In Vestre Slidre Valders, which is about the central part of Norway, there lived in 1700 and some odd years a young man named Gulbrand (great-great-grandfather). He was married to a young woman named Sunneva (great-great-grandmother). They had a large family of children, one of whom was Thrond Hodne (great-grandfather) who was born in August, 1793. He was married to Thora Orager (great-grandmother), an only child, whose parents were Barbro and Ole (great-great-grandparents) and maternal grandfather being Knut.
When Thrond and Thora bought and moved on the “gard” or farm “Lommen,” they got that sir name as was the custom in Norway in those days. To them were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Ole, the oldest son, remained on the “gard” in Norway. Knut remained to finish his education.
The rest of the family emigrated to America and arrived in Winneshiek County, Iowa in September 1851. The trip across the ocean was made by sail boat. They went up the Hudson River and Erie Canal by tow boat pulled by horses walking on land. Records show that Thrond Lommen was one of the most active of the pioneers in working to persuade a pastor to come to the community. Rev. V. Koren arrived in December 1853. In an article written by Reverend Koren about his early experiences, he says that when he came to the community, Thrond Lommen was the oldest and also the most intelligent of the newcomers and so he called on him for personal advice. Thrond served as “Klokker” in the church and also led devotions before they had a pastor. He lived only five years after his arrival in America; he passed away August 13, 1856. He lived and died on the farm he had bought which was located three miles southwest of Decorah, Iowa. His wife, Thora Orager Lommen continued to live on this farm until her death, January 1880.