocate for Christian education, ensuring his children had access to opportunities he never had
✔ Passionate about mission work, giving generously despite personal hardships
✔ Remembered as a man of great wisdom, dignity, and humor
🔹 This section adds depth to Ludvig’s character, showcasing how faith and community played a central role in his life.
🛤 The Journey’s End: Return to Norway & Legacy
✔ 1952: Traveled back to Norway to visit his homeland
✔ Created a tile mosaic of the Last Supper as a farewell gift to his pastor
✔ Passed away at the age of 83, facing death with faith and courage
🔹 A touching conclusion that brings the story full circle—an immigrant who found success and fulfillment in America but never forgot his roots in Norway.
📸 Noteworthy Images from This Page
📷 Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik in Trondhjem, Norway (1910)
An early portrait of Ludvig before his emigration—an image that captures the face of a dreamer preparing for a life-changing journey.
📷 Corporal Ludvig Gjenvick, American Expeditionary Forces (1917)
A proud moment for an immigrant-turned-soldier, highlighting the contributions of foreign-born Americans in WWI.
📷 Ludvig Gjenvick at His Retirement (1957)
A testament to a lifetime of hard work, showing Ludvig in his later years after achieving stability and success in America.
📷 Boarding a Train to New York for His Return to Norway (1952)
A symbolic image of an immigrant revisiting his homeland after decades of life in the United States.
📌 Final Thoughts: A Testament to the Immigrant Spirit
🔹 Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik’s story is one of resilience, faith, and perseverance. He faced orphanhood, financial hardship, war, and personal loss, yet he built a meaningful life in America, contributing to his community, his church, and his family.
🔹 For historians and educators, this biography serves as a compelling case study of Norwegian immigration, offering insight into transatlantic travel, economic struggles, and the immigrant experience in early 20th-century America.
🔹 For genealogists, Ludvig’s story represents the journey of countless Scandinavian immigrants, showcasing the importance of financial loans, family support, and social integration in making the transition to a new life.
🔹 For students, his life teaches the enduring values of perseverance, service, and adaptability—a reminder that immigration is not just about moving to a new place, but about forging a new identity in the face of adversity.
